Imitation, 3 John 9-14, Adapted from a Steve Shepherd sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/imitation-steve-shepherd-sermon-on-doing-gods-will-150917.asp
Paul wrote this epistle from prison in Rome where he had plenty of time as he awaited his trial. Daille wrote, "The imprisonment of St. Paul has done the church more good than the prosperity of the rest of the faithful of that age." This letter was written the same time as the letter to the Ephesians and Philemon, and they all seem to be delivered by the same messengers, Tychicus and Onesimus who was returning to his master, Philemon, who lived in Colosse.
Since the beginning of mankind, more thought has gone into the understanding of God than any other subject under the sun - and still nobody is any the wiser. In the length of a taxi ride, this little book explains once and for all.
Sure You're Mature_Session 1_The First dayroadsidebbc
Sure You're Mature's first session revisiting the day the delegates got saved, including stories of salvation from different people (a gay rocker, a deaf, and te preacher from the Titanic).
Sure You're Mature was a values formation event for the young professionals of today, and was held at Road Side Bible Baptist Church from December 26-29, 2010. The event was attended by different churches.
This is a study of Jesus being the bridge. He was the bridge to God, and to heaven. He was the bridge over troubled waters as well for He can take us over the rough waves of life to peace and safety.
Paul wrote this epistle from prison in Rome where he had plenty of time as he awaited his trial. Daille wrote, "The imprisonment of St. Paul has done the church more good than the prosperity of the rest of the faithful of that age." This letter was written the same time as the letter to the Ephesians and Philemon, and they all seem to be delivered by the same messengers, Tychicus and Onesimus who was returning to his master, Philemon, who lived in Colosse.
Since the beginning of mankind, more thought has gone into the understanding of God than any other subject under the sun - and still nobody is any the wiser. In the length of a taxi ride, this little book explains once and for all.
Sure You're Mature_Session 1_The First dayroadsidebbc
Sure You're Mature's first session revisiting the day the delegates got saved, including stories of salvation from different people (a gay rocker, a deaf, and te preacher from the Titanic).
Sure You're Mature was a values formation event for the young professionals of today, and was held at Road Side Bible Baptist Church from December 26-29, 2010. The event was attended by different churches.
This is a study of Jesus being the bridge. He was the bridge to God, and to heaven. He was the bridge over troubled waters as well for He can take us over the rough waves of life to peace and safety.
11 The Message From The Beginning 1 John 3:11-15Rick Peterson
The Message From The Beginning 1 John 3:11-15 Adapted from a Steve Shepherd sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-message-from-the-beginning-steve-shepherd-sermon-on-christian-love-148971.asp
