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God With Us in the Busyness Guest Speaker: Dr. Pastor Brian Saxon Matthew 2:1-12 People who missed the Christ of Christmas King Herod: He missed Him because of jealousy. The Religious Leaders: They missed Him because of indifference. The Inhabitants of Jerusalem: They missed Him because of religion. The Romans: They missed Him because of idolatry. The People of Nazareth: They missed Him because of familiarity The ones who found the Christ of Christmas The Wise Men: They found Him and they worshipped.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Pastor Brian Saxon Matthew 1:18-25

Guest Speaker: Dr. Pastor Brian Saxon Isaiah 7:14, 9:6

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 Matt Sprinkle Sermon Notes: • When is Jesus coming back? • He’s coming back! • Live as people who are awake • 1 Thes 5:12-13 12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. • Accept them. Appreciate them. Love them. Obey them. • 1 Thes 4:14-15 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. • If our family matters, then we need to address the family matters • ataktos - Disorderly or out of rank • Are you idle? Does this stir anything in you? • Our encouragement should push people to a stronger faith. • Patience & Refusing to Retaliate • “[God] is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.” Joel 2:13 • 1 Thes 5:16-22 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. • How can they rejoice like that? • THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL • Gossip. Selfishness. Pride. Slander. Bitterness. • “What does the bible say?” • 1 Thes 5:23-24 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. • When the world watches our church what do they see? LIFE Group Discussion Questions Starter Question: When you think of a healthy family—real or fictional—what qualities come to mind? Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 1. What stood out most to you from Sunday’s message about “family matters” in the church? Why? 2. Of the three groups Paul mentions—idle, fainthearted, weak— which one do you find hardest to deal with, and why? 3. How can we tell the difference between someone who needs encouragement and someone who is being divisive? 4. Which of the three commands — rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks — is most challenging for you right now? 5. What does it look like to “test everything and hold fast to what is good” in a world filled with opinions, influencers, and spiritual noise? 6. How does Christ’s second coming (and the Advent season) shape the way we live as a church family today?

Our Song for Giving Thanks Psalm 100 Brian Saxon We shout, serve, and sing (vv. 1-2) We acknowledge God (v. 3) We enter His presence with worship (v. 4) We never forget God is good (v. 5)

Pastor: Kevin Buynak Sermon Notes: · Jesus is over everything! · 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. · How does Jesus describe himself? (put the next 3 verses on one slide) John 10:30 – “I and my father are one” John 14:9 – “He who has seen me has seen the Father” John 8:58 – “Most assuredly I say to you, before Abraham was, I am!” · 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. · Jesus is not created, but He is the Creator! · Worship only the true Creator. · Don’t try to make God who you want Him to be! · 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. · The greatest threat to us is not the circumstances we face, but our constant bend toward self-sufficiency. · What did you bring with you today that you are carrying alone? · Jesus holds everything together. · 18 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. · Jesus brings peace to his people. · 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. · 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, · Jesus gives us new identity · The identity Jesus offers reconciles your past, redeems the present, and gives you a residence for eternity. · Vs. 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. · Jesus commissions us to proclaim the Gospel. · Is Jesus truly over your life today? LIFE Group Discussion Questions Starter Question · When have you seen something “hold together” that you thought was going to fall apart? What helped it stay strong? Read Colossians 1:15-16 · Paul calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God.” What does that mean to you personally? · How does understanding Jesus as both Creator and Sustainer change how you see Him day to day? Read Colossians 1:17 · Verse 17 says, “In Him all things hold together.” What are you trying to hold together? Read Colossians 1:18-20 · What does it practically look like for Jesus—not a person—to be the true head of the church? · In what ways do people today struggle with a “Jesus and” mindset—adding something else to their faith instead of trusting Jesus fully? Read 1:21-23 · Paul says the gospel “has been proclaimed in all creation” and that he became a minister of it. What does it look like for you to live as someone sent to share Jesus over everything? · If “Jesus is over everything,” what’s one area of your life that needs to come under His authority this week? · If you’ve never written down your story, do so this week! Simply share what your life was like before Jesus, how you met Jesus, and what life is like with Jesus now.

