RUTH
A Fairy Tale Ending
Ruth 4
1. Continuous Hope lives in the providence of God.
2. Continuous Hope clings to redemption.
3. Continuous Hope lives in us as someone fights for us.
4. Continuous Hope lives with legacy in mind.
1. Continuous Hope lives in the providence of God.
2. Continuous Hope clings to redemption.
3. Continuous Hope lives in us as someone fights for us.
4. Continuous Hope lives with legacy in mind.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Sep 1, 2019A Fairy Tale Ending
A Fairy Tale EndingRuth 4
1. Continuous Hope lives in the providence of God.
2. Continuous Hope clings to redemption.
3. Continuous Hope lives in us as someone fights for us.
4. Continuous Hope lives with legacy in mind. - Aug 25, 2019The Risky Business of Hope
The Risky Business of HopeRuth 3
1. Hope gets us dreaming again.
2. Hope gets us moving into action.
3. Hope filled actions get hope filled responses. - Aug 18, 2019The Rescue
The RescueRuth 2Hope Nugget #1 – Hope can take root as I take action.Hope Nugget #2 - Hope grows in our lives as we recognize God’s Providence.Hope Nugget #3 – Hope multiplies as we care, share, and love like God.Hope Nugget #4 – Ruth’s faith in God brings hope for relief and redemption.
THE JONAH IN ME
God of the Big Fish and the Little Worm
1. Kingdom Life is about fighting against a great contradiction.
Life Observation: Jonah has a good theology, but a bad heart.
2. Kingdom Life is about God providing what we need when we need it on His terms.
Life Lesson: Who is Lord of this moment?
3. Kingdom Life is about Nineveh.
Kingdom Observation: Jonah sees the Ninevites as his enemies. God sees all people as enemies.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Jul 28, 2019God of the Big Fish and the Little Worm
God of the Big Fish and the Little Worm1. Kingdom Life is about fighting against a great contradiction.Life Observation: Jonah has a good theology, but a bad heart.
2. Kingdom Life is about God providing what we need when we need it on His terms.
Life Lesson: Who is Lord of this moment?
3. Kingdom Life is about Nineveh.
Kingdom Observation: Jonah sees the Ninevites as his enemies. God sees all people as enemies. - Jul 21, 2019God’s Gift
God’s Gift1. God speaks graciously.
2. Jonah responds obediently.
3. The Ninevites repent dramatically.
4. God relents mercifully. - Jul 14, 2019In Deep Water
In Deep Water1. The Deep Water moments are what we need to pray.
2. The Deep Water moments are where we see God answer.
3. Deep Water answers don’t always come as expected.
4. Deep Waters bring a fresh awareness of God. - Jul 7, 2019Wrong Way Jonah
Wrong Way Jonah1. God will challenge me.Life Point: God’s concern doesn’t have boundaries.
2. I have a choice to make.Life Point: I can find boats going the wrong direction.
3. God cares too much to leave us alone.
Life Point: God will use life to get our attention.
4. Our worst moments can become God moments.
Life Point: Our nightmares will often wake us up to God.
GOD’S CHANNEL
Tuning In
How do I request God’s guidance in my life?
1. I must be convinced that God cares about the details of my life.
2. I should ask specific questions.
3. I should expect an answer.
Steps for Hearing God’s Voice in My Life:
1. Withdraw
2. Wait
3. Watch
4. Write
5. Worship
1. I must be convinced that God cares about the details of my life.
2. I should ask specific questions.
3. I should expect an answer.
Steps for Hearing God’s Voice in My Life:
1. Withdraw
2. Wait
3. Watch
4. Write
5. Worship
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Jun 23, 2019Tuning In
Tuning InHow do I request God’s guidance in my life?
1. I must be convinced that God cares about the details of my life.
2. I should ask specific questions.
3. I should expect an answer.
Steps for Hearing God’s Voice in My Life:
1. Withdraw
2. Wait
3. Watch
4. Write
5. Worship - Jun 16, 2019The Right Songwriter
The Right SongwriterGod Point: If God desires a relationship with us, then He desires to talk to us.
Impressions come from Me and Others.
Impressions come from Satan.
Impressions come from God.
Testing Impressions means I:
1. Make sure it agrees with the Bible.
2. Make sure it makes me more like Jesus.
3. Make sure it compliments Godly wisdom from others.
4. Make sure it fits my shape.
5. Make sure it’s convicting and not condemning.
6. Makes sure it brings peace. - Jun 9, 2019His Sound Equipment
His Sound EquipmentWays that God speaks to me:
1. God speaks through the Bible.
2. God speaks through people.A. Practical Teaching
B. Providential Relationships3. God speaks through impressions.Warning – Always test impressions.4. God speaks through circumstances.
