Old Wisdom for a New Year A Study on the Assurance of Salvation As taken from the book of 1 John which was specifically written for this purpose: 1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1. Do you share the intimacies of the Christian life with ______ and ________ _________? 1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 2. Do you have a ______ ____________ of your _____ against the Word and love of God? 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 3. Do you live in _____________ _____________ to the word of God? 1 John 2:3 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: 6 the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 4. Do you __________ the _________ and its ways? 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 5. Do you long for the _________ of ________ _________ and to be ________ like Him? 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 6. Do you habitually do what is _______ _______ and _____ ______? 1 John 3:7 Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous; 8 the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. . . . 10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 7. Have you suffered _____________ because of your faith? 1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. 8. Do you ______ other Christians _________________ and want to ____ _______ them? 1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 9. Do you experience ___________ ________? 1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 10. Do you discern the __________ of the _______ _________ within you? 1 John 3:24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 4:13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 11. Can you discern between ____________ _______ and ________? 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. 12. Do you enjoy listening to the _____________ taught by the ___________ of the Lord Jesus Christ? (which are contained where?___________) 1 John 4:6 We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. 13. Do you believe what the Bible teaches about ________ _________? 1 John 5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.

Advent 4: Proclaiming Jesus the King I. Kings Proclaimed Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12) II. Angels Proclaimed Jesus (Luke 2:8-14) Savior (also Matthew 1:21; Acts 4:12) Christ (= Messiah = Anointed = King) Lord III. Shepherds Proclaimed Jesus (Luke 2:15-21) IV. Jesus is the Only True King (selected passages) Have you received Jesus as your Savior? Do you serve Jesus as your King?

Advent 3: The Birth of Jesus the Messiah 1. A Dialogue Between Gabriel and Mary (Luke 1:26-38) What’s in a name? (Luke 1:31; Matthew 1:18-25) A Baby’s Stature! (Luke 1:31-33) Great Son of the Most High The Lord God will give Him David’s Throne Reign over the house of Jacob forever His kingdom will have no end On Jesus’ Pre-existence to John who was born first! (Luke 1:36; John 1:15, 30) 2. A Dialogue Between Elizabeth and Mary (Luke 1:39-56) “God my Savior” (Luke 1:47) Abraham’s Forever Covenant (Luke 1:55) 3. The King is Born (Micah 5:2-Luke 2:1-7) God fulfilled His promise to send the Savior God will Save you too, if you receive Jesus Christ

God’s Mission is Our Mission To reach the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ 1. Jesus’ Commission at His Resurrection (Luke 24:45-47) 2. Jesus’ Empowerment as His Ascension (Acts 1:8) 3. God’s Mission is Our Mission (Matthew 28:18-20; John 20:21) 4. The Unfinished Mission (Matthew 24:14; Revelation 7:9) Defining the Terms Missionary – Nations – Unreached – 10/40 Window – The Global South – World Christian – Why the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering?

WORSHIP John 4 The 6 “W’s” of Worshipping God 1. What is Worship? Where? What? Who? When? Way? Why? 2. Examples of Worship

“Of Gifts & The Gospel” Philippians 4:15-22 Glorifying the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our Church! 1. Serving the Gospel (vv. 15-16) Paul’s relationship with the Philippian Church was based in “giving and receiving” Their main purpose was their “fellowship” for the advancement of the ____________________________! See Philippians 1:5 2. Seeking the Blessing (v. 17) What Paul does NOT seek? What does Paul seek? 3. Worshipping God (v. 18) Paul describes his provision In supplying ministry support for others we are actually _________________________! 4. Depending on God (v. 19) The PROMISE!!! See James 1:17 Benediction (v. 20) Greetings (vv. 21-22)

Of Lack & Provision Philippians 4:10-14 To trust God for His provision in life and gospel ministry 1. Serving the Gospel Together Brings Great Joy (v. 10) 2. Serving the Gospel, Content in All Circumstances (v. 11) Paul has traveled the world, planted churches, and is now writing from prison 3. Serving the Gospel No Matter the Circumstances (vv. 11-13) What does Paul know about his provision? see Acts 17:25 4. Serving the Gospel, A Call to Suffer Together (v. 14) Conclusion: Let us “do well”!

“Stand Firm” Philippians 4:1-9 Six Commands for Standing Firm in Jesus Christ #1 Stand Firm TOGETHER(vv. 1-3) #2 Rejoice (v. 4) How should we rejoice? ________________ #3 Be Visible = Don’t Retreat! (v. 5) Let your ___________ ____________ be known to _____ Who is your protector? #4 Be at Peace in Prayer in Everything (vv. 6-7) How do you not be anxious? See Matt. 6:25ff “And….” then the PROMISE! _______________________ #5 Meditate Mindfully (v. 8) “Take into account”, “think”, “dwell” on what? This is the cure for depression and misguidedness in life. #6 Engage! (v. 9) Put into “practice” what? See 1 Cor. 11:1, 15:3; 2 Thess. 3:9 “And…” then the PROMISE! _________________________ Are you following Paul’s example? Is your life an example for others to follow? Would you be ashamed to have someone imitate your behavior? Why or why not?

