1. Love does not always win at the start.  In fact it usually takes time for love to have its full impact.  Tell about a time when love finally won in a situation in which you were involved.  [It will be difficult (we understand!) but you will need to be brief]:
   
   
2. Read I Peter 1:22 (NIV).  Take a few minutes to analyze this important passage and answer the following questions:
   
   
   • What activity, mentioned at the start of the verse, must take place if genuine love (godly love, agape) is to have a chance to spring forth and grow?
     
   • What "truth" do you think Peter is speaking of when he refers to the practice of "obeying the truth"?
     
   • What is the initial involuntary result of "obeying the truth"?  That is, what does God do In the heart of the person who believes what God has said about people, about love, and about His love?
     
   • The word translated "earnestly" or "deeply" or "fervently" which appears near the end of this verse comes from two Greek words having the meaning "out" and "stretch."  Putting them together we come up with the word's literal meaning "to make a thing last as long as possible."  What is to be "stretched out" and how might we help keep it that way?
     
     
3. Read John 15:12.  List some of the ways, or approaches to love that Jesus used to express His love and commitment to His disciples.  [Please be careful on this one, the tendency is to miss some of the obvious things that Jesus did.]
   
   
4. According to the following passages, what are some of the important things love from God is able to do?  Or, putting it another way, when we love the way God loves, what kind of characteristics do we see expressed?
   
   
   • Romans 12:9a
     
   • Hebrews 13:1
     
   • Colossians 3:14
     
     
5. Read I Corinthians 16:13 and Galatians 5:6b.  Can you think of someone in the Bible that actually practiced "love by faith"?
   
   
6. Focus on care and prayer...
   
   

1. Most of us have experienced a time of intense physical activity that left us spent, unable to do much more than move.  Describe some of the feelings that go with this kind of fatigue?  (I.e., what would you say if someone asked you how you felt at such a time?):
   
   
2. When we experience weariness in our inner man (say, in our human spirit) would we experience the weakness in a similar way?  How would they be the same?  Differ?:
   
   
3. Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV). Notice that the word "power is mentioned three times in this version (twice or four times In other versions).  It Is the central Idea of this passage.  Various words are used to express the concept of power, but the two principle thoughts are: power, the right to take action; and power, the ability or might that enables one to take the action desired.  With these definitions in mind, consider the following questions:
   
   
   • From where does God draw the power that he shares with us? (Ephesians 3:16)
     
     
   • If we wish to have this power from God, how do we obtain it? What must we do to share in it?  Is it something we deserve or earn? (Ephesians 3:16-17)
     
     
   • How do we experience the power of God?  In our muscles?  Our mind?  Our emotions?  In our spirit? (Ephesians 3:17)
     
     
   • What is one of the principle purpose of the power which God gives us?  What activity does God want us to invest the power In? (Ephesians 3:18-19)
     
     
   • According to verse 20, would It be possible to use up God's power?  Could we ever think of or ask from God for something that he or we through Him would not have adequate power to accomplish?
     
     
4. According to the following passages, are some of the reasons why people experience a loss of power from God.  See if you can identify what that reason is and suggest a way to prevent or overcome it.
   
   
   • Joshua 7:12
     
     
   • Mark 9:18
     
     
   • John 15:5
     
     
5. Read I Thessalonians 1:5, Acts 4:33, and Acts 1:8.  These three passages reflect the typical kinds of activity that God's power is used for in this life.  What are these principle activities and what might happen with reference to our experiencing God's power if we decided not to become involved with these activities?
   
   
6. This week's focus on care and prayer
   
   Feel weak and defeated at times?  Yes, most of us do.  But the Bible says that we have a God who enters us and will provide power if we ask. But it seems that we must ask.  It is not normal, or automatic, or present with us all the time in an unending basis.

