Cedar Hills Community Church: Recent Episodes

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A Formula for Finding Kingdom Treasure.

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Treasure Hunters in the kingdom actually find real treasure.

TEXT - Luke 18:9-14

OUTLINE

1. Enter the Kingdom.

2. Luke 17:20-37

3. Luke 18:9

4. Luke 6:20-26

5. Receive Mercy.

6. Luke 18:9-14

7. Avoid Contempt

8. Remain Humble

9. Luke 16:14-15

10. Go Justified.

11. Luke 18:14

12. Philippians 3:4-11

13. Romans 3:21-26, 5:1-5, 8:28-39

14. Galatians 2:16-17

NEXT STEPS

1. Give up trying to justify yourself and trust Jesus.

2. Read Romans 8 and celebrate finding Kingdom Treasure.

3, Practice giving to others instead of judging others

Humility Pledge - a path away from self-justification and judgment.

"Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye." ~ Matthew 7:5

With God’s help, I will engage the ABC’s of humility.

1. ADMIT

__ Self-justification is subtle. (I have been deceived by self-justification.)

__ I have judged others. (I have thought, “Thank God, I am not like… )

__ I need God to help me. (God have mercy on me.)

1. BELIEVE

__ My justification is complete in Jesus!

__ Comparing myself to others is wrong!

__ Humility is a kingdom treasure!

1. COMMIT

__ Instead of judging others, I will serve others.

__ I will consider others better than myself.

__ In faith, I will give to help someone in need.

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Treasure Hunters Celebrate

Pastor Kent Landhuis

TEXT - Luke 15

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

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Wealth Management

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Each one of us has a responsibility to manage our wealth wisely.

TEXT - Luke 16:1-13

Three spirits of wealth enhancement:

1. The spirit of money management.

Luke 16:1-2

1 Peter 4:10

Colossians 3:23

1. The spirit of relational investment.

Luke 16:3-7

Luke 15

1. The spirit of treasure multiplication.

Luke 16:8-14

Matthew 6:19-33

Matthew 25:14-30

NEXT STEPS

1. Plan and prioritize how to use our resources to love people.

2. Invest in community groups, family groups, and small groups.

3. Bring people into the community of Jesus.

PEOPLE MATTER

Spend some time reflecting on these truths about relationships and pray that Holy Spirit will lead you to invest in deeper relationships:

1. Jesus showed us that we meet God through other people.

When we gather with other Christians, God is with us. (Matthew 18:20).

1. Jesus said love is non-negotiable.

The most important commandment Jesus gave us is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:34-40).

1. Jesus showed us how to love people.

Jesus did everything He could to help His friends and followers know God. (John 15:12-15).

1. Jesus told His friends not to do life alone.

Jesus sent His followers out in pairs to share the good news of God’s peace (Luke 10:1-2).

1. Jesus redefined family.

Family is more than just biological parents and, siblings. (Mark 3:31-35).

1. Jesus shared meals with people.

In Jesus’s culture, sharing a meal with someone meant you were no longer strangers, but close friends. (Mark 2:15-17, Luke 7:36).

1. Jesus emphasized individuals over tasks.

Jesus wants His followers to care for hurting and troubled people (John 21:15-17).

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Beware the Love of Money

Pastor Steve Poole

TEXT - Luke 16:19-31

The Big Ideas Jesus Wants to Challenge:

1. The rich man goes to hell and the poor man, Lazarus, goes to heaven.

2. The resurrection will not persuade those who have not believed the truth revealed in Scripture.

3. Beware the love of money.

· Luke 16:13-14

· “Mammon” is used in some translations and means wealth, money, riches or property.

· Do not neglect justice and mercy.

· 1 Timothy 6:9-10

APPLICATION

1. Make Jesus the Lord of your life by faith

in His death and resurrection.

1. Practice generosity this week (living with open hands).

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Treasure Hunters Ask Courageous Questions

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Beware of Greed.

TEXT - Luke 12:13-21

The Parable of Bigger Barns is about you.

1. Do I want to know the truth?

2. Matthew 13:10-17

3. Philippians 2:3

4. Do I recognize the seductive power of earthly treasure?

5. Luke 12:13-21

6. Luke 18:18-27

7. Do I build bigger barns?

8. Luke 12:32-34

9. Luke 12:21

NEXT STEPS

1. Be courageous.

2. Name your barns.

3. Hold earthly treasures lightly.

4. Give away earthly treasure.

GO DEEPER - Rich Toward God

Being rich toward God is valuing what God values over ourselves. It is seeking God’s kingdom first. Consider a few more courageous questions:

• How does God love me and how does God want me to love others?

• How can I build God’s kingdom barns better, and avoid building my barns bigger?

• How can I increase my need for God as my earthly treasures increase?

• What does God want me to do with the possessions I manage for God?

• How can I be wise and avoid being foolish about my wealth?

• How can I know the real peril to my soul that is created by my wealth?

• How does God want me be rich toward God? (What does it mean to be rich toward God?)

• How can I grow to treasure what God treasures?

Meditate on this verse: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, inspire and instruct me to be rich toward you. Holy Spirit, prompt me to use my earthly treasures to build your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Where is Your Treasure: Following the Treasure Map

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Parables provide a map to find kingdom treasure.

TEXT - Matthew 20:1-16

Treasure maps orient us in at least three ways:

1. Know where you are going: What does the treasure look like?

2. Matthew 20:1-2

3. Isaiah 52:7a. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news…”

4. Matthew 11:5b. “the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

5. Know where you are starting: Find the “you are here” button.

6. Matthew 20:3-15

7. Matthew 5:1-12

8. Know where to dig: X marks the spot.

9. Matthew 20:16

10. Luke 14:15-26

NEXT STEPS

1. Meditate on the kingdom treasure in the Beatitudes (see below)

2. Ask the Spirit to lead you to kingdom treasure.

3. Reflect on God’s Kingdom Reign by watching the BibleProject video: What is the Good News of the Gospel

The Beatitudes - Matthew 5:1-12

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

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A presentation of Noah's Ark Preschool

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Where is your Treasure? What is of Greatest Value?

Pastor Steve Poole

Matthew 13:45-46 - “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

1. Two Interpretations of Matthew 13:45-46

2. God/Jesus is the merchant and we are the pearl of great price

3. We are the merchant and Jesus/the kingdom is the pearl of great price

4. Three Questions

5. Have your eyes been opened to see the value of Jesus?

6. Do you really see God’s will and way as more valuable than yours?

7. What treasure are you withholding from God?

8. Do you really see God’s way as more valuable than yours?

9. Is loving my enemy really better than retaliation or grudge holding?

10. Is tithing 10% and giving extra offerings as God calls me really better than that _____?

11. Is moderation in _______ really better than indulging in that excess ______?

12. Is Romans 5:3-4 really the abundant life?

13. Is God’s plan of for sex being one man and one woman who are married really the better than…

...The gratification I feel from pornography?

...My own sexual desires outside of His will?

...Our cultures definition of positive sexual expression?

• Is God’s timing really better than mine?

• Is honesty really better than lying?

• Is confronting someone who is wrong really better than just talking about them behind their back?

• Is praying for our governmental officials really better than trashing them on social media?

Romans 12:1-2 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What treasure are you withholding from God?

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Where is your Treasure?

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - God’s kingdom brings surprising value.

TEXT - Matthew 13:44

1. Kingdom treasure has hidden value.

2. Matthew 13

3. Isaiah 55:1-2

4. Kingdom treasure has immense value.

5. Matthew 13:44

6. Matthew 6:21

7. Kingdom treasure has incomparable value.

8. Matthew 16:24-26

9. Matthew 6:33

NEXT STEPS

1. Pray the prayer of surrender.

2. Follow where the Spirit leads you.

PRAYER OF SURRENDER

Lord, let my hands be Your hands—heal through them.

Let my eyes be Your eyes—I want to see things,

people and situations the way You see them.

Let my ears be Your ears—speak to me.

Let my mouth be Your mouth—I want to speak Your truth.

Let my feet be Your feet—take me wherever You want me to go.

Let my being be Your being—let my heart beat as one with Yours.

Crucify my will and in its place resurrect Your own—I surrender. Take over.

Amen.

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SONGS OF ABUNDANT FORGIVENESS: A New Song

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

TEXT - Psalm 40

1. Set your Feet on the Rock!

2. Psalm 40:1-2

3. Psalm 18:1-3

4. Tell the Story to Everyone!

5. Psalm 40:9-10

6. Psalm 107:1-3

7. Rejoice in God’s awesomeness!

8. Psalm 40:16

9. Psalm 99:1-3

APPLICATION

1. Romans 2:4 - Celebrate God’s Kindness.

2. Make the Kindness Pledge.

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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SONGS OF ABUNDANT FORGIVENESS

Remember the Resurrection

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Resurrection reshapes our lives… forget not.

TEXT - Psalm 103

1. Remembering resurrection reshapes our souls.

2. Psalm 103:1-2

3. Isaiah 17:10, 48:9-10

4. Joshua 4:6-7

5. Remembering resurrection reshapes our values.

6. Psalm 103:3-10

7. Deuteronomy 8:1-5

8. 2 Peter 1:5-8

9. Remembering resurrection reshapes our lives.

10. Psalm 103:11-22

11. Mark 16:1-7

12. John 12:12-19

NEXT STEPS

1. Does your memory of God’s work in you ignite passion?

2. Has your memory of God’s work in you grown cold?

3. Do you have no memory of God’s work in you?

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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SONGS OF ABUNDANT FORGIVENESS: Hosannas and Hallelujahs

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Our victorious Messiah offers songs of rejoicing when we are rescued.

TEXT - Psalm 118

1. Hosanna - “Save us.”

2. Hallelujah - “Praise God!

3. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

· Psalm 118:26

· Zechariah 9:9

· John 12:12-19

1. Give thanks to the Lord for he is good - his love endures forever.

· Psalm 118:1, 29

· Psalm 136

NEXT STEPS:

· Praise God for his enduring love.

· Tell someone about God’s goodness.

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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SONGS OF ABUNDANT FORGIVENESS: Songs of Right Paths

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - God leads us to right paths.

TEXT - Psalm 142 and 23

1. Right paths lead to contentment.

Psalm 142:3

Psalm 23:1-3

1. Right paths lead to assurance.

Psalm 142:4

Psalm 23:3

John 10:1-17

1. Right paths lead to security.

Psalm 23:4

Psalm 143:8

1. Right paths lead to safe places.

Psalm 23:5-6

Romans 8:31-38

NEXT STEPS:

Follow on the path where the spirit leads.

Invite others to join you on right paths. (On ramps)

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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SONGS OF ABUNDANT FORGIVENESS: Benefits of Brokenness

Pastor Steve Poole

TEXT – Psalm 51 (ESV)

DEFINITIONS: The Severe Love of God

דָּכָה (dā·ḵā(h)): verb

· be crushed, i.e., be in a crushed state, or possibly actively to press on someone, implying destruction

· be crushed, be despondent, i.e., have an attitude or emotion of distress

· contrite, i.e., have an attitude of penitence or humility

IN BROKENNESS…

1. We find forgiveness. (1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:10-13)

2. We find freedom

3. We find renewal. (Psalm 51:8-12)

4. We eat with Jesus.

5. Jesus brings healing. (Romans 12)

NEXT STEPS

1. Come sit with Jesus.

2. Demonstrate abundant humility, obedience and mercy this week.

3. Be faithful to follow the Spirit’s leading in big and little acts of generosity.

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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Songs of Abundant Forgiveness: Songs of Safety

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - God is safe. Church should be safe too.

TEXT - Psalm 32

1. God is our hiding place.

2. Psalm 32:6-7

3. The rising waters will not harm us.

4. Troubles will not find us.

5. Songs of deliverance surround us.

6. Forgiveness is a blessing.

7. Psalm 32:1-5

8. Zephaniah 3:17

9. Isaiah 43:1-3

10. John 3:16-17

11. Safety is for everyone.

12. Psalm 32:8-11

13. Teach everyone about the safe place of refuge in God.

14. Live in ways that enhance safe places for everyone.

NEXT STEPS:

1. Enter. Am I open to accept everyone?

2. See. Am I willing to really see everyone?

3. Touch. Am I ready to pour into someone?

ABUNDANT LOVE: A YEAR OF LIVING WITH OPEN HANDS

Week 9 – Freely, Freely

REFLECTION

There is an old gospel song that says, “Freely, Freely you have received. Freely, Freely give. Go in my name and because you believe, others will know that I live.” We received grace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness - freely. And we are the kind of people who create safe spaces for others to receive these same blessings.

READINGS

Day 1. John 3:16-17.

Day 2. Ephesians 2:8-10

Day 3. Romans 8:1-2

Day 4. 1 John 1:9

Day 5. 2 Corinthians 5:21

MEDITATION

Think of a person who makes you feel safe - what qualities do they possess? How can you be less judgmental and more welcoming? What can you do to build bridges toward someone who feels unwelcome or unloved?

PRAYER

God of grace, I thank you for freely accepting me while I was still a sinner. I was far worse than I realized and at the same time more loved than I ever thought possible. I praise you, God, for your generous love toward me. Now I ask your Spirit to guide me so that I can show that same kind of love to others. Help me to hear your voice, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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SONGS OF ABUNDANT FORGIVENESS: Lament - Grief Over Sin.

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - True confession comes with groaning but it yields rejoicing.

TEXT - Psalm 130

1. Name the grief of sin.

a. Seven Penitential Psalms (Psalm 130:1-2)

i. Psalm 6

ii. Psalm 32

iii. Psalm 38

iv. Psalm 51

v. Psalm 102

vi. Psalm 130

vii. Psalm 143

b. King David’s sin - 2 Samuel 11

1. Admit the score.

· Psalm 130:3

· 2 Samuel 12

· Psalm 51:3-5

1. Receive full restoration.

· Psalm 130:4-7

· Isaiah 35

NEXT STEPS:

Face the true nature of your sin.

Lament the consequences of your sin.

Seek, receive, and celebrate full redemption in Jesus.

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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SONGS OF ABUNDANT FORGIVENESS

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Because God forgives us, we forgive others.

TEXT - Psalm 25, Matthew 18:21-33

1. Affirm God’s Merciful Character.

2. Psalm 25:1-11

3. “According to your mercy, remember me for your goodness sake.” Psalm 25:11b

4. Follow God’s Merciful Way.

5. Psalm 25:12-22

6. “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he teaches sinners in the way.” Psalm 25:8

7. Sing a Song of Forgiveness.

8. Matthew 18:21-33

9. “Should you have not had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” Matthew 18:33

NEXT STEPS:

1. Ask God to forgive you.

2. Thank God for forgiving you.

3. Identify someone you know who needs forgiveness.

ABUNDANT LOVE - A year of living with open hands.

Week 7 – The God Who Forgives

REFLECTION

Mercy and lovingkindness exist at the core of God’s character. These are defining attributes. What kind of God would God be if he did not forgive? How does God look at your sin? Is any sin too great for God to forgive?

READINGS

Day 1. Psalm 25:1-11

Day 2. Psalm 25:12-22

Day 3. Psalm 103:1-10

Day 4. Psalm 103:11-22

Day 5. Matthew 18:21-35

MEDITATION

How much has God forgiven in your life? How do you feel about this? How does God’s forgiveness shape your attitude toward others?

PRAYER

God of Love and Mercy, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your compassion. Thank you for forgiving me. I love you and praise you for who you are! Show me your way and guide me specifically in how to forgive others. Help me be more forgiving. In your name, Amen.

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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Abundance: An Abundance of Seeing

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Every person we meet is made in the image of God.

TEXT - Genesis 1:27

OUTLINE

1. Mankind was made in the image of God.

2. Genesis 1:26-31

3. Genesis 2:7

4. “God-breathed is warmly personal, with the face-to-face intimacy of a kiss and the significance that this was an act of giving as well as making; and self-giving at that.” Derek Kidner

5. Everyone is made in the image of God.

6. Genesis 1:27

7. ‘Since man has sinned, he is certainly not as fully like God as he was before… Though man is still in the image of God, in every aspect of life some parts of that image have been distorted or lost.” Wayne Grudem.

8. You are made in the image of God.

9. “Human beings need recognition as much as we need food and water. No crueler punishment can be devised than to not see someone, to render them unimportant or invisible.” ~ David Brooks

10. Genesis 16:13

NEXT STEPS:

• Take a moment with each person you meet this week - to really see them.

• With each person you see this week remind yourself, “They are made in the image of God.”

ABUNDANT LOVE: A YEAR OF LIVING WITH OPEN HANDS

Week 6 - God’s Image

REFLECTION

We are made in the image of a living God. Not only us, but every person we encounter every day is made in God’s image. How does this truth change how we interact about others? With those we love? Those that annoy us? Those that cut us off in traffic or berate us at our job or school? How does this change how you see yourself?

READINGS

Day 1. Genesis 1:26-31

Day 2. Genesis 2:7

Day 3. Genesis 16:13

Day 4. Colossians 3:10

Day 5. Psalm 8:4-6

MEDITATION

Made in the image of God, loved by God, are you able to love yourself as much as God loves you?

PRAYER

Help me, Father, to love in the way that You love. Help me to see my neighbor as an image-bearer of the one True and Holy God. Show me how to love them and myself as You have loved!

WHAT IS ABUNDANT LOVE https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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ABUNDANCE: God's Abundance

Pastor Steve Poole

TEXT: Genesis 3:10-24

1. God’s abundance on display in Genesis 1-3

a. Creation

b. Relationship

c. Provision

d. Deliverance

1. THE BAD... Sin is real and has real consequences

a. Sin is rejecting, ignoring, or disobeying God.

b. Sin alienates us from God.

c. Sin turns blessings into curses.

d. Sin fractures human relationships.

e. Sin leads to death.

1. THE GOOD... God sends a redeemer (Jesus)

a. Romans 3:23-26

b. Romans 6:22-23

c. Ephesians 2:4-6

NEXT STEPS

1. Abide in God’s abundance

2. Forgive someone.

3. Look for a way you can bless someone with something they don’t deserve.

4. Check out the New City Catechism. YOUTUBE

ABUNDANT LOVE: A YEAR OF LIVING WITH OPEN HANDS

WEEK 5: God is Protector.

REFLECTION

God is our protector. There are many instances in the Bible about God as our Hiding Place, our Shelter, our Fortress—one under whose wings we can take refuge. Taking refuge in God is not an act of weakness, but a countercultural act of courage and faith in the Almighty strength of God. As you read through this week’s readings, identify the ways God describes his protection of His children.

READINGS

Day 1. Psalm 91:1-2

Day 2. Psalm 91:3-4

Day 3. Psalm 91:5-8

Day 4. Psalm 91:9-10

Day 5. Psalm 91:13-16

MEDITATION

Do I trust God as my protector? Am I quick to run to Him? Or quick to hide?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for your promise of protection to those who love and keep your commandments. Help me to find my rest under your wings this week.

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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Abundance: Is Forgiveness Scarce or Abundant?

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We will not thrive with a scarcity mindset.

TEXT - Genesis 3:1-13

1. Doubt - Did God really say?

2. Genesis 3:1

3. Psalm 27:1

4. Disguise - They realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings.

5. Genesis 3:2-8

6. Hebrews 4:13

7. Denial - She gave me the fruit.

8. Genesis 3:9-13

9. Romans 8:1

NEXT STEPS:

1. Celebrate that God has forgiven you.

2. Extend forgiveness to someone who needs it - and don’t hold back.

ABUNDANT LOVE: A Year of Living with Open Hands

Week 4: God is Love.

REFLECTION

God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. God calls us to live in His lavish love and then to share that lavish love with others. This kind of love is lived out with generosity that cannot be overlooked. When we know how much God loved us, we cannot help but love others.

READINGS

Day 1. Exodus 34:5-7

Day 2. 1 Corinthians 13.

Day 3. John 13:31-35

Day 4. 1 John 4:7-21

Day 5. 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

MEDITATION

Do my actions match what I say about love?

PRAYER

Loving Father, thank you for being slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Your patience with me is amazing. Show me how to show love to those around me.

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Installing our new 2024 board of Elders and Deacons.

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Abundance: Together is Better

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We enjoy God’s abundant provision in community.

TEXT - Genesis 2:4-20

OUTLINE

1. God Makes Everything Good.

2. Genesis 1:28

3. Genesis 1:31

4. Genesis 2:4

5. It is Not Good to be Alone.

6. Genesis 2:7-8

7. Genesis 2:15-18

8. Genesis 2:21-25

9. God Invites us Together.

10. Genesis 1:26-27

11. Genesis 3:8

12. Psalm 116

NEXT STEPS:

• Take a walk with God.

• Take a walk with another person.

ABUNDANT LOVE: A Year of Living with Open Hands

WEEK 3: God created us to bear His image.

REFLECTION

We are God’s children, made in his image and called to increasingly bear his likeness. We are called to reflect his light into a world of darkness and when we do this we bring God glory. When we reflect God’s nature, we become more fully alive to the purposes that God has for us.

READINGS

Day 1. Genesis 1:26-27

Day 2. Genesis 5:1-2

Day 3. Matthew 5:13-16

Day 4. Romans 8:28-30

Day 5. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

MEDITATION

What does it mean to bear God’s image?

How can we better reflect God’s image in us?

PRAYER

Father, you made me in your image and call me to grow into it. Please let me reflect more of your glory to those around me.

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ABUNDANCE: God’s Abundance in Creation

Pastor Steve Poole

TEXT: Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-3

“And God saw that it was good.”

GENESIS 1

1. God finds pleasure in His created world.

2. God is glorified when we enjoy His creation. (Genesis 1:27-28)

3. God created you on purpose for a purpose. (Psalms 8:1,3; 19:1-2, Romans 1:19-20)

4. Creation testifies to the greatness of God.

NEXT STEPS

1. Spend some time this week experiencing God’s love by admiring the abundant beauty of His creation.

2. Find deeper confidence, purpose and meaning in the wonderful truth of Genesis 1:27-28 - “in the image of God”.

3. Reflect on the question, “How can I help others experience the abundance of God this week?”

ABUNDANT LOVE: A Year of Living with Open Hands

WEEK 2: God owns everything.

REFLECTION

As creator of the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, God

holds the rights to all of it. And if God owns the rights to everything -

that includes us. Even when we had become slaves to sin, God

redeemed us, paying with his Son’s life. We are doubly owned -

created and recreated - and this is the foundation of abundant faith.

READINGS

Day 1: Genesis 1

Day 2: Genesis 2

Day 3: Psalm 24

Day 4: Romans 12:1-2

Day 5: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

MEDITATION

How does God’s ownership of you and all your stuff impact your life?

PRAYER

Lord God, I recognize you as creator and Ruler of the heavens and the earth and everything in them. Help me to view everything I have as yours and to trust You to take care of me.

