The Principles of Christ

The Principles of Christ: Guidance For The Newly Baptized

 

After your baptism

You’re forgiven! Since you turned your back to sin and were baptized, God has looked at you as his own dear child. Going under the water of baptism means that your old sinful way of life has been buried forever. By identifying with Christ through baptism, you’re now a new person. You came up out of the water freed from sin. Instead of living with sin as your master, you’re now free to serve the immortal God, your loving father in Heaven.

 

Col 2:6-7

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

 

Rm 6:1-7 1 Pet 1:22-23 Acts 2:38 Acts 3:19-20

 

 

What should we say then? Should we continue to sin so that God's kindness will increase?

Rom 6:2 That's unthinkable! As far as sin is concerned, we have died. So how can we still live under sin's influence?

Rom 6:3 Don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Rom 6:4 When we were baptized into his death, we were placed into the tomb with him. As Christ was brought back from death to life by the glorious power of the Father, so we, too, should live a new kind of life.

Rom 6:5 If we've become united with him in a death like his, certainly we will also be united with him when we come back to life as he did.

Rom 6:6 We know that the person we used to be was crucified with him to put an end to sin in our bodies. Because of this we are no longer slaves to sin.

Rom 6:7 The person who has died has been freed from sin.

 

 

1 Pet 1:22-23

Now that by your obedience to the truth you have purified yourselves and have come to have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart.

1Pe 1:23 For through the living and eternal word of God you have been born again as the children of a parent who is immortal, not mortal.

 

 

Col 2:6-7

Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him.

Col 2:7 Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.

 

 

-baptism=repentance Acts 2:38

Peter said to them, "Each one of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven; and you will receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that he will forgive your sins. If you do,

Act 3:20 times of spiritual strength will come from the Lord, and he will send Jesus, who is the Messiah he has already chosen for you.

 

 

God is judging our hearts, our belief in Him

(it all starts in our heart and mind) Mtt 9:13 Mtt 15:8-9 Rm 2:29 Rm6:17 Rm 10:10 Rm 11:19-24. Acts 24:16(conscience) 1 Thess 2:4

 

God loves you with all His heart, and so wants you to give Him all of yours. God isn’t interested in your outward shows of righteousness. It’s what’s in your heart that matters to God. He wants you to obey His teachings willingly. If you feel something is wrong, don’t do it, living with a clean conscience is a liberating experience and pleases our maker. God knows you intimately and wholly, live to please Him; not the people around you. Be genuine. Turn your back on your old way of life, repent and take the wonderful new life in Christ instead.

 

Rm 2: 28-29

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that outwardly in flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart; in spirit and not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.

 

Mtt 9:13 But go and learn what this is, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

Mtt 15:8-9

"This people draws near to Me with their mouth, and honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

Mat 15:9 But in vain they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

(don’t even bother to worship me if its not from your heart)

 

 

Rm6:17

But thanks be to our God that you were the slaves of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

 

Rm 10:10

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.

 

Rm 11:19-24

You will say then, The branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.

Rom 11:20 Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be high-minded, but fear.

Rom 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, fear lest He also may not spare you either!

Rom 11:22 Behold then the kindness, and the severity of God; on those having fallen, severity; but on you, kindness, if you continue in the kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

Rom 11:23 And those also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in. For God is able to graft them in again.

Rom 11:24 For if you were cut out of the natural wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more these being according to nature will be grafted into their own olive-tree?

 

Acts 24:16

And in this I exercise myself, always to have a blameless conscience toward God and men.

 

1 Thess 2:4

but as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who tries our hearts.

 

 

 

Hypocrisy is bad

Rm 2:17-23 Rm 12:9 1Pet2:1-3

 

Open your eyes to your own sinfulness so that you can see the enemy you’re up against. Pretending that everything is OK when it isn’t makes growth in Christ impossible. Don’t parade about in a false righteousness, but in humility remember how gracious God has been in forgiving you. Be the wonderful person God is calling you to be. You don’t need to pretend you’re someone you’re not.