A personal testimony of the Lord's leadings in Zac Poonen's life
-Zac Poonen
INDEX
1. Listening to God’s Voice
2. Assurance of Salvation
3. A Help In Time Of Need
4. Step-By-Step Obedience
5. Clearing My Debts
6. To Buy Or Not To Buy
7. The Baptism In The Holy Spirit
8. A Wide Open Door
9. Answered Prayer
10. Boldness To Witness
11. Called to Leave the Navy
12. Directed by God
13. The Importance of Small Decisions
14. To Marry Or Not To Marry
15. God’s Choice Of A Life-Partner
16. Saved From Death.
17. A Time of Breaking and A New Burden
18. God Pushes Me Into A Writing Ministry
19. A New Location And A House.
20. Forsaking All Possessions
21. Hitting Rock Bottom.
22. A Fresh Enduement With Power
23. Filled With The Spirit And Thereafter
24.The End of A Phase And The Beginning Of Another
25. Money And God’s Work
26. When People Speak Evil Of You
27. Preparation For Building The Church
28. Some Distinctives Of The New Church.
29. Authority Over Satan
30. Influencing The Government
31. Casting Out Demons
32. Early Days Of Meeting And Outreach
33. A Meeting Place
34. Reaching Out To Other Places
35. Delivering People Oppressed By The Devil
36. Travelling Mercies
37. Planting Churches In Other Countries
38. No Dependence On The West
39. Life At Home
40. My Style Of Preaching
41. God’s Time Is The Best Time
42. God Adds To The Church
43. God Removes From The Church
44. The New Covenant Pattern Of Ministry
45. The New Covenant Message
46. The Mistakes We Made
47. Making Disciples In All Nations
48. Looking Ahead
CFC, Christian Fellowship Church, Christian Fellowship Center, Christian Fellowship Centre
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
A verse by verse commentary on Judges 21 dealing with Israel trying to figure out how to give wives to the Benjamites.They let them steal virgins at a dance and by this method save the tribe of Benjamin,
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
I decided to write a commentary on this passage because of the challenge of trying to understand what Paul is saying when he asks the Corinthians to hand one of their sinful members over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that he might in the day of the Lord be saved. The man has to be given to his greatest enemy who will do him great harm, but in the end this will be a means by which he will escape
damnation and enjoy salvation. It sounded too crazy for me to pass it up. It is one of those difficult passages of Paul that Peter wrote about in 2Pe 3:16 “As also in all his
epistles, speaking in them of these things;
From the lips of children (1986) - Richard WurmbrandIulian
From the lips of children (1986) - Richard Wurmbrand
"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"Car Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu'il a donné son Fils unique, afin que quiconque croit en lui ne périsse point, mais qu'il ait la vie éternelle." Jean 3:16
"Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, daß er seinen eingeborenen Sohn gab, auf daß alle, die an ihn glauben, nicht verloren werden, sondern das ewige Leben haben." Johannes 3:16
"Fiindca atat de mult a iubit Dumnezeu lumea, ca a dat pe singurul Lui Fiu, pentru ca oricine crede in El sa nu piara, ci sa aiba viata vesnica." (Ioan 3:16)
No vacancy for position seekerstext of discourseNkor Ioka
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
How Great Is The Love 1 John 3:1-3 Adapted from a Steve Shepherd sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/how-great-is-the-love-steve-shepherd-sermon-on-gods-love-148968.asp
11 The Message From The Beginning 1 John 3:11-15Rick Peterson
The Message From The Beginning 1 John 3:11-15 Adapted from a Steve Shepherd sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/the-message-from-the-beginning-steve-shepherd-sermon-on-christian-love-148971.asp
