SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Our true identity and security only comes from faith and trust in God.

Sermon Notes:

- We often don't get the instruction and guidance we need when it comes to managing money and doing well at being rich

- There's a power and potency in money. If we aren't careful or stay naive to it, we can find ourselves in some bad places

- 1 Timothy 6:9-10

- Learning to be rich isn't so much about what you're doing with your money, it's what your money is doing to you

- We tend to link our self-worth with our net worth; we think the more we have, the more we are

- Paul warns us not to let our wealth go to our heads (1 Timothy 6:17)

- Money gives us a false view of self; we feel we're more special because we have more money

- Not only does money give us a false sense of self, it can also cause us to shift our hope from God onto money

- Money gives us a false sense of security

- We think that more money makes us more immune to calamity, and that if we have enough, we'll be safe, but it will never be enough

- If we shift our hope onto money instead of God, it impacts our giving and our ability to be generous. We'll want to hold on to our money with clenched fists.

- It's good to have savings and plan for retirement, but we can't let that take the place of trusting in God

- It's not until we face something that our money can't fix that we realize the shift has taken place

- You cannot serve two masters; you cannot serve both God and money

1. God is our provider

- What do you have that you have not already received from God?

2. God is a generous provider

- God gives richly; he is not tight-fisted; he loves to give

3. God is a generous provider for our enjoyment

- If it's in God, there will be a joy and pleasure that is free of guilt and fear

- One of the best ways to honor our Giver is to enjoy what he's given us.

Application Questions:

1. What is money doing to you? Is your hope shifting? Is your head swelling?

2. Are you trusting more in God or money?

3. Are you hoarding? Are you fearful that you won't have enough?

4. Has God gotten small for you?

5. What examples in scripture do we find that God is our provider?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Giving is an act of worship and of recognition that our God is giving and has made us rich in Him.

http://heritagecc.org/be-rich

Sermon Notes:

Introduction - We talk about money because Jesus talked about money - more than Heaven or Hell actually.

- The relationship between giving money and making money is that the more people make, the less they give (as a percentage).

In this series:

1. Rich people are not good at being rich.

2. Practicing being rich can make us better at it.

3. Most Americans don't think they are rich (but they are).

- 1 Timothy 6:17-19

-- Verse 18: Stretch yourself in being generous and willing to share

- Galatians 6:9-10

Four Opportunities:

1. Operation Christmas Child (helping global community)

- samaritanpurse.org/occ

- provides Christmas gifts for some of the poorest children in the world

- in 150 countries, touching 124 million children

- last year sent 480 boxes, this year's goal is 700

- deliverers tell kids about Jesus when they receive the gift

- pick up a handout and fill a shoebox!

2. The Leader in Me (helping local community)

- Pointview Elementary: highest free or reduced lunch in Westerville. Limited resources.

- Three ways we can help:

A. 7 Habits Assemblies: need volunteers and supplies to celebrate kids accomplishments.

B. Parent Dinners: need volunteers and food to contribute to community.

C. Career Day: need volunteers. Show the kids why what they do today matters.

3. The Giving Tree (helping the church community)

- Help family within the church.

- Grab an ornament before December 6!

4. Frank and Lee Tanzillo family (helping the church community)

- All called to provide financial assistance ($20) for a family that has adopted 8 children with special needs from other countries.

- One child (Audrey) has brain cancer.

- Join the "Hope for Audrey" Facebook page for updates

Take Away: This year, write a GIVING List instead of a Wish List.

Application Questions:

1. How have you seen giving become an act of worship?

2. Tell of a time you were rewarded by giving.

3. Has anyone participated in any of these specific programs before? Tell about your experience.

4. How have you found yourself putting hope in wealth, instead of in God? How can you work to redirect that hope?

5. Have you ever felt yourself become weary of doing good? How can you re-energize when you find yourself feeling this way?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea: God continues to come down for our good and His glory. Speaking babel is about asking why we’re doing this and what God wants us to do. It teaches us how to speak relationship – freedom and creativity, not control and dominance. It starts when we let our knees hit the ground, which is a great place to start and to stay.

Sermon Notes:

1. Today we looked at one more story/scene of the reality of the universal sin condition and we saw what it does in us, the choices we make because of it, the consequences that result, and the mercy that’s extended.

2. At the end of the story everyone needed to speak babel, and it was a gift to those who learned it because it opened the world they never would have known.