 

 

Rm 12:9

Let love be without hypocrisy, shrinking from evil, cleaving to good;

 

Rm 2:17-23

Behold, you are called a Jew, and rest in the Law, and boast in God;

Rom 2:18 and know His will and approve the things excelling, being instructed out of the Law;

Rom 2:19 and persuading yourselves to be a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness;

Rom 2:20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, who have the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law.

Rom 2:21 Therefore the one teaching another, do you not teach yourself? The one preaching not to steal, do you steal?

Rom 2:22 The one saying not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? The one detesting idols, do you rob temples?

Rom 2:23 You who boast in Law, do you dishonor God through breaking the Law?

 

 

1Pet2:1

Therefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyings, and all evil speakings,

1Pe 2:2 desire the sincere milk of the Word, as newborn babes, so that you may grow by it;

1Pe 2:3 if truly you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

 

Our actions are expressions of love and thankfulness to him.

We express our thankfulness to God by acts of love, caring for each other. God has given us everything. Living holy lives is a basic response to His abundant generosity toward us.

 

Rm 12;1

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.

 

2Cor 9:12

2Co 9:12 For the ministry of this service not only supplies the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God,

 

 

We have no righteousness of our own, God counts us as righteous because of our faith in Christ

 

Because you are justified by faith you can find peace in knowing you are placed safely in God’s hands. Because Christ came and fulfilled the law, you are righteous because of your belief in Him. Your faith is what matters to God, deeds in themselves mean nothing. True faith will inevitably become obvious in how you live. It is by faith, not works that we will stand on the day of judgement. God has been wonderfully merciful to you in putting faith in your heart. There is no way you can know why He chose you, but we can be joyful that He has!

 

ABRAHAM: Is held up for us as an example of faith. He was told by God to leave his prosperous city life and got to become a nomad in a foreign country. Because he believed in God, he went. He was later told to sacrifice his son, which he was willing to do. Moments before Abraham killed his son, God stopped him. It wasn’t the sacrifice God was interested in, but Abraham’s faith in being willing to do it.

Gal 3:8

 

Rm 5:1

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Rm 9:16

Rom 9:15 For He said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."

Rom 9:16 So then it is not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God, the One showing mercy.

 

Rm 10:3-4

Rom 10:3 For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes.

 

Heb 3:2

Heb 3:2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all his house.

 

1Cor 1:28-31

1Co 1:28 and God has chosen the base things of the world, and things which are despised, and things which are not, in order to bring to nothing things that are;

1Co 1:29 so that no flesh should glory in His presence.

1Co 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption;

1Co 1:31 so that, according as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

 

2 Cor 1:24

2Co 1:24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but we are helpers of your joy; for by faith you stand.

 

Gal 2:16

Gal 2:16 knowing that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law. For all flesh will not be justified by works of law.

 

Gal 3:8

Gal 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations through faith, preached the gospel before to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all nations be blessed."

 

 

(it is by grace we are saved-Eph 2:8-9

Eph 2:8 For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,

Eph 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

Tit 2:11-12

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12 teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world,

 

Heb 2:9).

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for all.

 

Acts 15:9

Act 15:9 And He put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

 

Phil 3:9

Phi 3:8 But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ

Phi 3:9 and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith,

 

1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who strengthened me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry--

1Ti 1:13 the one who before was a blasphemer and a persecutor and insolent. But I obtained mercy, because being ignorant, I did it in unbelief.

1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

 

Tit 3:5-7

Tit 3:4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Tit 3:6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Tit 3:7 that being justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

In God’s presence we must be humbled,

Rm 5:1

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 5:2 Through Him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice on the hope of the glory of God.

 

Rm 9:16

So then it is not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God, the One showing mercy.

 

Rm 10:3-4

For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes.

 

Heb 3:1-2

Therefore, holy brothers, called to be partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus,

Heb 3:2 who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all his house.

 

1Cor 1:28-31

and God has chosen the base things of the world, and things which are despised, and things which are not, in order to bring to nothing things that are;

1Co 1:29 so that no flesh should glory in His presence.

