Why Abba?
Father’s Day - Sunday, June 20th - Dave Riddle
Why Family on Mission?
Why Family on Mission?
6/13/21 - Dave Riddle
Key passages: 1 Timothy 3:15, Matthew 28:18-20
We use the word family because it’s biblical.
Family = oikos (Greek: οἶκος) - an inhabited house, a physical dwelling place. Also, the inhabitants of a house, all the persons forming one family - a household.
1 Timothy 3:15 - we are the household of God.
The church is called “brother and sisters” over 20 times in the book of Acts alone!
What is our mission?
Matthew 28:18-20 - The great commission. Go make disciples…
Disciple = mathetes (Greek: μαθητής) - pupil/learner/student - a disciple. In the New Testament, a disciple is one who not only learns, but accepts and adverse to the instruction given to them, making it their personal everyday way of living .
Teaching them = didaskō (Greek: διδάσκω) - teaching with the purpose of transformation.
Acts 1:8
“The church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that [everything else is] simply a waste of time. God became man for no other purpose.” CS Lewis
Luke 6:40
Helping People Follow Jesus Together
UP
Living in right relationship with the Father.
Jesus prioritized his relationship with his Father.
IN
Living in right relationship with our church family.
You can’t walk in obedience with the will of God if you aren’t walking in right relationship with your brothers and sisters.
OUT
Living on mission to reach the world.
We are ambassadors, as if God was making his appeal through us!
Why Celebrate? Grad Sunday
Why Celebrate?
Grad Sunday 6/6/21 - Phil Woodman
Why do we celebrate?
It’s a Natural Response
Luke 15
Celebrate finding what was lost
Celebrate the returned prodigal
God Tells us to
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice!
“Celebration is central to all the Spiritual Disciplines. Without a joyful spirit of festivity the disciplines become dull, death-breathing tools in the hands of modern Pharisees.”
Richard Foster - Celebration of the Disciplines
To Recognize God’s Work in our Lives
3 John 3-4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth
Philippians 1:3-6
Paul celebrates the work of God in the lives of these believers.
Milestones
Stones from the river
Nehemiah and the wall
Supportive community
We don’t celebrate alone.
Motivation to keep us going
Philippians 3:12 - I have not yet reached my goal.
Press on.
Hebrews 10:23-25
Why Communion?
Why Communion?
Sunday 5/30/21
Key passage: 1 Corinthians 11:24-28
Our church practices two ordinances. Baptism and Communion.
Communion is about:
Remembrance (look back)
1 Corinthians 11:24-25
“Do this in remembrance of me”
We practice Communion as a reminder of everything Jesus did for us.
Remember: a key word in the Bible.
It didn’t take long for a generation to forget all that God did through Joseph to save His people in Egypt.
Exodus 12:14
Declaration
1 Corinthians 11:26
Every time we take Communion we are declaring to the world the truth of what Jesus did!
Introspection (look within)
1 Corinthians 11:28
“Examine yourselves”
Examine: dokimazō (δοκιμάζω) - to test, examine, prove or scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not). To recognize as genuine after examination.
Reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus
Romans 6:11 - …consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ.
Commonality (look around)
koinōnia (Greek: κοινωνία) - fellowship, association, community, intimacy, joint participation, communion.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
“Sharing” one loaf (Jesus)
Anticipation (look ahead)
1 Corinthians 11:26
“Until He comes”
Matthew 26:26-29
“Until that day…”
Why Pray?
Why Pray?
Mark Butler - Sunday 5/23/21
Key passage: Matthew 6:5-13
We ask “Why?” all the time, and it’s not a question that God is afraid of.
Why Pray?
To Honor God’s Name as Holy
Matthew 6:9
holy: special, unique, set apart
He is not far from each one of us.
Acts 17:27
Good is near!
…on Earth as it is in Heaven
Matthew 6:10
Micah 6:8
A call to make all things new, in our lives and in our world.
It aligns our heart with the heart of God.
Give us contentment and the ability to trust
Matthew 6:11 - daily bread
Proverbs 30:8-9 - give me neither poverty or riches, but just what I need so I continue to trust in you rather than in myself.