3. The story changed when God came. How much that changed the people is the rest of the story.

4. We can learn from this story why we do what we do and why God responds the way He does. Even though we’re not the people in this story, people are still people and God is still God.

5. To complete their plan, these people used creative thinking and they co-operated; it was a group effort.

6. The reason they wanted to build this tower was to make a name for themselves, to be a part of something, have a place they could belong.

7. Most of us want to be somebody, make a contribution. This vision is driven by deeper longings for security and significance. Everyone struggles with the fear of being alone, insignificance, insecurity, and wanting to matter.

8. Fear and pride can be a lethal combination and contribute to unhealthy and unholy responses.

9. We often don’t see the connection between what’s driving us and what we do. But when God shows up, He breaks up our well-ordered life.

10. If we try to fill our insecurity hole with things other than God, our life will crumble.

11. A vision can become an obsession and then we do crazy things to control it. When the focus is on our plan, God gets pushed out and people get stepped on.

12. God confusing these people was a grace because success wouldn’t have satisfied their cravings. It would have made them hungry for more. That would have meant less of God, less of others, and more of self.

13. Every setback or disruption is an invitation to another way of seeing life, another way of speaking – away from our self-centered approach – learning babel.

14. Babel is a hard language to learn; it throws our world into confusion and prompts us to ask questions we’d rather avoid.

15. God can use situations to help us find Him and achieve things we wouldn’t have achieved on our own.

16. God wants to fill the world with His glory, not have us promote ourselves. A happy, fulfilled, successful life is a by-product of a surrendered life – making much of God and not much of ourselves.

17. The varied cultures that resulted from this incident have yielded a greater and more glorious reflection of who God is.

18. We might never get all the answers we want, but hearing others’ stories assures us that God works for our good.

Also referred to Isaiah 64:1-4

Recommended book: In the Name of Jesus by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Application Questions:

1. What is your plan? What are you trying to build?

2. What does your “how’ look like? How are you trying to achieve your plan?

3. Why are you building your plan, what’s driving your ambition?

4. Do you have some of the tendencies Jim mentioned: workaholic, fitness fanatic, control freak? What do you suppose is behind those?

5. What are some things you try to fill your insecurities with?

6. Do you struggle with the idea that God is involved with the tough times in your life – did He cause it, can He do anything about it?

7. Are you willing to pray for God to come down? To ask others what they see that needs to come down in your life?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Business as Mission – Interceding for God in the community through self-sustaining business.

Sermon Notes:

When our foundations are shaken, the smallest things become the most important. Jesus said if you give a glass of water in my Name, it will not be forgotten. Some of the things we may take for granted, are truly life changing in other places such as Somalia or Iraq.

If you ask God to reveal himself, He will. There are many Christians in areas that aren’t just looking for handouts, they want and need investments, loans that allow the building of businesses, which maintain dignity and help create a self-sustaining enterprise.

God is at work behind it all – Allow God to work through you.

All of us are intimately linked to the Harvest work, start small, even the smallest act of giving or support makes you a true apprentice.

There are many aspects to our identity, for example, a dad/mom, and co-worker, there is also the core of who you are. God knows the core of you.

We intercede for God in this world.

• Praise – Have an attitude of thankfulness, praise God by doing your work

• Reconciliation – Be a peacemaker, at home, at work, in the community

• Encouragement – Bless others, deliberately notice the positives, show appreciation, and verbally affirm others truthfully

Operation Mobilization – currently in 110 countries

• When you create jobs, you are helping to create a self-sustaining situation for those in need.

• Business not only earns money, but endeavors to make a difference.

• No resources but God – No guidance but God

• Business as Mission – For profit AND Kingdom Impact

• Be faithful by using the talents God gave you.

Application Questions:

1. Think back to a time when your life was shaken up, disrupted by chaos, do you remember an act of kindness, no matter how small, that made a difference to you?

2. Think about all the different roles you play. In each role, how do you allow God to work through you? Do you feel like this is making a difference in others’ lives? If yes, how so? If not, discuss with the group their thoughts and opinions on how to improve this area.

3. Think about the different businesses in your community, maybe a local pizza shop, or any small business of some kind. How does it affect the community, not only in terms of providing employment, but also in providing support for the individuals that work there (i.e. personal growth)? Does the business participate in any community giving programs, donations, etc.? What would be the impact without this businesses involvement in those programs?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Our hearts are corrupt, God's heart is broken, all deserve judgement, but some receive mercy.