A personal testimony of the Lord's leadings in Zac Poonen's life
-Zac Poonen
INDEX
1. Listening to God’s Voice
2. Assurance of Salvation
3. A Help In Time Of Need
4. Step-By-Step Obedience
5. Clearing My Debts
6. To Buy Or Not To Buy
7. The Baptism In The Holy Spirit
8. A Wide Open Door
9. Answered Prayer
10. Boldness To Witness
11. Called to Leave the Navy
12. Directed by God
13. The Importance of Small Decisions
14. To Marry Or Not To Marry
15. God’s Choice Of A Life-Partner
16. Saved From Death.
17. A Time of Breaking and A New Burden
18. God Pushes Me Into A Writing Ministry
19. A New Location And A House.
20. Forsaking All Possessions
21. Hitting Rock Bottom.
22. A Fresh Enduement With Power
23. Filled With The Spirit And Thereafter
24.The End of A Phase And The Beginning Of Another
25. Money And God’s Work
26. When People Speak Evil Of You
27. Preparation For Building The Church
28. Some Distinctives Of The New Church.
29. Authority Over Satan
30. Influencing The Government
31. Casting Out Demons
32. Early Days Of Meeting And Outreach
33. A Meeting Place
34. Reaching Out To Other Places
35. Delivering People Oppressed By The Devil
36. Travelling Mercies
37. Planting Churches In Other Countries
38. No Dependence On The West
39. Life At Home
40. My Style Of Preaching
41. God’s Time Is The Best Time
42. God Adds To The Church
43. God Removes From The Church
44. The New Covenant Pattern Of Ministry
45. The New Covenant Message
46. The Mistakes We Made
47. Making Disciples In All Nations
48. Looking Ahead
CFC, Christian Fellowship Church, Christian Fellowship Center, Christian Fellowship Centre
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
A verse by verse commentary on Judges 21 dealing with Israel trying to figure out how to give wives to the Benjamites.They let them steal virgins at a dance and by this method save the tribe of Benjamin,
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
I decided to write a commentary on this passage because of the challenge of trying to understand what Paul is saying when he asks the Corinthians to hand one of their sinful members over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that he might in the day of the Lord be saved. The man has to be given to his greatest enemy who will do him great harm, but in the end this will be a means by which he will escape
damnation and enjoy salvation. It sounded too crazy for me to pass it up. It is one of those difficult passages of Paul that Peter wrote about in 2Pe 3:16 “As also in all his
epistles, speaking in them of these things;
From the lips of children (1986) - Richard WurmbrandIulian
From the lips of children (1986) - Richard Wurmbrand
"For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"Car Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu'il a donné son Fils unique, afin que quiconque croit en lui ne périsse point, mais qu'il ait la vie éternelle." Jean 3:16
"Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt, daß er seinen eingeborenen Sohn gab, auf daß alle, die an ihn glauben, nicht verloren werden, sondern das ewige Leben haben." Johannes 3:16
"Fiindca atat de mult a iubit Dumnezeu lumea, ca a dat pe singurul Lui Fiu, pentru ca oricine crede in El sa nu piara, ci sa aiba viata vesnica." (Ioan 3:16)
No vacancy for position seekerstext of discourseNkor Ioka
CHRISTIAN SUPERNATURAL TEACHINGS, BIBLE CLASS LESSONS, GOSPELS BY LEADER OLUMBA OLUMBA OBU, THE SUPERNATURAL TEACHER AND SOLE SPIRITUAL HEAD, BROTHERHOOD OF THE CROSS AND STAR
How Great Is The Love 1 John 3:1-3 Adapted from a Steve Shepherd sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/how-great-is-the-love-steve-shepherd-sermon-on-gods-love-148968.asp
03 Great Is The Lord Colossians 1:13-20Rick Peterson
Great Is The Lord Colossians 1:13-20 Adapted from a Jeffery Anselmi sermon
http://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=91440
Good News About Being a Christian #1 There Is No Condemnation by Tim Bond
http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=44934&Sermon%20There%20Is%20No%20Condemnation%20by%20Tim%20Bond
The Powerpoint outlines for this series of lessons on The Great Commission were downloaded from the Duluth, GA Church of Christ website at: http://www.churchofchristduluthga.org/sermons.php
Our little Church is using a Chronological Bible Reading Schedule by Skip Andrews. It can be found here: http://www.churchofchristduluthga.org
Each Sunday a lesson is given from some of that week's reading. This lesson covers Nov 23-29
05 A Special Calling Colossians 1:24-29Rick Peterson
A Special Calling Colossians 1:24-29 Adapted from a Jeffery Anselmi sermon
http://www.sermoncentral.com/print_friendly.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=91833
Our little Church is using a Chronological Bible Reading Schedule by Skip Andrews. It can be found here: http://www.churchofchristduluthga.org/
Each Sunday a lesson is given from some of that week's reading. This lesson covers Jan 13-19.
The Powerpoint outlines for this series of lessons on The Great Commission were downloaded from the Duluth, GA Church of Christ website at: http://www.churchofchristduluthga.org/sermons.php
Our little Church is using a Chronological Bible Reading Schedule by Skip Andrews. It can be found here: http://www.churchofchristduluthga.org
Each Sunday a lesson is given from some of that week's reading. This lesson covers Nov 16-22
The Purpose of The Church #2 FellowshipRick Peterson
The Purpose of The Church #2 Fellowship
Jeffery Anselmi http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=60357&Sermon%20The%20Purpose%20of%20The%20Church-%20Fellowship%20by%20Jeffery%20Anselmi
Our little Church is using a Chronological Bible Reading Schedule by Skip Andrews. It can be found here: http://www.churchofchristduluthga.org
Each Sunday a lesson is given from some of that week's reading. This lesson covers Nov 2-9. This lesson is an article from "The Word In Life Study Bible."
