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November 6, 2022                                                                                                 ExponentialWeek 1

Leaving a Legacy

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.  He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.  He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.  

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”  For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.  Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”  So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.  Luke 5:1-11

1. It’s Impossible to know what is possible.

We can’t wait or a dramatic sign before we take action.

1. Our Action activates the Extraordinary.

God moments have infinite potential!

(Abraham) You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete.  James 2:22

My Daily Decisions will determine my destiny.

1. We will leave a Legacy of Faith.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…  Ephesians 4:20

Discussion Questions:

Can you remember a small decision that made a major change in your life?

What are some of the Daily Decisions that can lead us closer to God and His plan for our lives?

Think of some ways you can put your actions with your Faith this week?

What kind of Legacy would you like to leave?

How can we leave a Legacy of Faith for the generations to come?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail

October 23, 2022                                                                                                 What’s the PointWeek 3

Excuse Me

There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.  Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.”    1 Samuel 9:1-3

“When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”  But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”  Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”1 Samuel 9:5-7

3 Thoughts on our Excuses:

1. Excuses always begin with “But!”

Where am I making excuses?________________________
 
 _________________________________________________

1. Excuses come from Pride and Fear.

“Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”  1 Samuel 9:5

Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”  1 Samuel 9:7

The Only 5 Fears we all share.

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

_______________________________

1. We overcome our Excuses with Faith.

The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.”  1 Samuel 9:8

Discussion Questions

What are some of the lamest excuses you have heard?

Why do you think it’s easy for us to fail the Pride test?

Who do you have in your life that can help you stay on track, even in you Donkey Mission?

Of the 5 Common Fears listed above, which do you struggle with?

How can you use your faith this week to challenge Fear and Pride?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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October 16, 2022                                                                                                 
What’s the PointWeek 2

Dealing with our Past

There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.  Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them. 1 Samuel 9:1-4

4 Truths for Us:

1. No Detail of our Story is Insignificant.

There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. Kish had a son named Saul, 1 Samuel 9:1

We are products of our past, 

but don’t have to be prisoners of it.

1. Our Past Matters to our Present more than we Realize.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9

1. What we won’t deal with, compounds in our life.

Struggles in my life that may stem from issues in my past: 

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

1. God wants to heal us of those things in our Past that can hold us back in the Future.

What do we do?

1. Notice it when it appears. 
2. Get some Help with it.
3. Get rid of it.

Discussion Questions

What are the biggest changes when you go back to your hometown?

Tell of a time when you unintentionally hurt someone.

Is it possible that some of the things you struggle with today are unresolved issues from your past?

What are some steps you can take to allow God to bring healing to your heart and settle your past?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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October 9, 2022                                                                                                 What’s the PointWeek 1

Donkey Mission

There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.  Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them. 1 Samuel 9:1-4

4 Truths about Donkey Missions:

1. Donkey Missions test our Patience.

When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”  1 Samuel 9:5

Our comfort and feelings are not God’s first priority.

1. Donkey Missions keep us Humble.

But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”  Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”  1 Samuel 9:6-7

1. Donkey Missions test our Integrity.

“Good,” Saul said to his servant. “Come, let’s go.” So they set out for the town where the man of God was.  As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”  “He is,” they answered. “He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place.  1 Samuel 9:10-12

1. Donkey Missions are always about Something Greater than Donkeys.

Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”  When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”  1 Samuel 9:16-17

3 Challenges:

1. Just start being faithful to you Donkey Mission!
2.  Don’t let anything be beneath you!
3. Stop seeing things as Pointless and start seeing them as Practice.

Discussion Questions

Talk about a time when you were on a Donkey Mission.

Can you remember a time when God was working, but it was difficult to see it in the moment?

How can we trust God more in those pointless moments?

What are some things in your life that draw you closer to God in dark times?

What things tend to pull you away from your identity as God’s son or daughter?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

Send us Fan Mail

September 25, 2022                                                                                                 Gospel CultureWeek 1

Be My Witnesses

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Acts 1:3-8

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

4 Groups of People we are to Be Witnesses to:

1. Our Jerusalem

People in my “Sphere of Influence”

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

1. Judea

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

1. And Samaria

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:43-45

1. The Ends of the Earth

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

Discussion Questions

Have you ever been able to share your faith in public?

Do people know you are a Christian before you tell them?

What is your biggest hurdle to inviting people to church?

Can the Body of Christ help people get closer to God?

Who do you know that is disconnected from the Church?

How can you get creative and invite them to Relate?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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August 21, 2022                                                                                                 Solid Ground Week 4

We the Jury…

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-27

Exhibit A: The  Historic evidence. 

1. Eyewitness accounts.
2. Recorded and copied with extreme care.
3. Archeological confirmation. 

Exhibit B: The  Scientific evidence. 

Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being.  He set them in place forever and ever.  His decree will never be revoked.  Psalm 148:5-6 NLT

The earth was flat.
 God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. Isaiah 40:22 (NIV)

The earth has to be held up.
 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.  Job 26:7 (NIV)

The number of stars could be counted.
 ...the stars of the sky cannot be counted. Jeremiah 33:22 (NLT)

Things Science can’t prove

Metaphysical Truth

Aesthetic truth

Moral Truth

Experiential Truth

Logical Truth

Exhibit C: The  Prophetic Evidence. 

The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true.  The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, set his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”  Revelation 22:6

Exhibit D: The Thematic Evidence. 

The Holy Bible was written over a period of 1600 years in over a dozen countries on three continents by 40 people in three different languages. 

Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.                   Luke 24:27 NLT

Exhibit E: It is Trusted by Jesus. 

 “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:18 (NIV)

Exhibit F: It has Survived all Attacks. 

 “...the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25 (NIV)

Exhibit G: I Am the Evidence. 

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 (NIV)

•   I’m Not Convinced
•   I Accept the Bible as God’s flawless word and accept it as my final Authority.  I will live God’s Word.

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved