God is writing a great story. New creation is coming. You can help. We have a three-fold invitation: To become new creation; To join God in his mission to the world; To be a character in God's great story.

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As difficult as it might be to trust God and His Word, we need to consider the source (God) and understand, in trusting His promises we are trusting One who is quite trustworthy. The contrast between Sarah and Mary in the announcement of the birth of a child is quite remarkable.

It is easy to make Christmas all about me. Actually, not only Christmas, but all of life. But God has come to save us. He has come to save us from ourselves. Both at Christmas and in life, where Christ is the center of everything, we will find both peace and true salvation.

Do we take Jesus seriously? There were many times His closest disciples did not. Actually, they did not know how to respond to His teaching. Like them, we tend to "hear" what we want to hear, and let the rest bounce off. Because we fail to "hear" we can set ourselves up for disappointment and frustration. God wants usto take Him and His Word seriously.

Freedom always comes at a great cost. As Christians we understand the freedom we have was costly, and that should motivate us to respond to the One who paid such a price. That response is one of gratitude and submission. The thought of wasting or misusing our purchased freedom is repulsive to the One who has given it to us (did you see the end of "Saving Private Ryan?")

We should be in a position as a church community that people listen to us. What we have to offer is invaluable. We want to win a hearing so we have an opportunity to share the good news. What is it that we have to offer the world?

God is multi-faceted (as anyone with a personality). The Character of God makes an impact. The love of God is to be imitated by parents - by fathers.

We hide from others, we hide from God, and we hide from ourselves. Freedom is the beginning of the process which delivers us from feeling like we must hide. Those who hide, live in fear and can't be free. But those who have found freedom are those who are known by God, known and forgiven. So we don't need to hide from ourselves; for we are secure in Christ.

We can only appreciate the work of Christ in so far as we are able to grasp the magnitude of who we really are as we stand before God and each other (and allow others to get behind our masks). One reason we hide is because we fail to grasp the truth about our sin. I want us to talk about the truth we are to believe.

The culture of the church: Would God have us develop a church which welcomes those who come to share in our life, or is our culture a closed door, where people find it difficult to "break in" and share our fellowship? What kind of culture would Christ have us develop toward those who come to see what we are all about?

We are called to cooperate with God and work to intentionally build a church culture which reflects His personality and work. Not only are we to be a welcoming culture, but a culture generous with mercy. We are to feel and act as God does toward those who are in need or marginalized and are to extend mercy in His name.

We've talked about hospitality and mercy. If we are going to co-operate with God in building a church culture which is a delight to Him and an encouragement to other people, we need to share a common vision and sense of purpose.

We are all driven or motivated by something. What drives you? As Image of God, we are mirrors of God. We are driven to work, create, make a difference, be known, leave a mark. We are driven for recognition and glory. That is not necessarily "bad." However, this "drivenness" certainly can be distorted.

The foundation of the church is built on the assumption that we are going to respond to others as God has responded to us in Christ. To understand and grasp grace is to be humbled. To be humbled by grace will mean that grace will then be expressed from you to others.

People who followed Jesus (literally followed) were hungry. They wanted to know who He was, what He was doing, and what He had to offer. Those who follow Jesus are still, under normal circumstances, driven to know Him. The Point: Followers of Jesus have a hunger that drives them to want to learn of Him -- to learn so they can live.

In our churched culture, many think the primary issue is "my relationship with God." However, God did not call us to live alone with God. He has called us into community, and as part of community we are to share one another's burdens - all because we belong to Christ together.

God calls us, as family, to share responsibilities. The parent who constantly bails out the child or who covers for one who is irresponsible is an "enabler." As a church, we are to work together, and all share as we are able.

We are all called to give of ourselves; and that giving works together to accomplish God's purpose through the church. In this way, we cooperate with God.

While God is concerned that we believe what is true, He is also concerned that we live according to the truth. Even more, what we find in Scripture is that we are to live out the truth in the context of relationships. God's church is all about relationships. That's the reason for Christ's work -- to restore broken relationships. Where we have a church culture which demonstrates a priority in the pursuit of relationships, we will have a church culture where Christ is honored.

