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Matthew 6:25-34 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Don’t worry about your past Don’t worry about the opinion of others. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 “Do not worry about your life.” Matthew 6:25 “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Psalm 91:11-12 Don’t worry about growing old. Worry is an achievement What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8: 31,37 Worry is a killer. Worry is a sin. Don’t worry about death. Don’t worry about your enemies. Don’t worry about what you are not.
Luke 1:26-38 There is so much that we can learn from Mary in her response to trouble and pain. Mary knew very well that there was going to be pain associated with this announcement. The first thing that we can learn from Mary is to: 1. Be honest in our pain. We must first acknowledge pain in order to receive healing. Pain reveals Where you put your trust & where you find your peace. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Luke 1:29 Mary was told why Jesus was to be born in Luke 2:35 “so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 God wants to sit with us in our pain. 2. Be patient in our pain. The second thing we see from Mary through this process is she waited to hear from the messenger of God. She quietted herself to hear what the angel had to say. We will never learn a single thing without pain. C. S. Lewis said that “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pains: It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” So this raises the question: “How do we become patient in our pain?” i. We Pray – When we pray, we are reorientated. When we are praying, we are reminded that we are not in control and do not have the answers. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4 ii. We Wait- Waiting is uncomfortable, and hard. Waiting causes us to slow down and view the world differently. Waiting takes strength Later in Psalm 27:14 the David writes: Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! iii. We fix our eyes on Truth: Don’t distract yourself, this will be something you will be tempted to do. Life from God doesn't solve our fears or pains. It only distracts us for a little while. Distraction is not the same as deliverance. We want to stay distracted from our fear or pain so that we don’t have to feel. But then we distract ourselves from pain, we distract ourselves from God as well. But when the center of life is fulfilling desires and avoiding pain, no redemptive purpose for pain can be given. It is merely something to be avoided and soothed. 3. Be hopeful in our pain. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. Luke 1:37-38 We grieve differently than the World. To bookend the life of Jesus, near the end he shares these thoughts in John 16:20-23 “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 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. So 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. In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” John 16:20-23 NIV “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Jesus gives us a hope that we do not have to be in pain forever. When we begin to worship, pain will find its rightful place. And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. Luke 1:46-49 Advent is all about hope coming to this world, in unlikely fashions and working in ways we never anticipated. Because of the birth of Christ, we can have hope in the midst of so much pain, the world is full of pain and Christ wants to be actively engaged with us as we walk through the darkest valleys.
Psalm 103:1-2 1. Thanksgiving: The Holy Spirit is Always at Work in Everyone Everywhere Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. Psalm 103:1-2 NLT The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. 2 Peter 3:9 NLT The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:15-17 “This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!” (UMH # 144 / OGRP # 19) 2. Advent: Living Between the Cradle and the Coming Again Come, Thou long-expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee. Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart. (UMH # 196/ OGRP # 163) 3. Christmas: Messiah Jesus is the Center Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Luke 2:30-32
John 18:37 NKJV 37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” MATTHEW 28:18-21 NIV 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” HOW DO WE LIVE WITH KINGDOM PURPOSE? 1. MAKE IT ABOUT GOD AND OTHERS John 15:9-14 NIV 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 2. BE PLANTED, NOT POTTED Psalm 92:13-15 NKJV 13 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, 15 To declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. 3. REALIZE YOUR ROLE AT UNION CHAPEL Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=EPH+4:11-12&version=NKJV#fen-NKJV-29285a]edifying of the body of Christ,
