Therefore…
Purpose: to take a look back as we move forward, investing our lives to glorify Christ in worship, discipleship, and mission in 2026 and beyond.
- Why We Are Were We Are
- What We Need To Make I Work
- Who To Watch For Where To Go
How will You invest?
A Matter of Time
Purpose: The way we use our precious allotment of time in this life matters!
Introduction: You are not your own!
- Number Your Days (Psalm 90)
- For Your Lives Are A Vapor (James 4:13-15; Luke 12:16-21)
-
So, Redeem the Time (Ephesians 5:15-21)
Conclusion: Don’t waste your life!
The Herald’s Call
Luke 3:1-20
Purpose: That people would have ears to hear the message of repentance and forgiveness of sin, in preparation for the redemption found in Jesus.
- The Setting for John’s Ministry (Luke 3:1-3)
- The Prophetic Basis for John’s Ministry (Luke 3:4-6)
- The Execution of John’s Ministry (Luke 3:7-14)
- The Response to John’s Ministry (Luke 3:15-20)
John the Baptist’s ministry was centered on preparing the way for King Jesus, by preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and teaching on the outworking of this redemption in the life of the believer. This gospel ministry was accepted by those with ears to hear it, and despised by those whose hearts were hardened against it.
Rediscovering Biblical Baptism
Acts 2:36-47
Purpose: To show how biblical baptism is the catalyst for a healthy church living in and living out the Gospel.
- Baptism – Surrendered to Christ (Acts 2:36-40)
It’s all about the Gospel (Luke 24:44-47; 1 Cor 15:1-8)
Baptism is death to self, living a new life in Christ (Rom 6)
- Baptism – Surrendered to Christ’s Body (Acts 2:41-45)
Baptism is church membership (1 Cor 12:13)
Becoming a Mature Man in Christ (Eph 2)
- Baptism – Surrendered to the Great Commission at Home (Acts 2:46-47)
Learning all things Jesus Commanded (Matt 28:18-20)
Worship, Discipleship…
- Baptism – Surrendered to the Great Commission to The Nations (Acts 8-28)
Making Disciples of all nations the same way (Matt 28:18-20)
… and Mission
A healthy church is surrendered to Christ, to His body the Church, and to His Command to go to the nations.
YHWH, Our Salvation
Psalm 118
Speaker: Ethan Horner, Elder
Purpose: YHWH’s deliverance is cause for worship and delight in our God
- A Call to Worship (Ps. 118:1-4)
- YWHWH, Our Refuge! (Ps. 118:5-9)
- YHWH, Our Strength and Song! (Ps. 118:10-16)
- YHWH Our Savior! (Ps. 118:17-27)
- Worship in Response (Ps. 118:28-29)
YHWH delivers His people from mounting distress by the mighty works of His hands, chiefly in sending His Messiah to deliver us, and to redeem us to Himself. This above all else is cause for worship and delight in our God!
God, Our Portion Forever
Psalm 73
Purpose: God really is good to His people. Even though the circumstances of this life might shake our confidence, when we enter into God’s presence for guidance and comfort, we find that He amply supplies everything that we need.
- Circumstances Give Rise to Questions. (Psalm 73:1-12)
- Questions Drive Us into the Presence of God. (Psalm 73:13-20)
- God Takes Us by the Hand and Resolves All Questions. (Psalm 73:21-28)
Living In. Living Out.
The Book of ACTS
Purpose: To see how we put the gospel in action
- Living In, And Living Out Acts.
- What is a New Testament Church?
- We exist to glorify Christ in Worship, Discipleship, and Mission.
- One time, All-time, Our time
- The Gospel In Action
- Where we have been
- Where we are going
- Being An A.C.T.S. Church
- A Church That … Spreads the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8)
- A Church That … Seeks the Lord in Prayer (Acts 1:14)
- A Church That’s…Spirit-Led (Acts 1:5, 8, 16; 2:1-4; 13:2)
- A Church That … Surrenders
- A Church That … Studies God’s Word (Acts 2:42)
- A Church That … Sends (Acts 1:8; 13:2-4)
- A Church That … Stands Up to Earthly Judgment (Acts 22-28)
There Is a Redeemer
Ruth 3
Purpose: To see the greater redemption in Christ.
- Redemption Planned (Ruth 3:1-5)
- Redemption Sought. (Ruth 3:6-12)
- Redemption Found. (Ruth 3:13-18)
We see in the details of Ruth and Naomi’s redemption in Boaz a picture of the greater redemption Christians find when they humbly submit themselves to Christ for salvation.
The Lord of Lost Causes
Mark 5
Purpose: Jesus displays His power over unclean spirits, chronic illness and death by displaying compassion for outcasts and lost causes.
- Lord of the Demoniac (5:1-20)
- Lord of the Chronically Ill (5:25-34)
- Lord of the Lost Little Girl (5:21-24, 35-43)
Who We Are Becoming – Part 2
We Exist to Glorify Christ in Worship, Discipleship, & Mission
Ephesians 4:1-16
- Christ Rules
- Leaders Regulate
Elders Deacons
Office: Overseer (1 Tim. 3) Servant (1 Tim. 3)
Character: Elder (1 Tim. 3 &1 Pet. 5) Full of Spirit and Wisdom
(1 Tim. 3 &
Acts 6)
Function: Pastor (Eph. 4) Maintain Unity (Acts 6)
- Disciples Reproduce
Redeemed for Service
Gifted for service
Equipped for the work of service
We are designed to glorify Christ in worship, discipleship, and mission, by being Elder led, Deacon served, and Congregationally executed.