2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Yes, They are Real

TITLE: He Started It!

Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:15-24

I.  THE CREATION

Genesis 2:7

Psalm 139: “You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” “It is as though God put an exclamation point here to indicate that there is something special about the creation of man.” Francis Schaeffer

II.  THE COMPARISON

Romans 5:12-22 

• • The contrast- 15-17
  • The comparison- 18-19
  • The sum of it all- 20-22 

I Cor. 15:20-22

1. 1. Paul affirms (Christ’s resurrection). 
   2. The contrast: Adam brought (death); Christ brought (life). 

Grace still cleans up Adam’s mess. Check out 3:21

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Yes, They are Real
Title: Caught in His Wake
Scripture: Genesis 2:21-25; 3:1-24

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Yes, They are Real

TITLE: The Creator of it All

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:3

“How would you answer the question, ‘Where does personal Christianity begin?’ The average Christian would say it begins with accepting Christ as Savior and Lord. That is not true according to the Bible. Personal Christianity begins with the existence of an objective and infinite God.” (DeHaan- The God You Can Know)

I.  WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW?

**Knowing (about God) is not the same as or important as (knowing God).

5 basic foundational principles from Knowing God by Packer

1. 1. 1. 1. God has spoken to men, and (the Bible) is His Word.
         2. God is (Lord and King) over His world.
         3. God is (Savior) and is active in (rescuing people).
         4. God is (Triune).
         5. Godliness means responding in a (life-altering) way.

II.  WHAT DOES CREATION REVEAL?

1. 1. 1. 1. Creation reveals a God who is (not like us).
         2. Creation reveals a God of (order and beauty).
         3. Creation reveals a God who is (personal).
         4. Creation reveals a God of (the beginning and the end).

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Yes, They are Real
Title: He Started It!
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31; 2:15-24; Rom. 5:15-19; I Cor. 15:21-22

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered

TITLE: Jesus is Victorious

Scripture: I Cor. 15:12-57

“If I were an enemy of Christianity, I would aim right at the Resurrection, because that is the heart of Christianity.” Billy Graham
“Christianity does not hold the resurrection to be one among many tents of belief. Without faith in the resurrection there would be no Christianity at all.” Jiminez (emphasis mine)

I. WHAT IS BEING SAID?

“The Christian church would never have begun…Christianity stands or falls with the truth of the resurrection. Once you disprove it, and you have disposed of Christianity.” Kreeft
To many, the historical accuracy of the Resurrection is questionable. One view says that different disciples at different points in time concocted their own set of beliefs and called it “the truth.” Some believe it is just a copied story from pagan stories.

II. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?

The resurrection of Jesus is THE most remarkable event in history. Critics say it was an event that played out over time, even saying it wasn’t added until the 8th or 9th century. The 4 Gospels show that not to be true. Two Scriptures to consider when thinking about this: I Cor. 15:4-9 and I Tim. 3:16.
If the resurrection didn’t happen:

1. 1. Our faith is useless- 15: 14,17
   2. We are still in our sin- 15:17
   3. We have no hope of a future- 15:18
   4. We should be pitied more than anyone- 15:19

Let’s reverse those by saying…

1. 1. We can say our faith has meaning
   2. We can say we have forgiveness
   3. We can know we will see our loved ones who died in Christ
   4. We can be certain of our own future.

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Real People/Real Characters
Title: The Creator of it All
Scripture: Genesis 1:1-2:3

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered

TITLE: Jesus is Our Substitute

Scripture: Isaiah 52:13-53:10

I.  THE PROBLEM TEACHING

What is penal substitution? Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross takes the place of the punishment we ought to suffer for our sins.

Their ideas in a nutshell:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Atonement is a (cruel and barbaric)doctrine.
               2. Jesus was not a substitution for (sin) on (humanity’s behalf).

II. THE CURE

Two words need defined:

1. 1. 1. 1. Atonement- Making as one.” The NT word is (reconciliation).
         2. Ransom- “to be bought back”

There is no Christianity without the cross. Why?

1. 1. 1. 1. The cross was necessary to fulfill God’s (eternal plan).
         2. The cross was the only way to (to save us from our sin).
         3. The cross satisfied the (wrath of God).

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered
Title: Resurrection Sunday! Jesus is Victorious
Scripture: I Cor. 15:12-57

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered

TITLE: Jesus is Incomparable

Scripture: Is. 7:14; Luke 1:26-38;

                       Jn. 20:30-31; 21:24-25

I.   JESUS’ BIRTH WAS INCOMPARABLE

If the Virgin Birth is dubious, then the entire Christian faith is (untrue).

The Biblical explanation of the Virgin Birth (VB):

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. The VB is historically (accurate).
               2. The word “virgin” means (virgin).
               3. To throw out the VB means to reject Christ’s (deity), the accuracy and authority of (the Scripture), and other doctrines.

Without the VB, Christ is not God. If Christ was not conceived by the Holy Spirit, then He must have a human father, and thus He is not divine. Without the Virgin Birth, the gospel does not provide salvation because if it is a lie, Jesus could never reverse the curse and save sinners. And if it is not true, the whole range of Christian doctrine falls apart.

II.  JESUS’ LIFE IS INCOMPARABLE

What we must acknowledge:

1. 1. 1. 1. We don’t know all there is to know
         2. What we do know is incredible.

