Key Decisions That Create Genuine Joy

Teaching Notes by Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer Ministries P.O. Box 655 Fenton, MO 63026 636-349-0303 1-800-727-9673 www.joycemeyer.org

TN199

Copyright 2008 Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored electronically, sold, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc.

April 17-19, 2008 Dallas, Texas

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The Way To Live
Foundation Scripture: John 14:6 Part One I. Jesus Is The Way. (Not Just To Heaven, But He Came To Show Us The Way To Live.) A. B. C. John 14:6 There is a way to live and a way not to live. Jesus ways were radically different REVOLUTIONARY. 1. D. Christianity called The Way.

Revolution (defined) A sudden radical or complete change, major change. 1. Acts 9:2 The Way of life determined by faith in Jesus Christ Christianity is walked out in a lifestyle. 2. Acts 19:23

II.

A Way That Seems Right A. We should be wise enough to examine the fruit of our lifestyle choices (life habits).

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B.

Proverbs 14:12 The way that seems right to man ends in death. The mind of the flesh is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit.

C.

Isaiah 55:8-9 Gods ways and thoughts above ours. 1. 2. Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord . . . My ways that were not working and needed to be committed to Him: a. Mental habits: 1) 2) 3) b. Worry Anxiety Reasoning

Emotional habits: 1) 2) 3) Selfishness Getting angry when I did not get my way Getting upset when things did not go my way.

c. d. e. f. g. h.
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Works of the flesh (trying to get what I wanted, my way, in my timing). Trying to change people Being negative Self-pity Blame Living in the past
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D.

Proverbs 23:19 . . .direct your mind in the way [of the Lord]. 1. 2. 3. Romans 12:2 Renew your mind. Study study study. Decide to live by Gods Word (His ways) and you will eventually love the results.

III.

The Broad Way Versus The Narrow Way A. Matthew 7:13-14 1. 2. B. Broad way is easy on your flesh hard on your spirit. Narrow way is hard on your flesh easy on your spirit.

Broad way seems right because it feels good and is easier initially. 1. The end of it is death.

C.

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems joyous but painful, but it yields peaceable fruit. 1. 2. Are you an investor or a gambler? Cant live by emotion must live on purpose.

D.

Matthew 10:39 Give up the lower life to find the higher life.

Part Two Ways That Feel Bad And Seem Ridiculous But Turn Out Good; Revolutionary Ways The Law Said An Eye For An Eye. I. Forgiving And Blessing Your Enemies A. B. Matthew 5:43-48 Love your enemies. Luke 6:28, 30-35

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C.

Do it Gods way and He will vindicate you. (See Matthew 5:21-24.) 1. Davids willingness to let God vindicate him made him a king. a. b. It feels wrong, but works out good. Saul spent twenty years trying to kill David.

D.

Do it Gods way and He will reward you. 1. 2. 3. Proverbs 25:21-22 Isaiah 61:7-9 You and your offspring will be rewarded. Hebrews 11:6 God rewards those who diligently seek Him.

E.

Do it your way and it ends in every kind of misery you can imagine. 1. I went to church and lived my way. a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. Broke most of the Ten Commandments God wasnt first. I didnt honor my parents. I took office supplies. I told little lies. I coveted all the time. I hated (that is murder as far as our heart is concerned). I had many idols I bowed to (being accepted by the right people at church, etc.)

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II.

Receive Mercy And Forgiveness Rather Than Making Sacrifices. A. Hebrews 10:20 A new and living way 1. 2. Hebrews 10:18 No more sacrificing Old covenant system was a burden new covenant is a joy.

See sacrifices required (it was hard for them to let go because they were proud of their rule keeping). B. I John 1:9 He forgives us continually if we repent. 1. C. It feels wrong not to sacrifice and try to pay, but it produces joy.

Hebrews 4:15-16 He understands and forgives. 1. We can receive help in spite of our weaknesses.

D.

What kind of sacrifices do we offer? 1. 2. 3. 4. Our joy we feel sad, bad, condemned and guilty. We say bad things about ourselves. Good works to pay for our sin. It works with people but not with God. We feel we are not worthy to ask God for help. In general, we feel ashamed of ourselves.

III.

Giving Away What You Want A. Galatians 6:7 Whatever a man sows, that and that only, is what he will reap.
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B.

Matthew 7:1-2 Judgment and criticism 1. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

C.

