Arden First Baptist Church

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

“Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”” - Matthew 16:24–26, ESV

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Welcome Home! We are a place where you can Belong, Believe, & Become. At Arden First we have a place for you. As soon as you walk through the doors—don’t be surprised if it seems like you are coming home, because you are—Welcome Home! ArdenFBC.com

Moving out of compromise and into conviction.

The 7 Churches of Revelation Part 4: Revelation 2:8-11: “Smyrna: Faithful under Pressure.” How to stay true to Jesus even when your world is falling apart. How to stay true to Jesus when your world is falling apart: 1. Remember that you are following the One who defeated death and made the way for life (v. 8). 2. Learn to see the world through God’s eyes (v. 9).   3. Replace fear with faithfulness, knowing that God has a better plan in mind (v. 10). 4. Overcome every fear with the promise of a better and lasting life beyond this present short life (v. 11). Review: Smyrna, Faithful under pressure: How to stay true to Jesus when your world is falling apart: 1. Remember that you are following the One who defeated death and made the way for life (v. 8) 2. Learn to see the world through God’s eyes (v. 9). 3. Replace fear with faithfulness, knowing that God has a better plan in mind (v. 10). 4. Overcome every fear with the promise of a better and lasting life beyond this present short life (v. 11). The Big Idea: Be faithful instead of fearful as you look forward to a far better and lasting life. Action Steps: ¬ Don’t despair when your world is falling apart, but Jesus is the one who is holding your heart! ¬ Learn to see the world from God’s perspective. You are actually rich and doing amazing even when the world doesn’t see it that way! ¬ Replace fear with faith which leads to faithfulness! Suffering is just part of our journey here on earth, but one day, suffering will turn into celebrating!

“Ephesus: Come Back My Love.” Steps to returning to your first love. Revelation 2:1-7; The Loveless Church 1. Remember that God is the one holding you, not the other way around (v. 1). 2. Never forget that God doesn’t forget all that you’ve done for Him (v. 2-3). 3. Come back to your first love (v. 4). 4. Practice the 3 R’s: Remember, Repent, and Return (v. 5-6). Insight: Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of behavior. If your life has not changed over time, you have not experienced true repentance. 5. Keep your eyes on Jesus and look forward to your future rewards (v. 7). Application: How does God speak to us today? 6 ways God still speaks. Primary Means: 1) The Bible 2) Prayer-inner promptings from the Holy Spirit Secondary Means: 3) Other Believers (The Church) 4) Circumstances Occasionally: 5) Dreams 6) Open and closed doors Review: “Ephesus: Come Back My Love.” Steps to returning to your first love. 1. Remember that God is the one holding you, not the other way around (v. 1). 2. Never forget that God doesn’t forget all that you’ve done for Him. 3. Come back to your first love. 4. Practice the 3 R’s: Remember, Repent, and Return. 5. Keep your eyes on Jesus and look forward to your future rewards. The Big Idea: Come back to your first Love and let everything you do flow out of that passion and purpose. Actions Steps (How can I apply this to my life today?) ⎫ Come back to your first Love by repeating what you did at the very beginning. A relationship with Jesus is dynamic: You are either drawing closer to Him in love or moving away from your first love. ⎫ Let everything you do flow out of a passionate love for God. You can be right in the head, but wrong in the heart. Doctrine and duty without delight leads to drudgery. ⎫ Look forward to your rewards. Don’t get distracted by the cheap thrills of today’s pleasures. Instead go after Jesus every day of your life.

“Death’s Funeral. The King Gives Life from the Dead.” Revelation 1:9-20 “Death’s Funeral. The King Gives Life from the Dead. 4 Life Giving Principles: 1. Jesus is with us even when we find ourselves in hard times because of our Christian walk and witness (v. 9-10) 4 Benefits of suffering: • Suffering develops your faith. • Suffering clarifies your calling. • Suffering grows your character. • Suffering expands your empathy. 2. Jesus has a unique purpose and plan for each local church (v. 11-12, 19-20) 3. Jesus inspires awe and worship when we discover who He really is (v. 11, 13-16). 4. Jesus holds life and death in His hands, so we no longer have live in fear (v. 17-18). Review: “Death’s Funeral. The King Gives Life from the Dead. 4 Life Giving Principles: 1. Jesus is with us even when we find ourselves in hard times because of our Christian walk and witness 2. Jesus has a unique purpose and plan for each local church 3. Jesus inspires awe and worship when we discover who He really is 4. Jesus holds life and death in His hands, so we no longer have live in fear. Today’s Takeaway: The power of life and death are in Jesus’ hands so trust in His plan for your life. Actions Steps (What’s Your Response?) 1. Pain: Look for the greater purpose in your present pain. 2. Jesus: Fall in Love with Jesus again! Rediscover the person of Jesus: Bask in awe and wonder at His person, His power, and His majesty! 3. God’s plan: Pray and ask for God to reveal His plan for you this week. Ask Him to show you your place in the local church. 4. Serve: Since Jesus and a purpose and a plan for each local church, find an area of service where you can make a difference!

The 7 Churches of Revelation! Part 1: Revelation 1:1-8; “The Eternal King is Coming Back. Are you ready?” 7 Reasons why you may have avoided Revelation in the past: #1-Because of crazy people who have used prophecy for their own personal agendas. #2-Because so many people have used prophecy as a scare tactic to get people saved. #3-Because many find Revelation simply hard to understand. #4-Because most people want practical teaching that applies to today and they are not so concerned about tomorrow. #5-Because many people have not heard much teaching on Revelation and end time prophecy. #6-Because many people fear what is going to happen in the end, so they tend to avoid reading about it. –Ignorance is bliss! #7-Because there are so many different views on how to interpret Revelation. “The Eternal King is Coming Back. Are you ready?” 1. We serve a God who reveals Himself to us to prepare us for what’s coming (v. 1-2). God can turn your prison into your purpose. He can transform your pain into your passion. Keep your head lifted towards Heaven, because God is not done with you yet! 2. You will receive a special blessing if you attentively listen and respond to God’s revelation (v. 3). This is the only book that contains a blessing in the reading, hearing, and putting into practice this book. Your Move: Over the next few weeks—Read and study the book of Revelation. And put into practice the things that God teaches you through your study of this book of prophecy. God wants you to know Him. God wants you to follow Him. As you follow His plan for you today, He begins to reveal His plan for tomorrow. 3. God the Father offers grace and peace to His Church (v. 4). • God is always relevant for all times: He is…He was…He is to come. God is not a one-hit wonder…He is the One who was the greatest in the past…He is the greatest in the present…and He will forever be the greatest in the future! 4. Jesus offers us His love, forgiveness, and an amazing position to His Church (v. 5-6). 5. Jesus is coming again quickly, so people get ready (v. 7)! 6. Everything in all of creation begins and ends God the Almighty One (v. 8). You can’t get away from God. He was there in the past, so you will discover Him throughout history. He is in the present, so you will sense His presence in the present. He is the future coming King, and He will reign forevermore. Review: 1. We serve a God who reveals Himself to us to prepare us for what’s coming (v. 1-2). 2. You will receive a special blessing if you attentively listen and respond to God’s revelation (v. 3). 3. God the Father offers grace and peace to His Church (v. 4). 4. Jesus offers us His love, forgiveness, and an amazing position to His Church (v. 5-6). 5. Jesus is coming again quickly, so people get ready (v. 7)! 6. Everything in all of creation begins and ends God the Almighty One (v. 8). Today’s Takeaway: Stay ready for the future by living for Jesus in the present. Action Steps: ⎫ Read Revelation out loud this week. ⎫ Live like Jesus could come back at any time. ⎫ Reach out to one person who would not be ready in the Rapture took place today.

