This week's guest speaker is pastor Bob Andrew's from Devon Oasis Ministry in Chicago, IL.

Pastor Jason brings us an Easter message pointing out how different groups of people responded to Jesus' resurrection.

1. Faithful ministry doesn't use or abuse people.
2. Faithful ministry doesn't entail boasting in our strengths.
3. Faithful ministry does encounter opposition.
4. Faithful ministry does involved toil, struggle, and sacrifice.
5. Faithful ministry does come with a mental and spiritual weight.

Questions to consider from this passage:

• Do we live in a world where people can be impressed with eloquent and great speaking? Do we live in a world where people can draw you in easily?
• Are we careful about who we allow to preach & speak into our lives?

Trip 1: Obedience to God (1-8a)
-The reason for obedience
-The requirement of obedience
-The results of Obedience
-The scope of obedience

What does God want to impress upon your heart about obedience?

Trip 2: Holiness of God (8b-15)
-God’s holiness requires consecration
-God’s holiness requires boundaries
-God’s holiness requires judgment

What lessons do we need to learn about God’s holiness?

Trip 3: Mediators for God (16-25)
-The presence of God was mediated
-The word of God was mediated
-Communion with God was mediated

2 Corinthians 10:7-18

Five Marks of a Genuine Ministry:

1. Genuine ministry builds up (rather than tears down).
2. Genuine ministry is not concerned with compairisons (but only the Lord's approval).
3. Genuine ministry happens in the "sphere" assigned to us.
4. Genuine ministry should be extending and expanding.
5. Genuine ministry boasts only in the Lord.

Four ways to "engage" with the spiritual war/battle we are in:

1. Lead with Christlike humility and wisdom.
2. Decide to fight with the right weapons.
3. Destroy the strongholds of every argument and lofty opinion raised against truth.
4. Capture every thought to obey Christ.

1.) What should our giving be LIKE?
a. It should be decided willingly and cheerfully.
b. It should be given generously.
c. It should flow out of obedience to the gospel.

2.) What should our giving be FOR?
a. To supply the needs of the saints.
b. For the mission.
c. For the support of ministry workers and ministry apparatus.

3.) What should our giving PRODUCE?
a. It will produce multiplied "seed" for generous sowers.
b. It will produce bands of affection, fellowship and unity.
c. It will produce thanks and glory to God.

Qualities of a gospel trustworthy person:

1. They have a heart that cares earnestly.
2. They are gospel saturated.
3. They are all above reproach and take steps to be accountable.
4. They aim for what is honorable -- both in the eyes of God and man.
5. They have been tested and found earnest.
6. They have (appropriate) confidence in other Christians.
7. They work for others benefit and the Lord's glory.

How does Paul want believers to excel in giving?

1. Give yourself first to the Lord by surrendering to His will.
2. Give willingly and with eagerness (it's a test of genuine love).
3. Give remembering it benefits you.
4. Give as a follow through on your commitment.
5. Give proportionally, according to how you've been blessed.

*Just like money can't buy happiness, poverty can't steal joy.

Main points from this passage:

1. Jesus acts even when he is silent.
2. Jesus always knows when we touch him.
3. When we touch Jesus with our faith, he is relentless in pursuing us.
4. Go in peace.
5. Your daughter is dead, so is your prayer dead?
6. Don't be afraid, just believe in Jesus' sovereignty.
7. Jesus sees differently but correctly.
8. Jesus understands sufferiong and discouragement.

Key Moments:

1. Jethro heard all that God had done (v.1)
2. Moses told all that God had done (v. 8)
3. Elders judged the people (v. 26)

Key Truths:

1. God wants to draw the far off, and he wants to use the Church.
2. God gives believers opportunities to evangelize, and He wants us to focus on what He has done.
3. God calls qualified elders to lead His people, and they must do so in integrity and humility.

Points that Paul is trying to communicate in this passage:

1. Godly comfort to the downcast often comes through his children as its bearers.
2. Godly discipline is designed not to hurt or bring worldly grief -- but to draw repentance.
3. Godly grief that manifests in repentance will yield a harvest of righteousness.
4. Godly restoration produces encouragement and joy.

