The Truth Built on the Solid Rock
Matthew 7:24-27
Fact: Jesus said that it all comes down to two
things:
#1. “You hear My Word”; #2. “You live My Word.”
Fact: Jesus’s example shows us the truth and
power of God’s Word are the foundation for
living our lives. (Heb. 4:12)
Fact: The truth changes everything.
Fact: God has been so kind to reveal the truth you
need for this life in the Bible.
Fact: Because we’re talking about guidance for
what we believe, how we live, and what’s
always true, I’d actually prefer a guide that’s
Fact: I find it amazing that through God’s Word and
our prayers, we get to have a two-way
conversation steeped in truth and life.
(John 14:13–14)
2. Jesus told us that He’d do whatever we ask
in His name so the Father can be glorified.
Fact: God’s Word and prayer work in concert to
change us and to change the world around
us through truth.
Fact: Jesus doesn’t ask for us to be taken out of
the world. Rather, He declares that we are
not of the world. (John 17:16–17)
His Word is truth.
The Need for Church Life
(Matthew 16:13–20)
Fact: the Greek word translated as “church” is
ekklesia, which is a local assembly or gathering.
Fact: Jesus is the foundation of everything the Church
does.
Fact: We have been given the keys to the kingdom, so
we are going to take it forward by His power,
under the protection of His grace, and through
the leading of His Spirit so that what is loosed
here on earth by His power may be loosed in
heaven for all of eternity. And the gates of hell
will not stand against us!
C. Better Together.
Fact: But the best thing about organized religion is that
it organizes.
Fact: We have a common mission and call.
(Romans 12:4–6)
Fact: Our different gifts working in conjunction with one
another to open up ministry.
In fact: We are called to change and shape our world
together with the power of the Gospel.
Fact: The message of Christ dwells among us.
Fact: We are called to go deeper in our relationship
with Jesus, to experience greater freedom in His
Spirit, and to undergo a more complete
transformation into His likeness.
Fact: This gathering or assembly is important for our
growth, our unity, and our purpose.
Fact: One of our biggest problems is that we need
constant reminders of the truth.
Fact: Gathering here with you every week keeps my
life on track with what I believe in my heart. We
also gather together to bring real help and
support for life’s difficulties.
Fact: To worship is to declare who God is and what
S. Lewis said:
“In the process of being worshipped,
God communicates His presence to men.”
W. Tozer said;
“Sometimes I go to God and say, ‘God, if Thou dost never answer another prayer while I live on this earth, I will still worship Thee as long as I live and in the ages to come for what Thou hast done already.’ God’s already put me so far in debt that if I were to live one million millenniums I couldn’t pay Him for what He’s done for me.”
Easter Evidence
Mark 8:31–32
A.) The Great Proof. (Mark 8:31-32)
Fact: Since Jesus rose from the grave, we know
that all who believe in Him will be raised from
the dead as well. (1 Cor. 15:17–21)
Fact: This Resurrection Sunday we have great
confidence in both the truth and power of
Jesus’s Resurrection.
B.) The Great Cost.
C.) A Change of Heart.
Fact: The beauty of the Resurrection is the
transformation power it brings!
Fact: To take part in the Resurrection is to believe
in the cross.
Fact: How completely He can change the way a
person thinks, how a person lives, and even
who a person is.
D.) The Change Is Complete.
Quote by Watchman Nee
“Our old history ends with the Cross;
our new history begins with the resurrection.”
Understand this:
God’s call is not for you to be better.
His call is “Come.”
Every Member in Ministry
Romans 12:4-5
Fact:
We are called to be involved in each other’s lives!
C. Why belong to a local church?
Fact:
You become a “member” by committing
yourself to a body of believers and the His teachings.
#1. It promotes honesty.
#2. It provides support.
Fact:
You’re not responsible for everyone in your church, but you are responsible to them.
WHY BELONG TO A LOCAL CHURCH?
“Because it gives us a PURPOSE to live for, PEOPLE to live with, PRINCIPLES to live by,
a PROFESSION to live out, and POWER to live on.”
“How to avoid shipwreck.”
Acts 27:12
“Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.” (NIV)
#1. God doesn’t guide us by our dissatisfaction or by public opinion polls.
~ Psalm 1:1, says: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel
of the ungodly”.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:7, says: “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”
~ “Walking” is a familiar Scripture term used to describe a person’s life
here on earth.
The walk of Faith
* Faith in the existence of God. * Faith in God’s Providence.
* Faith in God as your personal Savior. * Faith in an ever-present
spiritual aid.
* Faith in God’s divine promises.
