Bible Study: Called To Serve; Mark 3:13-19

 CALLED TO DISCIPLESHIP

Mark 3:13-20

CALLED TO SPREAD THE WORD

V:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve — designating them apostles — that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus' ministry. He preached in the wilderness

and baptized those who followed him. He preached the coming of the Messiah.

Many of John's followers became Jesus' disciples.

John 1:35-37

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!"

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus

John was six months older than

than Jesus so perhaps he preached six months before Jesus started His ministry.

Jesus began teaching at thirty years old. Crowds followed Him because He taught the Word

and His healing powers.

Luke 5:15-16

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

We have to spend time in the Word to develop a relationship with Jesus and to know His

power and authority over our lives.

It was Jesus who called us out of the crowd to be His disciples. Those He calls He ordains to be

preachers and teachers of the Word. Jesus gave His apostles power and authority over demons.

Today believers have that same power in the Word.

James 4:7-8

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.

We must study the Word before we can teach and preach the Word. Our mission is to proclaim

the Word of God to those we come in contact with (Matthew 28:19).

Jesus knows each believer by name. He knew us before we were born and predestined us

to be with Him (Ephesians 1:4).

Jesus chose 12 apostles after the 12 tribes of Israel. You and I are adopted sons and daughters of

the Father. Jesus is our elder brother.

Some are called to preach. Some are called to teach. Some disciple gets a lot of attention. Others

serve in the background and are never mentioned. Peter, James, and John got the most attention

during Jesus' ministry. Other disciples record the Gospel and the work of Jesus. We all are called

to serve whether in the foreground or the background. Those who get the most attention get

the most criticism.

Throughout the Gospel mission, Jesus adds others to serve; like Paul, Barnabas, Mark, Luke, and James the half-brother of Jesus. Others serve quietly and are never seen.

Ephesians 1:5-6

5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

All believers have a place, a purpose, and a mission.

TRAINED TO SERVE

Mark 6:6-14

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 7 Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

8 These were his instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff — no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. 10 Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. 11 And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

Jesus is our example for spreading the Gospel. Where ever we go, we are the voice of Jesus.

We have been called to serve, We have been sent to preach with Jesus’ power and authority.

We wrestle not with flesh and blood but with spiritual wickedness in high places. We have to

have to follow the directions of Jesus to be successful in the mission He has given us.

Our armor is the Word of God. We are to depend on Him for provisions and protection.

Jesus has prepared the way, we have to be willing to go where He sends us.

We can expect that some will reject the Word of God. Our job is not to convince or

prove the Word, it is to proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. If we are not received it

our job to leave that person in a corrupt state. We have no further obligation to

those who reject the Word.

We must be careful not to condemn those who reject the Word. They are hearing the word

about Jesus for the first time. Some other believers may come and water what was planted

and their belief begins.

In the Church, there are believers and pretenders. Judas was chosen by Jesus, but

he was a pretender. The pretenders remind us of ourselves. How much of the Word do

we accept and how much do we reject because of the lust of our flesh? We are all in

a growing process. We may have Jesus as Lord and Savior cemented in our faith, but

not be completely submitted to all the Word of God.

Bible Study Series: What Drives Your Life?

 WHAT DRIVES YOUR LIFE?

REVIEW OF CHAPTER 3

There are two questions to consider in this chapter

1. What Drives Your Life?

2. What are the benefits of a purpose-driven life?

WHAT DRIVES YOUR LIFE

Everyone has something that drives them. It may be your desire to be successful.

It may be your desire to be left alone. It may be a desire to have an easy life. What

ever it is, it is unique to you.

Rick Warren gives us five things that drive people.

PEOPLE ARE DRIVEN BY GUILT

Sometimes it is Monday morning quarterbacking. I should have, I could have, or I wish I

did this or that. Sometimes we look at past decisions as if another decision would GIVE

better results. The truth is the past and all thinking in the world want to change

anything. Putting yourself on the guilt trip changes nothing. Guilt brings you down, but

will never lift you. Guilt is emotional self-punishment.

