Sunday, December 21, 2014

Prepare Him Room, Part 4 (Matthew 2:1-20) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper
What is known about the wise men or magi who traveled from the east to worship Jesus is learned from the Matthew 2:1-16. Magi or MAGOS “refers to those who have wisdom through investigation and interpretation of the movements of heavenly bodies” (Holeman Study Bible Notes, Matthew 2:1, 7, & 16). These magi were believed to have originated from Babylon where their ancestors interacted with Jewish exiles at the time of the prophets’ writing of a coming Messiah. It is not known how many wise men there were only that they brought three types of gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 1:11). The names “Gaspar”, “Melchior”, and “Balthasar” are the result of legend and tradition and are not found in the biblical text. Further, as revealed by Matthew 2:11, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother…” the wise men did not arrive the night of Jesus’ birth, but some time later.

In search of the Jewish Messiah these wise men logically made their way to the Jerusalem, the spiritual and cultural center of Israel. When the regional king, Herod inquired as to the birthplace of the Messiah the chief priests and scribes quoted from Micah 5:2. Read Micah 5:2-5. What details about the Messiah are revealed in this passage?

King Herod, lying to the wise men, instructed them, “Go and search carefully for the child… report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” (Matthew 2:8, HCSB) What do the following Scriptures reveal about authentic and inauthentic worship?

Matthew 7:21-23--

Mark 5:6--

Psalm 96:9 & John 4:24--

John 6:29 & Romans 12:1--

Hebrews 11:6--

Application

Pastor and author Louie Giglio observes, “Worship is the activity of the of the human soul. So not only do all people worship, but they worship all the time.” Herod’s lie to the wise men that he too desired to “worship” the young Messiah ultimately revealed the true object of his worship, himself. Jesus taught that genuine worship, the worship that God accepts is worship rooted in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). The starting point for this worship (“work”) is to “believe in the One” sent by God-- Jesus Christ (John 2:29). Have you, in response to God giving His Son on your behalf, surrendered your life to Him? Have you, like the wise men, discovered the gift of Christmas? (Matthew 2:10)


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Prepare Him Room, Part 2 (Matthew 1:18-25) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

Most of what we know about Joseph, the man God chose to be the foster father of
Jesus is found in the first two chapters of Matthew’s gospel, first three chapters of
Luke’s gospel and two verses in John’s gospel quoting others referring to Jesus as his
son (John 1:45 and 6:42). The last mention of Joseph in the New Testament is found
in the parallel verses of Luke 4:22 and John 6:42, “And they said, Is not this Joseph's
son?” What specific details about Joseph do you observe in the following Scriptures?

Luke 2:4; John 1:45--

Matthew 1:20-24; 2:13-14; 2:19-20--

Matthew 1:16; Luke 3:23--

Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3--

Matthew 1:19-20--

Luke 2:21-22; 2:41--

Luke 2:33, 46--

Perhaps the greatest affirmation of any man’s character is said of Joseph in Matthew
1:19, “So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man…” (HSCB) The word “righteous”
comes from the Greek word dikaios referring to those whose character and actions are
“wholly conformed to the will of God, approved of or acceptable of God” (Strong’s,
g1342). What do you glean about the righteous from the following Scriptures?

2 Corinthians 9:10; 11:15--

Ephesians 5:8-10; 6:14--

James 5:16; 1 Peter 3:2--

Philippians 1:11; James 3:18; and 2 Peter 3:13--

Application

Ultimately, Jesus Christ alone is the “Righteous One” (1 John 2:1). At salvation, the
believer is credited (imputed) Christ’s righteousness (Romans 4:5; 10:10; Philippians
3:9; and Titus 3:5). A fruit of being “clothed in Christ’s righteousness” is growing daily
in righteous (holy) living (Philippians 1:11). How is the Holy Spirit leading you to pursue
righteousness (holiness) in your day to day life? How might this be a prerequisite for
being used by God?

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Prepare Him Room, Part One (Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 9:6-7) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper
The prophet Isaiah lived seven hundred years before the birth of Christ and wrote the book of Isaiah sometime between 740-698 B.C. Isaiah served as God’s prophet during the reigns of four kings, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. The message of Isaiah is one of warning and judgment for their rebellion against God and call to repentance, “Listen heavens, and pay attention, earth, for the Lord has spoken: ‘I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me… O sinful nation, people weighted down with iniquity, brood of evildoers…” (Isaiah 1:2,4a HCSB).

