Introduction

• John 17:20-21
• Ephesians 4:1-3 – “unity of the spirit in the bond of peace”

Unity and peace among brethren

• Psalms 131
• Ephesians 4:13
• Philippians 1:27; 2:2
• Mark 9:50
• Luke 1:79
• John 16:33
• Romans 8:6; 14:19
• I Corinthians 14:13
• II Corinthians 13:11
• Galatians 5:22
• Ephesians 6:15
• I Thessalonians 5:13
• II Timothy 2:22
• Hebrews 12:14
• I Peter 3:11
• Jude 1:2
• Philippians 4:7
• John 17:23
• I can be the source of unity and peace or of discord in the local church.

Lack of unity among believers produces infidelity

• John 17:20-21
• How God looks on one that causes disunity:
  • Proverbs 6:16-19
• How God looks on one who sows discord demands that we mark those that cause disunity.
  • Romans 16:17

God’s platform for unity

• Ephesians 4:1-7
• I Corinthians 1:10
• If we build our lives on God’s platform for unity, we will be acceptable to Him.

Things that are detrimental to unity.

• III John 1:9 – Having our own way.
• II Timothy 2:14 – Strife among brethren
• James 3:5-6 – Uncontrolled tongues
• I Corinthians 5:1-5 - Worldlines

Means of promoting unity and peace

• Philippians 2:3-4 – Humility
• I Corinthians 9:19-22 – Serving others
• Ephesians 4:15
• I Thessalonians 2:10

Unity, peace, and joy

• Unity and peace will ultimately produce joy.
• Philippians 4:1
• Romans 12:12; Psalms 5:11; I John 1:4

Unity, peace, joy, and happiness

• Matthew 25:46
• I Thessalonians 4:13-17 – What happiness!

• Job 32-37

Elihu’s speeches to Job

• Job 32:3, 5, 12 – Elihu is not impressed with the words of Job’s three friends.
• Job 33:8-11 – Elihu summarizes Job’s stated position so far.
• Job 33:13-28 – Elihu points out that God has several ways of communicating with man.
• Job 34:7-8 – Elihu accuses Job of evil and associating with sinners.
• Job 34:9 – See Job 21:15.
• Job 34:12 – God will not do wicked things!
• Job 34:21-30 – God sees and punishes the wicked.
• Job 34:31-37 – Elihu claims Job has spoken inappropriately.
  • See Romans 3:23; 4:1-3.
• Job 35:12 – Elihu claims God does not reply because of Job’s pride.
• Job 37:14-24 – Elihu urges humility for Job. God is so far above us, we have no right to question Him.
• I John 4:20 – God does not look kindly on those who malign one of His own.

Introduction

• Dan Kimball, How Not to Read the Bible

God’s Laws Through the Ages

Genesis 1 – Laws for Patriarchs

• Genesis 3; 6:14; 12
• Genesis 4 – Cain and Abel presenting offerings, showing they had been instructed to do so.
• Genesis 18:19

Exodus 20 – Law of Moses for Israel (Old Covenant)

• Exodus 19:3-6
• Deuteronomy 5:1-3
• This was Gid’s law for Israel. It was specific to that group.

Prophets – Laws for Gentiles

• Isaiah 13:1; 14:29; 15:1; 18:1; 19:1; 21:11, 13 – Examples of God giving instructions to Gentiles.
• Jeremiah 46; Amos 1
• Romans 4:15 – Without law, there is no sin.
• Jonah 1:2 – The Ninevites evidently knew God’s laws.

Transition: Jesus Lived Under the Old Covenant, Taught the New Covenant

• Matthew 5:17-18 – Jesus came to fulfill the law.
• Matthew 4:23

Acts 2 – Law of Christ for ALL (New Covenant)

• Hebrews 1:1-2

• Acts 2:36-39

• Acts 10 – Law is for Gentiles also!

  • Acts 10:34-35

  • Galatians 3:28

• John 12:48 – Jesus’ law will carry on until the last day.

• Romans 1:16

Study each passage in its context to determine its relevance to us.

• Generally, the New Testament is for us, the Old Testament is not. But even that is an oversimplification.
• Not everything in the Old Testament is irrelevant.
• Not everything in the New Testament is an instruction for us.

Attitudes toward giving (continued)

• Elements of giving, continued

  • Planning

    • Giving should not be haphazard, but done with proper planning and management. II Corinthians 9:7

    • Demands thought, premeditation, intent

      • Strike a balance between church collection and charity

      • II Corinthians 8:13-14

    • Consider the gift itself

      • It’s ours – Acts 5:3-5

      • God placed it in our care

  • Following through

    • Determining to do what we’ve purposed

      • Called to be steadfast – I Corinthians 15:58

      • Sign of maturity – Ephesians 4:14-16

    • Review and revise the plan

      • The OODA loop – Observe, Orient, Decide, Act

      • Incomes and circumstances change

      • Ability to “do less with more”

        • Learned trait

        • Comes with time, practice, and purpose

• Individual charitable giving

  • Who is needy? Psalms 41:1-3

  • Where do we find them?

  • What are they in need of? Isaiah 58:6-11; Romans 5:6

  • Acts 4:7-10 – Jesus helped the helpless. We should stribe to do the same.

  • How much to give?

    • According to need and ability.

    • Final rule is within the heart – II Corinthians 9:6-11

    • Example at the judgment – Matthew 25:32-46

    • Act of faith – James 2:15-17

Introduction

• II Peter 1:5-11

Moral excellence (virtue)

• Philippians 2:19-23, 25-30 – Epaphroditus had been entrusted to carry money to Paul. Paul called him a “fellow worker.”
• We want our children to be workers for the Lord. Don’t make excuses for your children to get them out of work for the Lord!

Knowledge

• Colossians 1:3-10
• Do our children know how to serve God?

Self-control (temperance)

• I Corinthians 9:24-27 – Paul had to exercise self-control often in dealing with things that happened to him.
• Our children need experience with self-control and self-denial.

Perseverance (patience, steadfastness)

• Romans 5:3-4
• We have to allow our children to persevere. They need opportunities to grow and build character.
• I Corinthians 10:13
• There is value in the struggle. The struggle causes us to grow!
• If we jump in and help every time our children face a challenge, they will never develop perseverance.

Godliness

• I Timothy 4:7-8; 6:3, 5-6, 11
• Godliness is about dedication to God.
• The most important thing is serving God!

Brotherly kindness

• I John 4:5

Love

• Romans 13:10

Conclusion

• II Peter 1:8
• Are we raising our kids so they will be useful to God?