1-18-2015
"Share the Hope - Telling God's Story"
1 Peter 1: 3-5

TELLING GOD’S STORY 1 Peter 1. 3-5                          I.        We are Called to Help Tell God’s Story of _____________:  a.     The Church has the best news in the world to share  b.     1 Peter is often called The Epistle of _________ II.        Remember ______ We Are:  a.     His _________ People b.     We are people of HOPE c.      Hope _____ is not hope (Romans 8.24) III.        Remember Where _______ Is: a.     This is NOT OUR _________ b.      Our best HOPE lies in the future- c.      “Lord _____ have been our dwelling place through all generations.” (Ps 90) IV.        Remember  What the _______ Is:  To Be a Blessing to  Others: a.     Called to Blessing b.     Do you know how to “bless others?”    V.        Remember _________ To Share Your Hope: a.     When anyone asks:  3. 15- always be ready when anyone asks you to give the reason for the hope you have… b.     When You are _________ and Going Through Various Trials          VI.        Remember That You are NOT __________: a.     God is with us b.     You have a spiritual ___________          VII.        Remember To Share The HOPE a.     Enjoy the Hope ___________ b.     Share the Hope With Others

1-11-2015
"Joining God On His Mission (of Redemption)"
Colossians 1. 9-14

Joining God On His Mission (of Redemption) Colossians 1. 9-14 I.  God is on a Mission  A.  Redemption/Restoration B.  From Garden of Eden thru Revelation the story of God’s redeeming love is a constant theme II.  Jesus Came As The Main Focus of God’s              Redemption A.  God sent his one and only Son B.  We are among those redeemed people of God- His church. III.  We are Invited to be Part of God’s Redemptive   Mission A.  We are commanded to Go into the world and make       disciples B.  We are encouraged to live as “redeemed people of God” C.  It is part of our calling to share our hope with others.  IV.  How Can We Do That Best? A.  Become a “Missional Church”  B.  Look for Opportunities: C.  We need to listen to people D.  We need to know our own gifts and abilities E.  We need to look for and include others in the mission F.  We need to Love: Do these things out of our love for    Jesus V.  Upcoming Mission Project: MCLE team and others who wish to join in. A.   Don’t know what it is yet? B.  1st step is to develop a team that is praying and caring for one another C.  2nd Step is to learn to listen to our community VI.  Our Assignment for this coming week- Ask and Listen                  If you could fix 1 problem in our town what do you think would make the biggest difference?

1-4-2015

"Chosen to Serve at Such a Time as This"

Matthew 24: 12-13

12-28-2014
"The Danger of Finishing Badly"
1 Kings 10:23-11:13

12-21-2014
"The Gift of Not Missing It"
Luke 2. 1-20

THE GIFT OF NOT MISSING IT! Luke 2. 1-20 I.  IT’S EASY TO MISS IT! A.  Arguably, most people miss _________ every year. B.  They participate in the many activities, YET THEY ______ THE MAIN EVENT!  (Why/How?) II.  WE GET                           BY OTHER THINGS A.  The ___________is example of this. B.  Nothing is MORE IMPORTANT than seeking and knowing Christ! C.  _______ ______ great events, and monumental things have you  NOT SEEN III.  WE ARE                  OF WHAT WE MIGHT LOSE- OR MISS OUT ON! A.  Matthew’s account of Birth of Jesus tells us of ________ the Great B.  Intelligent, powerful, yet afraid of a new “________ of the Jews” C.  Sometimes people are afraid of allowing Jesus to be _______.  IV.  WE  BECOME SATISFIED WITH                                 KNOWLEDGE:  A.  The Jewish Religious leaders were ______ there that first Christmas B.  They Missed the Announcement- Angels did not come to them C.  Are _____ satisfied with the Intellectual Knowledge you have? D.  There are things you cannot _______…unless you experience them V.  SOMETIMES WE ARE GIVEN THE GIFT OF “          MISSING IT” A.  We ____ to see, or experience B.  It isn’t usually the wealthy who receive this gift C.  WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN A GIFT- to see through ________ eyes VI.  HOW DID THOSE WHO WERE GIFTED TO “NOT MISS IT” RESPOND? A.  They _______   ____  _______ B.  They worshipped C.  They went away “a ________ way” VII.  How should           celebrate the GIFT OF NOT MISSING IT? A.  _______  _______ to “go and see” B.  Go away __________

12-14-2014
"The Gift of God's Riches"
2 Corinthians 8.9

Message-   The Gift of God’s Riches Scripture-  2 Corinthians 8. 9 I.  The Bible Tells Us of God’s  ____:  “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…” A.  Paul is encouraging the grace of the Corinthians towards the poor of _________ B.  Paul is reminding them of grace received…so that they would in-turn be gracious. II.  Though He Was __________ A.  ________ was rich because He was God B.  Scripture ref’s: · John 1. 1-2- In the beginning was the Word…and the Word was with _____, and was God.  He was in the beginning with God.”  · Psalm 50.10…He owns the cattle on a thousand hills… · Phil. 5. 19-  My God shall supply all of your needs according to His _______” III.  For Your Sakes He Became _______ A.  He became ________…flesh & blood -  Philippians 2. 5-8  B.  He became poor- not just in a human sense, but in earthly sense C.  Jesus became poor in _______ sense of the word….why? IV.  That You Through His Poverty Might Become _______ A.  ______ rich in terms of things: cars, houses, boats B.  Jesus became poor that we might receive the “riches of God.” C.  Jesus offers the riches of God’s presence now, and Eternal Life that nothing can take away when the _________ of this life is over. V.  What should we do? How should we live?   A.  Realize your ________ to Jesus B.  Look at others through Jesus’ ______ (they are also loved & worth dying for) C.  We need to ____ gracious towards others, as God has been to us.

12-7-2014
"The Good and Perfect Gift"
James 1. 2-18

THE GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT JAMES 1. 2-18 I.  CHRISTMAS HAS AN IMPERFECT SIDE A.  Tedious shopping, and “crazy people” B.  Many gifts are unneeded, unsafe, and un__________ II.  JAMES ADDRESSES SOME OF THE TRIALS AND IMPERFECTIONS OF LIFE A.  gk peirasmos = testing vs. 2-12;  = temptations to do evi vs. 13-18 B.  Polysemy - multiple _____________ of same word C.  James explains that trials & temptations to do evil come from ___________ places…They are not all from God III.  LIFE’S IMPERFECTIONS (TRIALS & TEMPTATIONS) MAY CAUSE US TO BLAME GOD FOR THEM, AND __________  OUR OWN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY A. Tendency to blame God for the “testing” and the “temptations” B.  ______ is not the source of “temptations” C.  The source of our temptations is _______ IV.  JAMES REMINDS US THAT GOD GIVES “GOOD GIFTS” A.  HE should receive the ________ & worship B.  What good and perfect gifts has He given? · His Son- greatest gift ever given was Jesus Christ\ · Eternal Life- · _______________ Love · Forgiveness & ______________…made new · ___________ to overcome…Philippians 4.13 · Peace- this is what the angels sang of.  “Peace on earth…” V.  WHAT SHOULD WE DO? A.  James says: “Count it pure _____ when you face trials” B.  Remember the difference between a test of your faith, and a temptation to do evil (both are not from God) C.  Don’t Forget to _________ God- who is the GIVER D.  ________ your Blessings- especially the BIG ONES