Content:

The Gospel According to Noah

- The message of the flood, of judgement on sin, is all throughout the Bible and ultimately communicated on the cross

1. Our Hearts are Corrupt (Genesis 6:5)

- In the book "Lord of the Flies," British boys brought up to be respectable and upstanding people are reduced to savagery and barbarism for the sake of survival

- Genesis 6:11-12 "Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight and was full of violence. God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways."

- Our hearts are corrupt, that was and still is the problem

2. God's Heart is Broken (Genesis 6:6)

- God regretted that he had made humans

- Since we are made in God's image and we weep and grieve over tragedy, it's not hard to believe that God does the same

- He feels such pain because he addresses sin relationally, not legally or functionally

- We feel pain when we see others hurting, but it hurts so much more when it happens to us. That's how God feels about sin, because it's done against Him and those he loves.

- The same God that rejoices over us, is proud of us, is affectionate toward is, is the same God that made the decision to completely destroy creation

3. We All Deserve Judgement (Genesis 6:7)

- The world was filled with so much violence and corruption that there was no choice but to start over so that humanity would have a future.

- If we ignore and set aside God's wrath and judgement, we not only deny Biblical record, but we also leave ourselves in a worse plan than actually believing it.

- If we say the idea of judgement is primitive and wrong, and that there is no God who has a right to set a standard, the standard becomes "anything goes."

- The kind of resentment and rage we feel about being wronged or violated cannot be assuaged or calmed with some trite saying or religious platitude

- The Bible tells us of a God who will make things right (Romans 12:19)

- "Violence thrives today, secretly nourished by the belief that God refuses to take up the sword... If God were not angry at injustice and deception and did not make a final end of that violence, that God would not be worthy of our worship."

4. But Some Receive Mercy (Gensis 6:8)

- All were corrupt and deserving of God's judgement, but God extended favor to Noah and gave him and his family grace.

- God warned Noah of the impending judgment, and Noah accepted God's offer of deliverance and had faith to follow through. (Hebrews 11:7)

- Noah had an Ark to save him. We have a Cross.

- God put a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of his covenant with Noah, a reminder of grace. Jesus' death on the cross is the sign we have of God's covenant of grace with us.

Application Questions:

1. How hard is it to accept that our hearts are corrupt? That we are inherently evil and in need of a Savior?

2. When you hear about the horrible things happening in this world, does it break your heart, does it discourage you, does it make you sick to your stomach? Why do you feel that way? Why are we so different from other creation that we have these feelings when bad things happen?

3. What kind of God do we worship if we ignore his disdain and hatred of injustice and evil and only want to see God as only loving, gracious, and tolerant of what we do? What are we missing if we neglect what the Bible says about's God's passion for justice?

4. Was there anything special about Noah that would cause God to choose extending him and his family grace when God had already decided that all humanity deserved to be destroyed?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea: Sin is veiled, it must be exposed.

Main Message:

Recap on last week, "If the world is started out pristine, how did we get in the jungle?

Sin brings death, it is a "virus that enters the bloodstream."

1. It's a Family Thing, Genesis 4:3-16

"Do we sin because we are sinners? Or are we sinners because we sin?"

Sin is the problem, and a savior is the solution. But do we see sin as a big deal?

2. Genesis 4:3-7 Sin is veiled, it must be exposed.

Bubbled up resentment, deep feelings, etc creates compromise. Our actions show up. God knew Cain was a briber. Hebrews 11:4, "by faith Abel offered a better sacrifice."

Cain's gift was a bargaining chip. "I give to you, so you give to me."

God offers him questions for self evaluation. "Cain, can't you see what is happening in you?...so critical, negative,never happy? Your pride,your jealousy...those are your 'buttons' ." 1 John 3:12

3. Sin must be exposed. Genesis 4:7-8

Sin acts like a predator stalking its prey.

We see sin as an annoying virus when it actually is a malignant strand. It has an agenda. Sin doesn't stay in a box, you must destroy it or it will destroy you. "Sin is at your door...you must master it" through repentance.

4. Genesis 4:9-16 Cain ignored God, justified himself,then sin pounced. Abel died, and Cain also died! The boys are separated forever, no more appeals from God, removed from parents, and home.

