October 11 2015 Game On: It's Time To Walk Across The Room

Game On: It's Time To Walk Across The Room

(Jesus) “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” - Matthew 28:19-20

WHY JESUS WALKED FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH

• HE WALKED TO SHOW HIS LOVE FOR US.

John 1:14“So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father.” 

Romans 5:8  “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

• HE WALKED TO SHOW HIS COMPASSION FOR US.

Matthew 9:6  “He felt great compassion for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn’t know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd.” 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” 

• HE WALKED TO SHOW HIS DREAM FOR US.

John 10:10  (Jesus) “I came so they can have real and eternal life,  more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” 

WHY SHOULD I WALK ACROSS THE ROOM?

John 17:18   “Jesus prayed to the Father: ‘In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.’”  

• I WALK BECAUSE OF MY LOVE FOR OTHERS.

Memory Verse: 1 John 4:19  “We love because God loved us first.” 

Matthew 22:39  “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

• I WALK BECAUSE OF MY COMPASSION FOR OTHERS        

Luke 16:27-28“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father’s home.  For I have five brothers,  and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won’t have to come here when they die.’”

• I WALK BECAUSE OF MY DREAM  FOR OTHERS.

1 Corinthians 13:7  “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 

Acts 20:24 “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others  the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.

September 27 2015 The Prayer Of Connection

THE PRAYER OF CONNECTION

Matthew 6:9 – Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

WHAT KIND OF FATHER IS GOD?

1. God is a caring God.

Psalm 104:13 – As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who honor Him.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you!

Psalm 35:37 – The Lord delights in the being of His servants.

2. God is a consistent God.

James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from the Father who does not change like shifting shadows.

2 Timothy 2:13 – Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful for He cannot disown Himself.

Psalm 18:20 – What a God He is!  All His promises prove true!

3. God is a close God.

Acts 17:27 – God did this so people would reach out for Him and find Him, since He is not far from each of us.

GOD:

• Is never too busy for you.

Psalm 145:18 – The Lord is near to all who call on Him.

• Loves to meet your needs.

Matthew 7:11 – If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

• Is sympathetic to my hurts.

Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

4. God is a capable God.

Luke 1:37 – For nothing is impossible with God.

Ephesians 3:20 – God is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes!

Galatians 3:26 – We are children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Philippians 4:19 – My God shall supply all your needs.

March 15 2015 Managing Conflicts Under Pressure

MANAGING CONFLICTS UNDER PRESSURE

1 Peter 3:8-11

Verse 8 – Live in harmony with one another.

SIX SECRETS TO REDUCING CONFLICTS

1. Be sympathetic.

Verse 8 – Be sympathetic.

• Makes you feel understood
• Validates your feelings

How To Be Sympathetic

• Use your ears more than your mouth.

James 1:19 – Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Romans 15:2- We must bear the burden of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.

2. Being loyal.

Verse 8 – Have brotherly love.

Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.

1 Corinthians 13:7 – If you love someone you’ll be loyal to him no matter what the cost.

Romans 15:7 – Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you.

3. Through generosity or compassion.

Colossians 3:12 – Cloth yourself with compassion.

Ephesians 4:29 – (Speak) what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.  That it may benefit those who listen.

1 John 3:18 – We should love people not only with words and talk, but our actions and true caring.

4. Being humble.

1 Corinthians 13 – says that love is not proud.

Proverbs 13:10 – Pride only leads to arguments.

Proverbs 28:13 – Anyone who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful, but if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.

5. We must have mercy.

1 Peter 3:9 – Never pay back one wrong with another, or pay an angry work with another one.  Instead, pay back with a blessing so that you inherit a blessing yourself.

Colossians 3:13 – Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

1 Corinthians 13:5 – Love keeps no records of wrongs.

6. Show maturity.

1 Peter 5:10 – If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue and guard your lips from telling lies, live in peace.

Proverbs 12:18 – Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken can heal.

December 7 2014 The Christmas Tradition Of Celebration

“That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. , an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them.   They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don't be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news of great joy for everyone!   Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!’ , the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God: ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.’ the  angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, ‘Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.  The shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. shepherds  went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for  what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.” – Luke 2:8-20

"Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, and I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout; he will not raise his voice in public. will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final  victory. And his name will be the hope of all the world."   – Matthew 12:18-21

FOUR WAYS TO CELEBRATE MY HOPE THIS CHRISTMAS…

1. HAVE A TIME TO FOCUS ON JESUS

“They (the shepherds) ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph.  And there was the baby, lying in the manger.”  
– Luke 2:16

““He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him.  He came to his own people, and even they rejected him.  But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.  They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” – John 1:10-13

2. OPEN MY EYES TO THOSE HURTING AROUND ME

“Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don't think only about your own  affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.  attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had.”” – Philippians 2:3-5

“It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor - what a blessing!” – Proverbs 14:21

3. PUT TOGETHER A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP

“So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” – Matthew 5:23-24
    
““Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must  clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”  – Colossians 3:12-13

4. ENJOY GOD’S BLESSINGS

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.  And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” – Colossians 3:16-17
 
Memory Verse: “No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

November 16 2014 Fully Engaged In My City

Fully Engaged in My City

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” - 2 Chronicles 16:9

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me.” – Luke 13:34

“As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” – Luke 19:41

TO BE FULLY ENGAGED IN MY CITY I MUST

1. SEE  that God has a purpose for me in this place.    

“For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”  - Ephesians 2:10

““For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep.” - Acts 13:36

2. SEE  the city as the people.

“A vast crowd was there as Jesus stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.”  - Mark 6:34

““Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Matthew 22:37-39

3. SEE God-given opportunities to act.     

“Live wisely among those who are not yet Christians, making the most of every opportunity.” – Colossians 4:5
            
Memory Verse: “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.” – Acts 20:24