Series: Finding Joy in the Nativity
Text: Matthew 1:18-25
Theme: You should find joy in believing God's words.
One: What makes it hard to believe God's words?
Two: What does it mean to believe God's words?
Three: What were the words to be believed?
call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. ~ Matthew 1:21
Series: Finding Joy in the Nativity
Text: Luke 2:8-20
Theme: You should find joy in sharing your hope.
One: Hear the good news.
Two: Believe the good news.
Three: Share the good news.
Four: Rejoice in the good news.
They made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ~ Luke 2:17
Series: Finding Joy in the Nativity
Text: Luke 1 & 2, Matthew 1 & 2
Theme: You should find joy in serving the King.
What do the angelic appearances of the advent teach us about serving the King?
One: Serving means doing God's will.
Two: Serving means sharing God's truth.
Three: Serving meanas hoping in God's gospel.
I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. ~ Luke 1:19
Series: Finding Joy in the Nativity
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Theme: You should find joy in pursuing truth.
God has revealed truth.
Grace enables our pursuit of truth.
In our pursuit of truth, God will be glorified and we will find joy.
...they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy...and they fell down and worshiped him. ~ Matthew 2:10-11
Series: Growing Grace
Text: 2 Chronicles 7:1-3
Theme: As a disciple, I must commit to thanksgiving
Big Idea: When God makes his presence known, His people respond in worship, giving thanks for His goodness and steadfast love.
It is true in the Old Testament shadow.
It is true in the New testament fulfilment.
It should be true in our present obedience.
...for the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever... ~ Psalm 100:5
Series: Growing Grace
Text: Matthew 4:17-25
Theme: As a disciple, I must commit to discipleship — to following Jesus as Lord.
What does it mean to "follow" Jesus?
One: A foundation of repentance.
Two: A restructuring of priorities.
Three: A fellowship of followers.
Four: An intake of teaching.
Five: A hope of goodness.
Six: An understanding of authority.
...and Jesus said to them, "Follow me"... ~ Matthew 4:19
Series: Growing Grace
Text: Luke 10:1-20
Theme: As a disciple, I must commit to sharing the good news.
There is Joy in Sharing the Good News
One: The joy of my kingdom purpose.
Two: The joy of my announcing the good new.
Three: The joy of my sharing in Christ's rejection.
Four: The joy of my fresh experience of faith.
Five: The joy of my encounter with other believers.
Six: The joy of my experience of power.
Seven: The joy of my eternal security.
...the Lord sent them...they returned with joy... ~ Luke 10:1,17
Series: Growing Grace
Text: 2 Kings 22:1-23:25
Theme: As a disciple, I must commit to know and do what the Bible says.
One: Could it be that the people of God would willfully neglect the Word of God?
Two: Could it be that hearing the Word of God would awaken our hunger for it?
Three: Could it be that the Word of God would guide us into faithful obedience?
Four: Could it be that the Word of God needs a more prominent place in your life?
And he made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. ~ 2 Kings 23:3
Series: Growing Grace
Text: Ephesians 4:1-16
Theme: As a disciple, I must commit to serving the church.
7 Reasons to Serve the Church
One: To display God's glory. 3:20-21
Two: To reflect your calling. 4:1-2
Three: To maintain unity. 4:3-6
Four: To steward God's grace. 4:7
Five: To foster growth. 4:12
Six: To promote truth. 4:15
Seven: To exalt Christ. 4:13, 15
...when each part is working properly, the body grows... ~ Ephesians 4:16
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?
Two: What is church membership?
Three: Is procedural church membership biblical?
Series: Preparation
Text: Luke 14:25-33
One: The use of the building.
Two: The construction of the building.
Three: The planning of the building.
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
Two: Jesus Defeated Satan
Three: Jesus Offered Reconciliation
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...
Two: ...who is the God of every perfection...
Three: ...and whose nature is expressed in his works...
Four: ...so that we will be glad.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord ~Psalm 92:1