Psalms 38:4

4 My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.

Guilt squeezes the joy out of life. You never know what people are carrying

in their hearts. They may be smiling on the outside, but grieving on the inside.

Job 31:33

33 if I have concealed my sin as men do, by hiding my guilt in my heart.

We have to release ourselves from the past so we can move toward the future.

The Apostle Paul made up his mind to move toward the future.

Philippians 3:13-14

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

If you are on a guilt trip, you must let it go. There is no future in guilt.

PEOPLE ARE DRIVEN BY RESENTMENT AND

 ANGER

Resentment is an ill feeling toward someone for some reason. It could be because

they have what you want or have been given what you believe you deserve.

Resentment is toxic because it destroys you on the inside and blocks meaningful

relationships. Resentment is failure to realize that what God has for you is

for you.

Job 5:2

2 Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

When you resent someone, you don’t hurt them, you hurt yourself.

Resentment allows you to be controlled by what you don’t have.

Resentment takes your mind off what God is doing in your life.

Job 36:13-14

The godless in heart harbor resentment;

even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.

Resentment blocks any thought of the help we have in God.

MANY PEOPLE ARE CONTROLLED BY FEAR.

Fear is a lack of faith in God. Fear cause you to focus on what you cannot

control rather than focus on the one who is in control.

Many times we fear what could be or what could happen. That kind of fear can

stop you from being creative or taking risks that could lead to success.

There is nothing wrong with fear, as long as it is the fear of the Lord

The devil operates on your fear. Fear can paralyze you into doing nothing.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind.

God has given us the power to reason, think and make proper decisions. Under His

guidance success is at hand.

God has given us the spirit to love. Love requires commitment and sacrifice.

Many times we don't love others as we should because we fear the commitment

that goes with it.

God has given us a sound mind. When you know the Word of God, you know the

promises of God which allow you to make decisions that will change the world.

Fear can be an excuse we use to keep from doing anything.

PEOPLE ARE DRIVEN BY MATERIALISM

Some think that if I had more money, I would be happier. Some think that

If I had more stuff, I would be happier. The truth is the joy of having more money

or more stuff is short-lived. There will always be something newer, bigger

and more expensive than your mind will drift toward. There is no lasting

satisfaction in having more.

If your mind is set on getting a new car. It's only new the moment you drive it

off the dealership. Whatever you buy can get old and obsolete by the world's standards.

If your focus is on the new and the more, where is your joy when it becomes old and

less in your mind?

We must learn to be content with what we have and content with God that

provides what we need. Discontentment is a complaint against the God we serve.

John 16:23

Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.

Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

We must put God first in our lives. If we are grateful for what we have and serve God, He will

gives us what we need and want.

Luke 12:31

But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

DRIVEN BY THE APPROVAL OF OTHERS.

If your desire is to be approved by man, you will often be disappointed. Man will

love you today and hate you tomorrow. Man will praise you today and curse you

tomorrow.

The people in Jerusalem praise Jesus when He came riding into town on a donkey.

But yelled to crucify him during His trial. One moment they wanted Him as king and

the next moment they treat our Savior as the worst criminal.

The only approval that counts is the approval of God,

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

If you are driven by anything other than pleasing God, your life will be a disappointment.

All of the above can be seen as negatives. They all lead to your unhappiness.

In my opinion, the number thing that ought to drive us is

 God's Love

We were made in love. 1 John 4:16

We were made for love 1 John 4: 16

We were made by love 1 John 4:8

We were made to extend our love

It is Love that is the foundation of the family. We should be anchored in Love

THE BENEFITS OF KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE

According to Rick Warren, knowing your purpose gives meaning to your life

God has a purpose for every believer. Every believer has work prepared for them

Psalms 138:8

8 The Lord will fulfill [his purpose] for me;

your love, O Lord, endures forever —

do not abandon the works of your hands.

We may be driven by goals and aspirations and make plans to achieve them, but God's

plan for us will be accomplished.