We want to cooperate with God and work to build a culture where people not only learn how to love the Lord and each other, and in so doing, have lives touched and changed by God's grace.

Where do we get our feelings of stability? Generally from tradition - from a lack of change. Change is difficult. We are called to change. In the midst of change, we are called to find our stability in Christ, not in our circumstances.

In the Gospel we find a basis for people to get along. Barriers are broken, and relationships can be restored. The gospel changes relationships because, among other motivations, we become one family in Christ. If God has demonstrated His love for us in Christ, how can we put up dividing walls toward others?

It is so easy to make life all about us. It was never meant to be that way. We are most satisfied when we are not consumed by our own selfishness. In the Gospel we find the solution to a life that's lived, "all about me." We find peace when life is all about Chrit. That's the message of Christmas.

There is a lot of hurt and pain in life and we need someone who ares. Some people try to solve, but don't care.

We live in a world where everything competes for our attention. What does the Scripture say about priorities - about the top priority, from which we evaluate all other issues vying for top spot? That's what we will address today. There is no higher priority than loving God; making Him your ultimate passion.

When people get excited about the Gospel, and when they get educated, they literally "buy" in to ministry and "buy in" to kingdom work. However, because of that, there are always those who abuse, manipulate, and take advantage of those who are sincere - but might not be Biblically literate. God calls us to "buy in" to ministry without the burden of manipulation and false promises.

It isw always easy to divorce what we know from the way we live. It is easy to study to satisfy our intellectual hunger without having our study motivate us to respond in worship and obedience to our God. God wants us to close that gap, and to learn for the sake of living.

Settle down and build your lives. Pray and work for the prosperity of the community in which you live.

If God is a God of compassion, so as His people, we are to be clothed with the grace of compassion. It is in this way we demonsterate grace and are used by God to make an impact. God made Himself helpless for us.

While inconvenient and, at times, difficult, most of the time it feels good to give. God made us that way. He has given Himself in Christ. At times giving is a discipline which needs to be cultivated, since, this side of heaven, it might not come naturally. But as we look at Christ Who has given, it is easier to find both motivation and reward.

What is your response when people "mess up" or when they can't "get it right?" How do you view the failure of others? What is your response when people fail to meet your standards or when they seem to wrestle with the same problem over and over again? It is so very easy for us to give up or condemn. But God is clear to tell us that battling with sin will be a lifelong issue and dealing with sinful patterns might be more of turning to Him again and again versus a simple, "stop it."

We think of children as throwing tantrums when they don't get their way. Yet, there are many ways in which, whether young or old, we throw tantrums when we don't get our way. We react that way toward God, at times, when He dos not give us our hearts desires. Ultimately that led to the cross, and brings us face to face with the issue of control. Will we submit to God, or will we battle Him for control and throw a tantrum when we do not get our way?

God works in ways we cannot see or, this side of heaven, know. The resurrection is proof that the last word hasnot been spoken. God is working in ways which will only be made obvious when our eyes are fully opened.

We are told over and over again, "don't trust your feelings." We're even reminded that the Christian life is a matter of fact, not feeling. But the Scripture is replete with stories, images, and words designed and intended to make us "feel." So, while feelings should not control, they are part and parcel of the Christian's life, and what it means to be a person made in God's image. God wants you to feel!

It is amazing, even as Christians, that we can find ourselves, so often, thinking we are in the right, and everyone else is in the wrong. Even with the Bible as our authority, we can be wrong doctrinally. We can be wrong in our lifestyle, and we can easily wrong others relationally. Can you be wrong? If so, how will you handle it? Do you avoid it, or as a believer, are you secure enough or confident enough in Crist to be open in acknowledging wrong?

We live in a world where we battle for control; in every relationship. We even battle God whether by outright disobedience, or through efforts at manipulation. Even as we battle for control, God, by His grace, allows us to lose that battle with Him. He maintains control, and works in us to break free from that demand for control, so that by grace, we will submit to Him.

