Bluffton Community

Primary Scripture: Luke 2:1-20What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People would have a fresh perspective on what happened at Christmas: God gave us his word! Jesus is the Word of God and by coming He proved that God always keeps his word. When the shepherds encountered the angels and heard the angel chorus they didn't celebrate the angels, they went to experience the word of God that had be...

Primary Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People would see the specific promises God made regarding His Messiah and how He fulfilled them in Christ. This message should highlight God’s faithfulness to keep His word, but also that He is able to keep His word. Understanding this would lead people to trust God in other areas of their lives where God has made promises. Wha...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 1:21 What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People would know that the primary reason Jesus came to earth in the flesh was to save us from our sins. There’s quite a bit to unpack with this truth. From there, we hope seekers would cross over into genuine faith. We also hope that believers would rejoice in God’s salvation and enjoy what Jesus has provided for them.

Primary Scripture: Matthew 1:22-23What We Hope This Message Accomplishes: People to know that God is near—not far off and distant— and to sense that in their own lives and feel His nearness. People far from God would want to draw near through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers would be equipped with biblical practices to maintain a close relationship with God daily. What causes people to sense the c...

Primary Scripture: John 20:31Thank you for joining us for a panel discussion about sharing our faith with others and inviting them to follow Jesus as we enter into the Christmas season!

Primary Scripture: Matthew 13:53-58Summary: Jesus went to Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue. Some people were amazed. Others took offense at Him. Jesus did not do many miracles because they lacked faith. Key Themes: Responses to Jesus, Honor, FaithDesired Outcomes: People would see that what they believe about Jesus is central to saving faith. People would want to know who Jesus is from the Bibl...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 13:47-52Summary: Jesus told one more parable to His disciples about letting net down into the lake to catch fish. The fishermen separated the good fish from the bad fish. This represented the end of the age when the angels separate the wicked from the righteous. Then Jesus made a striking statement: teachers of the law who become disciples are like people who rediscover...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46Summary: Jesus told two more parables. One was about a treasure found in a field and the other about a pearl found, presumably in a market. The response was the same: selling all a person had to purchase it. Key Themes: Parables, Searching, Joy, Total SurrenderDesired Outcomes: People would see the value of walking with God through faith in Christ. People would s...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 13:36-43Summary: Jesus shifted from talking to the crowds to talking with the disciples in a house. They asked him to explain the parable of the weeds in the field. He did. Jesus described what appears to be a time of judgment. Key Themes: Parables, Final Judgment, End TimeDesired Outcomes: People would understand that believers understand some things that not-yet believ...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35Summary: Jesus told two more parables to the crowd: about a mustard seed and yeast. Mustard seeds begin small but grows into one of the largest garden plants. A small amount of yeast can affect a large amount of dough. Matthew explain that Jesus used parables to fulfill an Old Testament prophecy. Key Themes: Parables, Small to Large, Growth, Effect, ProphecyDesir...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30Summary: Jesus told a parable about a man sowing good seed and his enemy sowing weeds in that same field. The solution: let the weeds and wheat grow together until harvest time. Key Themes: Parables, Good/Evil in the World, JudgmentDesired Outcomes: People would see that God is patient and merciful. Not-yet believers would choose to say Yes to Jesus. Believers wo...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23Summary: Jesus told a parable about a farmer scattering seed and what happened to the seeds in different soils and environments. The disciples ask why He used parables. Then Jesus explained what the parable meant. Key Themes: Parables, Responses to the Good News, ProphecyDesired Outcomes: People would understand that the Good News requires a response. Believers wo...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 12:46-50Summary: Mary and Jesus’ brothers asked to speak with Jesus. In response, Jesus asked who His family was? “Pointing to his disciples,” Jesus answered His own question. Key Themes: Family, Obedience to GodDesired Outcomes: People would see that God is a believer’s first and greatest love. Believers would want to walk in alignment and obedience to God. Believers wo...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 12:15-37Summary: Matthew quoted Isaiah 42:1-4 showing that Jesus was God’s “chosen servant” prophesied about hundreds of years in advance. Immediately following is the account of the Pharisees attributing Jesus’ miraclesto the power of Beelzebul (Satan). They missed it. Key Themes: Miracles, Prophecy, Spiritual Realm, Jesus’ IdentityDesired Outcomes: People would learn t...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 12:38-45Summary: The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign (though He had just healed a demon-possessed man). Jesus promised them the “sign of Jonah.” The Pharisees stood in the presence of One greater than the prophet Jonah or the wise Solomon. They stood in the presence of God… and they missed it. Key Themes: Death and Resurrection, Judgment, Spiritual PossessionDesired Out...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 12:1-14Summary: The Pharisees were hyper-focused on Jews keeping the law, especially the Sabbath. Twice, it seems like Jesus broke the Sabbath and led people into unrighteousness. In reality, it was religion that kept peoplefrom truly experiencing God. Key Themes: Sabbath, Law-keeping/Religion, Divinity of JesusDesired Outcomes: People would learn the origins and purpose...

