6-18-2017
"Love:  The Proof of Spiritual Transformation"
Romans 12:  9-13

LOVE: THE PROOF OF TRANSFORMATION  Romans 12. 9-13 I.  LOVE: ONE OF THE MAIN PROOFS THAT WE ARE _____________  II.  LOVE MUST BE _____________:  IT MUST HATE THE WRONG, AND MUST CLING TIGHTLY TO THE GOOD. (V9) A.  Real love (does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth- 1 Cor 13. 6) B.  Sincere love has a moral quality- it cares about good, and desires to NOT participate in _____ III.  (v. 10) BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE. HONOR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE YOURSELVES A.  Devoted- strong resolve to be with, and to support B.  __________: Is seeking to affirm, or show respect to that other person. C.  How can you show honor? IV.  (V. 11)  NEVER BE LACKING IN ZEAL, BUT KEEP YOUR SPIRITUAL __________, SERVING THE LORD” A.  Agape Love is about loving and serving ________, as well as others B.  It is sacrificial…not lazy, not without some passion, not just going through the motions… V.  (V.12) BE _____________ IN HOPE; PATIENT IN AFFLICTION; FAITHFUL IN PRAYER A.  Difference between “joyful hope” and “worried/fearful hope…” B.  Patient in affliction C.  Faithful in _____________ VI.  (V. 13) BE OPEN-HANDED:  Not “empty handed”   HELP other _________ who are in need Practice Hospitality VII.  A LIFE TRANSFORMED BY CHRIST REVEALS ITSELF IN  _____________ ACTIONS; AND A LOVING HEART.

6-11-2017
"How Will They Ever Get Along Without Me?"
Romans 12. 3-8

HOW WILL THEY EVER GET ALONG WITHOUT ME? Romans 12. 3-8 I.  OUR REASONABLE RESPONSE   IS TO “GIVE OUR BODIES & SELVES” AS LIVING SACRIFICE TO GOD. II.  A _________________ MIND WILL LEAD TO SEVERAL THINGS: * A TRANSFORMED MIND PRODUCES (LEADS TO) ___________ * A TRANSFORMED MIND PRODUCES (LEADS TO) UNITY * A TRANSFORMED MIND PRODUCES (LEADS TO) MINISTRY & ____________ **What is a “spiritual gift?”   **God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. III.  SEVEN SPIRITUAL GIFTS LISTED: 1.  Not inclusive- there are other gifts mentioned in letter to Corinthians 2.  Every believer has a ______ – or gifts 3. The Gifts Listed: * Prophecy- ability to know God’s message * __________- preaching/missionary/nursery worker/kitchen * Teaching- the Bible, and how to grow, and know Jesus better * ___________- people need this. (Exhortation)- also need direction * Contributing (________)- some are blessed, and desire to bless others * Leading- (dual-meaning word=lead & care for) pastor, shepherd * Showing mercy- needs to be done _________, joyfully, willingly or else the recipient is not encouraged, but feels like a burden, or despised IV.  HOW WILL THEY EVER GET ALONG WITHOUT ME?  * THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO !  * YOU ARE ____________ & YOU ARE NEEDED V.  DOES YOUR CHURCH HAVE TO GET ALONG WITHOUT YOU? * When believers “step up” and do - People are blessed… -There is unity…love shared…lives are touched.

6-4-2017
"Live Like a Believer"
Romans 12. 1-2

LIVE LIKE A BELIEVER ROMANS 12. 1-2 I.  THEREFORE, BY THE __________  OF GOD… A.  Rom. 12. 1-2 urges us to show in outward ways, that we belong to Christ. B.  Five BE’s II.  BE A ___________ A.  Previous chapters tell us to “confess and believe” B.  To live like a believer- we need to “BE A BELIEVER.”   III.  _____ SACRIFICED- “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship.” (v.1) A.  A sacrifice was something given up or given _______ B.  Present your bodies C.  Your “spiritual service of worship”  IV.  BE _________________ A.  Don’t be conformed…to the patterns of this world B.  Be transformed            V.  BE RENEWED IN MIND A.  Have you allowed _________ to change your thinking? B.  One of the big threats to “life as a believer” is this _______ C.  Have you conformed?  VI.  BE SURE/BE ____________– of GOD’S WILL A.  then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing, and perfect will B.  A transformed mind leads to learning to know Jesus C.  And, knowing Jesus allows us to know what He loves, and what pleases Him.