peace and power

peace and power

by Dr. Jim Coleman

Christianity Religion

Obeying God's Directions (Mt. 2:13-23)

Obeying God’s Directions Matthew 2:13-23 (NLT) In several ways, Joseph obeys God’s directions and experiences the rewards of that obedience: • Obedience through listening, then acting (vv. 13-14) • Obedience through waiting (v. 15) • Obedience results in reward (vv. 16-18) • Obedience moves to the next stage (vv. 19-21) • Obedience recognizes well-founded fears (v. 22a) • Obedience may plant us in secure places (vv. 22b-23) Dr. Jim R. Coleman

Expecting the Unexpected (Mt. 1:18-25)

Bible Talk outline Expecting the Unexpected Mt. 1:18-25 • an unexpected act of God can transform your future (v. 18b) • an unexpected choice of mercy may soften your heart (v. 19) • an unexpected word of peace will give you confidence (v. 20) • an unexpected Savior will reveal your sin (v. 21) • an unexpected nearness of God can enter your life (vv. 22-23) • an unexpected call for commitment increases your faith (vv. 24-25) Jim R. Coleman

God's Incredible Promises Come True (Mt. 1:1-17)

God’s Incredible Promises Come True Mt. 1:1-17 Bible Talk Outline ◊ Look closely at the people of God’s incredible promises. Through their lives, the timeline of God’s coming Messiah progresses. ● A promised family comes true (vv. 1-5) ● A promised kingdom comes true (vv. 6-10) ● A promised homecoming comes true (vv. 11-15) ● A promised Messiah comes true (v. 16) ◊ Look broadly at the periods of God’s incredible promises. Through these eras, the timeline of God’s sent Messiah is fulfilled. ● A promise to fulfilll comes true (v. 17) Jim R. Coleman

The Shepherd Who Knows (Mk. 14:26-31)

The Shepherd Who Knows Mk. 14: 26-31 Bible Talk outline Jesus is… ◊ the Guiding Shepherd Who knows of our confusion (v. 26-27) ◊ the Resurrected Shepherd Who knows we need hope (v. 28a) ◊ the Restoring Shepherd Who knows our mission (v. 28b) ◊ the Wise Shepherd Who knows our testings (vv. 29-30) ▪ the testing of self-will (v. 29) ▪ the testing of self-deception (vv. 30-31) Jim R. Coleman

The Two Sides of Service (Mk. 10: 35-45)

Bible Talk Outline The Two Sides of Service Mk. 10:35-45 ◊ Honor Side - Kingdom servants don’t ask to be served with honor (vv. 35-37) ◊ Sacrifice Side - Kingdom servants are honored through suffering (vv. 38-39) ◊ Honor Side - Kingdom servants are honored by the wise Father (v. 40) ◊ Honor Side - Kingdom servants do not jealously desire honor (v. 41) ◊ Honor Side - Kingdom servants are Kingdom leaders (vv. 42-44) ▪ In the world’s kingdom, leaders rule others (v. 42) ▪ In God’s Kingdom, leaders serve others (vv. 43-44) ◊ Sacrifice Side - Kingdom servants follow Jesus’ sacrificial example (v. 45) ▪ In God’s kingdom, self is not served… (v. 45a) ▪ but many others are served (vv. 45b)

Becoming Offerers (Ex. 35:4-36:7)