Proverbs 19:21-22

21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.

KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE GIVES LIFE MEANING

Colossians 2:2-4

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom have hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Five elements of God’s purpose for us are given;

1. To be encouraged in the heart

2. To be united in love in the body of Christ

3. To have a complete understanding

4. You can only know your purpose through Jesus Christ

5. To be enlightened to the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge

KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE SIMPLIFIED YOUR

 LIFE

When you know your purpose you are not driven by the changing doctrine of man.

Everyone has an opinion of what you ought to be doing. You can get confused

and misled by the thoughts of men.

All we need are the commands of God to guide our lives.

Proverbs 13:14-15

The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.

Our job is to ensure that our ways are pleasing to God

Psalms 37:23

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

The Word of the Lord provides wisdom for our lives

Psalms 19:7-8

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE FOCUSES YOUR LIFE

In this world, many temptations lead us away from God.

1 Corinthians 7:36

And this I speak for your profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

Psalms 119:130

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE MOTIVATES YOUR

 LIFE

That which we are passionate about we will act upon and talk about

Jesus was passionate about the Father. He spoke not His own words but the words of

the Father

John 7:16-17

Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.

Purpose in life requires commitment and obedience.

Matthew 26:38

39 And he went a little further and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

People will know your passion by what you do and say. Jesus was passionate about His mission

to save us from our sins

Acts 1:3

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Jesus wanted the world to know that the cross was not death, but eternal life.

KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE PREPARES YOU FOR

 ETERNITY

Ecclesiastes 3:11-12

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

God has much more in store for us than we can think or conceive.

We were not put on Earth to stay on Earth. We were created to serve God and proclaim

His name.

Since we are new creations in Christ. We were created to be with Christ

John 12:25-26

who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Our Purpose is to serve the Lord in spirit and truth.

KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE HEIGHTENS YOUR

 LOVE

FOR GOD

FOR FAMILY

FOR MANKIND

CLASS QUESTION

WHEN PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU, WHAT WOULD

THEY SAY DRIVES YOU?

WHAT DO YOU SAY YOUR PURPOSE IS?

Rev. M. Mitchell

Bible Study Series: What is The Purose Of Life ? (Chapter 1)

 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR LIFE?

A REVIEW OF THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

WRITTEN BY RICK WARREN CHAPTER 1

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU

What is your purpose? Why are you here? Why were you born into the family you

were born into? Why did God choose you to be part of the body of Christ? There are many

questions about life, but few places to get truthful answers. I believe that the Word of

God is the only place to get the truth.

In this series of lessons, I will use the book The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

as our outline to discuss the Word of God. From time to time I will quote Rick Warren,

but my primary focus will be the Word of God.

As Rick stated the only way to find your purpose is to start with God. Your purpose

will not be found in you, your family, your friends, your job, or your aspirations.

Your purpose is in the one who created you.

Ask yourself, why is my purpose important?

GOD CREATED EVERYTHING FOR HIMSELF

Let’s start from the beginning;

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:26

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

God created everything. He created us to rule over every living creature. Part of your purpose

is to be a good steward of everything God has put into your hands starting with your own

body. The mind you were created with must be fertilized with the word of God.

MADE IN GOD’S IMAGE AND LIKENESS

You were made in the image and likeness of God.

What is the difference between image and likeness?

The word image is the Hebrew word tselm which means shade or resemblance.

It means the very same person. A precise reproduction

The moral disposition of the soul, his righteousness

A picture of God is His love, His tolerance, His forgiveness, His compassion and

His righteousness.

The word likeness is the Hebrew word demuwth which means shape, fashion, or

similitude. It can also mean resemblance.

Since no man has seen God at any time, image and likeness refer to the soul.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary describes image and likeness in this manner;

Being in God's image means that humans share, though imperfectly and finitely, in God's nature, that is, in His communicable attributes (life, personality, truth, wisdom, love, holiness, justice), and so have the capacity for spiritual fellowship with Him.

