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?

Genesis 45 Come To Me Summary: In the story of Joseph today, he finally reveals himself to his brothers. Imagine their shock at this news! Joseph show us an image of the mercy and love of Jesus. As you listen, ask God to fill your heart with love for Him. Today, God invites you to come near: 1. See His providence 2. Receive forgiveness 3. Live under His care 4. Have your hope revived Verse: Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good… Discussion Questions: 1. How does Joseph reveal his faith in this story? How would an understanding of God’s providence help you think about your life differently? 2. How do Joseph’s actions toward his brothers show us glimpses of the character and work of Jesus for you? 3. Is there a need for reconciliation with someone in your life? How can the story of Joseph give you the Gospel strength to forgive? Or perhaps you, like these brothers, need to accept forgiveness form God and others for your failures?

Hebrews 10:19-25

Are You Thirsty? Psalm 63 Summary: Do you know what is like to be true thirsty - even dehydrated? It happened to me once - I got sick (a lot!) and ended up in the hospital. It wasn’t fun! In Psalm 63 King David says his longing for God is like being in a desert with no water! He also says that God’s love is like sitting down to a great feast. So, are you hungry and thirsty to know God? Let’s think about it: Outline: We are thirsty people In the midst of our fainting God offers a feast The wilderness stirs up our spiritual thirst Verse: Psalm 63:1O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Questions: 1. How does the psalm writer describe his longing for God? 2. What are the things in this world that you hunger and thirst for other than God? 3. How does God often use trials and the wilderness to stir up our spiritual thirst (see Ps 63:9-11)? 3. How does Jesus fulfill the spiritual hunger and thirst in all of us? (Read John 4:7-14, 6:35, 7:37-38). How can you drink deeply from this fountain in 2017?

Isaiah 9:1-7 After Darkness, Light Summary: Merry Christmas! Today is such a privilege to get to worship together on the day we celebrate His birth! Let’s look at an ancient prophecy from Isaiah 9 that tells of Jesus’ being born to us. His birth brings light to our darkness, and peace to our war with our Creator. Let’s think about it: Outline: 1. Darkness is over 2. A Son is given Verse: Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given...and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Discussion Questions: 1. Isaiah describes our condition before Jesus as gloom, darkness, and war. This was very true for Israel as they faced exile from their homes, but how is that true for us all spiritually? 2. How are each of these names of the Son in verse 6 fulfilled in Jesus? 3. Part of the point of Isaiah’s words is to show us that our response should be joy after gloom (v.3). What darkness in your own life needs the light of Jesus today?

Parables

One Shepherd Among Many Imposters John 10: 1-21 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)

CMA Holiday word Search

CMA Holiday word Search