Tye Riter 6/8/25 Tye Riter 6/8/25

GOSSIP: RESISTING THE IRRESISTIBLE

Proverbs 26:22 (ESV)

22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

SAME AS ABOVE?

Proverbs 26:22 (NLT)

22 Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.

WORLD is FULL OF GOSSIP!

Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok – much of what is shared is gossip.

Magazines and YouTube channels devoted to it.

Reality TV

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

NOT TRUE!

Our words have the power to build up or tear down

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Gossip Definition

Gossip is the sin of bearing bad news behind someone’s back out of a bad heart –

Resisting Gossip by Matthew C. Mitchell

2 Corinthians 12:20 (ESV)

20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.

Gossip – psithuristes (whisperer/gossip)

Slander - katalalia (καταλαλία, 2636), “evil speaking,” 1 Pet. 2:1

Slander vs. gossip – slander is not true, gossip may or may not be true.

Not necessarily a false report, but a negative report

Slander – the same, but false (but we often don’t think it is false when said or shared)

FIRST EXAMPLE IN THE BIBLE: GARDEN

Genesis 3:1–6 (ESV)

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.

Devil means “accuser”/slanderer

Satan means “adversary”

Moses and Korah – gossip – 250 elders!

Korah was a cousin of Moses

Numbers 16:1–3 (ESV)

1 Now Korah… and Dathan and Abiram… took men. 2 And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men. 3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”

Korah – cousin of Moses, talks to 250 other leaders and persuades them that Moses is taking too much on himself. Making himself the leader - “all in the congregation are holy”

Numbers 16:4-10

4 When Moses heard it, he fell on his face, 5 and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him. 6 Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company; 7 put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!” 8 And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: 9 is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, 10 and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also?

Reveal some of the Korah’s heart – wanted to be a priest, had a job to carry the vessels of God

Proximity to things of God sometimes causes us to treat Him as common instead of HOLY!

Numbers 16:11-14

11 Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?” 12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and they said, “We will not come up. 13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you must also make yourself a prince over us? 14 Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up.”

Moses wants to talk with them, but they won’t come up.

Moses you make yourself a prince over us?

Put the eyes out? – cover over – “We see the truth”

Previous wounds from having been slaves in Egypt

Twisting the narrative against Moses (not Mo’s intent)

SKIP – next day they gather, each having a censer to offer fire to the Lord.

Numbers 16:28-35

28 And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. 29 If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. 30 But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.” 31 And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. 32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods. 33 So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. 34 And all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!” 35 And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.

Judgment!

But the people STILL gossip and grumble against Moses!

Numbers 16:41-50

41 But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord.” 42 And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, 44 and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces. 46 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun.” 47 So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped. 49 Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah. 50 And Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, when the plague was stopped.

Next chapter – God demonstrates His choice of Aaron – with the rod the budded

Numbers 17:1-5

1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel, and get from them staffs, one for each fathers’ house, from all their chiefs according to their fathers’ houses, twelve staffs. Write each man’s name on his staff, 3 and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi. For there shall be one staff for the head of each fathers’ house. 4 Then you shall deposit them in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you. 5 And the staff of the man whom I choose shall sprout. Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you.”

Proverbs 26:22 (ESV)

22 The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

WHY DO WE LIKE GOSSIP? (DAINTY MORSELS)

Tastes good – we like to be in the know

Lust for power - Gives us a sense of power (knowledge is power)

I know something that you don’t (or that others don’t)

Feeds our self-righteousness (I’m better than that)

Venting/Grumbling/Revenge – sanctified jealousy, something “is not right, not fair”

“I’m just sharing my pain with you; doing life with you.”

“I’ve already tried to talk to them, but they won’t listen

Proverbs 18:17 (CSB)

17 The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

STORY – I misjudged because I heard the first person (May have had previous experience with the other person, believe the worst instead of the best)

We like to judge

James 4:11–12 (NLT)

11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

AMUSEMENT - Gossip – the cure for boredom (or Gossip as amusement)

2 Thessalonians 3:10–11 (ESV)

10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 (NLT)

11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.

“Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.”
― Socrates (Eleanor Roosevelt)

Amy Carmichael policy – “never about; always to”

Talk to people, not about people

LISTENING IS WRONG!
Proverbs 17:4 (NLT)

4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

Proverbs 17:4 (CSB)

4 A wicked person listens to malicious talk; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

THE REMEDY:

Proverbs 20:19 (CSB)

19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.

1. Avoid the Gossiper

1 Corinthians 13:4–8a (ESV)

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.

2. Believe the best in others

Love believes the best – choose to suspend judgment, give the judgment of charity (I don’t know)

Proverbs 17:9 (ESV)

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

3. Love covers, not exposes

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Ephesians 4:29–32 (ESV)

29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

4. Build others up

1 Peter 3:9–12 (ESV)

9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Be a thermostat not a thermometer

Church – needs to have open lines of communication

People often leave a church and leave their bags (or try to leave them with others)

5. GO! Lovingly confront privately

REVEAL FAMILY COVENANT –

Matthew 18:15–17 (NLT)

15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

APPLICATION

Do I have unresolved offenses against others? Forgive and Go.

Why do I listen to gossip? What’s in me?

Have I shared negative talk about others? Repent and ask forgiveness

Tye Riter 6/1/25 Tye Riter 6/1/25

What is slowing your faith race down?

Introduction to reading the book of Hebrews

An apologetic against rejecting Messiah Jesus for Judaism.

Big Idea: Don’t give up! – Endurance - Perseverance

A challenge to people who should have already become spiritual mentors to others who are stuck.

[Heb 5:12 NASB95] 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

[Heb 12:1-3 NASB95] 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race (fight, inward conflict of soul) that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Where are we going?

1. The Race of faith in the gospel and its obstacles.

2. The Example of Jesus in running the race of faith.

3. Application and Call to Run the Race of faith

What is the “race” - agōn - The ancient pentathlon, part of the Ancient Olympic Games, consisted of five events: long jump, javelin throwing, discus throwing, a foot race (sprint), and wrestling.

[1Ti 6:12 NASB95] 12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

[2Ti 4:7 NASB95] 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;

[1Co 9:25-27 NASB95] 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then [do it] to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

I. The Race of faith in Christ and its Obstacles:

A. "Lay aside every weight": Identify and remove the things that hinder our progress in running the race of faith

[1Co 6:12 NASB95] 12 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. [1Co 10:23 NASB95] 23 All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

In Hebrews 12:1, the "weight" refers to anything that hinders our spiritual journey and prevents us from running with endurance. It's not something “unlawful” or immoral, but some “indifferent thing” any impediment that keeps us from focusing on Jesus and following Him. (Romans 14,15)

B. "The sin that so easily entangles": Recognize the specific sins that are most likely to trip us up on our journey.

[Rom 13:12-14 NASB95] 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to [its] lusts.

II. The Example of Jesus in running the race of faith:

A. "Fix our eyes on Jesus": Focusing on Jesus is crucial for perseverance. His suffering and triumph provide inspiration.

a. Author – archēgos – Prince – Leader – Hero – Champion

i. The hero who gives his life to save his people

ii. The hero who will defeat the enemy and establish his kingdom

b. Perfector - teleiōtēs - It refers to someone who brings something to completion or perfection.

c. This phrase emphasizes Jesus's role in both initiating and completing our faith journey. HE is the one who initiates faith in us, and HE brings it to maturity and perfection.

d. In HIS human nature, Jesus was the perfect example of living by faith, trust, and confidence in the heavenly Father.