Matthew 7:12 Whatever you desire that men do to and for you do to and for them. 1. This is an amazing open door to get what we would like to have.

D. E.

Luke 6:38 Give and [gifts] will be given unto you. . . You can have anything God says you can have by giving it away first. Think about: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Friendliness, smiles and compliments Withholding criticism or faultfinding comments (not saying something as an act of love is also a seed sown). Encouragement Respect and honor Mercy and forgiveness Help and service Finances money and gifts Happiness (give happiness and you will be happy). Prayer

F.

Matthew: Chapter 5 Sermon on the Mount 1. Jesus introduced ways that were revolutionary. a. Poor in spirit humility instead of pride

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b. c. d. e. f. g.

Mourn being sorry for sins instead of sacrificing Meek waiting on God rather than taking matters into your own hands Hunger for righteousness finding satisfaction in doing right Merciful being merciful (rather than an eye for an eye principle) Peacemakers and maintainers of peace taking the initiative to make peace Persecuted for righteousness joyfully being persecuted for adopting these unusual ways!! There is no persecution on the broad path.

G.

The inward way 1. The inward life is more important than the outer life. a. b. Is your inner life more important than your outer life? Jesus wanted people to realize that the heart (pure heart, pure motive and doing things for right reasons) was more important than outward works done to impress others.

H.

Exodus 33:13 Show me your ways.

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PERSONAL NOTES
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The Truth Makes You Free

Foundation Scripture: John 14:6 I. What Is Truth? A. John 18:37-38 1. 2. B. John 14:6 Jesus said, I am the Truth. Ephesians 4:21 All Truth is in Jesus (embodied and personified in Him).

Truth (defined) Fact, real things, constant, faithful (always the same), trusted, reliable, confidence, belief. Jesus and His ways are a constant, an absolute. 1. Example: If the temperature is 100 degrees, it will be hot when I go outside. If it is freezing cold, then something is wrong. The weatherman is lying, the thermometer is lying or something is wrong with me! If a thing is true, it is reliable, accurate, right, and it works.

2. C.

Unless we know the truth, we will accept counterfeits. 1. In Canada, there is so much counterfeit money that the banks offer classes to teach people how to recognize genuine currency from counterfeit.

II.

How Does The World View Truth Today? A. The Bible references Truth 251 times! Worldview says there is no absolute truth we moved from tolerating different views to saying all views are equally true, or that truth is relevant.

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1.

Relativism is the idea that all truth is relative to the culture or individual. Examples: a. b. c. Marriage was right at one time, but our culture has changed! Clothing styles? There may be a few things in the Bible that are relative to the culture of that day, but the Ten Commandments are relative to every culture in every era of time. The things Jesus said are relative to everyone all the time.

d.

Examples of culturally relevant statements: a. b. 2. Eating meat offered to idols, wearing of jewelry for women Women not allowed to cut their hair, teach men, or speak in public. They were uneducated.

We are taught that intolerance is to be feared and intolerant people are to be rejected. There is no error or wrong. Rather than correcting error, we are taught to avoid making a claim to truth.

B.

Public education 1. Secularists say since there are so many religions that Christian teachings and morals should be removed from our schools. They are not trying to gain a hearing for other religions, but they seek to remove Christianity. What if the school principal said, Since some students like football, some basketball, some baseball, some hockey and some running, I am not going to allow sports at all?
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2.

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3. C.

Romans 2:8 Those who disobey Truth will have wrath and indignation on Judgment Day!

We may be tolerant of different views; recognizing people have a right to their opinion, but it is absurd to claim they are all true. 1. 2. Truth can only be one thing. It must be what works and produces good fruit.

D.

The idea of tolerance and no absolute truth is not working.

See statistics of world conditions today. III. Heart And Brain Disconnect A. A theology teacher (not a scientist) at a Christian college drew a heart and a brain, telling students the heart is for religion and the brain is for science. 1. Sadly, out of 200 Christian students, only one challenged him. The rest saw nothing wrong with restricting religion to the domain of the heart, saying it should not affect how you think or behave.

B.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said to love God with all your heart, soul and mind. 1. We serve God with our all. Psalm 25:1; Colossians 3:22-24 and Romans 11:36

C.

Public and private split referred to by a sociologist 1. 2. These two are sharply divided and are, in fact, two different worlds. What we do privately is our own business and has nothing to do with our public life.

