Doubt Less about a Theistic Universe

Verde Valley Christian Church

Apr 7, 2024

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Welcome to Verde Valley Christian Church
April 7, 2024 - Doubt Less - Part 2: Doubt Less about a Theistic Universe
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Sermon Series: Doubt Less
Sermon Title: "Doubt Less About a Theistic Universe"
Speaker: Jim Hammond

I. True SCIENCE is not in conflict with true FAITH

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

II. NATURALISM is like the shoe that doesn't fit

Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

III. The evidence of a FINELY TUNED Universe

Psalms 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

Psalms 8:3-4
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Stories That Stick - (Part 1) "The Deal of a Lifetime"

Verde Valley Christian Church
Mar 10, 2024

Sermon Title: "The Deal of a Lifetime"
Speaker: Jim Hammond

Matthew 13:44-46
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

I. What is the DEAL? KINGDOM OF HEAVEN 

II. What is the PRICE? ALL

III. What is the VALUE? PRICELESS 

The kingdom of heaven is infinitely and eternally worth more than everything you had apart from his kingdom.

https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/gospel-kingdom/

Let the Children Come - Part 4: What This Looks Like for Me

Verde Valley Christian Church
Mar 3, 2024

Sermon Title: Let the Children Come - Part 4: What This Looks Like for Me
Speaker: Andrew Webb

1. Be Characterized by Jesus' QUALITIES (vss. 12-14)

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

2. Let Jesus' PEACE Call the Shots (vs. 15)

Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

3. Let Jesus' WORD Overflow into Everything (vs. 16-17)

Let the Children Come - (Part 3) What This Looks Like for VVCC

Verde Valley Christian Church
Feb 25, 2024

Sermon Title: Let the Children Come - Part 3: What This Looks Like for VVCC
Speaker: Jim Hammond

I. What this DID look like for VVCC

There are two things that everybody hates.

Change and the way things are.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Luke 18:16
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV)

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Don’t be a sponge that sours in the sink!

Paul did not change his MORALS or his

MESSAGE, but he radically changed his

METHODS to reach people who were far from God.

Do we have a readiness like Paul's to change methods without compromising the unchanging gospel message?

II. What this DOES look like NOW

We have to continue to work diligently to help people understand and perceive the same unchanging gospel message as relevant and desirable today, and everyday.

III. What we pray it WILL look like SOON

How can we more effectively reach children and their families? What are the types of changes required for a church to be more effective in reaching the "next generation"?

2 Timothy 1:5
I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Let the Children Come - (Part 2) What This Looks Like for Parents

Verde Valley Christian Church
Feb 18, 2024

Sermon Title: Let the Children Come - Part 2: What This Looks Like for Parents
Speaker: Jim Hammond

Psalms 78:1-7
My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

I. WE WILL pass the baton of faith

Psalms 78:4
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

Psalms 78:6-7
so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

II. TELL them God's STORIES

Psalms 78:4
We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

We all need a knowledge base that answers the most important questions, questions like: What is real? What is the good life? Who is a good person? How do I become one?

III. TEACH them God's TRUTH

Let the Chilren Come - (Part 1) Turn Your Heart to Children

Verde Valley Christian Church
Feb 11 – 17, 2024

Sermon Title: Let the Children Come - Part 1: Turn Your Heart to Children
Speaker: Andrew Webb

Malachi 4:4-6
"Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel. "See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction."

Luke 1:17
And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Mark 10:13
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.

Mark 10:14
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:15
Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Mark 10:16
And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

1. POINT the Kids in Your Life to Jesus

2. RECEIVE the Kingdom of God Like a Child

Choose What is Better

Verde Valley Christian Church
Feb 4 – 10, 2024

Sermon Title: You In 5 Years - Part 5: Choose WHAT is Better
Speaker: Jim Hammond

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

1. What is a good 5-year objective?

Choose a better WHAT!

2. What if we don't achieve our objective as planned?

Choose a better OBJECTIVE!

3. What if our plans fail because life happens differently than expected?

Choose DIFFERENTLY!

Through the Eyes of a Lion - Levi Lusko

4. What value determines what objective is better than another?

Choose JESUS!

5. What kind of effort is never a wasted effort?

Choose the best effort. 

Matthew 26:12-13
She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."

Choose the best thing, the significant thing, the eternally significant thing; focus on what can't be taken away so that no matter what else is taken away, your relationship with Jesus remains strong.

From Evening to Morning

Verde Valley Christian Church
Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2024

Sermon Title: You In 5 Years - Part 4: From Evening to Morning
Speaker: Jim Hammond

1 When are we going to find time to make life changing disciplined habits possible?

2 To insert a new habit you need to establish a "habit cycle" that includes three things: a cue, a routine, and a reward.

3 Successful people do consistently what others do occasionally. 

4 Keystone Habits effect your success in all other habits. 

Genesis 1:2-5
Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

When are we going to find time to make changes? During our discretionary time "from evening to morning"!

I. Make the most of your DISCRETIONARY time

II. Get SLEEP

"Studies have conclusively linked sleeplessness to irritability, anger, depression, and mental exhaustion."

-Sara Mednick, professor of psychology

2 Cor 11:27

⚡️Electricity ⚡️ affects our lives poorly!

III. Then go DEEP

If you don’t get SLEEP, you won’t go DEEP!

Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Question 7 

MAKING PROGRESS (THIS WEEK)

7. How does understanding the Habit Cycle help (Cue, Routine, Reward)? What will be the cue for your new routine? How can you make your new routine more obvious and easy?

After I ______________[cue], I will_____________

[routine]

Too Small to Fail (You in 5 Years - Part 3)

Verde Valley Christian Church
Jan 21 – 27, 2024

Sermon Title: You In 5 Years - Part 3: Too Small to Fail
Speaker: Jim Hammond

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Deuteronomy 7:17-18
You may say to yourselves, "These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?" But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.

I. Don't look to your LIMITATIONS look to the LORD

Deuteronomy 7:21
Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.

II. Victory will come INCREMENTALLY

Deuteronomy 7:22
The Lord your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you.

III. Make your HABITS too SMALL to fail

Romans 10:17
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

You in 5 Years - (Part 2) Delight

Verde Valley Christian Church
Jan 14 – 20, 2024

Sermon Title: You In 5 Years - Part 2: Delight
Speaker: Andrew Webb

Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

Psalms 1:2
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalms 1:3
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Psalms 1:4
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

Psalms 1:5
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

Psalms 1:6
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

1. Choose Your Friends Wisely

Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2. Delight in God's Word

Psalms 1:2
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalms 1:3
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Psalms 1:4
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

Psalms 1:5
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

Psalms 1:6
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

You in 5 Years - (Part 1) Small Steps, Big Results

Verde Valley Christian Church
Jan 7 – 13, 2024

Sermon Title: You In 5 Years - Part 1: Small Steps, Big Results
Speaker: Jim Hammond

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1. What could your life look like by the first Sunday in January 2029? What would it take to get there?

2. How many of you have in the past experienced a failed New Year's Resolution?

3. How many of you have given up on making New Year's resolutions?

4. What are small steps that could have big results if you were consistent for 5 years?

5. What if you do nothing different? Where is the path of your current small steps leading you?

6. Since five years is a long enough time to get really healthy or really unhealthy, what will it be for you?

I. The ways you LET IN become the ways you are SET IN

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

II. SELF-HELP does not go far enough

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

III. SMALL seed habits make a HUGE difference over TIME

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.