Ultimately however, the book of Isaiah is a message of hope and good news! God would one day redeem His people through the One who “bore the sin of many” (Isaiah 53:12b). Isaiah’s prophesies about Jesus are amazingly accurate. Luke 1:26-38 records the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary that she is the woman of whom Isaiah prophesied, “a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son…” (Isaiah 7:14). Gabriel’s announcement to Mary identifies four specific prophesies from Isaiah. Identify these prophecies by comparing Luke 1:26-38 with the following Scriptures from Isaiah.

Isaiah 7:14--

Isaiah 9:7--

Isaiah 14:1--

Isaiah 9:6--

Much of what we know about the first Christmas comes from the announcing of the first Advent (adventus, Latin meaning arrival). What does Isaiah 52:6-10 and Romans 10:15 reveal about the necessity of announcing good news for it to truly be good news?  

Application

Romans 10:14 asks, “But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?” (HCSB) With whom do you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to announce Good News this Christmas?

Memorize This

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. ESV

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

FREE Movie Night Showing of Silver Bells, December 13th at 7 P.M.



From the producers of God's Not Dead, an overly win-driven sportscaster (Bruce Boxleitner) goes too far and must perform community service during December as a bell-ringer for the Salvation Army. At first he finds this humiliating, and in his self-pity determines to be the world’s worst bell ringer, but as he encounters the people behind the kettle, his life and especially his relationship with his son (Kenton Duty) is changed by something as simple as ringing a bell. Also starring Antonio Fargas as Major Melvin Lowell.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Deeper, Part 10 (1 John 4:17-18) Questions for Reflection

  
  Dig Deeper
In 1 John 4:18 the apostle John writes, “There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love” (HCSB). Later in a vision from God recorded in Revelation John declares, “Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify Your name?” (Revelation 15:4, KJV).  Many Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments command us to fear the Lord, for example, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge and “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (Proverbs 1:7 and    1 Peter 2:17).

How ought a Christian to reconcile John’s assertion, “There is no fear in love…” with numerous other commands to fear God? The answer lies in understanding there is a healthy and unhealthy fear of God. It is unhealthy for a Christian to fear punishment for sin because Jesus as our propitiation has taken that punishment therefore there is “now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1). Growing in our understanding of God’s holiness, greatness and goodness are all motives for healthy fear of God.

What do the following Scriptures describe as unhealthy reasons for fear?

1 John 4:17-18--

Romans 8:15--

2 Timothy 1:7--

Hebrews 2:14-18--

What motives for a healthy fear of God are revealed in the following Scriptures?

Revelation 15:4--

Psalm 2:11; 112:1; 115:13; Proverbs 1:7; 14:27; 15:16; and Malachi 4:2--

Deuteronomy 10:12. 17--

1 Samuel 12:24--

Colossians 3:22--

Application

What specific ways to you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to cultivate a healthy fear and reject an unhealthy of God? 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Deeper, Part 9-- (1 John 4:1-11) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper
In 1 John 3:23 John writes, “And he that keeps His commandments dwells in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us.” Similarly, in 1 John 4:16 John concludes, “And we have known and believed that love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him.” Many Bible scholars refer to such repetition of the same or similar statements as an inclusio. John frequently uses this literary device to emphasize major themes. In this case it is the theme of God’s abiding love in us.

In 1 John the apostle makes two declarative statements about the nature of God. First, “God is light” (1 John 1:5) and second, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, and 16). In context here “light” refers to God’s holiness, as verse five concludes, “and in Him is no darkness at all.” What  insights are gleaned from the following Scriptures as to the necessity of affirming both God’s love and holiness?

The love of God (Zephaniah 3:17; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:4-5; 3:17-19; 1 John 4:7-8, 9-11, and 16)--

The holiness of God (Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 5:16; 6:3; Habakkuk 1:13; John 17:11; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:5; and Revelation 4:8)--

How does the doctrine of propitiation affirm God’s love and holiness?

