Messages

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Seeing Is Believing?
John 20:24-31

Main Point:
We must encounter Jesus, the resurrected Christ; believe & embrace Him without seeing – when we do, we receive forgiveness of our sins and new eternal life in Him.

1. What proof/evidence is there that we would believe that He rose from the dead?

A. An empty tomb: vv. 1-2

*The Spin – Mt. 28:8-15

B. Numerous eyewitnesses: vv. 14-20

C. A convinced Skeptic: vv. 24-29 Doubting Thomas: Jesus accommodates him – Jesus will prove himself to you!

2. There are those here today who have encountered the living, resurrected Christ whose lives have been transformed!

3. If Jesus is who He claimed to be – the ‘Risen Christ, the Son of God’,’ what must my response be?

Romans 10:9-10

We must receive Him into our lives as the living Christ, and live for Him as our .

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

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” What Are You devoted to?
Acts 2:42-47

Main Point: When people look at our lives, can they tell what we are

devoted to? Is our discipleship in Jesus translating into devotion to

God’s Word, the Body, Community, Worship?

Devoted = steadfast attention and adherence, practcing

.
1. Believers are devoted to the Apostle’s teaching. This is the

teaching of God’s Word fulfilled in Jesus Christ. verses 29-33

2. Our discipleship must translate into devotion to the Lord Jesus

Christ, His Word, – and to the fellowship – His Body! verse 42

3. Our discipleship must translate into devotion to… the ‘Breaking of

Bread.’ verse 46b

= Community – sharing life together and committed to each other (verse

44-45).

I Corinthians 11:20-22; 33-34

4. Our discipleship must translate into devotion to… Prayer. verse 42

Acts 4:23-31

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” What Are You devoted to?
Acts 2:42-47

Main Point: When people look at our lives, can they tell what we are devoted to? Is our discipleship in Jesus translating into devotion to God’s Word, the Body, Community, Worship?

This results in the life and power of God being manifest! (verses 43-45)

Devoted = steadfast attention and adherence, practicing .

1. Believers are devoted to the Apostle’s teaching. This is the teaching of God’s Word fulfilled in Jesus Christ. verses 29-33

This means I am submitted to the Authority of God’s Word – the teachings and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 40:8 ‘The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.’ > (I Peter 1:24-25) ‘And this is the Word that was preached to you.’

Psalm 117:2
Matthew 24:35
John 17:17

2. Our discipleship must translate into devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word, – and to the ‘fellowship’ – His Body! verse 42

Fellowship =participation, partnership, community, communion (of the Body of Christ – given by the Spirit)

Ephesians 2:19-22

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” What Are You devoted to?
Acts 2:42-47
Main Point: When people look at our lives, can they tell what we are devoted to? Is our discipleship in Jesus translating into _______ to God’s Word, the Body, Community, Worship?

*Our repentance from unbelief and sin means turning to
Christ’s Lordship in all areas of our lives including my ______

This results in the life and power of God being manifest!
(verses 43-45)
Devoted = .

1. Believers are devoted to the . This is the teaching of God’s Word fulfilled in Jesus Christ. verses 29-33

This means I am to the Authority of God’s Word – the teachings and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 40:8 ‘The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the Word of the Lord stands forever.’ > (I Peter 1:24-25) ‘And this is the Word that was preached to you.’
Psalm 117:2
Matthew 24:35
John 17:17

2. Our discipleship must translate into devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, His Word, – and to the ‘fellowship’ – His Body!
verse 42
Fellowship = _______________________________________
Ephesians 2:19-22

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

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” A New Spirit for Us!
Ezekiel 36:25-27

Main Point:
When we receive Jesus, He gives us a new spirit who transforms our heart so that we want to and do obey Him.

*Person of indwelling Christ – not a religion, a dynamic relationship with Jesus’ Spirit who lives in me!

1. The Spirit indwells us and transforms our hard heart. verse 26

verse 26 ‘I will remove your heart of stone… and give you a heart of flesh.’

Jeremiah 17:9 ‘The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?’

2. The Spirit indwells us and moves us to follow God’s commands. verse 27

verse 27 ‘Move you…’ = Cause you to, accomplish it in you.

*Power of the indwelling Christ – Jesus’ Spirit empowering me!

Romans 8:5-9 Spiritual transformation – the work of the Spirit in me!

Let us live in the fullness of the Spirit!

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” This Gift’s for You!
John 14:15-21

Main Point:
When we receive Jesus, He comes to be with us, and live in us by His Spirit, who is our ‘Counselor’, that we can know Him and live in Truth.

‘Counselor’ (paraklatos) = one who comes alongside to give aid/help.

*Person of indwelling Christ – not a religion, a relationship with Jesus who lives in me!

Our relationship with Christ is started by the Spirit, John 6:37-39, and sustained by the Spirit.

1. Jesus asked the Father to send another ‘counselor’ – one just like’ Jesus (the Way, the Truth and the Life). verse 16

2. The Spirit comes to live in us forever and not leave us as Jesus had to do. verse 17

John 16:7

3. The Spirit revels Jesus in us! verses 20-21

*Power of the indwelling Christ

Ezekiel 36:24-27

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” Are You Wrestling With God?
Genesis 32:22-32
Main Point:
What do you really need from God right now? There are times when God only releases his blessings on us after a season of prolonged and even painful wrestling with him.

Matt. 7:7-8 Ask, seek, knock!

You and I need to lay hold of the blessing God has for us!

1. Is God wrestling with you – to deal with something in your life?
verses 24-25

Jacob = ‘ supplanter ’ (grasps the heel) > later – ‘Deceiver’

“It is doubtful that God can bless a person greatly until He has wounded her/him deeply.” A.W. Tozer

2. There are times we wrestle with God – because we know what we need and are finally desperate !
verses 9-12

Verse 26 Are you going to give up without a fight?

A message from the series “Not Part of a Series.” “Much More”
Matthew 6:25-34

Chand of perspective no. 1 – We need to change our thoughts about how God ______________ __________. (Gen 2:7, 1:27, Ps. 139:13-14, 16, Matt 10:31, Ps. 8:6-8)

Change of perspective no. 2- We need to change our thoughts about how we _____________ _____________.(See Matt 6:30)

Main Point:
God is a generous, loving God who wants to bless His children through a personal relationship with Him. He wants to do immeasurable things, He wants to do ________________ __________________!

What does “much more” look like?
Eph 3:20 – Beyond our ______________
John 10:10 – ________________ life
Malachi 3:10 – He wants to pour out a _______________________
Matt 7:11 – He wants to give ______________ _________________ for those who ask
2 Cor 9:8 – He wants you to have an _____________________ for every good deed

What hinders us from God’s blessing? _____________________________________

What must we do to experience God’s blessing?
(Matt 7:7, James 4:2)