Woodmen Valley Chapel

We need to know and share the gospel, inviting people to receive forgiveness for their sins through Christ. 1. The mission continues (vs. 13-15) 2. The mission is the story (vs. 16-37) a. God is the author (vs. 16-25) b. Jesus is the subject (vs. 26-37) 3. We are the recipients (vs. 38-41) Songs: The Lion And The Lamb #7038281 by B Brown, B Johnson, and L Mooring 2015 © Meaux Mercy Cornerstone #61...

God is pleased to use our ordinariness to do some extra-ordinary things for his glory. Our ordinariness is made up of complex layers that include various deformities, some of them more obvious than others but these deformities do not define who we are. Our focus should never be on us but the treasure that we carry and how God uses even us for his glory. Songs: Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) #4...

The apostle Paul and Barnabas are sent out on their first missionary journey and they strategically begin in the synagogues of the Jews. As one would expect, the proclamation of the gospel was not well received by all. Paul confronts a magician, Elymas, who opposed them miraculously striking him blind. Seeing what had occurred, even the procounsel believed. Knowing that our proclamation could put...

Persecution flares up in earnest in Jerusalem and the apostle James is imprisoned and killed, followed by Peter’s arrest and imprisonment. While it would appear that Herod is in control and able to do as he wishes, God will show that his control is absolute even when it appears that evil prospers. When our faith puts us at odds with the world, we must remember that God remains the Sovereign of the...

Strict Jewish Christians back in Jerusalem criticize Peter for having associated with one such as Cornelius. Peter gives testimony to what God had done and all fell silent and glorified God. Persecution in Jerusalem had caused a great number of believers to be scattered and a church began in a city called Antioch. It was in this city that the disciples were first called Christians. When a famine w...

God shows Peter that he desires for all people to hear and embrace Christ. We too must be willing to share the gospel with all people and not let prejudice or bias discourage the work. 1. God wants to be found (10:1-8) 2. We need to be prepared (10:9-16) 3. We must respond (10:17-23a) 4. God is at work in many (10:23b-33) 5. Share the gospel (10:34-43) 6. Expect results (10:44-48) SONGS: Unstoppab...

The apostle Peter begins to minister outside Jerusalem and heals a paralyzed man and raises a woman from the dead. As was often the case in Jesus’ ministry, as people heard of these miraculous acts of God they turned to the Lord. Our God still desires to work through people faithful to follow his direction in their life to seek and save the lost. 1. Seek an opportunity (9:32-33) 2. Expect results...

1. Jesus’ followers did not expect the resurrection (Luke 24:36-37) 2. Jesus had a new glorified body (Luke 24:38-43) 3. This is what the Old Testament looked forward to (Luke 24:44) 4. The message of the gospel (Luke 24:45-47) 5. We are part of his plan (Luke 24:48-49) Songs: Be Enthroned #7054178 by B Johnson, H Thompson, J Riddle, and K Heiligenthal 2015 © Bethel Music Publishing This Is Amazin...

The Promise – Saved by Grace Good Friday 2017 Exodus 12:29-13:16 Even while suffering great loss, Pharaoh concedes but does not repent. The Israelites are miraculously delivered, and God calls on them to commemorate the event so that they never forget. In a far more significant way, we too have been delivered from death through the blood of another and are called to remember that great sacrifice t...

A Final Judgment Exodus 11:1-12:28 At long last, God details for Moses and the Israelites his plan of deliverance. The Lord will give the Israelites favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and they will be relieved to see them go. The Israelites, however, will only be rescued as they are faithfully obedient to the Lord’s instruction. We too are told what we must do in order to be saved. The question be...

God, in his grace, not only tells us of coming punishment but also how we can save ourselves from it. Not all the Egyptians heeded God’s direction and they suffered for their disobedience. While we often learn from positive examples set before us, we too should learn from the examples of those who choose poorly and observe the result. 1. Heed the Warning (vs. 13-35) 2. Learn from Others (10:1-20)...

His People Set Apart Exodus 8:20-9:12 Though Pharaoh’s heart remains hard, God continues to bring plagues so that Pharaoh “may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth” (Ex.8:22b), but as God increases the severity of the plagues, he begins to make a distinction between the Israelites and Egyptians. While not always visibly apparent, through Christ we have been made distinct from all peop...

His Desire Clear Exodus 7:8-8:19 Pharaoh disbelieves Moses and cynically asks for “miracles” to prove the veracity of Moses’ words. Though God performs “signs” and even sends three plagues upon the Egyptians, Pharaoh stubbornly refuses to yield. If we are not careful, we too can have our hearts grow hard instead of tender to what God is doing in our lives. 1. A hard heart (vs. 8-13) a. Despite war...

