Text: Mark 13:32-37

Fact 1: We can be certain of Christ’s return
Testimony concerning His return:
New Testament writer.  See: Hebrews 9:27-28, John 14:1-3, Testimony of the Angels: Acts 1:9-11

Fact 2: We can be certain that only God knows when Christ will return.
READ: Mark 13:32

Why doesn’t God want us to know?

1. The uncertainty of the time of His return tests our faithfulness.
   See: 1st Corinthians 16:13-14
   2.  Every generation of Christians has known the joy and hope of the expectation of Christ’s return.

Fact3: We can be certain that we should be prepared for His coming.

1. Keep working (Mark 13:34) See: Ephesians 2:10
2. Keep watch(Mark 13:35-37)

Conclusion
There is no inside information about the return of Jesus.
What we do know?

1. We can be certain Jesus will return.
2. No one knows when that will be except God.
3. We can be prepared when He does come.

Are you ready for His return?

Every person, no matter how small, is special to God and loved by Him.  The Pregnancy Resource Center’s Walk For Life will be Saturday, May 9th @ 9:00 am.

Pick up your Sponsor pledge form at the Walk For Life display table and get registered.  It’s easy to participate and you can ear a free T-Shirt.

Sermon can be downloaded to your PC from here by RIGHT clicking with mouse and selecting “Save Target As” for the Internet Explorer browser or “Save Link As” for Firefox browsers.

I.  Discover the eternal principles. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

Two are better than one:There is a good return for the work.

If one falls down: Their friend can pick them up (encourage).

If you lie down together: You both will stay warm (comfort).

One can be overpowered: But two can defend themselves.

II.  We encourage each other to be better then we presently are. (Proverbs 27:17)

Application:

STEP 1: Make the commitment

STEP 2: Become involves in a small group so that you can find an accountability partner.

STEP 3: Start sharing.

STEP 4: Become an accountability partner

Text: Revelation 2:3-5 & Mark 1:11

NOTE: Sermon can be downloaded to your PC from here by RIGHT clicking with mouse and selecting “Save Target As” for the Internet Explorer browser or “Save Link As” for Firefox browsers.

I. Renewing our first love. (Revelation 2:3-5)

A. I want you to remember.

B. I want you to repent.

C. I want you to do the things you did at first.

Getting back to the basics

1. Communicate

2. Forgiveness (Practice offering and receiving forgiveness)

II. Live in the light of God’s love (Mark 1:11)

1. A sense of belonging.

2. Unconditional love.

3. A sense of approval.

APPLICATION

Are you living in the light of God’s love?

Do you realize that God loves you and always has?

Are you willing to recapture your first love?

Text: Matthew 7:13-23 

I.  Requirements for a well-built life.

1. Hear God’s word.
2. Filter what you hear.
   SEE: Romans 10:17 & 2nd Timothy 3:16-17

II.  Obeying the words of Jesus.

Obedience to Jesus is the real test of our loyalty and discipleship.
SEE: 1st John 5:3-4

III.  Why do we need a well-built life?

Storms are coming!
See: Isaiah 40:8

Conclusion

You have heard God’s word.  How are you going to respond?

Will you nod your head in politeness and then do what you want or will you obey what you have heard?

How dangerous will you live?

Text: Matthew 7:1-12

I. Our attitude toward our brothers.  (Matthew 7:1-5)

Beware of a judgmental attitude.  (Matthew 7:1,2)

II.  Our attitudes to “dogs” and “pigs”.  (Matthew 7:6)

      See: Acts 13:44-51 & Matthew 10:13-15  

When attempting to share the Gospel message with clearly defiant people be aware to not waste time  speaking to “deaf ears”.

III.  Our attitude to our heavenly Father.  (Matthew 7:7-11)

1. Prayer presupposes knowledge.
2. Prayer presupposes faith.
3. Prayer presupposes desire.

IV.  Our attitude to all men.  (Matthew 7:12)

Conclusion

Probably the two strongest elements in our Christian consciousness are an awareness of God as our Father and of our fellow Christians as our brothers and sister.

Text: Matthew 6:19-34

I.  Invest in what cannot be destroyed or stolen (Matthew 6:19-21)

The things that really count:

1. Salvation
2. Family (includes our eternal family ie; brothers & sisters in Christ)
3. Friends

II.  Serve God and not money (Matthew 6:22-24)

We should let our money serve us not us serving our money.

See Philippians 4:10-13

III.  Seek God first and He will provide (Matthew 6:25-33)

1. Food (Matthew 6:25-27)
2. Clothing (Matthew 6:28-32)

If we worry, we can’t trust; if we trust, we can’t worry.

IV.  Live each day to the fullest. (Matthew 6:34)

Conclusion:

1. Invest in what cannot be destroyed
2. Serve God and not money.
3. Seek God and trust in him to provide.
4. Live each day to the fullest.

Turn your worries into prayers.

NOTE: Sermon audio is incomplete

Introduction

Two points of introduction:

1. Notice the shift in terms of theme of righteousness.
    
2. Notice that giving, prayer and fasting are not optional.

2″So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full…

5″And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full…

16″When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full…

I.  Quiet giving (Matthew 6:1-4)

1. Jesus assumes we are going to give.
2. Jesus assumes we are going to give to those in need.

There are three (3) possible motives for giving:

Seeking the praise of man

To preserve our anonymity but quietly congratulating ourselves

Giving out of love for the Lord

II. Honest prayer (Matthew 6:5-6)

1. Prayer is intimate conversation with God.
2. Prayer is private but not selfish.
3. Prayer is not so much to get something from God as seeking to be with God.

III. Secret self-denial, Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)

When should we fast?

1. When we have been convicted of sin and moved to repentance.
2. When we are seeking God’s guidance or mercy.
3. When we want to practice self-control.
4. When we deliberately go without to share with others.

Conclusion:

Who is our audience… God, or man?

I.  God calls us to a new participation in society. (Matthew 5:13)

1. We are to be the salt.
   1. We can influence others by preserving the standards of morality given us by God.
   2. As followers of Christ, we should penetrate into the heart of society.
   3. As followers of Christ we should be a purifying presence.  SEE: 1st Corinthians 11:1; 1st Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7-8
2. We are to be light exposing evil and promoting righteousness. (Matthew 5:14-16) SEE: Ephesians 5:8-16

II.  God calls us to a new relationship with people. (Matthew 5:21-24)

Steps from anger to murder:

III.  God calls us to a new obligation to our neighbor. (Matthew 5:38-48)

Conclusion:

What kind of an influence are we going to be on others?

Isn’t it time we begin to be a positive force - salt - light in a dark world?

Are you willing to be an influence in your school, in your home, at your work?

Introduction

Proposed formulas for happiness:

1. Happiness is equality for everyone.
2. Happiness is prosperity.
3. Happiness is (you fill in the blank).

I.  The Beatitudes of persecution and righteousness.  (Matthew 5:3, 10-12)

1. Poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3)
2. Persecuted because of righteousness (Matthew 5:10-12)

II.  The Beatitudes of hope.  (Matthew 5:4-9)

             1.  Blessed are those that mourn, for they will find comfort. (Matthew 5:4)

             2.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

             3.  Blessed are those who hunger & thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
                  (Matthew 5:6)

             4.  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

             5.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8)

             6.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

Application

God’s radical reconstruction of the heart: (notice the sequence)

1. We recognize we are in need.
2. We repent of our self-sufficiency.
3. We quit calling the shots and surrender to God.
4. We can’t get enough of God.
5. We learn to forgive others.
6. We can change our outlook.
7. We love others.
8. We endure injustice.