January 8 2017 Getting A Grip On Faith

GETTING A GRIP ON FAITH

Matthew 9:29 – According to your faith will it be done to you.

Hebrews 11:6 – Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Luke 17:5 – The apostles said, Lord, increase our faith.

I. How does God strengthen my faith? By testing it.

James 1:3 – The testing of your faith develops perseverance so that you may be mature and complete.

Job 7:17-18 – What is man that you make so much of him, and that you give him so much attention that you examine him every morning and test him every moment.

II. How does God test our faith?

1. God tests our faith through difficulties.

1 Peter 1:6-7 – For a little while you have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Isaiah 48:10 – I have refined you, though not as silver, I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

James 1:2-3 – Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

LESSON: To live by faith, I learn to: To live by faith.

2. God tests our faith through demands.

Exodus 16:4 – The people are to go out each day and gather enough manna for that day. In that way I will test them and see whether they will follow instructions.

Hebrews 11:8 – By faith Abraham obeyed and went.

Hebrews 11:7 – By faith Noah built an ark.

LESSON: To live by faith I must learn to: Obey God quickly.

3. God tests our faith through delays.

Deuteronomy 8:2 – God led you all the way in the desert these 40 years to test you in order to know what was in your heart.

Isaiah 64:4 – God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

LESSON: To live by faith, I must learn to: Wait patiently.

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 22 2013 The Art Of Gratefulness

THE ART OF GRATEFULNESS

Luke 17:11-19

FOUR TRUTHS ABOUT GRATEFULNESS FROM LUKE 17

1. It’s easy to forget about God during the good times. (v. 17)

2. God blesses the grateful and the ungrateful alike. (v. 14)

3. It matters to Jesus whether or not I say Thank You. (vv.17-18)

4. Grateful words reflect greater faith. (v. 19)

FOUR STEPS TO DEVELOPING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

1. PRAISE God first thing in the morning

Psalm 59:16 ““But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.”

2. REMOVE all complaints from my life.

Memory Verse: “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing.” Philippians 2:14

3. SAY thank you to those who bless me. 

Luke 17:15-16 ““One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done.”

4. ENJOY today as if I were on vacation

Ecclesiastes 3:22 “There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.”

Psalm 100 (A Psalm of Thanksgiving) Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”

November 20 2011 The Art Of Gratefulness

The Art Of Gratefulness

Luke 17:11-19 “As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, ‘‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ He looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God, I'm healed!’ fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?’ And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well.’”

Four Truths About Gratefulness From Luke 17

1. It’s easy to forget about God during the good times. (v. 17)

2. God blesses the grateful and the ungrateful alike. (v. 14)

3. It matters to Jesus whether or not I say Thank You. (vv.17-18)

4. Grateful words reflect greater faith. (v. 19)

Four Steps To Developing An Attitude of Gratitude

1. PRAISE God first thing in the morning
(Psalm 59:16 ““But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.”) 

2. REMOVE all complaints from my life.

3. SAY thank you to those who bless me
(Luke 17:15-16““One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done.”) 

4. ENJOY today as if I were on vacation
(Ecclesiastes 3:22“There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.”)
(Psalm 100““(A Psalm of Thanksgiving) Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”)

November 20 2011 The Art Of Gratefulness

The Art Of Gratefulness

Luke 17:11-19 “As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, ‘‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’ He looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, their leprosy disappeared. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God, I'm healed!’ fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, ‘Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Does only this foreigner return to give glory to God?’ And Jesus said to the man, ‘Stand up and go. Your faith has made you well.’”

Four Truths About Gratefulness From Luke 17

1. It’s easy to forget about God during the good times. (v. 17)

2. God blesses the grateful and the ungrateful alike. (v. 14)

3. It matters to Jesus whether or not I say Thank You. (vv.17-18)

4. Grateful words reflect greater faith. (v. 19)

Four Steps To Developing An Attitude of Gratitude

1. PRAISE God first thing in the morning
(Psalm 59:16 ““But as for me, I will sing about your power. I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.”) 

2. REMOVE all complaints from my life.

3. SAY thank you to those who bless me
(Luke 17:15-16““One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God, I'm healed!" fell face down on the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done.”) 

4. ENJOY today as if I were on vacation
(Ecclesiastes 3:22“There is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is why they are here! No one will bring them back from death to enjoy life in the future.”)
(Psalm 100““(A Psalm of Thanksgiving) Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”)