SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Understanding what motivates you in your actions - what do you value?

Sermon Notes:

A value is something you view as important, a quality or thing you feel has worth and significance and influences your decisions and actions.

Self-discipline and will power are different from values, a value goes much deeper and produces an internal drive.

Two ideas to consider when shifting values:

1. You have to recognize what is not working

2. You have to determine what is more important

Our EGO somethings gets in the way, we don't see what's not working until we experience a negative consequence, we get 'knocked down'.

Getting back up is important, but if you continue to do the same thing, behave the same way, the result will be the same.

You have to evaluate the experience and make a choice, decide what you value more.

Paul says that all besides Christ is garbage, some may view that as harsh, but in reality, all things, money, fame, family, friends, will pass away, they are not permanent, but Christ is permanent, He is the value that is most important, He will be ever present when all other 'values' pass away.

Values are related to relationship. "If I do what matters to you, I demonstrate you matter most to me."

When you do what God wants, then God matters most.

Application Questions:

1. Over the last few weeks, have you begun to "own your stuff?"

2. How has this impacted your outlook, and your relationships with others?

3. What labels do you give yourself that reflect what you value, for example, parent, spouse, executive, Christian, etc.?

4. How do these reflect your core values?

5. Are you aware of what others in key relationships value most?

6. How have you demonstrated your knowledge or respect for their values?

7. What are some of God's key values?

8. How have / will you demonstrate to God that He matters to you?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

If we want to start moving forward, there are three steps we need to cycle through continuously:

1. Owning Your Stuff

2. Shifting Your Values

3. Retelling Your Story

Sermon Notes:

- Every one of us live with a gap in our lives; we know what we should do, but yet we don't do it

- Three continual steps for moving forward: owning your stuff, shifting your values, retelling your story

- You may have done or are already be doing this things, but maybe you haven't always continued to do them; somewhere, you got stuck, or even started stepping backwards

- Owning Your Stuff = Taking responsibility for your actions or behavior

- Instead of shifting the blame, start with yourself. It's really the only part you can do something about.

- Luke 15:11-32 The Prodigal Son

- Two points:

- The younger brother owned his stuff; he named it, admitted to it, and broke from it

- The older brother couldn't see his stuff, and he remained stuck

- The father gave the son what he wanted and left. But the son later realized, and owned, the he had SINNED

- We like to call sin by different names (mistakes, stumble, struggle) because we don't want to own it; and when we don't call our sin what it is, then we don't recognize our need for a Savior

- Our struggle with sin is not limited to only our life before our relationship with Christ

- Jesus didn't come for "mistakers", he came for sinners

- Somehow, we've allowed this cloud of condemnation to come over us if we or someone else admits to sin, but admitting our sin is the first step of moving forward

- Both sons in the story were lost and estranged from their father

- The older son was stuck in self-righteousness, thinking his hard work earned him favor with his father, and he couldn't see his sin because pride, self-righteous sin, and moral superiority are harder to spot

- Sin isn't limited to what we do. Sin is also WHY we do something

- There's no need for a Savior if we don't see that we need rescued from our sin. We become our own Savior. We set our standards and we meet them, but then we have nowhere else to go, so we stay stuck.

- When we see our sin and own our stuff, we begin moving forward

Application Questions:

1. Does grace make you angry? Do you view it as unfair when God shows favor to someone you believe doesn't deserve it? How? Why?

2. Are you feeling stuck in your life, in your relationship with God? Is there sin you can see, but are refusing to own and admit to it?

3. Is there a son with whom you more identify/resemble? The younger son, who only wanted what the father could give him so he could live how he wanted? Or the older son, who had all of his father's possessions at his disposal, and thought his hard work and deeds would earn him favor in his father's eyes?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

As Christians, we are Ambassadors for Christ, responsible for seeking missions in our Spheres of Service.

Sermon Notes:

In the new year, we often see the "Fresh Start," Effect.

The word "new," is in the Bible hundreds of times, at least once for every day of the year. Examples:

- Psalm 40:3

- Isaiah 43:19

- Lamentations 3:18

- Ezekiel 36:26

- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Jesus gives us the ultimate fresh start - a new purpose, as ambassadors for him. So, if money and resources weren't an obstacle, and you knew you wouldn't fail, what would you do for God this year?

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

- We are ambassadors, with the authority to speak on behalf of our Sovereign.

