Collective Church

When it comes to the return of Christ, the last days, and all things connected to the End Times, there is much speculation and even fear surrounding it.  For Jesus' disciples those last days were not something to be feared.  In fact, scripture says that the return of Christ is our "blessed hope."  
We begin our new series this week with The Rapture.  We answer questions like, what is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming, and why should we look forward to this event and what should we do in the meantime? 

Now What?: Loving How To Love Our Prodigals

Recognizing the characteristics of prodigals and how we should love our prodigals.

Let's Talk Discipline:  
"Discipline is correction driven by love; it isn't something you do to your child but for your child."
Our key passage today comes from Hebrews 12:5-6.  We'll look at three types of undisciplined parents and three parental expectations to help you discipline.

Unchanging Principles of Parenting

No matter your "style" or choices in parenting, we believe there are some unchanging principles when it comes to parenting.  In Mark 10, people where bringing little children to Jesus for them to be blessed.  The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said "let the little children come to me..."  In this passage we see that Jesus, took the children in his arms, placed hands on them and blessed them, and set aside everything else for a moment to do this.  Children need our affection (loving touch), time (abundant time) and encouraging talk.

There are so many worldly things that can influence our parenting.  Even as parents we can succumb to the peer pressures of parenting.  The desire for our kids to be accepted, to be a great athlete or student, to be popular, to have the latest and greatest.  Even if they come from what we think are good intentions it can lead to poor decisions for our children in the long run.  In the long run, we want our children to love God, His Word, and to be dependent on and obedient to him.  We begin this series by looking at "The Parent's Priority."  What is our ultimate goal and priority as a parent?  

These days we hear the word village and tribe spoken often.  People create groups for certain interests on Facebook and other apps as a way to belong to something.  To be a part of something.  We were created to live in community with one another, but what does true biblical community look like?  
We're reading from Hebrews 10 to learn the biblical who, what and where of community this week.

We Need To Share The Good News:

In Mark 16:15 Jesus tells us ".."Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation."  As disciples of Christ we have been given instructions to proclaim the good news.  To share the gospel with those around us.  This week we look at the following questions that so many ask when it comes to the task of sharing the gospel.
1. Why do we hesitate to share the good news?
2. Why should I share the news?
3. Where should I share the news?
4. How do I share the news?

The word of God is truth and is our start and our end.  It should be the start of our walk with Him.  The first thing we look at when we wake up.  It should lead us into glory with Him.  The word of God should be the last thing we do before we end our day.  His word rescues us, enlightens us and COMPLETES us.

The Lord has truly blessed Collective church with an amazing year.  He has grown this body of believers, numerically and spiritually.  We're honored to continue His work in Saline County.  We had the privilege of hearing Chanson Newborn, Sr. speak on our one year celebration.  Bringing us a good word about the mark of a great church.

We Need Trustworthy News...

We can trust God's news to produce:
1. Spiritual Life
2. Spiritual Direction
3. Spiritual Blessings
4. Spiritual Victory

"Praise the Lord!  Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!  He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord." Psalm 112:1,7 ESV