[Heb 5:7-9 NASB95] 7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

e. Fixing our eyes –“to consistently and deliberately focus on Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of hope, strength, and meaning in our lives, rather than relying on temporary things or earthly concerns. This involves actively seeking to know and understand Jesus through the scriptures, prayer, and fellowship, allowing Him to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions.” (Tim Keller) If we abide in HIM we will bear HIS fruit in our lives (John 15:5)

B. Consider Jesus' suffering: His endurance of the cross, scorning its shame, and HIS subsequent glory demonstrates the rewards of faith and perseverance.

C. Why Jesus suffered: He endured suffering for the joy set before Him, and He did so to achieve ultimate salvation for all the believers HE loved. Pleasing the Father was HIS joy! We are HIS joy!

IV. Application and Call to Run the Race of faith:

- Beware of growing weary or losing heart.

We can endure our trials by focusing on Him and remembering His suffering for us was motivated by HIS LOVE.

The better we see HIM the more we love HIM, and then we follow HIM.

LORD, let me see YOU more clearly, that I might love YOU more dearly and then follow YOU more nearly, day by day.

[1John 3:1-3 AMP] 1 See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God, and it is not yet made clear what we will be [after His coming]. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is [in all His glory]. 3 And everyone who has this hope [confidently placed] in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (holy, undefiled, guiltless).

How can I fix my eyes on Jesus?

1. Focus on Jesus as the eternal WORD creating the world (John 1:1-3)

2. Focus on Jesus as HE appears in the History of the Hebrew Bible

3. Focus on Jesus as the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies

4. Focus on Jesus as the “Word become flesh” in the gospels

5. Focus on Jesus as the great teacher

6. Focus on Jesus as the great miracle worker

7. Focus on Jesus as risen from the dead and now at God’s right hand

8. Focus on the High Priest Jesus who is ready to hear your prayers

9. Focus on Jesus as the exalted focus of heaven’s worship

10. Focus on Jesus as seen in the works of the Holy Spirit

11. Focus on Jesus as testified by 2000 years of people encountering HIM

12. Focus on Jesus as the one who will return and manifest HIS Kingdom

13. Focus on Jesus as HE has revealed himself in other Christians to you

14. Focus on Jesus as YOU have experienced HIM prayer

[Rom 10:17 NASB95] 17 So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Beware of growing weary and losing heart.

[Gal 6:9 NASB95] 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Ask the Holy Spirit – What is slowing me down in my life of faith?

What keeps me from being a healthy spiritual mentor to others?

Tye Riter 5/18/25 Tye Riter 5/18/25

Don’t be ignorant of the strategy of the devil

I. What are the plans, purposes, ideas, and strategy by which the devil plans to defeat Christians and the Church community?

[2Co 2:11 NASB95] 11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes (thoughts, and purposes).

II. The devil has two strategies by which he hopes to defeat the individual Christian and Church Community.

[Gal 5:6] 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision (legalism) nor uncircumcision (lawlessness) means anything, but faith (in the gospel) working through love.

III. Legalism

[Luk 12:1 NASB95] 1 Under these circumstances, after so many thousands of people had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first [of all,] "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

All obedience to God that is done to gain heaven, or reward is motivated by selfishness instead of love for God or desiring to see HIM glorified. It is at heart selfish and therefore a sin.

[1Co 13:3 NASB95] 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed [the poor,] and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

Two types of legalists

A. Happy and proud

B. Hopeless and full of fear

IV. Lawlessness

[Rom 6:15 NASB95] 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!

[Gal 6:7-8 NASB95] 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

A. Happy with a false hope

B. Vanity of vanity all is vanity

V. The gospel centered life

[Titus 2:11-14 NASB95] 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

[Titus 3:4-7 NASB95] 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and [His] love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to [the] hope of eternal life.

Only the Christian and the Church that sees that God has bankrupted heaven in wild love to forgive us, adopt us, possess us, fill us, know us, and overflow HIS life out of us can do good deeds without pride, self-righteousness, or selfish motives. Only salvation by grace alone leads to faith working through love.

[Eph 2:8-10 NASB95] 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, [it is] the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Homework – Preach the gospel to yourself every day this week at a very specific time for at least five minutes every day.

“To preach the gospel to yourself, then, means that you continually face up to your own sinfulness and then flee to Jesus through faith in His shed blood and righteous life. It means that you appropriate, again by faith, the fact that Jesus fully satisfied the law of God, that He is your propitiation, and that God’s holy wrath is no longer directed toward you.

To preach the gospel to yourself means that you take at face value the precious words of Romans 4:7-8: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

(Jerry Bridges The Disciplines of Grace)

Tye Riter 5/11/25 Tye Riter 5/11/25

PIERCED BY GOD

Isaiah 53:5

“He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

Pierced "Chalal” - To puncture and bore through, to be slain

Job 13:15

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him…”

Zechariah 12:10

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”

Luke 1:28-31

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”

Luke 1:38

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Luke 2:25-35

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.

Job 1:20-22

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Genesis 2:21-22

“…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 and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.”

Isaiah 53:5

“He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

John 19:32-37

The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

1 John 5:5-8

“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.”

Luke 1:46-49

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”

John 2:5

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Luke 9:23

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

John 14:1-3 AMP

“Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid. Believe confidently in God and trust in Him, have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Tye Riter 5/4/25 Tye Riter 5/4/25

THE UPPER ROOM

Acts 2:1-2 NKJV

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”

Acts 9:36-37 NKJV

“At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.”

Acts 9:39-43 NKJV

“Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner.”

Acts 1:13-14 NKJV

“And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

Luke 22:7-9 NKJV

Then came the Day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover must be killed. And He sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.” So they said to Him, “Where do You want us to prepare?”

Luke 22:10-12 NKJV

And He said to them, “Behold, when you have entered the city, a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him into the house which he enters. Then you shall say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ Then he will show you a large, furnished upper room; there make ready.””

John 13:2-5 NKJV

“And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”

John 13:14-16

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master…”

Galatians 6:1-2

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

THE SPIRITUAL

1. SEE & RESTORE

2. SELF EXAMINE

3. BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS

THE LAW OF CHRIST FULFILLED

THE SEVEN SAYINGS CHART

Acts 1:4 NKJV

“And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father…”

7. FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT

(Trust in The Sovereign Hands of my Heavenly Father)

Luke 23:46

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

Sovereign hands are the only hands that can take what is wrong and make it right

I Peter 5:5-7

“….be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Tye Riter 4/27/25 Tye Riter 4/27/25

HOW TO CARRY YOUR CROSS

Luke 9:23 NKJV

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

Luke 23:26

“As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 1:18

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”

Psalm 22:6

“…I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people.”

