Matthew 11:28-30Jesus, the Rabbi. (Vv. 28-30)Rabbi - Master or teacher.Yoke - Hebrew idiom for a Rabbi’s set of teaching.The Three Goals of an Apprentice. (Vv. 29)To be with your Rabbi.To become like your Rabbi.To do as your Rabbi did.We exist to “Build people like Jesus.”A Way of LIfe. (Vv. 28-29)Are you an apprentice to Jesus?If you are not intentionally apprenticing, being formed by Jesus, then...  Read More

The Devil’s Deception process:The Devil’s slimy tactics: CHALLENGES God’s Word. Gen. 3:1DENIES God’s Word: You won’t die! Gen. 3:4SUBSTITUTES his own slippery lies. Gen. 3:5CAST DOUBT on God’s goodness. Gen. 3:5The Woman, representing humanity, engaged:She REDUCED God’s ‘freely eat’ (2:16) to may eat.She DOWNPLAYED God’s emphasis on the availability of fruit from every tree but one (2:17)She ADDED...  Read More

We were created for community. Genesis 2:18, John 17:20-21, Romans 12:5 It’s the only way we can practice “one another.”Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)Teach one another (Colossians 3:16)Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)Exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13)Stir up [provoke, stimulate] one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)Show hos...  Read More

Seek Christ AskKeep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Matthew 7:7a NLTSeekKeep on seeking, and you will find. Matthew 7:7b NLTKnockKeep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7c NLTJesus is seeking youFor the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 NEXT SUNDAY: Community, Let It Change You, Pt. 4 Come back next Sunday for the final week in our s...  Read More

The Resurrection, what difference does it make? But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:151. What is the Bible and is it really reliable? 2 Tim. 3:16 A. Manuscripts and early sources B. Eyewitness accountsGospel Accounts of the Resurrec...  Read More

The Resurrection, what difference does it make? He is not here, HE IS RISEN!The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5-6The Resurrection allows us to move beyond the FAILURES of the PAST.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,...  Read More

Application: What will you do? James 1:22, John 13:17 Ditch Debt: eliminate consumer debt. Monitor Spending: track with a budget where the money goes. Generosity: give generously to the Lord’s work. Invest it: intentionally invest in assets for your future. Save It: save at least 3-6 months of expenses. Good work: embrace and maximize your employment.  Pay it Forward: teach your children about han...  Read More

We need a transformation of thinking leading to a transformation of ownership: We must truly recognize and believe that God owns everything, and we are currently His managers (stewards). Deut 10:14, 1 Cor 10:26By proving faithful as managers now, recognize that you will soon have true riches—possessions of your own. Luke 16:10-12Our challenge now is to believe this and live faithful day to day. 1 ...  Read More

The importance of training our children: Our training should be a continual part of our daily life. Deuteronomy 6:6-7If we are careful to lay down a track for our children to run on, then it is much more likely they will run on that track when they are grown. Prov. 22:6The two rails of the tracks are discipline and instruction, employed in love: Eph. 6:4 The natural path without training: Judges 2...  Read More

2 Corinthians 9:1-15Our lives are a testament to the overflow of generosity that flows from hearts transformed by the grace of God.Generous Living is Joyous Living. (Vv. 1-5)Generous Living is Worship. (Vv. 6-11)Generous Living is an Overflow of God’s Gift of Grace. (Vv. 12-15) NEXT SUNDAY: Next Sunday, join us for the Money-Life Pt 8: Pay It Forward.. We must be intentional to train our children ...  Read More

Colossians 3:17,22-24Work:Dualistic ThinkingGod created work and gave it to us as a gift. Genesis 1-2            Genesis 2:15, “15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”Work is cursed in response to our rebellion. Genesis 3Genesis 3:17, Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life...  Read More

Biblical perspective on investing:God expects us to invest and take measured risk. Mt. 25:14-30, Lk. 19:12-26Meet future family needs. 1 Tim. 5:8, Prov. 13:22Further the Gospel and fund special needs. 2 Cor. 6-15, Eph. 2:10 Dangers of chasing worldly wealth without eternal perspective:The wealth will never truly satisfy if it is the end in itself. Ecc. 5:10It can choke out our heart and passion fo...  Read More