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Abundance: Union With Christ

Gary Sager

1. What is union with Christ? (Galatians 3:26-29)

· Vine and branches. John 15,

· Head with its body, Ephesians 1

· Temple and the cornerstone. 1 Peter 2

· Husband and a wife. Ephesians 5

1. Why is it important?

· We receive a new record.

· We get a new life. (Galatians 2:20)

· There’s a new freedom.

· We get a new family.

· A new future.

1. How do we live out this union?

“When we obey God, out of a grateful joy, that comes from a deep awareness of our status as children of God . . . then the idols which control our lives can be disempowered and we’re free to live for Christ.” ~ Tim Keller

“We are to count on or believe that we actually did die to the guilt and consequent dominion of sin…We are to believe that we truly have been set free. Not only are we to believe that we have died to sin; we also are to believe that we are alive unto God, united to the risen Christ and partakers of His divine nature. It is the belief in this truth that will give us the courage to not let sin reign in our mortal bodies.” ~ Jerry Bridges

ABUNDANT LOVE: A YEAR OF OPEN HANDS

WEEK 1: God is Absolutely Good

Reflection: God made a complex and beautiful world filled with diversity and then gave it to us along with the ability to enjoy it. This gift shows unimaginable love and generosity. And after we mishandled that gift, God gave his Son - the greatest gift ever. We have every spiritual blessing in Jesus which demonstrates God’s love, generosity, justice, mercy, and enduring trustworthiness to provide everything we need for a life of abundant faith.

READINGS

Day 1: Genesis 1

Day 2: Genesis 2

Day 3: John 3:16-17

Day 4: Ephesians 1:3-14

Day 5: 2 Peter 1:2-4

MEDITATION: How do you personally know God is good?

PRAYER: Creator God, thank you for your goodness and generosity. Thank You for sending your Son, so I can know you and know how much you love me.

What is a Abundant Love? https://cedarhillscr.org/abundant-love/

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Word Made Flesh: Character Development

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The character of Jesus developed to accomplish the purpose for which he came.

TEXT - Matthew 2:1-18

1. Threatened. (Matthew 2:1-18)

2. Tempted. (Matthew 4:1-11)

3. Tested. (Matthew 16:13-20)

4. Trampled. (Matthew 26-27)

5. Triumphed. (Matthew 28:1-10, Colossians 1:9-20, Philippians 2:6-11, John 1:14)

NEXT STEPS

· Give thanks.

· Don’t lose heart

2024 Theme: Abundant Faith

A year of living with open hands.

Do not forget to do good and to share with others. Hebrews 13:16a

In the New Year, we will focus on the spiritual practice of giving. This kind of generosity involves so much more than simply giving money. All kinds of giving flow from gospel-transformed hearts touched by God’s lavish love. Radical, whole-life generosity flows from a grateful response to God’s generosity toward us - it is the overflow of Abundant Faith.

Our goal is to grow generosity by growing an awareness of our dependence on God and growing our response to God’s abundant provision. James 1:17 says “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

2 Corinthians 9:6 reminds us that “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” We want to be the kind of people who sow and reap abundantly!

Some of the themes we will dig into in 2024 include:

Generosity and God’s Grace

Generosity and Relationships/Forgiveness

Generosity and Hospitality

Generosity and Ministry/Spiritual Gifts

Generosity and Money/Wealth

Generosity and Power/Influence

Generosity and Justice

We will focus Sunday messages on these topics and we will provide scripture and prayer guides to help all of us grow generosity in 2024. Pray for your heart to be open to where God wants to lead you in the New Year.

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Word Made Flesh: Growing up Jesus

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Jesus grew in stature and wisdom and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52)

TEXT - Luke 2:41-52

1. Do you focus more on the humanity or the divinity of Jesus?

· Isaiah 9:6

· Luke 2:41-42

· Luke 2:49-50

1. Do you recognize what Jesus accomplished?

· Luke 2:40,52

· Luke 24:26-27

· Luke 2:46-47

1. Do you know how much God loves you?

· Isaiah 11:1-9

· Isaiah 53:4-6

· Isaiah 25:6-9

· Isaiah 54:10

· 1 John 4:7-21

NEXT STEPS:

Receive God’s Love.

Love God.

Love People.

1 John 4:7-21

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

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Christmas Eve at Cedar Hills Community Church

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Word Made Flesh: Water into Wine

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

TEXT - John 2:1-12

OUTLINE

1. We have no wine.

2. John 2:3

3. Matthew 25:1

4. Revelations 19:7

5. Ephesians 5:25-26

6. Do whatever he says.

7. John 2:4-7

8. Hebrews 9:22

9. John 6:53-56

10. The best is yet to come.

11. John 2:8-10

12. Isaiah 25:6-9

13. Isaiah 55:1-3

NEXT STEPS:

1. Admit your lack of wine.

2. Do whatever the bridegroom says.

3. Rejoice.

A GREAT PODCAST:

https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/lord-of-the-wine-1699279399/

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Word Made Flesh: Life and Death

Pastor Steve Poole

THEME - The flesh and blood Jesus deals with death.

TEXT - John 11:17-44

1. Jesus doesn’t blame Lazarus or his sisters.

“The flesh and blood Jesus doesn’t rebuke any of the

mourners for showing their grief over the death of

Lazarus, and he could have!” ~Steve Poole

1. Jesus doesn’t condemn their emotional response.

“…the Son of God, having clothed himself with our flesh,

of his own accord, clothed himself also with human

feelings, so that he did not differ at all from his brethren,

sin only excepted.” ~ John Calvin

1. Jesus offers peace through truth.

“I am that high and holy One who, by taking man’s nature

upon Me, have ennobled his body, and made its

resurrection possible. I am the great First Cause and

Procurer of man’s resurrection, the Conqueror of death,

and the Saviour of the body. I am the great Spring and

Source of all life, and whatever life any one has, eternal,

spiritual, physical, is all owing to Me…” ~ J.C. Ryle

1. Jesus offers peace through sharing in our tears.

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had

come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his

spirit and greatly troubled.” ~ John 11:33

“Yet I have no doubt that Christ contemplated something

higher, namely, the general misery of the whole human

race; for he knew well what had been enjoined on him by

the Father, and why he was sent into the world, namely,

to free us from all evils.” ~ Calvin/Pringle

1. Jesus is deeply moved for ALL those who suffer the angst of

death, even himself.

“Jesus therefore again groaning within himself. Christ

does not approach the sepulcher as an idle spectator, but

as a champion who prepares for a contest; and therefore

we need not wonder that he again groans; for the violent

tyranny of death, which he had to conquer, is placed

before his eyes.” ~ Calvin/Pringle

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Word Made Flesh: Resurrection and Return

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Jesus' flesh and blood resurrection and return give us hope.

TEXT - John 1:1,14; Acts 1:3-11

OUTLINE - How important is flesh and blood?

1. Celebrate flesh and blood Jesus.

John 1:1,14

Incarnation: the in-fleshing of Jesus.

Hebrews 2:17; 4:15

1. Touch flesh and blood Jesus.

2. Luke 24:36-42

3. John 20:24-29

4. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

5. Embrace flesh and blood Jesus.

6. Acts 1:3-11

7. John 14:1-6

8. 1 Corinthians 15:20-26

9. Eat Flesh and blood Jesus.

10. John 6:53-56

11. Matthew 26:26-29

12. 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

NEXT STEPS:

1. Ask Jesus to come near.

2. Put your hope in Jesus.

HOW IMPORTANT IS FLESH AND BLOOD?

Famous reflections on the incarnation:

"Man's maker was made man that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother's breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that Truth might be accused of false witnesses, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die." - St. Augustine

"Without the incarnation, Christianity isn't even a very good story, and most sadly, it means nothing." - Michael Spencer

"I've become convinced that what makes the difference for Christianity is the incarnation. No other faith says God became flesh. Christmas and the incarnation mean that God went to infinite lengths to make himself one whom we can know personally." - Tim Keller

"The incarnation is a kind of vast joke whereby the Creator of the ends of the earth comes among us in diapers". - Frederick Buechner

"God is not ashamed of the lowliness of human beings. God marches right in. He chooses people as his instruments and performs his wonders where one would least expect them. God is near to lowliness; he loves the lost, the neglected, the unseemly, the excluded, the weak, and the broken." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"The central miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation. They say that God became Man. Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this." - C.S. Lewis

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The Out of Rhythm Life: Idolatry

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Idols take us out of rhythm. The gospel keeps us in rhythm

TEXT - Matthew 6:19-21

OUTLINE

A brief idolatry diagnostic:

1. What do I worship?

2. Matthew 6:21 - "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

3. What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.

~ Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods.

1. Is the thing I worship worthy of worship?

2. Isaiah 44:13-17

3. Daniel 3:17 - "We want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

4. Possible idols: comfort, freedom, independence, approval, affirmation, identity, control, power, success, influence

5. How is God better?

6. John 2:13-19

7. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

NEXT STEPS:

1. Ask the diagnostic questions.

2. Preach the gospel to yourself every day.

3. Throw out your idols.

Seven Practices of a Life in Rhythm

DAILY DEVOTION (Acts 2:42, 46) Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him.

PRAYER (Acts 2:42) One of the most important elements in any relationship is communication. Prayer is just that: engaging God in a conversation, sharing our hearts with Him, and spending time listening to His voice, both individually and in community.

REPENTANCE (Acts 2:37-39) With the help of the Spirit we take inventory of our lives, humbly and honestly confess our sin, and turn away from our sin toward God in surrender. Through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, we receive true freedom.

SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY (Acts 2:44-45) Giving demonstrates our dependence on God. In His generosity toward us, God desires that we, too, are generous and will use our resources as a tangible way to partner with Him in His work in the world.

SERVE THE COMMUNITY (Acts 2:44-45) We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world.

SHARE YOUR STORY (Acts 2:14-36) The greatest gift we can ever give someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus is an introduction to Him. Sharing our life stories is the most powerful way to show the transforming power and salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

WORSHIP (Acts 2:26-28, 46-47) As children of God, it is important to consistently set aside time to remember what God has done, to thank Him for it, and to put Him on display as we give Him the glory. In all circumstances, we are called to practice God-centered worship.

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The Out of Rhythm Life: Fasting

Pastor Leah Carolan

THEME – Fasting is a powerful prayer we can use to realign our lives when we get out of rhythm.

TEXT – 2 Chronicles 20:12

Fasting in the Bible is:

1. A regular scheduled spiritual practice

2. For mourning, to show grief or great distress

3. A sign of repentance

4. To prepare for ministry

5. To seek divine deliverance

Reasons We Don’t Fast

1. Fear

2. Ignorance

3. Rebellion

Reasons We Should Fast

1. Restore that ‘first love’ for the Lord.

2. Reveal our spiritual condition.

3. Revival/Breakthrough

NEXT STEPS

1. Try a one meal fast.

2. Try a one day fast.

3. Try a longer fast – maybe along the lines of a Daniel Fast!

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The Out of Rhythm Life: Dechurching

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Without the church, we cannot grow in our faith.

TEXT - Acts 2:37-47

OUTLINE

What shall we do?

1. Repent and turn to Jesus.

2. Acts 2:38

3. Acts 2:22-24

4. Acts 4:12

5. Embrace the community of Jesus.

6. Acts 2:41-47

7. Hebrews 12:1-3

8. Hebrews 10:25

9. Follow the Spirit’s leading.

10. Acts 2:1-13

11. Acts 1:8

12. Philippians 1:3-6

NEXT STEPS:

1. Make corporate worship a priority.

2. Make small group participation a priority.

3. Pray for the health of the church.

4. Read Prone to Dechurch

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We installed Steve Poole and Leah Carolan as pastors on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023

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The Out of Rhythm Life: Freedom in Jesus

Pastor Steve Poole

Text: John 8:30-47

Two definitions of freedom:

1. The absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.

2. The right to do what you want to do whenever you want to do it.

Freedom in Jesus:

1. Real freedom means to follow the Jesus rhythm.

2. Real freedom is experienced only by abiding in Jesus!

Lies that throw us out of rhythm:

1. We can find freedom in our own identify.

2. We can find freedom by following the right rules.

3. We can find freedom from needing God to save us by creating our own value.

4. We can find freedom in following our heart to happiness.

APPLICATION

1. If you are not free through faith in Jesus, what are you waiting for, believe in Jesus today!

2. If you are out of rhythm, abide in Jesus and His truth this week!

SEVEN SPIRITUAL RHYTHMS TO KEEP

DAILY DEVOTION (Acts 2:42, 46) Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him.

PRAYER (Acts 2:42) One of the most important elements in any relationship is communication. Prayer is just that: engaging God in a conversation, sharing our hearts with Him, and spending time listening to His voice, both individually and in community.

REPENTANCE (Acts 2:37-39) With the help of the Spirit we take inventory of our lives, humbly and honestly confess our sin, and turn away from our sin toward God in surrender. Through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, we receive true freedom.

SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY (Acts 2:44-45) Giving demonstrates our dependence on God. In His generosity toward us, God desires that we, too, are generous and will use our resources as a tangible way to partner with Him in His work in the world.

SERVE THE COMMUNITY (Acts 2:44-45) We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world.

SHARE YOUR STORY (Acts 2:14-36) The greatest gift we can ever give someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus is an introduction to Him. Sharing our life stories is the most powerful way to show the transforming power and salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

WORSHIP (Acts 2:26-28, 46-47) As children of God, it is important to consistently set aside time to remember what God has done, to thank Him for it, and to put Him on display as we give Him the glory. In all circumstances, we are called to practice God-centered worship.

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ROOTED: Worship

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Life in Jesus is rooted in worship.

TEXT - Psalm 100 and Job 1

OUTLINE

1. Find the rhythm of worship.

2. Psalm 100

3. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

4. Keep the rhythm of worship.

5. Job 1

6. Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. Job 1:21

7. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

NEXT STEPS:

1. Rhythm is a repeated pattern of regular activity.

2. Find a rhythm of personal and corporate worship.

3. Keep a rhythm of personal and corporate worship.

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ROOTED: Telling Your Story

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We have the best story to tell.

TEXT - Psalm 107:1-9

OUTLINE

1. Classic Storytelling Structure

2. Beginning - life happens.

3. Middle - trouble/despair.

4. End - rescue.

5. Classic Christian Storytelling Structure

6. Psalm 107 - Give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

7. Ephesians 2 - “But God” Stories

8. • • Life without Jesus. (need)
9. • • How Jesus came. (plea)
10. • • How Jesus sustains. (God’s response)

11. Telling your “But God” Story.

12. Your life without Jesus. (need)

13. How Jesus came to you. (plea)

14. How Jesus sustains you. (God’s response)

NEXT STEPS:

1. Cry out to God in your need.

2. Give thanks to God for rescuing you.

3. Tell your story.

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ROOTED: Sacrificial Generosity

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We are blessed to be a blessing.

TEXT - 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

OUTLINE

1. The Threat of Money.

2. 1 Timothy 6:10

3. Matthew 6:24

4. The Rhythms of Giving.

5. Giving germinates out of God’s Grace.

6. Giving sprouts as a Joyful Response.

7. Giving grows into Sacrificial Generosity.

8. Giving flourishes in Worshipful Delight.

9. Giving bears fruit by Holy Spirit Guidance.

10. Giving multiplies with generous Wealth Management.

11. The Joy of Generosity.

12. 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

13. Acts 4:32-36

NEXT STEPS:

1. Ask God what you should give.

2. Give whatever God tells you to give.

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ROOTED: Serve Others

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”~ John 15:12

TEXT - Mark 10:35-45

Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. Mark 10:44

1. Servants surrender.

Mark 10:43-45

Romans 12:10

1. Servants embrace humility.

Philippians 2:1-11

Galatians 5:13

1. Servants show compassion.

Mark 6:34

Acts 2:44-45

1. Servants remain patient.

2 Peter 3:9

Matthew 5:16

NEXT STEPS:

Accept Jesus. (Let Jesus serve you!)

Celebrate God’s Love. (See how much God serves you!)

Serve Someone. (Love out of the overflow of God’s love!)

THE 7 ROOTED RHYTHMS

DAILY DEVOTION (Acts 2:42, 46) Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him.

PRAYER (Acts 2:42) One of the most important elements in any relationship is communication. Prayer is just that: engaging God in a conversation, sharing our hearts with Him, and spending time listening to His voice, both individually and in community.

REPENTANCE (Acts 2:37-39) With the help of the Spirit we take inventory of our lives, humbly and honestly confess our sin, and turn away from our sin toward God in surrender. Through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, we receive true freedom.

SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY (Acts 2:44-45) Giving demonstrates our dependence on God. In His generosity toward us, God desires that we, too, are generous and will use our resources as a tangible way to partner with Him in His work in the world.

SERVE THE COMMUNITY (Acts 2:44-45) We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world.

SHARE YOUR STORY (Acts 2:14-36) The greatest gift we can ever give someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus is an introduction to Him. Sharing our life stories is the most powerful way to show the transforming power and salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

WORSHIP (Acts 2:26-28, 46-47) As children of God, it is important to consistently set aside time to remember what God has done, to thank Him for it, and to put Him on display as we give Him the glory. In all circumstances, we are called to practice God-centered worship.

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ROOTED: Repentance

Pastor Steve Poole

THEME – Repentance: Discovering Joy in Grief

TEXT - Psalms 51:1-17

About the word ‘repentance’

· Μετάνοια

· Transliteration: metanoia

· Phonetic Spelling: (met-an'-oy-ah)

· Definition: change of mind, repentance

· Usage: repentance, a change of mind, change in the inner man

OUTLINE

1. Repentance fully recognizes the weight of my sin.

2. Repentance connects me more deeply with the wonder of the Gospel in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:1-6)

3. Repentance is a road to healing and restoration. (James 5:16)

4. Repentance is a life-long rhythm of all Christians. (Matt. 4:17)

NEXT STEPS

1. Repent for salvation.

2. Repent of habitual sin.

3. Repent of nagging sin.

4. Experience peace in the Gospel.

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ROOTED: Prayer

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Pray always and never give up!

TEXT - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

OUTLINE - A vibrant prayer life is possible for you.

1. Prayer begins with God.

Hebrews 4:15-16

Isaiah 62:6-7

Jeremiah 33:3

1. Prayer is not detached from reality.

Psalm 34:17

Psalm 55:17

Psalm 72:12

1. Prayer isn’t too complicated.

James 4:8

1 Thessalonians 5:16

1. Prayer is pleasant.

Isaiah 55:1-3

Matthew 11:28-10

1. Prayer requires patience and persistence.

Luke 18:1-8

Ephesians 6:18

NEXT STEP: Pray always and never give up.

THE 7 ROOTED RHYTHMS

DAILY DEVOTION (Acts 2:42, 46) Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him.

PRAYER (Acts 2:42) One of the most important elements in any relationship is communication. Prayer is just that: engaging God in a conversation, sharing our hearts with Him, and spending time listening to His voice, both individually and in community.

REPENTANCE (Acts 2:37-39) With the help of the Spirit we take inventory of our lives, humbly and honestly confess our sin, and turn away from our sin toward God in surrender. Through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, we receive true freedom.

SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY (Acts 2:44-45) Giving demonstrates our dependence on God. In His generosity toward us, God desires that we, too, are generous and will use our resources as a tangible way to partner with Him in His work in the world.

SERVE THE COMMUNITY (Acts 2:44-45) We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world.

SHARE YOUR STORY (Acts 2:14-36) The greatest gift we can ever give someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus is an introduction to Him. Sharing our life stories is the most powerful way to show the transforming power and salvation offered through Jesus Christ.

WORSHIP (Acts 2:26-28, 46-47) As children of God, it is important to consistently set aside time to remember what God has done, to thank Him for it, and to put Him on display as we give Him the glory. In all circumstances, we are called to practice God-centered worship.

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ROOTED: Daily Devotions

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - A Daily Devotion is the spiritual practice of dwelling in the Word to connect with God.

TEXT - Deuteronomy 6:1-12

Throughout history - from generation to generation - right up to today people connect with God through the practice of daily devotions. This connection with God transforms us.

1. Remember.

2. Deuteronomy 6:1-12.

3. Daily reminders help us remember that God is always with us.

4. Renew.

5. Nehemiah 8:1-12

6. Daily inspiration renews us from the inside out.

7. Remake.

8. Isaiah 64:8

9. Daily we are in the hands of a loving potter being remade.

NEXT STEP: Practice Daily Devotions

1. Ask God to speak to you.

2. Read a passage. Listen.

3. Meditate on the passage.

4. Pray.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL HELPS

1. BOOKS OR BOOKLETS

There are countless excellent devotional books or booklets available. Talk to any of our Staff or leaders to get a recommendation.

1. OUR DAILY BREAD

Classic devotional readings available in print, to your email, online, or with the new app – www.odb.org

1. WORDS OF HOPE

A daily verse with short devotional reflections: www.woh.org/devotional

1. YOUVERSION BIBLE

This is one of the most popular Bible apps with a ton of reading plans. www.youversion.com

1. SOLID JOYS - John Piper Daily Devotional App

A daily devotional app from the ministry of John Piper offers short but substantive readings to feed your joy in Jesus every day of the year. www.desiringgod.org

1. NEW CITY CATECHISM

This is a modern-day resource aimed at helping children and adults alike learn the core doctrines of the Christian faith via 52 questions and answers. www.newcitycatechism.com

1. Daily Bible Devotion App, d365, Morning and Evening Devotionals, etc. Free Apps to guide your daily rhythms. Available in your app Store.

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ROOTED: An Overview

Pastor Kent Landhuis (and guest panel)

THEME – Engaging the rhythms of rooted will connect you with God, the church, and your purpose.

TEXT – Psalm 1, John 15

1. What helps you abide with God?

I want to be like a tree… Psalm 1

Abide in me… John 15

Notes:

1. What are the rhythms?

Daily Devotion.

Prayer.

Repentance.

Sacrificial Generosity.

Serve the Community.

Share your Story.

Worship.

1. What interferes with these rhythms?

Life is noisy.

Notes

NEXT STEP: Commit to “Rooted”

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Meeting God: The Sensate

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME – The sensate meets God with their whole being.

TEXT - Psalm 141; Mark 12:30

1. Hearing God.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear.” ~Matthew 11:15

1. Seeing God.

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” ~ Matthew 6:22

1. Smelling God.

“(Bring) spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.” ~Exodus 25:6b

1. Touching God.

“He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” ~ Isaiah 53:5

1. Tasting God.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” ~ Psalm 34:8

NEXT STEPS

Meet God now in this place.

Keep exploring your pathways to meeting God.

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Meeting God: The Activist

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Activists meet God in their zeal for doing good.

TEXT - Romans 12:9-21, John 2:13-17

OUTLINE

1. Zealous for good.

· Romans 12:9-13.

· Hate evil.

· Cling to good.

1. Zealous for people.

· Romans 12:14-20.

· Matthew 5:43-45.

