Sunday Sermons

Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Followers of Christ must not resent, retaliate, or rejoice when an enemy suffers. Romans 12:17-19

Do not allow bitterness and resentment to destroy you. Isaiah 43:25, Philippians 4:8, James 1:22

Joseph faced a lot of pain in his life, but he made wise choices. That's why we still tell his story today. Genesis 37:1-11 & 39:19-40:23

God loves faithfulness, patience, and forgiveness. Romans 2:4, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Choose the relationship, not yourself.*

Within committed relationships, we must honor others and our commitments to them more than our own feelings and desires. Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:31-32

Love your enemies.

We must act on their behalf—meet their needs and treat them well. Luke 6:27-28, Proverbs 24:17-20 & 25:21-22

Pray for those who hurt you.

We must pray humbly and specifically for their good. Luke 6:28, 1 Peter 2:20-21, 23

This week, I will...

*Jesus does NOT endorse abuse, and extreme cases require extreme action. “Turn the other cheek” does NOT mean “never leave an abusive and genuinely dangerous situation.”

Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

We all face temptation; it's when, not if.

Pray and watch for the way out God always provides! No matter how it seems or feels, God is always with us. 1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 4:1-11, Genesis 39

We must stay pure...

Focus on the good stuff, refuse and avoid the bad stuff. Ephesians 5:3, James 4:7

...for God

God does not tempt us, but He does lead us into temptation. Sometimes“delivering us from evil” requires facing temptation. James 1:13-16, Matthew 6:13, Luke 22:42

...for ourselves

Don't play the victim! You are a child of God! Live like it! 1 John 3:10 & 4:4; Philippians 2:14-15, 1 Corinthians 6:18

...for those tempting us

Our sins don't just affect us; sin works like a disease. Romans 14:12-13

...for those watching us

Jesus is the Source of our power our Ultimate Example. Hebrews 4:14-16

This week, I will...

Last summer, multiple speakers kicked off the year with a series called OTHERS FIRST. Like all of the 2018-2019 series, this one explored 1) what the Bible actually says, and 2) how we, as a congregation, are trying to apply what the Bible says. This year, we are building on that foundation. We will revisit each of our core themes assuming that everyone knows what we're talking about and why it's important, focusing on how, when, and where. Each message this year will primarily offer practical application, with lots of stories, inspiration and deeper insight to fuel the fire. The title of this series is "How To Tell The Story..." and each sermon will complete that sentence with a different scenario.

Speaker: David Pryor, Discipleship Minister

Notes:

How we as Christians handle suffering, tragedies, disappointments, and even death can negatively affect our spiritual growth and our witness—or it could be a great source of spiritual growth, expand the scope of our ministry, and become our most effective witness. Others are watching how live our lives.

Trust and be obedient even when you don't understand.

In addition to experiencing illness, disease, tragedies, and death, we will also face persecution. And the closer we get to the return of our Lord, the greater our persecution will be. John 15:20, Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 14:22, 2 Timothy 3:12, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

The answer to the problem of evil and suffering is not a philosophy but a Person; not words, but the Word. Hebrews 4:15, 2:18 & 12:2-3, 1 Peter 2:20-21

“How the believer deals with undeserved suffering may be the primary witness of God's goodness, justice, grace and love—not only to the sufferer, but to a non- believing world.” - Larry Waters

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Serve like you are serving Christ.

Your answer to Jesus's question, “Who do you say that I am?” will be revealed in your lifestyle, the words you speak, your demeanor, your intonation—in everything you do. Christ shared in our suffering; we are to share in His. Luke 24:26, Daniel 7:27, 1 Peter 4:13 & 5:9, Philippians 1:29 & 3:10, Romans 8:17-18, Acts 5:41, Colossians 1:24, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 12:3, 1 Peter 2:21

Persevere and grow through suffering.

Satan wishes to destroy our faith through suffering; God desires to refine our faith using the same situations. 1 Peter 4:1, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5 & 8:28, 32, 38-39, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Hebrews 3:15, 1 Peter 5:7 & 4:19, Matthew 18:20

This week, I will...

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20

With fresh eyes, we're circling back to The Great Commission. Over the course of this series we break down our four banners, and some other foundational values of our church.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

We're part of The Story, and our Hero will be with us till the end!

John 1:1-18, Acts 4:12

Jesus expects 100% commitment. If we die, we die; living means following Jesus. Strategic outreach defines our lives as we go and make disciples. We must pray, and tell the story, and live the story. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Ezekiel 33:7-9, Romans 12:1-2

This summer, I am reaching out by...

To make disciples of all nations requires intentional diversity—which means teaming up, using all our gifts and skills, not leaving anyone out. Everyone is invited into both salvation and transformation. 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 John 2:4-5 & 3:24

This summer, I will team up with _______ to reach _______.

New believers must be immersed into Christ and taught to obey everything Christ commands. Jesus expects spiritual growth and spiritual fruit. Acts 2:38, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 6:1-14

We succeed through transparent connections to God and to others.

John 15, Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:25, Matthew 7:20

This summer, I will connect more deeply with God by...

This summer, I will connect more deeply with others by...

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20

With fresh eyes, we're circling back to The Great Commission. Over the course of this series we break down our four banners, and some other foundational values of our church.

Speaker: Billy Knieriem, Student Minister

Notes:

Life was not meant to be lived alone!

