KINGDOM OF GOD - radical decisions for the kingdom of God

-the Israelites were hoping that there will be a king coming from heaven and there no more wickedness

-John came and told that the Kingdom of God is near... and Jesus came not long after

Baptize in the Holy Spirit.. fully immerse us in the spirit of God till overflowing

-fire of judgement reserved for the wicked

-the righteous and wicked will be separated

-Kingdom of God is here but only at the 2nd coming that the Kingdom of God be fully manifested

-if God is alr here, why is life so difficult?

-blessed... we must understand the alr and not yet

the kingdom of God is very strong, way stronger than Satan

-those who hears force their way in

-the kingdom of God is not for those who are lazy, half hearted

-salvation is not by works but by grace... Require us to be bold, powerful response

-nothing can stand in the way

-the kingdom of God is working powerfully in the world... but we need respond powerfully

how radical should we be?

1. radical to live a righteous life

-no more anger, no more sexual immorality, no more lying/exaggerating, no more unforgiveness

-we need to have a decision and the Holy Spirit will give us the strength

-we need to be radical in our decision... 

-don't let any blessing be our idol

2. radical to love

-flip side of love is Forgiveness

-think of best of ppl, decide not to gossip or talk bad abt other ppl

3. radical to bear the fruit of the Spirit

-9 fruits of the Spirit... it is the atmosphere of the Kingdom of God

4. radical to see the power of God

-boldly believe and confess the promises of God 

KNOWLEDGE - SPIRTUALITY - EHTICS

-what attracts ppl to Jesus

from the Matt, Luke, John

Jesus loved so much tt He loved Judas, His traitor

-every church have to focus on doctrine, experience and practice

   -live out based on what we believe

-unnatural development

   -big doctrine, studying the bible only

   -big experience, wanting to experience God only... no time to reflect on their life

   -big practice, doing good, helping the poor only

-grow in knowledge (doctrine)

-grow spiritually (experience)

-ethics, morals.. our life measure up to our goals (practice)

1. knowledge

2. spirituality

-our life with God

-pray

-walk by faith, love unconditionally

-christlikeness, developing the fruit of the spirit (vivification, mortification)

-the more knowledge, the more spirituality

3. ethics

=knowing about right and wrong according to the Bible

-has to do with our attitude, behavior and morality

-we need to have a balance of knowledge, spiritually, ethics

-we need to have the faith.. come to an understanding

-without values and priorities, will be a self-help club

-we naturally like to be with people tt we have something similar, but this is not a strong foundation.. its is doctrine tt will strengthen

-early church is so united cos they have the same doctrine

-"one accord" - musical, different instruments come together and make a beautiful melody

   -ppl comes from different background believe in the same doctrine

all worship and adore is to God alone.. no matter how spiritual anyone is 

-bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit.. can never fail

   -can read it literally

-cross - penal substitution of Jesus

-conversion - all have to be born again

-community engagement - doing good in the society

1. baptism in the Holy Spirit

-2nd blessing after salvation

2. speaking in tongues

-initial evidence

3. continuationism

-miracle is for today

4. worship 

-worship must be experiential

   -in the bible, every time people worship God, there is a tangible presence and power of God

5. evangelism and missions

6. Arminianism

-God in His love is so sovereign gives us the free will to choose

7. 2nd coming of Christ

-we believe Jesus is coming back in a rapture and establish the kingdom rule on earth

we cannot have a purpose without being unclear

social gospel is abt doing good works

only God can define love... not by our feelings

there are 2 groups of things

-things tt we dont know.. we have to be humble

-things tt are revealed to us.. we have a responsibility to guard it.. dont doubt what is given to us

a child can nv make up ones mind.. always shaken

-have an open mind to things unclear..

-things tt are obviously revealed to us... we cant be shaken

-reason = discuss using scripture

sometimes we are so heated tt we generate heat instead of light

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

how to remove sin is not trying to suck sins out but to fill our life with the Holy Spirit

-the greatest spiritual warfare is in the internal

   -how to grow to be more and more like Jesus

-born of a fallen and sinful nature, inherited by birth

-Holy Spirit wants to sanctify us

   -until we go to heaven, we will experience both flesh and Spirit

-how to have victory over sin.. to walk in the spirit.. Holy Spirit is the key!

   -the more we walk in the Spirit, the more we will be like Jesus

remember the words of Jesus everyday

john 15

Holy Spirit will help us

a Christians is one who is at war with the bad desires and is fighting a victories fight

the law is God's law

-theres inner transformation

   -the law is in the hearts

-there is a delight in the commandments of God

-the law is abt love

common sins in 4 situations

-sex --- any formication outside marriage, for singles sex before marriage

-indecency

-religion

-anger --- temper, dissensions: disagreeable, stubborn; heresies: go against the norm, play internal politics; envy: craving for what others have; jealousy: suspicious of ppl taking what we have; murder: bitter anger

-drunkenness: socializing, will behave in our lowest nature; revelries: wild partying

-practice such things: habitual lifestyle and continual practice

   -we will lose our salvation if we continue with our sins

      -salvation is not by works, but by grace

fruit, singular cos we cant choose

how to control the flesh

-we must crucify the flesh.. done by us, not for us

   -Holy Spirit will supply the power, but need an action from us

-dont give in to our self-indulgence (sinful cravings)

   -we must do it daily 

true repentance is taking flesh (sinful nature) and nail to the cross until die

1. crucify the flesh (mortification)

-cannot feel sorry for ourselves

-extremely intensively painful (a part of our life and we are to cut it off)

   -our flesh is try very hard to stop us from cutting

-death is not instance

   -this is the biggest challenge

-crucified: complete decision

   -we must learn to leave it there!

-the Holy Spirit will not force if we are not willing

2. walk in the spirit (vivification)

-led by the spirit is passive

-to walk in the spirit is active

-we must personally and intentionally walk in the spirit

walk (GR: stoicheo) = march in step on the line drawn

-walk in the spirit.. we must know the path (the bible)

   -also to set our minds in good things, spiritual things

Jesus has done everything for us on the cross

   -be willing and mindful