Stuck "Moving Towards Peace" Day 4

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Stuck "Moving Towards Peace" Day 3

[Genesis 50:20 ESV] 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

*The best way to achieve your dreams is to help others*

Joseph got to a place in his life that he simply served others and left the results up to God for blessing and forward advancement. He did this in the home of Potiphar as a slave, the prison with those around him interpreting and taking increased responsibility, and as the second in command leader of Egypt. But, his greatest accomplishment was in forgiving his brothers for what happened to him early in life and saving their lives. At the end of it all he could see that God meant all these "stuck" things in his life for good and the salvation of many lives even beyond his own family.

Joseph's humility elevated him from the lowest to the highest. God in the same way is shaping you in your "stuck" position whatever that may be. God will bless you to bless others, so move toward that realization in His peace today!

*Life Point* The best way to move towards peace is to help others (Acts 20:35).

Stuck "Moving Toward Peace" Day 2

[Genesis 45:1-3 ESV] 1 Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, "Make everyone go out from me." So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

Getting unstuck can be a painful experience. Look into the painful places of your life to find ultimate healing from the Father. He CAN make it right. Resolve that you will let Him do that and then don't ever let that pain define you again. Words that have been spoken over you, wounds that were never healed, and disappointments in your journey are all things that need the Savior's fixing. Allow Him that chance today! You can live again!

*Life Point* Let the Lord take your pain and make it gain.

Stuck "Moving Toward Peace" Day 1

[Genesis 42:24 ESV] 24 Then he turned away from them and wept. And he returned to them and spoke to them. And he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.

What emotions Joseph must have been experiencing when he recognized his brothers were coming to him and fulfilling the dream he had dreamed many years before. His heart was broken, even as the governor of all the land of Egypt (Genesis 42:6). Sometimes you can feel stuck even when all your dreams have seemingly come true.

Joseph's son's names reveal the hurt that had been absorbed (Genesis 41:51-52). He was now face to face with a situation where he could show mercy or enact vengeance. Thank God he had enough character to forgive and save in the power that he had.

*Life Point* Move towards peace by forgiving and  blessing those who have wronged you

Stuck, "From the Prison to the Palace" Day 3

[Genesis 41:37 NASB] 37 Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants.

*The Best Way to Achieve Your Dreams is to Help Others*

Joseph's life is marked with helping others in otherwise painful circumstances. He helped organize Potiphar's house as a slave (Genesis 39:2-4), he managed the chief jailor's prisoners from prison as a prisoner (Genesis 39:20-23), and he ruled the most important administrative parts in the kingdom of Egypt as a servant to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:41).

In each and every circumstance, his humility elevated him from the lowest to the highest position. God is shaping you in your so called "stuck" position. God wants to bless others through your submissive spirit and helpful hands.

*Life Point* Helping others brings favor to you in the will and plan of God

Stuck, "From the Prison to the Palace" Day 2

[Genesis 40:16-22 ESV] 16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head." 18 And Joseph answered and said, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head--from you!--and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you." 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

*Not all dreams are desired outcomes*

Most people would have coveted a position like the chief baker had, but it proved to get him thrown in jail and then hanged. The text leaves us clueless as to the baker's offense, but it sure ticked the Pharaoh off.

[James 2:5-7 ESV] 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

Let the truth of these inspired words sink in for a bit. We are better off in the Kingdom of God when we are more humble in our means and position. Not all dreams are really that good for us when we consider this. "Mo money, mo problems!" Bigger is not necessarily better. Sometimes the best spots are NOT the place you really want to be. Here's a deep thought: Just because God opens a door doesn't mean that He wants you to walk through it. It is the presence of God in your life that matters, not your bank account or prestigious position.

*Life Point* Contentment companied with Godliness is a means of great gain (1 Timothy 6:6).

Stuck, "From the Prison to the Palace" Day 1

[Genesis 40:1-23 ESV] 1 Some time after this, the cupbearer of the king of Egypt and his baker committed an offense against their lord the king of Egypt. 2 And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, 3 and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. 4 The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. 5 And one night they both dreamed--the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison--each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. 6 When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. 7 So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, "Why are your faces downcast today?" 8 They said to him, "We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them." And Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me." 9 So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, "In my dream there was a vine before me, 10 and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand." 12 Then Joseph said to him, "This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. 14 Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. 15 For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit." 16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, "I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head." 18 And Joseph answered and said, "This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head--from you!--and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you." 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

This last phrase is disturbing to most of us. Most of us want to go straight to the palace and get our own way immediately. We often forget that the trials in our lives that God allows make us more aware of His presence and power.