Why is God speaking to me important?
A. It’s a family assurance.
B. It’s a personal protection.
C. It’s a productive life. - Jun 2, 2019Finding Him
Finding HimLuke 8:4-151. I must be open to discovering His Channel.Hard Soil – Closed Mind2. I must make time to listen.Shallow Soil – Superficial Mind3. I must remove distractions.Thorny Soil – Preoccupied Mind4. I must cooperate with what God says.Good Soil – Willing Heart
CROSS WORDS
My Number
Luke 23:32-43
Life Point: We often determine goodness with comparisons.
World’s View on Eternity: Good people go to heaven.
God’s View on Eternity: Forgiven people go to heaven.
1. When life is about me or my number, Jesus only becomes an escape.
2. Forgiven people admit guilt and recognize the consequences.
3. Forgiven people ask sincerely and humbly for help.
Life Point: We often determine goodness with comparisons.
World’s View on Eternity: Good people go to heaven.
God’s View on Eternity: Forgiven people go to heaven.
1. When life is about me or my number, Jesus only becomes an escape.
2. Forgiven people admit guilt and recognize the consequences.
3. Forgiven people ask sincerely and humbly for help.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Apr 21, 2019My Number
My NumberLuke 23:32-43
Life Point: We often determine goodness with comparisons.
World’s View on Eternity: Good people go to heaven.
God’s View on Eternity: Forgiven people go to heaven.
1. When life is about me or my number, Jesus only becomes an escape.
2. Forgiven people admit guilt and recognize the consequences.
3. Forgiven people ask sincerely and humbly for help. - Apr 7, 2019Parched
ParchedJohn 19:28-30
1. Prophecy Fulfilled.
2. Humanity Revealed.
3. Spiritual Thirst Sealed.A. Spiritual Thirst exposes a need in us.
B. Spiritual Thirst exposes a need in others.Spiritual Thirst Question: Am I quenched and am I helping others be quenched?
Big Spiritual Thirst Idea: Jesus had thirst so I never have to be thirsty again. - Mar 31, 2019Forgive Them
Forgive ThemLuke 23:32-34
Why are these Cross Words important? Because we all have somebody we need to forgive.
1. These words are significant because they fulfill prophecy.
2. These words are significant because they changed our posture toward justice and forgiveness.A. My posture before Jesus was that you owe me and justice is mine.
B. My posture after Jesus is that God forgave me so I can forgive you.Forgiveness Lesson #1 – There’s debt that can’t be repaid.
Forgiveness Lesson #2 – But mercy can always be an option.
Forgiveness Lesson #3 – There are negative consequences to unforgiveness.
Forgiveness Lesson #4 – God’s love and mercy will always be greater than the hurt. - Mar 24, 2019Why
WhyLife’s Big Question: Will I trust God?Life’s Tough Spiritual Truth: We have to understand that we are not always going to understand.
1. He is a good Father.
2. God is always for me.
3. God will not leave me.
The Big Faith Journey Idea: To know God and to know Him more.
Spiritual Truth: The more I know God, the less I ask “why” and the more I ask “what”.
DIFFERENCE MAKER
The Big D
Difference Maker Fact: We often face opposition when we are doing something right.
1. You may be discouraged from the outside.
Difference Maker Fact: Opposition most often comes as obstacles and criticisms.
2. You may be discouraged from the inside.
Difference Maker Fact: The enemy will try to get us to doubt ourselves.
3. Remember the Lord.
1. You may be discouraged from the outside.
Difference Maker Fact: Opposition most often comes as obstacles and criticisms.
2. You may be discouraged from the inside.
Difference Maker Fact: The enemy will try to get us to doubt ourselves.
3. Remember the Lord.
4. Fight for your cause.
Difference Maker Fact: To build something good, you have to be willing to fight for something good.
Difference Maker Fact: To build something good, you have to be willing to fight for something good.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Feb 24, 2019The Big D
The Big DDifference Maker Fact: We often face opposition when we are doing something right.
1. You may be discouraged from the outside.
Difference Maker Fact: Opposition most often comes as obstacles and criticisms.
2. You may be discouraged from the inside.
Difference Maker Fact: The enemy will try to get us to doubt ourselves.
