1. We are not always going to agree on the rules. (1-3)

Romans 13:11-14

Why we live for Him.

1. Because the time is short. (11-12)

2. Because the way that we live matters to the Gospel (13)

3. Because Goe wants us to (14)

Romans 13:11-14

Why we live for Him.

1. Because the time is short. (11-12)

1. The love is owed. (8)

2. The love works. (9)

3. The love shows we belong to Him. (10)

1. Pay your taxes (6)

2. Respect the ones to whom you pay taxes (7)

Why we obey them

1. Because we don’t want to live in fear. (3)

2. Because that authority serves God’s purpose. (4)

3. Because He says so. (5)

1.  He installs. (1)

2.  We yield. (2)

Why Do We Celebrate Palm Sunday?

Matthew 21:1-11

Why did Jesus enter Jerusalem at this time in this way?

To tell us…. 


1. Who He is. (Matthew 21:1-11) 


2. Why He came. (Matthew 26:52-54) 


3. It’s gonna be tough, but will be ok. (Luke 21:10-19) 


4. He will one day take us Home. (John 14:1-6).

1.  By understanding we don’t consider them enemies. (17)

2.  By literally going the extra mile. (18)

3.  By letting God handle the folks who are our enemies. (19)

4.  By engaging in inexplicable acts of kindness. (20)

5.  By showing them how good God is. (21)

1. Bless those who are not naturally predisposed to bless you. (14)

2. Feel the pain of those who have no hope. (15)

3.  Be humble in the presence of the lost. (16)

 1.  True Believers always act from love. (9)

2.  True Believers try to outdo each other. (10)

3.  True Believers serve the Lord. (11)

4.  True Believers trust God. (12)

5.  True Believers look out for one another. (13)

1. We all have a gift (10a)

2. We all must use our gifts (10b)

3. We all must serve one another (10c)

4. We all are stewards of grace (10d)

1. We all have a gift (10a)

2. We all must use our gifts (10b)

1. Intent. (Psalm 63:1-4)

2. Music. (Psalm 92:1-4)

3. Teaching. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

4. Giving. (2 Cor. 9:7)

5. Doing. (James 1:19-25

1. Intent. (Psalm 63:1-4)

2. Music. (Psalm 92:1-4)

1. Knowing the fear of the Lord (5a)

2. Recognizing our lostness (5b)

3. Recognize our sin (5c&d; Luke 5:8)

4. Know that our sin is atoned for (7)

5. Recognize that He desires to use us despite our shortcomings (Luke 5:10)

6. And understand that discovery leads to obedience/following (Luke 5:11)

1. Realizing that I am not there yet. (12)

2. Realizing that past deeds no longer matter. (13)

3. Realizing that this is my perpetual goal. (14)

1. Love means you can only love if know God (7-8)

2. Love means knowing the ultimate act of love is Jesus (9)

3. Love means knowing we cannot love God first (10)

4. Love means knowing love for others only comes from God (11-12)

5. Love means knowing the Spirit is the catalyst for love (13)

6. Love means knowing the Gospel is the vehicle for love (14-16)

7. Love means never having to be afraid (17-18)

8. Love means understanding what family really is (19-21)

1. Because Jesus is God (1-2)

2. Because He created everything (3)

3. Because He alone gives life (4)

4. Because He alone is light (5)

1.  His peace was directly related to Jesus’ birth. (26;29)

2.  His peace was directly related to the Holy Spirit. (25-27)

3.  His peace was directly related to salvation. (29-32)

4.  His peace was directly related to Jesus’ entire mission. (33-34)

1. The Prophets (10)

2. The Holy Spirit (11)

3. The Apostles (12)

Things we normally don’t thank God for...

