Avoid cliques that discourage or do harm.

• Matthew 7:12
• Matthew 22:39
• Luke 10:36-37
• James 2:1-8
• Look for people to include - not exclude.
• Romans 12:9-18

Just being part of a group is not sinful.

• Psalms 135:4 - God didn’t do anything wrong by creating this group of people.
• Mark 3:13-14 - Jesus selected the twelve apostles. He did nothing wrong by selecting this special group.

Let’s learn to appreciate other people and learn from our differences.

• Acts 11:19
• Matthew 13:53-58 - Those in Jesus’ hometown would have had everything in common with Him, yet they were offended at Him.
• Acts 2:9-11, 46-47

We must teach and study the Bible. (Let’s not compromise the gospel so we can fill the pews.)

• Acts 15:35; 13:1
• Acts 18:1-4, 8, 11
• I Corinthians 4:17
• I Corinthians 14:26
• Acts 20:17, 28, 32
• Throughout the New Testament, the building itself was never the focus.

Introduction

• Acts 10:1-4 - God was listening to the prayers of Cornelius!

When I am in trouble

• Psalms 34:15-19
• Jonah 2:1-2, 7-10 - “There are no atheists in foxholes and rubber rafts.”
• II Chronicles 20:3-4, 12 - Jehoshaphat was afraid and sought the Lord. The nation saw that example and followed.

When I am blessed

• Luke 17:12-19 - One of the healed lepers returned to thank and praise God.
• Luke 6:35
• Deuteronomy 6:11-12
• I Thessalonians 5:16-18

When I am confused

• James 1:5
• II Timothy 3:17
• Psalms 25:1-5 - “Make me know your ways, O Lord”

When I am tempted

• Matthew 6:13
• Matthew 26:41
• Psalms 141:3
• Hebrews 4:15-16
• I Corinthians 10:13

When I am thinking of others

• James 5:13-16
• Psalms 23:5; Hebrews 1:9
• I Timothy 2:1-4
• Ephesians 6:18-19
• Job 42:10

Luke 14

• Luke 14:1 - They were laying in wait to try to trap Jesus in any small thing they would consider a mistake.
• Luke 14:6 - See Luke 6:1-5; 13:10-17. They showed more care for their animals on the Sabbath than for this woman.
• Luke 14:10-11 - See Proverbs 25:6. We must eliminate this prideful attitude.
• Luke 14:12-14 - Humble yourself!
• Luke 14:15-24 - Jesus came to the Jews first, but then brought His message to everyone. Likewise, we should try to share the gospel with everyone without pre-judging how we think they will react.
• Luke 14:27 - Compare Luke 9:23; Romans 6:1-11. This is a radical new way of dealing with sin. See Galatians 2:20; 5:24. We must die to sin.

Introduction

• Genesis 12:7; 13:17; 15:18; 17:8 – God promised them the land of Canaan.
• Exodus 3:8
• Exodus 12:25
• Numbers 13:1-2 – Men are sent to spy out the land of Canaan.
• Numbers 13:23 – This was a land filled with blessings!
• Numbers 13:25-29 – Ten spies gave a discouraging report.

TRUST in God’s word

• Numbers 13:30-33 – Caleb tried to give a positive report.
• Numbers 14:6-10 – Caleb and Joshua were looking to God. They could take the land because God said he would make it happen!
• Hebrews 13:4
• Can I really forgive people?
• Proverbs 29:25

COURAGE to stand in the minority, when even brethren are weak

• Numbers 13:31
• Numbers 14:10 – The congregation wanted to stone those who did have faith.
• Isaiah 40:8, 23-24, 28-31
• Romans 12:10
• Hebrews 13:3
• Acts 20:17, 28

CONFIDENCE in God’s control of the future

• Numbers 14:28-38
• Romans 4:17 – This is quoting Genesis 17:5. God said this to Abraham when Abraham was 99 years old and Isaac was not yet born. The very fact that the Israelites existed was proof God kept His promises.
• Joshua 21:43
• I Timothy 1:8-10 – Am I willing to stand where God says I should stand?
• The future does not belong to the giants of today. It belongs to God.

Introduction

• Acts 15:36-41
• Things at Benchley have changed a lot since 1994!

In our new building, let’s continue to focus on Christ.

• I Corinthians 14:26 – Authority for a church to assemble.
• Hebrews 10:25
• The building is not the goal. What we do in the building is the goal.
• Acts 25:23; 26:22
• Acts 16:25, 32 – It doesn’t matter where it was preached – the gospel is still the gospel.

We should foster closeness and brotherly love.

• Hebrews 13:1 – Let love of the brethren continue.
• Acts 2:41 – 3,000 were added to their number!
  • Acts 2:46 – They spent time together personally.
• Don’t limit the relationship to what happens in these four walls. Keep spending time with each other outside of services.
• Galatians 3:26-29
• I Corinthians 6:5-8 – There will always be opportunity for conflict, but we must let things go and move on.
• Acts 6:1, 7
• James 2:1-4
• Philemon 1:15-16 – We cannot allow outside or former differences to separate us in Christ.