· Love people.

1. Zealous for God’s Glory.

· Romans 12:21.

· Romans 12:1-2.

· Matthew 15:29-31

· 1 Kings 18:19-39

· Praise God.

NEXT STEPS

1. Intercede for people trapped by evil.

2. Fight for good.

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Meeting God: The Contemplative

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Contemplatives meet God with ideas and images, connecting with God in their minds.

TEXT - 2 Timothy 1:1-7 , 2 Timothy 3:10-17

OUTLINE

1. Contemplatives meet God through curiosity.

2. All truth is God’s truth.

3. Love God with all your mind.

4. Contemplatives love words and images.

5. To know God is to love God.

6. Seek truth.

7. Contemplatives can love ideas too much.

8. Don’t love ideas more than people.

9. Don’t love ideas more than action.

10. Contemplatives need mental stimulation.

11. Study the word.

12. Grow in grace and knowledge.

NEXT STEPS

1. Take the sacred pathways assessment: Sacred Pathways Survey

2. Meet God.

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MEETING GOD: THE CAREGIVER

Gary Sager

THEME – Love is the true path to caring.

TEXT - 1 John 3:11; Matthew 22:37-39

1. Importance of Love

2. Matt. 22:40

3. Rom. 13:10

4. John 13:34

5. Love Who

6. Matt. 5:43 – Love your enemy.

7. Luke 10:30-37 – Good Samaritan.

8. Love Why - John 13:35

9. Love How

10. Rom. 5:8 – He loves unconditionally.

11. 2 Cor. 5:21 – He loves sacrificially.

12. Eph. 4:32 – He loves with forgiveness.

13. Rom. 8:38-39 – He loves eternally.

14. Key Reason

John 15:12-13, Romans 5:8

NEXT STEPS – Can we love as Christ loved?

“Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, It does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” ~ 1 Cor. 13:4-7

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” ~ 1 John 4:9-11

Take the Sacred Pathways Assessment

This Sacred Pathways Survey will help you to better understand yourself and your relationship with God, your strengths and your weaknesses, what to do in times of stress, and how to challenge yourself. It’s a blessing to share this survey with friends. Along these lines we recently used this when leading a retreat for a church staff.

This Sacred Pathways Survey is inspired by and adapted from Gary Thomas’ book, “Sacred Pathways: Discovering your Soul’s Path to God.”

https://www.soulshepherding.org/sacred-pathways-survey/

SACRED PATHWAYS and DESCRIPTIONS

Nature - Appreciating the beauty of God’s creation.

Enthusiastic Worship - Celebrating God’s goodness with thanks and praise.

Learning - Gaining insights about God and life with him.

Tradition - Following time-honored spiritual traditions and practices.

Asceticism - Abstaining from comforts to make more space for God.

Sensation - Experiencing God with your physical senses or imagination.

Caregiving - Offering God’s compassion to those the hurting or struggling.

Social Justice - Actively engaging with others to serve the poor and needy

Contemplation/Quiet Prayer - Being absorbed with God in quiet solitude.

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MEETING GOD: The Naturalist

Pastor Steve Poole

THEME – Creation declares the glory of God!

TEXT – Romans 1:18-23

1. Prayer is Meeting With God

Romans 1:19-23

1. God Reveals Himself to Us Through Creation

Psalm 19:1-4

1. Praying in Nature Helps Us to be in Awe of Go

“Once, I went into the wild a dead man. Death had

broken my heart and I grieved… God’s words in God’s

pages made more sense to me in God’s wild. After a few

days I was a new man.” ~Murray Pura

NEXT STEP – Make time to go outdoors and meet God in prayer

this week.

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PRAY FOR ME: Summary

Pastor Kent Landhuis

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PRAY FOR ME: Pray for Conduct

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Be good and do good.

TEXT - Matthew 22:34-40

OUTLINE

1. Only God is good.

2. Luke 18:18-27.

3. Matthew 5:48.

4. God makes us good in Jesus.

5. Mark 7:1-15.

6. Ephesians 2:8-9.

7. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

8. Micah 6:8.

9. Romans 12:17-18.

10. Colossians 3:17.

11. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

12. What is the loving thing to do?

13. Matthew 23.

14. Deuteronomy 6.

15. Luke 10:25-37.

NEXT STEPS

Be good.

Do good.

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PRAY FOR ME: Speech

Pastor Steve Poole

TEXT – James 3:3-12 ESV

1. The Bible and Jesus take speech seriously.

· Proverbs 18:6-7; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 12:18

· Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue…

· Ephesians 5:3-5; Matthew 12:34-37

1. Speech is serious because it reveals our heart condition.

· Matthew 12:34; Ephesians 4:19-24; 29

· “The grace of God has taken the hate and anger and resentment that spill over in mean and vulgar and irreverent language and has covered them with the blood of Christ and killed them along with the old unbelieving self.” ~ John Piper

1. Godly speech isn’t moralistic—it is life-giving.

2. Summary of God’s standards for speech:

· Does it honor God? Is it true?

· Does it cheapen or degrade what God has called good or holy?

· Does it build others up, bring life to them, or give grace to the hearers?

· It’s not just about what you say, but how you say it.

NEXT STEPS

1. Put your trust in Jesus and be forgiven and freed from sin.

2. Repent, confess your evil speech and invite God to transform your heart.

3. Pray for your loved ones, children, teens, and adults around you.

WEEKLY PRAYER

Circle or underline any key words or phrases you SEE:

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. Ephesians 5:4

SAVOR:

Father, we live in a world that is so often careless and crude in how we use our speech. I pray that you would protect _____ from speech that can corrupt and tear them down. Help them to see destructive speech and never become comfortable with it from their friends or from themselves. Give them a strong desire and determination to only use words that encourage others. Help them to learn to speak good words with purpose and precision. Guard them from speech that is filled with filthiness and crude joking. Help them to learn to initiate conversations that are gracious, encouraging, and filled with gratefulness for all that you have done for them. Make thankfulness their primary way they battle speech around them that is filled with foolishness, or crude joking, so that you are glorified, and others are uplifted. For your glory and their good, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Write down any thoughts or ideas you may want to SHARE:

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Our Cedar Camp students and mentors joined us in both services to give an update on our first Cedar Camp!

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PRAY FOR ME: Purity

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Pay attention to what our hearts are set on.

TEXT - Luke 12:22-31

1. Set your heart on life.

2. Luke 12:22-31.

3. Jeremiah 17:9.

4. Colossians 3:1-8.

5. Matthew 6:19-21.

6. Set your life on Christ.

7. Galatians 2:20

8. Ezekiel 36:25-27

9. 2 Corinthians 5:21

10. Hebrews 10:14

11. Proverbs 4:23

NEXT STEPS

1. Go live by faith in Christ.

2. Pay attention to sinful snares.

3. Celebrate God’s treasure.

4. As you pray, practice S3 - see, savor, and share.

“If we don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because we have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.” ~ John Piper.

WEEKLY PRAYER

"Father, open my eyes so that I might see you more clearly, savor you more fully, and share you more freely."

Circle or underline any key words or phrases you SEE:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

SAVOR these truths in prayer for you and your student:

Father, you are clear in what is good for us and what is not. Too often our appetites lead us astray. Father, I pray that you would give __________ an appetite that causes supreme delight and enjoyment in you. Keep earthly loves from creeping into their hearts. Grant them an acute awareness of when they are being lured into the desires of the flesh. Give them eyes to see the futility in loving the things of this world. Cause their love for you to increase and abound in depth, breadth, length, and height. For your glory and their good. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Write down thoughts or ideas you want to Share:

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PRAY FOR ME: Faith

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Faith brings confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

TEXT - Hebrews 11:1-2, 12:1-3

OUTLINE

1. Faith does not lose hope

Hebrews 11:1-2.

Hebrews 11:8-12.

1. Faith trusts in times of trouble.

Hebrews 11:13.

Hebrews 11:32-40.

1. Faith keeps running.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Romans 8:28

NEXT STEPS

1. Remind yourself - God is faithful and trustworthy.

2. Trust God - always.

3. Ask God to grow faith in you AND in the people you love.

4. As you pray, practice S3 - see, savor, and share.

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PRAY FOR ME: Pray for Love

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - God commits to loving us forever.

TEXT - Psalm 103:1-8, Psalm 118:1

1. It’s a completely selfish world.

Judges 17:6 - Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.

Psalm 119:36 - Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

1. God’s loyal love is eternal and perfect.

Psalm 118:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 103:8 - The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loyal love.

1. Because God loves us we love others.

1 John 4:11 - Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 Corinthians 10:24 - No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

NEXT STEPS

Celebrate God’s love for you!

Ask God to show his love to the persons you are praying for.

Ask God to help us love one another.

As you pray, practice S3 - see, savor, and share.

WEEKLY PRAYER

"Father, open my eyes so that I might see you more clearly, savor you more fully, and share you more freely."

Circle or underline any key words or phrases you See:

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith an pierced themselves with many pangs." (1 Timothy 6:10)

"Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

Savor these truths in prayer for you and your student:

"Father, as I pray for _____ today, I long for them to have their hearts captured by you and your love. So many things can steal their affections—the love of money being the most significant and potentially tragic. Your Word says that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Don’t let that ever be the driving force of their lives. May your glory and the good of others be their primary goal. Protect them from fear of the unknown, which can tempt them to rely on money. Give them confidence in knowing that you will never leave or forsake them. You are their helper; there is no need to fear. For your glory and their good, in Jesus’ name, amen."

Write down thoughts or ideas you want to Share:

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PRAY FOR ME: Pray for Wisdom

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Wisdom is one of the core four requests that bring flourishing.

TEXT - Proverbs 3:5-8

1. Wisdom starts with the Fear of the Lord.

· Proverbs 2:5

· Proverbs 10:27

· Proverbs 14:27

· Proverbs 15:16

1. Wisdom gives life and flourishing.

· Proverbs 1

· Proverbs 6:15

· Proverbs 10:21

1. Wisdom goads us toward Jesus.

· Ecclesiastes 12:9-12

· Luke 2:52

· Ephesians 1:17

· 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

NEXT STEPS

· Ask God to give you wisdom.

· Ask God to give the persons for whom you are praying wisdom.

· As you pray, practice S3 - see, savor, and share.

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PRAY FOR ME: Pray for Wisdom

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Wisdom is one of the core four requests that bring flourishing.

TEXT - Proverbs 3:5-8

1. Wisdom starts with the Fear of the Lord.

· Proverbs 2:5

· Proverbs 10:27

· Proverbs 14:27

· Proverbs 15:16

1. Wisdom gives life and flourishing.

· Proverbs 1

· Proverbs 6:15

· Proverbs 10:21

1. Wisdom goads us toward Jesus.

· Ecclesiastes 12:9-12

· Luke 2:52

· Ephesians 1:17

· 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

NEXT STEPS

· Ask God to give you wisdom.

· Ask God to give the persons for whom you are praying wisdom.

· As you pray, practice S3 - see, savor, and share.

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PRAY FOR ME: Favor

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We pray to grow in favor with God and others.

TEXT - Ephesians 2:1-10

OUTLINE

1. You were dead.

2. Ephesians 2:1

3. Romans 3:23

4. Romans 6:23

5. But God.

6. Ephesians 2:4

7. Romans 5:8

8. Saved you.

9. Ephesians 2:8-10

10. Romans 8:31-39

NEXT STEPS

1. Grow in trust in God alone.

2. Continue praying for your student and /or kid.

3. I pray that you will give _____ greater faith to trust you for their salvation.

4. As you pray, practice S3 - see, savor, and share.

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PRAY FOR ME: Essentials

Pastor Steve Poole

TEXT – Psalm 145:4 – “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.”

OUTLINE

1. Pray for me is about all generations finding hope in the

greatness of God through strategic prayer.

1. Pray for me empowers us to pray scriptures

2. Pray for me is structured around praying 7 essentials

3. Pray for me teaches us to see, savor, and share (S3)

THE 7 ESSENTIALS

● Favor

● Wisdom

● Love

● Faith

● Purity

● Speech

● Conduct

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Praying to be Rooted in Love

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - These prayers pull us deeper into an experience of God’s love and grace.

TEXT - Ephesians 3:16-21

OUTLINE

1. We pray to be strengthened. (Eph. 3:16)

2. We pray to be rooted in love. (Eph. 3:17b-19)

3. We pray to be emboldened. (Eph. 3:20-21)

4. We pray to bless God and encourage each other.

5. Read the verses.

6. Listen to the Spirit.

7. Pray.

NEXT STEPS

1. Pray the prayers of the apostles.

2. Become a prayer champion.

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Praying to Know God's Word

Pastor Kent Landhuis

We will also be acknowledging our 2023 graduates in both services.

TEXT – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

1. Harmony in the Church brings glory to God.

“Satan loves nothing more than robbing God of glory by dividing His Church.”

1. God is glorified in self-sacrificing for the sake of harmony

“Our principle should be: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in everything, love.”

1. God is glorified in diversity – reconciliation.

Revelation 9:9-10

Romans 15:7

1. God is glorified when we welcome as Jesus welcomed us.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

NEXT STEPS

1. Sign-up for Pray4Me.

2. Seek reconciliation with someone.

3. Practice better hospitality.

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Praying to Know Harmony

Steve Poole

THEME - We pray to be unified in Christ.

TEXT – Romans 15:5-7

1. Harmony in the Church brings glory to God.

“Satan loves nothing more than robbing God of glory by dividing His Church.”

1. God is glorified in self-sacrificing for the sake of harmony

“Our principle should be: In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in everything, love.”

1. God is glorified in diversity – reconciliation.

Revelation 9:9-10

Romans 15:7

1. God is glorified when we welcome as Jesus welcomed us.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

NEXT STEPS

1. Sign-up for Pray4Me.

2. Seek reconciliation with someone.

3. Practice better hospitality.

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PRAYING TO KNOW GOD'S WILL

The Prayers of the Apostles

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We pray to be grounded in the knowledge of God.

TEXT - Colossians 1:9-12

1. Lord Teach us to Pray

a. Teach us to pray reactive prayers.

b. Teach us to pray proactive prayers.

i. Look to the future.

ii. Trust in God’s promise.

1. Teach us to pray to know God’s will.

a. Fill us with the knowledge of His Will.

b. Help us walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.

c. Strengthen us with all power.

d. Give us joy and gratitude.

1. Teach us to Pray for One Another.

a. Pray for Me

b. Pray for the next generation to know God’s will.

NEXT STEPS

Pray Colossians 1:9-12.

Sign up to be a prayer champion.

Sign up to receive prayer.

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Praying to Abound in Love
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We pray to grow in love so that we can love God and each other more.TEXT - Philippians 1:9-11

1. Lord Teach us to Pray

a. Teach us to pray reactive prayers.

• Help.
• Thanks.
• Wow.

b. Teach us to pray proactive prayers.

• Look to the future.
• Trust in God’s promise.

2. Teach us to pray for abounding love.

• Philippians 1:9-11.
• John 13:35.
• Matthew 22:34-40

3. Teach us to love as we have been loved

• 1 John 4:10-11
• Luke 7:36-50
• Zephaniah 3:17

NEXT STEPS

• Pray Philippians 1:9-11
• Love one another.
• Pray for the next generation.

Support the show________________________________
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TWITTER @cedarhillscr
WEB www.cedarhillscr.org

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Praying to Know Christ
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The prayers of the Apostles teach us to pray proactive prayers.
TEXT - Ephesians 1:15-18

OUTLINE

1. Review: Lord Teach us to Pray

a.    Matthew 6:5-8. Don’t pray like this.
b.    Matthew 6:9- 15. Pray like this.

1. Teach us to pray reactive prayers.

a.    Help. Psalm 18:6
b.    Thanks. Psalm 118:1
c.    Wow. Psalm 8

1. Teach us to pray proactive pro-active prayers.

a.    Look to the future.
b.    Trust in a promise.
c.    Ephesians 1:17-18

NEXT STEPS

1.    Meditate on Ephesians 1:15-18.
2.    Pray proactive prayers.

Support the show________________________________
FACEBOOK @cedarhillscommunitychurch
INSTAGRAM @cedarhillscr
TWITTER @cedarhillscr
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Thoughts and Prayers: Resurrection Power
Steve Poole

THEME - What is power? How do we define it? How do we measure it? How is power demonstrated?

TEXT – Ephesians 1:15-23

1. God’s power toward us is immeasurably great.

Ephesians 1:19-20

1. God demonstrated his immeasurable power in the resurrection of Jesus.

Ephesians 1:20

1. God manifests His immeasurable power by setting Jesus at his right hand—and us with him.

Ephesians 2:6-7

1. God’s immeasurable power gives Jesus authority over ALL other powers.

Ephesians 1:21

1. God’s immeasurable power gives Jesus authority over His body the Church.

Ephesians 1:22

1. God’s immeasurable power is displayed in ALL FULLNESS in the Church.

Ephesians 1:23

NEXT STEPS

1. Do you know the assurance and hope we have through faith in Jesus Christ’ death and resurrection?

2. How can you find comfort, peace, hope, and encouragement in knowing God’s immeasurable power toward us?

3. Pray for an outpouring of more of God’s mighty power to save the lost and strengthen His people.

4. Pray, “God enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I may know you and your mighty power more”.

Support the show________________________________
FACEBOOK @cedarhillscommunitychurch
INSTAGRAM @cedarhillscr
TWITTER @cedarhillscr
WEB www.cedarhillscr.org

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Believe the Impossible
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Easter invites us to believe impossible things.
TEXT - 1 Corinthians 15

Three Easter impossibilities before lunch.

1. Believe an impossible story.

2. "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep." 1 Corinthians 15:1-6

3. Embrace an impossible truth.

4. "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:19-22

5. "It is impossible for people to save themselves, but everything is possible for God." Matthew 19:26 (GW)

6. Discover an impossible hope.

7. "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied." 1 Corinthians 15:19

8. “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:55-58

NEXT STEPS

1. Believe that Jesus died for you!
2. Believe that Jesus was raised to life for you!
3. Believe that in Jesus - God loves you!
4. Believe that God can do the impossible!

Support the show________________________________
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INSTAGRAM @cedarhillscr
TWITTER @cedarhillscr
WEB www.cedarhillscr.org

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Thoughts and Prayers: Trusting Prayers
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Jesus demonstrates postures that lead to trusting God.
TEXT - Luke 23:46

REVIEW

1. We pray simple prayers of trust in our Father. We L.E.A.P. and he catches us.

L - Look to your Father.
E - Expect the Best.
A - Act like a Kid.
P - Put your trust in God.

1. We have the confidence to ask anything because Jesus is our advocate. He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

2. We pray God-glorifying prayers that help us connect with God even if it disrupts our lives. God is the potter, we are the clay. John 12:20-36

3. We pray passionate prayers as Jesus prayed in the Garden and we trust that God will help us remain vigilant. Matthew 26:36-46

4. We need forgiveness, God wants to forgive and Jesus offers forgiveness so we are the kind of people who forgive others. Luke 23:33

LUKE 23:46
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Three postures that lead to trusting God.

1.Hosanna Hope.

• Psalm 118:25-29
• God promises to save. (Isaiah 12:2)

• Wave your hands in praise.

• Humble Abandonment.

• Psalm 31:1-5

• God is our refuge. (Isaiah 57:13)

• Open palms of acceptance.

• Prayerful Surrender.

• Psalm 31:6-8

• God’s way is not our way. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
• Bow down in surrender to God’s way.

NEXT STEPS

• Praise God for his saving work in Jesus.
• Pray for wisdom and courage to abandon idols.
• Bow down and surrender to God’s plan.

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Thoughts and Prayers: Forgiving Prayers
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Jesus came to provide forgiveness.
TEXT - Luke 23:33-43

OUTLINE

Review:

1. We pray simple prayers of trust in our Father. We leap and he catches us.

L - Look to your Father.
E - Expect the Best.
A - Act like a Kid.
P - Put your trust in God.

1. We have the confidence to ask anything because Jesus is our advocate. He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

2. We pray God-glorifying prayers that help us connect with God even if it disrupts our lives. God is the potter, we are the clay. John 12:20-36

3. We pray passionate prayers as Jesus prayed in the Garden and we trust that God will help us remain vigilant. Matthew 26:36-46

Luke 23:34. Father Forgive them.

We need forgiveness.

• Romans 3:23. All have sinned.
• Psalm 51. Against you and you only have I sinned.
• Romans 5:12. Death spread to all.

God wants to forgive.

• Luke 15:20. God ran to him.
• Jonah 4:2. I knew you would forgive them.
• Psalm 103:8. Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.
• 1 John 1:9. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

Jesus offers forgiveness.

• John 3:16-17. God sent his son to save the world.
• Ephesians 1:7-9. The riches of God’s grace is lavished on us in Jesus.
• Acts 2:38. Repent for the remission of sins.
• Ephesians 2:8-9. By grace you have been saved.

NEXT STEPS

• Pray - Father please forgive me.
• Accept God’s forgiveness offered in Jesus.
• Forgive as you have been forgiven.

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Thoughts and Prayers: Passionate PrayersSteve Poole

TEXT: Matthew 26:36-46

OUTLINE

1.     We pray in hope because Christ has bought us victory over death by His blood.

2.     Jesus invites us to fight with him - in prayer.

3.     Pray that God will help us remain vigilant.

4.     We go. We fight. We pray. We give it all, because Jesus gave it all!

NEXT STEPS

1.     Put your faith in Jesus

2.     Pray for God to revive your heart and the heart of our church

3.     Pray for your loved ones and those in the community who need to believe in Jesus for salvation

4.     Find other to sit with you if you are suffering as Jesus was

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Thoughts and Prayers: God-Centered Prayers
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - God-centered prayers change us.
TEXT - John 12:20-36

REVIEW

1. We pray simple prayers of trust in our Father. We leap and he catches us.

2. • L - Look to your Father.
3. • E - Expect the Best.
4. • A - Act like a Kid.
5. • P - Put your trust in God.

6. We have the confidence to ask anything because Jesus is our advocate.

7. • Hebrews 10:23 ~ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
8. • John 12:20-36

9. Father, glorify your name.

10. • John 12:23 ~ Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
11. • John 12:28 ~ Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
12. • 2 Corinthians 5:17

13. Father, connect me to you.

14. • James 4:7-8 ~ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
15. • Hebrews 10:22 ~ Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

16. Father, disrupt my life.

17. • Isaiah 64:6-8.
18. • Luke 9:23-25 ~Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

NEXT STEPS

• • Pray heart-softening prayers.
• • Father, glorify your name.
• • Father, connect me to you.
• • Father, disrupt my life.
• • Trust God to be God.

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Thoughts and Prayers: Big PrayersPastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We pray big, bold prayers because we have an advocate.
TEXT - John 17:1-26

OUTLINE

Review - we pray simple prayers of trust in our Father. We leap and he catches us.