#2. When things get difficult we’re called to overcome them, not try to
Question: Who is an overcomer?
Answer: An overcomer is one who, by God’s grace received Christ as their
Savior and remains constant in their victory over sin, the world and
Satan. (1 John 4:4)
~ The secret of the overcomer’s victory is found in Revelation 12:11.
A Truth to Remember
“If our load starts to feel heavy,
we can always trust Christ to help us bear it.”
(Matthew 11:28-30)
B. They were impatient to get to where they were going. (v. 12)
#1. Just because the majority says so, that doesn’t make it so.
#2. There’s not a single verse in the Bible that tells us to hurry up or we’ll
miss God!
~ Isaiah 40:31 & Lament. 3:25.
C. They failed to heed God’s Word. (v. 11)
#1. God speaks through His Word. (2 Peter 3:2 & 2 Peter 1:21)
#2. Be careful, if you look hard enough you’ll find someone whose opinion
will confirm what you wants to do. (or even hear, act and say)
D. They looked to the circumstances instead of God to guide them.
(v. 13-15)
#1. The idea that we think at times:
A Truth to Remember:
He’ll never lead you anywhere that doesn’t require
His provision and protection.
#2. How to get out of the storm.
~ First, Prepare for the storm before you get into it.
(Matt. 7:24 & Phil. 1:29)
~ Secondly, Stay calm! (Mark 6:50 & Acts 27:25)
~ Thirdly, Never abandon your purpose! (Acts 27:1)
“VICTORY IN TEMPTATION”
James 1:13-18
Question: Why does God allow His people to be
tested?
Answer: The Greek word for “Trials” in James means
3 things:
#1. To Try. #2. To Test. #3. To Prove.
Question: What is the end result of testing and
adversity for the spiritually minded believer?
Answer: There are 5 Rewards that every believer
receives in their trails.
#1. Patience. #2. Maturity. #3. Wholeness.
#4. Contentment. #5. Wisdom.
Question: What is Temptation?
Answer: The word “Tempt” means 4 things:
#1. To solicit to do evil. #2. To allure into wrong doing.
#3. To seduce or persuade.
#4. To entice to bad choices by the promise of gain.
Never Forget this:
~ God will test you (vs. 1-12) to develop God character
in you.
~ Satan will tempt you (vs. 13-16) to destroy your
witness of God’s power.
A. Desire. (v. 14)
Fact: The word “Evil desire” means any kind of lust,
not necessarily sexual passions.
Fact: We have taken something beautiful that God
has made and turn that into evil desires.
B. Deception. (v. 14)
Fact: What a Powerful Revelation, “Dragged away or
Drawn away.”
Question: What is our secret weapon, the one that
Jesus used to combat temptation?
Answer: The Word of God; for when you know the
Word, you can detect the bait and deal with
it decisively.
Look what is Involved:
First: Our Emotions (Desire)
Second: Our Intellect (Deception)
Third: Our Will (Disobedience)
A Truth to Remember:
Christian living is a matter of the will, not feelings.
Fact: The more you exercise your will in saying “No” to
temptation, the more God will take control of
your life. (Phil. 2:13)
D. Death. (v. 15)
Fact: Disobedience gives birth to death, not life.
Fact: Do not be led down the wrong path, believing
Satan’s lies that unchecked desires will not be
carried out in reality through you. Remember,
what is in you, will eventually come out in time.
How To Overcome Temptation:
#1. The God ordained way to overcome the temptation
is to push the wrong thoughts out of our mind, and
immediately focus our thoughts upon Jesus and His
Truth.
#2. We can be continually prepared to resist temptation
through meditation upon the Word (Psalm 1) and
willfully making no provision for the flesh.
(Romans 13:14)
“VICTORY OVER TRIALS”
James 1:1-12
Question: Why does God allow His people to be
tested?
Answer: The Greek word for “Trails” in James is
(PEIRASMOS) which means 3 things:
#1. To Try. #2. To Test. #3. To Prove.
Fact: Trails are not to sour us but to strengthen us.
Trails are not to offend us but to mature us.
Fact: The Greek word for “Patience” means:
“To endure and persevere under adversity.
To suffer long under difficulty.”
Fact: The Greek word for “mature” means:
“Maturity of Character”.
A Truth to be Remember:
“We must all go through the struggles to be what God intended us to be.”
What a Discovery Here:
That God is more concerned about our Character than our Convenience.
Fact: The Greek word for “complete” means:
“Complete and Whole”.
Remember: This is why people, who run from difficulty when they don’t get what they want, stay immature and fail to get what they need.
