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Text: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31On September 11, 2001, America was attacked by terrorists who sought to destroy as many lives as possible. In the days that followed, our nation was challenged to “Never Forget” what had occurred. It was a call to never forget the lives that were lost, the reality of evil, the power of courage, and the gift of sacrifice. At the time, it seemed impossible that we would ever forget such a moment, but through the years with other distractions, divisions, and discouragements, we have in many ways forgotten the significance of that moment. As Christians, our calling is not to remember 9/11, but we are called to always remember the cross. We are called to embrace it, remember it, proclaim it, and model its power through our transformed lives. This message is a clear call to never forget the cross and its power to transform lives today. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Luke 15:8-10Have you ever lost something of great value? How did you respond? Chances are you dropped everything to find the missing treasure. Once found, you likely rejoiced greatly because you were no longer separated from the item of great value. In a similar way, God values people, and His heart is to find those who are lost and bring them to a right relationship with Him. The question we must then answer is, “How does God's heart for people impact my heart for people?” In this message we discover how God's heart for the lost can be our heart as well, and it equips us to make His heart the heart of all that we do in the church today. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Haggai 1:1-15It seems in our culture that nearly everyone is living a busy, stressful life. Many lament that it often feels there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all that needs to be done. This reality can cause many to determine that we simply don't have time to do the things of the Lord. As a result, we dismiss it, put it off, or reason that now is simply not the time to do whatever it is God is leading us to do. In this message, however, God shows us clearly that the time is now to get serious about our relationship with Him and the work that He has called us to do. If you are overwhelmed with the weight of life, we highly encourage you to make the time to listen to this message and consider how God might work in your life as you realign your life to His. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Nehemiah 6:15-16Have you ever been a part of accomplishing a great project or task? Each of us, called by God are part of a greater work that God has for us. In the message this week, we examine the example of Nehemiah, and the vision and work God called him to accomplish. God has a plan and purpose for each of us, we need to step out of our comfort zone, embrace the challenge and Make It So for God's glory. There may be change and challenge in what God has called us to, but we can trust Him through each circumstance, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill what He has called us to. As a church, God has greater things ahead, let's get ready and be ready, just as Nehemiah was, to apply ourselves to the work until it is finished! Sermon Notes

Text: Psalm 23:6Have you ever taken a long trip away from home? We all enjoy experiencing such things, but there is also a sense of joy when we set our hearts towards home. It is this same reality that is depicted in Psalm 23:6 as David describes the sheep who have feasted on the summer tablelands and are now headed back home. They do so with joy and contentment because they have been under the care and management of a good shepherd, and they are confident in His continued care. There is much that we can learn today from this illustration and its application to our own lives. We invite you to listen today so that you, too, can know the goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord. Sermon Notes

Text: Psalm 23:3Everyone on a journey understands the importance of knowing the right paths to choose. Knowing the right path is entirely dependent upon knowing the right source. Without the right source, we can easily get lost and cause significant danger to us and others. The same is true in life. There are many paths in life that we might take. It is easy to base these decisions on our feelings, on the appeal of the culture, on the pressures of others around us, and even on our human logic. However, God's Word shows us that there is a better way, a better path, that He would have us take. If you would like to discover the Good Shepherd's path for your life, we encourage you to listen today. Sermon Notes

Text: Psalm 23:2Last week we discovered the confidence that we should have when we know that we belong to the Good Shepherd – Jesus. In this imagery we begin to grasp the depths of His concern, compassion, and care for us as His sheep. But how does this impact our lives? What is the result? What does this look like in our everyday living? In this message we discover two powerful results of the Good Shepherd's care that nothing in this world can offer. We encourage you to listen today to personally discover these truths in your own life. Sermon Notes

Text: Psalm 23:1There are many images that God uses to describe His relationship with those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. One such depiction that is often misunderstood in our culture is that of the relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep. There are many wonderful realities to discover about the Good Shepherd and His care for us, but there are also many ways that we need to consider our response to Him. We invite you to listen today to consider: Is the Lord truly your Shepherd and how does this reality impact the way you live your life today? Sermon Notes

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21Most of us find enjoyment and excitement over things that are new – a new item, a new friendship, a new adventure, or a new experience. There are many things to enjoy about something that is new, but there is no greater new thing than the new things that we discover in Christ. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, if you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior then there are several new realities in Him. If you have not believed in Jesus as Lord and Savior then these things are not yours yet, but they can be by trusting in Him today. We invite you to listen to this message to discover how you can have these new things in Christ. Sermon Notes