Choked Channels - . • • • 9
The Olivet Message - - • • 33
The Channel of Power - - • • 61
The Price of Power - - . . 87
The Personality of Power - • •117
Making and Breaking Connections • 147
The Flood-Tide of Power • • •173
Fresh Supplies of Power - • • 199
The largest growing demographic today is those who are “spiritual but not religious.” Albert Einstein’s cosmic religion of the future was as follows: “This religion is transcendent and avoids dogma. Covering both the natural and the spiritual, it is based on a religious sense arising from the experience of all things natural and spiritual as a meaningful unity.”
Might sharing this Cosmic Religion of the Future be a way of interesting the “spiritual but not religious” in joining our Fellowship? To address this question, let us examine the conversion experience of St .Paul of Tarsus and of scientists like Dr. Francis Collins, the present head of our National Institute of Health.
“I learned to love Jesus more than my own parents” That is Jesus, the son of Mary the word of truth about” (which they are in dispute.” (Qur’ân 19:34 Jesus has been mentioned by name 25 times in the Qur’ân while Prophet Muhammad has been mentioned by name just five times. Additionally, the nineteenth chapter of the Qur’ân was named after the Virgin “Mary” while there is no chapter in the Qur’ân bearing the name of Prophet Muhammad’s mother, any of his wives or daughters. It is also noteworthy that Mary is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’ân. She is described in the most .honorable way as one chosen and favored over all women : Allāh says And [mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed” Allāh has chosen you and purified you and chosen you ( 3:42 ) “.above the women of the worlds It is also noteworthy that Mary is the only woman .mentioned by name in the noble Qur’ân And the Qur’ân mentions that fair-minded Christians are : closest to the Muslims You will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers” those who say, "We are Christians." That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.” (5:82)
Against the tide, slideshare version. 050214Adrian Hawkes
This was a key note speech at an Educators Conference - it may not all be understandable from the PP but a lot will, but if there are things that you think, what is he on about I am happy to answer you.
Not long ago, I was in Dallas holding aseminar. My daughter, Zona, was with me,helping with the book and tape sales. Zonaowns two exercise studios and had a financialneed for $3,000. She told me about it, but Ididn't respond. I've taught her for years totrust God. Sometimes the pressure of asituation will nag at you so strongly that youwill bypass God and look to a person—especially one who has what you need.That night, Zona had a night vision—avision that occurs when you are asleep. God speaks to your spirit and shows you what youneed to see. It's from God—not from the pizzayou ate earlier!The next morning, she told me about thedream she received, saying, "Daddy, Daddy, Idon't like it!" She said, "I dreamed I was aninstructor in an exercise place.""Well," I said, "that's what you are.""But, Daddy, I was just an instructor in theexercise place and not the owner."She continued to describe the dream. In it,there was a man who owned the place.Because Zona needed financial help, she askedher boss for more money. He refused and heaped abuse on her. The dream had greatlyupset her. She didn't understand the truth thatGod was trying to reveal to her in this dream, but I immediately did.I said, "Zona, Zona. That dream was for you.God was showing you what happens whenyou prostitute your faith. I've told you foryears what to do, but you flounder around andlook to man for help, and God doesn't like it.Why don't you change?"You might say, "That seems very harsh,Brother Norvel.' But, in these last days, God isrevealing the truth so we won't have tostumble around in darkness for the rest of ourlives. Yes, when I said that, it was harsh.Sometimes the truth can be offensive. But if welisten and apply it, it will always set us free.Meanwhile, Zona sat in a chair mumblingtearfully, "Oh, Daddy, oh, Daddy." I said to her, "Zona, honey, little darling, Jesus lovesyou! Why don't you start thanking Jesus for what you want and Jesus will give it to you.
Youcan be free from your prostitute faith.Don't go to man. God says, 'Forget not togive God thanks in everything.' Why don't youdo it?"Crying, she said, "Okay, Daddy, I will, Iwill.'After this conversation on Saturdaymorning, we both began thanking Jesus forhelping her. Later, she went to work behindthe tape and book table during the seminar.Soon, a person walked up and said, "Zona,God has been dealing with me for two days.Here's a check the Lord told me to give you."She looked at the check—
four thousand dollars!
