11-22-2015
"Thankful for the Blessings of God's Comfort"
2 Corinthians 1. 3-11

THANKFUL FOR THE BLESSINGS OF GOD’S COMFORT 2 CORINTHIANS 1. 3-11 I.  HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH YOUR TRIALS OR TROUBLES? A.  Look for a cat to kick, or someone else to take out your frustrations on? B.  When life is hard, remember we are not the _____ to ask “is there another way?” II.  PAUL (APOSTLE OF JESUS) SHARES SOME ENCOURAGEMENT HERE: A.  ________ are going to come.  Why? B.  So that we may learn to trust- not in ourselves- but in God who ______ the dead. C.  How do most of us gain and grow in our faith?  D.  Happy (blessed) THANKFUL- are those who are taught, even through despair, to set their ______ in God! III.  CAN YOU EXPERIENCE ________  IF YOU NEVER HAVE TROUBLES? A.  When we bear that Heavy LOAD- we need one of 2 things:                                                   i.  Either we need it to be taken away, or                                                   ii.  We must learn how to _______  it. B.  Without the Trials and Sorrows that are a part of our Christian Journey, we will never know God’s Comfort. IV.  GOD IS THE ________ OF COMFORT: A.  God knows our needs and our tribulations… B.  He has ________ lessons in mind for us… V.  GOD HAS A ___________ FOR AFFLICTION: A.  That we will learn to seek comfort from Him B.  God Also desires that we learn to comfort __________                                                   i.  Our Example                                                   ii.  Our __________ of how God has “been there for                  us.”  May be of comfort to others.                                                   iii.  Our EXAMPLE and OUR TESTIMONY OF                  FAITH show an encouraging spirit- which is a                  comfort to others. C.  One more way you can HELP others…BY YOUR ____________

11-15-2015
"The Ten Castaways"
Luke 17: 11-19

11-8-2015
"Lessons of Generosity and Selfishness"
Luke 16. 19-31

THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS Luke 16. 19-31 I.  Luke: Wrote To Encourage Gentiles And _____________: A.  The main point of this parable is to show that those we esteem as “most godly and most blessed” may in fact be those who wind up in ______ B.  While some who are un-_________ on earth, may be exalted in the life to come. II.  Question: Did The Rich Man Go To Hell Because He Was _______?   A.  Jesus’ parable doesn’t say why the rich man went to hell B.  The parable reminds us that Jesus is the friend of the _____, the despised, the outcast, the unnoticed, the weak, and the sinful. III.  Question: Who ____ The Rich Man? A.  Consider that those who live in _________, and Europe are immensely wealthy compared the majority of the world. B.  There are plenty of Lazaruses close by. IV.  Questions: What Are The __________ Of Being Wealthy?  What Does The Ignoring Of Lazarus Say About Us? A.  Indulgence of the body & ease and pleasure are the ruin of many souls B.  If we ignore ___________, does this mean we are not saved? C.  It does point out a potentially eternal ______ in us? (No heart like Jesus’ heart) D.  Look, listen, and pray- ask the Lord to show you how to care and show Jesus’ love. V.  Is Hell For Real?  Is There A “_________ Chance” Which When Ended Will Divide Men and Women For Eternity? A.  This is not the only place where Jesus makes this point- but here He makes it _______ clear.  B.  Some will end up in Hell, despite all of the blessings and favors C.  Some will end up in Hell despite the fact that they have been warned again and again- by Moses & prophets…and even by one who has risen from the _______. VI.  SO What Is The Message From This Parable? (The lessons from Luke?)  A.  Consider whether we are _____, or poor B.  Consider how we treat Lazarus C.  Notice and participate in helping _____ for the Lazaruses of our world. D.  Hear & _______ the truth about the reality of Hell

11-1-2015
"Lessons of a Loving Father"
Luke 15. 11-32

Lessons of a Loving Father Luke 15. 11-32 I.  The “Loving Heavenly Father” Seeks And Searches For Those Who Are Lost. A.  Lost things- _________ (lost due to its wandering- ignorance) B.  Lost coin- due to ___________ and lack of paying attention II.  The Lost Son & Son Who ________ Home A.  Older son seems mature & responsible… B.  _______ son wants to “see the world.”  Wants the money to do that.  III.  Eventually The Lost Son Is Faced With Tough ______________ A.  Money gone, friends gone, No food, lousy humiliating job B.  ____________ C.  The Father receives him back AS A SON IV.  The Older Son A.  ___________, dependable, obedient B.  He is jealous of younger brother C.  As close as he remains with his father, he still doesn’t have his father’s _______.  V.  We Have ______ Been Lost Persons. A.  Wandering in ignorance- like the sheep  B.  Lost due to the negligence of parents or others-  C.  Maybe were lost due to ____________ D.  Or maybe like that older son, you’ve been close to the Father all along., but as close as you are you’re still ______- separated from The Father’s heart. VI.  The Good News Of This Story- Is That The Loving Father Is __________.  A.  The ________ _____-  is the Heavenly Father, who watches, and waits for us. B.  His love in unconditional, and unending C.  He will _________ all of those who turn to him in repentance and faith. D.  And when anyone is “found”  by the Father…there is a great celebration! There is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents…