Song of Solomon 8:6-7 NRSV

Sermon Text: Philemon 21-25 Sermon Title: The Unrealistic Hopes of Missionary Paul Kids Summary Do you know how many kinds of rooms there are in a hospital? There are many different kinds: a reception desk, an administrative office, a room for taking X-rays, a room for examining patients, a room for surgery, a room for patients' wards, a nurses' station, and so on. How would you feel if a hospital said,

Numbers 6:22-27 The Blessing Sermon Outline: A. Aaron B. Israel C. Us Memory Verse: The LORD bless you and keep you; (Numbers 6:24)

Proverbs 3:1-8 NRSV

Titus 2:6 Portrait of a Godly Young Man Summary: Do you know what

Titus 2:3-5 Portrait of a Godly Young Woman Summary: Last week we saw in Titus that God has blessed us with godly spiritual mothers. But God has also given us young women as a gift to the Body of Christ. What is their role in God's kingdom? Let's listen to Titus today and think about their important calling. Outline: To younger women: you can love because God first loved you: 1. You can love your family 2. You can love godliness 3. You can love your role 4. You can love to represent your Savior Verse: Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What is the main family-centered calling of younger women? What do you think it means to be

Titus 2:3-5 Spiritual Mothers Summary: Take a look around and the ladies in our church. God has blessed us with so many godly spiritual mothers! But what is their role in our lives? Let's listen to Titus today and think about their important calling in our church. Outline: 1. The godly older woman and her church 2. The godly older woman and her God 3. The godly older woman and her character 4. The godly older woman and her ministry Verse: Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How should the church be equipping the spiritual mothers of our church for their work? 2. The phrase

Portrait of a Gray Headed Saint Titus 2:1-2 Summary: Take a look around the worship center this morning and what will you see? You will see people who are young, old, men and women, boys and girls, and people from all over the world. God's Word calls people to live out the Gospel in every stage of life. Today, let's listen as God's Word instructs older men to pursue godliness: Outline: 1. Our doctrine and our behavior are deeply related 2. The portrait of a godly older man: a. A man with self-control b. A man of spiritual health Verse: Titus 2:2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How is our doctrine (what we believe) and our behavior related? How does your set of beliefs and the way you live match up? Is there a disconnect between the two? 2. How does Paul exhort older men in this passage? Why are they particularly called to these set of virtues? Why is it so powerful to have such godly men among us? 3. Since these qualities ought to be pursued by all believers, how does a love for Christ and resting in his grace cultivate these things in us? In which of these areas do you need to pursue growth?

Scriptural Reading: Psalms 1 &2 Main Point: What is the surest path to God: Study or Prayer?” Memory Verse: But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night (Psalms 1:2)

Satan wants to hurt God's church! Sometimes he will use false teachers to bring harm. Today let's hear God's Word teach us about how to spot lies and how Jesus protects his church. What does a false teacher look like? Their character Their errors How do we deal with them? Godly leadership Godly confrontation Verse: Titus 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does Paul describe the character of false teachers? How does he describe their teaching? How might these be helpful for us as a church today? Where might you need to be on guard against false teaching today? 2. How does Paul exhort us to deal with false teachers? What part do godly leaders play in protecting Christ's church? 3. How does the teaching of sound doctrine and the purity of the Gospel protect God's church? How can you commit yourself to know and love this sound teaching in the Word?

Stewards of God's House Titus 1:5-9 Summary: God has given many gifts to the church, and one of them is her leaders. Being an elder in the church is a big job, but it is also a joy to serve God's people. Let's remember to pray for them! Let's listen today to learn what God thinks of elders: Outline: 1. God wants us to choose our leaders wisely 2. The characteristics of God's stewards (elders): a. Godly family life b. Personal character c. Godly in relationships d. Sound doctrine Verse: Titus 1:7a For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why do you think Paul gives such a detailed set of criteria for those who serve as elders in the church? What is at stake? 2. What should this set of qualifications do in YOU, even if you are not called to be an elder? 3. With such a high set of qualifications, how should this shape our search for elders at NCPC? Will you commit to pray for this process at our church?

Stewards of God's House Titus 1:5-9 Summary: God has given many gifts to the church, and one of them is her leaders. Being an elder in the church is a big job, but it is also a joy to serve God's people. Let's remember to pray for them! Let's listen today to learn what God thinks of elders: Outline: 1. God wants us to choose our leaders wisely 2. The characteristics of God's stewards (elders): a. Godly family life b. Personal character c. Godly in relationships d. Sound doctrine Verse: Titus 1:7a For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why do you think Paul gives such a detailed set of criteria for those who serve as elders in the church? What is at stake? 2. What should this set of qualifications do in YOU, even if you are not called to be an elder? 3. With such a high set of qualifications, how should this shape our search for elders at NCPC? Will you commit to pray for this process at our church?

Titus 1:1-4 Dear Titus... Summary: Have you ever written or received a letter in the mail? Not an email, but a real paper letter! This used to be the only way for people to talk from far away. The apostle Paul wrote many, and his letter to a man named Titus was one that we have in the Bible. We'll start to look at it together today, and see that God has given us his Word through the Apostles so we can grow in our faith. 1. The gift of Apostles 2. The faith of a true son 3. The grace of God through Jesus Verse: Titus 1:4 Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does Paul describe himself and his ministry in this passage? 2. How would you describe your hope of eternal life (v.2)? On what is it based? 3. Why do you think Paul calls Titus a

Exodus 36:8-40:38 The Glory Descends Summary: Today we finish Exodus! Let's think about our own relationship with God as we listen to the time when God's people built the tabernacle and God descended to be with them. God is with you too! Jesus promises

Romans 6:1-11 NRSV

Exodus 35:1-36:7 Bringing Gifts Summary: Do you love to receive gifts? Most of us do! But do you also love to give gifts? There is a special joy in giving to others as we bless them. But maybe one of our best joys ought to be in giving to the Lord. God's people got caught up in the joy of giving to the Lord and his tabernacle. Today let's find the joy of giving as we look at Exodus again: 1. Receive the gift of rest 2. Embrace the joy of giving Verse: Exodus 35:5

Exodus 34 A Renewed Promise God is full of grace and mercy when we fail! Today in our sermon in Exodus, we will see God graciously renew his promise and love for his people, even though they had sinned terribly when they made the golden calf. We also sin every day, and yet God is full of grace to us. Do you believe this good news? Let's think about it: 1. A renewed promise, after failure 2. Renewed obedience, after forgiveness 3. Unfading glory, in the face of Jesus Verse:

Romans 1:11-17 NRSV

Exodus 33 Show Me Your Glory Summary: There are three things we all need, and they are all seen in Exodus 33 when Moses meets with God. We all need God's presence, God's friendship, and God's glory. Moses asks for God to go with his people on their journey. He speaks to God face to face, as friends do. And then Moses asks to see God's glory. God has given us all these things too, fulfilled in our relationship with Jesus: Outline: 1. The presence of God 2. Friendship with God 3. The glory of God Verse: Exodus 33:18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why does God at first tell Israel that he will not travel with them? Why did this happen and what would it mean for Israel if they did not have God's presence? How has God promised to be with you today? 2. How did God speak with Moses (vv.7-11)? How do you as a believer have such friendship with God now? How is this fulfilled in Jesus? 3. Why is it so shocking that Moses asked to see God's glory? Why can we not see God's glory now? And yet, how have we seen it? (2 Cor. 4:6). How will we see the glory of God one day? How can this give you hope? (See Matt. 5:8; Rev. 22:4)

Acts 13:1-3; 14:8-18