August 5, 2012: Assurance of Salvation

1 John Series message 11

Text: 1 John 3:19-24

A key Biblical teaching on salvation is that we can know we are saved, forgiven, and going to heaven when we die. Not "I hope I make it", or "I hope my good outweighs my bad"... but, I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded... as Paul said. Many Christians have doubts about their salvation, or struggle to put their hearts at rest in His presence. 1 John is a wonderful book which addresses this very struggle with absolute authority. We will unpack what John has to say on this very important issue.

Assurance of Salvation

July 29, 2012 Love, Love, Love

1 John series message 10

Text: 1 John 3:11-18

The apostle will remind us of the greatest act of love EVER: the Son of God laying down His life for us. It is impossible to minimize this profound act. What matters here is not just what He did, but WHO HE IS: the Son of God who appeared for the purpose of reconciling sinners like you and me to our Creator. It is this, the heart of Christianity, which inspires and compels us to live a life of love.

Love, Love, Love!

July 15, 2012: Endurance

Text: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

When I started our studies in I John, I was honing in on LOVE and OBEDIENCE. God's love for us and through us. Obedience to the truth and how that marks us as believers. As we've journeyed through together, I've been impressed with another theme: perseverance. God's Word is always perfect for His people at just the right time. We, corporately and as individuals, need to gain God's strength and perspective as we persevere through some challenging times. This Sunday we're going to park on that theme a bit and see what Paul has to say about endurance with the challenges he faced as he ministered the Gospel. Timeless phrases such as "dying, yet alive... sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" punctuate his personal testimony.

Endurance

July 1, 2012: Perseverance: Heavenly Hope

1 John series message 8

Text: 1 John 2:28-3:3

God's timing is so perfect. Our theme the past two weeks has been perseverance. Last week we saw the importance of persevering in the truth; building our lives on the Word of God and obedience to what He calls us to. It is freeing to live our lives with GRACE and to rely daily on His love. This weekend we will see that the strength of our perseverance comes from the certainty of Jesus' return.

Perseverance: Heavenly Hope

June 24, 2012: Our Anointing

1 John series message 7

Text: 1 John 2:20-27

John reminds us that many antichrists are active in today's world and we see the effects on a regular basis. God has given us His Spirit to live in us and lead us into all truth, as well as men and women gifted as teachers to help us understand and live God's principles. This message is to remind us that, just as we are to persevere in trials, we need to persevere in God's Truth.

Our Anointing

June 17, 2012: The Test of Perseverance

1 John series message 6

Text: 1 John 2:18-19

John addresses the future antichrist as well as antichrists that are already among us. The focus, however, is on the perseverance of the saints. This is the third test of genuine faith; the first two were love and obedience. It is encouraging to keep in mind that it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Yet, we are charged to persevere in our faith through difficult times, finding our strength in Him. We'll give good encouragement for doing just that, and for helping us demonstrate perseverance for others.

The Test of Perseverance

June 10, 2012: Loving What Lasts

1 John series message 5

Text: I John 2:15-17

Having affirmed the wonderful blessing of being God's children, John now urges us not to love the elements of this world which are temporary and contrary to godly living. This world and its trappings are passing away, but we will live forever! What a privilege to live with this eternal perspective!

Loving What Lasts

June 3, 2012: The Truth About You

1 John series message 4

Text: 1 John 2:12-14

God has a lot to say about who we are in Christ. Yet the more I interact with people, I see there is a bit of a disconnect between what God says and what we actually believe to be true about us. This text is a wonderful reassurance regarding how God views us as His children.

The Truth About You

May 13, 2012: Obedience Matters

1 John Series message 3

Text: 1 John 2:3-11

Last Sunday we saw the power of Christ’s blood to provide complete forgiveness and set us free in our thinking. That brings joy and peace to our lives. This week we'll see the centrality of obedience in our Christian life, from I John 2:3-11.

Obedience Matters

May 6, 2012: "Let's get a few things straight!"

1 John Series message 2

Text: 1 John 1:5-2:2

The apostle John, one of the Sons of Thunder, squarely addresses the nature and effects of sin in our sermon text. While circumstances have changed, core issues have not: sin is not subjective and nor is it without consequences. Admitting our sin is what drives us to Christ for salvation, and, sin will keep you from fellowship with God should you cherish it as a believer. Bad teaching about Jesus and sin destroys lives and John is anxious to set the record straight about our wonderful Savior and His unchanging love. Jesus came full of GRACE and TRUTH, and speaks on our behalf when we are accused by our adversary. He does not defend us based on our performance; that would be a nightmare. He simply declares “I died for him…she is covered by the blood!

Let's get a few things straight

April 22, 2012: Reluctant Heroes

Text: Ephesians 4:7-16

Great stories often have a reluctant hero. One who doesn't see their value until someone intervenes or circumstances force them to act. This week we will see Paul identify the reluctant heroes of the faith in the church at Ephesus and what that means to us today. You might just be a hero.

Reluctant Heroes

April 15, 2012: Guilt

Pursuing Excellence Series message 12

Text: Selected Scriptures

This Sunday we will wrap up our Pursuing Excellence series by looking at guilt. Do you ever have a nagging sense of guilt and, at times, don't even know why? There are three basic ways we experience guilt, and the good news is it need not be an ongoing part of our lives. We will examine guilt from the perspective of Jesus' death and resurrection and who we are in Christ. We'll also look at practical ways to maintain a clear conscience in all that we do.

Guilt

April 1, 2012: Hosanna!

Text: John 12:12-19

In the picture of people celebrating Jesus there are two aspects of this scene which are noteworthy. First, God offers comfort to Israel, but it runs totally counter to what they would have perceived as real help. Second, while Jesus is being praised and celebrated, the dark cloud of spiritual opposition that would lead to Jesus' death was gaining momentum. These elements are often true in our own lives: opposition often follows our pursuit of God, and, God helps us in ways we might not expect.

Hosanna!

March 25, 2012: Stress Busters

Pursuing Excellence Series message 11

Text: Daniel 6:1-10

One study shows that between 75% - 90% of doctor office visits are for stress related concerns or ailments. Busy schedules, challenges at work, relationship issues... these all add stress in our lives. While there are many helpful ways to manage stress, too often we overlook our true source of peace and strength: our personal time with God. In this installment, we'll see how Daniel leveraged this refuge as he faced a litany of stressors each day.

Stress Busters

March 18, 2012: Displacing Worry

Pursuing Excellence Series message 10

Text:Phil. 4:4-9

Who among us does not worry about situations or people in our lives? It is a natural response to challenging circumstances. Yet, God calls us to live above worry. Remember Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." When we hold a God-ward focus and settle our mind on the fact that that HE is on the Throne, our perspective changes! In Philippians 4:4-9, the Apostle Paul helps us see what this looks like. To put it in an equation form, it looks like this:P____ + P_____ + P_____ = P______. We'll crack the code on Sunday as we pursue excellence in our walk with Christ. What a load is off our backs when He helps us not to worry!

Displacing Worry