Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Real Thing, Uncategorized

The Real Thing: Real Love (1 John 4:7-21)

Audio

1 John 4:7-21

1 John 3:1 

God loves you. You are loved.

If we know God’s love we will show God’s love. (1 John 4:7, 11)

Real Love SURRENDERS (1 John 4:9)

Real Love SACRIFICES (1 John 3:16) 

Real Love STRETCHES (Matthew 5:43-45)

Real Love SPEAKS. (1 John 4:14) 

Real Love SERVES. (1 John 3:17)

Real Love STAYS (1 John 4:13) 

We can live fearlessly in Jesus’ love. (1 John 4:18)

Question: Are there relationships where you’ve allowed fear to limit your love?

Challenge: What is one step you can take to move beyond fear and show them God’s love?

Going Deeper Questions

Ice Breaker Question: Have you ever been repelling? What do you think is (or would be) the scariest part of the experience?

God loves you. You are loved. When are the times you are most confident in God’s love for you?   When do you struggle to really believe it? 

If we know God’s love we will show God’s love. 1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

The following statement sums up some key aspects of real love:

Real Love SURRENDERS to God’s will, SACRIFICES for others’ sake, STRETCHES when things are difficult, SPEAKS the truth in a loving way, SERVES when others are in need, STAYS or remains faithful despite the challenges.

Which aspect is the easiest for to live out? Which one is the hardest?

We can live fearlessly in Jesus’ love.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

Are there relationships where you’ve allowed fear to limit your love Who are they? What happened? What fear is holding you back? 

Prayer – Pray for a heart that fearlessly loves others, and for courage to take the next step in any relationship where fear has limited your love for someone.

What is one step you can take to move beyond fear and show them God’s love?

The Real Thing: Real Love (1 John 4:7-21)Download
Uncategorized

Always Be Ready: The Struggle Will Be Real

Audio

Luke 21:5-36
What will be the signs of the temple’s destruction (and when will it happen)?
Luke 21:12-19
Luke 21:12
Matthew 24:9

Persecution of Christians is a very normal thing in the context of God’s movement in the world.
John 15:18-21
1 Peter 4:12-14, 16, 19

Luke 21:20-24
Josephus Quote
Be ready for whatever comes next by learning and responding to Jesus’ teachings.

Always Be Ready: the struggle will be realDownload
This Is US, Uncategorized

This Is Us: We Are Kingdom People

Audio

Our Focus is Jesus
The Gospel is Central
We are a Family
We is Greater than Me
Worship is a Lifestyle
Generosity is Normal

We are Kingdom People
Colossians 1:13-14
Philippians 3:20-21
We live for something more.
Matthew 6: 19-21, 33
We look different than the world around us.
Colossians 3:1-17
We are part of something bigger than us.
Acts 1:8
We Endure with Hope
1 Peter 1:3-9

Love is Our Greatest Asset
Love is a Command
John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another
just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Love must be learned
John 13:35
Love Can Change the World

We can Rest When We’re Dead
John 9:4-5
Acts 1:8

This Is US: We Are a Kingdom People; Love is Our Best Asset
1&2 Samuel, Uncategorized

1 Samuel 14 Saul’s Downward Spiral Continues

Audio

1 Samuel 14: 1-10


If I’da listened to the odds, woulda never made it through. Every time they told me stop it was the last thing I would do. Instead I left it up to God, and I watched the mountain move. If I’da listened to the odds, woulda never met you. ~Mat Kearney, Odds

The odds don’t matter at all when God matters most.

1 Samuel 114:11-13
Video Clip: Come Up Here
1 Samuel 14:13-30
MAP: Aijalon
1 Samuel 14:31-52

Saul was operating in fear and walking in the ways of the world. Jonathan was operating by faith and walking in the way of the Lord.

Where in life are you operating in few like Saul instead of faith like Jonathan?

1 Samuel 14 Saul’s Downward Spiral ContinuesDownload
I AM GOD'S PLAN, Uncategorized

I AM GOD’S PLAN: Using My Resources

Audio

Ephesians 5:15-17
Psalm 139:16
Ephesians 2:8-10
Titus 3:8
John 9:4
The God who saved you and gave you eternal life is asking you to give Him your time. Are you giving it to Him?


Romans 12:6-8
1 Peter 4:10-11
The God who saved you and gave you eternal life is asking you for your gifts and talents. Are you giving it to Him?


Matthew 25:14-30
Mark 12:41-46
The God who saved you and gave you eternal life is asking you for your treasures (resources). Are you giving it to Him?


James 1:16-18
Are you being a contributor or a consumer in the kingdom?


I am going all-in for the glory of God and the sake of His kingdom. 

Follow Up Questions to Week 8 Message

The God who saved you and gave you eternal life is asking for your time, your talents (gifts), and your treasure (resources). 

Which one is easiest for you to give him, and why?  Which ones do you struggle with the most, and why do you think that is?

One of the questions asked in the message was this:

Are you a being contributor or consumer in the kingdom?

Who would you answer that question, and why do you feel that way?  

I am giving going all in, giving God my time, my talent (gifts) and my treasure (resources) in order to help build His kingdom. 

In what ways is this statement true in your life? What adjustments can you make to move toward being a greater contributor (and less of a consumer) when it comes to God’s kingdom work?

(continued on the back side)

Each week we’ll continue to challenge ourselves with making greater effort to share the gospel with people around us who don’t know Jesus. There are five “steps” we can take to be sure we are doing this consistently:

PRAY for those who don’t believe. 

CONNECT with those who don’t know Jesus. 

ENGAGE in spiritual conversations.

SHARE the gospel message.

INVITE others to discover and follow Jesus. 

PRAY. CONNECT. ENGAGE. SHARE. INVITE.

Last week was to PRAY, so please continue to pray regularly for the 3-5 or more people that God put on your heart.  

This week is CONNECT. It often takes effort on our part to connect with people who don’t know Jesus.  So…

Who on your “list” will you make an effort to connect with this week?  

Specifically, how and when will you do it?

I AM GOD’S PLAN: Using My Resources