56 Unlimited Power In A Limited Space revisitedRick Peterson
This sermon is a slightly modified version of the one preached 12/23/18.
Adapted from a Scott Chambers sermon https://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/2-jesus-unlimited-power-in-a-limited-space-scott-chambers-sermon-on-jesus-christ-135274?ref=SermonSeriesDetails
Homily: The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Sunday 2024.docxJames Knipper
Countless volumes have been written trying to explain the mystery of three persons in one true God, leaving us to resort to metaphors such as the three-leaf clover to try to comprehend the Divinity. Many of us grew up with the quintessential pyramidal Trinity structure of God at the top and Son and Spirit in opposite corners. But what if we looked at this ‘mystery’ from a different perspective? What if we shifted our language of God as a being towards the concept of God as love? What if we focused more on the relationship within the Trinity versus the persons of the Trinity? What if stopped looking at God as a noun…and instead considered God as a verb? Check it out…
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
1. Imitation3 John 9-14 Adapted from a Steve Shepherd sermon http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/imitation-steve-shepherd-sermon-on-doing-gods-will-150917.asp
2. 3 John 1:9 NET I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing — the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church!
3. 11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God. 12 Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true. 13I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink.
4. 14But I hope to see you right away, and we will speak face to face. (15)Peace be with you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.
5. President Calvin Coolidge once invited friends from his hometown to dine at the White House. Worried about their table manners, the guests decided to do everything that Coolidge did. This strategy succeeded, until coffee was served. The president poured his coffee into the saucer. The guests did the same. Coolidge added sugar and cream. His guests did, too. Then Coolidge bent over and put his saucer on the floor for the cat.
6. "Shadow of the Leader" is a phrase used to describe a common phenomenon in business organizations where those in positions of leadership and power, through their behavior and actions, tend to influence the behavior and actions of those below them, thus “casting a shadow” across the organization.
7. What leader would you imitate? Let me offer one & see if you would imitate him. You might or might not agree with his politics, but his decisions & motives at a very early age surely cannot be questioned.
8. When in Branson I ran across a letter from a very influential man in America’s history. He wrote about a character who became his role model. The letter was written to Harold Bell Wright's (author of “The Shepherd Of the Hills”) daughter-in-law.
9. THE WHITE HOUSEWASHINGTON March 13, 1984 Dear Mrs. Wright: It is true that your father-in-law's book, indeed books, played a definite part in my growing-up years. When I was only ten or eleven years old, I picked up Harold Bell Wright's book, That Printer of Udell's, which I'd seen my mother reading, and read it from cover to cover.
10. Perhaps I should tell you I became an avid reader at a very early age and had my own card for the Dixon, Illinois Public Library. I made regular use of that card. That book, That Printer of Udell's had an impact I shall always remember. After reading it and thinking about it for a few days, I went to my mother and told her I wanted to declare my faith and be baptized. We attended the Christian Church in Dixon, and I was baptized several days after finishing the book.
11. The term, "role model," was not a familiar term in that time and place. But I realize I found a role model in that traveling printer whom Harold Bell Wright had brought to life. He set me on a course I've tried to follow even unto this day. I shall always be grateful. Sincerely,
12. Harold Bell Wright's “That Printer of Udell's” was written as a series of sermons. Harold Bell Wright intended to read That Printer of Udell's to his congregation at successive Sunday night services, but before he did the story was published in The Christian Century, a Disciples denominational paper
13. In his autobiography, To My Sons, Wright says that he was so disheartened by the stripped-down version of the story that The Christian Century produced, that he "hid the poor mutilated corpse in the bottom of the least used drawer of my desk and turned to other things."
14. Wright says, "My congregation, of course, was reading this emasculated, refined, sterilized, denominationally pure and sweet version as it appeared in the church paper. For me to read the original manuscript to them with any hope of holding their attention was now impossible."
