Redeemer Weekend Sermons

Bill Clark wraps up our Vulnerable series by discussing the hard times of suffering we walk through and how Christ experienced suffering head on. Suffering Vulnerable | Week 5 April 2, 2017 | Bill Clark Luke 9:51 (NIV) As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Philippians 2:7-8 (NIV) ...making himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Matthew 27:46 (NIV) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Tim Keller No matter what precautions we take, no matter how well we have put together a good life, no matter how hard we have worked to be healthy, wealthy, comfortable with friends and family, and successful with our career — something will inevitably ruin it. Matthew 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. You don’t really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have. C.S. Lewis God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

In order to be vulnerable, we have to understand where our security comes from. Adam Barnett continues our series by reminding us that our security cannot be found in money. Financial Vulnerability Vulnerable | Week 4 March 26, 2017 | Adam Barnett The human soul was not created to find contentment in the accumulation of stuff. 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV) But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:7-8 (NIV) For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:9 (NIV) Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. Materialism is a downward spiral, resulting in temporary satisfaction and permanent addiction. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NLT) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. Waste less on yourself, and sow more in to others. Survey what you have and put it to good use. RELEASE it or REDEEM it. Conduct a self-evaluation to determine where you find contentment. Philippians 4:12 (NIV) I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content.

Anger can be a powerful emotion that can easily bring on shame and guilt. Denise McKinney continues our Vulnerable series by reminding us that it is not anger that is sinful, but how we navigate it and treat others in that anger. Anger Vulnerable | Week 3 March 19, 2017 | Denise McKinney God is big enough to handle whatever emotion we feel. Emotions aren't bad, they are a part of being human It’s not actually anger that trips us up, it’s how we navigate it. Matthew 5:21-26 (NIV) You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, “Raca,” is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. God is as serious about our anger issues as he is about violence against one another. When our anger tells someone they are worthless, we are in trouble. Practicing vulnerability in our anger means being willing to go make things right….sooner than later. There is a relational cost to allowing our anger to fester. So when was it ok for Jesus to get angry? “Anyone can become angry—that is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way—that is not easy." ~Aristotle Sometimes anger masks the real emotion we are feeling.

We are not called to a pain-free life. Bill Clark continues our Vulnerable discussion by asking the question “Is your spirituality actually working for you?” and helping us to reframe our understanding of the principle behind it. Works In Progress Vulnerable | Week 1 March 12, 2017 | Bill Clark Is your spirituality actually working for you? Do you have less fear than you used to? Do you love your neighbor (Other People)? Do you have a greater trust of God now than in the past? All of us have “issues”. Ephesians 4:1-4 (NLT) ...lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. Integrity— integrity means wholeness

Trust in Christ invites vulnerability without fear, shame or fragility. The church is called to be a safe place for people to be vulnerable and for the church to be vulnerable, it has to be made up of safe people. Joe Scruggs kicks off our new series with a call to be safe people. Safe Vulnerable | Week 1 March 5, 2017 | Joe Scruggs We are all going to have struggles with what the Bible calls sin at one time or another in our lives. At all times, but especially during those times, we will need support and encouragement from one another. Vulnerable — Acknowledging or revealing a behavior or thought or situation which opens up the possibility of physical, emotional, mental or spiritual wounding of some type. Big Question: Is the Christian community a place where it is safe to risk being vulnerable? Romans 15:1-2 (MSG) Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step up and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” Matthew 7:1-5 (MSG) Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. James 5:16 (PHILLIPS) You should get into the habit of admitting your sins to each other, and praying for each other, so that if sickness comes to you, you may be healed. Hebrews 10:24-25 (PHILLIPS) and let us think of one another and how we can encourage each other to love and do good deeds. And let us not hold aloof from our church meetings, as some do. Let us do all we can to help one another’s faith... Big Question: What makes a church a safe place? Big Question: How do we do this? Mark 8:22-25 (NIV) They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Jesus said, “I Am the True Vine.” and with that simple statement, He opposed culture, brought Jewish past into present and established himself has the one true source of life. We are called to abide in Christ because all other sources of life are false. Adam concludes our weekend series, I Am with a call to pursue Christ! I Am the Vine I Am | Week 4 February 26, 2017 | Adam Barnett John 15:1-8 (NIV) I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 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. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:2a (NIV) He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit… John 15:2b (NIV) While every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:4 (NIV) Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:5b (NIV) ...apart from me you can do nothing. We are completely incapable of pleasing God until we are utterly & humbly dependent on Jesus Christ. John 15:7a (NIV) If you remain in me and my words remain in you… John 15:8 (NIV) This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Christ talks about being the Door of the sheep and their entry into a pasture of peace. In this pasture, we are in the hands of our Lord and He has come to give us life to the full. Bill Clark explores this critical I Am statement and how we are called to be His sheep! I Am the Door I Am | Week 3 February 19, 2017 | Bill Clark John 10:1-10 (NIV) “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Deuteronomy 28:6 (NIV) You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. He is the visible representation of the invisible God. Ephesians 2:18 (NIV) For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “There is nothing like suspense and anxiety of barricading a human’s mind against the Enemy. He wants me to be concerned with what they do; our business is the keep them thinking about what will happen to them.” ~C.S. Lewis | The Screwtape Letters This Shepherd doesn’t sleep. He wants you to experience life to the full.

