California Community Church 69d5o

The ABC’s of Christianity GO AND TELL — Living Out the Great Commission Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 1. The Great Commission Is More Personal Than You Think 2. “Come and See” — The Invitation That Still Works “Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about… Jesus of Nazareth.’ ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip.” John 1:45–46 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did.” John 4:29 3. This Mission Isn’t a Burden — It’s a Blessing “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” -- Frederick Buechner 4. You Don’t Need to Preach a Sermon — Just Live One A. Start With Prayer B. Tell Your Story C. Be Present 5. We Literally Change the World When We Obey This 6. This Is How We Prove Our Love for Jesus “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 What if you are the only Jesus someone ever sees? What if you are the invitation God wants to send? What if your “Come and See” is the moment that changes someone’s eternity?

Series Title: Ready For Mondays Subtitle: Finding Purpose in the Work You Dread “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23–24 (NIV) There is already purpose in what we all do, but we have to choose to live it out Work Is Not A Curse, But A Purpose “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15 God works through the attitude we bring to our workplace God Cares About The How, Not Just The What “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Work becomes worship when you do it for God. Your Workplace Is A Mission-Field “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:13-14 (NIV) How Can I Reflect Jesus In My Workplace? 3 Ways To Live Out Your Faith Tomorrow: 1) Pray Before You Clock In 2) Encourage Someone at Work 3) Look For Moments For Jesus To Shine Through You “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

THE ABC’S OF CHRISTIANITY The Golden Rule “Do for others as you would like them to do for you.” Luke 6:31 NLT …because everyone needs it … because it proves we know about God’s love “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13: 34-35 NLT How Do We Put the Golden Rule into Practice? Live Unselfishly “The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NLT Reinvest Blessings There are two ways we can invest in others: Collectively Individually Recycle Pain “He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.” 2 Corinthians 1:3- 4 NLT YOU ARE MOST EMPOWERED TO HELP SOMEONE WHO IS GOING THROUGH WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH. Recycling Tips: Be humble Be real Determine to Encourage “Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 NLT “[A letter from the Apostles was read to the Christians in Antioch] and there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.” Acts 15:30-31 NLT

Life Hacks: The Strength In Numbers “Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV) Community Gives You Strength “Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor…” Community Catches You When You Fall “If either of them falls down,
    one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
    and has no one to help them up.” “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 ***Screen ONLY: Good Christian Community Doesn’t Eliminate The Struggle, But It Keeps You From Being Stuck In It. Community Watches Your Blind Side “Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.” ***Screen ONLY: Life isn’t just better with friends, its dangerous without them. Community Protects Your Faith “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken…” “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrew 10:24-25 (NIV)

THE ABC’s OF CHRISTIANITY God Loves Me Babies die without love! Teenagers get their hearts wrecked because of it, and adults seek it and hunt for it all our lives. WHY IS GOD’S LOVE SO IMPORTANT? Because He Pursues Us with Love! “Toward the evening, they heard the Lord God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The Lord God called to Adam, ‘Where are you?’” Genesis 3:8, 9 NLT “I knew you were a gracious and comionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” Jonah 4:2 NLT “If you had a hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine and go search for the lost one until you found it? And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders.” Luke 15: 4, 5 NLT Because It Includes More Than You Think Because of His love, God forgives more than we think God is a loving God, but also holy and just! We should be condemned because we are unholy Christ died to pay my penalty and satisfy God’s justice “Jesus suffered the death penalty for us. In so doing, He expressed the LOVE of God, He upheld the HOLINESS of God and He satisfied the JUSTICE of God.” God’s forgiveness is real. He gives it as an expression of His love “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 NLT “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though some might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:6-8 NLT Because He Keeps On Loving Us With That Love “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken…says the Lord who has comion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 NLT “Love never gives up…love will last forever” Corinthians 13: 7, 8 NLT Because He went to extraordinary lengths to prove it “I know very well how foolish the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT

HERE’S WHY THAT MATTERS: …it answers one of the most important questions people have “If mortals die, can they live again? This thought would give me hope, and through my struggle I would eagerly wait for release.” Job 14:14 NLT IT’S IMPORTANT BECAUSE: …It proves there is life after death “I ed on to you what was most important and what had also been ed on to me-that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and He was raised from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the twelve apostles. After that, He was seen by more than five hundred of His followers at one time…” 1 Corinthians 15: 3-6 NLT “For we are not making up clever stories when we told you about the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and His coming again. We have seen His majestic splendor with our own eyes.” 2 Peter 1:16 NLT “But tell me this- since we preach that Christ rose from the dead, why are some of you saying there will be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ was not raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your trust in God is useless…but the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-14, 20 NLT …it shows what life after death is like “But the fact is that Christ has been raised from the dead. He has become the first of a great harvest of those who will be raised to life again.” 1 Corinthians 15:20 NLT “…and we can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns. But we do know that when He comes we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is.” 1 John 3:2 NLT “Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8 NLT “Don’t be surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again.” John 5:28-29 NLT “Why are you frightened? He asked. “Why do you doubt who I am? Look at My hands. Look at My feet. You can see that it’s really Me. Touch Me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see I do!”…Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, and He ate it as they watched.” Luke 24: 38-40, 41-43 NLT “There are bodies in the heavens, and there are bodies on earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the beauty of the earthly bodies.” 1 Corinthians 15:40 NLT “When this happens-when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies, that will never die-then at last the Scriptures will come true: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory…’” 1 Corinthians 15:54 NLT “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT …it shows the price paid for our eternal life “For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us the victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!” 1 Corinthians 15:56 NLT “But He was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed.” Isaiah 53:5 NLT You can’t afford it, but you must receive it. In one sense it doesn’t cost us anything to come to Christ…in another sense it costs us everything.

THE ABC’s of CHRISTIANITY I’m a Sinner “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For all have sinned, all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:22-23 NLT It’s Important to Your Life Today Because…. …it’s the difference between sight and blindness! “Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God…” Ephesians 4:17-18 NLT …it’s the difference between death and life. “Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins…all of us used to live that way, following the ions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we are under God’s anger just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!” Ephesians 2:1-5 NLT “You were dead because of your sins…then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all your sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross.” Colossians 2:13-14 NLT LUKE 15:17-24 The Story of the Prodigal Son “What happiness for those whose guilt has been forgiven. What relief for those who have confessed their sins and God has cleared their record.” Psalm 32:1-2 Living Bible What Will Happen If I Deal with My Sin: I will gain confidence! My relationships will improve! I’ll have a better future! What do you do with your sins? I name them! “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test my thoughts, point out anything you find in me that makes You sad.” Psalm 139:23-24 Living Bible “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust Him.” Ephesians 3:17 NLT I let God clean me! “If we freely it that we have sinned we find God utterly reliable. He forgives our sin and makes us thoroughly clean from all that is evil.” 1 John 1:9 Good News “No matter how deep the stain of your sin is, I can take it out and make it clean as freshly fallen snow.” Isaiah 1:18 Living Bible

Running YOUR Race - Career & Purpose Comparison “Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverence, the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrew 12:1-2 (NIV) What Will Comparison In Your Career And Purpose Do To You? Comparison Will Lead You To Minimize Your Gift “Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have neveer been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:!0 (NIV) But Moses said, “Pardon your servant, Lord. Please send someone else.” Exodus 4:13 (NIV) 2) Comparison Will Lead You To Pursue The Wrong Path “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 (NIV) 3) Comparison Will Stunt Your Growth Growth take time and trust, but comparison rushes it. How To Combat Comparison In Your Career and Calling: Focus On Faithfulness, Not Flashiness “Well done, good and faithful servant…” Matthew 25:23 (NIV) 2) Water What Is In Front Of You “It’s criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least?” Matthew 25:26 (MSG) Investment In The Gifts God Has Given You Holds Eternal ROI 3) Stay Rooted In Your Christ-Given Identity, Not Their Applause “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5 (NIV)

Running Your Race Lifestyle Comparison “Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverence, the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrew 12:1-2 What Will Lifestyle Comparison Do To You? Comparison will lead you toward ignoring what God has done in your life “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Timothy 6:6 Comparison will lead you toward isolation “Let us not become conceited provoking and envying each other” Galatians 5:24 Comparison will lead you toward bad decisions (sin) “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” Proverbs 14:30 Ways To Combat Lifestyle Comparison Celebrate Others Without Competing Celebrate What God Is Doing In Your Life Promote More Jesus-Centered Influences In Your Life “fixing our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrew 12:2

Sustainability, Simplicity and Sanity Time for Others “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message REAL RELATIONSHIPS HAVE REAL FLAWS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FLAWED, WE ALL NEED RELATIONSHIPS “Soon the house where [Jesus] was staying was so paced with visitors that there wasn’t room for one more person, not even outside the door. And He preached the word to them. Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above His head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.” Mark 2:2-4 NLT 1. STOP THE DENIAL 2. START THE DISCOVERY Friends Stimulate Spiritual Growth “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 NLT Friends Comfort Us “A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17 NIV “Jesus wept” John 11:35 NLT Friends Enable Us to Obey Scripture “We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11 NLT “Do for others what you would like others to do for you.” Matthew 7:12 NLT I Must Invest Time! I Must Invest Heart! Bottom line: Simplicity works best in the context of a living, loving, growing, vibrant, deepening, relationship with God.