L - Look to your Father.
E - Expect the Best.
A - Act like a Kid.
P - Put your trust in God.

Jesus prays a big, bold prayer. (High Priestly Prayer)

• Jesus prays for himself. (1-5)
• Jesus prays for the 12 disciples. (6-19)
• Jesus prays for all believers. (20-26)

Jesus intercedes for us.

• Faith/faithfulness (11-16)
• Sanctification/consecration (17-19)God’s glory.
• Community/Community (20-23)
• Glory/fruitfulness (24-26)

Jesus pleads our case before the judge.

• Hebrews 4:14-16 - "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
• Hebrews 10:19-23 - "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful"

NEXT STEPS

• Confess your need for an advocate.
• Trust in the work of Jesus.
• Pray big, bold prayers.

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Thoughts and Prayers: Simple Prayer
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - As children of God we pray simple, childlike prayers.
TEXT - Matthew 19:13-16, Matthew 18:1-3

OUTLINE
Our thoughts and prayers makes a difference.

L.E.A.P.

L - Look to your Father.

• Matthew 19:13-16. Jesus blesses his children.
• Mark 10:16. And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

E - Expect the Best.

• Luke 11:11-12. If we know how to give good gifts, how much more does our Heavenly Father?
• James 1:17. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

A - Act like a Kid.

• Matthew 18:3. Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
• Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

P - Put your trust in God.

• Hebrews 4:16. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
• Matthew 6:5-8. We don’t need to keep babbling on and on.

NEXT STEPS

1. Ask your Father for anything.
2. Lift others to the Father in your thoughts and prayers.

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The Lord’s Prayer: And Do Not Bring Us Into Temptation
Steve Poole

TEXT – Matthew 6:9-13 CSB

1. A better understanding of “Temptation”

2. James 1:13

3. “Do not bring us into trials.”

4. Jesus prayed to remove a trial. (Matthew26:39)

5. “But trials of another kind, persecution, spiritual conflicts, agony of body or of spirit, these may come to us as a test or as a discipline.” ~ Ellicot

6. Trial, meaning to ‘pierce through, as with a spear or spit’.

7. A better translation could be, “Do not allow us to come into trials beyond which we can endure for Your glory and our growth.”

8. Persevering THROUGH trials brings God’s blessing

9. God allows trials to come into our lives in order to build us in the faith.

APPLICATION

1. Share your trial, then pray, “Lord, bring us not into trial, but deliver us from the evil one,” together with another Jesus-follower who gets it.

2. Pray for deliverance with perseverance.

3. Pray for the global church.

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The Lord’s Prayer: Forgive Us
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The more I know how much I’ve been forgiven, the more forgiving I become.
TEXT - Matthew 6:5-15, Matthew 18:21-35

OUTLINE

Four Truths about Forgiveness.

1. Forgiveness is simple.

2. Sin needs to be forgiven.

3. God forgives our sin.
4. We forgive others.
5. We believe in forgiveness.

6. Matthew 6:12

7. Forgiveness is complicated.
   a. True or False?

8. Where deep wounds between people are concerned, forgiveness can be unpacked in a moment.

9. Most people agree about what forgiveness is and how it should take place.
10. Good people resolve all their disagreements.
11. There are times when it is wrong to forgive.

b. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:10

1. Forgiveness is unconditional.

2. Matthew 18:21-45

3. God demonstrated his love for us in this - While we were still sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

4. God loves sinners unconditionally because there is no good thing in us that moves God to love us or forgive us.

5. Forgiveness is conditional.

6. Matthew 6:14-15

7. If we confess our sins God is faithful and just and to forgive us our sins. 1 John 1:9
8. Matthew 18:21-45

NEXT STEPS

• • Ask God to forgive you.
• • Forgive others.

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The Lord’s Prayer: Give Us This Day our Daily Bread
Gary Sager

THEME – “Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
TEXT - Matthew 6:5-13

FOCUS: Our Heavenly Father

1. Pray to the Father about His Name “Hallowed be your name”
2. Pray to the Father about His Kingdom “Your kingdom come”
3. Pray to the Father about His Will “Your will be done”

FOCUS: ‘Us’ and ‘Our’

1. Pray for Provision “Give us this day our daily bread” (Present)
2. Pray for Pardon “Forgive us our debts” (Past)
3. Pray for Protection “Lead us not into temptation” (Future)

FOUR THINGS that this prayer/petition will do for us:

1. Acknowledge Our Dependence - “Give”
2. Deepen Our Compassion - “Us & Our”
3. Affirm God’s Faithfulness for Today - “This Day”
4. Therefore, I tell you do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink nor about your body, what you will put on. Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet, your Heavenly Father feeds them (Matt 6:25-26).
5. Grow Our Gratitude - “Daily Bread”

HEART OF THE MATTER (Bread of Life)

• Like so many other things in the Bible, the physical is just a shadow of the real
• John 6:32-35 - Jesus is the bread of life, the true manna sent from heaven, God’s ultimate provision for our lives. We need bread daily to live, but we need Christ daily to truly live.
• We need His life in us. We need to pick our crosses daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23)
• Jesus is our true “daily bread.”

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The Lord’s Prayer: Your Will Be Done
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Teach us to pray so that we have confidence that in our lives we will experience God’s will.
TEXT - Matthew 6:9-10, Luke 7:1-10

OUTLINE - Praying the Lord’s Prayer grows our confidence.

1. We find our confidence in knowing God’s plan.

• What is God’s will (plan) for my life?
• Scripture’s inerrancy.
• Providential circumstances.
• Conviction based on reason.
• Holy Spirit impressions.
• "Therefore, my brothers, I implore you by God’s mercies to offer your very selves to Him, a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for His acceptance, the worship offered by mind and heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of the present world, but let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to discern the will of God and to know it is good, acceptable, and perfect." Romans 12:1-2 NEB

2. We ground our confidence in God’s authority.

• Luke 7:1-10
• Matthew 8:23-27
• Luke 7:11-17
• Luke 7:36-50
• Matthew 8:28-34

3. We rest confidently in God-centered prayers.

• "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." ~ Matthew 6:10
• "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." ~ Matthew 26:39
• "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." ~ Hebrews 11:1

NEXT STEPS

• Pray with confidence.
• "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." ~ Hebrews 4:16

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The Lord’s Prayer: Your Kingdom Come

Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Teach us to pray for more of God’s Kingdom to come - right now!
TEXT - Luke 11:1-2, Luke 14:16-23

OUTLINE

1. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come.

• Luke 11:2
• Psalm 47”8
• Psalm 103:19
• Isaiah 52:7
• Revelation 19:6

2. Surrender to God’s reign.

• Kingdoms have a king. The king is the ruler. We are not the king.
• Luke 14:16-23 (What excuses do we make to avoid surrender and submission to the king?)
• “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” Abraham Kuyper

3. Live into God’s rule.

• Your kingdom come… on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
• Luke 7:1-23
• “The Kingdom of God is where what God wants done is done.” Dallas Willard

NEXT STEPS

• Pray.

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The Lord’s Prayer: Father, Hallowed Be Thy Name
Steve Poole

THEME – The only thing my heart should be hallowing—worshipping—is God.

TEXT – Luke 11:1-4

Hallowed be Thy name means…

• Regard Him as holy. (John Piper)
• Praise and honor of God should be the issue of everything. (J.I. Packer)
• Soli Deo Glory (Bach)

Five Solas
1. Sola gratia (by grace alone)
2. Solo Christo (on the basis of Christ alone)
3. Sola fide (through the means of faith alone)
4. Soli deo Gloria (to the ultimate glory of God alone)
5. Sola Scriptura (as taught with the final and decisive authority of Scripture alone)

“Father, hallowed be thy name”

All that is--bows down,
all that breathes--cries out 
at the mention of Your name.
Earth and heaven shout
praise that shakes the ground
for the glory of Your name.
(from Soli Deo Gloria)

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The Lord’s Prayer: Lord, Teach Us to PraySteve Poole

THEME - What does God want to do in my life in 2023?
TEXT – Luke 11:1-4

OUTLINEWhat would you like God to do in your life this year?
What does God want to do in your life in 2023?

1. Lord, Teach Us to Pray (Luke 11:1-4)

2. “Opening Windows to God.” ~Frank Laubach

3. 1 Timothy 2:1

4. James 5:13-18

5. Lord, Teach Us to Pray…

6. …more expectantly

7. …more for the sick
8. …more for our lost loved ones
9. …more for deliverance from our vices
10. …more for our leaders
11. …more for the lost, dark, hopeless world and people

NEXT STEPS

1. Pray “Lord, teach me to pray.” Every day this week.
2. Make a plan to “open windows to God” at least once every hour this week.
3. Pray every day.
4. Supplication. Intercession. Thanksgiving. (S.I.T.)
5. Start a prayer journal - write down your prayers

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A Weary World Rejoices: A New and Glorious Morn
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We resolve to rest in Jesus in 2023!
TEXT - Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus brings a new and glorious morn into which we awaken to find rest for our souls.

1. Give up the burden of control.

2. We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn. Matthew 11:17

3. You are not in control!

2. Give up the burden of sin.

• If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
• No sin is not beyond forgiveness.

3. Give up the burden of striving. 

• Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10a
• You will be restless until you find rest in God.

NEXT STEPS

• Surrender!
• Rest!

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From all of us at Cedar Hills, Merry Christmas! Thank you for tuning in! Enjoy this special Christmas Eve service.

A Weary World Rejoices: Glory to God in the Highest
Pastor Kent Landhuis

Enjoy this special song our worship leader wrote to go with this message:
"Glory (The Angels' Song)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUR4nVtHLfs

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A Weary World Rejoices: Sweet Hymns of JoySteve Poole

TEXT – Luke 2:25-38

SONGS OF JOY in Luke 1-2

• Luke 1:42-45 = Elizabeth cries out
• Luke 1:46-55 = Mary’s song
• Luke 1:67-79 = Zachariah’s prophecy
• Luke 2:14 = Heavenly host
• Luke 2:20 = shepherds glorifying and praising God
• Luke 2:29-32 = Simeon’s prophecy
• Luke 2:38 = Anna’s testimony

SWEET HYMNS OF JOY...

1. While waiting in anticipation of Jesus

• Romans 8:19-23; Luke 2:25; Isaiah 49:13

2. Because Jesus is our consolation

• Luke 2:30-32; Titus 3:4-7
• “Their zeal in glorifying and praising God is an implied reproof of our indolence, or rather of our ingratitude. If the cradle of Christ had such an effect upon them, as to make them rise from the stable and the manger to heaven, how much more powerful ought the death and resurrection of Christ to be in raising us to God?” ~John Calvin

3. About Jesus our redemption

• Luke 1:68-69; Hebrews 9:28; 2 Timothy 4:8

NEXT STEPS

• Reread Luke 1-2 and celebrate with these people as they sing hymns of joyful outburst when they encounter baby Jesus.
• Spend some time this week in a worship pose of anticipation.
• Write your own “sweet hymn of joy” to Jesus!
• Rest in the comfort we have in Jesus. Feel the embrace of a loving father, God. Pause to appreciate and thank God for His comfort this week.

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A Weary World Rejoices: A Sound of Angel Voices.
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - God's love refreshes the weary soul.
TEXT - Matthew 1:18-24, Luke 1:26-38

“Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!”

1. God is Love.

• 1 John 4:8. God is love.
• Psalm 86:14. You, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love
• John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.
• Romans 5:8.God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• 1 John 4:10. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
• Psalm 107:1. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

2. Love Protects.

• Angels rescue Hagar. Genesis 16.
• Angels save Lot. Genesis 19.
• Angels comfort Jacob. Genesis 28.
• Angels deliver Daniel. Daniel 10.
• Angels defeat Gideon’s enemies. Judges 6.

3. Love Corrects.

• An angel tells Zechariah about his baby. Luke 1.
• An angel tells Mary about her baby. Luke 1
• An angel tells Joseph to marry Mary. Matthew 1
• An angel tells Peter about his freedom. Acts 12.
• An angel tells John to persevere. Revelation 1

NEXT STEPS

• Accept God’s loving protection.
• Accept God’s loving correction.
• Share God’s love with someone.

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A Weary World Rejoices: The Thrill of Hope
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The thrill of hope about the peace God promises brings joy.
TEXT - Isaiah 35:1-10

OUTLINE

"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new glorious morn.”

1. Accept No Substitute Peace.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Luke 2:14

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord - and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. Isaiah 11:1-3a

1. Embrace the disruptive kingdom.

He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Isaiah 11:4b

For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:1

1. Assume the posture of peace.

They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 11:6

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelation 7:9

NEXT STEPS

• Name your substitutes.
• Thank God for disrupting your life with the Gospel.
• Love someone in distress.

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A Weary World Rejoices: A World Pining
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We have an irresistible yearning for the world to be better.
TEXT - Isaiah 35:1-10

OUTLINE

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining.”

1. Scream out loud.

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. ~ Isaiah 35:1

Pining is an irresistible yearning or ache.

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? ~Psalm 31:1

2. Take a breath.

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution, he will come to save you.” ~ Isaiah 35:4-5

God’s now and not yet “will come” promises.

O come, o come Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. ~ Isaiah 7:14

3. Rest and Rejoice.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. ~ Isaiah 35:5-6

God’s job - my job.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. ~ Isaiah 9:2

NEXT STEPS

• Light a candle.
• Take a nap.
• Sing.

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Relational & Intentional
Steve Poole

THEME – Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men

TEXT – Matthew 4:19, 1 Corinthians 4:15-17

DISCIPLESHIP IS…

1. Discipleship is NOT information transfer, but learning to obediently walk as Jesus walked.

2. Discipleship is caught, not taught.

3. Discipleship is like spiritual parenting. (1 Corinthians 4:15-17)

4. Discipleship is relational and intentional. (Luke 5:27-32)

5. Discipleship is our purpose. (Matthew 28:19-20)

6. Being a disciple is like being a part of a family.

"While loneliness and isolation are unavoidable realities of living in this fallen world, relationships give richness and growth to our lives. God created us for connection. Fullness comes to us when we have a solid vertical connection with God and strong horizontal connections with others we can pour our love into." ~ Rabbi Sobel

NEXT STEPS

1. Am I willing to ask God to give me the name of someone who can disciple me? And am I brave enough to ask them to be my spiritual mentor/parent?

2. Am I willing to pray and ask God for the names of a few people He is calling me to disciple? And be brave enough to reach out to them when God creates opportunities?

3. What is one way I can be more intentional in my relationships? How can I ask more meaningful questions?

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Jesus and Fruit
Leah Carolan

THEME – The Father is glorified by much fruit.
TEXT – John 15:1-8

Three Types of Fruit in the Bible

1. Character Fruit – Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
2. Conduct Fruit – Fruit of Righteousness (Philippians 1:11)
3. Convert Fruit – Making new disciples (Romans 7:4-5)

The Story of the Vineyard (John 15:1-8)

• Jesus is the vine.
• God the Father is the gardener.
• Grapes are a symbol of blessing/abiding.

Four Levels of Fruit Bearing from John 15

1. No Fruit.
2. Fruit
3. More Fruit
4. Much Fruit

Barriers of Fruit Bearing - to move from…

1. No fruit to fruit: Address Sin. (John 15:2a)
2. Fruit to more fruit: Accept Pruning. (John 15:2b)
3. More fruit to much fruit: Abide in Jesus. (John 15:5)

Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-20)

• A talent is 1.4 million dollars.
• Jesus is the master. We are the investment.
• The Kingdom of God is a sure investment! Don’t bury His investment in you.

NEXT STEPS

• Confess sin.
• Accept the pruning.
• Choose to abide solely in Jesus.
• Follow the Holy Spirit.

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Leading Into the FuturePastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - It’s a great day to follow Jesus. TEXT - Matthew 9:35-38

REVIEW

HS… Holy Spirit dependence. P… Prayerful guidance. O… Obedient living. W… Word-centered hearts. E… Exalting the Father in everything. R… Relational intentionality.

1. Kingdom Focused.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

2. Compassion Driven.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

3. Harvest Ready.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 10:1-15. A harvest ready church.

• 10:1-4. Follow our specific call.
• 10:5-6. Fulfill our direct commission.
• 10:7-8. Pursue clear objectives.
• 10:9-15. Maintain confident convictions.

NEXT STEPS

• Where do we feel called to bring the good news of the Kingdom?
• Follow the call.
• Celebrate - it is a great day to follow Jesus.

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Leading Into the FuturePastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - It’s a great day to follow Jesus. TEXT - Matthew 9:35-38

REVIEW

HS… Holy Spirit dependence. P… Prayerful guidance. O… Obedient living. W… Word-centered hearts. E… Exalting the Father in everything. R… Relational intentionality.

1. Kingdom Focused.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

2. Compassion Driven.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

3. Harvest Ready.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 10:1-15. A harvest ready church.

• 10:1-4. Follow our specific call.
• 10:5-6. Fulfill our direct commission.
• 10:7-8. Pursue clear objectives.
• 10:9-15. Maintain confident convictions.

NEXT STEPS

• Where do we feel called to bring the good news of the Kingdom?
• Follow the call.
• Celebrate - it is a great day to follow Jesus.

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Jesus and the Father
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Whatever good we do is the work of God through us.. TEXT - John 17:1-11

Focus verse: John 17:11b - Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

OUTLINE

Review

HS… Holy Spirit dependence.
P… Prayerful guidance.
O… Obedient living.
W… Word-centered hearts.
E… Exalting the Father in everything.
R… Relational intentionality.

1. The Father Sustains All Things.
"Protect them by the power of your name…"

• Genesis 49-50
• Psalm 121
• Romans 8:28-35
• Luke 13:1-8

2. The Father Shares His Authority." …the name you gave me…"

• Psalm 135:6
• Job 42:2
• John 15:5
• Luke 10:1-24

3. The Father Unites All Followers.
" …so that they may be one as we are one."

• Psalm 133:1
• John 13:35
• Ephesians 4:1-6
• John 17

NEXT STEPS

• Surrender
• Worship
• Serve

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Jesus and ScriptureGary Sager

THEME - Jesus is our model—we need to know His view of Scripture
TEXT - Matthew 5:17-20

OUTLINE
1. Walk With Jesus: ReviewHoly Spirit Dependence means:

• P rayerful Guidance
• O bedient Living
• W ord-Centered/Scripture
• E xalting the Father
• R elational Intentionality

2. Jesus believed the Scriptures point to Him.

• Luke 4:22 - He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”
• John 5:30 - You pour over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me.
• Luke 24:27 - Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

3. Jesus believed the Scriptures were perfect and true and they are to be obeyed and taught.

• John 10:35 Scripture can’t be broken
• John 17:17 Your Word is Truth
• John 14:15 If you Love me, keep my commands
• John 15:10 remain in love by keeping commandments
• Matthew 4:1-11 – Fight Satan’s schemes with Biblical truth.
• Matthew 5:20 – Corrects Pharisees and Scribes

4. Jesus believed the Scriptures focus on the heart and spirit of the law.

• Matthew 5:21-28
• Matthew 23:1-36
  • Spirit/heart rather than letter.
  • Internal rather than external
  • Important Matters rather than Minor Points
  • Character rather than Commands

NEXT STEPS

• Pray continually for Holy Spirit’s guidance. John 7:38: “The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.”
• Read, study, and memorize as the Psalmist says “Hide it in your heart” (Psalm 119:11)
• Read Scripture together: Classes, Small Groups, etc, As believers, we each are filled with the Holy Spirit. Truth can be shared by others.

SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLSwww.cedarhillscr.org/give

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Jesus and Obedience
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Disciples who walk with Jesus hear and do.
TEXT - Matthew 7:13-29

OUTLINE

1. Disciples live like Jesus.

2. 1 John 2:3-6. (verse 6: Whoever claims to live in Jesus must live as Jesus did.)

3. Matthew 28:16-20. (verse 20a: teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.)

4. Matthew 5:48. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

5. Jesus obeyed.

6. John 5:30. By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

7. John 8:29. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.

8. Luke 11:28. Jesus replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

9. Disciples obey - we hear AND do.

10. John 14:15. If you love me, keep my commands.

11. Matthew 7:13-29
    • Two ways. (13-14)
    • Two trees. (15-20)
    • Two claims. (21-23)
    • Two builders. (24-29)
12. Matthew 25:31-46. Sheep and Goats.
13. Matthew 13:24-30. Wheat and Weeds.

"On the last day, God will not acquit us because our good works were good enough, but will look for evidence that our good confession was not phony…To run hard after holiness is another way of running hard after God. ~ Kevin DeYoung, The Hole in our Holiness.

NEXT STEPS

• Pray
• Read the Bible
• Worship Jesus.
• Share life with other disciples.
• Meditate on 2 Peter 1:3-8

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Jesus and PrayerPastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Praying like Jesus moves us into radical discipleship. TEXT - Luke 22:39-45

OUTLINE

1. What is radical prayer?

When Jesus prayed, he expected God to hear him.

I and the Father are one. John 10:31

“Prayer means that, in some unique way, we believe we’re invited into a relationship with someone who hears us when we speak.” Anne Lammot

2. Why pray radical prayers?

We pray because we can’t help it. Three essentials: Help, Thanks. Wow.

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19

“God is there to help. That’s what God’s job is.” Anne Lammot

3. When do we pray radical prayers?

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

We pray when we know our total dependence on God.

“Most good, honest prayers remind me that I am not in charge, that I cannot fix anything, and that I open myself to being helped.” Anne Lammot

4. Where do we pray radical prayers?

Where do you connect with God?

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

“Awe is why we are here.” Anne Lamott

5. How do we pray radical prayers?

Be real and be specific.

Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:42

“If I were going to begin practicing the presence of God for the first time today, it would help to begin by admitting the three most terrible truths of our existence: that we are so ruined, and so loved, and in charge of so little.” Anne Lamott

NEXT STEPS

• Start a prayer log.
• Explore new ways to pray.
• Talk to someone about your prayer life.

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Jesus and the Holy Spirit
Steve Poole

TEXT - Luke 3:21-22, Luke 4:1-2, Luke 4:14-21
OUTLINE

1. Jesus was FULL of the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness” ~ Luke 4:1

b. “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” ~ Acts 2:2-4

2. Jesus was LED by the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.” ~ Luke 4:1

b. “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” ~ Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

3. Jesus was EMPOWERED by the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. ”And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.” ~ Luke 4:14

b. ”But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” ~ Acts 3:6-8

4. Jesus was ANOINTED by the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. ”The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” ~ Luke 4:18

b. “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.” ~ Acts 10:44-45

5. Jesus was SENT by the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” ~ Luke 4:18-19

b. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 2:8

6. The Holy Spirit is a person NOT a mystic force.

7. When are we filled with the Holy Spirit? – at salvation.

8. Why don’t I seem to have any of the power of the Holy Spirit in my life? The power of the Holy Spirit is not subject to our authority. He works on His time, in His ways, to accomplish His purposes.