New Year’s Message 2023 Advance! God is doing something new this year! Luke 5:33-39 Question to Ponder-Are you all-in to ADVANCE the mission of God in 2023? Luke 5:33-39 (NKJV) Advance! Making moves to see God move in 2023. 3 New Year’s Resolutions for 2023: 1. Start 2023 off with an intentional fast (v. 33-35). If you want God to ADVANCE His purposes through your life, start off this New Year with an intentional fast. Fasting draws you closer to God…Fasting releases answers fast! Fasting makes things go faster in the spiritual realm! 2. Prepare yourself to embrace positive changes (v. 36). 2023 is our year to ADVANCE our mission that God has given to you. It’s your year to rise up and take your place on the stage of God’s amazing grace! It’s time to see God do what only He can do in and through you! 3. Get your heart in shape for receiving new things from God this year (v. 37-39). When grace and truth collide, then you will have a beautiful explosion called eternal life! Principle: When it comes to change—most people resist change even though the change is a positive one. 5 Reasons why you need to embrace Godly change in your life: 1) You don’t know what you don’t know until you know! 2) Change is often the hardest thing, but a divine change will produce life-altering results in your life. 3) It’s hard to experience great growth without first undergoing great change. 4) The moment you stop growing, you start dying. 5) The Kingdom of God is all about growth and change. If you resist change, you are resisting the Kingdom Culture. Review- Advance! Making moves to see God move in 2023. 3 New Year’s Resolutions for 2023: 1. Start 2023 off with an intentional fast (v. 33-35). 2. Prepare yourself to embrace positive changes (v. 36). 3. Get your heart in shape for receiving new things from God this year (v. 37-39). Take Home Truth (sermon in a sentence): 2023 is our year to ADVANCE the mission of God in our personal lives and in this church! Your Move (Action Steps): ⎫ Decide to do an intentional fast to commit 2023 to the Lord and His purposes in your life. ⎫ Decide to value eternal purpose above personal preference. ⎫ Stop resisting positive changes in your life. Instead see change as a byproduct of personal growth.

A special Christmas Day message from our amazing pastor, Dr. Timothy Brown!

The Best Christmas Ever! Christmas Eve 2022

The Greatest Christmas Ever Part 2- The Wise Men's Journey Question to Ponder-Are you still seeking after Jesus daily? The Wise Men’s Journey. Seeking to forever be a seeker: A true seeker of Jesus… 1. Travels long distances to worship the true King (v. 1-2). 2. Doesn’t get hindered by the hypocrites along the way (v. 3-8). 3. Follows the light that leads towards the True Light (v. 9-10). 4. Worships Jesus by laying down their earthly treasures because they’ve found the greatest Treasure (v. 11). 5. Listens to God and obeys the promptings of the Holy Spirit (v. 12). Take Home Truth: A true seeker is willing to go the distance to discover and delight in Jesus as the true King. Action Steps: * Worship: Make worship a priority in your life. When you make Jesus the center of your life, worship becomes a priority. * Giving: The wise men gave their best gifts to Jesus for His birthday. Decide to give more of yourself to Jesus this year than ever before! * Seeking: Never stop being a true seeker of Jesus.

The Greatest Christmas Ever Part 1-Elizabeth’s Dream Come True: How to transform your doubt into destiny! Question to Ponder-How should I respond when it seems like God is not responding to my prayers? When God turns your misery into a miracle… 5 Truths that can transform your doubt into destiny! 1. Even godly people struggle with unanswered prayers (v. 5-7). 2. God has a message of hope even in the most hopeless situations (v. 8-17). 3. Never doubt God’s promises even when they seem too good to be true (v. 18-22). 4. God likes to resurrect dreams that died a long time ago (v. 23-25). 5. God can transform your test into a testimony (v. 57-58). Action Steps: 1. Look to God’s Word for God’s promises. 2. Don’t stop believing what God has promised to you. 3. Keep on praying even when you want to stop! Remember the best things in life often come much later than you desire! 4. Give more of yourself to Jesus this Christmas than ever before! Take Home Truth: Christmas teaches us that God can transform your great misery into your greatest miracle.

We welcome guest speaker Randy Shepherd from Crossfire Ministries for a powerful message!

The Power of Thanks Psalm 84 Part 2: Church is the Place to Be! Today’s Question: Do you treasure the house of God above everywhere else? Church is the Place to Be! Church is the place to be because it’s a place… Where you can’t wait to go (v. 1-2).  Make church a priority in my life.  I choose to give the best of myself to the work of God in the local church: My time (joining a Serve Team), my treasure (giving generously), and my gifts (using my gifts to build up the church).  Where you can find and experience true life (v. 3-4).  This church is a place where you can settle down and grow some roots! We are a place for all generations—from Babies to Boomers from Generation Z to the Greatest Generation and everything in between! So settle down and grow some roots here! You spend so much timing sowing, that you should stay long enough to enjoy some of the harvest that you helped sow!  Where you find new strength and renewed hope (v. 5-7).  A church alive is worth the drive!  If you would be willing to drive 30 minutes or more for a good restaurant, you should also be willing to drive even further to get a good spiritual meal that will nourish you and encourage you for the week ahead!  Where you can pour out your heart before God in passionate prayer (v. 8-9).  Church is a house of prayer.  We are a church where you can connect with God. Here are a few of the many prayer opportunities.  Where you desire more than any other place on the earth (v. 10-12).  The worshippers in Psalm 84 make this profound statement:  One day in God’s presence with God’s people and in God’s house is better than 1,000 days anywhere else!  The Psalmist would rather be serving God than serving oneself. Today’s Big Idea: Church is the place to be because you get to dwell with God’s people in God’s presence! Action Steps: Join this church family. A Christian without a church home is like a spiritual orphan. Serve the Lord with this church family. As you serve God and one another, your level of spiritual maturity begins to grow! Join an Arden Serve Team this week! Support this church family. For all our members and regular attenders, we ask you to give a one-time vision offering for the future advancement of the mission of this church for the future!

