God's Promise To Mary
December 19, 2021 • Rich Bartel • Luke 1:28–56, Psalm 34:2, Isaiah 45:21, 1 Samuel 1:11, Psalm 126:3
When things disrupt your life, how are you prone to respond? What comes out of you when you are squeezed? As we continue our series, a Critical Christmas, Rich Bartel teaches us about the story of Mary and how she responded when God disrupted her life. KEY TAKEAWAYS -When God comes in and disrupts your life, how do you respond? -Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a simple, ordinary woman in need of a savior just like us. -Humility isn’t self-denigration, but rather an honest self-appraisal. -Mary responds with humility. -Mary acknowledged who her Master was and she humbly and gladly responded to His plan for her life. -Mary was submitted to God’s Word. -Mary embodied the truths Scripture calls us to live by. -You will never meet a mature, kind, discerning, wise, and loving Christian who hasn’t spent time reading, knowing, and meditating on God’s Word. -Mary responds with worship. -Life isn’t a matter of trying to not be shaken, but rather, what comes out of you when you are shaken. -Make no mistake: if you are a Christian, God will disrupt your life. How will you respond when He does? MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -Suggested Scripture study: Luke 1:28-56; Psalm 34:2; Isaiah 45:21; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalm 126:3; Psalm 111:9 -Sermon: God’s Promise to Zechariah
Saul and the Dangers of Disobedience
July 18, 2021 • Jon Green • 1 Samuel 13:5–15, 1 Samuel 12:14–15, Galatians 1:10, 1 Samuel 12:20–24, Romans 6:1–2
Has there any been a time in life where you knew the rules and expectations but you broke them anyway? Where you disobeyed (no matter how small the offense)? As we continue our series, BC, Jon Green teaches us about the cost of disobedience by examining the downfall of King Saul. KEY TAKEAWAYS -Saul was the very first king of Israel. He was handsome, tall, and wealthy. He’s the type of guy everyone would want to follow. -Never fear (the) people more than God. -All 66 books of the Bible point to Jesus. The Bible is one story pointing to God’s redemption of fallen humanity through Christ. -If you were alone and enemies were coming toward you, what would you do? Would you take a shortcut and go against something you know God forbids? -The desire to be accepted and fit in is part of the human experience. However, God created us to find our acceptance in Him, not other people. -Where are you prone to find acceptance in people as opposed to God? -Never get ahead of God. -Are you numb to your sin? Today can be your day to confess and bring it into the light. -If we are in sin, we pin our sins on other people and normalize things that are against the ways of God. -Your feelings are real, but they are not always reliable. -If your feelings are the driving force behind your decisions you are going to experience hurt and disappointment in life. -There are plenty of commands throughout the Bible—both the Old and New Testament—we treat like suggestions and ignore. -Self-reliance is completely contradictory and opposed to the gospel. -Disobedience always comes at a cost. -Sin always had consequences. Always. -There is always a ripple effect to your sin. It never hurts or impacts just you. -You are only fooling yourself if you think you can get away with your sin. -God’s instructions aren’t to rob us of freedom. They are to give us discipline, which leads to freedom. -Don’t be someone who starts well and then falls. Trust Christ—every single day—and finish well as you trust in Him. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -Suggested Scripture Study: 1 Samuel 13:5-15; 1 Samuel 12:14-15; Galatians 1:10; 1 Samuel 12:20-24; Romans 6:1-2; Romans 6:1-2 -Sermon: David and Goliath
David and Goliath
July 11, 2021 • Rich Bartel • 1 Samuel 17, James 4:6, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Proverbs 16:18
Have you ever met someone who has great faith in something? What about you? Where in life are you most prone to put your faith? As we continue our series, BC, Rich Bartel teaches us about misplaced faith and properly placed faith by studying the story of David and Goliath. KEY TAKEAWAYS -Misplaced faith leads to arrogance. -Sometimes when we experience success we forget the grace of God and forget all the people who helped us along the way. -What’s the source of your arrogance? Where have you misplaced your faith? -Misplaced faith leads to fear. -What comes through the “what if Rolodex” of your mind when you lay down at night? -God is enough. Period. -What do you fear? Why? -David did what David had always done. He was a servant and a shepherd. Serving others, protecting his flock, and trusting in God, his Shepherd. -What is God asking you to do that requires great faith? -Faith placed in God always prevails. -David believed God when life brought obstacles his way. He knew God would prevail when circumstances suggested otherwise. -Where does your mind and heart go when you are faced with obstacles and challenges? -You are not David and you never will be. God doesn’t bring Goliath’s in your life, and He doesn’t ask you to channel your inner David. He asks you to trust in Christ. MENTIONED OR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES -Suggested Scripture Study: 1 Samuel 17; Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6; James 4:6; 2 Chronicles 16:9 -Sermon: Naaman and Elisha