People's Church

1. Bethlehem: The Little Town with a Big Assignment Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are SMALL among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel.” (NIV) 2. The Manger: A Small Place for a Big Savior Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a MANGER, because there was no guest room avai...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (NIV) 
1. THANK YOU JESUS FOR THE CROSS The cross was the payment, purpose, and presentation of God's love on full display. Romans 5:6-8 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person,...

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV) 1. Work produced by faith 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We r...

I’m Keeping People From Jesus | Herbert Cooper Luke 15:4–7 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sh...

Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." (NIV) 5 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES AND LOVING FATHER CHURCHES 1A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES ARE CONSUMED WITH THEMSELVES Luke 15:29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I'VE been...

Luke 15:4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses ONE of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? (NIV) Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over ONE sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (NIV) Luke 15:8 “Or suppose a woman has ten s...

My Identity Is IN CHRIST Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people IN CHRIST JESUS at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: (NIV) 1. YOUR IDENTITY IS IN CHRIST Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints IN CHRIST Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: (ESV) Colossians 1:2 To the saints an...

Philippians 1:12 - Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. (NIV) 1. Paul’s problems didn’t stop his mission; they propelled his mission. Philippians 1:12 - Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me… (NIV) 2 Corinthians 11:25 – Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with sto...

1. CARES  Mark 4:19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. (NIV) 2. COMPARISON 2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. (NKJV) P...

Matthew 6:25 - “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (NKJV) 1. Bring your worries to God in prayer. Philippians 4:6 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done....

1. FOCUS ON WHO YOU ARE Philippians 3:4–10 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, fault...

1. BE POSITIVE Philippians 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, (NKJV) 2. LIVE PURPOSEFUL Philippians 1:13–18 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have be...

A Humble Life Mark 10:45 – For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” NLT 1. The heart of a humble disciple. Philippians 2:1-4 – Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing whol...

A Joyful Life Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (NKJV) Philippians 1:1–7 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you...

How To Handle Difficult Relationships Romans 12:9-10 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, [e]  and take delight in honoring each other. (NLT) Romans 12:14-16 - Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with...

1. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR CHILD Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV) 1A. VANITY PARENTING 1B. PERFECTION PARENTING 1C. RESCUE PARENTING 1D. COMPETITIVE PARENTING 2. GOD’S PLAN AND THE WORD OF GOD 2A. LOVE THE WORD OF GOD Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;...

THE BROACH OF SELFISHNESS 1 Corinthians 10:24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (NIV) Matthew 7:3-5 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the p...

Dating And Sex As A Disciple Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone DESIRES to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV) Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  38 This is the first and greatest...

1 Kings 20:19-28 NIV The junior officers under the provincial commanders marched out of the city with the army behind themand each one struck down his opponent. At that, the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-Hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with some of his horsemen. The king of Israel advanced and overpowered the horses and chariots and inflicted heavy losses on the Ar...

Single And Satisfied Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV) Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (NIV) Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. (NIV) 1 Corinthians...

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone DESIRES to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (NKJV) 1. DESIRE Galatians 5:17 For the flesh DESIRES what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (NIV) James 1:13–15 When tempted, no one...

Most of us see ourselves inadequately and God inaccurately. From Weakness to Warrior Judges 6:11-16 Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the L...

John 15: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (NIV) John 15:8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV) 1. Bear Fruit by How You Live John 15:8-10 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As...

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my DISCIPLE must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (NIV) Matthew 7:21–23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your...

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his DISCIPLES, “Whoever wants to be my DISCIPLE must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (NIV) Acts 11:26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (NIV) Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His...