Topical

Skip Heitzig

This collection of topical teachings from Skip Heitzig includes anniversary celebrations, messages about the vision of the church, special teachings from conferences and countries around the world, and more.


 

Table of Contents

# SCRIPTURE: MESSAGE:
1 Genesis 11:1-9 The Tower of Babel
2 Mark 14 Peter's Homecoming
3 Romans 12:1-2; Revelation 4:10-11 The Purpose of Worship
4 Luke 22:31-32 Demon Possession
5 Psalm 1 Happiness is...
6 Deuteronomy 11:10-16 Jesus Who?
7 2 Peter 1:1-11 Keep Going, Keep Growing
8 The Antioch Church
9 1 Corinthians 9 The Marathon Christian
10 Acts 13:1-3; Acts 14:19 India Review
11 Habakkuk 3:17-19 From Despair to Joy
12 John 10 The Sheep and the Shepherd
13 Numbers 21 The Decline of Discouragement
14 Numbers 32 Living on the Border
15 1 Kings 18 Make Up Your Mind - Today!
16 Daniel 9 Daniel's Seventy Weeks
17 Isaiah 6:1-9 Preparing for Service
18 Ruth 1:1-14 The Prodigal Family
19 Galatians 1:13-21 Portrait of a Radical Rabbi
20 Galatians 5:16-26 The Flesh and The Spirit
21 Doctrinal Questions - A Foundation
22 Hey, What's God Like?
23 Security or Insecurity
24 2 Chronicles 27:6 Growing Strong, Becoming Mighty - King Jotham
25 2 Chronicles 32:21 When God Withdraws - Hezekiah
26 Luke 15:11-32 Stubborness that Alienates
27 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 Approaching Those with Heavy Hearts
28 Ezra 6:14 Completing a Long Task
29 Ezra 9:1-4 Separation: What God Has Not Joined
30 Esther 4:13-14 For a Time such as This
31 Titus 2:9-10 Bringing God to the Marketplace
32 Joshua 3:1-10 The Untrodden Path
33 Job 16:19-21 Jesus Answers Job
34 Job 23:8-12 What Sustains a Weary Soul
35 Job 40:1-14 God Rebukes a Spiritual Man
36 Mark 1:1-20 Jesus Came
37 Matthew 2:23 The Nazarene
38 The Carpenter
39 Joshua 1:1-9 Joshua's Sweet Smell of Success
40 Joshua 14:6-15 Caleb: Fully Alive at 85!
41 Psalm 3 Psalm 3
42 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 God's Plan for World Evangelism
43 The Problem of Suffering
44 Life's Not Fair!
45 School of Ministry Graduation 1992
46 Romans 12 How to Be Used by God
47 Sex In The Scriptures
48 Psalm 23 The Lord is My Shepherd
49 Psalm 11 A World without Foundations
50 The Church and It's Mission
51 The Assault of the Cults
52 Israel Update 1996
53 Israel: God's Plans Don't Change
54 Connection Celebration 1997
55 National Day of Prayer - 1997
56 National Day of Prayer - 1999
57 Salvation Message
58 National Prayer Service for September 11, 2001 Attack on America
59 BGEA Team and Staff Conference 2001
60 National Day of Prayer - 2002
61 Where Are We Now?
62 National Day of Prayer 2003
63 Hebrews 11:8 Skip Announces His Departure from Calvary Albuquerque
64 Psalm 84 I've Just Gotta Go to Church
65 A History of Calvary Albuquerque as Skip Departs
66 Matthew 5:6 What are you Hungry for?
67 Vision Casting - Upreach
68 Vision Casting - Inreach
69 Vision Casting - Outreach
70 1 Kings 8 Special Dedication Message
71 John 4;Psalm 95 Worship in Spirit and Truth
72 Isaiah 6:1-4 Worship
73 Nehemiah 4 Ministry Fair
74 Philippians 1:19-21 Forecasting Your Future
75 A Special Evening on Israel
76 Jonah 1:1-3 The Folly of Running from God
77 A Special Message to Calvary Albuquerque
78 Psalm 27 Five Firm Steps for Hearts in Crisis
79 John 3:16 Has God Got A Plan For You!
80 Genesis 12:1-9 Buckle Up! Your're Going On An Adventure
81 Genesis 22:1-19 Trusting God for Better or Worse
82 Acts 2 Rekindling Our Vision
83 Deuteronomy 12 Rejoice!
84 Ready 2 Serve
85 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 25 Years—A Divine Paradox
86 25th Anniversary celebration, To God Be The Glory
87 Abiding In The Vine - Session 4
88 Ezekiel 36-37 Why Christians Love Israel
89 Acts 2:36-47 Marks of Greatness - Christ's Vision For His Church
90 BGEA Team and Staff Conference 2008
91 John 10:19-33 Hanukkah
92 Nehemiah 1-13 Special Message from Skip in India
93 Hebrews 9 Why Jesus Needed to Die
94 Matthew 24:1-8 Live from the Land
95 Live from the Land
96 Can You See It? - Rapid Responders Training
97 His Presence In Crisis
98 1 Corinthians 12:12-18 Service with Skip Heitzig
99 Romans 8:28 A Soft Pillow for a Tired Heart
100 Points about Prayer from the Sermon on the Mount
101 Day of Prayer and Fasting Service
102 Proverbs 3:1-8 How Does Your GPS Work?
103 Expound Expressed
104 Deuteronomy 8:1-10 30th Anniversary: Love the Past, Live the Future
105 John 17:1-26; Acts 2:1-47 Living With Vision
106 Isaiah 61:2 The World's Most Important Comma
107 Ephesians 5:15-17 Navigating Another Year
108 Joshua 14:6-15 Not Done Yet
109 South East Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference – Session 4
110 South East Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference – Session 7
111 John 19:28-30 iThirst
112 Skip Heitzig Interview with David Eubank
113 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 How Does The Gospel Work?
114 Lamentations 3:22-31 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
115 Proverbs 18:1;Acts 2:41-47 Living Life Together
116 Matthew 19:13-15; James 1:26-27 Jesus Loves Children
117 Skip's Iraq Trip Update
118 The Power of an Invitation
119 Daniel 1:8 Defying Normal
120 Acts 6:1-7 United in Pursuit
121 Jeremiah 29:1-13 Christians and Politics
122 Deuteronomy 8:1-2;1 Corinthians 12:31 Culture Weekend
123 Luke 22:7-23 Special Message from Skip Heitzig
124 Interview with Dave Eubank
125 2 Timothy 3:14-17 Your Amazing Bible
126 John 13:34-35 The Explosive Power of Real Love
127 Luke 15:1-7 The Heart behind the Hand
128 Matthew 6:19-24 Three Steps to a Generous Life
129 Joshua 4:1-8 2019 Year in Review
130 Hebrews 10:24-25 Gather, Love, and Act: Bombard the World with Love
131 Matthew 6:25-34 Should I Be Worried?
132 Psalm 27 Sure Steps for Uncertain Times
133 Leviticus 13 The Quarantined Life
134 1 Peter 1:6-7 Why Should I Suffer?
135 Luke 13 God and the Coronavirus
136 Luke 19:28-44 I Feel Your Pain!
137 Joshua 24 Families in a Time of Crisis
138 Acts 2:1-16 Together Again
139 Acts 10:27-36 The Church and Racism
140 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 Gracious Marks of Generous Hearts
141 Various Worship in the Uncertainty
142 Jeremiah 10 The Theology of a Christmas Tree
143 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10 This Seat Is for You (The Power of the Gospel)
144 Matthew 9; Mark 5 Does God Really Care?
145 Matthew 16:24-27 What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?
146 1 Peter 4:7-11 How to Live (and Love) in the Last Days

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Tower of Babel
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 11:1-9
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3754

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Tower of Babel - Genesis 11:1-9 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Tower of Babel

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Peter's Homecoming
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Mark 14
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3753

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Peter's Homecoming - Mark 14 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Peter

Keywords: Serving God, Temptation

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Purpose of Worship
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:1-2; Revelation 4:10-11
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3757

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Purpose of Worship - Romans 12:1-2, Revelation 4:10-11, Psalm 84 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Worship

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Demon Possession
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:31-32
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3756

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Demon Possession - Luke 22:31-32 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Demon Possession

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Happiness is...
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 1
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3755

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Happiness is... - Psalm 1 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Happiness

Keywords: The Christian Walk

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Jesus Who?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 11:10-16
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3758

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Jesus Who? - Deuteronomy 11:10-16 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Jesus

Keywords: Temptation

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Keep Going, Keep Growing
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1:1-11
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3765

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Keep Going, Keep Growing - 2 Peter 1:1-11 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Antioch Church
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3763

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Antioch Church from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Marathon Christian
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 9
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3759

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Marathon Christian - 1 Corinthians 9 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Christianity

Keywords: The Christian Walk

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: India Review
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Acts 13:1-3; Acts 14:19
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3764

MESSAGE SUMMARY
India Review - Acts 13:1-3, 14:19 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: India

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: From Despair to Joy
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Habakkuk 3:17-19
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3760

MESSAGE SUMMARY
From Despair to Joy - Habakkuk 3:17-19 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Joy

Keywords: Trials, Discouragement

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Sheep and the Shepherd
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: John 10
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3766

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Sheep and the Shepherd - John 10 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Decline of Discouragement
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 21
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3761

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Decline of Discouragement - Numbers 21 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Discouragement

Keywords: Trials, Discouragement

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Living on the Border
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 32
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3762

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Living on the Border - Numbers 32 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Christianity

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Make Up Your Mind - Today!
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 18
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3767

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Make Up Your Mind - Today! - 1 Kings 18 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Commitment

Keywords: Salvation

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Daniel's Seventy Weeks
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 9
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3768

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Daniel's Seventy Weeks - Daniel 9 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Apologetics

Keywords: Prophecy, Endtimes

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Preparing for Service
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 6:1-9
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3769

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Preparing for Service - Isaiah 6:1-9 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Evangelism

Keywords: Missions, Serving God

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Prodigal Family
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Ruth 1:1-14
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3770

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Prodigal Family - Ruth 1:1-14 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Rebellion

Keywords: Trials, Discouragement

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Portrait of a Radical Rabbi
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 1:13-21
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3771

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Portrait of a Radical Rabbi - Galatians 1:13-21 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Character Studies

Keywords: Commitment

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Flesh and The Spirit
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:16-26
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3772

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Flesh and The Spirit - Galatians 5:16-26 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: The Christian Battlefield

Keywords: Spiritual Warfare

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Doctrinal Questions - A Foundation
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3773

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Doctrinal Questions - A Foundation from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Apologetics

Keywords: The Bible

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Hey, What's God Like?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3774

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Hey, What's God Like? from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Jesus Christ

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Security or Insecurity
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3775

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Security or Insecurity from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Eternity

Keywords: Salvation

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Growing Strong, Becoming Mighty - King Jotham
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 27:6
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3776

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Growing Strong, Becoming Mighty - King Jotham - 2 Chronicles 27:6 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Character Studies

Keywords: Serving God, The Christian Home

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: When God Withdraws - Hezekiah
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 32:21
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3777

MESSAGE SUMMARY
When God Withdraws - Hezekiah - 2 Chronicles 32:21 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Hezekiah

Keywords: Trials, Discouragement, Will Of God, Decisions

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Stubborness that Alienates
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:11-32
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3778

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Stubborness that Alienates - Luke 15:11-32 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Character Studies

Keywords: Rebellion

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Approaching Those with Heavy Hearts
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3779

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Approaching Those with Heavy Hearts - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Holiness

Keywords: Servanthood, Encouragement

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Completing a Long Task
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Ezra 6:14
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3780

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Completing a Long Task - Ezra 6:14 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Holiness

Keywords: Trials, Discouragement, Will Of God, Decisions

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Separation: What God Has Not Joined
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Ezra 9:1-4
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3781

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Separation: What God Has Not Joined - Ezra 9:1-4 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: For a Time such as This
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Esther 4:13-14
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3782

MESSAGE SUMMARY
For a Time such as This - Esther 4:13-14 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Commitment

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Bringing God to the Marketplace
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:9-10
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3783

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Bringing God to the Marketplace - Titus 2:9-10 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Evangelism

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Untrodden Path
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 3:1-10
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3784

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Untrodden Path - Joshua 3:1-10 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: The Christian Walk

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Jesus Answers Job
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Job 16:19-21
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3785

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Jesus Answers Job - Job 16:19-21 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Jesus Christ

Keywords: Suffering, Trials, Discouragement

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: What Sustains a Weary Soul
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Job 23:8-12
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3786

MESSAGE SUMMARY
What Sustains a Weary Soul - Job 23:8-12 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Suffering

Keywords: Trials, Discouragement

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: God Rebukes a Spiritual Man
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Job 40:1-14
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3787

MESSAGE SUMMARY
God Rebukes a Spiritual Man - Job 40:1-14 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Spiritual Discipline

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Jesus Came
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Mark 1:1-20
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3788

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Jesus Came - Mark 1:1-20 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Nazarene
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:23
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3791

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Nazarene - Matthew 2:23 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Jesus Christ

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Carpenter
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3792

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Carpenter from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Jesus Christ

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Joshua's Sweet Smell of Success
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 1:1-9
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3789

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Joshua's Sweet Smell of Success - Joshua 1:1-9 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Commitment

Keywords: Holiness, Promises, Serving God

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Caleb: Fully Alive at 85!
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 14:6-15
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3790

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Caleb: Fully Alive at 85! - Joshua 14:6-15 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Commitment

Keywords: Promises, Serving God

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Psalm 3
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 3
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3793

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Psalm 3 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: God's Plan for World Evangelism
SPEAKER: George Sanchez
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3856

MESSAGE SUMMARY
God's Plan for World Evangelism - 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 from our Guest Speaker series at Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Problem of Suffering
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3795

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Problem of Suffering from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Life's Not Fair!
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3794

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Life's Not Fair! from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: School of Ministry Graduation 1992
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3796

MESSAGE SUMMARY
School of Ministry Graduation 1992 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: How to Be Used by God
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Romans 12
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3797

MESSAGE SUMMARY
How to Be Used by God - Romans 12 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Sex In The Scriptures
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3801

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Sex In The Scriptures from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Lord is My Shepherd
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 23
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3798

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Lord is My Shepherd - Psalm 23 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: A World without Foundations
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 11
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3799

MESSAGE SUMMARY
A World without Foundations - Psalm 11 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Church and It's Mission
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3800

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Church and It's Mission from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Assault of the Cults
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3802

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Assault of the Cults from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Israel Update 1996
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3803

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Israel Update 1996 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Israel

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Israel: God's Plans Don't Change
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3827

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Israel: God's Plans Don't Change from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Israel

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Connection Celebration 1997
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3804

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Connection Celebration 1997 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: National Day of Prayer - 1997
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3805

MESSAGE SUMMARY
National Day of Prayer - 1997 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: National Day of Prayer - 1999
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3806

MESSAGE SUMMARY
National Day of Prayer - 1999 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Salvation Message
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3807

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Salvation Message from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: National Prayer Service for September 11, 2001 Attack on America
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3826

MESSAGE SUMMARY
National Prayer Service for September 11, 2001 Attack on America from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Israel

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: BGEA Team and Staff Conference 2001
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4457

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: National Day of Prayer - 2002
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3809

MESSAGE SUMMARY
National Day of Prayer - 2002 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Where Are We Now?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3808

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Where Are We Now? from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: National Day of Prayer 2003
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3840

MESSAGE SUMMARY
National Day of Prayer 2003 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Prayer

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Skip Announces His Departure from Calvary Albuquerque
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 11:8
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3810

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Skip Announces His Departure from Calvary Albuquerque - Hebrews 11:8 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: I've Just Gotta Go to Church
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 84
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3811

MESSAGE SUMMARY
I've Just Gotta Go to Church - Psalm 84 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: A History of Calvary Albuquerque as Skip Departs
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3812

MESSAGE SUMMARY
A History of Calvary Albuquerque as Skip Departs from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: What are you Hungry for?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:6
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3813

MESSAGE SUMMARY
What are you Hungry for? - Matthew 5:6 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Vision Casting - Upreach
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3836

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Vision Casting - Upreach from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Vision

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Vision Casting - Inreach
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3838

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Vision Casting - Inreach from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Vision

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Vision Casting - Outreach
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3839

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Vision Casting - Outreach from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Vision

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Special Dedication Message
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 8
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/166

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Worship in Spirit and Truth
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: John 4;Psalm 95
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3814

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Worship in Spirit and Truth - John 4, Psalm 95 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Worship
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 6:1-4
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3815

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Worship - Isaiah 6:1-4 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Ministry Fair
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 4
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3816

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Ministry Fair - Nehemiah 4 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Forecasting Your Future
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:19-21
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/238

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: A Special Evening on Israel
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3825

MESSAGE SUMMARY
A Special Evening on Israel from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

Topic: Israel

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Folly of Running from God
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Jonah 1:1-3
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3817

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Folly of Running from God - Jonah 1:1-3 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: A Special Message to Calvary Albuquerque
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3818

MESSAGE SUMMARY
A Special Message to Calvary Albuquerque from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Five Firm Steps for Hearts in Crisis
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 27
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3819

MESSAGE SUMMARY
When in the midst of crisis, where do you turn for comfort? Do you seek the Lord and allow Him to work through the crisis? David experienced many times of crisis, but he remembered that the Lord was his beauty and light. Pastor Skip Heitzig outlines Five Firm Steps for Hearts in Crisis and shares the insight the Lord gave David in Psalm 27. When you are in frightening times of crisis, focus on God who is above all circumstances.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Has God Got A Plan For You!
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: John 3:16
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/359

MESSAGE SUMMARY
What plans do you have for today? Tomorrow? The rest of your life? Eternity? You may not have an answer for all of these questions, and even if you do, circumstances may arise that keep you from executing your plans. But God has a plan for you and for all of humanity that is sure and steadfast. No circumstance can arise that will change the course of it. Join Pastor Skip Heitzig as he lays out the details of God's plan for mankind and discover how you can be part of a sure future in Him.

DETAILED NOTES
There are truths that are obvious to some, but not so obvious to others. This is true with Christianity. There are some truths that are obvious to the believer, but not to the unbeliever.

The truths presented in John 3:16 are obvious and awesome. This verse can be described as the crown jewel of all of the Scriptures. This verse focuses on the plan of God for everyone based on the love of God for everyone.

There are seven important things about God's plan that this verse tells us.

