The Goodness of God (Romans 2:4-11)

1. Wonderful Reality (2:4a).

2. Weighty Reasons (2:4b).

3. Willful Response (2:4a/c-5).

4. Wages and Rewards (2:6-10).

5. Wise & Righteous (2:11).

Glory In the Cross -- Galatians 6:14

I. Glory in the Person of the Cross.

II. Glory in the Purpose of the Cross.

III. Glory in the Power of the Corss.

The Gospel Truth -- Colossians 1:3-8

In Colossians 1:3-8, Paul talks about the gospel as it relates to the Colossian Christians. This Gospel Truth:

1. Resonates in Praise (1:3).
2. Is Received by Faith (1:4).
3. Results in Love (1:4).
4. Rests in Hope (1:5) -- My favorite point!
5. Reaches the World (1:6).
6. Is Rooted in Grace (1:7).
7. Is Reported by Others (1:8) -- Can people look at your life and know you have believe the true Gospel?

Paul's Prayer -- That You May Know -- Eph. 1:15-23

In Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prays for the believers in Ephesus, that they would know God through Jesus Christ. His prayer:

I. Begins with Praise (1:15-16).
a. He praises God for what He has done in the past, "For this reason..." (1:2-14).
b. He praises God for what He is doing in the present (1:15).
c. He praises God for what He will do in the future (really a present reality 1:15..."hope").

II. Includes a Petition (1:17-23).
That we would know:
a. His person (1:17).
b. His plan (1:18).
c. His power (1:19).
d His person (1:20-23) -- (It all begins and ends with Christ).

Conclusion: For what are you praying? Stuff? Why not rather pray to know God!

Responding To Tragedy -- Acts 12

When tragedy strikes, it is not unusual to find many questioning why God would have allowed such to happen. This was the case just a few weeks ago following the shooting at Virginia Tech. Why would (or did) God allow this to happen. Why would (or does) God allow suffering and tragedy? We won't always have all the answers, but this we know to do, when tragedy strikes:

I. Respect the mystery of God's providence (12:1-4).
II. Remain fervent in prayer (12:5).
III. Rest in God's peace (12:6)
IV. Remember God's promises (12:7-23).
V. Recall God's purpose (12:24-25).

We won't always have all the answers. But we certainly know the One who does. Therefore, we must trust the Lord!

Seven Weeks & Sixty-Two Weeks - Matt. 21:1-11

Matthew 21:1-11 is the account of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the week before His crucifixion. Clearly, He was right on schedule. The title, "Seven Weeks and Sixty-Two Weeks," comes from the prophecy in Daniel 9, known as Daniel's 70 weeks. These are weeks of years, or 490 years. If you do the math, from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah enters Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-11), it is exactly seven weeks and sixty-two weeks, or 483 years to the day. It is also a testimony to the literal fulfillment of Bible prophecy.

Outline:

I. Specific Purpose (21:1)
II. Sure Prophecy (21:2-7)
III. Spectacular Praise (21:8-9)
IV. Stunning Perplexity (21:10-11)

He approached Jerusalem with a specific purpose: To die for the sins of mankind. His approach and death would be a sure fulfillment of prophecy. As He approached Jerusalem, the crowds cried out in spectacular praise: Hosanna! (which means save now!). They saw Him as the long awaited Messiah who would come in and throw off the yoke of Roman bondage. However, their praise turned to stunning perplexity as they realized the yoke of Roman bondage would remain. They knew who He was but did not believe. They wanted deliverance now but He came to deliver, not from Rome but from sin.

The Master Plan of Salvation -- Eph. 1:3-14

I can actually think of three titles to give this message: (1) The Master Plan of Salvation, (2) Our Position in Christ, or (3) Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing. Truth is, the master plan of salvation is one of being in Christ, having been blessed with every spiritual blessing.

I. Past Election (The Father's Choice) 1:3-6.
1. The specific purpose of the Father's choice (1:4).
2. The scope of the Father's choice (1:5a).
3. The secret (mystery) of the Father's choice (1:5b).
4. The splendor of the Father's choice (1:6).

II. Present Redemption (The Son's Sacrifice) 1:7-12.
1. The specific purpose of the Son's sacrifice (1:7a).
2. The scope of the Son's sacrifice (1:7b-8).
3. The secret (mystery) of the Son's sacrifice (1:9-11).
4. The splendor of the Son's sacrifice (1:12).

III. Future Inheritance (The Spirit's Promise) 1:13-14.
1. The specific purpose of the Spirit's promise (1:13a).
2. The scope of the Spirit's promise (1:13b).
3. The secret (mystery) of the Spirit's promise (1:14a).
4. The scope of the Spirit's promise (1:14b).

God is a God of purpose. He purposes to save all those for whom Christ died, who believe. The scope of that purpose goes far beyond anything we could ever imagine. In fact, to us, much of it is mysterious. Such are the ways of God. But the splendor is always the same -- to the praise of His glory---that God would be glorified.