We His People - We Belong

We His People - We Belong

Dave Riddle - 9/10/2023

Key Passage: 1 Peter 2:9

We Belong to God

- 1 Peter 2:9

- Deuteronomy 7:6b - Notice the similarities.

- Genesis 17:7 - God kept His promise to Abram.

- John 1:12-13 - Children of God

- 1 John 3:1

- Revelation 21:3 - We Belong to God Forever

We Belong to Each Other

- Romans 12:5 - members of one body

- Philippians 2:3-4 - look to the interests of others.

Brothers & Sisters in Christ

- Are you just attending church, or are you walking in community?

God Hates Lying Tongues

The Hated Six - God Hates Lying Tongues

Dave Riddle - 8/6/2023

Key Passage: Proverbs 6:16-19

A Lying Tongue

seqer: an untruth, by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

John 8:44 - …the father of lies…

• God hates lies because he is truth and the enemy is all about deceit.

• 2 Corinthians 11:3, 14

A Lying Witness

kezab: falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)

Exodus 20:16 - …do not give false testimony…

John 14:6 - I am the way, the truth, and the life.

The Sobering Reward For Lies

• Judgement

• Psalm 5:6

• Proverbs 19:8

• Revelation 21:8

• Revelation 22:15

Why do we lie?

• Because we’re afraid

• To gain advantage

• To hurt others

• Financial gain

• Habit

• To avoid embarrassment

• To hide

• To avoid punishment

• To protect yourself or others

How do you lie?

• We speak untruths

• We believe the lies of the enemy and begin to tell them to ourselves and others.

• We lie about who we are and what we believe 

• 1 John 2:9

• 1 John 4:20a

The solution for our lies: Repent

• This is good news!

• There is hope for us if we receive the truth of the gospel.

• John 8:31-32

• The truth will set you free.

Come & See All That God Is Doing

Come & See All That God Is Doing

Nate Gangwer - 1/22/2023

Key Passage:  Psalm 66

Psalm 66:5 (HCSB): Come and see the wonders of God;  His acts for humanity are awe-inspiring. 

Restoration

• Wrong view: cherubs and harps

• Correct view: Restoration

• Revelation 21 - a new heaven and earth

• A picture of physical restoration

• Revelation 7:9 - people of every nation and tongue, worshipping God.

• a beautiful picture of unity and diversity.

• “When life is hard, put heaven on the other side of the scale”

Redemption

• Access

• “Redemption is not just a ticket into Heaven”

• Not just mercy, but grace.

• 2 Corinthians 5:17 - new creations!

• Adoption

• We are called sons and daughters

• There’s a big difference between being invited over for dinner and being part of the family

• Romans 8 - We can call God “Abba” Father

• We are co-heirs with Christ

Reconciliation

• Why should we care about the poor?

• Guilt? The overwhelming testimony of scripture?

• Because of what Jesus has done for us and because of the way God sees us.

• If we can understand how God cares for us we can care for others.

• Join the family business!

• 2 Corinthians 5 - God is reconciling the world to Himself. We have the ministry of reconciliation.

• Matthew 6: May God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven

• shalowm (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם) - a very broad term that means health, security, tranquility, good condition, success, comfort, and more. 

• it has layers of meaning related to peace.

• Not just peace but full reconciliation

• “The voice and the power of the gospel is reconciliation”

• working by our own power = walking around with a candle

• Living in God’s power = allowing God to blow out the candles Ava turn on the lights.

Come and see all that God is doing!

Sent in His Name

Sent in His Name

Dave Riddle - 11/10/19

Key Passage: John 3:14-17

God is both Sent and Sender

• John 17:18 - “As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”

Jesus Followers are “Sent Ones”

• Matthew 4:19 - follow me and I will make you fish for people.

  • Not, “I will make you perfect people”

• Mark 3:13-14 - apostles (sent ones)

  • They were with him

  • They were sent out

Salt & Light

• Matthew 5:13-16

  • Useful

  • Representatives of Christ

• Philippians 2:15

Ambassadors

• 2 Corinthians 5:20

• Representing Jesus in everything we do.

• He is making his appeal through us

Witnesses 

• Acts 1:8

  • As witnesses, the only thing we’re called to be is truth tellers.

  • Not the judge, jury, prosecution, or defense.

  • We are witnesses that Jesus is alive and that he has changed our lives.

Disciple-Makers

• Matthew 28:19 - therefore go and make disciples of all nations...

Content and Conduct

• We have something to tell

  • euaggelizō (Greek: εὐαγγελίζω) - to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the gospel.

• The way we live should show evidence of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

  • The life of a Jesus follower should be aligned with the truth of God’s word.

Redeem and Restore

• Has the Kingdom been fully realized? No. But we’re called, as members of the Kingdom, to play a role in that restoration.

  • Revelation 21:5 - “Look, I am making everything new”

What does it look like to live life as a Sent One?

• That’s going to look different in each of our lives. One thing is certain though, for followers of Jesus, it isn’t optional.