This is the first sermon in a four-week series called, "Stand In The Gap" which studies the Old Testament book of Nehemiah.

1. Which do you think is more threatening to your life with God; an outside enemy, or your evil, inner desires?

2. What would it look like for you to inspect the walls of your inner world and begin partnering with God to set them right?

3. Do you want what God wants? What God wills?

Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies! Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. -Psalm 34:12-14 (NLT)

This is another Vision message where we take a break from our regular schedule of teaching through the books of the Bible.  This week Mike talks about money, but it's not your typical church "money talk." We need to proactively and intentionally direct money toward God's value, which is people.

Use the following links to view the main bullet-points from the message:

Healthy View

Healthy Use

 

We're taking a two-week break from our rhythm of teaching through the books of the Bible for "Vision" messages where we'll take time to refocus and talk about what our priorities are as a church family.

What can you do as a church member to be more intentional about how you invest your time?

1. Be here - 100% of us here 80% of the time

2. Serve here - 100% participation

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another." - 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT)

 

This week Derek Moran shares out of Matthew 10.

1. Am I taking advantage of the everyday opportunities to share the good news with family, friends, coworkers, etc.?

2. Am I being purposeful about creating opportunities to GO and share the good news with others?

3. Am I willing to keep sharing the good news with others even when some reject the truth about God or push me away?

As I go, I will proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ I will be an agent of healing, I will point others to true life in Christ and I will lead people out of oppression and into God’s freedom.  Freely I have received; freely I will give.

This is the fourth and final message in the Advent series called "Rooted In Christ" which is a study of Paul's letter to the Colossians.

1. Do you struggle to die to your self-protective nature?  If so, is it possible you are not resting securely in God’s promise to raise you to something better?

2. Or have you tricked yourself into believing that “dying to yourself” is all that is needed and you struggle to rise to a new life of patience, mercy, and forgiveness?

3. What might it look like for you this morning to adopt this new life as your identity and/or to “put it on?”

4. How can you better “make allowance” for others’ faults?  Not demanding your own way?  Choosing a more mitigating explanation?  Or surrendering your records of wrongs?

"Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life…Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us." - Col. 3:10-11 (NLT)

This is the third message in a four-week Advent series called, "Rooted In Christ" studying Paul's letter to the Colossians.

1. Have you accepted JESUS as Lord?

2. Have you accepted Jesus as LORD?

3. Has this morning's message reshaped what you think it means to "come to Christ?"

4. Do you want a life that is internally governed be the desire to do what is good and right toward God and others?

5. Do you think a life like that is actually possible?

"And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.  Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.  Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." - Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)

 

This is the second sermon in a four-week Advent series called, "Rooted In Christ" which is a study of Paul's letter to the Colossians.

1. When you try and answer the question, “why did Jesus come at Christmas,” does your answer imply that he came to do something FOR God or AS God?

2. If the former, is it possible that is having an impact on the degree to which you experience positive change by “hearing and understanding” the “good news?”

3. Prior to this morning, had you ever thought about the good news in terms of reconciliation with God and others that involves forgiveness on his end and actual repentance and right-living on yours?

4. What might it look like for you to be reconciled to God and those around you by responding to his grace with repentance and faithfulness and/or helping someone us to be reconciled to God and others?

"But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News." -Col. 1:23a (NLT)

1. When you first "heard and understood" the "truth of God's wonderful grace" did it change your life the way it changed Paul's?

2. If not, is it possible you either didn't hear and understand what you were being told or you heard and understood something that wasn't Paul's "good news?”

3. How might God be calling you this Advent season to express deeper trust in Him by expressing greater love for those around you?

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." -Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

 

GROW Questions:

1. Where are you being challenged the most right now in your understanding of God, the bible or church?  How are you facing those challenges and resolving the struggle? Are these challenges to your understanding provoking you to Love God and Others more?  How?

2. Where is your focus for personal spiritual growth right now?  What action steps are you personally taking to ensure this is happening in your life? (reading your Bible, participating in a small group,  serving, dealing with a conflict, forgiving,  utilizing an accountabilility partner,  etc.)

3. What action steps can you take to help our church to grow as a corporate whole?  (serving on Sunday mornings, leading a small group, discipling another individual or starting/increasing your giving)

4. Lastly because Thanksgiving is just around the corner…Who do you need to thank for the role s/he has played in your spiritual development and how can you do this as a means of encouraging them to keep the faith and stay the course?

GO:

“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." -Luke 12:48 (NLT)

 

1. Is it possible the “tradition” you associate with “the good news” “betrays” what is really happening?

2. Are you willing to critique that tradition that God might breathe new life into your faith?

3. Will you obey everything Jesus taught you?

4. Will you actively and intentionally participate in the mission of inviting others to live in the kingdom of God? 

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” -Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)