March 14, 2010

                                    “GLORIFYING GOD”

To give glory to God is to recognize and respond to His majesty and magnificence with worship and service.

JESUS PROVIDED THE PATTERN FOR GLORYFYING GOD (John 17:4)

FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST ARE TO BE LIKE MIRRORS REFLECTING THE GLORY OF THE LORD (II Corinthians 3:18)

March 7, 2010

“REMEMBER WHAT REALLY MATTERS”

I Corinthians 11:23-26

It’s so easy to forget!

Things people most often forget:

·        Names – 83%

·        Where something is – 60%

·        Telephone numbers – 57%

·        Words – 53%

·        What was said -  49%

·        Faces – 42%

·        What you just did – 38%

-Karen Bolla – Johns Hopkins researcher

The Lord’s Supper reminds us of what really matters.

The Bread Represents the Sinless, Suffering Body of Jesus Christ.

1.      His incarnation – God took on flesh and came to our world

2.      His involvement – the ministry and miracles that revealed glory and grace in our world

3.      His intervention – He took my place, took my sin and provided for my salvation

The Cup Represents the Blood That Covers My Sin

1.      The cross is the demonstration of scandalous grace

2.      The cross is the declaration of the sufficiency of love that held Jesus to 

 the cross

When you take time to remember what matters it really is unforgettable!

It will motivate you to worship King Jesus and it will move you to work for King Jesus.

February 14, 2010

“THE GIFT OF MARRIAGE”

Genesis 2:24-25

Marriage is a mysterious and magnificent journey of two people experiencing companionship and completion emotionally, intellectually, physically and spiritually.

The Pattern for a Perfect Marriage:

1.     Leaving one family unit to create a new family unit.

2.     Commited to one another for better or for worse.

3.     Unity that allows for diversity.

4.     Intimacy  is the sharing of joy, grief, trials, troubles, heartbreaks, hopes, dreams, and desires in the journey together.

The Problem is, No One is Perfect.   Sin Ruins Everything!

1.     Lost intimacy leads to self-absorption and self  preservation driven by fear.

2.     Wanting to be right but doing everything wrong – the pitfall of deception and the pain of  blaming someone else.

It’s never too late to start doing what’s right! 

February 7, 2010

“THE GRACE FOR REPENTANCE”

II Corinthians 7:10-11

Grace is not a license for sin, it is the liberation from sin.  Only God’s grace can resolve our sinful condition and our sinful attitudes and behavior.  The grace of God motivates the act of authentic repentance.

Authentic repentance rescues from the penalty of sin and establishes our salvation through the blood of Christ.

Authentic repentance releases from the power of sin that produces healing and freedom so that we can trust God completely and serve Him enthusiastically.

January 31, 2010

“ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE”

Romans 5:8

Many know about God’s love, but how many are really experiencing God’s love? How many are expressing God’s love?

Two things we must consider:

A  Willingness to receive God’s love will lead to spiritual life, spiritual maturity and spiritual fulfillment.

1.     Trust God with our needs and we will experience His  love.

2.     Trust God with our destiny and we are empowered by His love.

            A readiness to release God’s love to others will add value to their lives.

1.      We express God’s love when we meet the needs of others.

2.      We exhibit God’s love when we invest in the spiritual maturity of others.

January 24, 2010

“GRACE WORKS”

I Peter 5:5-10

If our primary motive is to please God we will develop a performance based relationship that brings little fulfillment and no freedom.

If our primary motive is to trust God we will experience a partnership driven relationship that allows for fulfillment from God’s resources and freedom to accomplish God’s purpose.  Hebrews 11:6

            The primary motivation is to trust God so that we can grow in grace that leads to spiritual maturity.  The door to the room of grace is humility (to think lowly in our mind).  Gratefully acknowledge God’s sovereign distribution of spiritual gifts and personal privilege.  Also acknowledge God’s sovereign empowerment in His service.

          Humility is trusting God with me.

          Humility is trusting God with others.

          Humility is trusting God with suffering and spiritual warfare.

May we allow God to surround us with an atmosphere of Grace.

