1 Corinthians 15:1-10

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:21 Title: Christ our Righteousness Our Contribution to our righteousness Christ’s Contribution to our righteousness Our response to being made righteous Questions for discussion 1) What does it mean that Christ became sin who knew no sin? 2) In what ways do you still try and contribute good works to your salvation? What sort of good works does this Sunday’s message call us to do? 3) How will you, your family, your community group change in response to this Sunday’s message? Summary for the kids bulletin: Do you wonder if you are good enough for God to love you? Do you ever wonder if you are following the rules enough for God to let you into heaven? Does that make you nervous? This Sunday we are going to hear from God’s word the amazing truth that Jesus became sin so that we don’t have to earn our way into heaven. That is truly good news, God’s love for you does not and will not change because Jesus gives you His perfect righteousness. Memory Verse: 2 Cor. 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God

The Power of Jesus' Resurrection Philippians 3:7-11 Summary: Today is that great day when all God’s people remember and celebrate that Jesus is risen from the dead. He is Risen indeed! Sometimes you might wonder why it is so important that Jesus rose from the dead. What does that do for us? Today, let’s listen to find out: Outline: What does it mean to know the power of Jesus’ resurrection in your life? 1. Resurrection power to save us 2. Resurrection power to change us 3. Resurrection power to raise us from the dead Verse: Matthew 28:5-6 “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Discussion Questions: 1. Why is it so important that Jesus rose from the dead? What does Paul tell us here? See also 1 Corinthians 15:12-23 for more on this. 2. How does Jesus’ resurrection give us power for new life today? See Romans 6:1-14 for more. 3. How might you be pursuing “self-salvation” or

We celebrate the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. We call this day Palm Sunday because the people were waving and laying palm branches in His path.

Acts 1:12-26 The Lord Provides Leaders Summary: From the earliest days of the church, God has cared for His people. Even in one of the darkest moments, when Judas betrayed Jesus, God was still working out his plan! Today we will see that God cared for his church to provide a new leader to replace Judas. God also calls us to obey Him and trust that He will never give up on His church! Let think about this more: Outline: 1. The marks of a dependent church 2. The rise of faithful leaders 3. The provision of a faithful God Discussion Questions: 1. What does this passage tell us about the priorities for God’s church? How do they show their dependence on God? How can prayer deepen your own dependence? 2. Why is it significant to see Jesus mother and brothers together with the disciples? 3. How does this passage show us the provision of God for the health of His church? How can this help you this week? Memory verse: All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.

The Acts of the Risen Christ Acts 1:1-11 Summary: Today in church we start reading and studying the book of Acts. Some of the great stories of Jesus building His church are in this wonderful book! Today we will see Jesus promise His little band of followers that He will send the Spirit to give them power for the mission to take His Gospel to all the world. Though Jesus ascended to heaven, He will never abandon us! Let’s think about it: Outline: The story of Acts will show us that: 1. The risen Jesus is reigning and ruling today 2. The Holy Spirit is at work in the church 3. Jesus has given us a mission to complete 4. Jesus is creating a worldwide people 5. We can have certainty and hope Verse: Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The Lord commands His people to be content with what they have. Achan coveted and took things out of Jericho. Find these words from the book of Joshua.

The Lord commands His people to be content with what they have. Achan coveted and took things out of Jericho. Find these words from the book of Joshua.

2 Corinthians 5:11-21 The Cross is the Power for Missions Summary: Have you ever wondered why we often say it is so important that we tell people about the saving power of Jesus? Maybe you have friends who aren’t Christians, but they seem to be nice people. Why should we tell them? We all need to be reconciled to God, and He does this only by Jesus’ death on the cross. And He gives the church (that’s all of us!) the joy of being his workers on earth, telling people the good news of what Jesus has done. Let’s think about it: Outline: 1. The judgment and love of Christ motivates our mission 2. The cross of Christ is the power of our message 3. God invites us to participate in His Gospel mission Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Discussion Questions: 1. How does the future judgment motivate our mission as a church church? According to Paul, how does the love of Christ compel us in our mission? 2. How was Paul an ambassador for Christ? How might that apply to us today, even though we are not apostles like him? 3. How can you participate in God’s mission at home? Around the world?

Sermon Text: Psalm 77 Sermon Title: Meditating in Prayer on the Deeds and Silence of God Outline: 1) Distinctions for Israel from the thinking of the world 2) Distress for the Believer 3) Deliverance from the Distress Summary: Sometimes when life is very hard, we can be tempted to think that God has forgotten us. Psalm 77 shows us a man named Asaph who struggled with this. How did God help him? Let’s listen in as he remembers God’s powerful deliverance through the Red Sea and takes comfort that God will not forget His people. Verse: Psalm 77:13 Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? Discussion questions: 1. How does Psalm 77 describe his distress? What words might you use to describe trials you experience? 2. Have you ever felt like God has forgotten to be gracious (vv.8-9)? Why? How does the psalm writer help his own soul with this struggle? How can this help you? 3. How has God’s deliverance in vv 14-20 been accomplished even more powerfully for us today?

