Following Jesus Son of God …

The lives of Daniel, Jesus Christ and the Apostle Paul were diligently investigated by their opponents hoping to find some (any) bit of evidence of insurrection or government corruption which could be used against them.

But they found nothing. This is very significant as we look at these lives (Christ, Daniel, Paul) as examples as we study our relationship to government. On every attempt the opponents came away empty.

These men honored God in the manner in which they related to government authorities. Although not written yet in Daniel’s and Christ’s times, they would have had no problem with Romans 13:1.

• DANIEL: (Daniel 6:4 NASB95) Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.

• CHRIST: (Luke 23:13–15 ESV) Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.

• PAUL: (Acts 25:7–8 ESV) When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”

They were all brought before government authorities, and it was proven by the vindictive actions of their opponents that they had all honored God in submission and obedience.

The only “crime” they committed was faithfulness to God over men.

*A couple more things.
->We are more than conquerors no matter the threatening circumstances!
->God’s voice will always be heard where and when it counts!

Message Title: Brought Before the Governor!

Message Text: Acts 24-26 Selected Texts

• PDF 7 Brought Before the Governor : Acts 24-26 Selected : ffc : dave scott : 092715 AM STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF 7 Brought Before the Governor : Acts 24-26 Selected : ffc : dave scott : 092715 AM STUDY SHEET TWO

• (Romans 8:28 ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

A truly amazing plan. God has an amazing plan for your life. He really does. The Bible says so. It’s just … Well … the catch is that it is God’s plan, not our plan that he promises to work out. And even though he explains these things very clearly in his word, we sometimes are slow to understand.

Because. Because we can’t let go of our plan for happiness and fulfillment. Like we would know? Think about it. What do we know in the context of eternity that God doesn’t tell us?

• (Psalm 16:11 ESV) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

God knows where happiness is. Billions of people have come and gone on this planet seeking life and happiness without asking God. Often rejecting God without a moment’s hesitation.

We don’t know where happiness is. We think we know because things seem right. But we are finite beings visiting the planet for around seventy years average. Really. What could we know that matters apart from God telling us?

Blankety-blank government. Many of us think that we would be happy if we had the government going our way. Get prayer back in school. Stand up for our morals. Always an excuse it seems for some. If only we had this in place, then I would be happy.

But happiness is at the right hand of God. And that does not depend on our government.

Just ask Daniel. Daniel was faithful to God and country for close to seven decades.

The weird part. The country that Daniel was faithful to was a cruel, pagan nation that had conquered his homeland and hauled him 900 miles away as a prisoner of war.

Daniel obeyed God. Daniel listened to God and his prophets and submitted to King Nebuchadnezzar as part of God’s judgment on the nation of Israel. Daniel was carted off after his home country was devastated by the invaders and thrived in a plan that only “God Most High” could carry out.

Attaboy, Daniel.

• PDF 5 God Versus the Evil Empire : Daniel 1 : ffc : dave scott : 092015 AM STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF 5 God Versus the Evil Empire : Daniel 1 : ffc : dave scott : 092015 AM STUDY SHEET TWO
• PDF 5 God Versus the Evil Empire : Daniel 1 : ffc : dave scott : 092015 AM STUDY SHEET THREE
• PDF 5 God Versus the Evil Empire : Daniel 1 : ffc : dave scott : 092015 AM STUDY SHEET FOUR

Message Title: God Versus Politics

Message Text: 2 Chronicles 16 (2 Chronicles 14)

MP3: God Versus Politics : 2 Chronicles 16 : ffc : dave scott : 091315 PM

Message Title: God Versus Goliath

Message Text: 1 Samuel 17

MP3: God Versus Goliath : 1 Samuel 17 : ffc : dave scott : 091315 AM

David. The right man in the right place at the right time.

David didn’t learn about the greatness and power of God that day in the valley facing the giant. He had learned these things in obscurity, on the grassy hills outside of Bethlehem, watching his father’s sheep. David knew. God is God. That is how he faced the giant.

David had already learned for instance that the battle is the LORD’s, that the victory is the LORD’s, that the only plans that matter, the only plans that stand are the LORD’s.

His greatest weapon was his full and complete trust in the LORD. David knew God is God. And that has not changed. Thirty centuries later … still true. God is God. Our greatest weapon against the darkness, our greatest weapon against the schemes of the enemy is our complete trust in God to be God. That is our reality.

God versus Goliath!

You will see below that I have titled this week’s message “God Versus Goliath.” So am I just being cute, an attention grabber, maybe a feeble attempt to be clever …

Or could I be onto something?

You see I do believe that the title describes the event very well. David was God’s man for the job, but David himself said that “the battle is the LORD’s.”

