"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10 

What does it mean to be a child of God?

"13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

Created in our completeness.

Genesis 2:7
 "Then the Lord God formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." Genesis 2:7

"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day." Genesis 1:31

 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;" John 10:10a

Jesus did not come to show us how God would live on Earth if He were a man, but to show us how we should live on Earth when we are right with God.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

God offers us Abundant Life!
Not just enough – more than enough!
We just have to accept it. We need to know what God allows in our lives and how God answers our prayers and blesses us -- everything is for our best.

Satan came to kill and destroy…
- Destroy our self worth
-Destroy joy through fear
-Destroy our security through insecurity
-Destroy the fullness of life through thoughts of emptiness
-Destroy meaning of life through thoughts of meaningless
-Destroy our future through regrets

The degree that we see ourselves through God’s eyes is the degree that we are able to relate to others through the eyes of God. 

Get back to the Abundant life of a child of God
***Understand the promises of God

"You have granted him his heart’s desire
    and have not withheld the request of his lips" Psalm 21:2

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7

The Eyes of God:

World sees God as a punisher
God as El Shaddai – God All Powerful

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19

Start Living Through The Eyes of God:
"God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God"
2 Corinthians 5:21

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

These verses tell us how God sees us!

Love Yourself as The Father Sees You:
God’s affirming love…
  -You are not who you are when you are weak
  -You are not who you are when you fail
  -You are not who you are when you sin
You are who you are through the eyes of God!
  Not defined by your past but by your future
  Not defined by your circumstances  but by your calling
  Not defined by your failures but by your future

Live the Fearless Life that God intended for You:
"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.” Galatians 4:6

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father." Romans 8:15

The Origins of Sunday School:

Sunday School began in England in the 1780s. According to ChristianityToday.com, "It is important to realize that Sunday schools were originally literally schools: they were places were poor children could learn to read. The Sunday school movement began in Britain in the 1780s. The Industrial Revolution had resulted in many children spending all week long working in factories. Christian philanthropists wanted to free these children from a life of illiteracy. Well into the 19th century, working hours were long. The first modest legislative restrictions came in 1802. This resulted in limiting the number of hours a child could work per day to 12! This limit was not lowered again until 1844. Moreover, Saturday was part of the regular work week. Sunday, therefore, was the only available time for these children to gain some education.
      "The English Anglican evangelical Robert Raikes (1725-1811) was the key promoter of the movement. It soon spread to America as well. Denominations and non-denominational organizations caught the vision and energetically began to create Sunday schools."

Sunday School began in the USA in the 1800s. A man named Edward Kimball led D.L. Moody to the Lord through Sunday School. Kimball took Moody under his wing (Moody was a young boy).

God calls us to educate ourselves in His Word and in our faith outside of preaching.

4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as [b]frontals [c]on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9

It takes the loss of just one generation to  lose it all!

"All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel." Judges 2:10-11

If we let up on educating ourselves, our children, our church family, we will see our churches die. We will see people walk away.

"18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 [a]Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you [b]always, even to the end of the age.”" Matthew 28:18-19

This is a responsibility Jesus has given all of His followers. 

We need to be life-long learners of the Word and the life of Faith:

"9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
[a]As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
And [b]regard Your ways.
16 I shall [c]delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word." Psalm 119:9-16

Sunday School can give us a fundamental understanding of the basics of the faith:
•Life, death and resurrection of Jesus
•Holy Trinity
•Inerrant Word of God
•The purpose of church
•Service
•Love, humility, grace, kindness,  all virtues
•Relevancy of the bible in today’s world

What is going on in Sunday School right now across the nation?

“Sunday Schools simply do not provide the quality of teaching and experience that people demand today in exchange for their time."
                                            George Barna

People just don't think Sunday School is worth their time.

Purpose of Sunday School:
•Augment what is done in the home

•Discipleship

•Peer lead study and discussion

•Relationships

•Church growth and health

•Leadership development

What do we want from Sunday School?

This is a question for everyone to answer.....

Compassion: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

Compassion involves action.

The Compassion of God:

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

"Yet he was merciful;
    he forgave their iniquities
    and did not destroy them.
Time after time he restrained his anger
    and did not stir up his full wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
    a passing breeze that does not return." Psalm 78:38-39

Look at people through Jesus's eyes -- from His perspective. Everyone has weaknesses.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
    I will not forget you!" Isaiah 49:15

"Though the mountains be shaken
    and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
    says the Lord, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God is called "The Father of Compassion" and the "God of all comfort." This is the kind of compassion we are called to have for people God brings into our lives.