II Corinthians 8:1-7 A “faith promise” offering is simply FAITH in God to provide an amount of money followed by a PROMISE to give it. Paul called this the “grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Grace is always a provision of something we don’t have. A “faith promise” offering is a commitment to give what we will trust God to provide. I. An offering supplied by God’s grace. “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches… They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability… See that you also excel in the grace of giving.” II Corinthians 8:1-7 The grace of new opportunity The grace of discipline The grace of the unusual II. An offering to be completed within a year. “Last year you were the first not only to give, but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by our completion of it.” II Corinthians 8:10-11 III. An offering to be carefully administered. “We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.” Paul understood the need for financial accountability and strategic investment! II Corinthians 8:20-21
Acts 3:1-10 I. HEALING IN THE BIBLE In the Old Testament. The Ministry of Jesus. The teaching of Jesus “The time has come,” he said. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15 All who believe will be totally healed on that day! The Kingdom of God is both “now” and “not yet" The ministry of Jesus “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” Matthew 4:23 The commission of Jesus II. HEALING IN CHURCH HISTORY III. HEALING TODAY
Matthew 28:16-20 1. The Command of Jesus (Great Commission) 2. Needs of Others. 3. The Gospel is Good News. I. PRESENCE “…if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” I Peter 3:1-2 II. PERSUASION (not pressure) III. PROCLAMATION Invitational Relational Telling our own story IV. POWER V. PRAYER
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 A life without connection brings: a. Isolation “Rising from the debris of our lost values is the new value on the individual. The ‘me’ generation has given way to a ‘me’ world. The question is, how will the church, the ultimate ‘WE’ organization, adjust?” – Church Consultant, Lyle Schaller in The Connecting Church by Randy Frazee Loneliness is a warning light on the dashboard of your life that confirms that you are running low on the primary fuel you need: connection. b. Exhaustion c. Frustration Godly and meaningful connection brings: a. Production b. Provision c. Protection An unconnected life brings isolation, exhaustion, and frustration but when you enter into a life of Godly and meaningful connection, you’ll see that it brings production, provision, and protection! Next Steps to Help Live a Connected Life: 1. Surrender to Jesus 2. Join a small group 3. Connect with others through serving 4. Get baptized 5. Attend the “DISCOVER” class
Matthew 19:1-9 The culture does not need from the Church anger and judgment nor accommodation and compromise. The Church’s best posture is to joyfully teach and model God’s original design and intent while loving, accepting and forgiving ourselves and one another when we fall short. I. Isn’t this much ado about nothing? II. Why is the Church so focused on these issues? III. Can’t we agree to disagree? Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 3 God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator. Romans 1:24-25 Consequently, their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. Romans 1:26-27 If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? I Corinthians 14:8 IV. Why are some Christians so angry and bigoted? The goal of our instruction is love, from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. I Timothy 1:5 1. Extravagant love for all people. 2. Inside the Church we must be clear about Christian identity. How do we become more distinctive? We do it by quietly building good marriages, families, churches and friendships. We don’t need better words, we need better demonstrations of God’s best design!
Acts 6:5; 7:54-60 I. Commanded to forgive More people will be emotionally, relationally, spiritually and physically healed by the power of forgiveness than by any other power. II. Unforgiveness is destructive Unforgiveness makes you weak because it makes you subject to the weakness of another. The great paradox of Christian forgiveness is that as long as I stay in a forgiving mode, I am stronger than those who are pursuing me to hurt me. III. The grace to forgive 1. Forgiveness is a matter of choice not emotion. 2. God will do through us what we cannot do ourselves. 3. Understand that forgiveness is a process 4. Remember, the power of God to forgive is in you through the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Exodus 33:1-23 1. What do you Desire? a. Why wouldn’t I want to desire God? i. A relationship with God is disruptive, it will cost you something. ii. Are you willing to be inconvenienced by Jesus? b. What you do – determines what you want. c. Moses had to work this out. d. Moses was still receiving the blessing of God without the presence of God. 2. God is accessible to anyone. a. God wants to be seen by you. b. Make it generational. 3. How do we do this practically? i. Loneliness is the inability to spend time with God. ii. Muddy water will only become clear when you give it time to settle. a. Word iii. Memorize the word of God. iv. Psalm 119:11 v. Spending just 5 minutes a day will change everything. b. Worship i. Worship is placing God where He rightly deserves. ii. Humble yourself. iii. Get together with other believers, fellowship. c. Prayer i. Pray as you can, not as you can’t. 4. Ask God one of these questions. a. God, what are You like? b. God, what do You want to say to me? c. God, what do I desire? d. God, what do You want me to do? e. God, who do You say that I am?
