9:30am - Bible Classes for all ages
10:45am - Worship Services
5:00pm - Children and Adult Small Groups
WEDNESDAY GATHERINGS:
7:00pm - Adult Small Group
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SUNDAY
GATHERINGS: 9:30am - Bible Classes for all ages 10:45am - Worship Services 5:00pm - Children and Adult Small Groups WEDNESDAY GATHERINGS: 7:00pm - Adult Small Group |
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Sermon Notes Archive |
Below you will find the sermon notes and in-depth background notes for past sermon series. If you missed any, or just want a refresher, we encourage you to use the materials below.
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“Training Our Children” SERIES GOAL: To
understand more about wisdom and how to obtain real wisdom for practical
living. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will better understand how to have a positive
impact on the lives of children whose lives I touch. OUR SCRIPTURE: Proverbs
22:6 – “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will
not turn from it.” We should be intentional about how we raise
our children. Rev. Bob Brown says that, “The goal of
parenting (is) …to train children to become fully functioning, thriving,
and mature adults who are independent of us but fully dependent on God.”
(Background Notes) “Fathers, do not exasperate your children;
instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
(Ephesians 6:4) Give children instruction in the way of the
Lord. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6) “Taste and see
that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm
34:8) “Follow my example, as I follow the example
of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) “Don’t let anyone look down on you because
you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in
love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) Discipline in Love. “Discipline your son, for in that there is
hope; do not be a willing party to his death.” (Proverbs 19:18) “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he
who loves him is careful to discipline him.” (Proverbs 13:24) “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s
discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because
the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as
a son.’ 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating
you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If
you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are
illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all
had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much
more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our
fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God
disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been
trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:5-11)
“The Power of Words” SERIES GOAL: To
understand more about wisdom and how to obtain real wisdom for practical
living. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will better understand the power of words, and
I will allow God to cleanse my heart and make my words pure and helpful and
loving. OUR SCRIPTURE: Proverbs
10:13-16, 20-21 - “Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod
is for the back of him who lacks judgment. 14 Wise men
store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. 15
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the
ruin of the poor. 16 The wages of the righteous bring them
life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment….20
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked
is of little value. 21 The lips of the righteous nourish
many, but fools die for lack of judgment.” Rudyard Kipling said, “Words are, of course,
the most powerful drug used by mankind.” The wise use of our words is so important in
life! We all use words, but the way that we use them can make all the
difference to ourselves and to others. Because we are people in a fallen world, our
words by nature are sinful! “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil
among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole
course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6) “A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a
gossip separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28) For those who have chosen to follow Jesus
Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit is available to help us to speak words
that will truly be loving, and kind, and helpful to others! “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the
soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24) (Isaiah 50:4) Our words reveal the condition of our heart.
(Matthew 12:34-35) Our words will serve as evidence at the
Judgment! (Matthew 12:36-37) With our words, we can pray to God and ask
for His forgiveness and ask for the gift of eternal life in heaven. “…if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
“What Good Is Wisdom To Me?” SERIES GOAL: To
understand more about wisdom and how to obtain real wisdom for practical
living. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand why God’s wisdom is important
for my everyday life. OUR SCRIPTURE: “My son, if
you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2
turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, 3
and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for
hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives
wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7
He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those
whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones. 9 Then you will
understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. 10
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to
your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and
understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of
wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 13 who leave the
straight paths to walk in dark ways, 14 who delight in doing
wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, 15 whose paths
are crooked and who are devious in their ways….20Thus you will
walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will
remain in it; 22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
and the unfaithful will be torn from it.” (Proverbs 2:1-15, 20-22)
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“The Fear of the Lord” SERIES GOAL: To
understand more about wisdom and how to obtain real wisdom for practical
living. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand what a healthy fear of the Lord
looks like, and I will allow my heart to be softened toward God’s wisdom. OUR SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 1:7
- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise
wisdom and discipline.” “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great
insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the
seashore.” (1 Kings Old Testament Wisdom Literature: (Proverbs 1:20) The purpose of the Book of Proverbs is found
in 1:2-6: “for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of
insight; 3for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing
what is right and just and fair; 4for giving prudence to the
simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—5let the wise
listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—6for
understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.”
(Proverbs 1:2-6) Oswald Chambers said: “The remarkable thing
about fearing God is that, when you fear God, you fear nothing else;
whereas, if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” Practical benefits when we have a fear of the
Lord: Ways to cultivate the fear of the Lord in
your life: --Be willing to learn. (Deuteronomy 4:10) --Choose to fear the Lord. (Proverbs 1:28-29) When we fear God we will live holy lives.
