Party at Matt’s Place Matthew 9:9-13A. What Jesus saw         We need to see people as people—with needs. B. What Jesus said (to Matthew)         We need to understand how simple faith can be. C. What Matthew did  We need to be conscious of those who need an invitation. D. What Jesus did  We need to intentionally pursue relationships with those who  are “outsiders.” E. What the Pharisees “asked”  We need to realize that we can’t really know the heart of  God  until we care about the souls of men.  F. What Jesus said (to the Pharisees)  We need to get the word out—everyone eats!

The Banquet of the Broken Luke 14:15-24Three Groups:1. The Excuse makers· We make excuses when we make life all about us.· We make excuses when we prioritize the wrong things.· We make excuses when we don’t comprehend how good the banquet is. 2. The Broken· The broken are welcomed.· The broken are considered worthy.· The broken must be willing 3. The Servants· We are to GO OUT· We are to go out URGENTLY· We are to go out urgently so that EVERYONE EATS! Two words to consider:  Invest and Invite

The Story of Restoration John 18:12-27; 21:1-19Lessons from Peters’ Denials… 1st – I must Live by God’s Ways and not my Own Wisdom. 2nd – I must act by God’s Power and not my own strength.   3rd – I must Fear God more than I fear man. Jesus’ Restoring of Peter… 1. Peter Goes Fishing 2. Jesus Shows Up · He Restores the Joy of Peter · He Provides for Peter 3. Jesus Calls Peter to a Re-Commitment 4. Jesus Conclusion – Follow MeStorylines Journal:Are you Following Him? Does Jesus see a wide-open door to your heart that beats with a passion for Him or is there a sign swinging on the door of your heart that says, “Gone Fishin”?What are the “these” in your life? What are the “fish in your life”? What is it that takes you away from pursuing the Great Mission of God? 

The Centurion and His Slave Luke 7:1-10Five  questions1. Were the centurion and/or the slave deserving?· Grace is only available to those who are undeserving.· Jesus is drawn towards those who know they need grace. 2. Why did he appeal to Jesus’ authority?· Any authority, power or privilege that we have comes from God.· Jesus’ authority is either a great threat or our ultimate comfort. 3. Where exactly was Jesus in this story?· While Jesus has a human body he is not confined to it.· His presence and his power are always available. 4. Why did Jesus decide to help?· Our hope for mercy is based on Jesus’ love and compassion.  5. What does great faith look like? (or How can we amaze Jesus?) Storylines Journal:Write about this story as if you were the centurion looking back and remembering?  How did what happen affect you?

The Story of the Men in the Boat Matthew 14:22-361. The supposition Following Jesus may protect you from some problems yet expose you to others. 2. The opposition Following Jesus allows for your problems to have purpose. 3. The apparition Following Jesus means that you will never be alone in your problems. 4. The predisposition Following Jesus may preclude you from playing the safe game. 5. The exhibition Following Jesus offers you unexpected opportunities.  6. The recognition Following Jesus provides continual opportunities to experience him in new ways.  7. The metacognition Following Jesus provides a different perspective on the challenges of life.storylines prompt:Write about a time when you experienced a stormy sea moment.  Did you experience Jesus?  What do you learn about Him?  How did the story resolve? Sermon Resource Guide

The Story of the Doubting Father Mark 9:14-29Where do you struggle with doubt? 1. Understanding doubtA. Doubt and unbelief are not the same thing.B. Doubt and fear are not the same thing.C. Doubt is a reaction to uncertainty.D. There can be no such thing as faith without uncertainty. 2. Allowing for doubtA. Doubt and faith can coexist.B. Doubt neither threatens nor surprises God.C. Church needs to be the place where the doubtful—not the dogmatic—gather.D. Doubt is often the doorway to growth. 3. Overcoming doubtA. Acknowledge it.B. Pursue relationship over certainty.C. Focus on “faith enough”. Faith enough to ask.  Faith enough to act.D.  Don’t try to conjure up faith, ask for it!  4. What do you need to happen in your story?storylines prompt:Take some time to identify and then write out some of the doubts that you have. Instead of projecting them forward negatively, write a possible positive outcome for each. Sermon Resource Guide

The Story of the Invisible Woman Mark 5:21-241. What do we learn about the woman?A. Her life has not gone as she had hoped for or planned.B. She had done what she could to fix things, but to no avail.C. She had faced a long series of setbacks and disappointments.D. Things had gone from bad to worse.E. She was suffering. 2. What can we assume about her?A. She was frustrated, and maybe worse.B. She was exhausted.C. She was isolated—and invisible.D. She needed to be seen. 3. What happened to her?A. Jesus noticed her / saw her.B. Jesus affirmed her.C. Jesus commended her.D. Jesus healed her—not just her body. 4. What do you need to happen to you?storylines prompt:Write about a situation that you have experienced or observed in your own life where love was lacking.  Rewrite the story as to how it could have / should have been if love had been shown. Sermon Resource Guide

The Love Poem 1 Corinthians 13:1-131. Why love is better (and what it is better than) 2. What love is (and isn’t)Is…                                Is not...A. Patient                     A.  EnviousB. Kind                         B.  BoastfulC. Rejoices                 C.  ProudD. Protective              D.  DishonoringE. Trusting                   E.  Self-seekingF. Hopeful                    F.  Easily angeredG.  Persevering           G. Aware of the score 3.    What love does (or how it shows)A. Love is not a feeling.B. Love is not an action.C. Love is a posture.D. Love is a motive.E. Love is an initiative.F. Love is a fruit of the Spirit.storylines prompt:Write about a situation that you have experienced or observed in your own life where love was lacking.  Rewrite the story as to how it could have / should have been if love had been shown. Sermon Resource Guide 

A Poem for All Seasons Ecclesiastes 3:1-151. Observations on life (vs. 1-9)A. Life is short.B. Life is set out for us.C. Life is seasonal.D. Life is cyclical.E. Life is situational.F. Life is somewhat bleak.2.   Perspectives on life (vs. 10-15)A.  What God makes· He makes everything beautiful in its time.· He makes eternity a part of the human heart.B.  What God gives· The ability to experience joy.· The potential to do good while we live.· The appetite for food and drink.· The capacity to find satisfaction in a job well done.C.  What God does...· He does permanently.· He does perfectly.· He does purposefully. storylines prompt:Take a moment to step back from your life.  Write about some of your more recent experiences that have impacted you and why?  What have you learned about life and / or God?Sermon Resource Guide