Sermon Notes: · Philippians 1:3 - 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. · 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. · Joy means having a deep sense of well-being knowing that God is at work in us and for us. · Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again, rejoice! · 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. · You are not done following Jesus until you see Jesus face to face. · 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, · What the world needs now, is love, sweet love… · 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God · “What is wise?” · Heaven is for people who can stand it. – Dallas Willard · I think when I die, it may take me a few minutes to realize I am dead. – Dallas Willard · Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; oh what a foretaste of glory divine. · But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. · To the glory and praise of God. · God, here I am. Use me. · To glorify God is to live your life in such a way that people look at you and say, “What a good God there must be to use a person like that.” - John Ortberg Life Group Discussion Questions Starter: What makes you thankful for our church? Dig Deeper 1. Read Philippians 1:3-6 a. Why do you think God wanted the followers of Jesus to be partners in his work instead of doing everything himself? b. In verse 6, Paul speaks about his confidence. In your opinion, why does he have confidence? c. What good work needs to be completed in your life? What good work needs to be completed in our church? 2. Read Philippians 1:9-11 a. What would a church with overflowing love look like? b. Describe a time when you heard someone’s story and it helped you love them better? c. What steps do you need to take to get ready for heaven? d. Paul again refers to “the fruit of righteousness.” This is a call back to the fruit of the Spirit he mentions in Galatians: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What fruit seems to be blooming in your life right now? Why?

Sermon Notes: · Jesus loves me this I know, this I know, for the Bible tells me so… · The Bible is God telling us what is important to know about him and his story. · 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, rebuke, correction, and discipline in rightness, 17so that the man of God may be sufficient for every good work, completely outfitted. · All scripture is God-breathed… · Gen. 1:2 And the spirit (breath) of God moved upon the waters… · To teach · The Bible is true because it teaches us about God who is truth. · John 14:6 – I am the way, the truth, and the life… · To rebuke. · Blind people can’t fix blind people. · In Christ there is no Jew nor Greek · To correct. · To discipline in rightness. · 17so that the man of God may be sufficient for every good work, completely outfitted. · Philippians 4:8 – Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think on these things. · Read your Bible. · Let the Spirit guide you · Remember to Jesus is to be worshipped; the Bible tells his story. · God is our ultimate authority. · Don’t force the Bible to agree with you. · The error of the liberal is to take what is black and white in the Bible and make it gray; the error of the fundamentalist is to take what is gray in the Bible and make it black and white. · Focus on the Big Story. · 2 Timothy 4:1-2 – I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is about to judge the living and the dead, and because of his appearance and his Kingdom: 2Preach the word, stand at your post, when it is convenient and when it is inconvenient. Prove with evidence, rebuke sharply, encourage in all patient teaching. · How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in his excellent word… Life Group Discussion Questions Starter: What Bible verse is special to you? Why? Dig Deeper 1. Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 a. How would you describe the inspiration of scripture to someone? b. When has a verse from the Bible convicted you or shown you a etter way to live? c. In your opinion, why do people not read their Bibles? 2. Read 2 Timothy 4:1-2 a. What are the teachings in the Bible that you struggle with? Why? b. Can you remember a sermon from the past that really spoke to you? What was said? c. Read Genesis 22:1-14. Where do you see Jesus in this story?