Animals were created with flesh but not spirit. Man is created in flesh and spirit and is allied with

heaven and earth.

According to Matthew Henry, “ God’s image upon man consists of three things,

1. In his nature and constitution, 2 In his place and authority, and 3 his purity and rectitude.

It consists of knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness."

The Man was predestined in Jesus before the foundation of the earth. Therefore our purpose is found

in the creator. The "us" in Genesis 1:26 is the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have a

higher purpose than just existing on Earth.

PURPOSE IS NOT FOUND IN YOU

We cannot find our purpose in ourselves. In us is sin. Sinful thinking leads to a sinful

purpose. A sinful purpose leads to death.

Romans 8:6

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;

Ask yourself, Am I controlled by the spirit of God?

Our purpose is spiritual and found in Jesus because He set us free from sin

Romans 8:1-3

Because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

We were not set free to do our thing, We were set free to do the will of God.

Ask yourself, do you feel free, or do feel bound by all the stuff I have to do?

This does not mean, that we should not pursue our goals and aspirations. What it does mean is

to pursue them under the guidance and direction of the Lord. The purpose of our lives is in

partnership with the Lord.

Discovering your purpose will not be found in self-help books or seminars.

According to Rick Warren, self-help books give self-driven steps to find your purpose

1. Consider your dreams

2. Clarify your values

3. Set goals

4. What are you good at

5. Aim high

6. Believe in yourself

7. Self-discipline

8. Never give up

These are good steps toward being successful in life. If God is not in this process

your purpose will not be found.

PURPOSE DISCOVERED IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH

 JESUS

Matthew 16:25

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Your purpose can only be found when God is the primary focus of your life.

1 Corinthians 2:6-8

We speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

Your purpose is a secret that world can’t know because it is not revealed to them. Your purpose

will be revealed to you through your relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

You will never be fulfilled in the world's pursuits. Your fulfillment is in Jesus Christ.

We were created not for ourselves but for the Father

Colossians 1:16-18

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.

God created you for His purpose. He determined your purpose before heaven and earth

was created.

God has never left you in control of your life. You may think you make decisions independent

of Him. But you can’t make any decisions without Him.

Job 12:10

In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

You can't breathe without God's assistance. You can’t think without God’s help.

You can do nothing without God.

CONCLUSION OF CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1 of Purpose-driven Life concludes with

YOUR PURPOSE IS NOT ALL ABOUT YOU

SO WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT OUR PURPOSE?

1. Purpose in found in G_______________________

2. You were made in His I____________and L__________

3. You were created to R___________________

4. You are different from animals. You have F___________ and S__________

5. You are part of both H____________and E__________________

6. You consist of God’s K_____________ R______________ H_____________

7. You have the capacity for spiritual F______________ with G___________

8. All things were created by G_____________ for G_______________

CLASS QUESTIONS

HOW CAN I REMIND MYSELF THAT LIFE IS ALL

 ABOUT GOD AND NOT ME?

WHAT EFFECT IN KNOWING YOUR PURPOSE

 HAVE ON YOU?

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "What Does Heaven Look Like", Matthew 13: 24-33

 A VIEW OF HEAVEN

Matthew 13:24-33

WHAT HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE

V:24 Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

The one thing you and I need to know is more about the heaven God has promised us. We need

more knowledge about the God that has promised us heaven. We need to understand heaven

and How God works with us in His heaven.

The man is God Himself. The seed is the Word of God. The field is the world, mankind.

When Jesus said Heaven is at hand, He was referring to Himself. The Work of Jesus was to

plant the His Word into mankind. The Word of God is the incorruptible truth. The enemy is

the devil, the father of lies. The enemy plants seeds of temptation to corrupt the ones

God has planted.

When Jesus chose His 12 disciples, He included one who was His enemy, Judas who

betrayed Him. All believers were chosen from a world filled with the enemies of God.

The Lord saw fit to choose us out of the world, to be light unto the world. Believers

and none believers are mingled together to grow up together.