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WALKING WITH JESUS: Jesus and the Holy Spirit
Steve Poole

TEXT - Luke 3:21-22, Luke 4:1-2, Luke 4:14-21
OUTLINE

1. Jesus was FULL of the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness” ~ Luke 4:1

b. “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” ~ Acts 2:2-4

2. Jesus was LED by the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.” ~ Luke 4:1

b. “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” ~ Galatians 5:25 (NLT)

3. Jesus was EMPOWERED by the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. ”And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.” ~ Luke 4:14

b. ”But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.” ~ Acts 3:6-8

4. Jesus was ANOINTED by the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. ”The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” ~ Luke 4:18

b. “While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.” ~ Acts 10:44-45

5. Jesus was SENT by the Holy Spirit, and so are WE

a. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” ~ Luke 4:18-19

b. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 2:8

6. The Holy Spirit is a person NOT a mystic force.

7. When are we filled with the Holy Spirit? – at salvation.

8. Why don’t I seem to have any of the power of the Holy Spirit in my life? The power of the Holy Spirit is not subject to our authority. He works on His time, in His ways, to accomplish His purposes.

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WALKING LIKE JESUS: The Son of Man
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - How Human is Jesus?
TEXT - Hebrews 2:10-13, 14-18

OUTLINE
For this reason, he had to be made like them, fully human in every way. Hebrews 2:17a

1. Celebrate the Glorious Son of Man. 
   By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by his powerful words! Hebrews 1:3
   

2. Embrace the Suffering Son of Man.
   Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it’s logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. Hebrews 2:14
   Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18

3. Honor the Triumphant Son of Man.  
   And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. Philippians 2:8-9
   
   NEXT STEPS
   Celebrate the Son of Man.
   Trust the Son of Man.
   Share the Son of Man.

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WALKING WITH JESUS: The Heart of Jesus.
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Grow a Heart Like Jesus

TEXT - John 13:1-17

OUTLINE

Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1b

1. Grow a loving heart. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35

2. Grow a confident heart. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. John 13:3-4

3. Grow a servant's heart. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew 20:26-28

4. Grow a humble heart. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

NEXT STEPS

• Show interest in others.
• Greet people by name.
• Remember life events.
• Plan a gathering.
• Listen.

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4-Chair Discipleship: Abiding Growth
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - All living things grow.
TEXT - John 15:1-10

OUTLINE
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. John 15:5
1. Cultivate Patience. 
 * Growth is hard.
 * Growth takes a long time.

2. Cultivate Focus. 
 * Growth requires a relationship with Jesus.
 * Growth requires a relationship with one another. 

3. Cultivate Steadfastness.
 * Growth has no finish line.
 * Growth brings more growth.

NEXT STEPS
1. Abide in Jesus.
2. Keep abiding.

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FOUR CHAIR DISCIPLESHIP
The life-long journey of following Jesus together
Steve Poole

THEME - Jesus calls us his family. Through faith we become His brothers and sisters.

OUTLINE – Romans 12:1-19
1. The family of God, all sitting around a table together is a beautiful image of the local church
•Being a Christian is NOT a destination, it is a life-long journey.

1. All Christians are on the life-long journey of following Jesus together!
   •We are to be living sacrifices! We are NOT called to living examples of how easy, prosperous, wealthy, and self-satisfied God can make us.

2. Romans 12
   a. Following Jesus means complete sacrifice.
   •He asks us to sacrifice ALL of our life, but in return he rewards us with a “great pearl”.

b. Following Jesus means humbly walking in the gifts God gives you for the season you are in right now.
•All of this comes NOT through our strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us.
•We begin to see the world as He does. We begin to love people the way he does. We begin to see evil and sin like He does.

c. The Holy Spirit transforms us and strengthens us to follow Jesus
d. Following Jesus means we become more holy
•Holy living means that living sacrifices submit their preferences and feelings to others in the name of “harmony”.

NEXT STEPS
1.Choose to believe and follow Jesus today
2.Stop comparing yourself to others, instead refocus on Jesus.
3.Be a better family!

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FOUR CHAIR DISCIPLESHIP: Walls to Growth
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Disciples face barriers to growth. We are called to break down these walls.

TEXT -  Matthew 19:16-22 

OUTLINE
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:21-22

THREE WALLS TO GROWTH

1. Sin.
* If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
* Growing disciples confess their sin.

2. Satisfaction.
 * Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. Isaiah 55:2
 * Growing disciples find satisfaction in Jesus.. 

3. Suffering.
* Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23
* Growing disciples embrace suffering.

NEXT STEPS
* Break down the wall.
* Celebrate growth!

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FOUR CHAIR DISCIPLESHIP: Chair 3 and 4 Disciples. - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Disciples proclaim Jesus.

TEXT - Luke 24:47-48

OUTLINE

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: “There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.” You are witnesses of all these things. Luke 24:47–48

1. Proclaim Jesus.

• “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

• Disciples tell others about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

• Proclaim with authority.

• Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18

• Disciples share the good news with Christ’s power and authority.

3. Proclaim to all nations.

• Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

• Disciples share the gospel everywhere to everyone.

• Proclaim forgiveness.

• If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

• Disciples offer forgiveness of sin to all who repent and follow Jesus.

NEXT STEPS

• Repent
• Follow
• Proclaim

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FOUR CHAIR DISCIPLESHIP: The Four ChairsPastor Kent Landhuis

THEME: Disciples live like Jesus.

TEXT : 1 John 2:6. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

OUTLINE:

Chair 1: Come and see.

• The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29
• Jesus invites seekers to trust in him.
• Next Step: Repent and Surrender.

Chair 2: Come and follow.

• “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19
• Jesus invites believers to follow him.
• Next Step: Abide and grow.

Chair 3: Come and be.

• “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.” John 15:5
• Jesus invites disciples to abide so that they bear fruit..
• Next Step: Remain in Jesus and serve others.

Chair 4: Come and lead.

• “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
• Jesus invites disciples to make disciples.
• Next step: Reproduce and multiply disciples.

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Rev. Blaine Newhouse joins us this week as a special guest preacher.

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MEETING JESUS: The Testimony of Nicodemus
 Steve Poole

THEME - When Nicodemus encountered Jesus he recognized that he was “a turtle on a post” –he was above everyone else, maybe looking a little silly.  He needed to humbly recognize his need for the savior, Jesus, and be born again.

TEXT - John 3:1-21, 7:50-52, 19:39-40

OUTLINE

A.  Introduction – “I look at the turtle on top of the fence post and remember that he didn’t get there on his own. He had help.” ~ Alex Haley

B. Before Jesus - Nicodemus had it all.

C. Encounter Jesus - Nicodemus needs to be born again through faith in the Son of God

D. After Jesus – Nicodemus surrendered it all!

APPLICATION

1.    Do you need to be born again?

2.    How is Jesus challenging the  things in which you place your  identity?

3.    Do the devotional “Being Born Again Is Not An Option” by Pete Briscoe on YouVersion Bible App 

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MEETING JESUS: The Testimony of Mary, Mother of Jesus
Gary Sager

THEME - Mary will forever stand out as unique, a rare woman among women, who was highly favored and blessed.

TEXT - Luke 1: 26-56

OUTLINE

A. Introduction - We are introduced to a very special and unique person—a person who was both impacted by and impactful to Jesus. (Luke 1:26-27)

B. Why Mary?

· Because we need to take a Biblical look at the Real Mary.

· Because God chose her.

· Because she said “Yes.”

· Because she’s Jesus’ mom.

· Because the Bible calls her “Favored” and “Blessed.”

· Because she is a powerful example of Faith, Surrender, Humility Courage, and Persistence.

C. Mary in Scripture

· Annunciation and Magnificent – Luke 1:26-56

· Jesus’ Birth Shepherds and Angels – Luke 2:19

· Dedication in the Temple (a sword will pierce your soul) Luke 2:33

· Twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple (In my Father’s House) Luke 2: 49-51

· Wedding at Cana (Not my hour/Do what he tells you)- John 2: 1-12 Key 3-5

· Redefinition of Family (These are my Mother, Brothers and Sisters) Mark 3:21&31-35

· Jesus’ Mother and Disciple John at Foot of the Cross (Behold your Son/Mother) John 19:25-27 (Jesus is welcoming/verifying them both as His Family.)

· Mary in the Upper Room (United in Prayer/Awaiting the Holy Spirit) Acts 1: 12-14

D. The Song of Mary

· The Magnificat

· A Look at Mary’s Heart (Luke 1:46-55)

E. Lessons from Mary

· Obedience and Submission to God

· Knowledge of God’s Word

· Humility

· Persistence in Faith

ASK YOURSELF/NEXT STEPS

1. What are your pre-conceived notions of Jesus?

2. Are you willing to change them if He calls you to do so?

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MEETING JESUS: The Testimony of the Demoniac - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Jesus has authority over darkness.

TEXT -  Mark 5:1-20

OUTLINE

A.  Before Jesus: Total Ruin. Mark 5:1-5

1. Battle forces of darkness. Ephesians 6:12
2. Battle hopelessness.

B. Meeting Jesus: What do you want from me? Mark 5:6-17

1. Meet Jesus the disrupter - he has power and authority.
2. Meet Jesus the liberator - he has mercy and compassion.

C. After Jesus: Surrender. Mark 5:18-20

1. Go home to your own people.
2. Tell them what the Lord has done.

NEXT STEPS

1. Discover the power and authority of Jesus.
2. Discover the mercy and compassion of Jesus.
3. Go to your people and tell them about Jesus.

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MEETING JESUS: The Testimony of John the Baptist -  Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Jesus is the one who delivers us in our weakness!

TEXT - John 1:14-33, Mark 1:1-11, Matthew 11:1-19

OUTLINE

A.  Before Jesus: Strength and goodness.

1. The voice of one calling in the wilderness. Mark 1:1-8
2. The prophet of repentance. John 1:14-26

B. Meeting Jesus: Awe and Wonder.

1. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. John 1:27-53
2. In humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3
3. A lamb led to slaughter. Isaiah 53:7

C. After Jesus: A world upside down.

1. Are you the one or is there another? Matthew 11:3
2. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Isaiah 35:3

NEXT STEPS

1. Are you ready to meet Jesus?
2. How does Jesus turn our world upside down?
3. Do you want to know more about John the Baptist’s meeting Jesus? Enjoy this podcast: 
   https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/the-great-question-are-you-the-one/

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FUTURE FORWARD: Walk in Unity - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The Gospel unites us. 

TEXT - Ephesians 4:1-7

OUTLINE

A.  Celebrate gospel-based unity.

1. One body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Father.
2. Walk worthy of the calling to which you were called. (4:1)

B. Maintain humility-driven unity.

1. Walk with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love. Eph.4:2
2. In humility value others above yourselves. Phil. 2:3
3. Love bears all things. 1 Cor. 13

C. Pursue Jesus-minded unity.

1. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5
2. One God, above all, through all, and in all. Eph. 4:6

NEXT STEPS

1. Stop feeding our natural tendency to divide.
2. Celebrate our core gospel identity.

WATCH: Dig deeper - “Unity and Community in a Time of Division”  by Ed Stetzer 

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FUTURE FORWARD: Walk in Submission - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - When the way forward becomes complicated, we need submission, surrender, and trust.

TEXT - Ephesians 5:21

OUTLINE
A.  Walk into the future. 

1. Walk in love. Ephesians 5:1-5
2. Walk in light. Ephesians 5:6-14
3. Walk in wisdom. Ephesians 5:7-20

B. Walk toward complexity. 

1. Complexity requires submission. Ephesians 5:21.
2. Submission requires surrender. Matthew 16:24
3. Surrender requires trust. Matthew 7:7

C. Walk with confidence.

1. We love people and denounce hatred.
2. We pursue justice for all and deplore prejudice.
3. We treasure peace and condemn violence.

NEXT STEPS

1. What idea or ideal do we need to hold more lightly (surrender)?
2. What issue needs to be more personal?
3. Where do we need greater trust?

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FUTURE FORWARD: Walk in Wisdom - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The way forward requires love, light, and wisdom.

TEXT - Ephesians 5:15-21

OUTLINE

A.  Walk into the Future.

1. Walk as imitators of God who love. Ephesians 5:1-7
2. Walk as light shining in the darkness. Ephesians 5:6-14

B. Avoid Foolishness.

1. How long will you, who are simple, love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22
2. Beware of simpletons, scoffers, and rebels. Ephesians 5:15
3. Matthew 7:24-27.

C. Seek Wisdom. Ephesians 5:15-21

1. Make the most of every opportunity.
2. Follow the Lord’s will.
3. Life in the Spirit.
4. Sing songs.
5. Give thanks.

NEXT STEPS

1. What is the loving thing to do?
2. What is the light thing to do?
3. What is the wise thing to do?

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FUTURE FORWARD: Be the Light – Steve Poole

THEME - Because God holds our future in His hands, our future is secure.

TEXT - Ephesians 5:6-14

A.  Warning - Do NOT be deceived, Do NOT partner with the deceived

B. Progressive Christianity

1. Progressive Christianity Has a Low View of Christ
2. Progressive Christianity Is Focused on Moralism, Not Salvation
3. Progressive Christianity Downplays Our Fallen-ness

C. “Welcome is our language, but transformation is our vocabulary” ~Pastor Kent

D. Because we ARE light we do ‘light’ things.

1. Ephesians 5:1
2. Ephesians 2:4-6
3. Exposure to the light is hazardous to our status quo.

NEXT STEPS

1. Have you been transformed by the light of Jesus?
2. Who do you need to share the light of Jesus with?
3. Know the truth so you will NOT be deceived.
4. Pray for your church and elders as we continue the process of joining new partners in ministry - The Alliance.

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Future Forward: Imitate God - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Because God holds our future in His hands, our future is secure.

TEXT - Ephesians 5:1-7

OUTLINE

A.  Imitators of God forgive.

1. We are forgiven. Ephesians 1&2
2. We forgive others. Ephesians 4:31-32

B. Imitators of God love.

1. Love sacrifices. Romans 5:6-8, I John 4
2. Love Protects. Ephesians 5:1-2
3. Love corrects. Ephesians 4:25-30, Ephesians 5:3-7

C. Imitators of God obey.

1. Put off the old. Ephesians 4:21-23,
2. Put on the new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

NEXT STEPS

1. When you face anticipatory anxiety, what substitute do you use make your future feel secure?
2. List the areas of your life where you can imitate God with forgiveness, love, and obedience.

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THE FEAR OF THE LORD BRINGS EXTRAVAGANT GRACE - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The Fear of the Lord drives out all other fears.

TEXT - Jonah 4

OUTLINE

The fear of the LORD runs toward God.

A.  The fear of the LORD yields ridiculous transformation. 

1. Jonah 1-3
2. Psalm 51

B. Our ridiculous reluctance won’t deter God.

1. Jonah 3-4.
2. But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. Jonah 4:1

C. God’s ridiculous extravagance keeps coming.

1. Luke 15
2. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

THREE QUESTIONS

1. Do you know how much God loves you?
2. Do you how much God loves our city?
3. What is holding you back from loving our city?

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THE FEAR OF THE LORD – JONAH 3Gary Sager

THEME – God uses reluctant people.

REVIEW

1. 2 Kings 14:23-27 – 1st mention of Jonah (vs. 26- 27)
2. Jonah 1 - Jonah’s Call and Rebellion (vs. 1-3)
3. Jonah 2 - Jonah’s Resolution (vs. 9)

4. Jonah 3 - Jonah’s 2nd Chance (vs. 1 & 2)

5. Jonah’s Relenting Message (vs. 4)

6. Nineveh’s Response (Verse 5)
7. The King’s Declaration (Verses 6-9)

8. God’s Restoration

9. Jonah 4

10. Jonah’s Ridiculousness (Verses 1-3)

11. God’s Rejoicing (Verse 9 & 10)

Jonah’s Reactions vs. God’s Desired Response

1. Jonah Rebelled (Jonah 1:3) vs God wants Relationship (Hosea 6:6)
2. Jonah Resolved(Jonah 2:9) vs God wanting Repentance (Psalm 51:17)
3. Jonah Relented(Jonah 3: 3 & 4) vs God wanting Restoration (Isaiah 40:31)
4. Jonah’s Ridiculousness (Jonah 4: 1, 2 & 9) vs God’s wanting Rejoicing (Luke 15:7)

Jonah 4:11 - Should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals?

ASK YOURSELF (NEXT STEPS)

• Who/What is your Nineveh?
• Are you someone else’s Nineveh?
• Have you been shown mercy? Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!

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THE FEAR OF THE LORD – JONAH 2Steve Poole

THEME – Lack of the fear of the LORD leads to downfall.

TEXT - Jonah 2

A. Jonah was in the pit because he didn’t fear the Lord.

1.    The fear of the Lord is reverent awe that leads to obedience and sacrifice.

2.    “As I walk with the Lord, I discover that God poses an ominous threat to my ego, but not to me. He rescues me from my delusions, so he may reveal the truth that sets me free. He casts me down, only to lift me up again. He sits in judgment of my sin, but forgives me nevertheless. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but love from the Lord is its completion.” 
 ~ William D. Eisenhower

B. Encounter the good news of Jesus

1.  God hears us when we cry for help. (2:1-2)
2. God uses pits in life to draw us closer to Him (2:3-6)
3. God doesn’t abandon us in our pits (2:6)
4. Salvation belongs to the Lord! (2:9)

APPLICATION

1. Where are you running from God?
2. Is there any area in your life where you feel “in the pits”?
3. How can the truth of God's compassionate love for you grow worshipful fear of the lord in your life?

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THE FEAR OF THE LORD REORDERS LIFE - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The Fear of the Lord drives out all other fears.

TEXT - Jonah 1

OUTLINE

How does the Fear of the LORD drive out other fears?

A.  Without the Fear of the LORD, we go down.

1. Jonah 1:1-3
2. Psalm 139
3. Without Fear of the LORD, we flee God’s presence.

B. With the Fear of the LORD, we see truth.

1. Jonah 1:4-10.
2. Isaiah 44:6-8
3. With the Fear of the LORD, we enter God’s presence.

C. The Fear of the LORD, reorders life.

1. Jonah 1:11-17
2. Deuteronomy 10:12
3. The fear of the LORD creates the desire to dwell in God’s presence.

NEXT STEPS

1. Face your fears - make a list of what scares you.
2. Seek God’s presence - meditate on the story of Jonah this week.
3. Trust God to reorder your life - pray and ask God to guide you.

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Glittering Vices: The Laws of Hope - Pastor Kent Landhuis - 

THEME - Because the world is broken - we need hope. And we have it in Jesus!!

TEXT - Romans 8:22-25

OUTLINE
Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go wrong, will. 

1.  The Law of Universal Hope: Hope springs eternal.

• Romans 8:25

• Everything that is done in the world is done by hope. Martin Luther

• The Law of Dissonance: Hope grows in the dark.

• Romans 8:22.

• "Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." ~Desmond Tutu

• Romans 8:18

• The Law of Connection: Hope requires relationship.

• Ephesians 2:13-14

• Romans 8:28-29
• "If it were not for hopes, the heart would break." ~Thomas Fuller

NEXT STEPS
1. Diagnosis: Do you need hope? Are you living in isolation?
2. Confess: Admit you need help finding hope.
3. Seek: Find a community to support you.

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EASTER 2022: Resurrection Glory - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We find our true glory in Jesus. (Not in our vainglorious, prideful pursuits) 

TEXT - Philippians 2:5-11

OUTLINE

People are made to seek glory - seek it in the right place.

A.  Who is glory-worthy?

1. Jesus is supremely glory-worthy.
2. Worship ascribes worth to Jesus.
3. Colossians 1:15-20, Hebrews 1:3

B. Why are we so glory-needy?

1. Vainglory is the excessive and disordered desire for recognition and approval of others.
2. Vainglory attempts to grab worth from God and others.
3. Proverbs 29:23, Philippians 2:5-11.

C. How do we become glory-rich?

1. We share in the glory of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
2. In Jesus, we are enough. (No need to go glory-grabbing!)
3. Romans 6:4-5, 1 Peter 1:3-4

D. Next Steps

1. What glory trophies are you seeking?
2. Confess your vainglory (pride) and ask forgiveness.
3. Trust that Jesus lived, died, and rose again for you.
4. Go live in freedom!

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LENT 2022: Glittering Vices: Envy – Steve Poole -

THEME - Sin destroys our souls. Jesus restores our souls on the cross.

TEXTS – Genesis 3:5, Philippians 3:7-11; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Matthew 20:1-16

OUTLINE

The envious heart is destructive.

A. Ground rules - James 1:12-15.

1. Own your own sin.
2. No secret sin.
3. Confession brings hope.

B. Envy Flourishes in Comparison

1. Eliminate or minimize comparison
2. Limit time on social media.

C. Envy grows from a false sense of identity.

1. Why do we care so much about how we “stack up” against our peers? Because we are measuring our self-worth comparatively.
2. If there is no greater power or truth than ourselves, the only way we can ascribe value is works-based and not Gospel-based.

D. Envy withers in the application of the Gospel truth to our lives.

1. In Jesus and his teaching we find a new identity.
2. Our worth comes from what someone will pay for us, which happens to be the very LIFE of the incarnate God!
3. Philippians 3:7-11
4. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

E. Next Steps

1. Invite God’s Holy Spirit to convict you of your envy, confess, and recognize the generosity of God’s mercy.
2. Consider what draws you into the “comparison game” in your life and come up with a plan to avoid those situations. Example - fast from Facebook or IG
3. Reread Matthew 20 or Philippians 3 and let the power of the gospel dismantle the envy in your heart by affirming your identity as God’s beloved son or daughter.

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LENT 2022: Glittering Vices: Wrath - Pastor Kent Landhuis  -

THEME - Sin destroys our souls. Jesus restores our souls on the cross.  

TEXTS - James 1:19-22  

OUTLINE

Anger registers a wrong and responds with a desire to set it right. 

A.  Ground rules - James 1:12-15.

1. Own your own sin.
2. No secret sin.
3. Confession brings hope.

B. Righteous Indignation. Mark 3:1-6

1. Righteous indignation aims at the correct target.
2. Righteous indignation hits the target with the proper force.

C. Deadly Wrath. James 1:19-22

1. Deadly wrath aims at the wrong target.
2. Deadly wrath hits the target with improper force.
   1. Deadly wrath comes too fast.
   2. Deadly wrath hits with too much intensity.
   3. Deadly wrath lasts too long.

D. Next Steps

1. Look at your own soul.
2. Where has anger in your life been off balance? Too hard or too soft? Too fast? Too intense? Too long?
3. Confess your anger.
4. Go live in freedom!

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LENT 2022: Glittering Vices: Sloth - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Sin destroys our souls. Jesus restores our souls on the cross.  

