January 19, 2025
Joshua 2 : 1-21
Trenton Benishek

God’s love reaches everyone, no matter their background. He often works through the most unlikely people to accomplish extraordinary things, as we see in the story of Rahab’s faith and courage.

I – _____________________ to Take a Risk! (1-8)

II – How Do We _____________________? (9-14)

III – God Uses _____________________ People! (15-21)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Am I ________________________?”

2. “Is My Faith Too ______________________?”

3. “Can God use _______________?”

NEXT WEEK: “Opposition to the Kingdom” Matt 13 : 24-43

Ephesians 4 : 1 - 16

Charlie Painter, Executive Director

The Apostle Paul writes to the Ephesian Church emphasizing the importance of Unity in the Church.

I – Unity for our _____________________. (1-7)

II – Unity for the _____________________. (8-13)

III – Unity for _____________________. (14-16)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Is my _____________ getting in the way of unity?”

2. “Do I use my gifts to ____________ the body of Christ?”

3. “How am I _______________?”

NEXT WEEK: “Living Faithfully in all Circumstances” Joshua 2

Matthew 2:1-12

Pastor Willie Behrends

There are many things we DON’T know about these “Wise Men?” What we DO know from our passage today is that they were wise! The question today is: Are YOU a wise person?

Here’s how you can tell…

I – Wise people are still __________________ for Jesus! (1-6)

II – Wise people still __________________ Jesus! (7-10)

III – Wise people still ______________________ Jesus! (11-12)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “In what specific ways am I _______________ for Jesus?”

2. “How am I __________________ My World?”

3. “Can I honestly be called a ________________ sacrifice?”

NEXT WEEK: It’s a New Year, new EVERYTHING! (II Corinthians 5:16-21)

Unwrapping the Gift of Jesus!

Pastor Willie Behrends

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days!

Micah 5 : 2

I – Something big from a _________________ place! (Micah 5 : 2)

II – Boaz, Ruth, barley and __________________! (Ruth 4 : 14-17)

III – Small things can ________________ your world! (Rom. 8 : 28)

How can we celebrate God’s Gift of Jesus?

1. You can respond to God’s offer of ___________________!

2. You can _________________ the little things!

3. You can _________________ the little ones!

NEXT WEEK: The Wise Men Got It…Have You? ( Matthew 2 : 1-12 )

Unwrapping the Gift of Grace!

Pastor Willie Behrends

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast!

Ephesians 2:8-9

I – The reason for the season: _________________! (John 3:16)

II – What __________________ you up this season? (James 4:6)

III – What __________________ you up this season?

(John 8:31-32, 36)

How can we celebrate God’s Gift of Grace?

1. Respond to God’s ___________________ of Grace!

2. You can _________________ God’s gift with others!

3. You can _____________________ God’s Gift of Grace!

NEXT WEEK: Big Things in Little Packages! (Matthew 2:1-12)

Unwrapping the Gift of Hope!

Luke 2 : 10-16

Pastor Willie Behrends

“You will seek Me and find Me

when you seek Me with all your heart!”

Jeremiah 29 : 13

I – It’s not an _______________________ task! (Matthew 7 : 9-11)

II – Which _______________ are you waiting for? (John 8 : 12)

III – God’s game of ________ and ________! (Jeremiah 29 : 11-13)

How about YOU this year…

1. “Unwrap” Jesus ________________________________!

2. Fill those “missing pieces” ________________________!

3. Fill the “Missing Piece” __________________________!

NEXT WEEK: The Gift of a New Family! (I John 3 : 1)

Unwrapping the Gift of Hope!

Luke 2 : 10-16

Pastor Willie Behrends

“You will seek Me and find Me

when you seek Me with all your heart!”

Jeremiah 29 : 13

I – It’s not an _______________________ task! (Matthew 7 : 9-11)

II – Which _______________ are you waiting for? (John 8 : 12)

III – God’s game of ________ and ________! (Jeremiah 29 : 11-13)

How about YOU this year…

1. “Unwrap” Jesus ________________________________!

2. Fill those “missing pieces” ________________________!

3. Fill the “Missing Piece” __________________________!

NEXT WEEK: The Gift of a New Family! (I John 3 : 1)

Colossians 3 : 12 - 17

Pastor Willie Behrends

Sickness, financial stress, global pandemics, etc. In many ways it’s NOT a ‘Wonderful Life’ we live! And yet, the Bible says, Give thanks in everything! (I Thess. 5:18)

How is that possible? What do we have to be thankful for?

I - We’ve been ______________________ of God! (12-14)

II – We have the ____________________ of Christ! (15)

III - The _________________ of Christ lives in us! (16)

IV – We can do ________ in the ______________ of Jesus! (17)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Who do I need to ___________ with and/or _____________?”

2. “Who should I ___________ and/or ____________________?”

3. “What DO I have to be ________________________ for?”

NEXT WEEK: The Gifts of Christmas series begins! (Matthew 1 : 18 - 25)

Matthew 13 : 1 - 23

Pastor Willie Behrends

Today, Jesus challenges us to be more than just ‘passive hearers of the Word.’ He wants us to be open, receptive, and ready for God’s Word to actually change us!

In this passage, Jesus asks us three questions…

I – Do you _____________________ His Word? (1-9)

II – Are you honestly _____________________ Him? (10-17)

III – What kind of ________________ are you? (18-23)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Do I really have ___________ to ___________?”

2. “Do I know the _______________ of the _______________?”

3. “What kind of ______________ do I produce?”

NEXT WEEK: Ingathering: God’s Provision & Protection! Leviticus 23 : 39 - 44

Matthew 12 : 38 - 50

Pastor Willie Behrends

Jesus calls us to live an authentic lives; specifically, to be genuine in our faith! He challenges us to ask ourselves, “Am I being REAL with God, myself and others?”

Today, Jesus shows us three aspects of ‘Real Faith’…

I – Real Faith _______________ God! (38-42)

II – Real Faith is more than ________________________! (43-45)

III – Real Faith is _________________________! (46-50)

Today’s ‘Take-Aways.’ Ask Yourself…

1. “Do I REALLY __________________ God?”

2. “Do I only “______________” good?”

3. “Am I really a member of ______________ family?”

NEXT WEEK: What kind of ‘soil’ is your heart? (Matthew 13 : 1 - 23)