The Originator. The originator of this text is God. God never left man to discover God on his own. He revealed Himself to man and took the initiative. God has always searched for and pursued man. Man may say he is searching for God, but because he is the one who is lost, it is really God who is searching for man. Paul tells us that we were all dead in our sin. All men are born separated from God, or dead in their sin. Because the dead can neither help themselves nor improve their own condition, God makes the first move and man. God pursues man because He loves him.

The Motivation. The motivation is love. The essence of God's nature is love. In love, God created the world and sustains the world. In love, God, through Christ, redeemed the world. The love of God is so vast that it cannot be fully understood by man during his lifetime. His love is also different from human love. Human love is object oriented or based upon the object or person seen, while God's love is subject oriented. His love is indiscriminant.

The Population. The population for this plan is the world. This is love at its widest. Jesus tells believers to go into all the world with the Good News, not just select areas. There is only one cure for sin and it is the worldwide cure, it is the blood of Jesus Christ. God's love is nondiscriminatory. It is not fickle, but consistent. You cannot keep God from loving you, but you can keep yourself from experiencing the love of God. We can put up an umbrella of doubt and sin so that in spite of God's love shining on us, we don't experience it.

The Demonstration. God gave His Son. Love can never be passive or silent. It demonstrates itself and is giving. When God executed His plan to save the world He paid the highest price –His only begotten Son.

The Invitation. Salvation is offered to whoever will accept it. God is not picky. In fact, God will often pick people that none of us would ever think of choosing.

The Condition. The condition of God's plan is belief. People do not automatically go to Heaven because they lived on this earth, bought a Bible, or went to church. Salvation requires belief. Belief means much more than an intellectual assent. Belief requires full trust, reliance, and full commitment to God.

The Ramification. The ramification of God's plan for the believer is the promise of Heaven. This is the greatest miracle ever! Beside this truth, not much else really matters. The flip side to this, or the ramification for rejecting His plan, is to perish and experience eternal condemnation.

The choice in the plan of God for every human being is one of two things – salvation that comes from Him or condemnation and separation that comes from Him.

Topic: God's Plan

Keywords: truth, obvious, believer, originator, motivation, population, demonstration, invitation, condition, ramification, choice, salvation, condemnation, belief, world, pursue

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Buckle Up! Your're Going On An Adventure
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 12:1-9
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3820

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Buckle Up! Your're Going On An Adventure - Genesis 12:1-9 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Trusting God for Better or Worse
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 22:1-19
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3821

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Trusting God for Better or Worse - Genesis 22:1-19 from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Rekindling Our Vision
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Acts 2
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/378

Keywords: Church, Vision

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Rejoice!
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 12
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/394

Keywords: worship

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Ready 2 Serve
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4459

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Calvary Chapel Men's Conference 2006

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: 25 Years—A Divine Paradox
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/464

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Many of you know by now that these verses from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians have become my "life-text". They describe the paradox of a perfect God using imperfect vessels to carry His name and perform His work. Over the last twenty-five years I have both seen and experienced God’s faithfulness. Today we stand in awe of His great work among us, in us and through us. To God be the glory, great things HE has done!

OUTLINE
I. Observation—The Paradox Revealed (Vs 26)
  A. We Are Called
  B. We Are Common

II. Selection—The Paradox Reviewed (Vss 27-28)
  A. God Selects the Foolish, Weak & Despised
  B. God Shames the Wise, Mighty & Important

III. Explanation—The Paradox Reasoned (Vss 29-31)
  A. So None Can Brag About Us
  B. So All Can Brag About Him


SPECIAL INVITATION


Please come back Sunday Night at 7pm for a special interactive night of recalling all that God has done in the last twenty-five years and glimpsing into the future.

Keywords: Anniversary

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: 25th Anniversary celebration, To God Be The Glory
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/467

Keywords: Anniversary

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Abiding In The Vine - Session 4
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4456

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Southern California Regional Pastor's Conference 2008

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Why Christians Love Israel
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Ezekiel 36-37
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/573

MESSAGE SUMMARY
This message is a video of the teaching, "Why Christians Love Israel" (Ezekiel 36-37) from Pastor Skip, that he taught in Israel at the Epicenter Prophecy Conference on April 10, 2008.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Marks of Greatness - Christ's Vision For His Church
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:36-47
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/622

Keywords: Church, Vision

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: BGEA Team and Staff Conference 2008
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4458

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Hanukkah
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: John 10:19-33
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/647

Keywords: Hanukkah, Christmas

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Special Message from Skip in India
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 1-13
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/675

Keywords: Church, Vision

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Why Jesus Needed to Die
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 9
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/735

MESSAGE SUMMARY
All of us have experienced spiritual slump, when we just didn't feel like worshiping. But times like that provide the perfect opportunity to walk by faith not by sight and to experience sacrificial worship. The once for all sacrifice of Jesus should stir us up to fervent praise in spite of our earthly circumstances.

Topic: Communion

Keywords: Communion

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Live from the Land
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 24:1-8
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/808

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Earthquakes, wars, disease; the evening news offers a frightening and fascinating look at world events. What does the Bible say about the turmoil the world is facing? What is the resolution to the conflict? Join us as we consider what Jesus told his disciples about these signs of the times, in this special message by Pastor Skip from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. We long to know the future
    2. Coming of Christ is the culmination of our hope
    3. Coming of Christ is the fulfillment of our prayers
    4. The Rapture- physical, dramatic, eternal , ultimate change
  2. The Place - Jerusalem
    Jerusalem mentioned 821 times in the Bible. Jewish Midrash "The land of Israel is at the center of the world, Jerusalem is at the center of the land of Israel, and the temple is at the center of Jerusalem."
    1. Jerusalem is the geographic center of the world biblically Ezekiel 5:5
    2. Jerusalem is the spiritual center of the world, where salvation was purchased
    3. Jerusalem is the storm center of the world prophetically Zechariah 12:3
    4. Jerusalem is the glory center of the world ultimately Isaiah 2:3
      1. Now Jerusalem has a kingless throne, and Heaven has a throneless King
      2. 144,000 Jews to be sealed with God's protection during the Millennium
      3. Millennial reign will be from Jerusalem
      4. New Heaven and New Earth, New Jerusalem will be the capital city
  3. The Prediction -The temple destroyed
    1. The temple was a sign of God's favor
    2. It took 180,000 workers over the course of 80 years to build it
    3. Structure was 90 feet higher than the mount itself
    4. Jesus predicted that not one stone would be left upon another - Matthew 24:2
    5. 70 AD the temple was destroyed, no remains of the temple itself remain
    6. Animosity toward Jerusalem to continue Zechariah 12
  4. The Promise - His Coming
    1. Watch!
    2. Jesus is coming back in two future events
      1. The Rapture - Coming toward earth for His church to claim His bride; the focus is Christ and His church. Unpredictable, will happen suddenly
      2. Second Coming - Jesus comes to the earth with His church; Focus on Israel and the kingdom. Will be predictable, after seven years of trouble.
      3. Summary of Events according to John, Peter and Paul
        1. Jesus will come bodily to the atmosphere
        2. Physical resurrection of dead believers, rapture of the church
        3. Triumphal procession; tribulation on earth, Judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10)
        4. Second Coming
        5. 1000-year reign of Christ
        6. Home-eternity
  5. Application
    1. Are you heeding the warnings?
    2. Do you have the abundant life Jesus offers
Figures Referenced: William Norman Ewer, Josephus, Charles Spurgeon
Publications Referenced: "Approaching Hoof beats," by Billy Graham
Cross References: Isaiah 2:3; Ezekiel 5:5; Zechariah 12:3; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:10

Keywords: Israel, Holy Land

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Live from the Land
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/810

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Time and again, we hear that one of the favorite highlights for those on a Tour of Israel is the on-site teaching. Now you can be a part of it from your very own living room. Watch the Live from the Land TV special that aired on Monday May 10, 2010 on KCHF TV-11 as we join Pastor Skip Heitzig LIVE with a message from the Mount of Olives.

Keywords: Israel, Holy Land

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Can You See It? - Rapid Responders Training
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3841

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Can You See It? - Rapid Responders Training from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: His Presence In Crisis
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3842

MESSAGE SUMMARY
His Presence In Crisis from our series of Topical Teachings with Skip Heitzig from Calvary Albuquerque.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Service with Skip Heitzig
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:12-18
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/887

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Churches across America are closing their doors. How can we ensure a thriving Christian community? As we consider what God intended for the church, we'll uncover four essentials to a healthy church: God's People, God's Principles, God's Purpose, and God's presence.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. As believers, we belong to the greatest company
      1. Greatest product —works universally
      2. Offices worldwide—local representatives
      3. Greatest benefits
        1. Forgiveness for the past
        2. Purpose for the present
        3. Peace of mind for the present
        4. Best retirement package—heavenly rewards—"Well done, good and faithful servant;" (Matthew 25:21).
    2. Outsiders  find the church irrelevant
      1. Don't believe in our product
      2. Don't know or believe in our CEO
    3. Churches are closing in America
      1. In the US, for every one person raised without God who comes to faith, three people raised in the church will leave
      2. According to one source, in the US, sixty churches a week close
      3. Chicago church poll - why not go to church?
        1. Boring
        2. Always asking for money
        3. Irrelevant
        4. Awkward
        5. Too Busy
    4. Church is flourishing in other parts of the world
      1. Sub Saharan Africa 20,000 people/day converted to Christ
      2. Latin America 10,000 people/day converted to Christ
  2. We need God's people (v. 7)
    1. Designed for community
    2. Family of God—"God sets the solitary in families;" (Psalm 68:6)
    3. When one suffers, we all suffer
    4. When one is honored, we all rejoice
    5. No other "company" where we can share struggles than the family of God
  3. We need God's principles
    1. We are a textual community (gathered around the text of the Word)
      1. Believe the Bible is the Word of God
      2. Consider what God has said from the unfolding drama of redemption from Genesis - Revelation
    2. In the midst of cluttered voices of the world, we need the clarion call of God
    3. All living things need community and fuel (even cells need other cells and food to survive)
  4. We need God's purpose
    1. Formerly, you had no purpose
    2. Everyone desires to be part of a greater cause
    3. We should be "about our Father's business" like Jesus (Luke 2:49)
    4. We know why we are here, to further the family business and bear the gospel to the world
  5. God's Presence
    1. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).
    2. Gather for corporate reading, prayer, and worship, we experience Him in a unique way
    3. Focus on self and we will be dissatisfied
    4. Focus on the Lord and His glory and we will be satisfied— "Seek first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33).
    5. There are no vestigial members of Christ's body
    6. God has you here for a purpose

Cross References: Psalm 68:6; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 18:20; Matthew 25:21; Luke 2:49

Topic: Church

Keywords: body of Christ, church, community, Church Vision

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: A Soft Pillow for a Tired Heart
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:28
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/962

MESSAGE SUMMARY
We all remember where we were on September 11, 2001 when we heard the news of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the downed plane near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The terrorists who crashed these aircraft brought the deaths of nearly 3,000 people. Mass confusion, anger, despair, and depression predictably followed as survivors sought to frame so devastating an event. Ten years later, we remember September 11 to honor those who died, those who have fought in the war on terror, and especially to be reminded that in the midst of a conflict-filled world, we serve a God who works His good purposes and promises to one day eradicate evil.

OUTLINE


  1. The Certainty of God's Care: "And we know"

  2. The Comprehensiveness of God's Care: "that all things"

  3. The Cohesiveness of God's Care: "work together"

  4. The Culmination of God's Care: "for good"

  5. The Condition of God's Care: "to those who love God...the called"

Keywords: September 11, 2001, World Trade Center, 911, terrorism

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Points about Prayer from the Sermon on the Mount
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/987

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Self reliance is esteemed in our culture - but it's not the example Jesus gives to us. In a life marked by continual prayer, the Son of God demonstrates His dependence on the Father. Let's consider what Jesus teaches about prayer and its role in our lives, remembering that prayer is a privilege, not a duty.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction: Double-take passages of the Bible
    1. To Abraham (see Genesis 18:9-15)
    2. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
    3. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
    4. "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." (Matthew 6:5-9)
  2. Prayer
    1. Reasons prayer sometimes causes guilt and tension
      1. Wrong View
        1. Think a duty, not a privilege
        2. "I have to spend time with you and when I do, it hurts."
      2. Wrong Role
        1. It causes tension
        2. It is really a guilt reliever
        3. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)
    2. Disciples' Prayer
      1. "Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.' So He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (Luke 11:1-4)
      2. Disciples had spent time with Jesus
        1. Heard Him say incredible things
        2. Saw Him do incredible things
          1. Heal the blind
          2. Walk on water
          3. Raise the dead back to life
        3. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life" (1 John 1:1)
        4. Later realized they were walking with God in a human body
        5. Saw Jesus' life was busy and there were a lot of demands on Him
        6. Saw Jesus was calm, steady, purposeful, powerful and effective
        7. Jesus lived in dependence on the Father
          1. "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." (Mark 1:35)
          2. "Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." (Luke 6:12)
      3. Disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray
        1. Not how to pray; they knew that
        2. To pray as He does
    3. Problem in prayer: Self-sufficiency
    4. We sense our need when catastrophe occurs
      1. Recognize our inadequacy
      2. Recognize our dependence on God
      3. Examples
        1. First Gulf War
          1. 44% of the adult population attended church (highest in 25 years)
          2. 57% of Americans reported they were praying twice a day with great intensity
        2. 9-11
          1. Intense prayer
          2. Repentance
          3. Dependence
      4. Emergency parachute attitude
    5. We must recognize our dependence on Him

Cross References: Genesis 18:9-15; Matthew 6:5-9; Matthew 7:7-8; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; Luke 11:1-4; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 John 1:1

Topic: Prayer

Keywords: prayer, dependence

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Day of Prayer and Fasting Service
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/998

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Communication has changed dramatically over the past fifty years. In just seconds, we can now email messages, photos, important documents, and more. We easily communicate with cell phones from almost anywhere. But, what is your communication with God like? Are you responding to his invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace? Are you letting your requests be made known to Him? Remember, the Lord is willing and God has commanded that we ask, seek, and knock.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. Church Attendance
      1. Church attendance on the weekend reveals the popularity of the church
      2. Church attendance during midweek reveals the popularity of the pastor
      3. Church attendance for a prayer service reveals the popularity of Jesus
    2. Fasting
      1. Affects attention
      2. Focus
      3. Clarity
    3. Communication
      1. Developed so we can email
      2. As communication changes with people, some change the way they communicate with heaven
      3. Average person spends 43 minutes per day managing email
      4. The average Christian spends 3-4 minutes per day in prayer
  2. Prayer
    1. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"  (Matthew 7:7-11)
    2. "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:14-16)
    3. "Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance, but laying hold of God's willingness"—Martin Luther
  3. Application
    1. God is willing
    2. Jesus is commanding, "ask, seek, knock"
    3. Declaration of dependence on the Lord
Figures referenced: Martin Luther

Topic: Prayer

Keywords: Prayer, communication

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: How Does Your GPS Work?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 3:1-8
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2204

