The Assembly

Matthew 16:13-19 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" [14] "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." [15] Then he asked them, "But who do you say I am?" [16] Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." [17] Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. [18] Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. [19] And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven."

Definition of ekkelesia - assembly, called out/forth, summoned

Acts 2 - Pentecost / Peter Preaches / 3,000 Saved

Acts 2:42-47 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer. [43] A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. [44] And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. [45] They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. [46] They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity- [47] all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

What does this look like today?

• The church - Not a hierarchy, but relational.  Christ is the head, we are the body... "overseers" are stewards & servants. The responsibility to care for one another is not solely the pastor's nor the elders', but ultimately lies in the hands of the "assembly"

Matthew 20:25-28 But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. [26] But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. [28] 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."

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. [24] Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. [25] And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Resisting Temptation

David & Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 11

Joseph & Potiphar’s wife – Genesis 39

Sin is waiting for you

• Genesis 4:7 NIV “But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”
• James 1:12-15 “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Temptation comes in many forms

• James 4:17 - Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
• Doing what we shouldn’t/not doing what we should. (Romans 7:14-25)
• 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

Jesus & the devil – Luke 4:1-13

Jesus on the cross - Matthew 27:39-42

What can we learn from Jesus?

• He countered Satan with the Word
• He instructed “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” (Mathew 26:41)
• He prayed as an example, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)

How do we resist temptation?

• Watch and pray
  > Recognize that Satan is looking for an “opportune moment” to entice you
  > If Jesus wasn’t exempt from Satan’s attacks, neither are we
  > Be prepared and ready for that moment
• Walk in the light & in fellowship with God (1 John 1)
  > Remain in the Lord, and keep yourself always before Him
  > 0”Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.” (Romans 13:14)
• Hide God’s word in your heart
  > “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)
  > God’s Word is an effective weapon, spoken of as a sword (Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 1:16)
• Submit to God
  > “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
  > Means “to stand under”
• Resist the Devil
  > “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith...” (1 Peter 5:8-9a)
  > Means “to stand against”
• Stand firm
  > “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)
  > Hold fast to your faith – One of Satan’s schemes is to try to plant doubt or confusion about God or His word in your mind (Adam & Eve, even Jesus)
  > Also means to take your stand for the next battle
• Call upon Jesus
  >“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
  > “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

New Every Morning

How many of you have made new year's resolutions this year? How many have you kept so far?

From Facebook: "I decided I wouldn't make any New Year's Resolutions, instead I will make new choices in the new year. It shouldn't take a new year for us to realize we need to make a change with some things."

Blank Slate Every Morning

• Job 7:18 For you examine us every morning and test us every moment.
• Psalm 5:3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
• Psalm 143:8a Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you.
• Psalm 90:14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
• Psalm 30:5b Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
• Psalm 92:2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,
• Lamentations 3:23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

A Note on Mercy

• "God’s mercy is His compassion toward us even when we deserve punishment, His commitment to restore us even though we deserve to endure the consequences of our sin, and His covenant of love expressed at the point of our great foolishness.” ( Spirit Filled Study Bible, © 2002, Thomas Nelson Publishing)

Isaiah 43:14-21 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon, forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of. I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator and King. I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick. But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. The wild animals in the fields will thank me, the jackals and owls, too, for giving them water in the desert. Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland so my chosen people can be refreshed. I have made Israel for myself, and they will someday honor me before the whole world."

The Path, The River, The Light

• Luke 1:78-79 Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
• 2 Peter 1:19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts.
• Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.”
• Revelation 21:5-6 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Jesus makes ALL things new! Don't wait until next year, or next Sunday, or tomorrow to respond to Him.

• James 4:13-17 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
• Hebrews 3:15 Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
• 2 Corinthians 6:2 For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.”Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
• "It shouldn't take a new year for us to realize we need to make a change with some things."