3. Remember the Lord.4. Fight for your cause.
Difference Maker Fact: To build something good, you have to be willing to fight for something good. - Feb 17, 2019Lead On
Lead OnDifference Maker Fact: God doesn’t use us based on position. God uses us because of passion.
1. Bring clarity to the passion.
Difference Maker Fact: If you won’t define it; you probably can’t do it.
2. Develop a strategy.
What’s the Next Step?
3. Inspire others to become passionate.
Difference Maker Fact: We make a difference for Christ not by being the best, but by caring the most. - Feb 10, 2019Heartbreaker
HeartbreakerDifference Maker Fact: God has always used ordinary people to make a difference in extraordinary ways.Difference Maker Fact: Every Christ Follower has been purposed to make a difference.1. They let things grab their hearts.What is it that breaks your heart?2. They are moved to pray.God plus one is always a majority!3. They decide to go.“Somebody needs to do something about this; it might as well be me.”
UNDO
More Than A Wrapper
Matthew 15:1-9
What would Jesus Undo in our Lives? Empty Worship
So which way to worship is right before God? All and Neither!
So which way to worship is right before God? All and Neither!
1. Worship that moves God is a reflection of our hearts.
2. Worship isn’t a song we sing, it’s a life we live.
3. Worship is expressive.
2. Worship isn’t a song we sing, it’s a life we live.
3. Worship is expressive.
A. We bow.
B. We lift our hands.
C. We dance.
D. We give ourselves as sacrifices of praise.
B. We lift our hands.
C. We dance.
D. We give ourselves as sacrifices of praise.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Jan 27, 2019More Than A Wrapper
More Than A WrapperMatthew 15:1-9What would Jesus Undo in our Lives? Empty Worship
So which way to worship is right before God? All and Neither!1. Worship that moves God is a reflection of our hearts.
2. Worship isn’t a song we sing, it’s a life we live.
3. Worship is expressive.A. We bow.
B. We lift our hands.
C. We dance.
D. We give ourselves as sacrifices of praise. - Jan 20, 2019Before a Fall
Before a FallLuke 18:9-14
Spiritual Pride Problem – We misplace our worth with a trust and faith in ourselves that eventually causes us to look down on others.
Empty Promises of Unhealthy Pride:
1. Self Sufficiency
2. Self Worth
Opposite Spiritual Pride – I could never be used by God.
1. When it’s about me; it’s not about God.
2. When it’s about God; I find grace.
3. When it’s about God; I find opportunity.
Application Question: Is this about lifting up God or lifting up me? - Jan 6, 2019Stale
StaleRevelation 3:15-20
What Causes Staleness?
1. I got what I need; I’m good.
2. Life gets busy; it happens.
Stale Life Indicators:
1. Image is of utmost importance.
2. We lose sight of eternity.
3. We justify our messiness.
4. We believe, but don’t pass it along.
5. God is for emergencies only.
6. We don’t separate ourselves from the pack.
Making my Faith fresh again:
1. Take steps of Faith.
FINDING JESUS
Believing is Seeing
Christmas Eve Service
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Dec 24, 2018Believing is Seeing
Believing is SeeingChristmas Eve Service
- Dec 23, 2018Spiritual Rhythm
Spiritual RhythmChristmas Thought: When we find Jesus on our journey, we find order in our journey.1. Purging2. Illumination3. UnionThe Divine Result of Spiritual Rhythm: A balanced me with a sacred rhythm that blesses all it touches.
- Dec 16, 2018A Heart Too Small
A Heart Too SmallLoving like we never loved before means we might…
1. Pray for the one that goes unnoticed.
2. Smile for the one who needs some joy.
3. Act with love for the one who needs to see Jesus. - Dec 2, 2018Bring Back The Joy
Bring Back The JoyLuke 2:1-16
Our expectations rarely match the reality we experience.How can Christmas be different for me?