MESSAGE SUMMARY
This passage in Proverbs is one of the most well-known and bestbeloved in the entire Bible. Believers have read it, memorized it, shared it, prayed over it, preached from it, and relied on it for centuries. Why is that so? It's simply because we all want to know God's will for our lives. Discovering God's will is one of the dominating pursuits for Christians. Let's see how it works.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. Proverbs 3:1-8
      1. Foundational for all believers
      2. Need a reminder
    2. Prayer
      1. Scripture References:
        1. "Speak, for Your servant hears." (1 Samuel 3:10)
        2.  "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts." (Jeremiah 15:16)
    3. GPS
      1. "Jill" - Skip’s GPS (Global Positioning System) device
      2. At least 24 orbiting satellites that connect and convey information to each other
      3. Accurate down to 30 feet, anywhere on earth where it is programmed
      4. Do we as believers have a GPS?
        1. A God Positioning System for believers?
        2. A spiritual equivalent?
        3. Everybody wants to know God’s will
    4. Knowing God’s Will
      1. Sometimes as obvious and plain as a GPS
      2. Other times it is not so obvious
        1. "I cry out to You, but You do not answer me" (Job 30:20)
        2. Skip tried to find the will of God on a mountain top
        3. Skip’s friend asked for an "impression" from God at stop signs
    5. Read Proverbs 3:1-8
      1. Some of the most popular verses in all of "holy writ"
        1. According to Bible Gateway
          1. Proverbs 3:5-6 rank sixth and seventh in most-searched Bible verses (out of 100)
          2. 8 million visitors to the site each month
        2. ESV (English Standard Version) - Kindle Version
          1. These verses rank in the top three
      2. Background
        1. Written by Solomon
          1. Son of David, second son of David and Bathsheba
          2. Third King of Israel, whom God gave great wisdom
          3. Wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs
          4. Wrote Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs
      3. Proverb:
        1. Axiom, aphorism, epigram, maxim - a short pithy saying
        2. Truth that is distilled
        3. A few words to describe something big
        4. "Truth bombs"
  2. A Promise to Lean On: You Do Have a GPS (v. 6)
    1. "He shall direct your paths."
    2. Perspective
      1. Father's or parent’s perspective to their child/children
      2. God delights in directing His kids
      3. Foundational Truth: God wants to direct you
      4. God is in the GPS business
    3. Scripture References
      1. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way."(Psalm 37:23)
      2. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." (Psalm 32:8)
      3. "The Lord will guide you continually." (Isaiah 58:11)
    4. God is into guiding His children
      1. New Testament: We’re promised not only God’s guidance, but a guide who will live inside us: The Holy Spirit
      2. God's guidance is sometimes dramatic
        1. Israelites led to promised land by cloud and fire (see Exodus 13:21)
        2. Abraham's servant is led by God before he finishes praying (see Genesis 24)
      3. Most of the time God's guidance is providential
        1. Queen Esther in Persia
          1. See the book of Esther
          2. "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)
        2. Ruth gleans from the field of Boaz, who happens to be her future husband (see Ruth 2)
      4. Proverbs 3:6 -The Promise
        1. "And he shall direct your paths"
        2. Literally, "He will make your paths straight." Some versions show this as an alternative translation
  3. Prerequisites to Live By: Five Ways to Tune Your GPS
    1. God-directed Trust
      1. "Trust in the Lord" (v. 5)
      2. Not faith in faith
      3. The object of your faith is the Lord
      4. Designed to depend upon God
      5. First sin was Adam acting independently of God (see Genesis 3)
    2. Whole-Hearted Trust
      1. "With all your HEART" (v. 5)
      2. Use of the word "heart" in the Bible
        1. There is a false dichotomy that asserts the heart is disconnected from the mind
        2. According to the Bible, your heart is equivalent to your mind
          1. Mind, thoughts, process, form motives, choices, and exercise of will
        3. "But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Why do you think evil in your hearts?'"(Matthew 9:4)
        4. "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." (Proverbs 23:7)
      3. The heart is the place where you process your thoughts
      4. "Trust God with everything and don’t be divided in your thoughts about trusting God"
      5. "Lean not on your own understanding" (v. 5)
        1. Bible translator, translating John 3:16, believe: to put whole weight on
        2. Jesus is my stretcher; Jesus has to carry us through
        3. Doesn’t mean not to think
          1. The problem is when somebody exalts their wisdom or intellect over the wisdom of God
          2. Abraham did this when he went to Egypt, instead of Canaan
          3. When Joshua attacks Ai and is humiliated (see Joshua 7)
    3. Recurrent Trust
      1. "In all your ways acknowledge Him" (v.6)
        1. God is in the GPS business, but it is increments so that we keep coming back to Him
        2. "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread." (Matthew 6:9-11)
        3. We are told to acknowledge our need for daily sustenance every day
          1. God has arranged it so that we constantly acknowledge our need for Him
          2. "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
      2. Children of Israel
        1. Given promise of promised land
          1. Exodus 23
          2. Deuteronomy 27
        2. The promise was given that "little by little" they would get the land
      3. Jewish proverb: "It is better to ask the way ten times, than to take the wrong way once."
    4. Scripture-based Trust (vv.  1-3)
      1. Based upon the overall knowledge of God that we have in the Bible
      2. "law" in verse 1 means torah
        1. Torah - תּוֹרָתִ֑י First five books of the Bible
      3. Skip: The law of God that Solomon had internalized was meant to be internalized by his son
      4. Take what has been written and write it on your heart
      5. You have to know God’s Word if you want to know God’s will
      6. Iron ships had Two compasses, one on the mast and one on the deck
        1. The deck compass could be affected by surroundings, but the compass on mast is "above the influence"
        2. The Bible is the compass above
        3. Become predisposed to do God’s will
      7. Icebergs
        1. 90% of the iceberg is under water and unaffected by conditions above the water
        2. A picture of a life founded upon the deep currents of God’s truth
    5. Obedient Trust (v.  1)
      1. 95% of a person knowing the will of God is a person’s willingness to do the will of God no matter what
        1. Counseling situations usually begin by asking if a person is willing to accept God’s revealed will in the Bible
        2. God will direct a person if there’s an obedient trust
      2. Illustration of pilot
        1. Panics in the midst of storms
        2. Controllers tell him to follow their instructions
        3. We must follow God’s instructions
      3. Sometimes we don’t have a clear signal: "God gave us the moon as well as the sun, and when He doesn’t see fit to direct you by sunlight, He will direct you by moonlight." - Unknown
  4. Peace to Last Us: Results of a well-tuned GPS
    1. God doesn’t want to micromanage our lives
    2. "Love God with all of your heart and then do whatever you want."- Unknown
    3. "Love God and do as you please." - Augustine
    4. Peace and health (vv. 2, 8)
      1. וְ֝שָׁל֗וֹם Shalom: God’s peace of mind (v. 2)
      2. Flesh - לְשָׁרֶּ֑ךָ - Navel: nervous system
      3. "Refreshment to your bones" (v. 8, NASB)
    5. Modern medicine can add years to your life, but trusting God will add life to your years
    6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Publications Referenced: Bible Gateway, ESV Kindle Edition
Cross Reference: Genesis 24; Exodus 13:21; Exodus 23, Deuteronomy 27, Joshua 7, I Samuel 3:10; Esther 4:14; Psalm 37:23, Psalm 32:8, Proverbs 23:7; Isaiah 58:12; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 6:9-11; John 3:16; I Thessalonians 5:17
Hebrew Terms: תּוֹרָתִ֑י (Torah) - first 5 books of the OT, law; וְ֝שָׁל֗וֹם (shalom) - peace, specifically the peace that comes from God; לְשָׁרֶּ֑ךָ (shor) - navel, nervous system

Topic: God's Will

Keywords: trust, heart, God's will

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Expound Expressed
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2221

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Revealing Himself through His Word, the Lord invites us to delight in Him—to worship Him for who He is. Join us as review highlights from the book of Matthew and respond to the Lord in worship during this special expound expressed service.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: 30th Anniversary: Love the Past, Live the Future
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 8:1-10
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2402

MESSAGE SUMMARY
In Deuteronomy 8, we learn what the Lord taught the Jewish people—to remember what the Lord had done, to know and keep the commandments, and to bless the Lord. Moses would say, "Love the Past, Live the Future." Through the text, we are reminded what the Lord had done and are given hope for what the future holds.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. 30 years—what can be accomplished
      1. One pyramid in Giza Egypt
      2. Romans build Trevi Fountain
      3. L'Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon
      4. T-shirt
    2. 30 years ago a young couple came from California
      1. New Mexico
      2. Datsun pickup truck
      3. Monday night prayer meeting
      4. Sunday morning in a theater
    3. 30 years ago there was
      1.    No daycare
      2.    No campus
      3.    No café
      4.    No bookstore
      5.    No skate park
      6.    No amphitheater
      7.    No staff
      8. The Word of God and the worship of God
    4. Today: still committed to the Word of God and the worship of God
  2. Deuteronomy 8:1-10
    1. Moses looks back and ahead
      1. Love the past, live the future
      2. Think before you act
    2. Four instructions
      1. You shall remember v. 2
      2. You should know v. 5
      3. You shall keep all the commandments v. 6
      4. You shall bless the Lord v. 10
    3. Four principles
      1. Let the past instruct you—looking back (with a good memory) gives you incentive for what's ahead
        1. God has led you
          1. They went through the wilderness 40 years
          2. You've had some tough times
          3. We've had some hard times
          4. David through the valley (see Psalm 23)
          5. The only way out is through
          6. Reader's Digest: angry bull vs. vegetarian
        2. God provided in all times
          1. Manna from heaven v. 3 (see Exodus 16)
          2. Your garments did not wear out v. 4
          3. Your foot did not swell
      2. Let the present inspire you v. 5
        1. Keep learning, keep studying the Word
        2. Jesus is still moving today
        3. Have a present-tense relationship with the Lord
        4. God loves you, a parent/child relationship
          1. Chastens those He loves (see Hebrews 12:6)
          2. He's a Father to us
      3. Let the future invite you v. 6
        1. Keep the commandments
        2. Bringing you into the land
        3. With a view to the goal (see Philippians 3:13-14)
        4. Never be satisfied with past accomplishments
        5. "I wonder what God's gonna do now?"
      4. Let thanksgiving/praise/glorifying God impel you v. 10
        1. Every parent loves to hear "thank you"
        2. We tell God thank You, He loves it
        3. Ten lepers (see Luke 17:11-17)
        4. Should be a part of our life
        5. Handful of sand—looking for iron particles
          1. An unthankful heart just runs your hand
          2. A thankful heart runs a magnet
        6. Indian pastors in India talking about numbers: "Why are you living in the book of numbers? You should be living in the book of acts."
  3. Conclusion
    1. God has chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise (see 1 Corinthians 1:27)
    2. Our vision has not changed
    3. We pursue the God who is passionately pursuing a lost world
      1. We do this with each other
      2. Through worship
      3. By the Word
      4. To the world
    4. See people fitted for Heaven and outfitted for service in His kingdom

Publications referenced: Reader's Digest
Figures referenced: Napoleon
Cross references: Exodus 16, Psalm 23, Luke 17:11-17, 1 Corinthians 1:27, Philippians 3:13-14, Hebrews 12:6

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Living With Vision
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: John 17:1-26; Acts 2:1-47
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2457

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Every life should have purpose. All people should know why they’re here and what God’s intention is for them. So should every church. This weekend we want you to discover and celebrate with us what we believe, who we are as a church, and what we do as a church body. Beyond that, we want you to know why.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction—Vision
    1. Skip has needed corrective lenses since he was 12 years old
    2. 75% of adult Americans need corrective lenses
    3. All of us need help to see clearly
    4. Arthur, a 90-year-old golfer couldn't see the ball anymore, his 103-year-old brother-in-law had perfect eyesight
    5. Loss of vision is a serious problem
    6. In 2008, an 86-year-old pilot crashed
    7. Without vision, people perish (see Proverbs 29:18)
    8. Can we see what God wants us to be? Do we know the vision so we can march into the future?
      1. Disclaimer: Skip's goal is not to get people to like him
        1. The goal is to please the Lord
        2. Not everyone likes the way we do worship, teaching, or our church size, altar calls, etc.
        3. Find a fellowship you can march forward in
      2. Years ago, the leaders (Calvary Albuquerque) prayed for what God wanted this church to be and do—that hasn't changed
        1. John 17, Jesus' prayer to His Father
        2. Acts 2, how the church practiced what Jesus prayed for in John 17
  2. The church should be a church that radiates the glory of God
    1. We pursue the God who is passionately pursuing a lost world; we do this with one another, through worship, by the Word, to the world
      1. Upreach
      2. Inreach
      3. Outreach
    2. "Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You" (John 17:1)
      1. "The glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one" (John 17:22)
      2. Eight times in this chapter the word glory or glorify is used
      3. The word glory is reserved for spiritual settings/conversations
      4. Glory is a visible expression/experience of God
        1. Outward "Wow!"
        2. Then an inward "Whoa!"
        3. Isaiah said, "Woe is me!" when he saw a vision of God's glory (see Isaiah 6:1-5)
      5. Valued attention toward God
        1. Glorify, doxazó, to make renowned, to make someone famous
        2. "I have glorified You" v. 4
        3. "I have manifested Your name" v. 6
        4. Jesus put all the focus on God
        5. He passed that onto the disciples
        6. The church's primary goal is to glorify God—to point Him out
    3. Worship, upreach
      1. When we worship Him we are stating that He is of most value—He's worth it
      2. In Acts 2, the church is born and worship is the first thing they did
        1. "We hear them speaking the wonderful works of God" (Acts 2:11)
        2. They continued "daily with one accord in the temple...praising God" (Acts 2:46-47)
      3. God made us to worship Him
      4. We are most happy and joyful when we fulfill the reason we were made
      5. Your purpose on earth is to please God (see Revelation 4:11)
      6. The Westminster Shorter Catechism says that the chief end of man "is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever"
      7. How does God want to be worshiped? (see John 4:24)
        1. In spirit—the human spirit, the authentic core of you—spirited worship
        2. In truth—based on His worth and His Word
      8. What you are in for when you get to heaven?
        1. Angels sing praise to Him (see Revelation 5:11)
        2. Sing it loud (see Revelation 5:12-13)
        3. You can't sit back and not participate in worship
        4. God won't say, "Way to hold it in!"
        5. Make a joyful noise (see Psalms 100:1)
      9. Happy hour
        1. You've won the lottery
        2. You're saved
        3. You're freed from all of the past
        4. You're on your way to heaven
    4. The church should reveal the truth of God—Inreach
      1. "You gave them to me, and they have kept Your word...I have given to them the words which You have given Me" v. 6
      2. "I have given them Your word" v. 14
      3. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" v. 17
      4. We place a high value on Bible teaching—it's always about what God says—His truth
        1. Our worship should be based on the truth of God
        2. The Word of God does the work of God in the hearts of the people
        3. Jesus prayed for them to be sanctified by the truth
        4. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles' doctrine—truth (see Acts 2:42)
        5. Dr. Albert Mohler said, "Rarely do we hear these days that a church is distinguished primarily by its preaching. When we hear people speak about their own congregations, generally they speak about something other than preaching. They might speak of a church's ministry. They might speak of specialized programs for senior adults or young people. They might speak of a church's music. Sometimes they might speak of things far more superficial. But rarely do you hear of a church described first and foremost by the character, power and content of its preaching. This is because few preachers are true servants of the word."
        6. Skip was saved listening to Billy Graham, but he couldn't grow just sitting under evangelism his whole life
        7. You need Bible teaching after you get saved
        8. Skip started going to a church that taught from Genesis to Revelation—he grew up under a Bible-teaching church
        9. Some seminary students said they learned more at a Bible-teaching church in one year than they did in all of their years at seminary training
        10. We come to church and study the Word to learn the truth
          1. "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18)
          2. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow" (1 Peter 2:2)
      5. Inreach isn't just Bible teaching; inreach is also sharing our gifts with one another
        1. When that happens, we are being empowered for service
        2. 60 times in the New Testament one another is used
        3. You can't do one anothers by yourself
        4. Inreach happens in person
    5. Outreach—rescue the enemies of God (v. 18)
      1. We are on a mission from God—the kind of mission that Jesus went on
        1. Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost (see Luke 19:10)
        2. The word sent is apostelló in Greek; it means someone who is sent
        3. God's plan to save unsaved people is to send saved ambassadors into their midst and giving them the gospel
      2. This is the method God has chosen to reach the world—we are ambassadors of Christ to the world
        1. Please never let this church become a bless-me club
        2. The church is a place for us to come and learn, to be healed, and to be a family
        3. The church exists for the benefit of non-members
      3. We have a tendency to think about ourselves
        1. We need to be reminded that we are to upreach, inreach, and outreach
        2. Jesus knew this; He had to tell the disciples to "lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest" (John 4:35)
        3. Peter preached the gospel filled with the Holy Ghost—with boldness (see Acts 2:14-40)
        4. The great commission is to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15)
      4. This is a healthy pattern for every healthy believer and every healthy church
        1. We're saved
        2. We serve
        3. We're sent
          1. That's evangelism; that's why we do altar calls
          2. D.L. Moody was reprimanded for how he did altar calls
          3. By all means, do it!
          4. Evangelism brings life into a body
  3. Closing
    1. Live churches versus dead churches
      1. Live churches are constantly changing; dead churches don't have to
      2. Live churches have lots of noisy kids; dead churches are fairly quiet
      3. Live churches expenses always exceed their income; dead churches take in more than they ever dreamed of spending
      4. Live churches are constantly improving for the future; dead churches worship their past
      5. Live churches focus on people; dead churches focus on programs
      6. Live churches dream great dreams for God; dead churches relive nightmares
      7. Live churches don't have can't in their vocabulary; dead churches have nothing but
      8. Live churches evangelize; dead churches fossilize
    2. Don't be a fossil
      1. Outwardly may look like a fossil
      2. Inwardly still 20 years old
      3. The outward man is passing away, the inward man is being renewed day by day (see 2 Corinthians 4:16)
      4. Still have vision for the future
      5. Honored to march forward together
    3. Love, kindness, grace vv. 20-23
      1. Let all we do for God and one another always be soaked in grace
      2. No room for legalism
      3. Be nice
      4. Be kind


Greek terms: δοξάζω; glorify, honor, bestow glory on; ἀποστέλλω; apostelló, send forth
Publications referenced: Westminster Shorter Catechism
Figures referenced: Dr. Albert Mohler, Billy Graham
Cross references:
Psalms 100:1, Proverbs 29:18, Isaiah 6:1-5, Mark 16:15, Luke 19:10, John 4:24, 35, John 17:21, Acts 2:11, Acts 2:14-40, Acts 2:42, Acts 2:46-47, 2 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18, Revelation 4:11, Revelation 5:11-13

Topic: vision

Keywords: inreach, outreach, upreach, mission, vision, truth, doctrine, worship, love, grace

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The World's Most Important Comma
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 61:2
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2473

