Kingdom People Are Reconciled Reconcilers
Pastor Rocklyn Clarke - Sunday November
23, 2008
© 2008 Life Church Ministries, Inc.
http://www.LifeChurchMinistries.org/
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Notes
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Introduction
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Bible Reading 11/16 - 11/22: Ezek 33:1 - 45:12; Heb 13:1 - 1Pet 1:12; Psalm 115:1 - 119:32; Prov 27:21 - 28:10
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Review
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The Kingdom Makes a Difference
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Preparation
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Select The Passage:
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Discover the Exegetical Idea
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Analyze the Exegetical Idea
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Explain It: What does this mean?
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Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
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Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
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Formulate the Homiletical Idea
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Determine the Purpose of the Sermon
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Make it plain
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Use accessible language and modern parables
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Make sure people do something with God's message.
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Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose
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Outline the Sermon
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The Statue and the Stone - Dan 2:24-49
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Four Kingdoms
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Babylon
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Medo-Persia
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Greece
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Rome
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God's Kingdom was established during the Roman Empire
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The Kingdom will prevail over everything else
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The Kingdom makes a difference
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How Will The Kingdom Make a Difference?
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The Church must begin to assess its effectiveness.
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The Church must adopt new effective biblical strategies.
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Reengineering - IBM Credit Corp.
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Reengineering - Streamlining Purchasing
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The Kingdom is bigger than politics
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Politics - the way people cope with competition for limited resources
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Example - office supplies vs. office budgets
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The Kingdom of God is within you - Luke 17:21
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Training the Saints - Eph 4:1-16
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It's a head thing - the head-switching funeral story
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Worship services and "prophetic pronouncements" are not enough.
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Count the cost = Luke 14:25-35
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Spiritual leaders are coaches - Eph 4:1-13
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God wants to change the way you think.
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God wants to change the way you act.
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You must restructure your life in ways that will help you put God's Word into practice.
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We do this for non-kingdom things:
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Going back to school to gain skills for a better job
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Dieting to fit into a wedding dress or swimwear
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Changing your routine into order to "run into" a special someone
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Growing Up Into Christ - Eph 4:14-16
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Kingdom People Make A Difference
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Homiletical Idea - Kingdom People Make A Difference
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Keep it simple.
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Use illustrations of truth out of my own experience.
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Passage - 2Cor 2:12 - 3:6
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Explain the passage's background.
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Read the passage.
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God's servants have a real impact on the world around them.
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Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
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Yes - I know people who've made a difference.
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Yes - I've been able to make a difference in some lives.
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Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
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People need to know that they're supposed to make a difference.
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Knowing this will help you to do it.
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Focus On Others - 2Cor 2:12-13
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Allow God To Use You Wherever You Are - 2Cor 2:14-16
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Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you.
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Be ready for unexpected conversations.
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Practice Openness and Integrity - 2Cor 2:17
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"Before God" implies face to face communication. God is our friend.
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God wants to be your father - Isa 9:6-7.
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God wants to be your friend - John 15:13-15.
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God wants to be your life - John 7:37-39.
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See Other People As Your "Best Work"- 2Cor 3:1-3
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Let God Be Your Source - 2Cor 3:4-6
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Purpose of the Sermon
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Expand your world view.
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Analyze your life to determine if you're making a difference.
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Make whatever changes are necessary.
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Kingdom People Have Hungry Ears
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Getting someone's attention
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Consider the process of getting the attention of someone important:
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Reporters at a press conference.
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Competing with others for the attention of a visiting preacher.
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Competing with others for Bishop's attention.
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What if you had to compete for God's attention?
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Does God have to compete for your attention?
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Moses Sets Up The Tent Of Meeting - Ex 33:7-11
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Outside the camp - away from distractions
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God speaks with Moses face to face - like a friend
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God's response is framed as a response to Moses' act of devotion.
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Consider The Range Of Possible Responses To God
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Not everyone is hungry for God.
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Some people are indifferent to or only mildly interested in him.
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Blessed are those who hunger and thirst . . . - Mat 5:6
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Jesus rejects the lukewarm - Rev 3:14-16
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What's your attitude? How do you compare with Moses?
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Moses Is Hungry For More Of God - Ex 33:12-23
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He wants to know more about God's plan.
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He wants to learn God's ways.
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He advocates for God's people.
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He wants to see God's glory.
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God rewards those who diligently seek him - Ex 34:1-8; Heb 11:6
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God proclaims his name in Moses' presence.
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Moses receives an auditory experience but not a full visual one.
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We have to hear God before we see him.
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Noah
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Abraham
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Moses and the burning bush
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Samuel at the tabernacle
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God's presence transforms you - Ex 34:28-35
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Transformation is one of the rewards for diligently seeking God.
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Get Hungry - 2Cor 3:1-18
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I've been hungry for God most of my life.