1. Joy comes from abiding with Jesus.
2. Joy comes from our stories.
BREAKING FREE
It Hurts
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. -Psalm 23:5
The Wrong Way with Hurt…
1. Pretend it doesn’t exist.
2. Run from it.
3. Hide it.
4. Worry about it.
5. Resent it.
The Right Way with Hurt…
1. Let God handle the situation.
2. Let Jesus heal me.
3. Let Jesus meet my needs.
1. Pretend it doesn’t exist.
2. Run from it.
3. Hide it.
4. Worry about it.
5. Resent it.
The Right Way with Hurt…
1. Let God handle the situation.
2. Let Jesus heal me.
3. Let Jesus meet my needs.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Nov 18, 2018It Hurts
It HurtsYou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. -Psalm 23:5The Wrong Way with Hurt…
1. Pretend it doesn’t exist.
2. Run from it.
3. Hide it.
4. Worry about it.
5. Resent it.
The Right Way with Hurt…
1. Let God handle the situation.
2. Let Jesus heal me.
3. Let Jesus meet my needs. - Nov 11, 2018The Valleys
The ValleysYea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. -Psalm 23:4 NKJVFacts about our valleys:1. Valleys happen.2. Valleys surprise.3. Valleys don’t discriminate.4. Valleys don’t last.5. Valleys have purpose.What should we do in the Valleys?A. Refuse panic and discouragement.B. Believe God is present.C. Lean into His protection and direction.
- Nov 4, 2018Wishy-Washy
Wishy-WashyHe guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. - Psalm 23:3b NIV
1. Admit I need guidance.
2. Ask expecting some guidance.
3. Be attentive to His guidance.
4. Trust the Path Maker. - Oct 28, 2018Baggage
BaggageHe restores my soul. -Psalm 23:3 NKJV3 “G’s” we often carry around: Guilt, Grief, and Grudges
1. Allow God to take away my guilt.
2. Allow God to bring relief to my grief.
3. Allow God to remove and resolve my grudges. - Oct 21, 2018Busy Bees
Busy BeesHe makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. -Psalm 23:2 NIV
R.E.L.A.X.
1. Recognize my value.
2. Enjoy what’s present.
3. Limit my work.
4. Alter what I value most.
5. Xchange my stress for God’s blessedness. - Oct 14, 2018Worry
WorryPsalm 231. Remedy to Worry: I must choose to believe that God will take care of me.2. How Do I make God my Shepherd? Accept Jesus as Lord.3. How to get the control issue right – I begin to pray about everything.4. How to do this well for the long haul – Take it one day at a time.
WON’T YOU
BE MY
NEIGHBOR
A Neighbor Just Like You
Our Mission – God’s Church is to help all people be transformed by Jesus.
Our Vision – A Church For Our Neighbors
Luke 10:25-37
1. What must I do to inherit eternal life?
- I want to check the boxes and justify my actions.
2. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Love your neighbor who is like you.
3. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- We love God by loving our neighbors.
4. “Who is my neighbor?”
- I want to affirm and confirm that it is people just like me.
5. “Who was a neighbor?”... “The one who showed mercy”
- To be a neighbor is to show grace and mercy even to our enemies.
6. “Go and do likewise.”
– Jesus wants us to love and not walk away.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Sep 16, 2018A Neighbor Just Like You
A Neighbor Just Like YouOur Mission – God’s Church is to help all people be transformed by Jesus.Our Vision – A Church For Our NeighborsLuke 10:25-371. What must I do to inherit eternal life?- I want to check the boxes and justify my actions.2. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.- Love your neighbor who is like you.3. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”- We love God by loving our neighbors.4. “Who is my neighbor?”- I want to affirm and confirm that it is people just like me.5. “Who was a neighbor?”... “The one who showed mercy”- To be a neighbor is to show grace and mercy even to our enemies.6. “Go and do likewise.”– Jesus wants us to love and not walk away.
EVEN IF YOU DON’T
Fresh Perspective
Habakkuk 3
Habakkuk – to embrace, to wrestle
Life Point: Experiences with God raise us above the pain and doubt.
Changing my Perspective in the Pain…
1. I remember what God has done.
2. I embrace what God is doing.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Sep 9, 2018Fresh Perspective
Fresh PerspectiveHabakkuk 3Habakkuk – to embrace, to wrestleLife Point: Experiences with God raise us above the pain and doubt.Changing my Perspective in the Pain…1. I remember what God has done.2. I embrace what God is doing.
- Aug 26, 2018Embrace the Wait
Embrace the Wait1. Position myself to hear from God.Life Point: God’s silence doesn’t mean His absence.2. Position myself to receive, believe, and remember what God says to me.Life Point: The enemy of our soul wants to steal truth from us.3. Position myself to wait. Life Point: God’s seeming delays in your life are not denials. God’s timing is perfect and it can’t be stopped.
- Aug 19, 2018The First Chapter of My Pain
The First Chapter of My PainHabakkuk – to embrace, to wrestle
Painful Question:This isn’t fair, God and you don’t make sense; what are you doing?
