New Clothes
Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016
New Clothes: Tenderhearted Mercy
Pastor Steve Brown
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our old self is put to death and we are raised to a new life in Christ. One way to understand this transformation is that we take off our old clothes and Jesus clothes us with a new fresh set of clothes. Specific character traits and behaviors come with our new set of fresh threads, one of which is tender-hearted mercy. Tender-hearted mercy is putting on the same gut-splitting compassion for others that Jesus has for us.
After hearing this message, we hope you will put yourself in the dressing rooms where Jesus will continue to clothe you with the character traits and behaviors of the new life.
Lessons: Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:12-15 (NLT), Luke 24:1-12
Sunday, April 3, 2016
New Clothes: Kindness
Pastor Steve Brown
It is an extraordinary witness to the new life we have in Christ when we with kindness to someone who has wronged us. The story of Joseph and the example and teachings of Jesus point us to this extraordinary behavior. As holy people are have been raised to a new life in Jesus and clothed with kindness, we have it in use to put on the belt of truthful kindness and behave this way.
After hearing this sermon, we hope you will develop the skill of looking at a conflictual situation from God’s perspective and listening to learn the story so that you can more often respond in kindness.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
New Clothes: Humility
Pastor Steve Brown
Being clothed with humility is the way of Jesus. Our culture is desperately in need of a humility revolution like the early Christians led to transform western culture as the Roman Empire was beginning to decline. Humbling ourselves before the Lord is the first big step to putting on Christ, having real life with God, and the Lord healing our land. We can humble ourselves and it is far better for us to humble ourselves then to wait for the Lord to humble us, which will happen. Humbling ourselves means making planned and intentional decisions to take the lower position among others and giving God all the glory.
After hearing this sermon, we hope you will, through listening to God in prayer, identify one environment in your life where God is calling you to prepare to humble yourself.
Lessons: 2 Chronicles 7:11-14, Colossians 3:12-15, Luke 14:1, 7-11
Sunday, April 17, 2016
New Clothes: Gentleness
David Drees
Gentleness is a strong hand with a soft touch. It is a tender, compassionate approach toward others' weaknesses and limitations. A gentle person still speaks truth, sometimes even painful truth, but in doing so guards his tone so the truth can be well received.
After hearing this sermon, we hope you will Identify areas of your life where you have opportunities to be gentle with others weaknesses and other areas where you can speak truth into others lives or better yet ask someone to speak truth in yours… and get this, be quick to listen and slow to speak in response.
Lessons: Isaiah 42:1-4, Colossians 3:12-15 NLT, Matthew 21:12-14
Sunday, April 24, 2016
New Clothes: Patience
Pastor Steve Brown
The ability to put on patience rests on trusting that God has a plan, is in control, and will act when God decides it is time to act. Sometimes we want to go through a door that God has not yet opened. Other times, we unfaithfully delay moving on through a door that God has opened for us. Discerning when it is time to patiently “be still” and when it is time to “move on” requires a seasoned practice of listening to and trusting God’s gentle whisper.
After hearing this sermon, we hope you will begin to practice listening prayer.
Lessons: Exodus 14:13-16, Colossians 3:12-15, Matthew 13:24-30
Sunday, May 1, 2016
New Clothes: Make Allowance for Each Other's Faults
Pastor Steve Brown
Several verses in the Bible describe God as being “gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” As followers of God, the Son, we want to put on this characteristic and be known as those who abound in making allowances for other’s faults. This means we are to avoid slandering others, defend them, speak well of them and explain their actions in the kindest way.
In order to be a better witness of Christ, identify one place in your life where God is calling you to grow in making allowance for other’s faults and be prepared to think, speak, and behave in that way the next time you are given the opportunity.
Lessons: Jonah 4:1-4, Colossians 3:12-15, Matthew 7:1-5
Sunday, May 8, 2016
New Clothes: Forgive As You Have Been Forgiven
Pastor Steve Brown
We are to forgive as we have been forgiven. To be able to do this we must first understand, accept, and dwell in the truth that, through Jesus, we are completely forgiven of all our sins. Forgiving someone from your heart is a process that begins with simply and sincerely saying “I forgive you.” The next steps that may follow in the process are letting something die, slowly letting go of the controlling emotions of rage and the desire for revenge, and finally being reconciled.
After hearing this sermon, we hope you will prayerfully move through the “Forgiving As You Have Been Forgiven Flow Chart”.
Lessons: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Colossians 3:12-15, Matthew 18:21-35