Sunday Sermons

Our faith doesn't protect us or exempt us from opposition, so how can we best prepare for it? Billy, our prospective Youth Minister is here is help break it down for us.

Speaker: Billy Kneiriem, Student Minister

Notes:

Nehemiah 4

Our faith doesn't protect us or exempt us from opposition. (John 16:33; Exodus 14:14)

Everyone faces Opposition:

Opposition in circumstances

Opposition in relationships

Spiritual Opposition

How can we prepare for opposition?

1. Get a team around you (Nehemiah 4:16-17a)

2. Have your weapon ready (Nehemiah 4:17b – 18; Hebrews 4:12)

3. Be prepared to stand-to (1 Peter 5:8)

It's time to get our battle paint on!

Imagine you are handed a screw and a painting and are tasked with hanging it on the wall. Would you rather use a regular screwdriver or an electric drill? Your answer should be obvious. Every year was take at least a month or two to talk about the Spiritual Disciplines, which are (in John Pryor's words), the spiritual equivilent of power tools.

"Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you want to get serious about your faith? These Spiritual Disciplines are here for you. Follow along with this series if you want to learn how you might better integrate them into your daily life.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

God's universal will for all of us never changes.

His individual will for us always fits into The Big Picture:Matthew 28:18-20

1) Follow Jesus
2) Build His Kingdom
3) Transform – truly become like Him

Jesus expects us to do what our Father asks us to do.

Matthew 21:28-32, Philippians 3:7-14

Spiritual Disciplines are tools not rules.

While Service is also a spiritual gift, ALL believers serve.

Romans 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:13, Matthew 20:28

When we practice the spiritual disciplines, we obey because we choose to put our King first. But practicing Service will help you experience supernat6ural results and transformation.

The 10 Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1-13) – Time

The 3 Servants (Matthew 25:14-30) – Talents and Treasure

The sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46)

Lord, I will...

Imagine you are handed a screw and a painting and are tasked with hanging it on the wall. Would you rather use a regular screwdriver or an electric drill? Your answer should be obvious. Every year was take at least a month or two to talk about the Spiritual Disciplines, which are (in John Pryor's words), the spiritual equivilent of power tools.

"Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Do you want to get serious about your faith? These Spiritual Disciplines are here for you. Follow along with this series if you want to learn how you might better integrate them into your daily life.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Spiritual Disciplines are like power tools.

They connect us to God's power, get the job done - & change us.

We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-, 1 Corinthians 9:24).

Everything truly worthwhile requires time, hard work, and faithfulness.

“All for the Prize” is a world view and a lifestyle.

Philippians 3:7-14, Mark 10:25, Proverbs 15:16, Ecclesiastes 4:6

In Simplicity, we prioritize God and Others.

We get rid of all our idols and distractions.

Matthew 6:24, Hebrews 13:5

Giving is a natural expression of Simplicity.

Matthew 6:33

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:7-8

In Acts 1, Jesus left us with a model for evangelism. Jerusalem --> Judea --> Samaria --> Ends of the Earth. To us, this might not make sense at first. To his disciples, it meant everything.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

The Kingdom of Heaven is where God rules as King.

Acts 1:1-8 “And you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

God's Kingdom vision is worldwide.

John 3:16-17 Acts 2:5-12 Genesis 12:3 & 18:18

Psalm 46:10 Psalm 67:2-7 Psalm 87:4

God always chooses to use people.

Acts 8:4-6 Matthew 28:18-29 Isaiah 2:2-4

Matthew 24:14 “And the good news about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end willcome.”

There are about 6,900 unreached “nations” (2.8 billion people).

Please take a moment to pray for them.

Please take a moment to pray for and encourage our missionaries.

Please ask God to show you how He wants you to send or go.

Lord, I will...

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:7-8

In Acts 1, Jesus left us with a model for evangelism. Jerusalem --> Judea --> Samaria --> Ends of the Earth. To us, this might not make sense at first. To his disciples, it meant everything.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

The Kingdom of Heaven is where God rules as King.

Acts 1:1-8 And you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem...

Our Samaria is where “THEY” are:

John 3:16-17, James 2:9, Matthew 5:43-48

(“Perfect” here means grown up.)reached it's goal; mature...

Jesus and a Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-12)

Whom would YOU be shocked to see with Jesus?

Jesus and a Samaritan Leper (Luke 17:11-19)

How do YOU see “us vs them” more than “right vs wrong”?

The Samaritan Neighbor (Luke 10:30-37)

Whom would Jesus cast if He told YOU this story?

How does God want US to be good neighbors?

Lord, I will...

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:7-8

In Acts 1, Jesus left us with a model for evangelism. Jerusalem --> Judea --> Samaria --> Ends of the Earth. To us, this might not make sense at first. To his disciples, it meant everything.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Our good King demands complete obedience.

Matthew 7:21, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like...”

“...a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32)

“...yeast in dough (Matthew 13:33)

“And you will be My witnesses in...” (Acts 1:8)

Judea our community

We must live like Kingdom citizens...

Matthew 7:1-5, 16:5-12, 1 John 1:8-9...weeds (unsafe people)

...wheat (safe people)

These definitions are based on Safe People

by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.

When we really see the King, we are... (Isaiah 6:1-8)

...cleansed

...called

“Here I am. Send me.”

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes into your life. You will tell about Me in the city of Jerusalem and over all the countries of Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” - Acts 1:7-8

In Acts 1, Jesus left us with a model for evangelism. Jerusalem --> Judea --> Samaria --> Ends of the Earth. To us, this might not make sense at first. To his disciples, it meant everything.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Acts 1:1-8 The Rest of the Great Commission

Jerusalem - Family, Church Family, Closest Friends

Judea - Community, People We See Often

Samaria - People Across Cultural Boundaries

Ends of the earth - Every Distinct People Group

Jesus' stories about the Kingdom include:

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like...”

...a sower scattering seed (Matthew 13:1-23)

...a farmer and his enemy (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

...a great treasure (Matthew 13:44-45)

Complete obedience to God is the common theme.

Matthew 7:21, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20,

In our families, our church, and among our closest friends:

Fellowship: Unity based on a shared purpose

1 John 1:3, John 17:21, Proverbs 6:19

Intentional Love: Acting, not just reacting

Galatians 6:10, 1 Peter 2:17, Romans 14:19 & 15:2

Grace: Giving each other chances and room to grow

and Persistence: Never totally giving up on someone we love Luke 12:31, Acts 6:1-7, Matthew 6:14-15

OK God I will...

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25

Jesus said over and over again that we should build our lives on his teachings, but what does that truly involve? Join us as we break down the last words Jesus left us (The Great Commission) and the apostles' response to them.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

Jesus wants a growing kingdom, not a fortress. See Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:37-47.

Our story today is in Acts 12.

1 Thessalonians 5:17: never stop praying.

Philippians 4:6: Supplication means asking humbly and earnestly.

Thanksgiving means giving thanks.

Prayer is syncing ourselves with God and His will.

Colossians 1:9-10 Paul's Constant Prayer

The Example Jesus Set in Prayer

Matthew 14:23, 26:36-46; Luke 5:16, 6:12; John 17

Some of Jesus' Teaching About Prayer

Matthew 5:44, 6:5-18, 7:7, 9:38; Mark 11:24-25; Luke 18:1-14 John 17:20-21

What Jesus Prayed For Us

God wants to answer Jesus' prayers through us!

OK, God, I will...

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25

Jesus said over and over again that we should build our lives on his teachings, but what does that truly involve? Join us as we break down the last words Jesus left us (The Great Commission) and the apostles' response to them.

Speaker: David Pryor, Discipleship Minister

Notes:

The Passover – Exodus 1:12

Deliverance from slavery – Exodus 3:7-8

Deliverance from God's judgment – Exodus 12:13

Saved by substitute sacrifice of a lamb without defect – Exodus 12:3-5

The fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham – Exodus 6:2-7

It was to be remembered and celebrated – Exodus 12:14

The Lord's Supper's correlation with the Passover

Deliverance from the slavery of our sins – Romans 6:6,14

Deliverance from death – Romans 6:23

We have been spared by a substitute sacrifice – Romans 3:25

Christ began the new covenant for all peoples with his blood – Ephesians 1:7; 2:13

The Lord's Supper is to be celebrated and remembered – 1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 11:25; Hebrews 10:23-25

The “when” of our observance is not as important as the “how” – Galatians 3:26-28; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The Lord's Supper is a feast of covenant and remembrance, and the covenant is that of fellowship with Christ and each other.

Two additional meanings of significance: “You proclaim the Lord's death” “Until he comes”

Warning: Partaking in an unworthy manner – 1 Corinthians 11:27; 29-30

Judge and examine ourselves Prepare before/as you come

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25

Jesus said over and over again that we should build our lives on his teachings, but what does that truly involve? Join us as we break down the last words Jesus left us (The Great Commission) and the apostles' response to them.

Speaker: John Pryor, Senior Minister

Notes:

God wants us to have fellowship with Him and with each other.

Fellowship is built around a shared purpose. Everyone is devoted to their vision and to each other.

In the Acts 2 church, there were simply believers and non-believers.

All the believers met together daily and sharedeverything they had.

The basics about God and money:

1) God owns it all. We are just stewards. Luke 3:11-13, Proverbs 3:5-6

2) God loves first fruits. Genesis 4:3-7, Proverbs 3:9, Mark 12:41-44

3) God blesses tithes and offerings (a.k.a. trust).Malachi 3:6-12

4) The two greatest commandments apply to everything.Luke 3:7-14 & 6:37-38

Lord, I will....