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3-9, 3-2,
2-24,2-17,2-10, 2-3,
1-27,1-20
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Messages Please join us for this new series - Living the Philippians Way |
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Sunday- May 4, 2008 Scripture Focus 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:12-21 (NIV) 57As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." 58Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." 59He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." 60Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." 61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." 62Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:57-62 (NIV) Message – Living the Philippian’s Way: Succeeding in Life Message Outline We talk a great deal about what it means to be successful today. Is is great wealth, wonderful relationships or strong faith? One of the models we have as Christians of success is the Apostle Paul. Paul’s life had four patterns that brought success: 1. Face your _______ and ask about what you need to _________? 2. Don’t let the ________ control you and ask what __________ do you need to let go of? 3. Focus on the ________ and ask yourself what you are _________ for? 4. Be _____________ to the finish line and ask whose life beside your own have you ________ up? Do you see yourself as successful in the ways that Paul is successful? Do a personal evaluation of your life and work on the Godly values that blessed Paul’s life. Sunday- April 27, 2008 Scripture Focus 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:14-18 (NIV) 1"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. 2He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. 3"About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.' 5So they went. "He went out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour and did the same thing. 6About the eleventh hour he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?' 7" 'Because no one has hired us,' they answered. "He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.' 8"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.' 9"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. 10So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12'These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said, 'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.' 13"But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? 14Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?' 16"So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Matthew 20:1-16 (NIV) Message – Living The Philippian’s Way: Adjusting Your Life Attitude Message Outline Many people in today’s world destroy their life by complaining and having a negative attitude. Paul calls us to be different than the world and to have a Godly attitude about life. 1. The Bible is full of examples of complainers: there are whiners, martyrs, cynics and perfectionists in scripture. 2. How do we conquer complaining and overcome a negative attitude? a. Admit it is a problem. b. Accept responsibility for my own life. c. Develop an attitude of gratitude d. Look for God’s hands at work. e. Practice positive living. Paul calls us to live differently in the world. A positive attitude is a great witness to the world. Work on changing your attitude and shine like the stars in your life. Sunday- April 20, 2008 Scripture Focus 12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:12-18 (NIV) 1"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:1-8 (NIV) Message – Living the Philippian’s Way: Changing our life with God's help. Message Outline If we want to change some aspect of our life it only happens as a partnership between God and ourselves. 1. God gives us some tools to use to work change: a. The Bible b. The Holy Spirit and people with God’s Spirit in them. c. Circumstances of life. 2. There are some choices we can make in order for change to happen in our lives. a. I can choose what to think about and focus on in life. b. I can choose to depend on God’s Spirit moment by moment. c. I can choose my response to circumstances in life. What do you want to change the most about yourself? The power to change comes from God and from making the right choices. Cooperate with God and become the person God dreams for you to be.
Sunday- April 20, 2008 Message – Living the Philippians way: How to Be Joyful all the time. Message Outline In the book of Philippians Paul lives a life of joy in the toughest of circumstances. He gives us some secrets to being joyful all the time: 1. Have a holy perspective when bad things happen to you in life. 2. Focus on what really counts and don’t let the little things get you down. 3. Get life power from prayer and from God’s Spirit. 4. Have an eternal life purpose and invest in something that will last forever. 5. The secret to joy is to put: J - ________________ O - ________________ Y - ________________ Are you living a life of joy? Take to heart some of Paul’s life secrets. Sunday- April 6, 2008 Scripture Focus 19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." 22And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." 24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." 28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:19-31 (NIV) Message – Play "Easter is better than Science Fiction" Short Reflection Message outline The real Easter is more than just a science fiction story. Jesus resurrection and appearance blessed the life of Thomas and it still blesses us today. 1. Jesus meets us where we are. 2. Jesus encourages us. 3. Jesus fills us with his presence. 4. Jesus helps us believe. Thank God for Jesus appearance to Thomas. Let’s make sure we don’t miss those times when Jesus reaches out to us. Sunday - March 30, 2008
Scripture Focus 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11 (NIV) 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:10-14 (NIV)
Message – Living the Philippians Way: Enjoying the People in Your Life Message Outline Paul’s Letter to the Philippians shares some keys to enjoying the people in your life: 1. Be grateful for the good in people. 2. Practice positive praying. 3. Be patient with others progress, God is not through with them. 4. Love people from your heart, not your head. Are you enjoying the people in your life? Who do you need to be thankful for and patient with? Are you praying for anyone? Are you loving from your heart? Live the Philippian way and enjoy the people in your life. Easter Sunday - March 23, 2008 Scripture Focus 1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" 3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. 8Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9(They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. 15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." 16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). 17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' " 18Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:1-18 (NIV) Message Easter: the Celebration of How God Cares for Us Message Outline Easter is the Christian celebration of all the ways that God cares for us. God cares for us by: 1. God cares enough to reveal himself to us in creation and in human form. 2. God cares enough to rescue us from our past, a meaningless life and from the fear of death. 3. God cares enough to relate to us personally. God cares enough to reveal himself, to rescue us from our troubles and to relate to us. In response to this care, let’s get to know God and respond with a life of love and service in Jesus name. Sunday - March 16, 2008
Sunday - March 9, 2008
Scripture Focus First Lesson: Romans 5 VS 1-5 1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2. through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4. and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5. and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Second Lesson: John 4 VS 5-26 5. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink? 8. (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9. The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water". 11. "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12. Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" 13. Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14. but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 15. The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." 16. He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back." 17. "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. 18. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." 19. "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." 21. Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." 25. The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." 26. Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."