TEXTS - Matthew 25:14-27, James 1:12-15

OUTLINE

Slothfulness is short-sighted self-protection. Proverbs 6:6-11

A.  Ground rules - James 1:12-15.

1. Own your own sin.
2. No secret sin.
3. Confession brings hope.

B. Two paths lead to slothfulness. Matthew 25:14-27.

1. Couch Potato Sloth. The plight of the lazy.
2. Workaholic Sloth. The plight of the busy.

C. Jesus sets us free. Luke 15.

1. The couch potato son finds freedom.
2. The workaholic son remains trapped.

D. Next Steps

1. Look at your own soul.
2. Where have you taken the easy road to avoid more important work?
3. Confess your slothfulness.
4. Go live in freedom!

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LENT 2022: Glittering Vices: Greed - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Sin destroys our souls. Jesus restores our souls on the cross.

TEXTS - Matthew 10:17-26 James 1:12-15

OUTLINE

To what is your soul most attached?

A. What ground rules guide us? James 1:12-15.

1. Own your own sin.
2. No secret sin.
3. Confession brings hope.

B. What keeps us from Jesus? Matthew 10:16-22.

1. Greed: Inner attachment to wealth and possessions.
2. Now I had discovered the great pearl. To buy it, I had to sell everything that I had; and I hesitated.  (Augustine, Confessions)
3. What good is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul? (Matthew 16:26)

C. What draws us toward Jesus? Matthew 10:23-26.

1. God does the impossible.
2. Salvation brings life to the dead soul.
3. Sanctification wakes the sleeping soul.

D. Next Steps

1. Look at your own soul.
2. What inner attachments keep you from Jesus?
3. Confess your greed.
4. Go live in freedom!

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LENT 2022: Glittering Vices: Gluttony - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Sin destroys our souls. Jesus restores our souls on the cross.

TEXTS - James 1:12-15, Matthew 4:1-4, Psalm 36:1-10

OUTLINE

Are you seeking the real thing or settling for a cheap substitute?

A. Sin: Not the way it’s supposed to be.

1. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth - and it was good.

(Genesis 1)

1. Cursed is the ground because of you. Genesis 3:17a

B. Ground Rules: James 1:12-15

1. Own your own lust.
2. Your lust is not a secret.
3. Confessing lust brings hope.

C. Gluttony: A disordered desire to consume.

1. A glutton raids the icebox to cure spiritual malnutrition. (Fredrick Buechner)
2. It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ (Matthew 4:4)
3. Taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:1-10)

D. Next Steps

1. Look at your own soul.
2. Where do you settle for cheap substitutes?
3. Confess your gluttony.
4. Go live in freedom!

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LENT 2022: Glittering Vices: Lust - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Sin destroys our souls. Jesus restores our souls on the cross.

TEXTS - Galatians 5:19-25, James 1:12-15, Matthew 5:27-30

OUTLINE

What is the state of your soul?

A. Ground Rules: James 1:12-15

1. Own your own sin.
2. No secret sin.
3. Confession brings hope.

B. Ground Rules: Matthew 5:27-30

1. Own your own lust.
2. Your lust is not a secret.
3. Confessing lust brings hope.

C. Next Steps

1. Look at your own soul.
2. Confess your sins - particularly lust - to God.
3. Confess your sins - particularly lust - to a trusted friend.
4. Go live in freedom!

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ADVENT 2021: Come in Innocent Wonder – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Mary is stirred to praise.

TEXT - Luke 1:26-38

OUTLINE

1. Confrontation - “How can this be?” (Luke 1:34)

2. Mary begins her an angelic encounter with questions.

3. Humble Recognition - “I am the Lord’s servant.” (Luke 1:38). 

4. Mary moves from a place of questioning to obedience.

5. Job 37:5
6. Psalm 115:3

7. Isaiah 55:8

8. Deeper Recognition - “My soul magnifies the Lord…” (Luke 1:46-55)

9. Mary’s heart moves to praise!

10. Her son will turn the world upside-down.

NEXT STEPS

1. How do you respond when you recognize God’s work?
2. When have you had to move from ‘confrontation to humble recognition to deeper recognition’?

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ADVENT 2021: Come in Obedience  – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Joseph obeyed. 

TEXT - Matthew 1:18-25

OUTLINE

1. Joseph’s worst nightmare: betrayed with no way out. 

2. Matthew 1:18-19

3. Joseph’s difficult calling: tough it out. 

4. Matthew 1:20-21

5. Joseph’s ultimate decision: God is with me.

6. Matthew 1:22-25

7. Isaiah 7:14

NEXT STEPS

1. How do you respond when you are mad at God?
2. How can you narrow the gap between hearing God’s call and obeying it?

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Bible Recap: Epistles: Letters about Jesus  – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The churches received love letters to help them grow as followers of Jesus. 

TEXT - Romans 15:1-7

OUTLINE

Recap: The Bible tells one story through five key literary types.  

• Narrative - History.
• Poetry - Passion.
• Prophecy - Warning and Encouragement.
• Gospel - Jesus.
• Epistles - Letters.

1. Who received letters?

The people we love.

2. Why write letters?

To show our love.

3. What difference can a letter make?

Living in love transforms us.

NEXT STEPS

1. Dig deeper at Bibleproject.com.
2. Write a letter to someone you love.

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Bible Recap: Gospel - the Jesus Story.  – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The Gospels announce the good news that Jesus is the Savior. 

TEXT - Mark 1:1-11

OUTLINE

Recap: The Bible tells one story through five key literary types.  

• Narrative - History.
• Poetry - Passion.
• Prophecy - Warning and Encouragement.
• Gospel - Jesus.

• Epistles - ?

• Eyewitness testimony about the one. 

• Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - John 1 & Luke 4.

• John the Baptist - John 1:29-30.
• Peter - Matthew 16:13-17

• The Centurion - Matthew 27:50-54

• Miraculous signs of the one. 

• Signs and belief - John 20:29-31

• Healing the man born blind - John 9

• Blindness and the one - Isaiah 35 & 42

• True faith and the one.

• Is Jesus the one? Matthew 11:3-5

• Who do you say Jesus is?

NEXT STEPS 

1. Answer the question: Is Jesus the one?
2. Dig deeper at Bibleproject.com.
3. Tell the gospel story: Tell the story of Jesus.

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JESUS ON EVERY PAGE: Prophecy – Steve Poole

THEME - Biblical prophecy is a message from God.

TEXT – Daniel 2:31-45

OUTLINE

Recap: The Bible tells one story through five key literary types.

· Narrative - History.

· Poetry - Passion.

· Prophecy – Warning and Hope

· Gospel -?

· Epistles -?

1. Biblical Prophecy is about warning and hope.

· Consequences for unfaithfulness (Hosea 4:12-13)

· Unjust with the poor/needy. (Hosea 12:7-8)

1. HOPE = God is faithful to demonstrate mercy and forgiveness even when His people are unfaithful

· God will protect a remnant and bring them through exile. (Jeremiah 23:3-6)

· The promise of a coming Messiah. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

· Jesus is our ultimate hope!

1. The Apocalypse

· Means "unveiling" - Type of biblical literature that emphasizes the lifting of the veil between heaven and earth and the revelation of God and his plan for the world.

· Nebuchadnezzer’s Dream (Daniel 2:31-45)

· The Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven – Established FOREVER

NEXT STEPS

1. Watch prophets and apocalyptic literature videos at bibleproject.com

2. Reflect on the 93 verses Jesus describes the Kingdom of God

3. Read Daniel 2 and reflect on this vision of nations rising and falling, but God’s kingdom remaining forever.

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Jesus on Every Page: Poetry - The passion of love  – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Biblical poetry describes the passion of loving God.

TEXT - Psalm 1

OUTLINE

Recap: The Bible tells one story through five key literary types.  

• Narrative - History.
• Poetry - Passion.
• Prophecy -?
• Gospel -?
• Epistles -?

1. Poems deliver passion.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:3

2. Poems slow us down.

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 

Deuteronomy 6:6

3. Poems point toward Jesus.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Him 

with every spiritual blessing. Ephesians 1:3

NEXT STEPS

1. Dig deeper at Bibleproject.com
2. Read a poem. (and enjoy it!).

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Jesus on Every Page
History - God’s Special People – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Biblical narrative is history. The narrative tells us about God’s character and God’s plan for us. 
TEXT - Joshua 1:1-9

OUTLINE
1. The Bible uses hundreds of stories to tell one story.   
 * Narrative
 * Poetry
 * Prophecy
 * Gospel
 * Epistles

1. The narrative portions of the Bible are history. 
    * God is the hero of the story.
    * These stories are true.
    * Stories tell what happened.
    * Stories are incomplete.
    * Stories are descriptive, not prescriptive.

2. God keeps his promises.
   “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be 
   discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

NEXT STEPS 
1. Dig deeper at Bibleproject.com
2. Be encouraged - God is in control of history.

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LIFE TOGETHER: Love Your Neighbor – Steve Poole

THEME – It is Not Good for Man to Be Alone (Genesis 2:18)

TEXT – Luke 10:25-37

OUTLINE

1. Who is my neighbor?

· Notice the motives.

· Jesus extends the idea of ‘neighbor’ to uncomfortable places.

· “Go and do likewise…” Luke 10:37

1. Why do we love our neighbor? How about this scenario:

· What if Jesus is the Good Samaritan and we are the inn keeper?

· What if the injured person is an unbeliever?

1. Two major hurdles to the hospitality involved in loving our neighbor:

· We feel uncomfortable inviting people into our homes/lives because_________.

· We don’t feel confident in sharing our faith because___________

1. Tools to make hospitality easier (from The Simplest Way to Change the World by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements)

· The ‘ALWAYS rule’

· Make a plan – weekly, monthly, yearly

· Use your passions

NEXT STEPS

1. Practice GOSPEL this week so you are confident in communicating the Gospel story.

2. Practice the “ALWAYS Rule” this week

3. Make a plan – put hospitality on your calendar.

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LIFE TOGETHER: Witnesses – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We witness about Jesus with Holy Spirit power.

TEXT - Acts 1:1-11

OUTLINE

Three keys to moving forward as witnesses according to Acts 1:8.

1. Move forward with Holy Spirit power.

• You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
• Galatians 5:16-25

2. Move forward with Jesus focus.

• You will be my witnesses.
• Acts 4:10-12
• Acts 2:38-41

3. Move forward with people awareness.

• In Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
• Acts 2:42-47
• John 2019-23

NEXT STEPS

1. Join a small group.
2. Tell others about Jesus.

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LIFE TOGETHER: Ambassadors of Reconciliation – Pastor Kent Landhuis
THEME - Broken relationships destroy life together.

OUTLINE - Three steps toward life together in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

Step 1: We are reconciled to God in Jesus.     
* Colossians 1:21-23
* Romans 5:6-8

Step 2: We are ambassadors of reconciliation.
* 2 Corinthians 5:14-21
* Ephesians 2:1-9

Step 3: We share the hope of life together.
* Isaiah 11:6-7
* Isaiah 65:25

NEXT STEPS
1. Join a small group.
2. Tell your story.

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LIFE TOGETHER: Telling Your Story (Acts 9:1-18)– Steve Poole

THEME – Stories are powerful.

OUTLINE

1 .Stories are Powerful! 

• Acts 9:1-18
• “How has God changed my life?”
• 1 Peter 3:15
• Acts 26:6-7

2.  How do I share my stories of faith?

• Reflect - take time to look for God’s hand working in your life
• Practice - write it out - just do it (small groups will share this week)
• Be focused
  • Answer the question: “How has God changed my life?”
  • Before God, Encounter God, After God
  • Apply to context - abundant life - missing piece

• As you grow, so does your faith story

• ALL our stories of faith transformation are valuable and beautiful to God. 

• Mark 5:19-20

• John 4:28-29

APPLICATION

1. Do you have a testimony/story?
2. Write out your story.
3. Share your story.

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LIFE TOGETHER: Hope Together
1 Peter 3:14-16
Pastor Kent Landhuis

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LIFE TOGETHER: Witnesses to The Story -  Luke 24:13-27 – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Our lives are part of God’s Story.

OUTLINE

1. We Are Witnesses.     

2. Jesus said, “You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:48

3. We Witness to God’s Story.

4. Creation - origin story. Who or what do you credit for who you are?

5. Fall - brokenness. Why are things and people not the way they are supposed to be and who is to blame for it?
6. Redemption - rescue. Who or what will rescue me and fix what is broken?

7. Restoration - consummation. What will the world (your world) look like when all is as it should be?

8. We Love to Tell The Story.

9. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

NEXT STEPS

1. Join a small group.
2. Tell your story.

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LIFE TOGETHER in the FOREVER FAMILY - 1 John 4:7-8 – Pastor Alan Crandall

OUTLINE

1. We are saved in and through a spiritual family in which God is our father and Jesus is our older brother.

2. Being “adopted” into God’s family underlines the unexpected, undeserved freeness of salvation.

3. New birth is divine election, or being chosen by God.

4. The Father’s love for us enables us to share that amazon glove with one another.

5. All families experience hurt, squabbles and misunderstandings.

6. Jesus prepares his disciples for this. Matthew 5:22-24; Matthew 7:1-5; 18:10-22

7. Gifts of Gospel community are blocked whenever hurtful words and actions get wedged between us.

8. What seems impossible to us is possible with God.

9. A Community that embodies love.

10. Not a gift just for us, but to share with the rest of God’s beloved creation. (Eph. 1:3-11)

11. Abraham chosen to father a holy nation that would in turn bless allnations. (Gen. 12:1-3)

12. Ephesians 2:12-19

13. Gospel community flows directly from what God has done and is doing for us.

14. John 13:34

15. Colossians 3:13
16. Ephesians 4:32-5:2
17. 1 John 4:7-11

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CARE TOGETHER -  1 Corinthians 12:12-27 – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Life Together requires authenticity and care.

OUTLINE

1. Recap: Life together requires love and presence. (John 13:34-35)

Life together requires kindness and respect. (Romans 12:10)

Life together requires hospitality and grace. (1 Peter 4:9-10)

• Love flows from the very essence of God.
• Because God is love, we are loved and we are the kind of people who love one another.
• Love  expressed practically  results in kindness and respect.

• This love is lived out in the day to day nitty gritty of life.

• Life together requires authenticity and care. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)

• Everyone belongs to the body.

• Everyone plays a unique role in the body.
• Everyone celebrates or suffers together.

NEXT STEPS

1. Celebrate your belonging.
2. Join a small group.
3. Start caring for someone today.

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SERVE TOGETHER -  1 Peter 4:7-11 – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Life Together requires kindness and respect. 

OUTLINE

1. Recap: Life together requires love and presence. (John 13:34-35)

Life together requires kindness and respect. (Romans 12:10)

• Love flows from the very essence of God.
• Because God is love, we are loved and we are the kind of people who love one another.
• Love  expressed practically  results in kindness and respect.

• This love is lived out in the  day to day nitty gritty of life.

• Life together requires hospitality and grace. (1 Peter 4:9-10)

• Hospitality and grace flow from our good gifts.

• Hospitality and grace cover a multitude of sins.
• Hospitality and grace result in multiplying God’s grace.

NEXT STEPS

1. Celebrate God’s love.
2. Keep an open mind.
3. Be a friend.
4. Start today.
5. No short-cuts.

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SERVE TOGETHER -  Romans 12:9-10 – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Life Together requires kindness and respect. 

OUTLINE

1. Recap: Life together requires love and presence. (John 13:34-35)

2. Love flows from the very essence of God.

3. Because God is love, we are loved and we are the kind of people who love one another.

4. Life together requires kindness and respect. (Romans 12:10)

5. Together is better but this is messy.

6. Dealing with the mess requires practical expressions of kindness and respect.
7. We loved you dearly - so dearly that we gave you not only the gospel of God, but also our very lives. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

NEXT STEPS

1. Celebrate God’s love.
2. Keep an open mind.
3. Be a friend.
4. Start today.

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GROW TOGETHER - John 13:34-35, Romans 12:10 – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Life Together requires love and presence. 

OUTLINE

Two requirements of life together:

1. Life Together Requires Love. (John 13:34-35, “Love one another.”)

2. God loves God - the trinity teaches us that life together requires love. (I John 4:8)

3. God loves us - we learn to love from God’s love. (John 15:13)

4. We love one another - our love for others is a response to God. (Matthew 22:36-40)

5. Life Together Requires Presence. (Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in love.”)

6. We don’t love at a distance.

7. We don’t love in the abstract.
8. We love real people, in real places, in real time.

NEXT STEPS

1. Celebrate the love that God has for you.
2. Reflect on the question: Who is God calling me to love more deeply?
3. Pray about connecting with others in a small group.

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SONGS OF PRAISE - Psalm 134 – Pastor Kent Landhuis; 

THEME - Pilgrims overcome roadblocks to worship.

OUTLINE

We face three roadblocks to worship:

1. I am not good enough.

2. Trouble and restlessness send us out to find peace. (Shalom)

3. Everyone needs a blessing.
4. God blesses us!
5. Psalm 120.

2.  I still have too far to go.

• The journey is long.
• Everyone is on the road.
• God blesses us on the road!

• Psalm 122-133.

• I don’t feel it.

• Feelings don’t run the show.

• Everyone has mixed feelings.
• God blesses us even when we don’t feel it.
• Psalm 134 and 150.

NEXT STEPS

1. Read Psalm 134 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
2. Lift your hands in worship!

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SONGS OF COMMUNITY - Psalm 133 – Gary Sager

THEME - Togetherness is where God will pour out blessing.

OUTLINE

1. Life Together (vs. 1)

2. Togetherness is where God will pour out blessing.

3. When families are left to their own devices, we fight.
4. We cannot achieve unity; we must receive it.

5. The book of Acts describes the early church and its remarkable unity. (Acts 2:42-47)

6. Blessing Running down (vs. 2)

7. Life together is a gift based on the mercy of God.

8. The oil running down on Aaron’s head, running down on his beard, and running down on his collar, is a picture of the blessing of God descending upon his people.
9. The atoning sacrifices made by priests were a reminder of our sins and the need for God’s mercy. (Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9)
10. The followers of Christ are holy and set apart for priestly service to the King of kings and Lord of Lords.

11. By seeing each other as God's anointed one, our relationships are profoundly affected!

12. Life-Giving Water (vs. 3a)

13. Think of the new life that would burst forth, the fresh growth that would flourish, the potential that could be fulfilled if the dew of Mt Hermon fell on Mt Zion.

14. We are irrigators for one another.
15. A community of faith flourishes when we view each other with expectancy.

16. We need each other for the journey.

17. A Foretaste of Heaven (vs. 3b)

18. God gives his blessing where believers live together in unity.

19. Living together in unity is a foretaste of heaven.
20. Following Jesus is a communal endeavor.
21. Christian unity is a gift from God (Ephesians 4:3)
22. The Christian fellowship we experience on earth is a foretaste of the perfect fellowship we will share with each other in heaven. (2 Cor. 1:21-22)

23. For us, Jesus is that life giving water that enables eternal life.

24. Under One Head (John 17:23)

25. Unity is central to God’s plan. (Ephesians 1:10)

26. Community brings God’s blessing.
27. Faith in Jesus saves us, but community is a crucial part of God’s saving plan.

NEXT STEPS

1. Read Psalm 133 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
2. Ponder how can we walk in God’s gift of community?

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SONGS OF TRUST - Psalm 132 – Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Love grows strength and trust.

OUTLINE

1. Love grows the strength to stand.

• David swore an oath to the Lord. (vs. 2).
• Strength to commit. (Psalm 132:1-5)
• Strength to dance. (2 Samuel 6:13-15)
• Strength to stand in faith.

2. Love grows the courage to leap.

• The Lord swore an oath to David. (vs. 11)
• Courage to trust. (Psalm 132:11-16)
• Courage to follow Jesus. (Luke 1:32, 2:11)
• Courage to take a leap of faith. (Romans 5:8)

NEXT STEPS

1. Read Psalm 132 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
2. What love inspires you?
3. Follow Jesus.

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SONGS OF HUMILITY - Psalm 131 – Steve Poole

THEME - Psalm 131 lauds humble contentment in God and His sufficiency

OUTLINE

1. “Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty…” (vs. 1)

2. We strive as David is surely doing to be humble and content.

3. We have been justified...however, we still live in physical bodies riddled with sin

4. 1 Corinthians 9:27

5. “Instead, I have calmed and quieted my soul…” (vs. 2)

6. Calm instead of obsessing over details.

7. Content in every situation. (Phil 4:11-12)
8. Anxious for nothing. (Phil 4:8)

9. Crucifying the flesh. (Gal. 5:24-25)

10. “Put your hope in the Lord…” (vs. 3)

11. An invitation to do as David has done.

12. The “Three Trees Story” - meaning and purpose to the glory of God.

NEXT STEPS

1. Read Psalm 131 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
2. Evaluate: Confess any pride and ask God to help you grow in humility.
3. Evaluate: Do you desire worldly things more than God?
4. Pray and invite God to help you discover His abundant life plan for you.

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July 4 - SONGS OF DESPAIR - Psalm 130

THEME - When we confess our sins, God forgives our sins.

OUTLINE

1. Confess trouble.

• In times of trouble we need:
  • A God who listens.
  • A God who watches.
  • A God who delivers.
• Psalm 18
• Psalm 42
• Psalm 77

2. Confess Sin.

• When we sin we need:

  • A God who listens.
  • A God who watches.
  • A God who delivers.

• Psalms of Repentance (penitential)

  • Psalm 6,32,38,51,102,130, 134

• 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

NEXT STEPS

1. Read Psalm 130 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
2. Confess your sins and receive forgiveness.

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June 27 - SONGS OF DELIVERANCE - Psalm 129 – Steve Poole

THEME: Sharing Stories of God’s Deliverance

OUTLINE
1. God faithfully and repeatedly delivers His people (vs. 1-4)

-There is POWER in telling and retelling stories of God’s faithful and repeated deliverance throughout our lives and history.
o Deuteronomy 4:9-14
o Deuteronomy 6:7, 20-25
o Deuteronomy 11:19, 2-5
- Yearly festivals to remember God’s faithful deliverance
o Exodus 12:24-27

1. God limits the success of the enemies of His people (vs. 5-8)
2. Last year a Christian was killed for their faith every 110 seconds
3. Hebrews 11:32-38
4. The ultimate end of the wicked is feeling empty--all their hard work comes to naught. Spurgeon puts it this way: “Thus do the wicked come to nothing. By God's just appointment they prove a disappointment. Their fire ends in smoke; their verdure turns to vanity; their flourishing is but a form of withering. No one profits by them, least of all are they profitable to themselves. Their aim is bad, their work is worse, their end is worst of all.”

NEXT STEPS
Read Psalm 129 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
Boldly tell stories of God’s faithfulness and with confidence love our enemies

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SONGS OF BLESSING - Psalm 128 - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME: God blesses his children.

OUTLINE
1. What blessings can we expect?
-Genesis 1:28, 12:2-3
-Deuteronomy 28
-Ephsians 1:3-5
-God blesses all of life.

1. Why expect a blessing?
   -Deuteronomy 28:1-6
   -Exodus 34:5-7
   -Psalm 103
   -God's steadfast love drives God’s blessing.

2. When will blessings come? 
   -Psalm 128:1-3
   -Philippians 4:4-13
   -God chooses when to bless us.

3. Who gets a blessing?
   -Psalm 128:4-6
   -Revelation 21
   -God blesses God’s children.

NEXT STEPS
Read Psalm 128 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
Count your blessings

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SONGS OF SUCCESS  - Psalm 127 - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME: God is in control and we are blessed.

OUTLINE

1. Winning at Work.

• Psalm 127:1-2
• Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, 2:17-26
• Anxious toil is meaningless. God’s work is vital.

2. Winning at Rest.

• Psalm 127:2-5
• Proverbs 6:6, 6:13, 19:14, 20:4, 21:25
• Deuteronomy 5:12-15
• Laziness is bad. Rest is good.

3. Winning at Life.

• Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
• 1 Kings 1:15-21, 3:1-3, 11:14-20
• Fear God and keep God’s commandments.

NEXT STEPS

• Read Psalm 127 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
• Evaluate how you measure success in work and life.
• Give thanks for God’s work in your life.

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SONGS OF JOY - Psalm 126 - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME: What makes Christians joyful?

OUTLINE
1.            Look Back and Remember.

• Egypt - Exodus 15
• King David - 2 Samuel 22
• Exile - Nehemiah 8

2.            Look Forward and Anticipate.

• Joy when it rains after a drought. Isaiah 55
• Joy from the harvest at the end of the season. Matthew 13
• Joy when the bridegroom comes for the bride. Revelation 19.

3.            Be glad. 

• We are Glad. Psalm 126:3
• Why are you so joyful?

NEXT STEPS

• Read Psalm 126 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
• Rejoice.
• Throw a party!

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SONGS OF RESCUE - Psalm 124 - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Danger lurks all around us. Without God, we would be destroyed.

OUTLINE1. God chooses us.

• Deuteronomy 7:7-9
• Isaiah 8:9-10
• God promises to be faithful to us in every circumstance.

2. Danger stalks us.

• Isaiah 43:1-3
• John 16:31-33
• Danger threatens to overwhelm us.

3. God frees us.

• Hebrews 11:32-40
• Galatians 2:20, 5:1
• We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.

NEXT STEPS

• Read Psalm 124 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
• Celebrate the freedom that comes from being rescued from the snare.
• After you fall into a snare, keep your eyes open to not go there again.

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SONGS OF MERCY - Psalm 123 - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Contempt calls for Mercy.

OUTLINE1. Look up, not down.

• Nehemiah 4:1-4
• Hebrews 12:1-3

• When we face contempt, we keep our eyes on the prize.

• Seek mercy, not satisfaction.

• Jeremiah 18:1-5

• 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

• When we face contempt, we ask for grace not to strike back.

• Give compassion, not revenge.

• Matthew 5:38-48

• John 13:12-17
• When we face contempt, we show mercy.

NEXT STEPS

• Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.
• Read Psalm 123 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
• Love someone who despises you.

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SONGS OF REJOICING; Psalm 122; Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Share the joy!

OUTLINE

1. Leap for Joy When You Arrive.

2. Psalm 63:1-5

3. Psalm 105:1-6

4. Share the joy of worship.

5. Leap for Joy When We Arrive.

6. Psalm 149:1-5

7. Zephaniah 3:14-17

8. Share the joy of belonging.

9. Leap for Joy When Everyone Arrives.

10. Isaiah 2:1-5

11. Jeremiah 29:4-9
12. Share the joy of peace..

NEXT STEPS

• Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.
• Read Psalm 122 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
• Share joy with someone.

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SONGS OF DEPENDENCE - Psalm 121 - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Who will help us? Our help comes from the Lord.

OUTLINE
1. Can we depend on ourselves?

• Luke 18:9-14

• All who are sick need a doctor.

• Can we depend on our idols?

• Isaiah 44:9-20

• All who trust in idols will be disappointed.

3. Can we depend on our God?.

• Job 28:24
• Psalm 18:1-3.
• Isaiah 41:10
• All who depend on God will find help.

NEXT STEPS

• Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.
• Read Psalm 121 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
• Trust God to help you.

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SONGS OF TRUTH - Psalm 120; Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - We travel the pilgrim’s journey by placing one foot in front of the other until we discover truth.

OUTLINE

1.    Life includes suffering

• Psalm 120:1-2
• Tough times are inevitable on the journey.
• Psalm 10

2.    We want more.

• Psalm 120:3-5
• The journey is both fleeing from distress and ascending toward goodness.
• Psalm 86

3.    God offers peace.

• Psalm 120:6-7
• God calls us to find total well-being (Shalom) on the journey.
• Psalm 23

NEXT STEPS

• Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.
• Read Psalm 120 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
• Name distress from which you want deliverance.
• Name places you long for flourishing (Shalom).

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THE BOOK OF LIFE, Revelation 3:1-6, Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Your name is precious to God.

OUTLINE

1.    God writes our names in his book. 

·         Psalm 139:16

·         Revelation 20:12

2.    God calls us by name.

·         Luke 10:17-20

·         Revelation 2:17

·         Philippians 4:2-3

·         Isaiah 43:1-3 

3.    God watches over us now and forever. 

·         Hebrews 9:27-28

·         Revelation 20:17

NEXT STEPS

• Celebrate your name in the book of life.
• Celebrate your new name.
• Celebrate eternity.

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HEAVEN IS A WONDERFUL PLACE,1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME:  6 myths and 6 truths about heaven.

Myth 1. We can be too fixated on heaven. 
Truth: Being heavenly-minded helps us do earthly good.
1 Thessalonians 4:13

Myth 2. Heaven is all about the future.
Truth: Heaven collides with earth.
Matthew 13:44-48

Myth 3. We will spend eternity in the clouds.
Truth: We will spend eternity on earth.
Revelation 21:1-4

Myth 4. We will live forever without a body.
Truth: We have bodies in eternity.
1 Corinthians 15:35-44

Myth 5. We won’t be us anymore.
Truth: You will be you in heaven.
Luke 24:39

Myth 6. Heaven will be boring.
Truth: The best is yet to come.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18

NEXT STEPS

• Be more heavenly-minded.
• Life is for living - forever.

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RESURRECTION AND LIFE - 1 Corinthians 15 - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - The resurrection of Jesus gives victory over sin and death.

OUTLINE

1. In Adam, all Die (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Romans 5:12)
   Without the resurrection...

2. Our faith is futile.

3. We are still in our sins.
4. Death is the final enemy.
5. Life is bleak and hopeless.

2. In Jesus, all will be made alive.  (1 Corinthians 15:12-19, John 11:25-26)
Jesus is risen! This means...

• Our faith matters.
• We are forgiven.
• We live, even though we die.

• We have hope.

• Thanks be to God, who gives us victory in Jesus.

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 54-58; John 14:19; 1 Peter 1:3)

• The Gospel (The Good News) depends on the resurrection of Jesus.

NEXT STEPS

• Trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
• Live in victory. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

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VICTORY IN DEATH - Isaiah 53 - Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME
Where do we find comfort in life and in death?

OUTLINE
1. The glory story promises victory.

• John 12:12-15
• Isaiah 40:1-11

• The glory story says that God works primarily in strength.

• The cross story promises suffering.

• Isaiah 53

• John 1:29, John 10:11
• Mark 10:45
• 1 Peter 1:18
• Leviticus 17:11

• The cross story affirms God’s work in the middle of suffering.

• The strange good news promises victory in death.

• John 3:14-17

• Hebrews 9:11-28
• This good news brings comfort in life and in death!

NEXT STEPS

1. Do I look for the silver lining in every sad story of pain and suffering?
2. Do I give thanks in the middle of pain and suffering?

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THE FEAR OF DEATH, Psalm 90:1-6, Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME - Fear of death has real consequences. What should we do it?

OUTLINE - Four reality checks about death:

1. Most people fear death.

• Job 3:24-26
• I Corinthians 15:57

2. Everyone has an appointment with death. (And sooner than we think.)

• Psalm 90
• Isaiah 40:6-7

• John 14:5

• Death brings sorrow and joy.

• 2 Corinthians 5:1-5

• Philippians 1:21-24
• Psalm 39:4

4. Death is not the end of the story. (This world is not my home.)

• John 14:1-6
• Matthew 10:28
• Philippians 3:20
• Isaiah 25:8

NEXT STEPS

1. Do not fear the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:4

2. Number our days wisely. (Psalm 90:12)

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“The Curse of Sin and Death”  
Pastor Kent Landhuis  
Romans 5:6-12  

KEY THEME: SIN BRINGS DEATH, JESUS BRINGS LIFE

OUTLINE
1. Sin brings death.
•Isaiah 6:1-5
•Romans 3:10-18; 3:23
•Romans 6:23

1. Jesus defeats sin with death.
   •Romans 5:5-8
   •Romans 3:25-26

2. Jesus defeats death with death.
   •Romans 5:9-12
   •2 Timothy 1:9-10
   •Hebrews 2:14-15

NEXT STEPS
1. Trust Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
2. Trust Jesus in life and in death.
3. Live in freedom from the curse of sin and death.

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SERMON GUIDE
“Life is a Gift”
Steve Poole
Psalm 139:13-16

OUTLINE
1.Life is a gift beyond comprehension

• Psalm 139:14 – We are “remarkably and wondrously made...”
• Genesis 1:26-27 – God created humans in His own image.
• Theological term=Imago Dei (Latin “Image of God”)

2.Life is a gift when we know our identity

3.Life is a gift - don’t waste it

• Psalms 139:16 - “All my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.”
• Matthew 6:27 - “Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?”
• Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”

4.Life is a gift when we live-out our purpose

• God reiterates our identity.
• God created each of us with good works to accomplish for His glory.
  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Q1.
  • Heidelberg Catechism Q&A1.

5.Life is a gift from God for God’s glory

• God’s glory is the goal of all this, not my satisfaction.
• He is glorified by the joy we experience in His wonderful creation, when things are as they should be.

6.Life is a gift from God to be shared with others

• God is triune, three-in-one.
• God is an eternal community, and when He created us in His image, we were made for community.
• God likens us to His body, many parts all working together to accomplish His good will. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

APPLICATION

1.Research the gift of life

• Look up laminin
• Take a hike
• Watch a sunrise
• Appreciate the cell
• Read the Psalms

2.Reflect on your identity in God. Ask others to speak truth.

3.Reflect on your purpose

• How am I glorifying God?
• Who is God calling me to bless?
• What are my gifts?

4.Refocus - How have I become too egocentric?

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LIFE AND DEATH
Pastor Kent Landhuis
Genesis 3:1-7

KEY QUESTION: 
Does death overshadow life?

OUTLINE
1. The shadow of fear.
•Psalm 23:4
•Genesis 2:16-17
•Genesis 3:4-5

1. The shadow of grief.
   •Psalm 90:10
   •James 4:14
   •Isaiah 40:7

2. The shadow of despair.
   •Genesis 3:20-24
   •2 Corinthians 5:1
   •Ecclesiastes 3:2

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THE GOOD LIFE
Pastor Kent Landhuis
Genesis 2:7-8

Key question: What is the good life and how do we get it?

OUTLINE
1. The God-formed life.

• Genesis 2:7 “The LORD God formed the man.”
• Psalm 139:13-16

• Jeremiah 1:5

• The God-inspired life.

• Genesis 2:7b “He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.”

• Psalm 104:28-29

• Psalm 146:2-4

• The God-placed life.

• Genesis 2:8 - “There God placed the man he formed”

• Genesis 1
• Jeremiah 29:4-7

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RESTORE OBEDIENCE
Restored memory yields restored obedience.
Nehemiah 8:1-3
Pastor Kent Landhuis

OUTLINE

1. All-in attention to the Word resurrects memory. (8:1-3,8)

·         Understanding the Word.

·         Affirming the Word.

2. Full-bodied wonder of the Word enlivens worship. (8:6, 9:5-38)

·         Remembering the Word.

·         Engaging the Word.

1. Whole-hearted response to the Word animates obedience. (8:9-10)

·         Tears and laughter.

·         Fasting and feasting. 

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE

·         Deuteronomy 6:1-9

·         Ezekiel 37:1-14

·         Psalm 119

·         2 Timothy 3:14-17

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RESTORE GRIT
Pastor Kent Landhuis
Nehemiah 4:1-18

One of the great tests we face is how we handle trouble.

OUTLINE

1. Grit starts when trouble hits.  

·         Ridicule (4:1-3, 11-12)

·         Resistance (7-9)

1. Grit builds while fighting trouble. 

·         Rely on God. (4-5)

·         Reinforce weaknesses. (12-13)

·         Refuse to quit. (14-18)

1. Grit triumphs when we find our great work.

·         Our great work overcomes distractions. (6:3)

·         Our great work gets done. (6:15)

·         Our great work honors God, (6:16)

ADDITIONAL TEXTS

Nehemiah 3 and 6

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RESTORING PRAYER
Nehemiah 1-2

1.    Prayer - Just do it! 

“Doing it is better than not praying because you are self-conscious about not doing it enough or in the right way.”

2.    Why do we pray?

We pray because WE NEED God.

3.    When do we pray?

• Nehemiah 2:4
• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
• We pray without ceasing.

4.    What is the purpose of prayer? 

• Prayer aligns our will with His.
• Prayer invites God to act powerfully on our behalf

5.    How do we pray?
a.  Follow the A.C.T.S. prayer model

• Adoration - Neh. 1:5
• Confession = Neh. 1:6-7
• Thanksgiving = Neh. 1:10.
• Supplication = Neh. 1:8-11

b.  Pray God’s Word back to Him

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RESTORE TRUTH
EZRA 7:10
Pastor Kent Landhuis

Deception leads to compromise.

1. Rebuild foundations. 
    - Ezra 7:1-10.
    - Study, apply, and teach the truth.

2. Restore integrity.
    - Ezra 7-8.
    - Compromise starts small.
    - Holiness requires zero tolerance of evil.

3. Replace bad habits.
    - Ezra 9-10.
    - Compromise manifests in bad habits.
    - We demonstrate holiness in everyday actions.

Joshua 24:14-15
“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; cast aside the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

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RENEWED GRACE
Pastor Kent Landhuis
Scripture reading: Ezra 6:15-22

1. Don’t let disruptions push God out. 
    - Every life has disruption.
    - Return, renew, rebuild, revive.

2. Let worship bring order to all of life. 
    - God chooses to reveal himself.
    - God’s character defines our worship.
    - God-centered worship orders life.

3. Rediscover worship as essential.
    - Rediscover God at the center of all things.
    - Rediscover mercy - we don’t get what we deserve.
    - Rediscover grace - we get what we don’t deserve.

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RENEWED WORSHIP
Ezra 3
Steve Poole

OUTLINE
1. ReNEWed sacrifice - Ezra 3:2-6
The first thing Jeshua and Zerubbabel did is build an altar to the LORD and make burnt offerings. They made daily burnt offerings, morning and evening, they celebrated the festival of Booths and they freewill offering in worship of God. These offerings were not lasting, temporary, so they were repeated regularly. What does this mean for us today?

• Isaiah 53; Romans 3:23-25; 1 John 2:2

• ReNEWed worship is sacrificial living

• ReNEWed Temple - Ezra 3:7-9
  The second thing that Jeshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the prince, did was to lay the foundation and rebuild the temple. This was immensely significant because in the past the Lord’s very presence was in the temple.

• God’s temple is His people. (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:16; Ephesians 2:19-22

• Just like the sacrifices pointed to a higher, more pure sacrifice, the physical temple, being rebuilt by Jeshua and Zerubbabel is just a shadow of the temple of God in heaven. Our hope in that one day we will be with God, worshipping Him in that temple. We see this truth in Hebrews 9:12 and Revelation 7 and 20.

• ReNEWed Praise - Ezra 3:10-13
  Finally, we see that Jeshua and Zerubbabel renewed the singing of praises to God. They bring out the trumpets, cymbals and other musical instruments. They get the priestly praise band back together and sing:

• Ezra 3:11; 1 Chr. 16:34; Rev. 7:9-10

APPLICATION
1. Sing more praises this week. Sing more praises with fellow believers, even in masks and small groups.
2. Be transformed by a deeper understanding of the sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice.
3. Ask God to reveal one way you can better “offer your life as a living sacrifice” this week?
4. Reflect on, “How am I doing at taking care of God’s temple?”

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RENEWED VITALITY
January 3, 2021
Pastor Kent Landhuis

SCRIPTURE READING
Ezra 1:1-4

There was good reason in Old Testament times for God to call his people to renew their devotion to God. God’s people frequently forgot God and drifted in their devotion to him. This forgetfulness and drift has happened to every generation of believers and still happens today! We fail to appreciate God’s goodness, the depth of our spiritual laziness, and our indifference to the things that matter most. Begin 2021 with a celebration of God’s promises and find renewal and restoration of spiritual vitality.

OUTLINE
1. Fresh start characters who need vitality.
 - Three Persian Kings
 - Three Jewish Leaders
 - People of God ready for a fresh start.
 - Villains opposed to a fresh start.

1. Fresh start themes that point toward vitality.
    - Rebuild livelihoods.
    - Refresh relationships.
    - Revive worship.

2. Fresh start moments on the journey to vitality.
    - Return from exile.
    - Restore worship.
    - Renew promises.
    - Rebuild the city.
    - Repent and restart.

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REIMAGINED FUTURE
Pastor Kent Landhuis
Isaiah 2:1-5

KEY VERSE
Isaiah 2:2 - "In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.

OUTLINE
What are we hoping for? The best is yet to come!
1. The End is near.
Isaiah 2:2
Matthew 25:1-13

1. The End pulls us forward.
   Isaiah 2:3
   Mathew 25:14-30

2. The End completes everything.
   Isaiah 2:4
   Matthew 25:31-46

ADDITIONAL PASSAGES
Matthew 25:31-33 - “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left."

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REIMAGINE JESUS
Pastor Kent Landhuis
Christmas Eve service at Cedar Hills Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

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Sundays 8:30am and 11am

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REIMAGINE LOVE
Pastor Kent Landhuis
Scripture reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

KEY VERSES
Isaiah 9:6-7
For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

OUTLINE
Diagnosis of the intimacy, commitment, and passion of God’s love.

1. Initial diagnosis: Where is the love?
2. Deeper diagnosis: This is a love child?
3. Final diagnosis: God gave exactly the love we needed!
   4, Prognosis: Expect everything from God’s love!

Additional passages:
John 3:16
Hebrews 4:14-16
Luke 2:11-12

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REIMAGINE JOY
Steve Poole

1. Jesus is here to comfort ALL who mourn!
2. Jesus is here to bring good news to the poor
3. Jesus is here to heal the broken hearted!
4. Jesus is here to free the oppressed!

APPLICATION
1. Want more joy?

• Meditate on Isaiah 61 this week
• Pray that God will use His words to grow more joy in your life.
• Invite God’s Spirit to increase your joy through encountering Him in His creation
• Let God use others to bring His joy in your life.

• Discover increased joy through increased worship

• Bring joy to others
  One of the best ways to experience more joy is to serve others and bring them joy.  Look for simple opportunities this week to bless others. Encouraging notes, meals, surprise gifts, yard work, repairs.  Look for how your gifts meet others’ needs

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REIMAGINE PEACE
Isaiah 40:1-11

KEY VERSE
Isaiah 40:1 Comfort yes, comfort my people, says the Lord. 

OUTLINE
Identify the enemy. (Isaiah 40:1-11)
Surrender and trust. (Isaiah 40:12-27)
Live in Peace. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Additional passages: 
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace. Luke 2

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5

Peace, be still! Mark 4

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives to you. Let not your hearts be troubled. John 14

In Christ Jesus you who were once far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Ephesians 2

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REIMAGINE HOPE
Isaiah 64:1-9

Reimagine hope by recognizing the brightest light of Christmas. We need this light to shine through the darkness.

KEY VERSE
Psalm 80:3 - Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us,that we may be saved.

OUTLINE
The brightest light shines down from heaven. (Isaiah 64:1-2, Psalm 4:6)
The brightest light shines God’s glory. (Isaiah 64:3-7, 2 Corinthians 4:6)
The brightest light shines for all people. (Isaiah 64:8-9, Isaiah 42:6, Psalm 67:1, Psalm 80:3)

ADDITIONAL PASSAGES
Isaiah 9:2 - The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

Numbers 6:24-26 - “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

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DISCOVER YOUR HOPE
2 Peter 3:1-18

Pastor Kent Landhuis
Cedar Hills Community Church
November 22, 2020

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DISCOVERY YOUR ADVERSARY
Pastor Kent Landuis

How to recognize your adversary:
1. Be alert.
2. Be wary and warned.
3. Be bold. Combat falsehood with Truth.

TRUTH WINS!

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DISCOVER OUR SALVATION
BY PASTOR KENT LANDHUIS

KEY VERSE
2 Peter 1:10-11 - Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm
your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will
receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

THREE GIFTS OF SALVATION
1. Salvation regenerates us. (Made new - I was saved.)
2. Salvation grows obedience. (Reshaped - I am being saved.)
3. Salvation keeps us safe. (Perfected - I will be saved.)

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 7:24-27 - "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Ezekiel 36:26–27 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my [Holy] Spirit in you and move you to follow me..."

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DISCOVER THE POWER OF VICTORIOUS HOPE
1 Peter 5:6-11

The 'why' behind Peter’s/God’s call for us to ‘have joy in suffering’. Having the proper “why” can make all the difference.

FOUR WORDS DESCRIBE
WHAT GOD DOES IN US

1. Restore - in Greek - katartizó - καταρτίζω
   Definition = to complete, prepare
   Translations = “mending” the nets in the gospels, “equipped”, “restored”, “made complete”

2. Confirm - stérizó - στηρίζω
   a. to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix:
   b. to strengthen, make firm; to render constant, confirm, one's mind, establish

3. Strengthen - sthenoó - σθενόω - only 1 usage
   Definition = properly, make strong so as to be mobile – i.e. able to move in a way that achieves something in the most effective way.

4. Establish - themelioó - θεμελιόω
   Definition - to lay the foundation of
   Translations = established, firmly established, founded, grounded, and laid the foundation

How should we live as people facing suffering, with a victorious hope?

1. Humble yoursel
2. Cast your anxiety on God
3. Be watchful – we have a lion-like enemy
4. Resist the devil and stand firm in your faith

APPLICATION
1. Know your why! - Why can we rejoice even in suffering? Because we have an eternal mindset we can respond to suffering differently. Memorize 1 Peter 5:10

1. Do a devotional reading plan on humility or casting anxiety on God.

2. Facing Anxiety

3. Walking in Humility

4. Take time each day this week to write out your anxieties, pray over them individually, surrendering them to God. Share this with a brother or sister in Christ. They can also help bear your burden.

