November 2, 2003 The Missionary Character of the Church
November 16, 2003 You Can Live With God!
November 23, 2003 Following Jesus is a Great Adventure!
November 30, 2003 The Poor Man's Holiday

 

November 2, 2003
The Missionary Character of the Church
Mark 9:33 – 50

This section begins with conflict and ends with a call to peace

What were you arguing about…? v. 33
… be at peace with one another. v. 50
Each paragraph discusses our participation in the mission
Questions of rank are transformed 9:33 – 37
Instances of exclusivity are forbidden 9:38 – 41
· Our mission involves confronting and defeating Satan
· We welcome participation from other quarters
· There is no distinction between trivial and important tasks

…the Lord has assigned to each his task…So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers… I Corinthians 3:5,7 – 9

Causes of sin are condemned 9:42 - 49

· Causing new believers to stumble is a grievous thing
· Whatever tempts us to sin must be discarded
· Hell is horrible and forever

What truly sets men apart? 9:50

· Servanthood
· Savoriness

Christian Life is a missions-minded church that uses every available resource to reach people in Sheboygan County and around our world for Christ.

November 16, 2003
You Can Live With God!
Mark 10:1 - 31

Make your marriage work 10:1 - 12
Marriage is a life long commitment
This next part is a word for you, not your spouse!
If you won’t work on your marriage it may mean…

· I have no hope then trust God
· I don’t want to change then wake up
· I have found someone else then break it off now

Get into God’s territory 10:13 - 31
How to live forever in heaven

· You must be very good vs. 17 – 20
· You must accept God’s gift vs. 14 - 15

Children are very important to God
You are very important to God
How to live with God now

· You must give up everything and follow him vs. 21 - 22
· You will get back more than you give up vs. 29 - 30

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November 23, 2003
Following Jesus is a Great Adventure!
Mark 10:32 – 52

You can be led by Jesus 10:32 - 34
· He will walk you straight into trouble
· He knows exactly what will take place
· He will bring you through to resurrection You can be served by Jesus 10:35-45
So like the disciples, we presume that…
· … Jesus will give us whatever we want He only does the will of our Father!
· … status is attainable The way up is the way down!
· … we can fulfill Jesus mission There is only one Messiah!
· … we see life clearly We are spiritually blind! You can be healed by Jesus 10:46 - 52
· In desperation cry out for God’s mercy
· With boldness tell Jesus your need Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
· By faith receive wholeness

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Sunday November 30, 2003
The Poor Man’s Holiday

II Corinthians 8:1 – 9
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us —see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. II Corinthians 8:1 – 9

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is … contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously… Romans 12:6,8

The grace of God fills us with generosity

A classic poverty to riches story

His poverty became our riches!

List 10 gifts of God that you do not deserve (you fill in your own ideas)

1. –
2. –
3. –
4. –
5. –
6. –
7. –
8. –
9. –
10. –

We excel in the grace of giving when we …

· Give significant gifts
· Give sacrificial gifts
· Give gifts of service
· Give gifts with self

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