NEXT WEEK: THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered
Title: Jesus is Our Substitute
Scripture: Is. 52:13-53:10

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered

TITLE: Jesus is God

Scripture: Mt. 3:13-17; 26:36-46

Freud- “God was an invention of man.”

I. THE ANT-MAN HERESY

The heresy of (modalism). How you see the Trinity.

Five truths of the Trinity:
1. There is only one God.
2. The Father is God.
3. The Son is God.
4. The Holy Spirit is God.
5. The Father is not the Son is not the Spirit.

II. THE ANTI-HERO CONTAINED

Two words come into play: (Transcendent) and (Immanent).
Transcendent- God goes beyond us in many ways
Immanent- God is the I AM, but also Immanuel (God with us).

Two Scriptures:

• Mt. 3:13-17
• Mt. 26:36-46

NEXT WEEK’S THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered
TITLE: Jesus is Incomparable
SCRIPTURE:  Is. 7:14; Luke 1:26-38; Jn. 20:30-31; 21:24-25

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered

TITLE: Jesus is Real

Scripture: I Cor. 15:1-9

Woke: “a word to describe someone who, whether consciously or unconsciously, has adopted grievances and activism rooted in Cultural Marxism and Critical Theory, especially related to the intersectional oppression matrix of race, gender, and sexuality.”

I. WHAT ARE WE UP AGAINST?

Our point of reference MUST NOT BE what our (culture) thinks, but what does (God) think. Our own (judgment); our own (viewpoint); and our own (heart) is not a reliable gauge for action.

II. WHAT SHOULD WE BE HEADING TOWARD?

What did the earliest Christians believe?

1. 1. 1. That Jesus (died for their sins).
      2. Jesus (was buried) and (raised from the dead).
      3. That His atoning death, burial, and resurrection were inseparable from the (Scriptures).
      4. Their core belief in the Resurrection could be (verified by evidence).

Progressives don’t see their false beliefs as (hijacking Christianity); they see it as rescuing Jesus from the rigidity of (traditional Christianity).

NEXT WEEK’S THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered
TITLE: Jesus is God (The Ant-Man Heresy)
SCRIPTURE: Mt. 3:13-17; 26:36-46

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

TITLE: Tough Challenges are Given- Part 2

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

I.   Our New Identity           

You are God’s (Chosen People)
You are (Holy)
You are (Dearly Loved)

Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you. [v.12 MSG]

(Compassion)     (Patience)

(Kindness)         (Bear with each other)

(Humility)          (Forgive each other)

(Gentleness)      (Love one another)

II.  Our New Ruler

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…
If our King is a Good King we have (nothing to fear and much to rejoice over).
Live at (peace with each other) and be (peace-makers).
Be (thankful)! – Mentioned 3 times in these last three verses!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
(Scripture)– Are you a vessel filled with God’s Word? Are you saturated with it?
(The Spirit) – As you abide with Christ, you will learn to know the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life

Let whatever you say and do be to Christ’s Glory.

NEXT WEEK’S THEME: Run with the Horses
SERIES: Jesus Unfiltered
TITLE: Jesus is Real
SCRIPTURE: I Cor. 15:1-9

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

TITLE: Tough Challenges are Given- Part 1

Scripture:  Col. 3:5-11

I.   COACHING UP           

3 things to do counteract false teachers:

1. 1. 1. 1. We need to (reset our sights) on things above.
         2. We are to (reshape our perspective).
         3. We need to (redefine our purpose).

II.  COACHING DOWN     

Paul uses various images to portray Christian living:

1. 1. 1. 1. A (disciplined athlete) in I Cor. 9
         2. A (faithful soldier) in 2 Tim. 2
         3. A (tenacious wrestler) in Eph. 6

Sanctification= (set aside for a specific purpose).

Three things we need to do:

1. 1. 1. 1. Put to death our (sinful passions).
         2. Put off our (sinful practices).
         3. Put down our (sinful pride).

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

Title: Tough Challenges are Given-Pt. 2- Col.  3:12-17 (Pastor Ryan preaching)

2024 THEME: Run with the Horses

SERIES: WELCOME HOME…where…

TITLE: Obedience is Encouraged

Scripture:  Col. 2:16-3:4

Following Jesus should be (expected), but never (demanded).

I.   OBEDIENCE AND THE “LORD IT OVER” APPROACH           

Two words will conflict:

1. 1. 1. (Grace)- God’s unmerited favor
      2. (Legalism)- conforming to a code to exalt self. A (self-made) approach to get on God’s good side. Always involves man-made (rules and regulations) enforced through guilt and shame.

Let’s go to the text:

1. 1. 1. Our (sins) were nailed to the Cross, not a (deed) we do.
      2. (Freedom) comes through Christ, not rules and regulations.
      3. We are free from the (bondage of religion).
      4. Relying on religion, on legalism, leaves one out in the cold when it comes to (salvation).
      5. Relying on religion leaves one (powerless and chained).

II.  OBEDIENCE AND THE “LOVE IT ALWAYS” APPROACH          

What do we need to do?

1. 1. 1. We need to (reset our sights) on things above.
      2. We are to (reshape our perspective).
      3. We are to (redefine our purpose).

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

Title: Tough Choices are Challenged-Pt. 1- Col.  3:5-11