SERIES: Real Thanksgiving

TITLE: The Secret of Thankful Praise

TEXT: Psalm 100 (P.500)

I.   KNOWING THE SOURCE

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”  Ps.118:1

4 ways to give thanks:

1. We can (shout). 
2. We can (serve).
3. We can (come).
4. We can (know).

What can we know?

1)     We can know God as (Creator).   “For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth-the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name.”  Amos 4:13

2)     We can know God as our (Redeemer).   Turn to John 10:11-12,14-16 (p.896)

3)     We can know we are (His).

II.   KNOWING THE SONG

Three parts to this psalm: 1) four ways to give thanks; 2) what can we know; 3) an invitation to thank God.

The song has two parts:

1. It is a song of (Joy).   “When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen, and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve Him with a cheerful spirit.”  Franz Joseph Haydn
2. It is a song of (Praise).   Turn to Psalm 72:18-19

NEXT WEEK:   Thanksgiving not Thankskeeping- Psalm 136

SERIES: Not A Fan

TITLE: Rules or Jesus?

TEXT: John 8:1-11 (p.894)

“I like your Christ.  I do not like your Christians.  Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”  Ghandi

I.  RULES CAN BE CUMBERSOME

Pharisees- the (legalists) of the bunch

Sadducees- the (liberals) of the bunch

If Jesus had been a rule-keeper like the other religious leaders, there would have been no way He could have extended (grace) like He did.

II.  RULES DON’T INSPIRE GRACE

Grace sent this woman home a (free) woman.  Grace (broke the chains) that held her down. Grace blew apart the (rules) of the religious leaders.

A fan follows the (rules).  A Follower follows (Jesus).

III.  RULES DON’T KEEP US AROUND

If kids grow up thinking Christianity is keeping a (moral code) rather than having a (relationship with Jesus), they will walk away from both.

If all we do is program people like computers, we will teach them (what) to think, but not (how) to think.

Christianity is defined as following (Jesus) not following (rules).

“The grace-given give grace.”  Max Lucado in “Grace”

NEXT WEEK:   Special Guest Rob Grandi concluding “Not a Fan” series

SERIES: Not A Fan

TITLE: Comfort is Over-rated

TEXT: I Cor.1:18-25 (p.952); John 15:4-5 (p.901)

I.  THE MESSAGES GIVEN

One thing this passage does is show the difference between (selfishness) and (selfless) living.

Fans say, “I choose (self).”  Followers say, “I choose (Jesus).”

Who else but God would take a cross that represented defeat and turn it into a (symbol of victory)? Who else but God would take a cross that represented guilt and turn it into a symbol of (grace)? Who else but God could take a symbol of condemnation and turn it into a symbol of (freedom)? Who else but God could take a symbol of death and turn it into a symbol of (life)?

II. THE PATH TO FOLLOW

God uses the (foolish of the world) to (confound the wise).

Turn to John 15:4-5

• “Abide” means more than “to live in a house.”  Here it means “to hunker down into.”  It means to place yourself under the (sovereign authority) of someone.
• It reminds us “we are not our own.”

A servant (works for) someone; a slave is (owned by) someone.

NEXT WEEK:   Rules or Jesus? John 8:1-11

SERIES: Not A Fan

TITLE: Passionate Pursuit

TEXT: Luke 7: 36-50 (p.864); Phil.3:1-11 (p.981)

 I. GOD PASSIONATELY PURSUES US

Before we pursue God, He (has been pursuing) us.

• The Bible is clear we are all sinners. [Rom.3:23] It is clear that every man has done what is right in his own eyes.
• The Bible teaches “the wages of sin is death, but gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Rom.6:23]
• The Bible says, “God wants no one to perish, but for all to come to Him.” [Acts 17:30]
• The Bible says, “God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [Rom.5:8]

II. GOD WANTS US TO PASSIONATELY PURSUE HIM

[Turn to Phil.3]

Turn to Matthew 13:44 (p.819)

Fans want to (play it safe); but followers will (stretch themselves).  Fans want to be (comfortable); but followers want (risk).

