Persevering in Joy
James 1:1-4
I. LIVE FROM YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST
II. TRUST GOD’S PURPOSES IN YOUR TRIALS
A. Trials are meant to purify and refine our faith
B. Trials are meant to produce steadfastness in our lives
C. Trials are meant to grow us in maturity
D. Trials are meant to provide opportunities for us to find joy in Christ
How the Mighty Have Fallen Part 2
2 Samuel 1:1-27
I. THE PRINCIPLE OF FEARING THE LORD
II. THE PRIORITY OF GRIEVING
A. Grief in light of God’s honor
B. Grief in light of remembrance
C. Grief in light of gratitude
D. Grief in light of love
How the Mighty Have Fallen
1 Samuel 31:1-13
I. THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE
II. THE SHAME OF GOD’S NAME BEING DISHONORED
III. KINDNESS & GRATITUDE IN THE MIDST OF PAIN
When Things Go from Bad to Worse
1 Samuel 30:1-31
I. GOD NEVER PROMISES THAT THINGS CAN’T GO FROM BAD TO WORSE
II. GOD’S STRENGTH IS SUFFICIENT
III. GOD’S PROVIDENCE IS MOST OFTEN SUBTLE AND UNANNOUNCED
Praying, Sowing, Reaping
Matthew 9:35-10:1
I. WE NEED THE HEART OF JESUS
II. WE NEED TO GO INTO THE FIELDS LIKE JESUS
Walk in the Light
1 John 1:1-10
I. THERE IS NO LIFE WITHOUT CHRIST
II. THERE IS NO DARKNESS IN GOD
A. Light speaks of God’s Glory
B. Light speaks of God’s Truth
C. Light speaks of God’s Righteousness, Holiness, and Purity
III. THERE IS NO FELLOWSHIP WITHOUT REPENTANCE
The Light Will Shine Forever
Revelation 22:1-7
I. JESUS WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW
II. JESUS WILL FOREVER BE WITH HIS PEOPLE
III. JESUS WILL BE COMING SOON
The Light Has Dawned
John 1:1-14
I. THE LIGHT REVEALS
A. Jesus is revealed as the Word
B. Jesus is revealed as eternally preexistent
C. Jesus is revealed as God in the flesh
D. Jesus is revealed as Creator of all things
E. Jesus is revealed as Life
II. THE LIGHT IS REJECTED
III. THE LIGHT IS RECEIVED
The Light Is Coming
Isaiah 8:11-9:7
I. THE LIGHT WILL BRING CLARITY AND CONVICTION
II. THE LIGHT WILL GIVE SIGHT AND CAUSE BLINDNESS
III. THE LIGHT WILL REVEAL OUR HOPE AND EXPOSE OUR DARKNESS
IV. THE LIGHT WILL BE GOD HIMSELF
God Is Light
Genesis 1:1-5
I. THE NATURE OF GOD
A. God is the Creator of all things
B. God is Light
C. God is the Judge of all things
D. God is the Owner and Ruler of all things
II. THE NATURE OF LIGHT IN RELATION TO GOD
A. When God speaks, there is light
B. Where there is light, there is clarity
C. Where there is light, there cannot be darkness
III. THE NATURE OF LIGHT IN RELATION TO THE GOSPEL
Stewarding Our Time
Psalm 39:1-13
Utilizing and managing all of God’s provided resources for his glory and the benefit of creation – “The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1).
I. STEWARDING TIME BRINGS CLARITY TO OUR MINDS
II. STEWARDING TIME KEEPS ETERNITY BEFORE US
III. STEWARDING TIME IS CRITICAL BECAUSE WE ARE SOJOURNERS
The Trial of David and the Providence of God
1 Samuel 29:1-11
I. GOD’S PROVIDENCE IS GREATER THAN OUR MISTAKES
II. GOD’S PROVIDENCE CAN UNFOLD IN WAYS WE DON’T EXPECT
III. GOD’S PROVIDENCE IS GREATER THAN OUR PLANS
The Tragedy of King Saul
1 Samuel 28:3-25
I. FAITHLESSNESS LEADS TO FEARFULNESS
II. PARTIAL OBEDIENCE AND DELIBERATE DISOBEDIENCE HAVE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES
III. THERE IS NO GREATER MISERY IN LIFE OR DEATH THAN BEING ABANDONED BY GOD