Tola’ath

Galatians 3:13

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

Philippians 3:10 GNT

“All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death,”

John 12:24 NKJV

“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

THE 7 SAYINGS OF THE CROSS

SEVEN IN SCRIPTURE - GENESIS-REVELATION

7 day (Sabbath)

7 Year (Sabbath-Shmita)

7 Feasts of The Lord

7 Branches in The golden lamp

7 years to build Solomon's Temple

7 I AM' (Jesus)

7 x 70 forgiveness

7s "The Book of Revelation"(39x)

THE 7 SAYINGS OF THE CROSS

1. FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO

Luke 23:33-34

When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

FORGIVE AS YOU HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN

Matthew 18:21-22

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN

Daniel 9:24-27

7x70=490years

7x7= 49years of Rebuilding Jerusalem

7x62=434years of waiting for Messiah

1x7=7 years of Tribulation

434

=490

Psalm 22:16-22 NKJV

“For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.”

Ephesians 4:30-32 NKJV

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

2. I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE

Luke 23:39-43

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

LOVE MERCY

Micah 6:8

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

Romans 12:1

“…I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

3. WOMAN BEHOLD YOUR SON; BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER

John 19:25-27

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

Psalm 69:7-9 NKJV

“Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Shame has covered my face. I have become a stranger to my brothers, And an alien to my mother’s children; Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”

LOVE ONE ANOTHER

John 1:12-13 NKJV

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

4. MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?

Matthew 27:45-46

Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

CRY OUT TO GOD

Psalm 22:1-3

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.”

Matthew 28:20

“…be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

5. “I AM THIRSTY”

John 19:28-29

“…Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.”

HOPE IN THE PROMISES OF GOD

Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

Psalm 22:15-19

“My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me!”

Psalm 42:1-3

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?”

Psalm 42:7

“Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me.”

Psalm 42:10-11

“…My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”

6. IT IS FINISHED

John 19:30

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”

REST IN THE GOSPEL OF GRACE

Matthew 5:17-18

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

HOW GREAT THOU ART

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing

He bled and died to take away my sin

IT IS WELL

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought—

My sin, not in part, but the whole,

Is nailed to His Cross, and I bear it no more;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

7. “FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT”

Luke 23:46

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.

TRUST IN THE SOVEREIGN HAND OF GOD

John 10:28-29 NKJV

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NKJV

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 41:13 NKJV

“I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’”

Psalm 139:8-10 NKJV

“If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.”

🔥THE 7 SAYINGS OF THE CROSS🔥

1. FATHER FORGIVE THEM, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO

(Forgive as you have been forgiven)

2. I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE

(Love Mercy)

3. WOMAN BEHOLD YOUR SON; BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER

(Love One Another)

4. MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?

(Cry Out to God alone)

5. I AM THIRSTY

(Hope in the promises of God)

6. IT IS FINISHED

(Rest in Gospel of Grace)

7. FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT

(Trust in The Sovereign Hand of God)

Tye Riter 4/13/25 Tye Riter 4/13/25

THE REBUILT LIFE: “God’s Blueprint” pt2

STRIKE THE ORIGINAL MATCH

Chuck Swindoll

Marriage is like a construction project.

-It always cost more than you plan

-It always takes longer than you plan

-It is always a lot messier than you plan

1. Consult the Architect

2. The Project: Let’s Consider the Cost

3. Let’s Repair the Foundation

4. In Defense of Monogamy

5. Bricks That Build a Marriage

Philippians 1:3-6

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

THE REBUILT LIFE: Under Construction

1. THE SHEEP GATE v1

2. THE FISH GATE v3

3. THE OLD GATE v6

4. THE VALLEY GATE v13

5. THE DUNG GATE v14

6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15

7. THE WATER GATE v26

8. THE HORSE GATE v28

9. THE EAST GATE v29

10. THE JUDGMENT GATE v31

map of the gates of Jerusalem

7. THE WATER GATE v26

Nehemiah 8:1-4 NKJV

“Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose…”

Nehemiah 8:5-6 NKJV

“..And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. Then all the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

Ephesians 5:26-27 NKJV

“…sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

Matthew 24:32-35 NIV

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

8. THE HORSE GATE v28

Nehemiah 3:28 NKJV

“Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.”

Psalms 33:16-21 NKJV

“No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength. A horse is a vain hope for safety; Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.”

Psalms 20:7 NKJV

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.”

Revelation 19:11 NKJV

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True..”

9. THE EAST GATE v29

Nehemiah 3:29 NKJV

“After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.”

Ezekiel 43:1-2 NKJV

“Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east. And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.”

Ezekiel 44:1-2 NKJV

“Then He brought me back to the outer gate of the sanctuary which faces toward the east, but it was shut. And the Lord said to me, “This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter by it, because the Lord God of Israel has entered by it; therefore it shall be shut.”

Zechariah 14:1-4 NKJV

“Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, And your spoil will be divided in your midst. For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem; The city shall be taken, The houses rifled, And the women ravished. Half of the city shall go into captivity, But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go forth And fight against those nations, As He fights in the day of battle. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south.”

Zechariah 14:8-9

“On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter. The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.”

10. THE JUDGMENT GATE v31

Nehemiah 3:31 NKJV

“After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.”

Miphkad: Judgment

Joel 3:2 NKJV

“I will also gather all nations, And bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; And I will enter into judgment with them there…”

II Timothy 4:1 NKJV

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:”

II Corinthians 5:10-11 NKJV

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

Matthew 25:31-40 NKJV

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Matthew 25:41-46 NKJV

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””

11. THE SHEEP GATE v32

Nehemiah 3:32 NKJV

“And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.”

John 10

I AM THE GATE….

Revelation 22:12-13, 20-21 NKJV

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

THE REBUILT LIFE: Under Construction

1. THE SHEEP GATE v1

2. THE FISH GATE v3

3. THE OLD GATE v6

4. THE VALLEY GATE v13

5. THE DUNG GATE v14

6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15

7. THE WATER GATE v26

8. THE HORSE GATE v28

9. THE EAST GATE v29

10. THE JUDGEMENT GATE v31

11. THE SHEEP GATE v32

Tye Riter 4/6/25 Tye Riter 4/6/25

THE REBUILT LIFE: “God’s Blueprint” pt2

Matthew 5:6 NKJV

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ,11

“…I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”

“All this kept happening to them with a figurative meaning; but it was put on record by way of admonition to us upon whom the ends of the Ages have come.”

THE REBUILT LIFE: Under Construction

1. THE SHEEP GATE v1

2. THE FISH GATE v3

3. THE OLD GATE v6

4. THE VALLEY GATE v13

5. THE DUNG GATE v14

6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15

7. THE WATER GATE v26

8. THE HORSE GATE v28

9. THE EAST GATE v29

10. THE JUDGMENT GATE v31

The Gates of Jerusalem

Psalms 36:9 NKJV

“For with You is the fountain of life…”

6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15

Nehemiah 3:15 NKJV

“Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David.”

Revelation 21:1-6 NKJV

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.”

Ezekiel 47:1-3

“In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles.”

Ezekiel 47:3-5

“Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles. He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through.”

Nehemiah 2:11-14 NKJV

“So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode. And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass.”

Jeremiah 2:13 NKJV

For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Isaiah 8:6-7 NKJV

“Inasmuch as these people refused The waters of Shiloah that flow softly, And rejoice in Rezin and in Remaliah’s son; Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings up over them The waters of the River, strong and mighty— The king of Assyria and all his glory; He will go up over all his channels And go over all his banks.”

