Week 5: Millstones

Text: Mark 9:42–50

Topics: Sin, Righteousness, Judgment

Big Idea of the Message: Stop worrying about status, competition, influence, control and - frankly, getting what you want-  and start worrying about nurturing the “little ones” - because that’s the Father’s priority…do that, and you will surely be rewarded

Text: Matthew 15:21–28

Topics: Faith, Perseverance, Humility

Big Idea of the Message: Christ has come to save not only the children of Israel but the entire world.

Application Point: How does your current pursuit of Jesus reflect this EPIC truth?

Big Idea of the Series: This six-week series looks at some of the passages in the Bible that don’t sit well with most modern readers. Passages like the imprecatory Psalms, the story of Judah and Tamar, Jesus dismissing the gentile woman at the dinner table, and Jesus’s command to hate our families. By exploring several parts of Scripture that challenge our understanding of the Bible and of God, we can strengthen our faith and find unexpected blessings in his Word.

Text: 2 Kings 2:23–25

Week 2

Text: Genesis 38:6–26

Topics: Righteousness, Criticism, Sin

Big Idea of the Message: Christians are called to grow and move toward the likeness of Jesus. Sometimes, that takes a willingness to hear the loving criticism of one another.

Big Idea of the Series: This six-week series looks at some of the passages in the Bible that don’t sit well with most modern readers. Passages like the imprecatory Psalms, the story of Judah and Tamar, Jesus dismissing the gentile woman at the dinner table, and Jesus’s command to hate our families. By exploring several parts of Scripture that challenge our understanding of the Bible and of God, we can strengthen our faith and find unexpected blessings in his Word.

Week 1

Text: Psalm 137:1–9

Topics: Righteous Anger, Grace, Remembrance

Big Idea of the Message: Imprecatory prayers are a way to be honest with God, to initiate a process of spiritual healing through God’s grace and mercy, and only possible if our friendship with the Lord is strong.

Katie is a candidate for the role of Associate Pastor at Gretna. We hope her message encourages and inspires.

Dougie Boggs shares his testimony of how God has changed his life and how important recovery is to the process.

Text: Malachi 1:1–4:6

Topics: Disillusionment, Covenant, Unfaithfulness, Judgment, Disputation, Hope

Big Idea of the Message: God is always faithful to both discipline and redeem on the basis of his covenantal promises.

Application Point: When disappointments come our way, we must choose to cling to God’s promises and remain faithful.

Text: Zechariah 4:1–14

Topics: Reconstruction, Surrender, Grace, Redemption, Salvation

Big Idea of the Message: God is in the business of building and constructing his kingdom.

Application Point: As Christians, we should spur others to spiritual growth while striving to progress in our own walks with Christ.

Text: Haggai 1:1–2:23

Topics: Repercussions, Responsiveness, Obedience, Holiness, Encouragement, Hope

Big Idea of the Message: God is a God of restoration who invites his people to participate in his works of renewal.

Application Point: When God calls us to a work, we are to be responsive and obedient, even in disappointment—always remaining hopeful for the blessings of God on the basis of his unwavering faithfulness to his promises.