Series Thesis: Christ taught a parable about an accountant. He uses the parable to teach four principles of wealth management. If we learn these principles and practice them, we will manage our resources better and we will create true wealth.

Date/Sermon Title/Notes Listen Watch May 30, 2010 First Principle – “Make Friends with Wealth” Luke 16: 1-9 & 14 – 15 This sermon introduces Christ’s parable of the business manager and then offered the first principle: Wealth creates community or destroys it. —————————————— June 6, 2010 Second Principle – “Little Predicts Much” Luke 16: 1-8 & 10, 14, 15 From the parable of the business manager, Christ taught a second principle of wealth management: How you handle small amounts of money predicts how you would handle large amounts. —————————————— June 13, 2010 Third Principle – “Wealth Predicts True Riches” Luke 16: 1-8 & 11, 14, 15 Material wealth either advances or retards spiritual wealth. —————————————— June 20, 2010 Fourth Principle – “Hatred Predicts Love” Luke 16: 1-8 & 13-15 You can only have one contracting commitment. You use wealth to serve God or you despise God’s intrusion into your budget.

 

Date/Sermon Title/Notes Listen Watch May 23, 2010 Pride and Humility in Prayer Luke 18:9-14

 

Series Thesis: Regret is the ugly feeling that accompanies the memory of not living well. If we do not take decisive action regrets grow and become over powering the longer we live. In this series we will explore Scripture and Kerry and Chris Shook’s book, One Month to Live with the intention of living the life God created us to live.
Date/Sermon Title/Notes	Listen	Watch
April 11, 2010 One Month Psalm 90:10 & 12
We naturally create a life myth of ourselves so that we escape the tension of important deadlines. It is the procrastination myth, “I will do that tomorrow.” To live without regrets we must abandon our myths and confront the reality that life is short and every day counts.
——————————————
April 18, 2010 Live Passionately Ecclesiastes 9: 9 & 10
To live passionately we must develop two qualities: 1. The discipline of hard work. 2. The capacity to enjoy daily life. To live passionately we also must pursue goals that inspire us.
——————————————
April 25, 2010 Love Completely 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3
The human soul thrives on love, the giving of love and the receiving of love. Often, our most painful regrets focus upon failures of love rather than missed opportunities in our careers. The apostle Paul taught us to live well by pursuing love.
——————————————
May 2, 2010 Learn Humbly 1 Thessalonians 4: 1 & 2
Christianity teaches ideas and values designed to establish a life that pleases God. We learn these ideas and values through sermons, small groups, and personal friendships. No one can teach us to be our unique selves. We must learn this with the help of the Holy Spirit and self-awareness.
——————————————
May 9, 2010 Leave Boldly Ephesians 5: 15-17
When we live life wisely and make each day count and fulfill God’s design for our lives, we leave a lasting legacy. Influential lives enrich those who follow them long after they die.
——————————————
May 16, 2010 Your Personal Life Plan Isaiah 32: 7 & 8
The prophet contrasted two life styles – “the scoundrel” and “the noble.” The last six weeks focused upon the possibility and the process of living a life without regrets. Now you must establish your noble plan and begin to live it.

 

Good Friday
Date/Sermon Title/Notes	Listen
April 2 , 2010 What Have I Done? Matthew 27:3-10, Matthew 26:69-75, John 19:25-27, Isaiah 53:5-6
——————————————————
Date/Sermon Title/Notes	Listen	Watch
April 4 , 2010 Resurrection Life John 10:10

Series Thesis: Each of us makes choices. We exercise our soul through the capacity of willing. The psalmist teaches us five key issues that develop our will. When we exercise noble things, our souls mature.
Date/Sermon Title/Notes	Listen	Watch
February 28 , 2010 Will You Be Grateful?
Psalm 9:1 Gratitude, appreciation, and saying thank you are acts of will. We grow when we thoughtfully choose to be grateful. This psalm challenges us to whole-hearted gratitude.
March 7, 2010 Will You Tell The Story?
Psalm 9:1 Recognizing the wonderful deeds of God in your life requires knowledge of God and life awareness. As you see the wonderful work of God in your life, will you make it part of your life story? This encourages you and influences other people in a positive way.
March 14, 2010 Will You Be Glad?
Psalm 9:2 We are not at the mercy of our feelings. God created us with the rational ability to choose to think and act in ways that influence emotions. Christianity teaches us to choose to be glad.
March 21, 2010 Will You Celebrate?
Psalm 9:2 The word “exult” means to celebrate a success. You have the capacity to set goals, plan thoughtfully, work hard and achieve successes. You also have the ability to celebrate the blessings of God in your successes.
March 28 , 2010 Will You Praise?
Psalm 9:2 Certain types of people never enjoy anything enough to praise it. They choose instead to be critical. Having an eye to see what is right, good, beautiful and impressive in life is an evidence of maturity. God deserves to be praised more than anyone. Will you choose to look for His grace in life and praise Him?