1. Pain and suffering. 1 Thess. 5:18; James 1:2-4

2. For even listening to us. John 11:41

3. For (very) little things. James 3:3-5

4. Everything. 1 Timothy 4:4-5

5. Death. Philippians 1:19-23

1. He will keep His promises. (Psalm 145:13)

2. We are hopelessly lost apart from Him. (Isaiah 53:6)

3. Life is not “fair”. (Matthew 5:44-45)

4. That Believers will suffer. (1 Peter 4:12-19)

5. That unbelievers will eternally suffer. (Rev. 20:11-15)

-How big is God’s Grace?-

1. Nobody is too far away from God’s grace. (11-12)

2. God’s grace means God will pursue His own. (13-14)

3. God’s grace brings the dead to life. (15-16)

4. God’s grace leads to humility. (17-18)

5. God’s grace brings belief to unbelief. (19-20)

6. God’s grace is inexorably linked to God’s judgement. (21-22)

7. God’s grace is distributed to all peoples. (23-24)

John 3:1-10

1. Seeking after Jesus

2. Jesus evaluates the heart

3. A divine indictment

Romans 11:11-24

So...how big is God's Grace?

1. Nobody is too far away from God’s grace. (11-12)

2.  God’s grace means God will pursue His own. (13-14)

3. God’s grace brings the dead to life. (15-16)

1. Darkness does not mean abandonment (1-3)

2. Grace abounds in darkness (4-6)

3. Many people will be left in darkness (7-10)

1. There are people who will listen. (18)

2. The are people who do not understand. (19)

3. There are people who are not seeking Him. (20)

4. There are people who do not know God’s grace. (21)

Romans 10:14-17

Answers to why share the Gospel

1. A person has to believe. (14a)

2. In order to believe, one has to hear. (14b)

3. In order to hear, one has to proclaim. (14c)

4. In order to proclaim, one has to be sent. (15)

5. It’s not our fault if they don’t believe. (16)

6. Our reason to exist is to proclaim the Gospel. (17)

1. Salvation is for sinners. (5)

2. Salvation is not earned. (6-7)

3. Salvation is found in the Word of God.

4. Salvation must be confessed and believed. (9-10)

5. Salvation is transformation. (11)

6. Salvation is for all peoples. (12)

7. Salvation only comes through Christ. (13)

Romans 10:5-13

What is the message of salvation?

1. Salvation is for sinners. (5)

2. Salvation is not earned. (6-7)

3. Salvation is found in the Word of God.

4. Salvation must be confessed and believed. (9-10)

5. Salvation is transformation. (11)

6.

7.

1. Salvation is for sinners. (5)

2. Salvation is not earned. (6-7)

3. Salvation is found in the Word of God. (8)

4.

5.

6.

7.

What is the message of salvation?

1. Salvation is for sinners. (5)

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

1. You must have the desire to see people saved. (1)

2. You must realize the most people already believe in God (2)

3. You must realize most people are ignorant about God (3)

4. You must tell them that Christ alone is the answer. (4)

1. Our desperate need for the Gospel. (25-26)

2. Our desperate situation apart from the Gospel. (27-29)

3. Our desperate inability to attain the Gospel. (30-33)

1. It’s ok to ask the question. (19)

2. It’s not always an intellectually satisfying answer. (20-21)

3. It’s always true that the answer shows us Who He is. (22-24)

1. God cannot be unjust (14-15)

2. God can and does dispense mercy (16)

3. God’s grace and mercy are part of His plan (17-18

1. It only comes from God (6-8)

2. It has nothing to do with our actions (9-12)

3. It has everything to do with His sovereign will (13)

1. It comes from the Holy Spirit (1)

2. It reveals the depth of our care for the lost (2-3)

3. It helps to have peace in the midst of His sovereignty (4-5)

1. Transition after the death of Moses (v. 1-2)

2. God's call and Promises (v. 3-5)

3. Command to be strong and courageous (v. 6-9)

4. Obedience to the law (v. 7-8)

5. Final charge and assurance (v. 9)

1. God is for us. (31)

2. God gives us all things. (32)

3. God justifies us. (33)

1. He reminds us that when we don’t know what to pray, He’ll show us. (26)

2. He reminds us that He is always with us. (27)

3. He reminds us that everything is going to be ok. (28)

4. He reminds us that He chose us to love. (29)

5. He reminds us that Whose we are. (30)

Summary: His Amazing Love For Me

Scripture: Romans 8:26-30

Three things the Bible teaches us about suffering.