Adam continues our study of the I Am statements of Christ by unpacking what it truly means to know that Christ is the Light of the World and what our lives should look like as a result of this truth. I Am the Light of the World I Am | Week 2 February 12, 2017 | Adam Barnett John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Genesis 1:1-4 (NIV) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 1 John 1:5 (AMP) This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection] John 8:12 (NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 10:10 (NIV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and life abundantly.

This week Bill kicks off our new series exploring the several I Am statements made by Christ in the Gospel of John. I Am the Bread of Life I Am | Week 1 February 5, 2017 | Bill Clark John 6:26-27 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you... John 6:28 (NIV) Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” John 6:29 (NIV) Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” This is beyond us. God is here - you don’t have to beg him to be present. John 6:30-35 (NIV) So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’.” “Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” Our lives to be filled with the presence of God. Am I actively pursuing a stronger relationship with God? Am I listening to God speak to me about whom I am to serve in Christ’s name? Am I willing to trade religious activities for a more whole-hearted trust in Christ?

Life today is hectic and busy, and sometimes practically loving God takes a lower priority place on our calendar. Pastor Adam concludes our Love(d) series by encouraging us to make worship and loving on our immense God the highest priority in our lives. Loving God Love(d) | Week 4 January 29 2017 | Adam Barnett Satan loves overly busy Christians. Matthew 10:30 (NIV) Every hair on your head has been counted. God is here. Psalm 84:1 (NIV) How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! Psalm 84:2 (NIV) My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:3 (NIV) Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Psalm 84:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah. Worship isn’t just something you do, but also who you are. You are a worshipper. Psalm 84:10 (NIV) Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

We are commanded to love our neighbor. But what does that mean? What does loving our neighbor look like and who is our neighbor? Bill continues our Love(d) series with a great message about how we are to love those around us. All of those around us. Love Your Neighbor Love(d) | Week 3 January 22, 2017 | Bill Clark To love is itself a gift from God. Our neighbor can be anyone who has fallen into life’s ditch. Luke 10:25-37 (NIV) On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Love isn’t love if it doesn’t include loving our neighbors. No human being ISN’T our neighbor. Pity never helped anyone. If I were that person, what help would I wish for? Go where your heart and your head meet.

Christ lays out for us what we are truly called to do, what informs and empowers us to do everything else he asks of us. It is simply to love God with all that we are..all. All of You Love(d) | Week 2 January 15, 2017 | Adam Barnett Mark 12:28 (NIV) One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Mark 12:29 (NIV) “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Mark 12:30-31 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Obeying this command is not to be an act we perform, but a description of who we are.