The problem is we often have a lack of compassion in our hearts toward people -- especially when their struggles are caused by their own bad choices. But God doesn't judge our struggles this way. If we are in need of compassion God will show us compassion no matter if the problem is our fault or not. Our problem also is that our culture (and we buy into it) tells us to have the attitude, "It's all about me." That is not how God calls us to be.

God's compassion leads to Jesus.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16-17


God had no obligation to help us. But He did and He does...because He loves us. God is love.

The compassion of Jesus.

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”" Matthew 14:14-16

Jesus was grieving for his cousin and friend John the Baptist. He put His grief aside to minister to the people.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36


"A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”" Mark 1:40-41

This is the kind of compassion we are called to have. 



“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." Matthew 6:1-2

WHEN, not IF when we help. When there's a need you give. When there's a need you share.



“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." 1 Peter 3:8

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

Compassion is not a normal human response. Do not harden your heart. Do not gorw callous to the endless needs. Don't stop giving because the receivers stay the same.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesian 4:32

Compassion is commanded.

"“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’" Zechariah 7:9-10

Matthew 25 -- It's not good vs evil. It's about compassion.

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”" Matthew 25:31-46

We will be divided based on our compassion for others.

We must:
1. Be conscious of needs.
2. Have desire to show compassion.
3. Look for it. Do what you can with what you have.

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:71-11

God set the family as an example of His love and the trinity from the beginning.

"21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[a] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[b] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man." Genesis 2:21-24

Back in Jesus' time unmarried sons would stay with family until marriage; and then marriage the husband was responsible for the family. 

In the USA:
1860s -- 1 out of 34 marriages ended in divorce.
​1900 -- 1 out of 5 marriages ended in divorce
Now -- 1 out of every 2. No difference between Christian and nonchristian marriages.

God knew Adam shouldn't be alone so He gave Adam Eve.

"God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”" Genesis 1:28

And then again in Genesis 9:7 God says the same thing:

"As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it.”" Genesis 9:7

God' purpose didn't change when He "reset" the world with Noah and Noah's family.

God calls whole families, not just individuals:

He called Abraham:
"So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5 He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there." Genesis 12:4-5

He called all of Abraham's ancestors!

The Role of Families:

1. Families are meant to stay together:

“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’[a] 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[b]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”" Matthew 19:4-6

They will become one flesh. What if everyone had to have their right arms cut off when they divorced??? There would be much fewer divorces. 

People who don't have families suffer. The decision to come together in marriage shouldn't be taken lightly.

Children are a blessing from God.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court." Psalm 127:3-5

No birth is ever a mistake! God creates every life. 

2. Christian Families are an evangelistic tool.

Tool for saving a lost world!

"Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord." Psalm 128:1-4

3. Family is where we learn to love and nurture.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." Ephesians 5:25-28

​"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”" John 13:35

4. Family is where we learn values and gain character.

"Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a] 4 Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4

We learn forgiveness in the family -- how to ask for it and how to give it (so, human parents are ideal -- not perfect parents). 

5. Our Family is meant to be an example of God's family.

How could God explaiin His love without the illustration of the family?



"While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”" Matthew 12:46-50

Christian famliies explain the concept of family to others.

"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”" Romans 8;15

Nobody deserves salvation or God's love; but God will give both if we ask. He gives love no matter what. He will give salvation to anyone who asks.

 "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
John 1:12-13

We have a perfect Father!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

The Secret of LIfe -- abundant life is God's peace!
TheCambridge Dictionary defines peace as: "freedom from war and violence, especially when people live and work together happily 
without disagreements"

The Bible offers a different kind of peace -- Shalom -- which means wholeness, health and balance and wholeness in every aspect of life. This is what peace means in the Bible. Psalm 23 is a perfect illustration of Shalom:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever."

God wants to save us and be with us permanently. That is why He created us! If we have God we have God forever. God already sent Jesus so we could be with Him. What is beyond His capability? Nothing. Nothing but we personally can stop Him from being part of our lives.

"The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert,
    his righteousness live in the fertile field.
17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
    its effect will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32:16-17

In the midst of the chaos, look for the Calm One. We need to be the Calm Ones in this world of Chaos. The ones standing in God's confidence and Quietness. 

Don't panic. God's presence, God's assurance, God's promises -- when God maeks a promise He keeps it. He fulfills it. Three examples:
"
1.  "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12
2.  "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1
3. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" Ephesians 2:8

All these promises are fulfilled in our lives when we say Yes to Jesus; when we take the hand He is offering us; when we say yes we can't do it without Him; when we say Yes we are sinners, You are God and we choose your forgiveness!

