I Know

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8-12

"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day." (2 Timothy 1:12)

God "has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). The way to overcoming fear is to "know" God. To perceive Him, to see Him, to experience Him. The more we come to "know" Him, the less we will fear.

Know that God is able to keep what you commit to Him: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"The LORD is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land." (Psalm 10:16; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Tomorrow we gather to rejoice in God's grace. We wait in grace. We look in hope.

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14; NKJV

A Root

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-10

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10)

Root - rhiza - cause, origin, source (Vine's).

Money is a cause, origin, source of all kinds of evil. Money "is a defense" (Ecclesiastes 7:12). It can defend from hunger, nakedness, and homelessness. Let money defend you; don't let it defeat you.

Jason Cicero

Biblical Meditation

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:15

"Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all." (1 Timothy 4:15)

Meditate - meletao - to to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind (Strong's).

Biblical meditation involves taking God's word and revolving it around in your mind. Read God's word and revolve it around in your mind. Your progress just might become evident to all.

Jason Cicero

Without Controversy

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:"

God was manifested in the flesh - the invisible was made visible

Justified in the Spirit - to show one to be innocent

Seen by angels - to gaze

Preached among the Gentiles - to herald

Believed on in the world - conviction of the mind, trust of the heart, surrender of the will

Received up in glory - to take up

"Without controversy" literally means "by consent of all, confessedly" (Thayer's). All readily consent that these six statements are controversial. They comprise the "mystery of godliness."

Consider them. Ponder them. Believe them.

Jason Cicero

Types of Prayers

Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-7

"Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men..." (1 Timothy 2:1)

Supplications - a seeking, asking, entreating

Prayers - talking to God

Intercessions - a falling in with, meeting with God on behalf of others

Giving of Thanks - grateful language to God

Seeking Him by talking to Him. Meet with Him on behalf of others. Use grateful language when you speak to Him.

Jason Cicero

A Doxology

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:17

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17; NKJV)

King - a sovereign

Eternal - an unbroken age

Immortal - not liable to corruption

Invisible - unseen

God - deity

Alone - sole or single

Honor - value, a valuing

Glory - opinion of another

Forever And Ever - an unbroken age

Amen - So be it

Glory and honor belong to Him forever and ever because of Who He is!

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!" (Psalm 119:127; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Know His peace - "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen." (Romans 15:33)

Receive His peace - "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

Give peace to others - "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." (Romans 12:18)

Jason Cicero

The God of Peace

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:16

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Peace comes from God. Peace rests in Him. He is the giver of peace. Peace with God results with peace within. Peace within goes a long way to being at peace with others.

Receive His peace. Be at peace. Give peace to others.

Jason Cicero

Called by the Gospel

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

"But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

Before time began God determined to save folks through the blood of Jesus, the sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth. These folks are called to salvation by the gospel. Some read the gospel and answer the call to eternal life. Others hear the word and answer the call.

Have you read? Have you heard? Have you answered?

Jason Cicero

Obeying the Gospel of Christ

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:8

"in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:8).

Obey - to hearken to a command, i. e. to obey, be obedient unto, submit to (Thayer's).

Gospel - the good news of Christ has three facets: facts to believe, commands to obey, and promises to receive.

Lord Jesus Christ - His good news is the best news - the forgiveness of sin!

Believe His gospel. Obey His gospel. Receive the promises of His gospel.

Jason Cicero

Knowing God

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:8

"in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God..." (2 Thessalonians 1:8)

To know God is not an intellectual exercise. He wants us to know some things about Him to be sure. But to know God is to "experience" Him. What we learn about God will lead us to experience God in our daily lives.

Do you know about God? Or, do you experience God? The difference between these two knowings will make an eternal difference.

Jason Cicero

Know and Obey

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

When Jesus comes again He is coming in judgment. He is coming in flaming fire. He is coming to take vengeance on those who failed to do two things in their lives.

1. Know God - "in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God" (2 Thessalonians 1:8)

2. Obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ - "and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 1:8)

"These (those who don't know God, those who did not obey the gospel of Christ - JHC) shall be punished with everlasting fire from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe..." (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love." (Psalm 119:47; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Tomorrow I will turn our attention to what happens when we pray...

We will also consider Ephesians 3:14-21.

Start your Lord's Day by reading this prayer...pray it for yourself...pray it for someone you love.

Jason Cicero

Pray For Us

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:25

"Brethren, pray for us" (1 Thessalonians 5:25).

Three things to know today...

1. Know that I know that you need encouragement.

2. Know that I need encouragement.

3. Know that every Christian needs encouragement.

As we know these three things today, let us help each other in prayer (2 Corinthians 1:11).

