Sunday, April 16, 2017

To Take It Up Again

HIStory Series

Focus: God wove HIS Story into history in a planned and purposeful way to change your story and my story for good... Forever!

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬
http://bible.com/111/luk.1.1-4.niv

I. Opened the TOMB

II. Opened HEARTS

III. Opened SCRIPTURES

IV. Opened EYES

Sunday, April 9, 2017

I Lay Down My Life...

HIStory Series
Presenter: Matt Shires

Focus: To the world, His Story can seem tragic, or unfortunate, or even foolish, but His Story is far from any of those.

I. His Story shows HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US.

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/rom.5.8.nlt
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/jhn.15.13.nlt

II. His Story shows THE GREAT POWER OF GOD.

“So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1:23-25‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/1co.1.23-25.nlt

“No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.””
‭‭John‬ ‭10:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/jhn.10.18.nlt

III. His Story shows HIS OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER.

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:42‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.22.42.nlt
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:1-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/heb.12.1-4.nlt

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Handling the Vultures

HIStory Series

Focus: Jesus, the center of history, can become the center of your story.

I. COMPLETE COMMAND Isaiah 61

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. “For I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the LORD has blessed.” I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels. The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-11‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/isa.61.1-11.nlt

II. See my CREDENTIALS?

“Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:22-23‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.5.22-23.nlt

III. Where it all BEGINS.

“But first the Son of Man must suffer terribly and be rejected by this generation. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day.
---
“And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building—”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:25-26, 28‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.17.25-26,28.nlt

““Where will this happen, Lord?” the disciples asked. Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:37‬ ‭NLT‬‬
http://bible.com/116/luk.17.37.nlt