: Be wise as serpents, and harmless as dove:

Ø  Matthew 10:16-19 > Wolves are Satan

Ø  In John 10:10, we found purpose of Satan.

Ø  We need to be wise as snake.

Ø  What are snakes trying to protect? > Their Head.

Ø  A Snakes first line of defense is avoidance

·         2 Corinthians 11:3

·         Genesis 3:11

Ø  A Serpent is wise.

Ø  Proverbs 4:7- principle thing need in this world is wisdom.

Ø  Wisdom is within our reach

Ø  WISE AS SERPENT.

Ø  To protect ourselves

1.    Proverbs 2:2- Wisdom in our hearing

2.    Proverbs 2:10 > Our heart must be filled with wisdom

3.    Proverbs 3:21 > Our eyes must be filled

4.    Proverbs 10:13; Proverbs 10:21; Proverbs 10:31 > Our mouth must be speaking wisdom

5.    Proverbs 27:12- Our nose must be filled with wisdom

6.    Proverbs 15:27- Our touch must be filled with wisdom

Ø  Therefore, to be “wise as serpents” refer to the ability of the disciples to avoid unnecessary contact with the “wolves”, and to know how to handle the situation in a way that minimize the ability of the “wolves” to succeed. We as a Jesus’ disciple should not provoke attack from our enemy, but rather behave in such a fashion that frustrates the design of the wicked against us.

Ø  HARMLESS AS DOVES

Ø  To be harmless as Doves” expresses the need of Jesus’ disciples to be above reproach in both conduct and speech.

Ø  1 Samuel 23: David spares the life of Saul > David was wise to escape multiple attack from Saul, but when time came he spares Saul’s life, because he didn’t want to take life of God’s anointed one, and acted as a harmless Dove.

Sermon Notes: www.intlcog.org, Date: 10/26/2014

Theme of Sheep

Theme of Sheep

Ø Romans 1:20- we sees attributes of God in naure.

Ø Matthew 10:16-22 > because, we are sheep in the midst of wolves, Jesus said, be wise as serpents, and harmless as dove.

Ø  Dove: The dove often symbolizes the Holy Spirit, and in studying the Biblical background about the dove, we can see why this symbol was chosen and we can be reminded of the Holy Spirit’s qualities.

1.    Dove can settle in any climate- we should learn to adopt to survive in any circumstances- be ready to adjust > 1 Corinthians 9:22

2.    Dove have 9 main feathers on each of its wings that is 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit, and 9 fruit of the Holy Spirit > Galatians 5:22-23 > As Children of God we should possess gift of the Holy Spirit and Fruit of the Holy Spirit.

3.    Dove are affectionate - as children of God as sheep > Ephesians 4:2

4.    Dove are easy to teach

5.    Dove are quite & unobtrusive > Colossians 4:6

6.    Dove are symbolic of peace > Matthew 5:9 > As Children of God we should possess peace of God.

7.    Dove are symbol of purity > 2 Timothy 2:22 > As Children of God we should possess purity.


Sermon notes, www.intlcog.org: Date: 10/19/2014

I am a sheep, the Lord is my Shepherd.

I am a sheep, the Lord is my Shepherd.

·         1 Peter 2:25 > what are some of Characteristics of sheep?

1.    Sheep are defenseless - their defense comes from the shepherd > John 10:11-13 > shepherd sacrifices his life for sheep. Jesus is our chief shepherd, Pastor is shepherd.

2.    Sheep are directionless- they are followers-their direction comes from the shepherd-John 10:2-5

3.    Sheep are restless- they are design to be together-their rest comes from the shepherd > John 10:16; Psalms 23:1> shepherd will give them peace, unify together.

4.    Sheep are helpless- their help comes from the shepherd > Psalms 23:1-3

·         2 Chronicles 20:12 (for we have no power)

1.    The children of Israel were defenseless- they acknowledge God as their defense, shepherd.

2.    the children of Israel were directionless

3.    2 chronicles 20:11 - the children of Israel were restless- they acknowledge that they are under the threat of restlessness.

4.    2 chronicle 20:12- they acknowledge that they do not know what to do.

Ø  2 Chronicles 20:15- 17: God said (shepherd) that the battle is belongs to shepherd.

·         What do sheep teach us?

SURRENDER TO THE GOD, TRUST IN OUR CHIEF SHEPHERD JESUS CHRIST.

Sermon Notes from www.intlcog.org, Date: 10/12/14

Walk in unity: Lessons from Birds

Communion 

·         Isaiah 53:10 > you should do three things daily.

·         1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1.    Rejoice evermore

2.    Pray 

3.    In everything give thanks

·         In Old Testament, there are three compartment of the temple: Outer Court, Inner Court, and Holy of Holies; that are replaced in New Testament, since our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

·         In everything give thanks, begin to Pray, so God will give you reason to rejoice always.

Walk in unity: Lessons from Birds

·         1 Corinthians 1:10

·         When you see birds flying along in “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

·         When the head bird gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another bird flies point.

·         The bird in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

·         Church who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

·         God is counting on every member of the body of Christ to do their job.

·         When birds are traveling in a V-formation, we conclude that,

1.    Birds are stronger- 2 Kings 7:3-4- the lepers became strong when they decided together to surrender to the Syrians.

2.    Birds don't travel alone- 2 Kings 7:5- the lepers travel together in Syrian camp.

3.    Birds travel in one direction-2 Kings 7:5- the lepers travel in one direction towards Syrian camp.

4.    Birds are team player- 1 Kings 7:9-the lepers were team player.

5.    Bird’s looks bigger- 7 Kings 7:6-8- four lepers along with God created the noise of great army.

·         You can be weak but we can be strong when we bond together in Christ.

Sermon Notes from www.intlcog.org, Date: 10/5/2014