MESSAGE SUMMARY
In Isaiah 61:2 we discover a tiny comma. This comma represents a 2,000-year period of time: the age of grace that we are currently living in. It is during this time that we have been saved; it's the church age, and world-wide evangelism is taking place. But we are just one day away from the end of that comma. One day that comma will become a period. At the end of that comma comes the rapture of the church and then the day of vengeance of our God on this earth.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. A point of punctuation; a comma
      1. Punctuation is important
      2. A wealthy woman traveling overseas saw a necklace that she wanted to buy; it was $75,000
      3. A comma in Isaiah 61 and again in Luke 4
    2. We have been studying the book of Daniel
      1. Daniel sees a vision of a coming King
      2. He calls Him the Son of Man
      3. He will have a worldwide kingdom that will last forever
    3. Jesus Christ interfaced with Old Testament prophecy
      1. The prophet Isaiah tells of the coming of Jesus and calls Him the Servant of the Lord
      2. The Rescuer
      3. The long-awaited Messiah
  2. A comma between the first and second phrase in verse one
    1. These phrases depict Jesus
      1. Jesus says that these verses are fulfilled in Him (see Luke 4:16-22)
      2. Jesus stops at the comma and closes the book
      3. In the New Testament we understand that the Messiah is coming twice
      4. First coming—comma—second coming
    2. The coming King
      1. Jesus read the first part of Isaiah 61:1 and stopped at the period; He placed a period in place of the comma
      2. "Is this not Joseph's son?" (Luke 4:22)
        1. The Rabbis believed that Isaiah 61 referred to the coming Messiah
        2. They didn't want to believe this kid from Nazareth was the Messiah
        3. "Jesus went into the synagogue as was His custom" (Luke 4:16)
          1. He did that every week
          2. Would that Christians would regularly come to the church to worship
      3. There are seven descriptions of the coming King that Jesus pulls from the text in Isaiah
        1. He's going to be anointed
          1. We call Him Christ, that is not His last name
          2. Christ means messiah
          3. Greek it's messias
          4. Hebrew it's mashiach
          5. To smear with oil
        2.  He will attract the poor
          1. There were so many poor people
          2. They could relate to Jesus because He was poor
          3. He said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (Matthew 8:20)
          4. "The common people heard Him gladly" (Mark 12:37)
          5. "Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?" (James 2:5)
        3. He will heal the brokenhearted
          1. Brokenhearted people are not easy people to hang out with
            1. They're emotional
            2. They're pessimistic
            3. They're morose
            4. They shed a lot of tears
            5. They tell their same broken-hearted story over and over
          2.  Jesus was tender hearted around the broken hearted
          3. He reached out to them
          4. Walk softly around a broken heart
            1. They don't need long sermons and explanations, they need your presence
            2. When a tenderhearted person meets a broken-hearted person, that brokenhearted person will remember the kindness and always invite them back
          5. When parents lost their children or a woman was caught in adultery, Jesus was tenderhearted
        4. He will proclaim liberty to the captives
          1. This is the second time that Jesus is said to be a preacher
          2. Jesus talked
            1. The Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7)
            2. The Upper Room Discourse (see John 13-16)
            3. The Olivet Discourse (see Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21)
            4. Sometimes His words were filled with promise
            5. Other times they were packed full of rebuke
            6. His words were always designed to liberate—to set people free
            7. Jesus said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32); and "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63)
            8. Peter said, when Jesus asked if they were going to leave Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68)
          3. Our country puts a premium on freedom and liberty
            1. Freedom of speech
            2. Freedom from tyranny
            3. Freedom of assembly
            4. Freedom of religion
          4. At the Lord's table, we testify of real freedom
        5. He will give sight to the blind
          1. Both literal and spiritual
          2. He physically healed Bartimaeus (see Mark 10:46-52)
          3. He healed a blind man in Jerusalem by making a mud ball with His own spit (see John 9:6-7)
          4. We were spiritually blind before we came to Christ
          5. John Newton wrote the hymn "Amazing Grace"that contains the refrain: "Was blind but now I see"
          6. The world around us is blind—they don't get it
        6. He will help the oppressed
          1. The bruised
          2. The crushed
          3. An oppressed person is timid, they hold back in fear, they've been burned before, they're not quick to commit now
          4. Jesus has found a place to rescue those who are oppressed
          5. Jesus never intimidates people
          6. Skip thinks back to the people in his life that he's hurt and is ashamed
        7. This list describes the church—us
          1. A messy bunch of people
          2. Knowing that should make us more patient with each other
      4. This coming King will be right on time to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord
        1. Jubilee year—a year of freedom
        2. The Messiah would come at the exact right time (see Galatians 4:4-5)
        3. Jesus often spoke of His hour (see John 2:4, John 7:6, and John 17:1)
        4. He was moving on His own timetable
      5. Jesus didn't finish the verse—He came to the comma, He closed the book, and He sat down
    3. The Conquering King
      1. The verses described after the comma in Isaiah 61
      2. "And the day of vengeance of our God" (Isaiah 61:2)
      3. This is after the second coming
        1. They probably were thinking "You left the best part out; the day of vengeance"
        2. They wanted vengeance on Rome
        3. Why did they think Messiah was going to come and do that?
          1. In Isaiah it's all lumped up into one paragraph
          2. There is a literary device called prophetic foreshortening
            1. Events are predicted by the prophets without the delineation of the sequence of the events
            2. Or, events are predicted without showing the intervals of time that happened between the events
            3. From a distance it looks like all one event
            4. From a distance, the Sandias look like one, flat, solid mountain; as you get closer and closer, you see that there are several peaks separated by valleys
          3. He'll come again as a conquering King to fulfill Revelation 6-18; the day of vengeance of our God—the tribulation period
            1. Followed by Revelation 19, the return of Jesus Christ to the earth
            2. Followed by Revelation 20, the comfort of all those who mourn in Zion—the millennial kingdom
            3. Isaiah saw all this but he didn't know that the comma was a 2,000 year comma
    4. The considerable comma
      1. This comma has lasted 2,000 years
      2. Jesus made it a period
      3. Punctuation saves lives
        1. Let's eat Grandpa!
        2. Let's eat, Grandpa!
      4. This comma has saved our lives
        1. In this comma is the church age
        2. In this comma you were saved
        3. In this comma world-wide evangelism has taken place
        4. It's the age of grace
      5. We are just one comma away from the day of the Lord
      6. At the end of the comma comes the rapture of the church
      7. But we are still in the comma; do something with that comma
        1. One day that comma will become a period
        2. Jesus will return, period!
        3. Jesus will be the judge of the earth, period!
        4. God will sentence all unbelievers, period!
        5. There will never be another choice to be made after that period
  3. The Lord's Supper
    1. We do it now, during the comma
      1. We won't do it in heaven
      2. We look backward to the cross
      3. We look forward to His coming again
    2. If you do not know the Lord, do not take Communion
      1. If you do, you are advertising your own condemnation (see 1 Corinthians 11:26-32)
      2. A better option: give your life to the Lord now


Greek terms: Μεσσίας; messias, the anointed one
Hebrew terms: מָשִׁ֫יחַ; mashiach, annointed
Publications referenced: "Amazing Grace" by John Newton
Cross references: Matthew 5-7, Matthew 8:20, Matthew 24, Mark 10:46-52, Mark 12:37, Mark 13, Luke 4:16-22, Luke 21, John 2:4, John 6:63, John 6:68, John 7:6, John 8:32, John 9:6-7, John 13-16, John 17:1, 1 Corinthians 11:26-32, Galatians 4:4-5, James 2:5, Revelation 6-20


Topic: Communion

Keywords: Jesus, Isaiah, second coming, Messiah, heaven, rapture, comfort, vengeance, return

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Navigating Another Year
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 5:15-17
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3822

MESSAGE SUMMARY
What is the will of God? It can seem so elusive, but in this study, we learn five things that are the clear will of God for each of us. As children of God, as a church body, let's make a pact to preach to the lost, to be set apart for Jesus Christ, to be humble, to be submissive and honoring to the people around us, and to be thankful in all things. Taught in Ocean Grove, NJ.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Not Done Yet
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 14:6-15
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2543

MESSAGE SUMMARY
At 85 years old, the faithful Caleb desired to keep growing and being used by the Lord. In this passage, he takes hold of God's promises, and his story of God's faithfulness unfolds. By examining his courageous life, we learn that as time goes on, we must not slow down in doing the Lord's work; we must boldly look ahead and realize we are not done yet!

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. All along the way, people and inventors have said, "Not done yet"
    2. Caleb was eighty-five years old, but he wanted to continue to grow
    3. Joshua 14
      1. He looked back carefully at what God had brought him through
      2. He looked around candidly at where God had brought Him to
      3. He looked ahead courageously at what God might want to do through his life now
    4. As we get older, we can get crustier; we want things more comfortable
    5. We can get more concerned about our personal, physical comfort than the eternal comfort of other people
    6. All along the line, including today, we want to say, "We are not done yet"
  2. Look Back Carefully (vv. 6-8)
    1. The name Caleb means bold or impetuous; also the Hebrew word for dog
    2. Memory is a powerful incentive and inspiration if you use it correctly and focus on the right things
    3. Caleb remembered back to when he was one of the twelve spies who went into the land and brought back a report; see Numbers 13-14
      1. Good land, big dudes
      2. Minority report by Joshua and Caleb (see Numbers 13:30)
      3. Majority report by ten spies (see Numbers 13:31-32)
      4. The ten measured the giants by their own strength; the two measured the giants by God's strength
      5. The ten saw big people and a little God; the two saw little people because they believed they served a big God
    4. Can you remember the names of any of those ten spies?
      1. History remembers the heroes who stood against the crowd and didn't go along with the majority
      2. They wanted to move forward
    5. Caleb had a story to tell of God's faithfulness in the past—of what God had brought him through
      1. We have a story of God's faithfulness in this fellowship, too
      2. Like Caleb, we had a promise; Matthew 16:18
  3. Look Around Candidly (vv. 9-11)
    1. Caleb's honest assessment of his age combined with a confident assessment of his God
    2. Our Western culture is obsessed with youth
    3. The older you get, if you live life right, the more valuable you are
      1. You have learned life lessons and spiritual wisdom
      2. You shouldn't be thinking of retirement as much as thinking about how God can make the latter years of your life the most productive years of your life
      3. Example: Billy Graham
    4. The secret is Caleb's spirituality (see Joshua 14:8)
    5. Are you as fired up about God's promises as you used to be?
    6. "None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm" —Henry David Thoreau
  4. Look Ahead Courageously (vv. 11-12)
    1. Caleb didn't sound like he was looking for comfort; he was looking for a fight
    2. Caleb was ready then, and he was ready now
    3. That's courage
  5. Closing
    1. Three characteristics about Caleb's life to consider
      1. He looked back to the past, but he wasn't stuck in the past
        1. He used his past not as a sofa, but as a springboard
        2. This is so important for churches
        3. If you want to be miserable, live your whole life looking over your shoulder
        4. Philippians 3:13
      2. He viewed himself through the lens of faith
        1. He knew he was old, but God had made him a promise
        2. If this is what eighty-five looks like, bring it on
        3. 2 Timothy 4:7
      3. He lived with a reckless abandonment to the will of God
        1. "It may be" (v. 12) implies it may not be
        2. He wanted a challenge, a new horizon
        3. "Attempt something so great for God, it's doomed to failure unless God be in it" —John Haggai
        4. It's God's style to use situations where the odds are stacked against His people
          1. Moses, Gideon, David, newly converted believers
          2. Mark 16:15
    2. At any age, if you want the Lord to use you, it'll be the best ride you've ever had

Figures referenced: Billy Graham, Henry David Thoreau, John Haggai

Cross references: Numbers 13-14; Joshua 14:6-15; Matthew 16:18; Mark 16:15; Philippians 3:13; 2 Timothy 4:7


Topic: Courage

Keywords: growth, God's promises, the church, church planting, church building, memory, remember, memorial, faithfulness, old age, wisdom, retirement, courage, the past, faith, will of God, challenge

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: South East Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference – Session 4
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2601

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The apostle Paul spent a large amount of time pouring into his disciple Timothy's life. And in his second letter to Timothy, he encouraged him to do the same for others. In this message, Pastor Skip Heitzig expresses the importance and process of training up responsible leaders.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: South East Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference – Session 7
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2602

MESSAGE SUMMARY
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul the apostle motivated Timothy to continue to be faithful in his ministry to the Lord. As we study 2 Timothy 2:11-13, Pastor Skip Heitzig exhorts believers toward faithfulness by sharing four helpful principles to cultivate this supreme attribute in their lives.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: iThirst
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: John 19:28-30
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2621

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The world is filled with Apple's i-technology, which delivers on its promise to make connectivity and information readily accessible. But there is a deeper need within everyone, a thirst to be right with God, that no app or gadget can fulfill. How ironic that Jesus, the great Thirst-Quencher, would Himself be thirsty. It was part of the great exchange—His temporary thirst enabled yours to be quenched eternally!

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. We live in the world of "i"
      1. Steve Jobs said two words came to mind with the letter i: individuality and inspiration
      2. In the soul of every man and woman is a deep thirst that only God has an app for
    2. Jesus experienced everything we experience so that He could give us what we deeply need
    3. "I thirst" (v. 28)
      1. Fifth statement of Jesus on the cross (out of seven)
      2. In Greek, it's one word: dipso
      3. When Jesus made this statement, it wasn't about individual productivity; it was about universal opportunity—salvation
      4. This is the most human and most ironic of His statements
    4. A person's first words aren't as significant as their last words
      1. Last words reveal who a person really is
      2. People die differently because people live differently
      3. Jesus' last words are even more important because they were said on the cross, the greatest transaction in human history
      4. While Jesus was doing His greatest work on earth, He was uttering His greatest words on earth
    5. Jesus' statements on the cross
      1. For the first six hours, they were about other people
        1. Luke 23:34
        2. Luke 23:43
        3. John 19:26
      2. Darkness and silence fell around noon
      3. The silence was broken by Jesus' cry (see Matthew 27:46) and followed by three more statements
        1. John 19:28
        2. John 19:30
        3. Luke 23:46
    6. These verses show Jesus' suffering and sovereignty
  2. What Jesus Knew: "Knowing that all things were now accomplished"
    1. Jesus knew everything
      1. Matthew 9:4; 12:25; Luke 5:22; 9:47
      2. John 13:1
      3. John 21:15-17
    2. Psalm 69:21—messianic prediction
      1. Sour wine was the lowest grade cheap wine
      2. Hyssop was a long reed with a bushy end
        1. Reminiscent of Passover; Exodus 12:22
        2. Jesus was dying during the Feast of Passover; a few hundred yards away, lambs were being killed (see Revelation 13:8) and hyssop was still being used in the ceremony
    3. At this moment, Jesus knew every prophetic Scripture was lined up
    4. There are two sides to the cross: the human and the divine
      1. Human responsibility and divine sovereignty
        1. The cross was a diabolical plot by sinful, hateful men
        2. It was also God arranging all things so that He might accomplish all things
        3. Acts 2:23: God arranged it, but you did it; God is sovereign, but you are also responsible
      2. God allows people to make choices and at the same time is in perfect control
      3. The safest way to live your life is in absolute surrender to God and His plan
    5. What did Jesus think of the Bible (i.e., the Old Testament)?
      1. Jesus refers to the Old Testament as the Word of God sixty-four times
        1. Matthew 4:4 (Deuteronomy 8:3)
        2. John 10:35
        3. Mark 14:49
      2. Five different times He asks Jewish teachers and leaders, "Have you never read what the Law says?" (Matthew 19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:29; Mark 2:25)
      3. Matthew 5:18
      4. Find out what a person thinks about the Bible and you'll find out what a person really thinks about Jesus
      5. If you don't share Jesus' view of the Bible, you will be unstable while you live and probably fearful when you die
  3. What Jesus Said: "I thirst"
    1. Shows Us Cross' Intensity
      1. A physiological result of crucifixion is dehydration
      2. "The unnatural position made every movement painful; the lacerated veins and crushed tendons throbbed with incessant anguish; the wounds, inflamed by exposure, gradually gangrened; the arteries, especially of the head and stomach, became swollen and oppressed with surcharged blood; and, while each variety of misery went on gradually increasing, there was added to them the intolerable pang of a burning and raging thirst" —Frederic Farrar, The Life of Christ
      3. It's possible that Jesus had not had a drink for eighteen hours—since the Last Supper
    2. Shows Us Jesus' Humanity
      1. His statement is as human as it gets
      2. The One who called Himself the living water (see John 4:13-14; 7:37-38) is now saying "I thirst"
      3. Jesus was undiminished deity and unprotected humanity; we have a hard time with His humanity sometimes
      4. First heresy in the church was the denial of Jesus' humanity (Gnosticism)
      5. What Jesus knew from the cross shows His deity; what Jesus said from the cross shows His humanity
    3. Shows Us Jesus' Humility
      1. Philippians 2:8
      2. This was the second time Jesus was offered a drink on the cross; Matthew 27:34
        1. He refused the sour wine mixed with gall
        2. Gall is an analgesic and would have numbed the pain
          1. Jesus wanted to drink in the full intensity of the moment
          2. He didn't want any of His senses to be diminished
          3. Matthew 26:39
  4. What Jesus Did: "Received the sour wine.... Gave up His spirit"
    1. In drinking the wine, Jesus took the cup of suffering and tasted death; Hebrews 2:9
    2. What Jesus endured on the cross
      1. Darkness
      2. Separation from the Father (see Matthew 27:46)
      3. Burning thirst
      4. It sounds like hell
    3. Jesus tasted hell and death that you might enjoy heaven and have life
    4. On the cross, God treated Jesus Christ as if He had committed every sin committed by every person who would ever live
      1. 2 Corinthians 5:21
      2. God treated Jesus like you and I deserve to be treated so He could treat us like Jesus deserves to be treated
  5. Closing
    1. iThirst is God's app for your thirst
      1. You could write "iThirst" over every single life apart from Christ
      2. John 4:13-14
    2. The Feast of Tabernacles
      1. Thousands of people attended the last (eighth) day
      2. They would pour a pitcher of water on the stones of the temple platform as a reminder that God quenched the thirst of their forefathers in the wilderness
      3. They would sing Isaiah 12:3 and fall silent
      4. Jesus cried out in this silence: John 7:37-38
    3. The final invitation in the Bible: Revelation 22:17
    4. Jesus thirsted that we might drink deeply and be satisfied perpetually

Figures referenced: Steve Jobs, Frederic Farrar

Greek/Hebrew words: dipso

Cross references: Exodus 12:22; Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 69:21; Isaiah 12:3; Matthew 4:4; 5:18; 9:4; 12:25; 19:4; 21:16, 42; 22:29; 26:39; 27:34, 46; Mark 2:25; 14:49; Luke 5:22; 9:47; 23:34, 43, 46; John 4:13-14; 7:37-38; 10:35; 13:1; 19:26, 28-30; 21:15-17; Acts 2:23; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 2:9; Revelation 13:8; 22:17


Topic: Cross

Keywords: thirst, spiritual thirst, longing, salvation, death, suffering, suffer, sovereignty, sovereign, Scripture, the Word of God, prophecy, human, divine, the cross, living water, deity, humanity, hell

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Skip Heitzig Interview with David Eubank
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2815

MESSAGE SUMMARY
In this interview with Pastor Skip, Dave Eubank of the Free Burma Rangers explained how the Lord called his family to Burma and what the Free Burma Rangers do to help people who are caught in the crossfire of terrorism. Dave's wife, Karen, also talked about the Good Life Club, the relief arm of the Free Burma Rangers that aids mothers and children, and that Reload Love, our church-wide initiative, is raising funds for.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: How Does The Gospel Work?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/2910

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The book of 1 Thessalonians is a letter from the apostle Paul to a young church in Thessalonica, whom he commended for their faith, love, and endurance. As we study the first ten verses of this book, we learn from their bold example what evangelism looks like and what the normal flow of the gospel is: it comes to us, works in us, and then comes from us.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. How are we telling the gospel message?
      1. Are we telling it?
      2. How are people listening to it?
    2. Would it matter to you if someone sent you the most important message of your life, and yet year after year that urgent message was never delivered?
    3. The normal flow of the gospel
      1. It comes to you, it works in you, and it comes from you
      2. The gospel is received, the gospel redirects, and the gospel rings out
    4. Paul's audience in 1 Thessalonians
      1. A young church in Thessalonica
      2. Acts 16:6-10; 17:1-4
      3. This letter was written about one year later
      4. The church was vibrant, not stagnated
    5. Man to movement to monument
      1. How do we stop that?
      2. By making the gospel our gospel
  2. The Gospel Is Received (see v. 5)
    1. The gospel doesn't come in word only, but it does come in words certainly
      1. There is a message we must use our lips to tell other people
      2. Mark 16:15
    2. Preach is the Greek word kérussó, which means to herald
      1. There was an office of the herald in the Greek world
      2. A herald spoke for the king and gave announcements to a crowd with a strong voice
      3. That's how God wants the gospel to go out
      4. 1 Corinthians 1:21; Romans 10:14
    3. "We are to seek our neighbor's conversion because we love him, and we are to speak to him in loving terms God's loving gospel" —C.H. Spurgeon
    4. The message came to the Thessalonians from the lips and the life
    5. Verse 5 in other words: "What you heard from us was convincing because of what you saw in us"
      1. The message and the messenger were one and the same; the testimony of the lips was backed up by the testimony of lives
      2. When a penetrating life backs up preaching lips, the gospel is unstoppable
    6. If you just witness with your lips but not your life, you're a hypocrite
    7. If you just witness with your life but not your lips, that's cruelty
  3. The Gospel Redirects (see vv. 6-7, 9-10)
    1. Conversion (see v. 9)
      1. This describes repentance, turning from sin and trusting in Jesus
      2. You are not perfect, but changes do occur
      3. There's no higher joy than to watch conversion
    2. Anticipation (see v. 10): one of the first marks of a converted person is that they can't wait to see Jesus
    3. Submission (see v. 6)
      1. To God and to His representatives
      2. Followers means mimickers
      3. Do you want to change the world? Preach the gospel
    4. Celebration (see v. 6)
      1. Affliction and joy are right next to each other
      2. We think you can't have joy unless you eliminate affliction
      3. One of the paradoxes of the Christian life
      4. The gospel always arouses hostility because it counters human pride, but the gospel always produces joy because it replaces human pride
    5. Verse 7: this was Paul bragging on the Thessalonians
  4. The Gospel Rings Out (see v. 8)
    1. Some people think it's the preacher's job to let the gospel ring out
    2. The root word of sounded forth is echo
      1. Greek word exécheó: to echo or reverberate forth or the sounding of a trumpet
      2. "For from you there has been caused to sound forth in a loud, unmistakable proclamation the word of the Lord, the echo of which still rolls on with a great sound" —Kenneth Wuest's translation
    3. What a word picture this is of evangelism!
    4. The early church were saved souls wanting to see more souls saved
    5. There are several ways believers interact or respond to unbelievers
      1. Isolate: "I need to get out of this evil world; it's just me and my own"
      2. Insulate: "I really don't want to know what's going on in the world, so I'll just have Christians around me all the time"
      3. Imitate: "The only way to get them to like me is for me to be like them"
      4. Vegetate: "I know people are going to hell, but so what?"
      5. Penetrate: the right response
        1. Matthew 5:13-16
        2. Evangelist in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress
        3. Where are you pointing? Are you even pointing?
    6. The gathered community of believers became the scattered community of proclaimers
  5. Closing
    1. Matthew 4:19
    2. When was the last time you caught a fish? When was the last time you threw out the line or the net?