(Proverbs 14:2)
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“Victory Over Temptation” SERIES GOAL: After
this series, I will understand the source of my temptation, yet know that through the Holy Spirit I can overcome and
resist the Devil. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will know how to fight the enemy and win! OUR SCRIPTURE: “No
temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is
faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when
you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up
under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me
and know my anxious thoughts. 24See if there is any
offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) Read The Word of God Regularly. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his
mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can
take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put
on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your
waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and
with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of
peace.” (Ephesians 6:10-15) Prayer is a powerful weapon against
temptation. Spend Time with Godly People. “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good
character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33) Consciously Avoid Evil and Run Away from It. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is
the wellspring of life. 24Put away perversity from your
mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25Let your
eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. 26Make
level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. 27Do
not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs
4:23-27) Focus on Pure Things. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
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SPEAK OF
THE DEVIL - Week 2
“The Devil is in the Details” SERIES GOAL: After
this series, I will understand the source of my temptation, yet know that through the Holy Spirit I can overcome and
resist the Devil. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand realize how the Devil works
against me and through what’s in me. OUR SCRIPTURE: “Blessed is
the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God
cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each
one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and
enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to
sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:12-15) “No temptation has seized you except what is
common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond
what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out
so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) “There is an important distinction between
testing and tempting. God tests us to reveal our
true character and to strengthen us in the face of adversity. Satan
tempts us in order to bring dishonor to both us and God. He wants to
see us fail, whereas God, by testing us, wants to see us refined.”
(Bob Brown, Background Notes) God never tempts us to sin! Satan is
the one who tempts us. “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A
man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful
nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please
the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8) From the very beginning, Satan placed evil
desires in the hearts of humans, and that “sinful nature” in us causes us
to be tempted. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy…” (John 10:10) “No temptation has seized you except what is
common to man.” (1 Corinthians 10:13) “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have
crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.” (Galatians
5:24) Though temptation is real, we can resist the temptation to sin. We are not doomed to failure! God promises to always make a way to escape. And as we trust in Him and the power of His Holy Spirit, we will be able to stand up to the temptations of the devil.
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Speak of
the Devil - Week 1
“THE SERIES GOAL: After
this series, I will understand the source of my temptation, yet know that through the Holy Spirit I can overcome and
resist the Devil. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand that the Bible tells me that
Satan is real, and I will understand how I can more easily recognize him. OUR SCRIPTURE: “How you
have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have
been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
13You said in your heart, “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my
throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of
assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. 14I
will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most
High.” 15But you are brought down to the grave, to the
depths of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15) Someone said, “The devil’s cleverest trick is
to make people believe that he does not exist.” “One day the angels came to present
themselves before the Lord and Satan also came with them. The Lord
said to Satan, ’Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ’From
roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.’” (Job 1:6-7) “As for you, you were dead in your
transgressions and sins, 2in which you used to live when you
followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,
the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (Ephesians
2:1-2) Who is the devil, and where did he come from? “For if God did not spare the angels when
they sinned...” (2 Peter 2:4) What is the devil’s business now?
Satan’s business is to trick us, to deceive us, to lure us away from Christ
and the church, to make us hypocrites, to cause us to fall and sin any way
he can! “For this reason, when I could stand it no
longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way
the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been
useless.” (1 Thessalonians 3:5) “I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by
the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your
sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3) “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the
devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1
Peter 5:8) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his
mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can
take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)
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“HOW TO SHOW LOVE TO OTHERS” TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will allow God to empower me to love my
brothers and sisters in Christ in practical ways so that we might be what
God has called us to be. OUR SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter
4:8-11 – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a
multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without
grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received
to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very
words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God
provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To
him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” Great teams in sports, in business, and
especially in the church, are formulated when the members of the team love
each other. It’s not enough for others to KNOW that we
love them – we must “By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) “Do to others as you would have them do to
you.” (Luke 6:31) Treat others just as we want to be treated. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is
not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Treat others the way Jesus treats us.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another.” (John 13:24) “My command is this: Love each
other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Take delight in honoring others. “Love each other with genuine affection, and
take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans Love others by faith.
“I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life
will be strong in love and be built on love.” (Ephesians Are you showing love in your life? Do you need to put your love into action? Let’s recommit ourselves to love one another with the love of Jesus Christ!
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“HUMILITY IN THE MESS OF SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will learn how to triumph through suffering, and
live a life of holiness in the midst of the mess. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to
help me to be a humble representative of Jesus Christ in my world. OUR SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter
5:5-7 – “…All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may
lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because
he cares for you.” True Christian humility is an understanding
that we are totally dependent on God. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and
rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and
Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done
for you.” (John 13:13-15) Alan Stibbs says: “The exhortation here is
not to feel humble, nor to pray for humility, but to act it.” The humble person will bear the fruit of
God’s spirit in this life, the fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control. Humility recognizes that what I am and what I
can ultimately be is by the grace of God. Jesus said many things about humility.
