QUESTION ONE: How do we explain that homosexual behavior is sinful?

• The Old Covenant is not our covenant.

> Compare Leviticus 18 to Leviticus 19.

• Jesus raised the bar on morality.

> Matthew 5:27-28 (see context as well)

• The apostles identified behaviors that are sinful.

> 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

• The goal is transformation, not condemnation.

> John 8:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17

QUESTION TWO: Why do we need to change?

• Everyone IS created in God’s image. But the image was broken.

> Romans 3:23

• Jesus changes us.

> 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

• Jesus calls us to agape love.

> John 13:34;

> 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Here’s how we can change the tone:

• Stop calling names.

• Stop using zingers.

• Invite LGBTQ people into your life.

Judges 4—The Story of Deborah and Jael

BIG IDEA: God loves his daughters.

1. God created women in his own image.

• Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18

2. Jesus elevated the role of women.

• Luke 10; Luke 7; John 4; Matthew 28, John 20

3. Paul helped fix the funk.

• Galatians 3:28; Romans 16

• 1 Corinthians 11:3

The Old Covenant is not your covenant.

Matthew 5:17-20 NIV Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament (the law).

When Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament...

1. He finished revealing God’s character.

• Hebrews 1:1-2a NIV

2. He fulfilled the predictions.

• Luke 22:37 NIV (just one example)

3. He raised the bar on morality.

• Matthew 5:21-48 NIV

4. He offered the final sacrifice.

• John 19:30b NIV

Jesus replaced the old with the new.

Mark 2:22 NIV And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.

Don’t mix the old with the new!

The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith.

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

The Bible is comprised of documents by 40 authors written over the course of 1500 years.

God’s plan was global from the beginning.

• Genesis 12:2-3 NLT

“...All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

Covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15)

• Unilateral

• Unconditional

Bilateral Suzerain Treaty (Exodus 20ff)

• Bilateral

• Conditional

• Temporary

• For Israel

God had a different plan for you.

• Isaiah 49:6b

Jesus was the NEW that God had been promising. • Matthew 12:6, John 13:34, Luke 22:20

New Covenant (Jesus)

• Unilateral

• Unconditional

• Permanent

• For Everyone

Big Idea: The Resurrection of Jesus is the Foundation of our Faith!

IT'S TIME TO BE ACTIVATED!

When we combine our love of prophecy and people, we reshape hearts with heaven.

Take time to listen to Kelly's heart as she shares from Shawn Boles book.

> Learn how to hear God for yourself/others

> Grow thru simple focused steps

> Take great risks

> Stay accountable

> Love people well

> Grow in intimacy with the Lord

The world says "Whatever you believe you can achieve".

• Mark 16:1-7 NLT

Jesus was dead and rose to life. It was a miracle.

• John 11:25 NLT “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.

• 1 Corinthians 6:14 NLT And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.

• 1 Peter 1:3 NLT It is by [God’s] great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation...

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

EYEWITNESSES

• Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (Matt 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-11, John 20:10-18)

• Simon Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5)

• Cleopas and a disciple on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24:13-

35; Mark 16:12-13)

• Groups of disciples at different times

o Ten disciples (John 20:19-23)

o Eleven Disciples (John 20:26-28; Luke 24:36-49; Mark 6:14-

18)

o Seven disciples fishing (John 21:1-14)

o Disciples on a mountain in Galilee (Matt 28:16-20; Mark

16:14-18)

o Disciples on the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50-52; Acts 1:4-9;

Mark 16:19)

• James, Jesus’s brother, a skeptic (1 Cor 15:7)

• 500 believers (1 Cor 15:6)

• Saul (a skeptic) on the road to Damascus (1 Cor 9:1, 15:8; Acts 9:1-6; 22:3-16; 26:12-18)

NEXT STEPS

̈ I want to come alive through Jesus for the first time.

̈ Something has died in me, but today I have hope.

̈ I’m trusting God for a miracle.

̈ I’m going to be on mission helping other people come alive.