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, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. friendship strength encouragement
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32	He who 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	Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things 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	Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the 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, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty 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	And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. sin righteousness sacrifice
So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me.” John 7:16	Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine 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 run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty 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, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the 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 I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 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 shall 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	When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “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	And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even 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	Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life 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, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting 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 you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, 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 renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 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 bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become 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 prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved 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, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, 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	Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but 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 lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct 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 this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you 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 remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give 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 they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, Nor did their own arm save them; But it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, Because You favored 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 sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.