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SERMONS

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man
of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
-- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Love (Luke 1:26-38)

12/22/2019

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Click here to listen to this week's sermon
Love 
Luke 1:26-38

I. Intro                                                                                                                                         
Big Idea: God offers the burden of His love. 

II. Mary                                                                                                                                         
A. God broke into His broken creation. 
B. God trusted our salvation to a teenage girl. 

III. Favored                                                                                                                                           
A. God’s grace arrives in unexpected ways. 
B. God takes the initiative in revealing His love. 

IV. Conceive                                                                                                                                 
A. We need a perfect, infinite Savior. 
B. Jesus’ conception is unprecedented. 

V. Fulfilled                                                                                                                                         
A. Recognize you need a Savior. 
B. Respond to God’s work on your behalf. 
​
Follow-Up Questions

Why is the virgin conception of Jesus important?
How have you experienced God’s grace in an unexpected way?
How can God’s love be a burden?
In what way(s) does Mary’s example challenge or inspire you?
What’s a specific way you can respond to Luke 1:26-38 through a change of thinking, attitude, or action?
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Joy (Luke 2:15-20)

12/15/2019

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Click here to listen to this week's sermon
Joy 
Luke 2:15-20

I. Intro 
Big Idea: Seeking Jesus leads to joy.

II. Let’s Go 
A. Seeking Jesus requires drastic measures. Luke 2:15a
B. Consider the source. Luke 2:15b

III. Hurried 
A. Seeking Jesus is costly. Luke 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:2
B. Faith risks. Luke 2:17

IV. Ponder 
A. It’s possible to be amazed and not have faith. Luke 2:18
B. Faith treasures Christ. Luke 2:19; 1 Peter 1:17-21

V. Glorify 
A. Seeking Jesus transforms the ordinary. Luke 2:20a; 2 Corinthians 3:18
B. Seeking Jesus turns us right side up. Matthew 7:7; Luke 2:20b

The Next Step
  • Why do you think Luke included 2:15-20 at this point in his gospel?
  • How does this passage convict and/or encourage you?
  • How can treasuring Christ be difficult?
  • What did the shepherds gain by hurrying to see Jesus?
  • What’s a costly way you can seek Jesus this Christmas?
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Peace (Luke 2:8-14)

12/8/2019

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Peace 
Luke 2:8-14

I. Intro 
Big Idea: Discover peace in God’s forgiveness.

II. Glory 
A. The shepherds were unprepared to meet God. Luke 2:8
B. God’s glory broke into our world. Luke 2:9; Hebrews 1:14

III. Fear Not 
A. The angel displaced the shepherd’s fear. Luke 2:10a
B. The gospel is not exclusive. Luke 2:10b; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

IV. A Sign 
A. Jesus came to save us. Luke 2:11
B. It was uncommon to see a baby in a feeding trough. Luke 2:12 1

V. Favor 
A. We’re created to be at peace. Luke 2:13
B. God’s grace causes worship. Isaiah 53:1; Luke 2:14

Things to Consider
  • Why do you think Luke included this account in his gospel?
  • Can you identify with the shepherd’s fear? If so, how?
  • In what way(s) do people misunderstand what it means to fear God?
  • How can God’s forgiveness change us?
  • What’s something you can do in this season to help someone experience God’s grace?
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2019 December Sermons

12/1/2019

Comments

 
  • 12/01/19
  • 12/08/19
  • 12/15/19
  • 12/22/19
  • 12/29/19
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Click Here To Listen To This Week's Sermon
Hope 
Luke 2:1-7

I. Intro
​Big Idea: The 
truth of Christmas is better than the image.

II. Providence
A. Christmas brings hope into focus. Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 2:1
B. Christmas causes us to consider God’s timing. Luke 2:2; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 2:10

III. Bethlehem
A. Sometimes we wonder why we must do certain things. Luke 2:3
B. Sometimes we wonder why we’re in certain places. Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4

IV. A Child
A. Christmas can cause us to consider what matters most. Luke 2:5
B. In Christmas God gave us what we need most. Luke 2:6; Revelation 5:9; 13:8

V. Available
A. We can receive God’s gift to us. Luke 2:7a
B. We can make ourselves available for God’s purposes. Luke 2:7b

