LIFE TOGETHER in the FOREVER FAMILY - 1 John 4:7-8 – Pastor Alan Crandall
OUTLINE
1. We are saved in and through a spiritual family in which God is our father and Jesus is our older brother.
* Being “adopted” into God’s family underlines the unexpected, undeserved freeness of salvation.
* New birth is divine election, or being chosen by God.
* The Father’s love for us enables us to share that amazon glove with one another.
2. All families experience hurt, squabbles and misunderstandings.
* Jesus prepares his disciples for this. Matthew 5:22-24; Matthew 7:1-5; 18:10-22
* Gifts of Gospel community are blocked whenever hurtful words and actions get wedged between us.
* What seems impossible to us is possible with God.
3. A Community that embodies love.
* Not a gift just for us, but to share with the rest of God’s beloved creation. (Eph. 1:3-11)
* Abraham chosen to father a holy nation that would in turn bless all nations. (Gen. 12:1-3)
* Ephesians 2:12-19
4. Gospel community flows directly from what God has done and is doing for us.
* John 13:34
* Colossians 3:13
* Ephesians 4:32-5:2
* 1 John 4:7-11
Forever Family Together
September 5, 2021 • Pastor Alan Crandall
Love Your Neighbor
October 17, 2021 • Pastor Steve Poole • Luke 10:25–37, Genesis 2:18
LIFE TOGETHER: Love Your Neighbor – Steve Poole THEME – It is Not Good for Man to Be Alone (Genesis 2:18) TEXT – Luke 10:25-37 OUTLINE 1. Who is my neighbor? • Notice the motives. • Jesus extends the idea of ‘neighbor’ to uncomfortable places. • “Go and do likewise…” Luke 10:37 2. Why do we love our neighbor? How about this scenario: • What if Jesus is the Good Samaritan and we are the inn keeper? • What if the injured person is an unbeliever? 3. Two major hurdles to the hospitality involved in loving our neighbor: • We feel uncomfortable inviting people into our homes/lives because_________. • We don’t feel confident in sharing our faith because___________ 4. Tools to make hospitality easier (from The Simplest Way to Change the World by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements) • The ‘ALWAYS rule’ • Make a plan – weekly, monthly, yearly • Use your passions NEXT STEPS 1. Practice GOSPEL this week so you are confident in communicating the Gospel story. 2. Practice the “ALWAYS Rule” this week 3. Make a plan – put hospitality on your calendar.
Witnesses
October 10, 2021 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Acts 1:8
LIFE TOGETHER: Witnesses – Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - We witness about Jesus with Holy Spirit power. TEXT - Acts 1:1-11 OUTLINE Three keys to moving forward as witnesses according to Acts 1:8. 1. Move forward with Holy Spirit power. * You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. (Acts 1:8) * Galatians 5:16-25 2. Move forward with Jesus focus. * You will be my witnesses. * Acts 4:10-12 * Acts 2:38-41 3. Move forward with people awareness. * In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. * Acts 2:42-47 * John 2019-23 NEXT STEPS * Join a small group. * Tell others about Jesus.
Ambassadors of Reconciliation
October 3, 2021 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Colossians 1:21–23, Romans 5:6–8, 2 Corinthians 5:14–21, Isaiah 11:6–7, Isaiah 65:25
LIFE TOGETHER: Ambassadors of Reconciliation – Pastor Kent Landhuis THEME - Broken relationships destroy life together. OUTLINE - Three steps toward life together in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. Step 1: We are reconciled to God in Jesus. * Colossians 1:21-23 * Romans 5:6-8 Step 2: We are ambassadors of reconciliation. * 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 * Ephesians 2:1-9 Step 3: We share the hope of life together. * Isaiah 11:6-7 * Isaiah 65:25 NEXT STEPS 1. Join a small group. 2. Tell your story.