He said things like, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
(Matthew 11:29) “And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless
you change and become like little children, you will never enter the
kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this
child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:3-4) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each
of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the
interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that
of Christ Jesus….he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death
on a cross!” ( One reason we must humble ourselves under the
mighty hand of God is to escape the judgment of God. Also, because He
is going to exalt the humble. We should humble ourselves under the mighty
hand of God because God cares for us; He cares about all our anxiety. We are to live lives of humility and lives filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit in the mess of life so that we bring honor to His name!
Click here for Background Notes for this week's message
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HoliMess
- Week 5
“USING YOUR GIFTS FOR THE LORD” SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will learn how to triumph through suffering, and
live a life of holiness in the midst of the mess. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to
help me to use the gifts and abilities I have to serve others. OUR SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter
4:7-11 – “The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and
self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each
other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer
hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should
use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering
God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should
do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do
it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised
through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.
Amen.” One of the reasons we should use our gifts
and talents for the Lord is because we don’t have a lot of time! “See, I have chosen Bezalel…and I have filled
him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds
of crafts—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to
cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of
craftsmanship.” (Exodus 31:2-5) EVERYONE has gifts and talents given by God! EVERYONE can pray! “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions!”
(Ephesians 6:18) True Christian love will overlook a person’s
shortcomings. (1 Peter 4:8) “A friend loves at all times...” (Proverbs
17:17) Hospitality is a very important gift! (1
Peter 4:9) The clear message of the Bible is that our
relationship with Jesus Christ encourages us to use our gifts even when
life is difficult! (1 Peter 4:10-11) “…those who suffer according to the will of
God should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do
good.” (1 Peter 4:19) Maybe you’re good at encouraging people. Maybe your gift is listening. Or maybe you’re good at teaching the Bible. Use whatever gift you have to serve others!
Click here for Background Notes for this week's message
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HoliMess
- Week 4
“SUBMISSION IN A MESSY WORLD” SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will learn how to triumph through suffering, and
live a life of holiness in the midst of the mess. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will practice full submission to God, even in
the messes of life. OUR SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter SUBMISSION “Jesus said to him, ‘I will go and heal him.’
The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my
roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I
myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one,
‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant,
‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was astonished
and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found
anyone in With the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we CAN live godly, holy lives! Our submission should be to God and His will for our lives.
Click here for Background Notes for this week's message
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“THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF COMMUNION” TODAY’S PURPOSE: To
remind me that Jesus loves and receives everyone and to show me that I
should help provide for the needs of others. Also, Communion helps me
connect with God in a powerful way that is a reminder that He has delivered
me from sin. OUR SCRIPTURE: “On the
first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to
sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where do you want
us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 13So
he sent two of his disciples….16The disciples left, went into
the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the
Passover. 17When evening came, Jesus arrived with the
Twelve. 18While they were reclining at the table eating, he
said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating
with me.” 19They were saddened, and one by one they said
to him, “Surely not I?”….22While they were eating, Jesus took
bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying,
“Take it; this is my body.” 23Then he took the cup, gave
thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24“This
is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to
them.” (Mark 14:12-24) “THE LAST SUPPER” TEACHES US THAT EVERYONE IS
TO BE INCLUDED! “THE LAST SUPPER” SHOWS GOD’S LOVE “Taking the five loaves and the two
fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the
loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the
people.” (Mark “Send the people away so they can go to the
surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
(Mark “You give them something to eat.”
(Mark
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HoliMess
- Week 3
“LIVING IN HARMONY WITH OTHERS” SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will learn how to triumph through suffering, and
live a life of holiness in the midst of the mess. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will know that God has called me to a beautiful
life of harmony with others and He wants to bless me. OUR SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter
3:8-9 – “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be
sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with
insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may
inherit a blessing.” Live in harmony with others. God calls each of us to be encouragers! “May the Lord show mercy to the household of
Onesiphorous, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my
chains. On the contrary, when he was in Be a Family and Act Like a Family! “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn
with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15) “Be sympathetic, love as brothers, be
compassionate and humble.” “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with
insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may
inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9) God wants to bless us as we bless others. “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see
many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking
lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm
34:12-14) Are you living in harmony with others in your
life? Are you sympathetic? Do you really care what happens in the lives
of others? Do you love as brothers? Are you compassionate and humble? How do you react to criticism? Do you bless others with your kind and
pleasant attitude? Are you experiencing the blessings of God?