Romans 3:24-26--

1 John 2:2 and 4:10--

Application

In his book We Become What We Worship, author Greg Beale observes, “What people revere, they resemble… our worship exposes us and changes us.”[1] This is consistent with John’s assertion, “But we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). How might a distorted view of God, minimizing either His love or holiness, have a negative effect on your character? How is the Holy Spirit impressing you to deepen your knowledge of God’s character revealed in His Word?  

Memorize This

1 John 4:11 We love Him, because He first loved us.




[1] http://www.desiringGod.org/blog/posts/we-become-what-we-worship

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Happy Veteran's Day


On June 18th a flash mob in Fayetteville, NC paid tribute to soldiers throughout the country as our way of saying 'thank you' for the untold sacrifices soldiers make by leaving their families behind to serve. Happy Veteran's Day, Thank You to all who served!

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Deeper, Part 8 (1 John 3:16-24) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper
In 1 John 3:16-24 John explains that a clear conscience is the result of obedience toward God, “The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him” and love for one another (1 John 3:24, HCSB). We experience a deeper fellowship with God through a clear conscience, “if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (1 John 3:21). A clear conscience in turn leads to boldness in prayer, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments” (1 John 3:23a).  

God created our conscience with the innate ability to know what is right and wrong. (Romans 2:14-15) Because of sin our conscience is marred and far from an infallible guide. (Titus 1:15) A clear conscience under the influence of the Holy Spirit and informed by the Word of God is a powerful indicator of a deepening relationship with God. (1 John 2:24)  What benefits of a clear conscience before God are gleaned from the following Scriptures?

Job 27:6--

Acts 23:1 and 24:16--

Romans 9:1 and 2 Timothy 1:3--

What insights about keeping a clear conscience with one another do you observe from the following Scriptures?

Genesis 20:5-6--

1 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 1:12; and 4:2--

1 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 Timothy 1:5 and 3:9--

Hebrews 13:18 and 1 Peter 3:16--

Application

What specific ways to you sense the Holy Spirit leading you to love others in deed and truth? (1 John 3:18)

Memorize This


1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters NIV

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Deeper, Part 7 (1 John 3:1-10) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

1 John 3:1 reveals the greatest motivation a Christian has for pursuing holy living, the love of God, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us…!” The KJV translates this verse more literally, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us.” The word “behold” is from the Greek word haraō meaning “to stare at.’ Our motivation for a deeper walk with God is brought about as we behold or “stare at” God’s lavish love toward us adopting us as His children.

What do the following Scriptures reveal about the characteristics or “manner” of God’s love for us?

Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 103:17; and 136:1-26--

Deuteronomy 7:9, 12; 5:10; and Psalm 106:45--

Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 103:8; Joel 2:13; Ephesians 3:18; 1 John 3:1; and 4:2--

Psalm 33:5; 37:28; 99:4 and Isaiah 61:8--

John 16:27; 17:23; and Revelation 1:5-6--

Application

1 John 4:19 John declares, “We love because He first loved us.” What additional insights do you glean about the transforming power of God’s love from the following Scriptures? How do you sense the Holy Spirit prompting you to respond?

Deuteronomy 6:5; 30:6; Ephesians 5:1; Colossians 3:12-14 and 1 John 4:16-19--

Matthew 5:44-45; Hosea 3:1; 1 John 2:15; 4:7-8; and 11-12--

Memorize This


1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. NIV

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Deeper, Part 6 (1 John 2:15-17) Questions for Reflection


Some loves are open ended, for example parents love for their children. Other love is exclusive, for example one cannot “love” the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburg Steelers J. Jesus explained that you cannot love light and darkness, “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). John declared to his readers they must choose one; either love the world or the Father, but you cannot love both, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (1 John 3:15).

1 John 2:16 describes three “three particulars” of love of the world that stand in opposition to love for God; ‘lust of the flesh”, “lust of the eyes”, and “the pride of life”. The Holeman Christian Study Bible notes define these three particulars respectively, “what the body desires, what the eyes itch to see, and what people work hard to acquire.” What additional insights do the following Scriptures provide about each?

Lust of the flesh (“what the body desires”)--

Genesis 3:6--

Galatians 5:17, 20-21--

Colossians 3:5--

Lust of the eyes (“What they eyes itch to see”)--

Proverbs 6:25--

Matthew 5:28--

The pride of life (“what people work hard to acquire”)--

Genesis 4:7--

Luke 12:15--

Jeremiah 9:23--

Application

Read John 6:35-40. What is the “will of God”? How would remaining or abiding in this deepen your love for God?