1. Suffering is a given (18)

2. Suffering is everywhere (19-22)

3. Suffering helps produce hope (23-25)

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-9

1. No compromising (in the commitment/faithfulness to God)

2. Godly courage and boldness

3. Righteous standard

4. Divine protection

5. Pure faith

6. Unusual testing (strange)

7. Favor: Amazing blessing and influence (growth)

1. By reminding us Whose we are (6-8)

2. By reminding us what we have (9-10)

3. By reminding us that we are alive (11)

.1.  It is the lack of condemnation that shows I’m free (1)

2.  It is indwelling Holy Spirit Who keeps me free (2)

3.  It is Jesus becoming sin that makes me free (3-4)

4.  It is our estrangement from the world that proves we’re free (5)

John 12:12-16

Three reasons why Jesus entered Jerusalem this way

1. To fulfill Scripture (14-15)

2. To announce He was the true Messiah (13)

3. To ensure His crucifixion (12:16)

1. His need for transformation. (1-5)

2. His need for Jesus. (6-8)

3. His need for understanding Scripture. (9-12)

4. His need to see his sin. (13-14)

5. His need to see the only way to salvation. (15)

Scripture: John 3:1-15

What the religious man did not know.

His need for transformation. (1-5)

His need for Jesus. (6-8)

His need for understanding Scripture. (9-12)

His need to see his sin. (13-14)

His need to see the only way to salvation. (15)

1. There must be an understanding of our sin. (1-2)

2. There must be a drawing to Jesus. (3-4)

3. There must be a point where Jesus meets us. (5-6)

4. There must be a realization that we do not deserve His salvation. (7)

5. There must be a transformation. (8)

6. There must be assurance of salvation. (9-10)

1. Simon approached Jesus with disdain…The woman with faith.

2. Simon doubted Jesus…the woman believed in Jesus.

3. Simon denied his sin…the woman understood her sin.

4. Simon was lost…the woman was saved.

1. Who is the Holy Spirit? 

2. Where is He?

3. What does He do?

Romans 7:14-25

What does Paul tell us about the struggle?

1. He reemphasizes the role of the Law. (14)

2. He reminds us to hate our sin. (15-16)

3. He reminds of our desire to do right. (17-20)

4. He reminds us that sin is always lurking. (21-23)

5. He reminds us that it is Jesus and Him alone Who delivers us from sin. (24-25)

1. This is the purpose of the Law (7-8)

2. Our innate condition in the light of the Law (9-10)

3. Our desperate need for a Savior (11-13)

1. This is the purpose of the Law. (7-8)

2. Our innate condition in the light of the Law. (9-10)

3. Our desperate need for a Savior (11-13)

1. The new relationship with God (1-3)

2. The reason for the new relationship with God (4)

3. The result of the new relationship with God (5-6)

Summary: Grow

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-8

Blessings given to Believers

1. Intent (5a)

2. Virtue (5b)

3. Knowledge (5c)

4. Self-control (6a)

5. Perseverance (6b)

6. Godliness (6c)

7. Brotherly kindness (7a)

9. Love

9. Fruitfulness (8a)

10. Wisdom (8b)

Summary: Grow

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3-8

Blessings given to Believers

1. Intent (5a)

2. Virtue (5b)

3. Knowledge (5c)

4. Self-control (6a)

5. Perseverance (6b)

6. Godliness (6c)

7. Brotherly kindness (7a)

8. Fruitfulness (8a)

9. Wisdom (8b)

Summary: Worship

Scripture: I Chronicles 16:23-31

What worship is…

1. Acknowledge His salvation (23-27)

2. Acknowledging His Holiness (28-30)

3. Acknowledge His sovereignty (30-31)

What worship is NOT…

1. Entertaining the masses

2. Embracing the world

3. Editing the Word

Summary: Discover

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-7, Luke 5:4-11

The benefits of discovering God

1. Knowing the fear of the Lord (5a)

2. Recognizing our lostness (5b)

3. Recognize our sin (5c&d; Luke 5:8)

4. Know that our sin is atoned for (7)

5. Recognize that He desires to use us despite our shortcomings (Luke 5:10)

6. And understand that discovery leads to obedience/following (Luke 5:11)

Summary: New Year’s Message 2025

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

- How to ensure a great year….a great life-

Know that our happiness rests on our eternity (1)