Check

Yes

No

Maybe

NEXT WEEK:   Comfort is Over-Rated- I Cor.1:18-25; John 15:4-5

1. GOD PASSIONATELY PURSUES US                                

Before we pursue God, He (has been pursuing) us.  

·       The Bible is clear we are all sinners. [Rom.3:23] It is clear that every man has done what is right in his own eyes. 

·       The Bible teaches “the wages of sin is death, but gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” [Rom.6:23]

·       The Bible says, “God wants no one to perish, but for all to come to Him.” [Acts 17:30] 

·       The Bible says, “God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [Rom.5:8]

2. GOD WANTS US TO PASSIONATELY PURSUE HIM                                        

[Turn to Phil.3]

Turn to Matthew 13:44 (p.819)

Fans want to (play it safe); but followers will (stretch themselves).  Fans want to be (comfortable); but followers want (risk). 

Check Yes

No

Maybe

NEXT WEEK:   Comfort is Over-Rated- I Cor.1:18-25; John 15:4-5      

SERIES: Not A Fan

TITLE: Anyone Means Anyone

TEXT: Luke 7: 36-50 (p.864); John 3:1-16 (p.887)

 I.  ANYONE IS WELCOME

Turn to Matt.15: 1-9

Simon the Pharisee would have spent his life memorizing the Scriptures.

• By 12 had first 12 books of the Bible memorized.
• By 15 entire OT memorized.
• Committed to memory more than 300 prophecies about coming Messiah

II.  ANYONE MEANS COME AS YOU ARE

Turn to John 3 (p.887)

Nicodemus needed a new life.  Not the old religion redressed.  Not the old religion updated.  There is no way to follow Jesus without Him (interfering) with your life.  Following Jesus will (cost you something).  Following Jesus always costs something.

“When Jesus bids a man come, He bids him come and die.”  Bonhoeffer

Fans was a little (makeup), but Jesus wants a (makeover).  Fans want to do a little (redecorating), but Jesus wants a (remodel).   Fans want (inspiration), but Jesus wants (interference). 

NEXT WEEK:  Passionate Pursuit- Luke 7:36-50; Phil.3:1-11

SERIES: Not A Fan

TITLE: Where Do You Draw the Line?

TEXT: Luke 9:23-26 (p.867)

DTR: Define The Relationship

1. WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE?

What does it take to be a follower of Jesus and not just a fan?

1. Disciples must (deny themselves).
2. Disciples must take up their crosses (daily).
3. A disciples must (follow Him).   “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”  Jim Elliott

2. WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?

How can we DTR?

1)     Personal (relationships) will come under scrutiny 

2)     Personal (goals and desires) will come under scrutiny.

3)     Personal (possessions) will come under scrutiny.

WHAT WILL YOU CHOOSE?

NEXT WEEK:  Anyone Means Anyone- Luke 7:36-50; John 3:1-14

SERIES: Closer Look

TITLE: What Do You See?

TEXT: Psalm 29:2; 72:17; 145:7; Is.66:19

“Where there is not vision the people perish.” Pr.29:18 (KJV)

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.” (ESV)

“If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.” (MSG)

I.    SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE

Recap and highlights of past 2 years.

II.   SEE WHAT GOD CAN DO

Starts with knowing ourselves- (who we are) and (why we are here).

Our Purpose: We exist for the Fame of His Name. Our sole purpose is not to (promote ourselves), but to promote Jesus. It is not to (draw attention) to ourselves, but to Him.

Our Mission:

Old: “Love God…Love People…Make a Difference”

 New: “To win the HEART of Owen County”

Our Vision:

• H- (Hear Truth)
• E- (Exalt Christ)
• A- (Accept Imperfect)
• R- (Restore Relationships)
• T- (Teach Service).

