Proverbs 27:12 – NLT - A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Genesis 2:25 – ESV - And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Genesis 3:6-7 - When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Genesis 3:8-10 - Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Sermon Point #1 – We often hide from those who know us best

Sermon Point #2 – We all have a desire to be known.

Genesis 4:1 – KJV - And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.

Jeremiah 1:5 - “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Sermon Point #3 – Being known requires vulnerability.

Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Sermon Point #4 – Because of Jesus – we can stand before God unashamed

1 John 2:28 – And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Genesis 2:25 – ESV - And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Sermon Point #5 – Love is a choice

Sermon Point #1 – “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy.” - Gary Thomas

1 John 5:21 - Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

Leviticus 19:4 - “‘Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God.

Isaiah 44:9 - All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame.

Genesis 2:18 - The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Genesis 2:19-22 - Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[g] and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib[h] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

Sermon Point # 2 – Helper – “help that opposes”

Sermon Point #3 – Tension can be a good thing

Sermon Point #4 – God uses my spouse to make me more like Him

Proverbs 17:27 - As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Sermon Point #5 – Love is a choice

Sermon Point #1 – Marriage should be about “we” not “me”

Genesis 2:24 – That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh

Matthew 19:5-6 – and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Sermon Point #2 – Marriage is a covenant, not a contract

Sermon Point #3 – A contract is based on mutual distrust

Sermon Point #4 – A covenant is based on mutual commitment

Ephesians 5:21 – Submit to one another out of a reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:22-24 – Wives, submit to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Ephesians 5:25 – Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Sermon Point #5 – “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” - Gary Thomas

Sermon Point #6 – Love is a choice

Proverbs 27:15 - A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

2 Pat 4:2 – It is better to have severe hemorrhoids than to live with a man who is a jerk.

Sermon Point #1 – Marriage is God’s idea

Sermon Point #2 – Marriage does not complete you – only God completes you

Sermon Point #3 – Love is a choice

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

Colossians 3:14 - And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

2 Corinthians 13:11 – Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Sermon Point #4 – Have Fun

Sermon Point #5 – Pursue reconciliation

Sermon Point #6 – Verbally validate

Sermon Point #7 – Pray together

Sermon Point #8 – Seek to listen and understand

2 Corinthians 13:11-12 - Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Sermon Point #9 – Marriage should be a glimpse at God’s love for us

Ephesians 5:32-33 – This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV - In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sermon Point #1 - CONNECT WITH GOD RELATIONALLY

“Our Father in heaven”

Sermon Point #2 – WORSHIP HIS NAME

“Hallowed be Your name”

Sermon Point #3 – PRAY HIS AGENDA FIRST

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

Sermon Point #4 – DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING

“Give us this day our daily bread”

Sermon Point #5 – FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN

“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”

Sermon Point #6 – ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”

Sermon Point #7 – EXPRESS FAITH IN GOD’S ABILITY

“For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever”

Sermon Point #8 – PRAYING FOR GOD’S LEADING AND DIRECTION FOR OUR CHURCH

Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Sermon Point #1 – Prayer should be our first response not our last resort

John 15:4-5 - Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Sermon Point #2 – The Priority of Prayer

Daniel 6:10 - Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towardJerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Sermon Point #3 – The Place of Prayer

Mark 1:35 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Sermon Point #4 – The Plan of Prayer

Luke 11:1-2 – NLT - Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:

Sermon Point #5 – The Persons of Prayer

2 Corinthians 13:14 – MSG - The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

Sermon Point #6 – The Persons of Prayer

· The Amazing Grace of Jesus

Sermon Point #6 – The Persons of Prayer

· The Amazing Grace of Jesus

· The Extravagant Love of the Father

Sermon Point #6 – The Persons of Prayer

· The Amazing Grace of Jesus

· The Extravagant Love of the Father

· The Intimate Friendship of the Holy Spirit

Psalm 23:1-6 – NKJV - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Sermon Point #1 – God is our shepherd

Psalm 23:1 – NKJV – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.

Sermon Point #2 – God is our provider

Psalm 23:1 – NKJV – The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Sermon Point #3 – God is our peace

Psalm 23:2 – NKJV – He make to lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still waters.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Sermon Point #4 – God is our healer

Psalm 23:3 – NKJV – He restores my soul; he leads in the paths of righteousness for his names sake.

1 Peter 2:24 - He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

Sermon Point #5 – God is our constant companion

Psalm 23:4 – NKJV - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Hebrews 13:5-6 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Sermon Point #6 – God is our defender

Psalm 23:5 – NKJV - You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

Sermon Point #7 – God is our sanctifier

Psalm 23:5 – NKJV - You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Sermon Point #8 – God answers prayer based on who he is, not on who we are.

Sermon Point #1 – Listening is an act of love

James 1:19 – My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Sermon Point #2 – Skills for Heart Listening

- Patience

Proverbs 14:29 – Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.

Ephesians 4:2 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patiend, bearing with one antoher in love.

Sermon Point #3 – Skills for Heart Listening

- Patience

- Silence

Proverbs 17:28 – Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent and discerning if they hold their tongues.

Ecclesiastes 9:17 – The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Sermon Point #4 – Skills for Heart Listening

- Patience

- Silence

- Presence

Job 2:11-13 - When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.

Sermon Point #5 – Skills for Heart Listening

- Patience

- Silence

- Presence

- Appreciation

Philippians 2:3-5 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

Proverbs 12:15 – NLT – Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.

Sermon Point #1 – We seek the Lord’s presence

Psalm 105:4 – ESV - Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Sermon Point #2 – We seek the Lord’s Wisdom

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Sermon Point #3 – We seek the Lord’s guidance

Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Sermon Point #4 – How do we seek God?

1) Through Scripture

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Sermon Point #5 – How do we seek God?

1) Through Scripture

2) Through Prayer

Sermon Point #6 – How do we seek God?

1) Through Scripture

2) Through Prayer

3) Through Fellowship With Other

Colossians 3:16 - Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Sermon Point #7 – How do we seek God?

1) Through Scripture

2) Through Prayer

3) Through Fellowship With Other

4) Through Fasting

Ezra 8:23 - So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

Sermon Point #1 – We have a responsibility to pass our faith on to the next generation

Judges 2:10 – After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done in Israel.

Sermon Point #2 – God has walked with us through everything so far

Isaiah 43:1-2 - But now, this is what the Lord says - he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Sermon Point #3 – God is not done with us yet

Isaiah 43:16-21 - This is what the Lord says - he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Sermon Point #4 – Our job is to pray, listen and obey

Acts 13:2-3 - While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Psalm 34:8-10 - Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.