Sermon Notes: · 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – Know this: in the last days there will be a dangerous season. 2People will self-lovers, lovers of money, braggarts, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, without truth, promoters of quarrels, without self-control, untamed, haters of good, 4traitors, reckless, conceited, pleasure lovers rather than God-lovers. 5They have a form of godliness but the power they deny. Turn away from them! – wcs · Know this: in the last days there will be a dangerous season. · When people who do not have the character of Jesus lead the church, do not expect the church to be like Jesus. · Do you know anyone with these character traits? · Do you have these character trait? · 2 People will self-lovers · lovers of money · braggarts · arrogant · Slanderers · disobedient to parents · ungrateful · unholy · 3unloving · without truth · Do you know anyone with these character traits? · Do you have these character traits? · promoters of quarrels · without self-control · Untamed · haters of good · 4traitors · Reckless · Conceited · pleasure lovers rather than God-lovers · 5They have a form of godliness but the power they deny. · Do you know anyone with these character traits? · Do you have these character traits? · Turn away from them! · Examine your character. · To change your character, change your model. · Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. · Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. · If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off… · Turn away from destructive people. · Go against the flow. · Broad is way and wide is the gate that leads to destruction… · Bottom Line: Turn away from the toxic people; follow Jesus. · Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far; and grace will lead me home. Life Group Discussion Questions Starter: Name one toxic person you know. What makes them toxic? Dig Deeper 1. Read 2 Timothy 3:1 a. Do you think the time we are living is dangerous? Why or why not? 2. Read 2 Timothy 3:2-5 a. This is long list of negative character traits. Which of these character traits do you see most in the toxic people around you? b. Do you notice any of these traits in people in public life? c. Which of these traits would you say you struggle against? d. Paul tells Timothy to “Turn away from these people.” What does that mean to you? e. Who would you say are positive role models in your life for the character of Christ?

Sermon Notes: · Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know; fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go. · Before we argue about the little stuff, let’s get the big thing right. · 2 Timothy 2:8 -8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. · Do you ever focus more on your problems than on Jesus? · Think about Jesus before you think about your problems. · Praise sets the stage. · Remember Jesus, raised from the dead. · …descendant of David. · This is my gospel. · Is this your good news story? · 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. · No matter your circumstances, God is at work. · 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. · We exist to help as many people as possible take their next step toward Jesus. · Is there a next step you are struggling to take? · Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know; Fills my every longing, keeps singing as I go. Life Group Discussion Questions Starter: What song would you pick that describes your relationship to Jesus? Dig Deeper 1. Read 2 Timothy 2:8 a. What are practical ways you might remember Jesus in daily life? b. If someone were to ask you why the resurrection of Jesus matters, what would answer? c. How would you answer someone who says, “Jesus does not understand me?” d. This is Paul’s Good News story. If a person is not a believer, what might be their good news story? How would that compare to Paul’s good news story? 2. Read 2 Timothy 2:9 a. What would help you remember that God’s word, his message is stronger than your circumstances? 3. Read 2 Timothy 2:10 a. The idea of the “elect” bothers some people. Think of stories and passages in the Bible that indicate God chooses a certain group of people. What do those stories teach us? Think about stories and passages in the Bible that indicate God welcomes everyone. What do those stories teach us?

Sermon Notes: · Are you actually listening? · Deuteronomy 6:4-5: 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. · Shema = pay attention, listen closely, focus, respond, take heart, obey · Hearing Correctly leads to action · “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” · “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” · Those gods promised a lot, but they were powerless · Jesus + Nothing = Everything · Do we love the Lord like this? · “The idea conveyed is ‘Love the Lord your God with all your decision-making.’” -J. Daniel Hays · “The phrase simply means ‘all that is within you’, a total devotion to the Lord.” - Warren Wiersbe · Deuteronomy 6:6-9: 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. · Love leads to obedience. · The heart is an idol factory. -John Calvin · Picture of Tefillins and Mezuzah · Spiritual Disciplines o Bible Study = o Prayer = o Fasting = o Sabbath/Rest = o Worship = o Mentoring/Discipling = o Evangelism/Missions = · What’s your average? · What 3 need the most work? · “What we’re aiming for is progress not perfection” - Clay · Mark 12:30-31: “30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”” · Are you actually listening? · Don’t just hear it. Live it. · Jesus + Nothing = Everything LIFE Group Discussion Questions Opener: Can you think of a time when you “” instructions but didnt really listen?What happened as a result? Go Deeper 1. In Deuteronomy 6:4, God calls His people to “Hear, O Israel.” What do you think is the difference between hearing and listening when it comes to God’s Word? 2. The sermon mentioned that we often add things to Jesus to feel secure (Jesus + success, comfort, relationships, etc.). What are some “idols” or substitutes for God that you are tempted to lean on? 3. Verse 5 calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. What might that look like practically in your daily decisions and habits? 4. Deuteronomy 6:6–9 talks about passing God’s Word down in the home. What are some ways you can make God’s Word visible and central in your home (or personal life, if you live alone)? 5. The sermon highlighted spiritual disciplines (Bible study, prayer, fasting, Sabbath, worship, discipling, evangelism). Which one feels most life-giving for you right now? Which one do you most need to grow in? 6. James 1:22 reminds us to be doers of the Word, not hearers only. What is one step of obedience you sense God is asking you to take after hearing this passage/sermon?

