2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: Fresh Start

Scripture: Philemon

I.  PAUL’S APPEAL TO PHILEMON

This is a book filled with forgiveness and grace-not necessarily of (God’s) forgiveness and
grace but more so of (our) forgiveness and grace toward others.

Three main characters:

1. 1. 1. 1. Paul-the (writer)
         2. Philemon- the (slave owner)
         3. Onesimus- the (runaway slave)

II. JESUS IS THE HEAD (1:18)

(Love) is a defining mark of all Christ-followers

“When Onesimus comes to OVCF”:

1. 1. 1. 1. Are we a (friendly church)?
         2. Do people feel (safe and welcome)?
         3. Are we (forgiving people)? See I John 4:20 (p.593)
         4. Are we (givers of grace)?

You are not good enough for the cross, but the cross is good enough for you.

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Lives are Changed
SCRIPTURE: Col. 2:6-15

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: Jesus is Honored

Scripture: Col. 1:15-22

I. JESUS IS SUPREME (1:15-17)

When we say Jesus is preeminent what do we mean? He is (first in everything).

What does it mean that He is supreme?

1. 1. 1. 1. He is the (authority over all creation). [v.16]
         2. He is (before all things). [v.17a]
         3. He holds (all things together). [v.17b]

II. JESUS IS THE HEAD (1:18)

As head Jesus controls every part of the church and gives it (life and direction).

III. JESUS IS THE FUTURE (1:19-22)

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we
must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Verse 21: We were (enemies).
Verse 22: We have been made (holy and blameless).
Verses 23-24: (Stand firm) (Don’t drift).

Two things to conclude:

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

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Fresh Start (Grace is Offered)
SCRIPTURE: Philemon

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: The Gospel is Preached

Scripture: Col. 1:3-14; I Cor. 1:18-25

“The right kind of fame arises from a life well lived, not a brand well cultivated.” Beaty

I. WHAT IS OUR MANDATE?

Turn to Acts 20 (p.542). Three challenges Paul gives the elders:

1. (Guard yourselves)
2. (Watch out!)
3. (I entrust you)

Two Scriptures to consider:

1. I Cor. 1:18-25 (p.554)
2. Romans 1:16-17 (p.547)

II. WHAT IS THE RESULT?

What does this mandate do?

1. Gives us someone and something to be (thankful for).
2. Gives us something to (shout about).
3. Gives us something to (celebrate).

What is evidence of maturity?

1. Our desire is to (please Christ). [v.10]
2. Our desire is to do (God’s will). [v.10-12]
3. Our desire is to experience (God’s freedom).

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Jesus is Honored
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 1:15-22

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: Love is Found Here

Scripture: Ruth

I. THE HOUSE DISOBEDIENCE BUILT

Who you read about in the book:

1. 1. 1. 1. A woman who felt (abandoned).
         2. A widow who found (love).
         3. A man who became a (kinsman redeemer).

Who were the Moabites? Descendants of (Lot) and his (eldest daughter). They enticed the
Israelite men into idol worship, particularly of a god named (Chemosh).

II. THE HOME THAT LOVE BUILT

Naomi was as good as dead in her heart. The book of Ruth is an (adoption) story.

Ruth gleaned in the fields. Gleaning is (picking up what was left) in order to eke out an
existence. God, in His providence, brought her to the fields of (Boaz).

The most important word in Ruth is (hesed) which means (kindness). It is used in Ruth 1:8 and
also in 2:20. Words that come close in our language are love, loyalty, compassion and covenant.
Hesed is the distinguishing quality of our relationships. It is the kind of relationship found in
Jesus’ words (“Love one another”).

(Love) is the defining mark of a follower of Jesus.

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: The Gospel is Preached
SCRIPTURE: Col. 1:3-14; I Cor. 1:18-25

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Feels Like Home

TITLE: What is a Home?

Scripture: Eph. 2:19-22

I. WHAT IS A HOME?

What is a home? (Your thoughts expressed)

Some contemporary ideas:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Run like a (business)
            2. Definitely not a (house)
            3. An (organization)

II. WHEN DOES A CHURCH FEEL LIKE A HOME?

“You are members of God’s family.” (Eph. 2:19) “You are fellow citizens with the saints and a
member of the household of God.” (ESV)

• • • • • The Christian life cannot be lived properly as a (loner).

When does a church feel like home?

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Important: this does not happen on our own. The (Holy Spirit) is the motivator.
            2. Must see beyond (blurred vision).
            3. Retains the (simplicity of worship).
            4. People are (welcomed).
            5. (Names) over (numbers).

Two final thoughts:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. (Getting bigger) is not the goal of a church family.
            2. God called me to be a (pastor/shepherd) not a project manager.

THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
NEXT WEEK: Love is Found Here
SCRIPTURE: Ruth

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

TITLE: OVCF’s Mission and Vision – Part 2

Passages: Various
Ps. 63, James 2, John 15, Eph. 4, Matthew 25

Mission is the (destination). OVCF’s Mission: (Connecting People to Jesus)
Vision is the (route). It’s how we hope to achieve the mission.

OVCF’s Vision

1. 1. 1. Pursing Jesus Passionately: (Tend your heart) [Psalm 63:1-8]
      2. Demonstrating Jesus Visibly: God’s (power is on display) in his people’s lives [James 2 and John 15:12]
      3. Revealing Jesus Clearly: (Truth in Scripture) is revealed and embraced
      4. Preparing Disciples to (Obey Jesus Faithfully) [Eph 4:11-12; Mt 7 and 25; John 15]

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Feels Like Home
TITLE: What is a Home?
SCRIPTURE: Eph. 2:19-22

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

TITLE: OVCF’s Mission and Vision – Part 1

Passage: John 15:4-6

Mission: This is the (destination). It is where we are trying to go or what we aim to accomplish.

Vision: This is the (route we will take). It is how we hope to accomplish the mission.

Jesus’s Mission

In his own words [See Matthew 9:13, Luke 19:10 and John 6:38, 10:10 and 12:46]
My summary of those verses: By my Father’s leading and to his glory, I am gathering, healing and saving lost and wounded sinners from darkness and blessing them with eternal life and joy in me.
 
OVCF’s Mission: (Connecting People to Jesus)

Pitfalls to avoid:

1. 1. Failure to Launch: Mission statements are (meaningless) unless you (live them out).
   2. Stagnation: Don’t be the kind of church that gathers every Sunday to (hold a huddle), but then never (runs the play).

Two questions to wrestle with this week:

1. 1. Will you dwell with Jesus daily and live with him moment by moment?
   2. What part does He want you to play on His team?

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
TITLE: OVCF’s Mission and Vision – Part 2

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: The Lamb Wins!!

TITLE: Lessons Learned

Scripture: Rev. 22:6-21 & more

I. CHANGING OUR FOCUS

“We are chosen to be a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s very own
possession.” I P. 2:9

What does this final section tell us?

1. 1. 1. 1. We need (to listen) to the words of the book. (verses 6-7)
         2. We are (to worship) only Him (verses 8-10)
         3. Beware of the outcome of (choices made). (verses 11-12)
         4. Beware of the (Perfect Judge) (verses 13-17)
         5. Be aware of the (future home). (verses 18-20)

II. CHECKING THE TRUTHS

What lessons can we learn?

1. 1. 1. 1. Revelation teaches us about (God’s sovereignty).
         2. Revelation teaches us about Christ, (the Lamb of God).
         3. Revelation teaches us more about (spiritual and invisible) warfare.
         4. Revelation teaches us about victory by (persevering in Christ).

One final word: When will this be? (SOON!)

THEME: Run with the Horses
NEXT WEEK: Pastor Ryan preaching

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: The Lamb Wins!!

TITLE: Made for This!

Scripture: Rev. 21:1-22:6

I. THE BEGINNING AND THE END

Who is the Alpha and Omega?

1. 1. 1. 1. He presented a (bride) to Adam; here He presents a bride to His (Son).
         2. He created a (land) for Adam & Eve; here he presents an (inheritance) to us.
         3. He instructed A & E to be (fruitful and multiply); He will welcome people from (all
            nations, tribe and tongue).
         4. He (walked) with A & E in the garden; He will be (among us) forever.
         5. He planted the Tree of Life and said, (“Don’t eat”); this time (available to all).

II. WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO

5 gifts we are given:

1. 1. 1. 1. The (marriage) we were made to enjoy.
         2. The (land) we were meant to inherit.
         3. The (community) we were made to be a part of.
         4. The (glory) we were meant to bask in.
         5. The (satisfaction) we were meant to be a part of.

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: The Lamb Wins!!
TITLE: Final Words
SCRIPTURE: Rev. 22:6-21

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: The Lamb Wins!!

TITLE: The Millennium is not a Roller Coaster

Scripture: Rev. 20:1-15

I. WHAT DOES THE MILLENNIUM MEAN?          

A brief review:

1. 1. 1. 1. Chapter 17- Fall of Babylon
         2. 17:1-19:10- the Great Prostitute eliminated
         3. 19:11-21- Beast and False Prophet eliminated

Millennium as seen through the different views:

1. 1. 1. 1. Premillennial/Dispensational View
         2. Postmillennial View
         3. Amillennial View 

II. WHAT ARE THE KEY COMPONENTS?

How is the bridegroom depicted?

Four key components of this chapter

1. 1. 1. 1. The (binding of Satan)
         2. Talk of the (resurrection) 
         3. Ultimate (defeat and end) of Satan
         4. The (final judgment) 

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: The Lamb Wins!!
TITLE: Made for This!
SCRIPTURE: Rev. 21:1-22:6