Click here for Background Notes for this week's message
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“Blessed are the Merciful” TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand God’s desire for me to be a
merciful person, and I will allow God’s Presence and His mercy to flow
through my life to others. OUR SCRIPTURE: “Blessed are
the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7) Those who are merciful to people in need are
the ones who will experience the mercy of God! Matthew 23:23 Merciful people help those who are hurting. Luke 10:30-35 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Merciful people are patient with those who
struggle. “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God…” (Romans 3:23) Merciful people are kind, even to their enemies!
(Luke 6:35) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome
evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) Merciful people are forgiving people. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever
grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave
you.” (Colossians 3:13) God has been merciful to us! God is, “a compassionate and gracious God,
slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15) God’s mercy and the Presence of His Holy
Spirit are available to us right now! God wants us to be merciful people who allow His Presence and His mercy to flow through our lives to others!
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HoliMess
- Week 2
“Holiness in the HoliMess” SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will learn how to triumph through suffering, and
live a life of holiness in the midst of the mess. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand
God’s clear call on my life is to be His follower in pursuit of being
holy and I will pursue holiness with new
determination. OUR SCRIPTURE: “Therefore,
prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on
the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As
obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you
lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so
be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I
am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:13-16) Sanctification begins in a moment and it is
experienced over a life time. “Prepare your minds for action” “Those who live according to the sinful
nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live
in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit
desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the
Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6) “Be self-controlled” “…for it is God who works in you to will and
to act according to his good purpose.” (Phillipians 2:13) “Live lives as obedient children.” “For the grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men. 12It teaches us to say ‘No’ to
ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and
godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed
hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ”
(Titus 2:11-12) We are to be holy,
because God is holy! God gives us the help we need to become holy by the power of His Holy Spirit living within us!
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HoliMess:
Week 1 – Welcome to the Messy Life SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will learn how to triumph through suffering, and
live a life of holiness in the midst of the mess. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will know that
I have been called by God for a high and holy purpose: to be a clear
witness for Jesus in my world! OUR SCRIPTURE: “Peter, an
apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2who
have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and
sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” (1 Peter
1:1-2) As followers of Jesus Christ, we’re not
really “at home” in this world.
God has called us to be obedient followers of
His. “But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare
the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had
not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I
urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful
desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the
pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good
deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (1 Peter 2:9-12) God has called us in the midst of a messy
world and He has set us apart for His purpose: to share His love and spread
His gospel. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to
show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We
are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in
despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of
Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are
always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be
revealed in our mortal body.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-11) Our lives are a living picture to others of what God can do!
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BAPTISM TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand the meaning of baptism and why
a follower of Jesus Christ should be baptized. OUR SCRIPTURE: Romans 6:3-6
- “… don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through
baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we
have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be
united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self
was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,
that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has
been freed from sin.” “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All
authority in heaven and on earth has been given to 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…” (Matthew 28:18 & 19) JESUS MAKES IT CLEAR THAT BAPTISM IS
IMPORTANT! “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your
sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts We show sadness by crying; we show fear by
screaming; we show gratitude by giving; we show love with a passionate
embrace; and we show the joy and the love that we experience as we live our
lives for Jesus by being baptized. “Baptism is like a wedding ring: both a
wedding ring and baptism symbolize transactions. A wedding ring symbolizes
marriage, just as baptism symbolizes salvation. However, wearing a wedding
ring does not make you married any more than being baptized makes you
saved.” “For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by
works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) When we are raised up from the water during
baptism, it is symbolic of being resurrected just as Jesus was resurrected
from the tomb. It is symbolic of our victory over sin and death
through Jesus Christ! Baptism is a very special way that God
communicates His love to us. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Jesus says to us: “If you love me, keep my
commandments.” (John 14:15) Baptism is a simple, but profound act of
obedience.