Figures referenced: C.H. Spurgeon, Kenneth Wuest, John Bunyan

Greek words: kérussó, exécheó

Cross references: Matthew 4:19; 5:13-16; Mark 16:15; Acts 16:6-10; 17:1-4; Romans 10:14; 1 Corinthians 1:21; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10


Topic: Evangelism

Keywords: gospel, evangelism, preach, witness, salvation, conversion, unbelievers, fishers of men, early church

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Great Is Thy Faithfulness
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Lamentations 3:22-31
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3118

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The prophet Jeremiah looked on as the city of Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. But even as he mourned over the destruction of his city, he realized the living God was at work. In the same way, though our world is filled with a great amount of uncertainty, we can still find certainty in the Lord and confidently tell Him, "Great is Your faithfulness."

STUDY GUIDE

As Christmas ends, it seems that the hope of December fades into the harsh realities of January, leaving many of us asking, "Where is all of the peace on earth and goodwill toward men?" In order to bring us hope at this time of the year, Pastor Skip walked us through the rich text of Lamentations 3:22-31 on God's faithfulness to His people.

At the birth of Jesus, the angel declared, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14). The full meaning and intention of this declaration is often misunderstood due to a poor translation of the text. It should read, "Peace to men on whom His favor rests." It is a promise made not to the entire world, but to those who are His, who are under His favor.

In the same way, God made promises to His people in the book of Lamentations. The context of this passage takes us to the year 586 BC. This whole year was like Israel's September 11: The Babylonians had besieged the city of Jerusalem for eighteen months. Many Jews were massacred, and the Babylonians captured thousands more. The city and temple were burned. Jeremiah, like a war correspondent, recorded that people died in record numbers, describing the horrors of corpses rotting in the streets and desperate parents forced to eat their own children. In Lamentations, Jeremiah wrote five funeral dirges—laments, mournful songs—in response to these atrocities. But in the third chapter, we find an island of hope in an ocean of despair. From Jeremiah's hopeful words, Pastor Skip gifted us with three certainties to hang our hats on in an uncertain world.

First, there is mercy in the midst of mayhem. For most of us, this coming year will include some level of confusion, disruption, pain, and suffering. Yet, "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not" (v. 22). Someone once said that life is simply a process of getting used to all the things you don't expect. Job put it this way: "Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7, NIV). Psalm 23 says there is a valley of the shadow of death that we will have to walk through. There will be mayhem, but there will be mercy. Better yet, mercy here is the Hebrew word checed, best translated as covenant love, loyal love, or loving-kindness. C.H. Mackintosh wrote that "10,000 mercies are forgotten in one stifling moment." Therefore, when hardship comes, we need to respond by remembering His triumphant mercies, His ongoing loving-kindnesses. What are some ways that you have focused, or should focus, on the greatness of your God rather than on the greatness of your grief or trial?

Second, God's resources will match your requirements. Jeremiah declared that God's mercies "are new every morning" (v. 23), and they are to be ours every day. Whatever each day throws at us, it will be met with His mercies. However, like the manna given to the children of Israel in the desert, mercy needs to be laid hold of daily. We should give our mornings to God and get new mercies from Him every day. Consider that Jeremiah's declaration of God's faithfulness wasn't based upon what Jeremiah was seeing at that time—horrific suffering—but what he knew about God—He is faithful. He had to stay focused on what he knew about God to get him through those troubled times. The same is true for us. Thomas Chisholm wrote the classic hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" after a season in which he noted, "I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God." Someone once counted 7,487 promises God made to man in the Bible. These promises are our resources. We must trust in His mercies and faithfulness, especially in the midst of despair. Skip suggested that we keep a record of promises that God has kept or fulfilled for us personally, so that when trials come, we have a record of His faithfulness to rely on. How do you remember what He has done for you?

Third, God's delays do not always mean God's denials. Do you feel like you never get what you ask for in prayer? In verses 21-31, there are two words that appear five times: hope and wait. Consider that prior to writing Lamentations, Jeremiah had preached for forty years and not one person is recorded as having repented. Jeremiah, too, had to hope and wait. His forty years of prophesying finally came true with the Babylonian invasion. In those same prophecies, God also promised that after seventy years of captivity, He would bring His people back home—and He did. The idea of waiting means that we expect God to answer and give Him space to work in His way and His time. Practically, how can we encourage each other in tough times that it won't always be this way? Think of times when you have seen God's faithfulness and mercy.

Adapted from Pastor Skip’s teaching

The BIG Idea
Your outlook is determined by your uplook.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. Lamentations represents one of the darkest periods in ancient biblical history
      1. Jeremiah saw the death of his nation
      2. At the same time, there was a living God who was greatly at work
    2. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness" —Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
    3. This passage is one of the most significant passages in all Scripture on the faithfulness of God to His people
    4. It seems that December's hope gets eclipsed by January's harsh reality
    5. Luke 2:13-14
      1. What's wrong with this picture?
      2. A more modern translation yields, "On earth, peace to men on whom God's favor rests"
      3. That's a promise to you in the midst of all the bad stuff
    6. 586 BC: Israel's September 11
      1. Babylonians took over
      2. Thousands of people died in the streets of Jerusalem
      3. The temple was burned
      4. Lamentations 2:20; 4:10
      5. Jeremiah, like a war correspondent, recorded what he saw in Lamentations
        1. A lament is a strong cry, like a funeral dirge
        2. He wrote five of them
      6. Thousands of people were carted off to Babylon, including Daniel
    7. These verses are an island of hope in an ocean of despair
    8. We live in an uncertain world, but we do have a few certainties
  2. There Is Mercy in the Midst of Mayhem
    1. These verses are like a diamond in a handful of coal
    2. Jeremiah could see through the smoke of judgment, and he focused on God's mercy
      1. He was seeing death and destruction
      2. But he said, "It is not the end"
    3. Every person will face mayhem
      1. Life is a process of getting used to all the things you never planned
      2. Job 5:7
      3. Psalm 23:4; you won't be airlifted from mountain peak to mountain peak
      4. Some people think that because they're Christians, God owes them a life free of pain and suffering
    4. There will be mayhem in the next year, but there will be mercy in the midst of it
    5. Mercies (v. 22) is a word used about 250 times in the Old Testament
      1. Sometimes translated loving-kindness
      2. Hebrew checed, which means loyal love or covenant love
      3. God made a covenant with you and will act in love and mercy toward you because of that covenant
    6. Rather than focusing on the great grief you're experiencing, focus on the great God and His great love, mercy, and compassion toward you
      1. "Ten thousand mercies are forgotten in the presence of a single trifling privation" —C.H. Mackintosh
      2. Start drowning out the trifling moments with God's triumphant mercy
  3. God's Resources Will Match Our Requirements
    1. "Great is Your faithfulness" (v. 23): this is like someone standing at ground zero on September 11, 2001, and saying this
    2. Whatever the day throws at you, God will match it
    3. Every day this next year, there will be a fresh supply of God's covenant love
    4. But it's like manna
      1. You have to gather it every morning
      2. Exodus 16
      3. This next year, give your mornings to God: start in His Word and in prayer
      4. Receive during this time what you will need for the day
    5. "Great is Your faithfulness" was a declaration not based on what Jeremiah saw, heard, or smelled; it was based on what he knew about God
    6. 2 Timothy 2:13; He's faithful, but we don't always notice it
    7. "I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God" —Thomas Chisholm
    8. "Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; as Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed Thy hand hath provided—great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!" —Thomas Chisholm, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"
    9. There are 7,487 promises in the Bible that God made to man; that will get you through your tomorrows
    10. It's time we start focusing on and noticing all the times God keeps a promise
  4. Delays Don't Mean Denials
    1. In verses 21-31, two words appear five times: hope and wait
    2. These are the words of a man anticipating an answer from God at some point in the future
    3. Jeremiah predicted what he saw and wrote about in Lamentations
      1. He spent forty years warning the people, and not a single person listened to him
      2. He also predicted that Jerusalem would be restored after seventy years of captivity in Babylon
    4. Jeremiah expected God to answer and gave room for God to answer in His way and timing
    5. We should start recognizing and looking for God's mercy in the midst of mayhem, grabbing hold of His resources in the midst of our requirements, and waiting and hoping in the Lord when He says, "Not now"
      1. Not now doesn't mean no
      2. We need to learn to let go when we trust the Lord
  5. Closing
    1. This year, let go
    2. The best place to look is up, because your outlook is determined by your uplook
    3. Say to the Lord, "Great is Your faithfulness"

Figures referenced: Charles Dickens, C.H. Mackintosh, Thomas Chisholm

Hebrew words: checed

Cross references: Exodus 16; Job 5:7; Psalm 23:4; Lamentations 2:20; 3:21-31; 4:10; Luke 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 2:13


Topic: God's Faithfulness

Keywords: faithful, faithfulness, lament, mercy, suffering, hardships, pain, covenant love, provision, promise, hope, waiting

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Living Life Together
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 18:1;Acts 2:41-47
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3123

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The word fellowship is one of the most overused and undervalued words in the church. More than a social activity, fellowship should be a spiritual activity in which we all take part. As we draw some principles from Scripture and learn from the example of the early church, we see that being in community is essential for spiritual health.

STUDY GUIDE

Gilligan's Island was a television sitcom about seven people who were stranded on an uncharted island for three-plus years. The church is similar to Gilligan's Island: all of us are on the same boat and island, from various backgrounds, learning to live life together, and waiting for rescue—in our case, for the Lord to come. This is why fellowship is so essential. The Bible mentions the Greek word for fellowship and community, koinónia, nineteen times. However, fellowship is not just hanging out in Jesus' name—it is so much more, and to illustrate this, Pastor Skip gave us a principle from Genesis 2, a proverb from Proverbs 18, and a people to consider from Acts 2.

First is a basic principle from Genesis 2:18, where for the first time in Scripture, God said something was not good: man's aloneness. Consider that in all the perfection of Adam's world before the fall, God said it was not good that he should be alone. This is because we are more than just physical beings; we are also spiritual, and that means we need to interact with other people. In fact, it's how God made us to function best. Unless we have other people around us, we will not grow emotionally or spiritually as much as we need to. "Community is the divine norm," Pastor Skip said. Read Romans 12:4-13. What did Paul say about community? Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Both personality types need fellowship; why is this? How can you bring who you are to a small group?

Secondly, we have a proverb from Proverbs 18 that speaks about isolation (see vv. 1-2) and integration (see v. 24). There are events in life that tend to drive us toward isolation: past hurts, rejection, health issues, hurtful relationships, etc. But in these cases, isolation is not the answer—integration is, because we need fellowship. However, fellowship involves letting down our guard and being vulnerable. In Luke 4, Jesus announced that He came to the poor, brokenhearted, captives, blind, and oppressed—and that's all of us in one way or another. So, fellowship can be messy as we interact with the people Jesus came to set free and heal. Why is isolation considered seeking your own desires and railing against all wise judgment (see Proverbs 18:1)? What are the challenges of living life together? What are the advantages?

Lastly, let's look at Acts 2:41-47 and consider the people within the church. We learn from Acts that the early church of 120 people exploded to 3,120 after a single altar call. These believers were predominantly young in their faith, yet they lived life together. They understood that fellowship is not just a social gathering, but primarily a spiritual gathering—it's being social about spiritual things. Notice that the fellowship included all believers (see v. 44). The Bible teaches that to fail to participate in local church life is to disobey direct commands of Scripture. Living out our relationship with Christ with other people is the only way to provoke one another to "love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24). Notice also that through fellowship, the needs of all those believers were met. This provision was voluntary, not compulsory. As John Stott said, "Christian fellowship is Christian caring, and Christian caring is Christian sharing." Their fellowship had a two-fold structure: they met "in the temple" and "from house to house" (v. 46). They had their formal church service in the courts of the temple, and intimate fellowship from house to house. It was in homes where these believers worked out the principles that they learned in the temple. Homes are better than restaurants and cafes, because that is where families gather; this is Bible study in the context of community. Consider that the church in Jerusalem grew to 20,000 to 25,000 people, so breaking it into home gatherings was essential to ensure fellowship, much like Calvary. The size of the gathering doesn't matter; the Jerusalem church proved that intimate fellowship is attainable in a church of any size. Everyone in the early church experienced fellowship because they were devoted to it. What does devoted mean? How can God provide for us through fellowship?

Consider why geese fly in a V formation: 1) it adds 71 percent greater distance to their journey than if they flew alone; 2) the geese from the back honk to encourage the leaders up front to keep the time and speed; and 3) if one falls out of formation because of injury or illness, two other geese follow it to be with it. Like geese, do you need an uplifting experience? Do you want to go further? What steps can you take to connect with people you can live life with?

Adapted from Pastor Skip’s teaching

The BIG Idea
God made us to live in community, so take the opportunity to connect in small groups with brothers and sisters from your large group.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. We in the church are all in the same boat, on the same island, and called to live life together, all while waiting for the Lord to come and rescue us
    2. Though it's messy and difficult to deal with human beings, we're part of the best outfit in the world
    3. Greek word koinónia
      1. Means fellowship
      2. Appears nineteen times in the New Testament
      3. Other words that we get from it include communion, community, participation, contribution
    4. There is no word more overused and undervalued than fellowship
      1. We think we can sanctify any activity as long as we add fellowship to it
      2. To fellowship has come to mean to hang out together in Jesus' name
  2. The Basic Principle
    1. Genesis 2:18-20
    2. The Hebrew construction of verse 18 accentuates the negativity
      1. "Not good, not good is man alone"
      2. The first time that God said something was not good
    3. For Adam, certain things were good about his life
      1. The simplicity: a direct relationship with God, few rules, a perfect environment
      2. His responsibility, his job
    4. God created us for companionship
      1. Spirituality, the social element
      2. People require other people
      3. "The human being is the only species that can't survive alone. The human being needs another human being" —Dr. Leonard Cammer
    5. Community is the divine norm
    6. You won't grow emotionally or spiritually unless you have other people
  3. A Bolstering Proverb
    1. Proverbs 18:1-2, 24
    2. There are things that happen in our lives that cause us to tend to be isolated
      1. Past hurts, being rejected, physical ailment, painful relationships
      2. People build walls to protect themselves, but this alienates and isolates them
    3. Albert Speer, Inside the Third Reich: Hitler did exactly what this proverb warns us of
    4. There's been a debate about solitary confinement
      1. It never improves a person; it always worsens them
      2. We need, by design and experience, fellowship and interaction
    5. Fellowship is messy business
    6. Luke 4:17-18
      1. Poor, brokenhearted, captive, blind, oppressed
      2. This is a messy bunch, but it's the church of Jesus Christ
  4. The People of God Is Born
    1. Acts 2:41-47
    2. There was no church building or properties, no staff—but there were people
    3. The word for church, ekklésia, means a group of people called out of the world
    4. Fellowship is not primarily a social activity
      1. It is primarily a spiritual activity
      2. It is getting social over spiritual matters
    5. The fellowship of the early church
      1. It included all believers: verse 44
        1. Acts 20:7
        2. To fail to participate in a local church goes against a direct command of Scripture and the pattern laid out in the New Testament
        3. Hebrews 10:24-25
      2. All the needs in the congregation were being met: verse 45
        1. This pooling of resources was voluntary
        2. "Christian fellowship is Christian caring, and Christian caring is Christian sharing" —John Stott
      3. It had a two-fold structure to it: verse 46
        1. In the temple
          1. Solomon's Porch, where any group could gather for instruction and inspiration
          2. The formal meeting place
        2. From house to house
          1. The temple says, "The apostle has something to say"; the house to house says, "You have something to say, and we want to hear it"
          2. The temple says, "God is most high"; the house to house says, "God is most nigh"
          3. Homes are better than cafes, restaurants, etc.
            1. It's a family setting
            2. A more intimate, controlled, and safe setting
          4. Bible study in the context of community
    6. The church was getting large
      1. Went from 120 to 3,120 people in one day
      2. In Acts 12, had upwards of 20,000-25,000 people
      3. Yet they all had fellowship and their needs were being met
      4. This was only possible with the two-fold structure
      5. And they devoted themselves to it: verse 42
    7. "The church today is suffering a fellowship crisis.... One seldom finds within the institutionalized church today that winsome intimacy among people where masks are dropped, honesty prevails and there is that sense of communication and community beyond the human.... 'Our churches are filled with people who outwardly look contented and at peace but inwardly are crying out for someone to listen...just as they are'" —Howard Snyder, The Problem of Wineskins
    8. You can be surrounded by God's people and still be alone
  5. Closing
    1. We are going to achieve our goals better with a group than on our own
    2. Do you want an uplifting experience? You need the large-group and small-group dynamic
    3. That's spiritual health

Figures referenced: Dr. Leonard Cammer, Albert Speer, John Stott, Howard Snyder

Greek words: koinónia, ekklésia

Cross references: Genesis 2:18-20; Proverbs 18:1-2, 24; Luke 4:17-18; Acts 2:41-47; 12; 20:7; Hebrews 10:24-25


Topic: The Church

Keywords: fellowship, community, companionship, spiritual growth, isolation, early church

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Jesus Loves Children
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:13-15; James 1:26-27
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3158

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The most vulnerable among us are often children. Lacking the power and means to be anything except completely dependent on parents and society, they sometimes fall through the cracks. Today we look at how Jesus loved children and consider our mandate to care for those who are most helpless. Through this message, along with a special effort by Reload Love, we aim to bring God’s freedom to many more children around the world.