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up
  • What’s a holiday tradition that brings people closer together?
  • What’s something from Sunday’s message on Luke 2:1-7 you hope we talk about as a group?
  • How would you describe the difference between Biblical hope and wishful thinking?
  • How has believing in Christ changed the way you celebrate Christmas?
  • Read 1 Peter 3:15. What’s a way we can prepare to give the reason for the hope that we have in Christ?
  • Read Galatians 6:10. How does this verse apply to us as we seek to live differently than those in Bethlehem who no room for Mary and Joseph?
  • How can hope in Christ change your attitude and/or actions in a specific way this Christmas? Pray for one another.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S SERMON
Peace
Luke 2:8-14

I. Intro
Big Idea: Discover peace in God’s forgiveness.

II. Glory
A. The shepherds were unprepared to meet God. Luke 2:8
B. God’s glory broke into our world. Luke 2:9; Hebrews 1:14

III. Fear Not
A. The angel displaced the shepherd’s fear. Luke 2:10a
B. The gospel is not exclusive. Luke 2:10b; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

IV. A Sign
A. Jesus came to save us. Luke 2:11
B. It was uncommon to see a baby in a feeding trough. Luke 2:12 1

V. Favor
A. We’re created to be at peace. Luke 2:13
B. God’s grace causes worship. Isaiah 53:1; Luke 2:14

Things to Consider
  • Why do you think Luke included this account in his gospel?
  • Can you identify with the shepherd’s fear? If so, how?
  • In what way(s) do people misunderstand what it means to fear God?
  • How can God’s forgiveness change us?
  • What’s something you can do in this season to help someone experience God’s grace?
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S SERMON
Joy
Luke 2:15-20

I. Intro
Big Idea: Seeking Jesus leads to joy.

II. Let’s Go
A. Seeking Jesus requires drastic measures. Luke 2:15a
B. Consider the source. Luke 2:15b

III. Hurried
A. Seeking Jesus is costly. Luke 2:16; 2 Corinthians 6:2
B. Faith risks. Luke 2:17

IV. Ponder
A. It’s possible to be amazed and not have faith. Luke 2:18
B. Faith treasures Christ. Luke 2:19; 1 Peter 1:17-21

V. Glorify
A. Seeking Jesus transforms the ordinary. Luke 2:20a; 2 Corinthians 3:18
B. Seeking Jesus turns us right side up. Matthew 7:7; Luke 2:20b

The Next Step
  • Why do you think Luke included 2:15-20 at this point in his gospel?
  • How does this passage convict and/or encourage you?
  • How can treasuring Christ be difficult?
  • What did the shepherds gain by hurrying to see Jesus?
  • What’s a costly way you can seek Jesus this Christmas?
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S SERMON
Love 
Luke 1:26-38

I. Intro                                                                                                                                         
Big Idea: God offers the burden of His love. 

II. Mary                                                                                                                                         
A. God broke into His broken creation. 
B. God trusted our salvation to a teenage girl. 

III. Favored                                                                                                                                           
A. God’s grace arrives in unexpected ways. 
B. God takes the initiative in revealing His love. 

IV. Conceive                                                                                                                                 
A. We need a perfect, infinite Savior. 
B. Jesus’ conception is unprecedented. 

V. Fulfilled                                                                                                                                         
A. Recognize you need a Savior. 
B. Respond to God’s work on your behalf. 
​
Follow-Up Questions

  • Why is the virgin conception of Jesus important?
  • How have you experienced God’s grace in an unexpected way?
  • How can God’s love be a burden?
  • In what way(s) does Mary’s example challenge or inspire you?
  • What’s a specific way you can respond to Luke 1:26-38 through a change of thinking, attitude, or action?
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS WEEK'S SERMON
Character Traits
Mark 5:21-43

Sermon Notes not available for this week.
November
2019
​Sermons
January
2020
​Sermons
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Hope (Luke 2:1-7)

12/1/2019

Comments

 
Click here to listen to this week's sermon
Hope
Luke 2:1-7

I. Intro Big Idea: The truth of Christmas is better than the image.

II. Providence
A. Christmas brings hope into focus. Isaiah 11:1-10; Luke 2:1
B. Christmas causes us to consider God’s timing. Luke 2:2; Romans 8:28; Hebrews 2:10

