This week we focused on one characteristic of reprobates.   Are you grateful?  How can you truly believe the message of the cross without gratitude?

Gratitude goes further than saying thank you.  As a teacher I feel appreciated when I see people living out the things I have taught.  Thank yous can often be mere flattery.  Are your actions that of someone who is grateful?  It is important to be certain.  There was no question in Paul, he labored day and night in prayer for all the people God had given him charge over.  He never looked at it as a burden, rather it was a blessing.  Are you grateful?

Notes:
Ph. 4:17;I Th. 2:17-18; Mt. 6:22-23; Lk. 17:26-29; 1-3

In a nation full of wickedness, we see the apparent body of Christ embracing evil.  It is necessary to take a look at what it means to be reprobate.  There is a growing number of people today who have rejected God's ways, His justice, His truth choosing to embrace evil, hoping to appear loving to the world.  God has promised to destroy these without remedy.  The doctrine of reprobation is rarely touched on in the modern church.  The people are suffering from their lack of knowledge.

It is not either lost or saved, some have made a clear choice to deny God.  God promised to them a strong delusion.  These often have a form of godliness, Paul instructed us to turn away from them (I Timothy 3:5).

This week was the introduction of this series " When God Destroys".  It is my hope to stir in you some introspection, as the disciples before Jesus asked is it "I" Lord?  This is a good place to meditate, though it may feel awkward even painful, it will produce good living.  To be clear, if you sin you have an advocate with God, Jesus Christ the righteous.  The bottom line is we should never change our viewpoint on sin as to start to believe it is not important to confess it.  There is forgiveness seven times seventy, but we must confess it.  This confession should ever strengthen our hatred for that particular sin.  God hates sin.  Do You?

Notes:
Lk. 13:24; 14:16-24; Dt. 28: 15-26, 58; 13:6-11; II Corinthians 13; Is. 28:15

This week we talked about seven traits of an ambassador. 

Notes:
Dt. 5:16; Co.3:20-23; 4:1; Rm. 2:6,11; 8:37-38; II Co. 6:7; 5:20; 10:4;
I Jn. 5:4; I Th. 5:8; Is. 59:17; 52:7

How much light are you emanating?
Is darkness comfortable with you around?
We are to be imitators, followers of God, disciples.  Jesus said if you learn of me you are my disciples indeed.  So put on meekness and fear.  Meekness is being indifferent to our own opinions, yielding giving preeminence to the will of God.  Put away covetousness by putting on gratitude.
If we would do these things much of the strife apparent in the body would cease.
Fear God.
​Seek the mind of Christ.

Notes:
I Pt. 3:14-16; I Th. 4:9;5:5; Co. 4:5; Ga. 1:4; Pr. 20:1; A.A. 16:25;20:28; II Co. 6:14 Lk. 12:15; 6:36; Ja. 5:14; Ti. 2:4-7; Ph. 2:3; Gn. 2:23-24;

This week we approached a very serious topic in the Modern church: unity.  It is my hope that some insight was shared as to how to discern the voice of God from a critical spirit.   Unity is part of the nature of God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost all work together in harmony, unity. 

We ought to be ready to build up, edify just as much as rebuke.  If you look at the scripture, it says edify, exhort and rebuke-so a rebuke is only one third of the task.  We must lay down our opinions and individual tastes as Christ laid down His life for the brethren.  Anything less is vanity, as whatever works are done without God will only melt away.

Notes:
I Co. 3:3-7; 14:20, 26; 1:11-13;  I Th. 2:12; Co. 3:14; 2:18-20; Rm. 12:5,19; Ps. 4:4; Ml. 2:10