Series Thesis:The word “alone” appears in the Scriptures 131 times. At the origin of humanity, God said, it is not good for us to be alone. Loneliness is an inescapable reality in every human soul. Dealing with this loneliness in proper ways enriches our lives. Coping with loneliness in unhealthy ways ruins our lives. This series explores loneliness and offers divine insights into learning from loneliness.
Date/Sermon Title/Notes			Listen	Watch
January 10, 2010 Loneliness is Universal
Psalm 25:16 Every human being experiences loneliness. God created the human soul to be connected to other souls by love, by sharing activities, and by the divine agenda. Sadly, ego, selfishness, insecurity and defensiveness fracture the community and causes universal loneliness.
January 17, 2010 Loneliness in the Soul
Psalm 102:1-7 The soul feels the alienation caused by other people as loneliness. But we also isolate ourselves and feel this loneliness. This Psalm describes the loneliness of the soul in clear picturesque ways. It also invites us to share our loneliness with the God who cares.
January 24, 2010 Loneliness in Paradise		Cinematic Illustration
Genesis 2:15-20 Living in paradise surrounded by wealth and beauty and doing meaningful work successfully does not satisfy the human soul. Possessions, work and success do not exclude loneliness. Relationships with self, others and God creates and relieves loneliness.
January 31, 2010 Loneliness in Loss
Job 7:16, 17 When we lose things we value, or life opportunities, or meaningful work, we feel a loneliness in the loss. When we lose friendships or loves because of life experience, we feel a greater loneliness. But when death separates us from the people we love, a permanent loneliness captures a piece of our souls.
February 7, 2010 Loneliness in Relationships
Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 The soul experiences loneliness in relationships. Community and connections do not guarantee freedom from loneliness but they do help. Even in the best relationships we experience, loneliness. And sometimes difficulties in relationships lead to new intimacy.
February 14, 2010 The Lord of the Lonely
Matthew 27:46 & 26:55, 56 Jesus Christ is the Lord of the lonely. He knew what it meant for all His friends to forsake Him and run away. He also felt the pain of being forsaken by God. Christ models nobility of soul under the pain and stress of loneliness. He is the lord of the Lonely.
February 21, 2010 The Lord Alone
Psalm 86: 8-12 The Lord alone is God. He is unique; there is no one like Him; He is without peers, but He is not lonely. We are lonely for God but He is not lonely for us. God’s alone exists in self-sufficiency.

 

We are moving toward a noble goal. This goal and its strategy originates in the command of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our purpose is an international ministry. Our strategy is progressive:

Strong local church Regional church National church International ministries	Listen	Watch