The Power of Thanks Part 1: God’s Will For My Life Today’s Question: What happens when you have a thankful heart? Choose Joy Always. What is the difference between happiness and joy? The Power of Thanks: Joy is something that is much deeper than happiness. Happiness is there when all is going well for me, and then it disappears when life is not going so well. Joy, on the other hand, is consistent. As a Christian, you can never truly loose your joy. You can lose the experience of joy, but you can’t lose joy itself. Joy is deep down in your spirit; you just have to rediscover the joy of being found in Jesus! Did you know that joy is a daily choice you have to make? Quote: “There is a marvelous medicinal power in joy. Most medicines are distasteful; but this, which is the best of all medicines, is sweet to the taste, and comforting to the heart. This blessed joy is very contagious. One dolorous spirit brings a kind of plague into the house; one person who is wretched seems to stop all the birds from singing wherever he goes . . . [But] the grace of joy is contagious. Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life’s machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labor. Holy joy will beautify you and give you an influence over the lives of others.” –Charles Spurgeon Benefits of choosing joy: Joy gives you supernatural strength for each day. Nehemiah 8:10—The joy of the Lord is your strength. Joy is the overflow of your relationship with Jesus. Philippians 4:4—Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice! Joy comes as a byproduct of believing in Jesus. Romans 15:13; Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joy can be your experience even when you are going through great trials. James 1:2 (NIV); Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. How to choose joy in a life that is full of pain and problems: Decide what is going to capture your attention: Is your focus on your pain or on God’s promises? Help others who are also hurting. When you take time to focus on others, your attention moves away from self and helps give you a fresh perspective. Move towards people who are joy bringers. Joy is contagious. Your friends can greatly enhance your journey of joy! Rediscover joy every morning. Psalm 30:5-Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning! Pray Persistently. What is the difference between praying and being in the spirit of prayer? Quote: Continual prayer is not prayer that prevails without any interruption, but prayer that continues whenever possible.[1] How can I pray without stopping? So what are some practical ways that you can grow in being a person of prayer? Start every day off with a meaningful time of prayer. Pray on your way to work. Pray over every meal. Get into the habit of praying over people right in the moment. Pray when you hear an ambulance. Tell God about your worries. Thank God for your many blessings. Forever Be Thankful. What does it mean to have a thankful heart? The Power of Thanks: A thankful heart is a heart that continually focuses on the blessings of the Lord. A thankful heart reframes the hard things in one’s life against the backdrop of God’s goodness and in the timeline of eternity. What is thanksgiving? How can I give thanks in everything? Today’s Big Idea: God’s will for my life is to live joyfully, pray persistently, and to forever be thankful. Action Steps: Live out the JOY acrostic: Jesus. Others. Yourself. As long as Jesus is at the center of your life, your life will abound in joy daily! Start your day off with prayer tomorrow and stay in the zone where you are able to pray as needed throughout the day. Write down 5 things that you are thankful for. [1] Constable, T. L. (1985). 1 Thessalonians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 708). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Holy Habit #7: Fasting Fasting: Why do devoted disciples fast? Today’s Question: Why do devoted disciples fast? WHY should I fast? Isaiah 58:6-12 (NLT) If you don’t get your self under control, your life will become out of control. The practical aspect of fasting is that fasting helps you say “no” to yourself so that you can say “yes” to God! Fasting helps you gain control over your body and over your life. If you struggle with control issues, it’s time to look at the holy habit of fasting! Matthew 25:36-40 Fasting unleashes needed breakthroughs in your personal life (v. 8) Deliverance comes through fasting. Healing is promoted through fasting. Divine direction is released through fasting. Divine protection is activated through fasting. Long awaited answers to prayer happen through fasting. Daniel 10:12-14 (NLT) Help for others is motivated through fasting. Radiance is illuminated through fasting. Personal vitality is restored through fasting. Restoration is started through fasting. Fasting Insight: If you desire to draw closer to God—try fasting! If you need a personal breakthrough—decide to do a holy fast. If you are being attacked by the enemy and you need deliverance, commit to fasting. If you need an answer to prayer…If you need clarity in your life…if you need God to move on your behalf—as you focus on God through fasting, your personal needs will be a point of focus before the throne of heaven. Fasting has the power and potential to unlock the breakthrough you need today! WHEN should I fast? Luke 5:33-35 (NKJV) You should fast when you need a special time to focus on the Lord. You should fast when you need a supernatural breakthrough in your life. You should fast when you desire to draw closer to God. James 4:8a; Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Fasting Insight: When should you fast? You should fast when the Holy Spirit is leading you to do so. Spirit led fasting will lead to Spirit-powered breakthroughs. If you are sick and tired of being stuck…If you are in bondage to a sin pattern…If you need a new and fresh anointing on your ministry…If you need clarity and direction…If you want to draw closer to God—then now is the time to consider a holy fast! HOW should I fast? Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT) Fast in a way that it is not obvious to others (who are not fasting with you). When you fast, let there be a pep in your step and a joy in your spirit. When you fast for the right reasons, in the right seasons, and for right audience—God will reward you! Fasting Insight: Fast in such a way that people will not know that you are fasting. Obviously, you can let others know who are fasting with you in a church group fast. When you fast for your Father alone in secret, your Father will richly reward you openly. So when you fast…Fast for your Father’s attention only! Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) Review: Fasting: Why do devoted disciples fast? WHY should I fast? To draw closer to God. To break the chains of bondage. To put others ahead of yourself. To unleash needed breakthroughs. WHEN should I fast? When you need a special time to focus on the Lord. When you need a supernatural breakthrough in your life. When you desire to draw closer to God. HOW should I fast? In secret With joy For the right reasons Today’s Big Idea: When you fast, you are personally drawing closer to God and inviting Him to do the supernatural in your life. Action Steps: Ask the Holy Spirit if you need to commit to a special time of prayer and fasting. Plan out your next fast. As a church, we are fasting in January for a 10 day fast! Pick out a Bible reading plan to begin your journey of drawing closer to God. The church has a 2-year read through the Bible plan on YouVersion Bible app.

Holy Habit: Ministry Ephesians 4:7-16 Are you playing your part in building up the Body of Christ? 1. When it comes to grace, you struck it rich (v. 7). Body Builder Tip: Jesus has given me at least one spiritual gift to use to build up the Body of Christ in the local church. If I am not using my spiritual gift, I am not in the sweet spot of God’s will for my life. I am blessed to be a blessing! If you are not serving, you are swerving! Take Action: Try serving in a least two different Serve Teams to find which team I can make most eternal good! 2. When it comes to purpose, you are gracefully gifted (v. 8-10). Body Builder Tip: As my character becomes more like Jesus, then I will discover my true calling, and as I commit to live out my purpose, then I am truly living a life of significance. 3. When it comes to ministry, you are called to do your part (v. 11-16). Apostle - the Visionary Pioneer: One who is sent on a mission. “Let’s go to a new horizon.” Prophet - the Bold Challenger: God’s mouthpiece to speak forth His Word. “Let’s get back on track.” Evangelist - the Passionate Proclaimer: Heralds of the Gospel of salvation. “You need to be saved today.” Pastor/Teacher - The Compassionate Leader & the Practical Communicator: God’s Shepherd & Teacher. “Let me lead you to green pastures and show you how to live for Jesus.” Body Building Tip: God wants you to grow to spiritual maturity. What does spiritual maturity look like in a believer? A mature believer is one who can discern truth from error. A mature believer has a keen sense of discernment and can spot a spiritual phony a mile away. Today’s Big Idea: I am encouraged, equipped, and empowered by Jesus to do great things for Jesus. Action Steps: Discover my gifts, talents, and abilities. I will take a spiritual gifts test this week to discover and explore how I can do my part to build up the Body of Christ. Sign up to serve on an Arden Serve Team. Try out 2 different Serve Teams to try to find the one where you can make the most impact upon the lives of others. Support the leaders in this church. Since God has given leaders to each local church, the members are called to support the ministers by giving of their time, talents, and resources to support the mission of the church. Preview for next Sunday: Holy Habit #7: Fasting—How to experience a breakthrough.