15. Apparently Wright never read That Printer of Udell's to any congregation. But as a book it led at least one soul, Ronald Reagan, to become united through baptism with Jesus’ death, burial & resurrection.
16. Did you know Ronald Reagan graduated from a Christian College in 1932? Eureka College is a liberal arts college in Eureka, Illinois related by covenant to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and founded in 1855.
17. A Jewish woman was fleeing the German Gestapo in France. She knew she was close to being caught and she wanted to give up. A Christian woman, a widow, told her it was time to flee to a new place. The Jew said, "It's no use, they will find me anyway. They are so close behind." The Christian widow said, "Yes, they will find someone here, but it's time for you to leave.
18. Go. I will take your identification and wait here." The Jewish lady then understood the plan; the Gestapo would come and find this Christian widow and think she was the fleeing Jew. The Jewish lady asked her why she was doing that. The widow responded, "It's the least I can do; Christ has already done that and more for me."
19. The widow was caught and imprisoned in the Jewish lady's place, allowing time for her to escape. Within six months the widow died in the concentration camp. The Jewish lady never forgot. She too became a follower of Jesus Christ and lived her life serving others. She met God through the greatest love a person can give, personal self-sacrifice.
20. Who would you be if you couldn’t be you? Or is there someone that you’ve always wanted to be like? I think we all would change something about us, that is, about our appearance or our personality if we could.
21. Hopefully, all of us who are in Christ would want to become more like our Savior. Maybe not in our younger days, but as we age and mature in Christ we surely want to be more like Him! I think we all realize, of course, there are some people we wouldn’t want to be like. But we all imitate or reflect someone in life. We all take on the characteristics of another person. We all learn from one another.
22. John tells us about two different people in the church; one to follow and one, we should not follow. 1- What not to imitate 2- What to imitate
23. WHAT NOT TO IMITATE 9I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us.10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing — the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words!
24. And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church! 11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God.
25. Obviously, we want to imitate good and not evil. This doesn’t hold true for everyone, but it should for us. A preacher announced there were 726 different sins in the Bible. Shortly after that he got bombarded with requests from people for that list because they thought they were missing out on something! Some evil things are pleasurable and many people want in on them!
26. According to our text, we don’t want to imitate evil men either. Who might that be? A man in the church by the name of Diotrephes. Let’s note what is not good about him and what we shouldn’t imitate.Diotrephes, who loves to be first. I assume Diotrepheswas the kind of person who wanted to be first about everything or be number one.
27. Late in his life, Sir Winston Churchilltook a cruise on an Italian ship. A journalist from a Rome newspaper encountered the former prime minister to ask him why he chose to travel on an Italian line when the stately Queen’s line under the British flag was available.
28. Churchill gave the question his consideration and then gravely replied: “There are three things I like about Italian ships. First, their cuisine, which is unsurpassed. Second, their service, which is quite superb.” And then Sir Winston added, “And then there is none of this nonsense about women and children first.”
29. In 1949, Norman McGowan was the personal valet to Winston Chuchill. McGowan said, “It was Sir Winston Churchill’s standing order that when he returned by train from a trip that his dog Rufus should be brought to the station to meet him. Rufus would be let off his leash to dash to his master and be the first to greet him.
30. “One day I happened to be standing close by. Rufus ignored his master and came leaping all over me instead. “Of course, Sir Winston loved Rufus too much to blame him. Instead, he turned to me with a hurt look and said quietly, “In the future, Norman, I would prefer you to stay in the train until I’ve said hello.”
31. It sounds like Sir Winston Churchill liked being first in all things. If this is true about him I’m not sure I would have wanted to be around him very much.Self-centeredness is not a good trait. Wanting your own way all the time is not a good thing. Diotrephes was apparently a very self-centered man or church leader. There have been church leaders and preachers like that over the years.
32. One church board member said, “I AM the church board.” And he was one of about five board members but I guess he thought he “ran the show.” He tried to but it didn’t always work.Any time, any one person in the church be it preacher, elder, deacon, or teacher tries to run the show and get their own way, they are wrong! All things are supposed to be done for the whole church and to please Christ who is the head of the body!