You can't fully love until you understand how loved you are. Bill begins our series by unpacking the powerful truth that each of us are loved by God, and His love is unlimited and unconditional. You are Loved Love(d) | Week 1 January 8, 2017 | Bill Clark 1 John 4:16 (NIV) God is love. Jesus could not not love. Luke 8:28 (NIV) When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “what do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” Luke 8:40-56 (NIV) Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Luke 8:48 (NIV) “Daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Luke 8:52 (NIV) “Stop wailing, she is not dead, but asleep.” He’s not indifferent about you. You are deeply loved. Sorry - you’ve got the wrong God. You are loved.

A light has dawned and it is up to us follow it out of the darkness and into the future God has for us. A Light to Follow Stand Alone January 1, 2017 | Bill Clark Isaiah 9:2 (NIV) The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Matthew 4:12-17 (NIV) When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali—to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Psalm 27:1,5 (NIV) The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Are parts of you living in the shadows of dark places?

Life is Born | Born | Week 6 | December 25, 2016 | Joe Scruggs

Joy is Born. Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let the celebration begin! What does the birth of Jesus mean for us today? Joy is Born Born | Week 5 December 24, 2016 | Bill Clark

Joy is Born. Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let the celebration begin! What does the birth of Jesus mean for us today? Joy is Born Born | Week 5 December 24, 2016 | Adam Barnett Luke 2:8-11 (NIV) 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Salvation is Born. When Jesus is born, God wants to send an announcement. He chooses extremely unlikely candidates: shepherds. Jesus is the embodiment of salvation on earth and the arrival of grace. This baby, whose life is full of drama early on, has arrived to change the world. Salvation is Born Born | Week 4 December 18, 2016 | Bill Clark God is at work in you. God does His best work in silence. Salvation Project Greetings, you who are highly favored! Luke 1:28-33 (NIV) The Lord is with you...Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of this father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. God made a decision that it was time. God wouldn’t just be with us, God would be one of us. Love does amazing things. Luke 2:10-12 (NIV) Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Galatians 4:4 (NIV) But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law. God wants to change the world we’re living in and turn it upside down.

The story of Zechariah and Elizabeth is one of great longing and waiting patiently for the promises of God to come to fruition. It's also one that illustrates how important it is to place our hope in God. Paul Phipps continues our Born series by walking through how hope was born. Hope is Born Born | Week 3 December 11, 2016 | Paul Phipps Luke 1:5-7 (NLT) 5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. Luke 1:8-10 (NLT) 8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. Luke 1:11-13 (NLT) 11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. Luke 1:18 (NLT) 18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Psalm 37:34 (NLT) Put your hope in the lord. Travel steadily along his path.He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.

Through the story of Abraham, Adam Barnett illustrates how trust in God was established and how we still continue to fight against letting go of control. Trust is Born Born | Week 2 December 4, 2016 | Adam Barnett Matthew 1:1 (NIV) A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham… My desire for control, despite my faith in God, is arrogance…and inevitably leads to impatience and fear. Genesis 22:1-4 (NIV) 1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” "Here I am,” he replied. 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. Genesis 22:5-8 (NIV) 5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. Genesis 22:9-10 (NIV) 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. Genesis 22:5 (NIV) We will worship and then we will come back to you.” Hebrews 11:17-19 (NIV) 17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18 even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. Genesis 22:11-18 (NIV) 11 But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” 15 The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time. 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the equities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Creation is Born. God spoke, and it was. From the beginning of time, God had a plan. Life was born, and life was in God’s image. However, from the Garden we immediately see the need for Christ. The Garden is a foreshadowing of Jesus. Creation is Born Born | Week 1 November 27, 2016 | Joe Scruggs Genesis 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface. God Initiated Creation Planful Process It was very good. Genesis 1:31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning and it was the sixth day. Genesis 3:1-7 (NLT) 1 Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. “Really?”, he asked the woman. “Did God really say you must not eat any of the fruit in the garden?” 2 ”Of course we may eat it,” the woman told him. 3 ”It’s only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die.” 4 ”You won’t die!” the serpent hissed. 5 ”God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he at it, too. 7 At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves. A choice was made and we repeat the same choice every day. Much of our activity is nothing more than a cheap anesthetic to deaden the pain of an empty life. Romans 8:22 (NIV) We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Romans 5:12 (MSG) You know the story of how Adam landed us in the dilemma we’re in—first sin, then death, and no one exempt from either sin or death. That sin disturbed relations with God in everything and everyone, Hope and deliverance are possible.

