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In the Beginning

August 27, 2023 • Gregg Parris • Romans 6:23, John 3:16–21, Romans 3:23, Mark 7:20–23, John 8:34

John 3:16-21


I. THE PROBLEM


All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23


The pollution of sin:

What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’

Mark 7:20-23


The power of sin:

Everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

John 8:34


The penalty for sin:

For the wages of sin is death.

Romans 6:23


The partition of sin:

Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Isaiah 59:1-2


II. THE SOLUTION


The “self-substitution” of God:

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree…by His wounds you have been healed.

I Peter 2:24


The agony of the Cross:

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6


I choose God’s love.

We have come to know and believe the love He has for us.

I John 4:16

I pray that you might have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:18-19


III. THE RESULT

God's Global Plan

November 19, 2023 • Gregg Parris • 2 Corinthians 8:1–7, 2 Corinthians 8:10–11, 2 Corinthians 8:20–21

II Corinthians 8:1-7  A “faith promise” offering is simply FAITH in God to provide an amount of money followed by a PROMISE to give it. Paul called this the “grace of giving” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Grace is always a provision of something we don’t have. A “faith promise” offering is a commitment to give what we will trust God to provide. I. An offering supplied by God’s grace.  “And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches… They gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability… See that you also excel in the grace of giving.” II Corinthians 8:1-7 The grace of new opportunity   The grace of discipline   The grace of the unusual   II. An offering to be completed within a year. “Last year you were the first not only to give, but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by our completion of it.” II Corinthians 8:10-11 III. An offering to be carefully administered.   “We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.” Paul understood the need for financial accountability and strategic investment! II Corinthians 8:20-21

Healing, Signs & Wonders

November 12, 2023 • Gregg Parris • Acts 3:1–10, Mark 1:15, Matthew 4:23

Acts 3:1-10 I. HEALING IN THE BIBLE In the Old Testament. The Ministry of Jesus.  The teaching of Jesus   “The time has come,” he said. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15  All who believe will be totally healed on that day! The Kingdom of God is both “now” and “not yet" The ministry of Jesus “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people.” Matthew 4:23  The commission of Jesus II. HEALING IN CHURCH HISTORY III. HEALING TODAY

Make New Disciples

November 5, 2023 • Gregg Parris • Matthew 28:16–20, 1 Peter 3:1–2

Matthew 28:16-20 1. The Command of Jesus (Great Commission) 2. Needs of Others.   3. The Gospel is Good News.   I. PRESENCE “…if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” I Peter 3:1-2 II. PERSUASION (not pressure) III. PROCLAMATION Invitational Relational Telling our own story IV. POWER V. PRAYER