2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  The Lord Refreshes His People

Scripture:  Ezekiel 36:22-36

Major Themes in Ezekiel:

1.) The (Sovereignty) and Glory of God

2.) Humans are not like God. They are utterly sinful.

3.) The Lord (judges) and disciplines…   (…to MAGNIFY Himself)

4.) The Lord (forgives) and restores…    (…to MAGNIFY Himself)

God’s own Glory is his primary purpose:

Whatever it is that is about to happen, it is about to happen (for the sake of the Lord’s Holy Name.) [For the sake of His GLORY, FAME, and RENOWN]

Kevin DeYoung: “God is so committed to the Glory of his Name that His Name will either be glorified with us or against us.”  —  Which are you? You either fall under the grace of God because of your faith in Christ and repentance, or you fall under the judgment of God for your unredeemed heart.

The Refreshment (v.24-30, 33-36):

The “I will”s… (What God will do)

1. 1. (Gather) you in your own land – (v24, 28)
   2. Resettle and (rebuild) your towns –(v33, 35)
   3. Prosper your farms and fields and make your harvests (plentiful) –(v29-30, 34-35)
   4. Spiritual cleansing/forgiveness/redemption –(v25, 33)
   5. Save you from your uncleanness –(v29)
   6. Make my (Covenant) with you and move you to obey me –(v27-28)
   7. (Give you a New Heart and a New Spirit) [my Spirit] –(v26-27)

The heart of flesh, the Spirit of the Lord in his people and a new Covenant with the Lord:

-(Old Heart) = STONE (Cold, Lifeless, Dead, Unfeeling, Insensitive to spiritual reality, Not able to be pricked)

-(New Heart) = FLESH (Soft, Alive, Easily pricked by the Spirit, Responsive, Receptive, It feels spiritual reality, It rejoices in Christ, It feels the worth of Jesus – Now he is EVERYTHING)

– After our heart transplant, (God will place his own Spirit in us!) We were unclean and unholy so unless we’ve been made new, how could God dwell in us? We’ve been made clean, holy and new in Christ! We have been welcomed into God’s presence!

-“You will be my people, and I will be your God.” (We are CLAIMED by God) -> He will keep you as his possession, and he will be ours as well. (See Hebrews chapters 8-10)

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

Title:  Security for Unsure Times

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Peace for a Worried World

Scripture:  John 14:27; Matthew 6:25-34

I.    THE ENEMY OF PEACE    

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

Statistics to consider:

1 billion have died in wars. 60 million die/ year. 15 million from heart disease. 10 million from cancer. 15k children die each day. 4k by accidents on the highway. 15 million 1918 Spanish flu. 75 million from Black Death Plague (Source: John MacArthur sermon)

“Worry is an old man with bended head, carrying a load of feathers which he thinks are lead.” Corrie Ten Boom

II.   THE ENJOYMENT OF PEACE    

John 14:27 teaches us:

1. Who the (source) of peace is.
2. His peace is in (contrast) to what the world offers.
3. The pursuit of peace is a (vain one).

What does Matthew 6 tell us about worry?

1) Worry keeps us from enjoying (what we have).
2) Worry makes us (forget our worth).
3) Worry is completely (useless).
4) Worry replaces (God’s promises) with (man’s solutions).

How do we defeat worry?

1. Don’t dwell on (tomorrow’s stress).
2. Don’t dwell on (yesterday’s mess).
3. Give up (ownership).

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

Title:  Pastor Ryan East is preaching

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Supply for an Empty Tank

Scripture:  John 6: 1-14

I.   WE SERVE A GOD WHO PROMISES THE (IMPOSSIBLE)

“Praise to Him Who Specializes in the Impossible.”

4 examples from Scripture:

1. “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard from you.” Jer. 32:17

2. “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?”  Jer. 32:27

3. Luke 1:37

4. Luke 18:27

II.   WE SERVE A GOD WHO DOES THE (INCREDIBLE)

This is the 4th sign that John recorded to prove Jesus was the Messiah.

1) John 2
2) John 4:54
3) John 5

Jesus showed the disciples that what is (impossible with men) is (possible for God).

Another “impossible” situation Jesus found Himself in in Mark 9: 17-24

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

Title:  Peace in a Worried World- John 14: 27; Matthew 6: 25-34

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Strength for Weary Days

Scripture:  Isaiah 40: 28-31

The great American prayer! “Lord, give me patience…and give it to me now!”

I.    THE GOD FOR WEARY DAYS  

The reality is this: No matter how big we describe God, (the bigger He is).  None of us can grasp the (width, depth, complexity, or immensity) of any part of God’s nature.

Four truths about God from last week:

1. God’s Word stands forever.
2. God is great.
3. God is unequalled.
4. God is incomparable.

The truth of verse 28: His understanding is (unsearchable). (Unfathomable). He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never suffers from (overexertion).

II.   THE PROMISE FOR WEARY DAYS  

We are either facing our days with “God is nowhere” or “God is now here.”

“The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

“Those who wait on the Lord.” What does it mean?

It does not mean (doing nothing).
It is quite common for God to tell people (to wait).  Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
It is marked (by silence). “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation…For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence.” Ps.62:1,5
We will find (God’s strength).

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

Title:  Supply for an Empty Tank- John 6:1-14

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Shelter in the Time of Storm

Scripture:  Isaiah 40: 3-27

“Life is like an onion, which one peels crying.”

“Where you are down and out, something always turns up-and it’s usually the noses of your friends.” Orson Welles.

“Life is a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest.” Mizner

I.    HERE COME THE STORMS! 

Life is filled with (stress fractures), with storms.