It is up to the servants of God to know the difference between the good seed and the

corrupt seed. The servants of God must first know the Word of God to distinguish the

difference between truth and lies. The servant must always be on alert to resist

the temptations of the devil. Satan works under the cover of darkness in the ignorant of believers. He often shows up as an angel of light, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Each believer affects the world around him/her. We never know who God has called.

What we do know is we are voices of His calling card. We may be planting a seed or

watering a seed others have planted. It is the Holy Spirit that fertilizes the Word that

was planted.

BELIEVERS AND THE PRETENDERS

V:27 "The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'

28 "'An enemy did this,' he replied.

"The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to go and pull them up?'

29 "'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.

A good servant never acts without the approval of the owner. We should always evaluate our

circumstances and determine what we think is wrong or right. We should even come to a conclusion

on what we think ought to be done and make suggestions. We must first discuss the situation

with the Lord. Since He is the owner, we seek guidance and directions from Him.

Notice the servant want to pull up the weeds. The word weed or tares is a Greek word that means

false grain. In the Church, there are a lot of pretenders who have not accepted Christ as Savior. God

has a reason why He allows believers and none believers to grow together. It is the Word of God

that convicts sinners. If we offend none believers we may also offend believers and weaken their

faith.

What kind of church would we be if we became an exclusive club for believers only? How

would the church grow? The church ought to look like the community. There ought to be

used to be drug dealers. There ought to be used to be prostitutes. There ought to be recovering

drug users. We ought to have used to be homeless in the congregation. We certainly ought

to have some use to be liars and robbers. Not everyone will change, but many will.

Taking matters into our own hands without the approval of the Father can be destructive.

We know how we would like things to be. God knows how things will be. We can make plans

but it is not our plan but the Lord's that will prevail. It is our job to ensure that whatever we do

is according to the will of God.

GROWING FOR THE HARVEST

V:30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.'"

God is in no hurry to build His Church. He has eternity. The Father has the second coming

of Jesus in view. The servant was steward over the portion of the field assigned to him.

Jesus is Lord over the entire field. Since all things work together for the good of the entire

Church body, we must make sure that what we do is according to God’s divine will.

Jesus said the harvest is plentiful but the worker is few. We must continue to do

work assigned to us while it is the day. Our job is to grow disciples (Matthew 28:19).

After the second coming of Jesus, every person will be called to judgment. Those who

accepted Christ Jesus will be granted eternity in heaven. Those who rejected Christ will be

cast into the burning hell for eternity.

SMALL START, A BIG ENDING

V:31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

The Gospel of Jesus Christ started small with 11 apostles. It has grown to cover the entire

world with millions of followers. It started with Jesus over 2000 years ago and is still

growing. Believers rest in the peace and joy of Jesus. Believer hopes in His second coming

and the promise of eternal life.

The Kingdom Of Heaven is the place where Jesus reigns and is the light of the world.

The Kingdom Of Heaven is a place of love, God’s righteousness and His Glory.

It is a place of unending praise and worship. It is a place of infinite growth in the

knowledge of the Lord.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Bible Study Series: Mental Balance; How To Control Yourself, Psalms 37

 MENTAL BALANCE

HOW TO CONTROL YOURSELF

Psalms 37:1-27

How do you maintain joy and peace in times like these? When the facts don't matter.

When the truth doesn't matter. When human life doesn't matter. How do you keep

yourself from being angry and upset when violence seems to be escalating? How

can you sleep well at night when violence is all around you?

In this country, there is the opinion that we are safer if everyone has a gun to

protect themselves. There is also the opinion that guns don’t kill people. People

with mental problems kill people.

According to the Bible, people have killed people since the beginning of mankind.

The only sure protector of you and me is God himself.

I am going to make a hypothesis and then attempt to prove it with the Word of

God.

MY HYPOTHESIS

I do not believe every act of violence is due to mental illness. I do not believe that

every mass murderer has a mental illness. I do not expect everyone to agree with me.

I believe many people have mental problems, and some lead to violence.

