Series: "The Good and Beautiful God"

Sermon: "How People Change"

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Notes
1. We need more than good intentions.

2. We have to trade false ideas for true one.
    (Psalm 51:6; Proverbs 10:23-24; John 14:26; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:2; Philippians 2:5)

3. We need training.
    (1 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 9:25)

4. We can't do it alone. 
    (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Proverbs 27:17; Hebrews 10:24-25)

5. We have to want it.
    (Psalm 16:2-3, 11; 27:4; 63:1-8; Proverbs 11:6; Mark 1:35)

Next Steps...

• Pray to God every day aksing Him to help you desire Him more than anything else.

Series: "The Good and Beautiful God"

Sermon: "God is Good"

Scripture: Psalm 100

Notes

1. Job's friends believed he was being punished for his sin.
    (Job 4:6-8; 7:3-4)

2. The people of Jesus' day thought bad things only happened to bad people.
    (Jeremiah 7:10; Luke 13:1-5; John 9:2)

3. Many people blame God for all of the suffering in our world.

4. We sometimes wonder if God doesn't punish us for our sins.

5. Jesus rejected this kind of thinking.

6. God is good! 
    (Psalm 34:8)

• He created everything good. (Genesis 1)

Next Steps...

• The next time you hear someone (or yourself?) blame God for something, remind them that sin started with Satan and humans, not God - and that God has demonstrated his goodness by offering us eternal life through Christ.

Series: "The Angels of Christmas"

Sermon: "Good News for Everyone!"

Scripture: Luke 2:1-12

Notes
1. There were what? Shepards? (Luke 2:8)

2. A glorious angel appeared. (Luke 2:9)

3. He brought them good news of great joy. (Luke 2:10; John 4:9; Isaiah 61:1-3)

4. It was for everyone. (Luke 2:10; Matthew 5:1-12)

4. The sign? A manger. (Luke 2:7&12)

Next Steps

• Cross racial, ethnic, or socio-economic lines and bless someone who's quite different than you either saying something encouraging or doing something kind.

Series: "The Angels of Christmas"

Sermon: "Peace on Earth"

Scripture: Luke 2:13-14

Notes

1. The armies of heaven appeared. (Luke 2:13)

2. They praised God. (Luke 2:14)

3. God was bringing peace into our world. (Luke 2:14; Matthew 10:34; Romans 5:1; Isaiah 9:6)

Next Steps

• How does the thought of an army of angels in Luke 2:13 change the way your view the Christmas story? Discuss why God needs an army and what He might use them for.

Series: "The Angels of Christmas"
Sermon: "Guardian Angels"
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-2:23

Notes

1. An angel protected Jesus before he was born. (Matthew 1:18-25)

2. Did angels protect Mary while she was pregnant? (Luke 1:39-56; 2:5)

3. God sent angels to protect Jesus from King Herod. (Matthew 2)

4. Angels appeared elsewhere in Jesus' life. (Matthew 4:11; 26:53; Luke 4:22-30; 22:43)

5. God sent guardian angels throughout the Bible. (Genesis 19:1,15; Exodus 14:19; 23:20; 1 Kings 19:5,7; 2 Kings 6:17;     Daniel 3:28; 6:22; Acts 12:7-11; 27:23)

6. God still watches over and send angels to guard and protect His people. (Psalm 34:7; 91:9-16; Psalm 121; Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:14)

Next Steps...

• Discuss the topic of guardian angels with your family members and/or friends, and invite them to share any experiences they've had, or stories they've heard.