Others want to erase your thinking of Christ. John gives us encouragement in the midst of this challenge that we face today. Do not lose heart; love God, obey and serve Him.

Outline—Matthew 15:21–16:4

1. God knows those who have great faith (vv. 15:21–28)
2. God knows those who will bring praise to God (vv. 15:29–31)
3. God knows those who wait on Him (vv. 15:32–39)
4. God knows those who make him a side show. (vv. 16:1–4)

Take Home Points

• God knows your heart.
• God sometimes tests your faith.
• God has a perfect plan.
• There is no such thing as a delay with God (even though it might seem so).
• When you pray, don’t give up!

Download Recording

For Broadband Connection (Approx. 22 MB)

For Dial-Up Connection (Approx. 2.7 MB)

Outline—Psalm 40

1. God who rescues (vv. 1–3)
2. God who relates (vv. 4–5)
3. God who rewards (vv. 6–8)
4. God who remembers (vv. 9–11)
5. God who responds (v. 12)
6. God who rights wrongs (vv. 13–15)
7. God who restores (vv. 16–17)

Related Scripture

• Psalm 70
• Hebrews 5
• Isaiah 50:4
• Romans 12:1f

Take Home Points

• We will always have enemies as long as we are on earth. Only God can rescue us.
• We are to look at God’s truth and make it our own.
• We are to respect the humble and the truthful.
• Our evangelism is not with the sword, but with the Word of God.
• When you witness, make these your message: God’s righteousness, His lovingkindness, and His truth.

Download Recording

For Broadband Connection (Approx. 22 MB)

For Dial-Up Connection (Approx. 2.7 MB)

Outline—Philippians 3:14–17

1. Christ-likeness is a prize! (v. 14)
2. Christ-likeness is a measure of maturity (v. 15)
3. Christ-likeness is practiced in fellowship (v. 16)
4. Christ-likeness is a legacy (v. 17)

Related Scripture

• 2 Timothy 4
• 1 Corinthians 1, 7
• Ephesians 1, 4
• 2 Thessalonians 1
• 2 Timothy 1
• Acts 15:22–30
• 1 Corinthians 6:9,10, 18–20
• 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8
• 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14

Other References

• The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp
• John Christostom, Homily 7 on Hebrews
• Ernest Pickering, Sunday School Lessons—Baptist Regular Press

Take Home Points

• What things do you do today to be more like Christ?
• Move forward in Christ-likeness; be careful to never go back (never go back to little-league).
• The church must also become more Christ-like, not just individual believers.

Download Recording

For Broadband Connection (Approx. 22 MB)

For Dial-Up Connection (Approx. 2.7 MB)

“Does any among uou suffer?”

• Suffering refers to more than just sickness (James 5:9–14):
  • Suffering refers to discipline, trials, injustice, persecution, and oppression as well as illness.
  • No matter what the cost of perseverence may be, there is the challenge to bear-up under the difficulty and do it well, because we don’t know what God is intending to do and bring about in the midst of the trial.
  • The point is communion with God—meeting God where He desires to be met.
• As a believer in Jesus Christ, you are a soldier (2 Timothy 2:1–6), and will suffer the trials of a soldier. As a soldier, know this (courtesy of former chaplain at Arlington National Cemetery):
  • You must say goodbye to the world you once knew.
  • The world around you will continue to change.
  • There is always an enemy.
  • You’ve got to maintain success in a highly competitive world and situation.
  • Severity involved in service and training is to be expected.
  • Soldiers are not designed for garrison life.
  • There is a great celebration at home for victory.
• Suffering may be for discipline (Hebrews 12:1–17):
  • This is the suffering for Jesus Christ—the suffering under the hand of a mighty God who would cause us to be more like Him.
  • The call is to pray, to commune with your Father.
  • Let God do the determining of the ultimate lesson.
• Remember you are a soldier, and remember you are a son.

Download Recording

For Broadband Connection (Approx. 22 MB)

For Dial-Up Connection (Approx. 2.7 MB)

(Perseverence within the Body of Christ)

Outline—James 5:7–12

1. Be patient (v. 7)
2. Establish your heart (v. 8)
3. Do not complain (vv. 9–10)
4. Do not swear (v. 12)

Take Home Points

• What does “the Lord being at hand” mean to you today? Can you worship Him with a pure heart, or is there a sin that needs to be confessed?
• Are you harboring groaning grudges that you need to forsake?
• Is your word as important to you as God’s word?

Download Recording

For Broadband Connection (Approx. 22 MB)

For Dial-Up Connection (Approx. 2.7 MB)