Genesis 2:18

We need each other

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Hebrews 10:24-25, 13:16; James 5:16; Gala- tians 6:2; Romans 12:13, 15; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Pride Tells us we can do it all ourselves

Psalm 10:4; Proverbs 18:1

Connection is about more than just “Being here”We are part of God's family

John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 2:19; Galatians 4:4-7

Open Communication is the key to healthy relationships What we say is what we do

Matthew 5

The church is not a spectator sport

James 1:22-25

The goal is connection, not perfection To form deeper connections, I will...

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20

With fresh eyes, we're circling back to The Great Commission. Over the course of this series we break down our four banners, and some other foundational values of our church.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

We strategically and intentionally make disciples among every nation.

Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, John 3:16-17

Jesus saves us from much more than eternal punishment. He constantly spoke about rebirth and transformation in this life, here and now. Matthew 1:21, 10:22, 19:25, 24:13 & Acts 2:37-38

To call on the Name of the Lord and to be saved means fully surrendering to His Ultimate Authority. It's something we do and keep on doing. Matthew 7:21; Acts 2:21, 2:40, 2:47, 4:12, 11:14, 16:31 & 2:37-47

We prepare the way for the Lord and soften our hearts. The Holy Spirit pro- duces His fruit in our lives. Luke 8:4-15; Psalm 14:1, 19:14, & 85:13; Galatians 5:19-26

God expects us to grow and to mature as we live our lives for Him. Trials and temptations are like spiritual chemotherapy. Hebrews 5:11-14, James 1:2-5, Galatians 6:7-9

The more we are transformed, the more Jesus (the Head) lives His life through us (His body). Luke 8:1-3, Ephesians 4:14-16, Philippians 3:7-21

To form deep roots, I will...
To weed out distractions, I will...
To grow and become more mature, I will...

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20

With fresh eyes, we're circling back to The Great Commission. Over the course of this series we break down our four banners, and some other foundational values of our church.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

“All nations” means every distinct people group in the world, and God has always had a world-wide vision. Jeremiah 3:17, Matthew 24:12-14 & 27-31

Noting differences is strategic, but labeling does more harm than good. There is no such thing as a ______. For example, there is not such thing as a perfect mother.

Psalm 86:16; Proverbs 6:20, Isaiah 66:13 Genesis 1-3, Genesis 12-23, Hebrews 11:11, 1 Peter 3:1-6 Genesis 26:1-28:5

Joshua 2 & 6:23-25; Matthew 1:5, Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25, 1 Kings 3:16-28, Matthew 1-2 & 27-28, Luke 1-2 & 11:27-28, John 2:1-12, Mark 3:20-34, Luke 11:27-28, Acts 1:14

For us, diversity does NOT mean tolerance of sin or relative truth. Matthew 7:13-14, John 14:6, Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

For us, diversity means seeing the image of God in all people and offering salvationand transformation to everyone, everywhere. Revelation 5:9, Psalm 139:13, Isaiah 49:1, Jeremiah 1:5

We are striving to become more and more...

...multigenerational

...outreach-focused

...unified Lord, I will...

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20

With fresh eyes, we're circling back to The Great Commission. Over the course of this series we break down our four banners, and some other foundational values of our church.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

In Act 3 of The Ultimate Story, we are the disciples / apostles.

Matthew 23:11, Philippians 2:1-11

We all have lots of chances to turn back, we must go on, team up, and get the job done. We must find unity in our shared passion for our shared purpose. Matthew 24:14 & 28:18-20, Acts 1:8

To reach the ends of the earth, we...To reach our Judea and Samaria, we...To reach our Jerusalem, we...

Accomplishing great things always requires strategy, hard work, andGod's provision. In the Bible, these are often symbolized by birds. Ephesians 4:16, Matthew 24:14

We must intentionally reverse the 80/20 ratio to succeed. Most of the people should do most of the work—and most of the work done should beeffective. Matthew 25:31-46

What is the most effective thing I can do?

Lord, I will play my part.

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20

With fresh eyes, we're circling back to The Great Commission. Over the course of this series we break down our four banners, and some other foundational values of our church.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Last week, we celebrated Jesus Christ's rise to power as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords—the Ultimate Story. Philippians 2:1-11

ACT 1: The Old Testament, Christmas, Palm Sunday

ACT 2: Holy Week

ACT 3: The Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom was the plan all along.

Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:1-3, 4:17 & 7:21; Luke 12:31-32

After the Resurrection, this was even more clear.

Acts 1:18 & 8:12, 1 Corinthians 4:20

The Ultimate Authority of Jesus empowers us!

Colossians 1:6, 9-14; Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 28:18-20

The Ultimate Servant commands us to serve.

John 3:30 & 13:1-17; Matthew 26:36-46, Ephesians 4:12, 1 Peter 4:10-11

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20

With fresh eyes, we're circling back to The Great Commission. Over the course of this series we break down our four banners, and some other foundational values of our church.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Not taking God's Name in vain means...

Exodus 20:7, 33:19, 34:6-8

The gospel is the ultimate story (see John Eldridge's Epic). Philippians 2:1-11

The Beginning

Genesis 1-2, John 1:1-5

The Brokenness

Genesis 3

The Unlikely Hero

Isaiah 53, 1 John 1:1-3, John 1:9-14

The Hopeful Fellowship

John 3:16-21

The Death of Hope

Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-41, Luke 22:39-46, John 17:1-5

The Miraculous Victory

Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24-Acts, John 20-21, 1 John 4

To bow my knee to Christ, I will...

To proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, I will...