Rejoice with them as they gain victory, return to the church, and become vital in reaching others.

Romans 12:14-19

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.15  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.16  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

It does not matter what someone else has done to you, FORGIVE anyway.

    Matthew 6:14-15 – 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

    II Corinthians 2:1-11 – But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.2  For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?3  And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.4  For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.5   But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.6  Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.7  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.8  Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.9  For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

    Ephesians 4:30-32 –  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

    Colossians 3:10-13 – And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.12   Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

    Always remember what you did to Jesus. – YOU KILLED HIM.

    I Peter 2:21-25 –  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:24  Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.25  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

    Give others the same grace you want for yourself

    1. I Peter 3:8-10 – Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

    Romans 12:14;17 –

    14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

    17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

    Use your voice to encourage them – (Our job is to restore.)

    1. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

    Proverbs 29:22-23 – An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit

    Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

    Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

    James 3:10-18 – Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.11  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?12  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.14  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.18  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

    MAYBE TODAY WE SHOULD DO WHAT TOMORROW WE WILL BE GLAD WE DID

    Be a Vessel God can use to bring them home.

    II TIMOTHY 2:19-26 - Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.22   Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.23  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

    If we are going to help others find their way home, we must first become a vessel of honor that God can use to help them find their way home.

    1. We must be clean – purge ourselves.
    2. Flee sinful desires.
    3. Seek after Holiness – 1 Peter 1:15-16 – 15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 2 Corinthians 7:1   Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Psalms 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
    4. We must be living a sanctified life – John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

    1 Peter 1:22-23 – 22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

    1. We must be committed to scriptural truth.
    2. We must have UNCONDITIONAL LOVE toward other believers.
    3. We must be obedient to the word of God which never changes.
    4. We must be meet – usable – ready to serve.
    5. Be sure we are not being used to hinder a weaker believer. Galatians 5:13 – For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
    6. Be sure what you do is pleasing to the Lord, not just making a show before men. Colossians 3:22-24 –   Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
    7. God is keeping score. Do not worry about what man thinks. Hebrews 6:10  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
    8. We must be prepared to do the work necessary to help them.         I Thessalonians 5:14-16 –   Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.15  See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.16 Rejoice evermore.
    9.  Be sure to treat others with patience.
    10.  Understand there are those believers who are weak.
    11.  Do good to those who may not be so kind to you.
    12. We must be ready for whatever the MASTER calls us to do.

    II Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

    • We must eventually answer to the Lord.
    •  Are you more interested in what man thinks or what your Lord thinks?

    NO ONE DESERVES TO BE ALONE

    No one, and I mean no one should be alone in this life. Some people think being alone is what is good for them. The Bible disputes that. Two are always better than one. As we look at this, I do not mean living alone in a house, but I mean always being alone and never getting out to build relationships. People need relationships. People need companionship. If the church is done the BIBLICAL way, people will have a right place to build these relationships and companionship. As we continue the series on Bring Them Back, we are going to look at being alone. Some intentionally separate from others. Even these people need to be brought home.

    Ecclesiastes 4:9-10   Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.10  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

    • We need others to help in time of need.
    • We all have time on need.
    • We will all fall from time to time.

    I Thessalonians 5: 8-11  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11   Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do

    • We are to find comfort in relationships.
    • We are to build up one another.
    • We are to work together to glorify Christ.

    Ephesians 4:29-32 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

    • We are to be forgiving regardless of the offense.
    • We are to speak words of encouragement, not words of condemnation.
    • To live a life of unforgiveness is to grieve the Holy Spirit.
    • We are to minister grace to others.

    Galatians 6:1-2 –  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

    • We are to help carry the burden of others.
    • We are to restore, not kill the wounded.
    • We are to display a spirit of meekness (kindness) to others.Failure to follow God’s plan will set you up for a hard fall

    Romans 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

    • Not everyone is strong.
    • We must reach out to those whose faith has been shattered.
    • We have to learn to help without judging.

    What Do I Owe God?

    Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 – 4  When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.5  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

    Romans 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

    My worship –

    Psalms 138:2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

    My praise-

    Psalms 56:4  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

    Psalms 118:6  The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

    Romans 8:38-39 – 38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    My conduct –

    Colossians 3:8-15 – But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12   Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

    My attitudes –

    Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

    My presence –

    Psalms 5:7   But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

    Hebrews 10:24-25 – 24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

    My witness –

    Romans 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

    Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

    1 Corinthians 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;


    The key to successful Christian living –

    2 Timothy 1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

    Heaven, My Home Sweet Home

    John 14:1-6 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5 Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

    There is still plenty of room

    He will not throw out anyone who comes.

    John 6:37-40 –  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.39  And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.40  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

    The invitation is still open.

    Isaiah 55:1-3 –  Ho, every one that    thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.2  Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.3  Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

    You and I get to be the inviters
    Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

    Psalm 126:5-6 –  They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

    2 Timothy1:12  For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

    Romans 12:1-3 – Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

    II Corinthians 5: 11  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

    My new home is built by the Hand of God Himself –

    TWO NEW HOMES WE HAVE:

    New Body

    II Corinthians 5:1   For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (read thru 11)

    New dwelling place

      John 14: 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you

      Still to come – plenty of room, Jesus will be there, It is not built by man but all built by God, all the redeemed will be there, but it takes the proper paperwork to enter in.