Summary Outline

Life Lessons On…

…God

The Bible and Jesus are not insufficient or incomplete (2 Corinthians 9:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:3), and those who would have us believe otherwise work for the wrong team (John 10:10).

God always stands with arms wide open eager to forgive (Luke 15:20), and it is this kindness of His, proven once for all on the cross (Hebrews 7:27), that leads us to keep repenting (Romans 2:4).

God always opens doors at the proper time (1 Corinthians 16:9), and, when He closes doors, it is so that we don’t miss what is kindest, wisest, and best (Psalm 139:5, Romans 8:28).

…The Gospel

There is no greater story and no more significant event than the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and its reality must never be taken lightly or be removed from the centrality of our purpose on this earth (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Truth without love and grace is not reflective of the gospel (John 1:14, Colossians 4:6), but neither is it loving to fail to speak the truth (2 Timothy 4:1-2). 

The longer one pretends not to be a Christian or is at least silent about being one, the harder it is and the less believable it is to speak for Christ later (2 Corinthians 6:14, 17; James 4:4). 

…Friends

Bad company does corrupt good morals (1 Corinthians 15:33), but even the darkest of the dark need to see the Light (Mark 2:16-17). 

Do not follow after unbelievers who scoff and mock at Christ (Psalm 1:1), and beware of professing believers who come to doubt His goodness, His power, and His unwavering commitment to do exceedingly, abundantly, beyond all that we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). 

The only infallible Being is Jesus Himself (2 Corinthians 5:21), but finding others along the way who love Him deeply despite their imperfections is a great gift (Philippians 2:20). 

…Self

Being naïve about truth and knowledge is dangerous (Hosea 4:6, Proverbs 9:10), but being innocent of sin and evil is wise and healthy (Matthew 10:16, Romans 16:19).

Fulfillment and ultimate satisfaction come only by the indwelling Christ (Psalm 16:11), and they are maintained and even increase as He conforms us to Himself (Romans 12:1-2, Psalm 17:15). 

Hiding sin in one’s heart is the fastest way to lose hope and to lose one’s way (Psalm 32:3-4, Psalm 66:18), whereas God’s will is clear and without confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33) for those who seek His wisdom without doubting (James 1:5-8).  

…Being Different

Christlike love is a foreign concept to those who have not experienced the saving grace of God, but it is a distinguishing mark of the believer (John 13:34-35, 15:13). 

More often than not, the crowds get it wrong (Matthew 7:13), just as they did with Jesus (John 6:66), but those who know the truth are willing to take the road less travelled (2 Timothy 1:15).

There is no real leadership without servanthood (Mark 9:35), there is no real success without humility (1 Peter 5:6), and there is no real prosperity without generosity (Matthew 10:8, 1 John 3:17).

…The Future

Finding a godly wife is a good thing (Proverbs 18:22), and, even though it is a task that may seem impossible for us, such things are what God enjoys making possible (Luke 18:27).

Life can be a lot harder than we would expect (2 Corinthians 1:8), but God’s mercies are new every morning because His faithfulness is great (Lamentations 3:22-23). 

Whatever God calls us to do in this life, whether it is what we had expected or not, if we do it to His glory, we will have lived a full life (Colossians 3:17, 23).

…Perseverance

The soul will starve without feasting on the daily bread of God’s Word (Deuteronomy 8:3) and the food of doing His will (John 4:34).

In study and in life, God wants us to be honest and persistent inquirers (2 Timothy 2:15), diligently searching out the truth (Matthew 7:7, Acts 17:11).

Eyes must be kept on the prize of heaven (Philippians 3:14) as we run to win by winning as many as we can to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:22-24).