Jan 14, 2024
How to Pray for Each Other
Colossians 1:1-14 The Apostle Paul wrote the letter of Colossians around 60 AD while he was imprisoned in Rome, making it one of his “Prison Epistles.”  As far as we know, he did not plant the church in the small town of Colossae, nor had he ever visited there—but he wrote to them as brothers and sisters in Christ who mattered deeply to the Lord and himself.  Paul’s truths about spiritual growth and the supremacy of Christ still speak to us today.  From the opening passage, we can learn valuable lessons about how to properly pray for one another.
  • Pray for each other with thanksgiving.
  • Pray for each other’s spiritual health and growth.
  • Pray for each other’s fruitfulness.
  • Pray for each other’s strength and endurance.
  • Pray that together we would grow in appreciation for the One who has “qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
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  • Jan 14, 2024How to Pray for Each Other
    Jan 14, 2024
    How to Pray for Each Other
    Colossians 1:1-14 The Apostle Paul wrote the letter of Colossians around 60 AD while he was imprisoned in Rome, making it one of his “Prison Epistles.”  As far as we know, he did not plant the church in the small town of Colossae, nor had he ever visited there—but he wrote to them as brothers and sisters in Christ who mattered deeply to the Lord and himself.  Paul’s truths about spiritual growth and the supremacy of Christ still speak to us today.  From the opening passage, we can learn valuable lessons about how to properly pray for one another.
    • Pray for each other with thanksgiving.
    • Pray for each other’s spiritual health and growth.
    • Pray for each other’s fruitfulness.
    • Pray for each other’s strength and endurance.
    • Pray that together we would grow in appreciation for the One who has “qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
  • Dec 31, 2023Making the Most of 2024
    Dec 31, 2023
    Making the Most of 2024
    Series: (All)
    Ephesians 5:8-21 The Apostle Paul’s instructions to the believers in Ephesus still provide great wisdom for us today, especially as we contemplate the dawning of a new year.
    • Wake up! (v.14)
    • Be careful and wise! (v.15)
    • Make the most of every opportunity! (v.16)
    • Understand the Lord’s will! (v.17)
    • Be filled with the Holy Spirit! (v.18)
    • Encourage one another! (vv.19a & 21)
    • Praise the Lord! (vv.19b-20)
     
  • Dec 24, 2023Saving the Best for Last
    Dec 24, 2023
    Saving the Best for Last
    Series: (All)
    Hebrews 1:1-4 Jesus has the best Proclamation.  “But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son…”  Jesus has the best Position.  “...whom He appointed heir of all things …” Jesus has the best Power.  “...and through whom He made the universe.” Jesus is the best Picture.  “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being ...” Jesus has the best Purpose.  “He...provided purification for sins …”
  • Dec 17, 2023Anna: A Message to Share
    Dec 17, 2023
    Anna: A Message to Share
    Luke 2:36-38 Only three verses in Luke’s nativity account speak about Anna, an elderly prophetess who encountered Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus at the temple.  Though her life had not been easy, she overcame every obstacle in order to share with others  the good news concerning God’s work of redemption.
    • Anna wasn’t stopped by her personal hardships.
    • She wasn’t stopped by her gender.
    • She wasn’t stopped by her age.
    • She had a message to share with all who would listen!
    How faithful are we to share the Good News?
  • Dec 10, 2023Mary: Real Faith in Action
    Dec 10, 2023
    Mary: Real Faith in Action
    Luke 1 & 2
    • Real faith is always ready for the work of God.
    • Real faith seeks to know the ways of God.
    • Real faith submits to the will of God.
    • Real faith celebrates the wonders of God.
  • Dec 3, 2023Elizabeth: Opening the Door to Joy!
    Dec 3, 2023
    Elizabeth: Opening the Door to Joy!
    Elizabeth, the wife of Zechariah the priest and relative of the virgin Mary, is one of the Wise Women of Christmas.  From her story, we learn some valuable lessons about opening our lives to the joy of the Lord.
    • Perception is not always reality.  Elizabeth felt her life as a childless wife was a disgrace, but in reality God loved her and had a wonderful plan for her.
    • Faithfulness and hope open the door to God’s blessings.  Even when childless, Elizabeth continued to serve God with righteousness, and she never gave up hope in God’s loving-kindness.
    • God rewards faithfulness with joy!  Elizabeth experienced and shared the blessings of the Lord.  They came through the birth of her son John the Baptist, and then through the arrival of God’s Messiah, Jesus.
    The same joy is available to us today!
  • Nov 26, 2023John’s Question & Commitment
    Nov 26, 2023
    John’s Question & Commitment
    Matthew 11:1-6 & 14:1-12
     
    In the course of his short ministry, John was imprisoned by King Herod Antipas for rebuking the king’s immorality.  Two things happened while John was in prison that can teach us lessons about Christian growth and faithfulness.
    ¨ Through his disciples, John the Baptist expressed his doubts by sending a question directly to Jesus: “Are you the One?”
    • There is no better way to deal with doubts than bringing them to Jesus.
    ¨ John showed his total commitment to Jesus by sacrificing his life for the sake of the kingdom of God.
    • Are we willing to die for the One who died for us?
  • Nov 19, 2023John’s Challenge
    Nov 19, 2023
    John’s Challenge
    John the Baptist was a powerful and popular prophet.  In a relatively short span of time, hosts of people flocked to hear him preach, and many were baptized by him in the Jordan River.  But John knew all along that the purpose of his ministry was not to elevate himself; it was to elevate the Messiah!  The purpose of our lives must be the same. "He must become greater; I must become less.”  - John 3:30
    • Why is it important that our focus upon Jesus increases?
    • Why is it important that our focus on ourselves decreases?
    • How does this come about in the Christian life?
  • Nov 12, 2023John’s Call
    Nov 12, 2023
    John’s Call
    Luke 3:1-18 Last week we looked at John’s birth  and the consecration of his life to be God’s forerunner to the Messiah.  Today we look at the content of his call upon the lives of those who came out to the Jordan River to hear him preach.
    • Be Prepared!
    • Be Repentant!
    • Be Transformed!
  • Nov 5, 2023His Personal Consecration
    Nov 5, 2023
    His Personal Consecration
    Luke 1:13-17 Before his miraculous birth to the priestly couple Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist was set apart by God to be the forerunner to the Messiah.
    • He was consecrated to be a testament to God’s grace.
    • He was consecrated to usher in the joy of the Lord.
    • He was consecrated to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
    • He was consecrated to draw people to the Lord.
    God has a plan and purpose for every person born into the world, including each of us.  Will we, like John the Baptist, accept God’s plan and consecrate ourselves to serve Him faithfully?