Forgive our debts/sins
Matthew 6:12
“But God…”
Repent and accept change e Red at her then saying “I want things to change, but I don’t want them to change me”
…as we forgive those who have sinned against us
Matthew 6:12
God’s forgiveness is not contingent on ours, but we are called to be characterized by grace and mercy.
Spare us from temptation
Matthew 6:13
God rule my heart
A cry for help
Mark 26:14
Prayer binds us together
“Our Father”
not a private prayer
This is a y’all prayer
Forgive us
Lead us
Give us
Why Partner?
Why Child Dedication?
5/16/21
Why is the local church important? How has consumerism changed the way we look at our relationship with the local church? What does it mean to “partner” with a church? What’s the difference between membership and partnership? Pastor Dave discusses all of these questions and more.
We also welcomed 14 new Partners into our church body this Sunday at the end of the message.
Why Child Dedication?
Why Child Dedication?
Baptism Sunday 5/9/21
Key passage: Psalm 127
Child dedication is not a baptism
we practice believer’s baptism. (See last week)
Child dedication is not a guarantee
not a guarantee of salvation
Why child dedication?
It reminds us of both the miracle and value of human life.
Genesis 2:7 - humanity was created by God Himself.
Genesis 1:26-28 - humanity was created in the image of God.
We’re recognizing and affirming that children are a gift from God
Psalm 127:3 - a special reward
Psalm 127:5 - a blessing
To acknowledge the challenge and responsibility of being a parent
Deuteronomy 4:9 - teach them and model for them.
Ephesians 6:4 - train and instruct
Deuteronomy 6:5 - a personal practice that you pass down.
Child dedication places children in the context of a larger family… God’s!
The church has a responsibility (you, all of us)
Philippians 2:3-4 - we are a family
Romans 12:10 - be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
It’s an opportunity for parents to surrender their child to God’s will and mission.
what is it that you want most for your daughter or son?
1 Samuel 1 - Hannah and Samuel
Why Baptism?
Why Baptism?
Dave Riddle - Baptism Sunday 5/2/21
Key passage: Matthew 28:19-20
Why do we baptise?
It’s a Perfect Picture
Dead to sin (dunked) raised to new life in Christ (raised out of the water)
Romans 6:4
Why Immersion?
Seems to be the regular practice in the New Testament and Apostolic Age.
It’s consistent with what baptism symbolizes.
baptizo (Greek: βαπτίζω) - to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of sunken vessels); to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe.
Pickle recipe from 200BC
The immersion leads to a permanent change of the vegetable.
It’s about identification
Romans 6:3-4
It’s a public declaration faith
What are we declaring?
1 Peter 3:8
What we believe about Jesus
2 Corinthians 5:17
What we believe about ourselves. Made new!
Who should be baptized?
Acts 2:38 - Repent and be baptized...
Philip and the Ethiopian
Baptism follows salvation.
It’s a Reminder of Who We Are in Jesus
Romans 6:6-7
Romans 6:11
Galatians 2:20 - ...it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me
Fill your Emotional Tank
Message starts around 30:00
Fill your Emotional Tank
Anxiety and Depression• 4/25/21 • John Opalewski
Key passage: Matthew 11:28-30
Why this subject?
God hasn’t called you to run a sprint he called you to run a marathon
Filling your emotional tank sets you up for a long race
1 in 4 young adults 18-24 contemplated suicide.
28% of US adults suffering with depression.
Proverbs 19:8 - he who gets wisdom loves his own soul.
We have a responsibility to tend to our own soul/emotional well-being.
Matthew 11:28-30
...I will give you rest...
We can’t give what we don’t have
you can’t run if you don’t have fuel
We are emotional beings
Our emotions need attention
We have three emotional indicators
Our Pace (Schedule)
Your value to God has nothing to do with how busy you are...
Both laziness and workaholism will run you into a ditch
Work hard and know when to take your foot off the gas.
Our People (Friendships)
Solitude is only good in small doses
Solitude leads to isolation and isolation leads to a multitude of negative results including depression.
There is no pill for loneliness.
Make room for replenishing relationships in your life!
