S12 Snellville

2 Timothy 1:7-8; 1 Peter 3:15-16   We can know God by TALKING about Him through our STORY   Myth: I have to know everything BEFORE I say ANYTHING   Truth: You don’t have to know EVERYTHING to share SOMETHING   1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.   Application: 1. PREPARE 2. RESPECT

BL: Prayer is keeping COMPANY with God     To know God, HANG OUT with Him   Three Ways God Answers Prayers: 1. _____ 2. _____ 3. _____

Know God Psalm 19, Psalm 23, Genesis 2, Psalm 30:4-5, Psalm 32:8, Acts 1:8, Acts 3:19   Creation points to the Creator   BL: God is infinite and intimate.   Do you know God or know about God?

Proverbs 29:25; Hebrews 11:24-27   Proverbs 29:25 (NLT) Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety.   BL: I can DEFINE my identity is in my CREATOR, not my CULTURE   Application:   Identify the TRAP   IDENTIFY the trapper

1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 14:27-31, Philippians 4:6-7   STRESS affects your quality of LIFE.    1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you   BL: CAST your CARES on Him because he cares for YOU   PEACE takes PRACTICE   Practice Peace: 1. Talk to God 2. Talk to SOMEONE 3. Learn helpful PRACTICES

2 Samuel 11:2-4; 2 Corinthians 2:5; Proverbs 11:27   BL: What we WATCH affects what you DO WATCH what you watch Be watchful of:

Exodus 1:4. Deuteronomy 5:12-15   There is More to you than what you Do   “‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work…” (Deuteronomy 5:12-14)   You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. (Deuteronomy 5:15)     REST and REMEMBER

Luke 23:13-25   BL: You BECOME your CROWD WHO is your crowd?   WHERE is your crowd GOING?

Mask on… MASK OFF  – Nayvadius DeMun Wilburn    BL: Authenticity is TRUSTING God and others with the REAL ME   Colossians 3:12 (Message) So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, HUMILITY, quiet strength, discipline   Three Masks we Wear: Mask #1. I'm AWESOME - Needs HUMILITY   Mask #2. I'm FINE - Needs COMMUNITY   Mask #3. I'm a CHRISTIAN - Needs SURRENDER     - End of Message: Text Name, Grade and Mask to our S12 Google Voice # 678-796-6487

Christmas Break wk. 2: Family - Romans 8:26, Philippians 4:6   BL: Move Past dysfunction and Show compassion    Genesis: 45: 3-7   Preparation begins with Prayer    Your Interaction needs to be Intentional 

Matthew 1:18-21   Disappointment comes when EXPECTATIONS aren’t MET   BL: God’s PLANS for ME are BIGGER than I can SEE   2 Perspective Shifts for an Amazing Christmas Break:  1. Shift FOCUS off of ME 2. Shift from COMPARISON to GRATITUDE

How do I survive the Winter?    1. In Winter, be _________ about the season you're in.  2. Keep __________ to stay warm.  3. In Winter, God makes my __________ stronger than my _________. 

Seasons wk. 2 - Summer Colossians 1:15-29   BL: What you LEARN in the LIGHT, will HELP you when you are in the DARK   3 Things to Learn in Summer 1. God is in CONTROL 2. God LOVES ME 3. God is PRESENT  

Everyone does something with HURT.     They BURY it or... CARRY it.    BL: FORGIVEN people forgive PEOPLE    Forgiveness is not:  1. FORGETTING 2. IGNORING  3. a FEELING 4. RECONCILING a relationship   Forgiveness is CANCELLING a DEBT

Philippians 4:6-7   What I do DAILY is who I BECOME   BL: Daily PRAYER is the PATH to life transformation   1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray continually   Does GOD have your ATTENTION?   Philippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Create UNHURRIED moments with God

What I do DAILY is who I BECOME   Matthew 16:13-18   BL: If you believe in JESUS, you’ll believe in the CHURCH   Start a CHURCH streak this SEMESTER  

2 Corinthians 10:1-5   BL: God’s TRUTH should direct my THOUGHTS   Your life is always moving in the DIRECTION of the thoughts that you LET LAND.   Ask yourself: Does this thought about me LINE UP with God’s THOUGHTS about me?      

Joshua 2:2-11    BL: Labels don’t limit God’s love God uses broken people Choose to look for the good in others

John 8:3-11   BL: DROP the ROCK   How can we drop the rock? 

RESCUE Romans 7:19;24-25   We’ve CRASHED   We can’t RESCUE OURSELVES   We have a FATHER who loves us   Our FATHER has provided the RESCUE

Live Sent wk. 3: Send   Because of the RESCUING hand of Jesus, we pursue PERSONAL transformation ONE life at a time.    John 17:15-18 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.   BL: Live BETTER than living for self; LIVE Sent   Who am I sent to?