1. That they might be Kept Through His Name (St. John 17:11).
   
   
2. That they might have His Joy In Themselves (St. John 17:13).
   
   
3. That they might be Sanctified (St. John 17:17-19).
   
   
4. That they might All Be One (St. John 17:21-22).
   
   
5. That they might be a Blessing To Others (St. John 17:20).
   
   
6. That they might Possess The Father's Love (St. John 17:26).
   
   
7. That they might Behold His Glory (St. John 17:24).
   
   

The day that Joshua and Caleb stood before the Children of Israel and tried to get them to enter the Promise Land,  I doubt the two men understood all that was at stake.  They certainly possessed the vision of God for His people to enter the Promised Land.  When the people resisted their rallying cry, the two men told them, "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.  If the Lord delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey"(Numbers 14:7-8).

They also recognized the power of God to defeat their enemies.  Both Joshua and Caleb had been present when God closed the Red Sea over Pharaoh's army.  But did they truly understand that their ability (or, rather, their inability) to lead the people in that moment would determine whether an entire generation of people would enjoy the land of milk and honey promised to their ancestors-or die in the desert?

Obedience to God is important.  Because Joshua and Caleb were obedient, they alone of the adult Jewish population entered the Promised Land.  But for the Christian Witness, obedience is not enough.  Our influence to others will go a long way in winning them to Christ.

1. Joshua came face to face with the true nature of witnessing.
   
2. He failed to convince the people to do what they should have done alone.
   
3. His position as tribal leader did nothing to help him influence others.
   

1. According to Numbers 13:2, those selected to spy out the Promised Land were "every one a leader or witness."
   
2. That means Joshua was a witness and leader and had influence.
   
3. But evidently his influence didn't reach beyond his tribe.
   

1. The Scripture says nothing about the mood of the people as they waited for the return of the spies from the Promised Land, but they must have been in a state of anticipation.
   
2. I believe that if all the spies had given a good report, the people of Israel would have obeyed God and crossed into the land.
   
3. But influence is a two-edged sword; it cuts both positive and negative.
   
4. The ten negative used their influence in witnessing to lead the people astray, and the result was disaster.
   

1. The ten spies were afraid, and they used their influence to create fear in the other people.
   
2. They lied to the people in saying the land "devours its inhabitants."
   
3. Joshua and Caleb tried to motivate the people as a good witness with positive influence
   

People either loved or hated him.  King Ahab called him "Oh troubler of Israel" and "Oh my enemy." Ahab's wife, Jezebel, wanted him dead.  But the people who loved God flocked to this man and sought his leadership.  I'm talking about Elijah, the leader considered by some to be the most famous and most dramatic of all the prophets of Israel.  Elijah's ministry was characterized by fire.  He possessed a fiery passion for God and truth.  Elijah's life was also characterized by magnetism.  When he humiliated Baal's prophets, he won over the people.  He attracted people who were like himself.  As a result of the magnetism of Elijah, Elisha carried the torch after Elijah was gone.

1. All Christians attract people.
   
2. Remember, all Christians need influence.
   
3. Who you are is who you attract.
   
   

1. Intellectually.
   a.  Elijah connected with the people at Mt. Carmel by mocking the false god of Baal, and calling down the fire from Heaven.
   b.  A Christian needs to use the proper intellect when dealing with others.
   
   
2. Emotionally.
   a.  Elijah did not act non-responsible.
   b.  To act favorable in dealing with the false prophets; he drenched the altars with water.
   c.  Then declared, "The Lord, He is God".
   
   
3. Volitionally.
   a.  He cried, "Seize the prophets of Baal!"
   b.  Elijah knew when to move toward the positive mode and not negative.
   
   

1. A Christian's magnetism can be cultivated, shaped, and matured.
   
2. The ability to cast a vision and connect with people can be improved.
   
3. Before Elijah drew crowds, he labored in obscurity helping a widow and her son.
   
4. God had the time to make Elijah's vision clear, and to give him confidence.
   
5. All these things increase your magnetism.
   
6. If you look at the people you have been attracting as a Christian, you will find out a lot about yourself.
   
7. You do not need to be stuck where you are.
   
   Thought For The Week
   
   Magnetism is like money. It's neither good nor bad. It's a tool.
   It will help you to win souls for Jesus Christ.