Holy Habit #5: Prayer The Power of Passionate Prayer: How to Pray Like Your Life Depends upon it! • Jesus prayed regularly. • Jesus prayed often. • Jesus prayed in the early mornings (Mark 1:35). • Jesus prayed late in the evenings (Matthew 14:23). • Jesus prayed all night at critical times in his life and ministry (Luke 6:12). • Jesus prayed in private places like on mountain tops and the wilderness (Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, Luke 5:16). • Jesus prayed passionately (Hebrews 5:7). • Jesus prayed persistently (Matthew 26:44). • Jesus prayed in the Father’s will (Matthew 26:42). • Jesus prayed to give thanks for food (Matthew 14:19). • Jesus prayed to bless the little children (Matthew 19:13-15). • Jesus prayed to His disciples and for all future believers—and this includes you (John 17:1-25, Romans 8:34). • Jesus prayed for His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit Who would be with them forever (John 14:16). • Jesus is praying for you right now even as we are gathered together (Hebrews 7:25). 1. The Posture of Prayer: Pray like you are talking to a loving Father (v. 1-4). Make prayer a priority in your life everyday, starting today! Challenge: Try to start and end each day with a time of passionate prayer for your Father in Heaven. 2. The Persistence of Prayer: Pray with some holy tenacity and Godly grit (v. 5-8). Prayer is not just about me getting my needs met, but prayer is also about me becoming more like my Father who is in Heaven. The more time that I spend connecting with Heaven, the more Heaven comes down to take residence in my soul. 3. The Picture of Prayer: Pray with eager anticipation (9-13). Find a good place to pray. Your prayer closet is anywhere will you will have minimal distractions. Also try to develop a habit of when you pray. Mornings are a great time to start your day before you begin your daily routines. Today’s Big Idea: A.S.K. Pray like all depends upon God and keep seeking and knocking like you believe God will answer! Action Steps: * Start and end each day with a time of meaningful prayer with your Heavenly Father. * Ask God to do His part, and you keep on taking the next right steps until the prayer is finally answered. (Keep in mind that you may get a different answer than you originally requested). * Make prayer a culture in your everyday life. Prayer should not just be an activity that you engage in, but prayer should be part of who you are!

Holy Habit #4: Community Are you fully connected to your church family? 3 Family Truths about Christianity Community 1. A thriving church family is engaging daily in the Holy Habits (v. 41-42, 46-47a). Community Principle: Great things happen when God’s people are praying, God’s Word is being proclaimed, and God’s Spirit falls upon the people! If we want to see God move in our midst, we need to be committed to praying with passion, preaching with purpose, and inviting the Holy Spirit to move mightily in our midst. Community Principle: True Christian community takes place not only on Sunday, but also throughout the week. Fellowship happens when believers meet together to pray for one another, share a meal together, prayer together and for one another, worship Jesus together, and remembering the Lord’s death in partaking communion. Fellowship is all about taking part in the “one another” principles found throughout the New Testament. As we grow closer to Jesus, we should also grow closer to one another as we follow Jesus together as a community of believers. 2. A thriving church family is connecting constantly in one another’s life (v. 44-47). Community thought: Worship is not just what you do on Sunday, but worship is an expression of your daily life. What would happen if you purposed in your heart not just to go to church on Sundays, but to be the living church in your everyday life? What would happen if you connected with other believers in your everyday life? What would happen if you started a habit of inviting other church members over to your house to share a meal during the week? 3. A thriving church family is impacting powerfully those in its community (v. 43, 47). “The Christians you meet in the Book of Acts were not content to meet once a week for “services as usual.” They met daily (Acts 2:46), cared daily (Acts 6:1), won souls daily (Acts 2:47), searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11), and increased in number daily (Acts 16:5). Their Christian faith was a day-to-day reality, not a once-a-week routine. Why? Because the risen Christ was a living reality to them, and His resurrection power was at work in their lives through the Spirit” -Warren Wiersbe Today’s Big Idea: You are called to be an active part of a thriving church community. Action Steps: * For the future member: Become part of this church family by joining our fellowship. How do I go about this? Sign up for the next Arden Culture Class by emailing the church office at office@ardenfbc.com. * Try an Arden Group this week. If you are not already active in a small group, try out at least 2 different small groups over the next 2 weeks and pick the one that would be the best fit for you. See small group handout for times and dates of each Arden Group. * Be the church member that you wished others were! Don’t just wish for the perfect church, become the person that you desire others to be! You are called here to make a positive impact, not to be a spiritual consumer who watches from the sidelines!

The Genius of Generosity: 4 Generous Principles about New Testament Giving How is generous giving genius? 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 1. A genius giver understands the law of the harvest (v. 6, 10). Genius Giver Thought: I will practice generous giving because I know that God is the one who provides both the seed and the harvest. My job is to trust God’s goodness and sow the seed generously and expectantly. 2. A genius giver plans their giving strategy (v. 7a). You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving! Genius Giver Thought: When you are living forgiven, set free, and are walking in the newness of the Spirit—you are living by a higher standard, not a lower standard than that which was prescribed by the law. The tithe is a good starting point of reference (not a law or a command)—but grace should motivate you not to put limits on what God can do THROUGH you and your giving! Tithing is like the training wheels of grace giving, but generosity should be our goal! Christians who give under grace don’t want to put a cap on what God can do in and through their generosity! “Give according to your income lest God make your income according to your giving.” –Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the US Senate Genius Giver Thought: You can set goals each year to become more generous in not just money, but also your time and in your service to the work of Christ in the world and in the local church. “He is the richest man in the esteem of the world who has gotten the most. He is the richest man in the esteem of Heaven who has given the most.”—F.B. Meyer 3. A genius giver displays a positive attitude about generosity (v. 7b). YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU! Genius Giver Thought: EROI. Eternal Return On Investment. What things can you give to that has an EROI? There are two things that live forever: The Word of God and the souls of people! Invest you money in Christ-centered, Gospel-oriented missions that will help get the Word of God out into the world in such a way that people have an opportunity to respond to the saving message of the Gospel. 4. A genius giver rejoices in the fruit of a generous life (v. 8-15). Today’s Big Idea: The genius of generosity is knowing that I am not an owner but a steward of all that God has entrusted to my care. Action Steps: 1) Give my complete self to God as a living worship service (Romans 12). 2) Develop a giving strategy for the time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to my care (2 Corinthians 8-9). 3) Start sowing seed into God’s harvest and wait with anticipation for the coming Harvest (Galatians 6:7-10).

Holy Habits Part 2 - Bible Study Jeremiah 23:29 Today’s Question: Are you ready to experience true life change on a daily basis? 1. God’s Word is purifying like a blazing fire: “Does not my word burn like fire?” says the LORD. 2. God’s Word is powerful like a mighty hammer: “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?” Call to action: Memorize one verse that is relevant to your present spiritual need. Tips for memorizing God’s Word from the Navigators: 4 Steps to Memorizing More Scripture Step 1: Pick an area of gospel truth you’re motivated to understand more deeply Step 2: Dig into the context Step 3: Memorize in bite-sized pieces Step 4: Review with friends 3. God’s Word is a lamp that illuminates your daily steps. The Sword Study Method: A popular method of reading the Bible in a way that helps you apply God’s Word in every area of your life. “The Sword Method helps believers learn how to read the Bible as well as understand and apply it to their lives. It starts with a simple picture of a sword, which has four sides that coincide with four questions. We encourage them to ask these same four questions every time they read a passage of Scripture. The four questions are: 1. What do I learn about God? 2. What do I learn about man? 3. Is there an example to follow? 4. Is there a command to obey? Using these four questions, believers of every walk and background can discover more about God, humanity, and how they can display their love for Him through obedience to His word.” Resources for Bible Study: * Youversion Bible App. Download and pick a daily Bible reading plan. Add Arden First Baptist as your church and you will find preselected plans for you and your family. * Rightnowmedia. We provide this for you for free! Simply sign up on our website under the media tab and register. * Biblegateway.com. This is a great resource for Bible study: Devotionals and commentaries. * Arden First Baptist Podcast. We have taught though several books of the Bible. Go back and pick a book and listen through the teachings. * Thomas Nelson NKJV Study Bible. This is one of the best study Bibles that I have found. * For a new believer: The NIV or NLT Life Application Study Bible is a good Bible to start with. * Listen to good Bible teachers on Youtube such as Pastor Skip Heitzig, David Geziuk, or Gary Hamrick. * Keeping a spiritual prayer journal can greatly help you in your daily Bible reading. * Want to go deeper? Try reading a commentary along with your Bible study. What do I recommend? The Bible Knowledge Commentary by Zuck is a great book to start. The Be Series by Warren Wiersbe is another great resource. Want a commentary with good stories? Try a commentary by Pastor Chuck Swindoll. Today’s Big Idea: God’s Word is purifying like a fire, powerful like a hammer, and illuminating like a light. Action Steps (Applications): * Commit to a daily study of the Scriptures. This will be one of the most important decisions that you can make in your life! * Treasure the Word in your heart. Get into the Word and allow the Word to get into you! * Practice the put on/put off method. For every sin and struggle—confess, repent, and replace the vice with a virtue. Memorizing key Scriptures pertaining to your struggle is a great way to overcome your sin or struggle. Preview for next week: Holy Habits, Part 3: Giving. Bring a friend!