Sermon Notes: · Dallas Willard – Joy is a deep sense of well-being, knowing God is for us and is at work on our behalf. · How do we know we are a church of joy? · Acts 16:22-24 22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. · How much pain are you willing to suffer for Jesus? · 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. · Greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world. · 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. · 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” · How we respond to adversity says a lot about our faith. · James 1:2-4 - 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. · 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” · 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. · 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. · Dads, you set the spiritual temperature of your house. · 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. · How do we know we are a church of joy? · We know we are a church of joy when lives are changed. · Can people see that Jesus changed your life? · Are you more loving? · Do you have more joy? · Do you have more peace? · Are you more patient? · Are you more kind? · Is your goodness increasing? · Are you more faithful? · Are you more gentle? · Do you have more self-control? LIFE Group Discussion Questions Opener: Since you decided to follow Jesus, what kind of life change has occurred? Go Deeper 1. Read Acts 16:22-24 a. Imagine enduring beatings and being imprisoned for speaking about Jesus. In your opinion, why were Paul and Silas able to endure this? 2. Read Acts 16:25-26 a. Why were Paul and Silas able to sing and pray? b. In your opinion, why do Jesus followers today not have a faith that holds on in the face of trouble? 3. Read Acts 16:27-30 a. Imagine the jailer’s surprise when he finds all the prisoners still there. Why did they stay? b. What do you think the jailer is asking when he says, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 4. Read Acts 16:31-32 a. Notice Paul’s simple reply. In your opinion, do people think being saved is complicated or simple? b. Imagine what Paul and Silas must have said when they were presenting the word of the Lord. 5. Read Acts 16:33-34 a. Notice the immediate change in the jailer. What fruit of the spirit is he displaying (see Galatians 5:22-24)? b. The jailer is filled with joy. Do we see new converts filled with joy when they are baptized? Why or why not?

Sermon Notes: · How many hoops do I have to jump through? · What’s the hoop? · Jesus did not give us a hoop to jump through, but an invitation to follow him. · Clean up first, then be forgiven. · Acts 13:44-45 - 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. · 46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. · They did not think Jesus was worth their time. · Jesus never invited people to go to heaven. · Church becomes a place of grace. · You are the light of the world. · 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. · The more Jesus followers act like Jesus and spread good news, the greater the opposition. · 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. · What they had was greater than what they faced. · Churches – our church – must be a place a grace. · We must help messy people take their next step. · Being a place of grace means we let the Holy Spirit do the talking. · Being a place of grace means we expect criticism and opposition. · “God if I am off track, please get me on track.” · Being a place of grace means no one is beyond Jesus. · Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. LIFE Group Discussion Questions Opener: Have you experienced church as a place of grace? When? Have you experience church as place of ungrace? When? Go Deeper 1. Read Acts 13:38-39 a. Paul eliminates all the hoops of the law of Moses. What hoops do you see religious people setting up today? What would Jesus say about these hoops? 2. Read Acts 13:42-44. a. In your opinion, why were so many people hungry to hear about the grace of God? 3. Read Acts 13:45-48 a. In your opinion, why were the Jews of Paul and Barnabas? What was the threat? b. The Jews failed in their mission to be light to the Gentiles and bring salvation to the world. How is our church doing in our mission to be light and bring salvation? What about churches across the world. c. The Gentiles were glad to be included. The word “glad” has the same root as the word “joy.” In your opinion, why were they joyful. 4. Read Acts 13:49-52 a. What opposition should our church expect to face in the days ahead? How do we prepare? b. What would you need to do to be joyful in face of opposition and persecution?

