The Call Mark 1:14-20 GOSPEL CONNECTION“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to becomechildren of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who wereborn, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, butof God.” John 1:12-13 APPLICATIONWhere do you sense Jesus inviting you to:Turn back (repent)?Trust the good news more deeply?Reorder priorities so that He is first?The sermon described authentic faith as passionate, not moderate orfanatical. What would “passionate but relational” faith look like in yourcurrent season of life? MEMORY VERSEAnd Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you becomefishers of men.” 18 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.Mark 1:17-18

The DanceMark 1:1-13   GOSPEL CONNECTION“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with ourweaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are,yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that wemight become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21APPLICATIONWhat, specifically, will you do this week to pay attention to the voicesshaping your desires?How can I adopt the same attitude of humility as John the Baptistwhen it comes to leading or participating in ministry or the general lifeof my church family?MEMORY VERSEAnd he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who ismightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong ofHis sandals. 8 I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you withthe Holy Spirit.” Mark 1:7-8

The Magi   Matthew 2:1-12   1.     The cast2.     Their character3.     Their conduct4.     Our response    GOSPEL CONNECTION“which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the deadand seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far aboveall rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that isnamed, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians1:20-21 APPLICATIONWhat sacrifice do you need to make for Christ this week? MEMORY VERSE“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother;and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening theirtreasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, andmyrrh.” 1 Peter 2:11

A Peace of Heaven Luke 2: 8-15   1. Prologue (1-7) 2. An earthly setting (8-9) 3. A heavenly message (10-12) 4. An eruption of worship (13-15) 5. Epilogue (16-20)   GOSPEL CONNECTION“For He (Jesus) rescued us from the domain of darkness, andtransferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we haveredemption, the forgiveness of sins…19 For it was the Father’s goodpleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him toreconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the bloodof His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things inheaven.” Colossians 1:13-14, 19-20Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not asthe world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, norlet it be fearful.” John 14:27 APPLICATIONHow will you glorify and praise God with other Christians this week? MEMORY VERSE“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of theheavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in thehighest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”Luke 2:13-14

Shepherds Seize the Moment Luke 2:8-21   1. The Audience 2. The Angel 3. The Announcement 4. The Abundance of Angels 5. The Application GOSPEL CONNECTION“So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the doorof the sheep…9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he willbe saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 11 “I am the goodshepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep…14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own knowMe, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I laydown My life for the sheep.” John 10:7, 9, 11, 14-15 APPLICATIONWho will you tell about the birth of Jesus Christ this week? When? MEMORY VERSE“The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that theyhad heard and seen, just as had been told them.” Luke 2:20

A Sermon from Matthew 1:18-25   1. Proximity — those CLOSEST to us test our relationship with Godthe MOST!   2. Authenticity — not our ACTIONS but our REACTIONS reveal our character! 3. Purpose — not my will be done but God’s will be done   4. Ambassador — let the MESS of my life be GOD’S MESSAGE tothe world!   GOSPEL CONNECTION“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and thegovernment will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.”     Isaiah 9:6-7APPLICATIONWhat area of your life do you need to submit to God’s will?MEMORY VERSE“But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lordappeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 “She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”Matthew 1:20-21  

A Sermon from Luke 1:26-38   1. Oops — An Unexpected Visitor (26-29)2. Ugh — Overwhelming News (30-33)3. Aha — God Has A Plan (34-35)4. Whee — God Can Do It! (36-37) 5. Oh Yeah — Mary Had Hope (38)  GOSPEL CONNECTION“also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestinedaccording to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of Hiswill, 12 to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would beto the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after listening to themessage of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed,you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is givenas a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’sown possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:11-14 APPLICATIONHow will you live with hope this week as God works in your life?MEMORY VERSE“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whoaccording to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to aliving hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and willnot fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

A Sermon from Philippians 4:4-9   1. We are being formed (shaped) by how/where we carry ourconcern. (vv. 4-7) 2. We are being formed by the things on which we think. (vs. 8) 3. We are being formed by the people we follow. (vs. 9)   GOSPEL CONNECTION“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom Mysoul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justiceto the nations. 2 “He will not cry out or raise His voice, nor make Hisvoice heard in the street. 3 “A bruised reed He will not break and adimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forthjustice. 4 “He will not be disheartened or crushed Until He hasestablished justice in the earth; and the coastlands will waitexpectantly for His law.” 5 Thus says God the LORD, Who created theheavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and itsoffspring, Who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those whowalk in it, 6 “I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness, I willalso hold You by the hand and watch over You, and I will appoint Youas a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, 7 To open blindeyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell indarkness from the prison.” Isaiah 42:1-7    APPLICATIONHow can you be an effective peacemaker this week?   MEMORY VERSE“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever isright, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell onthese things.” Philippians 4:8

