Turning Celebrity-ism Upside Down 2 Corinthians 11,12Paul’s Credentials: 1. I have been through many hardships.2. I have definite weaknesses.3. I have not asked you for financial help.4. I have had some unique personal spiritual experiences. 5. I have demonstrated spiritual gifts.6. I have loved you and been loyal to you.7. I have promoted truth.8. I have only been about Jesus.Advocating for Paul: 1. Don’t put Paul in a position where he has to speak for himself.2. Be ok with the fact that Paul has weaknesses.3. Remember—critical attitudes are not helpful, but helpful  attitudes are critical.4. Don’t expect Paul to deal with everything.5. Don’t be sucked in by the celebrity-ism of our culture. storylines prompt:Write about the person who has made the biggest difference in your life spiritually?  Talk about the different ways that he or she has made an impact on you and why?  Would you consider that person a celebrity?Sermon Resource Guide 

Turning Weakness Upside Down 2 Corinthians 11:1-101 – With Jesus your Weakness may be your greatest strength.2 – With Jesus Weakness has a purpose. What are weaknesses? Insults Hardships Persecutions Difficulties 3 – With Jesus we see through our weaknesses that our real strength comes from Him. Action Steps: Trust God with your weaknesses. Let God work in and through your weaknesses.Live in God’s sufficient grace to find power in times of weakness.Look to help others in their weakness by praying for them and pointing them to God’s sufficient grace.  Sermon Resource Guide

Turning Opposition Upside Down 2 Corinthians 10 Paul’s plan 1. Stand your ground.2. Try not to make it personal.3. Adopt a posture of humility.4. Refuse to play the power game.5. Work to know the truth.\6. Let God be God in your situation. storylines prompt:Identify a personal situation where you are facing or have faced  opposition.  Write about the situation in terms of a strategic plan or appropriate course of action to take. Sermon Resource Guide 

Turning Poverty Upside Down 2 Corinthians 8:1-15What generosity is really about...1. Generosity is about grace.2. Generosity is about community.3. Generosity is about sacrifice.4. Generosity is about attitude.5. Generosity is about faith—and trust.6. Generosity is about action.7. Generosity is about spiritual growth.8. Generosity is about love.9. Generosity is about imitation.10. Generosity is about equality.What generosity is really not about... storylines prompt:Reflect on a time when you were the recipient of generosity.  How did it impact you.  Or reflect on a time when you were able to be generous.  How did that affect you?Sermon Resource Guide

Turning Confrontation Upside Down 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 Rules of Confrontation1. When we confront, it must be for the right reason.2. When we confront, we must take the right approach. With concern With congeniality With confirmation With conciliation With a conversation Without contrariness Without contention Without condescension Without condemnation Without the need to convince 3. When we are confronted, we must respond the right way. 4. When we respond the right way, we will receive benefit. storylines prompt:Revisit a situation where you were involved in a confrontation—on either side. As you look back, write about your reflections and what  you either did or could have learned from it.   Sermon Resource Guide 

Turning Death and Life Upside Down 2 Corinthians 5:1-10Life Hacks1. We live with the realization that there is more to life than what we can see.2. We live with the belief that what is to come is better than what is.3. We live embracing this body and this life, limited though  they may be. 4. We live with the understanding that the present affects the future.5. We live boldly as our future is secure. 6. We live convinced that Jesus is better than anything this life has to offer. storylines prompt:1) Try to imagine and write out what you think the scene will be like when you get to heaven, or 2) imagine a conversation with someone you know who has already gone on to heaven. Sermon Resource Guide

The Book of UPSIDE DOWNTurning Discouragement Upside Down 2 Corinthians 4 Possible reasons for Paul to be discouraged...1. The church was not acting right.2. People that Paul cared about were not doing well.3. He was being unjustly maligned and attacked.4. He had faced extreme physical and emotional assault.5. Problems seemed to be coming from all sides.6. He faced feelings of failure, inadequacy, and self-doubt?   Truths to combat discouragement…1. We have the Holy Spirit in our lives.2. If we are doing the right thing for the right reason, we just need to keep on.3. Jars of clay are great treasure containers.  4. The blows of life can have limited impact.5. Inner renewal is more powerful than outer diminishment.6. Problems are not only temporary, they can have great potential.  An upside-down look:1. Choose not to be discouraged!  (It is a choice!)2. Tell yourself the truth about your situation.3. Refuse to give up!   storylines prompt:When have you experienced God’s comfort in your story?  Write about your experience.Have you been able to pass that comfort on to others?Resource Guide for Personal or Small Group use.

Turning Comfort Upside Down 2 Corinthians 1:3-11Five words:1. Comfort · The giving of strength and hope 2. Comfortable 3. Discomfort· Discomfort is often the catalyst for growth. 4. Comforted· God’s comfort is comprehensive.· God’s comfort is overflowing.· God’s comfort is capable.· God’s comfort is continuous. 5. Comforting· We can find meaning in hardship.· We can be helpful to others.· We can participate in the divine. An upside down look: The comfort is worth the hardship. storylines prompt:When have you experienced God’s comfort in your story?  Write about your experience.Have you been able to pass that comfort on to others? Sermon Resource Guide 

Waterford Community Church sermon from Saturday, December 24, 2022, in the yearlong theme Storylines as part of the series Tales of the Trees. This the final sermon entitled The Miracle Trees comes from Hebrews 4:15 is by Brent Wood.

Tales of the Trees: The Generosity Tree John 1:1-16The example of Jesus1.  He gave himself.2.  He gave family privileges.3. He gave unending, replenishing grace.4. He did not give money or things. The teaching of Jesus1.  Generosity is me passing along what I have been given. (Matthew 10:5-10)2.  Generosity is more than a financial transaction.3.  Generosity is a declaration of trust. (Luke 12:22-34)4.  Generosity is a matter of heart not a matter of  (religious) habit. (Matthew 23:23)5.  Generosity is one of the best ways to love our  neighbors. (Luke 10:25-37)