Psalm 1:1-3 Introduction to the Bible: *The most popular/preeminent book 7 billion total, 44 million copies per year *The most powerful/influential book The Bible is preeminent in influence. Why? Because it has the power to change lives! *The most precious book (Matthew 4:4) I. A manual for life — God has spoken Christianity is a revealed faith. We cannot find out about God unless God reveals Himself. God has revealed Himself in a person, Jesus Christ. He is God’s ultimate revelation (Hebrews 1:1-2; II Timothy 3:16-17). If it is God’s Word, then it must be our supreme authority for what we believe and how we live. It’s a manual for life. II. A love letter from God – God speaks It is also a love letter from God to you. John 5:39-40 The Bible is only so wonderful and exciting because it is about Jesus. It helps us come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. *To those who are not Christians First, He brings faith to those who are not yet Christians. Romans 10:17. *To those who are Christians Become like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18); Joy and peace in the midst of a storm (Psalm 23:5); Guidance (Psalm 119:105); Health/healing (Proverbs 4:20-22); Defense against spiritual attack (Matthew 4:1-11); Power (Hebrews 4:12); Cleansing (John 15:3) III. How do we hear God speak through the bible? 1. Time, Place, Method Ask God to speak Read & study the Bible (What does it say and mean? How does it apply?) Respond in prayer Put it into practice Matthew 7:24
I John 5: 1-5, 11-13 “When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun.” II Corinthians 5:17 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” I John 5:13 I. The natural order 1. Cosmological argument 2. Evidential Evidence. 3. Moral Argument. II. The Word of God III. The Work of Jesus IV. The Witness of the Spirit
Acts 2:1-21 I. Love II. Power God wants to unleash on the world a passionate, focused, disciplined, humble, Spirit-filled church... Authentic in our expression of the love of God, purity of God and power of God. III. Purity The unresolved gap between our confession as a Spirit-filled Christian and the conflicted internal condition of our own lives is the crevice into which the post-modern, emergent culture has fallen. The great witness of the Holy Spirit is, above all else, a changed heart and a changed life.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 (ESV) Peter replied, ‘Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gif of the Holy Spirit.’ Acts 2:38 (NLT) I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Luke 12:50 (ESV) Or 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. Romans 6:3-4 (NIV) For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. Colossians 2:12 (NLT) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! II Corinthians 5:17 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 (ESV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? James 2:14 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him… II Chronicles 16:9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “you are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11
2 Corinthians 5:14-21 1. You have a new kind of love. God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44 2. You are a new creation. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]? Romans 2:4 Amplified Bible Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 3. You have a new purpose. When your life belongs to Jesus you no longer exist for yourself. All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 4. You have a new hope. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. Romans 8:22-23 The Apostles Creed
John 3:16-21 I. THE PROBLEM All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 The pollution of sin: What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’ Mark 7:20-23 The power of sin: Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. John 8:34 The penalty for sin: For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23 The partition of sin: Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2 II. THE SOLUTION The “self-substitution” of God: He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree…by His wounds you have been healed. I Peter 2:24 The agony of the Cross: We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 I choose God’s love. We have come to know and believe the love He has for us. I John 4:16 I pray that you might have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19 III. THE RESULT
What do you have to do? John 4:4-10 1. The things that God calls us to do are greater than the excuses we make. Put it another way — it’s not about you. John 4:11-15 2. We will never be satisfied by anything other than God, and serving God is a great place to start. She came to this well to get her physical needs met, Jesus wants to do something deeper. John 4:25-30 3. When God calls us to Go — He will equip us. We might not feel equipped, but God calls us to rest in Him. John 4:31-42 What do you have to do?
Ephesians 2:19-22 • God formed me for his family. • God’s family is called the church. • I’m called to belong to his church. 1. In God’s family I learn my true identity. 2. In God’s temple I’m supported by others. 3. In Christ’s body I discover my unique value. 4. In God’s flock I’m protected and I’m cared for. 5. In God’s garden my life becomes productive.
Isaiah 1:18-20 I. Public worship connects us to God. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 II. Public worship inspires us to faithful living. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 III. Public worship ennobles us for higher purpose. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, 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. I Peter 2:9-10 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17
Philippians 2:5-11 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NIV) Barriers to having the mindset of Christ in our relationships: 1. SELFISHNESS The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others - ignoring God! --- harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for it in his life is weeds. But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life and eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8 (The Message) Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Philippians 2:4 (NLT) Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit, then you won’t feed the compulsion of selfishness. Galatians 5:16 (The Message) 2. PRIDE Pride will destroy a person. A proud attitude leads to ruin. Proverbs 16:18 – (NCV) First pride then the crash, the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. Proverbs 16:18 (The Message) …Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves… your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. Philippians 2:3, 5-6 (NLT) 3. INSECURITY The fear of human opinion disables. Proverbs 29:25 (Message) Love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. I John 4:18 (NLT) 4. RESENTMENT To worry yourself to death with resentment is a foolish, senseless thing to do. Job 5:2 (Today’s English Version) Since my heart was embittered (resentful) and my soul deeply wounded, I was stupid and could not understand. Psalm 73:21-22 (New American Bible) You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 – (NLT) How to have the mindset of Jesus in our relationships: Resist selfishness Exchange pride for humility Receive authentic love in place of insecurity Overcome resentment with forgiveness
Ephesians 6:10-13 John 10:10 1. Your relationships are under attack He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 Your enemy isn’t your spouse, your parents, siblings, children, or boss. 2. The devil usually attacks with distractions and seductions. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Song of Solomon 2:15 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people … but rather thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:3 Play it forward: where is this distraction/seduction taking me? Is the end result something I want? 3. Take charge of your heart. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Proverbs 4:23 NLT You understand the source of a thought by looking at the direction it will take you. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 Tear down the lies that try to tear your relationship apart. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 Ask each other: where are we most vulnerable to spiritual attacks? Fight back with the power of God. You have the power of His Word, the power of prayer, and the power of His love on your side!