33. 1 Corinthians 14:26 NET What should you do then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church. Romans 14:19 NET So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.
34. We’re not here to please ourselves but to please the Lord in all things and edify or build up one another in the church. If what you do, doesn’t edify or build up people then stop doing it!What else did Diotrephes do that we should not do? John said that Diotrephes…does not acknowledge us. I guess he wouldn’t have anything to do with certain people in the church.
35. One time a church member said, in regard to a new family in the church, “They are not our kind of people.” Well, what kind were they?I realize that not everyone clicks with everyone else in the church. There are some people that you have a better relationship with than others, however, we should never shun another brother or sister in the church. As best we can, we should always speak to one another and demonstrate kindness to all.
36. What else did Diotrephes do that we don’t want to do?10Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing — the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church!
37. He sounds like a bad dude! And he was. He was a big gossip, which is a no, no. A malicious gossip, wanting to hurt others.One preacher wrote about the church he served, “Tongues have always been a problem in our church, but it isn’t speaking in tongues.” It was malicious gossip.
38. Diotrepheswanted to control the church. He wanted some people in and some people out. He was something of a dictator.There was a new preacher in a Baptist church. One of the board members pulled him aside immediately and basically said to him, “You do what I want in this church. I control it.” That new young preacher went into the pulpit and immediately called for a congregational meeting.
39. He told the people what that man said to him about controlling the church. The congregation took an immediate vote and booted the man from the church board and also, the church! I get the idea from John that we don’t want to imitate anything about Diotrephes. It’s like some other scriptures.
40. Proverbs 3:31 NET Do not envy a violent man, and do not choose to imitate any of his ways; Proverbs 4:14 NET Do not enter the path of the wicked or walk in the way of those who are evil. Proverbs 14:7 NET Leave the presence of a foolish person, or you will not understand wise counsel. What not to imitate. You don’t imitate violent, wicked, evilor foolishpeople.
41. WHAT TO IMITATE 11Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God. 12Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.
42. We are to imitate good, good in people and all good! The good man in this text is Demetrius. 12Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.Do you know of someone who is well spoken of by people? That person obviously has some very good qualities in their life. Find these qualities & imitate them!
43. Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery.
44. Before his election in 1860 as the first Republican president, Lincoln had been a country lawyer, an Illinois state legislator, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and twice an unsuccessful candidate for election to the U.S. Senate.
45. He introduced measures that resulted in the abolition of slavery, issuing his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 and promoting the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Six days after the large-scale surrender of Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee, Lincoln became the first American president to be assassinated.
46. Lincoln is quoted as saying:- I have never studied the art of paying compliments to women; but I must say that if all that has been said by orators and poets since the creation of the world in praise of women were applied to the women of America, it would not do them justice for their conduct during this war. I will close by saying, God bless the women of America!
47. - If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.- In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book.- America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
48. - I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.- I don’t know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be. - If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six hours sharpening my ax.
49. - The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.- Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.- Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.If Lincoln did say all these words and many more, then I would say he was a man worth imitating in life!
50. Any time we see a good person, saying good words and doing good in life, they are worth imitating. And we all need to look for that good in others, instead of the negative.1 Corinthians 11:1 NET Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. All of us may well have some Christ-like qualities in our lives and they should be imitated by others.
51. Hebrews 6:11 NET But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, 12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises.
52. Hebrews 13:7 NET Remember your leaders, who spoke God's message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith.
53. John closes this letter with these words. 13I have many things to write to you, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink. 14But I hope to see you right away, and we will speak face to face. (15)Peace be with you. The friends here greet you. Greet the friends there by name.
54. Just as in his 2nd letter he has more to tell Gaius, but in person so they could discuss things. The literal translation of face to face is “mouth to mouth.” That gives me the idea of discussing something, talking things through?
55. Romans 12:9 NET Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Hate, Abhor what is evil, Hold firmly to,cling to what is good. Every human person will follow one or the other. And because of Christ, because we are in Christ we must cling to the good in others. And this good must be seen in us in order for others to follow and imitate. That’s the imitation of life for us in Christ.