Apologetics

Speaker: Rev. Rick McGough

Originally Recorded: Oct 22, 2017

1 Peter 3:15

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

“Reason” – “A faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes truth from falsehood, and good from evil, and which enables the possessor to deduce inferences from facts or from propositions.” (Also – Logic)

“Faith” - “Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true. Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests.”

“Faith & Reason Are Not in Opposition to One Another but Rather They Are Companions!"

How the Christian (Biblical) Worldview Fits With History & With the Realities of Today’s World!

1. The Finely Tuned Universe

2. The Prophecies of World Empires

3. Archaeological Finds

4. The Return of the Jewish people

5. The City of Jerusalem

6. The Human Body

7. The Impact of Christianity

Faith, Reason & Reality - History and the Realities of the Known World Today Reveal That God is Real & The Bible is True!

The Story of Story: Chapter 2

Speakers: Pastor Brandon Pardekooper &Matthew Wazbinski Originally Recorded: Oct 15, 2017

Your Story Structure

1. Who you were

2. What you learned

3. Who you have become

Biblical Stories

1. Saul (1 Samuel 9:31)

2. Judas (Matthew 26:47-27:5)

3. Samson (Judges 13:16-30)

Keys to a Redemption Story

1. Humility

2. Obedience

3. Alignment with God

4. Love for Others over Self

5. Serve the Greater Good

Closing Thought

Your story of redemption is still being written, don't let it end with your salvation.

The Story of Story: Chapter 1

Speakers: Pastor Matthew Wazbinski & Brandon Pardekooper

Originally Recorded: Oct 8, 2017

Pixar Story Structure

1. Exposition (characters, location, and background)

2. Inciting Incident (character loss or problem)

3. Progressive Complication (Attempts to fix problem only worsens it)

4. Crisis (Faced with choice to change or remain the same)

5. Climax (Face the villain or obstacle)

6. Resolution (Character's redemption)

Biblical Stories

1. Joseph (Genesis 37)

2. David (2 Samuel 11)

3. Jesus (Matthew 26)

4. Sharach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3)

5. Moses (Exodus 14)

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Closing Thought

In order to live a great story, we must live out our part in God's story.

Happy {Blessing Others}

Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded: Oct 1, 2017

Proverbs 11:25

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Luke 6:38

give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you."

Blessing others usually takes time and proximity

Share your story

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

It’s better to give than to receive because there is a double blessing in your life.

Big Idea:

You become a conduit of the Holy Spirit. And that conduit flows both ways.

Closing Thought:

Don’t miss the happiness that comes into your life through the blessing of others.

Happy {Satisfied}

Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded: Sep 24, 2017

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Joy is the default position for a Christ follower.

Philippians 4:11

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

Big Idea:

When you learn to live satisfied, you’ll be happy.

Action Steps:

1. Start by giving thanks

2. Pray

3. Choose Joy and rewire your brain

Happy {Seeds}

Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley

Originally Recorded: Sep 17, 2017

Proverbs 22:8

Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

Hosea 10:13

You have plowed iniquity; you have reaped injustice; you have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your own way and in the multitude of your warriors,

Psalm 106:3

Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.

Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

If you want to be happy you HAVE to plant the right seed!

Whatever seeds each man cultivates will grow to maturity and bear in him their own fruit. If they be vegetative, he will be like a plant.

-Giovanni Pico della Mirandola 15th Century Theologian/Philospher

Big Idea:

Don’t quit sowing the right seed!!!

Galatians 6:9

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

-Robert Louis Stevenson

The conclusion of our series Isaiah 48 in Fusion.

Katie Morrow shares from her heart in Fusion.

Part 6 of our Fusion series Isaiah 48

Happy {Internal or External}

Speaker: Rev. Patrick Kelley

Sep 10, 2017

Psalms 144:15

Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!

"Our joy is in proportion to our trust. Our trust is in proportion to our knowledge of God" and His Word -G. Campbell Morgan

Big Idea:

Happiness is a decision and the result of a decision.

Closing Thought:

Trying to find happiness from external places is always short-lived and comes up short.