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Week 7 – The Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Easter - SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will have specific reasons for the hope I have in
Christ Jesus. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand that Jesus Christ was, in fact,
raised from the dead in bodily form, and that truth makes all the
difference for me personally! OUR SCRIPTURE: “But Christ
has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have
fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection
of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in
Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22) “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is
worthless; you are still in your sins.” (1 Corinthians 15:17) The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the key
to Christianity and it proves Jesus’ claim that He is God. From an article in the Journal of the
American Medical Society: “Clearly, the weight of historical and medical
evidence indicates that Jesus was dead (even) before the wound to His side
was inflicted. . . . Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption
that Jesus did not die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern
medical knowledge.” Nobody ever claimed Jesus’ tomb was not
empty! The historical facts clearly indicate that
the tomb was empty on that first Easter Sunday! Over a period of 40 days, Jesus appeared
alive in bodily form a dozen different times to more than 515 individuals! “While they were still talking about this,
Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said
to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost
does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said
this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not
believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have
anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he
took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what
I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is
written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise
from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will
be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies.” (John 11:25)
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The Case for Christ: Week 6 - The Triumphal Entry March 28, 2010 Zechariah 9:9 – Rejoice greatly, o daughter of Luke 19:28-40 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up
to They replied, "The Lord needs it." They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
John 1:10-11 He was in the world, and though the world was made
through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his
own, but his own did not receive him. Luke 19:41-44 As he approached
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The Case for
Christ: Jesus as Love Redefined Week 5 Jesus as the Expected One Jesus as Son of God Jesus as Son of Man Jesus as Teacher Today: Jesus as Love Redefined. Jesus models for us what it means to lead, serve and love others! He may not have been the kind of king everyone was used to or expecting, but he was the Lord of all things who redefined Love. It is hard to imagine being a friend with someone who serves you. We live in a world of power and position, and we generally don’t befriend those who are “below” us. In the same respect there are not too many kings or highly important people that want to hang out with us. Jesus models and embodies a new reality for us. It is a reality in which each one of us have worth and value and the promise of eternal life through a relationship with Him. John 13:21-23 Most of us respond by what we do – Teacher, Computer Programmer, Electrician, etc. What we have – I’m the Boss, Supervisor, or Superintendent. Who we are related too – Father/Mother, Aunt/Uncle, etc. Our Appearance – When Jesus hung on the cross He was communicating to His friends and 1 John “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the Universe, but He chooses to live inside your heart… Face it, friend. He’s crazy about you (Max Lucado).”
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THE CASE FOR CHRIST: Week 4 – Jesus as Teacher SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will have specific reasons for the hope I have in
Christ Jesus. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand that Jesus Christ was a great
teacher; and as a result I will be encouraged to continue on in our sinful
world and allow Jesus to live and love others through me. OUR SCRIPTURE: “Jesus told
them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good
seed in his field. 25But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy
came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26When the
wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow
good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28“‘An
enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us
to go and pull them up?’ 29“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because
while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.
30Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell
the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be
burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” (Matthew
13:24-30) “He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed
is the Son of Man. 38The field is the world, and the good seed
stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
39and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the
end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. 40“As the
weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the
age. 41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will
weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil.
42They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will
be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43Then the righteous will
shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him
hear.” (Matthew 13:37-43) There is sin and sinful people in our world,
but one day we will experience God’s perfect kingdom! Jesus is saying to us: “I don’t want you to
be discouraged….You trust God, now trust in me. I’m in charge! Caution to the over-zealous. We are not going to eliminate evil from the
world, and we shouldn’t act as though we can. Be encouraged to know that one day God will
welcome us into heaven! And in the meantime, He wants to encourage us
to continue to allow Him to love through us!
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The Case for Christ Week 3 – Jesus as Son of Man SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will have specific reasons for the hope I have in
Christ Jesus. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand that Jesus Christ was fully
human; and that fact helps me to go to Him when I am struggling, because I
know He has been there before me. OUR SCRIPTURE: “For we do not
have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we
have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without
sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:14-16) “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity
lives in bodily form.” (Colossians 2:9) “Then he went down to Jesus grew: 1. In wisdom (intellectual) 2. In stature (physical) 3. In favor with God (spiritual) 4. In favor with other people (social) Jesus had a human birth, and
He had human needs. There were times that Jesus was Tired
(John 4:6), Hungry (Matthew 4:2; By becoming a man, Jesus identified with
us—He experienced Temptation, Rejection and Suffering.
Jesus, the God-Man, suffered and died so that we
might be delivered from sin, Satan and death. (Hebrews 2:14-15, 17) “For there is one God and one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all
men.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6) “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)
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THE CASE FOR CHRIST: Week 2 – Jesus as Son of God SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will have specific reasons for the hope I have in
Christ Jesus. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will realize that Jesus Christ declared himself
to be the Son of God, and I will be able to share my beliefs in that more
confidently. OUR SCRIPTURE: “When Jesus
came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do
people say the Son of Man is?” 14They replied, “Some say
John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of
the prophets.” 15“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do
you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the
Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus replied,
“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by
man, but by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13-17) “…Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have….” (1
Peter 3:15) “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54) Knowing and believing who Jesus is and what he
has done is the key to a person’s salvation from sin. The Jews believed that when the “Son of God”
came he would be equal to God in all power, authority, and majesty. Peter acknowledged that Jesus of “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before
Abraham was born, I am!” (John 8:58) Jesus believed that He was the Son of God. Jesus was and is who He claimed to be: The Son
of God, God in the flesh, the Messiah! “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)
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THE CASE FOR CHRIST: Week 1 – Jesus as Expected One SERIES GOAL: As a
result of this series, I will have specific reasons for the hope I have in
Christ Jesus. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will realize that Jesus Christ was the
long-expected Son of God, the Messiah; and I will be prepared to show
others that truth. OUR SCRIPTURE: Luke 4:16-21:
“He went to Jesus - “…what is written about me is reaching its
fulfillment.” (Luke 22:37) JESUS PERFECTLY FULFILLED THE OLD TESTAMENT
PROPHECIES ABOUT THE COMING MESSIAH. (There are over sixty concrete
prophecies in the Old Testament about the Messiah. And every one of them
was fulfilled in the life of Jesus.) Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah: 1. The Messiah Would Be Born at 2. The Messiah Would Be Preceded by a
Messenger. (Isaiah 40:3) (John 1:3) 3. The Messiah Would Enter 4. The Messiah Would be Betrayed By a Friend.
