IN OUR CULTURE, THERE ARE TWO PRIMARY WAYS WE SELF-IDENTIFY: What we do for vocation, sport or hobby. What group or tribe we affiliate ourselves with. WHAT IS OUR _____________? FORMER IDENTITY Ephesians 2:1-3 1As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed […]
THIS WEEK: WHO IS YOUR TRIBE? What we’re really asking: “How do I identify myself? What do I do? What is my purpose?” which all leads to “Who do I identify with?” People tend to gather together based on these questions. A tribe can be built around a set of beliefs, ethnicity, hobby, […]
Game Changer: a newly introduced element or factor that changes an existing situation or activity in a significant way.1 Historical Game Changers: The Cell Phone (Motorola DynaTAC 8000x) The X-ray Machine Seat Belts GAME CHANGERS: Changes that change everything! Week1: Not Fighting Against, But Fighting For TOP 10 BEST PRACTICES TO FIGHT WITH YOUR SPOUSE—destroying […]
When we seek unity, we fight for our relationships. When we seek to be right, we often end up fighting against someone. John 17:20-23 (NIV) 20My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as […]
WEEK ONE: FIGHTING FOR RATHER THAN FIGHTING WITH YOUR SPOUSE The warning concerning love: it will not be easy, and for many, it won’t last. (See Matthew 24:12-13; Hebrews 12:15) HOW LOVE DIES Face to face, side by side, and back to back imagery. (Ephesians 4:25-27) ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN Context: Jesus to His […]
1. THE GRASS ISN’T ALWAYS GREEN ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE. Fact: There will always be someone who is better off than you in a certain area, but there will also always be someone else who’s doing worse. Ecclesiastes 6:7-9 (NLT) 7All people spend their lives scratching for food, but they never seem […]
COMPARISON VERSUS CONTENTMENT Comparison: (noun) is the act of finding out the differences and similarities between two or more people or things.2 Discontent: (noun) Unhappiness caused by the failure of one’s hopes, desires, or expectations: disappointment, discontent, disgruntlement, dissatisfaction, letdown, regret.3 HOW AND WHY HAVE WE BECOME SO DISCONTENTED? AND WHEN AND WHERE DID IT […]
WHAT IS COMPARISON? (Exodus 20:17) Comparison can be good like comparison to God I am broken and unable. Comparison between the way I do things and the way another person does things can lead to growth if I adopt a different way (as in discipleship). Comparison can also be destructive. THE DEVIL […]
PRIDE KILLS INTIMACY… HUMILITY LEADS TO LOVE… LOVE CRUSHES CRITICISM Proverbs 18:2 (NKJV)A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV) 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to […]
CRITICISM VS. CELEBRATION Criticism: The expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistake1; to judge as a critic; to find fault; to blame or condemn2 Matthew 7:1-5 1Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with […]
o 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV) Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. [Following Footsteps] When we resist admitting our wrongs… We make God out to be a liar. o James 3:2 (ESV) For we all stumble in many ways… When we resist humbling ourselves before others… We reject God’s hand of grace extended to […]
QUESTIONS TO DISCUSS IN LIFE GROUP OR WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS Passages to consider: Luke 22:14-23; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 9:11-15 Share what you found meaningful from the sermon. Read Luke 22:14-23. What do you see Jesus doing and saying in this passage? A) What does the word “covenant” mean? B) What has been your […]
PASSOVER MEAL: SEDER DINNER Maror (bitter herbs): bitterness of slavery Charoset (nuts, apples, cinnamon, wine): mortar and brick used to make bricks for Egypt Karpas (green leafy vegetables dipped in salt water): tears and pain of slavery Zeroah (lamb shank bone): sacrificial lamb Beitzah (roasted egg): mourning _______________ (unleavened bread): pierced and striped Isaiah 53:4-5 […]
THE UPPER ROOM Jesus has been discipling these men for almost three years. Now He intentionally teaches the characteristics of a disciple: humility and love. THE PASSOVER MEAL Jesus washes His disciples’ feet. Seder Feast (The Order): one of the festivals commanded by God. (See Leviticus 23) The Passover meal celebrates […]
A SURPRISE IS SOMETHING UNEXPECTED, ASTONISHING, SHOCKING, OR ASTOUNDING. Surprises are not always easy, nor are they always initially perceived as positive. 1. THE SURPRISE OF THE EMPTY TOMB TESTS OUR _____________. Luke 24:1–8 1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared […]
Luke 24:1–8 1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about […]