The People's Court - God's Edition Romans 2:4-10 In God's court: 1. His judgment is promised. The Bible speaks about: • A date in time • A description of events 2. His judgment is personal. This means you are judged: • All by yourself • According to what you have done 3. His judgment is particular. This judgment will evaluate: • The self-centered life • The Savior-centered life 4. His judgment is done without partiality. This means that your: • Associations won't help you • Affirmations won't help you • Actions won't help you

Who Are You to Judge? Romans 2:1-4 The story of Joseph teaches us important lessons about obedience. Our text says: 1. Don't delight in inexcusably judging others (v. 1). Our judging is usually: Unwarranted Unfair Unbalanced 2. Don't dismiss the inescapable judgment of God (vv. 2-3). God's judgment is: Perfect Not punitive in nature. Promised. 3. Don't despise the incredible journey back to God (v. 4). Three words that Paul uses speak of: God's dedication to humanity. God's delayed wrath. The duration of time.

"What It Means to Be a Pro-life Christian" It is the duty of every Christian to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should both speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life, from conception to natural death. Being a pro-life Christian involves: 1. Exalting the preeminence of our Lord. Our failure to do this leads to: Strife Selfishness The only remedy for strife and selfishness is: Submission 2. Embracing a priority for all life. This priority involves: The unborn The underprivileged But we must also not forget: The elderly The exploited 3. Engaging biblically within the political landscape. This engagement should involve: Proclaiming Christ to the nations. Praying for and petitioning our civic leaders. Promoting initiatives that support life.

Getting the Big Picture of God's Mission Revelation 5:1-10 Dr. Craig Ott 1. The center of God's mission is the work of redemption. 2. The scope of God's mission is the redemption of people from all the nations of the earth. 3. The end of God's mission is redemption of people from every nation of the earth unto worship and service. What is your place in God's mission?

How to Live Successfully Matthew 25:14-30 Our text should be understood at two levels. Level 1: Our Address Key ingredients: Money (verse 15) Ability (verse 15) Share (verses 20-23) Failed (verses 24-30) Ephesians 5:15-16: Be very careful how you live....making the most of every opportunity. 1 Peter 4:10: Each one of you should use whatever gift he has received. Level 2: The Kingdom of God 2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 1 Corinthians 3:13: If he build on the foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, straw his work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light. If what he has built survives he will receive his reward, if burned up he will suffer loss. What riches does King Jesus want us to multiply for His sake? This week I commit to being successful with Jesus, for Jesus, on Jesus' terms by _____________________________________.

Chapter 3 It's All about Jesus!!! Luke 2:1-20 Christmas becomes all about Jesus when we: 1. Recognize the fulfilled prophecy of Christmas. Bethlehem was a place Prophesied in the Scriptures. Of powerful symbolism. 2. Remember the famous proclamation of Christmas. The message of Christmas is: Peaceful. Positive. Personal. Purposeful. 3. Respond with faith-filled practices during Christmas. These practices involve our: Witness. Wonder. Worship.

My Christmas Story "Not Just an Average Joe" Matthew 1:18-24 Chapter 2 The story of Joseph teaches us important lessons about obedience. Lesson #1 We must obey in spite of our current dilemmas. Dilemmas can cause our Hopes to crumble. Hearts to be crushed. Lesson #2 We must obey even if it means a change in direction. Joseph changed his direction based on an Angelic word. Ancient word. Lesson #3 We must obey by being committed to making godly decisions. This commitment involves: Our response to God's commands. Our regard for other people.

Chapter 1 A Mother’s Joy “A Guide to Finding Joy This Christmas” Luke 1:26-55 The story of Mary’s encounter with Gabriel reminds us that: 1. Christmas is a time for a gracious announcement. This announcement involves a: • personal messenger. • particular message. 2. Christmas is a time for great astonishment. This astonishment: • Impacts the recipient. • Produces a response. 3. Christmas is a time for godly action. Our active response to God’s calling involves a: • Journey filled with unknowns. • Joy that is unexplainable.

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 8 Acts 9:23-31 "Fearlessness in Suffering" "The ‘essence' of persecution consists in ‘subjecting a person to injury or disadvantage on account of his opinions.' It is something more than meeting his opinions by argument, which is always right and proper; it is inflicting some injury on him; depriving him of some privilege, or right; subjecting him to some disadvantage, or placing him in less favorable circumstances, on account of his sentiments." -- Albert Barnes •1. The reality of persecution. •2. The reasons for persecution. Persecution: •a. Is the destiny of many Christians. •b. Happens because of our doctrine. •c. Is a sinful response to Christ-like dedication. •3. The varied reactions to persecution. Acts 9 describes three common reactions: •a. We can become fearful of trusting others. •b. New friendships can be created. •c. Our fearlessness can grow in spite of opposition. •4. The results of persecution. Positive results can include: •a. Enjoying times of peace. •b. Experiencing empowered ministry. •c. Seeing explosive growth. Negative results can include: •a. Extreme pain and suffering. •b. The end of our life. •5. The biblical response to persecution. 1 Peter 3:13-17 suggests five ways in which we ought to respond to persecution. We should: •a. Cheer up. •b. Buck up. •c. Lift up. •d. Speak up. •e. Shape up.

A Study of Paul's Conversion Part 6 Acts 9:20-22 "Fervency of Speech" "Evangelism is the spontaneous overflow of a glad and free heart in Jesus Christ." Robert Munger "The salvation of a single soul is more important than the production or preservation of all the epics and tragedies in the world. " C.S. Lewis "To call a man evangelical who is not evangelistic is an utter contradiction." G. Campbell Morgan Immediately after Saul surrendered to Christ he embarked on a lifelong pursuit to proclaim the good news about the Savior who sought him out and made him His son. All who have experienced this life change should devote themselves to winning others with the life changing gospel of Jesus Christ To make this a reality: 1. We must meet God's proclamation criteria. Every gospel messenger must: * Have experienced salvation * Be ready and willing to serve * Know the scriptures * Know what they are going to say 2. We must deliver the proper content. The gospel message: * Must focus on the Savior * Means our journey of faith must be secondary 3. We must prepare for the challenges. Some challenges we may face: * Our past causes us problems * Yesterday's power isn't enough * Proclaiming Christ takes guts * Proving Christ to others is a process * Persecution is inevitable