John 1:9-13 Christmas Rejection Summary: Have you ever felt left out or rejected by someone else? When that happens, it usually hurts us. Imagine for a moment how it was for Jesus, the Creator of all people, who came to earth and was rejected by the very people he made for His glory! But there is good news today: even though we naturally reject God, Jesus came to bring us back into His family. Outline: 1. The rejection of the light 2. How to find life in the light Verse: John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God... Discussion Questions: 1. How does John describe the reception Jesus received when He came into the world? 2. Even though we have all rejected Jesus, he still makes a way for us to be welcomed into His family. How does this happen, according to v.12? How does it NOT happen, according to v.13? 3. How can these verses help you cherish Jesus more this Christmas?

John 1:6-8 Christmas Reflection Summary: Jesus said He is the “Light of the World” (John 8:12). Part of what we celebrate at Christmas is that Jesus, the Light of the World, has come to this dark world of sin to save us. When Jesus first came, John the Baptist was called to tell people that the Light had come. Let’s think about John’s job, and what it means for us: Outline: 1. The sending of the witness 2. The role of the witness 3. The goal of the witness Verse: John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Discussion Questions: 1. Why do you think God chooses to use human messengers to testify to the Gospel of Jesus? 2. How did God use John the Baptist? What does that mean for you and me? How is our calling the same or different from John’s? 3. How can this passage in John 1 help you cherish Jesus more this Christmas?

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 NIV

John 1:1-5

1 Corinthians 11:38-32 NIV

Text: Isaiah 52:1-12 Title:

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV

1 Timothy 6:20-21 Guard the Good Deposit Summary: Have you ever seen a soldier guard something important? They have a job to watch over and protect something valuable. God calls us to guard as well - to guard His precious truth! Paul finishes his letter to Timothy with this command: Guard the “deposit.” What does that mean? Let’s find out: Outline: 1. God has given us His Word as a treasure to guard 2. God calls us to turn away from error 3. God promises to give the grace we need Verse: 1 Timothy 6:20-21 ...Guard the deposit entrusted to you... Grace be with you. Discussion Questions: 1. God calls us to guard the deposit of truth he has given us. Where do you see the biggest threats to God’s truth ? What should it look like to guard God’s truth? 2. This passage warns us about the danger of foolish controversy. Where might you be tempted to engage in this? What might be the dangerous consequences of engaging in these things? 3. Paul often ends his letters with the words “grace be with you.” Why are they so important for the end of this letter?

Luke 3:7-17 NIV

Ask and it shall be given unto you.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 Set Your Hope on God Summary: Today in our sermon we are going to learn that money is one of God's tools we use to do good for others. We often think about money as a tool to get the things we want. But God wants us to be aware of the dangers of setting our hope on our riches instead of on God, and show us the joy of using it to love others. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. The dangers of being rich 2. The duties of being rich Verse: Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Discussion Questions: 1. What are the dangers of riches that Paul outlines in this text? Which resonates most with you? What is Paul's

Acts 2:36-41 NIV

1 Timothy 6:13-16 Immortal Invisible Summary: Today as we listen to God speak in His Word, we get to hear amazing and beautiful truths about who God is. Listen for words like

Romans 6:4 NIV & Luke 22:19-20 NIV

1 Timothy 6:11-12 Fight the Good Fight Summary: Sometimes the Christian life is described in the Bible as a battle, fighting against sin. Other times it is talked about like a race we run. Sometimes we have to flee from danger, other times we have no choice but to stand and fight. Listen for all these word pictures today as Paul tells us about the Christian life: Outline: A time to RUN: The pursuit of holiness A time to FIGHT: The pursuit of truth A time to GRASP: take hold of eternal life Verse: 1 Timothy 6:12a Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called... Discussion questions: 1. When Paul describes the Christian life, what do we flee from and what do we pursue? 2. What does Paul mean when he says

2 Timothy 3:10-17 NIV

1 Timothy 6:3-10 The Great Gain of Godliness Summary: Do you struggle to be content with what you have? Or do you always find yourself wanting more? Paul talks about this today in 1 Timothy 6, and tells us about the dangers of loving money and the things it can buy too much. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. How to spot a false teacher 2. Why godliness is the greatest gain Verse: 1 Timothy 6:6-7 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. Discussion Questions: 1. What are the sure signs of false teachers according to Paul? Why might they believe that godliness is a means of gain? 2. Why and how, according to Paul is godliness actually a means of great gain? What does he mean? 3. How might Paul's statement be applied to us:

1 Timothy 6:1-2 A Witness to Those Above Today we're going to hear about a hard topic known as

Ephesians 3:14-21 NIV

1 Timothy 5:17-25 The Church and Her Leaders, Revisited Summary: Part of our life together as God's people includes choosing and caring for our leaders. God gave elders and pastors to the church, but they are people just like us. They are sinners who need grace! God also calls us to honor and care for their needs, but also to choose them wisely. Let's listen carefully to God's word to us: Outline: How do we care for our elders? What do we do when an elder sins? How do we choose an elder? Verse: John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Discussion questions: 1. Verse 17 tells us that elders