Think about it like this. What if the cupbearer would have remembered Joseph and garnered his release from prison? The result would probably have been Joseph going back to the land of his family in Canaan with his father Israel. Two years later, when Pharaoh had his dream, there would have been no one around the palace who could have interpreted the vision and saved the land during the intense famine that would follow the seven years of plenty and prosperity. It is as if God Himself blocked this cupbearer's mind from remembering so that an entire region could be later saved.

This shows us that waiting is certainly sometimes the exact thing that the Lord needs us to do for a greater, more-preferred future.

*Life Point* Not my way but Yours Lord, and I'll wait whenever You need me to

Stuck, "From the Pit to the Prison" Day 3

[Gen 39:2, 21, 23 NASB] 2 The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. ... 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. ... 23 The chief jailer did not supervise anything under Joseph's charge because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made to prosper.

The goal for us as believers is to have the Presence of God in our lives continually just like Joseph had. To make this happen, we must:

1. Ask God for it- He will give if you simply ask and trust that He will provide it
2. Hunger for it- Realize His Presence is a desperate need that we can't live without
3. Seek Him first- God must be your top priority in life
4. Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly- This is what our King requires (Micah 6:8)

Remember, success is measured by God, not by man. Live in a way that when you stand before Him in judgment you can hear these words, "Well done good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21, 23)."

*Life Point* Practice the Presence of the Lord, He wants to be near.

Stuck, "From the Pit to the Prison" Day 2

[Genesis 39:2, 21, 23 ESV] 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. ... 21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. ... 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the LORD was with him. And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.

Through all of Joseph's struggles and trials the fact remained that the LORD was WITH him. Christ Jesus suffered, and we will too as we walk in His divine will and purpose (1 Peter 2:19-23). Don't be fooled by prosperity theologians and the lies that they spew that believers will never have problems. If things are difficult in your life, God is probably in it to refine, guide, and grow you.

In these times of difficulty, remain focused on the process of God's development in your character. When He starts you at point A and promises to get you to point B, it is rarely a straight line. Even though He will often take you through nearly every other letter in the alphabet, remember that He is shaping you for your future with Him, and He is always WITH you in the process!

*Life Point* If Christ is my Savior, He is always WITH me.

Stuck, "From the Pit to the Prison" Day 1

Read Genesis 37:12-36

Joseph's dreams got him thrown into a pit by his jealous brothers. He was stuck where he could not go on any further. Pits force us to look up rather than inward or around. Joseph could not rely on himself, his family connections, his money or wealth, his looks, his charm, his networks, or his intelligence in this dire situation. He could only call upon the LORD to get him out of a big-time jam. In the same way we can get to a point in our own lives where all of our natural gifts and abilities prove to be worthless and vain. We cannot rely upon our own strength in times like these. Rather we should look to God, who is our ever present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

[Psalms 121:1-2 ESV] 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

*Life Point* Look to God and His Word instead of yourself or your friends for help.

Bible Study Notes in Ezekiel- Chapter 5

Ezekiel 5

 

-More of Jerusalem’s desolation and trauma is foretold by God through Ezekiel the prophet in chapter five. The LORD commands His prophet to take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor upon his head and beard. He was instructed to take this hair that was cut from his body and divide it into three distinct areas. One third was to be burned at the center of the city when the days of the siege in Jerusalem are completed. One third was to be struck with the sword all around the city, and the last third was to be scattered to the wind. The LORD says He will unsheathe a sword behind them as well. Ezekiel was further instructed to take a few of the hairs and bind them to the edges of his robes. A few other hairs were to be thrown into the fire and burned for a fire that will spread to all the house of Israel (Ezekiel 5:1-5).

-Thus says the LORD God, “This is Jerusalem; I have set her at the center of the nations, with lands all around her. But she has rebelled against My ordinances more wickedly than the nations and against My statutes more than the lands which surround her; for they have rejected My ordinances and have not walked in my statutes (Ezekiel 5:5-6).” Because of these crimes against His Person and will, their God is angry with them and promises to execute judgments among His people. They have committed atrocious abominations, which will bring an unimaginable and unrepeated catastrophe in their midst where their fathers will be eating their sons and the sons their fathers in barbaric cannibalism. As the LORD lives He will withdraw from them for the defilement of His holy sanctuary with detestable idols and all their abominations. His eyes will have no pity, and He will not spare during this time of severe chastening. One third of them will die by plague or be consumed by famine. One third will fall by the sword in violence from the enemy. And one third will be scattered to the wind with God’s sword of vengeance unsheathed behind them (Ezekiel 5:7-12).

