Mary's Song - Luke 1:46-56

Mary’s Song
Luke 1:46-56

I. MARY RESPONDS IN FAITH

A. She responds personally
B. She responds from the deepest part of her being 
C. She responds in praise to God

II. MARY RESPONDS IN FAITH FOR WHAT GOD HAS DONE 

A. God saw her lowly state 
B. God has graciously blessed her    
C. God has shown His might, holiness, and mercy
D. God’s promises have never failed  

III. MARY RESPONDS IN FAITH FOR WHAT GOD WILL DO 

 A. In Christ’s coming Kingdom, the first will be last.
B. In Christ’s coming Kingdom, the last will be first.
C. In Christ’s coming Kingdom, every wrong will be made right.    
D. In Christ’s coming Kingdom, every promise will be fulfilled.

Zechariah's Song - Luke 1:67-79

Zechariah’s Song
Luke 1:67-79

I. Zechariah Praises God for His Promises to David

A) God will establish His Kingdom through David’s line 
B) This coming ruler will be unlike any before him 

II. Zechariah Praises God for His Promises to Abraham

III. Zechariah Praises God for His Promises to John

A) John will be a prophet with a mission
B) John will be a preacher with a message 

IV. Zechariah Praises God for Fulfilling All of His Promises in Christ

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
1 Thessalonians 5:18

I. GIVING THANKS IS COMMANDED

 A. God commands it because it is right
B. God commands it because it is true
C. God commands it because it glorifies Him

 II. GIVING THANKS IS UNQUALIFIED

 A. We should give thanks for God’s good gifts
B. We should give thanks when God allows difficulties and trials
C. We must guard against giving thanks sinfully

III. GIVING THANKS IS GOD’S WILL FOR HIS CHILDREN

Stewardship and Contentment - I Timothy 6:2b-10, 17-19

Stewardship & Contentment
1 Timothy 6:2b-10 & 17-19

I. CONTENTMENT MUST BE FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE

A. Stewarding our relationship to Christ must be our highest priority.
B. Lack of contentment in Christ leads to discontentment everywhere else

II. CONTENTMENT IS CONNECTED TO GODLINESS, NOT GOODS 

A. Spiritual contentment leads to material contentment
B. Contentment understands the limits of life
C. Contentment is not about self-sufficiency, but Christ-sufficiency 

III. CONTENTMENT IS AN ONGOING, DAILY BATTLE

IV. CONTENTMENT IS VISIBLE

A. Those who are content set their hope on God and not riches
B. Those who are content are open-handed and generous toward others
C. Those who are content are free to live for eternity    

The Glory of God's Grace - Ephesians 2:1-10

The Glory of God’s Grace
Ephesians 2:1-10

What grace is: Grace is the unmerited, undeserved, free, favor of God.

What grace is not: 

• Grace never incurs a debt.

• Grace is not conditional or contractual. 

• Grace is not God grading on the curve. 

• Grace is not a license to sin.

• Grace is not cheap.

I. The Requirement of Grace

A. We were dead in our sins
B. We followed the course of this world
C. We were followers of Satan
D. We lived in the passions and desires of the flesh, body, and mind
E. We were by nature under God’s wrath

 II. The Reality of Grace 

 A. Grace Is Given by God through Christ
 B. Grace Is Received through Faith as a Gift

 III. The Response to Grace

A. Worship
B. Humility
C. Gratitude
D. Good works as God’s workmanship

Are We There Yet? - Revelation 21:1-8

Are We There Yet?
Revelation 21:1-8

1. Eternity is about God (v.1-3)

    a. God is making all things new
    b. God is making a place to dwell among his people

2. Eternity is not like and like this current life (v.4-5)

    a. The former things have passed away
    b. God is redeeming all things

3. There is no alternate ending (v.6-8)

    a. God will bless the faithful
    b. God will punish the unfaithful

All of Life on Mission - John 20:19-23

All of Life on Mission
John 20:19-23

I. TWO FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE ON MISSION - We should live all of life on mission because . .