1. What we Are: Ambassadors for Christ

a. Our ultimate citizenship is in Heaven.

b. We have three credentials as ambassadors.

i. Reconciled v. 18 + 19

ii. Representatives v. 20

iii. Righteous v. 21 (meaning acceptable - we're not perfect, we're forgiven)

Not feeling adequate? Neither did Paul.

- 1 Timothy 1:15-16

- 2 Corinthians 10: 18, 12-13

Your Sphere of Service = measured, pre-determined area of Space (Acts 17).

- Family, Friends, Neighbors, Work/School, People of Affinity, People of Proximity, and People in Seasons

- 80% of Christians come to God through personal relationships.

We have a Currency (4 T-Bills):

i. Time

ii. Talents

iii. Treasure

iv. Ties

Where and to whom can you be an ambassador?

2. What we Do, as Ambassadors

a. Ministry of Reconciliation

- Just helping and serving people in order to get them to exchange their life for a new, better one in Christ.

b. Message of Reconciliation

- Evangelism: Cooperating with the Holy Spirit and others to bring a person one step closer to God.

- Small, practical acts of service.

- You've been successful, now be significant.

2. What we Say, as Ambassadors

What happens when you get handed the microphone? Isn't that why we're all afraid?

a. Ephesians 6:19-20

b. 2 Corinthians 12:9

c. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Application Questions:

1. Did you consider filling out the following? If so, will you share?

"I believe God created me for a purpose, and I'm also good at _____________. When I do ___________, I feel his pleasure."

2. What are some of your Spheres of Service? Are there specific people in those spheres you feel God is calling you to? Where or to whom can you be an ambassador?

3. What is some practical advice you have for being an ambassador in the world we live in?

4. If money and resources weren't an obstacle, and you knew you wouldn't fail, what would you do for God this year? Even just today?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

A resolution worth keeping for life is to help others experience God more and more.

Sermon Notes:

• We all have sad times and challenges in life. Sometimes challenges lead people to addictions or other unhealthy coping mechanisms.

• One challenge people face is loneliness. Mother Teresa said that loneliness will be the leprosy of the 21st century.

• Right before He died, Christ spoke words of life about love and relationships. Love solves our problems, but it’s hard to do consistently.

• Four words pulled from Jesus’ words in the passage from John:

- THIS is to love one another as Jesus loves us.

- EVERYONE -- the way we love can affect the world.

- MY DISCIPLES -- Jesus spoke to His disciples, who were His. He is from God and these words are from God.

- We MUST do this; it’s why Jesus came.

• The way we love helps others experience God.

• Jesus tells us to love like He loved. He was humble and others-minded. That goes against our nature because we’re about self.

• 3 ways Jesus loved:

- He was real – He showed emotions and vulnerability. Examples are when He wept with Mary and Martha at Lazarus’ death and when He bared His soul in the garden before His death.

- Jesus had compassion. He didn’t condemn or judge but met people’s needs.

- Jesus was committed. He loved unconditionally and forgave. He forgave Peter for denying Him and restored the relationship.

• To be vulnerable takes trust. Even if the listener doesn’t handle well what you share, trust God.

• When we’re listening to someone, we shouldn’t judge or condemn. Remember that we’ve been there or we’ve been spared. Empathize, care, and pray with the person.

• We need to look past friends’ offenses for the sake of love and relationship. Issues are mostly inconsequential compared to relationship. Be in a constant state of forgiveness for the sake of the gospel. Deny ourselves for someone else’s behalf.

• We need to narrow the gap between what we believe about God and what we experience.

• A renewed vision for community – FRESH:

- Experience more of God in your life.

- Be in authentic Christ-like community.

- Be on an adventure.

• C Groups will be starting at Heritage in February. You can find more information about them on the church website under Connect.

Main scripture passage: John 13:34-35. Other passages referenced: Heb. 10:24-25, Phil. 2:1-5, 2 Cor. 6:11-13, Matt 9:36, John 15:13

Application Questions:

1. Did you make any New Year’s resolutions or set any goals for yourself this year? If so, describe. If not, tell about some you’ve made other years.

2. Describe a time when you felt lonely. Have you ever felt lonely when you were in a large group?

3. Discuss Mother Teresa’s statement about loneliness.

4. How do you deal with challenges in life?

5. How do you show love to people in your workplace? Neighbors? Other people with whom you cross paths?

6. Describe a time and situation when you were vulnerable with this group or with someone else. How did the other person/people react?

7. Are people generally vulnerable with you? How do you react to their vulnerability?

8. Describe a time someone forgave you and your relationship remained intact because of it.

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Be willing to be filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to consume you for Him will provide the most satisfying life. Let Him fill you and cover you completely.

