Dear Friends,
Jesus described us as salt and light. Your influence is so powerful as you walk in grace. The grace of God shows itself when we live out extraordinary love. We are called and empowered to be more than religious.
Mat 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
We are called to live lives that surpass all ideas about being religious. For this to happen we must see the hidden traps of religious substitutes. We must also understand the surpassing greatness of Christ. This Sunday is a Lord supper service so come prepared for that. Also, we have one week until Easter so start inviting your friends and family. Let’s do all we can to shine. The Easter message is titled “THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES”. I really believe those you bring will hear the clear gospel as we pray.
Also, we have one week until Easter so start inviting your friends and family. Let’s do all we can to shine. The Easter message is titled “THE GOD OF SECOND CHANCES”. I really believe those you bring will hear the clear gospel as we pray. Speaking of prayer, please fill out prayer cards for those you will invite and come pray this coming week. We have prayer meetings from 6:00 Am to 9:00 am and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM every day with a special all-church prayer time on Wednesday evening. Let’s let our light shine in such a way that those around us see the surpassing greatness of Christ.
I am looking forward to seeing you Sunday
Blessings,
Joe
STEPS TO PREPARE
Please read the following scriptures and consider the questions. We will be covering these verses this week and the week after Easter.
Mat 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
Mat 5:18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
Mat 5:19 “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Rom 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Rom 13:9 For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
Rom 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
PRAY FOR THE SERVICES AND FOR YOURSELF
AND ME AND THE OTHER TEACHERS.
PRAYERFULLY READ THE SCRIPTURES
AND CONSIDER THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND A PREACHING SERVICE AND A SMALL GROUP.
INVITE SOMEONE TO COME WITH YOU.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
- How does loving God and others fulfill the law?
- How can your righteousness exceed all other religious systems by way of extraordinary love?
- Do you agree with this advice” love God and do what you want?”
- How does faith easily turn from a love relationship into a list of dos and don’ts?
Mat 5:21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’
Mat 5:22 “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
- How much of your life is affected by anger and resentment?
- How serious does Jesus say an angry heart is?
Mat 5:23 “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Mat 5:24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
Mat 5:25 “Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Mat 5:26 “Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent
Mat 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God
- How important is peacemaking to genuine and acceptable worship to God?
- What are the consequences of not taking relationships seriously?
- How can we pray for you personally? Please be brief so we can give everyone a chance.
