Sunday, October 15, 2006

Sunday, October 15, 2006
Lesson 5- Can I Get a Witness- Acts 22-23
“Take courage!” If there was ever a word that Jesus would tell his people today it would be to “Take courage!” When the storms of life hit and our world begins to unravel before our very eyes, we can become discouraged and wonder if God really is in control.

In Acts 22:21-23:35, we learn that the God we worship may be a bit quirky about how he does things, but its always perfect and always beyond our imagination.

How do we take courage during difficult times:

#1- God is for you and he has a tremendous plan for your life!
God’s love for you never changes
The way He reveals that love to you changes all the time!

#2- Understand that every problem we have is simply a provision God is cramming into your life.
#3- God never asks anything of you that He will not first provide. In other words, with ever request comes a blessing attached to it.
God’s earthly provision for Paul:
The Commander who rescues him 4 different times
a. 22:24- Saves from the Jewish riot
b. 22:29- Saves him from the flogging
c. 23:10- Saves him from the Pharisee/ Sadducee debate
d. 23:22-32- Saves him from the murder plot

His Roman citizenship (22:25-39)
His upbringing/knowledge (23:6-10)
His nephew (23:16-22)
His enemies (23:12-15)

B. Paul’s spiritual provision- Courage (23:11)

#4- In every circumstance, we must ask ourselves 2 key questions:
Who is Jesus wanting to be for me in this season of my life? How is he upgrading my view of Him?
How does He want me to respond? What is God up to?

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006
Truths About Marriage:
Your Love Bank
A. Every person has a love bank where deposit can be made an withdrawals can be made.

Deposits are made into your love bank when your needs are met by another.

2. Withdrawals are taken from your love bank when your needs go unmet, hurtful words are said, promises are broken and hurtful action takes place.

B. There are levels in our love banks that motivate us to move closer to someone or farther away.

The higher the account balance, the closer we are drawn to the person and the more we “fall in love.”

The lower the account, the more we separate ourselves from the person and even avoid them.

A marriage where one or both partners are not having their needs met will end up in marital bankruptcy.

(See Philippians 2:1-11)

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Sunday Oct 8 2006

Sunday Oct 8 2006

It Takes 3 To Tango- Wed, October 4, The Wreck part 2

Wednesday, October 4, The Wreck part 2

Sunday Oct 1 2006

Sunday Oct 1 2006

When we talk about making maximum impact we are talking about multiplication. Discipleship, simply put, is multiplying Christ in others through intentional relationships.

In Acts 20, Paul demonstrates how each of us need to be pouring ourselves into others for the sake of the Kingdom.

The Four T’s to Discipleship

Time (vs. 13-17)
Even though Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem before Pentecost, he took time to meet with the Ephesian Elders in Miletus.
-Discipleship cannot be done on the cheap! It takes time.
-It demands the deep conviction that a slow job done together is better than a fast job done alone.

Training (18-21, 31)
Discipleship has an intentional nature. Its more than being friends, but it is a friendship moving towards Christlikeness. Its earning the right to speak truth into others in way that is both relevant and real.
The 4 P’s to training
a. Proximity (18)
b. Proclamation (20-21)
c. Patience (31)
d. Perseverance (19)

Trust (22-35)
a. You have to model trust in your own life (22-24)
b. You have to trust your integrity (25-27, 33-35)
c. You have to trust those you have empowered (28-31)

Tears (19, 30, 36-38)
Discipleship is not a program, a lesson plan or a set of instructions. It is an intimacy that is built between two people that allows for a heart-to-heart connection to take place. Discipleship without agape love is impossible!