Introduction

• I John 3:16
• How do we as parents teach our kids spiritual lessons?
• Philippians 2:5
• I Peter 2:21

Examples are powerful – just look at Jesus.

• Luke 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 29; 11:1
• Philippians 4:9
• Titus 2:7
• I Timothy 4:12
• I Peter 5:3

It’s our job to show them WHAT is possible.

• I Thessalonians 1:6
• I Timothy 1:15-16
• II Timothy 3:15
• James 5:10
• Roger Bannister ran a four-minute mile, showing that it could be done. Now, more than a thousand people have done it!

It’s our job to show them HOW to do it.

• John 13:5, 14 – Jesus showed them directly how to do what He was commanding. The apostles probably remembered this for the rest of their lives!
• John 13:34
• Acts 20:17-21, 31-34 – Paul showed them how to behave.
• Acts 17:24-27, 30-31 – It’s possible to honor God as Creator in this world!

II Corinthians 11, continued

• II Corinthians 11:30-33 – Damascus was Paul’s original destination when he was blinded on the road, leading to his conversion. From the time of his conversion, there were threats on his life. See Galatians 1:17. Paul uses this as an illustration of the threats he was under.

II Corinthians 12

• II Corinthians 12:1-2 – See Galatians 1:12; 2:1. Paul received the gospel via direct revelation. In their way of speaking, the first heaven was the sky, the second heaven was the domain of the sun, moon, and stars, and the third heaven was paradise, the abode of God.
• II Corinthians 12:3-4 – Paul’s vision happened about 42 A.D. This would be about ten years after his conversion.
• II Corinthians 12:5-6 – Paul did not tell more to prevent accusations of boasting from his opponents.
• II Corinthians 12:7-8 – Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to torment him. It was a painful experience to prevent pride.
• II Corinthians 12:9-10 – God’s power is perfected in man’s weakness. We must not view our troubles as impediments but as ways that God is helping perfect us.
• II Corinthians 12:11-13 – Paul is reminding them that they were taught by someone with authority.
• II Corinthians 12:14-15 – Paul was again going to refuse to accept support from them. See I Corinthians 4:15; II Corinthians 6:13. Paul saw himself as their parent. He was coming to give, not to take.
• II Corinthians 12:16-18 – Paul is using sarcasm and irony here to refute the claim that he sent in to take advantage of them.

Introduction

• Hebrews 1:1
• Prophets were God’s spokesmen. They did more than just tell the future.
• Ezekiel 4
• There are sixteen or seventeen books of prophecy in the Old Testament, depending on precisely which ones you count. There were many more prophets who did not have their own books.

• II Peter 1:20

God loves us!

• Ezekiel 18:23, 27-32
• Jeremiah 26:1-3
• II Peter 3:9
• Jonah 4:1-11 – Jonah had compassion on the plant, but not on the people of the city. God expects us to love souls like He does.

We need His love when times are hard.

• I Kings 18:3-4 – When times were hard, God had hundreds of prophets.
• Jeremiah 6:10
• II Chronicles 24:19
• Hosea 4:6
• When we are in difficult times, we must seek God the most!

With God, there is always something to look forward to.

• Malachi 4:1-6
• Jeremiah 31:31
• We’re looking forward to our salvation with God in heaven.

Introduction

• Courage: Acting despite our fear.
• Mark 15:43
• Deuteronomy 31:1-7, 23
• Joshua 1:5-9 – God would be with Joshua.
• I Chronicles 28:20

To stand for the truth despite consequences.

• John 9:22, 30-34 – The blind man had courage!
• John 12:42-43 – The rulers were afraid to confess Jesus. They lacked courage to face the potential consequences.
• John 18:17, 25-27 – Peter lacked courage to confess Christ. Peter had legitimate reasons to be afraid.

To be alone.

• I Kings 18:22; 19:10 – Elijah
• Daniel 3:16-18 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood alone before Nebuchadnezzar.

To confront our own sins.

• Psalms 32:1-5 – David was willing to confront his own sins.
• Psalms 51:12

To clearly expose error even among brethren.

• Numbers 13:31; 14:1-10 – The ten spies discourage the people. Caleb and Joshua stand up against them.
• II Timothy 4:14-18 – Paul showed great courage.
• Galatians 2:11-12 – Paul had the courage to call out Peter for his sin.

Introduction

• I Peter 5:7
• Romans 12:12
• I John 5:14-15

Waiting allows us to build our trust in Him.

• Genesis 12:2, 4; 21:5 – Abraham and Sarah waited a long time for Isaac.
• I Samuel 16:12; II Samuel 5:4 – David waited a long time before becoming king.
• Sometimes God expects us just to wait.

Suffering produces endurances.

• James 1:2
• Job 42:6; 40:1-2; 42:7-8 – Job handled himself very well. God repeatedly calls him, “my servant Job” – a great compliment!
• James 5:10-11

Sometimes God simply says “No,” and we should remember that He knows all, and we don’t.

• II Kings 6:15-17
• II Corinthians 12:7-10 – God said no to keep Paul from exalting himself.
• Ephesians 1:16-19; 6:18-20
• Note: Praying does not relieve us of responsibility. We must pray, then get up and get to work.