Trust is very hard to earn and very easy to lose. But we serve a God in whom we can place our unreserved trust. Bill Clark concludes our series, In God We Trust, with an exploration of this very important part of faith. Trust In Him In God We Trust | Week 4 November 20, 2016 | Bill Clark We learn to trust God when life hands us challenges that take us beyond the limits of our faith. The way to trusting God is to learn from the times you didn’t trust God. Genesis 15:1-21 (NIV) 1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the Lord came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son who is your own flesh and blood will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness. 7 He also said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it.” 8 But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?” 9 So the Lord said to him, “Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.” 10 Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half. 11 Then birds of prey came down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” 17 When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. 18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates— 19 the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.” Think of faith as a muscle. God put Abraham and Sarah into the gymnasium of life’s hard moments. Proverbs 24:16 (NIV) The righteous person falls seven times, and rises again. You can trust God. Make time to sit with God in a quiet place on a regular basis. Get out of yourself and your problems by shifting your attention to someone more needy than you. Sow a gift of some kind into God’s work or into a person in need.

Reaping and sowing are common themes and ideas throughout the Bible. Adam Barnett takes a look at these with a fresh eye as we continue our series, In God We Trust. The Blessings of God In God We Trust | Week 3 November 13, 2016 | Adam Barnett We have a tendency to worship our BLESSINGS rather than the BLESSER. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NIV) 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV) 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. We can decide what to sow, but we can’t define what we reap. 2 Corinthians 9:9-10 (NIV) 9 As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Questions to Ponder: Am I sowing cheerfully into the ministry of the Church and the lives of others? Are my motives and intentions pure? Am I grateful for how God has blessed and equipped me for good works?

It’s very easy to get our life out of order. Sometimes we need to take a step back and assess what we’re making a priority in our lives. As we continue, In God We Trust, Bill walks us through this idea through the lens of Genesis 13 and the story of Abram and Lot. Prioritizing Life In God We Trust | Week 2 November 6, 2016 | Bill Clark Are you prioritizing the big rocks in your life? Matthew 6:33 (NIV) Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well. Genesis 13:1-18 (NIV) 1 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. 3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord. 5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” 10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. 14 The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” 18 So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord. Lot’s decision came down to his self-interest, his comfort, and his desire for more material wealth. God was his first priority. Proverbs 11:24 (NLT) Give freely and become more wealthy, become stingy and lose everything. What or who do you put FIRST in your decision-making about the use of your resources? What would need to change if God received the first and best of your resources? Are you a blessing receiver or a blessing giver?

Jeremiah 29 paints a picture of how God asks His people to respond to living in uncertain times. Bill Clark opens our series, In God We Trust, with a look at this vital chapter of Jeremiah and how the Israelites had to endure a lot of pain prior to the promise of Jeremiah 29:11. Time Out In God We Trust | Week 1 October 30, 2016 | Bill Clark In God We Trust Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) 11 For I know the plans I have for you...to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:1 (NIV) 1 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. God’s people had done this to themselves. Jeremiah 29:4-7 (NIV) 4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:10 (NIV) 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV) 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

One of the most important ways we are to be the church to other is to offer them radical hospitality as did the members of the early church. Denise McKinney concludes our series on the early church by discussing this vital part of church life. You’re Welcome Irresistible Force | Week 5 October 23, 2016 | Denise McKinney Acts 2:46-47 (NLT) They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. It’s a sacred welcome. It’s a personal welcome. It’s a life-giving welcome. It’s also a welcome that often takes us beyond the familiar and comfortable. Their welcome and hospitality of others reflected what they truly believed about the Gospel—was it really good news for everyone? Bridges International Fishing Trip 370 attended 220 students from 55 nations, 27 campuses, 50% believing students, 50% seekers. 50 Bridges Staff, children and Volunteers 40 Fishermen from Cross-waters outfitters ministry. 50 volunteers from Hill Country Fellowship Church in Burnet, TX. 100% certainty that God’s goodness was shared and experienced because someone said, “Come go fishing with us!”

