Christmas: Love RevealedGod’s Forgiveness: Matthew 1:18-23December 20, 2015Please turn to Matthew 1:18-23Michael’s Personal Goal: To properly respond to forgiveness offered through ChristJesus: The Lord saves or Jehovah is SalvationChristmas and Forgiveness 1.Forgiveness executed in love will blend both judgment and empathyApp: “I’m sorry; will you please forgive me?” 2.Forgiveness executed in love creates vulnerability (v. 18) App: Would you be so vulnerable as to forgive, or ask to be forgiven? 3. Forgiveness executed in love makes relationships possible (v. 22-23)17Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. 18 All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into His friends and gave us the task of making others His friends also. 19 Our message is that God was making all human beings His friends through Christ. God did not keep an account of their sins, and He has given us the message which tells how He makes them His friends. 2Corinthians 5:17-19So what do we do with this?•Receive forgiveness: Have you received Christ’s offering?•Give forgiveness: What is the specific sin and person that needs your forgiveness?What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

2Peter: Must Know TruthsYour Source: 2Peter 1:12-21December 13, 2015Please turn to 2Peter 1:12-21 Michael’s Personal Goal: to never wonder if a life lived in faith was worth it1: Established in Truth (V 12-15) App: We must remind each other of God’s Truths 2: Truth Vs Myth (V 16-18) A: Myth (Gr. Mythos): tales, fables, fictions made up by people to illustrate life, or some spiritual truth, or simply to entertain B: Coming (Gr. Parousia): presence. Only used in New Testament to describe Christ’s second comingC: Eye-witness: This is about apostolic authority App: Be reminded: the Word of God is Truth you can stand on3: The Prophetic Word: The authority of Scriptures in their entiretyApp: To hold onto the Scriptures as God’s True Word A: God’s Word: the only reliable life-springB: No experience holds greater authority than the ScripturesWhat is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

2Peter: Must Know TruthsBearing Fruit: 2Peter 1:1-11December 6, 2015Please turn to 2Peter 1:1-11 Michael’s Personal Goal: to never wonder if a life lived in faith was worth itFor Those in Search of Purpose:1: Some things to know (V 2-4)•Knowledge (V 2,8-epignsis): It’s about a relationship: to truly know GodQuestion: Do you know Him? •Calling on your life (V 3, 10)Question: Do you have a sense of calling on your life? (ref. 2Corinthians 1:20-22 NIV)2: Some things to be about (V 5-9): “Give all diligence” (idiom): App: to bring every personal effort along side of the greater work that God is already doing (ref. Philippians 2:12b-13 NIV)1: Moral Excellence (V 5): Includes courage to stand2: Knowledge (V 5): Obtained by observation and experience and works in the everyday world3: Self-Control (V 6): No other masters4: Perseverance (V 6): Patient endurance that keeps us from wandering, or being pushed off the path5: Godliness (V 6): The right attitude toward God and others6: Brotherly Kindness (V 7): Treat others the way you wish they would treat you whether they reciprocate or not 7: Love (V 7): Agape’: The will to loveWhat is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

1Peter: Living HopeHand to Hand Combat: 1Peter 5:8-14November 29, 2015Please turn to 1Peter 5:8-14 Michael’s Personal Goal: to stand strong in the Lord and in His mighty power1 (V 8): Be Aware; there is an Adversary Adversary: literally an opponent in a court of law. …the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:10b.There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1Devil (Diabolos): related to, or characteristic of the devil App 1: Take the devil seriously App 2: Don’t overestimate his power 2 (V9): Resist (anthistaymee) him: the adversary’s got nothing on you Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:7-8a10 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 NIVApp: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power3 (V 10-11): Eternal Hope: God will use it allApp: Hold onto your hope. God will use all of it What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

1Peter: Living HopeRecipe for Relief: 1Peter 5:5-7November 22, 2015Please turn to 1Peter 5:5-7 Michael’s Personal Goal: to cast my care on Him, knowing He cares1 (V 5): Submitting to one anotherApp: Respect the elder, listen to the younger and learn from each other2 (V 6): Humbling ourselves under God’s mighty handHumble ourselves = Submitted willingness5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; 7 rather, He made Himself nothingby taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himselfby becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest placeand gave Him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 NIVApp: Humbly obey God regardless of the present results3 (V 7): Casting caresApp: Cast your care on Him knowing He cares for youWhat is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

