Joshua 1:1-9 (NASB) God’s Charge to Joshua
¹ Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying,

² “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

³ Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

⁴ From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.

⁵ No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

⁶ Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

⁷ Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

⁸ This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Theme: The two most relevant lessons to grasp from the LORD’s charge to Joshua so you will maximize the benefits for your Christian life.

The Setting:

I. The LORD Speaks to Joshua vv.2-9

Six Directives:

1. The command to Obey v. 2
2. The promise to Claim vv. 3-4
3. The assurance of Victory v. 5
4. The exhortation to be Strong and Courageous vv. 6-7a
5. The key to Success vv.7b-8
6. The Exhortation restated and reinforced v. 9

II. The LORD Speaks to _____ through His command to Joshua

1. He is with you v. 5
2. You must be strong and courageous vv. 6-7, 9
3. You must obey God’s Word v.7

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Five reasons why Biblical deacons are needed in the church:

a. A Biblical Office to fill

b. A Biblical Role to fulfill

c. A Biblical  Model to emulate

d. A Biblical Testimony to maintain

e. A Biblical Opportunity to seize

1 Timothy 3:8-13 (NASB)

⁸ Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

⁹ but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

¹⁰ These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

¹¹ Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

¹² Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households.

¹³ For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Theme: Five necessary guidelines which govern New Testament deacons so the church might benefit from their faithful service.

1. The Qualifications of a Deacon vv.8-9, 12
   1.  Men of Dignity v.8
   2. Not Double-Tongued v.8
   3. Not Addicted to much wine v.8
   4. Holding to the Mystery of the faith with a clear conscience v.9
   5. Beyond Reproach v.10
   6. Husbands of only one wife v.12
   7. Good managers of their children v.12
   8. Good managers of their own household v.12
2. The Test of a Deacon v.10
   1. Test qualifications
   2. Test result
3. The Responsibilities of a Deacon
   1. A presumption from the qualifications
   2. A prototype for deacons from Act 6:1-3
4. The Incentives for a Deacon v.13
   1. A high standing in the church
   2. A great confidence in their faith
5. The Role of Women and the Deacon v.11
   1. Another role in the church
   2. Helpers to the deacons
   3. Wives of deacons in the church
   4. The Four Qualifications
      1. Dignified
      2. Not malicious gossips
      3. Temperate
      4. Faithful in all things

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1 Timothy 3:8-13 (NASB)

⁸ Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, ⁹ but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. ¹¹ Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Introduction:

Five reasons why Biblical deacons are needed in the church:

a. A Biblical office to fill
b. A Biblical role to fulfill
c. A Biblical model to emulate
d. A Biblical testimony to maintain
e. A Biblical opportunity to seize

Background of Pastoral Epistles:

Theme: Five necessary guidelines that govern NT deacons so the church might benefit from their faithful service.

1. The Qualifications of a Deacon vv.8-9, 12

a. Men of dignity v.8

b. Not double-tongue v.8

c. Not addicted to much wine v.8

d. Not found of sordid gain v.8

e. Holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience v.9

f. Beyond reproach v.10

g. Husbands of only one wife v.12

h. Good managers of their children v.12

i. Good managers of their own household v.12

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Introduction:

Review:

John 21:18-25 (NASB)

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.”

19 Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He *said to him, “Follow Me!”

20 Peter, turning around, *saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”

21 So Peter seeing him *said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?”

22 Jesus *said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!”

23 Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

24 This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they *were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself *would not contain the books that *would be written.

Theme: Two timeless principles of following Jesus so that you will continue faithfully to the end.

1. Every follower of Jesus walks his own path in life vv 18-19
2. Every follower of Jesus walks an unknown path in life vv 20-24

Conclusion: v.25

Four Observations:

It is a closing statement

It is a true statement

It is memorable

It is reflective

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John 21:15-17 (NASB)

15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Tend My lambs.”

16 He *said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He *said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.

Introduction:

Review:

Theme: Three ways a shepherd of Christ’s church demonstrates his love for Jesus so you will have a proper example to imitate.

1. A superior love v.15a

2. A singular calling vv.15c, 16c 17d

3. A sensitive heart v. 17b

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Introduction:

Review:

John 21:1-14 (NASB)

1 After these things Jesus manifested Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and He manifested Himself in this way.

2 Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.

3 Simon Peter *said to them, “I am going fishing.” They *said to him, “We will also come with you.” They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.

4 But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

5 So Jesus *said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish, do you?” They answered Him, “No.”

6 And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch.” So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish.

7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved *said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.

8 But the other disciples came in the little boat, for they were not far from the land, but about one hundred yards away, dragging the net full of fish.

9 So when they got out on the land, they *saw a charcoal fire already laid and fish placed on it, and bread.

10 Jesus *said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have now caught.”

11 Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land, full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not torn.
Jesus Provides

12 Jesus *said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples ventured to question Him, “Who are You?” knowing that it was the Lord.

13 Jesus *came and *took the bread and *gave it to them, and the fish likewise.

14 This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after He was raised from the dead.

Theme: Four indications of the risen Jesus’ care for His disciples so you will properly respond to His faithfulness to you today.

The Setting: vv.1-3

The Appearance: vv.4-14

1. Jesus confronts them where they are, as He does with you today vv.4-5
2. Jesus directs them where to be, as He does for you today v.6
   The Vignette of Peter’s Eagerness vv. 7-8
3. Jesus invites them to contribute, as He asks of you today vv.9-11
4. Jesus provides them what they need, as He does for you today vv. 12-13

Conclusion: v.14

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John 20:30-31 (NASB)

³⁰ Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

³¹ but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Theme: Two lessons to learn from the miracles of Jesus so you will believe in Him.

I. The proliferation of the signs performed assures you of the abundant evidence to believe
v.30

II. The purpose of the signs penned assists you in what to believe
v.31

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John 20:26-29 (NASB)

²⁶ After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

²⁷ Then He *said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

²⁸ Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Theme: Three crucial aspects of belief in the resurrection you must understand, so you will serve Christ with full devotion.

The Familiar Setting v.26
I. The necessity of belief v.27

A. Necessary for salvation
B. Necessary for service

II. The confession of belief v.28

III. The blessing of belief v.29

A. The significance of the first witnesses and their writings
B. The superiority of faith over personal experience or hard evidence

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Introduction:

Review:

¹⁹ So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “ Peace be with you.”

²⁰ And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

²² And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

²³ If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

²⁴ But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

²⁵ So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”John 20:19-25 (NASB)

Theme: Five reasons why the resurrection of Jesus from the dead should motivate you to be His witness …. so you will

I. The context for Jesus’ appearance to the disciples
v.19a

II. The consolation Jesus gives to the disciples

v.19b

III. The confirmation Jesus offers the disciples

v.20

IV. The commission of Jesus to the disciples

vv. 21-23

A. The apostolic anointing

v.22

B. The apostolic privilege

v.23

V. The consensus of the disciples reported to Thomas

vv.24-25

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