Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

Main Points:

• Giving to God is a MINISTRY to reach the lost and provide for the poor.
• Generosity leads to abundance and a DELIGHT in sharing with those in need.

Notes:

Generosity Falsehoods

• You can’t afford to give
• The church is greedy
• God understands you need your money
• Giving is legalistic and Old Testament
• You will give when things are better
• Giving your time is enough

God’s Generosity Pathway (Old Testament)

• Honor God with your wealth, and your blessings will overflow
  • (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• Generosity = Prosperity
  • (Proverbs 11:24-25)
• Your money doesn’t last because you don’t honor God
  • (Haggai 1:5-6)
• Stop cheating God and watch him bless you. Test him!
  • (Malachi 3:8-10)

God’s Generosity Pathway (New Testament)

• Treasures impact your heart’s desires. God will provide!
  • (Matthew 6:19-21 & 31-33)
• Generosity to the poor matters
  • (Matthew 19:21)
• Tithing is just the beginning of honoring God
  • (Matthew 23:23)
• Generosity = Prosperity for sharing with others
  • (2 Corinthians 9:6-12)

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 11:25-29, Exodus 20:8-11, 31:12-17, Mark 2:27

Main Points:

• Why does a pastor need to take a Sabbatical?
• Make Time to rest.
• Generational Stress.

Notes:

What is a Sabbatical?

• NOT a vacation or a break from the work of ministry.
• NOT a reward for time served in ministry.
• An investment into the future of ministry.
• A chance to heal from the emotional and spiritual strain that accompanies ministry.
• A time, through healing, to reconnect with God in the quiet.
• A time for safety from surprise traumas or events

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality-Pastor Peter Scazzero

Sabbath is a 24-hour block of time in which we stop work, enjoy rest, practice delight, and contemplate God.”

• Stop – God is in control, not me
• Rest – Intentional recovery for the soul
• Delight – Enjoy God’s gifts/creation
• Contemplate – Focus your life on God

The Science of Stress

• Stress releases adrenaline and cortisol
• Increased BP, Heart Attack & Stroke
• Decreased immune function
• Hormonal imbalances
• Digestive disorders and ulcers
• Muscle tension, headaches & body pain
• Alters memory, mood & emotions
• Shortens DNA protective caps, telomeres
• Anxiety, Depression, & sleep disruption

Scripture: Luke 6:12-19, Exodus 17:8-11, Mark 5:21-34

Main Points:

• Find time for Prayer.
• Find your People.
• Love the One in front of you.

Prayer in the BIBLE:

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17 = pray without ceasing
• Matthew 6:5-13 = it doesn’t have to be fancy
• Romans 12:12 = pray constantly
• Colossians 4:2 = continue steadfastly in prayer
• Luke 18:1 = always pray, don’t lose heart
• Philippians 4:6-7 = rid of anxiety and gives peace
• Mark 6:5-13 = Reminds of who God is, puts him in his rightful place
• Psalm 4:1 =gives relief
• Mark 11:24 = gives us what we ask for
• James 5:14-15 = brings healing and forgiveness
• Mark 11:25 = brings forgiveness for you as well as for others
• Psalm 34:17 = deliverance from troubles

Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:13-16, Leviticus 20:7-8, John 14:15-17, 16:7-14, 20:19-22, Galatians 5:16-26

Main Points:

• Righteous Response
• 3 days later
• Living with God

Holy Living for Jesus

• Rom. 12:1-2 – Live as Holy Sacrifices
• Eph. 4:1 – Walk worthy of your calling
• Ti. 2:11-12 – Renounce ungodliness
• 2. Cor. 5:14-16 – God’s love controls us
• Gal. 5:16-25 – Life in the Spirit (Fruit)
• Phil. 2:12-13 – Work out salvation in fear & trembling
• Heb. 12:14 – Without holiness, no one will see God
• 1 John 3:2-3 – Hope compels us to purify ourselves

Scriptures: Romans 4:18-24, Romans 4:25-5:2, John 8:31-36

Main Points:

Impossible Promises

The Hope of Glory

The Hope of Family

Resurrection Outcomes

Is. 53:5 & 1 Pet. 2:24 – Paid the penalty for our sins

Rom 3:25 & 1 John 2:2 – Satisfied the justice of God

2 Cor 5:18-19 & Rom. 5:10 – Reconciled us to God

Eph 1:7 & 1 John 1:9 – Forgave our sins

Rom. 6:6-7 & Col. 1:14-14 – Defeated the power of sin

Col. 2:15 & Heb 2:14-15 – Defeated Satan/Devil

1 Cor. 15:2—22 & Rev. 1:18 – Defeated death

John 11:25-26 & 1 Pet. 1:3-4 – Gave us eternal life

Scriptures: John 3:28-34, John 1:29-30, Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33

Main Points:

-I'm NOT Him.

-The Lamb of God.

-Beyond a Prayer.

Prophecies of the Messenger

Mal. 3 – A messenger declaring the Messiah and judgement

Mal. 4 – Another “Elijah” to turn hearts of fathers/sons

Luke 1 – Gabriel says child will have the “spirit of Elijah” and to name him John (God is gracious)

Luke 1 – Zechariah prophecies “prophet of the Most High”

Public Professions of Faith

Peter - Matthew 16:16

Martha - John 11:27

Nathanael - John 1:49

Andrew - John 1:41

Demons - Luke 4:41

Centurion - Mark 15:39

Disciples - Matthew 14:33

Paul - Acts 9:20

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-9, 1 Peter 2:22-24, Romans 8:3-11

Main Points:

1. Sustitutionary death
2. God Forsaken
3. Out of Control

The Church was not designed for Sundays

Scriptures: Acts 2:42, 5:42

Main Points:

Love one another… John 13:34

Serve one another… Gal. 5:13

Carry one another’s burdens… Gal. 6:2

Encourage one another… 1 Thes. 5:11

Be devoted to one another… Rom. 12:10