Hebrews 12:14-17 Lies we believe that keep us from forgiving: Lie #1: If I get even, I’ll get better. Deuteronomy 32:35 – “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” Romans 12:19 – “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” Hebrews 10:30 – “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” Lie #2: I can forgive quickly. What does the process of forgiveness look like: 1. Face your pain Questions you need to answer: What happened? How do I feel? How has it impacted me? How can I move on? 2. Release the offense Forgiveness is infinitely more important for you than the person who hurt you. Esau despised his birthright by trading it for a bowl of lentils. Don’t despise the freedom, forgiveness and love Jesus paid for by holding on to your pain. 3. Pray for the person who hurt you What will happen if I refuse to forgive? Matthew 6:14-15 Bitterness and pain will deteriorate all of your relationships. greiner@unionchapel.com http://unionchapel.com
What would change if we really believed that we were on mission together? Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:35-38 a. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 2. We aren’t called to be fruitful, but faithful. a. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that we have to be fruitful in sharing the Gospel. “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Mark 4:3-8 NIV 1. There is a mission. 3. We’re not called to just proclaim the Good News, but to become the Good News. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage 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 2:11-12 NIV “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” Revelation 12:11 NIV What would change if we really believed that we were on mission together?
Mark 12:28-34 We all need relationships The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone." Genesis 2:18a We all have Relationships. We all choose Relationships. “Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'” 1 Corinthians 15:33 Who are we engaging with the Gospel? Christ-Centered Relationships forgive. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 NIV Christ-Centered Relationships are a gift. “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 13:20 Christ-Centered Relationships are Christ Centered. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17 What steps do you need to take to put Jesus back in the center of your relationship?
We share stories and celebrate what God did during SERVE week.
Psalm 112:1-6 Manage Exposure Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 1. Expose them to the joy of knowing God personally. Now this is eternal life: That they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3 2. Expose them to the presence and power of God in His Church. 3. Expose them to the thrill of being used by God. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve but as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:14-15
Ephesians 6:10-13 I. Satan has definitely declared war on you! I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. II Timothy 4:7-8 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12 Could it be that the Church of Jesus Christ is a sleeping giant in the world? Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore 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. Ephesians 6:10-13 The Devil is not God’s equal. II. Weapons at our disposal: Prayer & preaching III. It’s time for us to wake up! And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11 When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2
Ephesians 6:10-20 Vs. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Vs. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Vs. 13 …so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Vs. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist… Vs. 18-20 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Acts 2:1-13 1. The historical significance of Pentecost John 7:37-39 2. Pentecost marks a cataclysmic shift in the way we relate to God. 3. The Holy Spirit is available to each and to all. Acts 2:3-4 Joel 2: 28-32 Acts 2: 38-39 4. The work of the Holy Spirit happens best when we are together. Acts 2:1 Acts 1:14 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11: 11-13 Why should you be filled with the Holy Spirit? • Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit your Helper/Counselor/Advocate. John 14:26 • He will teach you all things and remind you of everything Jesus has said. • The Holy Spirit will help you know what to say when the time is right. Mark 13:11 • He will teach you what to say. Luke 12:12 • He will fill you with joy just like He did Jesus. Luke 10:21 • The Holy Spirit will empower you to share Jesus and serve others. Acts 1&2 • He will help you speak God’s word boldly. Acts 4:31 • The Holy Spirit will encourage you when you’re afraid Acts 9:31 • He will do miracles and heal people through you. Acts 10:38 • He produces the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Galatians 5 • The Holy Spirit will pour God’s love into your heart. Romans 5:5 • He helps you when you’re weak, helps you pray, and He prays for you. Romans 8:26 • He is your source of peace and joy. Romans 14:17 • The Holy Spirit gives joy in the midst of severe suffering. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 • He guards the sound teaching you’ve received. 1 Timothy 1:14 • He renews you. Titus 3:5 • Holy Spirit gives you gifts to serve other people. Hebrews 2:4 • He softens your heart when it gets hard. Hebrews 3:7 • He will put God’s laws in your heart and write them on your mind. Hebrews 10:15