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All my saved life God has opened ministry doors for me:
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Bishop opened his study to me.
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Sister T. invited me to be a part of leadership meetings.
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Bishop switched me from Deacons class to Ministers class.
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There's more at stake now - better covenant, promises - Heb 8:3-6
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When your ears are hungry . . .
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You look for real food
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Israelites gathering Manna
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Do not work for food that spoils - John 6:25-29
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Itching ears just want to be scratched - Tit 4:1-4
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Hungry ears want to be fed.
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Stop rebelling - say "yes" to God.
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Kingdom People Know How To Live - 2Cor 3:7-18
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Background - 2Cor 2:12 - 3:6
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Who is equal to the task of ministering to the world we find ourselves in?
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Paul is motivated by sincere devotion to God - not profit.
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The Corinthians are the proof of his ministry.
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His competence comes from God.
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Paul is a minister of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit.
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The Letter Kills
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We don't keep the law - Rom 5:12-21
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We can't keep the law - Rom 7:1-12
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The law brings a curse - Gal 3:1-14
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The law enslaves us - Gal 3:29 - 4:2
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Explain how the Spirit makes a difference.
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The ministry of the Spirit brings life, freedom, and transformation.
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The Spirit comes to live inside believers.
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Sent by Jesus - John 14:15-21
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He is God's actual presence within us.
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The ministry of the Spirit brings God's life to us.
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It brings righteousness (right standing with God) which leads to life.
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Share personal experiences.
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The ministry of the Spirit sets us free from:
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Hiding from God.
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Hiding from other people.
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Share personal experiences.
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The Holy Spirit set me free from pretending to God that I was someplace that I really wasn't. He has freed me to confess to my wife and to other brothers and sisters and to acknowledge their criticisms.
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Explain how to live by the Spirit.
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Want to - Rom 8:1-4
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Listen - Rom 8:5-11
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Obey - Rom 8:12-17
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The Holy Spirit is transforming me as I listen to him.
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What difference does it make? So What?
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We can be bold rather than timid.
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We can experience genuine lasting change in our lives.
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We can be open and honest rather than secretive and deceptive.
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We don't lose heart. We're confident about the future.
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Tune In, Take Notes, and Draw Close - Rom 8:1-17
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Introduction
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The Drug Years - 1960s
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People sought "deep" revelation through drugs.
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Many deluded themselves into believing they had achieved a "higher consciousness".
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I've had this experience when I was high.
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Knocked Up - "Just tell me what to do!"
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The Letter Kills
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We don't keep the law - Rom 5:12-21
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We can't keep the law - Rom 7:1-12
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The law brings a curse - Gal 3:1-14
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The law enslaves us - Gal 3:29 - 4:2
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The Pattern
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Learn the rules
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Try to obey the rules
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Fail
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Ask God for help
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Try repeatedly to obey the rules.
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Fail repeatedly.
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Blame God.
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Fall away
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Phases Of Living By The Spirit
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Tune In
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Encounter the message about the life of the Spirit.
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Jesus' sheep know his voice voice - John 10:1-5; John 10:14-16; John 10:24-30
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"This is my son . . . listen to him" - Mat 17:1-5
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You can't love God without talking to him.
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If you don't listen to God, you can't really call yourself his child.
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Listening to God is everything in the Kingdom.
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Want to - Rom 8:1-4
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Kill the static - let go of old church models.
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Try to listen to the Spirit.
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Seven day challenge: find your best time for praying.
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Twenty-one day challenge: establish the prayer habit.
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Forty day challenge: lock it in.
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Take Notes
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Listen - Rom 8:5-11
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Develop the habit of writing down what God tells you.
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Philip 1:1-6; 2Tim 1:12
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Draw Close
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Get used to hearing from God.
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Tighten up your relationship with God.
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Obey - Rom 8:12-17
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What difference does it make? So What?
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The universe is waiting for us - Rom 8:18-27
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God is for us - Rom 8:28-39
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Kingdom People Are More Than Conquerors - Rom 8:31-39
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Introduction
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Review Rom 8:1-11 - Live by the Spirit
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Catch 22: Obey the rules so that God will talk to me.
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Victory: Talk to God so that I can obey the rules.
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Review Rom 8:12-17 - God's children are led by his Spirit
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Review Rom 8:18-30 - We are destined for glory; the universe is waiting
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What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?
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Review North Hollywood Shootout
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February 27, 1997 North Hollywood Shootout - 44 min
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Larry Phillips, Jr. and Emil Matasareanu
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9:17am - Enter Bank
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9:38am - Exit Bank
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9:59am - End
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Police were outgunned
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Commandeered an armored car
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Borrowed assault weapons from a local gun store
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Ten officers and seven civilians were wounded.
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Robbers fired 1100 rounds of ammo.