Our Plan (Emotional Maintenance Plan)
1. Laughter - why are Christians always so serious? Lighten up!
Proverbs 17:22 - a cheerful heart is good medicine.
2. Exercise
1 Timothy 4:8 - we interpret this as “physical training is of no value” when it says “of some value”
3. Distraction
You need something that lets you pivot and catch your breath.
Even our perfect God rested between the days of creation and afterwards!
Find a hobby!
4. Sleep
Sleep is not a disposable commodity.
Sleep deprived Christians can’t run the race God has called them to run.
Mark 6:30-32
“Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest”
Next time you read the gospels take notice of how many times Jesus got away to rest.
If your tank is full
Thank God everyday!
Educate yourself so you can stay well
Educate yourself so you can understand those who are struggling.
If your tank is running on empty
There is hope for you.
Anxiety and depression are not the last chapter in your story
Make an appointment with your doctor
Make an appointment with a Christian counselor
The Rich Young Ruler & Ludwig Zinzendorf
Message begins around 14:45
The Rich Young Ruler & Ludwig Zinzendorf
Global Missions Emphasis 2021
Dr Jon Hardin - Frontiers
Key passage: Matthew 19:16-22
Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf and the early Moravian Church.
a wealthy young man embarking on a trip that was meant to launch his life and career.
Has a life changing encounter with a painting of Jesus.
“This is what I did for you. What will you do for me?”
He buys a large estate and opens it up to Moravian refugees.
He meets with them in their homes and studies the Bible with them.
August 13, 1727 - the Moravian church experiences a powerful revival.
The village began sending out missionaries all over Europe.
He met a former slave named Anthony who inspired him to send missionaries to the Caribbean island of Saint Thomas.
Over the next few years the Moravians sent out more missionaries than all Protestant churches in the previous 200 years.
They sent out 1 out of every 12 congregants.
HOW!?
Worship
The worship of Christ was like the fuel of life in these communities.
They loved to worship!
The Word
Zinzendorf was a pioneer in the world of daily devotions.
The Moravian daily text, first published in 1723 is still published today in more than 50 languages.
Prayer
They arranged a 24 hour prayer vigil that went unbroken for more than 100 years.
At least one man and one woman for every hour of the day.
Where does this kind of zeal come from?
In 1747 Zinzendorf commissioned a painting to depict their passion for global missions.
“The first fruits”
Inspired by Revelation 7:9-10, Revelation 14:4, and other texts.
Portraits of real people who were the first converts in their particular unreached people group.
Missions was an “all hands on deck” situation for the Moravian church.
A fully mobilized church
1 of 12 going. The other 11 supporting.
The Great Commission: The whole church taking the whole gospel to the whole world.
Practical Ways to Share Bible Stories
Message begins around 14:50
Practical Ways to Share Bible Stories
Global Missions Emphasis 2021
Ryan and Bethany Reedy
Key passage: Acts 17:16-34
What Stood Out?
Paul’s grief about the idols
Acts 17:16 (provoked, upset)
Paul took time to understand the culture.
Acts 17:23 (unknown god)
Where Paul went
Acts 17:17 (synagogue, public square)
Paul’s emphasis on the resurrection
Acts 17:18
What question might someone have about this story?
What is an Areopagus?
Acts 17:19 - a place to discuss religion, culture, philosophy
Acts 17:18
Epicureans: focused on pleasure, pain avoidance. Agnostic.
Stoically: Pantheistic. Strived for virtue.
Who are these poets Paul mentions?
Acts 27:28 - Paul learned their culture to connect with the people he was ministering to.
What do we learn about people?
The people love to discuss and debate ideas.
Acts 17:21
We are committed to the idols and gods that we’ve created in our own lives.
Acts 17:22-23
Two different response to truth.
Rebellion - Acts 17:32, 18
Humility - Acts 17:34
People need to repent
What did we learn about God?
There is one true God
Acts 17:24-25
God isn’t made by human hands or imagination.
Acts 17:29
God made us to know, love, and honor him
Acts 17:27
God has been patient, but he will eventually judge us.
Acts 17:29
How do I live out what I learned?
Are we following the one true God or the idols of our own making?
How do we respond to this truth?
