Introduction

• Proverbs 16:31

Be realistic, but optimistic

• Acts 1:16
• Psalms 71:9, 15, 5-8 – He had learned to trust in the Lord.
• Philemon 1:8-9 – Paul appealed to him as an old man. Can you do this as well?
• II Samuel 19:39-39 – Barzillai returned home and sent his servant on to help David. He aged gracefully and wisely.
• Older people are often very content. This can be a great lesson to others.
• II Corinthians 4:16

Younger folks should honor older folks

• I Timothy 5:3
• Philippians 3:17
• Thank you to all of our older folks!

You ain’t done yet!

• Psalms 92:12-15
• Luke 1:36 – Elizabeth bore a son in her old age.
• Luke 2:36-38 – Anna served in the temple in her old age.
• Exodus 7:7 – Moses was eighty years old when he stood before God.
• Leviticus 19:32 – Honoring the older people was part of the Law of Moses.
• I Timothy 3:6 – Elders must be men with experience.
• Example: Dr. Chibanda trained grandmothers in Zimbabwe to help those with psychological issues. The grandmothers were more effective than the doctors!
• II Timothy 1:5
• Titus 2:3-4

James 4

• James 4:1 – See James 1:14; 3:13. The source of our trouble is our own lust – not God. Other people might create problems, but we must look inward and see what problems we might be causing ourselves.
• James 4:2-3 – See I John 5:14. We should not think that prayer is a magic ability to satisfy our physical desires. It should not be used as an avenue for selfishness.
• James 4:4 – See II Corinthians 11:2.
  • Friendship with the world:
    • John 17:15
    • Ephesians 5:7
    • I John 2:15
    • I Thessalonians 5:22
    • Romans 12:2, 9
    • Romans 1:32
    • Galatians 6:14
• James 4:5 – This is often presented as a quote in various translations, but there were no quotes in the original. There is no verse in the Old Testament or New Testament that matches this. The NIV translation has a good take on this – it is not a quote but something that Scripture says in general.
• James 4:6 – Pride separates us from God.
• James 4:7 – We don’t negotiate with God. He has already given us His offer. It is up to us to accept. We are more powerful than Satan. If we resist him, there is nothing else he can do.
• James 4:8 – Put the sin out of your life!
• James 4:10 – God is looking for humble hearts.
• James 4:11 – See John 7:24. Don’t let this conflict with Jesus’ commands to discern rightly. Don’t attempt to put yourself above the law.
• James 4:13 – It is not sinful to make a plan, but don’t leave God out of your plans.
• James 4:17 – The “right thing to do” is what he just said in James 4:15 – live with God in mind.

Introduction

• Mark 1:17
• John 4:13-14, 34 – Jesus often used physical things to teach spiritual lessons.
• John 7:37-38

Self-control and discipline

• I Corinthians 9:24-27
• Athletes put tremendous effort into training and preparing for their sport. They practice great discipline over themselves.
• How is my spiritual preparation and training going?

Sacrifice

• II Corinthians 12:14-15
• Philippians 2:14-15
• Paul sacrificed his time, energy, and health to spread the gospel.
• II Timothy 2:8-10, 3
• There is no cause more worthy than the cause of Christ.
• Whatever it costs to serve God is worth it!

Wrong priorities

• Matthew 6:25-34
• I Corinthians 6:12
• We should not be completely obsessed with anything outside of God.
• Matthew 22:37
• Ephesians 5:3

Football crowds are nothing … compared to Heaven!

• Revelation 5:11-14

Holiness of Christ

Scripture calls Him holy

• Mark 1:24 – I know who you are – the Holy One of God!
• Luke 1:35 – Holy One who is to be born
• Hebrews 7:26 – High Priest who is Holy

How did He demonstrate His holiness?

Christ was sinless

• Hebrews 4:15 – tempted as we are, yet without sin
• II Corinthians 5:21 – knew no sin
• I John 3:5 – in Him there is no sin
• John 8:12, 42-47
• If Jesus had sin, then …
  • His teaching would be discredited.
  • He would not have been God.
  • He would have needed salvation.
  • He would not be qualified to be our sacrifice.

Christ knew His purpose

• Holiness of God – Jesus was sinless – perfect, unmatched
• Holiness of anything else – Jesus made the common into something special.
• John 6:38 – I am here to do the will of my Father.
• John 8:29 – I always do those things that please Him.
• John 4:34 – My food is to do the will of Him who sent me.

How should His holiness affect us?

He was perfect in all holiness – without sin

• How does that affect me?
  • Hebrews 7:25-27 – Earthly priests needed their own sacrifices. Jesus did not.
  • II Corinthians 5:20-21 – He became the sin offering for us.

Introduction

• I Peter 1:7

Academic integrity

• II Corinthians 8:20-21 – It would have been easy for Paul to steal some of the money, but he didn’t want his integrity to be questioned.
• Ephesians 4:25
• Colossians 3:23
• We are now in the age of AI. Texas A&M University is trying to crack down on cheating via generative AI.
• This could be a challenge if you are not cheating, but you see cheaters getting away with it and having a much easier time in school.

Independent faith

• Hebrews 11:1-3, 6-7
• Romans 10:17
• I must read and come to my own faith.
• Noah built the ark because of his faith.
• Asking questions is the way to develop faith.
• Ephesians 6:16

Pure dress

• Romans 6:12-14 – Am I using my body as an instrument of unrighteousness?
• Romans 13:13-14
• Be careful of the effect your clothing has on others.
• Luke 17:1-2 – Woe to those who cause others to stumble.

Budgeted time

• Ephesians 5:15-16
• Luke 8:14
• Plan and be deliberate with how you use your time.
• Psalms 1:1-3
• Make a resolution to put God first!

Faithful friends

• Mark 3:31-35 – Jesus was emphasizing the closeness of His spiritual family.
• II Peter 1:1
• There are many clubs and groups to be involved with. Take advantage of the people in this room! Spend time with the people that you have the most important things in common with.