1Co 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption;

1Co 1:31 so that, according as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord."

 

 

2 Cor 1:24

Not that we have dominion over your faith, but we are helpers of your joy; for by faith you stand.

 

Gal 2:16

knowing that a man is not justified by works of the Law, but through faith in Jesus Christ; even we believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Christ, and not by works of the Law. For all flesh will not be justified by works of law.

 

Gal 3:8

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the nations through faith, preached the gospel before to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all nations be blessed."

 

Eph 2:8-9

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,

Eph 2:9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

 

Tit 2:11-12

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12 teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world,

 

 

Heb 2:9

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for all.

 

Acts 15:9

And He put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

 

Phil 3:8

But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ

Phi 3:9 and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith,

 

1 Tim 1:4

nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies (which provide doubts rather than the nurture of God in faith).

 

Tit 3:5-7

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Tit 3:6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

Tit 3:7 that being justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

 

 

 

God wants us to be obedient

God isn’t interested in what you know intellectually, he wants you to live out what you have learnt of Him. You must be obedient to God, and not to your own desires. If you obey God, you follow Jesus into everlasting life, but if you obey yourself, you follow the path to death. It is the one who lives in obedience to the word of God in whom God’s love is perfected. Love is walking according to God’s commands. We show our love for Christ by loving one another.

 

Rm2:13

Rom 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.

 

 

Rom 6:16

Rom 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you yield yourselves as slaves for obedience, you are slaves to him whom you obey; whether it is of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness.

 

1Cor 7:19

1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

 

1 Pet 1:14

1Pe 1:14 as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance,

 

1Jn 2:5

1Jo 2:5 But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him.

 

2Jn6

2Jo 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

 

Jn 14:21-24

Joh 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will reveal Myself to him.

Joh 14:22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, Lord, how is it that You will reveal Yourself to us and not to the world?

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, If a man loves Me, he will keep My Word. And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.

Joh 14:24 He who does not love Me does not keep My Words, and the Word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father's who sent Me.

 

Phil 2:8

Phi 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

2Thess 1:8

2Th 1:8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 

Heb 5:8

Heb 5:8 though being a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.

 

2Cor 9:6

2Co 9:6 But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.

 

 

Love God

Love the Lord you God with all of your heart, strength and mind. Love for God makes you known by God, and means you will be remembered at the judgement. Perfect loves casts out fear, because with fear comes torment. Love for God is made perfect in that you really can have boldness judgement day. Your love for God sets you free from fear of death. God loved you before the creation of the world, He loved you first.

 

Mtt 22:37

Mat 22:37 Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.

 

Rm 1:30-32

Rom 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Rom 1:31 undiscerning, perfidious, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;

Rom 1:32 who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them.

 

Rm8:28

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

 

1Cor 8:3

1Co 8:3 But if any one loves God, he has been known of him.

 

1 Jn 4:16-19

1Jo 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has in us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1Jo 4:17 In this is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that as He is, so also we are in this world.

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He who fears has not been perfected in love.

1Jo 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.

 

 

Focus your mind on Him and the things of the kingdom. Thought by thought, turn temptation aside by devoting your mind to Christ. The world around you makes sin look appealing, exciting, and innocent. You naturally want to surrender, but fight! You are part of God’s army now.

 

 

Rm 1:21

Rom 1:21 Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

 

Rom 7:5-8

Rom 7:5 For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sin worked in our members through the law to bring forth fruit to death.

Rom 7:6 But now we having been set free from the Law, having died to that in which we were held, so that we serve in newness of spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

Rom 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Let it not be said! But I did not know sin except through the law. For also I did not know lust except the law said, You shall not lust.

Rom 7:8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, worked in me all kinds of lust. For apart from law sin was dead.

 

Rm 12:2

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.

 

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

 

 

Rm 13:14

Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not take thought beforehand for the lusts of the flesh.

