SERIES:  Transformed By His Presence

TITLE:   Aftershocks

TEXT:  (Thomas) John 11:16; 14:5; 20:19-28; (Saul) Acts 7:61-8:4; 9:1-19

I. FROM FEAR TO FAITH

 “Peace be with you” (Shalom) refers to total well-being and happiness

 II. FROM BRUTALITY TO BLESSING

 Who is Saul?

1. From the city of (Tarsus).

2. Paul tells us his background in Phil.3:2-6

3. His passion for (religion) collided head on with the apostles’ passion for (Christ)

4. Read some other references- Acts 22:3-5 (p.931); Acts 26:9-11; Gal.1:12-14 (p.972)

Lessons we can learn:

1) No matter how we appear to others, everyone has a (dark side).

2) Regardless of what you have done, you are not beyond (hope).

3) Even though your past is soiled, you can find a (new beginning) with God.

NEXT: Series: Transformed by His Presence

Sermon: Miraculous Turnaround- John 4:30; Luke 8:26-39

1. FROM FEAR TO FAITH        

“Peace be with you”  (Shalom) refers to total well-being and happiness

2. FROM BRUTALITY TO BLESSING             

Who is Saul?

1.      From the city of (Tarsus). 

2.      Paul tells us his background in Phil.3:2-6

3.      His passion for (religion) collided head on with the apostles’ passion for (Christ) 

4.      Read some other references- Acts 22:3-5 (p.931); Acts 26:9-11; Gal.1:12-14 (p.972)

Lessons we can learn:

1)      No matter how we appear to others, everyone has a (dark side).

2)      Regardless of what you have done, you are not beyond (hope).

3)      Even though your past is soiled, you can find a (new beginning) with God.

NEXT:  Series: Transformed by His Presence

            Sermon: Miraculous Turnaround- John 4:30; Luke 8:26-39          

SERIES:  Transformed By His Presence

TITLE:   Case Overturned

TEXT:  John 20:1-18 (p.906)

 I. FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT        

Who is she?

1. Some suggest anonymous woman in Luke 7.
2. Woman caught in adultery in John 8.
3. Wrote book on life of Christ.

What do know:

1. She did have a dark past. 
2. According to Luke 8 she was delivered from (demonic bondage).  She was (transformed). 
3. She owed everything to (Jesus).  Luke 11:24-26 (p.870)

II. FROM EXTREMISM TO BALANCE 

Things we know about John:

1. Younger of the two brothers
2. Came from a fairly wealthy and influential family
3. Given the nickname (Sons of Thunder)
4. Had difficulty with (ambition) and (pride).   Matthew 20 (p.825)

Why run to the tomb?  Luke 24:11: “Their words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them.”

John became known not as the “Son of Thunder” but the (Apostle of Love).

NEXT:  Series: Transformed by His Presence

            Sermon: Aftershocks- John 11:16; 14:5; 20:19-28 (Thomas); Acts 7:61-8:4; 9:1-19 (Saul)

SERIES:  Transformed By His Presence

TITLE:   Two Sides of a Coin

TEXT:  Matthew 27:3-10 (p.833); John 21: 15-19 (p.907)

1. A LIFE OF TRAGEDY      

Form of Judah which means (Jehovah leads)

3 common answers to problem of Judas:

1. Traditional answer is (Calvinist) doctrine.
2. Good but eventually yielded to (greed).
3. Judas was a (Zealot).

Turn to Matthew 23:3-10

2. A LIFE OF TRIUMPH           

Quick introduction to Peter:

1. His name- “Simon, who is called Peter.”  Jesus called him Peter. Greek word means (a piece of rock, a stone).
2. His personal life- 

1)      He was a (fisherman).

2)      He was (married).

3)      He was the (leader) of the apostles.

4)      He was (raw material).

