Rather (2/3)

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some… Romans 1:11-12

For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-12	For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. friendship strength encouragement
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32	Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. peace patience self-control

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17	As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. money joy materialism
For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. Romans 3:20	For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. sin law righteousness
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13	For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. freedom humility desires
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. Romans 6:13	Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. sin righteousness sacrifice
So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.” John 7:16	So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.” Jesus Word of God learning
Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living. Amos 5:24	But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. law righteousness
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:6-8	Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Savior obedience Jesus
Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Romans 12:3	For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. grace faith mind
Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33	But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. righteousness food kingdom
When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Matthew 9:12	But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” forgiveness healing health
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32	Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. forgiveness compassion goodness
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:28	Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus serving sacrifice
So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11	Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. calling obedience kingdom
But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11	But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. faith love righteousness
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15	See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. blameless righteousness evil
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27	But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. self-control judgment body
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21	For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. prophecy Spirit speaking
No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. Luke 8:16	No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. honesty holiness light
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12	Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus life following
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6	Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. trust dependence heart
No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Isaiah 58:6	Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? fasting neighbor slavery
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. John 15:16	You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. obedience prayer calling
They did not conquer the land with their swords; it was not their own strong arm that gave them victory. It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them. Psalm 44:3	For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them. love strength dependence

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.