LIFE: and our hope for good (Part 3) How are you changing the world for good? We all have "the moment" in life when we encounter an injustice but continue on with normal life. You may feel that you have very little to give, but along side the master, we can restore the good. (Gen. 3:15-19, Nehemiah 1)
LIFE: and our hope for good (Part 2) There is a battle for your life. Often we feel overwhelmed and overworked in all areas of our existence. Even though the enemy is working and we can feel the weight of the world on our shoulders, it is in actuality, our creator who holds the world in his hands. (Lam. 3:22-23, John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:6-11, Matthew 7:13-14)
LIFE: and our hope for good (Part 1) No matter what your past is, there is always a promise and God's promise will carry you into your future reality. He pulls you into who He originally created you to be. Who are you becoming?
Grace, Mercy, and Peace (Part 3) We often think of peace as the absence of something (stress, busyness, chaos, etc.) however, peace in the Father is the presence of something. (comfort, compassion, hope, safety, wholeness, favor, completion, and joy). What area of your life do you need peace? (Psalm 23, Phil. 4:4-7)
Grace, Mercy, and Peace (Part 2) Looking into 1 Timothy and the life of Martin Luther King Jr. we see that grace is the way to transformation, for it is hate that breeds hate. Grace is like a gentle day or a whisper, never aggressive and always unconditional. Who in your life do you need to show grace to? (1 Tim. 1:12-17)
Over the years we can lose the sense of joy and wonder that came when we first experienced salvation, but there are a world of people out there who are desperate for us to be living in wonder and awe of the endless possibilities in Christ. (John 5:1-15, Eph 1:7-8)
Kings (Part 9) From "Kings" to "The King," we wrap up our "Kings" series by looking at the seven "I Am" statements of Christ. Kingship is about realizing that He is EVERYTHING. (John 19:12-16, Exodus 3, John 6:35, 8:12, 10:9, 10:11, 11:25)
Kings (Part 8) From "Kings" to "The King," We look at the King of the world as "The Light of the World." He came to do something about the darkness of the world. He is the source of life. (John 1, Luke 2)
Kings (Part 7) From "Kings" to "The King," we look at the uniqueness of how Jesus entered the world. He came, not in a grand king-like entrance, but quiet and humbly to a world that He knew would reject Him. What area in your life is lacking this humility? It is in humility that we find rest and peace. (Matt. 1:18-23, Phil. 2:5-11)
Kings (Part 6) As we enter December, we change our focus from "Kings" to "The King"... Jesus. In Luke 2 we see Simeon & Anna waiting on the Messiah. They were praying, seeking, and fasting. Waiting is an active thing... For it is in seasons of waiting, we often see our biggest transformation. (Mark 1:15, Luke 2)
Kings (Part 5) Continuing our "Kings" series, we read about how Solomon became king and the trust he had in David's promise. Sometimes when you're in need of a miracle, all you can do is pray God's promise back to Him, trust in His timing, His faithfulness, and never lose hope. (1 Kings 1:5-49)
Kings (Part 4) Looking into the life and reign of Solomon as king, we see that he lived with a divided heart and it resulted in a divided kingdom. What are we loyal to in our life? What are we devoted to? Are we living a divided life? (1 Kings 11:3-13)
Kings (Part 3) This morning we look into the kingship of David and his trusted "Mighty Men." We see from their example that they were very brave and very loyal to their king. In our life today, do we show those same characteristics? When you think the world is against you and you're all alone, remember, The Lord is with you. (1 Chronicles 11:10-25, 2 Chronicles 16:9)
Kings (Part 2) In the 2nd week of our "Kings" Series, we look at the life of the first king of Israel, Saul. In our life, we have "Saul-like" moments, where we speak prophecy in one moment and throw spears in the next. How do we remain consistent? How do we avoid those moments of tripping up? The answer is found in dependency on Jesus. (1 Samuel 19, Matthew 19:14)
Kings (Part 1) Today we began our new series "Kings." We will spend the next few weeks looking back into the lives of the Jewish Kings and seeing what God is telling us about our own lives and how we live. This morning we examine who we're choosing as king in our life, do we want what others want, and why we compare ourselves with others. Are we willing to leave the predictable and safe in order to jump from the high-dive into the endless possibilities of what God has for us? (1 Samuel 8:1-21)
With God: growing with Him (Part 4) You have a God who wants to and can do miracles in your life. He wants to be present and be with you. Are you determining where and how God is in your life or is your life determining it for you? (Isaiah 61:1-4, Eph. 3:20-21, John 10:10, 2 Chronicles 7:14)
With God: growing with Him (Part 3) Whether it be Wile E. Coyote or The Great Gatsby, there are stories of pursuit all around our daily lives. How do we see this pursuit in our relationship with God? How can we know God, but at the same time chase after Him? What does it look like to pursue God? ... It is to pursue love. (Gen 12:1, Ex 3:17, Ex 13:11, Matt 7:7, 1 John 4:7-12)
With God: growing with Him (Part 2) God can do immeasurably more than we could ask for, but the decision of who we are and who we are becoming is up to us. The things we put our energy and effort in are where we see increase in our measure. Do we live a life that has forgotten what Jesus has done? (Psalm 84:2, Eph 3:17-21, 2 Peter 1:3-15)
With God: growing with Him (Part 1) As we begin our series on growing our intmacy with God, we look at the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Often times we work so hard to earn God's favor rather than realizing that He just wants us to be with Him. (Luke 15, Psalm 139)
Generous: becoming a generous people (part 3) In our final week of the generous series, we learn to approach life as "everything we have is a gift from God, and potentially a gift to others." Our money, our time, our talents, our wisdom... are we holding onto too much? Paul describes churches and people who have little, yet cheerfully give for the sake of the gospel, what can we learn from them? (2 Cor. 8, 9 - Acts 10, 11, 13, 15, 17 - Matt. 6)