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DISCOVER YOUR JOY IN SUFFERING

KEY THOUGHT:
“Suffering is at the very heart of the Christian faith. It is not only the
way Christ became like and redeemed us, but it is one of the main ways we become like
him and experience his redemption.” Tim Keller

KEY VERSE1 Peter 4:19
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

ADDITIONAL PASSAGES

• Hebrews 12:7-11 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For
  what children are not disciplined by their father. If you are not disciplined—and
  everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and
  daughters at all.Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we
  respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for
  our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at
  the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and
  peace for those who have been trained by it.
• Isaiah 64:6-7 - All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
  No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us and have given us over to our sins. Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
• Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the
  glory that will be revealed in us.

TWO RESPONSES TO SUFFERING
1. Don’t deny suffering.
2. Don’t waste suffering.

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DISCOVER YOUR JOY IN SUFFERING

KEY THOUGHT:
Suffering is good for us. Suffering leads to hope and joy!

KEY VERSE1 Peter 4:12-13
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."

ADDITIONAL PASSAGES

• Romans 5:3-5 - We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint.
• James 1:2-4 - Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, not lacking anything.
• Hebrews 12:1-2 - Fix your eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God
• Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Go forth.

Suffer.

Smile.

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LOVE. BELONG. SERVE.
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DISCOVER THE POWER OF GODLY RELATIONSHIPS
1 Peter 3:1-22

Sermon by Steve Poole
Director of Youth & Young Adults
Cedar Hills Community Church.

NEXT STEPS
1. Ask some trusted friends/family: Do you see evidence of God in my life? Also, reflect on this personally.
2. Memorize 1 Peter 3:8-9 chose one characteristic to grow in this week through prayer & intentionality.
3. If applicable: sit down with your spouse and discuss how you are doing with humbly loving and serving each other
4. If your spouse doesn’t believe: pray for them & love them will with your actions
5. If you don’t FEEL like it, spend some time reflecting on God’s mercy and Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is the why behind all the whats we should do in this chapter!

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DISCOVER YOUR SERVE
1 Peter 2:11- 25

We reach a hostile world by living such good lives in our everyday, ordinary activities that people want to know about God. We serve others because Jesus served us with the hope that, even when we suffer in serving, others will come to faith.

Additional passages: Isaiah 53 and Matthew 5:38-42

OUTLINE
1. We do good together.
2. We do good every day.
3. We do good to grow love.
4. We do good to glorify God.

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DISCOVER YOUR ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:1-10

Peter invites us to find the hope we need. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)

1. Get your story straight. (1 Peter 2:1-3)
    Fat paycheck
    Comfy couch
    Giant thrill ride
    Resident alien

2. Get your address right. (1 Peter 2:4-8)
    Isaiah 28:16-17
    Luke 20:9-18

3. Get your faith established. (1 Peter 2:9-10)
    Baby
    Stone
    Priest

NEXT STEPS
1. Trust in Jesus to receive your new identity.
2. Nourish your faith in connection with God and others. (Believing, Belonging, Behaving)
3. Live into your new identity.

CEDAR HILLS COMMUNITY CHURCH
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DISCOVERING YOUR LIFE IN CHRIST
1 Peter 1:13-25

1. God does not cheapen His grace by making it conditional on our actions.
2. God does not cheapen His grace by compromising His standards.

JUSTIFICATION
“Justification refers to God’s declaration that someone is determined to be righteous in His sight. This justification is a one-time act whereby God declares a sinner like you and me to be not only not guilty but perfectly righteous before His high bar of justice.” Erik Raymond (The Gospel Coalition)

SANCTIFICATION
“Sanctification, on the other hand, is the continual process of being made more holy. It is the progressive conformity of the one who has been justified into the image of their Savior through the work of the Holy Spirit.” Erik Raymond (The Gospel Coalition)

HEIDELBERG CATECHISM
Lord’s Day 32; Q&A 86
Q: Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace through Christ without any merit of our own, why then should we do good works?
A: Because Christ, having redeemed us by his blood, is also restoring us by his Spirit into his image, so that with our whole lives we may show that we are thankful to God for his benefits, so that he may be praised through us, so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits, and so that by our godly living our neighbors may be won over to Christ. (Romans 6:1-2,11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1-2)

THE RHYTHM OF CHRISTIAN LIVING
“This is the rhythm of Christian living. Having been redeemed, we are freed to live a life of glad obedience. This is our true joy. Having been loved so well, our delight is to love in return. We are not loved because we obey; we obey because we are loved: ‘knowing that you were ransomed’” (Gospel Transformation Bible)

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Discover Your Inheritance.
Scripture reading: 1 Peter 1:1-12

Theme: Peter invites us to find the hope we need.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth 

1. Join the treasure hunt.

2. Matthew 13:44

3. 1 Peter 1:10-12

4. Quit obsessing about trouble.

5. Matthew 6:19-20

6. 1 Peter 1:6

7. 1 Peter 2:19

8. Embrace your inheritance.

9. 1 Peter 1:3-9

10. Ephesians 1:13-18

NEXT STEPS
1. Trust in Jesus to receive your inheritance.
2. Give thanks for your inheritance in Jesus.
3. Don't worry, be happy.

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WIRED FOR GOOD (RIGHT TIME, RIGHT PLACE)
Scripture reading: Esther 4:1-3, 11-14

1. Who knows but that you were called for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)
2. If I perish, I perish. (Esther 4:16)
3. Experience light and gladness, joy, and honor. (Esther 9:16)

NEXT STEPS
1. I'd like to address this problem/need:
2. I'm passionate about: 
3. I've seen fruit/success when I:
4. I'm energized when I am with: 

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WIRED FOR GOOD (SWEET SPOT)
Acts 16:6-40

1. Get your call.
2. Follow your passion.
3. Use your gift.
4. Find your sweet spot.

NEXT STEPS
1. I'd like to address this problem/need:.
2. I'm passionate about:
3. I've seen fruit/success when I
4. I'm energized when I am with
5. I want to find my sweet spot. Contact me.

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Wired for Good Together
Ecclesiastes 4:9 ~ "Two are better than one."

1. Together is normal. (Acts 16:1-5)

2. Together is complicated. (Acts 15:36-41)

3. Gifts

4. Passions

5. Personalities

6. Together is better.

7. Love one another. Romans 13:8

8. Serve one another. Galatians 5:13
9. Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to one another. Ephesians 4:32
10. Encourage and build-up one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Next Steps:
1. With whom are you serving?
2. Give thanks for your partners, mentors, and companions.

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Our city was hit by a devastating derecho storm August 10, 2020.  We were happy to have electricity at the church the following Sunday enough to meet, reflect and share how we experienced God's faithfulness in the last week.

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Wired for Good

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'" ~ 1 Samuel 16:7

1. God calls us. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

2. God shapes us. (1 Samuel 16-17)

3. Gifts

4. Passions

5. Personalities

6. God sends us.

7. Take up your cross and follow ~ Luke 9:23

8. Reflect and restore God's image ~ Genesis 1
9. Our particular place—right person, right time, right reason.

Next Steps:
1. Listen for God's call.
2. Follow God's call.

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Wired with Passion
"Passionate Peter"

1. Luke 5—Peter followed
2. Matthew 14—Peter walked on water
3. John 13—Peter didn't want to be washed.
4. Matthew 26—Peter denied Jesus.
5. John 21—Peter is recommissioned.
6. Acts 4—Peter is empowered.

Application:
1. Know your passion

• A. What kind of legacy do I want to leave?
• B. What makes me lose track of time?
• C. What problems bother you the most? (Your passion lies in addressing those.)
• D. What do those close to you say you are passionate about?

• E. What do you dream about doing?

• Grow your passion.

• Submit your passion.

• Mobilize your passion.

• Romans 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”

• 1 Corinthians 9:24,27 “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize…Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

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Justice Recap"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~ Micah 6:8

Christians have every reason to seek justice for everyone in every situation.

Six observations:
1. God loves justice and hates injustice. (Isaiah 61:8)
2. Jesus reveals God's heart. (Colossians 1:15)
3. Jesus loves the hurting. (Luke 4:14-21)
4. Followers of Jesus seek justice. (James 1:26-27)
5. The enemy seeks to destroy justice. (John 10:10)
6. God is in control. (Genesis 18:23-25)

Eight suggestions:
1. Thou shalt lament injustice. (Amos 5)
2. Thou shalt celebrate justice. (Zechariah 7:8-10)
3. Thou shalt love thy neighbor. (Luke 10:25-37)
4. Thou shalt show impartiality. (James 2:1-13)
5. Thou shalt stand up for what is right even when others do not. (Exodus 23:2)
6. Thou shalt speak the truth with humility. (Isaiah 1:16-18)
7. Thou shalt seek the well-being of the city. (Jeremiah 29:8)
8. Thou shalt lean into the discomfort. (Micah 6:8)

Next Steps:
1. Act justly.
2. Love mercy.
3. Walk humbly.

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Walk Humbly
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~ Micah 6:8

Christians have every reason to seek justice for everyone in every situation. Our call to do justice finds its power in loving mercy and walk-ing humbly.

1. Humility presupposes dignity.

2. Luke 18:9-14

3. Philippians 2:1-11

4. Humility chooses restraint.

5. 1 Samuel 24:1-8

6. Isaiah 2:11-12

7. Humility grows trust. Mercy restores.

8. 1 Samuel 2:7

9. 1 Samuel 12:6
10. Psalm 18:27

Next Steps:
1. Who do you need to honor more?
2. Where do you need to show restraint?
3. In what way is God calling you to trust and surrender?

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Love Mercy

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~ Micah 6:8

Christians have every reason to seek justice for everyone in every situation. Our call to do justice finds its power in loving mercy.

1. Mercy gives.

2. Genesis 1-3

3. Matthew 18

4. Mercy speaks.

5. Acts 2

6. Luke 15

7. Mercy restores.

8. Ephesians 2

9. Revelation 22

Next Steps:
1. Reflect on God's mercy toward you.
2. Show mercy to one person who needs mercy.

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Do Justice

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." ~ Micah 6:8

Christians have every reason to seek justice for everyone in every situation.

1. Lament injustice.

• Beware of bandwagon bias.
• Beware of selective proof-testing.
• Beware of over-simplification.
• "Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery." ~ 2 Chronicles 19:7

2. Celebrate justice.

• "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers." ~ Proverbs 21:15
• "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will pro-claim justice to the nations." ~ Matthew 12:18

3. Do justice.

• Isaiah 1:17-27, 10:1-3
• Luke 4:14-21
• 2 Corinthians 5:11-21

Next Step:
What will you do?

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The Lord's Army
Ephesians 6:10-20

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic pow-ers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." ~ Ephesians 6:12

Key Truths:
1. We are at war.
2. Our fight is NOT against people.
3. We are fighting preeminent, powerful, spiritual enemies with authority in this world.

• We are fighting Satan and fallen angels.

• We fight human institutions with power and influence wielded by Satan.

• Our success depends on God's power NOT our own.

• "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." ~ Ephesians 6:10

• Our secret weapon is PRAYER

• "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints," ~ Ephesians 6:18

Application
1. How will our lives change because we ARE at war? How will your prayer life change?
2. Warriors train and fight in groups.
3. Who are you treating like the enemy? Seek reconciliation!

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight." C.C. Lewis

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Authority, Honor, and Blessing - Ephesians 6:1-9

Three qualities of honor:  

1. Honor brings blessings.

2. "Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you." - Deuteronomy 5:16

3. Honor never expires.

4. "The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures." - Proverbs 30:17

5. Honor extends to all.

6. "Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." - Romans 13:7

Next Steps: Answer three questions.

1. How does honoring others lead to blessings
2. When is the best time to honor another person?
3. Who can you honor today?

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Love, True Love
Ephesians 5:21-31

How to stay on the path of love in marriage.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." ~ 1 John 3:16

1. Surrender the myth of fairytale love. (1 Corinthians 13)
2. Submit to one another. (Philippians 2:1-4, 1 Peter 5:1-6)
3. Choose sacrificial love. (John 10:11-18, John 15:12-13)

Next Steps:
1. Ask God to give you a heart that will submit to your spouse.
2. Make sacrificial gifts of love to your spouse.

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Be Careful How You Live
Ephesians 5:15-20

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." ~Ephesians 5:15-16

1. How we walk is how we live.

• Psalm 1
• Matthew 22:34-40

2. Make the most of the time.

• Hospitality—reach out to bless three people this week.
• Authenticity—I will follow God's leading to be honest in all my relationships this week.
• Forgiveness—I will learn something this week about what Jesus said about forgiveness.
• Restoration—I will listen to the Spirit's voice about brokenness in our world that needs restoration.

Next Steps:
1. Pray for God to shape your heard with His wisdom!
2. Make the most of your time by growing in hospitality, authenticity, forgiveness, and restoration.

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The Body of Christ
Ephesians 4:11-16

1. God is creator of the universe. His goodness is directed toward the harmonious unification of all things!

2. Death is the malignant disruption of God's creation, tearing apart what God meant to be forever inter-connected with Himself.

3. Jesus came to conquer death and restore the life—God in everything. He unleashed the immense power of his resurrection!

4. Those who trust Christ become the "body" of which he is the "head," made fully alive with the breath of the living God.

5. We, the church, have been made the vanguard of God's universal restoration, when he will make "all things new."

Next Steps
1. Jesus completes us—our humanity cannot be fulfilled without him.
2. We complete each other—our purpose as Christ's body cannot be fulfilled with the variety of each other's gifts.
3. We complete Jesus—his work of restoring the ruined world depends on our cooperation.

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We are One!
Ephesians 4:1-6
How to walk in unity:

1. Walk with lowliness.
2. Philippians 2:3
3. Romans 14:7-9

4. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

5. Walk with gentleness.

6. Galatians 5:22-23

7. Walk with forbearance.

8. Colossians 3:12-13

Next Steps:
1. Don't be a troll. Pray before posting anything.
2. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit. (Ephesians 4:3)
3. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

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The Mystery of Belonging
Ephesians 3:1-21
Three mysteries to unravel:
1. Unravel the mystery of belonging to find hope.

• Ephesians 3:1-7
• Romans 14:7-9

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-20

• Unravel the mystery of God's purpose to find strength.

• Ephesians 3:8-13

• Isaiah 55:8-9

• Proverbs 19:21

• Unravel the mystery of knowing Jesus to find love.

• Ephesians 3:14-21

• 1 Corinthians 2:2
• Philippians 3:10

Next Steps:
1. Reconnect with someone. Reach out today.
2. Reconnect with God's purpose. Ask God to reveal your purpose.
3. Reconnect with Jesus. Reflect on God's love revealed through Jesus.

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God's Grace Produces Reconciliation
Ephesians 2:11-22

1. The unnatural unity of God's people demonstrates the power of God's grace!

2. Jews and Gentiles have a new BELONGing that is great-er than their identity as Jew or Gentile, they are Christian.

3. Romans 11:17

4. Galatians 3:7-9, 14

5. God's power is displayed in His early church by the way they laid down prejudice, and sought reconciliation with their brothers and sisters who were different than them.

6. Acts 11 & 15

7. Our identity as God's holy church should unite us more than any one of these issues divide us.

8. God's plan is for His diverse church to model diverse unity to a broken world!

Next Steps:
1. Pray that God will bring unity to Cedar Hills, the RCA, the American church, and His global church!
2. Pick one issue or person and seek reconciliation that week?
3. Instead of making an insulting, divisive post on social media, have a civil conversation about that issue.
4. Instead of assuming those who disagree with you are un-educated or unkind, believe the best about them. Listen to them instead of judging their motives, you may find you have more in common than you thought.
5. Ask God to change our hearts, and help us to love those who are different.

Ephesians 2:11-22
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call them-selves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were sep-arate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and for-eigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its com-mands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together

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We Are Forgiven!
Ephesians 2:1-10

Three certainties in uncertain times:
1. We were dead in sin..

• Ephesians 2:1-3
• Romans 1:18-25
• Romans 3:9-23

• James 1:14-16

• We were raised to life.

• Ephesians 2:4-7

• Ephesians 1

• Romans 5:6-8

• We are created to do good.

• Ephesians 2:8-10

• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Galatians 6:10

Next Steps:

1. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast. Receive God's gift through faith in Jesus!
2. Where is God calling you to reach out with love to serve others? Follow God's leading to do good.

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We Are Loved!
Ephesians 1:1-23
What does enough love look like?
1. We are the kind of people who God chooses. (Ephesians 1:5,9)

1. We are the kind of people who God sets free. (Ephesians 1:6,12,14)

2. We are the kind of people who God grows. (Ephesians 1:8, 17-18)

Next Steps: Reflect on these truths.
1. When Paul prays for the Ephesian church, he does not pray for an improvement in the external circumstances. Rather, Paul prays for a profound internal knowledge of the depths of God's love. ~Timothy Keller
2. God loves you!

Ephesians 1:1-14
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—
6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the rich-es of God’s grace
8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,
9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

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This is the final episode of our Lenten series, "Life in the Vine".

The Easter Pandemic: When Jesus Goes Viral
Matthew 28:16-20

Since Jesus has been raised, he owns all authority in heaven and earth, to transform the destiny of all nations, through the diffusion of all his commands into our hearts, made
possible because he is always with us, until the world's renovation is complete.

Jesus came to this world and became a man in order to spread to other men the kind of life he has—by what I call a 'good infection.' Every Christian is to become a little Christ. . . ." --C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

The love-drenched world Jesus foresees is impossible to realize on our own. But with God "all things are possible." He will change my heart from one that is curved in ward to one that is curved outward.

Next Steps:
1. Are you feeling and spreading the good contagion of Jesus' love?
2. Are you praying for impossible possibilities that only God can make happen? What are they?
3. Are you finding ways to connect with God and others during this time of social isolation? Are you part of the Pandemic of Hope?

Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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Life in the Vine: He is Risen
Matthew 28:1-10
What gives you comfort?

1. Hello.

2. Matthew 26:47—27:66

3. "So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting a guard." ~ Matthew 27:66

4. Do not be afraid.

5. Matthew 28:9-10

6. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." ~ Luke 12:32

7. Go believe.

8. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

9. "By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:2

Next Steps:

1. Give thanks for the resurrection.
2. Do not be afraid.
3. Find comfort through faith in Jesus.

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Part 6 of our midweek Lenten series. This is Maundy Thursday.

For the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday) we will be posting our midweek services.  Our goal in these services is to go deeper into the words of Jesus and to learn how to how to abide in Him.

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Life in the Vine: Honoring Jesus
Matthew 23:1-4, 25-28
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

1. We: "Do as I do, not as I say."

2. Matthew 23:1-4

3. Matthew 5:48

4. Matthew 22:34-40

5. Jesus: "Trust in my doing."

6. Romans 3:10

7. Ephesians 2:8-9
8. Romans 10:9,10,13
9. Matthew 23:39

Next Steps:
1. Dwell every day in the words of Jesus.
2. Reflect on this quote: "Enoughness is a universal human longing." Paul Zahl, Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religions and What To Do About It.
3. Honor Jesus by trusting in his DONE work on the cross.

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Part 5 of our Wednesday evening Lenten series.

For the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday) we will be posting our midweek services.  Our goal in these services is to go deeper into the words of Jesus and to learn how to how to abide in Him.

We mention the Apostolic Prayers in this message. Click here for a printable .pdf of the Apostolic Prayers

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Life in the Vine: Words of Jesus
Matthew 18

Our calling as disciples is to reckon this "kingdom" into our lives, our community, by living this way through the power of God's Spirit.

1. Social rank radically flipped. (verses 1-6)
2. Radical precautions to avoid causing little ones to stum-ble. (vs. 7-11)
3. Support the little ones instead of exploit. (vs. 6, 10, 14)
4. Restore those who go astray. (vs. 12-14, 15-17)
5. Forgive radically. (vs. 21-35)
   *Stanley Saunders, Associate Professor of New Testament Columbia Theological Seminary

Our calling at Cedar Hills: LOVE * BELONG * SERVE

• Hospitality
• Authenticity
• Forgiveness
• Restoration

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Next Steps:
"May we go as ambassadors for Christ, sharing God’s radical for-giveness and reconciliation with everyone. May we be known as a church that embodies these truths, because we abide in God. May
Hospitality, Authenticity, Forgiveness, and reconciliation guide our com-munity and all our relationships."

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Part 4 of our Wednesday evening Lenten series.

For the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday) we will be posting our midweek services. Our goal in these services is to go deeper into the words of Jesus and to learn how to how to abide in Him.

Spiritual Discipline Resources we'd like to share:

• RightNow Media Studies
• Spiritual Discipline Infographic

From our presenter:
"Does all of the craziness of this time feel overwhelming to you? Have you ever been wanting to find a way to connect more with God? Or maybe you've got more time on your hands these days and you want to do something more productive with it? Well I'm proposing an option for all those feelings! In this time of disruption and rhythms being broken, I'd love to invest with anyone who is interested in growing in the practices of Jesus and developing our spiritual disciplines (whatever stage you are in your faith)! If you're interested, feel free to join the Facebook group I've setup, and enjoy it however you feel led to participate. It'll be a place for daily discussion, sharing inspiring content and a platform for community discussion."

• Facebook Group - Practicing the Ways of Jesus

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Video links he refers to in the service:
How to Make a Phone Call
https://youtu.be/TGWAkLVhuVI

Pandemics Kill Compassion, Too
https://nyti.ms/2W9Wesw

Screw the Virus!
https://nyti.ms/2J1lhpX

Life in the Vine: Trusting Jesus
Matthew 13:24
What should we do about the weeds in our world?

1. Wait patiently..
"Let both grow together until the harvest…." (Matthew 13:30).
Galatians 5:22

2. Fight Evil with Good.
"Do you want us to go and pull them up?" (Matthew 13:28).
Romans 12:21

3. Trust Jesus.
"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field" (Matthew 13:24).
Psalm 112:7

Next Steps:
1. Dwell every day in the words of Jesus.
2. Pray the Serenity Prayer: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."
3. Follow God's Call.

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Part 3 of our Wednesday evening Lenten series.

For the season of Lent (Ash Wednesday to Maundy Thursday) we will be posting our midweek services.  Our goal in these services is to go deeper into the words of Jesus and to learn how to how to abide in Him.

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Life in the Vine: Following Jesus
Matthew 10:5-23
Are we prepared to follow Jesus?

1. Follow Jesus in Kingdom Re-orientation.

2. Take up your cross.

3. Matthew 16:24-25

4. Follow Jesus in Kingdom Compassion.

5. Respond to the harvest.

6. Matthew 9:35-37

7. Follow Jesus in Kingdom Confession.

8. Tell about Jesus.

9. Matthew 16:13-16