 

2Cor 10:5

2Co 10:5 pulling down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ;

 

Eph 4:23

Eph 4:22 For you ought to put off the old man (according to your way of living before) who is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,

Eph 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

 

Jn 17:3

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ.

 

 

Phil 4:8

Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

Col 3:2

Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

 

1Tim 4:7

1Ti 4:7 but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:

 

Heb 3:1

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus;

 

Trust Him to keep His promise of eternal life. God understands you, values you, and is always with you. He wants you to be in His Kingdom. Your real repentance brings a forgiveness which means your hope is a reality. If you trust in God, you will be saved.

Mtt 10:28-31 Rm 10:11-13 Jn14:1-3 Luk 12:32 Eze 18:32

 

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 

Mtt 10:28-31

Mat 10:28 And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:

Mat 10:30 but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Mat 10:31 Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 

Rm 10:11-13

Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame.

Rom 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him:

Rom 10:13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord Jehovah: wherefore turn yourselves, and live.

 

 

Jn14:1-3

Joh 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me.

Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

Live by your faith.

 

Rm 1:17 Rm 3:22 Rm 4:6-8 2 Rm 14:23 Cor 5:7 Gal 5:6 Phil 1:21-22 Col 3:17

2Co 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight

Rom 1:17 The righteous shall live by faith

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Gal 5:6 For in Christ Jesus all that counts is faith working through love.

 

Hab 2:4 cp Rm 1:17 Rom 1:17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

 

Rm 3:22

Rom 3:22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction;

 

Rm 4:6-8

Rom 4:6 Even as David also pronounceth blessing upon the man, unto whom God reckoneth righteousness apart from works,

Rom 4:7 saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, And whose sins are covered.

Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom, the Lord will not reckon sin.

 

 

Gal 3:11

Gal 3:11 Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;

 

Gal 5:6

 

 

Phil 1:21-22

Phi 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Phi 1:22 But if to live in the flesh, --if this shall bring fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not.

 

 

Col 3:17

 

- Keep your conscience clear Rm 2:15 Rm 14:23 1Cor 4:4 1Pet 3:16 Tit 1:15 (Heb 9:10,14-because of Christ) 2 Cor 7:1

- Glorify Him Rm 1:21

Love everyone; your brethren and your enemies Rm 12:20-21 1 Cor4:12 1Pet 2:17 1 Pet 4:8 1Jn 2:18, 1Jn 4:7-21 1Jn3:10-11 1Jn3:14,16 1Jn 4:20-21 1Thess 3:12 1 Thess 4:9-10

- Love them as yourself Mtt 5:21, 47 10:40-42 22:39 Rm 12:10 Rm 13:8-10 Rm 15:2 1 Cor 10:24

- honour your father and mother Mtt 19:19 Rm1:30 Eph 6:1 Col 3:20

- Preserve life, do not murder Rm 1:29 1Jn 3:12,14

-         Submit to eachother Eph 5:21 Js 3:17 Col 3:18 (women- 1Tim 2:11-15)

-         Be gentle Phil 4:5 Col 3:8 1Thess 2:7 2Tim2:25

-         Be patient Heb 6:12

Repent of sins Mtt 3:2, 4:19 Rm 2:4-5

- Hate evil in yourself Rm 1:28-2:9 Rm 12:9

Seek first the spiritual riches of God’s kingdom, not material possessions. Mtt 4:10, 6:19-24,33 19:24 Js 2:5-6, Js 5:1-6 1Jn 2:15-17 Phil 4:12 1Tim 6:9-10 2Cor 8:9

- be content 1Tim 6:6

-don’t wear expensive clothes 1Tim 2:9-10

Be self-controlled. 1Pet1:13 1Pet 4:7 1Thess 4:4-5 1 Thess 5:6 Tit 1:2-3,5,6

- Don’t get drunk 1Cor 6:10 Eph 5:18

Be humble. Mtt 5:3, 22:12 Rm 12:16 2 Cor 10:18 Gal 6:3 Js 4:6 Js 4:10 1 Pet 5:5-6 Phil 2:3 Tit 3:2