Scripture:

Romans 8:9; Luke 3:21; Luke 4; Isaiah 61; John 14:26; Acts 1:3-5, 8, 2:1-4; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23

Sermon Notes:

Under the Influence – The Holy Spirit’s influence gives the most satisfying life.

What is the Holy Spirit? The Bible says that the Holy Spirit is God and He works in specific events and works through specific people to accomplish His purpose on earth.

The Holy Spirit came upon Mary – she conceived Jesus; the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus when he was baptized.

Jesus chose to live a life filled by the Holy Spirit, so wouldn’t we even more need to live life filled by the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the “Advocate” in John 14:26 – this is synonymous with counselor, comforter, helper, and means ‘one called alongside to help.'

Jesus wanted his disciples to experience the Holy Spirit’s power and advised them not to go out into the world until they were baptized by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the power we need

- To obey the Lord each day and especially in tough times

- To love the unlovable anywhere they are

- To live in unity with other believers and to represent Christ

God wants us to become completely filled with the Holy Spirit, saturated, to be filled up on the inside and completely clothed on the outside.

The Holy Spirit gave the early Christians:

- Boldness to speak

- Supernatural ability to exalt God in languages never learned

- Prophecy, dreams, and visions

- Miraculous ability to heal

Paul contrasts being ‘under the influence’ of alcohol with being ‘under the influence’ of God’s Spirit. He says to “Allow yourself to be continuously filled with the Spirit of God.”

The Spirit is able to influence our thoughts, our emotions, and our actions, unless you hold back.

Application Questions:

1. Describe a time when you have felt the Holy Spirit's influence in your life?

2. Have you witnessed the Holy Spirit's influence in others? If so, discuss with the group the circumstances of your observations.

3. Think of a troubling situation in life and imagine how the Holy Spirit could help someone get through the situation.

4. What are some areas of your life where you could use help from the Holy Spirit?

5. Describe a situation in which you feel the Holy Spirit worked through you to help another.

30 Day Prayer Challenge:

heritagecc.org/30-day-challenge

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

God reached out to us by sending His son Jesus as a gift of reconciliation with us.

Sermon Notes:

God introduces himself with a "Hello?" Adele song clip

This song talks about restoring a relationship & this resembles the hope God sent to reconnect with what's been broken.

2 Corinthians 5:19 "... He has committed to us the message of reconciliation"

- What happened? God was in Christ.

Full God and fully Man.

- Why did it happen?

God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.

The relationship can be restored.

We all have someone who has hurt us & letting go is difficult. How do we reconcile with those who have hurt us?

- How did it happen? God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.

Jesus death on the cross paid our debt to bridge the gap with God.

God laid our debt on another... His son

- So what? For a relationship to be restored both sides have to make a move towards the middle.

God extended himself with a gift. Have you received it?

There are 2 types of people:

-Those angry for how things have turned out.

-Those who are reconciled to God, but may not have reconciled with others.

Luke 2:11 - "Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you."

He gave Jesus so he could have YOU!!

Application Questions:

1. Have you experienced estrangement with another person or group?

2. What steps, if any, were made to bring restoration to that relationship? Has that relationship been reconciled?

3. What does is mean to you that God desires reconciliation with you?

4. Have you received the gift of Gods reconciliation and what have you done to bring yourself into a right relationship with Him?

5. If you've become reconciled with God, what steps should/will you take to reconcile with another you can mend the gap with?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

We are able to see and know God the Father through knowing His son, Jesus Christ.

Sermon Notes:

- If you want to get to know someone, where would you start? By reading books? Through direct communication?

- This is why Theology, the study of God, is so difficult. We only know of God that which He reveals to us.

- We all have different perspectives on who God is, but each is flawed/incomplete.

- There are three common avenues people use to determine what God is like:

1. What we see - Creation

2. What we experience - Providence

3. What we feel - Conscience

- The only way you get to really know anyone is that they have to tell you. If that's true of each other, how much more true is it of God?

- But God has been talking/speaking/communicating...

in the past

through many prophets

at many times

in many ways

- Now, he uses his most intimate way - Jesus, his Son (Hebrews 1:2)

- The Gospels are a compilation of eye witness accounts of Jesus' time on Earth

- Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being

- John 14:6 - Jesus is the only way to the Father

- The real gift of Christmas is having a relationship with God (John 17:25-26)

Application Questions:

1. What has been the best way that you have been able to experience God? Creation? Providence? Conscience?

2. Has this changed over time? How has your perception of God changed over time?

3. In what ways has Jesus revealed, or is revealing, to you who God is?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

As we "unwrap Christmas" we see that God became human to lead us from fear of death to the way of life. He became someone who we could follow because he knew what it was to be human.