But every act of violence is not related to mental illness.

Let's go to where violence got its start in mankind. Violence started in the Garden of

Eden with the first marriage. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command by listening

to the most violent entity God created which was Satan. Disobedience is an act of

violence against God. The first marriage became dysfunctional and that dysfunction

was carried to the first children, Cain and Able.

My First Proof.

The first counseling section recorded in the Bible was between God and Cain. The

sin of Adam and Eve affected their children. The violence of Adam and Eve was

transferred to their sons.

Genesis 4:4-7

The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering, he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.

6 Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? 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."

Cain having full knowledge of right and wrong killed his younger brother. It was not mental illness, it was disobedience.

MY SECOND PROOF

Judas with full knowledge of right and wrong, betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver and then hung himself. It was not a mental illness it was disobedience.

In both these cases and countless others throughout the Bible, violence against God and man is not mental illness, but disobedience. Man fails to master his anger. Man failed to control himself. Anger leads to rage and rage can lead to violent acts. Anger leads to irrational behavior.

MY THIRD PROOF

In Psalms 37, God gives us the method of controlling our mental attitude.

Anger is a defect in mental attitude that results from discontentment.

DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

V:1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

The Hebrew word for fret means to burn, to be kindled, to be inflamed

Don’t get inflamed, upset, or angry about the bad thing going on around you.

Notice, it is a choice one has to make. Anger wants to have you, I should say

Satan wants to have you. You have to master your anger.

Don’t get envious of what the world is doing. Don't let your mind get distracted from what God is doing. What is good for the world is not good for the believer. We are not of this world, therefore cannot compare ourselves to the world. Whatever prosperity the world has will be short-lived Like looking at a flower that blooms, its beauty will soon fade away.

Fretting is a complaint. The reason for the complaint is discontentment. The discontentment leads to envy or jealousy which leads to rage which leads to violent acts. The violent act can be controlled by mastering our anger.

Cain was advised by God to master his anger. He didn’t, so anger got control of him and

he killed his brother. Mental illness was not the problem.

PUT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD

V:3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

We must cast our cares on the Lord. He knows best what we need.

The solution for fretting is trusting in the Lord.

We must cast our cares on the Lord. He knows best how to our circumstances.

The Lord gives the procedure for maintaining our contentment

Do good. Treat everybody right

 Do Good; Do not give up, do not yield to fear. Do good; get to some

practical work for God; continue in the path of daily duty, take

spiritual exercise. (T. Spurgeon)

Stay where you are. Stay focused on the Lord.

Don’t lose faith because of the world’s problems

Enjoy the protection of the Lord. You must realize that it's God who keeps you.

Enjoy what you have. Be grateful

Delight yourself in the Lord

Give God praise continuously

The reward for contentment

Given the desires of your heart

FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS

V:5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Submit Yourself to the guidance and direction of the Lord

Roll your burden on to the Lord

Let the Lord handle your troubles so they become His.

When God has your burden He will not permit you to suffer.

When you give your problems over to God, don’t think about them. Don’t revisit the problems.

If you begin to fret, you know you have not let go. You never gave them to God.

Find your way to doing good. Because you do good, others will see your righteousness

WAIT PATIENTLY ON THE LORD

If you say you trust the Lord, you must trust His Way. You must trust His timing

You must trust His purpose

You must wait on God and act with anticipation and excitement

You must resolve to be peaceful when you see the evil men prosper

Know that those who commit evil against others have a false sense of accomplishment

which will end soon.

HANDLE YOUR EMOTIONS IN A GODLY MANNER

V:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. 11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

Our emotions are fueled by the way we think,

If we see things in a positive light, we will be peaceful

If we see things negative we will upset ourselves

If we see God in control, we live in confidence

Don't get angry. Don't seek revenge. Don't upset yourself

These three lead you to a desire to do evil. You must take control of the situation.

Go to God in prayer and allow Him to handle the situation according to His will.

Our prayers should be filled with patience with the Lord.

