Clear Focus, Part 10: Hope (#967)
Welcome. Today we’re going to continue the series we’ve been doing since the beginning of 2019 on having a clear focus. Where we talk about what things we can focus on in God’s word. ‘Cause there are so many different topics and today we’re going to focus on hope. Hope is something positive to look forward to; and the great hope we read about in the scriptures is the hope of Jesus Christ’s return. And for him to be able to return, he has to continue to be alive, and for that to happen, he has to have been resurrected. So we’re going to take some time read about his resurrection, which is a very important focus in the scriptures — that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. You know it is interesting, we’ve done a teaching in the past that I’m not going to go into any details on today, but a lot of people will say the most important aspect of Christianity is Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and that is very, very important. Yet, in the book of Acts, the focus quickly moves from his death to his resurrection. Although his sacrifice and giving his blood for us, and dying on the cross is very big, what is even greater is that he was raised for the dead, and then after he was raised from the dead, of coarse, we got the gift of holy spirit. So let’s look here in Matthew chapter twenty-eight…

As taught by Bruce Mahone, 20190421.  All rights reserved.
Verse Listing and Notes
Matthew 28:1-10        He is risen
Luke 24:1-8                  Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Acts 1:22                       A witness of his resurrection
Acts 4:1-4                      Being grieved that they preached the resurrection
Acts 4:33                        And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all
Acts 17:16-21                He preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection
Acts 17:31-32                He hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked
I Thessalonians 4:13-18    Wherefore comfort one another with these words
I Timothy 1:1                  Lord Jesus Christ our hope
Titus 1:2                          In hope of eternal life
Titus 3:7                          Hope of eternal life
Acts 23:6                         Hope & resurrection of the dead
Romans 5:1-5 vs. 2:       Rejoice in hope
glory of God: Rev. 21:23
Romans 12:12                 Rejoicing in hope
Hebrews 6:19                  Anchor of the soul
Hebrews 10:23                Confession of the hope
Teaching
Clear Focus, Part 10: Hope (#967)

Clear Focus, Part 9: Steadfast (#966)
Good morning. Today we’ll continue our series on on having a clear focus, so we know where to focus our attention and our thinking for the upcoming couple of weeks. So many things to think about in God’s word, its nice to just pick one or two to focus on. And what we’re going to focus on is the concept of being steadfast. We see this in at least two areas; one, God is steadfast in His care for us and that was very clear in the manifestations; He said he would be the constant in our lives, He would always be here to take care of us, and we’ll read a number of versus about that and we’ll read a number of other versus about the importance of us being steadfast to trust God and believe His word and pray. So it will be a great session, I’m very excited about it. As with many of these teachings, we have read these verses before, but not for a couple of years. So, it will be great to look at them and consider them in light of our lives today. Let’s start in the book of Ruth, in the Old Testament…

As taught by Bruce Mahone, 20190407.  All rights reserved.
Verse Listing and Notes
Ruth                                   She was steadfastly minded (determined) [1:18]
Psalms 13:5-6                   I have trusted in thy steadfast love
Psalms 18:46-50               God shows steadfast love to his anointed, and to his seed forevermore
Psalms 23:6                       Surely goodness and steadfast love shall follow me
Psalms 107:1                     O give to the Lord, for he is good; his mercy (steadfast love) endures forever
Psalms 108:1-6, 12-13      Your mercy (steadfast love, lovingkindness) is great above (higher than) the heavens and thy truth (faithfulness) reaches to the clouds (skies) (vs. 4)
Psalms 136                         Mercy: love (NIV), lovingkindness (ASV), steadfast love (NRSV)
Psalms 112:1, 7-8              His heart is fixed (vs 7 – steadfast), his heart is established (vs 8 – steady)
Isaiah 26:3-4                       Stayed on thee – steadfast (Expositors Bible Commentary), well stayed, steady (ICC)
Daniel 6:26                          He is the living God, and steadfast for ever (vs. 26)
Luke 8:15                             Fruit with patience (steadfast perseverance) [by persevering]
Romans 12:10-14               Patient in mental pressure [continuing steadfast, faithful, persevering in prayer]
I Corinthians 15:58             Be ye steadfast unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord
I Peter 5:6-9                          Whom resist, steadfast in the faith
II Thessolians 3:5                 Love of God & Patient (steadfast) waiting
Additional Verses:
II Thessolians 3:3                  The Lord is faithful, who will stablish you and keep you from evil
II Timothy 2:13                       If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful
Titus 1:9                                  Holding fast the faithful word
I John 1:9                                 He is faithful and just to forgive
Teaching
Clear Focus, Part 9: Steadfast (#966)