THE CROSS

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under you care,

First Peter 5:2-4

Intr:

serving as overseers –

1.  not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;

2.  not greedy for money, but eager to serve;

3.  not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples of the flock.

End:

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

THE CROSS

“Finally, brothers,

Second Corinthians 13:11

Intr.:

good-by.

1.  Aim for perfection,

2.  listen to my appeal,

3.  be of one mind,

4.  live in peace.

End:

And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Isaiah 40:31

“But those

Isaiah 40:31

Intr.:

who hope in the LORD

1.  will renew their strength.

2.  They will soar on wings like eagles;

4.  they will run and not grow weary,

5.  they will walk and not be faint.”

End:

THE CROSS

“When he [the Holy Spirit] comes,

John 16:8-11

Intr:

he will convict the world of guilt in

regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

1.  in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me;

2.  in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and

3.  in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”

End:

THE CROSS

“‘And these signs will accompany those who believe:

Mark 16:17,18

Intr.:  

In my name

1.  they will drive out demons;

Acts 8:7

2.  they will speak in new tongues;

Acts 2:4

3.  they will pick up snakes with their hands;

Acts 28:3-5

4.  and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all;

5.  they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.'”

Acts 28:8

End:

“Which commandment is first and most important of all (in its nature)?”

Mark 12:28-31

Intr.:

“Jesus answered,

1.  The first and principal one of all commands is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord;

And you shall love the Lord your God

a.  out of and with all your whole heart, and

b.  out of and with all your soul (your life) and

c.  out of and with all your mind – [that is] with your faculty of thought and your moral understanding – and

d.  out of and with all your strength. This is the first and principal commandment.

2.  The  second is like it and is this,

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

End:

There is no commandment greater than these.”

THE CROSS

“‘These are the things

Zechariah 8:16,17

Intr.: 

you are to do:

1.  Speak the truth to each other, and

2.  render true and sound judgment in your courts;

3. do not plot evil against your neighbor, and

4.  do not love to swear falsely.

End: 

I hate all this,’ declares the LORD.”

THE CROSS

“…, YET YOU DID NOT RETURN  TO ME, SAYS THE LORD.” (The Amplified Bible) 

Amos 4:6-11

Intr.:

1. Amos 4:6 

Here we read about “cleanness of teeth” and “want of bread”.

2. Amos 4:7-8

“I withheld the rain from you,” it says here.

3. Amos 4:9

“I smote you with blight,” we read here.

4. Amos 4:10

“I have sent among you the pestilence,” the Lord says here. 

5. Amos 4:11

“I have overthrown some among you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah,” we read here.

End: