CCV

Focus: Our delight is not just a delight in the festive celebrations of Christmas, but in the Christ in whom we celebrate. I. The wise five represent AUTHENTIC CHRISTIANITY. II. The foolish five represent those who PROFESS it, but don't POSSESS it. III. Be WISE A. Examine your SPIRITUAL RESOURCES B. Don't PROCRASTINATE C. Live NOW in the light of the FUTURE Matthew 25:1-13    "Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.      2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.      3They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,      4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.      5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.      6And at midnight there was a cry made: `Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.'      7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.      8And the foolis...

It's Not a Box of Rules Acts Chapter 15 Focus: Christianity is not a box of rules, but a life permeated with Christ who transforms us because He has become the center of our lives. I. The OLD COVENANT was a box of rules! II. Jesus CAME for EVERYONE not just INSIDERS. ROMANS 6:14 no longer under the law, but grace... III. The GRAVITY of GRACE pulls us INSIDE the NEW COVENANT. A. I must CONFRONT the INDEPENDENT REBEL in me. B. I must CONFRONT the PHARISEE in me. C. I must CONFORM to CHRIST in me. Acts 15:1-41 (NET) The Jerusalem Council [15:1] Now some men came down from Judea1 and began to teach the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised2 according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." [2] When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate3 with them, the church4 appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with5 the apostles and elders in Jerusalem6 about this point of disagreement.7 [3] So they were sent on their way by th...

Points Of Contact Acts 13 Focus: God wants you to make contact with him and others who need him. I. God often SPEAKS at these points of contact: 13:1-3 A. While IN CHURCH 13:1 B. While WORSHIPING 13:2 C. While FASTING 13:2 D. While PRAYING 13:3 II. God PREPARES points of contact 13:4-5 III. There will be ATTEMPTS to DERAIL your point of contact 13:6-12 IV. CLEARLY COMMUNICATE God's Point 13:14-44 A. Show how PROPHECY B. But AIM FOR THE MAIN POINT C. Don't be a DUMP TRUCK --Look for INVITATIONS to SAY MORE 13:42 V. Expect SUCCESS and OPPOSITION 13:45-52 VI. Be filled with JOY & the HOLY SPIRIT 13:51-52 Acts 13 http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013&version=NIV 1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and ...

Love Reaches Out And other important keys to a healthy life Acts Chapter 11 Part 2 Focus: Remain true to the Lord with all your heart. Acts 11:23 I. Change from RELIGION to RELATIONSHIP 11:1-18 II. Love REACHES out 11:19-26 A. RELATIONSHIPS are the key to OUTREACH! B. Every believer needs a BARNABUS C. Commit to multiple COMRADES! D. Outreach is the HAND OF GOD III. Love GIVES 11:27-30 THE HAND OF GOD Relationship Strands - Connecting Cord Comrade Closet Care Group Congregation Contributing NEW CLASSES for VVCC Connect -> Order -> Ready -> Do Sent from my iPad

How to Face a Hopeless Situation Acts 12 Focus: The best way to face hopeless situation is to look into the face of a loving God. I. We still WONDER WHY 12:2-11 II. God still USES ANGELS 12:7-11, 15, 23 III. Prayer still CHANGES THINGS 12:5 IV. We're still SURPRISED 12:13-15 V. God still JUDGES PRIDE 12:21-24 Listen to this Passage: http://mobile.biblegateway.com/resources/audio/flash_play.php?aid=32&book=51&chapter=12 Acts 12 - Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible James was one of the sons of Zebedee, whom Christ told that they should drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the baptism that he was to be baptized with, Mt 20:23. Now the words of Christ were made good in him; and if we suffer with Christ, we shall reign with him. Herod imprisoned Peter: the way of persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they cannot easily stop. Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan, who make it their business to pl...

Acts Chapter 10 Focus: Trust that it is God, not coincidence, when detailed supernatural synchronization suggests a divine design rather than a random accident. Alternate Focus: God's name is not "Chance" or "Coincidence." I. DOUBLE VISION makes things clear    A. If you want a glimpse, get IN SYNC    B. Don't expect the EXTRAORDINARY if you don't make PRAYER ORDINARY    C. Good HABITS change RELUCTANCE into APPRECIATION II. God's TIMING confirmed his WILL    A. Even good men need to be SAVED ; INVITE JESUS into your life    B. Love GOD ( MAKE and KEEP your daily APPOINTMENTS )    C. LOVE and REACH all people Acts 10 http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2010&version=NIV Acts 10:1-48 (NET) Peter Visits Cornelius [10:1] Now there was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort. [2] He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was all his household...