Know that we are to desire heaven more than the world (2-3)

Know that our eternity is incomparable to this world (4)

Know that only God can give us this desire (5)

Know that death is ultimately preferable than life on this planet (6-8)

1 John 4:7-21

Characteristics of true love.

1. Love means you can only love if know God (7-8)

2. Love means knowing the ultimate act of love is Jesus (9)

3. Love means knowing we cannot love God first (10)

4. Love means knowing love for others only comes from God (11-12)

5. Love means knowing the Spirit is the catalyst for love (13)

6. Love means knowing the Gospel is the vehicle for love (14-16)

7. Love means never having to be afraid (17-18)

8. Love means understanding what family really is (19-21)

Summary: The Incarnation Gives Us Joy

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

How does the Incarnation give us joy?

1. Because the Incarnation allows us to be saved (3)

2. Because the Incarnation allows us to go to heaven (4)

3. Because the Incarnation allows us to be guarded by God (5)

4. Because the Incarnation allows us to rejoice in hard times (6-7)

5. Because the Incarnation allows our joy to be tied to His faith (8-9

1. By allowing us to rejoice (4)

2. By allowing us to be gentle (5)

3. By allowing us not to worry (6)

4. By allowing us to NOT understand this peace (7)

The Incarnation Gives Us Hope

Scripture: Luke 2:22-35

How does the Incarnation give us hope?

1. Because it gives us help (22-26)

2. Because it gives us salvation (27-30)

3. Because it is for all peoples (31-32)

4. Because we can be spared His wrath (33-34)

5. Because He died for my sin (35)

Summary: To Thank Or Not To Thank

What Motivates To Give Thanks Or Not

1.  What Motivates Thankfulness? 11-15

2.  What Motivates Thanklessness? 17-19

Romans 6:15-23

Which Slave Are You?

1. Only two options (15-16)

2. Only one type of slave is free. (17-18)

3. Only one type of slave is chained (19-21)

4. Only one type of slave will end up in heaven (22-23)

1. Don’t take advantage of grace. (1-2)

2. Don’t forget we are connected to Jesus’ death (3-5)

3. Don’t think you’re a slave (6-7)

4. Don’t forget you are dead to sin (8-11)

5. Don’t act like you’re still dead (12-14)

Scripture: Romans 6:1-14

You’re Not Dead So…

1. Don’t take advantage of grace. (1-2)

2. Don’t forget we are connected to Jesus’ death (3-5)

3. Don’t think you’re a slave (6-7)

4. Don’t forget you are dead to sin (8-11)

5. Don’t act like you’re still dead (12-14)

1. The need for the gift. (12-15)

2. The reason for the gift. (16-19)

3. The result of the gift. (20-21)

1. He died because we are ungodly (6)

2. He died to show us how much he loves us (7-8)

3. He died to save us from the wrath of God (9)

4. He died because we were His enemies (10)

5. He died to reconcile us to God (11)

Romans 5:1-5

What Good Comes from Suffering?

