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 Game On: It's Time To Change Our World

Game On: It's Time To Change Our World

“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.’” - John 17:18 

The Story of the Good Samaritan:

“Jesus replied with a story: ‘A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. By chance a  priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?' Jesus asked. The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’” - Luke 10:30-37 

HOW DO I OPEN MY HEART TO THOSE IN NEED?

• ENCOURAGE WHEN SOMEONE IS  HURTING. 

    
“With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’’” - Isaiah 35:3-4

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” - Hebrews 3:13 

• GUIDE WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS WISDOM. 

“Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do!” - Proverbs 4:7

“Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding.” -  Proverbs 3:13

“The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings.” - Proverbs 1:2 

(Jesus) “Be alert. If you see your friend going wrong, correct him…” - Luke 17:3

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” - 1 Peter 3:15
 

• GIVE WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS HELP.

“It's criminal to ignore a neighbor in need…” - Proverbs 14:21

“The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” - Proverbs 11:25

“Never abandon a friend, either yours or your father's. Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance.  It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.”  - Proverbs 27:10

Memory Verse: (Jesus) “Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.” - 1 John 3:18

September 20 2015 Game On: How To Activate My Gifts

How To Activate My Gifts

“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.’” - John 17:18

Memory Verse: “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” - 1 Corinthians 12:7

HOW TO ACTIVATE MY GIFTS:

1. BE THANKFUL THAT GOD HAS GIVEN ME GIFTS.

“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.” - Ephesians 2:10

2. BE PROACTIVE  IN DISCOVERING MY GIFTS.

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” - 1 Peter 4:10

SPIRITUAL GIFTS SELECTION

• Administration (organizing) 
• Pioneering (new works)
• Discernment
• Evangelism
• Encouraging
• Faith (high trust in God)
• Giving (financial) 
• Hospitality
• Leadership
• Mercy
• Shepherding (care) 
• Serving / Helping
• Teaching
• Wisdom / Counseling

“Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received.” - 1 Timothy 4:14

3. BE QUICK TO USE MY GIFTS.

“Give to others, and God will give to you…The measure you use for others is the one that God will use for you.” - Luke 6:38

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted.” - 1 Corinthians 15:58

4. BE DILIGENT  IN USING MY GIFTS TO SERVE OTHERS.

“If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” - Romans 12:7-8

“Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” - Romans 6:1

September 13 2015 Game On

Game on

Memory Verse: “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.’” - John 17:18

BEFORE I ASK GOD TO USE ME, I MUST:

1. PURIFY MY Heart.
“Joshua told the people, ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.’” - Joshua 3:5

2. DEDICATE MY Body.
“Athletes practice discipline and self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.” - 1 Corinthians 9:25

3. SIMPLIFY MY Schedule.
“As Christ’s soldier, don’t let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army.” - 2 Timothy 2:4

4. FORTIFY MY Faith.
“Strengthen yourselves so that you will live here on earth doing what God wants, not evil things people want.” - 1 Peter 4:1-2

HOW DOES GOD WANT TO USE ME?

• IN MY Family.

“But if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve...But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15

• IN MY Church.

“Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” - Ephesians 4:16

• IN MY Work.

“In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.” - Colossians 3:23

• IN MY Entire World.

(Jesus) ““But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” - Acts 1:8

• FOR HIS Glory.

“So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus.” - Romans 6:11

MY PRAYER FOR GOD TO USE ME: “Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send…? Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘‘Lord, I’ll go! Send me.’” - Isaiah 6:8

October 5 2014 Today's Kids Need Today's Parents (parts 1 & 2)

Today's Kids Need Today's Parents

Memory Verse: “God is the one who made all things, and all things are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his glory.” Hebrews. 2:10a (NCV)

Malachi 2:15-16 (NCV)“GOD made husbands and wives—to become one body and one spirit for his purpose—so they would have children who are true to God. So be careful, and do not break your promise to the wife you married when you were young. God says, ‘I hate divorce.’”

I AM RESPONSIBLE TO MY KIDS

BUT I’M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MY KIDS

Five TRUTHS you must help kids understand & believe

Five QUESTIONS you must help kids ask & answer

1. TRUTH: I was planned for God’s pleasure.

Revelation 4:11b (NLT)“You (God) created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”

Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)“I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born!”

QUESTION: What will be the center of my life?

Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV)“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”

Jeremiah 32:39 (TEV) “I will give them a single minded purpose in life: to honor me for all time, for their own good and for the good of their own children.”

2. TRUTH: I was formed for God’s family.

“Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.”

QUESTION: Who will be my companions in life?

1 Corinthians 15:33 (TEV)“Do not be fooled. Bad companions ruin good character.”

Romans 12:5 (NLT)“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.”

3. TRUTH: I was created to become like Christ.

Ephesians 1:11 (MSG)“It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for...part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.”

Romans 8:29 (LB)“For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him... should become like his Son.”

QUESTION: What will be my character?

Philippians 2:5 (NCV)“In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.”

4. TRUTH: I was shaped to serve God

Ephesians 2:10 (LB)“It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.”

QUESTION: What will be my contribution?

1 Peter 4:10 (LB)“God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings.”

5. TRUTH:  I was made for a mission.

John 17:18 (MSG) Jesus: “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.”

QUESTION: What does God want to say to the world through me?

2 Corinthians 5:18, 20 (NCV)“Through Christ, God has made peace between us and himself, and He gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him.... So we have been sent to speak for Christ!”