Date/Sermon Title/Notes	Listen	Watch
November 1, 2009 The Divine Creative Word
John 1:1-3 Jesus Christ is more than an Old Testament prophet and more than a brilliant human sage. In His essential personality and nature He is God. We know God in Christ. God is creative. The first fact the Bible teaches us about God is that He created. In Christ we see the creativity of God – physical, spiritual, intellectual and artistic creativity.
November 8, 2009 The Living Word
John 1:4 Human languages and words become extinct. Latin is a dead language because no culture speaks it any longer. Students learn the language to access the literature of a past culture. Christ is the Living Word not the dead language of God. He lives and speaks today.
November 15, 2009 The Enlightening Word
John 1: 5 & 9 The teachings of Christ enlighten the mind and soul. The quality of life established by Christ enlightened western culture. And beyond this immeasurable benefit, Christ also enlightens the soul’s journey through death into the presence of God.
November 22, 2009 The Unknown Word
John 1:10-11 One standard test of human intelligence is vocabulary. Throughout our life we use words in more accurate ways. Knowing the vocabulary of each life discipline helps us to think and perform better. If Christ is the vocabulary of God, not understanding Him is a tragedy which must be corrected.
November 29, 2009 The Adopting Word
John 1:12, 13 To hear a loving voice call you “my son” or “my daughter” is to feel a power of security and confidence. Never to hear these words spoken with pride and love defrauds the soul. In Christ we hear the adopting words of God calling us “my son” and “my daughter.” This adopting word is an act of sovereign grace.
December 6, 2009 The Gracious Word
John 1:16 How God speaks to us is as important as what He says. In Christ, God speaks to us graciously – better than we deserve. In Christ, God does not scold us, patronize us, or marginalize us. He speaks to us graciously.
December 13, 2009 The True Word
John 1:17 Lies and deceptions use the same vocabularies as truth and honesty. The difference lays in the motives and inclinations of the speaker. God is righteous, honest, and true. These are the motives of His character. In Christ we hear and see divine truth.
December 20, 2009 The Revealing Word
John 1:18 God exists transcendently. He dwells in unapproachable light. He thinks and acts in the realm of infinity. We exist physically. We dwell in the material and temporary. We experience our limits every day. These two existences are incompatible. They only come together in Christ. Christ reveals what we can know about God.
December 27, 2009 The Incarnate Word
John 1:14 In Christ God does more than speak graciously, He acts. Christ is the word of God acting to achieve the eternal purpose of God. If “actions speak louder than words” then the life of Christ demonstrates that God practices what He preaches. Christ proves the integrity of God.

Date/Scripture	Listen
July 9, 2009 - Ephesians 1:1-2
July 16 , 2009 - Ephesians 1:3-8
July 23, 2009 - Ephesians 1:9-14
July 30, 2009 - Ephesians 1:15-23
August 6, 2009 - Ephesians 2:1-10
September 3, 2009 - Ephesians 2:11-22
September 10, 2009 - Ephesians 3:1-6
September 17, 2009 Ephesians 3:7-13
September. 24, 2009: Ephesians 3:14-19
October 1, 2009: Ephesians 3:20-21
October 8, 2009: Ephesians 4:1-16
October 15, 2009: Ephesians 4:17-24
October 22, 2009: Ephesians 4:25-32
October 29, 2009: Ephesians 5:1,2	not available
November 5, 2009: Ephesians 5:3-5
November 12, 2009: Ephesians 5:6-14
November 19, 2009: Ephesians 5:15-20
December 3, 2009: Ephesians 5:21-33
January 7, 2010: Ephesians 6:1-4
January 14, 2010: Ephesians 6:5-9
January 21, 2010: Ephesians 6:10-20
January 28, 2010: Ephesians 6:21-24

Series Thesis: Cassius committed suicide with the same sword he used to murder Caesar. We all have something of Cassius in us. We sabotage our happiness with the same character flaws that wound the people around us. Debbie Ford wrote, “All self-sabotage is a form of abuse. It’s abuse of the human spirit, of your innate right to be free from the bonds of your past, to stand tall and proud of who you are, all of you…” In this series we will learn seven life skills which correct our sinful nature and free us to live a Christ honoring, happy life. Recommended Reading: Why Good People Do Bad Things, by Debbie Ford

