2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

TITLE: Grace is Offered

Scripture:  Col. 1:20-2:5

I.  GRACE IS OFFERED VERTICALLY

5 key words to know:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Justification)- Sinner declared righteous (not guilty)
         2. (Redemption)- Sinner is granted freedom
         3. (Forgiveness)- Sinner has debt paid and forgotten
         4. (Adoption)- Sinner is made a son
         5. (Reconciliation)- Sinner is made a friend 

II.  GRACE IS OFFERED HORIZONTALLY       

People are in need of a lot of grace today. Why? Because we are all (broken people). 

Paul had 5 goals for the Colossians:

1. 1. 1. 1. He wanted them to be (encouraged). (v.2a)
         2. He wanted them to be (knit together). (v.2b)
         3. He wanted them anchored (in the truth). (v.2c-3)
         4. He wanted them to know there will be (challenges). (v.4)
         5. He wanted them to (offer grace). (v.5)
            

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses   SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

Title: Lives are Changed- Col.  2:6-15

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

TITLE: Jesus is Honored

Scripture:  Col. 1:15-20

I.   JESUS IS LORD OF CREATION        

(Preeminence)- Jesus is first. In Everything. First in importance, honor, and exaltation.

Is Jesus one of many gods?

He is the (visible image) of the (invisible God).
He is the (firstborn) of all creation.

What makes Jesus Lord of creation?

1. 1. 1. 1.  He is the (authority over creation).
         2.  He is the (agent of creation).
         3.  He is the (aim of creation).

II.  JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH        

He is the source from which the church derives its (life, sustenance, and growth)

III. JESUS IS THE SAVIOR OF THE CROSS 

(Redemption)=the act of setting free, liberating

Two take aways:

1. 1. 1. 1. Make Christ (first) in everything.
         2. Refocus our (attention) on Christ

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses   SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

Title: Grace is Offered- Col. 1:20-2:5

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

TITLE: The Gospel is Preached

Scripture: Col. 1:3-14; I Cor. 1:18-31; Rom. 1:16-17

I. THE MANDATE BEFORE US

What does the mandate do?

1. 1. 1. 1. It gives us something to (pray) and (rejoice about).
         2. It (bears fruit).
         3. It (spurs growth).

The goal of the Gospel is not just that we might pass some kind of test by accurately recounting
the importance of Jesus. The goal of the Gospel is to produce a type of people consumed with
passion for God and love for others.

II. THE MATURITY WE REALIZE

Evidence of maturity:

1. 1. 1. 1. Our desire is to (please Christ).
         2. Our desire is to do (God’s will).
         3. Our desire is to experience (God’s freedom).

God is not going to rewrite the Bible for your generation. Stop trying to change Scripture when
it’s written to change you.

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…
Title: Jesus is Honored- Col. 1:15-20

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

TITLE: Dark Horse

Scripture: Jer. 12:5; I Cor. 9:24-27; Heb. 12:1-2

I.    RUNNING HINDERED      

Solomon’s kingdom divided-> Israel (northern kingdom-10 tribes) and southern kingdom (Judah-2 tribes). Northern kingdom fell to Assyria. Manasseh became king of Judah for 55 years-> pattern of apostasy until Josiah became king at 16. During his reign that Jeremiah called by God.

Jeremiah had a (calling from God on his life). See chapter 1.

II.   RUNNING FREE      

To run the race of faith, two things we must do (Heb. 12:1-2)

1. 1. 1. 1. (Eliminate).
         2. (Concentrate).

Paul’s imagery in I Cor. 9 is stark.

1. 1. 1. 1. (Running).
         2. (Boxing).

The terrible threat is “that we might die earlier than we really do die, before death has become a natural necessity. The real horror lies in just such a premature death, a death after which we go on living for many years.” (Peterson-p.19)

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses   SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

Title: The Gospel is Preached-Col. 1:3-14; I Cor. 1:18-31; Rom. 1:16-17

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: More Than a Holiday

TITLE: What Does it all Mean?

Scripture: Matt.1:23; Phil. 2:5-8; I Thess. 4:16

  I.        HE IS WITH US     

No matter what you receive, no matter how high the price tag, no matter how elaborate the technology, (things will disappoint us).

Mary and Joseph knew what Immanuel meant but (not the implications). All other religions lay out what you must (do) to somehow reach God. But Christianity is not (do), but (done).

   II.        HE IS COMING AGAIN     

Here is what we need to know and remember: Jesus Himself (did not know) when He would return.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem when (the time was just right).

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses

Title: Dark Horse- Jer.12:5; I Cor. 9:24-27; Heb. 12:1-2

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: More Than a Holiday

TITLE: Don’t Miss It!