Becoming Offerers Ex. 35:4-36:7 ◊ A generous God—each one’s offering made possible through a special Providence (35: 4-5a, 31) ▪ God provides resources (implied) ▪ God inspires gifted skills (v. 31) ▪ God instructs and shapes us into generous givers (vv. 4-5a) ◊ Generous hearts—each one’s offering of special resources (35:5b-9, 20-24, 27-29; see also Ex. 25:1-9) ▪ The Lord’s call to community generosity (vv. 4-5a) ▪ Individuals’ response of generosity (v. 5b) ▪ The Lord’s list of needed generosity (v. 5c-9) ◦ expensive metals (v. 5c) ◦ threads, cloth and leather (v. 6-7a) ◦ acacia wood (v. 7b) ◦ oil, spices and incense (v. 8) ◦ gemstones (v. 9) ◊ Gifted hands—each one’s offering of special skills (35:10-19, 25-26, 30-36:2; see also Ex. 31:1-11) ▪ handcrafted Tabernacle materials and furnishings (vv. 10-19) ▪ skilled sewers (vv. 25-26) ▪ skilled craftsmen (vv. 30-36:2) ◊ Gifted hands overflowing through generous hearts (36:3-7) Dr. Jim R. Coleman

The Beauty of Holiness (Ps. 96: 1-13)

● Praise the LORD’s beautiful actions (vv. 1-3) ▪ relevant actions—“new” (v. 1a) ▪ universal actions—“whole earth” (v. 1b) ▪ rescuing actions—“salvation” (v. 2) ▪ publicized actions—“publish” (v. 3) ● Praise the LORD’s beautiful Person and presence (vv. 4-6) ▪ a beautiful importance—“worthy”/weight (v. 4a) ▪ a beautiful uniqueness—“above all gods” (v. 4b-5) ▪ a beautiful face—“surround” (v. 6a) ▪ a beautiful strength (v. 6b, see v. 7-9 below) ▪ a beautiful presence (v. 6c) ● Worship the LORD’s beautiful reign (vv. 7-13) ▪ All people should worship the King’s reign of strength and beauty (vv. 7-9) ◦ by recognizing his reign (vv. 7-8a) ◦ by offering sacrificially to him (vv. 8b) –Rev. 21;24 ◦ by worshiping his beauty—“holy splendor” (v. 9a) ◦ by worshipping his strength—“stands firm” (vv. 9b-10a) ▪ All creation should worship the King’s reign of justice (vv. 10b-13) Dr. Jim R. Coleman

What Should be Heard About a Church (Phil. 1: 27-30)

Bible Talk Outline What Should Be Heard About a Church Phil. 1:27-30 Paul hopes to hear (v. 27b) that the Philippian believers are… • unified as citizens of God’s Kingdom (v. 27a) • unified by “standing firm in the Spirit” (v. 27c) • unified in “one mind” (v. 27d) • unified in the contest “for the Gospel” faith (v. 27e) • unified by a fearless future (v. 28)• unified in suffering (vv. 29-30) Dr. Jim R. Coleman

Up the Ladder of Faith's Priorities

Bible Talk outline Up the Ladder of Faith’s Priorities Mk. 12:28-34 The Priority of God’s Word (v. 28, 1 Jn 2:3, 4b) The Priority of God (v. 29, 1 Jn 2:4a) The Priority of loving God (v. 30, 1 Jn. 2:5-6) The Priority of loving people (v. 31, 1 Jn. 2:7-8a), even over religion (v. 32-33, 1 Jn. 2:8b-11) The priority of the Kingdom of God (v. 34, 1 Jn. 2:15-17) Dr. Jim R. Coleman

Keep Clinging (Jer. 13:1-14)

Bible Talk outline Keep Clinging Jer. 13:1-14 A. Clinging to God is demonstrated by obedience, unlike ancient Israel (vv. 1-2) B. Clinging to God continues by nurturing, not neglecting (v. 1b) C. Clinging to God is impactful when displayed, not hidden (vv. 3-5) D. Clinging to God is preserved when used, not buried (vv. 6-9) E. Clinging to God is valued by listening, not ignoring (v. 10a) F. Clinging to God is guided by following, not idolatry (v. 10b) G. Clinging to God is possible by grace, not worthiness (v. 11a) H. Clinging to God is accomplished by faithfulness, not waywardness (v. 11b) 1. faithfully stewarding BLESSINGS, not abusing them (vv. 12-13) 2. faithfully receiving MERCY, not judgment (v. 14) Dr. Jim R. Coleman

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