Scripture Readings and Sermon Notes
January, 2012
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January 22nd, 2012
HOW TO RECEIVE THE WORD OF GOD
Scripture reading: James 1. 19-27
19) My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak
and slow to become angry, 20) for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that
God desires. 21) Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and
humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23)
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his
face in a mirror 24)and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he
looks like. 25) But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and
continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what
he does.
26) If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue,
he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27) Religion that God our Father accepts as
pure and faultless is this - to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep
oneself from being polluted by the world.
1. Accept the Word (verse 21)
Receive it
Welcome it in
Have a teachable spirit.
2. Have the right attitude so you can be blessed by the Word of God.
a) Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry. ( verse 19)
b) Get rid of moral filth, confess and repent (verse 21)
c) Reflect, what are you like on the inside? (verse 23)
d) Investigate the Word. Review it, meditate on it, remember it. (verse 25)
3. Respond to the Word of God.
Do what it says. (verse 22)
4. Practice the Word of God (verses 26-27)
Have a controlled mouth, a caring heart, and a clean mind.
It is important to listen to what God's Word says, but it is much more important to obey it,
to do what it says. We can measure the effectiveness of our Bible study time by the effect it
has on our behavior and attitudes. Do you put into action what you have studied?
(footnote on verses 22-25, NIV)
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January 8th, 2012
BUILDING FOR GOD
Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 3.9-15
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is
building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any
foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this
foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for
what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will
test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping
through the flames.
1. Lay the foundation first
Jesus is the only true foundation.
2. Build on the foundation
Is what your building going to stand?
Build with the tools that God gave us: our abilities, our gifts, our talents.
God won't give us more than we can use.
What gifts has God given you?
Scripture reference: The parable of the talents (Matthew 25.14-30)
3. Use your talents for the glory of God, not for your own gain.
God will bless it if you build for him.
What kind of builder have you been?
Will God say to you as he did the man in the parable:
"Well done, good and faithful servant."
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January 1st, 2012
Scripture reading today: Galatians 5.19-26
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the
sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful
nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you
are led by the Spirit, you are under the law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions,
factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those
who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the
Spirit, let us keep in step with Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying
each other.
Which of the virtues listed is the most developed in your life? Where have you seen the
most progress over the last year? Rate your progress on each: (No progress, Some
progress, Great progress)
LOVE: Agape love, self sacrificing, Putting others first
JOY: The joy that only comes from Christ, A calm delight
PEACE: God's peace, a sense of safety and rest
PATIENCE: Steadfastness of soul, Are you patient with others? With the ministry?
KINDNESS: A basic benevolent disposition; How do you treat others?
GOODNESS: Kindness in action; reaching out and helping others
FAITHFULNESS: Love "hanging on"; Faithful to God, to brothers and sisters in Christ
GENTLENESS: Strength under control; speaking the truth in love, humble when you
disagree
SELF CONTROL: Making wise choices; depending on the Holy Spirit to be obedient
RESOLVE TO TAKE ACTION IN 2012!!
1) Which fruit of the Spirit has God been helping you develop recently in your life? which
is the least developed in your life or in most need of attention?
2) Which fruit of the Spirit do you most want to develop further? Where in your life is this
most needed: home, school, work, church, or in the community?
3) Ask God to make you more and more like Christ in this area. What specific steps can
you take to bring your behavior in line with the Holy Spirit's leading?