Date/Sermon Title/Notes	Listen	Watch
September 13, 2009 Who Can I Trust?
Psalm 119:70-72 We sabotage ourselves when we become guarded and self-protective. The solution to guardedness is vulnerability. “Toxic shame is at the root of why we do bad things and why bad things happen to us. It begins when we unknowingly internalize the shame of not being good enough.” Debbie Ford p. 42
September 20, 2009 How Much is Enough?
Proverbs 11: 24 & 25 We sabotage ourselves with an unsatisfiable need for more. Greed externalizes happiness and makes us run faster and faster for what we cannot catch. The solution to greed is generosity. “We are designed to attract to ourselves what is in alignment with what we believe to be true about ourselves and to push away what is not. And we are masters at doing it.” Debbie Ford p. 47
September 27, 2009 Who’s Better?
Proverbs 11:2 We sabotage ourselves when we hide our insecurities about how good we are beyond a mask of pride. The solution to arrogance is humility. “The false self is created out of fear.” Debbie Ford p. 53 “The Masks of the Wounded Ego” P. 104-139
October 4, 2009 How Much Do I Have to Put Up With?
Romans 15:7 We sabotage our happiness by anger toward those who get on our nerves with their stupid ideas and corrupt habits. The solution to intolerance is compassion. “Whether expressed as meanness, vengeance, bigotry, racism, or hostility, hate is a toxic brew of anger, fear, and rejection.” Debbie Ford p. 63
October 11, 2009 I Deserve Better!
Romans 12:13 We sabotage ourselves when we insist that “It’s all about us.” “I deserve better” equals self-absorption. The solution to self-absorption is serving others. “When fueled by the fear that we will never be happy or whole again, sadness can turn into an abyss of self-pity.” Debbie Ford p. 59
October 18, 2009 I Know I’m Right!
Romans 12:16 We sabotage ourselves with stubbornness. The inflexible, angry insistence upon having it my way steals my happiness. Would you rather be right or loved? The solution to stubbornness is willingness. “When the wounded ego is running the show, the outer world is seen only as something to fulfill its needs and make it feel better.” Debbie Ford p. 73
October 25, 2009 It’s A Cover Up!
Proverbs 17:20 We sabotage ourselves by covering up the whole truth. Fear and doubt cause us to fabricate, exaggerate and deceive in a vain hope that this will help us. The solution to deception is integrity. “When the ego becomes distorted and no longer able to recognize itself for what it is, it becomes the main force that leads to our demise.” Debbie Ford p. 68

 

Series Thesis: Priests and pastors serve people in their churches with various degrees of effectiveness. Jesus Christ is my favorite high priest for four important reasons. We will consider what makes Christ the greatest priest in human history.

Recommended Reading: The Book of Hebrews and The Jesus I Never Knew, by Philip Yancey

Date/Sermon Title	Listen	Watch
August 16, 2009 Jesus, the Praying Priest
Hebrews 5: 7-10 Jesus Christ is my favorite priest because He diligently prayed. Not only did He pray, but His prayers were heard and answered.
August 23 , 2009 Jesus, the Suffering Priest
Hebrews 5: 8 -10 Jesus Christ is my favorite priest because He suffered to achieve His perfect status. Often religious leaders rise upon the sufferings of their followers. Christ lifted His followers by His suffering.
August 30, 2009 Jesus, the Sympathetic Priest
Hebrews 4: 14-16 Jesus Christ is my favorite priest because He sympathizes with my weakness. He experienced the temptations of life, but remained sinless. He knows my struggles and sympathetically guides me through life.
September 6, 2009 Jesus, the Approachable Priest
Hebrews 4: 14-16 Jesus Christ is my favorite priest because He is approachable. He serves in the cathedral of grace and everyone who worships there receives mercy, grace and help.

Series Thesis: Christianity is a definite historical religion. Although many people claim to be Christians, they do not know or know and respect core Christian ideas. Historically, Christians have believed universally these four core concepts: authority of the Scriptures, Trinity, human sinfulness, and salvation through faith in Christ. Karl Barth defines theology as the church speaking about god. Christ Church theology remains consistent with what the apostle Peter spoke in the first century on these four core ideas.

Recommended Reading: 1 and 2 Peter, C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

July 19 , 2009 The Scriptures are Our Final Authority

2 Peter 1:19-21
Christianity is a religion of a book. God inspired the Scriptures to teach and to guide the church. Christ Church preaches and teaches the Scriptures and encourages people to develop the discipline of daily Bible reading.

July 26, 2009 God is the Trinity

1 Peter 1:1-3
Christianity believes in the Trinity of God, one essence in three persons. Each person of the Trinity performs a unique work. To deny any of God is to forfeit the fullness of God in our lives.

August 2 , 2009 Humanity Fell

1 Peter 4:1-5
God created humanity in His divine image. We deface this image by our sin. Sin corrupts the soul and tortures the mind. The wages of sin are death, physical and spiritual.