Scripture: Luke 2:7; Mt. 2:1-12

I.   THEY MISSED IT    

The Innkeeper: Don’t miss Christmas because you are (too preoccupied).

Herod: Don’t miss Christmas because you (refuse to believe).

Religious leaders: Don’t miss Christmas because of (religion)

II.  THEY DIDN’T     

Simeon: His name means (God has heard).

Anna: Her mission was fulfilled because her (dream became a reality).

NEXT WEEK: SERIES: More Than a Holiday

Title: What Does it all Mean? Mt.1:23; Phil. 2:5-8; I Thess. 4:16

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: More Than a Holiday

TITLE: The Role of a Lifetime

Scripture: Luke 2:7-20; Mt. 2:1-12

I.   NO LITTLE PEOPLE   

The wise men were at the (top of the food chain). The shepherds were (at the bottom).

What about that good news?

1. 1. 1. 1. It was promised not just to Christians, but (for all people).
         2. Good news is only good news if (you are included in it).

II.  NO BIG PEOPLE     

Some of the hardest people to reach are those who think they are (too big for their britches).

The Bible calls them magi, for which we get our English words (magic) or (magician).

Several take-aways for us:

1. 1. 1. 1. God led them in a way (they would understand).
         2. God led to a (house), not a (stable).
         3. Their reaction: (worship).
         4. They (continued listening) by going home (a different way).

NEXT WEEK: SERIES: More Than a Holiday

Title: Don’t Miss It! Luke 2:22-38; Mt. 2:1-12

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: More Than a Holiday

TITLE: What a Heritage!

Scripture: Matthew 1

I.   A MESSY FAMILY TREE  

Jesus’ family tree is nothing to brag about.

1. 1. 1. 1. Tamar- a (deceiver) who pretended to be a prostitute.
         2. Rahab- a (prostitute) in Jericho who hid two spies.
         3. Ruth- a (Moabitess), a Gentile.
         4. Bathsheba- an (adulteress), the “wife of Uriah.”

We would say, “(He doesn’t stand a chance)”

II.  A SUBMISIVE COUPLE

1. 1. 1. Mary was a godly woman living in a (godless place).  God will pick the most unexpected people, places, and things to (accomplish His will).
      2. Mary was a godly woman who questioned but then said, “(Yes).”
      3. Mary was a godly woman who was married to an (extraordinary man).

NEXT WEEK: SERIES: More Than a Holiday

Title: The Role of a Lifetime- Luke 2:7-29; Mt. 2:1-12

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: More Than a Holiday

TITLE: Long, Long Ago

Scripture: John 1:1-5; Isaiah 9:6-7

The story of Christmas is not a “Christmas morning story” of a virgin with child and all the other players. The story is actually a very intricate story from long, long ago. It was not a last minute scheme by God to (fix something that broke).

I.   LONG, LONG AGO LAYS ITS FOUNDATION 

The story of Christmas is the (story of our redemption).

II.  LONG, LONG AGO FINDS ITS MEANING   

4 names for the promised Messiah from Isaiah 9:6-7

1. 1. 1. 1. (Wonderful Counselor)-  The Hebrew word for wonderful means “something uncommon our out of the ordinary.”  See also Ps.139:6
         2. (Mighty God)- Actually two words in Hebrew: El which is used to refer to the (one True God).  Mighty means (strength, power, hero).
         3. (Everlasting Father)- This says He is (timeless).  He is (eternal). He is (preexistent). He is also (self-existent), which is seen in His name (I AM).
         4. (Prince of Peace)- This will be and is only found in Jesus.

• • He is the Wonderful Counselor- This takes care of the (decisions) of life
  • He is the Mighty God- This take care of the (demands) of life
  • He is the Everlasting Father- This takes care of the (future) of life
  • He is the Prince of Peace- This takes care of the (disturbances) of life.

NEXT WEEK: SERIES: More Than a Holiday

5 Women and a Man- Matthew 1

2023 THEME: Victory!

Series: More Than a Holiday

TITLE: When It’s All Said and Done

Scripture: Pr.16:18; 2 Cor. 9:9-11

Gratitude finds its source in the One who has (given us all things).

I.   THE NECESSARY INGREDIENT 

What can hinder thankfulness?

1. 1. 1. 1. (Inertia)
         2. Ingratitude is often (modeled for us)
         3. Chronic (spiritual blindness)
         4. (Pride)

Thanksgiving has a key word in it: (giving).

Giving to others (transforms our heart) and changes us from the inside.

II.  THE AFTERMATH OF GRATITUDE  

Three characteristics that “play off” gratitude:

1. 1. 1. 1. (Contentment)
         2. (Humility)
         3. (Wonder)

NEXT WEEK: SERIES: More Than a Holiday

Long, Long Ago- john 1:1-5; Isaiah 7:10-14; 9:6-7