God wants us back in the garden hanging out with Him. We have to choose Jesus to get there.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. This is a promise. Live in this peace. We are the Children of God. We are bought and paid for. We need to be the Beacons of LIght this dark and hopeless world needs. Please be the light!

Division/contention/anger/self-righteousness -- where we are right now in our country, even in the world. The farther we pull away from Jesus, the worse it gets.

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius[a] for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’" Matthw 20:1-7

This is Jesus' version of equality.

The Landowner -- needs work done, labor intensive, physical labor.

Workers -- 1st workers called -- hardest working workers, ready to go, more skilled, offered a denarius -- very good wage. They agree to it.
3rd hour workers -- little late but still willing to work (the typical work day was a 12 hour day)
6th hour workers -- lunch time leftovers
9th hour workers -- slackers
11th hour workers -- left behind, no other chance to work.

Hourly wage is what is normal for us. Jesus paints a different picture.



"“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’" Matthew 20:8-12



"“But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous? 16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”" Matthew 20:13-16

The Owner is God. God has a lot of work to be done. Constantly. No end to the work. ALways looking for workers.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:19-20

The Master is continually calling.

:So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3:26-29

If you're Mine, you're Mine. Nothing else matters.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”" Matthew 9:36-38

Workers -- Our work day begins when we accept Christ. If we are called, we are called to serve. If you are alive, no matter how old you are, it isn't too late to accept Christ -- early in liife, late in life, right before death....anytime before death is a good time to accept Christ.God wants everybody!

Kingdom payment -- the payment is eternal life. Paid in full by the blood of Jesus Christ. You've been paid for -- you can't walk off the job. Statement of fact: we agreed to serve Him.

"Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’" Matthew 20:15

Look at who at what you have, not what you don't have. Everybody counts. All I am is a child of God.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." 1 John 3:1-3

Insurance -- we have insurance for everything. We get to just in case something happens. 

Assurance -- God paid the "policy."

We are called the children of God. We didn't earn this. What that means is we have no worries. Faith in Father. When you're a child it's natural to have faith in your parents. We need to hve this same kind of child-like faith (or even greater) in our Father.

It's not about you or me. God loves you.

"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law." 1 Corinthians 9:19-20

So often we feel worthyless -- the world reinforces this feeling. This is a lie! I am valuable to God. You are valuable to God.

No matter what you think He says you're worth it.

"Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings." 1 Corinthians 7:21-23

God freed us to be more than who we are. God will correct us because He loves us. Celebrate His love for us.

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8

The Example of Gideon: Gideon was not a man of strength or wisdom or vision or anything. He was the weakest member of the weakest clan.

"When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.'" Judges 6:12

Gideon recognized the Israelites abandoned God.

"The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?'" Judges 6:14

I want you to go! I'm sending you. It isn't aobut your abilities. It is about Me (says God) and your willingness to go.

Gideon's faith and approval -- 32,000 down to 300 men -- this was God's plan (and of course it worked).

Gideon doesn't do it all super confidently -- he does what God tells him to do in the middle of the night so no one sees him....but he still does it.

And Gideon, in faith uses the 300 and the enemy is destroyed. Israel is freed!! He believed in the One who can change things. He used his own history to remember God is faithful.

Where's your faith coming from?

"For we live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

Our faith must be deeper than the surface. God doesn't bargain with us.

"know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." Galatians 2:16

All God asks is that we believe in Him.

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Romans 8:31-34

Our Assurance.

God doesn't want us to try and work things out without Him. What are we to do?

Draw Near to Him! That is assurance.

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:7-8

"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."
Hebrews 10:22

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

"I, in my Savior, are blessed." 

Insurance is doubt. Assurance is faith.

We are at war with the world. Jesus says rest in Me. The world wants to deny it all. Jesus is our battle standard. If you keep your eyes on Jesus....It's God's battle. Not ours. Draw near to Him.

"Filled with His goodness. Lost in His love." 

"This is My story!"

Each of us has a story, unique and precious. God has a story being written in my life, in your life. Common thread -- Jesus!

"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—" John 1:12

"I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15

Read the story God is writing in your life rather than trying to write it yourself.
​

"Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court." Psalm 127:3-5

Parents' Responsibilities:

#1. Nourish their children.

"Fathers,do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

#2. Educate.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6-7

#3. Discipline.

"Discipline your children, for in that there is hope;
    do not be a willing party to their death." Proverbs 19:18

Lack of discipline will cause pain. Be a good example. 

"They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11

It isn't fun to discipline. God doesn't find great joy in disciplining us but He knows it is necessary.

The Truth about Children:

1. All children are born sinful. All people are born sinful.

 "As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;" Romans 3:10

2. All are rebellious.

"Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away." Proverbs 22:15

Rebellion is natural to us all.