August 9 , 2009 Christ Rescues Humanity

1 Peter 1:3-5
Faith in Christ restores people to the original Divine idea of humanity. Good works, religious observance, and proper thinking do not replace the work of Christ. Philip Yancey rote, “We dare not confine theology to seminary coffee shops where professors and students play mental badminton. It affects all of us.”

March 6, 2008
John 1, The Introduction of Jesus Christ

April 3, 2008
John 2, Three Demonstrations of Christ's Mission

June 5, 2008
John 3

July 3, 2008
John 4

January 8, 2009
What's your soul worth? Matthew 16:24-28

January 22, 2009
Four Personalities Encounter Christ. John 3 & 4

January 29, 2009
Three Public Opinion Polls, John 5 & 6

February 5 , 2009
Kill the Messenger, John 7 & 8

February 12 , 2009
20/20 Vision—So What’s the Problem? John 9

February 19, 2009
The Great Shepherd, John 10

February 26, 2009
Life—Give or Take, John 11

March 5 , 2009
Unusual Victories, John 12

March 12, 2009
A New Commandment, John 13

March 19 , 2009
The Road, John 14

March 26 , 2009
Gratuitous Love and Hatred, John 15

April 2 , 2009
God in Your Daily Life, John 16

May 21 , 2009
The Great Prayer of Jesus Christ, John 17:6-26

May 28 , 2009
Truth or Consequences, John 18

June 4, 2009
The Mystery of Abuse, John 19:1-11

June 11, 2009
John 19:13-30

June 18, 2009
John 20:1-10

June 25, 2009
John 20:11-30

July 2 , 2009
John 21

Series Thesis: When we accept personal responsibility for our spiritual growth, we wisely begin to seek a method or a model to guide us. The psalmist provides a very workable model which we can easily understand and practice daily. These nine sermons offer growth practices for those who will implement them.

Recommended Reading: Psalm 119; Confessions, Augustine; Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster

May 17, 2009 First Inning – Instruction

Psalm 119: 33
To grow to our full potential we need instruction. The psalmist asked the Lord to teach him. He promised to practice what he learned.

May 24, 2009 Second Inning – Understanding

Psalm 119: 34
After we learn new ideas, we begin to associate and apply the new with what we already know. This thinking leads to understanding. The psalmist asked the Lord to help him understand. He promised to practice and preserve all the Lord helped him to understand.

May 31, 2009 Third Inning – New Behaviors

Psalm 119: 35
New ideas and understanding put into practice in our daily lives produce new behaviors. The psalmist requested Divine help to develop new behaviors. He shared his heart with God and said the process was delightful.

June 7, 2009 Fourth Inning – New Values

Psalm 119:36
When we think differently and behave differently we soon find a conflict with our old values. The psalmist asked God to empower his values. He desired his new values to be as strong as his old value of wealth.

June 14, 2009 Fifth Inning – Focus

Psalm 119: 37
New ideas, new behaviors, and new values demand a new focus. The psalmist asked for Divine help to focus on the substance of His developing soul and not the emptiness of life. He believed this would refresh the life of God within him.

June 21, 2009 Sixth Inning – A New Normal

Psalm 119: 38
New thinking, new behavior, and new values create a new and better normal in our lives. The psalmist asked the lord to establish his promises in this new normal. He promised he would reverence God in more quality ways.

June 28, 2009 Seventh Inning – Regret

Psalm 119: 39
The growing soul contrasts its development with its previous flaws and senses regret and self-reproach. This interrupts growth and creates dread. The psalmist refocuses upon the good ordinances of God to overcome his regret.

July 5, 2009 Eighth Inning – Refreshed

Psalm 119: 40
The growing soul is the refreshed soul. The life of God in the human soul requires refreshing.

July 12, 2009 Ninth Inning – The Grand Slam

Psalm 111
God works for His people. His works are:
Powerful
Faithful
Just
Trustworthy
This should be our expectation and the basis of our prayer.

Series Thesis: Many of life’s real challenges include aspects of God testing us. God tests those He desires to develop, so Divine testing leads to spiritual growth. Divine tests often expose the conflict between the spiritual and the material. In these eleven sermons, we will investigate why, who and how God tests. We will learn the benefits of being tested and we will confront the most difficult Divine test for materialistic Christians.

Recommended Reading: A Hunger for the Holy, Calvin Miller; What’s So Amazing About Grace, Philip Yancey.