Yet still his sorrow was only for himself.

2 Corinthians 7:10 worldly sorrow vs. godly sorrow.

Example; Peter and Judas. Both sorrowful, yet one was worldly the other was godly.

5. Sin can't be ignored, God will judge it. Hebrews 12:23-24 Blood of Abel, blood of Jesus.

If Jesus takes my payment, I get to live! "Father, forgive them."

Only Jesus is the solution,yet we must see. We need to name our sin vs. excuse our sin. There is power in confession, otherwise death is inevitable. We are not smarter than God.

Application Questions:

1. Discuss "Do we sin because we are sinners, or are we sinners because we sin?"

2. What does it look like when we veil sin?

3. How is self pity like idolatry?, greed like stealing? ,lust like adultery?

4. When has worldly sorrow won out over godly sorrow in your life? How did that work for you?

5. Do we believe that being exposed for our sin is really God's mercy? Why or why not?

6. Share examples of naming our sin vs. excusing our sin.

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Instead of seeing and experiencing the pristine creation we were originally provided, we see and experience life under and sometimes within a black fog.

Main Message:

There are many theories about why this is so:

The universe itself is flawed

Man is just flawed physically

Culture, systems and structures we have created are flawed

Psychological makeup / repression of freedom

Upbringing / Education – it’s the parents / schools fault

Bad genes – a person has no control over themselves

There are many examples to confirm this is true.

Take a few minutes to discuss any recent news stories.

Let’s start with Genesis Chapter 3

The serpent speaks to the woman and questions her about the trees and what God told her about them.

The serpent changes her perspective by distorting the reasons behind God’s command.

Adam and Eve both disobeyed God’s command.

Ways of knowing: internally vs externally, experientially vs intellectually

We now have the awareness, like God’s, of good and evil, and that was the price.

Sin was introduced and our connection with God was broken.

We hide from each other

We hide from God

We hide from ourselves

We all long to be transparent and loved at the same time.

God pursues us despite our attempts to hide.

Sin is the problem and a Savior is the solution.

Sin came because we put ourselves in God’s place, salvation comes when God puts himself where we deserve to be.

Application Questions:

1. Have you ever studied any of the theories mentioned above?

a. Do you agree any of the theories, partially or completely? Discuss your reasons with group.

b. Do you disagree with any of these theories, partially or completely?Discuss your reasons with the group.

2. How does Eve’s distorted perception of God’s intentions lead her to disobey God?

a. Discuss with the group a situation where one person’s perception can cause a rift in a relationship with another person.

3. Why do you believe Adam did not defend God’s intentions?

a. Discuss with the group situations in which God’s intentions have been distorted or called into question.

b. How do you think you would react in a situation where God’s intentions are called into question?

4. Discuss with the group what the different ways of knowing means.

5. Was there a time in your life when you believed the distortions that were told to Eve, about God, or about your parents, or another authority figure?

a. How did this affect the decisions you made?

b. How would you do things differently today?

6. Discuss with the group how you image the world might be, if sin were not present.

7. What positive changes have you noticed in your life, when you make decisions based on God’s desires for you?

8. How would you encourage others to trust God with making decisions, big or small?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Your sexuality matters to God because it's about more than sex.

1. Many people think that whatever two consenting adults do, it's OK. They should be able to do what they want when they want with whom they want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. That's the norm for today and any other opinion is being "judgmental."

2. God created the world by design, with intent and purpose. There's a "why" behind everything He created.

3. Four things Jim highlights at weddings:

Marriage has a divine purpose.

Marriage requires a parental separation.

Marriage creates a mysterious connection.

Marriage offers a secure foundation.

4. In today's culture, marriage doesn't seem significant or necessary. Its purpose has been lost so that everything can be justified.

5. God said that Adam should reproduce and rule. He needed a suitable helper to enable him to fulfill this mission. This mandate was given to married couples.

6. We are to continue the work of creating. This requires one man and one woman; it should be for life, exclusive and secure, a safe and stable place to grow, mature and develop. It involves committing ourselves to another, someone who is different from us.

7. Children learn to relate to both males and females when they have parents of both sexes. Having both sexes present is smart; together they do a better job of leading and training.

8. Why monogamy? One man and one woman reflects the reality of Christ and His church. Marriage is like an icon (material represents spiritual). It represents Christ's relationship with His bride - a mystical union finally realized when united with Christ.

