Messages

A message from the series “Acts of the Apostles.” Jesus is Looking For Fruit
John 15:1-17
Main Point:
Jesus is looking for lasting fruit in us: love, obedience, and reaching out to others.

*v.16 He chose us we did not choose Him – to bear lasting fruit! He loves and impacts people through us.

Jeremiah 2:21

We will bear lasting fruit as we:
1. Remain(abide) in Christ and keep His Word remaining in us = stay connected to the true source of our life
(verses 5,7,9)

To ‘remain’ means to fully live in (as a house)

v.5b apart from me you can do nothing!

His Word remains in us as we meditate on it and hide it in our hearts.
(Psalm 119 verse 11, verse 97)

Colossians 3:16

2. We obey His commands, the greatest of which is to love one another!
(verses 9-17)

v.12 Love one another as I have loved you! (others are drawn by the love we have for one another!) > I John 4:7-8

Ephesians 2:10

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.”

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.”

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Heavenly Bread?
John 6:25-40

Main Point:
We must believe in and feed on Jesus, the true bread from heaven, who gives us true Life! verse 33

Eat the true bread!
1. Jesus is the Bread of Heaven approved by and sent from God to save us and give us true life/eternal life. verses 27 & 33

When we put our faith in Him we receive His Life, which is true spiritual food – we will not hunger or thirst anymore!

Share the True Bread!
2. It is the Father’s will that none be lost, but be saved and raised up at the last day – so share it with others! verses 39-40

*He has chosen that we be saved through Jesus, the True Bread, and chosen to use us to share this!

II Corinthians 5:19-20

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Be Ready for Opposition
Luke 4:1-13

Main Point:We must follow Jesus’ example in order to overcome the opposition of the evil one.
Colossians 1:13-14; I John 4:4

Jesus was tempted in every way common to us -
Hebrews 4:15-16

1. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and so must we be! verse 1

Full of the Holy Spirit = ‘An empty vessel completely filled’ ‘Completely permeated with’

2. Satan tempted Jesus in three areas:a. Appetite – v. 2 He will tempt us with our appetites-

b. Pride/self-will (vvs. 9-12) He will tempt us to use God for our ends –

c. Compromise (vvs.5-7) He will tempt us to compromise our walk-

3. To overcome the evil one’s temptations Jesus rebuked satan with the Word/Truth – and so must we! (vvs. 4, 8,12)

The Truth of God is our strength and defense!

Ephesians 6:17 Put the full armor of God….> ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the wprd of God.’

We can overcome because Jesus overcame for us!

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Coming to Terms with Myself
Isaiah 6:1-8
Main Point:
We are to see ourselves in light of God’s , confess that we are sinful and ask for His cleansing.

1. on God thru His Word to see a clear and correct picture of Him, and yourself!

Exodus 19:18 > Heb.12:21 “Moses himself was so frightened at the sight that he said, ‘I am terrified and trembling.’”

Cry out! > verse 5

Cleansing!
2. God will us – not us! (we don’t clean ourselves up to make ourselves acceptable to God). Verses 6-7

I John 1:9-10
*coal from altar – this is symbolic of the Spirit’s cleansing –
>Titus 3:3-6 washing of rebirth and renewal

Calling!
3. Once cleansed, our hearts should cry out ____________ !

II Corinthians 5:14 The love of Christ constrains us!
Verses 18-20 We are, therefore, Christ’s ambassadors! … We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God!

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” What God Requires of Us
Micah 6:6-8
Main Point: God calls us to love and walk humbly with Him; to act justly and love mercy towards others.

*He has shown us what is good – meaning good, right (ethical); for the benefit & welfare of all, brings prosperity and happiness to all!

1. Walk humbly with my God. (Vertical)

Walk = actively sharing life together. Humbly = to be modest, lowly have a right account of myself in relationship to God.
I Peter 5:6; James 4:10

My life, relationship to others flows out of my relationship with God – Deuteronomy 10:12-13

(Horizontal) Psalm 33:5 “The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his ‘unfailing love’.”

2. Live/Act justly = that which is declared just (by God)

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine that people see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

3. Love (chesed) = that which is even if undeserved. Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.”

Ends with a promise 7:18-20

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Be Transformed!
Romans 12:1-2

Main Point: As we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

‘Metamorpho’ = to be changed into another form

1. Offer it up! verse 1

In view of God’s mercy we are to offer our bodies/ourselves
>The offering of ourselves – heart, mind, will, and life!

His Mercy – Romans 5:6-9

‘Living’ sacrifice – in contrast to a dead animal sacrifice. We are to give ourselves completely, unreservedly to Him for His

2. Don’t conform – be transformed! verse 3a
>to the pattern of this world > its values, ways, lusts!
As we offer ourselves up to God we can be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

‘Renew’ = renovation, complete change for the better.

I Corinthians 2:16 We have the Mind of Christ – thru the indwelling Spirit of Christ!

3. Enjoy God’s will for you! verse 3b

Philippians 1:6 > God is doing a good work in you!

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Love Not the World!
I John 2:15-17
Main point:
We must love ___ with our whole heart and not love the world – the system of desires/values opposed to God and His values.

I John 5:19 ‘…the whole world is under the control of the evil one.’ So the world’s evil system is organized by Satan to be opposed to and rival God’s domain.

1. If we persist in loving the world, the _____ of Father God is not in us (squeezed out!) – because it is not in the world’s values.

James 4:4-10 Is there even one thing of the world that has a hold on you? It starts with the heart.

2. Because the love of the Father is in the desires/values of the world – such as the lust of the flesh (‘sinful cravings of man’), the ‘lust of his eyes’, and the ‘boasting of what he has and does.’

‘ ’ = ‘The outlook oriented toward self, that which pursues its own ends in self-sufficient independence of God and of one’s fellow man.’

3. The world and its desires will , only the will of God in Christ will be Eternal.

I Peter 3:10-13

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Are You Slow to Believe?
Luke 24:13-35

Main Point:
The Risen Jesus calls us to faith in Him as the Messiah (Christ) of which Moses and the prophets had spoken.

Do you believe?? In the Resurrected Jesus Christ, Messiah?? *If you will seek Him, He will reveal himself to you!

1. The Doubters: Two disciples walking to Emmaus.

Luke 9:22 He had already told them this!

2. The Prophecies: Jesus explains that Moses and all the prophets foretold His passion and resurrection. verses 25-27

Genesis 3:14-15 “…He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 49:10 “The scepter will not depart from Judah…

Isaiah 53:10-11 “The suffering servant…”

Zechariah 12:10 “Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him… (Rev. 1:7)

3. The Challenge: Jesus challenges these two and all of us to believe in Him and the Word of God! verses 25-26

John 5:24