Text: Matthew 21:1-16As followers of Jesus, we should have genuine care and concern for all children. To those who are a part of the Church we have a calling to pray for them, minister to them, and model Jesus to them. To those children who are not in the Church we ought to look out for their wellbeing and find ways to point them to Jesus. Throughout this series we've seen several specific instructions that are active steps we should take regarding children: We should dedicate them to the Lord, bring them to the Lord, and build them up in the Lord. This fourth instruction may come as a surprise and seem contradictory to our logic. However, God shows us that there is much we must learn from children, and this message is a good way to begin. Sermon Notes

Text: Matthew 18:1-10Many in our culture are focused on living their lives for themselves, according to their wants, desires, and pleasures. Sadly, even in the Church many live focused on their own personal “liberties” in Christ. However, God shows us in His Word that the purpose of this liberty in Christ is to free us so that we might live for the glory of God and the good of others. In this message, we learn the importance of living our life in such a way that it brings glory to God and good to others, especially those younger believers and even children in our lives who are following our footsteps. Our lives can provide stepping stones for their growth or stumbling blocks that hinder them. The choice is up to us. We pray that you will listen to this message and choose carefully the type of stone your life is becoming for others. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Mark 10:13-16Children are a great gift from God, but with these gifts come great responsibility. While we are all called to care for them and lead them, we often struggle with leading them in the things that matter most. We might focus on their physical growth and development, their academic success and growth in knowledge, their increased athletic ability, their vast creativity, and a host of other wonderful things. However, who is focused on their soul? Who is concerned about their relationship with Jesus? This message shows us a great failure of the disciples and the clear resolution of Christ. We invite you to listen today so that you can avoid this failure and can faithfully lead others, including children, to Jesus. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:2In many cultures children may be looked down upon because of their lack of education or expertise. Some view them as a liability, a burden, and a nuisance. Sadly, because we live in a fallen world and evil is real, there are also some who exploit children and use them for their own purposes. However, it is amazing to discover how God views children. Throughout His Word He shows many truths about His perspective of children and gives clear instructions and examples of how we should care for them today. We invite you to listen today to discover God's role in providing us with children, and our role in caring for them well. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Exodus 14:1-13 (KJV)Have you ever come to a dead-end road in life where you didn't know where to turn? Have you ever wondered where God was and what He was doing while you seemed stuck? There are often times in life where we don't know where to go, where to turn, or what to do, but this message reminds us that the Lord is always with us and He always has a plan. We simply need to look to Him, wait on Him, and trust in Him. If you find yourself in a difficult place today, we pray that you will listen to this message so that the Lord might lead you forward in faith. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-34One of the most common practices in the Church, throughout every denomination, is the practice of the Lord's Supper. Though most understand its depiction of the death of Christ, there are still many uncertainties and misunderstandings as to what it all means and how it should be practiced. This message takes us to Scripture to answer the five most commonly asked questions about this wonderful ordinance for the Church. We invite you to listen today, so that you might be encouraged and prepared to rightly partake of the Lord's Supper. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Acts 13:1-5There is much confusion about the meaning and the importance of the church in our world today. Even many Christians see the church through clouds of hurt, division, and skepticism. However, when we look to God's Word, we get a clear picture of what the church should be focused on and how we should function today. When we get back to the basics of seeking and surrendering to His will, there is no telling what He will do. We invite you to listen today so that you might discern your next steps in what God is saying to the church today. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: John 2:1-12Most of us have learned a great deal about life from watching and listening to our mothers, but nowhere in history are a mother's words more important than the words that we read from the mother of Jesus in John 2. The words are not important because of who spoke them or because of the scene that surrounded her. The words were important because of Who they referenced and how they called the people to respond. Today we would all be wise to listen to the message, receive it, and respond in the same way as we see modeled in the text. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: John 13:1-17Have you ever wanted to be like someone else? Perhaps you remember as a child daydreaming of being like a certain athlete, actor, or other famous person. Fortunately, as we age and mature we usually grow out of that stage. However, for the Christian we never outgrow this stage. In fact, it is a sign of growth and maturity that we continually pursue being more like one person – Jesus Christ. God calls us out of sin and darkness into salvation, but that doesn't mean that we sit around and do nothing once we've been rescued. Our life-long mission is now to know Him, obey Him, and be more like Jesus. This message today points us to a practical but powerful way that we can be more like Him. We hope you will listen to be encouraged and challenged to follow His example. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Matthew 3:1-17One of the most common practices associated with Christianity is baptism. This centuries old practice seems bizarre to many, but it is also confusing to many because of the various ways it is practiced across the scope of evangelical churches. However, it is man who has distorted its meaning and compromised its application. God's definition, description, depiction, and demonstration are all laid out clearly in His Word. We invite you to listen today to discover what biblical baptism is all about and to consider if this is the next step for you in your relationship with Christ. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Revelation 4-5What do you think of when you think of heaven? Many often think of loved ones who have passed away, streets of gold, gates of pearl, angels, personal mansions, and perhaps the biblical characters that they hope to meet. Unfortunately, however, our interests in such things often reveal that we have missed what heaven is all about. It's all about the Lord. God will not settle for a man-centered view of heaven, and neither should we. In this message, God pulls back the curtain of heaven for just a moment to give us a glimpse of what heaven looks like. We pray that you will listen today and be moved by a refreshed vision of the Lord. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Revelation 3:14-22In life, we all value our comforts and conveniences. While there is nothing wrong with this, we must always be careful that this does not lead us into areas of complacency. This is especially true in the Church. It is very easy to become complacent and lose our zeal for the Lord and for the things that matter to Him. This message paints a powerful picture of the negative results of spiritual complacency and shows us personally what the Lord is calling us to do. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Revelation 3:7-13Many of us today struggle greatly with commitment. We struggle to make a commitment, and then we struggle even more to fulfill our commitments. This is true in relationships, jobs, friendships, community needs, and sadly even within the church. However, this should not be true for followers of Christ. Jesus fully committed Himself to the will of the Father and to us as His people, and He calls us to commit our lives to Him. This message gives a practical example of a church who answered this call. Their example and the promises that they received from Jesus stand as a great encouragement to us today. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Revelation 3:1-6In our human nature, we all like to be comfortable. We prefer comfort in our wardrobe, social situations, relationships, and commitments, just to name a few. While there is nothing wrong with valuing comfort, there are major problems that come when this mindset impacts our perspective of spiritual things. We can make comfort such an idol in our life that it hinders us in our relationship with Christ and causes us to become stagnant and stale. Like the believers in this message today, it can be easy for us to keep an outward appearance of Christianity, but inside be rotting away because of the subtlety of comfort. We invite you to listen today to be encouraged and challenged. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Revelation 2:18-29There are many things in life that we might describe as corrupt – a crooked business, an unruly government, or a manipulative person. From God's perspective, however, we find in this message today that even a church can be described as “corrupt.” While having a beautiful outward appearance and even lively atmosphere can be quite appealing, God shows us that He is looking “behind-the-scenes” to the heart of the church and the heart of each person. We invite you to listen today so that the Lord may show you what He sees “behind-the-scenes” in your life so that you can be sure that you are in right relationship with Him. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Revelation 2:12-17There are times in life when compromise may be a good thing. For example, when trying to barter with someone over a trade or resource, compromise can be good, or when working together with others over secondary matters, it can be a very effective way to reach agreement. However, when it comes to our convictions and our character, compromise is not something that should characterize the life of a Christian. In fact, Satan uses the temptations of compromise to deter us from our devotion to Jesus. We invite you to listen today so that you are aware of his tactics and alert to his aim to cause us to fall away. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Revelation 2:8-11In our human nature, we want to win, be the victor, the boss, the conqueror. This causes us to watch in suspense to see who is going to get the final rose, the golden buzzer, the million-dollar check, the championship trophy, or even win the election. We want to know who gets the prize. Jesus offers an eternal reward called the “crown of life.” The prize is available to all, but few will receive it. We invite you to listen today, to consider how this “crown” has been offered to you and what you must do to receive it. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Revelation 2:1-7As cell phone owners, we can all relate to a dropped call, a lost signal, a misunderstood word, or even an unclear message. The situation is frustrating, confusing, and potentially very costly. The truth, though, is that in a similar way we regularly miss what God is saying to us. With all that is going on in the world and in our own lives, it is easy to miss the voice of God amidst all the other noise. This series takes us back to the first century Church, where we discover what God is looking for and what He is still saying to us as a Church and to each of His children. We hope you will listen today to be encouraged and challenged. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: See Sermon NotesNobody wants to fail, but because we have a fallen, sinful nature and live in a fallen, broken world, failure is a part of life. This reality, though, need not lead us to despair. It is often in our failures that we realize our need for God. God is so much bigger and greater than our biggest failures that He can actually take them and use them for His glory and even for our good. We invite you to listen today to discover how God deals with us when, in our brokenness, we turn to Him. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Mark 4:35-41Trials and circumstances are a sobering reality for every life in this broken world. They affect all people regardless of race, status, or background. Such “storms” can cause all sorts of negative emotions and experiences, but Jesus can give us peace in every situation. The key to peace is not found in our human effort, but in looking to Jesus and living by faith. If you need peace in your life today, we invite you to listen and be encouraged. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Matthew 26:36-56All humanity has something in common – we have a sinful nature, the “flesh,” that is prone to sin against God. There are no good intentions, efforts, or self-help plans to rid us of this nature. However, God in His grace and mercy has provided a way for us to be delivered from our sin and live in victory. Surely if Jesus could give deliverance and victory to Simon Peter, then there is hope for you and me. We hope you will listen today so that you might experience this grace and victory in your life. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Matthew 16:13-28We all know what it means to lose focus because we have all experienced this at some level in our own lives. Losing focus is not a big deal in the minor areas of life, but when it comes to our walk with the Lord it can have significant impact. We cannot continue living for the Lord and growing in faith if we are not truly focused on Jesus. This message calls us to examine whether we are living focused on the Lord and helps us to understand what is daily needed in our lives to keep our focus on Him. We invite you to listen today to get re-focused on Jesus. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Matthew 14:22-33Every person, no matter how experienced or skilled, experiences failures in life. Failures have the ability to discourage us and defeat us if we allow them to. However, God shows us that our failures don't have to be final. In fact, as we look to Him and cry out for His help, He will meet us in our place of need and work through our failures to draw us close to Himself and move us forward for His glory and purposes. We invite you to listen today so that you can learn, with God's help, how to fail forward. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Colossians 1:3-6There is much in our world over the past two years that has come to a complete standstill. It seems like very few things are moving forward. However, no matter the circumstance or situation, the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is still marching on. This message is all about the Gospel. We encourage you to listen today to discover your part in being a part of God's plan to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Luke 2:1-7In every aspect of the birth of Christ, we find that there were great circumstances and difficulty. The situations for Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and the Magi were far from ideal. Yet through it all we find that God was still in control, sovereignly working everything together to accomplish His divine plan and purpose. This wonderful truth gives us the same assurance that He is still working all things in our life together for His glory and our good. We must simply trust the providence of God.