We would do very well to remember that when confronting the giants we face today. As you will be able to see in the study sheets:

• The battle is the LORD’s,
• The victory is the LORD’s,
• And the only plans that stand are ________________ (fill in the blank).

That is reality. Not our voices of fear and panic when it comes to our government and the affairs of this world.

Do you know what David’s greatest weapon was? His trust in the LORD.

That has not changed. About thirty centuries later this still holds true. Our greatest weapon against the darkness, against the schemes of the enemy is our complete trust in God to be God.

I am a five-smooth-stones type of person. Bible is what I am about. Bible, Bible, Bible … You may call me simplistic, but God doesn’t.

“It’s complicated” … 
We hear that a lot it seems. But the truth is that often “it’s complicated” is merely our attempt to muddy the waters. God really is as wise as he tells us. If we listened more closely, we would know that.

David was a young man, a shepherd, standing in the gap against a violent man of war. How and why did David stand? Because of his trust in God and his greatness!

After the giant breathed his terrifying threats, David said rather matter-of-factly it seems:

• Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel (1 Samuel 17:46 NLT)!

And …

• And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hands (1 Samuel 17:47 KJV).

Wow!

Message Title: God Versus Goliath!

Message Text: 1 Samuel 17

• PDF 2 God Versus Goliath : 1 Samuel 17 : ffc : dave scott : 091315 AM STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF 2 God Versus Goliath : 1 Samuel 17 : ffc : dave scott : 091315 AM STUDY SHEET TWO

“God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭47:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/psa.47.8.nlt

SUNDAY AM

God Versus the Wolves

Matthew 10:16-39

MP3: God Versus the Wolves : Matthew 10:16-39 : ffc : dave scott : 083015 AM

——————————

SUNDAY PM

God Versus the Enemy

Ephesians 6:10-20

MP3: God Versus the Enemy : Ephesians 6:10-20 : ffc : dave scott : 083015 PM

• God answers our questions as only God can.

• What is our Shepherd’s course of action in view of a world that grows darker by the day? How does he prepare us? He tells us that he is sending us out as sheep among the wolves.

• Amazing message this week as we look at Matthew 10:16-39.

___________________________________

The LORD is my shepherd;

He provides everything I need.

He finds places of quietness and refreshment for my soul.

He directs my life to right acts in the name of God.

And even when facing death in the valley of the wolves,

I’m not afraid.

Why would I be?

My shepherd is with me,

and he comforts me by his great power and authority.

He showers his abundance on me every single day,

even in the presence of dark enemies.

He treats me as royalty. My life overflows.

And now goodness and mercy are everywhere,

following me like faithful hounds.

And I get to live with God forever.

________________________________

Message: God Versus the Wolves!

Message Text: Matthew 10:16-39

• PDF Sent Out as Sheep Among Wolves : Matthew 10-16-39 : ffc : dave scott : 083015 AM STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF Sent Out as Sheep Among Wolves : Matthew 10-16-39 : ffc : dave scott : 083015 AM STUDY SHEET TWO

Hello Everyone,

Our last message in Romans. Quite a ride. Amazing salvation.

To God be the glory!

The gospel-powered life is the God-directed life is the to-God-be-the-glory-life!

MP3: LESSON 43 To God Be the Glory : Romans 16:24-27 : FFC : dave scott : 082315

Hello All,

Did you know that the gospel brings freedom to God also? The gospel throws the door wide open, frees God to pour his fullness into our lives: his holiness, righteousness, love, mercy, grace, truth, everything. We are back in God’s plans because he brought salvation to us. He has dealt with our sin because we could not; thoroughly and completely through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

So no more holding back because of the darkness of our sin and our unrighteousness. To those who believe, that has all been more than taken care of through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

That is why we preach Jesus Christ and nothing else. There is no other gospel. No other plan. No other way.

It comes down to this: The sinfulness of humans and the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Compromise either, leave either out, and you have no gospel that will stand before the Consuming Fire.

However, embrace God’s clear message of forgiveness and redemption, and past the sky is the limit in the eternal plan of God.

Gospel-powered saints, living the high life. That’s who we are … at least that’s who we should be as we grow in our understanding of the abundance of life that God brings to us through Jesus Christ.

This week it’s all about the gospel and the glory of God. We are to be gospel-powered saints, living by faith, enjoying the “ride” as we share the path with the only wise God.

Before him we fall down in worship. To him we give the glory. Nothing else is appropriate.

Message Title: To God Be the Glory!

Message Text: Romans 16:25-27

• PDF LESSON 43 To God Be the Glory : Romans 16:24-27 : FFC : dave scott : 082315 STUDY SHEET ONE
• PDF LESSON 43 To God Be the Glory : Romans 16:24-27 : FFC : dave scott : 082315 STUDY SHEET TWO