Memorize This
                 

1 John 3:1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. NIV

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Men's Game Changer Weekend at Sandy Cove

Game Changer Weekend 2015, October 16-18th, check out more here.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Deeper, Part 5 (1 John 2:15-17) Questions for Reflection


Dig Deeper

In 1 John 2:12-14 John uses three common life-stages, children, young men, and fathers, to demonstrate spiritual growth from new convert to maturity. Of the young John declares, “you have overcome the evil one” (1 John 2:13, 14b). Here John introduces one of his favorite themes, the Christian’s certainty of victory. Bible scholar F.F. Bruce explains, “Of the 28 occurrences of the verb nikan (“to overcome”) in the New Testament, 24 are in John’s writings… Thus the victory motif is peculiarly Johannine.”[1]

What insights about the Christian’s victory through Christ are gleaned from the following Scriptures?

John 16:33--

1 John 2:13-14; 4:4; and 4:4-5--

Revelation 3:5, 12, 21; 12:11; 15:2-3; and 21:7--

How is victory a motivation for pursuing a deeper walk with Christ? 1 John 2:14

Application

What life-stage best represents your present relationship with God-- child (new-convert), youth, or father? What challenges to growth are revealed in the following Scriptures?

Children-- 1 Peter 2:2; 1 John 2:1, 12, 28--

Youth-- Romans 12:9-11; Titus 2:6-8; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 4:5; and Hebrews 5:12

Fathers-- 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 2:1-5;

Memorize This

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. HCSB




[1] F. F. Bruce The Epistles of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1986

Monday, October 13, 2014

Unfailing Love


Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
1 John 2:7 & 10, "Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning... Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble." (NIV)

Evidence for our confidence in Christ, "And hereby we do know that we know Him..." (1 John 2:3a, KJV) is our love for one another.Yesterday we used this story of Clara Gantt’s sixty-three year wait for her husband, Sgt. First Class Joseph Gantt who went MIA in the Korean War in 1950. Last December his remains were finally brought home for a military funeral with full honors. The first word used to describe agape love in 1 Corinthians 13:4 is patient. This is the kind of unconditional unfailing love we receive from God through Christ and the love we’ll have for each other when we “live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6). Read the full news report here.

This past Memorial Day Sgt. First Class Joseph Gantt was  posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor by President Obama. Clara was on hand and honored by the President and crowd. Read more here.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Deeper, Part 4 (1 John 2:3-11) Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

Twenty-six times in the epistle of 1 John the apostle John uses the word “know” to emphasize the Christian’s confidence or certainty of his salvation, and its blessings. The first two occasions occur in 1 John 2:3, “And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (KJV). Accompanying this statement of confidence is a “test”-- obedience. John certainly does not have in mind perfect obedience as he began this chapter, “But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1b). Genuine and saving faith results in obedience. The fruit of obedience in turn is cause for increased confidence.

Examine the following “we know” statements by John. What do these statements reveal about the Christian’s confidence?

1 John 2:5; 2:13-14; 2:29--

1 John 3:2; 3:5; 3:14; 3:20--

1 John 4:7; 4:13--

John reminds his readers that his command is not new “but an old one, which you have had since the beginning” (1 John 1:7). What additional insights do the following verses from John’s gospel provided concerning this command?

John 13:34-35--

John 15:12--

Application

In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” and John 14:23, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” How is the Holy Spirit leading you to deepen your relationship with God through obedience?

Memorize This

  1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. NIV

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Deeper: 1 John 1:5-2:2-- Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

In the eight verses that make up 1 John 1:5-2:2 John uses the word “sin” nine times. While our culture usually tries to downplay sin and evil, John addresses it head on. Ultimately there are only two ways of dealing with sin. The first is to attempt to conceal our sin by either hiding it from others, including God or lying to ourselves, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8). The response urged by 1 John is to confess our sin, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

The English word confess is from the Greek word, homologeō meaning “to say the same thing as another or to agree with another.” (Stongs, g3670) What do the following biblical examples of confession reveal about its importance in our relationship with God?

