The Kingdom Belongs to Children
Mark 10:13-16 |  Pastor Terry Wilcox

Mark 10:13-16
Mark uses “paida” = children under 13
Luke uses “brephé” = infants or babies

Parents weren’t seeking .
Illustration from Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo.
Mark 9:34

What is it about children that Jesus is showing us?

  1. recognized  on God.
    The greatest obstacle to a relationship with God is .
    I Peter 5:5-7
    II Corinthians 12:9-10
  2. For a child, faith is .
    Matthew 18:2-3
    Faith is not : it is a decision to .
    Illustration: Bridge rail. “My mother was fearful, I wasn’t because my father’s was wrapped  .”
    Hebrews 11:1-2,6
  3. Children know they  to a .
    In the midst of trouble, watch who they run to.
    John 1:12-13
    Galatians 3:26 “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,”

Believe (John 3:36)
Repent (Acts 3:19)
Receive (John 1:12)
Confess (Romans 10:9)

Personal Notes

Why We Do What We Do
II Corinthians 5:16-21 |  Rev. Karl Moore

  1. Ephesians 4:11-13 KJV and NIV
    a.  vs. .
    b.  vs. .
    c.  vs. .
    d.  not .
    e. Understanding these basic  of the of the church is the to understanding why we do what we do.

    II Corinthians 5:16-21

  2. Our point of view.
    a. We are .  II Corinthians 5:14a
    b. We are .
    c. We are    .
    Acts 1:7-8b, II Peter 9:1
  3. Our product is valuable.
    a. We experience  .  II Corinthians 5:17
    b. Our message  the .  II Corinthians 5:19
    c. We become  of the .  II Corinthians 5:19b
    I Corinthians 15:1-5, I Corinthians 9:16-18
  4. Ephesians 4:11-13 – This is the process that places people into the public with the purpose of producing disciples who powerfully persuade others to become Christ followers.
  5. Ambassador: The highest-ranking diplomatic officer of their country in a foreign nation or international organization.
    John 17:13-19

Personal Notes

Changed Your Passwords?
Psalm 25 |  Pastor Terry Wilcox

We have constantly improved security, and yet  regularly occur.

The ultimate source of security is  .  Psalm 25:1-2
Psalm 139:5

Threats to spiritual security

  1. Depression and .  Psalm 25:2
    God’s promises are greater than our .
  2. Pain and .  Psalm 25:3
    Whatever hurts us is .
    II Corinthians 4:17,18
    God helps us to .
    I Corinthians 10:13
  3. The threat of .  Psalm 25:5
    The Holy Spirit convinces us of our need for Jesus, but does not force us to , nor does he force us to continue to .
    Colossians 1:23 NLT
    Paul to Timothy:  I Timothy 1:19-20
    John 8:31-32

Reasons to be sure

  1. The Word of God
    John 3:35-36
    I John 5:9-13

  2. The  witness of the Holy Spirit.
    I Thessalonians 1:4-5a
    John 16:13-14
  3. I John 2:3-6
    This is only possible with   empowerment.

Spiritual security is not about new passwords; it is the result of trusting God and giving the Holy Spirit the keys to your .

Personal Notes

Favoritism Fails
James 2:1-13 |  Pastor Terry Wilcox

  1. Clearly, God is   .  James 2:1
    God doesn’t show .  Romans 2:11
    His enemies knew this.  Matthew 22:16, I Timothy 5:21
  2. What’s the point of  church if we are not going to  the church?  James 2:2-4, John 13:34
  3. The world’s view is  .  James 2:5-7
    An annoying contemporary “so-called” truism is: “ is reality.”
    The world system is based. God’s kingdom is based.  Ephesians 1:4-7
    God ignores  and social/economic differences.  Acts 10:34, Acts 15
    Acts 15:6-9, I Samuel 2:7-8a, I Timothy 6:17-19
  4. Living like Jesus is  people the way He  people. “A  church has no at all.”
    Why “the royal law?”  James 2:8
    a. It was written   .  John 13:34
    b. It  all other laws.  Romans 13:10
    c. Obeying it   .  James 2:12
  5. Saying and doing must be .  James 2:12-13
    “Every Bible should be bound in  leather.”  -D.L. Moody
    Ephesians 4:29
    I John 3:16-18

We don’t earn  by showing. We show it because the Spirit of Christ is within us!  Matthew 5:1-12

 

Tested and Blessed
James 1:2-12 |  Pastor Terry Wilcox

  1. Consider James 1:2 NKJV “count,” James 1:2 NLT “consider” to  carefully about something.
    In the Greek the word is a financial term meaning to .
    Being transformed into the image of Jesus is changed from valuing the material and physical to valuing the spiritual.
  2. Because you know.  James 1:3
    a. Faith is always .
    b. This works for us.  I Peter 1:6-9
    c. God values our maturity.  Romans 5:3-5
  3. Our character development requires our .  James 1:4
    Ephesians 2:8-12
    a. The work God does for us = .
    b. The work God does us = sanctification.
    c. The work God does  us = service.
  4. Ask for .  James 1:5-8
    “Knowledge is the ability to take things , wisdom is the ability to   .”

    James 5:13-18
    a. Without wisdom, we will the opportunity.
    b. Without wisdom, we will miss the only enduring motivator, .  James 1:12

“Great or Least?” In the Kingdom
Matthew 5:19 |  Pastor Terry Wilcox

Regardless   , it’s not too late to go from least to great.

