September 18, 2017
Why We Do What We Do
Dr. Mark Milioni
September 17, 2017
Listening Guide
1. Because God Wants Us To
2 Corinthians 5.9
2. Because What We Do Will Last
2 Corinthians 5.10
3. Because Eternity is Real
2 Corinthians 5.11
4. Because Christ Deserves It
2 Corinthians 5.14-15
5. Because Lives Can Be Made New
2 Corinthians 5.17
6. Because It Is Up to Us
2 Corinthians 5.18-21
How is the world going to be any different because of you?
September 5, 2017
Date: September 3, 2017
Title: The Joy Formula! Part 4
Text: Philippians 4:1-9 (HCSB)
Pastor John Black
Joy Insurance!
How do we protect the joy in our lives?
- In our church life, we must . . .
- Protect relational unity with one another! (Philippians 4:2)
- In our personal lives, we must . . .
- Rejoice in the Lord Always! (Philippians 4:4)
- Worry about nothing; Pray about everything! (Philippians 4:6)
- Think Right to avoid Responding Wrong! (Philippians 4:8)
- Seek out what is True and Honorable.
- Determine what is Righteous and Holy.
- Consider first what is Best for Others.
August 21, 2017
Date: August 20, 2016
Title: The Joy Formula! Part 2
Text: Philippians 3:1-20
Pastor John Black
Our Question:
How can we have a life that is full of Joy?
Paul’s Answer:
We must live our lives with . . .
- An unwavering love for Jesus (vv.1-11)
How?
- By deeply Knowing Jesus! (vv.7-11)
- By continually Pursuing Jesus! (vv. 12-14)
Eight ways that will deepen our relationship with Jesus, Who is the source of our joy!
- Give God your Max, not your Min
- Pursue more of His Voice in your Ear
- Pursue more of His Tears on your Face
- Pursue more of His Praise on your Lips
- Pursue more of His Dirt on your Hands
- Pursue more of His Hope in your Grief
- Pursue more of His Love in your Life
- Pursue more of His Glory on your Knees
August 15, 2017
Date: August 13, 2016
Title: The Joy Formula!
Text: Philippians 3:1-20 9HCSB)
Pastor John Black
Our Question:
How can we have a life that is full of Joy?
Paul’s Answer:
We must live our life with …
- An unwavering love for Jesus (v.1-11)
- A never-ceasing pursuit of Jesus (v. 12-14)
- An eternally-focused mindset on Jesus (v.18-20)
August 7, 2017
Date: August 6, 2017
Title: Kingdom Expansion Part 3
Text: Acts: 4:29-37 (HCSB)
Pastor John Black
Kingdom Expansion!
As seen in the book of Acts, the Kingdom of God rapidly expanded when the believers in the early church …
1. Embraced their Purpose!
The church's focus produced power!
- Power for explosive growth
- Power to withstand satanic assault
- Power through strength in diversity
2. Each did their Part!
The believer’s role within the church included . . .
- Courageous Prayer
- Commitment to Unity
- Sacrificial Giving
August 2, 2017
Date: July 30, 2017
Title: Kingdom Expansion, Part 2
Text: Matthew 20:20-28 (HCSB)
Pastor John Black
Listening Guide
Kingdom Expansion!
Am I investing my life for the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God
I. Theological Scope
The Kingdom of God is …
- Any place where God rules and reigns.
The Kingdom of God is God’s rule and reign over …
The Kingdom of God is …
- Something that has come and something that is coming!
II. Applicable Principles
A Kingdom-invested life is a life that lives …
- To glorify God rather than the advancement of self.
- In complete submission to God.
- In humble service to others.
III. Personal Application
If I am investing my life for the Kingdom of God, then my life will reflect …
- Commitment
- Christ
- Sacrifice
July 24, 2017
Date: July 23, 2017
Kingdom Expansion! Part 1
Text: Luke 19:11-27 (HCSB)
Pastor John Black
Listening Guide
Kingdom Expansion!
Am I investing my life for the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God
I. Theological Scope
The Kingdom of God is …
- Any place where God rules and reigns.
The Kingdom of God is God’s rule and reign over …
The Kingdom of God is …
- Something that has come and something that is coming!
II. Applicable Principles
A Kingdom-oriented life is a life that lives . . .
- To glorify ________ rather than the advancement of _________.
- Under the complete _________________ of God.
- In _____________ to others.
III. Personal Application
If I am investing my life for the Kingdom of God, then my life will reflect . . .
- _______________________
- __________________
- _____________________
July 3, 2017
July 2, 2017
Life-Changing Spiritual Disciplines: Authentic Worship! (Part 2) - The Six Hour Sermon!
Text: Nehemiah 8:1-12 (HCSB)
Pastor John Black
Listening Guide
Review from last Sunday:
- What is Authentic Worship?
Authentic worship is a reverent recognition of God that produces a personal response from me.
- What does Authentic Worship involve?
- A mindful focus on God
- A heartfelt response to God
- What does Authentic Worship require?
- Purity in our lives
- Humility in our spirits
- Surrendering of our wills
- Praising of our Lord
Our challenge for today:
- How can I consistently worship God well?
