Message Notes
Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Philippians 2:14

What does it mean to “grow deeper spiritually?”
When did you most grow spiritually?

The ABC’s of Emotional Life:

• “A” stands for the word “Antecedent.” These are the things that happen to us; my circumstances or my situation.
• “C” stands for the word “Consequences.” This is how I feel about something. This is the way that I respond.
• “B” stands for my “Beliefs” about what happened to me. It is my Beliefs about what happened to me that ultimately determine the way I feel.

The ABC’s of Paul’s life:

•  A Paul’s Antecedents (his circumstances) - He is in chains.
• B His Belief - Jesus is Lord.
• C The Consequence to this is - I will rejoice.

Life is difficult. Jesus is Lord; therefore, I’ll rejoice.

Paul has a deeper aim for his life than pleasant circumstances.
His aim is to make his life a little conduit where God’s love and God’s grace and God’s power can be poured out into whatever circumstances he fi nds himself.

Our God is faithful.

Scripture
Philippians 2:14, James 1:2-3, John 16:33, Numbers 13:26-30, Philippians 1:12-18

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Message Notes

God’s promise is that the gifts of His Spirit will be used through us.

Ephesians 3
20 Now to him who is able to DO immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

• God’s power to DO is AT WORK in every Jesus Follower.
• God’s power is God’s ABILITIES WITHIN God’s people.
• Every Spiritual Gift only comes alive when Jesus followers USE IT.

Spiritual Gift Self-Assessment:
Galatians 3
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Scripture
Joel 2; Ephesians 1 & 3; Galatians 3; 1 Corinthians 12; John 15 & 16

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Message Notes
The gift of the Holy Spirit lives in the body of every Jesus-follower.
The gift of the Holy Spirit is unique to each Jesus-follower.
The gift of the Holy Spirit, when opened, connects us to the church.
The gift of the Holy Spirit unites the church in a common mission.

Choose Your Adventure
A Kevin is too busy to get involved right now—maybe later when life slows down.
B Kevin jumps at the chance to be a part of the project.
C Kevin is careful and wants to better understand his gifts before he makes a commitment.

Email A, B, or C to [email protected] to see what is next in Kevin’s GIFTED adventure.

Scripture
John 14:25-27; 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12; 1 Peter 4

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Message Notes

The Holy Spirit is a gift.
The Holy Spirit is a gift of power.
The Holy Spirit is a gift of power for everyone.
The Holy Spirit is a gift of power for everyone now.

Choose Your Adventure
A Kevin is private and chooses to do his own research to  explain his experience.
B Kevin can’t wait to tell his pastor about what has happened.
C Kevin is skeptical and wants to wait to see more proof.
 
Email A, B, or C to [email protected] to see what is next in Kevin’s GIFTED adventure.

Scripture
John 20:19-23; Acts 1 & 2; Acts 10:44-45; Acts 19:1-7

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Message Notes

• Our Divine Creator is offering us a feast that is more satisfying and more joyful than our favorite meal.
• This parable is so important for us today, because we are being invited to a full life, a life where every deep desire is provided for, a life of delight and wonder and joy.
• In this parable Jesus is teaching us about our values, our priorities, and our desires. Jesus is talking to us about what matters most.

Takeaways from the parable of the Great Feast:
1) Those who are full of other priorities will miss the feast.
2) Those who are full of self and status and stuff will miss the feast.
3) It is only the empty who can experience the fullness of the feast.
• Are you aware of your deep need for God’s kingdom? Are you hungry and desperate for his feast? Or are you content on your own, self-sufficient and all needs covered?
• Jesus invites us to his feast, to live life with-God, moment by moment

Scripture
Luke 14:15-24

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Message Notes
When Jesus gives this parable, He’s focusing on the soil. How the soil receives and responds to the seed. He doesn’t focus on the seeds because seeds so what they do, they grow.
This parable isn’t trying to tell us, “Make the seed grow!” It’s asking us, “Will you let the seed grow in you?
When we are the right soil, God’s Spirit grows in us and bears fruit in our lives that changes the lives of the people around us.

The big question is…”Which soil am I?” The soil makes a difference:
The footpath - We can be so set in our ways that we’re not going to change no matter what.
- Challenge – find someone to mentor.

The rocky soil – shallow roots
- Challenge – Join a growth group.

The thorny soil – the cares of the world crowd out the seed
- Challenge - Pray, “God, help me see my everyday to-do list as something that can be an act of worship.

The good soil – creates space for God to grow in our lives and to bear fruit
- Challenge - You hear, you embrace, you apply, and you take the next step.

Scripture
Mark 4:1-20, Isaiah 6:1-10 

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Message Notes
Readiness is key in the Kingdom of God already; but not yet. 

The Ten Virgins parable teaches us: 

• Christ’s return to earth is at an unknown hour and may seem like a delay. 
• There is wisdom in being prepared. 
• Preparedness cannot be transferred or shared. 
• A personal relationship with Jesus is essential. 

Scripture
Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 54:5-10; Matthew 7:21-23; Matthew 9:15; Matthew 24:36-44; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 21:34; John 3:5-6; John 3:16; John 3:27-30; John 14:6; John 17:3,5; John 17:3; Acts 17:11; Romans 14:16-19; I Corinthians 2: 11-14 II Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 5:23-32; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Timothy 4:3-4; Titus 2:11-14; Revelation 19:6-9; Revelation 22:6-21. 

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Message Notes
The Kingdom of God is revealed in the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl. 

The Kingdom of God is: 

• Priceless in value. 
• Encountered in different ways. 
• The source of and brings great joy. 
• Personally appropriated in our life. 

The Kingdom of God already; but not yet.
 
Scripture
Exodus 19:5; Psalm 135:4; Proverbs 2:1-7 (NLT); Matthew 6:19-21; Matthew 13:10-16, 36a 44-46; Luke 17:20-21; John 17:5; John 18:36; Acts 8:31; Acts 9:5-6; Romans 5:6-8; Romans 14:16-19; II Corinthians 8:9; Galatians 5:14; Ephesians 3:17-19; Ephesians 5:1-2; Philippians 2:5-8; Philippians 3:8-9; Colossians 3:14; Hebrews 10:24-25; I John 4:10,19

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Message Notes

Jesus told Parables to engage the imagination and unlock the Kingdom of God. 
The Kingdom of God is revealed in the Parable triplet of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son: 

1. Unexpected Investment 
2. Upside-down Value 
3. Relevant Always 

The greatest Parable impact comes when we find ourselves in the story. 

• We are the losers. 
• We are the finders. 
• We are the lost. 
• We are the found. 
• We are the waiters. 
• We are the partiers. 

Scripture
Luke 15; Matthew 18:12-14; Psalm 23; Jerimiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:11-16; Ephesians 2:1-5 

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Message Notes
Those closest to Jesus called him Rabbi or teacher, and his best-known lessons were short stories called parables.

Jesus didn’t tell parables to make everything clear, instead, he used parables to engage the imagination.

Unlike the stories of philosophy or religion, Jesus’ parables were about Himself and His mission: The Kingdom of God was coming to earth as it is in heaven.

Jesus used parables to teach The Kingdom of God, which is: Unexpected, Upside-down, and Relevant.

The Kingdom of God was Jesus’ mission. So, why did he use Parables?
Because they were Accessible Truths that held a Hidden Message.
Parables unlock how The Kingdom of God is still at work today.

What does the parable of the mustard seed unlock about The Kingdom of God?
Its Unexpected Impact, Upside-down Value and Relevant Potential.

Scripture
Matthew 13:10-13; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 13:31-32; Matthew 17:20

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