"The Wonder of Love"

How GOD Expresses His LOVE

5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman.

HOW GOD EXPRESSES HIS LOVE TO US:

1. Through the gift of SALVATION.

John 3:16 (NKJ) 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 3:23-25 (NLT) 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely ma

"The Wonder of Joy"

“The Wonder of Joy”

Luke 2:8-11 (NLT) 

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of Dav

"The Wonder of Peace"

“The Wonder of PEACE” 

LUKE 2:13-15 (NLT)

13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

The PATH to PEACE

1. It can only be found in JESUS.

LUKE 2:14 (NL

"The Wonder of Hope"

The Wonder of HOPE

Luke 2:25-35 (NLT) 

25 At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26 and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28 Simeon was there. He took the chi

"Being Thankful vs. Living Thankful"

“Being Thankful vs. Living Thankful”

Psalm 105:1 (NLT) 

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.   

2 Ways to Live Thankful

1. When we SHARE.

Psalm 105:1 (NLT) Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.

Psalm 113:4-5 (NLT) 4 For the Lord is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. 5 Who can be compared with the Lord our God, who is enthroned on high?

Psalm 100:4 (NLT) Enter his gat

"Count the Cost"

“Count the Cost”

Luke 14:28-30 (NLT) 

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

3 Questions to Counting the Cost

1. What’s it goi

"Great Expectations"

“Great Expectations”

Luke 10:38-42 (NLT) 

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and hel

"Fighting Forgiveness"

Fighting Forgiveness

31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) 

Luke 17:3-5 (NLT) 3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and

"Finding Strength in the Storms"

FINDING STRENGTH IN THE STORMS 

28“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 29 He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. 30 What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!  31 Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. 32 Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.

Psalm 107:28-32 

How To Find Streng

"The Anger Test"

Does Your Anger Pass the Test?

26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT) 

"The Destruction of Disobedience"

The Destruction of DISOBEDIENCE

 17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard a

"The Struggle with Significance"

“The Struggle with Significance”

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) 

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Overcoming the Struggle of Significance:

1. God DESIGNS

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) 16 He makes

"Sounding the Alarm of Apathy"

"Sounding the Alarm of Apathy"

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Ephesians 4:14-15 (NLT) 

APATHY is defined as a lack of feeling, emotion, interest or concern.

"Put Down the Control"

“PUT DOWN THE CONTROL”

4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all…

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NLT) 

To Put Down the Control We Must Realize:

1. GOD is over all.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future a

"The Pitfall of Pride"

"The Pitfall of Pride"

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NLT) 

3 Types of PRIDE We Battle:

“I LIVE FOR MYSELF” (selfish desires)

Philippians 2:3 (NLT