STUDY GUIDE

It's said that Charles Francis Adams, a nineteenth-century politician, once wrote in his diary, "Went fishing with son today; a day wasted." His son Brooks wrote of the same outing in his diary, "Went fishing with my father; the most wonderful day of my life." This father saw the day as a waste of time; his son saw it as an investment of time. According to Pastor Skip, the difference between wasting time and investing it is purpose. To address this, we will consider passages from Matthew 19 and James 1. Reflect on the story of Adams and his son. What was the day's purpose for each of them?

First, we consider a parent's spiritual concern (see Matthew 19:13). In the first century, it was common for parents to bring their child to a rabbi to bless them and pray for their safety and future. This practice went back to time of the patriarchs. The Greek term Matthew used for little children in this verse refers to a child from infancy to toddlerhood, when they are most vulnerable. It was normal and expected that parents would want a rabbi of Jesus' reputation and stature to "put His hands on them and pray" (Matthew 19:13), because many of them had heard of or had seen Him heal with His touch. The principle is no different for parents today: get your children to Jesus as early as possible. Never forget that parents are partners with God in making disciples of their children. How did your parents do this? As a parent, how are you partnering with God?

As Matthew recorded, the disciples rebuked these parents for bringing their children to Jesus. This behavior proves that a person can be close to Jesus in proximity but far from Him in priority. Perhaps they were influenced by the Greco-Roman view, which devalued children and led people to routinely abandon them on roadsides and at garbage dumps. Or perhaps they were more influenced by the predominant Jewish views of the day. The extremely religious, particularly the Pharisees, scorned children. They believed that salvation must be earned, and because children couldn't earn anything, they weren't worth the attention until they were of an age to do so. Then, as now, adults are often the biggest roadblocks of children coming to Jesus. Give examples of this from your life.

While that was two millennia ago, the world is seeing a resurgence in the exploitation, cruelty, and butchery of children. Reports of terrorism around the world confirm that children today are being crucified, beheaded, raped, and buried alive.

In stark contrast, consider Jesus' special care for children (see Matthew 19:14-15). In one translation of verse 14, Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and don't prevent them from coming to Me." This verse is so important that it is recorded in three of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), giving insight into how God loves children. In fact, Jesus said that adults should be like children: "Unless you...become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3). Children have enormous spiritual capacity, and their default setting is belief in God. You have to plant a lie in their hearts in order to turn them from Him. Read Matthew 18:1-6. What does it mean to "become as little children"?

This brings us to our sacred calling as described in James 1:26-27: to show genuine love. The word religious in this passage refers to an outward expression of worship. To put James' point another way, our entire religious liturgy is worthless unless we show it by our lips and our life. A religion that is limited to the sanctuary and does not go into the street is not real! Lip service without life service is simply empty religion, but lip service combined with life service is true devotion. God has always shown a special concern for orphans and widows. His heart has always been for groups on society's perimeters. Are there any widows or orphans you know—a relative or neighbor—who you can help in some small way? Discuss a plan.

In these days when ISIS makes regular headlines for its terrorism and barbarity, God's devotion to the least of these highlights a major difference between radical Islam and authentic Christianity. In radical Islam, religious zealots target children for death, whereas the Bible targets them for care and love. We are to visit them, to look in on them and look after themto shepherd them. One of the best things you can do for yourself when you're in trouble is to help someone else in worse trouble. Can you share an example of this from your life? In a pain-filled world, don't just wrestle with the issue of why God allows children to suffer. Instead, wrestle with this: Now that you know about their suffering, what will you do to help?

Adapted from Pastor Skip’s teaching

The BIG Idea
Learn to do good…defend the fatherless, plead for the widow" (Isaiah 1:17).

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. "Jesus Loves the Little Children"; "Jesus Loves Me"
      1. Help children know that they are loved
      2. But we live in a world where not everyone loves children
    2. Charles Francis Adams and son
    3. What's the difference between time wasted and time invested? Purpose
      1. Every human being has purpose
      2. The two greatest days of your life: the day you were born and the day you discover what you were born for
      3. Sadly, lots of people don't get to make that discovery
    4. Matthew 19 is about the demonstration of love; James 1 is about the admonition to love
    5. Matthew 19 is about an encounter Jesus had with children; James 1 is a summary statement about the nature of true Christian faith
  2. Parents' Spiritual Concern (Matthew 19:13)
    1. This text has nothing to do with bringing children into main service; it has everything to do with how Jesus views and cares for children
    2. Desire for Present Safety
      1. Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17
        1. Over a period of time, these parents were bringing their children to Him
        2. Matthew 18:1-5
      2. Jewish people often found an esteemed rabbi to lay hands on their child
        1. The Talmud instructs parents to do so
        2. Why was it important that Jesus did this? Because they had seen what those hands could do
    3. Desire for Future Salvation
      1. Get your kids to Jesus as early as possible
      2. "Ere your boy has reached to seven, teach him well the way to heaven; better still the work will thrive if he learns before he's five" —C.H. Spurgeon
      3. A parent is a partner with God in making disciples of children
    4. Display of Disciples' Insensitivity
      1. The disciples had been with Jesus for two years; they obviously didn't share His heart
      2. You can be close to the Lord in proximity and yet far from Him in priority
      3. Why the disciples' reaction?
        1. They were tainted by the Greco-Roman culture
          1. Childhood was an insignificant phase of life
          2. Young children who were not wanted were abandoned, especially girls
          3. "If it is a male child, let it live. If it is a female, cast it out" —Hilarion
        2. More than likely, they were influenced by religious thinking
          1. Pharisees scorned children
          2. You earn your salvation; a toddler cannot; therefore, salvation does not belong to children
      4. Adults can become the biggest roadblocks of children coming to Jesus
    5. We live in a world that is seeing an increase, not a decrease, in the exploitation of children
  3. Jesus' Special Care (Matthew 19:14-15)
    1. Reveals God's Tender Love
      1. Verse 14 is so important, it's included in the Bible three times: Matthew, Mark, and Luke
      2. Matthew 18:1-5
      3. "I doubt a man's Christianity unless I can find kids playing at his doorstep" —George MacDonald
    2. Reveals Child's Special Access
      1. Children have an enormous capacity for spiritual things
      2. It seems you have to put a lie into a child's heart to get them not to believe in God
      3. God has wired it into the heart of children to be close to Him
      4. "I have more confidence in the spiritual life of the children that I have received into this church than I have in the spiritual condition of the adults thus received.... I have usually found a clearer knowledge of the gospel and a warmer love to Christ in the child-converts than in the man-converts.... I have sometimes met with a deeper spiritual experience in children of ten and twelve than I have in certain persons of fifty or sixty" —C.H. Spurgeon
      5. "If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God" —D.L. Moody
  4. Our Sacred Calling (James 1:26-27)
    1. This is a summary statement made by the half brother of Jesus, James
    2. True Christianity Is Heard from Our Lips
      1. Religion in these verses is the Greek word thréskeia
        1. Describes the outward ritual ceremonies of worship, outward expression
        2. Josephus used it to describe worship in the temple you could see
        3. Paul used it to describe his life as a Pharisee before he came to Christ
      2. Not the typical New Testament word, eusebeia, which describes a sincere, God-fearing, authentic adoration and worship
    3. True Christianity Is Seen from Our Lives
      1. All of your religious liturgy is worthless unless you show it by your lips and by your life
        1. A religion that is limited to the sanctuary and doesn't go out to the streets is not real
        2. Isaiah 1:11, 15, 17
      2. Lip service without life service is empty religion; but lip service combined with life service is true devotion
      3. Why widows and orphans?
        1. They represented the most vulnerable of the ancient culture
        2. The Bible places a special emphasis on loving and caring for these groups
          1. Psalm 68:5
          2. Exodus 22:22
          3. Deuteronomy 14:28-29
          4. Deuteronomy 27:19
      4. The difference between radical Islam and genuine Christianity: the ones the religious zealots target for death are the very ones God targets for care and love
      5. Visit (v. 27)
        1. Means to look in on, to look after, to care for
        2. Greek episkeptomai; same root as episkopos, which is a bishop or overseer
        3. Just like a shepherd cares for the souls of a congregation, to visit means to shepherd the souls of and care for widows and orphans
      6. James' audience was poor, persecuted, and had their own troubles
        1. But he said, "Don't stop having compassion for people who are worse off than you are"
        2. One of the best things to do when you're in trouble is to help somebody who's in more trouble
  5. Closing
    1. We tend to wrestle with suffering academically: "How could a God of love allow that to happen?"
    2. Put yourself into the issue: "Now that I know about what is happening, why would I allow it to happen?"
      1. Who knows the way to freedom better than one who knows the Lord?
      2. John 8:36

Figures referenced: Charles Francis Adams, C.H. Spurgeon, Hilarion, George MacDonald, D.L. Moody, Josephus

Greek words: thréskeia, eusebeia, episkeptomai, episkopos

Cross references: Exodus 22:22; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; 27:19; Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 1:11, 15, 17; Matthew 18:1-5; 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17; John 8:36; James 1:26-27


Topic: Children

Keywords: children, kids, love, Jesus Christ, salvation, Christianity, true religion, service, widows, orphans, suffering, terrorism, freedom

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Skip's Iraq Trip Update
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3165

MESSAGE SUMMARY
As ISIS spreads throughout the Middle East, millions of people continue to flee the growing violence—and children have been hit the hardest. In this special update from the Reload Love team, Pastor Skip, Jarrett Petero, and Murray Byrne share stories and photos from their recent trip to Iraq. While there, they reached out to organizations that are helping displaced children, and they were able to share the hope and love of Jesus with the kids.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Power of an Invitation
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3930

MESSAGE SUMMARY
There is something special about receiving an invitation; it makes us feel wanted, special, and significant. As we examine an invitation found in the book of Revelation, we are challenged to be part of God's work as instruments of change for the gospel, and we are reminded not to underestimate the power of a simple invitation.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap:  September 28, 2015

Teaching: "The Power of an Invitation"
Text: Revelation 22:12-17

Path: There is a difference between informing someone and inviting someone. When you invite, you make it personal, relational, and individual. In today's teaching, Pastor Skip invites us to look at the power of an invitation.

  1. The Personality of God (Revelation 22:12-14)
  2. The Power of Christ (Revelation 22:12, 16)
  3. The Participation of the Christian (Revelation 22:17)
Points:

The Personality of God (Revelation 22:12-14)
The Power of Christ (Revelation 22:12, 16)
The Participation of the Christian (Revelation 22:17)
Connect Up: Can evangelism draw you closer to God? How can watching God work in the lives of people strengthen your faith in Christ?

Connect In: How can evangelism strengthen the body of Christ and the local church? Name some practical benefits the local church receives when people are invited to participate in God's work in the world.

Connect Out: What does evangelism tell the nonbeliever about God? Read Romans 10:14. Why is it important to continually invite people to Christ and to church?

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. There is a difference between information and an invitation
      1. Information is impersonal
      2. An invitation is personal, individual, and more successful
    2. An invitation makes you feel special, wanted, and gives you a sense of significance
    3. The book of Revelation is an invitation that goes out to the entire world
  2. The Personality of God
    1. An inviting God
    2. God is not forceful
    3. The eternal state
      1. New heaven
      2. New earth
      3. New Jerusalem
    4. This is the last invitation to come to God
    5. Previous invitations
      1. Invitation to salvation
      2. Invitation for satisfaction (see Isaiah 1:18)
      3. Invitation for rest (see Matthew 11:28)
      4. Invitation for evangelism (see Mark 1:17)
      5. John 6:37
  3. The Power of Christ
    1. Terms that refer to Christ
      1. The Coming One
      2. The Rewarding One
      3. The Alpha and the Omega
      4. The Beginning and the End
      5. The First and the Last
    2. These are also terms that refer to God
      1. Jesus introduced Himself as God
      2. Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12
      3. When you invite someone, invite them to the One who can do something to help them
    3. The Bright and Morning Star
      1. A hero
      2. A cultural luminary
      3. He deserves to be called a star
        1. He produced something iconic: salvation
        2. He will wow the selection committee (see Philippians 2:10-11)
        3. The morning star is what you see in the sky right before dawn breaks
        4. When you come to Him, the shadows flee away
    4. The Devil has consigned people to spiritual darkness in this world
      1. We cannot survive without the light of the Son
      2. John 8:12
  4. The Participation of the Christian
    1. The Holy Spirit convicts people to come to the cross
    2. The bride = the church
      1. 2 Corinthians 11:2
      2. Ephesians 5:27
      3. Revelation 19:7
    3. The church has to be part of the process to bring people to Christ
      1. We who have been changed by the gospel should be instruments of change for the gospel
      2. If you are sure the gospel works, you want to get the message out
      3. Your response to God's calling in this task reveals how you feel about God
      4. See Matthew 22:1-14; Luke 14:15-24
      5. People told others to "come and see" that Jesus was the Messiah (see John 1:41, 43; 4:29)
      6. We are ambassadors for Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:20)
    4. Never underestimate the power of a simple invitation
    5. Many people are just waiting for a personal invitation
  5. Closing
    1. If believers were consumed with bringing others to Christ, there would be a lot less fighting
    2. There are a lot of people who need to know the truth

Cross references: Isaiah 1:18; 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; 55:1; Matthew 11:28; 22:1-14; Mark 1:17; Luke 14:15-24; John 1:41, 43; 4:29; 6:37; 8:12; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 11:2; Ephesians 5:27; Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 19:7


Topic: Evangelism

Keywords: invitation, forceful, the eternal state, new heaven, new earth, New Jerusalem, salvation, satisfaction, spiritual darkness, the church, the gospel, truth

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Defying Normal
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1:8
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/3938

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The Bible calls us to a holy defiance of the status quo—Paul the apostle said, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). Perhaps no one in the Old Testament did this better than the prophet Daniel. In this message, we look at four truths about the Christian life and learn how Daniel was able to rise above his society to defy normal.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation" —Henry David Thoreau
    2. Status quo = the existing state of affairs
      1. The Bible calls us to a holy defiance of the status quo (see Romans 12:2)
      2. Status quo is life without significance and apart from God's plan
    3. Daniel was a Middle Eastern refugee who found himself in a pagan religious system
      1. There is no reason Daniel should have survived those circumstances
      2. He did not just survive; he thrived
      3. Deuteronomy 33:27; Isaiah 40:12
    4. Do not be conformed to the world (see Romans 12:2)
  2. Life Happens Unexpectedly (vv. 1-2)
    1. Two viewpoints
      1. Secular history
        1. Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and besieged it
        2. These are the facts
      2. Biblical theology
        1. God was behind the scenes
        2. He is always proactive in history
    2. Daniel means God is my judge
    3. For the Jews, the unexpected happened
      1. Their country was overrun and they were taken captive to foreign lands
      2. Life is not fair
    4. When life happens unexpectedly, God is moving supernaturally
    5. God used Nebuchadnezzar to position Daniel in a place of prominence (see Proverbs 21:1; Romans 8:28)
  3. The World Demands Conformity (vv. 3-7)
    1. Daniel's trial was just getting started
    2. Nebuchadnezzar enacted a four-tiered plan to make Daniel and his friends full-fledged, Babylonian-thinking Chaldeans
      1. Isolation: he moved them away from their homeland
      2. Indoctrination: he taught them the language and literature of the Chaldeans
        1. This was not about education
        2. It was about becoming brainwashed
        3. Designed to erase memories and values from the past and introduce the literature of the Chaldeans
      3. Intimidation: he gave them the king's delicacies and wine from his table
        1.  The food was first offered to pagan gods, then brought to the king's table, then offered to them
        2. The idea was to get them into the worship system of these gods
      4. Redesignation: he gave them new names
  4. Courage Begins Inwardly (v. 8)
    1. The isolation, indoctrination, intimidation, and redesignation were all met by Daniel's determination
      1. Courage always begins on the inside, when your decisions become your convictions
      2. The effectiveness of Daniel's life depended on the decision of his heart
    2. When the decisions of your mind become the convictions of your heart, which produce the actions of your life, then you have conquered inner space (see Proverbs 4:23)
    3. Daniel did not look for an excuse, because he was living with a purpose
  5. God Rewards Loyalty (vv. 17-21)
    1. Hebrews 11:6
    2. When you purpose in your heart, God rewards you by presenting you to the world to be an influence
    3. Daniel lasted seventy years in the kingdom and influenced four world emperors
    4. The magi were a priestly caste of the Medes who came to the courts of Nebuchadnezzar
      1. Daniel was placed over the magi of Nebuchadnezzar
      2. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a group of magi traveled 800 miles from Babylon looking for the King of the Jews
      3. The book of Daniel is filled with prophecy about the Messiah, the King of the Jews
      4. God used Daniel to influence the thinking of this priestly caste
  6. Closing
    1. Are you like a thermometer or a thermostat?
      1. A thermometer goes up and down depending on the temperature
      2. A thermostat regulates the temperature
    2. You can serve to change the environment by defying normal and living a purpose driven life

Figures referenced: Henry David Thoreau

Cross references:Deuteronomy 33:27; Proverbs 4:23; 21:1; Isaiah 40:12; Romans 8:28; 12:2; Hebrews 11:6


Topic: Daniel

Keywords: status quo, conform, conformity, loyalty, history, theology, captive, trial, isolation, indoctrination, intimidation, redesignation, courage, excuse, rewards, influence, magi

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: United in Pursuit
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Acts 6:1-7
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4079

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Acts 6:1-7 lays out God's vision for the church. At Calvary Albuquerque, we want people fitted for heaven and outfitted for service. As with the early church, we must overcome problems by establishing priorities and participating in order to progress.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Recap: June 12, 2016
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "United in Pursuit"
Text: Acts 6:1-7

Path

Teaching from Acts 6:1-7, Pastor Skip laid out what the Bible says is God's vision for the church. Calvary Albuquerque has summarized these core elements in our vision statement. We want people fitted for heaven and outfitted for service. Sometimes, as with the early church, we must overcome problems by establishing priorities and participating in order to progress.

