Crossroads Church of God, Lima OH

Scripture Used: Isaiah 61:1-4

Notes:

• Bind the brokenhearted

• Set captives free

• Comfort those who mourn

• Currency of the Kingdom: asking…

• What do you need?

Scripture Used: Matthew 1:23, Exodus 1:15-16, John 1:10-12, Haggai 1:9

The Power of Divine Presence

• Why does God feel distant?
  • We moved, not God.
• Two things to evaluate...
  • Your identity
  • Your dreams

Scripture Used: Philippians 2:5-11 

Notes:

• How he came... uneventful
• To whom he came... unwed, teenage girl
• The place he came... rural Palestine
• Why did Jesus come this way
  • God has a desire to be known
• Takeaways
  • Put aside the notion that you need to "clean up" to come to God
  • follow the ways of lowly serving

Scripture Used: Like 126-38, John 17:15, Matthew 5, Luke 1:38, Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6

Notes: Rediscover the Incarnation

1. The divine in the midst of the mundane
2. An invitation to participate
3. A reminder of the lobe of God

Scripture used: Mark 10:17-22 NIV, Romans 7:18-19 NIV, Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8, Galatians 5:16-25

• Notes
  • Only God is truly good
  • We need grace and love of God
  • Importance of "mind discipleship"
• How do I know if I'm working in God's goodness or mine?
  • Does it please God?
  • Does it honor God and draw attention to him, rather than myself?
  • Does it require the power of God or can I do it on my own?
• Meditate on Galatians 5:16-25

Scripture Used: 1 John 3:16-18, Matthew 25, Matthew 5:16,

Quote: "…nothing has contributed to the progress of the Christians as their charity to strangers … the impious Galileans provide not only for their poor, but for ours as well." -Julian – 4th Century Roman Emperor

Notes:

•Nature of Kindness (meeting of felt needs)

•  Evidence of Authenticity (Matt. 25)

•  Impact of Kindness (Matt. 5:16)

•  Cultivating Kindness

  ◦ Intentional Acts of Kindness

Scripture Used: James 1:19-20, Exodus 34:6-7. 1 Timothy 1:15-16, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Colssians 3:12-13

Message Notes:

• Patience: the ability to remain calm externally and internally when irritated, aggravated, and provoked.
   
• Patience of God
  - Patience is an expression of love
  - Expectation of all who follow Christ
• Cultivating Patience
  • Ponder on the patience of God (Hebrew 12:1-2)
  • Examine your heart (Psalm 139:23-24)
  • Ask Holy Spirit for Guidance (John 16:13)
  • Share in Community (Galatians 6:2)

Scripture Used: John 16:19-22, John 5:15, Romans 8:18

Notes:
   - Joy is the essence of being a Christian
   - Joy coexists with sorrow
   - Joy is permanent and deep
   - The opposite of joy is hopelessness

We can cultivate joy by seeking intentional Christian community.

Scripture Used: John 14:26-27, John 14: 16-17

Notes: 

God's supernatural presence brings peace through the Holy Spirit, who reminds us of God's perspective.