Holy Habits Part 1-Worship Romans 12 Worship as a Lifestyle: Invading the 167 - How would your life change if your life became a living worship service to God? 1. Worship is a life that is fully surrendered to God and His purposes (v. 1). • Therefore. What is the “therefore” there for? • Complete surrender to Jesus is the only logical response to the mercies of God in your life. • Notice the type of sacrifice that God desires: A _____ sacrifice. Worship Principle: When I surrender my life to Jesus and His purposes, God sees this as a living worship to Him. 2. Worship is a mind that is transformed by God’s Word and surrendered to God’s will (v. 2-3). • So, if you are surrendered to God, the next step is to change the way you think. • How do you change the way that you think? By renewing your mind. Application: Ways to renew your mind: An introduction to the 7 Holy Habits: #1- Worship: How to express your thankfulness to God. #2- Bible Study: How to understand and apply the Scriptures to your daily life. #3- Giving: How to give back to God in a way that expresses your gratitude for God’s goodness. #4- Fellowship: How to experience true Christian community. #5- Prayer: How to connect with God in conversation. #6- Ministry: How to serve the needs of others in the church and community. #7- Fasting: How to deny yourself so that you can better focus on God. • There are some thought patterns that you need to get rid of: i. Worldly thinking: Thought patterns that are influenced by the worldly culture around me. Application: Some of you are more influenced by Fox News or CNN than by your Bible! This has got to change! ii. Negative Thinking: A critical spirit is not a spiritual gift…rather, it’s a rotten fruit of the flesh! iii. Prideful thinking: Whatever good you have…it’s been given to you from above…so you have no room to think it’s because of you…no, it’s all because of God’s grace and mercy that has been poured out in your life. You have been given a measure of faith—the gift that you have it’s been given to you as a steward to use for the glory of God and the good of others. 3. Worship is serving God with the gifts that He has entrusted to me (v. 4-8). • You have been given a gift to give to build up others in the Body of Christ. • What are some of the gifts that God gives to build up His church? I Peter 4:10; As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1) Prophecy-All types of speaking gifts; Speaking God’s Word. Revealing God’s will in a particular situation. Call to action: Speak as though God were speaking through you—in proportion to the true faith and sound doctrine found in the Scriptures. 2) Ministry-Service; serving others; the same Greek work as “deacon” and “deaconess”; every kind of practical help. Call to action: If you have the gift of service, put this gift into practical use! 3) Teaching-The ability to interpret, clarify, systematize, and explain God’s Word clearly. Call to action: Teach in such a way that people can apply the Word of God to their daily lives. (Preaching is telling people what to do from God’s Word and teaching is telling them how to do it-proclamation vs application). 4) Exhorting-Encouraging others to follow, obey, and serve God enthusiastically, rebuke when in sin. Call to action: If you have the gift of encouraging others and challenging them to reach their full redemptive potential—step up your game and start encouraging! 5) Giving-The ability to create resources which can be used generously to help others; sacrificially sharing. Call to action: Use your extra resources to fund the purposes of God in the world. What if God is blessing you not just to raise your standard of living, but also you standard of giving? 6) Leading-Leading people from where they are to where God wants them to be. Call to action: Use your God-given gift of leadership diligently. Grow in emotional intelligence. Learn how to best lead the people of God towards the call of God in their lives. 7) Showing Mercy; Being sensitive towards the needs and weaknesses of others. Call to action: Help others and don’t complain about it! Build others up who can’t repay you and trust God to repay you in His own timing and ways. 4. Worship is living like Jesus in my relationships with others (v. 9-16). • How many of you would like to have better relationships with others? The 12 Actions of Having Better Relationships with others: 1) Be kind: Truly love people in authentic ways. 2) Be holy: Despise what is evil. 3) Run towards that which is good. 4) Practice honoring others above yourself. 5) Be so on fire for Jesus that you don’t have time to idleness. 6) Have a positive attitude towards even the difficult things in your life. 7) Let prayer be your daily lifeline to God. 8) Get good at helping out other Christians and love helping strangers. 9) Be a blessing even with the difficult people in your life. 10) Celebrate what God is doing in the lives of others. 11) Enter into the sorrow of a fellow brother or sister. 12) Be humble and you will avoid the stumble! • How would your life change if you start living like Jesus were walking in your shoes? 5. Worship is invading the darkness in my world with the light of the Lord (v. 17-21). • How you respond to the evil around you reveals a lot about you! • How does God want me to respond to evil in the world? You have 3 main options: 1) Payback: Respond in like kind: Return evil with evil. You will not overcome evil by doing evil in return. Two wrongs never make a right! 2) Be overcome by evil: Let the enemy run you into the ground. Just be a pushover. God has called us to be a peacemaker not a peacekeeper! 3) Overcome evil by doing good: The only way to beat the bad guy is by doing good! Today’s Big Idea: Worship is offering your life like a blank check is your loving and logical response for all that Jesus has done for you! Action Steps (Applications): • Offer your life to Jesus as a blank check: Surrendering to Jesus as Lord. • Change the way you think: Stop thinking like the world by transforming your thinking with the Word of God. • Sign up for a Serve Team. A surrendered life is a life that is devoted to serving Jesus and His Work in the world. Preview for next week: Holy Habits, Part 2: Bible Study.