Luke 19:8-9--

Acts 19:11-20--

Psalm 51:1-12--

Compare Job’s confession in Job 7:20-21 with Job 42:2-6. Why do you think God responded to Job in the later but not the former?

1 John 1:9 declares that God is both faithful and just in forgiving the one who confesses his sins. John explains that God is just (or justified) in this response because Jesus’ work as our propitiation (atoning sacrifice- NIV) for sin (1 John 2:2). What benefits are yours because of Christ’s propitiation?

1 John 2:1-2--

Hebrews 2:17-18; 9:11-14--

Colossians 1:21-22--

Application

The Evangelist D. L. Moody frequently reminded his fellow Christians to “keep short accounts with God.” He meant by this a lifestyle of confession and repentance as soon as the Christian becomes aware of sin in his life. How are you sensing the Holy Spirit’s lead to deepen your walk with God through confession?

Memorize This


1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. HCSB

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Have you ever felt alone because of a shortcoming or sin? You lost your cool and yelled in a completely undeserving manner at your spouse or child or because of a lack of follow-thru on your part you lost your company’s most profitable client? One way or another we all, through failure or sin experience aloneness, or as John describes it, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8, KJV).

As Christians we might feel alone, but the truth is that we are  not alone, “My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-- Jesus Christ the Righteous One” (1 John 2:1, HCSB). Jesus here is called by John our Advocate, “called to one’s side/aid.” At the times you feel most alone remember Jesus Christ is at your side.

Last Sunday we used the example of 2000 Florida State Seminoles senior punter and placekick holder and current FSU baseball coach Keith Cottrell to illustrate what it means to have an advocate. On October 7th of that year FSU faced their rivals the University of Miami with the national championship on the line.  At the half FSU was down 17-0 to rally to 27-24 with 5 seconds left in the game. Matt Munyon, FSU’s walk-on freshman who earlier had missed a 23-yard kick will now attempt a 49-yard field goal to tie the game and send it into overtime.





With the crowds and his opponents jeering and even teammates cussing him, Keith Cottrell steps to his side-- “I’ve been with Matt from the beginning of this season, when everybody cussed him before he even kicked the ball… It’s very important for me, as a senior, as a teammate, and as a brother in Christ, to be there for him, through the good times and the bad.”[1]

Remember, you have more than a teammate sticking by your side. You have an Advocate!




[1] Gary Long, Teammates Stick by Munyon,  preachingtoday.com. 

Monday, September 29, 2014

Middletown Day 2014


THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered to staff our booth at Middletown Day Saturday! We gave out hundreds of invitations to this weekend's showing of God's not Dead and enjoyed a great day celebrating our community.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Deeper: 1 John 1:1-4-- Questions for Reflection

Dig Deeper

The theme of 1 John 1 is fellowship with God established by the incarnation of Jesus Christ. John declares, “The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us” (1 John 1:2).

Jesus Christ introduced by John as “the Word of life” “was from the beginning” (1 John 1:1). Here John begins his first epistle (letter) similarly to his gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus Christ is eternally the Son of God. When the beginning began, He “was.” It is God the Son along with the Father and Spirit who declared in Genesis 1:27, “Let Us make man in Our own image…” The incarnation then is the eternal Son of God becoming human, or as John writes, “The life appeared…”

In his gospel John further explains the incarnation, “The Word become flesh and made His dwelling among us” or literally “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14). His original hearers would have immediately identified Jesus “dwelling among us” with the tabernacle of the Exodus. What do the following Scriptures reveal about God’s presence in the tabernacle reveal about His desire for fellowship with His people?

Exodus 25:8; 29:45-46; 40:34-36; Leviticus 26:11; and Deuteronomy 12:11--

According to the following Scriptures, why was Christ’s incarnation necessary for fellowship with God?

Ephesians 2:18-19; Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Colossians 1:20-22; and Hebrews 10:19-22--

While John’s emphasis in his epistle is fellowship with God, he does express his desire for fellowship with one another, “so that you also may have fellowship with us” (1John 1:3). What insights about the connectedness of fellowship with God and one another do you glean from the following Scriptures?

1 John 1:3; Matthew 18:20; Mark 9:37; John 17:21; and 2 Corinthians 13:11--

Application

How will you pursue deeper fellowship with God this week?

Memorize This


1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. HCSB