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D. E. F.

Jesus called it being lukewarm. (See Revelation 3:14-17.) Luke 12:2-3 Whatever goes on behind closed doors will show itself publicly. I was frustrated and unfulfilled until I stopped dividing sacred from secular and realized God was interested in, and requiring, my entire life and being. (See Psalm 25:1 and Romans 12:1.) The devil applauds a religion that doesnt affect how we think, talk or behave; and one we keep private.

G.

IV.

The Truth Brings Freedom. A. John 8:31-32 Continue in Gods Word. Know Truth, and it makes you free!

What has been the main cause of my personal victory? 1. 2. 3. B. C. Freedom is what all people seek. However, freedom from any moral code of ethics brings bondage and slavery to all forms of depraved behavior. I Timothy 5:6 A persons flesh does as it pleases, but his spirit is filled with death.

John 16:7-8, 13 The Holy Spirit shows the result of sin and guides us into all Truth. Applying the Truth to your own life gives you freedom. 1. 2. We will use selfishness as an example. (See I Timothy 5:6, Mark 8:34 and Galatians 5:19-20.) I was selfish and miserable. I fought to get my way so I could be happy, but my way was not Gods way; and therefore, would never work.

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3.

When I did not get my way, I behaved badly and felt sorry for myself. I attended the devils pity party, which included weeping and hugging the toilet.

Toilet and mirror example D. As I faced truth and obeyed God, I was set free. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. E. I had to stop blaming. I had to stop making excuses. I did not care that Dave worked all week. What about me? I had to take responsibility for my current behavior. Examine your behavior in light of the Word and take responsibility face Truth. It was all painful.

Blaming and excuses are our way of running away from hard things. 1. 2. 3. 4. Eve blamed the devil. Adam blamed Eve and God. The Israelites blamed God and Moses. Hagar blamed Sarai, Sarai blamed Abram and Abram blamed Sarai.

F.

Acts 20:35 (NIV) Gods Word says, . . .It is more blessed to give than to receive.

I wanted to get not give.

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1. G.

When I applied it to my life, it proved to be true.

James 4:1-3 says that we are miserable and frustrated because we try to get what we want instead of asking God and trusting Him. 1. When I gave up control and started praying, everything out of control got better in my life.

V.

Good And Evil A. Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil. . . 1. 2. 3. B. Gambling is considered a way to bring revenue into a community. Aborting an unborn child is considered a right and a freedom. Sin is now a disease or an alternate lifestyle.

The worldview of today is sad indeed. 1. 2. As believers in Christ, we are in the world but must not be of it. Dont believe something merely because it is convenient or comfortable! a. b. Believers must know what they believe and stand firm. James 1:22 Beware of deception that comes through reasoning.

C.

Ten Truths that will always be relevant in every age, culture and life: 1. You shall have no other gods before Me (money, job, appearance, education, people, etc).

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2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. D.

You shall make to yourself no graven image and worship it. You shall not use or repeat the Lords Name in vain (lightly or frivolously). Earnestly remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Honor your father and mother that it may go well with you and that you have long life. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness (lie or exaggerate). You shall not covet (want what your neighbor has: his wife, house, car, servant, or anything that is your neighbors).

If kids prayed in school and looked at the Ten Commandments everyday, things would change.

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Statistics On World Conditions

A. Any Person Or Nation That Keeps God First Is Successful And Has An Abundance Of Creativity. 1. Ages Of Different Nations a. b. c. d. e. 2. USA 231 years old (Measuring from the Declaration of Independence) England About 1100 years old China About 5000 years old Russia About 1100 years old Rome, Italy About 3000 years old

Encyclopedia Britannicas List of Great Inventions Encyclopedia Britannicas Almanac 2003 a. According to Encyclopedia Britannicas List of Great Inventions, out of over 320 great inventions dating back as far as the wheel in 3500 BC the U.S., in its short 231 years, is responsible for 165 of the 320 historical inventions around the world. The U.S. is historically known for putting God first. Although it is a fraction as old as other nations, it is responsible for over half of the worlds great inventions. In contrast, China according to scientists has been around for 5000 years, has not put God first and is only credited with nine of the worlds great inventions. Mahayana Buddhism remains the largest organized religion in China since its introduction in the first century. Great U.S. Inventions Airplane, Air Conditioning, ATM Machines, Paper Bags, Bar Codes, Bifocal Lenses, Sliced Bread, Hand-held Calculator, Video and Photo Cameras, Cans and Can Openers, Cereal Flakes, Chewing Gum, Computers, Crayons, Credit Cards, Smoke Detectors, Disposable Diapers, E-mail,
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b.

c.

d.