Jason Cicero

Your Sanctification

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification..." (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

Will - what one wishes or has determined shall be done (Thayer's)

God - "the living and true" (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

Sanctification - to be set apart from sexual immorality, set apart to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8)

Jason Cicero

Three Petitions to Pray

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Request 1 - "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another..."

Request 2 - "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to all..."

Request 3 - "And may the Lord establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

Jason Cicero

Effectively Works in You Who Believe

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

"For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

The Word of God delivered by the Apostles is truth. It is living and powerful. It effectively works in those who believe.

"Effectively works" is translated from the Greek word energeo. It means to be operative, be at work, put forth power (Thayer's). God's Word operates in the lives of those who believe. It works. It puts forth power. For those who believe, the Word of God energizes their lives!

Believe! Welcome God's Word! Be energized!

Jason Cicero

Turn To, From

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

"For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God..." (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

Repentance is a change of heart resulting in a change in thinking, speech, and behavior. It is a turning from sin to God. The Thessalonians turned from the sin of idolatry to God. They experienced a change in heart about their sin which resulted in a turn toward God that changed their every day activities. They turned to serving God, from serving idols. The Thessalonians repented.

Turn to the living and true God from whatever sin separates you from Him.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!" (Psalm 119:127; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

The sermon is only as good as the audience who heeds it.

The thought is only as good as the thinker who acts upon it.

The kind word is only as good as the speaker who really means it.

The song is only as good as the singer who sings with his heart as well as his lips.

The prayer is only as good as the petitioner who bends his will while he bows his head.

The worship is only as good as the worshiper who brings and gives his best.

Jason Moore

Epaphras and Me

Scripture: Colossians 4:12-13

Epaphras was a Colossian. He was away from Colosse, but his heart was on his beloved brethren. Wherever he was he labored fervently for them in prayer. Praying specifically for them that they would stand perfect and complete in the will of God. He was known for his great zeal for the Colossians and those in Laodicea and Hierapolis too.

1. Who is on your heart?

2. Do you labor fervently in prayer for them?

3. What are you known for?

Jason Cicero

If, Then from Colossians 3:5-7

Scripture: Colossians 3:5-7

If...

1. I have been raised with Christ (3:1)

2. I am seeking those things that are above (3:1)

3. I have set my mind on things above (3:2)

4. I died with Christ (3:3)

5. Christ is coming again (3:4)

Then...

1. I am to put to death my members which are on the Earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (3:5)

2. I am not to walk in these things (3:7)

3. I am not to live in these things (3:7)

Jason Cicero

Raised to Seek and Set

Colossians 3:1-4

If you were raised with Christ (3:1)

1. Seek those things which are above (3:1)

2. Set your mind on things above (3:2)

Seek and Set (3:1-2)

1. Christ is above, sitting at the right hand of God (3:1)

2. You died (3:3)

3. Your live is hidden with Christ (3:3)

4. Christ is your life (3:4)

5. Christ will appear (3:4)

6. You will appear with Him in glory (3:4)

Jason Cicero

Receive and Walk

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-10

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him..." (Colossians 2:6)

Received - to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation) (Strong's).

Walk - Hebraistically, to live, to regulate one's life, to conduct oneself (Thayer's).

Colossians 2:6 is not just a theme for a year. It is a verse for every day. It is a theme for living.

Jason Cicero

The Preeminence of Christ

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-18

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18).

To "have the preeminence" is to be first in rank or influence (Strong's). To "have the preeminence" is to hold the first place (Thayer's). To "have the preeminence" is to be first (Vine's).

According to Colossians 1:9-18, Jesus is first, He holds the first place, He is first in rank and in influence...

1. Because of Who He Is - The King (1:13); The Son of His love (1:13); The Image of God (1:15); The Firstborn Over All Creation (1:14); The Creator (1:16); Deity (1:17); The Head of the Body, the Church (1:18); The Beginning (1:18); The Firstborn from the Dead (1:18)

2. Because of What He Did - Established a Kingdom (1:13); Manifested God (1:13, 15); Redeemed us through His blood (1:14); Created All Things (1:15); Built a Church (1:18); Rose from the Dead (1:18)

Is Jesus first in your life? Does He hold the first place? Is His influence on you above all others?

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me." (Psalm 119:175; NKJV)

Sunday Morning Starters

Look up. It’s His day.

Look up. It’s His worship.

Look up. It’s His assembly.

Look up. Self gets too much attention.

Look up. At Him, not your neighbor.

Look up. You won’t go where you’re not aimed.

Jason Moore