Question: What is God’s will for this?
Answer: Ephesians 4:14-15
Fact: The Greek words for “not lacking anything” it
means: “No lack of anything or wanting
nothing; contentment”.
A Truth to Remember:
“If I’m not content with what I have,
I’ll never be content with what I want!”
(Bill Gother)
Question: What is “wisdom” here?
Answer: It is the ability from God to know what to
do and how to apply God’s truth when in
adversity!
Question: How do we pray for wisdom?
Answer: “he must believe and not doubt” (v. 6)
Question: What is promised to those who handle
their problems correctly in verse 12?
Answer: #1. Real Happiness. #2. Real Living.
Fact: God cannot build our character without our
cooperation. If we resist Him, then He
chastens us into submission. But, if we
submit to Him, then He can accomplish His
work.
Slow Down
“Hurry is not of the devil, it is the devil.”
(Karl Jung)
“Victory Over Separation”
Romans 8:33-39
Fact: There are Three Promises that produces Joy to
help us be “Victorious over the feelings of
Separation”.
Promise #1: Your “Past Life” cannot separate you from
the Love of God. (v. 33)
Question: What is Paul addressing?
Answer: He is dealing with the whispers of
condemnation from the evil one.
Question: Why does Paul deal with this?
Answer: Because God knew that the transgressions
of your past can come to mind with such
force, that they can destroy your joy in the
Lord.
Question: How does the accuser of my soul charge
me with false guilt?
Answer: #1. Your conscience can condemn you of
sin that God has forgiven you of.
#2. The law can condemn you of sin that
God has forgiven you of.
#3. People can condemn you of sin that
God has forgiven you of.
#4. The adversary himself can condemn
you of sin that God has forgiven you of.
Question: What is the answer to this false
condemnation that is plaguing so many?
Answer: Verse 33, says:
“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.”
Question: What does it mean to be justified by God?
Answer: #1. Justification means that God has
pardoned you and pronounced you just
in His sight.
#2. Justification means that no one can
bring a charge against you because
God has forgiven you.
#3. Justification means that God has
counted you righteous before a Holy
God, because of His acceptance of
Christ’s sacrifice.
#4. Justification means that regardless of
your past life, past sin, past failures, past
shame, past charges, past defeats and
past accusations, God’s favor is now
upon you if you are in Christ Jesus.
Promise #2: Your “Present Circumstances” cannot
separate you from the Love of God.
(v. 34)
Question: Verse 34, says: “Who is he that condemns?”
Answer: Satan is the accuser of the brethren.
(Revelation 12:10)
Question: If Satan is the accuser, then who is it that
enables me to stand tall in all of my
circumstances?
Answer: Verse 34, gives us that answer.
“It is Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Fact: There are 4 Absolutes of verse 34:
#1. “Christ Died for You”
#2. “Christ is Risen for You”
#3. “Christ is Exalted for You”
#4. “Christ is Interceding for You this Hour”
Promise #3: Your “Future Challenges” cannot
separate You from the Love of God.
(vs. 35-39)
Fact: God wants you to act on the first 4 words of
verse 38; “For I am convinced”
Question: What does God want me to be fully
convinced about?
Answer: That absolutely nothing can keep God from:
#1. Loving You.
#2. Nothing and No one can stop you doing
God’s will, but you!
Question: What are you fret about?
Answer: Verse 35, tells us what not to fret about.
#1. Troubles?
#2. Hardship?
#3. Persecution
#4. Famine?
#5. Nakedness?
#6. Danger?
Guess What?
“In all these things…”(v. 37) Christ will carry us through every one victoriously. He will take care of you!!!
Fact: In verses 38 & 39, it tells us that we should get
rid of all our worries, How come? Because…
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Victory Over Sadness”
Romans 8:28-32
Question: What is the promise from God to you?
Answer: Verse 28, says:
“And we know (know what?) that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
#1. This is a promise of Assurance:
#2. This is a promise of Continuation:
Question: What does it mean that all things “work
together”?
Answer: The words “work together” comes from
the Greek word (SUNERGIE) which
means: “To create, to replace, to
forge, to move and to guide”.
Fact:
The words “work together” are also in the present action tense which means all things “are continually” working together for good.
#3. This is a promise of Blessing:
~ The word “good” comes from the Greek word
(AGATHON) which means: “The ultimate
good”
#4. Romans 8:28 is a promise of Condition:
Question: What is the limitation on Romans 8:28?
Answer: God works all things out for the ultimate
good only to those who love God and are
committed to His purpose for
their lives.