Neil & Sharol Josephson, Directors of Family Life Canada, share from the Parable of the Sower and how it can apply to our relationships and marriages. Together for Good Neil & Sharol Josephson October 16, 2016 Matthew 13:1-9 (NIV) 1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:18-23 (NIV) 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The Saturday sessions from the Unify Marriage Conference

Friday Night Session 1 from the Unify Marriage Conference.

God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, omnipresent God of the universe...and He wants to spend time with you one-on-one. How long has it been since you stopped and experienced the wonder and awe of God’s presence? Bill Clark shares from Acts how the early church had a sense of awe about the powerful presence of God. The Awesome Presence Irresistible Force | Week 4 October 10, 2016 | Bill Clark Acts 2:43 (NIV) Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. Acts 3:1-10 (NIV) 1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. How long has it been since you allowed yourself to be amazed by something? Over and over again the people who encountered Jesus had the same experience—they were astonished at what he could do and what he would say.

Adam Barnett shares from Acts 2:42 and about our call to be devoted to the Word of God. Devoted Irresistible Force | Week 3 October 2, 2016 | Adam Barnett Devotion: love, loyalty or enthusiasm for a person, activity or cause. Acts 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. John 6:53-58 (ESV) 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Our Devotion > Our Division

Amy Little of Beautiful Truth Ministries joined us for Taste & See 2016 to speak about how we are called to live our lives out of Psalm 34.

The body of Christ possesses enough, but not enough for us to keep what we don’t need. In God's economy, there is plenty. We just have to be obedient. God’s Economy Irresistible Force | Week 2 September 25, 2016 | Adam Barnett Acts 2:44 (NIV) All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:45 (NIV) They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. God’s Economy: The body of Christ possesses enough, but not enough for us to keep what we don’t need. Mark 12:41-44 (NIV) 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Jesus isn’t against you possessing things. But He is against things possessing you.

As the local Church, we are meant to be an Irresistible Force, not by our own strength, planning, or brilliance, but by the power of the Living God. The arrival of the Holy Spirit, Peter’s sermon, and 3,000 converts set the stage for how our church should operate today. Three Things Irresistible Force | Week 1 September 18, 2016 | Bill Clark Acts 1:1,2 (NIV) In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven... Acts 1:4,5 (NIV) ...for the gift my Father promised, which you heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14 (NIV) Peter stood up, raised his voice and addressed the crowd. These men are not drunk! Acts 2:17-18 (NIV) In these last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy...even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit and they will prophesy. Acts 2:42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. Christian worship is really about an audience of one. Acts 2:44-47 (NIV) All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Worship, Grow & Serve

How frustrating can it be when we see people get rewards when we are certain they don't deserve them? Our flesh tells us that this is wrong, but that is exactly what God's grace does for each of us. Pastor Adam Barnett takes a look at the final minutes of ones man's life, and his eternity changing encounter with Jesus. Dismas Disqualified | Week 4 September 11, 2016 | Adam Barnett Luke 23:32 (NIV) 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him [Jesus] to be executed. Luke 23:33-38 (NIV) 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:39-41 (NIV) 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Mark 15:31-32 (NIV) 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Luke 23:42 (NIV) 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:43 (NIV) 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Do you love me? A simple question asked of simple disciples. Jesus powerful words echo into our lives today. Denise McKinney shares from Jesus' interactions with Peter in our third week of Disqualified. Loving the Other Disqualified | Week 3 September 4, 2016 | Denise McKinney Peter: Impulsive, extroverted, emotional, risk taker, ADD, the “did I just say that out loud?” disciple John: Intentional, Introverted, Reserved, Takes Care, loyal & steady but hidden pride, the “disciple Jesus loved” John 13:34-38 (NLT) 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” 36 Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?” And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.” 37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me. John 18:10-11 (NLT) 10 Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. 11 But Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?” John 18:15-17, 25-27 (NLT) 15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16 Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17 The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” 25 Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire warming himself, they asked him again, “You’re not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.” 26 But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” 27 Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed. Often we respond to others as if it our job to disqualify them from being loved & used by God. And by disqualifying others, we actually get in the way of God working through us for the sake of others. Our love for each other points the world to the God who loves them. John 21:17 (NLT) 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep." Do you love me?