Sermon Notes: · Are you living in the power of the Spirit? · As a church, are we living in the power of the Spirit? · Acts 8:4 - 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. · The Spirit gives courage. · A Church of joy has courage. · Acts 8:5 -5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. · The Spirit leads us to break barriers. · A Church of joy breaks barriers. · Acts 8:6-7 - 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. · The Spirit is greater than evil and brings healing. · We came to believe a power greater than ourselves could deliver us. · Do you pray for God to heal you? Do you pray for God to drive out the evil in you? · A Church of joy drives out evil and brings healing. · Acts 8:8 - 8 So there was great joy in that city. · The Spirit brings joy. Having a deep and abiding sense that God is for us and is at work in our lives · “Faith is more like falling in love that it is like finding the answer to a complicated question.” · A Church of joy brings joy. · Pray. · Be humble. · God I can’t; You can. I will let you. · Be real · Confess. · Move. · What move do you need to make? LIFE Group Discussion Questions Opener: In our church, can you name a moment when God did what only God can do? Go Deeper 1. Read Acts 8:4. a. Why do you think those scattered were not afraid to speak about Jesus? b. In your opinion, what keeps people from speaking about Jesus today? 2. Read Acts 8:5 a. Philip was breaking a barrier reaching out to Samaritans. What group of people do churches tend to exclude today? What can we do about that? 3. Read Acts 8:6-7 a. When someone talks about healing by the power of the Spirit, does it make you uncomfortable or comforted? Why? b. How can the church have an authentic healing ministry? c. What “dirty” spirits do you see present in people’s lives? What can we do to drive out evil? 4. Read Acts 8:8 a. Think of someone who brings joy to you. Why? What is it in their character that brings joy? b. Does our church bring joy to our communities? What could we do to increase the joy of our city?

Sermon Notes: o Dallas Willard – Joy is a deep and pervasive sense of well-being, of knowing and trusting that God cares for us and is working for our good. o Are we a joyful church? o A church of joy focuses not on us, but on Jesus. o My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. o Acts 2:22a – Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you… o Acts 2:22b – … accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. o Acts 2:23 – This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge, and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. o Acts 2:24 – But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. o Jesus was on a mission from God. o Jesus proved he was from God by his miracles and mighty works. o Jesus died for our sins on the cross because it was God’s plan. o Jesus was resurrected by God to show death was defeated. o Being a church of joy means this is Jesus’ church, not ours. o To help as many people as possible take their next step toward Jesus. o Being church of joy means we are participating in God’s plan. o You are to be my witnesses… o Are you participating in God’s plan? o Being a church of joy means we are forgiven people. o Being a church of joy means we are Easter People! o Acts 2:37-39 - 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” o 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” o Heavenly Father, I confess I have failed at life. Please forgive me. I give you control of my life and from now on I will follow Jesus. o Lake Baptism, Sunday, September 14, 5 pm. o Thy will be done, thy kingdom come. LIFE Group Discussion Questions Opener: On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 is high) what score would give to our church being a church of joy? Please share your reasons. Go Deeper 1. Read Acts 2:22-24. a. In Peter’s list of core beliefs, what do you see as the core beliefs required to be a follower of Jesus? b. In your opinion, what do modern day Christians add to the list? What is the impact of adding something to Peter’s list? c. Imagine being in the crowd that day. What might be the biggest stumbling block to you as you pondered following Jesus? 2. Read Acts 2:37-39 a. Notice the reaction of the crowd. What do you think it means that they were cut to the heart? b. To repent is to go the other direction. Have you known someone who professed Jesus and was baptized, but showed no life change? What do you think Jesus would say about their relationship to him? c. Baptism was well known in Jesus time. Converts to Judaism were baptized. Why do you think Jesus told his followers to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit? 3. Name three things your group can do that will help our church be a church of joy.