February 22, 2009
Why Does God Test Us?
1 Peter 1:7, Exodus 16:4, Zechariah 13:9 & Exodus 20:20
God tests us for four important reasons: To prove our faith is genuine, to reveal the level of our obedience, to show our covenant relationship to Him, and to teach us to respect Him. Each of these tests reveals something about God and something about the maturity of our souls.

March 1 , 2009
Who Does God Test?: The Righteous
Psalm 11:5
God tests the righteous. He tests us to grow and mature us. The wicked need no tests. God only tests the righteous because He desires to affirm and increase our righteousness through our relationship to Him.

March 8 , 2009
Who Does God Test?: The Initiators
Genesis 22:1, Psalm 105:19 & Psalm 26:2
God tested three of the most important men in the Old Testament: Abraham, Joseph and King David. Each of these men was tested so God could start something new in the world through them. God uses initiators in profound ways so they must be prepared by Divine testing.

March 15 , 2009
Who does God Test?: The Servant and the Service
John 6:6 & I Thessalonians 2:4
In the New Testament Christ tested His disciples and Paul submitted his ministry to the Divine test. Christ tests because he acted upon His Divine nature. As Christ tested His original followers He tests us today. God tests both our character and our works.

March 22 , 2009
How Does God Test?: The Crucible
Proverbs 17:3 & 27:21
Twice the Scriptures compare tests to a crucible in which valuable metals are purified by being melted. Divine tests feel like melt downs in which our old habits, attitudes, and values become unsettled. God takes away the dross from our lives so we become more pure and valuable.

March 29 , 2009
How Does God Test?: Fire
I Corinthians 3:13 & I Peter 4:12
Twice the Scriptures compare Divine testes to fire. Tests are like fire because fire reveals the true nature and value of things. Tests are like fire because both can be destructive or beneficial. The difference is how they are experienced.

April 5, 2009
What are the Benefits of Divine Tests?: Humility
Deuteronomy 8:16 & Judges 2: 20-22
Divine tests humble us so God can bless us, and they establish a godly lifestyle. The human ego naturally rebels against humility. Testing teaches the ego its limitations and reveals the real value and strength of humble reliance upon God.

April 12, 2009
What are the Benefits of Divine Tests?: Rewards
Jeremiah 17:10 & James 1:12
God rewards and crowns those who pass His tests. God never tests us to diminish us. He tests us so that He has the opportunity to affirm and reward us.

April 19 , 2009
What is the Giving Test?: Generosity in Poverty
2 Corinthians 8:2
Very few people are rich enough to have everything they need and want. Our sense of not having tests our generosity. The first test of generosity arises from our poverty. Can we give that which really costs us something or do we limit our generosity to our comfort zones?

April 26, 2009
What is the Giving Test?: Generosity in Prosperity
1 Chronicles 29:17
King David passed the giving test and teaches us how to pass it. The second test of generosity arises from our prosperity. Some who pass giving from poverty fail when the amounts must grow to reflect the equal sacrifice in prosperity.

May 10, 2009
What is the Giving Test?: Divine Generosity
Deuteronomy 6:16 & Malachi 3:10
The Scriptures forbid us to test God. One exemption to this prohibition is encouraged. God asks us to put Him to the giving test. Why would God permit and even encourage us to test His generosity with us? Perhaps giving is a test in which God delights as a person!

Series Thesis: The soul exists eternally; the body lives a single lifetime. We pay millions for healthcare but often ignore soul care. Invest four weeks to learn proper healthcare for the soul.

Recommended Reading: Care of the Soul - Thomas Moore

January 25, 2009
What is My Soul?
Genesis 2:7
Soul is the intellect, emotion, and will working together to make personality. It is psuche in the New Testament. It is nephesh in the Old Testament. Soul is the creative breath of God that makes humans human.

February 1 , 2009
Psychology and the Soul
Proverbs 24:13,14
Literally psychology is the study of the psuche, or soul. The best psychology helps the individual understand and accept their divine uniqueness and deal with their human ineptness.

February 8 , 2009
The Soul: Loving and Being Loved
1 Corinthians 13
The soul thrives on love. When the soul loves, it grows into its full potential. When the soul is loved, it grows secure, strong and unselfish.