We get upset with God because we ignore the promise of God that the actions of the wicked will be short-lived. They will be put down in God's due time.

The solution to our evil temperament is to humble ourselves before the Lord and

wait for Him to act.

1 Peter 5:6-8

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled and alert.

THE ACTIONS OF THE WICKED ARE A LAUGHING

 MATTER

V:12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; 13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. 15 But their swords will pierce their hearts, and their bows will be broken.

Evil folk plans all kinds of stuff against you. They plot and plan to destroy you.

God laughs because evil men can do nothing but what He allows

Their end is near.

RIGHTEOUSNESS, YOUR BEST SITUATION

V:16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; 17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.

18 The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.

Your best situation is contentment with what God has done, is doing, and will do for you.

To balance your mental attitude, control what you think about. Those who have negative thoughts inflame themselves. Those who have good thoughts find peace.

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

A Balanced mental attitude does not rest with your stuff, your connections, your education, or the number of guns you have. A balance mental attitude is based on your relationship with God.

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The mission Of Jesus", Matthew 5:17-44

 THE MISSION OF JESUS AND TEACHING

Matthew 5:17-44

JESUS FULFILLED OUR NEEDS

V:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Jesus gives us His mission and demonstrates His works.

Only Jesus was qualified to fulfill the Law. The Law was designed to be our tutor until grace

came. The Law is good because it shows our sinfulness. Only Jesus was qualified to fulfill

all the requirements of the Law.

Some say that there are 613 commands in the law. Only Jesus would know them all and could

keep them in focus at all times. Anyone who breaks any of the commands is guilty of the

whole law. By keeping all of the commands, Jesus death on the cross atoned for the sins of the

entire world.

The Law is still a reminder of our sinfulness and the righteousness of God. We are not under

penalty of law because of Jesus’ work on the cross. All believers are under the grace of our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Law will be with be in effect as the reminder of our sinfulness and God's righteousness

until this current heaven and earth are destroyed. In the new heaven, there will be no need for

the Word because we will be living in the Word.

LAY YOUR ANGER ASIDE

V:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

There is a murder of the body and murder of the spirit, Jesus holds the murder of the spirit to the same judgment. You can kill a person's spirit with your words. The Lord warns us to control our anger. When you are angry with another person you are likely to say hurtful things which will damage their spirit.

The word angry is the Greek word which means to be enraged.

The word raca is the Greek word that means worthless. When we become enraged our

true feeling about another person is vocalized. To call another person worthless or foolish

degrades them. We become guilty of the murder of the spirit. We must humble ourselves

before others see them as important as we see ourselves. We are reminded to love

our neighbors as ourselves.

SANCTITY THE FAMILY IN YOUR HEART

V:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Family is God's first institution. He loves family and the sanctity of family. Anything that undermines the foundation of a family is against the will of God. The desire of a man for another woman outside of his marriage is adultery.

When a man desires another woman, he takes his focus off the one he made a lasting

commitment to before God and man. The heart of a man is corrupted by lust. Families

can be destroyed by lust in the heart for others outside of marriage.

LET GO AND LET GOD FIGHT YOUR BATTLES

V:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

The law of retaliation is given in Exodus 21:24. One has the right to protect himself. The Lord

gives the believer another alternative; one of humility and selflessness. It is our job to seek a

peaceful solution. When attempts to reconcile the situation fail, we turn it over to God. The

Lord says vengeance is mind.

Certainly, this is not a command one would do according to the desires of the flesh. With God

as our refuge, we humble ourselves and be seen as peacemakers.

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

V:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Our normal thought is to love those close to us and those who show love to us. The love of the

The enemy is never on our minds. We only think about our enemies when confronted by them.

The Lord requires us to spend time considering the needs of our enemies. We need to consider their

spiritual needs. We never know if our enemies were placed in our midst to be drawn to Christ.

The love we show others may be the light that changes them from enemy to friend.

Being the light of the world and the salt of the earth we should imitate Christ with

our lives.

Rev. M. Mitchell