Psalm 116:1-19 We are all able to identify with the sentiments of the psalmist who remembered being “overcome by trouble and sorrow” in his own life.  And yet, in those darkest times, there is a God who hears us, protects us, and saves us. The question is then asked in verse 12, “How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me?”  In truth, we can never repay the Lord, but we are given some guidance for how to express our gratitude to Him. I will lift up the cup of salvation.  (v. 13a) I will call on the name of the Lord.  (v. 13b) I will fulfill my vows to the Lord.  (v. 14) I will be a servant of the Lord.  (v. 16) I will sacrifice a thank offering to the Lord.  (v. 17)

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”   Colossians 2:6-7  The Apostle Paul may not have known the Christians in the city of Colosse personally, but he was thankful for the faith, hope and love which had grown in their hearts once the gospel had come to them.  He encouraged them to continue to live (walk) in Christ—using word pictures of a tree to describe their spiritual growth as disciples of Jesus. “Rooted” in Christ to Grow Deeper “Built Up” in Christ to Grow Higher “Strengthened in the Faith” to Grow More Stable “Overflowing with Thankfulness” to Grow Wider

Genesis 3:1-13 The Tempter’s Deception of Eve:

• The Lie of Inaccuracy—Planting doubt about what God has said.
• The Lie of Unaccountability—You can disobey without consequences.
• The Lie of Independence—You don’t need God.

What Sin and Guilt Do:

• Messes up our relationship with God.
• Messes up our relationship with others.
• Messes up our own health and wholeness, leaving us unfit for heaven.

God asked the question “Where are you?”

• It is a question that begs for honesty.
• It is a question that begs for self-examination.
• It is a question that begs us to get found by a God who seeks the lost.

Isaiah 6:1-8 When the throne of Judah became empty after Uzziah’s 40-year reign, the prophet Isaiah was reminded that the throne of heaven is never empty.  He was given a glimpse of the throne room of heaven. Through the heavenly vision, Isaiah was given a clearer understanding of the Lord God Almighty. (6:1-4) Isaiah also gained a clearer understanding of himself. (6:5-7) Finally, through the work of God in his life, Isaiah was able to present himself to God for service. (6:8)

Matthew 7:1-5 Who gets hurt when Christians are judgmental toward others?

• The one being looked down upon
• The one with the judgmental attitude
• The church itself

Why do we tend to make rotten judges?

• We carry our own biases and prejudices.
• We tend to be vindictive.
• We tend to project our own faults onto others.
• We don’t know all the facts or circumstances.
• People are ultimately answerable to God their Maker, not to us.

How can we be a positive influence on those who  have gone astray without being judgmental towards them?

• Be discerning.
• Be personally pure.
• Be loving, not condemning.
• Be redemptive, not destructive.