January 17, 2010

“MOTIVE IS EVERYTHING”

Proverbs 4:23

          Our motives direct what we value and what we value determines how we act.  There are many admirable motives we can have in our spiritual life.  What should be our primary motive to experience authentic spiritual maturity?

If our primary motive is to please God we will develop a performance based relationship that brings little fulfillment and no freedom.

If our primary motive is to trust God we will experience a partnership driven relationship that allows for fulfillment from God’s resources and freedom to accomplish God’s purpose.  Hebrews 11:6

We can trust God with exactly who we are today.  Don’t you think it’s time to take off the mask?

Sermon Notes

August 30, 2009

âPRAYER IS A PARTNERSHIPâ

Philippians 1:3-5

We are partners with one another as we pray for each otherâs spiritual, emotional and physical needs.

We experience abiding peace

1.      Be careful for nothing

2.      Be prayerful for everything

3.      Be thankful in everything

We enjoy amazing provision

1.      From the riches of His grace

2.      From the riches of His glory

3.      From the riches of His goodness

Letâs be partners in prayer!

Sermon Notes

August 23, 2009

âAN URGENT MESSAGE FOR UNPREDICTABLE TIMESâ

I Thessalonians 1:5

How can we engage our community with the gospel?

            ESTABLISH A CHRISTIAN PRESENCE

EXPRESS A CHRISTIAN PROCLAMATION

            EXHIBIT A CHRISTIAN POWER

Sermon Notes

August 16, 2009

âHE HAS MADE ME GLADâ

Psalm 32:10-11

Grace that saves from sin

Love that is unfailing

Appearing of Christ

Destination of heaven

âTHE GREATNESS OF SERVANTHOODâ

John 13:1-20

THE SUPREME EXAMPLE OF SERVING

1.      The picture of self-giving

2.      The posture of suffering

THE SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE OF SERVING

1.       Fulfills responsibilities as followers of Christ

2.       Forms relationships with both believers and unbelievers

THE SIMPLE EXPECTATION OF SERVING

1.       It can be fruitful

2.       It can be painful

âCALL TO WORSHIPâ

Ephesians 5:19-20
May 31, 2009

God calls His people to worship through both the blessings and burdens of life.

Worship is a matter of attitude not activity.

          Acknowledge His Lordship in the successes and struggles of life.

Accept His leadership in the light and through the night.

Adore His love in the blessings and during the burdens.

Sermon Notes

May 17, 2009

âTHE GREAT RACEâ

Hebrews 12:1-2

There are many kinds of races in this life.  The race for success, fame, recognition, political positions, power, athletic titles and trophies.  Today we look at a spiritual race.

Exciting results and eternal rewards are promised for those who finish this race well.

LAY ASIDE EVERYTHING THAT WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE RACE:

1.      The good things that can hinder

2.      The bad things that can hurt

LOOK TO JESUS ALWAYS FOR ENDURANCE TO FINISH THE RACE:

1.      Jesus is our model

2.      Jesus is our motivation

Are you in the race?

Sermon Notes

May 11, 2008

âFAITH FOR THE FUTUREâ

II Timothy 1:5-7

          One of the greatest gifts we can give the next generation is biblical faith.  A motherâs faith can have eternal effect!

A PERSONAL FAITH IN GOD IS THE GREATEST NEED FOR EACH GENERATION

1.      Personal faith is individual

2.       Personal faith is identical

Our personal faith in Christ brings freedom from the guilt of our past and freedom from the fears of the future.

A PERSEVERING FAITH  IS CONFIDENT THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL

1.      An anchor for the soul in the storms of life

2.      The anticipation of victory

A POWERFUL FAITH IMPACTS THE FAMILY AND THE WORLD

1.      By faith we stand against the devil

2.      By faith we serve God

3.       By faith we share Jesus with others

What are we passing on to the next generation?

Sermon Notes

April 26, 2009

âFAITH MATTERSâ

James 2:14-26

Faith is the key doctrine of Christianity!  Does it matter what kind of faith?

James identifies two kinds of faith that affect our lives here and hereafter.