II Chronicles 32:30 NKJV

“…Hezekiah also stopped the water outlet of Upper Gihon, and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.”

John 4:13-14 NKJV

Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.”

John 7:37-39 NKJV

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

Isaiah 12:1-3 NKJV

And in that day you will say: “O Lord, I will praise You; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.”

Tye Riter 3/30/25 Tye Riter 3/30/25

THE REBUILT LIFE: “Under Construction”

I Peter 2:4-5 NKJV

“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Revelation 2:2-5 NKJV

“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 ,11

“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.”

“All this kept happening to them with a figurative meaning; but it was put on record by way of admonition to us upon whom the ends of the Ages have come.”

THE REBUILT LIFE: Under Construction

1. THE SHEEP GATE v1

2. THE FISH GATE v3

3. THE OLD GATE v6

4. THE VALLEY GATE v13

5. THE DUNG GATE v14

6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15

7. THE WATER GATE v26

8. THE HORSE GATE v28

9. THE EAST GATE v29

10. THE JUDGMENT GATE v31

Psalm 127:1 NKJV

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it…”

THE REBUILT LIFE: Under Construction

1. THE SHEEP GATE v1

Nehemiah 3:1 NKJV

“Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel.”

John 10:7-10

“Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

2. THE FISH GATE v3

Nehemiah 3:3 NKJV

“Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.”

Matthew 4:19 NKJV

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

3. THE OLD GATE v6

Nehemiah 3:6 NKJV

“Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars.”

Jeremiah 6:16 NKJV

Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”

Nehemiah 3:8

“Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.”

4. THE VALLEY GATE v13

Nehemiah 3:13 NKJV

“Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it, hung its doors…”

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

I Peter 4:12-13 NKJV

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

5. THE DUNG GATE v14

Nehemiah 3:14 NKJV

“Malchijah the son of Rechab, leader of the district of Beth Haccerem, repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.”

Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

II Corinthians 10:4-5 NKJV

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

I John 1:8-9 NKJV

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15

Nehemiah 3:15 NKJV

John 7:37-39 NKJV

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

Luke 11:9-13 NKJV

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

7. THE WATER GATE v26

Nehemiah 3:26 NKJV

“Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower.”

Ephesians 5:26-27 NKJV

8. THE HORSE GATE v28

Nehemiah 3:28 NKJV

“Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.”

Revelation 19:11 NKJV

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True..”

9. THE EAST GATE v29

Nehemiah 3:29 NKJV

“After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.”

10. THE JUDGMENT GATE v31

Nehemiah 3:31 NKJV

“After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.”

Miphkad: Judgment

II Timothy 4:1 NKJV

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:”

II Corinthians 5:10-11 NKJV

11. THE SHEEP GATE v32

is where our walk with Jesus begins….

Nehemiah 3:32 NKJV

“And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.”

John 10

I AM THE GATE….

Revelation 22:12-13, 20-21 NKJV

THE REBUILT LIFE: Under Construction

1. THE SHEEP GATE v1

2. THE FISH GATE v3

3. THE OLD GATE v6

4. THE VALLEY GATE v13

5. THE DUNG GATE v14

6. THE FOUNTAIN GATE v15

7. THE WATER GATE v26

8. THE HORSE GATE v28

9. THE EAST GATE v29

10. THE JUDGEMENT GATE v31

11. THE SHEEP GATE v32

Tye Riter 3/16/25 Tye Riter 3/16/25

The Rebuilt Life: New Wine

Nehemiah 2:1-2 NKJV

“And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.” So I became dreadfully afraid,”

Isaiah 43:18-19

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Luke 5:33-39 NKJV

Then they said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise those of the Pharisees, but Yours eat and drink?” And He said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved. And no one, having drunk old wine, immediately desires new; for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ”

Nehemiah 2:3 NKJV

(I became dreadfully afraid,”)

“and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”

Nehemiah 2:4 NKJV

Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 2:5 NKJV

“And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”

Nehemiah 2:6 NKJV

Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

Nehemiah 2:7-8 NKJV

Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.

Nehemiah 2:9-10 NKJV

“Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.”

Nehemiah 2:11-12 NKJV

II Chronicles 7:13-15 NKJV

“When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.”

Nehemiah 2:13 NKJV

“And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire.”

Nehemiah 2:14 NKJV

“Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass.”

Nehemiah 2:15 NKJV

“So I went up in the night by the valley, and viewed the wall; then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned.”

Nehemiah 2:16 NKJV

“And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work.”

Nehemiah 2:17 NKJV

Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”

Nehemiah 2:18 NKJV

“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.”

Nehemiah 2:19 NKJV

“But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”

THE UNHOLY ALLIANCE

Sanballat: Sin has given life

Tobiah: God is good

Geshem: Violent rainstorm

Nehemiah 2:20 NKJV

So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

Tye Riter 3/16/25 Tye Riter 3/16/25

THE REBUILT LIFE: A Study of Nehemiah

Isaiah 61:1-4

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations

GOD BUILDS US UP, TO TEAR US DOWN, TO REBUILD US…

HISTORY LESSON

Abram

Abraham

Issac

Jacob/Israel

Egypt (400 years of slavery)

Moses

Wilderness of sin (40 years)

King Saul

King David

King Solomon

King Rehoboam/Jeroboam

Northern and southern kingdoms

Assyrian captivity 722BC

Babylonian captivity 597BC

A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to 'accept' Christ without forsaking the world."

- AW Tozer

70 Years of captivity (Jeremiah 25)

“God whispers to us in our pleasure. Speaks to us in our conscience; and shouts to us in our pain” - C.S Lewis

Jeremiah 1:4-5, 9-10 NKJV

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.”

Three deportations

Three returns

ZERUBBABEL: Out of Babylon

EZRA: Helper

NEHEMIAH: Comfort

Nehemiah 1:1-3

“The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Nehemiah 1:4 NKJV

“So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”

Nehemiah 1:5 NKJV

And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments,”

Nehemiah 1:6 NKJV

“Please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.”

Nehemiah 1:7 NKJV

“We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses.”

Nehemiah 1:8-9 NKJV

“Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’”

Nehemiah 1:10-11 NKJV

“Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer.”

Tye Riter 2/23/25 Tye Riter 2/23/25

COMING OUT OF HIDING

Genesis 3:8-10 NKJV

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:16-18

“This is the new covenant I will make with my people on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.”

Luke 8:43-48 NKJV

“Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

OUT OF HIDING

1. SHE SPENT ALL SHE HAD

2. SHE TALKED TRUTH TO HERSELF

Matthew 9:21

For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”

Proverbs 18:20-21 NIV

“From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

I John 1:9 NKJV

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

3. SHE REACHED FOR GOD

Mark 6:56

“Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.”

TZITZIT 613

Malachi 4:2 NKJV

“But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings…”

Hebrews 4:15-16 KJV

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

4. SHE DECLARED HER PRIVATE STORY PUBLICLY

Luke 8:47

Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

Acts 2:42, 46

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,”

5. SHE ROSE UP IN PEACE

Luke 8:48 NKJV

“And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Ephesians 2:14-18

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

Hebrews 10:19-25

Tye Riter 2/9/25 Tye Riter 2/9/25

LEADERSHIP IN THE CHURCH

1 Timothy 3:1

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.”