(Psalm 41:9) (John 13:21-30) 5. The Messiah Would Be Betrayed for 30
Pieces of Silver. (Zech. 11:12-13) (Matthew 26:15) 6. The Thirty Pieces of Silver For Which
The Messiah Would be Betrayed Would Be Thrown in God’s House, and Used to
Buy a Potter’s Field. (Zech. 11:13) (Matt. 27:1-10) 7. The Messiah Would Be Silent Before His
Accusers. (Isaiah 53:7) (Matthew 27:63) 8. The Messiah Would Be Crucified.
(Psalm Dr. Stoner calculated the probability that any
one man could fulfill just these eight prophecies to be 1 chance in 10 to
the 17th power, meaning a 1 with 17 zeros after it. Other prophesies about the Messiah: the prophecy
that his garments would be divided by his executioners (Psalm There are prophecies that Jesus could not have
arranged, such as where He would be born, or when in history He would be
born, or the price for which He would be betrayed, or the way in which He
would die. So the only fair conclusion that we can come to, after considering the evidence, is that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah.
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Marriage and Divorce SERIES GOAL: To look
at the scriptures to discover wisdom and guidance from the bible concerning
several Hot Topics. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand the sacredness of marriage and
the seriousness of divorce in God’s eyes. I will recommit myself to
my marriage, if married, to live as God intends. OUR SCRIPTURE: “So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a
deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and
closed up the place with flesh. 22Then the LORD God made a woman
from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my
flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
24For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be
united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25The
man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.” (Genesis
2:21-25) The first essential ingredient of a godly marriage is FAITHFULNESS. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure,
for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews
13:4) “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of
(1 Corinthians 6:16-18) “In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own
bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” (Ephesians 5:28) Another essential ingredient that makes a good marriage is LONGEVITY. (Matthew 19:3-8) Another essential ingredient for a great marriage is INTIMACY. Biblical intimacy involves the whole person. It includes: (1 John 1:9) With God’s help, let’s determine to strengthen our marriages, and receive God’s forgiveness for our failures.
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Abortion and Euthanasia
SERIES GOAL: To look
at the scriptures to discover wisdom and guidance from the bible concerning
several Hot Topics. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand that human life is sacred
because God has created it, from conception to death. Our Scripture: Psalm 139:13-16
- “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s
womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your
works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden
from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in
the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days
ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” When does life begin? In Luke 1:43, God makes no distinction between born and unborn
life. He uses exactly the same terms for both,
therefore we should view them as having the same nature. The
life in the mother’s womb is human life. Life begins at conception! If you or anyone you know has received an
abortion, remember that the grace and forgiveness of God is always
available! Euthanasia is the act or practice of ending the
life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable
condition by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical
treatment. 1. We should proclaim the sacredness and
sanctity of all human life, both born and unborn, at the beginning and near
the end of life. 2. Support the efforts of those seeking a
const. amend. to prohibit abortion. 7. Support and get involved in helping
crisis Let us seek God’s grace and forgiveness in any area where we have fallen short of His will for our lives.
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Sex SERIES GOAL: To look
at the scriptures to discover wisdom and guidance from the bible concerning
several Hot Topics. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will understand that God designed sexual
intimacy for a man and woman in monogamous marriage.
Our Scripture: Genesis 1:27-28
- “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. 28God blessed them and
said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number….” Genesis 2:22-25 - “Then the LORD God made a woman
from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my
flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.”
24For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be
united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25The
man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”
SEX IS GOD’S IDEA!
