S208P5 – A new family: a new grace

Mt. 18:21‭-‬22 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” When I was a child, I was like most…

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S208P4 – A new family: prepare for betrayal

Mk. 13:11‭-‬13 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and…

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S208P3 – A new family: the rules of engagement

Mt. 18:15‭-‬17 Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be…

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S208P2 – A new family: joined by experience

1 Pet. 5:8‭-‬9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. We all know people who share…

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S208P1 – A new family: born of the Spirit

Lk. 8:19‭-‬21 Now Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him, but they were not able to get near him because of the crowd. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.” He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”…

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S207P10 – The roots of falling short: a lack of discernment

1 Jn. 4:1-3 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that…

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S207P9 – The roots of falling short: complacency

Rev. 3:1-3a And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, “These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your works, that you have a name, that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready…

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S207P7 – The roots of falling short: self-preservation

Mt. 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the…

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S207P6 – The roots of falling short: anger at God

Job 2:7-10 So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. Then his wife said…

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