Live Sent wk. 2: Train Ephesians 4:11-13, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Proverbs 27:17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17   Because of the RESCUING hand of Jesus, we pursue personal TRANSFORMATION one life at a time.    A pastor's job is to equip God’s PEOPLE for God’s PURPOSE   BL: Great TESTS require great TRAINING   WHEN you realize the MISSION that’s been laid out before you, you should be DESPERATE for training   What does training look like for me? Choose CONSISTENCY Choose COMMUNITY Choose SCRIPTURE

Genesis 12:1-3, Ephesians 1:3-6   "Because of the RESCUING hand of Jesus, we pursue PERSONAL transformation ONE life at a time”   God’s Pattern for Blessing: OBEY God -> Be Blessed -> BECOME a Blessing   BL: Don’t chase BLESSINGS, chase JESUS   - Take SIN seriously - Focus on BEING a BLESSING

  Matthew 16, 1 Timothy 1, John 4   BL: Choose to LOVE first and LEAD second but always do BOTH   Jesus lead through METHOD, not MIRACLES   2 Things We can Learn from Previous Generations:    1. Speak the TRUTH in LOVE   2. Seek to UNDERSTAND before being UNDERSTOOD

BL: We Need God   People cannot satisfy what only God can give   Genesis 2: 4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the LordGod made the earth and the heavens. 5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth[a] and no plant had yet sprung up, for the LordGod had not sent rain on the earth and there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams[b]came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Then the Lord God formed a man[c] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,and the man became a living being.   Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness   22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for imagesmade to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.   John Ortberg “The Truth is, the soul’s infinite capacity to desire is the mirror image of God’s infinite capacity to give.” 

  John 20:20-25    BL: Let doubt lead to DISCOVERY, not DISBELIEF   Helpful Doubt     Unhelpful Doubt     Pray: "Help me in my UNBELIEF” - Mark 9:24   Helpful Books: “The Problem of God” - Mark Clark “The End of Reason” - Ravi Zacharias “The Case for Christ” - Lee Strobel

BL: RELATIONSHIP > RULES   Jesus REDEFINES the rule   Application: 1. Don’t let rules KEEP you OUT 2. Don’t let the rules cause you to KEEP OTHERS out. 

Luke 8 BL: KNOWING God starts with knowing your NEED   TRUST God in EMPTY moments   Be HONEST in EASY moments

BL: Even in your FAILURE, your FAITH will not fail   Luke 22:54-62   Guilt vs. Shame   Guilt - Something that you DID   Shame - Something that you BELIEVE you ARE   John 14:26.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Crash the Chatterbox wk. 2: “I am _______”   Am I “__blank__” enough?     Exodus 3   BL: I am NOT, but I know I AM   John 15:4-5 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.   Let His POWER WORK through you Let His WORDS DEFINE you

Isaiah 55:2-3 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live.I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.The Voice you believe will determine the Future you experienceThe enemy is IN MEBeware of no man more than of yourself. We carry our own worst enemies in us. -Charles Spurgeon Im losing myself, I’m stuck in the moment. I look in the mirror, my only opponent - Jay-Z

Luke 7:36-50   BL: God is more LOVING than we think, And He invites us to RECEIVE it.   God’s love transforms INSECURE into secure   God’s love transforms “STRIVING for” to “RESTING in”   Don’t try to EARN what’s already been GIVEN 

#1. God is more PRESENT than we think. #2. And He invites us to Lean-In to His PRESENCE God is Present… But you can PRETEND He’s not Memorize: Matthew 6:33 Pray: In all things, God you are POWERFUL + You are NEAR

King Asa would say: I’m not helpless, but I’m often POWERLESS! But God is more POWERFUL than I think and he invites me to CONNECT to His Power. 2 Chronicles 14:8-9 8 Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men from Judah, equipped with large shields and with spears, and two hundred and eighty thousand from Benjamin, armed with small shields and with bows. All these were brave fighting men. 9 Zerah the Cushite marched out against them with an army of thousands upon thousands and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. I'm not HELPLESS but I'm often POWERLESS   2 Chronicles 14:1111 Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. Lord, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.” God is more POWERFUL than I think Psalm 20:7Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 2 Chronicles 14:12-1312 The Lord struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled, 13 and Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. Such a great number of Cushites fell that they could not recover; they were crushed before the Lord and his forces. God invites me to CONNECT to His power. When we DOUBT God's power, we give power to our FEAR

Ephesians 4:11-15  Spiritual MATURITY is the difference in whether we get BEAT up or BUILT up Spiritual maturity is MEASURED by Christ-Likeness BL: When you SERVE others, you GROW yourself Practice SACRIFICING small things you CARE about Practice SERVING somewhere consistently

Proverbs 13:20 "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (NIV). Proverbs 13:20 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character” (NIV). BL: Bad company CORRUPTS good character People can either WEIGHT you or INFLATE you FIND PEOPLE THAT PUSH YOU

Matthew 7:24-27   BL: When it comes to growing our faith, DOING is better than KNOWING   The key to growth is DOING things... doing the RIGHT things   LISTEN and then DO