February 15 , 2009
The Soul and Divine Favor
Psalm 86:17

Show me a sign of your favor
That those who hate me may see
And be put to shame
Because you, O Lord, have helped me and comforted me

Series Thesis: To change your life change your plan. Plan your time to be more productive. Plan to use your talents so they bless others. Plan your finances so they serve you instead of enslaving you. In all our planning, be sure to spend time having fun. Enjoy life.

Recommended Reading: Goals - Brian Tracy

December 28 , 2008
A Talent Plan
Ecclesiastes 2: 1-11
If we employ all our talent for our own enrichment and pleasure, life will disappoint us. We find true success when we use our talents to help others. What talents do you employ every day and how might you bring the blessing of these talents into the service of Christ?

January 4, 2009
A Time Plan
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
We all have enough time to live well and accomplish our life purpose if we plan our time wisely. The sense that life rushes by and eludes our control exposes poor planning, lack of priorities, and improper values. There is a time for everything. It is wise for us to plan our time properly.

January 11, 2009
A Financial Plan
Ecclesiastes 5: 10-12
A financial plan reveals what we need. It helps us deal with wealth wisely. It saves us from two evils: debt and greed. The lack of a good plan leads to improper spending, failure to save, and the twin evils of debt and greed.

January 18, 2009
A Fun Plan
Ecclesiastes 5: 18-19
God graciously gives us the ability to enjoy life. We express our appreciation by planning to have fun. We honor God when we enjoy the blessing of life. We reveal the pleasure of God in the life He created when we live joyfully.

Series Thesis: Life is painful. Sometimes we make choices that hurt us. At other times, people around us inflict pain upon us by their choices. Pain accompanies the growths and the declines of life. We hurt our mothers when they give birth to us and we hurt our children when they stand beside our caskets. Pain is a mystery and pain is a science. Christianity does not deny the transforming capacity of pain. Through ten biblical examples of pain, we will learn a new appreciation for God’s ability to help us work through pain.

Recommended Reading:

• Where is God When It Hurts? - Philip Yancy
  Disappointment With God - Philip Yancy
  The Problem of Pain - C.S. Lewis

October 19, 2008
The Pain of Sin: Adam and Eve’s Story
Genesis 3
Sin introduces pain into paradise. Some pain, but not all pain originated in wrong thinking, feeling and choosing. The sin is forgiven, but the pain of sin remains.

October 26, 2008
The Pain of Deception: Judah and Tamar’s Story
Genesis 38
When people deceive each other they cause unavoidable pain to others and themselves.

November 2, 2008
The Pain of Foolish Commitment: Jephthah’s Story
Judges 12
Many commitments include and expectation of pain. Foolish commitment causes unexpected and unnecessary pain. Foolish commitments cause pain that remains until the commitment is over.

November 9, 2008
The Pain of Pride: Absalom’s Story
2 Samuel 15-18
“Pride goes before the fall.” The fall causes pain. Pride hurts everyone it touches. Pride will never be completely defeated, so the pain it causes will continue.

November 16, 2008
The Pain of Not Knowing: Job’s Story
Job 3: 20-26
Pain without context or meaning degenerates to despair. The solution to the pain of not knowing is context. Context reduces the pain.

November 23, 2008
The Pain of Oppression: Naboth’s Story
1 Kings 21
Thesis – The oppressor causes pain to the oppressed but God will requite the oppressor with justice. Justice relieves this pain.

November 30, 2008
The Pain of Loss: Jeremiah’s Lament
Lamentations 1: 12-16
An inescapable pain in life accompanies the loss of people and things we love. Relationships soften this pain.

December 7, 2008
The Pain of Death: Paul’s Insight
1 Corinthians 15: 50-58
Conception and birth create a new life with joy and pain. Death completes a life in joy’s pain.

December 14, 2008
The Pain of Disappointment: Peter and Christ’s Story
Luke 22: 31-34 & 54-62
Often the greatest pain we feel comes from self-inflicted wounds like disappointment. But God uses it for His higher purpose.

December 21, 2008
The Pain of the Cross: Christ’s Story
Hebrews 12: 1-3
God embraces the experience of pain to take upon Himself the greatest pain. Those who reject Christ suffer eternal pain.