2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: 8 Cures

TITLE: 20/20 Vision

Scripture:  Matthew 5: 8

I.    WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PURE IN HEART?                                          

God desires that our hearts be free from (pollutants, irritants, and impurities).

The first term we must clarify is “What does it mean to be pure in heart?”  Turn to Psalm 24: 3-4

The second term to clarify is “What does it mean by heart?”

To be “pure in heart” means that not only our minds but our feelings and actions are to be concentrated (singly on God).

II.   WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “SEE GOD?”           

“Seeing God” means to know Him intimately, which means you know His heart, His perspective. You see life through His eyes. You see what God sees.

How can I see God?  (“borrowed” from Kent Hughes)

1.       Be absolutely (honest with God).

2.       Realize and acknowledge that only God (can make your heart pure)

3.       Fill yourself with (God’s Word).

4.       Think about how you (want to be seen).

Next Week: “Eight Cures” Title: Give Peace a Chance- Mt.5: 9

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: 8 Cures

TITLE: Sticking Your Neck Out

Scripture:  Matthew 5: 7

I.    LET’S DEFINE OUR TERMS        

The Romans admired justice, courage, self-control, and wisdom, but not (mercy). The philosophers called mercy (a disease of the soul).

Righteousness on the inside will produce the (fruit of right action).

II.   LET’S DEFINE OUR ACTIONS       

Grace is shown to the (undeserving); mercy is (compassion) to the (miserable).

James 2:13 “There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” (NLT)

This Beatitude is not showing we can merit God’s mercy BUT those who are God’s children will themselves be merciful and will receive mercy in the end.

One final Scripture: I John 3:17

Next Week: “Eight Cures” Title: 20/20 Vision- Mt.5: 8

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: 8 Cures

TITLE: A Radical Pursuit

Scripture:  Matthew 5: 6

I.   THE IMPORTANCE OF HUNGER             

3 examples found in the Bible:

1) Isaiah 14
2) Daniel 4: 29-32
3) Luke 12

Lucifer hungered for (power). Nebuchadnezzar hungered for (praise). The rich fool hungered for (pleasure). Because they hungered for the wrong things, they rejected God’s (good things), and (forfeited) both.

II.  THE HUNGER REWARDED      

The Greek words Jesus uses mean (deep hunger) and (genuine thirst).

 This Beatitude does away with sleek, self-satisfied, half-hearted religion. We must never be (spiritually satisfied).

Biblical examples of this truth abound:

1. Exodus 33:18
2. Psalm 42:1
3. Philippians 3:10

The Greek word for filled means “to be (absolutely satisfied).

Next Week: “Eight Cures” Title: Sticking Your Neck Out- Mt.5: 7

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: 8 Cures

TITLE: Easy to be Hard

Scripture:  Matthew 5: 5

I. THE STRUGGLE WITH MEEKNESS

What is meekness? Building on what Jesus said previously, meekness comes out of a heart that
is poor in spirit and mourning. The dictionary defines it as (deficient in courage). That is not the
Bible’s definition. The Greek word means (mild, gentle, and soft).

A good definition is (power under control).

II. THE SIGNS OF MEEKNESS

How can I know I am practicing meekness?

1. I am not always looking out for (myself first).
2. I no longer care about (status in life).
3. I am (finished with myself).

What does “the meek will inherit the earth” mean?

1) (Contentment) comes first.
2) There is a (present and future reward).

Next Week: “8 Cures” Title: A Radical Pursuit- Mt.5: 6

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: 8 Cures

TITLE: Good Grief!

Scripture:  Matthew 5: 4

I.   WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MOURN?                                         

What is Jesus saying by “Blessed are the sad?”

1.  He is not saying, “Blessed are the (miserable, cheerless) Christian.”
2.  He is not saying, “Mourn over the (difficulties of life).”
3.  He is not saying, “Mourn because you are (unfulfilled in life).”

II.  WHAT GOOD CAN COME OUT OF MOURNING?                       

The essence of spiritual mourning, the kind Jesus is talking about here, is the realization of (what we have done with life)  of our desperate need for the (forgiveness of the Lord).

“For they will be comforted” What exactly does that mean?

1) First, who does the comforting?  John 14: 16-17  paraclete means “to come alongside.”
2) Second, the key to comforting is to (draw closer to Christ) and draws closer to us.

What good can come from mourning?

1) You will always be aware of the (greatness of your sin) and the even greater (love and grace of Jesus).
2) You will always keep in mind the need for a (repentant and broken) heart.