3. Self-Absorbed.

 "In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord." Genesis 4:3

Cain got angry at God rather than trying to do better or asking God what he needed to do to do it right. There is a natural selfishness built into us. You must learn to share and cooperate.

4. Children are pliable -- they seek influence.

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:102

Sometimes they grow in spite of us. They are seeking to be influenced. They will mimic you. 

5. The world is a dangerous place.

The world is getting worse and worse. We have to protect them. They will be under peer pressure to accept all that society accepts. We must be their strongest influece. We have to outvote all their peers.

"A discerning son heeds instruction,
    but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." Proverbs 28:7

What is the prescription for good parenting?

1. Be right with God.

"By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures." Proverbs 24:3-4

If you build a foundation and you don't follow through that foundation will crumble and be destroyed.

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33

God has an answer. He will guide you. Just ask.

2. Be the example of what you want your children to be.

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
1 Peter 3:7

 "Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children," Titus 2:4

If parents abuse, the children will abuse. What we are is reflected in our children. Love between parents is so important. Have an open relationship with your kids. If you mess up, apologize.

3. Examples we should be:

"He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full[a] respect." 1 Timothy 3:4

"Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
    but whoever ignores correction leads others astray." Proverbs 10:17

Sheep go astray. Lambs don't. They follow the sheep. The children are watching. We all are responsible.

Practice what you preach!

1. Start Early:

If you let them develop bad habits you have to get rid of these first before you can start training.

2. Discipline.

"Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him." Deuteronomy 8:5-6

3. Be Consistent.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise-- 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a] Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4

4. Stay in the Community of the Church.

"For lack of guidance a nation falls,
    but victory is won through many advisers." Proverbs 11:14

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

You're not alone. We're here to support each other. The world is going down and Jesus is coming back. Live in expectation of Jesus returning. Be a safe place for each other. Seek the family.

"Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

"Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust." Isaiah 40:15

So many people fighting among themselves. All saying, "Look at me!"

"What has been will be again,
    what has been done will be done again;
    there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9

Everything is meaningless without God. When God comes into the equation, there is great significance.

"I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath[a]; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return." Ecclesiastes 3:18-20

It's not about us.

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14

If we change our focus to God rather than ourselves things change.

"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Do not be quick with your mouth,
    do not be hasty in your heart
    to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
    and you are on earth,
    so let your words be few.
A dream comes when there are many cares,
    and many words mark the speech of a fool." Ecclesiastes 5:1-3

"Look at me!" separates me from God. If I try to be significant I'm separating me from God. It's the heart that matters. Give from your heart. It isn't about us. God cares about each one of us.



 "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,
“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[a]
And this is the word that was preached to you." 1 Peter 1:23-25

Significance of Who He is. We can't earn His love or His grace or anything from God. Nothing we can do is enough without God. God loves us so much.

"If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." 1 John 4:9-10

God took Adam from the dirt and made him. We make ourselves back into dirt in a sense when we sin...

The broken family breaks the individual. We all are broken. We are not the way God intended us to be. He sent Jesus so we could be part of the family.

"Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Our meaning comes through Him.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[a] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31

Yes, you are contributing because He wants you. He wants each and every one of us.

"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4

All He wants us to do is accept Him. We can choose to be His children.

"For the Lord will not reject his people;
    he will never forsake his inheritance." Psalm 94:14

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.'" Deuteronomy 31:8

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

Nothing can separate me from Jesus. We break things.Through Christ, we can become children of God.

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

Come to the Father.

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Run to Me! 

 "for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

God the Father.
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name," Matthew 6:9
"But if your eyes are unhealthy,[a] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matthew 6:23

"Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.” Galatians 4:6

Abba means "daddy."

"So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned."Ephesians 4:17-20

Set yourself apart from the Old way of life. When you come in dirty from the field you take off your dirty clothes and take a shower, but you don't stop there if you plan on going anywhere. You put on clean clothes. We need to clothe ourselves in the new self.

Practical Advice -- and an example to Follow.

“In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry," Ephesians 4:26


"The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;" Psalm 103:8-9

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for usas a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 4:31-5:2

Follow God's example. Our goal is for people to see the Father in us.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

God's standard -- do as God does.

The absolute truth -- God is our standard.

Be like Him.

Obey or break.

The love of the Father overcomes the failures of the children.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1

World doesn't understand absolute truth. 

Until I understand the love of God I won't understand anything else.

The standard is perfection. 

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

Perfect means "complete" or "mature."

"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:14

Grow. Keep growing. Grow toward God. Grow to be like God. 

Every day we get a do-over. That's grace!