GBC

The American Dream 1920’s - young Michigan farmer - teen loved building and engineering things 1927 developed new type of furniture Chair that reclines and later a lever that kicked out a foot rest People feel in love with it. Company went public in 1970 - Lazy Boy 1.5 billion per year 1998 - Edwin Shoemaker…

Being with God Life is about Knowing and walking with God - Being with God - reading bible and praying look at 3 principles Principles of Prayer Relational not religious vs 9 - “Our Father” - shocking at the time relationship is about perfromance Abba - if earthly father is hard Principles of Prayer…

Tuned In God speaking is just a bible thing God is speaking today Conversations in the air - cell phones, tv’s We just have to tune in - John 10 Got to know who Jesus is - quote If you have trouble hearing God speak, you are in trouble at the very heart of your Christian experience. Henry Blackaby Tuning…

Rooted Deep My prayer for you in this series. Strengthened in power, rooted in love, filled with all fullness Starts with Knowing God Knowing God Answer why Christ came - What is this all about Eternal Life vs 2 More than just Heaven and Hell It’s about here and now as much as it is the here after Why…

Freedom in Christ For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. Restoring Freedom Pray Unceasingly - vs 1,2 We see people huddled all over - to do something, attend something, watch something Rarely huddled to pray and go to church Not new programs "What…

God wants more From us, and for us. But what exactly does that mean?

Sanctified Dissatisfaction vs 12 - Too many time we become satisfied we settle. - we choose to walk when we are supposed to be running What get’s in the rut? Self Satisfied Comparison game Compare to others - Paul had every right to be proud We should compare with our selves and Jesus Be perfect, therefore,…

The Least Known Andrew - mostly in the background Only mentioned 9 times - mostly in passing or as Peter’s brother John tells the story of him meeting Jesus He touched one who touched thousands - Peter Inviter , bringer and introducer Saw the Value of Individual People Every time we see him he is bringing…

A Hard Conversation Hell is a reality Jesus spoke 3 times on hell for every one time on heaven Not a message to scare you but to remind you what you have been saved from God doesn’t send to hell - We go of our own volition For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save…

Only One?? Prone to think one is insignificant One invitation can change everything The Gospel can change everything For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. The Richness of the Gospel we don’t…

Off the Sidelines Caught up in the idea of missions We are a fan based culture We cheer but never step foot on the field We give and pray but never make it personal Make it Personal They had a mission Mission drives us - drives culture Instagram Facebook Jesus had a mission statement For the Son of Man…

Christian What comes to mind? Early follower did not call themselves Christian Word only used 3 times - word disciple used 281 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. Being…

The Power to Change You may be thinking I don't have the power No change in attitude, or outlook No strength to to hold on, or break addiction No power to forgive or to love enemies Good news - you have no power Jesus does - Paul says My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship…

Heads Held High Death is not easy - reminds us whats most important Great tension looking at the cross - call it wonderful, beautiful Paul said it this way But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross,…

Above and Beyond triumphal entry - recorded all 4 Gospels Entry , Cross, and Resurrection Journey that began long before this and Bethlehem He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you. Above and Beyond lessons - 3 things - Donkey, Palm Branch, Rocks…

Grace and Truth Arguing over truth today vs 14 - grace and truth intertwined Apart from grace - cannot speak truth Apart from truth - we cannot speak grace Grace is more Indeed, we have all received grace upon grace from his fullness, Grace is more Multilayered - CS Lewis - God beckons us to come farther…

Humility brings Grace Don’t earn grace - path to more Hard to be humble Direct link from Grace to humility He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble. But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. He who Humbles Himself Used 4 time by…

Grace is More “God loves me as I am” - God ‘s love wont leave me here For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, Paralyzed by Grace for every day living…

Storms Coming Storms are inevitable - some are quick squalls and some rage on and on Paul - on way to Rome to stand before Caesar Weather started to turn Acts 27 :9-11 Out of no where storms Acts 27 : 13-20 Storms kill hope after time Assurance in Storms vs 21-26 Take care of yourself - Don’t you know…

Life well Lived Commander saw something - accusations were empty The way we live matters Gospel transforms us - evident in our lives Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! Leading a Legacy To leave a legacy you have to lead one foundation…

Finding Our Story Phil 3 - we have no story until Christ. No identity, no individualism until Christ In Christ we find our story Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Knowing Your Story Paul has returned to Jerusalem - seen…

God With Us advent - coming, expectation All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). God With Us Hope - Zechariah - hope of son Hope of redemption - Messiah…