“Only Two Ways” Philippians 3:17-21 Which road are you on? There’s only two. 1. The Wrong Way is: Enemies of the Cross (vv. 18-19) Why is Paul weeping? (see 1 Cor. 1:21-24). Enemies of the cross of Christ act how? a. ______________________________ b. ______________________________ c. ______________________________ d. ______________________________ compare Colossians 3:1-6, characteristics of true Christians 2. The Right Way is: The Way of The Cross (v. 17, 20-21) J_____________ the movement (v. 17) see 2 Thess. 3:7-9; 1 Tim. 4:12; Titus 2:7 The Reason of Our Citizenship (vv. 20-21) Where is our citizenship? _______________ (see Eph.2:19) What do we wait for? ____________________ (“Parousia”) What will Jesus do? ______________________ To whom will He do this? _________________ To what end? ___________________________ How? _________________________________ What is the extent of His power?____________________ 3. Which Way Are You Headed? There are only two ways, you are either: 1) an enemy of the cross or 2) a citizen in the kingdom of God through the cross see Matt. 7:13-14, the two roads

“Unity in Christ-Like Attitude” Philippians 3:15-16 Attitude check: to have the attitude God wants us to have 1. WHO is to have this attitude? 2. WHAT is the attitude? (see Philippians 2:5) 3. If your attitude is different, WHO will show you? So biblical Christian attitude is between you, and ____________, and __________. 4. What A Christian Attitude Looks Like: -Christ taking the form of a bond-servant, humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (2:7-8) -Timothy the kindred spirit for the furtherance of the gospel (vv. 2:20, 22)” -Epaphroditus a brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and minister to be held in high regard who almost died for the work of Christ (vv. 2:25,30) -Paul presses on to take hold of the prize for which Christ laid hold of Him, the promise of the resurrection, so he lives in the power of the resurrection, willingly suffering for the advance of the gospel (3:10, 12, 14). Conclusion: This is called “living the cruciform life” What you believe is shown in how you live What is your attitude in life, faith, and service? How do you see yourself in relation to God and others?

“PRESS ON!” Philippians 3:4-14 How to live a life of faith, advancing the gospel! What does it look like to come to an end of one’s self? 1. Paul’s Testimony (vv. 4-14) Paul’s Supposed Confidence (vv. 4-6) Paul’s True Confidence (vv. 7-11) “Lord” = ________________________ (v. 8) To what can you compare Jesus? (v. 9, see Matthew 13:44) Where does true righteousness come from? _________(v. 9) (see Romans 4:13; Galatians 3:13-14) How do I get it? ______________________ (vv. 9-10) (see Galatians 2:20 & Psalm 126) What is Paul’s hope? ____________________ (v. 11) (see 1 Corinthians 15) 2. How to live a life of faith! (vv. 12-14) We must “press on” (we do) for which Christ laid hold of us (He did!) (v. 12 see Ephesians 2:8-10) Paul is at what point in the process? ___________ (v. 13) How does Paul “press on”? (vv. 13-14) a. _______________________________ b. _______________________________ c. _______________________________ (see Mark 10:29-31) This is future oriented faith! What defines you more, your past or your future? “PRESS ON” is the battle cry to advance the gospel!

“Safeguarding Your Salvation” Philippians 3:1-3 To safeguard your true salvation from false teachers 1. God Commands Us to _______________ in the Lord (v. 1) 2. This is All a _____________________ (v. 1) 3. False Religion Does Not Save (v. 2) a. _______________________________ b. _______________________________ c. _______________________________ 4. The TRUE Safeguard For Our Salvation (v. 3) a. _______________________________ see Romans 2:28-29 & Deuteronomy 30:6 b. _______________________________ see John 4:23-24; Romans 12:1-2 c. _______________________________ see Galatians 3:2 & Jeremiah 9:23-24 d. _______________________________

“Regarding Heroes” Philippians 2:25-30 To highly regard heroes who sacrifice for the work of Christ 1. A Hero’s Testimony (v. 25) Paul describes Epaphroditus how? a. _______________________________ b. _______________________________ c. _______________________________ d. _______________________________ e. _______________________________ 2. A Hero’s Life (vv. 26-28) Epaphroditus is at God’s mercy & providence 3. A Hero’s Welcome (vv. 29-30) Highly regard “men like him” Why? see Acts 20:24; 1 Cor. 16:17-18; Phil. 4:10 4. The Church Regarding Heroes Why don’t we? Why should we?