Do we have a burden/conviction for the people around us who are caught up in their own idolatry?
Who can you tell this story to this week?
Pray and ask God to convict and burden our hearts to share this good news with others.
Peace, Hope, and the Resurrection
The Resurrection
The Gospel of John - Part 27 • 4/04/21
Key passage: John 20
The Importance of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:14, 17
If Christ wasn’t raised then our faith is useless, futile!
Peace
John 20:19
eirene: a state of tranquility, harmony, and safety. In a Christian context: the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation.
John 14:27
Peace I give to you... don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.
John 16:33
I have told you these thing so you may have peace in Me. In this world you will have trouble...
Hope
Hope and hopelessness are powerful things.
John 16:33 - you will have trouble, but take hope!
1 Corinthians 15:19
If our hope is only for this life, we are to be pitied more than anyone in the world.
If my hope dies with me, what a pitiable person I am.
1 Corinthians 15:20
But Christ has INDEED been raised from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3-4
A living hope!
An inheritance!
Hebrews 10:23
Hold onto the confession of our hope without wavering.
Have we allowed these truths to fully reside in our hearts?
even though our world is full of trouble, even though things often feel hopeless...
God wants you to trust in Him completely today.
Good Friday Service 2021
Jesus, Judas, and Peter
Jesus, Judas, and Peter
The Gospel of John - Part 26 • 3/28/21
Key passage: John 13:18-38
He Knows
John 13:18
He wasn’t fooled or surprised by Judas’ plot or Peter’s inconsistency
John 13:19-21
He Knows what is going to happen and who is going to betray Him.
He Feels
John 13:21
“He was troubled in His spirit”
Not the first time: John 11 at the death of Lazarus. Also, John 12:27.
He Observes
He observes the group dynamic of His followers.
John whispers to Jesus and Jesus’ reply seems to be to John alone.
John 13:26
He Facilitates
John 13:27
Judas, it’s time. Do it now.
He Fulfills
John 13:31-33
“Glorified” in the past tense.
He Knows what is going to happen and He is sure that His mission will be completed.
He Challenges
John 13:34-35
Love one another just as I have loved you. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
He Confronts
John 13:36-38
Will you lay down your life for me?
The Last Supper
The Last Supper
The Gospel of John - Part 25 • 3/21/21
Key passage: John 13:1-17
“He loved them to the end”
agapaō - agape, immeasurable and unconditional love.
Jesus knew three things (John 13:3):
The Father had given everything into his hands.
Jesus is always fully in control of His demise.
He is freely giving his life as a gift to His father and humanity to reconcile them.
He had come from God.
See John 7:28. Sent = pempō: dispatched or sent on an errand.
He was going back to God.
Jesus does something unprecedented
John 13:4-5
This would have been shocking and uncomfortable.
Sometimes we need to trust even when we don’t understand.
John 13:7-9
Peter immediately proves Jesus’ point.
You should do for each other, just as I have done for you
John 13:15 - For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.
hypodeigma - an exhibit for imitation or warning. An example for imitation.
John 13:16-17
Don’t just know the word. Don’t just see this example. Do something! Follow His example.
Philippians 2:1-8
This is our calling. This is fundamentally what it means to follow Jesus.
Become Your Own Best Friend
Become Your Own Best Friend
Anxiety and Depression• 3/14/21 • John Opalewski
Key passage: Matthew 22:36-39
1 in 4 adults 18-24 contemplated suicide during the pandemic.
A 300% increase
28% of Americans are suffering from symptoms of depression during the pandemic.
Followers of Jesus aren’t immune.
Our capacity to love others is directly related to the degree we love ourselves.
Matthew 22:36-39
How do we love ourselves without becoming self-centered narcissists?
Healthy self-talk
Be kind with the words you say about yourself.
If we talked to our friends the same way we talk to ourselves, we would quickly wind up with a long list of enemies.
Self-care vs Self-centeredness
Acts 20:28 - attend to the flock AND yourselves.
Philippians 2:4 - not just yourself, not just others. both/and
Embrace God’s opinion of you
Psalm 139:1-3 - God knows everything about you.