9. God created sex and gave it to humankind. It's not just procreation; it's more because humans are more. Humankind needs to be different than the animal kingdom.

10. The most common mistake that's made about sex is thinking that it's just physical. God intended it to be fragile and powerful, but it's become corrupted. Desire needs to be controlled or it will become destructive.

11. Nothing is as violating to the soul as sexual abuse.

12. Marriage involves moving out, growing up, and making a lasting commitment.

13. Love is a sophisticated emotion and develops over time.

14. Today, with hook-up sites and other resources, sex is easy to get. But people who skip marriage give up more than they know. The "old-fashioned" way -- courtship, enables people to get to know each other. But once sex gets in the equation, it adds up to confusion and hurt, not oneness.

15. God gave sex to us as a gift ... a wedding gift.

16. The bonding quality of sex happens with whomever we connect ourselves to, person after person. If that happens, the mysterious connection is lost and we lose a part of our heart. Then we're not able to fully commit and that special bond isn't there. The exclusive connection has lost its stickiness. But the glue works if we keep it in the bottle until marriage.

17. Two things we can do to make the chains fall:

Value courtship, where people are prized. Every heart wants to be loved like that. Speak about it to others.

Flee from sexual immorality and honor God with our bodies. Think: does what I'm doing honor God?

18. Doing it God's way is a lot better than the world's way.

Application Questions:

1. Have you ever been accused of being judgmental because of your Biblical view? Describe.

2. If you've been in discussions about sex and today's culture, what attitudes do people around you have?

3. What attitudes do people around you have about marriage? Do you know many people who have been in long-term marriages?

4. If you're married, how do you show that you've separated from your parents?

5. Have you ever felt like you've done something that God can't redeem? Discuss. How did you get past that, or have you?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea : On Being Human

We are who God says we are. We were made by Him in His image. "I did not have to exist, but I do exist... because you, God, wanted me to..."

- The Word of God is sharper than any other knife or sword (Hebrews 4:12)

- It cuts to the heart and the soul. It's words have cut us, and others too.

- Some of us forget how sharp it is and how much damage it can do.

- Making fun of others isn't funny, and covering bigotry with truth isn't being truthful

- The previous verses speak to "what does it mean to be human"

- The Creation story tells us little as to how man was made, but there is a strong focus as to the "why"

- "I did not have to exist, but I do because you, God, wanted me to..."

- This is the fixed point: that out of freedom and love, a benevolent Creator decided that each of us, individually and uniquely, are made in His image

- Once we cut ourselves off from the belief that all human life is sacred because of divine endorsement, then it's just a matter of economics - cost and benefit

- Christianity calls us to stand for human life, especially from conception

- Jesus was conceived and was a fetus. At conception, the scriptures refer to Jesus as the Holy One, the Lord.

- Another issue these scriptures speak to is self worth and self esteem

- If I'm just one of billions in a universe that doesn't know or care about me, then what matters most is what others think of me

- But heaven and earth came together to form a human being. That's what makes us so special.

- God established a relationship with humankind that is unique from all other life. God was directly involved in creating us. He breathed life into our lungs. Only to humans did He entrust the care of the Earth.

- Scripture about how significant we are: Psalm 8:3-4; 139:13-14

- Genesis 1:27 - So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

- God spoke, and things were created. "WORDS CREATE WORLDS"

- Words are powerful and have the ability to shape what people think and how they feel; they can create a "truth" or "reality" apart from God.

- There is a distinction between our *feelings*, our *actions*, and, ultimately, our *identity*

- Our sexuality is mysterious and curiosity and confusion is part of the journey. Be patient, pray about it, talk about it, but don't panic.

- Compassion isn't compromise. It's being Christ-like.

- 3 main points to remember about gender confusion and reassignment

1. All humans are valuable and special because they are created in the image of God.

2. Gender goes deeper than our body parts. We can change our external appearance and name, but not gender; that is in our DNA and cannot be changed.

3. Nature can help us define norms.

- Romans 7:15, 24-25

Application Questions ::

1. If we all have been made by God in His image, how does that impact the way we interact and relate to people?

2. How can we allow the truth that all human life is important because God made it to change our thoughts of ourselves? How can this mold us more into the image of God?

3. What does the Bible have to say about our identity? What does Jesus have to say?