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Electric Guitar, the Internet, Jeans, Jell-o, Light Bulbs, Microwave Oven, Morse Code, Car Radios, Refrigerator, Roller Coaster, Scotch Tape, Skateboards, Sunscreen, Traffic Lights, Zippers, etc. e. 3. England had the second most inventions with 38 a far cry from the U.S.

How Do I Know The Bible Is True? a. The Bible is still the worlds best-selling book, selling around 5 to 6 billion copies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_books A portion of or the entire Bible has been translated into 2287 languages and dialects. According to UBS World Report, March 2002. How long has the Bible been around? http://www.gnmagazine.org 1) d. Old Testament - 25 or 35 centuries.

b.

c.

Proof of the Bibles accuracy 1) the New Testament documents have more manuscripts, earlier manuscripts, and more abundantly supported manuscripts than the best ten pieces of classical literature combined. (Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, I Dont Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist, 2004, pp. 225-228.) Historian Ian Wilson says about The Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1947 that Althougha thousand years older than the texts previously available in Hebrew, they show just how faithful the texts of our present Bibles are to those from two thousand years ago and how little they have changed over the centuries. Two Isaiah scrolls, for instance, contain the Isaiah text almost exactly as it is in our presentday Bibles.... (Historian Ian Wilson)

2)

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3)

One of the biggest elements of proof for the Bibles accuracy and truth are the Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus. Jesus fulfilled all 48 of those Old Testament prophecies. Peter Stoner, Professor Emeritus of Science at Westmont College, did a mathematical study to show the probability of Jesus fulfilling only 8 of the 48 prophecies. He conservatively estimated that the chance of one man fulfilling just eight of the 48 prophecies was 1 in 10 to the 17th Power (a figure with 17 zeros). To illustrate how large this number is, Stoner gave this illustration - Suppose that we take 10 to the 17th power in silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. Theyll cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets wouldve had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time (Idem, 106-107).

e.

Another Amazing Bible Prophecy - Before Israel even became a nation, Moses predicted that Israel would become a great nation, would rebel against God, and would be scattered over the ENTIRE earth, and be brought back into the land before the second coming of their Messiah (Deuteronomy 28). In 1948, 3000 years later, it happened! http://www.ovrlnd.com/Bible/bestsellingbook.html

B.

Statistics On Worldviews And Truth Versus Relativism 1. Signs of moral decline since prayer and the Ten Commandments were taken out of schools: we began to misinterpret the Separation of Church and State and Secular Humanism began to move into our government and schools. In 1962, the Court examined a simple twenty-two word prayer, first used to negate prayer in schools:

2.

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Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers, and our country. How different would things in our schools be if we were still saying this prayer every day? 3. Specialty Research Associates, under the direction of David Barton, has released a report entitled America: To Pray or Not to Pray which uses over 100 pages of graphs and statistical analysis to prove that crime, venereal disease, premarital sex, illiteracy, suicide, drug use, public corruption, and other social ills began a dramatic increase after prayer was taken out of school. Below are the statistics they came up with. a. Young People 1) For fifteen years before 1963 pregnancies in girls ages fifteen through nineteen years had been no more than fifteen per thousand. After 1963 pregnancies increased 187% in the next fifteen years. For younger girls, ages ten to fourteen years, pregnancies since 1963 are up 553%. Before 1963 sexually transmitted diseases among students were 400 per 100,000. Since 1963, they were up 226% in the next twelve years.

2) 3)

b.

The Family 1) Before 1963 divorce rates had been declining for fifteen years. After 1963 divorces increased 300% each year for the next fifteen years. Since 1963 unmarried people living together is up 353% Since 1963 single parent families are up 140%. Since 1963 single parent families with children are up 160%.

2) 3) 4)

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c.

