FRANtastic Month Update!!!

Praise the Lord!!! 

We have seen many visitors in the last couple of weeks and our Bowling

Shindig went very well!! Well done everyone!

Please continue to invite your friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors! 

This Saturday will be our 3rd Annual Fall Social. Bring your favorite games!!!            

                     

November is full of events!

It's FRANtastic Month!!!

Invite your FRIENDS, RELATIVES, ASSOCIATES, NEIGHBORS and everyone you know to visit us!!!

Then invite them for:

Bowling on November 10th at 4pm

Fall Social on November 16th at 6pm

Potluck/Chili Cook-Off on November 24th

So let's make it happen, make it worth it, make it fun, and most of all reach out to people especially those in need of the Lord and of a great church.

FRANtastic Month is in just another week!

Sermons Online

Did you know that you can hear the sermons online and have them on your phone?

Go to: https://soundcloud.com/sweetcommunion to listen and download them!!!

GOAL, ACTION, and CHARACTER

We were encouraged by our pastor to set a GOAL, have an ACTION(S), and CHARACTER TRAIT(S) based off of the fruits of the spirit, so we can make things happen in our lives and/or at church.

Personal goal(s) such as lose weight, buy a house or car, start a business, invite someone to church, etc.

Action(s) like doing research, saving up, sharing the gospel, start first thing tmw with walking and new diet, etc.

Character trait(s) to gain would be patient, self control, faithfulness, etc.

So this week sit, pray if it is God's will, and write down things you have and are still dreaming of doing and setting goals to make it happen.

Matthew 5:1-11

Matthew 5
John the Baptist AND Jesus both preach THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND
è the establishment of the kingdom coming forth/ breaking forth with great power

• the following is an explanation and teaching about the character of its citizens, the laws of its land, the work expected and rewards promised

BLESSED > WHY > Inclusion/citizenship in heaven

• Promise of reward

1. The poor in spirità those who recognize their spiritual bankruptcy and   seek the Lord for their help!

NONE will be in the kingdom who have NOT reached this point
This is why theirs is the kingdom of heaven
                        à Unable to achieve the kingdom, wretched, sinful, and rebellious
                        The result of the one brought into the kingdom… spiritual wealth and
                        Inheritance
                                    i.e. the prodigal son
                                    access to the spiritual goods of heaven itself, the KING himself

1. Those who mournà mourning their sinful state and lack of relationship
   1. Brokenness over sin, desiring reconciliation w/ God

Genuine Repentanceà the effects of sin itself still lingering while in the kingdom of men BUT comfort exists for those who are truly broken before the Lord
      [ (a) earnestness (b) eager to clear oneself (c) indignation (d) zeal (e) longing (f) punishment (g) fear ]

1. Those  who are meekà Gentle (2 Timothy 2:24-26; Galatians 5:22-23, 6:1)… Humble (James 4:8-10)…. Submissive
   1. Not pursuing the power struggle & one-upmanship
   2. Humble before God, seeking His grace

àThe reward= LAND-> new heaven & earth

1. Those who hunger & thirst for righteousnessà desire passionately the right-ness of God: His kingdom, statutes, institute of learning, politics, truth
   1. As the deer pantsà
   2. As our living waterà  The things of heaven are our focus
   3. As the Bread of Lifeà

       They seek and desire ALL the things of God, NOT just some
            Pursue as though their life depends on it

1. Those who are mercifulà willing and actively extending mercy (because all who are part of the kingdom deserved NONE yet were given it, we too MUST be merciful)
   1. Show kindness & forgiveness [Matt 18:21-35, Luke 17:4]
   2. Being generous with forgiveness
   3. Those who are pure in heartà pursuing purity and uprightness
      1. NOT mixed or adulterated with any other substance/material
      2. Pursuing God in purity [James 4:8-10]
         1. Purify your devotion
         2.  REWARD: WILL SEE GOD
2. In seeking and keeping God’s commands
3. Those who seek/make peaceà [Romans 12:18, 1 Cor. 14:33,40]
   1. Peace making is what Christ has accomplished through the sword
      1.  Ephesians 2
4. Seeking peace amongst MAN & GODà “          “
5. Seeking peace amongst each otherà requires PROPER understanding of peace
6. Praying for/seeking a peaceful lifeà “             “
7. The kingdom of God is DEFINED by peace/pursuit of peace
   1.  When all is done, peace will reign
   2.   Not achieved w/o war
   3. Those who are persecuted for righteousnessà hated and attacked for standing on what is right
      1. They are willing to stand for ALL the kingdom of God and the sovereign king has established and does establish
      2. YOU… for ALL who are part of the kingdom of God WILL be there
         1. This is their character
         2. YOU will show these characteristics… you WILL receive some form of persecution
         3. Your reward is great
         4. *They persecuted the prophet, they will persecute you
            1.  reviling, uttering evil, speaking falsely because of CHRIST
               1. This does not happen/will not happen for those who were not actively living/resembling the kingdom of God
               2. The blessedness is there for those characterized by these characteristics
               3. The reward IS promised

1 John 4:1-21 The Spirit of Truth

Quote: "We are imbued with the Spirit...to combat false theologies (and) false teachings...The Spirit of Truth agrees with truth" - Mike Dick

Those who are saved by the Spirit of God are able to discern and test different spirits by the power of God.

• Only by God's power are we able to test the spirits because only the Spirit of truth can reveal truth. Only the Spirit of truth can know the real truth and obey it.
• Verbal affirmation of the truth does not equal salvation. But all who are saved will claim Christ as being the Son of God as well as their own personal Savior. The only proof is endurance since the spirit of the antichrist will not endure. Only the Spirit of God abides forever.
• Any denial of the person of Christ is the spirit of the antichrist.
• Christians cannot fully deny the truth, nor hide from it. Resistance is possible, but The Good Shepherd always retrieves the sheep. (John 10:11)
• Christians are not to be afraid to speak truth at any given time. Strengthen your self in the Lord.

The Spirit of Truth has real love for the things God loves...

Questions for meditation

What do you love?
What are your priorities?
How do we show real love?
What are your passions?