We His People - We Become

We His People - We Become

Dave Riddle - 9/17/2023

Key Passage: Philippians 2:5

Spiritual Formation/Development

- “The process of being formed in the image of Christ…” – M Robert Mulholland Jr. - Invitation to a Journey

- Luke 6:40

- We should be becoming more like Jesus.

- Matthew 28:19-20

- We should be forming others to be more like Jesus.

- Teaching for transformation, not just information.

Imitators of Christ

- John 14:15 - If you love me, keep my commands.

- 1 John 2:4-6

- …walk just as Jesus walked.

- 1 Peter 2:21

- Ephesians 5:1-2 - be imitators of God

- 1 Corinthians 11:1 - imitate me as I imitate Christ

- Galatians 2:20a

- …I no longer live but Christ lives in me.

Belonging and Becoming are intrinsically tied together

- We are meant to walk and grow together.

How do we do this?

Philippians 1:6

- God is at work in you!

- Surrender, listen to the Holy Sprit

- Walk with brothers and sisters in Christ

Hebrews 12:1-3

- Jesus starts and finishes the work

- Our job? Throw off all the weight that entangles us.

2 Corinthians 3:18

- be transformed

Galatians 5 - Fruit of the Spirit

- are you filled with these things?

- Are you growing in them?

“The process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others” – M Robert Mulholland Jr. - Invitation to a Journey

If we aren’t becoming more like Jesus, what’s the point?

- “the church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that… [it’s] simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose.”

- CS Lewis

Growing Up - Spiritual Maturity

Growing Up - Spiritual Maturity

Paul Trulock - 7/2/2023

Key Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-12

We have the knowledge of the Bible

We have the power of the Spirit

We lack willpower

Growing old is a natural process, but growing up doesn’t come easily.

Unity

• 1 Peter 3:8 - likeminded

• Unity, not unanimity.

• We don’t have to agree on everything, but we should be united despite our disagreements.

• Devoted to the person of Jesus not devoted to programs, causes, or politics.

Sympathetic

• 1 Peter 3:8 

• Romans 12:15-16

• Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.

• Only possible in and through unity.

• Does your concern for others outweigh your concern for yourself?

Brotherly Love

• 1 Peter 3:8

• philadelphos: Loving brother or sister. In a broader sense, loving one like a brother

Compassionate

• 1 Peter 3:8

• splagchnizomai (Greek: σπλαγχνίζομαι) - to be moved as to one's bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity).

• Deep compassion and tenderheartedness towards others.

Humble

• 1 Peter 3:8

• Meekness not weakness

• “We never mature when we narrow the use of our efforts, talents, and means to our own advantage.”

Forgiveness

• 1 Peter 3:9

• Not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult.

• Bless those who curse you.

• 1 Peter 2:20-21

• Called to a life of non-retaliation.

Control the Tongue

• 1 Peter 3:10

• Do you want to love life and see good days? Control your tongue.

Purity and Peace

• 1 Peter 3:11-12

All of this is only possible through diligence, discipline, and community. 

Humble Service

House Rules - Service

Dave Riddle - 11/13/2022

doulos (Greek: δοῦλος): a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

It’s What Jesus Did

• Matthew 20:28

• Acts 10:38

• Philippians 2:7

We’re (re)created for it and called to it

• 1 Peter 2:21

• Philippians 2:3-5

• Ephesians 2:10

• Galatians 6:10

• Matthew 20:26-27

It Demonstrates Love

• Galatians 5:13-14

• Romans 12:9-10

• Romans 13:8

It Strengthens the Household

• 1 Corinthians 14:12

• Ephesians 4:11-13

• 2 Peter 1:5-8

• James 2:15-16

• 1 Peter 4:8-11

It’s Pleasing to, and Rewarded by, God

• Matthew 25:21 & 23, 34-36

House Rules

House Rules

Dave Riddle - 9/18/2022

Key Passage: Ephesians 2:19

We are a family!

• Ephesians 2:19

  • …members of God’s household

  • oikos (Greek: οἶκος) - an inhabited house, a physical dwelling place. Also, the inhabitants of a house, all the persons forming one family - a household.

• Galatians 6:10

  • …do good to everyone, but especially to the family of God.

• 1 Timothy 3:15

  • God’s household=the church

• 1 Peter 2:4-5

  • A spiritual house

• Hebrews 10:19-21

  • Jesus is the head of our family

Gospel of Jesus – Priority 1!

• Romans 1:16

  • The gospel is the power of God that brings salvation!

• 1 Corinthians 9:16

  • Sharing the gospel is a necessity.

  • …Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel.

God’s Greatest Commands

• Mark 12:29-31

  • Love God

  • Love People

God’s Great Commission

• Matthew 28:19-20

  • Make disciples, baptize, teach.

Genuine Discipleship

• Luke 9:23 - Follow me

  • Be on the same road

• Galatians 2:20 - crucified with Christ

  • We no longer live, but Christ lives in us!

Targeted Spiritual Development

• Luke 6:40

  • We should become more like Jesus

• 1 Timothy 1:5

  • The goal of our instruction is love.

The Word of God- Our Way of Life

• 2 Timothy 3:15-17

  • The Word changes us and equips us.

Why Did Jesus Leave?

Why Did Jesus Leave?

07/03/2021 - Paul Trulock 

Key Passage: Acts 1:6-11

Jesus has dominion over everything 

• Acts 2:34-35

  • A footstool, a doormat, walked all over…

• Philippians 2:9-11

  • Every knee

The Real Thing - Our King and High Priest

• Hebrews 7:20-25

  • You have a high priest sitting at the right hand of the father who intercedes for you.

