Disciples use discipline in their lives- in response to Jesus. 3 types of love; in English we only one word but other languages have more than one word: Romantic love Responding love Sacrificial love  (agape) We want to grow up to the full stature of being a mature person. Habits: 1.  Christ in my life; my time 2.  Put Christ first in relationships 3.  Put Christ first in financial 4.  Put Christ first in prayer. Time: James chapter 1:22-25 "But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, an

Listen to my prayer, O God, And do not hide Yourself from my plea. Listen to me and answer me; I am restless and distraught in my complaint and distracted Because of the voice of the enemy, Because of the pressure of the wicked; For they bring down trouble on me, And in anger they persecute me. My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling have come upon me; Horror has overwhelmed me. And I say, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. “I would wander far away, I would lodge in the [peace of the] wilderness. Selah. “I would hurry to my refuge [my tranquil shelter far away] From the stormy wind and from the tempest.”  Confuse [my enemies], O Lord, divide their tongues [destroying their schemes], For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go around her walls; Wickedness and mischief are in her midst. Destruction is within her; Oppression and deceit do not depart from her streets and m

We are to grow up...in Christ.  We are not called to just be a believer, but as a disciple. As people we are to grow up from children to adults.  So to, we are to grow up. Hebrews 10:24-25 Meeting together is a very important part of God's plan. In marriage, you are to not be individuals but a family.  1 John 4:20 This love is not romantic, or responding but a sacrificial love.   Families love each other where those outside of the family, won't.   Family should be a safe place to test, try and experience.  Growing up requires all processes of God in our life.  It takes commitment.   It takes relationship.  It takes habits. 1 Thessalonians 1:8 The people didn't try to get rid of stuff in their lives; they simply responded to what God wanted for them. To mature in Christ, we are to grow up. Luke 14:27   Grow up; carry your load. Disciples are known by what they are committed to.   Look at what people do; not say.  Peoples values come out in their lives

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had been buried four days before. Bethany was less than three kilometres from Jerusalem, and many Judeans had come to see Martha and Mary to comfort them over their brother's death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here, Lord, my brother would not have died! But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask him for.” “Your brother will rise to life,” Jesus told her. “I know,” she replied, “that he will rise to life on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; “Yes, Lord!” she answered. “I do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” After Martha said this, she went back and called her sister Mary privately. “The Teacher is here,” she told her, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up and

Jesus is the Lord of our lives.   The cross represents the price paid, forgiveness.   Jesus had to die.  On the cross Jesus was left naked, beaten, horrendous sight.  No death was more scandalous.  Blood poured from the flesh torn.  The effect of the scouring in Pilates palace was dreadful.  Before the cross, he went to the garden to pray to His Father this was before the torture. By the time he died on the cross, it was finished.  Jesus experienced the shame, degridation on the cross. Isaiah 52:14 Isaiah 53:2 Isaiah 53:3-12 When someone is under a struggle we point and say they must have done something wrong, even when they did not. Jesus was bruised, suffered, whipped; yet on the cross he completed the work of the cross. Jesus has paid the price.  To think you are not good enough for God; is to not understand how important you are to God. We cannot understand how deep God's love is. We thank you Father for the message of the cross.