             A. The resurrection of Jesus changes everything
            B. We have been sent like Jesus    

 II. THREE IMPLICATIONS FOR LIFE ON MISSION

             A. We have been sent with the peace of Jesus 
            B. We have been sent with the presence of Jesus 
            C. We have been sent with the authority of Jesus 

III. THREE APPLICATIONS FOR LIFE ON MISSION

            A. See yourself as a missionary right now
            B. Be gospel fluent
            C. Use the bridges in your life for mission

All of Life in Community - 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

All of Life in Community
1 Corinthians 13:1-8

I. WHAT IS BIBLICAL COMMUNITY?    

Biblical community is the intentional practice of living an authentic, transparent life with other disciples. 

 A. Biblical community reflects God’s triune nature.
B. Biblical community is only experienced through gospel transformation.    
C. Biblical community is a foretaste of God’s coming kingdom.    

 II. HOW DO WE BUILD BIBLICAL COMMUNITY?    

 A. We act like Jesus towards one another.
B. We don’t reject the messiness that comes with living close to other people.
C. We model the authenticity and transparency necessary for real relationships.
D. We forgive often. We bear burdens. We walk in humility.
E. We realize our need for the Holy Spirit.

All of Life as Worship - John 4:1-26

All of Life as Worship
John 4:1-26

Important Truths to Remember about Worship:

• We are all unceasing worshipers

• Everyone is at all times worshiping someone or something

• We become like what we worship

I. WORSHIP IS BEING SATISFIED IN JESUS
II. WORSHIP IS THE ROOT ISSUE OF SIN & IDOLATRY
III. WORSHIP IS NOT ABOUT PLACES OR PREFERENCES
IV. WORSHIP MUST BE IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH

God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient Pt. 2

All of Life for the Glory of God - Philippians 1:12-26

All of Life for the Glory of God
Philippians 1:12-26

I. ALL OF MY LIFE SHOULD BE LIVED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD    

 A.    Living for the glory of Christ means living for the advance of the Gospel – v. 12
B.    Living for the glory of Christ means living without fear of persecution – v. 13-14
C.    Living for the glory of Christ means living without selfish ambitions – v. 15-18
D.   Living for the glory of Christ means living courageously without shame – v. 20
E.    Living for the glory of Christ means living without fear of death – v. 21
F.    Living for the glory of Christ means living to make Christ look glorious to others – v. 22-26

 II. EVERY SPHERE OF MY EXISTENCE MUST BE AIMED AT DISPLAYING THE GLORY OF GOD

 A. Heart, Soul, & Strength – Deuteronomy 6:5
B. Mind & Emotions – Psalm 19:14
C. Body & Sexuality –1 Cor 6:20
D. Education & Vocation – Col 3:23
E. Money & Possessions – 1 Cor 4:7
F. Gifts I Enjoy – James 1:17 

When Bad Things Happen to Good People - Psalm 73

Shepherds after God’s Own Heart - John 10:1-16

Shepherds after God’s Own Heart
John 10:1-16

I. GOD REVEALS HIMSELF PARTIALLY THROUGH THE METAPHOR OF A SHEPHERD    

 A. God shepherds his people with his presence and protection 
B. God shepherds his people by providing satisfaction, nourishment, rest, and restoration to his people
C. God shepherds his people by giving guidance, protection, comfort, provision, and lovingkindness to his people
D. God shepherds his people with tenderness and compassion    

 II. GOD HAS CHOSEN TO USE PEOPLE TO DEMONSTRATE HIS SHEPHERD LEADERSHIP    

 A. Under-shepherds are to exercise a benevolent authority
B. Under-shepherds will be strictly judged by God  

 III. GOD PROMISES TO PROVIDE SHEPHERDS AFTER HIS OWN HEART    

 IV. JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND THE FULFILLMENT OF GODS PROMISES    

 A. Shepherds after God’s own heart recognize that they are stewards of the flock and not owners
B. Shepherds after God’s own heart make sure that the sheep know the voice of Jesus    
C. Shepherds after God’s own heart love the sheep and lay down their lives for the sheep 
D. Shepherds after God’s own heart share God’s concern for all the lost sheep of the world   