1. We are able to understand the cause/effect aspect of suffering (1-3)

2. We are able to endure (3b)

3. We are able to have Godly character (4a)

4. We are able to have hope in hopeless situations (4b-5)

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Biblical Process of Suffering

1. Godly mind-set and biblical understanding-Be Full of Joy (2)

2. Exercise faith when suffering (3)

3. You will grow and be complete (4)

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Mary and Martha

1.  Reminds us of God’s saving grace (16)

2.   Reminds us that He gives life to the dead (17)

3.   Reminds us of His hope (18)

4.    Reminds us of His sovereignty (19)

5.   Reminds us of His glory (20)

6.   Reminds us of His promises (21)

7.    Reminds us of His righteousness (22)

8.   Reminds us of His Word (23)

9.   Reminds us of the Resurrection (24)

10. Reminds us of the Cross (25)

1.     It is counted to us as righteousness (13)

2.    It rejects any claims that we work for any part of our salvation (14)

3.    It is a tangible sign of our forgiveness (15)

1.     Faith is a gift from God. (9)

2.     Faith is not something that is attained. (10)

3.     Faith connects fellow Believers to the same covenant (11)

4.     Faith indwells all Believers (12)

Summary: Why Would God Choose Us?

Scripture: Romans 4:1-8Why God Shouldn't Have Chosen Them

1. Why God shouldn’t have chosen Abraham. (1-4)

2. Why God shouldn’t have chosen David. (5-6)

3.    Why would God choose any of us? (7-8)

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Scripture: Romans 3:27-31

What Are We Supposed to Do?

1.    We do not work for our salvation (27-30)

2.   We do work from our salvation (31)

Summary: What Did the Cross Do for Us?Scripture: Romans 3:23-26

What Did the Cross Do for Us?

1. It illuminated our sin (23)

2. It justified us in spite of our sin (24a)

3. It redeemed us from our sin (24b)

4. It satisfied the wrath God must pour out on sin (25a)

5. It demonstrated His righteousness (25b)

6. It provided forgiveness for our sin (25c)

7. It Glorifies God (26)

Summary: The Good News is Better than We Can Imagine!!

Scripture: Romans 3:21-22

-The Good News-

1.  The righteousness is not earned. (21)

2.  The righteousness belongs exclusively to God. (22a)

3.  The righteousness is for us. (22b)

Scripture: Romans 3:1-20

The Bad News

1. The justification (1-8)

2. The indictment (9-18)

3. The verdict (19-20)

Summary: What is God Saying Here? (Pt. 2)

Scripture: Romans 2:25-29

5 Questions About the Nature of Salvation

1. What are you hanging your salvation on? (25)

2. Have you been transformed by the Gospel? (26)

3. Do you understand your sinful condition? (27)

4. Are you a new creation? (28)

5. Do you have a heart of flesh? (29)

Summary: What is God Saying Here?

Scripture: Romans 2:25-29

5 Questions About the Nature of Salvation

1. What are you hanging your salvation on? (25)

2. Have you been transformed by the Gospel? (26)

3. Do you understand your sinful condition? (27)

4. Are you a new creation? (28)

5. Do you have a heart of flesh? (29)

Scripture: Romans 2:17-24

Dangers of Cultural Christianity

1. The danger of familiarization (17-20)

2. Familiarization does not mean transformation (21-24)

Scripture: Romans 2:12-16

Why Knowing isn't Enough?

1. It’s not that you know the moral code…it’s that you don’t follow it.

2. It’s not that you know God’s commands…it’s that you don’t do them.

Scripture: Romans 2:1-11

Why God is the Most Patient Judge in the Universe.

1. He admonishes us to be patient…like Him (1-3)

2. He shows us the gracious reason for His patience (4)

3. He warns us that His patience will come to an end (5-7)

4. He shows us the aftermath of His patience (8-11)

Summary: The Destructive Nature of Sin

Scripture: Romans 1:26:32

The Two Main Characteristics of Sin

1. Sin destroys everything it touches (26-31)

2. Sin comes with a price (32)

Summary: The Lost World (Part 2)

Scripture: Romans 1:18-25

Why Does the Lost World Need Saving?

1. To be spared the wrath of God (18a)

2. Because we deny the Truth (18b) 

3. Because we know God exists (19-20)

4. Because our heart is darkened (21)

5. Because we will believe anything but God (22-23)

6. Because engage in sinful behavior (24)

7. Because we prefer the lie (25)

Summary: The Lost World (Part 2)

Scripture: Romans 1:18-25

Why Does the Lost World Need Saving?

