Calvary Chapel Chattanooga

Worry feels justified because it’s tied to legitimate needs.Worry is not synonymous with concern.Worry is unproductive.Worry is a faith-issue. (Matthew 6:32 NLT)Worry is worldly.Step 1 - Prioritize your life around God’s kingdom. (Philippians 4:6-8 NKJV)Step 2 - Focus on today. (Philippians 4:9 NKJV)

“The blood of the martyr’s is the seed of the Church.”- Tertullian. (155 - 220 AD)When we look back upon Church history we quickly realize that our experience in the American Church is quite unique as we have only known peace and prosperity. For the most part, those faithful to Christ that have gone before us experienced great hardship and lived in obscurity living out what Hebrews 11:38 states, “Of whom the world was not worthy, wandering in deserts and mountains and caves, and holes of the earth.” The hardship they encountered was a direct result of their faith in Christ and their unwillingness to submit to the demands of the pagan culture they lived in.Today, as we live out our faith in a culture that is growing increasingly hostile to the Word of God, we have the mandate to stand boldly for truth. There is so much we can learn from those that have gone before us and for this Civics and Culture class we will be doing just that. Please join us on Sunday evening, March 26th as we venture into Church History

What We Must Learn:· Spiritual warfare is real!· Spiritual power is required!· Spiritual victory is possible!

2 Corinthians 3:2/3Psalms 139:23-26Jeremiah 29:4-7

Baal - The sky god!Elijah - Yahweh is God!Cherith - to cut away, cut up, cut off

What can we learn or consider from this history lesson?· God uses imperfect people!· What obstacles do you face today?· Take heart, no matter how dark it looks, God is at work behind the scenes of men's mess!

God knows what we can handle!Sometimes God leads us to impossible places to face impossible things!When you're where God called you, He's got your back!God knows when to move!Go Forward - Turn your back on fear and step out in faith toward a better future!

DEFIANCE: open resistance; bold disobedience.Faith: It's essence is trust in God's Word!Faith: It's essence is to act! For faith to be real it must do something!Defiance is not exclusively a dirty word!The defiance of a godly few can break the yoke of the ungodly many!

There's one Judge over all the earth - God!God's pattern with men is mercy!God's kingdom plan is nation-centric!Men created in God's image have an obligation to their divine nature!

PERSONAL APPLICATIONThe only way to have eternal life is to know the eternal God!Are you living in divine community?What is the net of my life?Am I building, developing, creating anything or am I destroying and tearing down?Are those around me built up or torn down?Presently, are you sensing any creativity in your life? New ideas, fresh vision, new approaches?What are the words we use with/for/or about others?

The thrill that is: GOD’S PLAN!The thrill that is: PAST TENSE!The thrill that is: FAITH!

The divine spark that is: LIFE!The divine spark that is: COURAGEOUS PARENTS!The divine spark that is: PRAYER!The divine spark that is: YOUR PRAYER!The divine spark that is: GOD’S VINDICATION!

Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king and his throne will be established in righteousness.Proverbs 25:4-5A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.Proverbs 26:28See the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person will live by his faithfulnessHabakkuk 2:4

Shadow #1 - Like Jesus, David was faithful with the “small things” while being prepared for great things.Shadow #2 - Like Jesus, David was obedient to his father’s command. Shadow #3 - Like Jesus, David was confident in God’s power!Shadow #4 - Like Jesus, David was victorious over the enemy.