There are four distinct scenes that play out when Jesus meets Levi, the tax collector, in Luke 5:27-32. And each one plays a vital role in our understanding of the magnitude of Jesus' calling of Levi to be his disciple. Adam Barnett walks us through this engaging encounter. Levi Disqualified | Week 2 August 28, 2016 | Adam Barnett Luke 5 Red Bible: Page 1,599 God meets our rebellion with His RESCUE… our sin with His SALVATION… our guilt with His GRACE. The overwhelming focus of the Bible is not the work of the redeemed, but the work of the Redeemer. Luke 5:27-28 (NIV) 27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:29-30 (NIV) 29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Luke 5:31-32 (NIV) 31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Each of has one or more things that we feel could disqualify us from being used by God. But Jesus has a different perspective. Rather than seeing our past, He sees our potential. Rather than judging us the way the world does, He loves us and wants to use us right where we are. Pastor Bill Clark kicks off our study of a few people that had life-changing encounters with Jesus. Disqualified Disqualified | Week 1 August 21, 2016 | Bill Clark John 4:4-18 (NIV) 4 Now He had to go through Samaria. 5 So He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as He as from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to Him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.” 11 ”Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” 16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 ”I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true. Jesus had a different attitude toward disqualified people. John 4:19-30,39 (NIV) 19 ”Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ)“ is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am He.” 27 Just then His disciples returned and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want” or “Why are you talking with her?” 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 ”Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed him Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” John 4:29 (NIV) Come see a man who told me everything I ever did. He counted her qualified.

Each of us is gifted to serve the kingdom of God and all we must to is step up and say yes! Serving the local church is essential in living into your calling as a follower of God. Serving Fully Alive | Week 2 | August 14, 2016 | Paul Phipps Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 1:5 (NLT) God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NLT) 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. o13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:14-17 (NLT) 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 1 Corinthians 12:18-21 (NLT) 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NLT) 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

We are created to live this life in community with others. Adam Barnett unpacks this idea by looking at the unique and powerful friendship of Jonathan and David. Community Fully Alive | Week 1 | August 7, 2016 | Adam Barnett Warmth of relationships throughout life have the greatest positive impact on life satisfaction. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 (NIV) 1 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. Jonathan became one in spirit with David and loved him as himself. Jonathan made a covenant with David. Eros will have naked bodies. Friendship… naked personalities. ~ C. S. Lewis Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David. Jonathan gave David his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. The Gospel God is for us, despite us. Friendship Because of the gospel, I am for you, despite you.

In the last chapter of Galatians, Paul sums up the entire letter with one message. You are a new creation in Christ, regardless of where you came from or what circumstances you found yourself in before. Adam Barnett wraps up our study on the book of Galatians by looking at the last seven verses of Paul's letter. A New Creation Galatians | Week 9 | July 31, 2016 | Adam Barnett Galatians 6:11 (NIV) 11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! Galatians 6:12-15 (NIV) 12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Salvation is an interior, supernatural transformation, in no way dependent on external, human effort. Galatians 6:14 (NIV) 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:15 (NIV) 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.

Paul takes a gentle turn in the last chapter of Galatians by laying the call to deal with each other within the church gently and to bear each others burdens. Burden Bearing Galatians | Week 8 | July 24, 2016 | Bill Clark Galatians 6:1-10 (NIV) 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. To bear each other’s burdens by the gracious leading of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 6:1 (NIV) If someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Help one another within the Church, for this is what Christ would want you to do. Galatians 5:13 (NIV) “…serve one another in love" John 15:12 (NIV) Love each other as I have loved you Galatians 6:5 (NIV) “…for each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:10 (NIV) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to this who belong to the family of believers.