  1. Problem (v. 1)

  2. Priorities (vv. 2-4)

  3. Participation (vv. 5-6)

  4. Progress (v. 7)

Points

Problem (v. 1)
Priorities (vv. 2-4)
Participation (vv. 5-6)
Progress (v. 7)
Practice

Connect Up: How does Calvary Albuquerque's vision statement (see below) connect you to the larger vision of God's work in the world?

Who We Are
We are a fellowship of believers who pursue the God who is passionately pursuing a lost world; we do this by connecting with one another, through worship, by the Word, to the world.

What We Do
Connect Up: we express our adoration of Jesus through dynamic worship and uncompromised obedience.
Connect In: we explain the relevance of the Bible to empower and transform lives for service.
Connect Out: we extend hope to a hurting world by proclaiming the gospel and demonstrating Christ's love.

Connect In: How does Acts 6: 1-7 summarize a productive church? There are no unnecessary members in the body of Christ. Discuss the various roles Pastor Skip described in his teaching (leaders, servants/deacons, and the congregation).

Connect Out: Evangelism is one of God's primary undertakings. Discuss ways your Connect Group can become participants in evangelism. What strategies (tracts, service, etc.) have you found to be helpful in reaching others with God's love?

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. The central thought we should focus on in regard to the vision of the church is God's vision for His church
      1. We pursue the God who passionately pursues a lost world
      2. We do that together, through worship, by the Word, and to the world
    2. We believe God wants two things
      1. He wants people fitted for heaven
      2. He wants people outfitted for service
    3. If we don't have unity, we will malfunction
    4. The theme of Acts is unity
      1. The church was born in Acts 1
      2. In Acts 2, we learn that they were "with one accord" (v. 1)
      3. They did all things together (see Acts 2:42, 44)
      4. "Of one heart and one soul" (Acts 4:32)
    5. The church is called the body of Christ
      1. The head of the church is Jesus—not the pastor
      2. The Holy Spirit is like the nervous system
      3. If one part does not cooperate, the whole body will suffer
  2. Problem (see v. 1)
    1. Growth
      1. Massive growth in the church up to this point
      2. Thousands if not tens of thousands of people in the church at Jerusalem (see Acts 2:47; 5:14)
    2. God was doing a mighty work, and Satan tried to extinguish the light
      1. Persecution
      2. Corruption (see Acts 5:1-10)
    3. Because neither of those tactics worked, Satan tried distraction and division
      1. Two groups of people
        1. The Hellenists
          1. From somewhere outside of Israel
          2. Greek-cultured, Greek-speaking Jews
        2. Hebrews
          1. Jews raised in Jerusalem
          2. Spoke Aramaic and Hebrew
      2. A church with internal conflict will find its message buried
        1. Disunity hinders our ability to preach the gospel to our society
        2. If you claim to be a Christian, you are constantly being watched by unbelievers
    4. Unity
      1. Jesus prayed for unity in the church (see John 17:20-21)
      2. The Holy Spirit has a mission to work out unity among the church (see 1 Corinthians 12:13)
      3. Where there is disunity, Satan will attack (see 2 Corinthians 2:11)
      4. Sometimes we are better at fighting one another than the Enemy
  3. Priorities (see vv. 2-4)
    1. If the church is going to be united, we must be united in our priorities
      1. The priority ought to be the Word of God
      2. If the church becomes what God wants the church to be, then He will do for the church what He's always wanted to do
      3. If we are going to be united in pursuit, then we need to pursue the right goals
    2. We find people with different gifts to fill specific needs
    3. Churches and other organizations once known for teaching the Word of God have left it to "serve tables" (v. 2)
    4. Pastors often have a tendency to leave the Word of God
      1. It is hard work
      2. Many other activities must be pushed aside
  4. Participation (see vv. 5-6)
    1. One person, no matter how gifted, can't do ministry alone
      1. Moses tried and failed (see Exodus 18:13-24)
      2. He was counseled to spread the load with others
    2. Big loads are to be borne by many, but they must be carefully selected
      1. The right people for the right jobs
      2. All of the names in verse 5 are Greek
        1. The Greeks were the ones complaining
        2. For unity to happen, there has to be buy-in from everyone (see 1 Corinthians 12:14-18)
      3. There are no vestigial organs in the body of Christ
      4. Everyone has spiritual gifts and we need them all
  5. Progress (see v. 7)
    1. God is involved in two worldwide pursuits:
      1. Evangelism
        1. God invites all people to come to Him
        2. John 3:16
      2. The church
        1. Once God saves people, He puts them with other believers
        2. Jesus prioritized building the church (see Matthew 16:18)
    2. God wants people fitted for heaven and outfitted for service
  6. Closing
    1. Are you fitted for heaven?
    2. If you don't know, that is where you begin
Figures referenced: Donald Grey Barnhouse, J. Vernon McGee, D.L. Moody, John R.W. Stott

Cross references: Exodus 18:13-24; Matthew 16:18; John 3:16; 17:20-21; Acts 2:1, 42, 44, 47; 4:32; 5:1-10, 14; 1 Corinthians 12:13, 14-18; 2 Corinthians 2:11

Topic: Vision

Keywords: unity, growth, persecution, corruption, division, disunity, conflict, Word of God, body of Christ, service, ministry

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Christians and Politics
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 29:1-13
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4109

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Don’t worry, I’m not preaching politics, nor am I endorsing a candidate today. I realize that both political parties go to church and that Christians have a wide variety of political notions. As a registered independent, I am aware of the flaws that exist on both sides, and so I am not taking sides today. But I want to call the body of Christ to be informed of the policies, engaged in the process, and active in the promotion of godly discourse. Furthermore, I am asking that we be united this week in prayer and fasting for this nation.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: September 18, 2016
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Christians and Politics"
Text: Jeremiah 29:1-13

Path

Pastor Skip called the body of Christ to be active in politics by being informed on policies, engaging in the process, and promoting godly discourse on the topic. He also asked the church to be united in prayer and fasting for the nation. As we studied Jeremiah 29:1-13, Pastor Skip shared four guidelines to consider in this political season:

  1. Be Responsible in Your Culture (vv. 1-6)
  2. Be Prayerful for Your Country (v. 7)
  3. Be Careful Who You Consider (vv. 8-9)
  4. Be Hopeful of Your Calling (vv. 10-13)
Points

Be Responsible in Your Culture
Be Prayerful for Your Country
Be Careful Who You Consider
Be Hopeful of Your Calling
Practice

We received a prayer and fasting card in this weekend's worship folder. Take a moment to read this together and, as a group, enact the principles of prayer.

Preparation: Prepare for prayer and fasting. In Matthew 6:8-18, Jesus provided examples of how to do this. As part of your preparation, ensure your physical surroundings and stature (kneeling, standing, laying down, health, etc.) are taken into consideration.

Praise: At its heart, prayer is praise. Remember to honor, worship, and thank God in prayer.

Probe: Press into prayer by seeking, knocking, and asking (see Matthew 7:7-12). Be persistent in prayer.

Petition: Petition God on behalf of your family, friends, and future. Here are a few items to petition God for:  
Pointers:

OUTLINE


  1. Be Responsible in Your Culture (vv. 1-6)

  2. Be Prayerful for Your Country (v. 7)

  3. Be Careful Who You Consider (vv. 8-9)

  4. Be Hopeful of Your Calling (vv. 10-13)

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Culture Weekend
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 8:1-2;1 Corinthians 12:31
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4139

MESSAGE SUMMARY
God did amazing things in 2016 at Calvary Albuquerque. In the video "Our Year in Review," Nate Heitzig summarizes 2016 and introduces fourteen Calvary culture axioms for 2017. In a short message, Skip Heitzig discusses Calvary’s past and future and reminds us that though lots of things have changed in our culture, Jesus has not.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: January 1, 2017
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Culture Weekend "
Text: Deuteronomy 8:1-2; 1 Corinthians 12

Path

God did amazing things this past year at Calvary Albuquerque, as the video "Our Year in Review " testifies (http://www.calvaryabq.org/news.asp?LatestID=5890). In the video, Pastor Nate summarized 2016 and introduced fourteen Calvary culture axioms for 2017. Pastor Skip discussed Calvary 's past and future—encouraging us to celebrate and recalibrate, and reminding us that though lots of things have changed in our culture, Jesus has not.

  1. Before You Go Forward, Look Back
  2. Our Calvary Culture Defines What We Do
  3. Sit, Share, Serve
Points

Before You Go Forward, Look Back
Our Calvary Culture Defines What We Do
Sit, Share, Serve
Practice

Connect Up: Take a moment to discuss what God showed you this past year in the trials and triumphs He took you through. How have you grown in your relationship with Christ?

Connect In: Discuss the importance of the body of Christ—the church—to your walk with the Lord this past year. How have fellow believers helped strengthen you in your journey with Christ?

Connect Out: As part of Calvary 's outreach, we "extend hope to a hurting world by proclaiming the gospel and demonstrating Christ's love. " Discuss how you can share the love of Christ and His gospel in your area of influence. Share a story from this past year when you did so.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Special Message from Skip Heitzig
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Luke 22:7-23
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4189

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The night before His death, Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples in the upper room. In this message, we examine the progression of that Last Supper and learn both the traditional meanings behind the meal as well as the practical life applications for us as we live under the new covenant of Christ.

DETAILED NOTES

  1. Introduction
    1. The church of Jesus Christ began with twelve frightened men locked in a room in Jerusalem
    2. Closeness—they were close with the Lord
      1. The night began in intimacy
      2. Jesus took His twelve closest friends, whom He named apostles, and shared a final meal
    3. Concern—as the meal went on, they became concerned
      1. Intimacy gave way to anxiety as Jesus spoke about His betrayal and death
      2. He spoke of His resurrection, but they did not pay attention to that part
    4. Cowardice—as Jesus was arrested, they all fled
      1. In the garden of Gethsemane, Peter cut off the ear of the servant (see John 18:10)
      2. The soldiers laid hold of and took Jesus away
      3. The disciples ran and hid themselves
    5. Courage—they ended on this note
      1. Something happened that brought a boldness, changing the disciples into people who opened the door of their hearts to the entire city of Jerusalem
      2. The resurrection changed them (see Luke 24:13-36)
  2. Holy Week
    1. Begins with Palm Sunday (see Matthew 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-16)
      1. Jesus had been in Jericho, where He healed the blind man Bartimaeus (see Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43)
      2. Jesus stayed with His friends in a little town called Bethany
      3. Jesus entered Jerusalem from the east on the tenth of Nisan
        1. The day the Passover lambs were selected by families to take home
        2. Jesus presented Himself as their Lamb
    2. Monday
      1. On His way back to Jerusalem, Jesus cursed a fig tree that did not bear fruit (see Matthew 21:19-22; Mark 11:13-14)
      2. He cleansed the temple (see Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-48)
      3. He returned to Bethany and spent the night
    3. Tuesday
      1. Jesus once again went to Jerusalem; on the way, the disciples saw the fig tree He cursed the day before, and He taught them about faith (see Mark 11:20-26)
      2. He once again entered the temple
      3. His disciples commented on the massive stones of which the temple was constructed
        1. He taught the Olivet Discourse (see Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-36)
        2. About the future destruction of the temple and abomination of desolation
      4. He stayed once again at Bethany
    4. Wednesday
      1. Jesus spent the day in the vicinity of Jerusalem
      2. The Wednesday of Holy Week is known as Spy Wednesday
      3. It's believed this is the day Judas conspired with the Sanhedrin to betray Jesus
    5. Thursday
      1. Fourteenth day of Nisan
        1. When the Passover was celebrated
        2. In those days, the Passover was celebrated on two different nights
          1. One to accommodate a Galilean time frame (Thursday)
          2. Another to accommodate a Judean time frame (Friday)
      2. Jesus sent Peter and John into Jerusalem to make preparations for Passover (see Matthew 26:18-19; Mark 14:13-16; Luke 22:10-13)
      3. After the meal, He went with the eleven disciples to the Mount of Olives
        1. Gat Shmanim (Gethsemane) = the place of the olive press
        2. This is where He was arrested
    6. Friday
      1. Jesus went through six trials
        1. Three religious trials
        2. Three civil trials
      2. Pilate had Jesus scourged and condemned Him to die
      3. Jesus was put on the cross at 9 am and died at 3 pm
      4. He was buried in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb
    7. Saturday/Sunday
      1. He stayed in the tomb part of Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday
      2. Early on Sunday, the tomb was vacated and Jesus conquered death
    8. Holy Week is a big deal in the Bible
      1. One-third of all the recorded events of Jesus' life happened during Holy Week
      2. 20-40 percent of the text in the Gospels is devoted to Holy Week
      3. There are only four chapters that deal with the first thirty years of Jesus' life
      4. There are twenty-nine chapters devoted to the last week of Jesus' life
  3. Historical perspective
    1. On Thursday, the fourteenth of Nisan, the lambs were slaughtered in the temple
      1. Josephus recorded that 156,000 lambs were slaughtered at Passover a few years later
      2. According to Jewish tradition, all of the lambs were killed within a two-hour period, 3-5 pm
      3. Hundreds of priests killed about two lambs every minute
    2. There were pools close by to wash the blood away
      1. The water was flushed down a huge pipe through the Temple Mount and into the Kidron Valley
      2. For days, the Brook Kidron flowed with the blood of the lambs
      3. A reminder that sin kills
    3. Before He died, Jesus dined with His disciples
      1. Peter and John had to prepare the Passover meal (see Luke 22:7-13)
        1. They had to secure the room
        2. They had to take the lamb to the temple to be killed
        3. They had to roast the lamb for the Passover meal
        4. They had to bring in matzah bread and bitter herbs
        5. As they ate, they reclined on their left elbow with their feet away from the table
        6. Slaves stood and free men reclined
      2. The meal began (see Luke 22:14-23)
        1. Jesus' emotional state was heightened, and He began to feel the weight of the cross
        2. He looked forward to spending His last Passover with His disciples
      3. The Passover meal was centered on four cups of wine (see Exodus 6:6-7)
        1. Opened with a spiritual toast
        2. Closed with a hymn and the last cup
        3. The cups were attached to the four statements in Exodus 6:6-7
          1. Kiddush: the first cup of blessing or sanctification (seev. 6a)
          2. The cup of affliction (see v. 6b)
          3. The cup of redemption (see v. 6c)
          4. The forth cup (see v. 7)
        4. The wine was kept warm
          1. Warm water added to the wine
          2. Close to body temperature
          3. Reminder of the blood of the lamb that was slainfor them
    4. Sequence of events at Passover seder
      1. Kiddush
      2. Hand washing
        1. It was around this time that some of the disciples started to argue about who was the greatest (see Luke 22:24)
        2. Jesus washed their feet (see John 13:4-12)
      3. Eating bitter herbs
        1. Horseradish, parsley, endive
        2. Salt water to remind them of the tears that were shed in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea
        3. Dipped the herbs into the salt water
      4. Eating the matzah
        1. They dipped it in charoset, a mixture of apples, nuts, and pomegranates
        2. Reminded them of the mortar used in Egypt to build the cities for pharaoh
      5. Cup of affliction
        1. Blessing in Hebrew
        2. Hymn (Psalm 113-118)
      6. The main course of the meal
        1. The Passover lamb
        2. Jesus announced that someone at the table would betray Him (see John 13:21-30)
      7. Cup of redemption
        1. "I will redeem you with an outstretched arm" (Exodus 6:6)
        2. The arms of Jesus would be stretched on a cross in a few short hours
        3. God would deliver the world through Him
      8. It was after this that Jesus took the bread and broke it, distributing it along with the wine to His disciples
  4. Prophetical perspective
    1. The new covenant
      1. The disciples knew the prophecy about the new covenant (see Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 37:26-28)
      2. The new covenant was upon them as the Lamb of God went to the cross
    2. The cross is monumental
      1. God forgave some people before the cross as they looked forward to it by faith
      2. God has saved some sinners since the cross
      3. God saves all sinners because of the cross
  5. Personal perspective
    1. This was interactive for the disciples
      1. They had to participate
      2. They had to eat the bread and drink the wine
      3. It's one thing for Jesus to die, but we have to appropriate it personally in our lives, enjoy the benefits, and accept the ramifications (see John 3:16)
    2. Many people are ignorant to the fact that salvation requires a response
      1. Knowing the facts does not equal salvation (see John 1:12)
      2. Jesus has given you a valentine written in blood, and it's your choice whether or not to receive it
Figures referenced: Flavius Josephus

Hebrew words: charoset, Gat Shmanim, kiddush

Cross references: Exodus 6:6-7; Psalm 113-118; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 37:26-28; Matthew 21:1-9, 19-22; 24-25; 26:18-19; Mark 10:46-52; 11:1-11, 13-18, 20-26; 13; 14:13-16; Luke 18:35-43; 19:29-48; 21:5-36; 22:24; 24:13-36; John 1:12; 3:16; 12:12-16; 13:4-12, 21-30; 18:10

Topic: Passover

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Interview with Dave Eubank
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4218

MESSAGE SUMMARY
After making national news with his relief work and sustaining a gunshot wound while combating ISIS in Mosul, Dave Eubank continues his work through the Free Burma Rangers (FBR). In this interview with Skip Heitzig, Dave gives an update on his family's ministry to bring help, hope, and love to people in conflict zones.

STUDY GUIDE
Recap Notes: July 23, 2017
Teacher: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: Interview with Dave Eubank

Path

After making national news with his relief work and sustaining a gunshot wound while combating ISIS in Mosul,¹ Dave Eubank continues his work through the Free Burma Rangers (FBR). In this interview with Pastor Skip, Dave gave an update on his family's ministry to bring help, hope, and love to people in conflict zones.
Answers have been edited due to space restrictions.
We encourage Connect Groups to watch the video and pray for the Free Burma Rangers and similar ministries that are fighting terror around the world.

Points


Practice

Connect Up: Demonstrating God's love for the world, Jesus laid down His life for the world (see John 3:16). Share a time that you've experienced or witnessed an act of extreme love, someone putting themselves in harm's way for the cause of Christ. How can acts of courage and extreme love demonstrate the love God has for people?

Connect In: Sometimes the church can be so busy with programs that it forgets about the ministry of building the kingdom of God. Discuss the comment told to Dave Eubank: "It's not about missions, but about the kingdom." How does this apply to the church? How can we keep the kingdom of God central in all we do?