Biblical Deacons Pt. 2 - 1 Timothy 3:1-11

Biblical Deacons Pt. 2
1 Timothy 3:11-13

I. DEACONS MUST MODEL THE GOSPEL IN THEIR HOMES    

 A. Deacons must lead their wives by their own example
B. Deacons must love their wives in light of the gospel    
C. Deacons must raise their children in light of the gospel

• Deacons model disciple-making in their homes

• Deacons model Christian worship in their homes

• Deacons model biblical priorities and biblical success in their home

• Deacons model the grace of God in their homes 

II. DEACONS WILL RECEIVE THE REWARDS OF GOSPEL SERVICE

A. Deacons receive a reward from our congregation
B. Deacons receive assurance of the Gospel’s power in their service   

God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient Pt. 1

Biblical Deacons Pt. 1 - I Timothy 3:8-10

Biblical Deacons Pt. 1
1 Timothy 3:8-10

I. DEACONS MUST BE RESPECTABLE

A. Deacons must be respectable when they speak
B. Deacons must be respectable in how they moderate their lives
C. Deacons must be respectable in how they model honest livelihoods

II. DEACONS MUST KNOW THE GOSPEL, LOVE THE GOSPEL, AND LIVE BY THE GOSPEL

A. Deacons must hold the faith with a clear conscience
B. Deacons must be tested and proven blameless

God’s Grace & a Pouting Prophet - Jonah 4:1-11

God’s Grace & a Pouting Prophet
Jonah 4:1-11

 I. PRIDE LEADS TO DISPLEASURE AND ANGER WITH GOD
II. PRIDE AND ANGER WILL BE DEALT WITH BY GOD
III. PRIDE AND ANGER WILL DESTROY YOU SPIRITUALLY 
IV. PRIDE AND ANGER WILL DISPLAY YOUR SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
V.  PRIDE AND ANGER WILL BLIND YOU TO SPIRITUAL TRUTH

God Is Eternal & Self Existant Pt 3

The Power of God's Word - Jonah 3:1-10

The Power of God’s Word
Jonah 3:1-10

I. GOD’S WORD IS GIVEN A SECOND TIME TO JONAH

A. God’s heart is amazingly compassionate to rebels like Jonah…and rebels like us.
B. God’s heart is amazingly compassionate for the world.    
C. Our rebellion cannot thwart God’s purposes.
D. The gospel is ours to proclaim, not to edit.    

II. GOD’S WORD IS SHARED THROUGH JONAH 

A. God’s message revealed the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God’s judgment.
B. God uses sinful people to communicate his message.  

III. GOD’S WORD DOES ITS WORK IN NINEVEH

A. The power of God isn’t in the messenger, but in the message itself.
B. The power of God isn’t determined by methods.
C. God uses people who share his message, trusting his promises, relying on his power, and leaving the results to him 

Humbled by God - Jonah 1:17-2:10

Humbled by God
Jonah 1:17-2:10

I. HUMILITY ACCEPTS GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY AND AUTHORITY

A. God is free to appoint anything for his purposes
B. God is free to teach us lessons

II. HUMILITY BRINGS CLARITY AND PERSPECTIVE   

A. My own prideful choices have brought this upon me
B. I cannot overpower the God who has all power    
C. My only hope is to cry out to the Lord for his undeserved mercy   

III. HUMILITY IS THE BRIDGE TO RESTORATION AND RECOMMISSIONING   

A.  Humility leads us to God’s purposes over our own
B. Humility leads us to thankfulness and worship    
C. Humility leads us to obedience    
D. Humility leads us to truth