Text: Matthew 2:1-15We all face trials and circumstances in life that cause us to realize that there are many things out of our hands. As hard as we may try, there are simply things that we can't control. However, the good news is that God is in control and His ways are best. In this message we discover that we can trust the promises of God and experience His joy, even in the midst of our circumstances. We invite you to listen today to be encouraged and challenged to hear and believe the promises of God. Sermon Notes

Text: Matthew 1:18-25There are many times in life that we shake our heads in confusion concerning the reasons of our circumstances. However, God shows us in His Word that He is in control and that His plans are perfect. Though there are times that we may not see or understand clearly what God is doing, we must learn to walk by faith. If you are having a tough time making sense of it all, we invite you to listen to this message and be encouraged to trust the plans of God. Sermon Notes

Text: Luke 1:26-38There are many things going on in the world today that are causing people to ask, “What is going on?” With all of the chaos, confusion, and conflict in the culture, it seems that the whole world has gone crazy. From God's Word, however, we discover this undeniable and timeless truth – He is still in control, and He is working things together to accomplish His purposes. As we look at the Christmas story and study God's dealings with Mary, we see His power in an extraordinary way. If you are uncertain, confused, hurt, and afraid, there is a powerful word of encouragement in this message that we hope you will hear today. Sermon Notes

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11There are many things in the world today that can cause discouragement, frustration, anxiety, and fear. However, for the believer, we have nothing to fear. We have the assurance of God's presence and the promise of His return. This world is not our home; we are simply passing through headed for our eternal home. This message reminds us of the wonderful truth of Jesus' return and helps us to prepare for that glorious day. We pray that you will listen today to be encouraged and readied for the Lord. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Luke 12:13-34We live in a culture that is constantly promoting “self.” We are encouraged to live for ourselves, be ourselves, make a name for ourselves, and do whatever pleases ourselves. This message of “self” produces all forms of greed in our life. In this passage, Jesus gives a parable to demonstrate how greed works in our lives and how common it is. He also gives the remedy to overcoming this greed so that we might live and give generously for His glory and the good of others. We invite you to listen to this message today so that you may overcome the temptations of greed and faithfully live with great generosity. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Acts 4:1-33We live in a world that is constantly trying to cancel the voice of those who do not go along with the crowd or bow to its pressure. As Christians, our primary message and mission is constantly opposed by the culture around us. Yet in Acts 4, God gives us a powerful illustration of how we can stand strong for Him, even when faced with opposition. If you desire to be a stronger witness for Jesus, we invite you to listen and be encouraged today. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Ephesians 6:10-18There is a spiritual battle that rages all around us. In our daily life we are called to stand firm in the face of this battle. God more than equips us in a very specific way to be able to do this victoriously. However, it requires daily effort on our part and a practice of constant prayer. We must understand that an underlying call of the Christian life is to undertake the battles we face with the knowledge we are already under a victory and strategically and spiritually must undergo putting on the armor of God so that we never underestimate the power of the enemy nor find ourselves unprepared to meet the struggles of life. In this we find ourselves firmly under the authority and protection of Christ where the enemy cannot undo us. The biggest take away of the Armor of God passage is to comprehend our spiritual battle and how we will be ready for it. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Ephesians 5:6-21In our lives we understand the importance of being filled physically with the things that lead to health and nourishment. Every day we seek to fill our bodies with the provisions it needs. However, spiritually, all Christians must understand that there is another constant “filling” needed in our life – the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Without His control in our lives we will remain unhealthy, unnourished, and unprepared for the works He has called us to do. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Romans 13:11-14Everywhere in the world today, we are experiencing circumstances and challenges in an unprecedented way. To many it seems that the world has gone crazy. Yet, God in His Word has a specific call to believers, “It's High Time!” This statement is a call to recognize the urgency of the moment and a call to strategic action. We begin today by discovering that “It's High Time to Wake Up.” We hope that you will listen today and be called to action by and for the Lord. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17This week we welcome Tim DeTellis of New Missions, our ministry partner in Haiti. During Tim's message on “The Fastest Way to Change the World” he brings up the idea of having your life shine as Jesus said. The way you love and show generosity causes others to be curious. Life is better and stronger together. Discipleship happens when we do life side-by-side and spend time with others. Involving others is key to opening doors of opportunity to introduce others to Jesus, wherever we go. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: 1 Peter 4:12-19The topic of suffering is not one that we enjoy or desire. However, as a Christian we need not fear it, resist it, or dismiss it. Because God is infinitely wise and sovereignly working in our lives, He can actually use suffering to mold and shape us, so that we reflect His glory to others in our lives. Today's message points us to how we can embrace suffering for the glory of God and the good of others, and it equips us to do so with joy. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: 1 Peter 4:1-11We are all called to live for the glory of God. This is true individually of every believer, but it is also true corporately in the Church. So, how can we determine whether or not God is being glorified in the Church today? What is He looking for? What does He require? How do our individual actions impact the glory of God in the Church? All of these questions and more are answered in this message. We invite you to listen today so that you can glorify God in your life and contribute to the glorifying of God in the Church. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: 1 Corinthians 6:9-20How are you glorifying God in your body? There are many things that we do with our bodies without much thought or consideration. However, when it comes to glorifying God in our bodies it demands intentional effort, discipline, and a God-driven focus. If we are going to glorify God in our bodies there are several truths we must claim, desires in our flesh that we must resist, and faithful actions that we must pursue. We hope that you will listen closely today to discover how you can glorify God in your body. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1How do you make decisions in your life? Some decide based upon personal preferences, others upon popularity, and others decide based upon the various pressures they feel. Basing decisions on any of these things can lead to all sorts of problems and divisions. In this message, God shows us that He wants to be involved in the everyday decisions and actions of our life. In fact, He wants to be glorified in all that we do. If you want to learn how to “do all to the glory of God” in your life, we invite you to listen today. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Exodus 33:1-23The Almighty God, who created the heavens and all it contains, is called the God of glory. It is only through Him that we live and move and even exist. As a result, we live to fulfill His purposes and to express His glory through our lives. This message explains why we should give Him all glory and how we can do so in practical but powerful ways. We hope that you will listen today to be encouraged and challenged. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Exodus 33:1-23If you could ask God for one thing, what would it be? Many treat God as if He is a cosmic genie in a bottle that is there to hear our wishes. As a result, our answer to such a question is often selfish and short-sighted. This message reminds us that God is THE Living God of Heaven Who delights in answering the requests of those who are focused on Him. The significance of the question is that our requests of God reveal much about our relationship with and view of Him. So, how would you answer the question? How should you answer the question? To understand more, we invite you to listen today because your answer, and the process of determining it, could change your life. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide

Text: Exodus 32:1-9, 15-26Many followers of Christ have lost sight of God's glory without even realizing it. Due to the constant noise in the culture and the clutter in our own lives, it is often difficult to see clearly what is present or missing in our lives. In Exodus 32 God gives us a powerful illustration of what losing sight of His glory looks like. In doing so, we discover four key things to watch for in our lives and a practical action plan for all who've lost it. Sermon Notes Discussion Guide