John 14:16,17; 16:5-121. The premise -  “It’s better that I leave so that the Holy Spirit can come.”2. His person -  He is not a force but a Person.  3. His purpose -  He is here to help you!4. His presence -  He indwells us.5. The promise -  “I will send Him.”    Takeaways:1. The Holy Spirit has come—and lives inside of us.  2. His presence in us should make a difference in our lives.3. We can live with assurance.4. We are never alone.5. We have a Helper.6. It’s not enough to know about the Holy Spirit; we can know Him. What faith step do you need to take?

filtersThe conclusion of our Words series revisits all the places we've been, but also all the places we still need to go.Psalm 19:14Jesus/Luke 6:45 1. The words we say reveal the condition of our hearts.2. We need to listen carefully to our words, but also to others' words.James/James 1:19-203. One of our most powerful communication tools is listening.4. Be slow to speak.5. Avoid anger and making attempts to overpower.Soloman/Proverbs 18-216. Never underestimate the power of your words.7. The better your words, the better your life.Paul/Ephesians 4:29, 308. Your faith should information your words.9. It's not enought to avoid saying the wrong thing, we must choose to say the right thing.10. The words we say are to be gifts of grace (also Col. 4:6)David/Psalm 19:1411. We must learn to live with a filter.12. Remember that God is our ultimate audience.

up wordsWords are a reflection of your faith, so our faith should inform your words. That's not always what happens, however. The question we should ask of our conversations is: Do they give grace. Ephesians 4:29-5:4Guidelines1. Your words are a reflection of your faith / your faith should inform your words. 2. It’s not enough to stop saying what you shouldn’t; you must start saying what you should.    - The replacement principle3. Our words generally fall into two categories—corrupting or building.    CORRUPTING   BUILDING UP    4:29 -                  4:32 -       4:25 -                  4:32 -     4:31 -                  4:32 -     5:4 -                    5:2 - 4. Our words don’t just affect others, they also impact the Holy Spirit. 5. The ultimate test of our words / conversations?      -  Do they give grace? (4:29)   -  Do they please God? (5:10)

words of the wise - speak lifeProverbs says a lot about what we say. It declares words have to power of life and death. As often as we work in community with people, we find our words giving death instead of life. There is hope though in matters of life and death.ProverbsA. Words have Power· The power of life and death (12:6; 13:14; 15:4; 18:21) · The power to heal or to wound (11:9,11; 12:18; 15:4,30; 16:24) B. Words that Speak Life· Words that are honest not deceptive (12:22;16:13)· Words that are humble not prideful (27:2) · Words that are peacemaking or argumentative (17:14) · Words that keep confidences and gossiping (11:13; 20:19; 26:20-22)· Words that are rational (15:28; 17:27)· Words that are gentle and peaceable (15:1,18) · Words that are persuasive (25:15) · Words that are timely (15:23; 25:11) C. Words flow from ones Heart & Influences· Words reveal your heart or character (4:23) · Words reveal your Influences (13:20; 27:17) 

disagree or disagreeableOur words can be used as weapons. When we speak to each other, is rightness more important than righteousness? As Paul wrote, we should strive to offer each other the gift of grace-filled words.James 1:19,20; 3:13-18Guidelines1. Be quick to listen.2. Be slow to speak.3. Be slow to emote.4. Know what the win is.    - Righteousness is more important than rightness    - Relationship is more important than rightness    - Resolution is more important than rightness5. Don’t attempt to overpower.6. Offer the gift of grace-filled words.  (Colossians 4:6)

what "what you say" says about youWe've all said things we regret, but is that a word problem or a heart problem? What you say reveals who you are, and to address word problems, we have to address heart problems.Luke 6:37-45The Principles1. What you say reveals who you are.2. We address our word problems by addressing our heart issues.3. If you want to know what a person is like, listen to what he says.The Applications4. We need to listen to what others are saying—and discern.5. We need to listen to what we are saying—and change.

finding joy in the futureAdvent is the beginning of the Christian year, not the end. The story of God is mainly thought of as a past and present narrative, but every page of the Bible points to the future, to what God is planning to do to restore all things to Him. In the final sermon of the decade, we examine how the future can offer hope to believers in uncertain times.John 16:16-331. Anxiety becomes understanding.2. Anguish becomes rejoicing. 3. Asking becomes receiving.4. Abandonment becomes abundance. 

finding joy in humannessThe joy in Christmas is knowing Jesus came to be with us, but there is something more important happening. Jesus came to endorse humanness as a good thing, and restore what it means to be human. Our humanness can lead to joy because in it is an unfolding of the great work God has called us to.John 1:11-16What it means that Jesus became flesh: The usual1. Jesus came to be with us.2. Jesus came to be one of us.3. Jesus came to die for man’s sin.But maybe we’re missing some things?4. Jesus came to endorse humanness.5. Jesus came to reveal humanness.6. Jesus came to restore humanness.So how can we find joy in being human?

finding joy in kindnessChristmas is ultimately about kindness, because true kindness is completely one-sided. By coming to earth, Jesus provided an example of this kind of kindness and it gives us a chance to experience ultimate joy.Philippians 2:5-8Showing kindness typically gives us a postive feeling - but what exactly is the feeling?  And what exactly is it that makes us feel this way?Why Christmas is the reason for joy:1. It shows us how to experience joy in life.· Kindness helps us experience who God made us to be.· Kindness requires us to be less about ourselves.· True kindness is completely one-sided. (but not quite)=> By coming to earth (Christmas) Jesus provided an example of kindness.=> By coming to earth, Jesus also solved a problem.2. It offers us a chance to experience ultimate joy.· It wasn’t just about the manger and some shepherds.· It was about the cross and every last one of us.

finding joy in the christmas storyIt seems happiness and joy is hard to come by in our world today. In a recent survey, only 1 in 3 people said they would call themselves happy. Through Advent, and the season of preparing for Christ appearing, we explore how the story of Christmas means joy for believers.Luke 2:8-121. Joy is here.2. Joy is everyone.3. Joy is found in the story.Reasons for JoyA. God knows where you live.B. Heaven has come to earth.C. Night cannot prevent light.D. Jesus is the Savior.E. Every day joy can be a real thing.