Real Joy: Continue Loving God and His People

Real Joy: Continue Loving God and His People
Philippians 4:20-23
Page # 1177

I. The purpose of the saints – Worship  
1. His glory is unfathomable.
Exodus 33:20 - But God said, “You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live!"

2. The heavens reveal that God is glorious.
Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.”

3. We exist to reveal His glory in daily life.
Isaiah 43:7 – “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

4. Jesus is the only complete revelation of God’s glory in bodily form.
Hebrews 1:3 - “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Colossians 2:9-10 – “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”
Revelation 21:23 – “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”

5. Jesus’ glorious return to this earth will cause an eternal division.
Matthew 24:30 – “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”  
2 Timothy 4:8 – “In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing."

II. The character of the saints - Love 
1. Love is action.
2. Love is costly.
3. Love reveals God’s glory.
Matthew 5:44 – “But I say to you, ‘love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ ”

III. The attractiveness of the saints - Grace  
1. Grace saved me.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
2. Grace sustains me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
3. Grace sanctifies me.
Romans 6:14 – “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
4. Grace secures me.
Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
5. Grace strengthens me.
1 Corinthians 15:10 – “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

Faith Sheet

Transformation Verse (September) - Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

Main Points: We are saints (set apart to God and His Kingdom) because of His grace that leads to faith in Jesus Christ. We are different from the world; we worship differently, we enjoy the fellowship of other believers, and most of all we want to see the world come to Know and Treasure Jesus Christ.

#1- Reviewing this past Sunday
Real Joy: Continue Loving God and His People
Philippians 4:20-23

1. Read Philippians 4:20-23. Discuss with someone.
2. Do you see yourself as a saint of the living God?
3. What do you most enjoy about God’s people?
4. Pray for God to be glorified in your life, in your family, at MCC, and throughout the world.
5. Share with someone what you are taking away from this study in Philippians.

# 2- Preparing for next Sunday
Looking at God’s Plan for MCC
1 Peter 2:1-5

1. Read 1 Peter 2:1-5.
2. What are we to get rid of, and what are we to desire? (1-2)
3. What motivates a person to desire God’s truth? (3)
4. How are Jesus and His people described? (4-5)
5. How do we know if something is precious (treasured & valued) to us?
6. Is being part of MCC valued to you, and how does it show?
7. Discuss if you believe being a covenant member is important in the follow areas: in your walk with God, your testimony to your family, your encouragement to other believers, and your witness to the world.