"Everything worthwhile in life is UPHILL. We have uphill HOPES with downhill HABITS" - John Maxwell   Matthew 5:27-30   1 Corinthians 6:18   This Downhill Habit Does 3 Things: 1. DISRUPTS our identity 2. DISTORTS our view of the opposite sex 3. DESTROYS our relationships   3 Steps to Fight for Healthy: 1. Stop being CASUAL with stepping stones 2. See your VAULUE 3. SEEK help   Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Perspective    How you feel on the inside never stays on the inside>    BL: Your Perspective Is Your Pick      “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” Proverbs 17:22.   “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NIV.   “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8.   Worship Song: "Great Are You Lord" One Sonic Society 

Dating is COMPLICATED Judges 14:1-31 Samson went down to Timnah and saw there a young Philistine woman. 2 When he returned, he said to his father and mother, “I have seen a Philistine woman in Timnah; now get her for me as my wife.”3 His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?”But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” BL: DATING is good, THINKING is better Judges 16:4-5Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, "See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver. Judges 16:15-16Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength." With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 3 Times to Think:1. Think WHEN to date2. Think WHY you date3. Think WHILE you date Define DATING before dating DEFINES you

  Recap: What CHAIR are YOU in? Chair #1: REAL Christian Chair #4: NON Christian Chair #3: FAKE Christian Revelation 3 Chair #2: LUKEWARM Christian How do we tap into all that God has for us? When we chase HAPPY, we end up HOLLOW BL: Chase SPIRITUAL depths vs. EMOTIONAL Heights James 4:7-10 (The Message)So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet. "When God turns out the lights, SING in the DARK." - Miles Welch

1. ANTICIPATION “O Holy night, the stars are brightly shiningIt is the night of our dear Savior's birth”  Luke 2:1-3In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. Luke 2:4-144 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. (DON’T MISS THIS!) I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 2. DESPERATION Long lay the world in sin and error pining'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth  3. HOPE A thrill of hope the weary world rejoicesFor yonder breaks a new and glorious morn Hebrews 2:14–15 NLT 14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[g] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. 4. RECOGNITION Fall on your knees O hear the angel voicesO night divine!O night when Christ was bornO night divine!O night, O night divine!  Bonus. CONFIRMATIONTruly He taught us to love one anotherHis law is love and His gospel is peaceChains shall He break, for the slave is our brotherAnd in His name, all oppression shall ceaseSweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise weLet all within us praise His holy name 

Talent, Time, Treasure 2 Things to Know: 1. God has been GENEROUS to me2. Because God has been generous to ME, I will be generous to OTHERS. 1 Peter 4:10-1110 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. BL: The way we LIVE determines how we GIVE Talent Time Tiffany FB Picture- 3 more pictures (scroll slowly) SLT Co-Op Pictures Treasure Caniac Combo Picture Mark 12:41-44 (The Message)Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” Take INVENTORY What's your Power? VIDEO (5 seconds) #SvFEARLESS Pictures- Donuts- Cookies- Bagels- Tip Matthew 5:14-1614 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1-4“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Take ACTION: Where is God asking me to be generous to others? #s12Generous

  Recap: Those that have been GIVEN much, GIVE much 2 Things to Know: 1. God has been GENEROUS to me2. Because God has been generous to ME, I will be generous to OTHERS.   Matthew 5:14-1614 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. LEGACY - What you leave BEHIND Living with a GENEROUS mentality will build an ETERNAL legacy. Living with a ME mentality will leave an EMPTY legacy. 1 Chronicles 29:10-11, 10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,“Praise be to you, Lord,the God of our father Israel,from everlasting to everlasting.11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the powerand the glory and the majesty and the splendor,for everything in heaven and earth is yours. You break free from “Me” when you shift from: “Look what I HAVE” to “Look what God has GIVEN ME” John 3:12-1712 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. You are never more like Jesus than when you GIVE and when you SERVE

Generous wk. 1: God's Generosity   Generous = Liberal in Giving    Luke 2:1-14   BL: Those that have been GIVEN much, GIVE much   2 Things to Know:   1. God has been GENEROUS to me 2. Because God has been generous to ME, I will be generous to OTHERS.    Generosity ELEVATES your standing on EARTH   Every step HIGHER is an opportunity to shine God's light BRIGHTER   Matthew 5:14-16    

2 Kings 12:1-16 – pg. 376 _____________ are committed to personal _____________. It is better to ___________ doing the right things, than to _____________ doing the wrong things.   QUALITIES OF INTEGRITY   A person of ____________ does the _____________ thing. A person of ____________ is _________________. A person of ____________ is easy to _________________.

Matthew 20:25-28 -- pg. 987   Anyone can be a ____________ leader, but you can be a _____________ leader.   Servant Leadership Qualities: ____________ leaders look for ____________, ____________ leaders look for a ____________. ___________ leaders want something ___________ others, ____________ leaders want something ____________ others. ____________ leaders think they’re _____________, ______________ leaders know they’re _______________.