-Thus the LORD’s anger will be spent and His wrath satisfied on an obstinate, rebellious people who were stubborn in their heart’s desire to follow Him exclusively even though they had promised at Sinai, and at other times, to do so (Exodus 19:8; 24:3,7, Joshua 24:23-24, 1 Kings 8, 2 Kings 11:17-20, 1 Chronicles 16:36). They will definitely know that the LORD has spoken in His zeal (qinah-passion, ardour, jealousy, fervor) to carry out His ire. Jerusalem and the surrounding areas will become a desolation and a reproach among the nations which surround in the sight of all who come through the region. This reproach, reviling, warning, object of horror, intense famine, attack by wild beasts, plague, childlessness, and bloodshed among His people who have transgressed His ways will display the power of God as a testimony to all the nations (Ezekiel 5:13-17).

-*Application* Our God is jealous for our sincere devotion, sanctification, and holiness. When we breach this consecration of our soul, God’s just discipline can be utterly severe. Listen to His teachings and warnings. It will save you from disaster. Think and apply His wisdom to every situation. Cling to Him and don’t be a deserter. Hold fast the truth and don’t sway away from it. Don’t incite the LORD’s anger upon yourself.

 

Verse to Memorize: Ezekiel 5:11

Stuck, "Family Feud" Day 4

[Genesis 37:5-11 ESV] 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, "Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 His brothers said to him, "Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?" 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

*Families Get Stuck Forgetting What Families are All About*

The main thing to think about here is the biblical term "edification." This has the connotation of building up, not tearing down. Sarcasm, negativity, and demeaning all have catastrophic consequences in our homes when left unchecked and uncontrolled.

This is where words are so important. Use your words purposefully and lovingly as you deal with every interaction in the home. Who knows, you might just see some improvement in the "Family Feud."

*Life Point* Lord help me to build up rather than tear down in my family. 

Stuck, "Family Feud" Day 3

[Genesis 37:5-11 ESV] 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. 6 He said to them, "Hear this dream that I have dreamed: 7 Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf." 8 His brothers said to him, "Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?" So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. 9 Then he dreamed another dream and told it to his brothers and said, "Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?" 11 And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.

*Families Get Stuck Because They Ignore God-sized Dreams*

When our kids get dreams, where do they come from? They could only be a few places or so, right? They could be their own, they could be from others, they could be a lie from the adversary, or they could actually be from the Lord. Pay attention to what your children or youth are telling you in regards to dreams and aspirations. Joseph's dreams were definitely God-sized, but his family got really side-tracked in natural understandings and limitations. Instead of praying and seeking God on the matter, they missed an opportunity to encourage and seek out the matter. God was doing something different in His will and plan. He was coordinating salvation and supply through this young teenager who would one day be next to Pharaoh in power and authority.

What about the American dream? Christians should be about much more than that. Don't settle for status quo, be a world changer through Jesus Christ and His Spirit's power! Go for God's plan and purpose because God will use anyone totally submitted to His design (2 Chronicles 16:9). His dreams are infinitely greater (Jeremiah 33:3)

*Life Point* But his father kept the saying in mind.

Stuck, "Family Feud" Day 2

[Gen 37:2-5 ESV] 2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. 3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. 4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. 5 Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.

*Families get stuck when they expect everything to be equal and fair.*
Joseph at this point in his teen years could be labeled a "tattle tale," a "spoiled brat," or a "punk kid." He probably soaked up the attention and adulation that comes from being the "favorite," and obviously created a lot of family tension.

Only God is impartial (Romans 2:11, Galatians 2:6, Ephesians 6:9), because only He is perfect. Although we are commanded in Scripture not to show partiality (1 Timothy 5:21, James 2:1-9), we often do out of our natural inclinations. To rectify things within our "Family Feud" we must realize that our parents, even when they may have shown favoritism, were doing the best they could. We must have a heart to forgive injustices, as God does, and then we will overcome much of the bitterness that is caused by jealous competition.

Thank God today that He wasn't fair in His assessment of you. Without His grace and mercy, we'd all get the sentence of hell, which is what we deserve for messing up in sin. Lighten up and love!

*Life Point* Forgiveness lets us Gain Favor with God (Matthew 6:14-15)

Stuck, "Family Fued" Day 1

[Genesis 37:1 ESV] 1 Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan.

There are times in our lives when we feel there is no movement, no direction, and to be honest, no purpose. Jacob found himself in a spot of having the promise, but nothing seemed to be happening in this guarantee of a great nation, a great name, a blessing to the world, etc. (Genesis 12:1-3) given by God to his grandfather Abraham.

Jacob was now fairly old and had been a father at this point twelve times. From all indications in the text he could not imagine what was going to happen next, precipitated by a dreamer son and some jealous siblings. God was at work even when things seemed rather mundane and typical. He was just living in the same area his father and grandfather had lived with some wealth and a blooming family, but certainly not a great nation, name, or eternal blessing of a Messiah. That would come much later.

Like many of us, Jacob had to play the waiting game and rely on providence to set the course. We must in these instances see the bigger picture and be content in the meantime. It is important to note that in these periods it is imperative not to give up hope and faith. The Lord will begin to move as He desires, and we will eventually understand why everything happens the way it does. Don't take matters into your own hands during these times. That's the worst thing you can do.

