Introduction

• Why have churches departed from the pattern we see in scripture?

Drifting from God’s word

• I Samuel 8:1-4 – The people recognized a need for improvement. They looked around and saw nations with kings that appeared to be thriving.
• Why did Alexander Campbell push for the American Christian Missionary Society? He thought he perceived a need that was not being addressed.
• But why was Israel week and oppressed? Not because they didn’t have a king, but because they were not obeying God. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Boyfriend and girlfriend, continued:

Look for someone who loves God and others

• Matthew 22:36-40

Respects God’s word enough to actually obey it

• I John 5:2-3
• Luke 6:46-49
• Mark 10:11-12

Grows and works on weaknesses

• I John 1:8
• How do you handle weaknesses and sin?
• Acts 5:29 – Peter showed tremendous growth.
• Acts 9:20 – Paul was a great example of positive change and spiritual growth.
• II Timothy 4:7

Treats people well

• Luke 10:33-35 – The example of the good Samaritan.
• Ephesians 4:31-32
• Galatian 5:22

Demonstrates humility

• Psalms 51:16-17
• Ephesians 5:22-27 – A husband should be prepared to sacrifice himself for the spiritual betterment of his wife.
• Colossians 3:12-14

Communicates well

• James 1:19
• Proverbs 15:1-2, 28
• Proverbs 12:18 – Good can come from talking!
• Proverbs 17:27 – Restraining your words can also be good!

Introduction

• James 5:19-20

Notice!

• Philippians 2:4-7
• We need to get out of our own busy schedules and notice others who may need help.
• II Corinthians 11:28-29 – Do I have intense concern for those led into sin?
• Luke 15 – The end goal is to help sinners repent!
• Attendance: Hebrews 10:25
• Observation: Acts 15:36
• Do this: Scroll through the directory this week.

Encourage!

• Acts 14:1-3
• I Thessalonians 5:14
• Do this: Contact a member and encourage them.
• Three ways to encourage:
  • God’s people: Romans 1:12; I Corinthians 16:5-7; III John 1:14
  • God’s worship: Acts 2:42; Ephesians 5:19
  • God’s word: Mark 6:34; Romans 10:17

• Hebrews 3:1-6 – Jesus is a better keeper of God’s house than Moses was.
  • Hebrews 3:3-4 – God built the house. See John 1:1.
  • Hebrews 3:5 – Moses was a faithful servant to God. See Hebrews 10:1-10. Part of his service was testifying about the things that would come later (Jesus and the New Covenant).
  • Hebrews 3:6 – Moses kept God’s house as a servant, but Jesus kept God’s house as a son.
• Hebrews 3:7-11 – If we harden our hearts and do not believe, we will also not enter the promised land.
• Hebrews 3:12-13 – We must be careful not to let an unbelieving heart lead us to fall away from Christ.
• Hebrews 3:14-15 – To hear God and do what He says is to not harden your heart to God.
• Hebrews 3:18-19 – See Matthew 7:21; Acts 22:16. Paul called on the name of the Lord by doing what He said. The Israelites could not enter Canaan because of unbelief.

Introduction

• Genesis 3:1-7

We must learn to be content with the blessings we have.

• Genesis 2:9
• Even focused on the good in the sin.
• Genesis 2:8-18 – Look at where Adam and Eve lived! They had everything they needed! Why not be content with this?
• Philippians 4:11-13 – Paul learned to be content in whatever situation he was in.

We should be scared of sin’s consequences.

• We don’t know how sin might hurt.
  • Genesis 3:7-11 – They had a changed attitude about self (shame) and blamed each other.
• We don’t know who sin might hurt.
  • Eve’s sin drew in Adam as well.
• We don’t know how long sin might hurt.
  • Genesis 3:16-24 – The rest of their lives were changed!

God provides hope!

• Genesis 3:9, 15 – God was alluding to the coming of Jesus.
• Galatians 4:4