II.   TRUTHS THAT SHELTER US  

“What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer

Isaiah 40 tells us some important truths about God:

1. God’s Word (stands forever).  Turn to Zephaniah 3:17
2. The (Greatness) of God.  (Verses 10-11)  In Exodus 6:6 God says, “I will redeem you by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm.”
3. The (Unequalness) of God.  Another way -> God’s (Omnipotence). (Verse 12-14)
4. The (Incomparability) of God. (Verses 18-19a, 21-23)  But the cream of the verses is verse 25

Remind ourselves of Tozer’s statement again: “What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

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

Title:  Strength for Weary Days- Isaiah 40: 28-31

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Promises, Promises

TITLE:  Wisdom to Find the Right Page

Scripture:  Proverbs 1:1-7, 20-32

I.    PAGE 1- HAVING PROBLEMS WITH PROBLEMS

Everyone is on a (path). Everyone is (going somewhere). When we feel stuck, even when we feel trapped, the truth is, we are still (in motion). Life is a (journey), and the end of it all is not just a place but also a (condition).

Some assumptions we make about problems:

1. Once you become a Christ-follower all your problems (will be solved).

2. Having problems is a sign of (spiritual immaturity).

3. More exposure to Biblical truth or teaching will (alleviate) or (remove) our problems.  “It is one thing to grow old in the Lord. It’s another thing to grow up in the Lord.”

II.   PAGE 2- BEING WISE ABOUT WISDOM 

“The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is that we may listen the more and talk the less.” Zeno, Greek philosopher

Common thoughts about wisdom:

1. It is (available).

2. It can be (spurned).

3. It always has (fruit).

What is wisdom and why do we need it?

1. Wisdom is (correction and understanding). (V.2)

2. Wisdom is knowing the difference between (right and wrong), good and evil. (V.3)

3. Wisdom is (discernment). (V.4)

4. Wisdom is about (obtaining guidance). (Vv.5-6)

How do we get it?

1. By reverent (trust in the Lord). (V.7)

2. By (asking).  See James 1:5

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

Title:  Shelter in the Time of Storm- Isaiah 40:3-27

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Brave New World

Scripture:  1 Cor. 2:1-5, 2Cor. 4:1-2

4 Questions to consider this morning:

1. WHAT WE OBSERVED
2. HOW WE FELT
3. HOW WE FILLED OUR DAYS
4. WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON? 

Two Scripture passages:

    I Cor. 2:1-5 (Ryan)

    2 Cor. 4: 1-2 (Bill)

New Series:  Promises, Promises

Our Mission:  To Connect People to Jesus

Our Vision:

1) Be Passionate Pursuers of Jesus
2)  Be Models of Truth and Love
3)  Be Involved in our Community

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

Title:  Wisdom to Find the Right Path- Pr. 1:1-7, 20-32

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: A Little Help from My Friends

Scripture:  Colossians 4:7-18

I.    THE VALUE OF CLOSE FRIENDS    

“Friendship is a sheltering tree” Coleridge

Paul didn’t travel alone. He mentions several traveling companions:

1. (Tychicus).
2. (Onesimus).
3. Lists several others.

II.   THE VALUE OF PRAYING FRIENDS                   

One close praying friend of Paul is (Epaphras).

The word struggling is the word agonizing 

III.  THE VALUE OF LOYAL FRIENDS 

Paul’s letters were often “circuit letters” or circular letters

Paul mentions a church and some friends;

1) Church at Laodicea
2) (Nympha)
3) (Archippus)

Next week: Theme: Truth!

Title:  Brave New World- I Cor.2:1-5; 2 Cor.4:1-2

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Speak Up!

Scripture:  Colossians 4:2-6

“A sharp tongue is the only edge that grows keener with constant use.” Washington Irving

“If your lips would keep from slips, Five things observe with care: To whom you speak; of whom you speak; and how, and when, and where.” William Norris

“I have often regretted my speech, never my silence.” Publius

I.    WHEN TALKING TO GOD           

Sound advice about our vertical speech:

1.   Be devoted to (prayer).
2.   Be (alert).
3.   Be (grateful).

II.   WHEN TALKING TO OTHERS

Verse 5: What Christ-followers are gives credibility (to what we say).

The word conduct here is the Greek word which means “to walk around.”  It refers to (all actions of a person’s daily life).

We are to have our speech “seasoned with salt.” What exactly does that mean?

Psalm 114:3- “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

A good principle to follow is found in Ephesians 4:29

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  A Little Help from My Friends- Colossians 4: 7-18

2020 THEME: TRUTH

SERIES: Supremacy

TITLE: Family Matters

Scripture:  Colossians 3:18 – 4:1

I.    IT MATTERS HOW WE TREAT OUR FAMILY             

God established the home in the Garden of Eden when he brought Adam and Eve together.

First choice of words to the (wife). The key word? (Submission).

Second choice of words to the (husband).  2 things stand out:

1. Love your wife.
2. “Do not be embittered”

Third choice of words to (father and children).  The key word? (Obedience).

 “exasperate” (KJV) -“to irritate, stir up.”

II.   IT MATTERS HOW WE TREAT OTHERS                  

Some historians say in Paul’s day there were more than 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire. That equals about half the population.

Paul’s thoughts divided into two: slaves and slave-owners.  This does not mean he was in favor of slavery.

1.   Slaves- (Be obedient).   Keep this in mind: When doing something for God, a lowly calling like being a servant becomes a high calling of being a servant for the Father of all.
2.   Masters- (Justice and fairness)

Next week: Theme: Truth!/ Series: Supremacy

Title:  Speak Up! Colossians 4: 2-6