Downtown Church: Memphis, Tn

1. Grace: Proof of God’s love. 2. Peace: Product of God’s Grace. 3. Praise: Bless God because, by His Grace, we have Peace. Blessing: #1 God chose you in him before the foundation of the world. Verse 4 #2 Adopted you to himself according to the purpose of his will. Verse 5 #3 Redemption and forgiveness of our trespasses, because of the riches of his grace. Verse 7 #4 Inheritance. Verse 11 #5 Sealed with the Holy Spirit which is the guarantee of your inheritance. Verse 13

Main Idea: God's Word has the power to transform our lives, cities, and the world. 1. God uses SUBMITTED hands to accomplish His plans. Verse 8-12 Ways Paul Proclaimed: 1. Bold 2. Reasoned 3. Persuasive 4. Consistent 2. God uses COMPETING hands to accomplish His plans. Verse 13-17

Main Idea: Jesus being alive gives us reason to rejoice. 1. Jesus is Alive Hymn: I serve a risen Savior I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today I know that He is living, whatever men may say I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer And just the time I need Him, He’s always near Refrain: He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, he lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my heart. 2. Jesus is Accessible 3. Jesus is more than an Acquaintance. He is our Brother.

Big Idea: Because of God’s infinite authority we are sent out to the nations to make disciples. John 17:18 (ESV): “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” John 17:20–21 (ESV): “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Central Idea: FORGIVEN PEOPLE FORGIVE. Because God has forgiven us, we forgive others. 1. The What of Forgiveness 2. The Why of Forgiveness Reason #1: Jesus commands us to. "Forgiveness is not an emotional response but an act of obedience to God." Reason #2: God is OUR Father 3. The How of Forgiveness. Luke 23:34: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do."

The following audio is from Downtown Church, a Kingdom focused, Gospel-centered, multi-ethnic, multi-class ministry in Memphis, TN. This week we continue our series, "Marks of a Disciple." Drawing from 2 Timothy, Dr. Julian Russell explains the importance of knowing God's Word and how to defend it. For more information, visit downtownchurch.com.

Main Idea: ​​“God’s word answers life’s key questions.” Question #1 PROVISION: Will God Provide? Verse 3-4 Question #2 POWER: Is God Able? Verse 5-7 Question #3 Purpose: Who will you Worship? Verse 8-10 Whatever you live for is who and what you worship. What you worship defines your life’s purpose. Benefits of God’s Word: 1. Teaches Our Identity and Position 2. Teaches Truth and Protects us from Deception.

Guest Speaker Jason Cook from Fellowship Bible Church - Roswell, GA

Know who God is Experience God 1 – Speech about the Lord as Shepherd (vv 1-3) 1a – Speech to the Lord as Shepherd (v4) 2a – Speech to the Lord as Dinner Host (v5) 2 – Speech about the Lord as Host (v6) 1. Know who God is 2. Experience God Pray about who God is Pray to God in need Pray for and with others

Big Idea: We must live as godly people so that know we are disciples of Christ. 1. Dependent upon Christ alone vv 5-8 2. Hide God’s Word In Your Heart vv 9-11 3. Love One Another vv 12-13

Bottom Line: Following Jesus is free but requires a complete willingness to suffer for and with Jesus. 1. “Following Jesus requires you to do hard & unpleasant things” V 23 Self Denial means: Submitting your natural/fleshly demands of the body to God’s Word so that you don’t give in to sin. Self-denial means removing oneself as the center of existence and recognizing Jesus Christ as one’s new and true center. Colossians 3:5-8: 2. Following Jesus requires constant self-reflection V 57-58 3. Following Jesus requires focusing on God’s kingdom. V. 59-62

1. Jesus' Pursuit 2. Jesus' Promise Jesus has a vision of who you are to BE and a purpose that you are to DO. Follow Jesus: 1. INTENTIONAL in spiritual growth 2. TRUST His will for your life 3. OBEY His commands 4. READ His word to know his character 1 Corinthians 4:14-16 "Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus. 3. Jesus' Purpose

1. Live the gospel 2. Live in unity 3. Live in confidence

Big Idea: When God reveals who He is, it forms our understanding of who we are thus we must walk in truth. (The truth will set you free) #1 walk in fellowship with God v.6 #2 walk in the light v.7 #3 walk not in deception v.8 #4 walk in confession v.9 #5 walk in righteousness v.10

MAIN IDEA: God is WHO you need, to handle WHAT you need, WHEN you need it handled. 1. God Is: our REFUGE V. 1-3 2. God Is: Help in Trouble. V. 1 “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 3. God Is: PRESENT in our present. V. 4-7 4. God Is: GOD. V. 10

"He's Worthy to Be Praised!" “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 Main Idea: God deserves our praise for all that He has done & for all that He is. 1. The Lord is worthy of praise because He is the CREATOR. 2. The Lord is worthy of praise because He is the CONQUEROR.

Today's Scripture Matthew 1:18-25 Big Idea: The Birth of Jesus Christ is the promise fulfilled that God is with us, so we must live with greater confidence in the grace of God. We must have faith in God’s will. We must be attentive to the voice of God. We must worship God for making sovereign provisions.

Today's Scriptures Isaiah 9:1-7 Isaiah 8:17 John 1:14 Matthew 4:13-17 2 Peter 3:9 Receive Work Wait

Main Idea: Trust God because the light of God’s goodness will overcome the darkness of the world. 3 Lies Satan tells: God is holding back from you. Sin carries no consequences. You can be your own God. 1. God Calls. Verse 9 2.God Crushes. Verse 15

Big Idea: Because God’s Glory is Revealed in His Faithfulness, we must live as a Holy Nation. Because God’s Glory is Revealed in His Faithfulness, we must deepen our intercession. Because God’s Glory is Revealed in His Faithfulness, we must depend on His covenant/promise. Because God’s Glory is Revealed in His Faithfulness, we must desire to dwell in the Temple of God.