Education 1) The educational standard of measure has been the SAT scores. SAT scores had been steady for many years before 1963. From 1963 they rapidly declined for eighteen consecutive years, even though the same test has been used since 1941. In 1974-75 the rate of decline of the SAT scores decreased, even though they continued to decline. That was when there was an explosion of private religious schools. There were only 1000 Christian schools in 1965. Between 1974 to 1984 they increased to 32,000. That could have an impact if the private schools had higher SAT scores. In checking with the SAT Board it was found that indeed the SAT scores for private schools were nearly 100 points higher than public schools. In fact the scores were at the point where the public schools had been before their decline started in 1963 when prayer and Bible reading/ instruction were removed from the schools. The scores in the public schools were still declining. 3) Of the nations top academic scholars, three times as many come from private religious schools, which operate on onethird the funds as do the public schools.

2)

d.

The Nation 1) 2) 3) Since 1963 violent crime has increased 544%. Illegal drugs have become an enormous and uncontrollable problem. The nation has been deprived of an estimated 30 million citizens through legal abortions just since 1973.

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C.

Recent Statistics On The Internet And Kids Taken from the Christian Law Association 1. 2. 3. 12% of the total Internet is pornography (about 420 million web pages). Average age of first-time Internet exposure to pornography 11 Years Old. 9-16 year olds who have viewed on-line pornography 90%.

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PERSONAL NOTES
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PERSONAL NOTES
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The Life You Have Always Wanted

Foundation Scripture: John 14:6 I. Two Kinds Of Life We Will Talk About A. Number One Breathing, walking around, going to work, getting married, having kids, paying bills, going to church, saving for retirement, taking vacations, going to weddings and funerals. Fearing death, but desperately hoping youll go to heaven, etc. Number Two Life as God has it 1. Zo life Life as God has it; that which the Father has in Himself and gave to the Incarnate Son, Jesus, Who manifested it to the world. Man was separated from this Life through the fall (sin); and of this Life, men become partakers through faith in Jesus.

B.

Life is found 733 times in the Amplified Bible only twenty-five are Zo life. C. The higher life and lower life 1. 2. Matthew 10:37-39 Two keys that open the door to the higher life

PROP: Get two huge keys made of plastic or Styrofoam. D. What is the low life like? (Complicated) 1. Selfishness, frustration, sin, every kind of pain (emotional is worse), turmoil, greed, guilt, addictions, broken relationships, shame, lack, anger, jealousy, fear, etc.

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One can be a Christian and still live the lower life! (This is the saddest thing I know of!) E. What is the higher life like? (Simplicity) 1. Peace, joy, righteousness, favor, grace, Gods presence, love, giving, helping, hope, faith, patience, goodness, forgiveness, healthy relationships, abundance, healing, etc.

II.

Key Number One A. Matthew 10:37 Put God first. 1. B. Matthew 22:37-38 The most important commandment

Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before Me! 1. 2. 3. The first of the Ten Commandments The first four commandments deal with our relationship with God. They are: a. b. Have no other gods before Me. You shall not make an idol to worship. Some worship work, a career, fame, wealth or a sport. c. d. You shall not take the Lords name in vain. Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy.

C.

In order for any person or nation to be great, they must have Gods presence.

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1. 2.

Israel was only great when she sought after and obeyed God. In 200 years, America became the greatest, most prosperous and most creative nation on earth, because her foundation was God and His Word.

D.

Deuteronomy: Chapter 8 If you love Me and keep Me first, you will experience a life worth living. 1. 2. But if you forget Me, you will go back into bondage! Romans 11:36

E. F. G.

I John 5:21 Keep yourselves from idols. I believe this requires regular examination. God will test us. 1. Matthew 19:16-29 The rich young ruler who loved money more than God Notice the Life is capitalized. 2. 3. 4. 5. God required Abraham to sacrifice Isaac! Esther had to lay aside all her plans and do something to save her nation. Moses had to face Pharaoh. The reward is greater than the sacrifice

III.

Key Number Two Zo Life A. B. Matthew 22:37-39 Love others. Exodus 20:12-17 The last six commandments:

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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Honor your mother and father that it may go well with you and youll live long. Do not kill. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not covet anything that is your neighbors

You are people so how you treat yourself is also important.

IV.

Lack Of Love Is What Is Wrong With Our Society, The World, And Is The Root Cause Of Unhappiness. SELFISHNESS Is Our Problem! A. I John 3:9 Divine Sperm 1. 2. B. We are pregnant with Gods nature. Love (defined) Giving, helping, encouraging, righteousness, justice, faithfulness, wisdom, peace, joy.