Primary Scripture: John 15:26-16:15Focus: Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and lead them in truth. Then He made this profound statement, "It's for your good that I'm going away and the Holy Spirit comes." Why? Jesus was passing ministry on to the disciples and gave them a glimpse into their future. We can do the same thing for the people of Bluffton Commun...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30Focus: The goal of this message is to remind Bluffton Community that our rest is found in Jesus and as we head into fall, work schedules getting regular after summer, kids going back to school with all of it's activities we must resist the busy life that leaves God behind, and remember to be intentional finding rest in the one whom rest is found.

Thank you for joining us as we take a look at the importance of Small Group ministry at Bluffton Community by hearing from individuals in the church that have personally witnessed the impact of intentionally connecting with others at the church has had on their lives! At Bluffton Community we devote ourselves to the Apostle's teaching, to fellowship, breaking of bread (including the Lord's...

Primary Scripture: Luke 7:20-23 Focus: John the Baptizer’s disciples came to Jesus asking a question on behalf of their rabbi, “Are You the Messiah?” Jesus’ response, “Look at the evidence for yourself.” Jesus was actively involved in the lives of people. This is part of what made His ministry so remarkable (aside from the fact that He is the Son of God in the flesh). As our churches grow, we don’...

Primary Scripture: Luke 9:23Focus: Sometimes, Jesus’ invitation to become one of His followers is remarkably different than invitations that are made in churches today. Deny yourself. Take up your cross daily. Follow me. Three short phrases and yet such depth that they challenge us still today. What does this mean and how do we help each other walk with God?

Primary Scripture: John 4:27-42Focus: Every Christian is called to be a minister of reconciliation. God even calls us partners in this work. Christians are chosen, commissioned, equipped, enabled, qualified, and empowered to share the gospel with a lost world. Jesus had a hart for those who would seek Him. Desired Outcomes: That people would understand that sharing the good news of Jesus is the ke...

Primary Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14Focus: The Apostle Paul prays for the believers in Colosse. The depth of his care for these believers leads him to big prayers for these believers. The heart of God is exposed as Paul prays for them. God wants all who have left the kingdom of darkness and are now part of the Kingdom of God’s Son to know him fully.

Primary Scripture: Psalm 51Focus: David fell into the wicked sin of adultery with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed to cover his sin. The prophet Nathan confronted David who responded with deep remorse and repentance. David’s prayer shows us confession, repentance, heart change and worship. This prayer lets us struggle with David in his personal failure and teaches us about the character o...

Primary Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13 Focus: Jesus taught his disciples to pray in what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer (vs. 9-13). The context of this prayer is as important as the ordering of the things Jesus suggests we pray about. While this prayer is often quoted by rote, these specific instructions from Jesus on prayer are worth slowing down, so that we can hear and respond. Desired Outco...