God created humans as sexual beings. Sexual relations are designed for a married
couple to share love, acceptance, intimacy, emotional bonding and
satisfaction. “Marriage should be honored by all, and the
marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the
sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4) The bible tells us that sensuality and
sexuality in marriage are good. (Proverbs 5:18-19) The only sex that God approves of is found in
the context of marriage. God expects sex within marriage to be a
wonderful experience. • The risk of divorce after living together
is 40 to 85% higher than the risk of divorce after not living together. In
other words, those who live together before marriage are almost twice as
likely to divorce than those who did not live together. (Bumpass & Sweet
1995; Hall & Zhao 1995; Bracher, Santow, Morgan & Russell 1993; DeMaris &
Rao 1992 and Glen 1990) God wants to forgive us, and restore us to a
right relationship with Him.
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Pop Culture SERIES GOAL: To look
at the scriptures to discover wisdom and guidance from the bible concerning
several Hot Topics. TODAY’S PURPOSE: After
experiencing this service I will live in the power of the Holy Spirit to
bring the love and the truth of God to my world. Our Scripture: “Do not love
the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of
the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the
cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he
has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The
world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives
forever.” (1 John 2:15-17) Either we love the world, or we love God.
There’s no real in between. If you say you love God, but it’s clear by
your attitude, your heart, and by your behavior, that you love the world,
then, in fact, you don’t really love God – no matter what you say. Jesus said: “My prayer is not that you take
them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They
are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them by
the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world,
I have sent them into the world.” (John 17:15-18) Jesus knew that the world would be a
temptation, a snare, a trap, the realm of the Enemy who seeks to draw us
away from God. What is most important to us? Is our love for
God first and foremost? As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to have
a positive impact on our world, and those who we come in contact with.
We are to be salt and light in our world! “…whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such
things.” (Philippians 4:8) It is only possible to live in the world but
not of the world with the presence and the power of God in our life! Instead of being influenced by the world and the evils of the world, let’s bring the love of God and the Truth of God to our world!
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Alcohol and Gambling SERIES GOAL: To look
at the scriptures to discover wisdom and guidance from the bible concerning
several Hot Topics. TODAY’S PURPOSE: Our Scripture: After
experiencing this service I will … reject enslavement to anything or anyone
and offer myself to God and His way of living! In Proverbs we read: “Listen, my son, and be
wise, and keep your heart on the right path. 20Do not join
those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, 21for
drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.”
(Proverbs 23:19-21) And in Ephesians we read: “Therefore do
not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not
get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the
Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:17-18) Jesus, referring to himself, says, “The Son
of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a
drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.”’ But wisdom is proved
right by her actions.” (Matthew 11:19) God has called us to live lives of balance,
and to do that we may have to sacrifice things in life that may not be sin.
But in the end, these things might hurt our relationship with Jesus Christ
or these things might set a bad example for others. It is better to not drink at all then to have
to worry about how much is too much or worry about falling into pressure,
or worrying about if my drinking might lead someone else down the wrong
path. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will
hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” (Matthew 6:24) Gambling promotes attitudes that can lead us
away from God, and anything that leads us away from Him should be avoided. “Be careful, however, that the exercise of
your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1 Corinthians
8:9) As Christians, we need to consider how our
actions might affect those around us. The biblical principles that should guide us are: Drunkenness is a sin, addiction to anyone or any thing is a sin, we should seek to please God in all that we do, it’s important to trust God to provide for us, avoid the love of money and materialism, and live with the understanding that my actions affect others, so I should avoid those things that might cause someone else to stumble.
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Creation and Evolution SERIES GOAL: To look
at the scriptures to discover wisdom and guidance from the bible concerning
several Hot Topics. TODAY’S PURPOSE: To
understand that God has always existed and He created all that is out of
nothing. Our Scripture: Genesis
1:1-31 1. Genesis is not a science textbook.
2. Genesis is not a history book.
3. Genesis is not a genealogy. Genesis is a true account of how all things
came into existence. “…With the Lord a day is like a thousand
years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8) It takes just as much, if not more, faith to
believe in evolution as it does to believe in creation. “By faith we understand that the universe was
formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was
visible.” (Hebrews 11:3) God has always existed, and He created all
that is out of nothing! Because of God’s great love for us, He created us in His image, and He created everything for our benefit!
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Complete Joy SERIES GOAL: To
recognize that Jesus’ coming into our world truly changed everything—not
just for human history but also for my own life and beliefs. TODAY’S PURPOSE: To
understand that God gives the gift of complete Joy to His children. Our Scripture: John
15:10-11 - “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I
have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told
you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Joy comes to our lives when we live for God
and we obey Him. Joy is the strength that God provides to
believers. “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they
exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son
of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward
in heaven.” (Luke 6:22-23) “A man can receive only what is given him
from heaven. 28You yourselves can
testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’
29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The
friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of
joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now
complete.” (John 3:27-29) “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it
again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
We may be persecuted, misused, abused, lied
about, or cheated—but the Joy that God has given us will help us to trust
in Him—and we still have Joy! Jesus said, “A woman giving birth to a child
has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets
the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22So
with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will
rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23In that day you
will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give
you whatever you ask in my name. 24Until now you have not asked
for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be
complete.” (John 16:21-24) Don’t look at what you’re going through.