A sermon from Philippians 4:2-3 Think the same thing in the Lord Bring them together With GOSPEL CONNECTION “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:3-11 APPLICATION What, specifically, will you do this week to live in harmony with other believers in Jesus? MEMORY VERSE “Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be likeminded,live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 7:1-73 Build it — Then Fill it Blessings (People and Things) Need to be Stewarded More Blessings Means More Leaders More Blessings Means More Clarity More Blessings Comes from Extravagant Generosity A Unified Team Brings Supernatural Results APPLICATION What, specifically, will you do this week to seek unity among the believers in our church family? MEMORY VERSE “Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.” (1 Timothy 5:22)

A SERMON FROM PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6 The Call to Plant New Ministry Opportunities Working Together GOSPEL CONNECTION Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” 28 Therefore, they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” 30 So they said to Him, “What then do You do for a sign, so that we may see, and believe You? What work do You perform? 31 “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.’ ” 32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. 33 “For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.” 34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:26-35) APPLICATION What prayer of thanksgiving can you offer for your church today? MEMORY VERSE “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 6:1-19 The plot to assassinate is met with refusal to cooperate (1-4) Slander is denied and prayer is prescribed (5-9) The scheme to disgrace is met with refutation and prayer (10-14) Completion, recognition, and intimidation (15-19) GOSPEL CONNECTION “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2) “But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.” (Psalm 31:14) APPLICATION How will you apply Nehemiah's persistence and faith in your life when facing challenges? MEMORY VERSE “When all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they lost their confidence; for they recognized that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.” (Nehemiah 6:16)

A SERMON FROM ROMANS 3:21-26 The Gospel believed The Gospel achieved The Gospel received GOSPEL CONNECTION “When we talk about the gospel, we are talking about the very real, dynamic power of God to create, redeem, and save. The power of the gospel is the power that enabled Jesus to overcome temptation, preach with authority, cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, and rise from the dead Himself. The gospel is the power of God made available to us through the Son of God, who gave His life for us. The gospel is the power of God for salvation for our entire lives. Belief in the gospel is not a one-time decision or a conviction that we need salvation only for our past lives and future afterlives. Belief in the gospel is an ongoing expression of our ongoing need for Jesus.” (Gospel Fluency, Jeff Vanderstelt, pages 66-67) APPLICATION When could you meet with another person to share the Good News of God’s redemptive plan? MEMORY VERSE “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” (Romans 3:23-24)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 5:14-19 The 3 advantages of making a differenceA. PositionB. PowerC. Privilege The 3 temptations of a difference makerA. We will be tempted to misuse our positionB. We will be tempted to abuse our powerC. We will be tempted to profit from our privileges How to keep our integrityA. Deepen my understanding of who I amB. Develop a love for peopleC. Discipline myself with an eternal perspective GOSPEL CONNECTION “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:3-11 MEMORY VERSE “Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2-3

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 5:1-13 The cause of conflicts The cure for conflictA. ReactionB. ReflectionC. RevealD. ResponsibilityE. Remember GOSPEL CONNECTION “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 “Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.(Acts 20:28-32) APPLICATION Have you chosen a day of the week to fast during lunch as Pastor Carl encouragingly challenged us to do? What day? Did you fast last week? How did it impact your spiritual life? MEMORY VERSE “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” (Romans 12:18)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 4:1-23 Here comes trouble Pause to regroup Make a difference GOSPEL CONNECTION Jesus has defeated sin, death, and adversity once for all. Yes, we will likely encounter obstacles and people who seek to distract, deter, and destroy us in following our Savior, living our faith daily, and building God’s kingdom. However, our resolve and strength comes from knowing who our Savior is and what He has done. “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” (John 14:1) “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) APPLICATION What action do you need to take this week to trust God and move forward in facing an area of adversity in your life? MEMORY VERSE “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 3:1-32 Tactical Everyone has a place According to your gift and personality Mismatched Significance GOSPEL CONNECTION “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.” (Matthew 4:23) But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” (Luke 4:43) “And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) APPLICATION How can you use your skills, spiritual gifts, and abilities to build the kingdom of God through the ministry of Jesus’ church this week? MEMORY VERSE “The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” (Proverbs 21:5)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 2:1-20 Promises and providence Omnipotence and obedience Confidence and contention GOSPEL CONNECTION “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16) APPLICATION What is a specific need in another person’s life that you will confidently pray about this week? MEMORY VERSE Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 2:4)

A SERMON FROM NEHEMIAH 1:1-11 Ask the right questions Feel the right emotions Have the right reaction Take the right action GOSPEL CONNECTION Repentance is understanding the gravity of our sin and having the desire, given by the Holy Spirit’s work in our life, to not continue sinning. “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:9-10) APPLICATION What news have you recently received that you need to respond to with prayer? MEMORY VERSE “When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.” (Nehemiah 1:4)

A SERMON FROM LUKE 15:11-32 You can only be found if you first know you are lost   GOSPEL CONNECTION “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” (Ephesians 2:4-5) APPLICATION To what “undeserving” person can you extend God’s love and forgiveness this week? MEMORY VERSE “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)