Jan. 24th - Evil vs Truth in LOVE

Opening Question (in 2 parts): Name somewhere (or someone) you try to avoid. Describe the last time you “rejoiced”.

 

1 Corinthians 13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.


Further scripture reading: Galatians 5:19-24 – Acts of sinful nature vs. Fruit of the Spirit

 

EVIL                                                    TRUTH

Sinfulness                                          Holiness
Ignorance                                          Intellect

Apathy                                               Care

Attack                                                Protect

Wastefulness                                    Stewardship

Hard-hearted                                    Grace

What else would you add to this list?

 

 

The better we understand a Godly love, the more we will sorrow when evil is present. The more we rejoice with the Truth, the better we can show Christ’s love those around us.

 

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

 

Thursday and Friday Pastor’s Bible study at 10am. In person and on ZOOM (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5740622086 or 1 646 876 9923 either with Meeting ID 574 062 2086)

Jan. 17th - LOVE is NOT . . .

LOVE review:

1. Love is the purpose to your actions and the most excellent way.

2. Love IS patient and kind.

Have you read 1 Corinthians 13 this week? Is LOVE motivating everything you do?

 

1 Corinthians 13:5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

What Love IS NOT – is also a critical understanding for believers. These behaviors are the ways to show BIBLICAL LOVE (not just have a "feeling")

The fact that Paul has to teach them were clear signs for Paul that believers had missed the message of Christ.

LOVE requires us to develop and practice respect, selflessness, calmness, & a forgiving spirit.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

4 Questions to answer to develop LOVE this week:

How will I give respect this week?

How will I serve others this week?

How will I stay calm this week?

How will I forgive this week?

Jan 10th - Shane Adams sermon notes

1 Corinthians 13:4   (Love)

 

Transition from Gifts to Love    to  See Unity        to    Pride vs. Humility

 

Love is a process.

 

1st John 4:7-8              God is love.  God is agape.    

 

1st John 4:9-10:            We might live through Him.   

 

Are we a ____________________ or a reservoir?

 

In the Apostle Paul’s definition of love, why is the first descriptor “patient”? 

 

Love is patient.  ________________and love are   incompatible.

 

To love like Jesus, we should strive to be:

 Completely _______________________________

 Purposefully ______________________________

 Others __________________________________

 

Love is kind.  It is actively engaged in doing good to others.  Love is a ______________, not a noun.

 

Kindness is _______________ to the soul.

 

January 3rd, 2021 - Sermon notes

1 Corinthians 12:31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

 

1. Developing priorities is a powerful tool.

What do you desire in 2021? What is under your control?

Write out your list:

 

 

Following Christ is a change of priorities (Matthew 6:33).

 

2. Developing a passion is a powerful tool.

What are you currently passionate about?

Write out your list:

 

 

Sin sabotages our passion. (Matthew 24:12)

 

3. Discovering your purpose aligns both our priority and passions.

Where is your “most excellent way”?

 

 

 

January 3-February 14

Read, memorize, & study 1 Corinthians 13

Sermon Notes - Dec 20

The Angels and Shepherd's RSVP

Small Group Opening Question: What are you afraid of?

1. The Shepherd’s response: Luke 2:8 &9, 15-17

  •         Shepherds knew the purpose of protection. When we face the unknown we are naturally afraid.

               What might you really be afraid of in this season?

  •         Shepherds watched a flock and worked together. The invitation to courage and the cradle was to the whole group (“shepherds”, “to them”, “said to one another”).

               Have you ever responded to an invitation because others were going?

  •         Having found the affirmation of the invitation, the shepherds shared the information with the Bethlehem congregation.

 

2. Then Angel’s response: Luke 2:10-14

  •         Consolation from fear preceded the invitation to faith.

               How can we empathize with our neighbor as a first step to evangelize them?

  •         The angels acclamation gave motivation to pursue the invitation to the Christ child.

               Worship is rightly the Lord’s, it also draws others to our Lord.

 

O Lord, give me courage in my fears that I may hear and share the invitation to follow You. In Christ I pray, Amen.

 

Responding when we are scared is vaccination to our passivity!

Your faith CAN overcome your fear! RSVP!

Sermon Notes for December 13th, 

The Magi and Herod's RSVP

An invitation with a positive assumption is a naïve presumption. A response is a necessary communication of your intention for their preparation.

 

Opening Question: God gave the Magi a sign in the star. Have you ever felt your received a sign from God?

 

1. The Magi’s Response: Matthew 2:1-12

3 gifts:   Attention and Adoration (v. 2)  We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship Him

               Time and Treasure (v. 11)  Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

               Dreams and Detours (v. 12) and having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Our most important gift is not the thing itself – but the love it represents (John 3:16). How can you practice seeing beyond the “gift” to the goal of a better relationship?

 

2. Herod’s Response: Matthew 2:13-18

               A response is not always positive – Herod was furious and murderous! (v 16) When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

 

A lust for control can overpower the love of life itself.  Where do you need to trust God and practice humility?

 

*Bonus reading: “The Gift of the Magi” by O.Henry

Give gifts that celebrate God’s invitation in Christ to

Receive the Sacred gift of His Very Presence.

Sermon Notes Dec 6, 2020

Mary and Joseph's RSVP

1. God invites, We respond

Opening Question: What’s the last invitation you got? Did you go?

 

2. Joseph’s Response: Matthew 1:18-25

Joseph was invited by the God of both the law and of grace (John 1:17) to serve as father to Jesus as the Savior full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Matthew 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Joseph’s response: “he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him”

 

3. Mary’s Response: Luke 1:26-56

Mary is faithful and favored by God, full of wonder and praise. Her response is both humble obedience and praise.

Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Your Response to a Situation reVeal your heart’s Preparation! RSVP

How are you preparing for God’s Invitation?

Your invited:

Library Creche display, Wyandot County Museum Christmas Open House, Fantasy of Lights, Christmas Eve service

Pray, Connect, Accept, Relax, Trust, Simplify,