12-24-2017
"How to Be a Wise Person"
Matthew 2. 1-12

HOW TO BE A WISE PERSON? Matt. 2. 1-12 I.  Questions: Who Were The Magi? II.  What Do Scholars Often Think About Them? *No one knows for sure- how many where from- what their beliefs and backgrounds were? III.  Why Does ________ Include This Story in His Gospel? A.  Matthew is greatly interested in _______…and how Jesus fulfills it B.  The main point of Gospels is NOT history, but ______ ______!  IV.  What Can We Learn About Our Own Spiritual __________?  1)Pay attention to the _______  2)Take the spiritual journey *Your SPIRITUAL JOURNEY to know Jesus, and to walk with Him through life…is not a ______TRIP,  so take the time to do it right 3)Beware of the enemies of the ______ *In our day there are so many enemies to the truth- college profs, politicians, news media…governments and leaders… armed intruders… 4)WHEN YOU REALIZE GOD IS LEADING YOUR LIFE- ________, Rejoice, And Worship 5)________YOUR VALUABLES TO CHRIST *What is valuable to you?  Possessions?  Your loved ones?  Your calling or reputation or influence? What about Traditions?  6)GO AWAY BY A ___________ ROUTE *They had obviously seen what they had set out to find…did it change them?  How did it change them?  *Can we be in presence of the Holy One and NOT be changed, or affected?  (Possible BUT Not Wise). V.  THIS SAME TRUTH APPLIES TO _____ and Others: A.  We can ignore the God-moments and go about our lives UN-CHANGED…OR- We can go “a different way.” B.  Difference must be ___________ C. Are there things in your life that need to change…and be different?

12-17-2017
"For God So Loved..."
John 3: 16-17

FOR GOD SO LOVED… JOHN 3.16-17 I.  THERE ARE A NUMBER OF       WAYS ______IS            SHOWN: A.  Giving a ______ B.  Say it C.  _______ D.  Physical touch E.  Acts of service II.  ____ SO LOVED THAT HE GAVE A.  People often show their love by giving gifts B.  God did so as well C.  God’s gift was both: ___________ & from his loving heart III.  GOD SHOWED HIS LOVE BY HIS RELENT           LESS  __________ A.  Throughout the Bible we see examples of God’s “relentless pursuit.” B.  How about you, does your love ever fail?  Do you ever feel like “giving ____?” IV.  GOD SHOWED/SHOWS HIS LOVE BY HIS            WILLINGNESS TO ___________: A.  He sacrificed himself/his life to pay the penalty for our sin and rebellion B.  Have you ever sacrificed for someone else?  Money, opportunity? V.  WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO WITH HIS            LOVE: A.  _______the gift- BELIEVE B.  Love Others C.  ______ Others: VI.  CHRISTMAS- A TIME FOR ____________            GOD’S LOVE: A.  May you be reminded of His great love for you in many ways B.  And may you share His _______ to others…as Jesus has shared with you.

12-10-2017
"Joy"
Luke 2. 10

Joy to the World Luke 2.  1-12 I.  THERE IS A GREAT ______ FOR JOY A.  Crises & ___________ B.  Failures- Public & Private C.  Disappointments & heart________ II.  THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAPPINESS AND ____ A.  One is based on ________ circumstances, joy on inward spirit B.  Happiness is exchanging Christmas _______; joy is the awareness of what Christmas is all about. III.  THE ANGEL APPEARED TO THE  __________ SAYING: “Behold I bring you good news of great joy…” A.  Why to the SHEPHERDS? B.  They _________ to God C.  Do you ever feel like a nobody, or like you don’t matter - Just remember who heard the announcement first IV.  _____  WAS THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE JOYFUL? A.  The “good news” is the Gospel message – it is about eternal ______ B.  “For all the people” –  __  matter to God C.  We need a Savior! The News is Joyful- WE DO HAVE A SAVIOR D.  Christ – The  _____ V.  ASSUMPTION: THAT THEY  _______ GO AND SEE  A.  Question:  How can YOU “go and see?” B.  Take a look at those who are  ________ discover why C.  Remember what the good news of JOY was about- Jesus D.  Take a spiritual  ___________- ask, seek, knock VI.  HOW DOESONE FIND JOY? A.  Don’t spend your life searching for joy, spend it searching for _______ B.  Don’t pursue joy for yourself, seek to bring joy to _________  _____

12-3-2017
"When All Else Fails, Ask for Directions"
Hebrews 4. 12; Psalm 119.11

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, ASK FOR DIRECTIONS Hebrews 4.12; Psalm 119.11 Intro: Today want to focus some on why study the Bible, but, also to suggest a few “____  ____s” as well. 1.  WE NEED DIRECTION FOR OUR TRAVELS…EVEN-MORE WE NEED DIRECTION FOR OUR DAILY ________. 2.  WE NEED DIRECTION FOR OUR _________ LIFE. *I study the Bible because I’ve found it easier to stay on course than to find my way back. 3.  WE NEED SUSTENANCE FOR OUR DAILY LIVES…EVEN MORE WE NEED SPIRITUAL ______ TO KEEP US HEALTHY *There are so many daily battles with health, or finances, or with marriage, or family, or people at work, or things in the news…how can you fight and be victorious if you don’t have spiritual food? 4.  WE NEED HELP TO _____ WHAT WE KNOW (DISCIPLINE) *I Study the Bible because I need to do (_______) What I Know.  5.  HOW DO I STUDY GOD’S WORD? A.  I EAT AT ______: I try to make it a daily practice.  B.  I TRY TO HAVE SOMETHING _______ ON MY PLATE: *I try to follow a plan…healthy food…not just easy food C.  I SHARE SPIRITUAL FOOD WITH ________: I meet with others for encouragement and motivation D. I GO OUT TO EAT AND LET ________ ELSE DO THE COOKING:           *There are many ways that we can be fed by others 6.  SPIRITUAL ___________ CAN OCCUR A.  Can you tell when someone is starving spiritually?   *No love, joy, peace, patience *No desire to serve the Lord or speak His name B.  THE KEY QUESTION FOR TODAY:  How do I study God’s Word? *The real success comes when you actually study god’s word!  And when it becomes part of your daily life.