CCV

Resolutions: In One Year & Out the Other Focus: Apart from God, resolutions do nothing. I. There is power in Commitment. II. But that Power does not RESIDE in Human RESOLVE. III. The Power to change comes from... A. CHRIST IN you. B. And you IN CHRIST . IV. Two Prerequisites to Answered Prayer A. you're AT HOME with JESUS TEACHINGS . B. JESUS TEACHINGS are At HOME You. V. If you are well CONNECTED you will be FRUITED and INTERTWINED .

Focus: Long in advance, God repeatedly announced that his Christmas gift was on the way, so that we would be prepared to receive His gift. I. When you see only DISTRESS and DARKNESS and FEARFUL GLOOM . II. Remember, NIGHT is followed by DAWN for the Remnant! III. For TO US is GIVEN a Gift that keeps on giving. A. He's the kid with the Big NAME. B. He's the kid with the Big SHOULDERS .

Focus: Promises hung faintly on a dark family tree till it was topped with the star that made it shine brilliantly as the Tree of Christmas. I. The Line of PROMISE. Keyword: COVENANT II. Genes STAINED. Keyword: MERCY III. TATTERED, THREADBARE Genes. Keywords: SOWING & REAPING IV. CUTOFF Genes Keyword: JUSTICE V. JESUS PUT ON OUR Genes Keywords: CHRISTMAS, (INCARNATION) OR COVENANT FAITHFUL VI. ...And did OUR LAUNDRY Keyword: SALVATION

Tell-A-Vision Christmas Specials (Part 1 of 3) "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" Focus: The prediction of the prophets are proofs that history is about his story. I. Prophecies help us PREPARE. II. God gave us as . A. Proof it is His PLAN and PURPOSE. B. Proof that HISTORY is HIS-STORY. C. Proof that His WORD is RELIABLE and AUTHORITATIVE. D. Proof that He will JUDGE (Micah's BAD NEWS) E. Proof that He DELIVERS (Micah's GOOD NEWS) III. Prophecies divide a POLARIZED nation. A. Those who are PREPARE are ultimately delivered. B. Those who IGNORE the forecasts are JUDGED.

Focus: Giving thanks turns on the tap of God's Future Blessings. I. There were 10 THINKING FORWARD . II. One THANKED BACKWARD . III. THANKING BACKWARD Blesses Your FUTURE . Jesus Cleanses Ten Lepers 11( P ) On the way to Jerusalem( Q ) he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers,[ f ]( R ) who stood at a distance 13and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14When he saw them he said to them, "Go and( S ) show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back,( T ) praising God with a loud voice; 16and( U ) he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was( V ) a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus answered, "Were not( W ) ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18Was no one found to return and( X ) give praise to God except this( Y ) foreigner?" 19And he said to him, "Rise and go ...

Have the Heart of Christ Focus: Disciples are trained into steps and stages to be fully devoted to Jesus Christ. What is a Disciple? Acts 11:26 NIV Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. In my obsession against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them. John 8:31-32 NIV To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 13:34-35 NIV "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 15:8 NIV This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. I. A LEVEL 1 BUY-IN A. The Believe enough to BENEFIT buy-in: B. A MORAL Level Commitment II. A LEVEL 2 BUY-IN A. The Believe Enough to CONTRIBUTE Bu...

Focus: Just as there are habits that promote a long and healthy physical life, there are similar habits that will reap eternal rewards. I. EAT Right. Matthew 5:6 ESV II. EXERCISE Philippians 2:12-13 ESV A. WORKOUT B. Find a PERSON TRAINER or a WORKOUT PARTNER. C. PRACTICE - DO THE REPS! 1. PRAY 2. LEARN Hebrews 5:12 3. SERVE Mark 10:42-45 ESV 4. INVEST Matthew 6:19-21 ESV Luke 14:12-14 NIV I Corinthians 3:10-15 NIV Luke 6:22-23 NIV Matthew 16:27 NIV III. GET in the GAME!

A Higher Hunger Focus: Only feeding the higher hunger truly satisfies. I. The LOWER Hunger is at WAR with the HIGHER Hunger. Romans 7:15 ESV For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:18 ESV For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:21-23 NIV So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. II. Only A Higher Hunger Will SEEK A SAVIOR. Matthew 5:6 ESV Romans 7:24 ESV A. Christ BEATS the GORILLA. Romans 8:1-4 ESV B. How Man Beats the GORILLA (Sin's Powerful CRAVINGS) 1. INHALE Fresh Air: (God's Pneuma / BREATH / SPIRIT) Romans 8:9 NIV 2. EXHALE(CONFESSION) 3. Quit Inhaling SMOKE(Anyth...

