#32 Becoming a New Person in Christ
October 29, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
KEY VERSES: "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” * CHRISTIANITY IS NOT SOMETHING WE DO, IT IS A LIFE WE LIVE. * OUR FAITH IS NOT AN EXTERNAL CODE OF CONDUCT, IT IS WHO WE ARE!!! * What We Believe, What We Do and Who WE ARE Becoming are all a part of the journey that is intended to prepare us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. KEY QUESTION: “So how do we think, act and believe like Jesus?” BY two distinctives: 1. The Presence of God 2. The Power of the Holy Spirit
#31 Learning To Hear God's Voice
October 22, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
Key Verses: Mark 8:17-18 "And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? 18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?" Jesus tells his disciples that they have a heart problem that has affected their sight, hearing and memory. Isaiah 6:1-10 Gives a three things we must do if we want to hear God's voice.
#30 Humility
October 15, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
KEY VERSE: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4). KEY QUESTION: “What does it mean to value others before myself?” “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” Luke 14:11 KEY IDEA: I choose to esteem others above myself. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3
#29 Meekness
October 8, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
KEY VERSE: “Let your moderation be know to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Philippians 4:5 (Believe Pg. 466) KEY QUESTION: “How do I demonstrate thoughtfulness & consideration toward others?” KEY IDEA: I am thoughtful, considerate, and calm in my dealings with others. √ A Meek person is not a WEAK person, but rather is a strong, secure, mature person who uses their strength to face real giants and challenges in their life, but chooses NOT to run roughshod over others. Today's message helps to understand "How do we demonstrate Meekness".
#28 Faith-fulness
October 1, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
KEY QUESTION: Why is it important to be loyal and committed to God and others? KEY VERSE- CALLED TO BE FAITHFUL “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” PROVERBS 3:3–4 KEY IDEA: I have established a good name with God and others based on my loyalty to those relationships. Our key idea and our key verse encourages us on every possible level to understand that faithfulness and commitment to God will result in the best possible life we can live — never exempt from character and qualities of our Father. * Putting God’s blessings to the best use as a way of expressing our love and commitment to him brings continued blessing — the consequence of faithfulness.
#27 Gentleness / Goodness
September 24, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
KEY VERSE: “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (Believe Pg. 434) KEY QUESTION: “What does it mean to do the right thing in my relationships with others? How do I know?” Matthew 19:17 “And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Definition of “goodness” - “Consistently reflecting the CHARACTER of God in our motives and actions.” Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” KEY IDEA: “I choose to be GENTLE and GOOD in my relationships with others.”
#26 Patience
September 17, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
KEY QUESTION: “How does God provide the help I need to deal with stress?” KEY VERSE: “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Proverbs 14:29 (Believe Pg. 417) KEY IDEA: “I am slow to anger and endure patiently under the unavoidable pressure of life.” James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Oh my, we do NOT want patience, but we need patience. This message will give the necessary help to let patience do its "perfect" work.
#25 Believe - Hope
September 10, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
KEY QUESTION: “How do I deal with the hardships and struggles of life?” (Believe Pg. 401) KEY VERSE: “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 6:19-20) KEY IDEA: I can cope with the hardships of life because of the hope I have in Jesus Christ. This message will answer the question, "How do I deal with the struggles of life?"
#24 Believe - Temperance
September 3, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
KEY QUESTION: How does God free me from addictions and sinful habits? Temperance: “the dominion which one has over oneself or something…, the dominion that one has over his thoughts, words, and actions.” You have temperance when you are able to DO what you intend to DO and resist what you don’t want to do. TEMPERANCE may not be a natural tendency of yours. But it is a supernatural one. That’s the key. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23) KEY IDEA: I have the power through Christ to get myself under control. Christ in me is the power that gets myself under control.
#23 Believe - Peace
August 27, 2017 • Chris Hartzer
KEY QUESTION: Where do I find the strength to battle anxiety and fear? KEY IDEA: I am free from anxiety because I have found peace with God, peace with others, and peace with myself. Key Verse: Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
#22 Believe - Joy
August 20, 2017 • Chris Hartzer
KEY QUESTION: What gives us true happiness and contentment in life? KEY IDEA: Despite my circumstances, I feel inner contentment and understand my purpose in life. Joy: An evidence of the presence of God in your life. Key Verse: John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
#21 Believe - Love
August 6, 2017 • Chris Hartzer
Key QUESTION: What does it mean to sacrificially and unconditionally love others? KEY IDEA: "I am committed to loving God and loving others.” Key VERSE: 1 John 4:10-12 "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." * Last week we examined the practice of sharing your faith. Perhaps you were inspired to share your story with someone outside the Christian faith. This week we shift our attention from spiritual practices to Christlike virtues. Check it out!
#20 Believe - Sharing My Faith
July 30, 2017 • Chris Hartzer
Key Question: How do I share my faith with people I don’t know? Key Idea: I share my faith with others to fulfill God’s purposes. Key Verse: Ephesians 6:19-20 " And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
#19 Believe - Giving My Resources
July 23, 2017 • Mike Matijevich
Key Question: How do I best use my resources to serve God and others? Key Idea: I give my resources to fulfill God’s purposes. Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 8:7 “Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.”
#18 Believe - Offering My Time
July 16, 2017 • Chris Hartzer
KEY IDEA: I offer my time fulfill God’s purposes. KEY QUESTION: How do I best use my time to serve God and others? KEY SCRIPTURE: Colossians 3:17 " And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." KEY APPLICATION: What difference does this make in the way I live? Today we are going to talk about offering our TIME for God. How many of you would like to know how to manage your time in this lifetime? How many of you struggle with time? How many of your struggle with being late at times? How many wish you had a better handle on your time? One more question... How many feel that the way we manage our time is a spiritual issue? This message will help you immensely.