How To Stay Spiritually Alert

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How To Stay Spiritually Alert
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• But concerning the times and the seasons,
  brethren, you have no need that I should write to
  you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the
  day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
  3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then
  sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor
  pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not
  escape. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness,
  so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
  5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day.
  We are not of the night nor of darkness.
  6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but
  let us watch and be sober 1 Thess 51-6 (NKJV)

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• For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those
  who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us
  who are of the day be sober, putting on the
  breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet
  the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint
  us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our
  Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that
  whether we wake or sleep, we should live together
  with Him. 11 Therefore comfort each other and
  edify one another, just as you also are doing.
  12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those
  who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord
  and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very
  highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace
  among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren,
  warn those who are unruly, comfort the
  fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with
  all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to
  anyone, but always pursue what is good both for
  yourselves and for all. 1 Thess 57-15 (NKJV)

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•  Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in
  everything give thanks for this is the will of
  God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the
  Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all
  things hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from
  every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace
  Himself sanctify you completely and may your
  whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
  blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do
  it. 1 Thess 516-24 (NKJV)

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• 1. Cultural Awareness.
•  of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of
  the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their
  chiefs were two hundred and all their brethren
  were at their command 1 Chron 1232 (NKJV)

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• This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord,
  that you should no longer walk as the rest of the
  Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
  18 having their understanding darkened, being
  alienated from the life of God, because of the
  ignorance that is in them, because of the
  blindness of their heart Eph 417-18 (NKJV)

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• saying, "If you had known, even you, especially
  in this your day, the things that make for your
  peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
  43 For days will come upon you when your enemies
  will build an embankment around you, surround you
  and close you in on every side, 44 and level you,
  and your children within you, to the ground and
  they will not leave in you one stone upon
  another, because you did not know the time of
  your visitation." Luke 1942-44 (NKJV)

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•  Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for
  from the first day that you set your heart to
  understand, and to humble yourself before your
  God, your words were heard and I have come
  because of your words. Dan 1012 (NKJV)

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• 2. Biblical Identity.
• We must realize our position in Christ.
• Act like our Father is God!

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• 3. Three Motivating Forces.
• A. Hope-
• Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you
  disquieted within me? Hope in God, Psalms 425
  (NKJV)

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• B. Faith-
•  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
  And this is the victory that has overcome the
  world--our faith. 1 John 54 (NKJV)

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• C. Love-
• 4. Intimate Relationship With God.
• God desires for us to have a close relationship
  with us on a daily basis.

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• 5. Body of Christ.
• There is a corporate anointing when we gather
  together.

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• 6. Spiritual Leadership.
• The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a
  fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of
  Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that
  will be revealed 2 Shepherd the flock of God
  which is among you, serving as overseers, not by
  compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain
  but eagerly 3 nor as being lords over those
  entrusted to you, but being examples to the
  flock 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you
  will receive the crown of glory that does not
  fade away. 5 Likewise you younger people, submit
  yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be
  submissive to one another, and be clothed with
  humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives
  grace to the humble." 1 Peter 51-5 (NKJV)

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• 7. Church Discipline.
•  Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,
  you who are spiritual restore such a one in a
  spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest
  you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's
  burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For
  if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he
  is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each
  one examine his own work, and then he will have
  rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
  5 For each one shall bear his own load. Gal 61-5
  (NKJV)

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• 8. Joy Of The Lord.
• Rejoice always, 1 Thess 516 (NKJV)

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• 9. Communion Of God.
• pray without ceasing, 1 Thess 517 (NKJV)

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• 10. A Grateful Spirit.
• in everything give thanks for this is the will
  of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess 518
  (NKJV)

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• Therefore comfort each other and edify one
  another, just as you also are doing. 12 And we
  urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor
  among you, and are over you in the Lord and
  admonish you, 1 Thess 511-12 (NKJV)

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• 11. Prophetic Voice.
• Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise
  prophecies. 21 Test all things hold fast what is
  good. 1 Thess 519-21 (NKJV)

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• 12. Avoidance of Sin.
•  Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thess 522
  (NKJV)

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