It is time to give birth.

V.

The Church Is In Labor. A. Is the baby trying to come and you are holding back? 1. 2. 3. 4. Unhappy Grumbling Complaining Miserable

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5. 6. B. C.

Uncomfortable Pain

I John 3:14 Passed out of death into Life by the fact we love. I John 3:14-19 Truth Are you getting nothing out of going to church because you are so full there is no room to put anything else?

VI.

Progressively A. The word progressively, which means as day follows day or an ongoing process, is found seventeen times in the Amplified Bible. 1. 2. 3. Most of them refer to knowing God His ways and character. Some refer to knowing the Truth. One refers to progressively understanding that as He laid down His life for us, so we must lay our lives down for others.

VII. Selfishness A. The root of all sin and every problem is selfishness. 1. B. Perhaps Jesus came to save us from ourselves!

James 3:16 Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is every disorder and every kind of evil. 1. The more self-absorbed the world becomes, the worse our conditions become.

C.

Our culture promotes and teaches selfishness.

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1. D.

Jesus said, Forget yourself and lay down your life for others.

Mark 8:34 To follow Me, you must forget yourself lose sight of yourself and all your interests. What must we do to follow Him? 1. 2. 3. 4. Be progressively less selfish as day follows day. John 12:21 We want to see Jesus. John 12:24 Die to self. Philippians 2:16 Holding out to all men the Word of Life

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Selfishness
The only thing necessary to change heaven into hell if God were to allow it is selfishness. Selfishness is mankinds fundamental defect. Selfish means: self-centered, self-serving, self-important. At the root of every problem is selfishness. James 3:16 (TEV) 16 Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil. Every selfish person is potentially your enemy. Giving is the opposite of acting selfishly. Divine love is the opposite of selfishness. No other religion teaches to put others first, to love your enemies. Christianity is the only one that teaches you can be totally changed and become a person with a new nature. We are products of a corrupt culture that teaches selfishness. All sin is selfish. No one ever sins for someone else we do it for selfish reasons. We must die to selfishness or self-destruct. However, we are unable to do it by ourselves. We must allow Jesus Christ to change us inwardly. You cant change the fruit without changing the root. That is why you must be born again! Only by receiving Jesus Christ, and letting Him change you, can you be a truly unselfish person.

Pride
Pride is self-importance and self-focus which leads to selfishness which is selfish thinking and selfish acting which is the opposite of Jesus command of agape love (John 13:34).

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Pride and selfishness always go together. A truly humble person cannot be selfish at the same time. Pride is the root of selfishness and thus the root of all evil. Pride is hidden but manifests as selfish acts. Selfishness is the cause of all evil. All evil proceeds from selfish actions. Selfishness is the only manifest problem, but pride feeds it. Dealing with the root cause of the problem is the only lasting solution. Pride produces selfishness. All selfishness is pride. Doing things yourself, on your own, is a part of selfishness. Prayer is the opposite of doing things yourself. We must desire Gods will, done in Gods time, and done Gods way.

Selfish Ambition
Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJ) 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJ) 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. It takes faith to put others first. It takes faith to receive, but it takes even more faith to forsake because it does not seem to be in our self-interest. (Hebrews 11:27)

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Deny Yourself
Luke 9:23-25 (NKJ) 23 Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? The Bible instructs us to deny ourself not condemn ourself. Our choices must be based on doing Gods will not just in pleasing ourselves. God is not against pleasure He invented it! But it should be your slave not your master. Colossians 3:3 (NKJ) 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NKJ) 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Put Others First

1 John 3:11-18 (NKJ) 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brothers righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

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16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this worlds goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. Romans 12:10 (NKJ) 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NKJ) 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 1 Corinthians 10:24, 33 (NKJ) 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the others well-being. 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. Philippians 2:3-8 (NKJ) 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Romans 15:1-3 (NKJ) 1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.
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Selfishness Is Opposite Love

John 15:12-13 (NKJ) 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down ones life for his friends. Galatians 5:14 (NKJ) 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NKJ) 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
*Permission to reprint given by Dean Wall, www.believers.org/believe/bel221.htm Believers Church, www.believers.org, 2008

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Jesus Is The Door To Everything You Need