Sermon Notes:

The idea that God became human seemed confusing to the recipients of the book of Hebrews and foolish to unbelievers. Why would God become a human, giving up privilege and power?

Hebrews 2 reminds us that our future is to rule, reign and judge, but people can’t do what we are supposed to do very well. Many things seem out of our control.

Jesus became human to provide someone we could follow as an example, someone who faced death and overcame it. He did it so we would know how to do it.

Jesus shared in humanity by his death, and broke the power of death to control us with fear. He defeated death by his resurrection and unending life.

Jesus has been through being human and can help, much as an older brother- one who is not ashamed of us, but knows the way to experience life…eternal life. Look to the example of the friend who jumps into a hole and says, “I’ve been here before and I know how to get out. I am not stuck here and will lead you out.”

Jesus is the ruler of all and will not be overcome by the terrible things we see in the world.

Application Questions:

1. We can follow Jesus as our example because we know "what is coming." What is in our future? Do the terrible things that are happening in the world change that?

2. Reread Hebrews 2:5-18. In what ways is Jesus the pioneer calling you to follow his example?

3. How does it make you feel that God cared enough about you to send you one who can walk beside and show you the way? What will you do with this knowledge?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

All thanksgiving begins with God and returns to God.

Sermon Notes:

Being "Rich in God " results in generous living. Generosity brings thanksgiving to God and others will praise God because of it.

1. Everything comes from him, so we thank him first.

2. He calls us "sowers " to join in this work with him. All has been given to us so that we can give to others.

3. We reap what we sow. Job 8, Proverbs 22:8, 11:24,25, Galatians 6. Sow negativity? Meanness? Impatience? Gossip? Sow positively? Encouragement? Kindness?

4. Whatever we sow multiplies. Once " in the ground" it is out of our control. God increases a harvest of righteousness. As we give, we gain, yet seed takes time to grow. Thanksgiving and trust are challenged when we wait, but keep waiting! Psalms 126:5.

5. Give what is priceless. Example, It's a Wonderful Life.

Paul encourages Corinthians to keep on keeping on. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. They were in the midst of severe trial, overflowing joy and extreme poverty, yet welled up in rich generosity. They had given themselves first to the Lord, then to others.

6. 2 Corinthians 9:13-15 others will praise God by our giving. Giving builds bridges, not only did it bridge hunger, it bridged relationships.

Application Questions:

1. What are some examples of giving what is priceless?

2. How can we better live simple? How can we develop the mindset of being content with enough?

3. How have you seen that generosity builds bridges in your life?

4. What do we typically sow on a daily basis? How could this be altered? Does it need to be?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Being rich, and being good at being rich, isn't about how much we have, but instead it is about our perspective on what we have and how we can use what we have, not matter the amount, and no matter the resource, whether it is money, time, or talent, to further God's plan and show others His love.

Sermon Notes:

We cannot have two masters, money and God, we must choose one, to put our faith in.

Money can often lead us astray.

Keep money in its proper place, as our servant, be generous with your resources.

Understand the difference between needs and wants.

You cannot take anything with you when you die, so what’s the point of accumulation?

Jesus emphasized there is nothing wrong with making money, but there is something wrong with keeping it, when you don’t use it for a good purpose.

Do we really need a bigger house, a bigger, newer car, do we really need an upgrade?

Can you take those upgrades with you? No

Yes, be intentional, and plan for tomorrow, but not so that you have more, but so that you can make giving a priority, make it a %, and make it progressive.

The key to happiness isn’t a large income, it’s how you use what you have.

Psychologist David Myers, teaches at Columbus State, says that 60k a year is the amount that provides a comfortable life in this country.

The euphoria you feel when you first obtain a new car, or upgrade your kitchen, it doesn’t last.

Jesus taught us that in order to find your life, you must give it away

Let go of stuff so you can take hold of life.

Application Questions:

1. How do you distinguish between wants and needs in you life?

2. What examples can you share of wants that you've obtained and how did you feel about them 6 months after obtaining them, 1 year after?

3. Do you create a spending plan each year and how do you decide on your priorities?

4. What other resources might you have that you could use to share with others?

5. Can you think of someone in your neighborhood who might be in need? Discuss with the group ideas on pooling resources between neighbors for a family in need.