Luke 2:40-52

Main point: Jesus' relationship with his Father -- being about the things of God -- has priority over ALL other things and relationships.

Question: What things will you be about -- and what will you make YOUR highest priority in this new year?

Matthew 1:18-25

Jason continues his break away from our 2 Corinthians series with a different perspective on the Christmas story, this time with more of the focus on Joseph.

1.a) Joseph settles on an imperfect plan that PURSUES justice and mercy.
1.b) God executes a perfect plan that UPHOLDS justice and mercy.

2.a) Joseph RECEIVES the angelic word (passive).
2.b) God SENDS the Incarnate Word (active).

3.a) Joseph TAKES his bride, and this adopts the child.
3.b) God ADOPTS his children and will come for his Bride.

Luke 1:39-56

Truths:

1. God is a merciful savior.
2. God is a mighty deliverer.
3. God is a faithful promiser.

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Pleas for the wavering:

1. Don't receive God's grace in vain.
2. Open wide your hearts.

Examples of what the faithful do:

1. They endure hard, challenging and even unjust things.
2. They show virtues of the Spirit.
3. They view all treatment (good & bad) through the eyes of faith.
4. They speak the truth freely.
5. They keep their heart wide open and don't restrict their love.

2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Don't compromise the message that is central to the Gospel because it is a message of reconciliation.

Three ways we can be at risk for compromising the Gospel:

1. When we play a high regard/high value on the wrong things.
2. When we believe that faithful people are out of their mind.
3. When we assume, diminish or forget the heart of the gospel message.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Three takeaways for us to do from this passage:

1. Groan Hopefully.
2. Walk Confidently.
3. Live Accountably.

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

How do we not lose heart:

1. We persist – in all our trials.
2. We speak – the truth of the gospel.
3. We hope – in the resurrection.
4. We serve – the body of Christ.
5. We focus – on the unseen.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Faithful ministry:

1. Is a gift from a merciful God- so don't lose heart or burn out.
2. Renounces disgraceful, underhanded ways, and openly states the truth.
3. Means sometimes the gospel remains veiled to people.
4. Entails humble service for others' benefit (not our own).
5. Remembers that God must shine the light into hearts.

Satan may be in the dark business of "veiling", but God is in the light business of shining.

2 Corinthians 3:1-18

Three takeaways from this passage:

1. Remember what really matters and lasts in this world.
2. Remember that ours is not a ministry of condemnation.
3. Protect and boldly proclaim and unveiled gospel ( as you pray for God to lift veils from hearts).

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Pastor Jason points out four simple truths from this passage:

1. There are factors (diving and human) that affect the work of our ministry.
2. God leads His people in triumphal procession toward their ultimate salvation.
3. The aroma of Christ in us will create polarizing responses.
4. Sincere, accountable ministry is much preferred to "peddling for profit."

Exodus 15:22-16:30
Pastor Matt takes us back to the Old Testament again to the book of Exodus and the people of Israel.

Three Practical Steps to Resist Grumbling:

1. Discern between God's ways and man's ways.
2. Trust that God's ways are given for our good.
3. Rejoice in God's most miraculous provision.

2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11

Points from this passage:

1. Sin is damaging to us and disruptive to our relationships.
2. Though painful, wise confrontation is needed.
3. Sorry and repentance are key before restoration can happen.
4. Discipline can be both underdone and overdone.
5. Satan schemes to undercut healthy discipline.
6. The aim of loving discipline is restoration and a return to joy.

2 Corinthians 1:12-22

Takeaway from today's passage:
A believer's words and behavior are a reflection of the gospel.

Four Things God taught Paul in this passage (and that Paul in turn teaches the church in Corinth):

1. We can be utterly burdened beyond our strength.
2. Our burdens are to make us rely not on ourselves, but on God.
3. God is our only reliable deliverance -- the ground of our unshakable hope.
4. Prayer is key in all of this.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Four places to fix your eye on in your afflictions:

1. Fix you eyes on God.
2. Fix your eyes on your Savior.
3. Fix your eyes on your future.
4. Fix your eyes on your brothers and sisters.

Pastor Jason begins this sermon series over 2 Corinthians by going over some background and intro information.

Pastor Matt brings us todays sermon from a passage in Exodus.

Principles from this passage:

1. The saved sing because the Lord triumphed gloriously.
2. The saved sing about the wrath of God.
3. The saved sing as a matter of personal devotion.
4. The saved sing unambiguously.
5. The saved sing about the emptiness of idols.
6. The saved sing about trusting God with their future.
7. The saved sing hoping others will join their song.

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 & 13-18

Some final words from Paul to this young church & all of us.

Do:

1. Pray for the speed and honor of the gospel.
2. Pray for the protection of gospel workers.
3. Direct an obedient heart to God's love and Christ's steadfastness.

Don't:

1. Tire of doing what is right.
2. Fellowship with the disobedient.
3. Be unsettled or deceived.

God knows we are going to need His grace for the things we NEED to do, but even more for the things we should NOT do.

Questions from this passage:

1. What is the idleness Paul rebukes?
2. Why might idleness be a particular temptation for God's people?
3. Why is idleness so dangerous to church health?
4. What are Paul's commands regarding persistently idle people?

Takeaways:

• Remember that idleness is dangerous and can spread.
• Teach your children about the dangers of idleness.
• Labor and get to work.

Four ways to stand firm in the unsteadiness of life:

1. Be aware of the stages of deception
2. Confrontation Stage
3. Shaken Stage
4. Chilling Stage
5. Delusional Stage
6. Warped Stage
7. Manifest your salvation in holiness and belief
8. Hold fast to God's Word
9. Comfort and establish your hearts in good works and words.

Speak good words and do good works - Proverbs 12:25