The fruits of the Spirit are simply that, fruits of our walk with the Spirit. If we focus on the walk, the fruits will come naturally. Focus on the Walk Galatians | Week 7 | July 17, 2016 | Paul Phipps Galatians 5:13a (NIV) You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. Galatians 5:13b (NIV) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; Galatians 5:13 (NIV) But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:14 (NIV) For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV) So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:25 (NIV) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word, Freedom? Satan wants you to be held captive and suffer from God’s Freedom. Adam Barnett shares with us how Jesus trumps all of Satan’s efforts to hold us captive by standing firm in His righteousness. Gospel Freedom Galatians | Week 6 | July 10, 2016 | Adam Barnett Freedom: I. Liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another II. The state of being released from something burdensome III. Absence of subjection to foreign domination Galatians 5:1 (NIV) 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Romans 5:18 (NIV) 18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Galatians 5:1 (NIV) 1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:2-6 (NIV) 2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. “Even if you insist you’ve been converted or you say you feel Christ has changed your life… if you decide your salvation rests in any way on your performance, you deny salvation by faith alone in Christ alone.” — Tim Keller

Spirit Cry Galatians | Week 5 | July 3, 2016 | Bill Clark Galatians 4:1-7 (NIV) 1 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 3:8 (NIV) 8 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. The law provided supervision, rules and regulations. Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV) 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights as sons. Galatians 4:6 (NIV) 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” The law has been put away. Do you believe this? Are you experiencing intimacy with God?

We are sons of God, baptized into Christ, and clothed with Christ. The cross is the one place where our human distinctions lose all significance. We are equal and one. Adam Barnett expands on this as we continue our study of Galatians. Children of God Galatians | Week 4 | June 26, 2016 | Adam Barnett Galatians 3:26-27 (NIV) 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Transform: To change in form, appearance, or structure To change in condition, naature, or character To change into another substance Galatians 3:28 (NIV) 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. You are a child of God. You are baptized into Christ. You are clothed with Christ.

Paul Phipps continues our study of the book of Galatians by highlighting chapter 3 and it's call to recognize that our salvation is a free gift, not earned. Unearned Galatians | Week 3 | June 19, 2016 | Paul Phipps Galatians 3:1-5 (NIV) 1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? Galatians 3:6 (NIV) 6So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Galatians 3:10-14 (NIV) 10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them." " 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

We have been given a new identity in the Kingdom of God - a better identity. Mike King continues our study of the book of Galatians. Primary Identity Galatians | Week 2 June 12, 2016 | Mike King Resident Aliens Galatians 2:1-2 (NIV) Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. Galatians 2:6-9a (NIV) As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel...For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the Jewish people, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. James, Peter and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. Our Christian passport trumps our birth passport. Galatians 2:11-12 (NIV) When Peter came to Antioch, I (Paul) opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. Galatians 2:14-16 (NIV) When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. How is it that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? 1 Peter 2:11 (NIV) Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. When Christ changed our core identities He also gave us the power to live out of those new identities.

Adam kicks off our new series on the book of Galatians by setting up the book and its author, the apostle Paul. No Other Gospel Galatians | Week 1 June 5, 2016 | Adam Barnett Paul wrote Galatians to protest against corruption of the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-9 (NIV) I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! Galatians 1:6-7 (AMP) I am astonished and extremely irritated that you are so quickly shifting your allegiance and deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different [even contrary] gospel; which is really not another [gospel]; but there are [obviously] some [people masquerading as teachers] who are disturbing and confusing you [with a misleading, counterfeit teaching] and want to distort the gospel of Christ [twisting it into something which it absolutely is not]. Jesus + Nothing = Everything Galatians 1:11 (NIV) I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:13-24 (NIV) For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles – only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they praised God because of me. Paul wrote Galatians to share what he learned about the gospel through his own conversion. The gospel is not only the way to enter the kingdom; it is the way to live as part of the kingdom.

Bill concludes our DNA series by discussing how intercessory prayer, or praying for others, is not only beneficial for those we pray for, but even more so for our own walk with Christ. A People of Prayer DNA | Week 5 May 29, 2016 | Bill Clark The greatest joy, the greatest sense of the presence of God is found in praying for others. Mark 2:1-12 (NIV) A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Who is your life is on the mat? Somebody needs to carry them to Jesus. Romans 8:34 (NIV) …at the right hand of God interceding for us. Our task is to pick up the mat. God does all that follows.