Pastor Jason returns to his 2 Corinthians series with a passage that discusses being unequally yoked. The main theme of the passage is holiness -- being "set apart."

A few practical areas where a believer may be unequally yoked:
• marriage
• activities
• business
• church

Pastor Matt returns to the book of Exodus for this week's sermon with four points from the passage:

1. In need, receive God's merciful provision.
2. In trial, resist the temptation to test God.
3. In weariness, be steadied by God-given supports.
4. In battle, remember that God is a banner for His people.

Main point: Jesus' relationship with his Father -- being about the things of God -- has priority over ALL other things and relationships.

Question: What things will you be about -- and what will you make YOUR highest priority in this new year?

Jason continues his break away from our 2 Corinthians series with a different perspective on the Christmas story, this time with more of the focus on Joseph.

1.a) Joseph settles on an imperfect plan that PURSUES justice and mercy.
1.b) God executes a perfect plan that UPHOLDS justice and mercy.

2.a) Joseph RECEIVES the angelic word (passive).
2.b) God SENDS the Incarnate Word (active).

3.a) Joseph TAKES his bride, and this adopts the child.
3.b) God ADOPTS his children and will come for his Bride.

Truths:

1. God is a merciful savior.
2. God is a mighty deliverer.
3. God is a faithful promiser.

Pleas for the wavering:

1. Don't receive God's grace in vain.
2. Open wide your hearts.

Examples of what the faithful do:

1. They endure hard, challenging and even unjust things.
2. They show virtues of the Spirit.
3. They view all treatment (good & bad) through the eyes of faith.
4. They speak the truth freely.
5. They keep their heart wide open and don't restrict their love.

Three ways we can be at risk for compromising the Gospel:

1. When we play a high regard/high value on the wrong things.
2. When we believe that faithful people are out of their mind.
3. When we assume, diminish or forget the heart of the gospel message.

Three takeaways for us to do from this passage:

1. Groan Hopefully.
2. Walk Confidently.
3. Live Accountably.

How do we not lose heart:

1. We persist – in all our trials.
2. We speak – the truth of the gospel.
3. We hope – in the resurrection.
4. We serve – the body of Christ.
5. We focus – on the unseen.

Faithful ministry:

1. Is a gift from a merciful God- so don't lose heart or burn out.
2. Renounces disgraceful, underhanded ways, and openly states the truth.
3. Means sometimes the gospel remains veiled to people.
4. Entails humble service for others' benefit (not our own).
5. Remembers that God must shine the light into hearts.

Satan may be in the dark business of "veiling", but God is in the light business of shining.

Three takeaways from this passage:

1. Remember what really matters and lasts in this world.
2. Remember that ours is not a ministry of condemnation.
3. Protect and boldly proclaim and unveiled gospel ( as you pray for God to lift veils from hearts).

Pastor Jason points out four simple truths from this passage:

1. There are factors (diving and human) that affect the work of our ministry.
2. God leads His people in triumphal procession toward their ultimate salvation.
3. The aroma of Christ in us will create polarizing responses.
4. Sincere, accountable ministry is much preferred to "peddling for profit."

Three Practical Steps to Resist Grumbling:

1. Discern between God's ways and man's ways.
2. Trust that God's ways are given for our good.
3. Rejoice in God's most miraculous provision.

Points from this passage:

1. Sin is damaging to us and disruptive to our relationships.
2. Though painful, wise confrontation is needed.
3. Sorry and repentance are key before restoration can happen.
4. Discipline can be both underdone and overdone.
5. Satan schemes to undercut healthy discipline.
6. The aim of loving discipline is restoration and a return to joy.

Takeaway from today's passage:
A believer's words and behavior are a reflection of the gospel.

1. We can be utterly burdened beyond our strength.
2. Our burdens are to make us rely not on ourselves, but on God.
3. God is our only reliable deliverance -- the ground of our unshakable hope.
4. Prayer is key in all of this.

Four places to fix your eye on in your afflictions:

1. Fix you eyes on God.
2. Fix your eyes on your Savior.
3. Fix your eyes on your future.
4. Fix your eyes on your brothers and sisters.