Instead, celebrate the One who is with you through it all! And
experience Complete Joy in Him!
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JESUS
CHANGES EVERYTHING:
God’s Gifts of Grace and Truth SERIES GOAL: To
recognize that Jesus’ coming into our world truly changed everything—not
just for human history but also for my own life and beliefs. TODAY’S PURPOSE: To
understand that God’s gift of Jesus is a gift of grace and truth, and to be
challenged to live our lives in a way that non-believers will want to be
around us while being confronted with the truth of the Gospel. Our Scripture: John God’s Gift of the Law “With my lips I recount all the laws that
come from our mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one
rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider
your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word. Open
my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm
119:13-18) May we live in such a way that both grace and truth flow through our lives. May we live in such a way that sinners want to be around us while being confronted with God’s truth.
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JESUS
CHANGES EVERYTHING:
What If Christmas Never Happened? SERIES GOAL: To
recognize that Jesus’ coming into our world truly changed everything—not
just for human history but also for my own life and beliefs. TODAY’S PURPOSE: To
understand that God entered our world in the form of a man (Jesus) so that
we could know about His love for us and so that we could have a personal
relationship with Him. Our Scripture: John
1:12-13 - “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God—13children born not
of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of
God.” Because of Jesus, we can know what God is
like. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was
with God, and the Word was God…. (14) The Word became flesh and made his
dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1 & 14) God is near. God came near to us so that we could know about His love for us and so that we could have a personal relationship with Him.
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JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING: God Joined Humanity SERIES GOAL: To
recognize that Jesus’ coming into our world truly changed everything—not
just for human history but also for my own life and beliefs. TODAY’S PURPOSE: To
understand that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, and to understand that
Jesus came to offer each of us the perfect gift—God’s gift of love and
forgiveness so that we can become one of God’s children. Our Scripture: John
1:10-13 - “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him,
the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his
own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received
him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God—13children born not of natural descent, nor of
human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” Jesus came to that which was his own, his own
people, and they rejected him. They had God in their midst and they didn’t
recognize him for who he was. Whether you have a good family or a
dysfunctional one, Jesus came to make us part of a GREAT family! “The Son of God became a man to enable men to
become the sons of God.” – C. S. Lewis “How great is the love the Father has
lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what
we are!...” (1 John 3:1) “…he predestined us to be adopted as his sons
through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…” (Ephesians
1:5) Jesus came into our pain and loneliness and
hurt to feel what you feel and to deliver you from it! It takes humility to receive His gift of forgiveness and to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but the gift of being God’s child is certainly worth everything that it takes to receive it!
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JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING: The First Witness SERIES GOAL: To
recognize that Jesus’ coming into our world truly changed everything—not
just for human history but also for my own life and beliefs. TODAY’S PURPOSE: To
understand just who Jesus Christ really was, through the eyes of John the
Baptist, and to understand that our role is to point people to Jesus. Our Scripture: John
1:6-9, 15, 19-34 John the Baptist illustrates what it means to be
a proper witness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
So what does this mean for each of us today?
Recognize that our role is to point people to Jesus.
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JESUS CHANGES EVERYTHING: Jesus - The Word and The Light SERIES GOAL: To
recognize that Jesus’ coming into our world truly changed everything—not
just for human history but also for my own life and beliefs. TODAY’S PURPOSE: To
help us understand that even though our world is a place of darkness, Jesus
came into our world to bring us light and hope and life! Our Scripture: John
1:1-5 - “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through
him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The
light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.”
In the Greek, “Logos” means “the Word.” In
the Greek culture, logos, was that which gave meaning to all things.
John is using a term that everyone would be familiar with and yet he
expands its meaning. Since a word is an audible or visible expression
of a thought, Jesus perfectly revealed what was going on in the mind of
God. He’s the bridge between God and us.
Unlike any other widely followed religious
leader in history, Jesus Christ made a unique claim. He declared Himself to
be God. Not a god, not god-like, but God incarnate - the Creator of
the universe in human flesh. “In the past God spoke to our forefathers
through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in
these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of
all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is
the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided
purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in
heaven.” (Hebrews 1:1-3)
Jesus came into our dark world to bring Light and Hope and Life to each one of us!
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Nazarene |
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