Question: Why has God given us such a wonderful
promise in v. 28?
Answer: So that He can fulfill His purpose in your
life and mine.
Question: What is God’s will and purpose for every
one of us?
Answer: Verse 29 says: “For those God foreknew
he also predestined to be conformed to
the likeness of his Son, that he might be
the firstborn among many brothers.”
(Is it that Important to God?)
The word “predestinate” comes from the Greek
word (PROORISEN) which means
“To destine and appoint beforehand”.
Question: What does it mean to be conformed?
Answer: The Greek word for “conformed” is
(SUMMORPHOUS) which means “to
possess the same likeness as Jesus.”
Question: How do we know that we can reach our
destiny in Jesus?
Answer: Because of verse 31-32:
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
Fact:
In verse 32, it speaks of His Provision.
#1. God’s Provision is Spiritual. (Ephesians 1:3)
#2. God’s Provision is Material. (Philippians 4:19)
#3. God’s Provision is Eternal. (John 3:16)
#4. God’s Provision is Receivable Now. (2 Cor. 12:9)
“Life is hard, but God is good,
and each of us has the opportunity
to share in God’s good work.”
VICTORY OVER SUFFERING
Romans 8:18-27
Question: What is God saying in these verses?
Answer: He is saying that people hurt and people
suffer.
In Plain Truth:
The word “Sufferings” in verse 18 means: “All form of pain and struggle that you encounter”.
Question: How does God encourage, lift and
sustain every believer in every season of
pain and disappointments?
Answer: “I consider that our present sufferings are
not worth comparing with the glory that
will be revealed in us.” (v. 18)
(In other words)
The Christian’s future is glorious beyond what we have
seen or heard or imagined. (I John 3:2)
Question: Why do believers groan, ache, hurt and
feel pain, yet not get sour and
backslide?
Answer: “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have
the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly
as we wait eagerly for our adoption as
sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (23)
Question: Why do we groan and yet remain
faithful?
Answer: #1. We have a witness:
#2. We have a wait:
Question: Then what is it that keeps us in the
meantime and what is it that the devil
wants to steal from you?
Answer: One thing, it is found in verse 24 & 25.
“Hope… Hope… Hope… Hope…
Hope…” (5 times)
Question: Why does the devil work overtime to
steal hope out of every heart here today?
Answer: “For we are saved by hope” (v. 23)
Question: Why is hope in your heart so important
when you suffer any painful season,
circumstance or person?
Answer: “then do we with patience wait for it”. (25)
Fact:
Question: What is it that keeps you and sustains
you?
Answer: “Hope” that God puts in your heart!
Question: What strengthens my hope, gives me
patience and lifts me above my
circumstances?
Answer: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in
our weakness. We do not know what we
ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us with groans that words
cannot express.” (v. 26)
Fact:
There are two great confessions that are made in verse 26.
#1. We don’t know how to pray as we ought.
#2. We do have the Holy Spirit to help us to be
great prayers.
Question: How does the Spirit help us in our
weakness?
Answer: The Greek word for “Helps” means:
“To work in association with”
Fact:
The Glorious results of this are:
#1. The Holy Spirit knows what is best for us.
#2. The Holy Spirit enables us to pray apart from our
own ability.
#3. The Holy Spirit directs and guides our praying.
#4. The Holy Spirit pulls us in the right direction.
#5. The Holy Spirit knows when our burdens are too
heavy to express.
“Groans that words cannot express” –
are often prayers that God cannot not refuse.
(Charles H. Spurgeon)
VICTORY OVER SELF
(Romans 8:5-17)
Notice the Cause and Effect in verses 5-10
It is a contrast between flesh and Spirit —
the carnal mind – and the spiritual mind.
Question: What two choices present themselves to
us every day?
Answer: In verse 5, we can “mind the things of
the flesh” or “mind the things of the
Spirit”.
Question: If there are two choices, what are the
two results or consequences of our
choice?
Answer: In verse 6, we see:
#1. To be carnally minded is death.
#2. To be spiritually minded is life and
peace.
Question: What does it mean to be
“Quickened” by God?
Answer: The Greek word for “Quicken”
means: “To make alive, to give new
life, to cause to live, to renew
and to remake altogether.”
In Plain Truth:
When you got saved, the same Spirit that resurrected Jesus from the grave took up residence in you.
Question: How do we respond to being
quickened and born again?
Answer: We accept responsibility and
understand that we are debtors.
Question: Who enables us to subdue the
desires that are opposed to God?
Answer: The Holy Spirit!!!
Question: What does it mean to be “Led by
God”?
