Dec 23, 2018
LOVE: God’s Light and Life His Greatest Gift, Our Highest Priority
By: (All)
Series: Advent
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- Dec 23, 2018LOVE: God’s Light and Life His Greatest Gift, Our Highest Priority
- Dec 16, 2018JOY: Delighting in All the Right Things Because God is happy, you can be, too!
- Dec 9, 2018PEACE: Christ Conquering Chaos Living with Jesus in the Eye of the Storm PART 2
- Dec 9, 2018PEACE: Christ Conquering Chaos Living with Jesus in the Eye of the Storm PART 1
Dec 9, 2018PEACE: Christ Conquering Chaos Living with Jesus in the Eye of the Storm PART 1By: (All)Series: AdventPEACE: Christ Conquering Chaos Living with Jesus in the Eye of the Storm Isaiah 9:6–7 (NIV84) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Luke 12:51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. Luke 22:36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” So, if Jesus is the prophesied Prince of Peace who promised peace, then why doesn’t there seem to be much peace. And what’s that talk about swords? And why do so many not feel peaceful on His birthday? Are we listening to what He said, or just defining “peace” our way?
- Dec 2, 2018HOPE: A Matter of Life and Death Experiencing God’s Promise in Jesus
Dec 2, 2018HOPE: A Matter of Life and Death Experiencing God’s Promise in JesusBy: (All)Series: AdventHOPE: A Matter of Life and Death Experiencing God’s Promise in Jesus Romans 15:8–13 (NIV84) 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs 9 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name.” 10 Again, it says, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and sing praises to him, all you peoples.” 12 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Nov 18, 2018Part Two: Christ and Culture
Nov 18, 2018Part Two: Christ and CultureBy: (All)Series: PhilemonLast week we noted that the Kingdom of God already has come with the appearance of King Jesus. But we saw that the first order of business was not destroying evil armies and dethroning rebellious kings, but subduing hearts. Jesus has brought the New Covenant, enacting it with His own blood, a Covenant which transforms us from the inside out, placing God’s law in our hearts rather than formal legislation. Jeremiah 31:3-34 In this book, Philemon is not commanded to free his slaves, and Onesimus is not instructed to lead his fellow-slaves in an insurrection against their masters. Rather, Jesus is now IN Philemon and IN Onesimus as a righteous, transformational power Who recasts their relationship in terms of God’s creative image and the powerful effects of His love. So slavery is addressed as individuals are instructed AND empowered to act in one another’s best interests. Is this a pattern of God’s acting within culture? Let’s explore God’s strategy to hasten the day when “the kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of the Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15
- Nov 11, 2018The Book of Philemon Battleground for the Clash of Kingdoms The Battle for the Heart
Nov 11, 2018The Book of Philemon Battleground for the Clash of Kingdoms The Battle for the HeartBy: (All)Series: PhilemonPart One: The Battle for the Heart When we pray, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” do we realize that those two requests are really similar? The Kingdom of God already has come with the appearance of King Jesus. What remains is the subduing of all else to Him. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:14, 27; Revelation 11:15. But before Jesus destroys evil armies and dethrones rebellious kings, He first must conquer our hearts! He does this, not as the Lion, but the Lamb, dying for sinners, and encouraging His followers to take up their own crosses and follow Him, laying down their lives for others. But how does that work in practice? The Book of Philemon shows us, as Paul seeks to reconcile a newly converted runaway slave to his wronged, believing master.
- Nov 4, 2018The Plain Truth About God
Nov 4, 2018The Plain Truth About GodBy: Rob LadonneSeries: 2 CorinthiansQuestions for Growth GroupsGod’s word says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20. Imagine yourself talking to someone who does not believe in God. How could you use examples from “what has been made” to talk with them about God’s power and divine nature? Based on this, how might you explain to someone why there is really no excuse for not knowing that God exists?In Romans 1:22 we read, 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Why do you think many people turn to worshiping created things, rather than The Creator? Is it easier to worship created things, than God?In Ephesians chapter 2 we read: 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. How could what Paul shared about Christians in verses three and four help us witness to people?Peter testified before the crowd in Jerusalem that Jesus was, “handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” How would you explain to someone why God’s plan was to hand over His Son to those who would crucify Him?
- Oct 28, 2018“Shalom: God’s Purpose for Human Life” Psalm 72
Oct 28, 2018“Shalom: God’s Purpose for Human Life” Psalm 72By: (All)Series: 2 Corinthians1. When God created Adam and Eve, he made them stewards of His Creation on earth. See Genesis 1:26-31; 2:1-25. How do you think we are doing with that stewardship? What are the implications of being stewards of Creation? How do individual choices impact all of us? Also, what does it mean for us to be created in God’s own image, and how should that inform or influence our choices?2. Psalm 72 is a Messianic Psalm, meaning that it looks forward to the coming of Jesus for its ultimate fulfillment. In his first message at his home town synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus told them that the poor would have the “good news” preached to them (Luke 4:16-19). At its core, what is the Gospel, the good news of God’s Kingdom?3 Psalm 72 speaks of God’s desire for and Messiah’s mission for justice. What is justice, and why is it a priority with God? Why are the poor often treated unjustly? What is the role of believers in bringing justice to those around them? In what ways can believers seek to help the poor and provide justice where they are? To and for other nations?4. Given that we live in a fallen world, ultimate justice and the remaking of Creation must await the return of Jesus. But in the mean time, what should believers be doing about these issues? How might Romans 13 help in answering these questions? How do we live as citizens of two kingdoms, the nation in which we live AND the Kingdom of God?
- Oct 21, 2018Empowering Our Messengers: Caring For Those We Send Philippians 4:10-20
Oct 21, 2018Empowering Our Messengers: Caring For Those We Send Philippians 4:10-20By: (All)Series: 2 Corinthians