1.      A defective faith that is unable to produce a lifestyle that glorifies God

2.      A dynamic faith that produces visible evidence and public demonstration  

 of  a personal decision to trust Christ

What kind of faith characterizes your life?

April 19, 2009

A FOUNDATION FOR FULFILLMENT

Colossians 2:1-8

Because there is the real possibility of deception there must be the reality of a sure foundation.

A MATTER OF AFFECTION

1.       A sincere diligence for spiritual courage

2.       A simple directive for spiritual connection

3.       A strong desire for spiritual comprehension

4.       A solid devotion to the saving Christ

METHODS OF DECEPTION

1.       Persuasive argument

2.       Philosophical awareness

3.       Provocative allurement

MEANS OF PROGRESSION

1.       Grounded in Jesus

2.       Growing in Jesus

3.       Grateful for Jesus

Is your life resting on the sure foundation?

Sermon Notes

April 12, 2009

âTHE GLORY OF EASTERâ

John 11:25

In the journey of life we feel disappointment, discouragement and despair.  We also face disasters, disease and that final enemy, death.  Jesus is enough to build hope and bring ultimate victory.

          The divine declaration that calls for personal faith

          The dynamic demonstration that creates hope

The glory of Easter is an empty tomb, the risen lord, who is forever king!

Presented on April 5, 2009 by pastor Tim Burnham

âTHE CROSS CONNECTIONâ

II Corinthians 5:21

The crucifixion of Christ is not just a historical event to be remembered.  It is a personal expression of Godâs love to be received.

The pursuit of Godâs love is evident in the incarnation  â  God made the first move, He came to you.

The price of Godâs love is expressed in the intervention of Jesus â He died for you.

The power of Godâs love is experienced in the involvement of Christ in your life.  He understands you.

The presence of Godâs love is enjoyed by the indwelling Christ.  He relates to you.

Do you have a divine connection with God?  Itâs your move.

WHEN JESUS WEEPS

     Luke 19:37-44

     The crowds are rejoicing, yet Jesus begins to weep over their missed opportunity to really live!

LOSTNESS to God's PURPOSE for Life

1. No CONTENTMENT in what you do

2. No CONFIDENCE in where you're going

BLINDNESS to God's PEACE in Life

1. Blind to the DELIVERANCE in Jesus

2. Blind to the DANGER apart from Jesus

HARDNESS to God's PRESENCE with Life

1. Rejection of His LORDSHIP
2. Resistance to His LOVE

Sermon Notes

March 1, 2009

âSHARINGâ

We share information and experiences about sporting events, restaurants, politics, family, problems and recreation.  We share to give direction, suggestions and encouragement for a better life.  What can we do to share the greatest information of all?

A POWER WORTH EXPERIENCING    II Kings 5:2-3

A LOVE WORTH FINDING      John 4:28-30

A PERSON WORTH KNOWING     John 1:44-45

Do you know someone who needs to experience the grace and forgiveness of God?

âPRAYING FOR SOMEONEâS SALVATIONâ

Romans 10:1-4

âBelievers are to pray for and witness to all unbelievers, knowing that God will faithfully save those who believe in His Son.  Godâs redemptive program is not one-dimensional.  To isolate Godâs sovereign choice from the believerâs personal faith is to foolishly and presumptuously separate what God has united.  A theology that does not reflect genuine, heartfelt compassion for the lost and a deep desire for their salvation is a theology that is unbiblical.â       -John MacArthur

PRAYING WITH PERSONAL PASSION.

PRAYING WITH PATIENT PERSISTENCE.

PRAYING WITH PROFOUND PURPOSE.

PRAYING WITH POINTED PERSPECTIVE.

          Recognizing the problem:

1.      Insufficient knowledge of Godâs righteousness.

2.      Inappropriate behavior of pride.

3.      Insubordinate attitude to Godâs will.

4.      Incomplete action of faith.

TWILIGHT HARVEST

Matthew 9:35:38

The Mission Field:  Weary people and worn out  lives.

The Mission Challenge:  So many people so few workers.

The Mission Solution:  Pray for workers and participate in the harvest.

Will you pray and participate?

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6