God does not chastise Moses for his doubt but reaffirms his commitment to rescue his people. God’s power is not dependent on our performance, and God often uses those that the world considers weak to highlight that reality. When we step out in faith, we do so not because we have the abilities in and of ourselves but because he who has called us is faithful. 1. God knows (vs. 1-5) 2. God rescues (v...

While God had clearly revealed to Moses his plan and the opposition he would encounter, when it all began to happen, Moses’ confidence began to weaken and doubt set in. We must remember that though God sends us, we are not told that the journey would be free of difficulty, and we cannot let the presence of opposition discourage us in our task. 1. The first encounter (vs.1-5) 2. Things get worse (v...

The God Who Judges Exodus 4:1-31 Moses struggles to comprehend God’s call on his life, questions God, and asks that he send someone else. God is gracious to Moses and seeks to alleviate his fears. Upon his return to Egypt, Moses is held accountable for not circumcising his son. Though God may use us in powerful ways, we are still responsible for living the life he has called us to. 1. God is graci...

Jesus defines us not our circumstances or even our challenges. The unexpected may happen now or it may happen without us even being aware. We must live in faithfulness to him because he defines me, rather than being defined by circumstances or difficulties. A troubled father: When the odds are against us (vs.21-24) A desperate woman: When there is no where else to turn (vs. 25-34) An impossible re...

The God Who Calls Exodus 3:1-22 Moses was watching the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro and could never have imagined the encounter that was to occur. The God of his forefather Abraham appeared to him in a burning bush and told Moses of his plan to use him to rescue his people. Though removed by 1000’s of years, God still calls us and sends us to set captives free. 1. God calls (vs. 1-6) 2. God...

Just as God had told Abraham (Gn. 15:13), the Israelites grew in number as they lived in Egypt. The pharaoh, feeling threatened, enslaves the Israelites and begins a season of intense opposition. While it would have appeared that God had forgotten about the Israelites, “God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Ex.2:25), and raised up their eventual deliverer in a man named Moses. 1. A family be...

What is good in your life? Many of us define good by our circumstances. When those circumstances turn bad, our God doesn't appear to be very good. Perhaps there is a better definition. Maybe God is calling us to radically redefine what is good. 1. Truth Distorted (vs. 1-15) a. Up (vs. 1-3) b. Out (vs. 4-12) c. In (vs. 13-15) 2. Truth Revealed (vs. 16-28) a. Up (vs. 16-17) b. Out (vs. 18-20) c. In...

It is a fascinating passage because Jesus poses 5 questions to the disciples that are critical to their belief. As such, they also become critical questions for believers today in that they cover significant areas that are foundational to our belief and success. 1. Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? – His provision (v. 17a) 2. Do you not perceive or understand? – His identific...

Moved to Worship, Luke 7:36-50 Our love for Jesus is a response to how deeply forgiven we recognize ourselves to be. In this encounter there is a compare/contrast between two individuals. One, Simon the Pharisee doesn’t recognize his need to be forgiven thus his love for Jesus is non-existent, distant, cold. The other, the prostitute, recognize her deep sin but also the forgiveness of Jesus she lo...

When we give, must do so in faith believing that God sees our generosity and will richly support us in all things. 1. Partners in the gospel (vs. 14-16) 2. A wise investment (vs. 17-20) a. A great return (v. 17) b. An act of worship (v. 18) c. No risk (vs. 19-20) 3. A global effort (vs. 21-23) Songs: This Is Amazing Grace #6333821 by J Farro, J Riddle, and P Wickham 2012 Bethel Music Stronger #506...

Jesus defines us not our circumstances or even our challenges. The unexpected may happen now or it may happen without us even being aware. We must live in faithfulness to him because he defines me, rather than being defined by circumstances or difficulties. A troubled father: When the odds are against us (vs.21-24) A desperate woman: When there is no where else to turn (vs. 25-34) An impossible re...

JAN. 7/8, 2017 PARTNERS IN THE GOSPEL: DISCERNING, PHILIPPIANS 4:8–9 In Philippians 4:8-9, the apostle Paul points us to what should be our focus and encourages us to practice such things. 1. Think about these things (v. 8) a. Think true b. Think honorable c. Think just d. Think pure e. Think lovely f. Think commendable g. Think critically 2. Take action (v. 9) Resources for Sexual Purity Covenant...