We had Troy speak today after the Communion so we are out of Proverbs for the day. I think Pastor John might be in Mexico on a mission trip.

The message to day is based on 1 John 2: 15-17 and starts by announcing something that may come as a shock to some of you. Sunday attendance is great, but it’s not enough in your spiritual life.

When John wrote his letter(s) he was about 80 and he was most likely in Ephesis. He said that we as Christians face three hurdles in our walk and he had to overcome some of them too:

Lust of the flesh. This isn’t just lust as a sexual thing, it’s wanting what we want. In Jesus three years of ministry, he was homeless. He had nothing. He relied on the kindness of strangers. I’m sure sometimes he went without, but for the most part, God provided didn’t He?

Lust of the eyes. Wanting what is not yours to take. Coveting what others have. So many Americans live by the “keeping up with the Jones” rule don’t they? Jerry bought a boat, look at that. Now I have to go out and buy a bigger boat. What?

John was the closest to Jesus but he fell for at least the last hurdle.

Pride of life or self-justification of all our actions.

Pastor Troy went so fast that instead of taking notes, I had to take stills of the slides. They may not be in order, but you can probably figure out where they belong.

We need to spend time in scripture daiily, if we don’t, how can we teach others?

Speaking of that, I have a small aside I want to mention/suggest here. I came across a four-part series by a student of John Armstrong who started Verse-by-Verse Ministry on the Independent Biblical Exegesis. Its a webinar that can be found in the app. It’s by Greg Driver and its a great (so far three-part) series. The reason I’m recommending it is fr anyone who wants to learn the Bible well enough to teach it, or assist in classes. The resources at the end would take me a lifetime to study, but ill never run out of material.

And if you’re like me and you hunger for the word of God, we will always have something to study! Right now, in my personal study, I’m in Numbers, so since there isn’t a Verse -by- Verse study on several books of the book ble, I had to search for more to listen to and that’s how I found pastor Greg.

Value what is eternal over worldly desires. Recognize that the danger exixsts and take action before you fall into temptation. Remember what you’ve read and studied.

Most importantly, help others as they begin, renew, or grow in their personal relationship with God.

Have a blessed Sunday everyone and thank you for being here. 😊🙏💕