We should follow his example of leadership.

We should learn the importance of obedience.

We should grow into greatness.

Availability of scriptures to early Christians

• Today we have an infinite number of Bibles and translations.
• Before the Gutenberg Bible (1454), only hand-written copies
• Handwritten copies cost several years’ salary.
• Did churches have complete Bibles?
• Most experienced Scripture through sermons and readings.

Application to our study

• Early Christians heard the word read.
• Early Christians would remember the principles taught.
• Emphasis on “doing it” – Luke 8:21

Women / parable of debtors (Luke 7:36-50)

• Sinful woman, wash feet with tears
• Pharisee critical
• Two debtors, small / large amount forgiven
• Debtor with largest debt loves more.
• Woman had great sin, great love.
• Principle: Great love results in great forgiveness.

Parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-15)

• (Seed is word of God)
• Road (no root, devil takes away)
• Rocky (shallow root, believe then fell)
• Thorny (root, choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of life)
• Good soil (firm root, held and shared)
• Principle: The condition of our heart determines the effectiveness of God’s word in our lives.

Parable of the lamp (Luke 8:16-21)

• Principle: We have a responsibility to let God’s light shine, share the good news.

Jesus stills the sea (Luke 8:22-25)

• Principle: Have faith in Jesus. He has power over nature.

Demonic cured (Luke 8:26-39)

• Principle: Have faith in Jesus. He has power over demons.

Jairus / woman with hemorrhage (Luke 8:40-56 / Mark 5:21-43)

• Principle: Have faith in Jesus. He has power over sickness and death.

Summary of principles

• Great love results in great forgiveness
• Effectiveness of God’s word depends on our heart
• Let God’s light shine
• Jesus has power over nature
• Jesus has power over demons
• Jesus has power over sickness / death
• These are simple principles. The challenge is incorporating them into our lives.

Introduction

• Hebrews 11:13-16
• Philippians 3:20
• Acts 1:9-11 – Heaven is a real place!
• I Thessalonians 4:16
• Ecclesiastes 12:7 – Our spirit goes back to God who gave it.

… I’ll finally be with God.

• Matthew 25:34, 41, 46
• Hebrews 9:24
• Matthew 7:23
• Hell is the place where God is not.
• I John 3:1-2
• I Thessalonians 4:17-18.

… I’ll be with other saints.

• I Thessalonians 4:15-17
• Will we have our memories in heaven?
• Revelation 6:9-11

… my problems on earth will be left behind.

• Luke 16:19-26
• Hebrews 4:8-11 – God’s people have a better rest than what the Israelites received in the promised land.
• Matthew 5:11
• Romans 8:18

… I will enjoy it!

• James 1:17-18 – God knows how to bless us. If He can make earth, surely, He can make Heaven amazing!

Therefore, I should live life like a citizen of Heaven.

• Philippians 3:19-20
• Our conduct must match our citizenship.
• Colossians 3:1-2
• Matthew 6:19-21 – Lay up treasure in Heaven.
• Philippians 2:5-8

Introduction

• Psalms 119:105
• James 3:2

Use a bunch of positive words.

• Job 13:4-5; 19:1-3; 2:9 – Job’s friends and wife.
• Proverbs 18:21 – Words can do a log of good or a lot of bad.
• Proverbs 21:19 – “a nagging and hot-tempered wife”
• Colossians 3:19 – a better and harsh husband
• One the positive side, think about how husbands and wives fulfill the verses in Ephesians 5:28-29, 33 and I Peter 3:7.
• Proverbs 12:25 – Say positive things to your spouse.
• Use those little words that mean so much.
  • “I’m sorry” – Luke 15:21
  • “I forgive you” – Matthew 6:14-15
  • “Please” – Acts 26:3; Nehemiah 5:10-11
  • “Thank you” – Luke 17:16
  • “Good job” – Proverbs 31:28-29
  • “I love you” – Song of Solomon 1:7

Plan your words carefully and soften your start-up.

• Proverbs 15:1-2
• Ephesians 4:15, 29 – Speak in love, for edification.
• Proverbs 12:18 – “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tonque of the wise brings healing.”

De-escalate (and respond when your spouse is trying to de-escalate).

• James 1:19 – “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger”
• Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:8-9, 12-13 – As Christians, we can’t continue to communicate in the same old ugly ways as the past. We are new people, growing and maturing in our attitudes and words.
• “Four horsemen of the apocalypse” – From The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
  • Horseman 1: Criticism
  • Horseman 2: Contempt
  • Horseman 3: Defensiveness
  • Horseman 4: Stonewalling
• “Demon dialogues” – Dr. Sue Johnson, Created for Connection
  • Find the bad guy
  • Protest polka
  • Freeze and flee

Learn how to learn and compromise with perpetual differences

• Acts 3:19 – If we’re guilty of any sin, that needs to change.
• Ephesians 5; I Peter 3 – love, sacrifice, nourish, cherish, respect, honor, understanding
• I Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love!

Speak with clarity

• Genesis 11:1, 7-9
  • There are a lot of ways God could have stopped that project. But messing up their ability to communicate was the method He chose, and it put an immediate end to their work.
  • Imagine and husband and wife who aren’t able to communicate clearly. How will they share their lives together?
• I Corinthians 14:8, 19 – If your communication is not clear, what’s the point?
• Titus 2:4 – Who are they supposed to love? THEIR husbands.
• Ephesians 5:28 – Love who? THEIR wives.

Introduction

• Jeremiah 2:13
• Psalms 16:7-11

Give up on counterfeit happiness.

• Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
• Barna OmniPoll, August 2015:
  • 86% of US adults believe that “To be fulfilled in life, you should pursue the things you desire most.”
  • 84% believe “The highest goal of life is to enjoy it as much as possible.”
• The Happiness Project
  • “living the life that’s right for you …”
• “When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer.”

Find joy in serving the Lord.

• Psalms 1:1-2
• Psalms 2:12
• Psalms 32:1-2
• Psalms 34:8
• Psalms 40:4
• Psalms 84:4
• Those who are happy in the Lord are happy because they are living in the Lord.
• I Corinthians 15:58
• One kind of work is never useless: serving God.
• Philippians 3:1; 4:4
• Lamentations 1:8
• Jeremiah 9:23-24
• Matthew 22:37
• Luke 9:23

Put negative things in perspective.

• Philippians 1:12-18 – Paul saw the positive in his imprisonment – the gospel was spreading more!
• Philippians 3:7-8, 18-21
• Philippians 4:11-12 – Paul learned to be content in Christ.
• A Christian always has reason to rejoice.
• True happiness is only in the Lord.