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.

Luke 13

• Luke 13:1-5 – Jesus debunks the idea that bad things happening are a punishment for sin. Jesus is instead trying to reorient their minds toward repentance.
• Luke 13:6-9 – Our job here is to bear fruit. We must avoid complacency and work to bear fruit. When we don’t strive to bear fruit, we’re just “using up the ground.” God expects more from us than that.
• Luke 13:10-17
  • Luke 13:16 – Jesus freed a Jew that was bound by Satan.
  • Deuteronomy 5:12-15 – The Jews were supposed to be thinking about being freed from bondage on the Sabbath. Jesus freed the woman from bondage to Satan.
  • John 8:34 – We have all been bound by Satan through sin.
• Luke 13:18-19 – The kingdom of God would start small but grow exponentially.
• Luke 13:22-32
  • Luke 13:24 – Strive to enter. Don’t just be an interested Christian – be a committed Christian.