Successful Christians learn to be effective; they must continually seek out new ways to be an effective witness to the lost and dying world.  In 2002, we must gain the confidence and support of your peers.  You cannot win people to Christ if you cannot connect with them.

Rehoboam never learned how to connect with people.  His life is a vivid example of how its impossible for a Christian to connect with people while pursuing selfish ends.  Rehoboam was power hungry and was more concerned about flexing his political muscle than connecting with his people.  Even when his people offered to follow him forever if he lightened the burden on them, he refused their offer and pursued his agenda.  As a result, he sealed his fate in being able to ever connect with his peers.

If you desire to connect with others, check your motives according to the following guidelines;

1. Dr. Albert Schweitzer asserted, "Whatever you have received more than others-in health, in talents, in ability, in success... all this you must not take to yourself as a matter of course.  In gratitude for good fortune, you must render some sacrifice of your own life for another life."
   
2. Rehoboam never got beyond himself.
   
3. He thought his bullying would produce more respect, but it produced only contempt.
   
4. To connect with people, remain open-minded.
   

1. Mahatma Gandhi once remarked, "The difference between that we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems."
   
2. Rehoboam missed a great opportunity (God given) to connect and grow beyond himself
   
3. If we are to reach others, we must be humble and teachable.
   
4. The only way to tap into your potential is to connect with people, and win them to Christ.
   

1. People with low self-esteem are almost always preoccupied with themselves.
   
2. Rehoboam had no interest in giving to others, only what he could get for himself.
   
3. To be a witness and win others you must be like a river, not like a reservoir.
   

1. The only legacy left by Rehoboam was war.
   
2. He had the distinction of being the king who destroyed the nation God had chosen as His own.
   
3. People who genuinely touch the lives of other people can make an impact beyond themselves.
   
4. When connecting with people is continually a priority in your life, going beyond yourself is almost inevitable.
   

1. Christ was anointed by Mary (John 12:1-11).
   
2. Lazarus, his two sisters and Jesus are invited to supper at the Bethany home of Simon, the leper.
   
3. Mary approaches Jesus during dinner with an alabaster flask of costly ointment.
   
4. Mary is criticized for this by His Disciples and in general by Judas Iscariot.
   

1. Entered Jerusalem in the Triumphal Entry (John 12:12-19).
   
2. Jesus sends two disciples to fetch a colt.
   
3. The owner asks who is taking my colt.
   
4. The disciples reply, "The Master has need".
   
5. Christ rides the colt on palm leaves through the streets.
   

1. Jesus will cleanse the temple for the second time (Matthew 21:12-22).
   
2. Jesus said that the house should be a "House of Prayer, but you have made it a Den of Thieves".
   
3. Christ of course knew that in less than 40 years the Temple of Herod would be leveled and burned by the Romans.
   

1. Jesus had a confrontation with the Pharisees (Matthew 21:23-24).
   
2. About His authority (Matthew 21:23-27).
   
3. About paying of tribute (Matthew 22:15-22).
   
4. About the Resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33).
   
5. About the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:34-40).
   
6. Denunciation of the Pharisees (Matthew 23).
   
7. Request by the Greeks (John 12:20-50).
   
8. Mt. Olivet discourse (Matthew 24-25).
   

1. Day of Silence.
   

1. Preparation for the Passover (Mark 14:12-16).
   
2. Events in the Upper Room (John 13-14, Matthew 26:20-35).
   
3. En route to Gethsemane (John 15-16).
   
4. The Great High Priestly Prayer (John 17).
   
5. In Gethsemane (Mathew 26:36-56).
   
6. Final Pre-Calvary Miracle (Luke 22:50-51).
   

1. Unfair trials and crucifixion.
   
2. Had seven unfair trials.
   a.  John 18:12-14, 19-24.
   b.  Matthew 26:57-27:1.
   c.  Luke 22:66-23:1.
   d.  Matthew 27:2, 11-14.
   e.  Luke 23:7-12.
   f.   Matthew 27:15-26.
   g.  Mark 15:16-20.
   
3. Christ is crucified (Matthew 27:32-56)