Wrestling with God might look like:
A. Questioning God’s care.
B. Questioning God’s apparent absence.
C. Questioning God’s fairness in my situation.
When we get punched in the soul…
1. It can drive us to discover the nature of God.
2. It can drive us to raw honesty about ourselves and our situations.
3. It can drive us to a place that surrenders our own efforts for a reliance on God.
INDIVIDUAL
SERMONS
The Investment
1. There is the practical side to my gift.
2. Giving reveals a worship of God and a transformed life.
2. Giving reveals a worship of God and a transformed life.
The Treasure Principle: You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.
Building Block A - God owns everything. I’m a manager.
Building Block B – My heart goes where I put God’s money.
Building Block C – Live for the line, not the dot.
WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Sep 8, 2019The Investment
The Investment1. There is the practical side to my gift.
2. Giving reveals a worship of God and a transformed life.
The Treasure Principle: You can’t take it with you, but you can send it on ahead.
Building Block A - God owns everything. I’m a manager.
Building Block B – My heart goes where I put God’s money.
Building Block C – Live for the line, not the dot. - Aug 4, 2019Taking the Lead
Taking the LeadLeadership Fact: Leadership is a journey of influence.Leadership Fact: We affect or influence others in either positive or negative ways.Leadership Fact: Most of the leadership that shapes our lives does not come from leaders with titles, but from daily life relationships.Leadership Fact: Jesus is the greatest leadership model of all time.Leadership Fact: Servant leadership is the only management approach that Jesus validated for His followers.1. Solitude and Prayer2. Scripture3. Group Life4. Trust the Unconditional Love of the Father.
- May 26, 2019Mistakes and Mismatches
Mistakes and MismatchesChrist is our living hope.
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, or you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT
Christ is our calm hope.
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.” 1 Peter 2:5
Christ is the foundation of our hope.
“Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!” 1Peter 3:17 - May 19, 2019Sun Stand Still Faith
Sun Stand Still FaithJoshua 10:7-14
Faith Point: Bold living produces miraculous results in our lives.
Life Point: Jesus didn’t just save us to survive the world. He saved us to change it for His Glory.
1. It believes the battles we presently fight are already won in Jesus.
2. It believes that God can do more in a moment of favor than I can do in a lifetime of trying.
3. It believes that God wants to show His Glory in my life as I boldly call on Him.
4. It believes that my disadvantages become advantages with God. - May 12, 2019Keep Believing
Keep BelievingMark 5:21-43
Life Point – Life doesn’t always go according to plan; even when it appears it just might.
1. Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better.
2. The temptation is to give up and question God’s ability or concern.
3. Jesus doesn’t see your circumstances the way you see them.
A. Living with Belief means I move beyond the question.
B. Living with Belief means I follow Jesus to the house.
C. Living with Belief means I put out everything that gets in the way. - May 5, 2019Past. Present. Future.
Past. Present. Future.Learn from the past, live for and with God in the present, and hope and prepare for the future.
- Apr 28, 2019A Dusty Road
A Dusty RoadLuke 24:13-35
1. The road to Emmaus is filled with disappointment.
Life Point: Unmet expectations often lead to hopelessness.
2. The road to Emmaus causes blurred vision.
Life Point: We often don’t find what we are not looking for.
3. The road OUT OF Emmaus is filled with His Word.
Life Point: To know scripture is good, but to accept it is even better.
4. The road OUT OF Emmaus is filled with His Presence.
Life Point: Everything changes when Jesus becomes the Host of your home. - Mar 17, 2019The Money End Game
The Money End Game1 Chronicles 29:10-14Money Question: What is the overall objective with my finances and life?1. Make all you can2. Spend all you can.3. Save all you can.4. Give all you can.5. To be financially free.Better Money Question: What is God’s overall view of my money and stuff?God’s Economy – God wants something for you; not from you.Financial Dilemma – We often get caught up in a way of giving, rather than a way of living.The Right Financial Perspective – I manage in this life what God has distributed to me.The Right Financial/Life Question: How do I honor God with what I’ve been given?
- Feb 3, 2019Dr. Tom Renfro
Dr. Tom RenfroSpecial Guest Speaker Dr. Tom Renfro shares about God's miraculous work in his life.
- Dec 30, 2018My Year
My YearGalatians 5:22-23
“Possibility fuels the potential for a better future.”
Tension with Potential – If I believe it is possible, I am correct. If I believe it is not possible, I am correct.
The Life Changing Question: What does God think is possible for you in the New Year?
The Eastland Challenge: Love like you have never loved before.