NEXT WEEK: Ryan East preaching

SERIES: Closer Look

TITLE: What Makes Us Tick?

TEXT: Acts 2:42-47 (p.911)

1. OUR EXCLAMATION

Why do we exist? What is the primary purpose of the church?

The church was not put here (to make us happy). It was not put here to meet (our every whim). “When we ask people what they want in church instead of giving them what they were created for, we play into the very idolatry that church was created to dismantle.” MacDonald

Primary purpose is found in I Cor.10:31- “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” The church’s primary purpose is to (glorify God) in all we do.

Our Purpose: We exist for the fame of His Name.

Look up Psalm 29:2…Ps.71:12…Ps.145:7

“And I will set a sign among them…to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory.” Is.66:19

2. OUR ESSENTIALS

There are 4 essentials that we part of the early church’s gatherings:

1. Teaching– “No creed but Christ; no book but the Bible.” See also Acts 6:2
2. Fellowship– Fellowship means we care for one another. True fellowship is that we (care about) and therefore (care for) one another.
3. Communion– The early church devoted themselves to two ordinances: baptism and communion. The first represents our (conversion to Christ), and second, our (lifelong commitment) with Him.
4. Prayer– Priority because they kindled a personal involvement with one another and sparked a desire to serve the Lord.

What are the results of all these essentials?

1. There will be (worship).
2. There will be (togetherness).
3. There will be (prayer).

NEXT WEEK: What Do You See? Psalm 29:2; 72:17; 145:7; Is.66:19

SERIES:  Transformed By Passion

TITLE:       Pride’s Downfall

TEXT:        2 Samuel 24 (p.277); I Chron.21 (p.350)

1. PRIDE’S DESTRUCTION

(Vulnerability) is an ugly thing.

His unstated motive was (pride). He was slighting the (faithfulness of God) as the shield of Israel. “For you are the glory of their strength, by your favor our horn is exalted. For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.” Ps.89:17-18

Reveals two things about David’s personal life:

1. He was out of touch with (the Lord).

2. He was (unaccountable) to anyone around him.

2. PRIDE’S DEATH

Verse 10: “struck him”- “to attack or to smite or to be assaulted.”

The mark of a person after God’s heart is not perfection but a (sensitivity to sin) and a willingness to (seek restoration) with God, even if it means facing judgment.

“distress”- “to be tied up, restricted, cramped.”

God’s hand was swift and terrible. But equally swift was His (mercy). [vv.14-15] And true to David’s heart, when he saw what was happening, he fell on his face before God and (assumed all blame).

3 lessons we can learn:

1. To live an unaccountable life is to (flirt with danger).

2. To ignore sin’s consequences is to (reject God’s truth).

3. To fail to take God seriously is to (to deny His lordship) in our lives.

WHAT WILL YOU HAVE ENGRAVED ON YOUR TOMBSTONE??

NEXT WEEK: What Makes Us Tick? Acts 2:42-47

SERIES:  Transformed By Passion

TITLE:  Praise Him Through The Storm

TEXT:   2 Samuel 22 (p.274); Psalm 18 (p.455)

I. WORLD UPSIDE DOWN

David’s “Twilight years” were anything but golden:

1) Sheba’s rebellion

2) Joab kills Amasa

3) Three year famine

4) War with the Philistines Verse 15 significant verse

II. WORLD RIGHTSIDE UP

4 themes of David in this song;

1. God is my Only (Security). [Vv.2-4]

“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” Ps.40:2

2. God is my Only (Light). [V.29]

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

3. God is my Only (Strength). [Vv.33-36]

If we try to fight our battles in our own strength, we will (lose). We cannot defeat an unseen enemy using (physical weapons).

Turn to Psalm 144:1-2 (p.524)

4. God is my Only (Hope). [Vv.50-51]

Turn to Psalm 145:4-7 and 146:5-7

Turn to Psalm 37:23-25, 39-40.

NEXT WEEK: Pride’s Destruction- 2 Samuel 24; I Chron.21