1. To be spared the wrath of God (18a)

2. Because we deny the Truth (18b)

3. Because we know God exists (19-20)

4. Because our heart is darkened (21)

5. Because we will believe anything but God (22-23)

6. Because engage in sinful behavior (24)

7. Because we prefer the lie (25)

Summary: The Gospel Makes Us Family (pt. 2)

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

How We Are to Treat Our Family

1. By thanking God for them..especially their successes (8)

2. By praying for them (9-10)

3. By longing to be with them (11)

4. By encouraging them (12)

5. By wanting to see them grow (13-15)

6. By reminding them Whose we all are (16-17

Summary: The Gospel Makes Us Family (pt. 2)

Scripture: Romans 1:8-17

How We Are to Treat Our Family

1. By thanking God for them..especially their successes (8)

2. By praying for them (9-10)

3. By longing to be with them (11)

Summary: The Gospel

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

What Does Paul Say About the Gospel?

1. It was always planned by God. (1)

2. It is defined in the Bible…all of the Bible. (2-3)

3. All the elements of The Gospel (4-7)

Summary: The Gospel

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

What Does Paul Say About the Gospel?

1. It was always planned by God. (1)

2. It is defined in the Bible…all of the Bible. (2-3) 

3. All the elements of The Gospel (4-7) 

Summary: Palm Sunday

1. To fulfill Scripture (14-15).

2. To announce He was the true Messiah (13).

3. To fulfill prophecy…to announce He was the true Messiah…lastly to ensure His crucifixion (16). 

Summary: Who Do You Say that I Am?

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-17

Who is Jesus?

1. Who people THINK Jesus is (13-15).


2. Who we KNOW Jesus is (16-17).

Summary: Anatomy of a Request

Scripture: Mark 5:21-34

What is His Promise?

1. An imperfect faith (21-24).


2. God's perfect timing (24-34).

3. God's perfect response (35-43).

Summary: The Promise

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

What is His Promise?

1. He will tell us what we NEED to know (22).


2. He is not obligated to keep promises He NEVER made (23-24).

3. He will get us to the other side (25).

1. That Jesus was no mere good man (18a)

2. That Jesus came simply to preach the Gospel (18b)

3. That Jesus came to free the captives of sin (18c)

4. That Jesus came to make the blind see (18d)

5. That Jesus came to provide freedom to the oppressed (18e)

6. That Jesus came for glory and grace (19) 

The Lady With No Name

John 4:1-30

How does Jesus Engage the Lost?

1. By confirming that we are His enemies (7-9)

2. By giving us life (10-15)

3. By confronting our sin (16-18)

4. By showing us Who He is (19-26)

5. By inspiring us to tell others (27-30)

Summary: The Sovereignty of God (Pt 3)

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:1-19

-What Happens When We Better Understand

God’s Sovereignty?

1. Our hearts are softened (1-6)

2. Our faith is strengthened (7-19)

Summary: The Sovereignty of God (Part 2)

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:12-2:20

Asking Tough Questions About God’s Sovereignty

1. God’s people can and should ask tough questions. (12-17)

2. God provides us answers to these tough questions (2:2-20)

3. What are the answers for these tough questions?

Summary: No Such Thing as Social Justice

Scripture: Philemon 1:1-25

How to Positively Impact the Culture for Christ

1. Introduce the Gospel (1-7)

2. Emphasize Transformation (8-16)

3. Encourage Obedience (17-25)

Scripture: 2 John

What Truths are We to Remember?

1.     The truth about God’s graciousness (1-3)

2.     The truth about God’s commandments (4-6)

3.     The truth about God’s detractors (7-11)

4.     The truth about God’s family (12-13)

Summary: Fighting for the Faith

Scripture: Jude 1-25

What to do about False Teachers

1. We are to fight them. (1-3)


2. We are to recognize them. (4)


3. We are to know them. (5-7) 


4. We are to know their tactics. (8-16) 


5. We are to know our response. (17-23) 


6. We are to remember Whose we are. (24-25)

Summary: What is our Role in Family of Believers

What is our Role?