1Peter: Living HopeWhat’s a Shepherd: 1Peter 5:1-4November 15, 2015Please turn to 1Peter 5:1-4 Michael’s Personal Goal: To remain teachable, delegate well, laugh at myself and rest V 1: “fellow elder”: Peter was humbleApp: Pride has no place in church leadershipV 2: “Shepherd the flock.” Poimaino (Gr. Verb): to tend a flockPoimen (Gr. Noun): a pastor App: a pastor is present with the sheepFunctions of an Elder (V 2b)1.Willingness; Not Under Compulsion App: Make a choice. Do what you do because you want to“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24 NIV2.Eagerly; Not for Financial Gain (ref. 1Timothy 5:17-18 NIV; 1Corinthians 9:9) App: Do what you do as doing for the Lord Himself3.Role model; Not a Tyrant (ref. Matthew 9:37b-38)What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

1Peter: Living HopeUnscathed by the Fire: 1Peter 4:12-19November 8, 2015Please turn to 1Peter 4:12-19 Michael’s Personal Goal: God is faithful: rest in HimThree responses to trials1 (V 12): Don’t be surprised by trials (ref. 1Cor. 15:22-26, John 11:1, John 16:33)Why does a good God allow bad things to happen to good people? So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer, too. 1Peter 4:1aFor our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 2Corinthians 4:17 NLT2 (V 13): Rejoice in the midst of trialsMy brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4Five truths to hold on to in the midst of fiery trialsa (V 14): Trials put us in a place of dependence upon Godb (V 15): Sometimes we bring trials on ourselvesc (V 16): Don’t be ashamed in the midst of trialsd (V 17a): Trials are often timely and necessarye (V 17b): Justice will come to those who bring trials3 (V 19): Entrust your life to GodWhat is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?App (V 10): Use whatever gift you have been given to serve What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

1Peter: Living HopeMarching Orders: 1Peter 4:7-11November 1, 2015Please turn to 1Peter 4:7-11 Michael’s Personal Goal: To live my life as if Jesus really is coming soon.Main Idea (V 7): The end of all things is at handWhat does it mean? The present order of things could change at any momentApp: Keep watch, for you do not know the day or the hour (see Matthew 25:1-13, 26:41) App: How’s your oil supply? Three Marching Orders (V 7) 1: Be serious in your prayer: Sober. Keep a clear headApp: stay sober to the priorities of God’s Word 2: Watchful in your prayer (V 7): Sleeplessly vigilant: ready-ready App: Stay awake and be ready3: Fervent in love: The badge of the believer is love “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35App (V 8): Love one another ferventlyApp (V 9): Be hospitable to one another without grumblingApp (V 10): Use whatever gift you have been given to serve What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

1Peter: Living HopeAll Eyes on Jesus: 1Peter 3:18-22October 18, 2015Please turn to 1Peter 3:18-22 Michael’s Personal Goal: to be assured that Christ will see me throughV 18a: Spirit Vs spirit: Not referring to the Holy Spirit, but Jesus in His out of body formWhat was Jesus doing on Saturday (between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday)?App: We don’t need all the answers, just our storyV 18b: “…to bring us to God…”: “to gain audience at court.” App: Are you ready to meet the King? V 19: He was proclaiming His victory over darkness (ref. Acts 2:31: Hades Vs Hell; Genesis 6:1-4: fallen angels; Matthew 22:30: angels don’t marry; Hebrews 2:16: Jesus didn’t come for angels)“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1Cor. 15:55-58 App: Will your funeral be void of hope or full of hope? V 20b-21: Noah’s flood as a model of believer’s baptismApp: What is keeping you from going public with your faith? What is God’s Spirit speaking into your life today? How must you respond?

Triumph in Trials and TribulationPastor John Stocker: www.truthwithjohn.comOctober 11, 2015A: WARNING: Be careful what you classify as unchangeable and irreversible situations of lifeFact: Prayer changes thingsFact: There is a time to trust God for a miracle (ref. 1Peter 4:12) -STRANGE (Xen’os) = strange or stranger -STRANGE (Xen id’zo) = to “Host” a stranger (ref. Lev. 19:34)App: You are the only one who can determine if God wants you to stand in faith for God to work a miracle for youB: DAVID: How to be a perpetual praiser in both situationsDavid acknowledged God in his pastDavid acknowledged God in his presentDavid acknowledged God in his futureQuestions: -Of the three, which is the most difficult?-Which is the most important?-How can we know the answer to those questions?“Thou shall”: (future tense): used 26 times.“Thou art”: (present tense): 51 times“Thou hast”: (past tense): 151 times (ref. Isaiah 55:8-9)App: Praisers learn to acknowledge that God will be there in their future and that He will be faithfulC: PAST AND PRESENT: What about it?Question: Why do people say, “You can’t live in the past?”Question: Don’t present problems tend to dim our vision of the present blessings?(ref. Psalms 103:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:9 (CEB))App: Your present may not be so goodApp: The God of your past hasn’t changedApp: He is worthy of your praise!