The Foundation

Living Outwardly Focused Lives In An Inwardly Focused World

John 15:1-16 

“…I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give My life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45, NLT

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” John 10:10 NLT

Foundation Principle: To live the outwardly focused overflowing life Jesus has for us, we must dwell with Him

Indicators that You are Dwelling with Jesus:

• Spending devoted time with Him Psalm 27:4
• Set apart time that will build relationship.
• Feed on God’s Word. Colossians 3:16
• Talk to and listen to a person.
• Write down what God is doing in your life.
• A moment by moment attentiveness to His presence 1 Thessalonians 5:17

The Impact of Dwelling in Him:

• Dwelling helps you to sense the leading of the Lord. 1 Kings 19:11-12
• Dwelling helps you to tap into God’s power. Acts 4:13
• Dwelling carries with it answered prayer. John 15:7, 8 

Pastor Charlie

An Introduction

Living Outwardly Focused In An Inwardly Focused World

“ …I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give My life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45, NLT

• Jesus turns funerals into parties. Luke 7:12-16
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ becomes Good News to us when it connects with the bad news in our lives. Psalm 30:11
• God is about real joy and lots of it. Luke 15:7
• Jesus turns emptiness into overflowing life. John 10:10; Ephesians 3:20; John 4:13-15
• Jesus turns self-focused lives outward. Acts 1:8

Pastor Charlie

Jesus . . . God’s Inexpressible Gift

2 Corinthians 9:15; Isaiah 7:14

1. Remember . . . “God’s Gift PROMISED”
1. Response:  “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for always being faithful to your promises.”
2. Rejoice . . . God’s Gift GIVEN
1. Response:  “Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the Gift of  Your Son.”
3. Reflect . . . “God’s Gift TOUCHING our lives
1. Response:  “Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the entire debt for my sin.”
4. Reveal . . . “God’s Gift TOUCHING our lives
1. Response:  “Praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your victory over sin and the grave.”
5. Rekindle . . . “Our RESPONSE to God’s Glorious Gift
1. Response:  “Lord Jesus, on this Christmas day, I once again yield my life to Your Lordship.”

Question:  “What gift, from your life, will you give to the Lord Jesus on this Christmas day?

Pastor Rog

A Supernatural Baby

Matthew 1:18-25

• Supernatural Feature #1:  God the Holy Spirit is the father (v.18, 20).
• Supernatural Feature #2:  God gave advance notice of the birth (v.22-23). Isaiah 7:14
• Supernatural Feature #3:  This Baby is God Himself – Immanuel (v.23). John 10:31-33; John 14:8-9
• Supernatural Feature #4: This Baby is God’s Savior for mankind – Jesus (v.21). Hebrews 9:27; John 3:16-17
• Supernatural Feature #5:  This Baby is God’s chosen ruler of mankind – Christ (v.18).

Merry Christmas 

Pastor Charlie

I am the God of Love

Ephesians 3:17-18

"…We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love…”
(1 John 4:16, NIV).

Why people avoid God

• Fear #1: I will have to give up my fun. 1 Timothy 6:17; Matthew 11:19
• Fear #2: I will become a fanatic. John 10:10; Matthew 23:27-28
• Fear #3: I will lose my freedom. John 8:36; 1 John 4:18

God’s love

Ephesians 3:17-19

• Includes everyone Psalm 145:17; John 3:16
• Lasts forever Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 89:2
• Is everywhere Romans 8:39; Psalm 139:7-10
• Meets your need Psalm 40:11; Deuteronomy 33:27; John 15:13; Romans 5:8
• "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper." --Betsie Ten Boom

Pastor Charlie

Jehovah-roeh – God, the Shepherd

Psalm 23

The word shepherd (roeh) is used primarily to mean the feeding of domestic animals. The verb literally is “to pasture.” The noun means shepherd or pastor.

The Lord is my shepherd

• Your personal shepherd - “The Lord is MY shepherd.” Isaiah 53:6; Romans 6:23; John 10:11; Ephesians 1:3-5; 13-14; Romans 8:15-16; John 1:12
• Is Yahweh a Shepherd to you or can you say, “Yahweh is MY Shepherd.”?

 I shall not want

• Yahweh, your shepherd, will fully provide for all your needs. Psalm 34:10; Philippians 4:11-12
• In Exodus 16 – manna from heaven and everyone received exactly what they needed
• In Deuteronomy 8 – new land of plenty where “you will lack nothing”
• Proverbs - used 13 times to warn the readers about lacking wisdom
• Provide for your physical necessities – green pastures and quiet waters (v.2) Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:15
• Provide for your Spiritual vitality – “He restores my soul” (v.3) Galatians 5:22-23
• John 21 - This is what Jesus did for Peter.
• John 15 - God is the Gardener that tends the vineyard.
• John 10:10 – live abundantly
• Provide directions for living - “He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.” (v.3) Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 22:37-40; Matthew 28:18-19
• Verse 4 - direction for walking through life’s valleys.
• Provides hope and a future (v.6) John 14:3; 1 Peter 5:4; Isaiah 40:11

Pastor Charlie

The God Who Heals Through Restorative Grace

"Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to You again!
Give us back the joys we once had!" (Lamentations 5:21, NLT).
 
Why you need God’s Restorative Grace Mark 14:27-72

• Your tendency to Edge God Out – EGO (v.29) 1 Corinthians 10:12; Proverbs 16:18
• Your tendency to treat your relationship with God casually (v.37-38)
• Your tendency to Fall prey to the “What would people think” syndrome (v.54) Proverbs 29:25
• Your tendency to want a comfortable faith (v.54)

 
God’s Restorative Grace in Action

• His continual love for you Lamentations 3:22; Romans 8:38
• His on-going salvation by grace not works Titus 3:5
• His righteous judgment put on Jesus instead of you 1 John 2:2
• His lasting patience with your human frailty Psalm 103:13-14; Hebrews 4:15
• His refusal to hold a grudge Psalm 103:9-10,13; Jeremiah 3:22; Jeremiah 15:19; Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 51:12

Pastor Charlie