Quiz Questions

Sermon Title: Called to Send and Suffer Text: Philippians 1:4-14, 4:10-20 Outline 1. What does partnership look like? 2. What is partnership for? 3. What does partnership require? Kids Bulletin Paul is a missionary who is traveling around the Mediterranean to spread the Gospel; however, he cannot do it alone. The Philippian church, despite their deep poverty, partnered with Paul from the beginning. Paul calls them to continue to give more, not because he needs more money; it is because he is thankful for the fruit of holiness and the reflection of Christ's self-giving that God has produced in them. Community Group Questions 1. How have we incorrectly viewed financially partnership with missionaries? How has Paul's perspective on financial partnership identified our own idols? 2. How does the generous giving of the Father and the missionary work of Jesus Christ give you new motivations for the ministry of sending? 3. How can your community group start to pursue partnership with other missionaries?

The Lord of The Harvest Matthew 9:35-38 Summary: Today we will hear about our church’s call to be involved in reaching the lost with the Gospel of Jesus. Listen in our passage today for Jesus' compassion and love for people. Did you know He loves you this much? Let’s ask God to give us that kind of heart for others as well. 1. The kingdom work 2. The shepherd’s heart 3. The great potential 4. Praying in the harvest Discussion Questions: 1. How should this passage move you to go with the Gospel to the lost? What encourages you about Jesus’ heart? How does the potential of a plentiful harvest encourage you to go? 2. Who should you be praying about? Who might God be calling you to seek out? Who might just need that compassion from Jesus, through YOU? 3. How can you PRAY for more laborers this week?

Romans 8:37-39

God Meant it for Good Genesis 50 Summary: Have you ever been to a funeral? If you have, you know that there is often sadness, along with lots of memories of the person who died. Today in our last chapter of Genesis both Jacob and Joseph die. But in their death they show us that they trust God’s promises to the very end! Listen today for Joseph showing his faith in God’s plans when he says to his brothers:

Luke 10:25-28

Genesis 48 May God Make You Like Ephraim and Manasseh Summary: Sometimes God works in ways that surprise us. In Genesis he has blessed people who were pretty underserving! But that is really good news for us, because we are unworthy too. Today listen as we talk about two boys: Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons. Listen for God’s surprising grace! Outline: 1. We are unworthy outsiders whom God has made family 2. God’s blessings aren’t always what we expect 3. Pass the blessings down! Verse: Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Discussion questions: 1. Have you ever seen what God was doing and it didn’t look like how it “should” be (a.k.a. how we want him to work)? How do we often react? 2. What did Jacob’s blessing mean for Ephraim and Manasseh? How has Jesus shown even better blessings to you? 3. How can you be a blessing this week by passing the blessings down to others? How can you be an agent of God’s covenant mercy to your kids or fellow Christians?

The Source of True Blessing Genesis 47 Summary: Can you remember what you got for Christmas? Or it is tough to remember already? Did anything you got break already? It is amazing how quickly the things in this life fade, break, or we just lose interest in them. Today, as we look at Jacob’s life again and see how blessed he was, let’s seek Jesus together to find the only place where we can really be blessed. Outline: 1. A blessing to the nations 2. A blessing for God’s people 3. The source of true blessing Verse: Genesis 12:2 (ESV) 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. Discussion questions: 1. How has God blessed Jacob and his family, even though they were undeserving? How has God treated you better than you deserved? 2. What are the blessings you enjoy in Christ? Read Ephesians 1:1-14 to spur your thinking. 3. How can meditating on the blessings you have in Christ help you this week?

Facing the Unknown Genesis 46 Summary for Kid’s Bulletin: Are you ever afraid of the future? Expecially if you have to go somewhere you’ve never been before, or do something you know will be hard? Jacob had to pack us family and leave the land of promise and go to Egypt at a very old age. Would he survive the trip? Would he ever come back? Would he be welcomed in this new land? Let’s see how God cares for Jacob, and for us with the “unknowns” of life: 1. To face the unknown, God gives you His promise 2. To face the unknown God gives you His people 3. To face the unknown, God gives you His Provider Kid’s bulletin Verse: John 14:1-2a “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms.” Discussion Questions 1. Why did God meet Jacob before he left for Egypt, and what “unknowns” was he facing? What would God’s promises do for him? What similar promises has God made to you in Christ? 2. What is the significance of the list of all the people who left the promised land with Jacob? How does God work in your life, not just individually through His people? How can you sink your roots more deeply into the life of NCPC? 3. How does Joseph and Jacob’s reunion show us God’s grace in their life? How does Joseph’s provision for his family reflect the rescue Jesus provides for you? How could this Gospel hope change you this week?