2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Q & A

TITLE:  What about Doubt?

Scripture: Psalm 13; Mark 9:20-24; John 20:24-29

I.    THE PRESENCE OF DOUBT         

Two stories of doubt and faith:

1.     Mk. 9:20-24

-Sometimes what we have to do is take (what little faith we have) and (bring it to God).

2.     John 20:24-29

-Be like Thomas. Don’t take something at (face value). (Investigate it). Study it. Stew on it.

II.   THE ANSWER TO DOUBT             

An analysis of Psalm 13:

• • • • Verse 1: “forgotten” -> Verse 5: steadfast love
      • Verse 1: God hides face -> Verse 6: dealt bountifully with him
      • Verse 2: wrestled with thoughts -> Verse 6: “sing to the Lord”
      • Verse 2: enemy triumphing -> Verse 5: God delivering

There is often a difference between (how we feel) and (what is true).

Feelings are (unreliable) and can be (deceptive).

Next Week: Series: “Q & A”

What about Anger?  Eph.4: 26-27

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Q & A

TITLE:  What about Storms?

Scripture: Psalm 18: 1-6

I.    THE STORMS CHASING DAVID

Setting #1- the deliverances of David from King Saul

Setting #2- the deliverances of David from his enemies

Setting #3- the deliverance from Absalom

II.   THE PROMISES OF THE STORM CHASER            

What can we find in this picture of God being our rock?

1.     He is our (protection and shade).

2.     He is our (refuge).

3.     He is our (sure foundation).

Breakdown of verses 1-2.

Next Week: Series: “Q & A”

What about Doubt?  Ps. 13:1-6; Mark 9: 20-24; Jn.20: 24-29

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Q & A

TITLE:  What about Words?

Scripture: Assorted Proverbs

I.   WHAT OUR WORDS DO SAY ABOUT US        

Main idea in Proverbs commentary and worth knowing: Harmful words damage (relationships) and reveal a (heart out of tune) with Jesus.

“The tongue holds the power of life and death.” Pr.18:21

II.  WHAT OUR WORDS SHOULD SAY ABOUT US           

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Pr.12:18

“Gentle words are a tree of life, a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Pr.15:4 (NLT)

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Pr.16:24

“A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.” Ben Franklin

What should we realize about or words?

1. There is (emotional power) in them.   “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Pr.12:25
2. There is (moral status) in them.  “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord.” Pr.12:22  Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars play close attention to slander.” Pr.17:24
3. There are (limitations) to our words.  “Don’t excuse yourself by saying, ‘Look, we didn’t know.’ For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.”

Next Week: Series: “Q & A”

What about Storms?  Ps. 18:1-6

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Q & A

TITLE:  What about Stones?

Scripture: Eph. 4: 25-32

“Though boys throw stones at frogs for sport, the frogs do not die in sport, but in earnest.” Bion (a Greek philosopher)

I.   ANCIENT STORIES    

Story #1- 2 Samuel 16: 5-14

Story #2- 2 Kings 2

II.   CONTEMPORARY LESSONS          

What does Paul tell us?

1.     He tells us (to speak the truth).  (v.25)

2.     He tells us (to resolve anger). (vv.26-27)

3.     He tells us (to work hard). (v.28)

4.     He tells us (to speak constructively). (v.29)

He continues with a list to be tossed in the trash:

1)     (Bitterness)- Gk. word for long-standing resentment, brooding over past offenses, harboring grudges, and rehearsing insults.

2)     (Wrath)- wild rage, the passion of the moment.

3)     (Anger)- Internal smoldering (opposite of wrath)

4)     (Clamor)- shout and outcry of strife and public outburst.

5)     (Slander)- ongoing defamation of a person’s character.

6)     (Malice)- Wickedness or depravity.

How important is our speech? Check out Luke 6:45

The answer is in verse 32:

1.     We are to (be kind).

2.     We are to (be tenderhearted).

3.     We are to (be forgiving).

Next Week: Series: “Q & A”

What about Words?  Pr. 18:12;  James 3:1-12

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Q & A

TITLE:  What about Work

Scripture: Genesis 1: 26-27; 2:15

                        (and other Scriptures)

I.    FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES ABOUT WORK

“The church has lost its hold on reality by allowing work and religion to become separate departments.”  The late Dorothy Sayers

4 foundational principles: (Chuck Swindoll)

1.  Jesus Christ is Lord over (all of my life).
2.  Life is not divided between what is (secular and sacred).
3.  The nature of work is (good, not evil).
4.  The way you do your work reflects the One (who called you to it).

II.   HOW SHOULD WE VIEW WORK?

Read Eccl. 2: 11, 18, 24

“Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Col. 3:17

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Col.3:23

“Whatever you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I Cor.10:31

Turn to 2 Thess. 3:6-15

Important principle: there is a big difference between (will not) work and (cannot) work.

