Category Archives: Uncategorized

Resist the World. Renew Your Mind. (Romans 12:1-2)

A sacrifice is an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as worthy or more important.

Romans 12:1-2
Present your BODY as a sacrifice.

Present your body as a LIVING sacrifice: alive and available to God.

The focus isn’t on GIVING our lives in sacrifice; it’s on LIVING our lives in sacrifice.

Present your body as a HOLY sacrifice: one that is useful and dedicated to the Lord.
Romans 6:6, 11

Present your body as a PLEASING sacrifice; one that is acceptable and approved by Him.
Romans 12:1
Romans 12:2
Resist the World.
Romans 12:2
Renew your Mind.

God isn’t asking us to GIVE our lives in sacrifice, but to LIVE our lives in sacrifice.

Questioning God’s Sovereignty -and Wisdom (Romans 9:1-10:4)

Romans 9:1-8
God is sovereign. He’s ultimately in control of all things.
Romans 9:9-13
Malachi 1:2-4
miséō – properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another.
Lk 14:26-27
Romans 9:14-19
God is not accountable for sin; we are.
Romans 9:20-23
Our criticism of God only proves our contentious spirit.
Isaiah 29:16
Isaiah 45:9
Romans 9:22-33
God has a redemptive heart.
Romans 10:1-4

All Things Work Together for Good (Romans 8:28-30)

Romans 8:18
Romans 8:24
Romans 8:26
Romans 8:28
All Things Work Together for Good
Romans 8:28-30
for those who love God
who have been called according to his purpose
Romans 8:29
those whom he foreknew
he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son
in order that he [Jesus] might be the firstborn among many
Romans 8:30
those whom he predestined
he also called
those whom he called he also justified
those whom he justified he also glorified

Whatever you are going through, God will use it to accomplish something good. He will not waste that opportunity.
Maybe He’s working on your character.
Maybe He’s working on your obedience.
Maybe He’s working on your heart.
Maybe He’s working on your faith.
Maybe He’s working on your life.
Maybe He’s working on someone else.
Maybe He’s working on something “unknown.”

Taking Grace for Granted pt. 1 (Romans 6:1-14)

Romans 5:20

Romans 6:1-14


(charis) grace: undeserved kindness and unmerited favor.

Key Idea #`: Don’t engage in sin just because grace is greater.


Romans 6:1-6


Katargeó (kat-arg-eh’-o): to render completely inoperative, put out of use, make something to have zero effect.


Romans 6:7
Galatians 5:1 NIV
Romans 6:8-11


Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Don’t Give in to Sinful Desires
Romans 6:12
Don’t Chase After Sinful Opportunities
Romans 6:13
Don’t Be Ruled By Sin’s Reign
Romans 6:14

The Problem with Religious Identity (Romans 3:1-20)


Religious identity is about relying on heritage and history for salvation, rather than having genuine faith in Christ.

Romans 2:17

Romans 2:25

Romans 2:28-29

The problem with Religious Identity is that it creates a false sense of entitlement that prevents someone from turning to Jesus.

Romans 3:1-4

Psalm 51:3-4

Romans 3:5-8

Romans 2:4-5

Romans 3:9-18

Psalm 14:7 (or 53:6) *incorrect verse numbers are referenced

Isaiah 59:20

Romans 2:19-20

Summary: religious identity (history and heritage) can’t save anyone. Only faith in Jesus can accomplish that.

Some churches/denominations genuinely believe they are the only ones going to heaven.

Some people cling to their Christian religious identity despite not having any real relationship with Jesus.

Help them see that religious identity (relying on history and heritage) can’t save anyone. Only Jesus can.

Ghost Stories (8): The Holy Spirit Through Us

He destroys barriers
Ephesians 2:12-22

Ephesians 2:18

He brings unity.
Ephesians 4:1-3

He makes us one.
Romans 10:12-13
Galatians 3:26-28

He equips us uniquely.
Romans 12:6-8
1 Corinthians 12:4-11
1 Corinthians 12:27-28

He calls us to work together.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Romans 12:3-5

Video: Jason Hewlett – Gift

What are your spiritual gifts?
How you using them?
Are you developing them?

2 Timothy 1:6

Assignment: give some thought to these questions this week, and take some next steps to better use your gifts for God’s purposes.

For access to the assessment tool, check out this website: http://whataremyspiritualgifts.org

Discover how God has uniquely wired you for his glory and service to others!

Dents in the Darkness: Use Your Time

Romans 10: 8-11, 13-14, 17
Matthew 5:14-16
Ephesians 2:8-10
“Faith that Doesn’t Do Good is No Good.” ~Andy Stanley
Psalm 82:3-4

4 ways everyone could be involved: (progressive)
Give. Pray. Attend. Invite.

Obstacles are inevitable.

Sometimes the biggest obstacle we face is us getting past ourselves.

Hebrews 10:23-25

Paroxusmos (par-ox-oos-mos’) a provocation which literally jabs (cuts) someone so they “must” respond.