Acts Chapter 9 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209&version=ESV Focus: Knowing God's purpose for my life changes everything. What's My Life For? --A Poetic Outline-- I was made for MORE What STOKES me? What POKES me? My life is TICKING so why am I KICKING ? He KNOWS my NAME and asks the SAME Why are you PERSECUTING me? Who are you? Why are you IGNORING me? Who are you? Why are you RUNNING from me? Why are you HURTING me? Who are you? Rise, I'll tell you WHO TO BE But Lord, I CANNOT SEE You will if you FOLLOW ME _________________ Acts 9   The Conversion of Saul  1But Saul,(A) still(B) breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to(C) the high priest 2and asked him for letters(D) to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to(E) the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3(F) Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flash...

The Waterboy Reverse Focus: God, the master strategist, moves his players to winning positions on the playing field. I. When things look OUT OF CONTROL, don't BELIEVE it. 8:1-3 A. Often we have to be UNCOMFORTABLE before we make our MOVE. 8:4 B. God has SPECIAL TASKS for each of us. 8:5; Ephesians 2:10 C. God WANTS to HELP you. 8:6-13; I Chronicles 16:7-9 II. Believe the GOSPEL is GOOD NEWS for EVERYONE! 8:14-17 III. You can't EARN IT or BUY IT. 8:8-25 IV. Look for DIVINE DIRECTION and keep DIVINE APPOINTMENTS. 8:26-40 Acts 8 Simon the Wizard 1-2That set off a terrific persecution of the church in Jerusalem. The believers were all scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. All, that is, but the apostles. Good and brave men buried Stephen, giving him a solemn funeral—not many dry eyes that day! 3-8And Saul just went wild, devastating the church, entering house after house after house, dragging men and women off to jail. Forced to leave home base, the followers of Jesus...

Acts 6 Focus: God gave us everything we need to be a HEALTHY church. Six Characteristics from Chapter Six The Healthy Church... 1. ... Has PROBLEMS 6:1 2. ... PRIORITIZES 6:1 3. ... DELEGATES 6:3 4. ... Has many SPIRIT FILLED PEOPLE 6:3 5. ... GROWS 6:7 6. ... experiences OPPOSITION 6:9-15 Acts 6 The Choosing of the Seven 1In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." 5This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man fu...

Ananias, Sapphria and Aliesallure Focus: Hidden sin is often fatally attractive. Acts Chapter 4 http://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%205&version=NIV ___________________________________ I. A LIE'S ALLURE is often FATAL 5:1-11 A. SATAN'S STRATEGY 5:3; John 10:10 B. The DANGER of DECEPTION C. SATAN'S Strategy THWARTED 5:12-16 II. God's remedy for LETHAL ALLUREMENTS 5:17-42 A. The best option is PRE-EMPTIVE, DON'T EVEN GO THERE! B. The next option is A GIFT 5:31-32 1. REPENTANCE 2. FORGIVENESS 3. HOLY SPIRIT TO THE OBEDIENT C. ETERNAL attractions cause OPEN BOLDNESS Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira 1Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. 3Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spiri...

Focus: Authentic Christianity is truly infectious in a good way. Acts Chapter 4 I. People confuse infectious TRUTH and infectious DISEASE. 4:1-7 II. SPREAD infectious TRUTH anyway. 4:8-12 A. SHOW and TELL spreads it 4:12-13, 20; John 15:5 B. Get so CLOSE to JESUS you CAN'T HELP it! 4:13, 20; Luke 6:45 III. How to handle a HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT4:24-31  A. Pray TOGETHER 4:24 B. Ask for BOLDNESS 4:29  C. Ask for MIRACLES 4:30  D. BOLDLY speak the WORD of TRUTH 4:31  Sent from my iPad Acts 4 Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin   1 The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.  2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.  3 They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.  4 But many who heard the message believed, and the number ...

Focus: Christ is better than crutches. I. LEAN before you WALK.  II. LOOK  before you LEAP.    III. LOVE HIM  before you LEAVE. Acts 3 ( http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%203&version=ESV ) The Lame Beggar Healed   1 Now Peter and John were ( A )  going up to the temple at ( B )  the hour of prayer, ( C )  the ninth hour. [ a ]   2 And a man ( D )  lame from birth was being carried, ( E )  whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate ( F )  to ask alms of those entering the temple.  3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.  4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us."  5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.  6 But Peter said, ( G )  "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. ( H )  In the name of Jesus Christ of...

How To Do Less And Be More Acts Series: Chapter 1 Focus: Don't just do something, stand there! I. WAIT! 1:1-26 II. PRAY for POWER 1:12-14 III. Get ORGANIZED - Work as a TEAM 1:15-26 IV. START where you ARE 1:8 (You will be my witnesses) V. REACH Out of your COMFORT ZONE 1:8 Acts 1:8  You will be my witnesses: in Jerusalem (1-7), all Judea and Samaria (8-12), and even to the end of the earth (13-26).     __________________________ Acts 1 (21st Century King James Version) Acts 1     In the former treatise, O Theophilus, I have given an account of all that Jesus began both to do and teach        2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He had given commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the apostles, whom He had chosen.        3 To these also He showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen by them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining t...