A New Heart I. Without a Change of Heart, We Have HEART PROBLEM. Romans 1:24 ESV Mark 7:21 ESV Jeremiah 17:9 ESV II. God WANTS TO GIVE You a New Heart Ezekiel 36:26 NIV III. You have to WANT A New Heart to GET ONE. Matthew 5:3-5 ESV Psalm 51: 15-17 NIV IV. Only a NEW Heart Will DO>>>>> Philippians 2:13 ESV V. The Heart You Need is From the And John 3:16 2 Corinthians 5:17 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 VI. What Do I Need to Do? Establish a new Spiritual base for your life! BELIEVE Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and showed He was God by coming back to life ACCEPT God's free forgiveness for my sins. SWITCH to God's plan for my life. EXPRESS my desire for Christ to be the director of my life. What if I have my doubts? John 7:17 NIV

Focus: I need other people; when I connect with others, I care, learn and serve better. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 9Now concerning( S ) brotherly love( T ) you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been( U ) taught by God( V ) to love one another, 10for that indeed is what( W ) you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to( X ) do this more and more 2 Thessalonians 1:3 3( B ) We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers,[ a ] as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Hebrews 10:24 24And( AF ) let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, A. To ENCOURAGE and BUILD UP ONE ANOTHER. B. To increase our LEVEL of LOVE. C. To GROW Abundantly. D. To STIR UP Love In ACTION. ll. What's the Common Phrase in E ach of these ve...

A. S. K. ASK EXPECTANTLY SEEK PERSISTENTLY KNOCK SHAMELESSLY Luke 11 Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer 11:2-4pp—Mt 6:9-13 11:9-13pp—Mt 7:7-11 [5] Then he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, [6] because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ [7] “Then the one inside answers, ‘Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.’ [8] I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness * he will get up and give him as much as he needs. [9] “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. [11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for * a fish...

Sermon Today by Doug Freeman Focus: "Grow in the Grace & Knowledge of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ." I. Be AWARE You're in a Battle. II. Be CONFIDENT In Your EQUIPPING A. THE DIVINE NATURE. B. ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GOODNESS . 2 Peter 1 1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Making One's Calling and Election Sure 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goo...

How to Prepare Your Heart for a God Encounter Jim Hammond, Verde Valley Christain Church Focus: Come near to God and He will come near to you . I. LOOK BACK ... ...To what God Did in the PAST. ...He CARRIED You. II. LOOK AHEAD ... ...To God's Fulfilled FUTURE PROMISE . ...To God's BIG PLANS for YOU . III. LOOK AT ... The at the PRE-CONDITIONS for Your Dream Come True. IV. LOOK AROUND ... ...and Commit TOGETHER V. LOOK IN ... ...your Heart VI. In all of this LOOK UP ... Exodus 19 At Mount Sinai Bible Gateway Link 1 On [the first day of] the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of...

Focus: Sin takes you farther than you want to go. Chapter 13 "SET APART" Chapter 14 Seven Stupid Steps Down the Slope He went to the wrong PLACE. He was looking for the WRONG THING. He rejected GODLY COUNCEL. He continued a WRONG RELATIONSHIP. He COMPROMISED his COMPROMISED. He ignored his WEAKNESS. He'd rather take REVENGE than REPENT. Chapter 15 Rolling Down the Road of RAGE & REVENGE. Chapter 16 DESTRUCTION and DEATH.

Focus: "A La Carte" encompasses the general option of purchasing only select items instead of a merchant's logical group of offerings. I. How we SPEND "our" TIME . II. How we MAKE "our" CHOICES. III. How far we LET GOD IN . 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

The Downside of Success Focus: There is a dark side of success that is dangerous and tempting. I. PRIDE : Tempted to think too MUCH of OURSELVES . The RIGHTS or AUTHORITY ll. ENTITLEMENT : Tempted to ADVANCE ourselves. III. ENCROACHMENT : Tempted to go beyond the usual or PROPER LIMITS , sometimes assuming the RIGHTS or AUTHORITY of another. IV. IDOLATRY Tempted to REPLACE God or take God's position. Gideon’s Ephod 22 Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son, and your grandson also; for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” 23 But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” 24 Then Gideon said to them, “I would like to make a request of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder.” For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites. 25 So they answered, “We will gladly give them.” And they spread out a garment, and each man threw into...

Focus: When you feel like God is nowhere to be found there is a space that changes nowhere to now here. I. When it seems like God has abandoned you (6:13) A. LOOK AGAIN B. He's not the ONE that MOVED . (6:7-10) II. Look in the SPACE that changes nowhere to now here; you will find him THERE . A. At the CENTER of your SUFFERING (6:6-8, James 4:8) B. In the MIDST of your WEAKNESS (6:14-16; 2 Cor. 12:8-10, 3:4-6) C. At the HEART of your WORSHIP (6:17-23)

Series: The Book of Judges, Chapters 4 & 5 Focus: Like Deborah (and Jesus, see Luke 2:52) we can increase in wisdom And in stature and in favor with God and man. I. Who defines EVIL ? (I Cor 4:4) II. Avoid being SOLD . III. God blesses those who DON'T GO WITH THE FLOW . a. With INFLUENCE (4:5) b. With INSIGHT (4:6-7) c. With ENTHUSIASM (4:8) d. With COURAGE (4:9) e. With INSTANT MESSAGING (4:9, Psalm 20:7) f. With HONOR (4:9-24) g. With A VICTORY CELEBRATION (5) h. With PEACE (5:31)