1 Kings 3:16-28 NIV

Acts 21:1-16 Ready to Die for the Name of Jesus Summary: Have you ever been worried about something bad happening to you or your family or friends? Just ask my kids: every time we go hiking I am worried they will fall off a cliff! Today let's listen to God's Word and hear Paul's friends as they worry that he will be arrested or killed if he goes to Jerusalem. What will happen to him? Let's find out: Outline: Living for the Name of Jesus means sharing in His sufferings Dying for the Name of Jesus is not a was ​te​ Verse: Philippians 1:21 (ESV)21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Questions: 1. Why are Paul's companions all urging him not to go to Jerusalem? Were they right to do so? 2. What is the source of Paul's resolve to suffer or die? How does this resolve reflect the pattern of Jesus' own life and ministry? 3. Why is suffering or dying for the name of Jesus not a waste? What would it look like for the Name (person and work) of Jesus to be magnified in you who may not be called to physical death for the Lord?

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 NIV

Mark 1:40-45 Willing and Able Sermon Outline: I. The leper's corruption from his disease. II. Jesus' compassion for the unclean. III. Jesus' commitment to his mission. Discussion Questions: 1. How does Jesus bring healing to all the ways that I might see myself as the leper? 2. Do I really believe that Jesus is willing to make me wholly clean? How might that affect the way I approach him this week? 3. Who are those whom I often regard as a leper? What would it look like to show the love of Jesus to them? Kid's Bulletin: When your hands are dirty, everything else you touch becomes dirty. Maybe you've left dirty hand prints around the house before! Today's sermon is about a man with a skin disease called leprosy that made him unclean, and everything he touched also became unclean. But then Jesus touches him; does Jesus also become unclean? No! Listen to hear how Jesus heals and makes the leper clean instead. Memory Verse: 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Samuel 1:17-27

Acts 20:28-38 A Fond Farewell, Part 2 Summary: Have you ever wondered what is the job of the elders at our church? Today let’s listen to Paul as he speaks to elders at the church in Ephesus. He tells us what our elders do and why they are called to take care of God church. Let’s listen in! Outline: 1. The shepherds and the sheep 2. The wolves and their tactics 3. The Good Shepherd and His grace Verse: John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Discussion Questions: 1. What do Paul's words reveal to us about the calling of elders? What are the motives you see that shape and compel their labor? 2. According to Paul, what does the church need even more than the work of faithful elders? 3. According to Paul's description, what are the dangers we face as a church that leaders are called to guard against? 4. How can you pray for your elders this week?

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NIV

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 NIV

Acts 20:13-27 A Fond Farewell, Part 1 Summary: What is it that pastors and leaders in our church DO? One time a non-Christian asked me:

Saving Eutychus Acts 20:1-12 Summary: Have you ever fallen asleep in church? Most of us have been that tired at one time or another! Today we hear the amazing story of a man who fell asleep listening to the apostle Paul preach and fell out of the window and died! But God use Paul to raising from the dead. Why is this important for us? Let’s find out: Outline: 1. Life together 2. Life resurrected 3. Comfort for life and death Verse: John 11:25 (ESV): I am the resurrection and the life. Discussion Questions: 1. What do you see in the passage that tells us the commitments and values of the early church? What can we learn from this? 2. How does the raising of Eutychus show us parallels to Elijah, Elisha and Jesus’ own ministry? How does this miracle affect the church in this city? 3. What should this miracle do in us as God’s people? What comfort and encouragement might it bring you today?

Acts 19:21-41 The Great Gospel Taking Hold in a Great City, Part 2 Summary: Today we get to continue to see God's amazing history of the Gospel going into all the world. In Ephesus Paul and his friends met fierce enemies of the Gospel, but God took care of them and they were able to bring the good news to many. What does that mean for us? Let's find out: Outline: 1. The Gospel challenges our idols 2. The Gospel draws the enemy's fire 3. The Gospel sometimes gets an unlikely defense Verse: Matthew 16:18b ....On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Discussion Questions: 1. What is the substance of Demetrius' accusation against Paul in this chapter? Is it accurate? What might happen in our city if God broke through people's idolatry on a massive scale like this? 2. How does God enable Paul to continue to minister in Ephesus? How does God sometimes use unbelievers to keep His Gospel going out? 3. What idols might God want to shatter in your life? Pray with someone about this this week.

Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem, Ruth 1:15-22 NIV

Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem, Ruth 1:15-22 NIV

Acts 19:1-20 The Great Gospel Takes Hold in a Great City, Part 1 Summary: Today as we join Paul again in his missionary journey, we get to see how the power of God and His Gospel take hold in a new city. What should we expect when God starts to move in a new place? Let’s think about it: Outline: What happens when the Gospel comes to a new place? 1. Jesus’ Spirit comes down 2. Jesus’ name is honored 3. Jesus’ Word prevails Verse: Acts 19:20 So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily. Discussion questions: 1. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit coming down on these first people in Ephesus? What should we expect today when God moves in people’s hearts? 2. Why do we have this account of the sons of Sceva? How does it show us the power of God, even when a demon possessed person seems to gain the upper hand? 3. Discuss the response of the people in vv. 17-20. When “the name of Jesus is extolled” (v.17) and “the Word prevails mightily” (v.20) what should be the result in our lives? What might this look like for you?

Joshua 24:14-28

Text: Psalm 77 Title: Remembering Outline: I. Has God remembered me? II. Does God remember who he is? III. Remembering God's redeeming power IV. God remembers you in the storm Discussion Questions: - In times of grief and lament, who or what do I trust in? How does the cross and resurrection change my perspective? - How has God proven his steadfast love for you? How does that comfort you in the midst of despair? - The psalmist doesn't write that his situation gets any better. But what changes in the psalmist? How might God be transforming you in the midst of your circumstances? Kid's Bulletin and Memory Verse: Has someone ever forgotten about you before? Maybe they forgot to pick you up from school, or they didn't remember to invite you to a party. It's hard when people forget us. Sometimes we wonder if they really care about us. But God keeps remembering us even if it seems like he's not there. Listen to hear how he will always remember his promises to us because he's given us Jesus! Matthew 28:20b -

Romans 16:25-27 NIV

Luke 24:1-12 Resurrection Wonder Summary: Welcome to Easter Sunday! Jesus is Risen! Today let's listen again to the story of Jesus' resurrection and why it matters so much: Outline: 1. Confusion and doubt 2. Wonder and worship 3. Resurrection power Verse: Luke 24: 5b-6a “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but has risen.

Acts 18:18-28 "Strengthening the Disciples" Summary: Have you ever planted a garden? If so, you know that without a few important things, your garden won't last long. Plants need sunlight, and water or they will die! Like a garden, we need to be spiritually "watered" as well. Today we will see how God uses people (like Paul and others) to give spiritual help and encouragement to us so we can grow in grace. Let's think about it together: Outline: God uses people to water the seeds of the Gospel in our hearts, so He can grow and use us for His kingdom: 1. Paul waters, where he has planted 2. Apollos is watered, so he can be used 3. Apollos waters, and God causes the growth Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:6 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. Discussion Questions: 1. How does God cause spiritual growth in us? What are the various ways? 2. Who has God used in your life to water the seeds of the Gospel? Do you have anyone who is pouring into you? What might happen over time without this in your life? 3. How could God use you to water the seeds of the Gospel in someone else's life?

Psalm 32