When we examine others we justify self, but when we examine self we are more disposed to justify others. We then as Christians should:

1. Psalm 1, Proverbs 13:20.
   
2. Fowl of a feather flock together.
   

1. I John 2:15.
   
2. We can change our habits with the help of the Holy Spirit.
   

1. Psalm 10:4, Proverbs 23:7.
   
2. What we purpose in our heart will come to pass (Evil or Good).
   
3. We as Christians should develop and have good thoughts.
   

1. Colossians 3:2, Romans 8:6.
   
2. When we engage in carnal thoughts, we are not obeying the Holy Spirit.
   

1. I Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17.
   
2. How often we use God as our motive in fulfilling self wants.
   
3. We need to ask ourselves if our actions will vindicate God or self.
   

1. Attitude has little to do with circumstances  Philippians 4:11.
   
   
2. Attitudes can change, just like circumstances  Philippians 4:12.
   
   
3. Attitudes can be improved, if we learn the secret  Philippians 4:12.
   
   
4. Attitudes have a source for their strength  Philippians 4:12.
   
   

TEXT:  Matthew 20:29-34

We look long and hard in the New Testament to find the words where Jesus said:  "I love you".  In fact, we look in vain to find them, for they are not there.  Jesus was the world's greatest lover, and yet he showed his love without words.  In this story, we discover how.

1. Focus on Individuals and not the Crowd.  (Matthew 20:29-30)
   "And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him, and behold, two blind men..."
   
   
2. Listen Deeply to the Needs of Others.  (Matthew 20:30)
   "They cried out..."
   
   
3. Take Time to Be "Present" to Others.  (Matthew 20:32)
   "and Jesus stood still..."
   
   
4. Determine the Felt Needs of Others.  (Matthew 20:32)
   "What will ye that I shall do unto you?"
   
   
5. Empathize with Others.  (Matthew 20:34)
   "So Jesus had compassion on them."
   
   
6. Touch Others Where the Hurt and Need Is Greatest.  (Matthew 20:34)
   "...and touched their eyes."
   
   

Through God's wonderful grace, we have a building that is not only spacious, but is also beautiful.  Here is an important thing to remember:  This building is not the church; it is a building to be used by the church.  God used to dwell in buildings, tabernacles, temples, but now He indwells people.  I Corinthians 5:19-20.

We need a clear vision of what the church is, and we must know what it is before we can know how it can serve God as it should.

1. It is an organism.
   1. The church was foretold by Christ.  Matthew 16:18
      
   2. The church had its beginning at Pentecost.  Acts. 2:1-4
      
   3. The church was revealed through Paul.  Ephesians 3:1-9.
      
   4. The church is the object of Christ's love.  Ephesians 5:25
      
   5. It is this church that will be presented holy and without blemish to Christ.  Ephesians 5:26-27
      
2. It is an organization.  The word "church" is used 93 times, referring to local groups.
3. The difference between a local church and the true body of Christ.
   1. Local is temporary and can go out of existence.  Revelation 3:14-19.  Universal is eternal.  Matthew 16:18
      
   2. Local can fail the Lord.  Revelation 2:4,16.  Universal never fails.  Matthew 16:18
      
   3. Local can go astray and even become apostate.  Revelation 3:14-19.  Universal is always true.  Ephesians 5:26-27.  Why does the local go astray?  I John 2:18-20; II Peter 2:19.  The only safeguard is staying by the Word, contending for the faith.  Jude 2,4.
      

1. A church can use its building as a place of prayer.  Acts 2:42; Acts 4:23-31.
   
2. A church can use its building as a place to receive instruction from God's Word.  Acts 2:42; John 10:9; II Timothy 2:15.
   
3. A church can use its building as a place to gather for spiritual worship and fellowship.  Acts 2:42,46.
   
4. A church can use its building as a base to win precious souls.  Luke 14:23; Acts 13:14.
   

• It builds up  (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
  
• It makes people feel loved, appreciated, and supported  (2 Corinthians 7:13, 1 Thessalonians 3:2 and Philemon 7).
  
• It strengthens people to do good deeds and works  (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
  
• It helps people remain "true to the Lord"  (Acts 11:23)
  
• It gives courage  (2 Chronicles 32:6-7).
  
• It counters feelings of isolation and contributes to "a spirit of unity"  (Romans 15:5, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10).
  
• It gives joy and strength in the face of difficulty  (2 Corinthians 7:4,7).
  
• It helps them to remain true to their calling  (Deuteronomy 1:38).
  
• It helps them retain perspective and to hope and trust in God  (2 Chronicles 32:6-7).
  

• The biggest obstacle to encouragement is envy.  We compare ourselves to others and begrudge what God has given them.
  
• A second obstacle is failure to recognize its importance.  The Bible reaffirms again and again that it is our responsibility as believers.
  
• A third obstacle is lack of knowledge.  Sometimes we just don't know what to say to encourage and help our brothers and sisters in Christ.
  

• Be interested and concerned about what is happening in other people's lives.  Be eager to discover their interests.  (Philippians 2:1-4)
  
• Ask God to give you some spiritual gift with which to strengthen them.  (Romans 1:11)
  
• Meet together and fellowship.  (Hebrews. 10:25)
  
• Find out how they are doing.  (2 Corinthians. 7:7)
  
• Tell them that you love them and support them.  (2 Corinthians 7:4)
  
• Express appreciation.  Tell them thanks!  (2 Corinthians 8:3-4)
  
• Let them know that you want them to succeed.  (Colossians 1:28-2:2)
  
• Pray for them and let them know that you are interceding on their behalf.  (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3)
  
• Encourage them to pursue their dreams.  Be excited about new ideas and possibilities.  Look for ways to help.  (Acts 18:27)
  
• Take the initiative to see and meet their needs, if needed to do so.  (Acts 4:32-35)
  

Exodus 3:14  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM.  This is what you are to say to the Israelites:  'I AM has sent you."

1 Corinthians 11:1-4  Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.  I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, just as I passed them on to you.  Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of every woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.  Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors the head.

Romans 13

Luke 9:1-2  When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power to drive out demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Genesis 3:22  And the Lord God said, " The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil..."

Jeremiah 1:10  See today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.

Ephesians 6:12  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Titus 3:1-2  Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

2 Corinthians 10:15  Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you.

Matthew 8:5-13

Matthew 18:20  Ask in His Name and it shall be done.

1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12: 12-31

Matthew 28:16-20  Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

1 Samuel 15:22-23  To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams.  For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

Proverbs 16:18, 20  Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Matthew 23

Proverbs 16:20  Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers and blessed is he who trusts the Lord.

Titus 3:3-8

Matthew 18:4  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:5  Blessed are the meek (humble) for they will inherit the earth.

Titus 3:9-11

What stands in your way of intimacy with the Father?

1. A beautiful city
   
2. Eternity of fellowship with God  (Revelation 21)
   

1. We have been given a taste  (II Corinthians 5:5)
   
2. We are supposed to use this sample  (Matthew 25:27)
   

1. It is our inheritance  (Matthew 25:34)
   
2. The word instructs us to  (II Peter 3:11-12,  Colossians 3:2,  Luke 12:35)
   
3. All we have already belongs to Him   (John 17:10)
   

1. Sin  (Mark 10:19)
   
2. Pride  (Mark 10:20)
   
3. God asks too much of us  (Mark 10:21)
   
4. Unwillingness on our part  (Mark 10:22)
   
5. Earthly desires cloud our vision  (Mark 10:23-25)
   

1. Maintain a pure heart  (Matthew 5:8,  II Corinthians 4:16)
   
2. Refocus your sight  (II Corinthians 4:18)
   
3. Feed your hunger  (I Peter 2:2-3)
   
4. Remember where your strength comes from  (Mark 10:27)
   

1. What mistakes did I make Spirtually in 2003?
   
   
2. How could I have ministered more effectively in 2003?
   
   
3. How can I be a better Christian in 2004?
   
   
4. How can I contribute to ministry and help Broadmoor in 2004?
   
   
5. What Spiritual traits should I adopt or improve upon in 2004?
   
   
6. How Can I draw closer to God in 2004?
   
   
7. What would I do this coming year if I knew it was the last year I would be able to work for Jesus Christ?
   
   
8. Have I been my brother's keeper in 2003?
   
   
9. Have I used my Gifts of the Spirit in 2003?
   
   
10. What Gifts of the Spirit do I need to seek for in 2004?