ALL I AM AND ALL I HAVE: Teachings from the book of Leviticus (Part 1) Examining the details of a Levitical sacrifice, we compare it to our world and our life today. Because of what God gave us through His Son's sacrifice, we no longer are required to sacrifice the same way as they did in Leviticus. In light of that, what does it mean to give God our first and our best? What is it that He is calling us to give? (Lev. 1:1-9, Matt 5:48, Lev. 19:2)
With everyone's thoughts on a new year and new beginning, we examine the Nazirite Vow in the Old Testament. This vow was for people who were desperate and who were completely committed. This wasn't a new year's resolution with the focus on oneself, but a deeply seeded passionate declaration of obedience to God. Standing at the edge of commitment and obedience, we shouldn't be afraid to jump, but afraid to retreat. (Judges 13:2-5, Judges 15:12-17, Numbers 6:1-21)
Five More: Doing Things That Matter (Part 5) Are we allowing our problems to become our identity? As we close out 2013, we examine our hearts and the problems in our lives. What is it that we need to be set free from as we enter a new year? What giant-sized steps do we need to take in choosing to shed our fears and hurts, and embrace His love and grace? (James 1:2-3, Isaiah 61)
The birth of Jesus was a history splitting, monumental, earth shaking moment. The gift of God's Son to us is unlike any gift we have ever received. Do we take this gift for granted? This gift was an exchange, Jesus brought us life, love, hope, grace, peace, and salvation, and in return, He takes on our sin. This is an exchange, a gift, unlike any other. (Luke 1 & 2)
Five More: Doing Things That Matter (Part 4) How are we responding to Christmas? We cling to and claim that Jesus is the reason for the season, yet we go on marginalizing his role in our lives. In this Christmas season, we ask ourselves the question, how are we responding to Jesus? Are we doing things that matter with Christmas? (Matthew 2:1-12, Micah 5:2)
Five More: Doing Things That Matter (Part 3) This is a discussion that challenges us all on where our heart is at when it comes to our finances and resources. This is a perspective shift on how we view what God has given us. Have we been trustworthy with what we have been given? (Luke 16:10-15, Matthew 6:21, 2 Cor. 8:8-14)
Five More: Doing Things That Matter (Part 2) What we say to ourself and to others has the power to lift someone up or tear someone down. Words have a power and they are a gift. It is up to us to harness them and use them for the glory of God, the honor of the gospel, and the good of our family and neighbors. (Gen 1, Gen 3, Luke 6:45, John 1:1-2, Proverbs 18:21)
Five More: Doing Things That Matter (part 1) In this new series we will focus on 5 specific areas where we can do things that matter for God's kingdom purposes. Today we dive into the issue of TIME. Do you control your time or does your schedule control you? Do you live with the daily sense that there is not enough time in a day? Doing things that matter with our time begins, not with us managing our time better, but by choosing our time better. How can we choose for Christ to be Lord of our life, but not allow Him to be Lord of our time? (Genesis 2, Exodus 20, 31, Luke 5, Mark 1, Isaiah 58)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 10) Jesus reset what it means to be a leader. He reset what it means to do things that matter.His life violated the world's definition of leadership. In light of His example, we ask ourselves, "how are we leading others?" And "are we chasing after the world's definition of greatness?" Jesus became the greatest of the great, because He became the least of the least. (Phil. 2, Mark 14, John 13, Luke 22)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 9) In our lives and our leadership, we often will allow our fears to dictate our future. This morning, we study the four basic fears that hold us back, the movement that takes place when we step past those fears, and the example that the courageous disciples lived out in Acts. (Acts 5:27-42)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 8) Our cause of "loving our neighbor" is a desire we have as a people and a plea that we find in 1 Cor. 13. Everything we are called to do and be as believers is wrapped in love. We ask ourself, "what are we known for?" Are we known as a people of love? (Luke 5:27-32, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 7) What if we treated the greatest commandment, as if it was the greatest commandment? Jesus calls us to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourself. The simple, practical challenge of extending God's love and grace to the people who live hundred's of feet from our doorsteps. (Mark 12:28-31)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 6) How do we begin to live a life that is different? God teaches Abraham and Isaac a new way to be human and a new approach to what it means to sacrifice. What is it that we are called to lay down? We pick up our cross and respond in the "here I am" moments. (Genesis 22, Luke 9, Romans 12.)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 5) How do we know if what we are dreaming about is God’s will? Is life some sort of “God-sized” maze that only really Spiritual people can figure out? This morning we take a new perspective on what it means to find God’s will. Instead of searching for what we are supposed to “do” with our life, what if we began to ask, “Who am I supposed to be with my life?” (Exodus 14, Romans 12, 1 Thessalonians 5, Psalm 37.)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 4) Is our only dream to become what other people tell us is "normal" or are we scaling the walls of normalcy for God's kingdom purposes? If Jesus were to ask the same question to you that he asked to the blind Bartimaeus (What do you want me to do for you?) Would you ask for more of the same "normalcy" or would you ask for the miraculous? (Jeremiah 29:11, Acts 3, Mark 10)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 3) In 1 Samuel 13 & 14 we see Jonathan & his Armor Bearer step out of the shade of the tree & into a battle of impossible circumstances. These men understood that God is not limited by our resources & there is power in "perhaps." What is keeping you in the shade of the tree? Is it your feelings of inadequacy, brokeness, or selfishness? Give God your "Yes" and He will do the rest. (1 Sam. 13 & 14)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 2) What is it that is comfortable and safe that you are putting your faith in? It's not about holding onto the familiar, but stepping out toward Jesus. Doing things that matter will cause you step out of the boat and into an ocean of possibilities in The Lord. (Matt 14)
Doing Things That Matter (Part 1) We dive into a new teaching series that is at the core of who we are as a church. "Doing Things That Matter," is a concept that drives so much of who we are as believers. Far too many days we spend simply living instead of shedding mediocre versions of faith and scaling the walls of normalcy for God's kingdom purposes. For at the end of your life, all you really have is your story, and your story will become exactly what you lead it to be. (Luke 10:25-27 & Genesis 3:8-9)
This morning was a special morning in the young life of our church. We heard specific stories from the people of our congregation, stories of God's power, love, and faithfulness. Stories of what God has done and is doing are such a major part of who we are as a church. By looking back and remembering how we were all stirred to be a part of this movement, we can look forward with an eager anticipation.
Jonah And The Great City (Part 4) Resolving the purpose of the book of Jonah, we close our four week series by studying chapter 4. In this, we see Jonah's struggle with the vine, the city of Nineveh..... and "many animals." What is it that we love? What is it that we care more about than the people of His creation? We are invited to be a part of the great story of God's redemption and His infinite love for His people. (Jonah 4)
