New Life Community Church, Atwater, CA

“Drawing near the Cross” “Turning over tables, breaking down Barriers” Matthew 21:7-13

With Easter just around the corner, we turn to the story of Jesus to prepare us for what is ahead as we approach the cross and the empty tomb. On Palm Sunday Jesus road triumphantly into Jerusalem, but he also turned over the tables at the temple. What is it in each that prepares us for both the crucifixion and His resurrection? 

“Drawing near the Cross” “When We don’t know Better” Matthew 16:13-23

With Easter just around the corner, we turn to the story of Jesus to prepare us for what is ahead as we approach the cross and the empty tomb. Peter struggled with the thought of a messiah who would suffer, even as we often struggle with the idea of “where is our Savior?” when we suffer.

“Serving the least in the name of Jesus” Matthew 25:31-46

“25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit

“the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

“Why?” John 3:14-17

Some of our deepest struggles revolve around the question “why?”. Why do things go awry? Why do we have to suffer? Why am I even here? The answers we come to either lead us to hope or despair. But if we find hope, we will also find love and purpose. 

“We Love because He first Loved Us” #4 “Where the Rubber meets the Road”

We love because He first loved us! (1 John 4:19) This truth has such far reaching and practical effects in our lives. His love truly changes how we live. The Apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Philippians noting how God’s love for us is the foundation of finding peace in our relationships and peace in the midst of the storms of life. Yearning for peace? Paul invites us to put His love “into practice.” 

“We Love because He first Loved Us” #3 “Saved by Love, Freed for Love”

We often seek what is just and right, to live in a just world, doing as best we can what is right. But Paul in this 3rd chapter unveils the key to living not by justice but freed by and for love.

“We Love because He first Loved Us” #2 “The Attitude of Christ” Philippians 2:5-11

Jesus wants us to be united with Him. His love is comfort, His spirit is our counselor (John 14:16). The attitude we speak of is “The Attitude Christ had.” He gave up His privilege to be God and take on human form. He died a criminal’s death on the cross. His humility and his servant’s attitude was how he lived and showed His love for us. 

“We Love because He first Loved Us” #1 “Why we Love” 1 John 4:19 & Philippians 1:9-11

Jesus spoke often about the call to love: to love God, others, oneself, ones enemies, etc. But why is this so important and how can we do it better? 

“Unfinished Business” Part 3 “Rising Above, Looking Beyond” Ephesians 4:2-3

Psychology says the path to greater  emotional and spiritual wellness leads to the ability to care for others.  The Bible  states the same truth.  Being loved and becoming real will work themselves out in the way we interact with others, in a beautiful healthy way.

3 Hallmarks of Health

1.  Profound significance

2.  Unswerving Authenticity

3.  ____________________

(from Healthy Me Healthy Us -Parrott & Parrott)

Series “Unfinished Business” part 2 “Set Free” Ephesians 4:1

To continue along the path to greater emotional and spiritual wholeness we must pause to ask the basic question of “who am I?” Perhaps not what have I become, but who has God made me to be? Building on last weeks foundation of God’s unconditional love for us, we are invited to be set free from the constraints of our comfort zones to be who God has called each of us to be. 

3 Hallmarks of Health 

1. _Profound Significance_ 
2. _____________________ 
3. _____________________ (from Healthy Me Healthy Us -Parrott & Parrott