Answer: To word “Led” means: “To be carried
along and supported through every
season of life.”
Fact:
The verb “Led by the Spirit” means: “Willingly led”.
Question: How are we blessed by God?
Answer: They are found in:
~ Verse 15 – “Adopted”
~ Verse 17 – “Joint-Heirs”
~ Verse 17 – “Glorified together with Jesus”
Question: Why is it so wonderful to be a
Christian?
Answer: #1. In verse 15, we receive the Spirit
of adoption which means
affection and confidence of a
child with a loving Father.
(Affection)
#2. In verse 15, we can cry out “Abba
Father” which means we can express
in prayer whatever is on our hearts.
(Access)
#3. In verse 16, we have the inward
witness of being a part of God’s family.
(Assurance)
“Joint heirs with Christ”, means:
As God exercised His favor towards His Son,
so God exercises His favor and blessing
on those who receive His Son.
VICTORY OVER SIN
(Romans 7:14 – 8:4)
Question: How does Paul begin his song of victory?
Answer: The people who belong to Jesus are not
condemned!
Question: What do the words “No Condemnation” means
to you and me?
Answer: The Greek words means: “No consequences of
sin or No Divine displeasure over sin.”
Question: Who is it that is free from condemnation?
Answer: Verse 1, says: “those who are in Christ Jesus,”
Question: What is the consequence of true repentance in
the heart?
Answer: #1. Your conscience is relieved.
#2. Your favor with God is assured.
#3. Your acquittal is sealed.
Question: What is “The Law of sin and death?”
Answer: Is the rule and reign of sin that results in death.
Question: What has happened to the law of sin and death
in the believer?
Answer: #1. You are free from the law or the power of
sin that results in death.
#2. You now live in the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus.
Fact: The law of sin leads to death! But the law of the Spirit
frees us from (or overpowers) the former law!
“Condemned Sin in the Flesh” Means:
#1. Jesus abolished the ruling principle of sin to
call the shots in your life and mine.
#2. Jesus destroyed Satan and Sin in their power
to overcome someone who is “In Christ”.
Question: How do we react to Jesus condemning sin in the
flesh?
Answer: In verse 4, it says: “We walk not after the flesh
nature, but after the Spirit”
Fact:
The Word of God kept in our hearts, enables us to discern the source behind every urge, impulse and desire. If it is an urge from God, it will produce joy and peace. If it is an urge from Satan, it will produce guilt and death.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN:
CONDEMNATION AND CONVICTION
IS FROM SATAN IS FROM GOD
CUTS YOU OFF FROM THE LORD LEADS YOU TO THE LORD
IS FULL OF FEAR IS FULL OF FORGIVENESS
BEATS YOU DOWN PULLS YOU UP
POINTS TOWARD SPIRITUAL DEATH POINTS TOWARD SPIRITUAL LIFE
IS HARD AND HARSH IS GENTLE AND KIND
SAYS, “YOU ARE NO GOOD.” SAYS, “I HAVE CHOSEN YOU.”
LEADS TO DESTRUCTION LEADS TO DELIVERANCE
LEADS TO DEPRESSION LEADS YOU TO JOY
SEPERATES GOD AND MAN UNITES GOD AND MAN
PREVENTS SPIRITUAL GROWTH LEADS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
IS BONDAGE AND DARKNESS IS FREEDOM AND LIGHT
LEADS YOU TO BE AFRAID OF GOD LEADS TO A HEALTHY FEAR OF GOD
SAYS, “YOU HAVE FAILED AGAIN.” SAYS, “FATHER FORGIVE THEM.”
LEADS TO SUPERFICIAL CHANGE LEADS TO GENUINE REPENTANCE
ENGULFS EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE SPEAKS TO A SPECIFIC PROBLEM
MAKES YOU FIGHT AND REBEL HELPS YOU YIELD AND SUBMIT TO GOD
IS THE POWER TO SATAN UNTO IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION
DAMNATION
IS FULL OF TORMENT IS FULL OF POWER AND LOVE
COMES FROM THE LAW COMES FROM CALVARY’S CROSS
SAYS, “YOU ARE NO GOOD.” SAYS, “YOU ARE SPECIAL TO GOD.”
SEPERATES YOU FROM FELLOWSHIP RESULTS IN FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHERS CAUSES YOUR FAITH TO DIE LEADS YOU TO GREATER FAITH
SAYS, “GIVE UP, IT’S NO USE.” SAYS, “DON’T QUIT, JUST KEEP ON
GROWING
Resolutions, making this a Great Year.
Ephesians 4:17-32