SermonAudio: MP3

Big Picture Question- How does waiting increase our love of God and others-----1- Waiting Fuels Worship--2- Waiting Fuels Community--3- Waiting Fuels Mission----Truth- Our waiting for the outworking and fulfillment of Jesus- work and mission fuels our worship, community, and service.----Application- Live knowing that Jesus grows our faith by creating a persevering love within the church as we worship and serve together.----Action- Pray for the faith to show grace to someone struggling this week.

Big Picture Question- What makes obedience so hard- ----1- God-s commands are clear.--2- God-s commands are personal.--3- God-s commands leave no wiggle room.----Truth- Obeying God is hard because His commands are clear and are contrary to our selfishness and pride.----Application- Live knowing that God-s commands are a way out of the muddled selfishness that we indulge in each day.----Action- 1 John 5-3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God-

Big Picture Question- How are our lives indicative of the kingdom we are building-----1- How We Respond to Our Needs--2- What We Pray For--3- Who We Defend----Truth- How we respond, what we pray for, and who we defend display the kingdom we serve.----Application- Live knowing Christ-s work on your behalf ransomed you out of the kingdom of self into the kingdom of God. ----Action- Pray for objectivity and seek accountability so you can make decisions consistent with the kingdom of God.

Big Idea- We live in the conflict of Godly vs earthly wisdom.----1- God reigns amid both Godly and earthly wisdom.--2- Earthly wisdom causes unnecessary pain--3- Godly wisdom speaks the truth in love.----Truth- God reigns in a world where earthly wisdom inflicts pain instead of love and grace.----Application- Live knowing that you have a constant and abundant supply of Godly wisdom to guide you in discerning how to speak and act in this world.----Action- Commit yourself to studying, understanding, and applying Godly wisdom in your personal and professional life.

Big Picture Question- How do we know that God can do anything-----1- God Knows Your Challenges--2- Nothing Can Hinder God--3- The Battle Belongs to the Lord----Truth- The Christian is called to act upon the faith that God-s power and plan will not be hindered in any personal battle, physical or spiritual.----Application- Live knowing that God intends to display His power through you in the midst of your personal battles.----Action- Pray that God would enable you to see your personal battles as opportunities for God-s power to be displayed in you, through the church, and to the world.

Big Picture Question- How do trials create greater worshipers-----1- Trials Make You Thankful for Peace--2- Trials Protect Your Heart from Pride--3- Trials Make Your Fearless----Truth- The trials of life are intended to create a worshipful thankfulness that protects our hearts from pride and to bolster us to greater faith.----Application- Live knowing that our moments of peace should prepare us to worship vibrantly, with no pride, and no retreat.----Action- In peace- Thank God, and ask Him to protect you from pride. In trials- Ask God to enable you to stand firm.

Big Picture Question- How does God redeem our painful and sinful circumstances-----1- He reminds us of His faithfulness--2- He reminds us of our need--3- He gives us hope----Truth- God-s faithful meeting of our needs redeems our sinful and painful circumstances and gives us hope for present and future grace.----Application- Live knowing that the memories of your hard times should give you hope that God will be faithful in your present need.----Action- Proverbs 3-11 Do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father, the son in whom he delights.

Big Picture Question- How does a Christian plan for a new year-----1- Purposefully Praise God--2- Repent Over the Sins of the Past Year--3- Make Plans and Offer Them to God----Truth- Planning for a Year begins best with praise, moves towards repentance, and then culminates in a prayerful offering of your desires to God.----Application- Plan for next year knowing that God graciously forgives your sins and will bless you with grace as you plan for 2018.----Action- Pray for God-s favor and the establishing of the work of your hands in 2018.