Main Idea:
In this teaching we’ll look at a farewell speech by the Apostle Paul that summarizes the values he lived by.

Homework Assignment:
Look at the six defining characteristics of Paul and write down which two need the most work in your life.  What can you do about that this week?

Message Notes: http://bible.com/events/48143319
GIVE: https://bit.ly/3dGnBRU
Prayer: https://bit.ly/37op26d

Main Idea:
What does cheerful or hilarious giving look like and how can we get there?

Homework Assignment:
Do you live and give as though everything in your life belongs to God?  What is one step you could take this week that would send that message to the Lord?

Message Notes: http://bible.com/events/48068975
GIVE: https://bit.ly/3dGnBRU
Prayer: https://bit.ly/37op26d

Main Idea:
When we seek Jesus in our lives like the Wise Men of old, we will gain clarity and confusion will leave our lives.

Homework Assignment:
In what area of life do you need to be more successful with the Lord? What could you do about it today?

Message Notes: http://bible.com/events/47921383
GIVE: https://bit.ly/3dGnBRU
Prayer: https://bit.ly/37op26d

In this teach from 2nd Corinthians, we’ll learn about the judgement and what that means and also an explanation regarding unlimited and limited atonement.  Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-15

2 Corinthians 5:11-15 (NLT) 11Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others. God knows we are sincere, and I hope you know this, too. 12Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. 13If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. 14Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 15He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Hebrews 9:27 (NLT) 27And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

 Judgement

1.    First, God will be judging both the saved and the sinners.

2.    Next, God judges the saved as sons and daughters.

3.    Then God judges the saved as servants.

 Acts 9:31 (NLT) 31The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.

 2 Corinthians 5:12 (NLT) 12Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.

2 Corinthians 3:1-3 (NLT) 1Are we beginning to praise ourselves again? Are we like others, who need to bring you letters of recommendation, or who ask you to write such letters on their behalf? Surely not! 2The only letter of recommendation we need is you yourselves. Your lives are a letter written in our hearts; everyone can read it and recognize our good work among you. 3Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

Main Idea:
“Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every unsaved person this side of hell.” ~ David Platt

Homework Assignment:
Does this message challenge lifestyle changes regarding your mission in life?  If so, what is one step you could take?

Message Notes: http://bible.com/events/47728097
GIVE: https://bit.ly/3dGnBRU
Prayer: https://bit.ly/37op26d

In this teaching we’ll learn that Paul knew that he would experience infinite happiness and unending joy in the next life.  Read 2 Corinthian 5:1-10

The Comforter—Holy Spirit

Acts 2:42 (NLT) 42All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Acts 2:43-44 (NLT) 43A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

Acts 2:45 (NLT) 45They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

Acts 2:46-47 (NLT) 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Three Factors of a Multiplying Church
1.    A New Agenda

1 Corinthians 3:6 (NLT) 6I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.

Acts 1:6 (NLT) 6So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”

Acts 1:7 (NLT) 7He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.

2.    A New Body

Acts 2:5 (NLT) 5At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem.

Acts 2:41 (NLT) 41Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 

3.    A New Power

Main Idea:
Hope springs for the eternal.

Homework Assignment:  When times get tough can we stand against the crowd for what’s right and keep cultivating our hope in God’s plan for us.

Message Notes: http://bible.com/events/47451779
GIVE: https://bit.ly/3dGnBRU
Prayer: https://bit.ly/37op26d

How to Pray Like Jesus

1.    In His final prayer…Jesus prayed for Himself

John 17:1 (NLT) 1After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.

2.    In His final prayer…Jesus prayed for His disciples

John 17:6 (NLT) 6“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

John 17:11 (NLT) 11Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.

John 17:15 (NLT) 15I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

John 17:17 (NLT) 17Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

John 17:7-8 (NLT) 7Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you,
8for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

3.    In His final prayer…Jesus prayed for His Church

Two Observations
1.    In this text, Jesus does not pray for the world, but for the believers in the world

John 17:9 (NLT) 9“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.

2.    The dominant thing from our text that Jesus prays for is that we would internalize God’s love

John 17:26 (NLT) 26I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

John 17:23 (NLT) 23I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

How does the world know God is real?
1.    It’s by how we love
2.    Through a unity in Jesus stronger than anything that could divide us

John 17:23 (NLT) 23I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

Love on display in the church is the church’s most powerful apologetic

John 13:35 (TMSG) 35This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”