- Seek to please God, not man 6:1,4,6 6:18 18:4 1Thess 2:6

- Live in service to all Mtt 20:28 22:11Gal 5:13

Put God’s will before your own Mtt 5:5, 7:21 12:50 16:24-27 Rm2:8 Gal 6:6-8

Be merciful & forgiving Mtt 5:7, 6:12,14,15 7:1-6,12 9:13 12:7 18:21,35 Rm 12:19 Eph 4:32 Js 2:13 Col 3:13 1Thess 5:15

- Do not judge your brother because you are a sinner too Rm 1:28-2:4 3:10-18,22-24 5:12 7:18 Rm14:1,10,13 1Cor 1:15, 1 Cor 4:5 1Jn 1:18

Be Just Js 2:1 Col 4:1 1Tim 5:21

Actively pursue peace Mtt 5:23 Rm 12:16,18 1Cor 14:33 Eph 4:26 Js 3:18 1Pet3:8,11

-do not delay Mtt 5:25-26

Spread the news of the kingdom Mtt12:30 26:19 1 Pet 3:15 Acts 1:8 Acts 10:42 1Tim 2:3-4

-do not be ashamed of God or Christ Mtt 10:32-33 2Tim1:8

Proclaim that Jesus is Lord to those around you Rm 10:9, 14-15 2Cor4:13-14 Phil 1:18 Phil 4:4 2Tim 4:2

- Make the changes in your life obvious 1Pet2:12 1Pet 4:4 Phil 1:27 1Thess 4:11-12 1Tim 4:15-16 2 Cor 9:13

- Expect (and rejoice in Rm 5:3 Js 1:2 1Pet4:13) hardship from others when God’s standards oppose those of the world Mtt 5:12 2Cor 4:9-10 1Jn 3:13 Acts 14:22 Phil 1:28-29 (don’t be afraid of death Heb 2:15) Col 1:24 2Thess 1:4-5 2Tim3:12 Heb 2:10-11 2Cor 12:10

- The struggle against sin will be painful Rm 8:17-18 1Pet 3:14, 1 Pet 4:19 1Pet5:10 2 Cor 7:10

Watch your words. Eph 1:19, Js 3:5-12 Js 4:11 Js 5:9

- Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15 Mtt 5:22 12:32, 36-37 15:11 Tit 1:11

- Tell the truth Mtt 5:37 Eph 4:25 Js5:12 1Jn 2:21-23 Col 3:9 1Thess 2:5

- Speak to encourage; do not gossip Col 3:16Rm 1:29 Eph 4:29, Eph 5:19 2 Tim 2:16

-         Confess Christ to others Rm 10:10 Col 4:6

-         Don’t complain or argue Phil 2:14

Be faithful Mtt 5:27 22:23 1 Cor 4:2

Marriage is for life Mtt 5:31-32 18:6 Rm 7:1-3 1Cor 7:10-14, 39

- Sex is between man and women, and is a gift intended for marriage only Rm 1:24-27 Rm 13:13 1Cor 5:1-11 1Cor

6:9-10, 13-20 Eph 5:3 Acts 15:20 Col 3:5 1 Thess 4:3

- Marry a believer 2 Cor 6:14-18

Give generously of yourself and your possessions Mtt 5:40-42, 6:2-4 10:8 18:5 2Cor 9:6-13 Gal 6:10 1Pet 4:9-10 3Jn8 Acts2:45 Acts 4:32 Phil 2:4 1Tim 6:17-19 Philemon 14 2Cor8:2-3,7-8 2Cor9:6-7 (god will reward with spiritual blessings- 2Cor 9:9-11)

-do not covet or steal Mtt 19:18 Rm 13:9 Eph 4:28

- especially to the poor Rm12:13 Js 2:15-17 1 Jn3:17

Obey the authorities Rm 13:1-7 1Pet2:13-15 (after God Acts 4:19, Acts 5:29) Acts 23:5 Tit 3:1