GOVERNMENT IN THE CHURCH

Pastors/Elders

Deacons

OFFICE GIFTS IN THE CHURCH

Apostle

Prophet

Evangelist

Pastor

Teacher

I Peter 5:1-4 NKJV

“The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being Lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

NLT

Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.

Hebrews 13:17 NKJV

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

I Peter 5:5

“…younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

John 21:1 NKJV

“After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself…”

John 21:2 NKJV

“Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.”

John 21:3 NKJV

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.”

John 21:4-5 NKJV

But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”

John 21:6 NKJV

And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.”

John 21:7-9 NKJV

“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish. Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.”

John 21:10-11 NKJV

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.”

John 21:12-14 NKJV

Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish. This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.”

John 21:15-16 NKJV

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

John 21:17-19 NKJV

He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”

Tye Riter 1/19/25 Tye Riter 1/19/25

God is Light

1 John 1:1–5 (NLT)

1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. 2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy. 5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

Mission of Reveal – Reveal Jesus, draw people into the LIGHT

Intro John, Apostle, “disciple who Jesus loved” – had seen, heard, and touched Jesus

1 John 1:1 (NLT)

1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.

Proclaim/Declare/Shout

THE ONE – who existed from the beginning – He is a man, but not a mere man. He is also fully God for he ALREADY EXISTED in the beginning

JOHN’s GOSPEL –

John 1:1–5 (ESV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

1 John 1:1 (NLT)

1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.

John so excited! We have heard, seen, touched with our own hands.

He is the Word of Life!

1 John 1:2 (NLT)

2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.

This one who is life itself – He is the resurrection and the Life, he overcame death

He is the creator

He was REVEALED to us! – God chose us to reveal himself.

We testify! – He is the One who is Eternal Life!

He was with the Father and then revealed to us.

1 John 1:3 (NLT)

3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

HEY! Again, PROCLAIMING – shouting, testifying! We have ACTUALLY SEEN AND HEARD.

WHY? So you may have fellowship with the Apostles!

Hitch your train to someone who is going somewhere!

Hang out with us!

WHO DO YOU HANG OUT WITH? Who do you FELLOWSHIP with?

In Middle school – my small group of friends all went on to be pastors

In college – several in my small group went on into ministry

Are you fellowshipping with those who are in darkness or in the light?

With a group always talking about Stock Market – probably heavily invested in stocks, or crypto, or real estate

Always talking about hunting or boating

John the Apostle wants to have Fellowship with us – SO THAT we can have fellowship with the SON!

Who hang out with? The MOST popular people?

Do you want to hang with the Creator of the Universe?

He is writing to Christians and wanting to take them deeper.

Do you want to go beyond just getting saved and actually having fellowship with Jesus?

1 John 1:4 (NLT)

4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

He is writing this some 30 years AFTER the resurrection! Still Joy, still excitement!

WHY DOES JOHN WRITE?

You may have Joy! (1 John 1:4)

You may not be deceived (1 John 2:26)

You may KNOW that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13)

1 John 1:5 (NLT)

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

Heard the message directly from Jesus!

God is light! – purity, holiness, truth, revelation, clarity

In Him – no darkness, no evil, no evil ideas,

NOT AT ALL

Greek and Roman gods – they created gods in man’s image

Our own pictures of our father – sometimes angry, sometimes selfish

Lustful, judgmental, vindictive

The gods could be kind, but they were much more often cruel, capricious, vain, vengeful, and careless.

1 John 1:5b

“God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.”

BUT ISN’T THERE A GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AND OF THE NEW TESTAMENT? ISN’T HE ANGRY IN THE OT?

Isn’t God a “comic-kill joy” not wanting us to have any fun, always concerned about breaking his laws, and getting offended when we want to try things our own way?

ALL ABOUT THE LENS…

ILLUSTRATION:

We often see it as Aggressive and destructive, or passive aggressive and snarky or suppressed.

But there is righteous anger. Anger –THE MORAL EMOTION – “I am against that! That is WRONG!” – saying it and feeling it with passion.

We equate anger with yelling and screaming or violence

NOT NECESSARY

My Son – learning to ride a bike, I told him to stay beside me or behind me, had ridden on ahead. I said to stop. He stopped pedaling but tried to balance and accidentally ended up in the road and almost hit by a car. The driver of the car was freaked out and angry, I was angry because he hadn’t listened and almost died.

SAME WITH GOD – God doesn’t want anyone to die or get hurt, or be separated from Him for eternity.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

“not wishing” – not willing, not desiring, not wanting

1 Timothy 2:1–4 (ESV)

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We are supposed to pray for kings and rulers because God wants them to be saved.

God is so loving He even cares about politicians

Paul talking about praying for kings and rulers and those in authority – God desires for everyone to be saved. We are supposed to pray for our leaders.

I’m not a Biden fan, in fact for the last 4 years, I’ve been waiting for him to leave office, just Biden my time. – Praying for his salvation!

God’s Love

God so loved the world (John 3:16)

God desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)

God doesn’t want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9)

God gets angry because people are doing things that hurt others or

Probably nothing gets me angrier than when someone hurts one of my kids – particularly one of my kids hurting another kid!

GOD TOO!

Matthew 18:3–6 (ESV)

3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Human trafficking -gets me angry.

When people fall into idolatry – God gets angry! They are hurting themselves and others!

1 John 1:5b

“God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.”

Isaiah 45:7 (NKJV)

7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’

Genesis 1:1–5 (ESV)

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

God uses darkness, calamity to bring about His will.

Isaiah 45:7 (NKJV)

7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’

Create calamity – tried to explain away.

God is GOOD, He is going to use it for my good and His glory.

PICTURE???

Fires in California? Yes!

WHY? To expose the pride, to expose the darkness,

Palisades, CA? wealthy neighborhood

MY JOB AS A PASTOR: To comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable

God does the same, He LOVES US ENOUGH to disciplines us.

Hebrews 12:5–11 (ESV)

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Discipline is painful

SPANKING is painful -

BUT WHY?

Hebrews 12:6 (ESV)

6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

ILLUSTRATION: Friend Brian, Loved God, but was getting into a snarky spiteful Christian place.

Several months ago he had a heart attack, it humbled him and drew him back to God.

IT WAS A CALAMITY IN HIS LIFE. He spoke about it afterward and was grateful for it because it caused him to realize what was most important. Relationships with his wife and God and others.

2 weeks ago he went home to be the with the Lord.

1 John 1:5 (NLT)

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.

God is light – He is perfectly loving, perfectly just, no unrighteousness

When you go through trials, God is light, He is with you, He is using this to draw you to Himself.

APPLICATION:

Where have you been questioning that God was good? Choose by faith to believe He is good and using the experience for your good and His glory.

What darkness do you have in your life that you need to bring into the Light?

Since God is light and has no darkness, God is not trying to humiliate and destroy you, but liberate and heal you. By faith, step into the light, confess your sin and be healed (James 5:16)

Tye Riter 12/29/24 Tye Riter 12/29/24

Hope has a name

I saw a Christmas movie this season, great music but it felt they added and changed the story under the line of creative license, I was annoyed.