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Police and SWAT fired 650 rounds
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Robbers were eventually killed.
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Body armor breeds confidence.
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God's commitment to us is better than body armor.
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Consider what evil men do when they feel invulnerable.
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Read Passage - Romans 8:28-39
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What are we going to do with God's protection and favor?
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We're more than conquerors even when things look bleak!
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Yet for your sake we face death all day long . . . - Psalm 44:22
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Hard pressed on every side but not crushed . . . - 2Cor 4:7-18
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I believed, therefore I said - Psalm 116:10
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Think about what God has already brought you through.
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What difference does it make? So What?
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God is for us - act like it!
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It doesn't work if you don't talk to God! - Rom 8:13-17
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Those who love him (Rom 8:28) talk to him.
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Those God foreknew (Rom 8:29) are the ones who talk to him.
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New Material
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Preparation
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Select the Passage - 2 Corinthians 5:11 - 6:2
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Discover the Exegetical Idea
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We should respond to God's love and authority by embracing the ministry of reconciliation.
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Analyze the Exegetical Idea
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Explain It: What does this mean?
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God's love and authority
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We are jars of clay that contain treasure. Even though we are wasting away outwardly we are being inwardly renewed - 2Cor 4:7-18
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Speaking of death (i.e. "wasting away"), it only brings us into God's presence where we will be judged by Christ. - 2Cor 5:1-10
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Integrity
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We are open about who we are. - 2Cor 5:11
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We operate from the heart, not appearances. - 2Cor 5:12
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Live for Christ - not yourself. - 2Cor 5:15
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We no longer evaluate others based on the flesh and we should not be evaluated that way either. - 2Cor 5:17
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Ministry of reconciliation
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God's not mad at you! - 2Cor 5:19
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Be reconciled! - 2Cor 5:20
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Reconciled - repaired better than before (e.g. bone callus)
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Reconciliation implies active relationship (e.g. talking to God)
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Jesus took our sins and died in our place. - 2Cor 5:21
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The time is now! - 2Cor 6:1-2
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Prove It: Is it True? Do I believe it?
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Yes - Jesus commanded it. - Mat 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-20
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Apply It: What difference does it make? So What?
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It will determine what reward we will receive.
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It will determine whether or not others get saved and how soon they get saved. The sooner they get saved the more character they develop.
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Formulate the Homiletical Idea
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Reconciliation - The Ministry, The Message
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Determine the Purpose of the Sermon
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Be fully reconciled to God.
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Obey him.
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Talk to him.
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Adopt his agenda.
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Decide How to Accomplish This Purpose
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Outline the Sermon
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Kingdom People Are Reconciled Reconcilers
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Read the Passage - 2 Corinthians 5:11 - 6:2
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Introduction
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We are jars of clay that contain treasure. Even though we are wasting away outwardly we are being inwardly renewed - 2Cor 4:7-18
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Speaking of death (i.e. "wasting away"), it only brings us into God's presence where we will be judged by Christ. - 2Cor 5:1-10
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A day of reckoning - "The Lighthouse"
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What does this mean?
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Integrity
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We are open about who we are. - 2Cor 5:11
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We operate from the heart, not appearances. - 2Cor 5:12
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Live for Christ - not yourself. - 2Cor 5:15
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We no longer evaluate others based on the flesh and we should not be evaluated that way either. - 2Cor 5:17
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Ministry of reconciliation
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God's not mad at you! - 2Cor 5:19
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Be reconciled! - 2Cor 5:20
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Reconciled - repaired better than before (e.g. bone callus)
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Reconciliation implies active relationship (e.g. talking to God)
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Jesus took our sins and died in our place. - 2Cor 5:21
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The time is now! - 2Cor 6:1-2
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Be fully reconciled to God.
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Talk to him.
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Read all of his Word.
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Obey him.
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Adopt his agenda.
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What difference does it make? So What?
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It will determine what reward we will receive. - 1Cor 3:10-15
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It will determine whether or not others get saved and how soon they get saved. The sooner they get saved the more character they develop.
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Is it True? Do I believe it?
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Yes - Jesus commanded it. - Mat 28:18-20; Mark 16:14-20
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Discussion Questions / Topics (based on the indicated scriptures)
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Scripture Reference - 2Cor 5:11 - 6:2
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According to 2Cor 5:15 we should be living for Jesus and not for ourselves. How are you doing in this area?
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Does it surprise you that God is not counting people's sins against them (2Cor 5:19)? What does this mean to you?
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Are you reconciled to God? How is this reflected in your prayer life? How is this reflected in your discipline in reading the Bible?
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What are you doing to spread the message of reconciliation?
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Witnessing Activities (pick one or two)
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Divide into groups of 2 or 3 and take 5 minutes to pray for each other's needs. Then take another 5 minutes to listen to God and write down what you believe he is saying to you.
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