*Life Point* Wait on God and Trust His Timing

Kaleo Sermon Notes from Sept. 28, No Perfect People Allowed, "Becoming a Peacemaker" Day 5

[Isaiah 53:1-12 ESV] 1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 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. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

There is no more precious passage of Scripture in the entire Bible than this one. Our suffering Servant made a way for us to have peace with God when we had all gone astray. Be bore our iniquities. He poured out His life for our eternal benefit and made intercession on our behalf.

[Romans 5:10 ESV] 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

This verse gives us the promise of a resurrection in the reconciliation that Christ made available to us. His life is what we can look to for a fulfilled life of purpose and hope. And, once we have received this gift, it is our good pleasure to share what we have with those all around us.

*Life Point* Christ is the Great Peacemaker between us and God the Father

Kaleo Sermon Notes from Sept. 28, No Perfect People Allowed, "Becoming a Peacemaker" Day 4

[Matthew 5:9-10 ESV] 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.


 Traits of Peacemakers Part 2:

3. Peacemakers don't make religious-legalistic people- In other words, they don't create sons of hell like Jesus denounced by making converts who follow the traditions of man (Matthew 23:15, Mark 7:8, Colossians 2:8)

4. Peacemakers have diverse relationships- In other words they would often be considered non-conformists. These people go and actually talk to people who need peace with God. They are NOT the frozen chosen.

5. Peacemakers seek reconciliation- People who have a Spirit-filled life in Christ will work to make things right in their conflicts within their families, communities, work, and world. They are ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

6. Peacemakers are sometimes persecuted- When we hold to the righteous way, there is no guarantee that things in this life will always run smoothly. However, with the mind and heart of Christ, we can hold on to love and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

*Life Point* The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the peacemaking sons of God.

Kaleo Sermon Notes from Sept. 28, No Perfect People Allowed, "Becoming a Peacemaker" Day 3

[Matthew 5:9 ESV] 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Traits of Peacemakers Part 1:

1. Peacemakers are not confrontational- In other words, real sons of God who make peace don't act in an argumentative, obnoxious, or belittling manner. They are straightforward in the spirit of love with a heart to see reconciliation in every circumstance and event.

2. Peacemakers are not arrogant and condescending- In other words here, true Christians seeking to be peacemakers don't look down on people they are dealing with. They subject themselves to others as the Scripture commands (Ephesians 5:21, 1 Peter 5:5). God really can't stand a haughty spirit. He gives grace to the lowly.

*Life Point* Lord, if I'm going to be one who makes peace I must do things Your way in humility and not mine in selfishness and pride.

Kaleo Sermon Notes from Sept. 28, No Perfect People Allowed, "Becoming a Peacemaker" Day 2

[1Corinthians 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.

This is one of those bad news to good news passages in Scripture that remind us of our former depravity and our current position in Christ with the hope of future perfection if we have entered the Kingdom through faith in the Savior.

Let's break down the last part a little bit:
-We were washed. This is our cleansing and becoming pure through work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. He washed away our sins (Acts 22:16, Hebrews 10:19-23).
-We were sanctified. This is the plan of God to set you apart for His good will and purpose. He picked you out of the place of doom and made you alive in Him. Plus, He puts His Spirit in you to help you grow and become more and more like Him (Ephesians 2:1-10).
-We were justified. This is a legal term used to describe our release from the conviction of our sin before God, the holy and righteous Judge of all the earth. Jesus is like our lawyer who got us off the hook. We don't have to pay the penalty we deserve because of His grace and mercy! Praise God!

*Life Point* By God's grace I'm not just a forgiven sinner, I'm a saint set free!

Kaleo Sermon Notes from Sept. 28, No Perfect People Allowed, "Becoming a Peacemaker" Day 1

[Mat 5:9 ESV] 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

*Important Question* Does the reality of hell motivate you to share your faith with others who have no relationship with Jesus Christ?

Peacemakers are only needed when there is a war going on. The battle is not between God and Satan, as some people think. God is far superior and has that enemy totally under His command. The real problem is us and our fallen nature. We have rebelled, we have gone against God and succumbed to the lies of the devil, we have gone our own way rather than the way of the Lord. We have all transgressed (Romans 3:23).

Ultimate peace and reconciliation with the Father has been uniquely paid for in the cross of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:19-22). When we accept His greatest gift of love and sacrifice personally, we gain a unified, redeemed, and new life in our risen Savior. This spiritual birth lasts eternally with our Creator, and is definitely worth sharing. In the days to come we will learn how to do that better and better as His Holy Spirit leads and directs us.

*Life Point* Lord help me and use me to make peace in this fallen world as a child of You.