During this series we will be discussing how we can make the gospel the center focus of our lives by building relationships, sharing the gospel, and introducing people to our community of believers. Together, these three activities will not only result in a gospel centered lifestyle for us, but it will create an invitational culture in our church that will bring those far away from God into the Kingdom.
February 28, 2016 |
2 Corinthians 9:8-15 |
generosity, gospel
When was the last time you were generous? Most of us have a hard time with being generous. Whether it’s an attitude that says, “I earned it, so it’s mine.” Or a fear that worries, “I’m afraid I won’t have enough for me.” We struggle with generosity. What’s the greatest gift you’ve ever received? For the believer, the answer is the same: Christ. He is the gift of God that expresses God’s surpassing grace towards us. There is no greater gift. This is the gospel: Because of the surpassing generous grace of God, we are offered salvation in Christ!
February 21, 2016 |
2 Corinthians 9:1-7 |
generosity
In the apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he told them that Christ’s readiness to always be generous should be displayed in them as well. As believers, we can display this same disposition of the ready generosity of Christ in our lives.
February 14, 2016 |
2 Corinthians 8:8-24 |
generosity
The apostle Paul told the believers at Corinth that the proof that they had received the love of Christ would be shown in the quality of their generosity. We can show the proof of Christ’s love in our lives by the quality of our generosity. The text gives three proofs for genuine generosity.
February 7, 2016 |
2 Corinthians 8:1-7 |
generosity
Do you want to break out of the meaningless cycle of materialism? Or do you feel like you have nothing to be generous with? As we look at how the grace of God caused a chain reaction in the churches of Macedonia that overflowed into a wealth of generosity, we can respond to God’s grace by offering our whole lives back to him.
January 31, 2016 |
Luke 5:1-11 |
beginnings
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus called Peter to get a fresh, new vision for life by following Him in every area of his life. We can get Christ’s fresh vision for our lives by following Jesus in everything. Jesus had a vision for Peter’s boat, his nets, and for his fish. And Jesus has a vision for your stuff, your occupation, and your life’s purpose. Will you follow him?
January 24, 2016 |
Ephesians 5:22 - 6:4 |
beginnings, family
The apostle Paul told the Ephesians that it was God’s plan to bring everything into submission under Christ, so that everything in heaven and earth are united in Him (Eph. 1:10). It is in Christ that all things are made new! He then laid out the implications of how this new life in Christ would impact every facet of our lives, including the roles of the Christian family. We can experience this this new life in our families by being united in Christ and submitting to God’s plan for the family.
January 17, 2016 |
Philippians 2:1-5 |
beginnings, family, relationships
It can be difficult to have good lifelong relationships with family, with co-workers, and even with friends. Many of our relationships end in quarrel or just dissolve in indifference. God shows us through the cross that His relationship to us is selfless, unconditionally loving, and full of mercy and grace. He commissions us to do the same with others.
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, he taught them that they could experience the joy of right relationships through knowing Christ. This is the secret. We need Jesus to give us peace within, before we can have peace with others. We can experience the joy of right relationships with others through Christ.
January 10, 2016 |
2 Corinthians 5:7 - 6:2 |
beginnings
We all want to change something, but the problem is that it’s impossible to change ourselves without the help of the One who made us. This deep desire for a new and fresh you, is actually from God. In the apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth, he encouraged them them to fully become the new creation in Christ that God desired. We can experience the new life that God offers us through Christ.
January 3, 2016 |
Joshua 8:30-35 |
beginnings
What do you want to accomplish this year? Do you have financial goals, relational goals, personal goals? Have you put any thought into God’s plan for you this year? In the book of Joshua, God led the Israelites into the promised land and then instructed them to begin this new phase of their existence as a nation by pulling away and renewing their covenant with the Lord. We too can proceed into this new year by renewing our dependence in Jesus Christ and our obedience to his will.