1. Remember that other Believers are family. (1-4)

2. Remember that in God’s family, there are no strangers. (5)

3. Remember that we are to help our family. (6-7)

4.  Remember that when we help family, we join in their ministry. (8)

5.  Remember that you do not put yourself ahead of your family. (9-10)

6.  Remember that doing good to family is part of  Whose we are. (11-12)

7.  Remember that we should long to be with family. (13-15)

The Tale of Two Worlds

A. The Characteristics of the World…:

1. The world is from bad blood. (10) 

2. The world rejects the things of God (13-15) 

3. The world will be cut of forever (10, 16)

B. The Characteristics of the Word…:

1. We are from Good blood (10)

2. We will be delivered from the evils of the world. (17-18)

3. We have an eternal reward. (19-21)

Summary: Is Being Happy our Goal?

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8

How to Ensure a Great Year.

1. Know that our happiness rests on our eternity (1) 


2. Know that we are to desire heaven more than the world (2-3) 


3. Know that our eternity is incomparable to this world (4) 


4. Know that only God can give us this desire (5)


5. Know that death is ultimately preferable than life on this planet (6-8)

Characteristics of True Love

1. You can only love if you know God(7-8)

2. Knowing the ultimate act of love is Jesus(9)

3. Knowing we cannot love God first(10)

4. Knowing love for others can only come from God (11-12)

5. Knowing the Spirit is the catalyst of love (13)

6. Knowing the Gospel is the vehicle for love (14-16)

7. Never having to be afraid (17-18)

8. Understanding what family really is (19-21)

Summary: Our Joy is in Christ

The Real Jesus.

1. The real Jesus (God) (1-2)

2. He is Creator (3)

3. He is Life (4)

4. He is Light (5)

1. There is peace only Jesus (29)

2. The necessity of being just and devout (25)

3. The Spirit brings obedience (26-27) 

4. To search the Scriptures to truly know Him (29)

5. To trust God...no matter what (29)

6. What true sacrifice is….salvation(30)

7. That salvation would be open to all (32)

8. That not all people will be saved (34-35)

9. To embrace the love of the Savior (28)

700 hears before it happened, Micah told us the Messiah's birthplace (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-6)

700 years before it happened, Isaiah told us the Messiah would be born of a virgin (Is. 7:14; Luke 1:26ff)

1,000 years before it happened, David tells us the Messiah would be rejected by His own people (Psalm 69:8; John 1:11; Matthew 1:22-23)

500 years before it happened, Zechariah told us the Messiah would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12-23; Matthew 26:14-16)

1,000 years before it happened, David told us that the Messiah would die...but not stay dead (Psalm 16:10)

1.   He is God. (John 1:1-13)

2.   He is human. (Hebrews 2:17-18; Philippians 2:5-11)

3.   He is the Lamb (John 1:29-31; Hebrews 9:11-14)

4.   He is the propitiation (1 John 2:1-3)

5.   He is the resurrection. (1 Cor. 15:12-19)

6.   He is the life. (John 11:21-26)

1. Ingredient one: Rejoice always (16)

2. Ingredient two: Pray without ceasing (17)

3. Ingredient three: Give thanks in everything (18a)

4. Final product: In the will of God (18b)

1. You are His (14)

2. You have His Word (15-16)

3. You can know His Word (17-18)

1.    Jesus is coming back (8-9)

2.    He is coming back as Judge for some (10)

3.    He is coming back as Lord for others (11-13)

1.    Jesus is coming back (8-9)

2.    He is coming back as Judge for some (10)

3.    He is coming back as Lord for others (11-13)

1.    That we have a new mind (1)

2.    That we have His Word (2)

3.    That the world will mock us…unmercifully (3-4)

4.    That this same world will be judged (5-7)

1.     They know what they are doing. (1-3)

2.     They do not belong to God. (4-8)

3.     They are doomed to His wrath. (9-11)

What are the Characteristics for True North for the Believer?