Vision Sunday 2022 Stones of Significance: Joshua 4 Stones of Significance: What stone will you lay for future generations? 1. God did miracles for the children of Israel, and He wanted them to remember it (v. 1-3). Faith comes before sight. Don’t wait for everything to fall into place before you take your first step of faith. Take your first step of faith after God calls your name and tells you to move! 2. God called the leaders to lay stones of significance that would impact future generations (v. 3-7, 21-24). When God wants to do something mighty in the earth, He always raises up a leader who is willing to lead the people of God’s forward in the mission of God. 3. The children of Israel moved forward with the mission of God in their lives (v. 8-9). In the Great Co-Mission, Jesus tells us what to do—make disciples. He tells us where to go—everywhere. He tells us who to reach—everyone from every nation. He tells us what we need to be about—going (being on mission); baptizing (reaching people with the Gospel); and teaching (the fundamentals of the Christian faith). The Gospel never changes, but the methods must change so that others may understand the Good News in their own culture. Our Mission: To lead ORDINARY people into EXTRAORDINARY life in Christ. B3-Belong. Believe. Become. (the 3 verbs of our mission) Our Vision: We are one family in many locations. Our vision is being a missional community of Radical, Relational, and Relevant Christ-followers. R3-Radical. Relational. Relevant. (The 3 adjectives of our vision). 5 Year Vision Goal: To reach and disciple 1% of our community (60,000) people. ⎫ Active in worship (100%) ⎫ Connected to community (80%) ⎫ Embracing my place through serving and giving (50%) ⎫ Multiplying myself (25%) 5-year outcome: 800 active worshippers by the end of 2026. *Active=attends at least once a month (12 services minimum per year). *Includes those who are engaging in worship in our online ministries. The Adjectives of our vision: R3: Radical, Relational, and Relevant. So what does this look like? What’s our goal? The following is a breakdown of our goals for moving people into greater levels of discipleship and engagement with our mission: > Active in worship (100%)-400+ people. o How are we doing? We now have over 350 people active in worship! > Connected to community (80%). 20+ Arden Groups. o How are we doing? We now have 15 groups this year. > Embracing my place through serving and giving (50%). 200+ people actively serving. o How are we doing? We have around 125 people actively serving. > Multiplying myself (25%) 1000+ Gospel Conversations. o How are we doing? We have had ___ Gospel Conversations. 5-year outcome: 800 active worshippers by the end of 2026. *Active=attends at least once a month (12 minimum per year. This includes in person and online engagement). Our Big 5 Objectives to reach our 5-year vision: 1. Proclaim the Gospel in our community, city, and world (Acts 1:8 strategy). 2. Produce and equip multiplying disciples (Matthew 28:18-20). 3. Invade the 167—Strategically connect with people outside of Sunday services (Acts 2:40-47). 4. Raise up and empower dynamic leaders who have great character, competency, and chemistry (I Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 2:1-10). 5. Launch at least one new church location. We will be one family in at least two locations (Isaiah 61, Psalm 78:4-7). Today’s Big Idea: God has given you a stone of significance that has the potential to impact generations to come. Action Steps: 1) Engage with the Great Commission. Dedicate your life to impacting the lives of others for eternity. 2) Commit to use your stone of significance to impact generations to come. Share the history of God in your life with the next generation. Make sure that your faith rubs off on them in impactful ways! 3) Join our church family and become part of something that is bigger than yourself: A family of God that right in the middle of a move of God in our midst! Preview for next Sunday: New Series: Holy Habits! An exciting 7-week series to help you start off the Fall season with renewed holy habits that have the power to change your daily life!

Reaching for the Finish Line Acts 28:11-31 Today’s Question: What does it look like just before you cross the finish line of God’s calling in your life? There will be many twists and turns all the way to the finish line (v. 11-14). What happens when the ship that you counted on got sunk? In God’s time, He provides a new ship for you to sail on! God will send encouragement to you along the way (v. 15-16). So what about those times, when you seem to have very few people or no one to encourage you? You practice the spiritual discipline of self-encouragement: When no one is around to encourage you, what do you do? You encourage yourself in the Lord! Since God is the God of all hope, He sends encouragement along the way—especially when you need it the most! 5 practical ways to encourage yourself in the Lord: 1) Talk to God often. 2) Treasure scripture verses that are a source of encouragement to your soul. 3) Surround yourself with other godly, positive people! 4) Practice the presence of the Holy Spirit. 5) Shake it off! Learn to let stuff go by leaving it at the foot of the Cross. As you reach the finish line, your sense of Gospel urgency grows even stronger (v. 17-29). We are living in a day where several Christian denominations are trying to change the essence of the Christian message so that more people will accept the message. This is wrong! This is a different Gospel! We must stick by the message. As you see the finish line, God will often bring unexpected surprises to your door (v. 30-31). What would happen if you asked God to make your home your base of operation—reaching people with the Gospel? Let’s be the next chapter in God’s salvation story! Today’s Big Idea: Keep running onwards as Jesus calls you name on the other side of the finish line! Action Steps (Applications): * Stay focused on Jesus and the call on your life as you head towards the finish line. * Live like Jesus while you in this race. Don’t compromise the Word or your testimony. * Let’s be the next living chapter in God’s salvation history.

Shipwrecked, snake bitten, but not forgotten! Acts 27:39-28:10 Today’s Question: How should you respond AFTER you’ve experienced a great tragedy in your life? 1. You ship may sink, but you are not sunk (27:39-44). Eventually you will get to the end of the storm that you’re in. 2. God’s goodness often shows up in the most unlikely places (28:1-2). After a great storm, look for a rainbow of God’s goodness and love in your life. 3. Satan often likes to strike after a great breakthrough (28:3). How to avoid the snake bites of life: Put on the full armor of God because the ancient serpent is looking to land a bite on you to slow down or even stop your progress in your calling and your character. 4. People often assume the worst about you when something bad happens to you (28:4). It is so easy to get caught up in social media likes, the size of your following, and how many friends you have. It’s easy to find your identity by the amount of money you possess, the size of your house, and by the name of the college that you graduated from. But guess what? While all these things can be a blessing—none of these things really matter against the light of eternity. What really matters is that you know that you belong to Jesus. I am my Beloved’s, and He is mine! 5. Let God be your defender when the deck is stacked against you (v. 28:5-6). What Paul did physically…you can learn to do spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. àWhen the enemy attacks, you learn to shake it off! How to “shake off” when the enemy latches on: Prayer. Pray it off. Community. Together, we pull it off. Fasting. Breaking it off. Worship. Praise it off. 6. Keep doing the most eternal good you can even when times are not favorable (28:7-10). Avoid mission drift and stay determined to stick with what God’s call you to do—no matter what happens to you! Review: The Gospel: For the Believer-Shake off the bites from the enemy. Look to Jesus for healing. Ask for forgiveness where you have let bitterness grow in your heart. And forgive all those who have hurt you in the past. For the Seeker-You have been bit by sin. The only way to shake off the stain of sin is by asking Jesus to save you, forgive you, and set you free! Today’s Big Idea: When you get bit by a snake, shake it off and keep moving forward with the mission of God in your life! Action Steps (Applications): Learn to turn sunk ships into unearthed treasures: There’s a purpose behind every storm. Shake it off and turn to Jesus. Lean in Jesus when you feel hurt, afraid, or tempted to give up. Put on the full armor of God to prevent future snake bites! Stick to the mission. Don’t let the “sinking ships” or the “snake-bits” of life cause you to get off mission. Preview for next week Read Acts 28:11-31.

Secure in the Storm Acts 27 4 Anchors of HOPE that you give you security in the storm: Anchor #1: PREPARATION. God prepares you BEFORE the storm (v. 1-3). God never sends his child into a storm without first preparing his child for the storm. Before the storm comes the preparation. The God who controls the storm is also the God who prepares you before you get into the storm. There is nothing that you are presently facing that God hasn’t already been working in you to prepare you for what’s coming. And when you’re in the storm—you will find that God is giving you FRESH grace to get your through the storm. Anchor #2: PRESENCE. God is with you IN the storm (v. 4-26). Anchor #3: COURAGE. God gives you supernatural courage in the storm (v. 10-11, 21-26, 30-38). Paul was supposed to be the prisoner. Instead the prisoner was transformed into the preacher. The boat was supposed to be a vehicle of transportation. Instead the boat became a floating church service. Never underestimate what God can do. He can turn your nightmare into a dream. He can turn your heartbreak into a heart song! Ask God to turn the bad that’s happening TO you to the good that He wants to do THROUGH you! Anchor #4: HOPE. God can turn your worst storm into your most significant story (v. 10, 21-44). Today’s Big Idea: God is FOR you and WITH you even in the most difficult storms of your life. Action Steps (Applications): Prepare: Learn the lessons that God is teaching you know so that you’ll be fully prepared BEFORE the next storm comes. Presence: Live each day in the presence of God. Learn to walk with the Holy Spirit’s daily guidance and instruction. Courage: Replace unhealthy fears with the healthy fear of God. Live a life of courage even when the storms of life hit you hard! Hope: Learn to see the significance in the storm you’re in right now. Storms add significance to your story. Preview for next week: Read Acts 28