Next Week: Series: “Q & A”

What about Stones? Ephesians 4: 25-32

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Good News for a Sad World

Scripture: Romans 5:6-11

“Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.” Job 5:7

I.    THE VERY BAD NEWS       

Turn to Psalm 40: 1-3

Graphic language in Romans 5

1.     “For while we were still weak.” (v.6) The word weak can also be translated (helpless). The Greek word means without strength.

2.     “While we were still sinners.” (v.8)

3.     “While we were enemies.” (v.10)

Those three words-weak, sinners, and enemies tell a story of total (lostness). We are not just as bad as we can be, but as bad off as we can be.

II.   THE VERY, VERY GOOD NEWS    

How did God respond to us?  4 answers to this question.

1.     He (loved) us. (v.8)

2.     He (justified) us. (v.9a)

3.     He (saved) us from the wrath of God. (v.9b)

4.     He (reconciled) us. (v.10)

Next Week: A new series called “Q & A”

What about Work?- Genesis 1: 26-27; 2:15 (and others)

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Vision to See God’s Plan

Scripture: 

Gen. 50: 15-21;

Esther 4: 12 -17;

2 Tim. 4:1-8

I.    GOD HAS HIS PERFECT PLAN       

Two thoughts on Joseph:

1. God sovereignly works all things for (His glory) and (our good).
2. Joseph lived his life free of (bitterness) despite everything that happened to him.

II.   GOD HAS HIS PERFECT TIMING        

Mordecai’s words to Esther: “For such a time as this.”

Esther 4:14 is God’s (sovereignty) and (timing) in action.   Cross that with Eccl. 3:1.  Then 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

III.  GOD HAD HIS PERFECT ENDING 

Final words from Paul:

1) He is already being poured out as a (drink offering).
2) He talks about his (faithfulness).
3) He talks about his (future).

Next Week: Ryan Croft from Hilltop Christian Camp

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Grace for a Hassled Heart

Scripture:  Ezekiel 34: 11-16

I.   WHERE FORGIVENESS STARTS       

Grace comes to us in two dimensions: (vertical) and (horizontal).

A concise history of Israel:

1. (Pre-exile)- kings, prophets & others
2. (Post-exile)- after fall then return to Jerusalem

II.  WHERE FORGIVENESS PERPETUATES       

Vertical forgiveness manifests itself in (horizontal forgiveness).

Please turn to Matthew 18:21-35.  (Vertical forgiveness) is seen in the first part; (horizontal) in the latter.

For the follower of Christ to refuse to forgive is (hypocritical) but it is also (damaging). If you refuse to forgive you become that person’s slave. They own you.”

Two things we need to do:

1) Fully focus on (God’s forgiveness) of us.
2) Deal directly with the (resentment we carry) against another.

“We are most like beasts when we kill. We are most like men when we judge. We are most like God when we forgive.”

Next Week: Theme: Truth! Series: Promises, Promises

Title:  Vision to See God’s Plan- Gen.50: 15-21; Esther 4: 12-17

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Satisfaction for an Empty Soul

Scripture:  John 4

“It is impossible to overemphasize the immense need humans have to be really listened to, to be taken seriously, to be understood.” Dr. Paul Tournier

I.    THE OUT OF THE ORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES      

1. We see what precludes Jesus leaving the area. [1-2]
2. He passed through Samaria.
3. He engaged in a conversation with a (Samaritan woman).

II.   THE OUT OF THE ORDINARY CONVERSATON      

3 non-negotiable truth for salvation:

1) Salvation comes only to those who recognize their desperate need for a spiritual life (they do not have).
2) Salvation comes to those who recognize their need then (repent) and (desire forgiveness).
3) Salvation comes to (all) who embrace Jesus as their Messiah and (sin bearer).

Next Week: Theme: Truth! Series: Promises, Promises

Title:  Grace for a Hassled Heart- Ezekiel 34: 11-16

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Endurance for  the Long Haul

Scripture:  Jer. 2: 1-19; Heb. 12: 1-3

I.    THE PROBLEM WITH DEFECTION      

How God felt about their defection:

1. Remind the people of how things (used to be).
2. Focuses on Israel’s (present attitude).
3. Where their defection (can lead them).

Some thoughts about defection:

1) Defection does not occur (suddenly).
2) Defection most often occurs during (times of blessing).
3) Defection involves two specific sins: (Verse 13)
4) Defection has (consequences).

II.   THE PICTURE OF ENDURANCE     

3 word pictures from Hebrews 12

We have witnesses (cheering us on).
We are told to (ditch the extra weight).
We are encouraged by example (to endure).

When following Jesus, when enduring in your faith, you (keep your eyes on Jesus) and never look away.

Next Week: Theme: Truth! Series: Promises, Promises

Title:  Satisfaction for an Empty Soul- John 4