Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 13:10-15 NIV

1. The Kingdom of Heaven will only be known by those who have a desire to know it.

2. The more you learn of God’s Kingdom, the more God will teach you.

3. The more you turn away form God’s Kingdom, the more calloused your heart will become.

4. Living out the Kingdom is hearing, seeing, understanding, and doing.

5. The Kingdom of Heaven comes with a great promise.

There is 5 avenues of gaining knowledge

1. Academically

2. Occupationally

3. Trivial knowledge

4. Experiential knowledge

5. Transformational knowledge-this is what Jesus gives us when we are truly saved- God wants you to have this knowledge.

Ambassadors For Christ

2 Corinthians 5:20

1. An Effective Ambassador Should Be Knowledgeable of the bible.

2. An Effective Ambassador Should Be Loyal and Dependable.

3. An Effective Ambassador Should Have Only One Message.

4. An Effective Ambassador Should Be Attractive In Our Demeaner.

5. An Effective Ambassador Should Stay in Touch With the King.

6. An Effective Amvassador Should Have a Love for the Lost.

Examining Yourself

Haggai 1:1-15

1. The Indictment(an accusation of a crime)

A. They had lost their urgency.

B. They had lost their remorse.

C. They had lost their blessings.

2. The Plea Bargain.

A. Return to God with their whole heart.

B. Return to God with the right motive.

C. Return to God in total obedience.

D. Return to God with a righteous fear.

3. The Verdict.

A. I will be with you.

B. Your joy and zeal will return.

C. Your blessings will return.

A Radiant Testimony

Acts 4:1-13

1. A Radiant Testimony is Readily Visible. Vs. 13 “Now when they saw” Someone is always looking at us. We should always have a happy attitude or Godly attitude for everyone to see.

2. A Radiant Testimony is Courageous. Vs. 13 “The Boldness”.

3. A Radiant Testimony is Willing to Suffer. Vs. 3 “They put them in jail” A jail can be other things than a physical jail. Like a depression jail, or a social society jail.

4. A Radiant Testimony is More About Jesus and Less About Self. Vs.13 “They had been with Jesus” When we are with Jesus then there will be a big difference in us. I must decrease so that Jesus can increase.

5. A Radiant Testimony Produces Big Results. Vs 4 “The number of men who believed grew to about five thousand”

6. A Radiant Testimony is Supernatural. Vs. 8 “Then Peter full of the Holy Spirit.”

I Will Not Be Moved

Psalm 16:8

I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Acts 20:24

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

1. Paul was Focused On a great Prize. “I do not count my life dear to myself.”

2. Paul Endured With a Great Pertinacity. “ That I may finish my race.”

Pertinacity is a quality of sticking with something, no matter what. It’s a type of persistent determination. People who have pertinacity won’t give up, and they stick with things doggedly. Pursuing a difficult career requires pertinacity. Pertinacity is a mix of courage, conviction, and a little stubbornness.

3. Paul was Concerned With A Great Presentation. “With joy”

4. Paul Was Devoted To A Great Person. “The ministry I received from the lord Jesus.”

5. Paul Was Motivated By A Great Purpose. “ To testify to the gospel of the Grace of God.”