Sustainable, Simple, Sane-part three Extra Money “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message 1. TAKE UNCOMMON CARE TO AVOID COMMON MISTAKES The “More, More, More” Mistake- The issue in the Bible isn’t the amount we have, but the attitude we have about money. It’s not so much WHAT we have, but HOW we use what we have and WHY we want what we have. The “Too Much Debt” Mistake- “Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10, 11 NLT The “Spend Based on the Unknown Future” Mistake “Look here, you people who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like a morning fog-it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:13, 14 NLT 2. I MUST MAKE UNCOMMON DECISIONS, IF I WANT TO LIVE AN UNCOMMON LIFE If I say, “God is first in my life,” then I need to pay Him first! “Honor the Lord with your wealth and the best part of everything…” Proverbs 3:9 NLT “You must set aside a tithe…one tenth…bring this tithe to the place the Lord your God choose for His name to be honored…the purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear (respect) the Lord your God. “ Deuteronomy 14:22, 23 NLT “’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in My Temple. If you do,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in. Try it! Let me prove it to you!’” Malachi 3:10 NLT Pay Myself Second- “A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12 NLT Pay Everybody and Everything Wisely “Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.” Luke 12:15 NLT

SUSTAINABLE, SIMPLE, SANE: God’s Solution for Overwhelm part one- priorities Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 NLT Because Jesus created us, He’s the only one who can help us live a sustainable, simple, sane joy producing life. HELP BEGINS WHEN…. 1. WE STOP DENYING 2. SAY ‘NO’ BECAUSE THAT’S HOW YOU SAY ‘YES’ Every YES is a NO to something else. 3. DO WHAT MATTERS BECAUSE WHAT YOU DO IS WHAT MATTERS Priorities of God: First, Being Loved by God May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Ephesians 3:17-19 (NLT) “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 NIV Second, Loving Others Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21 NAS “So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for Him and make the kingdom of God your primary concern.” Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

Keeping the Main Things the Main Things Pt 5 - Good Communication When we communicate, there are two primary necessities: To Be Heard and To Be Understood. The task of each Christian here is to learn to speak about your relationship with Jesus in a way your friends can understand. “Even musical instruments like the flute or the harp, though they are lifeless, are examples of the need for speaking plain language. For no one will recognize the melody unless the notes are played clearly…And it’s the same for you. If you talk to people in a language they don’t understand, how will they know what you mean? You might as well be talking to an empty room…in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words that will help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language…if unbelievers or people who don’t understand these things come into your meeting and hear everyone talking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.” 1 Corinthians 14: 7-9; 19; 23 NLT “Later that same day, Jesus left the house and went down to the shore, where an immense crowd soon gathered. He got into a boat, where He sat and taught as the people listened on the shore. He told many stories…” Matthew 13:1-3 NLT “Here is another story Jesus told…” Matthew 13:24 NLT “Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, He never spoke to them without using such parables.” Matthew 13:34 NLT Good Communication Matters Because… The Message of God to the World Matters! Because the Message Matters So Much… We MUST be Missionaries to this Culture “When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ…When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so I might bring them to Christ” 1 Corinthians 9:20-23 NLT “Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answers for everyone.” Colossians 4:5 NLT Because Someone was Missionary to Us and Made the Message Clear… We have the Responsibility to the Message on to Others Anyone can have a fresh start with God through Jesus Christ

KEEPING THE MAIN THINGS, THE MAIN THINGS Friendship WHY BUILD CARING FRIENDSHIPS 1. Because Every Person Needs a Friend Who Cares, I’ll Become a Wingman “Some friendships don’t last, but some friendships are more loyal than brothers.” Proverbs 18:24 The type of friend I am, is the type of friend I’ll attract. 2. Because Every Heart Needs the Warmth of Love, I’ll Be a Fire Builder “When they got there (to shore), they saw that a charcoal fire was burning and fish were frying over it, and there was bread...” Now come have breakfast!’ Jesus said.” John 21:9, 12 NLT “Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us and warm us.” Acts 28:1,2 NLT 3. Because Every Seed Needs a Chance, I’ll Be a Gardener “A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The plants sprang up quickly, but they soon wilted beneath the hot sun and died because the roots had no nourishment in the shallow soil. Other seeds fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades. But some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a crop…” Matthew 13:3-8 NLT “Well, some of you planted. Others of you came along later and gave water or care…then God caused it to grow.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