The Opportunity of a Lifetime Acts 25:23-26:32 The Opportunity of a Lifetime - 3 Mind-bending Realities about Difficult Trials: God can turn your worst setback into your greatest set-up (Acts 25:23-27). What if the worst thing that ever happened TO you becomes the best thing that ever happened FOR you from eternity’s perspective? The opportunity of a lifetime is every time you get to share Jesus with someone who is lost (Acts 26:1-23). Challenge: Share your testimony with someone this week or share your testimony on social media! Do your best for God and leave the results to God (Acts 26:24-32). Dear Dad…Dear mom…. Raising your kids in the Lord just may be your most important contribution in your entire life. So raise them up in the Lord…and when they are grown up…leave the results to God! Today’s Big Idea: Sharing Jesus with the lost is truly the opportunity of a lifetime. Action Steps (Applications): Ask God to turn your worst setback into your greatest setup for the Kingdom of God! Share your testimony with someone who doesn’t know Jesus this week. Seek to do your best in every situation this week…and leave the results to God! Preview for next week: Read Acts 27

Let’s Change the World Faith Under Fire Acts 25:1-22 4 Inspiring Truths about Faith under fire: Authentic faith stays alive even under the threat of death (v. 1-3). Authentic faith stands strong even under vicious vilification (v. 4-8). Authentic faith seeks truth in a world full of lies (v. 9-12). Authentic faith soars bravely in the face of fear (v. 13-22). What is a soundtrack? A soundtrack is a repetitive thought. You have a sound track for every part of your life. Culture is a collection of soundtracks playing consistently at a company. Great thoughts lead to great actions. Great actions lead to great results. 3 ways to replace ungodly sound tracks with biblical ones. 1. Retire broken sounds tracks— 2. Replace them with new soundtracks— 3. Repeat until automatic— Today’s Big Idea: Faith under fire glows brighter as you focus on Jesus. Action Steps (Applications): Pre-decide to be a person of authentic truth: To tell the truth, to live the truth, and to avoid spread half-truths (gossip, rumors). Replace the old, negative soundtracks in your life with the new, life giving sound tracks found in God’s Word. Take off those dirty cloths and start wearing your new clothes in Christ! Preview for next week: Read Acts 26.

The Waiting Room: How to make the most out of the wait! Psalm 40:1-5, 16-17 Today’s Question: How do you make the most out of the waiting room? The waiting room: The distance between the promise and the fulfillment is the waiting room! 1. In the waiting room, remember WHO you’re waiting on (v. 1a). Who are you waiting on? The LORD! David wasn’t waiting in vain, because he knew Who he was waiting upon—David was waiting upon the Lord! If you are waiting on the LORD, every waiting room is actually God’s waiting room where He is preparing you for what He has in store for you! Waited-Hebrew: waiting, I waited. Joyful Waiting Room Formula: The Wait+ Anticipation + Perseverance= The waiting room becomes a delivery room! 2. In the waiting room, keep on praying, even through your doubts (v. 1b). Though the wait seems long and hard—keep on pressing into prayer because God is present even though you can’t feel His presence right now! God is watching over you…notice God’s watchful and loving actions in this verse: i. He inclined to me-This is the picture of the loving Creator of the universe stooping down to lean into and listen to His prized child who is pleading for His help! ii. He heard my cry-I was crying loudly hoping that He would hear me…but I didn’t have to yell, because He was already aware of my pain and my plight. Benefits of waiting: Renewal (Isaiah 40:31). But those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Restoration (Psalm 23:3). He restores my soul. Retooling-2 Timothy 1:6-7; 6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 3. In the waiting room, look forward to the adventure on the other side (v. 2). How many of you are in the waiting room right now? Can I give you this truth: If you are truly waiting on the Lord, I want to give you a glimpse of what lies on the other side: Deliverance is waiting on the other side! “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay.” Stability is waiting on the other side! “And set my feet upon a rock.” Direction and destiny are waiting on the other side! “And established my steps.” 4. In the waiting room, ask God to turn your old sadness into a new song (v. 3). Every new deliverance gives birth to a new song. i. Old songs are great because they remind us of what God did in the past. ii. New songs are amazing because they declare that God not only did something in the past, but He is doing something amazing in the present. Are you living in past deliverances or are experiencing what God is doing in the present? God is the God who enjoys doing new things in our lives. 5. In the waiting room, stay focused on the goodness of God (v. 4-5, 16-17). Keep on trusting in the goodness of God, and don’t get sucked into the sideshows around you who are competing for your attention and your affection. Think about the many wonderful works which God has done for you in the past. A beautiful past is the canvas for God painting a picture of what God can do in the present and future. Notice the phrase-your thoughts towards us are more than be spoken about or numbered! God thinks about His people in a way that is favorable and brings a smile to his face. Waiting room tips (v. 16-17): o Keep on seeking God while you are waiting. o Focusing on your relationship with Jesus will bring about joy even in the most difficult circumstances. o Recognize your need for God’s help. o Keep on pressing into God until your waiting room turns into your celebration room! o When you find yourself out of one waiting room and into the next, remember to start over in a fresh trust in the Lord. Today’s Big Idea: The waiting room turns into a delivery room as you wait on the Lord with both anticipation and perseverance. Action Steps (Applications): 1) Remember WHO you are waiting on—The Lord! If you are waiting on the Lord, this changed everything: Your waiting room becomes a delivery room. 2) Stay focused on Jesus while you’re waiting on God to move on your behalf. 3) Look up and remind yourself of God’s goodness even when you don’t feel like it. Preview for next week: We will resume our study in the book of Acts. Read Acts 25 to prepare for next Sunday.

Food For Thought: Daniel 1 Pastor Mike Rowe, guest speaker He (God) gives us the opportunity to take a stand. He gives us the opportunity to see Him work. He gives us the opportunity to serve.

The Adventures of a Wet Water Walker Matthew 14:22-33 5 Confessions of a wet water walker: The adventure is fueled by private prayer (v. 22-23). The adventure is launched by the storms of life (v. 24). The adventure is tested in the dark of night (v. 25-26). The adventure is experienced by those who take a step of crazy faith (v. 27-29). The adventure is kept alive by keeping our eyes on Jesus in the midst of the storm (v. 30-33). Today’s Big Idea: You become a wet water walker when you take a step of crazy faith when Jesus calls your name. Action Steps (Applications): Develop a daily private prayer life. See storms as an opportunity in disguise. When Jesus is calling you to do something extraordinary, take a crazy step of faith. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, even when life hits you hard! Let worship be your response every time God rescues you!

Why You Need a Church Family Romans 12:3-13 What is it like to be part of a church family? A church family stays united as we walk in humility (v. 3). A church family grows stronger as we use our spiritual gifts (v. 4-8). A church family shines brighter as we walk in authentic love (v. 9-13). Practice the Golden Rule: Treat others how you would like to be treated. Seek to serve others before you seek to be served. Discover your spiritual gift(s) and get to work in the Lord’s Work in the world, starting in the local church. Today’s Big Idea: Embrace your place in your forever family where you are loved, you are needed, and you are making an eternal difference in the lives of others!