Next Week: “8 Cures” Title: Easy to be Hard- Mt.5: 5

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: 8 Cures

TITLE: Running on Empty

Scripture:  Matthew 5: 1-3

   I.        IDENTIFYING SOME TERMS                                         

Who was Jesus’ audience?

1)      The Pharisees- (Legalists)

2)      The Sadducees- (Liberals)

3)      The Essenes- (Withdraw)

4)      The Zealots- (Rebels)

“Blessed”- Happy in the sense of (internal joy).

   II.        IDENTIFYING THE LESS THAN OBVIOUS                       

The Greek word for “poor” means abject poverty, to crouch or to cower.  A good understanding of “poor in spirit” is (humility).  Some other Scriptures: Is.66:2; Ps.34:18; Ps.51:17

Why “poor in spirit?” essential?  R. Kent Hughes

1.       Poor in spirit is essential to (knowing God’s approval).

2.       Poor in spirit is essential to (salvation).

3.       Poor in spirit is essential for (spiritual growth).

Next Week: “8 Cures” Title: Good Grief!- Mt.5: 1-4

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Seven Cancers

TITLE: The “Hidden” Cancer

Scripture:  1 John 2: 15-17

“Unbridled lust: a cannibal committing suicide by nibbling on himself.”

Lust: “the craving for salt by a man who is dying of thirst.”

   I.        THE FALL

What we know about lust:

1.       Lust is a (disordered desire).   I Thess. 4:4-7

2.       Lust is an (idolatrous desire).

3.       Lust (enslaves) us.

4.       Lust is (destructive).  James 1: 13-15

   II.        THE RISE                      

We are in a spiritual battle:

1)      “lust of the flesh”

2)      “lust of the eyes”

3)      “pride of life”

What now after I have messed up?

1.       Live in (grace) and realize there is grace for your (past).

2.       While there is grace for your past, there is also (expectation for your future).  Take some positive steps.

Next Week: New Series “8 Cures”

Title: Running on Empty- Mt. 5: 1-3

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Seven Cancers

TITLE: The “Respectable” Cancer

Scripture: John 6: 1-16, 26-35

I.   WHAT IS OUR VIEW?

We must first acknowledge that gluttony is (idolatry).

Why is gluttony so bad?

1. We idolize food by giving it (too much importance).
2. We idolize food by treating it as (an end in itself).
3. We idolize food when we become slaves (of our appetite).

II.  WHAT IS THE BIBLE’S VIEW?

What does the Bible say?

1) Overindulgence is (deadly). Pr. 23: 19-20
2) Jesus can free us from the (bondage and chains) of gluttony. Jn. 6:35,51

Next Week: The “Hidden” Cancer- I John 2: 15-17

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Seven Cancers

TITLE: The “Gotta Have It” Cancer

Scripture:  I Tim. 6: 6-11; Mt. 6: 19-24

I. WHAT EXACTLY IS GREED?

Jesus realized the danger of greed. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Mt. 16:26 (ESV)

What does the Bible tell us about greed?

1. Greed is a (root sin).
2. Greed is (disordered) love.
3. Greed is (deceptive) and (destructive).
4. Greed is ultimately (unsatisfying).

II. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION TO GREED?

The foundation of greed: Pr. 11: 24-28

1) Greed is foolish because it (hurts you).
2) Greed is foolish because it hurts the (people around you).
3) Greed is foolish because (money) doesn’t last.

The antidote to greed? (Contentment)

1. It is not dependent on (circumstances).
2. It is something we learn (over time).
3. It comes from the (strength of Christ).

Next Week: The “Respectable” Cancer- John 6: 1-16, 26-35

2022 THEME: For Such a Time. . .

Series: Seven Cancers

TITLE: The Lazy Cancer

Scripture:  Pr. 20:4; 24: 30-34; Heb. 5:11-6: 12

“The lazy one does not plow after autumn, so he begs during the harvest
and has nothing.” Pr. 20: 5

I.  LET’S DEFINE IT

In the history of Christian spirituality, sloth has two components:
(apathy) and (sadness).

Let’s define it to give it a fuller picture:

1. (Carelessness)
2. (Unwillingness to act)
3. (Half-heartedness)
4. (Discouragement) in the face of difficulty.

II. LET’S DEFEAT IT

Heb. 5: 11-6: 12 seen through the eyes of sloth:

1. Sloth stunts (your growth).
2. Sloth tempts you to (quit).
3. Sloth leaves you in (neutral).

How do we overcome sloth?

1) Don’t (quit).
2) Don’t (resign yourself) to this condition.
3) Don’t resort to (artificial stimulants).
4) Don’t (forget God).

Next Week: The “Gotta Have it” Cancer- I Tim. 6: 6-11; Mt. 6: 19-24