January 2006 Sermon Notes Page
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January 8, 2006 Taking out the Garbage
January 22, 2006 Spirit Filled Living
January 29, 2006 Integrity
Taking Out the Garbage
Sunday January 8, 2006On that day they fasted and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the LORD." 1 Samuel 7:6
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD" — and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalms 32:5
The Book of the Law of the LORD their God was read aloud to them for about three hours. Then for three more hours they took turns confessing their sins and worshiping the LORD their God. Nehemiah 9:3 New Living Translation
While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the LORD my God for his holy hill Daniel 9:20
He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13
Confession is both …
· A private matter
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus 1 Timothy 2:5If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
· A corporate discipline
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16Confession helps us …
1. Take personal responsibility for sin
2. Sense the seriousness of sin
3. Feel released from sin and guiltElements of confession
1. Examination of conscience
2. Sense of sorrow
3. Determination to avoid sinReceiving a confession
1. Be confidential
2. Don’t say “That’s not so bad.”
3. Consider your own sinfulness
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1
… be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18The Spirit is Life 2 Corinthians 3:6-18
1. Are you fed up with lifeless religious activity?
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. v. 6
2. Are you longing for the genuine presence of God?Now if the ministry that brought death … came with glory …will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? … how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! vs. 7 – 8, 11
3. Do you seek deliverance from guilt?…how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! v. 9
4. Do you desire to be liberated from darkness?Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. v.17
The Spirit Brings ComfortAnd I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever John 14:16
The Spirit Gives PowerI am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49
Job 2:1-10
1. Integrity is for tough times
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17
2. Integrity is all you really haveI will not deny my integrity. Job 27:5
Gain Integrity1. Be the same everywhere
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Matthew 15:7-8
2. Stand up for rightThe man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:17
Sustain Integrity
1. Good FriendsBad company corrupts good character 1 Corinthians 15:33
2. Good Filters
the fool feeds on trash Proverbs 15:14
I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.
Psalms 101:2-3 New Living Translation