Luke 14:11-14

Living generously has rewards . However, Jesus’ focus in Luke 14:14 is .

In New Testament, two Greek words describe rewards

  1. Misthos –    Luke 6:22-23
    Used in parable of vineyard workers.   Matthew 20; I Timothy 5:18
  2. Apodidomai – apo = back; didmai =  
    See the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10

All that we have been given, and all that we have    is the result of God’s g .

Our little is much in God’s .
Mark 9:41

Ephesians 2:8-10

A “good work” is an act we do for  that meets a need and  .

Personal Notes

Living For a Greater Reward
II Corinthians 5:6-10, John 3:16-18 |  Pastor Terry Wilcox

Focus today is not on salvation. It’s on rewards.

Two Factors Determine Our Destiny

  1. Our belief.
    Hebrews 11:1-3, 6
  2. Our behavior.
    “The kingdom of God will not be the same for all believers. Let me put it another way. Some believers will have rewards for their earthly faithfulness; others will not. Some will reign with Christ; others will not. (see II Timothy 2:12). Some will be rich in the kingdom of God; others will be poor (see Luke 12:21, 33). Some will be given true riches; others will not (see Luke 16:11). Some will be given heavenly treasures of their own; others will not (see Luke 16:12).  -Charles Stanley

    Matthew 16:24-27

Life’s Main Events

  1. God’s gift of life.
    John 3:3-5
  2. Our physical death. 
    Hebrews 9:27
  3. Our destination.
    Matthew 23:33
  4. Our resurrection. (see I Corinthians 15)
    Philippians 3:21
  5. Payment.
    Revelation 20:11-15
  6. Eternity.
    Matthew 25:46

Personal Notes

God the Holy Spirit – Who He Is & What He Does – Part II: Fruits & Gifts
Galatians 5:22-24 NLT & I Corinthians 12:4-7 NLT |  Pastor Joel Rissinger

READING: Galatians 5:22-24 NLT & I Corinthians 12:4-7 NLT

BIG IDEA: The Holy Spirit produces to help us overcome the flesh and to help us serve. Our job is to put these things to work in our lives!

FRUIT

  1. Fruit is born when we choose the  over the lust of the flesh moment by moment.
    Galatians 5:13-18 NLT, Galatians 5:25 NLT
  2. Focusing on the  the Holy Spirit is building in you leads you away from the fear of breaking the law…you won’t be inclined to do so when you’re under the direction.  Galatians 5:23 NLT

GIFTS

  1. God the Holy Spirit gives gifts as He . So use what you have instead of fighting over others! 
    I Corinthians 12:4-6 NLT, I Corinthians 12:11 NLT

    NOTE: The Bible nowhere teaches that certain gifts have “ceased.” Nor does it teach that one or two are given to everyone. God the Holy Spirit gives them as HE chooses.

  2. The purpose of gifts is to “ the .” Don’t use them for selfish purposes! 
    I Corinthians 12:7 NLT, Ephesians 4:12 NLT, Romans 12:6-9 NLT, I Peter 4:10-11 NLT

    NOTE: The proper selfless use of gifts blesses the Church and glorifies God. In doing so, we are blessed for using ours in that process.

CALL & PRAYER: To honor God the Holy Spirit by choosing to let Him produce fruit in us and by using the gifts He gives to accomplish His Work.

PERSONAL NOTES

 

God the Holy Spirit – Who He Is & What He Does
John 16:5-14 |  Pastor Joel Rissinger

READING: John 16:5-14

BIG IDEA: The key to success in the new year is to experience revival via the Holy Spirit.

NOTE: Much of the weakness of Western Christianity comes from thinking the Holy Spirit is just a force like in Star Wars, or a Ghost, or something else. Getting this right opens the door to revival.

 

WHO IS HE?

  1. He is God, an Advocate, or Helper, sent by the Father and Son for us.
    John 16:5-7 and John 14:26, Matthew 28:19, Acts 5:3-4
  2. He proves the world wrong about…
    a. Sin
    b. Righteousness – 2 Timothy 1:7
    c. Judgment – John 16:8-11
  3. He leads us to truth and reminds us of it, too.
    John 16:12-13, John 14:26
  4. He glorifies Jesus!
    John 16:14-15

But HOW does the Spirit do all of this? How can we best tap into and support His work in all of these areas?

CALL & PRAYER: To maintain the truth about the Holy Spirit. Help us, Holy Spirit, to honor You and be in sync with Your work here below…

PERSONAL NOTES

Lessons on Love
I John 4:1-6 NLT |  Pastor Joel Rissinger

READING: I John 4:1-6 NLT

BIG IDEA: Now more than ever, we need to be able to discern truth from error and help others do the same. Here’s how…

  1. Don’t believe , test them all!  I John 4:1 NLT
  2. Ask whether they believe in the  and the  nature of God. They reject Gnosticism, and it’s fruit-liberalism or legalism.  I John 4:2-3 NLT, Colossians 2:16-19 NLT, Romans 6:1 NLT

    pseudoprophētai – false prophets

  3. Consider…do they listen to, teach, and obey the ?  I John 4:4-6 NLT

CALL & PRAYER: To discern and take a stand against false teachers while supporting and valuing the true!

PERSONAL NOTES