A Present Hope

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV 11 “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not a disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. 12 When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me.

A Present Hope

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV 11 “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not a disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. 12 When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me.

In Times Like These

Philippians 4: 6-7 NIV 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

SERMON: God is in Control

SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 46: 1,-3; 10 NRSV

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

I. Know

II. Show

III. Go

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-4 NRSV

4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. 3 The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Sermon Title: Unplugged in the Wilderness

Points:

1. Jesus was Led

2. Jesus Fasted

3. Jesus Was Tempted

4. Jesus Answered

Title: “I Gotta Go”

Scripture: Joshua 1: 1-9

I. Stop letting anything but God tell you where and when to go

II. Courage to go

III. The only fear of being courageous is that I fear God more than anything around me

IV. Courage means I believe in what God will PROVIDE not what somebody may GIVE!

V. Conviction that God is in the midst of everything

SERMON: Higher Ground: The Political Journey

SCRIPTURE:

Matthew 17:1-9

I. Elevation

II. Inspiration

III. Information

Conclusion:

Vs. 9 “As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, "Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

o Mountaintop Inspiration and Valley Living

ermon: Higher Ground: Relational

Scripture: Romans 8: 35-37 CEB

35 Who will separate us from Christ’s love? Will we be separated by trouble, or distress, or harassment, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, We are being put to death all day long for your sake. We are treated like sheep for slaughter 37 But in all these things we win a sweeping victory through the one who loved us.

Sermon: The Spiritual Journey

Scripture: Matthew 14: 22-23 22 "Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds. 23 When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone.”

I. Dismiss the crowds

II. Go to your place to meet with God

III. Alone but not alone

The Artistic Journey

James 1: 2-4 CEB

2 My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. 3 After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.

I. Tests and Joy

-- Opportunity to give God praise…

-- Augusta Savage

II. Faith and Endurance

-- Nina Samone

III. Complete and Lacking in Nothing

-- James Baldwin

IV. In the Spirit

o Luke 22:42

“42 He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.”