Don’t give up Rm 2:7 10:11 2Cor4:16-18 Gal 6:9 Js 1:12 2Thess 3:5

 

Prayer

Boldly Heb 4:16

God will hear you 1 Pet3:12 1Jn 5:15 Heb 5:7

We cannot pray as we should, but the Spirit intercedes for us Rm 8:26-27

Pray for others, Eph 6:18 1Jn 5:16 Acts 12:5 Phil 1:3-11 Philemon 6(Spirituality of others) Col 1:10 Col 4:12 2Thess 1:11-12 2Thess 3:2 1Tim 2:1-2

- especially those who persecute you Mtt 9:2 Rm 1:10 Rm12:14 Rm 15:31 Eph 1:15-23

That the Gospel will spread Mtt 9:38 2Thess 3:1

When you are experiencing trials, that you won’t be led into temptation to sin Mtt 11:28-30 26:41

For understanding Mtt 13:23

For wisdom Js 1:5

For strength Phil 4: 13 Heb 2:18 Heb 4:16

Thank God Rm 1:21 2Cor 1:11 Col 1:3-4 1 Thess 1:2 1Thess 5:18 2Tim21:3for eachother 2Thess 1:13 1Tim 4:4-5

In faith that you will receive it Js1:6-8, Js 4:3-4 Js 5:15 Jn14:14 Jn 15:7 Phil 1:19 (faith in prayers of others)

Keep praying Rm 12:12

In Suffering 1 Pet 5:7 Phil 4:6

Confess sinsto God 1 Jn1:9

Repent in prayer Acts 8:22

Pray with other believers Acts 1:14 1Tim 2:8

Devote yourself to prayer Acts 10:2 Col 4:2 1 Thess 5:17

For salvation Heb 7:25

 

Fellowship

To mutually encourage each other. Rm 1:12 Rm 15:1-2 Rm 15:7 Heb 3:13

Preach to those already baptised Rm 1:15

Be united 1Cor 1:10 1Cor 3:3 1 Cor 12 2Cor 13:11 Eph4:4-6,13 Phil 2:2 Col 2:2 Col 3:14 1 Thess 5:13 2Tim 2:14 2Cor 12:20

-         Gal 6:1, 2Thess 3:14-15 Avoid believers who

o       cause divisions and deceive people into becoming evil Rm 16:17(?????appropriate)

o       are sexually immoral, greedy, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards, swindlers 1Cor 5:11-13

o       are idle 2Thess 2:6-7

and then forgive and accept them again when they realise the severity of their sin 2Cor 2:5-11

- don’t be judgemental Gal 5:15

- seek to bring lost brethren back Js 5:19 Jude22,23

Confess your sins to eachother Js 5:16

Don’t compete 2Cor 10:12

 

Breaking of bread

- rememberance of Jesus 1 Cor 11:25

- to bedone regularly

 

Bible Reading

Rm 15:4 Js 1:22-24 1Pet2:2 Heb 4:12

Knowledge 1Jn 2:3 2Pet 3:18

 

You will be there

Through continued faith in him 1 Pet 1:9 Acts 16:31 Col 1:23 Heb 3:19

Through calling on his name Acts 2:21

Have received mercy 1Pet2:9

2 Pet 1:3-4, 2Pet 1:10-11 2 Pet 3:17 1Jn 5:12 Rev 1:6 Col 1:13 Col 3:4 Col 3:24 1 Thess 4:17-18 1 Thess 5:9-10 2Thess 2:16-17 Tit 1:2 Heb 9:15

By sharing in his sufferings Phil 3:10-16 2Tim 2:11-13

By living a life worthy of the calling 1Tim 6:11-12 2Tim 1:9

If you long for his appearing 2Tim4:8 Heb 3:6 Heb 9:28

Through obedience Heb 4:11

 

 

Are your innermost desires what He desired? What is motivating you? Don’t allow your mind to be caught up with things which are temporary- the latest fashions, materialism…. But consider how to build up other believers spiritually. Think of their needs, and creative ways in which you can help.