Principles from this passage:

1. The saved sing because the Lord triumphed gloriously.
2. The saved sing about the wrath of God.
3. The saved sing as a matter of personal devotion.
4. The saved sing unambiguously.
5. The saved sing about the emptiness of idols.
6. The saved sing about trusting God with their future.
7. The saved sing hoping others will join their song.

Some final words from Paul to this young church & all of us.

Do:

1. Pray for the speed and honor of the gospel.
2. Pray for the protection of gospel workers.
3. Direct an obedient heart to God's love and Christ's steadfastness.

Don't:

1. Tire of doing what is right.
2. Fellowship with the disobedient.
3. Be unsettled or deceived.

God knows we are going to need His grace for the things we NEED to do, but even more for the things we should NOT do.

1. What is the idleness Paul rebukes?
2. Why might idleness be a particular temptation for God's people?
3. Why is idleness so dangerous to church health?
4. What are Paul's commands regarding persistently idle people?

Takeaways:

• Remember that idleness is dangerous and can spread.
• Teach your children about the dangers of idleness.
• Labor and get to work.

1. Be aware of the stages of deception
2. Confrontation Stage
3. Shaken Stage
4. Chilling Stage
5. Delusional Stage
6. Warped Stage
7. Manifest your salvation in holiness and belief
8. Hold fast to God's Word
9. Comfort and establish your hearts in good works and words.

Speak good words and do good works - Proverbs 12:25

Three Lessons from Paul from this passage:

1. The mystery of lawlessness is already at work
2. The full manifistation of lawlessness– now restrained–will be seen just before Christ's second coming.
3. God is in complete control–and when Jesus does appear, he wins quick & easy.

A few takeaways:

• Be aware, and be on your guard.
• Don't be shaken or alarmed about the future.

Five Truth's that Paul points out in this passage:

1. The believer's "affliction" is evidence of kingdom worthiness.
2. God's justice someday is the believer's relief today.
3. Jesus is our only savior, but he's not only a savior -- He's a judge.
4. The unbeliever who doesn't obey the gospel will suffer eternal punishment.
5. Every believer is counted worthy (by grace) even while they are being made worthy (by his power).

Pastor Jason kicks off his new sermon series into the book of 2 Thessalonians this week by jumping into the intro of this letter from Paul and also by giving us more insight and info into the new "baby" church at Thessalonica. He is thankful for the church's faith (it's growing) and their love (it's increasing and growing deeper daily.) The example of this fledgling church should be inspiring/encouraging to us as fellow believers.

-To often what we think we know keeps us from learning what we need to know.

• We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.

3 Questions discussed in this sermon:

1. What is truthfulness?
2. Why is truthfulness so important?
3. What makes truthfulness challenging?

While none of us in the family of God should be lone rangers, everyone in the family of God should be Long Rangers!

Pastor Matt takes us back to the book of Exodus this week and we look and reflect on several sections in this passage:
• The Long Road Around
• Pursued and Panicked
• Into the Sea

Three Questions we discuss about boldness in this sermon:

1. What is "biblical" boldness?
2. Where is biblical boldness called for?
3. What makes biblical boldness challenging?

Pastor Jason starts off his mini summer "series" on the Christian virtues with the virtue of Kindness.

Four Questions we discuss about kindness in this sermon:

1. What is the nature of "biblical" kindness?
2. What/who is the source of our kindness?
3. What is the value of kindness?
4. Where is kindness the most important (and hardest) to show?

Pastor Jason concludes our series in 2 Kings.

Three truths in the closing events of this book:

1. God is true to His Word.
2. God's judgement cannot be resisted or escaped – it must be accepted
3. God's covenant promises remain on track, even for covenant-breakers.

What does this passage teach us about living as God's people today?

1. God's people have been saved by a strong hand.
2. God's people remember what has been done for them.
3. God's people acknowledge the ins and outs of the faith.
4. God's people offer their "firsts" back to Him.

Things for us to "watch" in this passage:

1. Watch your heart's inclination.
2. Watch the reversals of blessing.
3. Watch the One who reversed the reversal.

What does it look like to love the Lord your God with all of your heart?

1. It looks like the obliteration of all sin.
2. It looks like the honoring of God's Word.
3. It looks like the keeping of His ways.