I must …
- Gather with others to hear God’s Word
- Hunger to know God’s Word
- Highly Revere God’s Word
- Listen closely to God’s Word
- Personally Apply God’s Word
- Rejoice in the truth of God’s Word!
June 26, 2017
Life Changing Spiritual Disciplines: Authentic Worship!
June 25, 2017
Text: John 4:23; Revelation 4:1-11
Pastor John Black
Listening Guide
What is Authentic Worship?
- Authentic worship is a reverent recognition of God that produces a personal response from me.
What does Authentic Worship involve?
Jesus said, “But an hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.”
1. A mindful Focus on God
2. A Heartfelt response to God
What does Authentic Worship require?
- Purity in our lives
- Humility in our spirit
- Surrendering of our will
- Praising of our Lord
June 12, 2017
Life-Changing Spiritual Disciplines: Silence and Solitude
June 11, 2017
Notes and Application
Pastor John Black
Donald Whitney defines the spiritual discipline of Silence and Solitude as follows:
“The Discipline of silence is the voluntary and temporary abstention from speaking so that certain spiritual goals might be sought. Sometimes silence is observed in order to read, write, pray, etc. Though there is no outward speaking, there are internal dialogues with self and with God. This can be called “outward silence.” Other times silence is maintained not only outwardly but inwardly so that God’s voice might be heard more clearly.”
“Solitude is the Spiritual Discipline of voluntarily and temporarily withdrawing to privacy for spiritual purposes. The period of solitude may only last a few minutes or for days. As with silence, solitude may be sought in order to participate without interruption in other Spiritual Disciplines, or just to be alone with God.”
“Silence and solitude are usually found together.”
Six reasons we should practice silence and solitude in our lives:
- To follow the example set by Jesus
- Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 4:42
- To hear the voice of God
- 1 Kings 19:11-13, Habakkuk 2:1, Galatians 1:17
- To express worship to God
- Zephaniah 1:7, Zechariah 2:13, Habakkuk 2:20
- To be physically and spiritually restored
- To gain or regain a proper spiritual perspective
- To control our tongues
- James 1:26, Proverbs 17:27-28, James 1:19
- To seek the will of God
How to get started in the Spiritual Discipline of Silence and Solitude:
- Set a goal each day to have an outward time of silence and solitude with God.
- Start with “minute retreats” each day and build up to more focused time, over time.
- Plan half-day or full day solitude retreats at least one time per year.
A.W Tozer said …
“Retire from the world each day to some private spot, even if it be only the bedroom (for a while I retreated to the furnace room for want of a better place.) Stay in the secret place till the surrounding noises begin to fade out of your heart and a sense of God’s presence envelopes you … Listen for the inward Voice till you learn to recognize it. Stop trying to compete with others. Give yourself to God and then be what and who you are without regard to what others think … Learn to pray inwardly every moment. After a while you do this even while you work … Read less, but more of what is important to your inner life. Never let your mind remain scattered for very long. Call home your roving thoughts. Gaze on Christ with the eyes of your soul. Practice spiritual concentration. All the above is contingent upon a right relationship to God through Christ and daily meditation on the Scriptures. Lacking these, nothing will help us; granted these, the discipline recommended will go far to neutralize the evil effects of externalism and to make us acquainted with God and our own souls.”
- Most information above was adapted from Donald Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.
June 5, 2017
Life-Changing Spiritual Disciplines: Biblical Confession, Part 3
Date: June 4, 2017
Text: James 5:16
Pastor John Black
Listening Guide
A quick review of what we have covered …
I. Two types of necessary divine forgiveness …
- Judicial Forgiveness -- Forgiveness of sin’s penalty
- Parental Forgiveness -- Forgiveness from sin’s consequences
II. Why is confession necessary for a Christian?
- Christians are frequently in need of parental forgiveness!
- Christians are harmed spiritually by unconfessed sin!
III. What does Biblical confession require?
- A recognition and acknowledgement of our sin
- A deep sorrow for our sin
- A personal confession to God regarding our sin
- A determination to stop engaging in the sin
IV. Three Biblical types of sin requiring confession:
- Secret Sin – Sin known only to God
- Private Sin – Sin committed against another person
- Public Sin – Sin committed against the church
V. Who should I confess my sins to?
- Always to God
- The person or persons I committed the sin against
“The circle of response should be no wider than the circle of offense.”
- A person or persons who can help me live a righteous life
VI. When should I confess my sin to another person?
- When my sin has wronged another person (Matthew 5:22-24)
- When I need help overcoming my sins (Ephesians 4:11-16, Galatians 6:1-2)
- When I need to “feel” forgiven and not just “be” forgiven (James 5:16)
- When the Holy Spirit directs me (Galatians 5:25, John 16:13a)
VII. What should I look for in a person to confide in?
- Someone who is of the same gender
- Someone who is living their life in accordance with Scripture
- Someone who will listen more than they will talk
- Someone who will speak the truth in love
- Someone who has been proven trustworthy
VIII. How should I respond when someone chooses to confide in me?
- Be accepting
- Be quiet
- Be prayerful