Message There is Water In The Well Carl Johnson, Guest Preacher No Outline
Sunday - March 2, 2008
Scripture Focus 1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." 9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Acts 1:1-9 (NIV) 19On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." John 20:19-21 (NIV) Message Essentials for Living in the Modern World: Fulfilling My Life Mission No Outline
Scripture Focus 10You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. 11It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " 12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10 -12 (NIV) 14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' 21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.' 23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' 24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.' 26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. Matthew 25:14-28 Message Essentials for Living in the Modern World: Living so that you will be missed Message Outline One of the essentials of life is to make your life matter, to leave a legacy, to be missed when you are gone. Jesus Parable of the Talents gives us guidance to prepare us for God’s final look at our lives. To be missed when you are gone: 1. You need to admit that everything belongs to God. 2. You must acknowledge God has given you some unique talents. 3. You admit God expects you to use your talents. 4. You agree it is wrong to bury what God has given you. 5. You don’t let fear keep you from using your talents. 6. You cherish the rewards of using your talents for God and others. Do you want you life to matter? Do you want to be missed some day when you are gone? Do you want to leave a faithful legacy? Then be generous with your God given talents and make a difference in others lives!
Scripture Focus 23"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive. 24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. . . . . 32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24, 32-33 (NIV) 1Then
Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was
hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are
the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4Jesus
answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word
that comes from the mouth of God.'" 5Then the devil
took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.
6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself
down. For it is written: Message Using Your Biblical Faith To Make Tough Decisions. Message Outline We are faced with many difficult decisions in our lives. Here are six faith questions we should ask ourselves when we are making important decisions: 1. Is this decision in harmony with God’s word? 2. Would I want everyone to know the decision that I have made? 3. Will this decision make me a better person? 4. Could this end up dominating my life? 5. Will this decision harm other people? 6. Is this the best use of my life? The next time you have to make a decision run down these questions. Remember that no matter what bad decisions you have made in the past you are forgiven. Make sure you make decisions in the future with Jesus as your partner.
Scripture Focus 1
Blessed is the man
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
4 Not so the wicked! 17"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 (NIV)
Message Essentials for Living in the Modern World: Build your life on a Solid Foundation. Message Outline To live in the modern world we need to have some principles and truths we can depend on. The Bible is the place that we can look for truths and principles. 1. There are three types of evidence that supports the truth of the Bible: a. The evidence of history. b. The uniqueness of the Bible. c. The evidence of changed lives. 2. If you want the truth of the Bible to impact your life you have to: a. Hear and read God’s word. b. Study God’s word. c. Memorize God’s word. d. Reflect and meditate on God’s word. e. Do God’s word. If you want to build a foundation that lasts for a lifetime, make some changes this week so you can let God’s word into your heart and do his word with your hands.
Scripture Focus 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:8-11 (NIV) 41 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 42 So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:41-45 (NLT) Message “The Blessing of a life of Service”, Drama and sharing by Katrina volunteers.
Scripture Focus 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. 29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:25-32 (NIV) 14After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" 16As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 18At once they left their nets and followed him. 19When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. Mark 1:14-20 (NIV)
Message Essentials For Living In The Modern World: How to build relationships with others. Message Outline One of the essentials for living in the modern world today is to build strong, authentic relationships with other people. The church community is a central place to accomplish this. Here are some principles for connecting with others: 1. Be courageous and take the first initiative. 2. Be considerate of others needs. 3. Use your words to build up others. 4. Be honest about the problems in your relationships. 5. Be confidential with information. 6. Give time to your relationships. There are some problems that we are never going to solve on your own. We all need close, authentic relationships in our lives. Work on a closer connection with one person this week.
Scripture Focus 19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV) 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:4-8 (NIV) 7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:7-11 (NIV) Message Essentials For Living In The Modern World: How to connect with a Christ-centered community. Message Outline What does it mean to be connected to a Christ-centered community? The Bible gives us four word pictures: 1. To be connected is like being a brick in a wall. 2. To be connected is like being a part of a body. 3. To be connected is like being a sheep in a flock. 4. To be connected is like being a member of a family. Are you a spectator or a participant at Spirit Alive? This week make one new connection here in our Christ-centered community!
Sunday - January 13, 2008 Scripture Focus 9For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. 1 Corinthians 15:9-11 (NIV) 11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " Luke 15:13-31 (NIV) Message Essentials For Living In The Modern World: Living by Grace Message Outline G – God’s gift to me. R – Received by faith. A – Available to everyone. C – Comes through Jesus Christ. E – Extended through eternity. Grace is the best deal you will ever be offered. This week reach out your arms and accept God’s gift to you.
Sunday - January 6, 2008 Scripture Focus 9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (New Living Translation) 24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) Message Essentials For Living In The Modern World: What are the Basic Essentials For Life? Message Outline All living things have some needs to prosper. What are the basic essentials that we as humans need for an abundant life: 1. We need power to live on. 2. We need meaningful relationships. 3. We need principles to live by. 4. You need a healthy plan for your life. 5. You need a purpose for your life. The secret to finding all these essentials of life is that you must first get to know God in Jesus Christ. None of these will happen without a spiritual connection. Make a New Year’s resolution to get involved in one new area that will draw you closer to God. |
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Pleasant Prairie Elementary School - 9208 Wilmot Road Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
Last updated on: 05/03/2008