The Road to Trouble Paul headed to Jerusalem - traitor Vision of danger - vs 10-11 Friends pleading - vs 12 Resolute heart - vs 13 We know we will have trouble I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”…

Remember the Love Who we Love But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Why we Love We love because He first loved us. How we Love heart - faith is my foundation soul - faith that defines me mind - faith first thing I think of strength - faith is the…

Cultural Hostility No reference point in Culture for Christ Dangerous and threatening to them For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear what they want to hear. Disturbing…

Personal Growth = Church Growth Church only glows as much as the people How we live matters - vs 5-6 Can’t be the church inside if we are not outside Heart of the “more” we are always talking about Empowered Living and Serving vs 17-18 - God’s will - know Him make Him known It is God’s spirit that empowers…

What’s In A Name A rose by any other name would still smell as sweet - Shakespeare Names meant something - what we were known for Power flowed through Paul - 11-12 Others wanted to get in on the goods - 13-14 I know Jesus / Paul - who are you - 15-16 From Unknown to Known Good person as it is written:…

Culture Repeating Acts vs 16, 21 Everyone looking for the latest trend Religion old fashioned,judgmental, closed minded Justify lives - finding a starting point - vs 22-23 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the…

Pursuing the Call Called to be loved- while sinners He died Called to belong - Don’t forsake the gathering Called to become - into the image of Christ Called to bless - use your gifts, serve minister Called to be sent - go tell the story Put It Into Perspective All else is loss compared to Christ and…

Called to Become Rom 8:28-29 Called to be loved Called to belong Called become like Christ 5x in NT = Running a race - 8 principles Marathon to Maturity vs 1 simplify - weights - extra load sins - moral inventory expectations - run your race Marathon to Maturity vs 1b Pace yourself Not instant - becoming…

Formed For His Family Eph 1:5 Family = Church I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.…

God is Love God’s very nature is love Everything created is object of His love Only reason there is love in universe Eph Planned for God’s pleasure Calling = Purpose - First Purpose Loved by God Not serve , not obey, do something for Him, Loved by Him J ude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of…

Called and Purpose What do you think of - called - interruptions Kaleo - used over 100 times - Latin - vocation - not a career but more Bible full of people called - Noah, Abraham, David, Paul, etc I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling,…

Truth and Consequences Culture says truth is relative Girl not hurting anyone - but she was enslaved Truth has a cost in our culture On Public Trial Do you disturb the city? Gospel will cost the culture Gospel can and will cost us Responding to our World Beaten and bullied - Paul and Silas praised Charles…

Life on Life Our faith is all about relationships Paul had a special relationship with Timothy Son like Shared lives We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. Who’s Your Paul You were invested…

Don’t Close the Doors We get stuck in our preferences We add to what is rerquired We lock it up “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in. The Dispute Jesus + circumcision Rebuilding…

Functioning Church Structure - people had jobs vs 1 Worshiping - serving God Fasting = Praying Sending Best and Brightest The two best workers were freely given Laying on hands - Church blessed and partnered Sent From Somewhere to Somewhere Paul / Barnabas - Cyprus, Antioch Not random Then Paul and Barnabas…

Starting with Prayer Persecution happening - James martyred Peter arrested When things look bleak - Church prayed Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect. Faith that Fears…

Preparing the Way We don’t start anything, God is always at work - we just join Him Cornelius - professional soldier - God fearer God has a way - we do not always understand “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” This is the Lord ’s declaration. Obstacles we Make Distractions…

I Can Only Imagine

Infinity War Constant battle - seems the other side is winning Avengers faced an impossible enemy Trouble is promised I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” Identify the Enemy We have an enemy -…

Something More Coco - meant for more than shoe making We settle - Our plans vs. God’s purpose For I know the plans I have for you” —this is the Lord ’s declaration—“plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Made on Purpose Not an accident - not random You are exactly…

Remember the Call The mission remained But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” It Comes Naturally Not a special calling or leading of Holy Spirit It was second nature to share…

Standing Tall Stephen’s sermon - Abraham, Moses, David - still rebelled Obedient -spoke up and stood up Unwelcome Message Gospel offends and angers the world Crowd - rage Higher Approval Son of man sitting - Now standing Stephen - peace - bold Us and Them Difference between believers and the world Difference…

Growing Pains Growing in spite of persecution - Chap 5 overview Growing Pains Chap 6 - to much for the few to take care of Greek speakers and Aramaic speakers - Church is a place for everyone Prioritize Priorities Apostles - not to good to do labor Distractions to what their responsibility was D.L. Moody…

Keeping Up with the Joneses Word got around about Barnabas Pride is the issue Not a new tactic - we feel we’re missing out Gen “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Big S versus little s Not giving all was not issue - heart…

Reoccurring Patterns Acts 2: 43-47 “ One hundred religious persons knit into a unity by careful organization do not constitute a church any more than eleven dead men make a football team. The first requisite is life, always. “- A. W. Tozer Common Mind and Purpose vs 32-33 Unity that they may all be one,…

Opportunities and Offenses Acts 4:1-4 Healing brought greater opportunity Message offended - Sadducee’s - no resurrection By What Power? vs 7 - where’s your authority, in whose name do you rely Zech 4:6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by…

Noticing the Need Aware of your surroundings With What You Have vs 6-7 Give what you have God takes the little offering and makes it huge not the first time Luke 9 It,s not about us For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful,…

Simple Church Not complicated 4 elements Devoted to Learn teaching committed to gathering and each other 2 Tim 2 :15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. Fellowship koinonia - sharing sharing of lives - love…

The Day Has Come Pentecost - Feast of Weeks Associated with the renewal of the covenant - Noah then Moses - giving of the law 1 of 3 pilgrimage feast - people from everywhere Fulfilled Promise Joel 2 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your…

New Beginning Luke - gospel - what Jesus began to do Acts - part 2 Apostles - those who had seen and were specifically chosen Presented himself alive - for forty days - is key vs 4 - stay place of rejection become place of a fresh witness Marching Orders vs 6-8 Locked in our wants - Kingdom restored…

The End of the Beginning Winston Churchill - not the end, beginning of the end, end of the beginning. Too many of us stop at the cross or Easter Long Walk The cross - running away It’s the end Lost Hope Jesus was supposed to end their oppression Begin His reign and restore Israel We miss the point -…

It is Finished Tetelestai - complete discharge debt Servant return - job done Merchant declares - debt paid Priest - sacrifice is perfect What’s Finished? Prophecy - Isaiah, Psalms God’s plan - judgement for sin He finished, but we aren’t done Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die,…

Good People rate yourself - 1-100 (1 bad 100 best) Compare - 2 results Feel better about ourselves Feel worse about ourselves Good People 2 criminals - crucifixion - humiliate - ultimate pain saved for worst of worst Not good people - but see what happens Not Good Enough Good people don't go to heaven…

I Thirst Was Jesus Thirsty? Exodus story - Exodus 7-8 Rock struck for water Jesus - I am that rock, I quench your thirst “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. What do you thirst for? Samaritan - enemy of Jews Woman had baggage We all are thirsty How…

“Father forgive them” changed every thing Before Christ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ After Christ forgive - pardon, cancel debt and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Lesson of Forgiveness The debtor can’t always repay -vs 24-25…

Trust Jesus had been mocked , beaten, abused, naked trust - pitho - have full confidence, inward cetainty Easy to trust in the light Trust in the Dark Darkness covered the land Never complained until God withdrew So many tragedies in our lives Limited Vision 1 cor - see dimly For now we see in a mirror…

Different Church Laodicea One of the richest centres Banking, Manufactured fine clothing, Medical school Church founded - Epaphras Severest condemnation The Amen Not use titles from chapt 1 Amen - God of truth Faithfulness authority - Creator / Ruler Contrast their unfaithfulness Lukewarm Hot or cold…

Different Church Philadelphia Gateway to the East Vacation spot - hot springs, abundant wine Dionysos Missionary city - Hellenistic way of life Small church - persecuted from outside Holy and True Christ is reliable - true not usually associated with a person Holds the keys - opens doors No one can interfere…

Different Church Sardis Junction of 5 roads - wealthy in trade - very commercial Lazy - conquered 2x - located on steep hill Persecution of other churches not mentioned Still about Jesus Tied back to the opening of Revelation 1 Who has = who is in control City of the Living Dead No persecution - not…

Different Church Thyatira Not a lot known Trade guilds - very commercial - Lydia came from Size - values of God vs values men No doubt Only place used title - sees all, nothing will stop Doing right and growing Friction and Fractures Jezebel - symbolic wickedness Pushing others to conform to culture…

Different Church Pergamum Capital Library - < 200,000 parchments multiple temples to emperor Greater Power The seat of the ruler but one still greater The word the final authority For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit,…

Different Church Smyrna Compete with Ephesus - Orlando vs Miami City destroyed and rebuilt Loyal to Rome heavy emperor worship - Tiberius Common Ground Died and now lives “I am living” Hidden Riches Burden that crushes - but they stood Poverty - rich in spirit James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has…