1.   True north is not devised by people (16)

2.   True north is revealed only by God (17-18)

3.   True north is communicated only by God’s Word (19-21)

1.    God alone is our author (1-4)

2.    God alone drives our actions (5-8)

3.    God alone gives us confidence (9-11)

4.    God alone reminds us Whose we are. (12-15)

-The Lost

1.    Are evil (1)

2.    Are destructive (2)

3.    Are liars (3-4)

4.    Are dead (5)

5.    Are not trustful of God (6-7)

-The Saved

1.    Are useful to God (8a)

2.    Are part of His family (8b)

3.    Are beneficiaries of His enduring love (8c)

4.    Are thankful to God alone (9a)

5.    Are always trusting in His name (9b)

Summary: God is Good

Scripture: Psalm 67

How is God Good?

1.    He is good, therefore He is gracious (1) 

2.    He is good, therefore He saves (2-3)

3.    He is good, therefore He judges (4-5)

4.    He is good, therefore He blesses (6-7)

Summary: A Psalm of Warning

Scripture: Psalm 53 

- God Warns Us That…: 

1. No one is good (1) 

2. No one understands God (2) 

3. Everyone is corrupt (3) 

4. Everyone is fearful (4-5) 

5. Only His atoning work can save (6)

Summary: Why Do We Praise God?

Scripture: Psalm 47

1 Clap your hands, all peoples!

    Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

    a great king over all the earth.

3 He subdued peoples under us,

    and nations under our feet.

4 He chose our heritage for us,

    the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

5  God has gone up with a shout,

    the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!

    Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

7 For God is the King of all the earth;

    sing praises with a psalm!

8 God reigns over the nations;

    God sits on his holy throne.

9 The princes of the peoples gather

    as the people of the God of Abraham.

For the shields of the earth belong to God;

    he is highly exalted!

Why is He trustworthy?

1.    He alone rules the entire world (1-2)

2.    He alone chose us (3-4)

3.    He alone is holy (5-7)

4.    He alone is exalted (8-9)

Summary: Where is God When I’m Suffering?

Scripture: Psalm 42

When we are suffering…we are to remember:

1.    It’s ok to tell God how much it hurts. (1-4)

2.    It’s ok to tell God He feels like He’s a thousand miles away. (5-7)

3.    It’s ok to remind yourself that God actually does love you. (8-11)

Summary: A Psalm of Forgiveness 

Scripture: Psalm 32

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly

offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;

surely in the rush of great waters,

they shall not reach him.

7 You are a hiding place for me;

you preserve me from trouble;

you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

which must be curbed with bit and bridle,

or it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Biblical Forgiveness:

1. It provides covering. (1-2)

2. It stirs confession. (3-5)

3. It imparts peace. (6-7)

4. It encourages encouragement. (8-9)

5. It inspires rejoicing. (10-11)

Summary: Lord, Hear My Prayer

Scripture: Psalm 28

Lord, Hear My Prayer: 

1.   God hears my prayer though I don’t deserve it.  (1-2)

2.    God does not treat me like the wicked though I  deserve it. (3-5)

3.    God strengthens me though I do not deserve it.  (6-7)

4.    God saves me though I do not deserve it. (8-9)

1. God’s glory revealed in creation (1)

2. God’s glory revealed in His strength (2)

3. God’s glory revealed in humanity (3-5)

4. God’s glory revealed in His order (6-9)

1. Pray (2-3a)

2. Declare (3b-4)

3. Walk (5)

4. Answer (6)

5. Encourage (7-9)

6. Welcome (10)

7. Comfort (11)

8. Stand (12)

9. Work (13)

10. Read (15-18)

1. Pray (2-3a) 

2. Declare (3b-4) 

3. Walk (5) 

4. Answer (6) 

5. Encourage (7-9) 

  1.  Be a Godly wife (18)

  2.  Be a Godly husband (19)

  3.  Be a Godly child (20) 

  4.  Be Godly parents (21)

  5.  Be a Godly worker (22-4:1)