Foundation Scripture: John 14:6 I. The Door To Forgiveness Of Sins And Salvation (I Must Be Forgiven I Cant Carry The Burden Of Guilt). A. B. C. D. John 10:1, 9 Jesus is the door. If we try to enter any other way, we are thieves. Acts 10:38-43 Believe and receive forgiveness! Romans 11:36 Luke 24:46-47 Preach repentance, which is the condition required to receive forgiveness. 1. Repentance (defined/Greek) To perceive afterwards and change your mind and ways, to turn from sin and to God. Matthew 4:17 Are you really sorry? Are you disgusted with sin? Are you ready to turn away from sin? 2. Repentance must come before forgiveness and salvation. Acts 24:16 Tender conscience 3. E. F. Is it possible we are preaching too much forgiveness, mercy and salvation, and not enough repentance??

I John 1:8-10 Admit your sins, confess them and receive forgiveness be cleansed. Acts 4:12 there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.

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II.

The Door To Justification And Righteousness (Right Standing With God) A. B. C. Justified (defined) Made as if we had never sinned. (See Romans 4:24-25.) Romans 5:1-2a Through Him through faith in Him!! Romans 3:20 and Galatians 2:16 Justification could be obtained by perfectly keeping the Law. 1. And many have tried, only to be frustrated and disappointed

Law keepers will be disappointed. D. Romans 3:20 The Law was given to make us conscious of sin and to cause repentance, faith and holy character. 1. 2. E. No person can be justified by works (good works). If they try, they are a thief and a robber, as John put it.

Philippians 3:3-9 We see two kinds of righteousness. 1. 2. 3. 4. Earned Given by grace and received by faith! You can have yourself and your own works or you can have Jesus which do you want? Galatians 3:10-11 See how miserable the person is who tries to earn justification and righteousness.

F.

Are you trying to offer sacrifices that will never be acceptable? 1. Hebrews 10:10-12 One sacrifice that is good forever

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2. 3.

Are you trying to sacrifice your joy and enjoyment of life are you offering your suffering in place of Jesus? Do you live without Gods help because you feel unworthy to ask for it?

The sacrificial system 4. Is there anything you can offer? a. Romans 12:1 Offer yourself as a living sacrifice. Stop offering sacrifices that are not acceptable (dead ones; dead works) and offer yourself. b. Hebrews 13:15 The sacrifice of praise notice it is offered through Him.

III.

The Door To Being Complete A. Ephesians 1:23 He makes everything complete. Not yet doing everything I ought but I am complete in Him. 1. 2. B. C. We no longer have to feel there is always something missing something we should be that we are not. You are complete in Him even if youre single, widowed or have no children.

I Thessalonians 5:22-24 In Him you will be found complete (body, soul and spirit). We no longer need to compare ourselves with other people or compete with them. 1. We dont need to do what they do to be complete Im OK and Im on my way.
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2.

We dont need to look the way they look, pray how they pray or know what they know we are complete (made what we ought to be) in Him.

I am OK Im complete in Him IV. The Door To Love and Acceptance A. B. C. D. Ephesians 1:3-7 He picked us out to be His. Galatians 4:4-7 Adopted and made an heir through Christ Adopt/adopted (defined) To take by choice, to take voluntarily as ones own child. Heir (defined) One who is entitled to receive. 1. When Dave legally adopted David, he had to sign legal documents stating that David would receive an equal inheritance to any natural born children!

E.

Inheritance (defined) To come into possession of or receive, especially as a right through the death of the one leaving the legacy. 1. Colossians 1:11-12 In Him we obtained an inheritance! Romans 8:31

F.

Romans 8:39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God found in Christ.

V.

The Door To Everything We Need A. B. C. Acts 17:28 For in Him we live and move and have our being. . . Philippians 4:13 We find our strength in Him. II Corinthians 13:4 We are weak in Him.
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Our prayers are answered in His name it alone gives us access to God the Father. 1. 2. No one comes to the Father but by Me. We pray to the Father, through the Spirit, in the name of the Son!

E. F.

Colossians 1:17 All things are held together in Him. Romans 11:36 For from Him, through Him and to Him are all things they all began in Him, they live through Him and they end in Him. 1. Salvation: a. He is our: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12) 13) 14) Peace. Righteousness. Healer. Deliverer. Father. Friend. Restorer. Rest. Light. Life. Rock. High Tower. Mighty Fortress. Help in time of need.

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