Main - All Mp3's

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

Have you ever needed a pep talk when you found yourself struggling? From a friend, a coach, a boss? That is what the Apostle Peter was doing in his letter to the early Christians. From 1 Peter 1:6-9 (NIV), 1. Rejoice in spite of life’s realities. (v.6) 2. Proven faith brings praise to God. (v.7) 3. Love + “Believe In” = Faith (v.8) “Believe In” = Trust 4. End result of faith journey is salvation. (v.9) We are in trouble if our faith is dependent on us. Thankfully our faith is in the source of our faith, that being Jesus Christ. Application: Where are you with Jesus? Curious? Ask questions and learn more. Ready? Consider baptism. Committed? How can you trust more?

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

At the end of Holy Week God gives us the greatest gift ever. With gratefulness, The best gift we can give to God is repping Him in this world. How? From 1 Peter 2:11-12, 1. Get into mission shape. (v. 11) 2. Do good, do more good, and even more good, for others to see. (v. 12) Application: Go experience a short-term mission first-hand. For example, the CLC Eye Screening in Richmond.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

God’s Game Plan 1. Jesus doesn’t say not me but you, but rather __ through ___. God’s Plan A is people through the power of His Spirit. You are called to wait upon His Spirit. 2. We think _____ but Jesus thinks ___. Jesus was not just thinking of reaching more individuals but more people groups. You are called to care passionately about extending God’s glory to the ends of the earth.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

Many of us are like the prophet Jonah and don’t care about global missions. Yet we should care, because it is God’s purpose for his people. From the story of Jonah, the reluctant missionary: 1. Reluctance is the norm. (Chapter 1) 2. Ever so often we need a devine correction. (Chapter 2) 3. Believe it or not, the gospel has power. (Chapter 3) 4. Respect the Creator not the creation. (Chapter 4) Our God-given identity IS to be missionaries. Follow up: 1. Join a home group that is studying the Missions Curriculum, especially created for this sermon series. 2. Develop a heart for missions by going on a short term mission, like the Richmond Eye Screening July 17-20, 2017.

“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself. 4 But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. 5 For every person will have to bear [with patience] his own load [of faults and shortcomings for which he alone is responsible].” Galatians 6:2-5 AMP

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

He gave himself to: Service Acts 20:17-19 He served Jesus his Lord. He served with humility . He served through the pain. He gave himself to the: Gospel Acts 20:20-21 The Gospel needs to be believed. The Gospel needs to be shared. The Gospel needs to be showed. He gave: Himself Acts 20:22-24 He gave up his loves. He gave up his longings. He gave up his life. He gave till it: Hurt Acts 20:25-38 He hurt over those who would leave. He hurt over those would stumble. He hurt over those who wouldn’t listen . A Prayer of Surrender Loving Father, I surrender to you today with all my heart and soul. Please come into my heart in a deeper way. I say, "Yes" to you today. I open all the secret places of my heart to you and say, "come on in." Jesus, you are the Lord of my whole life. I believe in You and commit you You as my Lord and Savior. I hold nothing back. Holy Spir

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

The world says: do it yourself! But the gospel message is not do but ___. Justification is the gracious act of God by which God declares you righteous solely through faith in Jesus Christ. New life in Christ comes not by doing but by “faithing”. Faith is not just mental assent, but complete trust and surrender. What do you need to completely trust and surrender to God?

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

To make disciples who love God, love people, and serve the world.

Jesus went to the cross to set us free. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Freedom in Christ means: 1. We keep in step with the Gospel – free from legalism to love God and others. (Gal 5:1-15) “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” (v.6) 2. We keep in step with the Spirit – showing Fruit of the Spirit in us to love and serve others. (Gal 5:16-26) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (v.22)

Advent is a time of preparation; more specifically, for the coming of Jesus. Why just limit this to a month? Shouldn’t we do this all the time? For one urgent reason, “Yes!” People’s eternal lives are at stake. Let’s be “turn signals” for Jesus, so people know Jesus is coming (again). Like a turn signal, John: 1. Got people’s attention by how wild he looked. (v.1, 3-6) Question: Do I look “wild” to other people when they look at me? 2. Told others a message, mainly the coming of Jesus. (v.2, 11) Question: How do I share about Jesus? 3. Challenged others to change direction. (v.7-9) Question: Do I challenge people’s worldview? 4. Warned of danger if message not heeded. (v.10, 12) Question: Can I warn others about Judgment Day? Testimony?

The problem of personal entropy Is this true for you? Matthew 24: 36 - 44 1. What does Jesus mean when he says “stay awake” and “be ready”? Cultivate an intentional LIFESTYLE. 2. Is Jesus calling you to live in a constant state of fear? We do not do good to be SAVED, we are SAVED to do good. So what now? (Two testing questions) If you were to stand in JUDGMENT before Jesus next week, what would you do today? Is there any part of my life that is inconsistent with the gospel?

The Meaning The Struggle Divine Revelation Divine Encounter

Verse 17a: BE A GOOD _______ • Government is a good gift from God • Jesus gave legitimacy to a pagan state • Two implications… Verse 17b: KNOW YOU ARE ULTIMATELY ___________ TO GOD • (We need a Savior!) • But what if Caesar and God disagree? What does this mean going forward? • What if racist laws are passed? • What about speaking up for the unborn?