• Hebrews 7:26-27

  • Isaiah 53 - the messiah was innocent

  • Daniel - He will die a violent death

  • David - He will not see corruption

  • Romans 8:1 - There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ

• Hebrews 7:28-8:2

  • The work is finished!

  • The work is perfected

  • Matthew 27 - God tore the veil to signify that WE can now enter into the presence of God.

What does it mean for us today?

• Hebrews 10:19-25

  1. Let us draw near to God

     • V. 22 With a sincere heart and full assurance of faith.

  2. Hold fast to our Hope

     • V. 23 hold onto hope without wavering

     • Our hope is based upon a sure foundation.

  3. Encourage one another

     • V. 24 spur one another on towards love and good deeds

       • 1 Peter 2:9…

  4. Be in community

     • V. 25 - do not neglect meeting together

       • We can’t think ONLY of our own sanctification.

Why did Jesus leave? 

• He entered the Holy of Holies , to be crowned as king and to present Himself as our perfect High Priest

Do Not Love the World

Message begins around 32:00

Do Not Love the World

02/13/2021 - Dave Riddle 

Key Passage: 1 John 2:15-17

Do not love the world

• 1 John 2:15a Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world.

• James says it, Paul says it, John says it…

• “Love” agapaō (ἀγαπάω) - unconditional love.

• 1 John 2:15b If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

  • You can’t serve two masters.

  • There’s gotta be one Lord, Master, priority, affection of your life.

What are the aspects of the world that are most tempting to give my undivided attention to?

• James 4:4 Adulterers! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.

• We need to be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit to recognize when things of the world begin to displace our focus on God.

  • Revelation 2:4 - …you have abandoned your first love…

Everything that belongs to the world

1 John 2:16 For everything that belongs to  the world—the lust of the flesh,  the lust of the eyes,  and the pride  in one’s lifestyle—is not from the Father, but is from the world. 

• Not an exhaustive list

• Flesh - Our base physical passions (Hedonism)

  • 1 Peter 2:11

    • We are foreigners and strangers here on Earth. Temporary residents.

    • Our life is not solely about what happens between birth and death.

• Eyes - The tendency to be captivated by the outward appearance of things. An inordinate desire for the finer things in life. (Materialism)

  • Proverbs 27:20 - Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and people’s eyes are never satisfied. (CSB)

  • Human desires are like the world of the dead - there’s always room for more. (GNT)

• Pride - the trust that we have in our own power, resources, abilities, insight. (Self-sufficiency)

  • Luke 14:11 - Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Why don’t we care about those things?

• 1 John 2:17 the world with its lust is passing away, but the one who does God’s will remains forever.

  • Paul says the same thing in Romans 7:31

  • Jesus reframes our thinking in Mark 3:35

We need to do a heart check

• What has your heart?

  • If it’s something other than God… it’s the wrong answer.

• Mathew 6:21 - Your heart will always be where your treasure is.

The Impact of Joy

The Impact of Joy

12/19/2021 - Dave Riddle 

Luke 2:10 - Good news of great joy! 

Joy is Not the Same Thing as Personal Happiness

• Happiness is circumstantial

  • Joy is different

• 1 Peter 1:8 - …inexpressible and glorious joy

  • “Joy unspeakable and full of glory“

  • Joy = chara (χαρά) a calm delight

• Pipe dream or attainable reality?

Joy is Commanded

• Philippians 4:4 - Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again rejoice.

  • An imperative.

Joy Requires Intentionality & Commitment

• Colossians 3:2 - set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

  • Set your mind = phroneō (φρονέω) To direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for

Joy Can Become Our Orientation

• Galatians 5:22 - The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…

How Do We “Set Our Minds…”?

Remember How Loved You Are

• The love we experience on Earth pales in comparison to the love the Heavenly Father has for us.

Remember Who(se) You Are

• 1 John 3:1, 1 Peter 2:9-10 - This is our identity! This is who we are!

Remember What You Have

• 1 Peter 1:3-7 - …an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading…

John 15:11 -  “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”

• Complete, full, overflowing = plēroō (πληρόω) - to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim

Joy - God in Our Midst

Joy - God in Our Midst
12/20/20 - Dave Riddle
Key Passage: Luke 2:10

Joy is Not the Same as Happiness

• Happiness and unhappiness are circumstantial.

• Joy is a deep-rooted state of ongoing delight inspired by God himself.

  • 1 Peter 1:8

Joy is Commanded

• An imperative, an exultation, a command.

  • Philippians 4:4

  • We always have a reason to have joy, even when we’re unhappy or disillusioned.

Joy Takes Some Commitment

• Colossians 3:2

  • Is your primary focus on the here and now, or on things above?

Joy Can Become An Orientation

• Galatians 5:22

  • Joy manifests as we walk in the Spirit.

Living Joyfully

• Remember how you’re loved

  • God loves you with an everlasting love!

• Remember who you are and whose you are.

  • 1 John 3:1

  • Remember your identity. Nothing can change your identity in Christ

  • 1 Peter 2:9-10

• Remember what you have

  • 1 Peter 1:3-6

    • New birth ( you are a new creation)

    • Living hope

    • An Inheritance

John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you.

The joy of the Lord is our strength.

Easter Sunday 2020

Easter Sunday

Dave Riddle - 4/12/20

Key Passage: John 20:1-29

I am saved from the darkness of confusion and enter into the light of a new calling

• John 20:14-18

I am saved from the darkness of fear and enter into the light of a new presence and peace

• John 20:19-22

• John 16:33

I am saved from the darkness of doubt and enter into the light of a new beginning. 

• John 20:24-29

You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9, NLT)