Psalm 139:13-14 - you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:17-18 - his thoughts and cares for you are vast and uncountable.
You are worth loving without strings attached. You are worthy of His thoughts.
Get in touch with your soul
Proverbs 19:8 - he who gets wisdom loves his own soul.
60 million people in the United States suffer from depression
350 million worldwide (pre-Covid)
Why does depression happen to someone who loves the Lord?
Event- driven
loss of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job
Incremental
Small things that compound and build up
Doesn’t respond to strong-will
You can’t work your way out of it by sheer force of will.
A black hole of sadness
Matthew 26:38
Hits when least expected
It can happen even when life is going great.
It can happen even when we are close to the Lord.
It can happen to anyone, even people who love God.
King David, Jeremiah, and Elijah...
Our capacity to love others is directly related to the degree we love ourselves.
3 Choices
Tell your anger where to go.
Protect yourself from abuse.
Refuel emotionally. Fill your emotional tank.
I’m not struggling with this
Be thankful!
take care of yourself
It is easier to prevent depression and anxiety than it is to cure it.
I am struggling
Know that it’s not a life sentence.
Call your doctor
Find a competent counselor/therapist
Responding to Jesus
Responding to Jesus - The Gospel of John - Part 24 • 3/07/21
Key passage: John 7:40-52
Responses from the 1st Interaction
Division: John 7:43
Attraction: John 7:41
Misunderstanding: John 7:42
Misinformation: John 7:42
Rage: John 7:44
Responses from the 2nd Interaction
Servants: Impressed John 7:46
Pharisees: Dismissive John 7:47
Pharisees: Proud/Pretentious John 7:48
Pharisees: Judgmental John 7:49
Responses from the 3rd Interaction
Nicodemus: Receptive John 7:51
Nicodemus: Responsible John 7:51
Pharisees: Prejudiced John 7:52
Pharisees: Badly Mistaken John 7:52
Pharisees: Spiritually Blind
Thirsty? Come and drink!
Thirsty? Come and drink!
The Gospel of John - Part 23 • 2/28/21
Key passage: John 7:37-39
Leviticus 23:33-36, 39-44 - the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles. AKA the Festival of Shelters
Timing
John 7:37 - on the last and most important day of the festival...
Which day? 7 or 8?
Deuteronomy 16:15
Leviticus 23:36
Revelation
John 7:37 - He revealed Himself.
krazō: to croak (as a raven) or scream. To cry out in a loud voice (shriek or exclaim).
Usually used in the NT to precede a very important statement.
Invitation
John 7:37 - “If anyone is thirsty, come to me and drink.”
Impact
John 7:38 - The one who believes (drinks) will flow with living water!
Clarification
John 7:39 - The Spirit is the source of this living water in the lives of believers.
What does all this have to do with me today?
That same invitation is offered to you today.
That same living water is available to you today.
The Messiah
The Messiah
The Gospel of John - Part 22 • 2/21/21
Key passage: John 7:25-36
parrēsia: speaking boldly, openly, and freely. Unfiltered.
Compare 7:26 back to Jesus’ brothers in 7:3
His Identity
John 7:26b-27
Can it be true that he is the Messiah?
“It can’t be! Nobody will know where the Messiah comes from”
John 7:28 - “Jesus cried out”
krazō: to croak (as a raven) or scream. To cry out in a loud voice.
His Dispatcher
You don’t know God! I know God, because I was sent by him!
John 7:28 - “sent”
pempō: dispatched or sent on an errand.
John 7:30 - they didn’t like that at all! So they tried to seize him.
His Mission
John 7:30 - why were they unable to seize him? Because his time had not yet come.
His Credentials
John 7:31 - many from the crowd believed.
“Jesus has done so many signs. He must be the Messiah, right?”
Sign/miracle = sēmeion (σημεῖον) - an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally:—miracle, sign, token, wonder.
His Destination
John 7:33 - I’m only here for a short time (a quick errand - “pempō” see above)
I’m going back to the one who sent me.
John 7:34 - “You will look for Me, but you will not find Me; and where I am, you cannot come.”
John 7:35 - He’s not going to the Greeks is He?
He didn’t, but ironically his followers would!