Series: Growing Grace
Text: Exodus 25, 35-36
Theme: As a disciple, I must commit financially to the Lord's work.

Giving from the heart is marked by...

One: Gratitude: Giving from the heart is the privilege of God's redeemed people.

Two: Stewardship: Giving from the heart is returning what God has entrusted to you.

Three: Investment: Giving from the heart is not a financial loss.

Four: Willingness: Giving from the heart should be characterized by joy.

Five: Faith: Giving from the heart believes that God will provide what is needed.

Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord's contribution. ~ Exodus 35:5

Series: Growing Grace
Text: Acts 12:1-17
Theme: As a disciple, I must commit to pray for the church...

One: ...as a response to need.

Two: ...as a defiance of evil.

Three: ...as a focus on God.

Four: ...as a means of unity.

Five: ...as an act of faith.

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. ~ 1 Samuel 12:23

Series: Growing Grace Text: Luke 14:25-33 Theme: As a disciple, I must commit myself to the church.

One: What is the church?

• The people of God in all ages
• Christians, who together worship, live out the gospel, and display the glory of God's holiness and love.

Two: What is church membership?

• A definition: an expression of 2-way commitment
• Member to Church:
  • Submission to church doctrine, leaders, & one another
  • Participation for the common good
• Church to Member:
  • Affirmation of one's profession of faith
  • Oversight of one's discipleship and growth

Three: Is procedural church membership biblical?

• There is no clear command for joining.
• There is a consistent emphasis on defining the church.

Series: Preparation
Text: Luke 14:25-33

One: The use of the building.

• The glory of God
• The worship of God
• The gospel of God

Two: The construction of the building.

• A lot of workers
• A lot of time

Three: The planning of the building.

• A vision for use
• A gathering of resources
• A diligence of detail

Conclusion: Detailed planning and physical construction serve Gospel mission.

Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. ~ 1 Chronicles 22:19

Series: Preparation
Text: Luke 14:25-33

What is the cost of following Christ?
Self-Denial

One: Everything I love must be subordinated to loving Christ.

Two: Everything I live for must be sacrificed to living for Christ.

Three: Everything I have must be surrendered to gaining Christ.

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ~ John 12:25

Series: The Gospel According to Mark
Text: Mark 1:9-15

One: Jesus Fulfilled all Righteousness

• The compassion of Chris
• The Spirit empowered Jesus' human nature
• The Father declared the sonship of Jesus
• Revealed the Trinity - the Word of creation

Two: Jesus Defeated Satan

• The temptation of Christ
• The First Adam brought death
• The Last Adam gave life

Three: Jesus Offered Reconciliation

• The message of Christ
• The Gospel belongs to God
• The Kingdom is _

Four: God is the Gospel

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

Series: Summer Study of Songs
Text: Psalm 48

The Geography of Zion & The Kingdom of God
How do we link the two?

One: A great King

Two: A chosen people

Three: A formidable strength

Four: A responsive worship

Five: A confident faith

Six: A personal Shepherd

Text: Psalm 92

One: It is good to worship the Lord...

• Grateful worship
• Musical worship
• Public worship

Two: ...who is the God of every perfection...

Three: ...and whose nature is expressed in his works...

• He judges the wicked
• He rewards the righteous

Four: ...so that we will be glad.

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It is good to give thanks to the Lord ~Psalm 92:1

Series: Summer Study of Songs
Text: Psalm 32
Theme: Understanding confession of sin

7 Reasons to Confess Your Sin

One: Confession leads to the joy of forgiveness.

Two: Confession ends the heaviness of guilt.

Three: Confession demands agreement with God.

Four: Confession secures us in the mercy of God.

Five: Confession embraces instruction in righteousness.

Six: Confession believes the truth about God.

Seven: Confession leads to the joy of forgiveness.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is covered... ~ Psalm 32:1

Series: Summer Study of Songs
Text: Psalm 61
Theme: From weakness to worship: moving toward security.

How do we understand a "rock that is higher than I" am?

One: A longing created by my weakness.

Two: A faith strengthened by biblical illustrations.

Three: A need met by God's [faithfulness|promises].

Four: A prayer answered in the Messiah.

Five: A worship motivated by God's name.

So will I ever sing praises to your name... ~ Psalm 61:8

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 5:12-14
Theme: Know what grace is, and stand firm in it.

One: This is true grace. The story includes:

• The mercy of God
• A sufficient Savior
• The new birth
• A sure inheritance
• The testing of your faith
• A call to holiness
• A testimony of faith
• Times of suffering
• The hope of glory

Two: Stand firm in it. With the grace of...

• Faithful brothers
• Divine revelation
• God's love
• Obvious hostility
• Abiding peace

...this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. ~ 1 Peter 5:12

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 5:8-11
Theme: Pilgrims must be ready to resist the enemy.

One: Be aware of your enemy.

• He is deceitful and dangerous.

Two: Be anchored in your faith.

• My trust in God's truth.

Three: Be encouraged by God's people.

• I am part of God's advancing Kingdom.

Four: Be certain of God's promises.

• Be certain of God's time, grace, calling, and purpose.

Five: Be mindful of God's power.

• God is able to control all things.

Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion... ~ 1 Peter 5:8

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Video of the full service on the church YouTube channel

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 5:5-7
Theme: As a follower of Christ, you should live in evident humility.

5 Questions to Evaluate My Humility

One: Do I struggle with submission?

• Solution: Submit to God-given authority.

Two: Do I overlook others needs?

• Solution: Look for opportunities to serve.

Three: Do I forget about daily grace?

• Solution: Recognize your need for grace.

Four: Do I have a small view of God?

• Solution: Rediscover the sovereignty of God.

Five: Do I hold on to worry?

• Solution: Trust God with your problems.

Humble yourselves...casting all your anxieties on him... ~ 1 Peter 5:6-7

Series: Passing Through
Text: 1 Peter 5:1-4
Theme: Shepherds must humbly care for harassed sheep.

One: Be willing to learn.

• About unity
• About identity
• About worship

Two: "You are a shepherd!"

• Shepherds lead, feed, and protect.
• Shepherds oversee.

Three: Avoid small, selfish thinking.

• It's not just a job; it's a desire.
• It's not for what you can get, but what you can give.
• It's not about being elite, but being an example.

Four: Be confident of glory.

shepherd the flock of God... ~ 1 Peter 5:2