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Some Background needed It is important to understand the setting so can understand the story, the situation, the scripture and there is much to see, learn about this mostly Gentile church located in Antioch of Syria. The church had been persecuted and scattered (Act8:1) 1 Saul was in hearty agreement…

November is missions emphasis month. Why do we have a missions emphasis month? What is the point? We have several goals in mind including: to revive and increase our zeal for the Great Commission, to help you get to know, in a personal way our current missionaries, and to inspire you to give generously…

Introduction When I was probably 8 or 9 years old we decided to see what would happen if we tied a rock to a young tree. The tree ended up growing at a slant until it reached the point where the rock was tied. After that it grew straight up again. As we grow in our walk with Christ, things are going…

You’re familiar with the commercial and advertising phrase “GOT MILK?”… an advertising campaign by the milk industry kicked it off back in 1993 in the state of California. Within a few years it had gone national and it contributed to getting people to drink more milk! I believe we need a campaign today…

I know of a young man who grew up in church. Every Sunday he was in the pews and every Wednesday was at youth group. He said that he loved God, but spending time in prayer and reading the bible, spending time with God was something that didn’t suit him. When he got into high school he started running…

Introduction: So often you hear the phrase “suffering for Jesus” and people are referring to someone who actually is not really suffering at all. It might be someone who is on some tropical island on a mission trip, or someone who is in a place that we would love to visit. At one point in time, did you…

Charlie Brown Christmas Video That’s the real story of Christmas. Jesus. He came to us. He demonstrated His love for us. He invited us to be a part of His life. This morning, we may have already experienced Christmas. The: Parties Family gatherings Decorations Gifts Food Serving the needy We’ve all experienced…

Shame is a confusing feeling It can be debilitating and crippling It can also lead us to repentance But first, what is shame? 3 main elements: emotional judgement self-depreciation In a nutshell, shame is exposure We see shame displayed in Lamentations Lamentations 1:8 (ESV) Jerusalem sinned grievously;…

2 Thessalonians 1::3-7 / Participation with the Kingdom Participation is Marked by Growth 3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. We should give thanks to God you.…

Have you ever noticed that there is always something holding you back? Let me put it another way, have you noticed that there is always a fly in the ointment, always one or two things that prevent you from having everything you want, or having it your way? For example: You have a great job, a great family…

Evening 10 December 23

What motivates us to give? Can we grow weary in giving? How much do we give? Do we give in faith? Why do we give? 1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme…

Welcome Good morning everyone, today we are finishing our series on the book of James. He has been speaking against them doing a lot of different things, arguing, slandering one another, looking out for themselves, but in the last part of James he speaks more pastorally to the church, offering sympathy…

Introduction The section Romans we are in is a series of questions Paul ask. I had to remind myself of why he is asking these questions and in the larger sense why he wrote this chapter. This chapter begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation. So, the question is why this chapter and these…

Introduction Appreciate feeling well after being sick. Relief after doing something hard. After hardship comes joy . Despair Turns into Joy vv. 1-2 Context of c 34. Discipline rebellion. Brings despair, which can feel endless. Holding breath for TV shows or movies. How much longer? The picture in this…

Recap last week Last Weeks Challenge: Pray for one person in your group each to find rest. If you feel led to share what you want free from, share that with someone. What is God wanting you to rest from? Did God need to rest? It says in Isiah 40:28 that God does not become weary or tired. Hebrew Rest…

Have you ever been in just the right place at just the right time? Years ago I was leading a mission trip the summer after 9/11. One particular student was “randomly selected” to have his luggage searched after a 30 minute ordeal at the ticket counter. He then was randomly selected to be re-screened…

The journey is over. Can you imagine the relief of knowing the journey you have been on is over? Our text this morning with some of the OT quotations you are used to hearing, if you grew up in church, were those indicating the long awaited journey to Jerusalem and Passover was over. Just because the…

Introduction Mom’s flyswatter. The threat of punishment but grace can be offered. Israel’s rebellion (chs. 1-39), but God is now saying, “Comfort!” Before Isreal has earned any forgiveness, before they’ve repented, God is offering grace. “God’s trustworthiness does not end at the point of disobedience.”…

1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall…

Intro Text - Acts 3.19-21 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all…

Tiredness takes on many forms. We can be tired physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. We seek relief in many forms. Addiction and all of the above forms are still true. We spend more money, try to make more money. There are three commands in these verses. We will look briefly…

The importance of the written word. Ezekiel 13:1-4 They are prophesying from their own hearts, their own desires. Ezekiel 13:6 Their visions are false. God has not spoken to them, revealed things to them. Yet they are lying saying that God has. The relief we have with scripture, is we don’t have to guess…

Weariness plagues us all This is why rest is one of the first questions in counseling What causes weariness? Most do not become weary of success Loss, betrayal, hardship, and sin Lamentations 1:1–5 (ESV) How lonely sits the city that was full of people! How like a widow has she become, she who was great…