You Shall Do Greater Things Philippians 4:13 & John 14:12-21 Today’s Question: Is it possible to do greater things than Jesus did? How can you do greater things than Jesus? You can do greater things because believing in Jesus opens the door for doing greater things for Jesus (v. 12). You can do greater things through believing prayer (v. 13-14). You can do greater things by living for Jesus out of love (v. 15, 20-21). You can do greater things through the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of you (v. 16-18). You can do greater things when you allow Jesus to live His life through you (v. 19). Action Steps (Applications): Expect Jesus to do greater things through your life. Pray for greater things; live for greater things; abide in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Love Jesus by living for Jesus: Show your love for Jesus by obeying His commandments. One of the greatest miracles you can experience: Leading someone to Christ. Each 1 Reach 1 in 2022. Let us know about your Gospel Conversations and email the church office as you share Jesus with others. office@ardenfbc.com.

Let’s Change the World, Part 6 What are you waiting for? Acts 24:22-27 “What are you waiting for?” The story of the Procrastinating Prosecutor: Felix knew what to do but delayed making a decision about Paul’s case (v. 22-23). Felix knew the truth but didn’t want to give up his pet sins (v. 24-26). Felix waited until it was too late (v. 27). Today’s Take-Away (The Big Idea): Don’t put off tomorrow what God is telling you to do today! Action Steps (Applications): Get right with God today…don’t wait until tomorrow. Don’t sacrifice the eternal for the sake of a temporary pleasure. Live with a tension of responsibility and expectancy—knowing that you will have to stand before God to give an account of your life and you will be rewarded for your works. Preview for next week: A surprise…you don’t want to miss next Sunday!

Let’s Change the World, Part 5: What to do when everything’s going wrong! Acts 23:23-24:21 What happened to Paul? Paul was taken under the cover of night to Caesarea to stand trial before Governor Felix (23:23-24). Paul was innocent and had done nothing deserving of criminal punishment (v. 25-30). Paul was protected by God for his mission of testifying about Jesus: All the way from Jerusalem to Rome (v. 31-35). The Jewish religious leaders continued their disinformation campaign against Paul as they sought to silence the Christian movement (24:1-9). How did Paul respond? Paul was respectful even when he was being disrespected (v. 10). Power Principle: Respect the position even if you don’t respect the person in the position. Paul was truthful even when others were lying about him (v. 11-13, 17-20). Paul stayed true to his faith even when it seemed like everything, and everyone was against him (v. 14-16, 21). How should I respond when everything’s going wrong? Speak the truth in love no matter what anyone else does. Ask what part you played in any conflict. Never waste any trial. The Big Idea: When you live for an audience of One, you don’t have to fear anyone!

Let’s Change the World, Part 5: What to do when everything’s going wrong! Acts 23:23-24:21 What happened to Paul? Paul was taken under the cover of night to Caesarea to stand trial before Governor Felix (23:23-24). Paul was innocent and had done nothing deserving of criminal punishment (v. 25-30). Paul was protected by God for his mission of testifying about Jesus: All the way from Jerusalem to Rome (v. 31-35). The Jewish religious leaders continued their disinformation campaign against Paul as they sought to silence the Christian movement (24:1-9). How did Paul respond? Paul was respectful even when he was being disrespected (v. 10). Power Principle: Respect the position even if you don’t respect the person in the position. Paul was truthful even when others were lying about him (v. 11-13, 17-20). Paul stayed true to his faith even when it seemed like everything, and everyone was against him (v. 14-16, 21). How should I respond when everything’s going wrong? Speak the truth in love no matter what anyone else does. Ask what part you played in any conflict. Never waste any trial. The Big Idea: When you live for an audience of One, you don’t have to fear anyone!

Let’s Change the World, Part 4 A Full Tank of Cheer! Acts 23:11-22 How to stay positive in a negative world: You can be of good cheer knowing that God is for you when others are against you (v. 11). You can be of good cheer knowing that nobody can take you out of this world before God’s timing (v. 12-15). You can be of good cheer knowing that God is presently working behind the scenes even when you can’t see it (v. 16-22). Be of good cheer because Jesus is near! Don’t quit until God tells you otherwise! Live your life with purpose and for a greater purpose. Get more Gospel Gritty.

Let’s Change the World, Part 4 A Full Tank of Cheer! Acts 23:11-22 How to stay positive in a negative world: You can be of good cheer knowing that God is for you when others are against you (v. 11). You can be of good cheer knowing that nobody can take you out of this world before God’s timing (v. 12-15). You can be of good cheer knowing that God is presently working behind the scenes even when you can’t see it (v. 16-22). Be of good cheer because Jesus is near! Don’t quit until God tells you otherwise! Live your life with purpose and for a greater purpose. Get more Gospel Gritty.

Acts 22:30-23:10 Paul was on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ. Paul did his best to walk the talk with a clear conscience before God. Paul was mistreated by a top spiritual leader. Paul didn’t respond well in this weak moment in his life. Paul used his intellectually savvy to turn the table on his enemies. ⎫ Know thy audience: Before you communicate, understand who your audience is. “Men and brethren” (v. 1); “When Paul perceived that part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees” (v. 6). ⎫ Connect with thy audience: Capture their hearts before you try to change their minds. I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged” (v. 6). Reframe thy situation so that it’s seen from a different perspective. “And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God” (v. 9). Let there be no doubt-in your talk, in your walk and, and in your attitude-that you are indeed a follower of Jesus Christ! ⎫ Walk the talk. Live your life for Jesus where there will be no doubt about you being a Christian! ⎫ Practice forgiveness. Don’t allow the hurts of your past keep you from the promises of your future. Remember that the forgiven forgive. If you keep your eyes on Jesus, you won’t stay stuck in a hurt from the past. Learn how to navigate conflict in a healthy manner.

Acts 22:30-23:10 Paul was on trial for his faith in Jesus Christ. Paul did his best to walk the talk with a clear conscience before God. Paul was mistreated by a top spiritual leader. Paul didn’t respond well in this weak moment in his life. Paul used his intellectually savvy to turn the table on his enemies. ⎫ Know thy audience: Before you communicate, understand who your audience is. “Men and brethren” (v. 1); “When Paul perceived that part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees” (v. 6). ⎫ Connect with thy audience: Capture their hearts before you try to change their minds. I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged” (v. 6). Reframe thy situation so that it’s seen from a different perspective. “And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God” (v. 9). Let there be no doubt-in your talk, in your walk and, and in your attitude-that you are indeed a follower of Jesus Christ! ⎫ Walk the talk. Live your life for Jesus where there will be no doubt about you being a Christian! ⎫ Practice forgiveness. Don’t allow the hurts of your past keep you from the promises of your future. Remember that the forgiven forgive. If you keep your eyes on Jesus, you won’t stay stuck in a hurt from the past. Learn how to navigate conflict in a healthy manner.

Born Free! 4 Truths that we can learn from Paul’s life: Paul had to learn to how follow God’s call even when it didn’t always make sense. God’s call on Paul’s life often got him into trouble with those who didn’t like changes to their fixed way of thinking. Following God often got Paul into troubling situations. Paul used his natural assets to advance the Gospel. Realize that God’s plan for your life is bigger than your present reality. Don’t drift from your calling when others come against you—because the enemy will send others to distract, discourage, and derail you from your destiny. Don’t be surprised when you suffer as a Christian for doing good. Live like you’re born free—because you are free in Christ. Use your God-given gifts, talents, and abilities to advance the Gospel in the world. Don’t allow the crowd to confuse you in your calling. Your calling comes from God, not from the critics in the crowd. Get your calling from Christ, not from your critics! Live out your Christian freedom as way to serve others, not as a way to serve yourself! Stay true to your calling when others around you are falling!