The Front Porch
The Road to Freedom
November 5, 2017 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
The Road to Freedom 1. We are all enslaved to sin. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12 I consider myself a good person, isn’t that enough? 2. The penalty for sin is death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 Is sin really that big of a deal? 3. The penalty for sin was paid for by Jesus. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 Knowing what I have done, would God really help me? 4. If we repent of our sins, and confess our faith in Christ, we will be saved from our sin. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 How can I have my sins forgiven? "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Growing Together
October 22, 2017 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
Growing Together Romans 15:14-22 Authentic community < Independent living 1. The community spurs growth. Hebrews 10:24-25 “ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 2. The Holy Spirit ignites growth. Acts 1:4-5 “ On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 3. Risk is often an ingredient to growth.
How Can We Love One Another When We Are So Different?
October 8, 2017 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
How Can We Love One Another When We Are So Different? Romans 14 Authentic Community > Independent Living “As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 1. Don’t break community over disputable matters. 2. Find common ground to build bridges. “In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity.” 3. Be peacemakers. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35,
Love One Another
October 1, 2017 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
Why are we in debt? Jesus Who are we under debt to? Everyone “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 “Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 How do we love? As yourself “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Matthew 5:43-47 Why don’t we love? 1. It’s hard. 2. I like me. 3. They don’t deserve it.
Government Is God's Idea
September 24, 2017 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
Why does Paul address civil authority? Reasons to obey civil authority: 1. God placed them there. 2. It is for our good. 3. They bear a sword. 4. Clear conscience. When should we be active in civil disobedience? “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!” Acts 5:28-29 1. Is it a clear violation of God’s command? 2. Is it a consistent unjust action? 3. Is the Spirit calling you to stand up? 4. Who are you defending?
Connected
September 17, 2017 • Pastor Allen Bonnell
1. Be devoted to one another Authentic community > independent Living 2. Honor one another above yourselves. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.” Luke 14:7-10 3. Live in harmony with one another. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.” James 4:1-2 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” Proverbs 25:21-22