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Truth over Self

“Search the scriptures… they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39 (KJV) There is a right way and a dangerous way to approach the Bible. The difference is not effort. It is focus. I. The Bible Is Christ-Centered, Not Self-Centered Scripture ultimately reveals a Person. Jesus Christ. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV) From Genesis to Revelation, the story unfolds: • Creation • Fall • Redemption • Restoration At the center of all of it is Christ. Reading Scripture without seeing Him leads to confusion. Reading Scripture with Him at the center brings clarity. II. Descriptive Before Prescriptive Not every passage is telling you what to do. Many passages are revealing what God has done. “Beginning at Moses… he expounded unto them… the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 (KJV) If you read every passage as instruction only, you will: • Turn Scripture into performance • Miss the message ...
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Why God Allows Testing

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2–3 (KJV) One of the hardest questions is this: Why does God allow difficulty, temptation, and even the presence of evil? Scripture does not ignore this tension. It reveals purpose within it. I. God Is Sovereign Over All Things Nothing operates outside of God’s authority. “The Lord hath made all things for himself.” Proverbs 16:4 (KJV) Even what appears chaotic is not uncontrolled. God is not reacting. He is ruling. This includes what He allows. Not everything is caused by God. But nothing escapes His control. II. God Does Not Tempt With Evil It is essential to clarify. God does not create sin in the heart. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.” James 1:13 (KJV) Temptation arises from: • The desires within • External influence • T...
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The Freedom of Letting Go

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (KJV) The desire for revenge is one of the most honest human struggles. When wronged, something rises within: • “They deserve it.” • “I want justice.” • “I want them to feel what I felt.” Scripture does not ignore this. It redirects it. I. Vengeance Is Not Yours to Carry God makes a clear declaration. Vengeance belongs to Him. Not to you. When you take it upon yourself: • You assume a role that is not yours • You carry a burden you were never meant to carry • You keep yourself tied to the offense “The Lord shall judge his people.” Hebrews 10:30 (KJV) God sees. God knows. God will act. But in His time. II. The Trap of Offense Offense is not just an emotion. It is a trap. “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 (KJV) Offense keeps you: • Replaying the moment • Reh...
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New Life in Christ

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalm 51:5 (KJV) When David repented after his sin with Bathsheba and the un-aliving of Uriah, he did something profound. He did not begin with his actions. He went deeper. He addressed his nature. I. Sin Is More Than Behavior David’s confession reveals a critical truth. Sin is not merely what we do. It is what we are apart from, God. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries…” Matthew 15:19 (KJV) Actions are the fruit. The heart is the root. Many attempt to fix behavior while ignoring the source. But unless the root is addressed, the fruit will return. II. The Fallen Nature of Humanity Scripture is clear about the condition of humanity. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world…” Romans 5:12 (KJV) Through Adam, sin entered. And it spread to all. This means: • Sin is inherited • Sin is internal • Sin is universal It is not something learned l...
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Finished Work of the Cross

“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” John 14:30 (KJV) Jesus spoke these words on the eve of the cross. The ruler of this world was coming. Yet Christ declared something profound. He has nothing in me. This statement reveals both the authority of the enemy and the greater authority of Christ. I. The Ruler of This World: A Temporary Authority Scripture acknowledges that Satan operates within this world. “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) Through deception, sin entered. Through sin, corruption spread. Humanity, created to reflect God, fell into rebellion. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.” Romans 5:12 (KJV) The enemy’s influence is real. But it is not ultimate. It is temporary. II. The Promise of Redemption From the beginning, God declared His plan. “And I will put enmity between thee...
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Abiding, Pruning, and the Fruit

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” John 15:1 (KJV) The Christian life is often misunderstood as effort. Try harder. Do better. Produce more. But Jesus presents a different picture. Not striving. Abiding. I. Christ as the Source of Life When a person comes to faith in Christ, something fundamental changes. They are connected to Him. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5 (KJV) This truth is essential. Fruit does not come from the branch itself. It comes from the vine. In the same way: • Strength comes from Christ • Growth comes from Christ • Transformation comes from Christ Without Him, there is no life. II. Fruit Is the Evidence, Not the Effort Jesus does not command branches to manufacture fruit. He calls them to remain. “Abide in me, and I in you.” John 15:4 (KJV) Fruit is the natural result of connection. Just...
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Seek first the Kingdom

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 (KJV) Many approach God with a simple pattern. Give me. Fix this. Change that. While God does provide, Scripture reveals a deeper issue. The problem is not asking. The problem is what we are truly seeking. I. Faith That Seeks the Person, Not the Provision There is a kind of faith that goes beyond desire for blessing. It is faith that recognizes worth. “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Matthew 15:27 (KJV) This response revealed humility and recognition. She did not demand. She acknowledged. “Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith.” Matthew 15:28 (KJV) This kind of faith is rare. It values Christ above what He gives. II. The Danger of Loving the Gift More Than the Giver Human nature gravitates toward blessings. Provision feels good. Answered prayers bring r...
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