Three ways that Jesus is the better king:

1. King Josiah brings salvation by the tearing of his clothes. King Jesus brings salvation by the tearing of his flesh.
2. King Josiah's penitent heart grants a temporary stay for himself. King Jesus' perfect heart grants eternal salvation for anyone.
3. King Josiah repairs the temple and goes to his grave in peace. King Jesus resurrects the temple and leaves his grave in victory.

Five words that summarize 5 themes in this passage:

1. Evil
2. Judgement
3. Repentance
4. Influence
5. Hope

Three things we must watch:

1. We must watch our hearts,
2. We must watch our faith.
3. We must watch our God.

Four Ways to Seek the Lord:

1. Pursue Prayer
2. Dwell on God's character and attributes.
3. Look to His glory.
4. Trust and obey His Word.

Sinister "tactics" the enemy uses:

1. The enemy intimidates.
2. The enemy twists.
3. The enemy tempts.
4. The enemy divides.
5. The enemy challenges.

Exodus 12:29-42

1. The unresponsive will experience God's judgement.
2. The enemies of God will fall by their own devices.
3. The people of God can plunder blessings from their suffering.

Three Ways Faith Got Distorted:

1. When faith just wards off disaster.
2. When faith turns inclusive.
3. When faith becomes syncretized.

*Syncretism: When you blend together different beliefs

Stages of escalation of sin:
1st Stage: Ungratefulness
2nd Stage: Disobedience
3rd Stage: Stubbornness
4th Stage: Defiance

Four Observations from this passage:

1. Take note of the escalating stages of sin. --- Sin is not something to trifle with.
2. Beware of idols and rival "saviors."
3. Heed the Lord's warnings and calls to repentance.
4. Realize that God will eventually "remove" the wicked from his presence.

The "evolution" of sin's corruption:
Step 1: Sin says, "Tolerate me".
Step 2: Sin says, " Engage with me".
Step 3: Sin says, " Tun to me".
Step 4: Sin says, "Legitimize me".
Step 5: Sin says, " Serve & Please me".

Takeaways/Cautions:

1. Resist the temptation to run to worldly helpers and answers in times of need.
2. Don't let your faith "evolve" (or "devolve") according to the world's standards.
3. Don't relegate God to being your side hustle.

What does it mean to give thought to how we lead?

1. It means taking the best from our forbearers.
2. It means positioning ourselves to seek God through a humble teachability.
3. It means continuing to seek the Lord in good, prosperous, "strong" times.
4. It means leading by bringing others along with us.

Four Lessons from This Passage:

1. Sin manifests in a natural tumble downward.
2. The Lord can manifest incredible patience through sin's downward tumble.
3. The Lord can manifest inexplicable faithfulness in the midst of great faithlessness.
4. Appearances can be deceiving.

Lessons from this passage:

1. When our hearts faithfully listen to God's Word, we will aline with its good counsel and take courage.
2. When our hearts arrogantly reject God's Word, we will aline with bad counsel and take to idolatry.

Three Summarizing Truths:

1. Though sin kindles the anger of God, God is merciful with His people.
2. We need a perfect savior to provide complete salvation.
3. God's humbling hand prepares us to receive his grace.

Lessons from this passage:

1. Never underestimate the value of good mentors.
2. Never underestimate the impact of decisive action when it's taken by the rightly empowered people.
3. Never underestimate the critical importance of finishing well.

Observations from this passage:

1. The good work of God requires conviction & courage.
2. The good work of God uses key people in key situations - who create and seize key opportunities.
3. The good work of God requires wisdom - for strategy, planning and timing.

Having the right convictions are important, but on their own, they aren't enough... you need courage to act on them.

Two Truths and Two Warnings from this passage:
• Truth 1: There is no escape from God's judgement on sin.
• Truth 2: We should ruthlessly pursue the elimination of sin in our own lives.
• Warning 1: You can ruthlessly pursue the sin of others and be blind to some of your own.
• Warning 2: In our excessive zeal we can sometimes do damage.

Truth 1: Peace is only possible when sin is judged and removed.
Truth 2: God ordains agents for judgement, and they prepare the way for peace.