How do we life every day knowing God could give us our hearts desire .. knowing that He could solve all the world's problems now, yet chooses not to do so?

How do we live every day knowing God could give us our hearts desire .. knowing that He could solve all the world's problems now, yet chooses not to do so? We live: 1. By faith; 2. In submission; 3. Humbly.

What word strikes terror into the hearts of most men? I would think that word could be, "intimacy." Yet, it is what the human heart longs for. It is what we dole out so sparingly and protect so eagerly.

We talk a lot about missions and getting people connected to Christ. But, what do we do next? What happens next? How is the church to grow and flourish?

Scripture calls us to wrestle with those "things" which cause us to stray away from our God. We're called to take note of "issues" in our life, and wrestle with them by turning to Christ. Instead of getting our meaning, identity and value from ourselves, the battle is won as we see our value, dignity and value as God-given.

Our pride keeps us from relationships. That includes relationship with God and with those around us. One evidence that pride does not get in the way is a willingness to allow others to follow their conscience. Pride evidences itself in thinking everyone should be "like me."

When our pride is wounded, we want to defend, vindicate, and sometimes, go on the attack. Yet, Jesus tells us to respond in a radically different manner. He assumes this life will be filled with insults to our pride and ego. Our response is to reflect His grace and the way He has given Himself to us.

Scripture calls us to wrestle with those "things" which cause us to stray away from our God. We're called to take note of "issues" in our life and wrestle with them by turning to Christ. Instead of getting our meaning, identity and value from ourselves, the battle is won as we see our dignity and value as God-given. Believe it or not, one "thing" we can distort is "religion" and make it a matter of pride rather than a humble relationship with God throught Christ.

It is so easy to forget our God, and live in such a way that we think all we are and all we have is because of our own doing. It is so important to remember that our God, whether we see Him or not, is intimately involved in our lives and in making us who we are and providing what we have. We kill our pride and are properly humbled when we recognize God's grace and Christ's lordship in and over our lives.

Jesus does not give a blanket promise to answer any prayer about anything at anytime . . . He promises to answer prayer that focuses upon loving others as we want to be loved.

The annual congregational meeting was held March 29, 2009 at 9;45 a.m.

The Hagars of the garbage dumps.

Guest speaker, Dr. Danny Levi. Introduced by Janna Mawhinney

Because God already approves us and sees us and promises us significance and success in his eternal promises and perspective, we can live our lives not seeking the approval of men or of our kids or of others.

We must be careful not to despise the grace of God by holding to a theology of merit; as though we are accepted by God because of our own efforts. Sometimes it becomes easy for Christians to frorget grace.

Where does lasting wealth come from? In what do we find lasting value? Is it the material "things" we possess, or is it that which wse are given in Christ?

Finding God's kingdom; finding the King of heaven, is worth everything. It is more valuable than anything we can imagine, and is worthy of our whole-hearted pursuit.

It is so easy, so easy, to walk through life with Christ and yet have fairly severe blind spots. More scary is the fact that Jesus identifies "the religious" as being the blind guides. It can be our goal to ask Jesus in the context of fellowship and family, to help us see - and to do something about our blind spots. If Jesus is making us more like Himself, then that is a worth goal. How will this be accomplished in your life?

Take disasters that happen in life, and let those serve both as a warning and as a motivation to respond to Christ (see Luke 13:1-5)

We are entrusted with participation in God's kingdom. We are stewards of His kingdom and of the kingdom resources and are accountable to Him.

There is a challenge to Jesus (in the context of talking about the commandments.) The question: Who really is my neighbor? What do I "do" to inherit eternal life?

The story (parable) displays some of God's passions: mercy, helping the helpless, hopeless, powerless, and hurting.

Context: dinner invitation The Issue: a woman with a terrible reputation comes in and makes a scene over Jesus; a scene motivated out of gratitude.

Amazing grace "demands" or brings an amazing response. The greater the debt, the more powerful the response.

God's grace is extravagant, but is an offense to those who believe God ought to operate by the merit system. These people resent grace given to others, because, confident of their own self-righteousness, they alone believe they are deserving of His favor. But God's grace is designed to melt our hearts and cause us to delight not only in His favor toward us, but toward others, in Christ, as well.

The imagery: The new and the old cannot co-exist. The birth, then, of New Covenant Christianity, was, historically, a difficult beginning, and this parable explains the tension. One must "let go" of one to embrace/use the other.

The desire to be "someone" and to be recognized; the safer position -- humility. The tables will be turned: The first will be last and the exalted will be humbled. Invite those who cannot repay; God takes notice. That's the way God has treated us. What are the implications for Church officers?

Jesus does not always make Himself clear. There are those who have hardened their hearts to Him (to God). At times, the way He teaches is not to open their hearts, but to allow them to suffer the consequences of their own decisions - a further entrenchment into selfishness. Thus, His word can easily polarize.

We are always in danger of having nothing intelligible to say to the world outside the church. We seem to marginalize ourselves. Yet, what we have in Jesus is to be that which is shared with the world around us. Jesus did not come in order to be a well-kept secret, b ut to be known.

There is a distinction among those who would call themselves followers of Jesus. There are some who truly take His words to heart, and others who think they follow Christ, but do so only superficially. i.e. There are those who might be intrigued with Christ, and those whose lives are built on Christ and His Word.

Christ is not an add-on or a part of my life. He is my whole life!

What does God want us to know, experience and do as a result of this passage?

What's the Point? Pursue The Man (Jesus Christ) in a posture of humility. Jesus is The Man, so we need to stop trying to be! Instead, we need to humble ourselves before Him and pursue His desires for us.

What does God want us to know from this passage? What does God's truth in this passage mean for your heart? What does God want me to do as a result of hearing this passage?

Now that we have experienced God's Grace through Christ, He sends us out to impact our world, our community, and our church with His mission in word and deed.

A Debt Paid and a Declaration Made for a New Family Association!

We are to have Christ's attitude of humility in ministry to all people, including the next generation. An attitude like HIM, to become like them, to save them!

Some are thankful just to be alive, but others couldn't be content with just that; they must be thankful for great wealth. Some are thankful for simple things, but others could never be thankful in the midst of poverty. Surely being thankful has something to do with lo9oking at life God's way.

Our economic problems point out one thing thaqt's clear . . . Jesus said this would happen. It's a heart issue.

Jesus' story is remarkable strange for a number of reasons. What if the rich man really got what he wanted.? Should we be like the beggar? You can be content, yet dissatisfied.

Why would Christ risk His success? (He said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.")

Though everyone is looking for contentment, it eludes most of us. Why is contentment so elusive? Perhaps it is a mystery that few people care to understand.

This is Impact Month. We've heard about our impact on the World and our Community. Today we hear about impacting our own Church. But can we really live life together as the body of Christ?

Is there a reason why Matthew gives this "boring"introduction to his book? It doesn't seem too interesting for us in the 21st century. We become impatient with it and read quickly through these verses. What is Matthew's purpose?

The Philistines assembled to fight with Israel 30,000 chariots and 6,000 horsemen and people like the sand which is on the seashore. How would you face this problem? What are your choices? Run and hide? Turn to a religious superstition? Or would you turn to God with an imaginative faith?

Is there even a slight possibility that you could deceive yourself concerning your eternal destiny? In James 1:22 it says "Be doers of the Word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." Are you sure you have faith? What does faith involve? Is it simply giving assent to certain intellectual facts? Is it just saying the right words or even feeling sorry for your sin? What exactly does faith involve? Faith involves commitment!

God's Grace is so Crucial (vss1-3) God's Grace is so Astonishing (vss4-7) God's Grace is so Transforming (vss8-10)

To worship God is to know Him. So, what's He like?

Now what?? When God's All-Star, Moses, retires, what do God's people have? What do YOU have?