III. Bethlehem
A. Sometimes we wonder why we must do certain things. Luke 2:3
B. Sometimes we wonder why we’re in certain places. Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4

IV. A Child
A. Christmas can cause us to consider what matters most. Luke 2:5
B. In Christmas God gave us what we need most. Luke 2:6; Revelation 5:9; 13:8

V. Available
A. We can receive God’s gift to us. Luke 2:7a
B. We can make ourselves available for God’s purposes. Luke 2:7b

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up
  • What’s a holiday tradition that brings people closer together?
  • What’s something from Sunday’s message on Luke 2:1-7 you hope we talk about as a group?
  • How would you describe the difference between Biblical hope and wishful thinking?
  • How has believing in Christ changed the way you celebrate Christmas?
  • Read 1 Peter 3:15. What’s a way we can prepare to give the reason for the hope that we have in Christ?
  • Read Galatians 6:10. How does this verse apply to us as we seek to live differently than those in Bethlehem who no room for Mary and Joseph?
  • How can hope in Christ change your attitude and/or actions in a specific way this Christmas? Pray for one another.
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Shepherds (Luke 2:8-15)

12/16/2018

Comments

 
audio not available
Shepherds    
Luke 2:8-15
  • Why would the shepherds be terrified by the angel and God’s glory?
  • What changed the shepherd’s fear into joy?
  • How can we know if God’s favor rests on us?
  • What does this story show us about what God values?
  • How do we know the shepherd’s faith was genuine?
  • How might the shepherd’s next Monday at work been different?
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Bethlehem (Micah 5:2-5; Luke 2:1-7)

12/9/2018

Comments

 
audio not available
Bethlehem
Micah 5:2-5; Luke 2:1-7
  • What do we learn about the way God works from verses 1-3?
  • Why Bethlehem?
  • Why did Joseph take Mary with him to register for the census?
  • What does the detail that there was no guest room available for Joseph and Mary teach us?
  • How did Luke know these details about where and how Jesus was born?
  • What does Christ’s coming into our world(s) offer us that we need more than anything?
  • How can we respond to Luke 2:1-7?
Advent Challenge: 
I encourage you, if you’ve never done it before, to try to memorize the Christmas story found in Luke 2:1-20. The best way to do this, firstly, is to not get nervous. Then, don’t try to memorize it word for word – but focus on remembering the story. Read it once out loud. Then try to retell it out loud without looking. If you miss a part, who cares. Then read it again, considering the parts you forgot. Then try to recall it from memory again. If you read and recite it three times a day in one sitting (actually, standing or walking works best) – before you know it, you’ll discover details you never noticed or considered before. And eventually, you’ll have the story, or more importantly, it will have you.
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Prophecy (Luke 1:26-38)

12/2/2018

Comments

 
audio not available
Prophecy
Luke 1:26-38
  • What’s the significance of God sending Gabriel to an out of the way place like Nazareth?
  • Why would Gabriel’s greeting be troubling to Mary?
  • What evidence from this story do we have that Jesus is unique, or God in the flesh?
  • Why can’t anyone else, besides Mary, describe her baby as holy?
  • How does this story help us understand about what it means to have Jesus as our King?
  • What’s the difference between Zechariah’s response to Gabriel’s announcement that he would have a son, and how Mary responded?
  • What was so great about Mary?
  • What difference does the virgin birth make to you this Christmas? 
 
The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up
  • What’s your favorite Christmas carol or song? 
  • What part of Luke 1:26-38 resonates with you? 
  • What’s something that distracts you from Christ at Christmas? 
  • Why do you think Gabriel told Mary a couple of times that she was favored or that God was with her? What does his message help you understand about God’s grace in our lives? 
  • How is Jesus, as King, different from our elected officials? 
  • How can we respond to God’s Word the way Mary did?
  • If you were to describe the importance of virgin birth to someone, what would you say? 
  • Whose Christmas can you ruin, in a good way, by sharing Jesus with them in word or actions? Pray for them, and one another.  
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