3.   His humanity. 

Turn to John 21: 15-19 

NEXT:  Series: Transformed by His Presence

            Sermon: Case Overturned- John 20:1-18

SERIES:  Transformed By His Presence

TITLE:   I’m Accepted

TEXT:  Luke 7:36-50(p.864)

1. THE POINT OF ACCEPTANCE      

“Love,  acceptance, forgiveness-those three things are absolutely essential to any ministry that will consistently bring people to maturity and wholeness.  If the church is to be the force for God in the world that it should be, it must learn to love people, accept them and forgive them.”  “Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness” by Jerry Cook (p.11)

(Love) is the ultimate gift we can give anyone.

(Acceptance)  of people for who they are.

(Forgiveness) is the willingness to stop playing God.

“Acceptance is the fruit people taste when we show them love.  It means allowing others to be who they are without disapproving of our losing patience with them.”  Swindoll

1.  It allows judgment to rest (with the Lord), not us.  Rom.14:4,10 (p.948)

2.  It provides each person the (freedom to choose). Rom.14:5

3.  It helps us focus on (essentials), not incidentals.  Rom.14:17

2. THE PRACTICES OF ACCEPTANCE          

Two things should stand out to us:

1)      (Pride) paralyzes us in more ways than we can imagine. 

2)      (Forgiveness) releases us.

NEXT:  Series: Transformed by His Presence

            Sermon: Two Sides of a Coin- Selected Scripture for Peter and Judas

SERIES:  Transformed By His Presence

TITLE:   Stepping Out

TEXT:  Luke 5:1-11(p.860)

I. THE CALL TO FAITH

What is faith?

An atheist: “Reason and faith are opposites, two mutually exclusive terms.”

A Christian response: “Faith is a rational response to the evidence of God’s self-revelation in nature, human history, the Scriptures, and His resurrected Son.”

What is faith?

“Faith isn’t really faith until it’s all you’re holding on to.” Tim Hansel

“Faith is not a wistful longing that something may come to pass in an uncertain tomorrow. True faith is an absolute certainty, often of things that the world considers unreal and impossible.” John MacArthur

“Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

Turn to Hebrews 11:1 (p.1007)

II. THE CHALLENGES OF FAITH

1. Put out into the Deep Water. Luke 5:5

2. Let Down Your Nets. Luke 5:5

The Bible is littered with people who let down their nets: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Israelites, Man born blind, Peter, Paul, Jairus, Cornelius.

We will never (do anything);

never (go anywhere);

never (make a difference)

until we go out into the deep and let down our nets.

NEXT: Series: Transformed by His Presence

Sermon: I’m Accepted- Luke 7:36-50

SERIES:  Transformed By His Presence

TITLE:   Open and Shut Case

TEXT:  Romans 14:13-19 (p.949)

I. BUILDING UP

The world will not be changed by (well-organized church programs), magnificent (church buildings), better functioning (church systems), more and longer (meetings), or even passing by-laws. The world will be changed by you and me each doing our part by being a (follower of Jesus Christ).

 II. TEARING DOWN

What are some stumblingblocks that people put up that hinder the message of “Come to Jesus?”

1. (Clothing). “Behold, those who are dressed in splendid clothing and live in luxury are in king’s courts.” Luke 7:25

2. (Church buildings) “Buildings are boxes. Boxes don’t move. Boxes don’t grow. Boxes don’t last. Boxes don’t care.”

3. (Judgmentalism)

4. (Apathy)

NEXT: Series: Transformed by His Presence

Sermon: Stepping Out- Luke 5:1-11

SERIES:  Transformed By His Presence

TITLE:   Let’s Get Personal

TEXT:  Matthew 4:18-22 (p.809); Romans 11:33 (p.947)

I.  WHAT IS A FOLLOWER?

Authentic Christianity is composed of (non-negotiated) followers who are moving toward Christ and who understand that (all of life) encompasses what we call being a Christ-follower.

What is a follower?

1. A follower is one who has a (growing and deepening) relationship to the one he was following.
2. A true follower is in the process of (radical reformation) because of the influence of the leader on his life.

A follower develops an intimacy with the one they are following.