Then I read this in a new translation I’m reading through that I’ve seen used a few times, coming out of Matthew 1: 18

Matthew 1:18-19

18 Here is the story of how the Chosen One was born: His mother, Bitter Tears (Mary), had been promised in marriage to He Gives Sons (Joseph). But before they came together in marriage, while still a virgin, she found out that she was carrying a baby in her womb from the Holy Spirit.

First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament (Mt 1:18–19). (2021). IVP: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press.

Mary (ma’-ry) = Bitterness; rebellious; obstinate; (root = trouble; sorrow; disobedience; rebellion).

Smith, S., & Cornwall, J. (1998). In The exhaustive dictionary of Bible names (p. 167). Bridge-Logos.

Give birth to

Jesus (je’-zus) = Jehovah is salvation; Jehova, my salvation; Savior.

Joseph (jo’-zef) = May God add; he shall add; increasing; (root = to add).

Why is it that the Lord chose, Bitterness to give birth to Jehovah my salvation, mean while May God Add/increase, didn’t event have part in that increase.

Anna (an’-nah) = Grace.

Abigail #1 (ab’-e-gul) = Father of exultation; father of joy; cause of joy; the joy of my father; exultation; joy; gladness; my father is joy.

Eve (eev) = Life; life-giving; living; (root = to live; to prosper; to keep alive; to give life). Mother of all who have life.

Joanna (jo-an’-nah) = Jehovah has been gracious; Jehovah has shown favor; the LORD is grace; the LORD give graciously.11

Ruth (rooth) = Beauty; something worth seeing;

Rachel (ra’-chel) = A ewe; a sheep;

Isaiah 7:14 (ESV): 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Immanuel, God with us. Holy God, All powerful God, Covenant Keep God, with us.

Isaiah 53:3-6

3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Is 53:3–6). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

by the Swedish preacher, Carl Boberg and translated by British minister/missionary, Stuart Hine

How Great Thou Art

… And when I think that God, His Son not sparing

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing

He bled and died to take away my sin

… Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee

How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Luke 2:34–35 (NLT)

34Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him.

35As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

(2)

I was offended at the thought that Mary meant bitter,

That ‘s not who I imagined Mary to be.

I was offended that Joseph was not strong and decisive.

Not much different than the Pharisees offended that Jesus did not lead a revolt again the Roman occupiers,

He did not honor their efforts to stay ceremonially clean, but instead ate with tax collectors and sinners, healed on the Sabbath and lead people away from moralism, and into faith in Himself. for salvation.

Before encountering Christ, he considered himself blameless (Philippians 3:6). Years later, he'd describe himself as “the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9). Some years after that, he'd call himself “the least of all the saints” (Ephesians 3:8) and “the worst of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15)

1 Timothy 1:14–15 (ESV)

15The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

(3)(Application)

Where are we Mary, bitter, rebellious, obstinate?

And the Lord is giving us an opportunity to surrender, believe God would fulfull what he has spoken?

Where are we Joseph?

We believe we are able to be fruitful, produce, bring increase, yet the Lord is asking you to humble yourself and support not what you are able to do, but what the Holy Spirit is doing through another.

Elizabeth spoke, filled with the Holy Spirit

Luke 1:42

“Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

Her blessing was not because of her perfection, but God’s grace. the Father chose Mary, of the tribe of Judah, in the line of David, neither of which she could boast in.

Surely she was going to give birth to a son

Isaiah 9:6–7 (CSB)

6For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Armies will accomplish this.

In the same way, God works with and through a broken Israel, He works with and through a broken Gentile.

(4) This is the Mystery

the word Mystery is in the New Testament 21 times. Mostly used by Paul.

The Mystery is clear in Eph 3:6

Gentile (those other than Jews) are co-heirs with the Jews with Christ

Romans 11: don’t be ignorant of the Mystery,

Romans 16: to bring about the obedience of faith.

1 Cor 15: Mystery: we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed, perishable for the imperishable.

Eph 1, 3,5,6

1:9 - to unite all things in him

3 - Gentiles are fellow heirs

5 - the image of the husband and wife is Christ and the church.

6 - proclaim the mystery of the Gospel.

Col 1, 2,4

1 - Christ in you (gentiles, ) the hope of glory

2 - God’s mystery is Christ

4 - pray we can declare the mystery of Christ

2 Thes 2 (lawlessness)

1 Tim 3 - elders must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience

Rev 1 - mystery of the 7 stars

Rev 10 - in the days of the 7th trumpet, the mystery of God would be fulfilled

Rev 17 - mystery of the woman, the beast.

They Mystery is Summarized in

Ephesians 3:6

6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

The more I lean into this mystery, the result amazes me. I have more peace, more love, more delight, more wonder and more humility.

I think back even a few years ago and think how I was so quick to recommend the habit I had started,, not knowing that in 6 months the Lord would lead me on to a new way of interacting with Him. Where the foundation of my life in Christ was not my routines, though I have some, but in my relationship with God the Father, through Jesus the Son, being led by the Holy Spirit.

My life is less about what I bring and more about that He holds me in his hands. And not just me, but everyone around me. He holds us in his hands. He holds the whole world in his hands. The older I get, I learn the Lord and his kingdom is not a mystery to figure out, but mystery to behold and as we behold him, we are transformed to look more like him.

(5) This Mystery beget hope for…

1 Peter 2:10 ESV

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Pe 2:10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

We have hope, and that hope has a name. His name is Jesus.

He does miraculous things in and through our lives, not because of who we are, but because of who He is.

Phil 2:19

(WE have) Hope in Jesus to accomplish the work that is greater than us, that extends past us

1 Tim 1:1

Christ Jesus our hope in our calling

1 Thess 1:3

steadfastness of Hope producing thanksgiving to God from those that have invested in us.

2 Thess 2:16

Jesus is our hope, leading to comfort for hearts and the establishing of every good work and word.

Titus 2:13

Our blessed hope, the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all the lawlessness, and purifying for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

1 Peter 1:3

In Christ, we have a living hope through his resurrection,

1 Peter 1:13

(Because) our hope is set fully on the grace revealed at the revelation of Jesus.

(min 19)

The only thing that is attributed to Mary is she believed what the Angel said would come to pass.

Joseph was a good man deciding to put her away quietly.

Apart from that, It’s only assumption and traditions that cause us to lift up these people beyond us, to justify God’s use of them and not us.

Whether you were born a Mary, bitter, rebellious, yet the Lord called you and is equipping you,

or maybe you are Joseph, full of capability but God has called you to stand back and support the Work of God in another.

Maybe you are like Jesus, born to be a king, but in a season of submission.

Or maybe all three,

May we lean into the mystery,

Ephesians 5:8 ESV

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Tye Riter 12/24/24 Tye Riter 12/24/24

Joey’s first Christmas

Matthew 1:18–19 (ESV)

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

BETROTHAL – like engagement but more formal in that time, like being married only not living together or coming together intimately

Deuteronomy 22:23–24 (ESV)

23 “If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her, 24 then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor’s wife. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

Joseph – righteous, cares about Mary’s reputation

HIS REPUTATION AFFECTED – assumption that he is the one who got her pregnant;

IMAGINE the thoughts going through his head –

I thought she loved me

I can’t believe she cheated on me

She’s delusional saying it was an angel

She cheated

Now she’s delusional

Virgins don’t have babies – Mary probably told Joseph the story but unbelievable

MATTHEW 1:20-23

20 But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.”

NOW JOSEPH SEES ANGEL

Ok –

Don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife! – raise another man’s kid?!?

“conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit”

Name him Jesus – salvation

“he will save his people from their sins”

Fulfill prophecy

God with us!?

WHAT?!?

Can you imagine the pressure? I’m going to be the father to the Son of God –

I hope I don’t mess this up?

Don’t mess HIM up!

Matthew 1:24–25 (ESV)

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Joseph – says, “ok, let’s do this.”

JOSEPH OBEYED

Kept her a virgin - protect

Luke 2:1–5 (ESV)

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

THE CENSUS – need to register and go to ancestral home - to Bethlehem

- 90 miles – 31 hours or about 5 or 6 day walk! – WHILE PREGNANT

- I know walking can help the baby come – BUT NOT 90 MILES!

Joseph thinking about pregnant wife –

About family who will take him in – “at least we are going to my home town, family will take me in.”

“JOEY – I think the baby’s coming!”

Luke 2:6–7 (ESV)

6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Imagine the pressure Joseph felt

1. First baby

2. No room at the inn – WHAT NO FAMILY TAKE ME IN????

3. Ancestral home – yet NO ONE TAKE HIM IN!

PRESSURE – how I’m providing for my family – I can’t even find a decent place for my wife to have a baby

Joseph – God! What are you doing?

ANYONE EVER BEEN THERE? FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE IS FALLING APART?

Feel like a failure?

Stigma of betrothed wife getting pregnant

Go to Bethlehem and NO FAMILY will take you in (and VERY pregnant wife)

Wife and you have to stay in stable, baby born with the animals

All these people (shepherds and angels) show up to see your failure

ONE NARRATIVE – or if Joseph gets over himself and realizes it is not about him, but about Jesus, he doesn’t need to let that bother him.

WHAT IS BOTHERING YOU THIS CHRISTMAS TIME? WHAT IS THE NARRATIVE YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELF? Is it because of how you look and you feel like a failure as a

Parent Husband/wife

Business owner Employee Son/Daughter

Satan wants us to focus on ourselves and MISS that it is about Jesus!

MARY – “Let it be to me according to your word.”

Declare the Promises of God as a gift!

THEN THE WISE MEN/MAGI SHOW UP

gold for a Mighty King, frankincense for a Ministering Priest, myrrh for a Martyred Prophet

Luke 2:33–35 (CSB)

33 His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary, “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed—35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Sword will pierce your own soul?

REVEAL FELLOWSHIP – REVEALING JESUS, revealing hearts,

GOD ALLOWS THE TRIALS TO REVEAL OUR HEARTS – HE KNOWS ALREADY, but wants us to know and see what is going on inside of us.

Salvation – are you trying to do on your own strength?

Joseph just had to take Mary as his wife and name the baby Jesus.

APPLICATION:

What is God calling you to do this Christmas Season?

What stress are you adding to your life that God doesn’t intend for you to carry?

What promise from God’s Word do you need to cling to?

Is there something you need to surrender to Him? Your life, your hopes, your ambitions, your idols?

Is there someone you need to reconcile with?

Tye Riter 12/22/24 Tye Riter 12/22/24

Christmas Meditation

Luke 1:26-38

"Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you."

But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. The angel said to her,

"Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end."

Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. "And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. "For nothing will be impossible with God."

And Mary said, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her." Luke 1:26-38

I. Real time and space history. This is not a myth told to inspire.[1]

II. It is not blind faith. Mary asks honest questions and seeks honest answers.

III. Active Passivity : Saying yes to the impossible.

Mary at her Annunciation models faith for us. She shows us that faith is more than intellectual agreement, but is also trust, submission and commitment.

Mary trusted in God’s promises in HIS WORD and in the specific revelation of Gabriel, chose to surrender and submit to God’s specific will for her life and committed herself to be part of God’s plan of salvation in Messiah Jesus.

Today, we can hear the gospel of Jesus, and ask for it to be done to us according to the great promises offered to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Mary become a model for us on how to live by the gospel.

The offer of having Christ in your life and beginning a life of faith in him is happening today in real time and space history. Right here and right now.

A. For those who have never had Christ be in you.

B. For those who have had Christ in us but who need to be renewed in our living by faith in the gospel

2. Asking honest questions and getting honest answers is how a strong faith if born. The heart will not long hold onto what the mind rejects. (see The Case for Christmas by Lee Stobel)

3. Our Response: An Active Passivity – I can’t, YOU can, Let it be to me according to YOUR WORD.

[Rom 6:11, 13 AMP] 11 Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus. ... 13 Do not go on offering members of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness. But offer yourselves to God [in a decisive act] as those alive [raised] from the dead [to a new life], and your members [all of your abilities--sanctified, set apart] as instruments of righteousness [yielded] to God.

[Gal 2:20 AMP] 20 "I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

I recommend you buy yourself a Christmas present a book by Francis Schaeffer that first taught me these truths decades ago called True Spirituality

[1] http://www.apologeticsguy.com/2014/12/the-virgin-birth-jesus/

Tye Riter 12/15/24 Tye Riter 12/15/24

Died With Christ; Alive in Christ!

Luke 2:8–14 (ESV)

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Matthew 1:21 (NLT)

21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

SIGN – baby lying in a manger –

Manger = feeding trough – usually made of stone

Sarcophagus pictures

Feeding trough (“manger”) in Megiddo, Israel

Swaddle – babies, but also the swaddled the dead bodies, wrapping up like a mummy

Matthew 2:11 (ESV)

11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Gold – divine, kingly

Frankincense – priestly

Myrrh. – burial (sacrifice)

Message

JESUS DESCRIBES HIS MISSION

Luke 4:16–21 (ESV)

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Isaiah 61:1–3 (CSB)

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of our God’s vengeance; to comfort all who mourn, 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion; to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair. And they will be called righteous trees, planted by the Lord to glorify him.

Matthew 5:3–12 (NLT)

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 9 God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Revelation 3:14–22 (ESV)

14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

GRAIN OF WHEAT

John 12:24–25 (ESV)

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 12:25 (NLT)

25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

Romans 6:3b–8 (NLT)

…we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.

John 3:3 (ESV)

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Romans 6:9-11 (NLT)

9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:12–14 (NLT)

12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

RESURRECTION

1 Corinthians 15:35–57 (NLT)

35 But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” 36 What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. 37 And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. 38 Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed…

43 Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. 44 They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.

45 The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. 46 What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. 47 Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. 48 Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. 49 Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man. 50 What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

NEW LIFE

2 Corinthians 5:14–17 (NLT)

14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

PAST GONE – set free from past

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

LAZARUS

John 11:38–44 (ESV)

38 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

CLOSE

1 John 3:1–3 (CSB)

1 See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know him. 2 Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself just as he is pure.

Tye Riter 12/8/24 Tye Riter 12/8/24

Understanding Myself and Others

I am wonderful – You are wonderful

[Psa 139:14 NASB95] 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

2. I am wicked – You are wicked

[Rom 3:10-12, 23 NASB95] 10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; 11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; 12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE." ... 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

3. I am wounded – You are wounded

[Psa 109:21-22 NASB95] 21 But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal [kindly] with me for Your name's sake; Because Your lovingkindness is good, deliver me; 22 For I am afflicted and needy, And my heart is wounded within me.

