Message by Todd Crosthwaite, Lead Pastor

What do you have to offer?

Drape a serving towel over your arm.

John 13:12-15

Following Jesus into radical servanthood is the sure pathway to fullness of life.

1 Corinthians 12:7

1 Corinthians 15:58

Your gifts matter.

Your faithfulness matters.

Acts 2:42-47

Why watch others change the world when you can join them?

Message by Todd Crosthwaite, Lead Pastor

What are we supposed to DO with what we believe?

Our words shape the relationships that we’re in; the words that are said to us really shape our self-esteem.

James 3:1-5

The course of our lives is greatly influenced by the words that come out of our mouth.

James 3:5-12

We need to live every single day understanding our potential verbally, to own the consequences of our words and our tone of voice, to take responsibility.

Where are the smoldering fires in your life?

Galatians 5:22-23

fruit of the Spirit… self-control

Viktor Frankl:

“Between stimulus and response there is a space. // In that space is our power to choose our response. // In our response lies our growth and freedom.”

May the Spirit of God give us grace to bear good fruit – fruit like self-control, so that our words would only bring good into the lives of those around us.

Message by Bob Crosthwaite, Pastor Emeritus

A BIG world of disappointment, regret, and HURT.

Genesis 1:3 (NIV)

Genesis 1:3 (The Message)

** A Scripture Feast:

Genesis 1:2 – shows literal blackness and chaos

Genesis 1:4 & Matthew 27:45 – the absence of light; physical darkness

Exodus 10:21 & Isaiah 13:9-10 – judgment

Job 34:22 – where evildoers try to hide

Job 17:13 – a land of darkness

Romans 2:19 – intellectual darkness

Acts 13:11 – Paul undergoes blindness

Matthew 8:12 – place of outer darkness

Luke 22:53 – the world’s dominant evil powers

Ephesians 5:8 – a state of being (unsaved)

Romans 13:12 – evil works

Often portrayed in a moral sense.

** Isaiah 45:7; 1 John 1:5; Isaiah 29:16

** John1:5 = the Best News!

** 1 Peter 5:8 – a roaring lion

1 Corinthians 15:14

John 8:12

Revelation 22:5

Ephesians 5:13

1 Thessalonians 5:5

2 Corinthians 5:20 – God’s ambassadors

Matthew 5:14 – the light of the world

Message by Megan Young

Genesis 1:1-5 [MSG]

John 1:1-9

Out of darkness, Jesus brings the light.

- Light gives understanding.

Psalm 119:130

2 Corinthians 4:6

- Light exposes motives.

Proverbs 20:27

Ephesians 5:7-14

John 1:5

Galatians 5:13

Out of darkness, Jesus brings the light...

...of understanding

...to expose motives

- Jesus calls us to walk in the Light

Psalm 119:105

John 8:12

- Jesus calls us to BE the Light

Matthew 5:14-16

Out of darkness, Jesus brings the light!

Message by Todd Crosthwaite, Lead Pastor

What are we supposed to DO with what we believe?

James 2:1-13

Favoritism:

choosing to prefer some people over other people based on my personal preference or prejudice

**Where do you show favoritism?

"I'm going to love as I want to be loved."

What are we supposed to DO with what we believe?

James 1:1-8, 12

Why a test of our faith?

< TENSION >

Spiritual maturity is about how enduring your faith is.

Spiritual maturity… to persevere in your faith when there’s nothing to hang your faithfulness on except the character & faithfulness of God.

God is most honored when we maintain faithfulness when there is nothing to hang our faithfulness on other than the person of Who He is

The Problem with Pain (C.S. Lewis)

Adversity is often the tool that God is going to use to develop your faith and perseverance.

Ask for wisdom* specific to your situation.

*to see life from God’s perspective.

Would you be willing to look at your trials through a different lens?

Message by Todd Crosthwaite, Lead Pastor

Faith must be applied as directed.

James 2:14-26

Can faith that has no works preserve you?

It is the application of your faith that preserves you.

The thing that makes a difference is what we DO with what we believe.

Message by Dr. Laurel Buckingham

1. Caleb had a faith that did not WAIVER.

Numbers 14:8

Numbers 14:24

2. Caleb had a strength that did not WEAKEN.

Joshua 14:10-12

Romans 11:29

Isaiah 46:4

3. Caleb had a blessing that was not WASTED.

Joshua 15:19

Psalm 92:14

Psalm 71:18

Message by Bob Crosthwaite, Pastor Emeritus

PART 3: A Display Piece, A CD Rack, and An Exotic Gift

God has given each of us a purpose.

Work for God’s glory and grow other disciples

-- OR --

Be a decoration in a church building.

“I must discover God’s purpose for my life,

and I must fulfill that purpose.”

Ever feel like a ship without a rudder??

“More people fail through lack of purpose than lack of talent.” (Billy Sunday)

Genesis 1:26-28

The very first thing God wanted us to know about:

HE is at the beginning of it all.

Genesis 1:1... denies Atheism, with its doctrine of “no God”; and sets the foundation for the entire Bible = God

The PURPOSE is “the WHY”.

Ephesians 2:10

How do we find our unique purpose?

1, It starts with obedience to God

Numbers 9:23

2, Continues as we trust God with our lives

Proverbs 3:4-6

Matthew 6:33

3, Becomes clearer as we strive to become more like Jesus

2 Thessalonians 1:11

Romans 8:29

1 John 3:2

What is YOUR Purpose?

Are YOU fulfilling it?

Message by Ben Crosthwaite

Luke 12:15-21

Watch out! Greed is sneaky.

Life does not consist in abundance

Memento Mori - Remember you will die.

Psalm 90 - Teach me to number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom.

We think we're in control!

Questions for reflection:

What lies about happiness am I believing?

What illusions am I chasing?

What do you think your pursuits will give you?

Luke 11:9-13