KEEPING THE MAIN THINGS THE MAIN THINGS Part 3 - Knowing Scripture TEN REASONS TO TRUST THE BIBLE: 1. It’s Honesty 2. Its Preservation 3. Its Own Claims 4. It’s Miracles 5. It’s Unity 6. It’s Historical and Geographical Accuracy 7. It’s Endorsement by Jesus Christ 8. It’s Accurate Predictions of Future Events 9. It’s Survival 10. It’s Power to Change Lives Protects us from sin- vs. 11 “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Guides us through life- v. 35 “the path of your commands…is where my happiness is found” Gives wisdom about suffering- vs. 71 “The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles.” Helps me understand life- vs.104 “your commandments give me understanding” Gives me direction- vs. 105 “your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path” “Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and irable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT STEPS TO CHANGING YOUR LIFE WITH GOD’S WORD: 1. READ IT 2. PRAY AS YOU READ (Psalm 119) “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your law” vs. 18 “Teach me your principles” vs. 26 “Give discernment to me” vs. 125 1. MEDITATE AS YOU READ 2. RESPOND AS YOU READ 3. READ SHORT SECTIONS AND READ SLOWLY 4. LIVE WITH ONE VERSE FOR THE DAY

KEEPING THE MAIN THINGS THE MAIN THINGS- Pt 2 Knowing Christ and Keeping Him First CHRIST CENTERED--We want every aspect of our lives to reflect our devotion to Jesus Christ and we value gathering for worship to express that devotion. WHY KNOW JESUS AND PUT HIM FIRST IN YOUR LIFE? “At this point many of His disciples turned away and deserted Him. Then Jesus turned to the twelve and asked, ‘Are you going to leave, too?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them and, and we know you are the Holy One of God.’” John 6:66-69 NLT Because ‘Almost’ Devotion Isn’t Enough Because He Put You First “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 NIV He Advocates Our Case “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. He is Jesus Christ.” 1 John 2:1 NLT Because He Cares “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about what happens to you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NLT Because He Gives Us His Perfection “For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23 NLT “This High Priest (JESUS) of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same temptations we do, yet He did not sin.” Hebrews 4:15 NLT “He is the kind of High Priest we need because He is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has now been set apart for sinners, and He has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. He does not need to offer sacrifices every day like the other high priests. They did this for their own sins first and then the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when He sacrificed Himself on the cross.” Hebrews 7:26-27 NLT It’s important to have His Perfection Because: One Day He’s Coming Back To This Planet Jesus said, “When everything is ready, I will come and get you.” John 14:3 NLT Because One Day I’ll Die and Will Want His Perfection at the Gates of Heaven “Blessed are those who wash their robes so they can enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.” Revelation 22:14 NLT

Series: Purposeful Pathways Sermon Title: Different Decisions “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22 (NIV) “A purposeful life is built one decision at a time” 1) The Intention Question “What is hidden in our hearts shapes what is seen in our lives” The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)
 "All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” Proverbs 16:2 (NIV)

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

2) The Legacy Question: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Genesis 50:20-21(NIV) "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1(NIV) "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV) 3) The God Question: "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.” James 1:5-6 (NIV) "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be comionate and loyal in your love, And don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.” Micah 6:8 (MSG)

From Brokeness to Brightness "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18 1. Acknowledge The Grief, But Know There Is Hope "A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15 2. Be In ive Community "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 3. Pray "Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8 "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 4. Serve Others Through… "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40 "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16

Keeping the Main Things the Main Things in the New Year

Because Life is Short… “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT) “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NLT) “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 (NIV) “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT) Life at its longest point is short. “I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,, I strain to reach the end of the end of the race and receive the prize of God…” Philippians 3:13 NLT Here's What Lasts Forever: God- Isaiah 40:28 God’s Son- Hebrews 13:8 God’s Word- Isaiah 40:8 God’s Faithfulness- Psalm 117:2 God’s Kingdom- Psalm 145:13 God’s Kindness- Isaiah 54:8 God’s Love- Jeremiah 31:3 Salvation- Isaiah 51:6; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Peter 1:4 Heaven- Psalm 23:6 Here’s What Doesn’t Last Forever: Our Accomplishments- 1 Corinthians 3:15 Everything on Earth- Zepheniah 1:18 WHAT DOES GOD WANT ACCOMPLISHED ON PLANET EARTH? God wants all people, in all places, at all times to come to know and experience His love for them in Jesus Christ. And our response is to love Him back and demonstrate that love through obedience. “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT “God showed us how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:9, 10 NLT “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love has been brought to full expression through us.” 1 John 4: 11, 12 NLT What Do We Sacrifice to God So the World Can Come to Know and Experience God’s Love? First, Give God Your Influence. Second, Give God Your Affluence. You let His work be the focus of your life. And when great focus and great sacrifice are combined, then the world will be changed. “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 NLT