4. I am weak – You are weak

[Psa 82:3-4 NASB95] 3 Vindicate the weak and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and needy; Deliver [them] out of the hand of the wicked.

[Mat 9:12 NASB95] 12 But when Jesus heard [this,] He said, "[It is] not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.

5. I am washed – You are washed

"(18) "Come, let us settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are crimson red, they will be like wool. " {Isaiah 1:18 CSB}

"(14) Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for you are my praise. " {Jeremiah 17:14 CSB}

6. I am welcomed – You are welcomed

[Rom 15:7 NASB95] 7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

7. I am wild – You are wild

[Jdg 17:6 NASB95] 6 In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes.

[Act 2:44-47 NASB95] 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they [began] selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Conclusion –

clip from First Knight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMgC2K1Paio

[Jhn 13:34 NASB95] 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

We must love people as wonderful, wicked, wounded, weak, washed, welcomed, and wild. Even as God loves us in all these complex aspects of our lives.

Tye Riter 12/1/24 Tye Riter 12/1/24

Pirates in the Care of Demons: COmplete in Christ

Colossians 2:3 (ESV)

3 in whom [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In Christ are hidden all the riches of wisdom and knowledge – All the answers are in Him.

Our minds are like colanders – affected by experiences we have that contradict the Word of God – need to take the truth of God’s word and plug up the holes – to keep more of the Word of God

Colossians 2:4 (ESV)

4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV)

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:8 (ESV)

8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

DOCTRINES OF DEMONS

Will always add or subtract to the gospel

Pervert the nature or character of God

Steal your identity in Christ

If you allow sin, it deadens your sensitivity to the Spirit.

How do you know if you’ve been plundered?

You are back under law

You are trusting in your ability, self-righteousness

You are unforgiving, suspicious of others

Your identity and self-worth are in something other than Jesus

Colossians 2:9–10 (ESV)

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

TRINITY!

Colossians 1:15–16 (ESV)

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Image of Invisible God

Firstborn of all creation – Firstborn means pre-eminent one, the one to receive the inheritance (First Lady Melania Trump – not the original lady, but first in position, in honor).

Multiple times the second born called the firstborn (Genesis 48:14, Jeremiah 31:9 – Ephraim called the firstborn)

Jacob and Esau (Esau first, but Jacob gets the inheritance) Exodus 4:22 Israel is called “my firstborn”

John 8:56–59 (ESV)

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.

John 1:1 (ESV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Errors Explaining the Trinity:

1. Modalism (H2O ice, water, steam) – God just changes forms (denies the Personhood of the Trinity)

2. Tritheism – 3 separate gods (results in polytheism instead of 1 God in 3 persons)

3. Aryanism – Jesus was not fully God, but a created being subordinate to the Father

Every analogy of the Trinity breaks down

Three persons, 1 Godhead

ILLUSTRATION: Stand on top of a mountain. From one side see clear to the ocean to the east and see the sunrise. Face opposite direction toward west and can see sunset.

I don’t fully understand everything about a combustion engine, but I trust my car will run when I have gas and turn it on, it will move.

Why do we think that we would be able to understand God? Scientists still wrestling with quantum physics

Colossians 2:9–10 (ESV)

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

Jesus is the head of all rule and authority! He is the boss, he is King! He has power and authority over everything! HE IS GOD!

Colossians 2:10 (ESV)

“and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”

Colossians 2:10 (NASB 2020)

10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over every ruler and authority;

Filled = complete

Are you complete?

Most of us would say no. I lack something.

I lack height.

I lack intelligence

I lack luck

I lack money

I lack good looks

I lack ___________

What do you lack?

THE WORLD Tells us YOU LACK

YOU NEED

OR YOU COMPENSATE BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE

YOU ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST!

Satan – “you lack spiritual gifts” – you don’t have discernment, you don’t have tongues, you can’t prophesy, you can’t heal people

Satan is trying to sell you something you already have or don’t need

1 Corinthians 12 – the Body, many members/parts – 1 body

1 Corinthians 12:29–31 (ESV)

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

YOU ARE COMPLETE IN CHRIST!

I don’t feel complete.

Because you have drunk too much of the world’s standards, or worldly comparison in the church.

OR Deluded by plausible arguments – casting doubt on God’s character, His goodness, or on the finished work of Christ.

Colossians 2:11–12 (ESV)

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Fullness of deity in Christ, You are Complete in Him,

NOW how are you complete?

Circumcision of the heart (OT) – circumcision made without hands

Analogy between circumcision and baptism

Circumcision was identifying with the people of God

Baptism is identifying with Christ – THROUGH FAITH

Circumcision cuts away the flesh – in the Christian our fleshly nature.

Colossians 2:13 (ESV)

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses…

Before coming to Christ – we were spiritually dead

Ephesians 2:1–2 (NLT)

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

I’m dead in my sin – not awake or even aware of spiritual things, not until God awakens me (John 3 – You must be born again)

FRUSTRATED EVANGELISM – until we realize the person needs to respond, BUT God makes them alive – SEE NEXT VERSE

Colossians 2:13–14 (ESV)

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

GOD MAKES US ALIVE!

CUTS AWAY THE DEAD FLESH, makes us alive!

Born again!

Colossians 2:13-14 (ESV)

HOW MADE ALIVE? Forgiving all our trespasses/sins

Are you more alive to Christ or to the World?

Colossians 2:12 (ESV)

12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

Made alive by God, died with Christ

EITHER

Alive to God and dead to this world OR

Dead to God and spiritual things and alive to this world (alive = controlled)

Understand died with Christ

Colossians 2:11–14 (NLT)

11 When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

Romans 6:1–11 (NLT)

1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. 9 We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. 10 When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. 11 So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.

Died with Christ – dead to sin, decide in your heart “no” – I don’t need you, I don’t want you. To partake of sin is death.

ILLUSTRATION: Lori’s gluten allergy – when she realized that eating the bread made her feel sick, she associated pain with the bread, no longer looked appetizing

We often associate pleasure with the things that are killing us and avoid thinking about the pain.

Be killing sin or it will be killing you – John Owens.

The things that control you, and feed your flesh need to associate with death and pain

PORN = DEATH

FAME = DEATH

BEAUTY = DEATH

MATERIALISM/RICHES = DEATH

UNGODLY RELATIONSHIP = DEATH

APPROVAL OF OTHERS = DEATH

Colossians 2:15 (ESV)

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Colossians 2:14–15 (AMP)

14 Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. 15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].

Colossians 2:14–15 (TPT)

14 He canceled out every legal violation we had on our record and the old arrest warrant that stood to indict us. He erased it all—our sins, our stained soul—he deleted it all and they cannot be retrieved! Everything we once were in Adam has been placed onto his cross and nailed permanently there as a public display of cancellation. 15 Then Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and power to accuse us. And by the power of the cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were his!

TPT - The Passion Translation - not really a translation but a paraphrase or commentary on the Bible. Not reliable, but can be occasionally useful for a different perspective or reading.

Colossians 2:15 (ESV)

15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

THEY HAVE NO WEAPONS! - only lies and fear

All comes back to the GOSPEL! Do you believe the Gospel?

Do you daily come and embrace the Gospel?

Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV)

6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.