1. That implies a (relationship) with that person,
2. Implies the student (gets to know) the teacher.

Psalm 42:1-2  (p.469)   Psalm 63:1 (p.479)

II. HOW CAN I BE A FOLLOWER?

[Romans 11:33]  How can I experience what Paul is talking about?

1. Open the door (of your heart).
2. (Pursue Him)
3. Put Him in His Place.  Chuck Swindoll calls this (Reordering Your Life).
4. Be where He is.  Requires two things: (Solitude) and (Silence).
5. (Surrender).   Phil.3:7-11 (p.981)

“”Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”  Heb.12:1

6.   See Him in his (people).

NEXT:  Series: Transformed by His Presence

Sermon: Open and Shut Case- Rom.14:13-19

SERIES:  Transformed By Grace

TITLE:   Misplaced Anger

TEXT:  Jonah 4: 1 – 11 (p.775)

I. JONAH’S ANGER

Jonah wasn’t afraid of failure. He feared (success).

This was deeper than “it displeased Jonah exceedingly. A more accurate translation would be “it was evil to Jonah.”

See description of God he gives in verse 2b. BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT JONAH WANTED.

Jonah can’t (manipulate) God.

II. GOD’S REBUKE

Several observations:

(1) God did not respond to anger (with anger).

(2) Jonah did not stay (in the city).

(3) There is a contrast between Jonah’s behavior and the (king’s).

What are real issues in the exchange?

1. For Jonah, it is (recurring anger) and a death wish coming from his own twisted idea of (judgment).

2. For God, it involves traits like extending (pity), (compassion), and (mercy) to others.

This book forces us to see our own power struggles with God:

• What has God called us to do that puts us into a contest of wills with Him?

• What challenges has God placed before you that has you running away?

• Has your pride and ego gotten in the way?

• Are there people you resist loving and caring for?

NEXT: Series: Transformed by His Presence

Sermon: Let’s Get Personal- Matt.4:18-22; Rom.11:33

SERIES:  Transformed By Grace

TITLE:   Second Chance

TEXT:  Jonah 3: 1 – 10 (p.775)

I. SECOND CHANCE FOR JONAH

“Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He who obeys God trusts God, and he who trusts God obeys God.” Spurgeon

Jonah is living proof of (amazing grace).

Two things stand out with God’s invitation:

1. God doesn’t hold (grudges).

2. God doesn’t (lighten the load) this time through.

God is far more interested in (the worker) than in the work the worker does.

II. SECOND CHANCE FOR NINEVAH

Several lessons we can learn from this chapter:

1. God often uses the (defeated) to do great things.

2. Good news is for (losers). “He (Jesus) was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God.” 2 Cor.13:4

3. God often sends His servants into the (lion’s den).

NEXT: Series: Transformed by Grace

Misplaced Anger- Jonah 4

SERIES:  Transformed By Grace

TITLE:   Crawling Back

TEXT:  Jonah 1:17-2:10 (p.774)

“You can’t run, you can’t hide from the Hound of Heaven/You’re free to choose or refuse the seeker of souls.” Daniel Amos “Hound of Heaven”

I. GOD’S PREPARATION

Jonah is desperate. It led him to pray:

1. In desperation he prayed like (David) in Psalm 34:6: “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”

2. In desperation he prayed like (Hannah), who was childless. “She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.” I Sam.1:10

3. In desperation he prayed like (Jeremiah). “Water closed over my head; I said, ‘I am lost.’” Lam.3:54

4. In desperation he prayed like (Jesus) in the garden.

II. JONAH’S PRAYER

Jonah experiencing in real life what many of us talk about. See Psalm 69:1-2,14-15.

“David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him…But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” I Sam.30:6

What can we learn from this scene in Jonah’s life?

1. We must learn to pray in the midst of our (failure).

2. We must learn to thank the Lord for confronting us with our (disobedience).

3. We must learn to (see ourselves) in Jonah’s life.

Close with Psalm 139:8-12

NEXT: Series: Transformed by Grace

Second Chance- Jonah 3