Realities in this passage:

1. Faithfulness in one generation can quickly give way to waywardness in the next.
2. Sin in infectious and compounding - and we intermingle with it to our detriment.
3. Even in the darkest moments, the Lord mercifully still keeps a lamp burning for his people.

1. God honors his Word to bring justice.
2. In his justice, God restores those who honor his Word, and reproves those who don't.
3. God will sometimes use startling means in the process.

Observations from this passage:

1. When crisis hits, bad reactions include blaming, lashing out, and disbelieving God.
2. The Lord can plunder the enemy’s camp to supply the needs of his people.
3. The Lord typically delivers not by might or power, but by the things that are not.
4. Deliverance is good news but evangelists need to proclaim it.
5. The word of the Lord is certain, reliable, and it never fails.

What is God meaning to teach His people about Himself?

1. Ours is a God who recovers ax heads, guards faithful heads, and spares enemy's heads.
2. Ours is a God who hears, intervenes, and controverts (by blinding and giving sight).

Two hearts seen in this passage:

1. Naaman's Heart: • softening • humble • pure • generous • sincere
2. Gehazis' Heart: • hardening • proud • impure • greedy • deceptive

Two Dangers seen in this passage:

1. When someone seeks personal gain from God's work, they rob from God.
2. When someone pursues worldly things in worldly ways, they get the world's uncleanliness with it.

Three Ways God is Working:

1. We witness God working in ways that seem mysterious.
2. We witness God working through and for the humble.
3. We witness God working in ways that contravene preset expectations.

If we are God's children we can know that God always works for our good.

Reflections from this passage:

1. The Lord is a giver of good gifts (v. 8-17)
2. Sometimes the Lord's good gifts bring both gladness and sadness (v. 18-21)
3. We should run and cling to God's man in time of trial and refuse to leave Him (v 22-27)
4. Even God's mightiest and most faithful servants are still limited in knowledge and power (v. 27 & 31)
5. Even the curse of death can bear witness to the promise of life (v 32-37)

Observations from this passage:

1. Sometimes we serve God faithfully and sacrificially, and great trials STILL befall us.
2. God is as concerned with small-scale affairs as he is with massive ones.
3. Sometimes seeing the Lord's provision requires us to step out and work in faith.
4. God will often meet an immediate need even while preparing us for what's ahead.
5. There's a redeemer at work on behalf of the helpless- effectively redeeming them from debt slavery.

3 Reminders from this passage:

1. Remember to seek the Lord in whatever you do BEFORE pushing forward.
2. Remember that were it not for his regard for David's heir, the Lord would not look upon us.
3. Remember that great wrath cam not against us, but against another son offered in our place.

1. The Lord's power is not confined to a particular time or age.
2. The Lord's power is not limited to any particular person.
3. The Lord can do a new work in the cursed mess of our lived.
4. The Lord can establish and protect work even in the very heart of rebellion.

1. God is jealous for his people's love and loyalty - and He will interrupt idolatry.
2. The enemies of God will try to manhandle his Word.
3. God guards his Word - and those faithful to it.
4. Humbling ourselves before His Word paves the way for mercy.

Themes of 2 Kings to look for in the coming weeks:

• Blessing
• Failure
• Sovereignty
• Punishment
• Patience
• Hope

Takeaways from this passage:

1. Beware of the way of Cain (where God's commands are clearly understood bu you give into sin anyway). 2.Beware of Balaam's error (where people show favor to gain advantage).
2. Beware of Korah's rebellion (where God's ways are forced to fit our ways).
3. Beware of hidden reefs and self-feeders (where teaching and promises of life bring only wandering and death).
4. Beware of ungodliness (of those who sin in both deed and word).

Things we learn from this passage:

1. We must persist in believing.
2. We must fight for purity and stay within God's proper boundaries - especially moral boundaries.
3. We must be cautious about personal revelations (always testing them against Scripture.)
4. We must submit to authority and revere God's Word.

Four Timeless Realities:

1. Jesus is our sovereign Lord and we are His servants
2. We are called, loved, and kept as his people.
3. We have a faith that was once for all delivered to us- and we need to fight for it!
4. The church is susceptible to creepers - to being crept in on unnoticed.