Connect Out: The Eubank family lives by two mottos: one is to love each other, forgive and don't hate, act with courage, and never surrender.The other is, never make a decision based on fear, comfort, or pride. How can these mottos apply to evangelism and outreach? Discuss how these characteristics (love, forgiveness, courage, etc.) are to resemble the Christian's actions in the world.



¹The World Staff, PRI, "One American family's mission to rescue civilians in Mosul," June 21, 2017, https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-06-21/one-american-familys-mission-rescue-civilians-mosul, accessed 7/23/2017; Fox News, "Former Special Forces soldier who saved 6-year-old Iraqi girl on front lines says God was on his side," June 29, 2017, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/06/29/former-special-forces-soldier-who-saved-6-year-old-iraqi-girl-on-front-lines-says-god-was-on-his-side.html, accessed 7/23/2017.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Your Amazing Bible
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4230

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: September 3, 2017
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Your Amazing Bible"
Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Path

The Bible is the world's best-selling and most widely distributed book, with over five billion in print since the 1800s alone. It has been translated into 1,442 languages, and portions of it into another 1,145 languages (a total of 2,587 languages with either entire or partial translations). On the heels of the release of his new book, The Bible from 30,000 Feet, Pastor Skip unpacked the Bible's importance for the believer:

  1. Its Designation: "Scripture"
  2. Its Inspiration: "All Scripture is inspired by God"
  3. Its Application: How will it impact you?
Points

Its Designation
Its Inspiration
Its Application
Practice

Connect Up: As God's written Word, the Bible communicates His truth. How did the Old Testament writers view Scripture (see Psalm 119:160)? How did Jesus view God's Word (see John 17:17)? If Scripture is true and reliable, then it can be trusted. Discuss how the Bible is true and reliable in the following areas: salvation, history, and prophecy.

Connect In: In 1978, many evangelical leaders across multiple denominations gathered in Chicago to draft the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. This statement helped articulate a high view of Scripture. The preface reads, "The authority of Scripture is a key issue for the Christian Church in this and every age. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to show the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully obeying God's written Word. To stray from Scripture in faith or conduct is disloyalty to our Master. Recognition of the total truth and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture is essential to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority."1 Discuss the role the church has in relation to the Bible in all areas of life: conduct, doctrine, confession, and authority. Why is it important to obey God's Word?

Connect Out: As Norman Geisler stated, "As God, whatever Jesus (who is God) affirmed as true, is true. Jesus affirmed that the Bible is the Word of God. Therefore it is true that the Bible is the Word of God and whatever is opposed to any biblical truth is false."2  How can you clearly articulate this reasoning to an unbeliever? Why is it important to defend the truth of the Bible in the world today, particularly with unbelievers?

1 The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and Hermeneutics, http://www.danielakin.com/wp-content/uploads/old/Resource_545/Book%202,%20Sec%2023.pdf

2 Geisler, Dr. Norman L., Twelve Points That Show Christianity is True: A Handbook on Defending the Christian Faith, Indian Trail, North Carolina, Norm Geisler International Ministries, 2016.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Explosive Power of Real Love
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: John 13:34-35
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4383

MESSAGE SUMMARY
We have the opportunity to show love to those who need the expression of love the most—those who have been hurt by the hatred of others. In countries scarred by past and recent terrorism, Reload Love is arming other believers with hope and healing in the name of Jesus. Today we will examine one of the most famous sayings Jesus ever spoke and explore three components of real love—what we should do, and then how and why we should do it. My prayer is that God’s love would be “poured out in our hearts” (Romans 5:5).

STUDY GUIDE

Connect Recap Notes: February 10, 2019
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "The Explosive Power of Real Love"
Text: John 13:34-35

Path

We have the opportunity to show love to those who need the expression of love the most—those who have been hurt by the hatred of others. In countries scarred by past and recent terrorism, Reload Love is arming other believers with hope and healing in the name of Jesus. This weekend, we examined one of the most famous sayings Jesus ever spoke and explored three components of real love—what we should do, and then how and why we should do it. Pastor Skip's prayer was that God's love would be "poured out in our hearts" (Romans 5:5).

  1. What We Should Do: "Love one another"
  2. How We Should Do It: "As I have loved you"
  3. Why We Should Do It: "As I have loved you"

Points

What We Should Do: "Love one another"

How We Should Do It: "As I have loved you"

Why We Should Do It: "All will know you are My disciples"

Practice

Connect Up: What does it tell you about the heart of God that Jesus emblematically demonstrated love by washing the feet of Judas, the man He knew would betray Him? (See John 13:2-5; see also Ezekiel 18:23; Romans 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9.)

Connect In: What does loving other believers self-sacrificially and authentically look like in a practical sense? What are some ways you have either shown or been shown this kind of love by fellow Christians? Did it change the way you viewed the church? If so, how?

Connect Out: Share any stories you might have about unbelievers taking notice of the love Christians have for one another. How can you use a real-life example of Christians loving Christians—for instance, the Love Bomb weekend—to begin a conversation with an unbeliever about God's great love for them?

DETAILED NOTES

"The Explosive Power of Real Love"
John 13:34-35

  1. Introduction
    1. What the world needs today is a very particular kind of love—God's
      1. The world needs to see God's love demonstrated
      2. This is the love that can blow up hatred, oppression, Satan's lies, indifference, and apathy
    2. We should consider the hurt of terrorism in terms of our brothers and sisters who are still impacted by terrorism
    3. Only God's love can transform lives
    4. John 13 shows the beginning of the final days of Jesus' earthly, public ministry—the cross was drawing near
      1. He celebrated the Passover with His disciples and emblematically demonstrated His love for them by washing their feet
      2. After Judas left the room, Jesus acknowledged the fact that He was sent on a rescue mission; by going to the cross, He glorified His Father
    5. Jesus gave His disciples one final commandment:
      1. What to do
      2. How to do it
      3. Why we should do it
  2. What We Should Do: "Love one another"
    1. Why should love ever be a commandment?
      1. Love does not spontaneously arise from the human emotion and flow naturally out of us
      2. Ever since the fall of mankind, we are self-oriented, self-centered creatures; our default mode is to be concerned about ourselves first
    2. To call it a commandment was Jesus' way of summing up all of the commandments ever given
      1. Matthew 22:37-40
      2. Love becomes the irreducible minimum whereby all of the other commandments are fulfilled
    3. Jesus called it a new commandment
      1. The Greek word used here is kainos, which means fresh, renewed
      2. This is not new information; it's just a new application of old information
    4. Jesus said to the eleven, "Love one another"
      1. We are called to love the world and our enemies
      2. Jesus was saying, "Let's just start by loving one another"
  3. How We Should Do It: "As I have loved you"
    1. Jesus raised love to a whole new standard; the benchmark we are to use in loving one another has been raised
      1. We are to measure our love against the way Jesus loves
      2. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love for us
    2. True love ought to be sacrificial, unconditional (see Luke 23:34), never-ending, and nonreciprocal (see Romans 5:8)
      1. This is what our love should be
      2. We can't love like that on our own—we have a God-given reservoir of unending love (see Romans 5:5)
      3. If God's love flows into our lives, it should be flowing out of our lives
      4. We have been given a great capacity to love, so no one in our circle should feel starved of love
      5. "The greatest evil is the lack of love" —Malcolm Muggeridge
  4. Why We Should Do It: "All will know that you are My disciples"
    1. Because of our demonstration of this self-sacrificing love of one another, the world will sit up and take notice
      1. Authentic love that cares deeply for the needs of others will validate your profession of faith
      2. Love is a billboard that attracts passersby and draws them to the Savior (see John 17:21)
      3. Our love makes God visible to unbelievers (see 1 John 4:12)
    2. We are called the body of Christ because we have become His loving expression here on earth
      1. The expression of authentic, sacrificial, selfless love is the telltale sign that we are related to God
      2. "We cannot proclaim the gospel of God's love with any degree of integrity if we do not exhibit it in our love for others" —John Stott
    3. How else will people know that you're a Christian—by your bumper sticker or your intellect?
      1. Love will supercharge our evangelism
      2. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care
  5. Conclusion
    1. Let's start evaluating our lives by love—not by how many people love you, but by how many people you love
    2. Lip service without life service is empty religion, but lip service combined with life service is true devotion

 

Figures referencedMalcolm Muggeridge, John Stott

Cross references: Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 23:34; John 17:21; Romans 5:5, 8; 1 John 4:12

Greek words: kainos

Topic: love

Keywords: authentic, cross, Jesus, love, others, sacrificial, selfless, unconditional

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Heart behind the Hand
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:1-7
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4385

MESSAGE SUMMARY
None of us can reach everyone. We can’t touch and change every person in the world. But we can pray for, be patient with, love on, witness to, and reach just one. When we talk about our vision to reach the world, perhaps we need to think smaller. Maybe we should think about one person we can pursue for the glory of Jesus Christ. Today we consider that as we look at one of Jesus’ most famous parables: The Parable of the Lost Sheep.

STUDY GUIDE

Connect Recap Notes: February 17, 2019
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "The Heart behind the Hand"
Text: Luke 15:1-7

Path

None of us can reach everyone. We can't touch and change every person in the world. But we can pray for, be patient with, love on, witness to, and reach just one. When we talk about our vision to reach the world, perhaps we need to think smaller. Maybe we should think about one person we can pursue for the glory of Jesus Christ. Today we consider that as we look at one of Jesus' most famous parables: The Parable of the Lost Sheep.
  1. I. Running (v. 4a)
  2. II. Reconnaissance (v. 4b)
  3. III. Recovery (v. 5a)
  4. IV. Rejoicing (vv. 5b-7)

Points

Running (v. 4a)  

Reconnaissance (v. 4b)

Recovery (v. 5a)

Rejoicing (vv. 5b-7)

Practice

Connect Up: What do the parables of Jesus show you about the person and work of God? In theology, one aspect of this purpose is called divine economy, the mission and vision of God within the Godhead. Here are a few characteristics to discuss:

Connect In: Which ministries within the local church help to underscore the truth of " the heart behind the hand"? Take a moment to discuss how each ministry is related to reaching out to people, then pray for each ministry by name and function. Some of the ministries of Calvary Church can be found here: calvaryabq.org/getinvolved.asp

Connect Out: It is often asked if the Bible calls us to pray for the unsaved. As stated in All About Prayer1, the answer is yes: "in Matthew 9:36-38, Jesus tells His disciples that there are many unsaved people throughout the world. He encouraged them to pray that God would provide people to share the gospel with them. God desires that all people learn the truth of salvation. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 says, 'This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.'" Take a moment to pray for the one person that came to mind, asking God for you to reach out to their heart, grasping his or her hand for the kingdom.

1All About Prayer, "Pray for the Unsaved", https://www.allaboutprayer.org/pray-for-the-unsaved-faq.htm, accessed 02/18/19.

DETAILED NOTES

"The Heart behind the Hand"
Luke 15:1-7

  1. Introduction
    1. Vision is not eyesight or insight—it's foresight, the ability to look toward the future and discern what God is calling us to
      1. What is it that God wants us to do? What does He want us to become?
      2. In ancient times, the people built memorial stones as a way to provide vision of or call to memory what God was doing or had done in that place
      3. As churches age, they can fall into being more concerned with comfort than calling
    2. The heart behind the hand is the individual in the midst of the crowd
      1. Hands lifted in worship and raised hands during an altar call all belong to people
      2. We don't just count hands—we care for the hearts; we cannot and must not separate the hand from the heart
      3. Before someone raises their hand to accept Him, to reach out for Him, you may need to reach out to them with care and compassion and invite them into community
      4. None of us can reach everyone, but all of us can reach someone
    3. The word parable means to cast alongside of
      1. A parable is an earthly story used to reveal a heavenly truth; Jesus told stories using familiar elements to provide spiritual truths
      2. The three parables in Luke 15 are centered on things that were lost but then were found: a sheep, a coin, and a son
      3. These three parables follow the same pattern:
        1. Loss
        2. Search
        3. Recovery
        4. Joy
  2. Running (v. 4a)
    1. The setting that Jesus was in gave rise to the stories He used
      1. Jesus saw the heart—the Pharisees saw only the exterior
        1. The Pharisees called these "the people of the land"—they were considered the lowest of the low
        2. The Pharisees had a saying: "There will be joy in heaven over one sinner who is obliterated before God"
      2. Jesus was eating with sinners and social rejects because He loved them—they were lost sheep
    2. In Luke, we don't see why the sheep was lost
      1. In Matthew, we learn that the sheep was not lost because of the shepherd's negligence but because of its own stubbornness (see Matthew 18:12)
      2. In humanity's natural state, we are lost, and we don't even know it
        1. Genesis 3:9
        2. Isaiah 53:6
        3. Ephesians 2:1
      3. Sheep are a common theme used throughout the Bible
        1. A sheep that gets lost doesn't know that it's lost, like most of us
        2. Sheep need watching because they're always wandering
        3. When a sheep gets lost, they can't find their own way back
  3. Reconnaissance (v. 4b)
    1. From a business viewpoint, it doesn't make sense for the shepherd to go after the one sheep
      1. The shepherd wasn't looking for the lost sheep for his own sake; he was thinking about the sheep
      2. If you've ever felt lost in the crowd, take heart, because you are so valuable to God
    2. This was not a careless, cursory search—the shepherd was restless in his pursuit until the one was found
      1. In Ezekiel 34:11-16, God is shown as the tireless shepherd who does not stop seeking out His sheep until they are found
      2. Jesus was speaking about reaching out to find the one who has gone astray
      3. In God's mind, the loss of the one outweighs the laxness of the many
      4. The idea of a God in heaven who searches out sinners was a revolutionary concept
    3. How can you reflect the searching heart of God to that one person? You'll need a lot of patience, persistence, and unrelenting love
  4. Recovery (v. 5a)
    1. All three parables in chapter 15 highlight this phase
      1. The recovery symbolizes salvation
      2. Jesus' stated goal for coming to earth: "To seek and to save" (Luke 19:10)
    2. The shepherd was not upset with the sheep; he picked up the sheep and comforted it, taking the burden on himself
      1. This is the kind of compassion that the Father has for those who are lost—He takes your burden and carries it on His own shoulders
      2. Psalm 28:9
      3. He carried the weight of your sins on the cross, but He carries you on His shoulders
  5. Rejoicing (vv. 5b-7)
    1. There are two periods of rejoicing:
      1. Private, personal
      2. Public, community
    2. God is not some stoic, detached, unconcerned being—He is a rejoicing, laughing, loving God
  6. Conclusion
    1. The initial joy of finding one lost sheep outshines the settled joy of those sheep that are already in the fold
    2. We should all work together and rejoice together for the one
    3. "God loves each of us as if there were only one of us" —Augustine

 

Figures referenced: Augustine

Cross references: Genesis 3:9; Psalm 28:9; Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 34:11-16; Matthew 18:12; Luke 19:10; Ephesians 2:1

Topic: the parable of the lost sheep

Keywords: found, hand, heart, joy, lost, one, reconnaissance, recovery, rejoicing, running, salvation, search

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Three Steps to a Generous Life
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:19-24
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4491

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Today is a celebration. We celebrate what God has done through you! Your love for God, His Word, and His work are evident by your generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure. I encourage you to continue. In Jesus’ most famous of sermons, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us the most practical ways to live unencumbered and fruitful lives. God works through people to change the world. The real question becomes, How do we become those kind of people?

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: November 3, 2019
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Three Steps to a Generous Life"
Text: Matthew 6:19-24

Path

As Christians, we celebrate what God has done through His people—the Church! Your love for God, His Word, and His work is evident through generous gifts of time, talent, and treasure. In Jesus' most famous of sermons, the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave practical ways to live unencumbered and fruitful lives. God works through people to change the world. The real question becomes, How do we become those kind of people?

  1. Keep Your Heart Pure (vv. 19-21)
  2. Keep Your Eye Clear (vv. 22-23)
  3. Keep Your Hand Strong (v. 24)
Points

Keep Your Heart Pure (vv. 19-21) Keep Your Eye Clear (vv. 22-23) Keep Your Hand Strong (v. 24) Practice

Connect Up: As Pastor Skip mentioned, God is a generous God, providing everything His people need. Look up the texts and discuss the following:Connect In: As believers, what is the criteria for how much to give? Is it ten percent or something different? Paul said, "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). Using this text as a base, discuss the following key words:Connect Out: How would you respond to an unbeliever (or even a believer) who says, "Why give anything to a church? Why does God need my money? Isn't the church rich enough? Look how well many pastors and priests live, after all." Consider these three areas in your response:In the end, what is the goal of giving?

DETAILED NOTES
"Three Steps to a Generous Life"
Matthew 6:19-24

  1. Introduction
    1. Generosity is not just about money; it goes far beyond that
      1. You can be generous with your time, energy, talents, praise, and encouragement
      2. Basically, generosity is about becoming an unselfish person
    2. Generosity is love in action
      1. You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving
      2. John 3:16
      3. If I am not a generous person, then I am not a loving person; one shows the other
    3. There are more promises in the Bible about generosity than about things we may think ought to occupy more attention
      1. Love appears 714 times
      2. Believe appears 272 times
      3. Pray appears 371 times
      4. Give appears 2,152 times
        1. The Bible has a lot to say about generosity, materialism, and our relationship with money
        2. One sixth of Matthew, Mark, and Luke deals with our relationship to money and what we value
  2. Keep Your Heart Pure (vv. 19-21)
    1. Money is not evil or good—it's neutral
      1. 1 Timothy 6:10
      2. It all depends on what you do with it and how it is used
      3. Deuteronomy 8:18 says that God "gives you power to get wealth"
        1. Many godly people in Scripture were quite wealthy
        2. Abraham, who "was called the friend of God" (James 2:23), had wealth on par with the kings of Canaan
        3. Job was also very wealthy, and God blessed him after he lost his wealth (see Job 42:12)
        4. Joseph was second in command over all of Egypt
    2. It's not that money is evil, it's in how we handle any material thing
      1. Our relationship to the material world is a barometer of spiritual growth and maturity
      2. If Jesus has your treasure, He has you
    3. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures" (v. 19)
      1. This is the idea of stacking up treasures in a show of wealth
      2. Luke 12:15-21
    4. There are two types of treasure:
      1. Treasure on earth, which is temporary and decays
      2. Treasure in heaven, which is eternal and defies decay (see 1 Timothy 6:7)
      3. Phoebe was someone who laid up treasure in heaven
        1. Paul called her "a helper of many" (Romans 16:2; see also v. 1)
        2. In Greek, the word for helper is prostatis, which literally means patroness or benefactress
        3. Phoebe was a woman of financial means who supported Paul's ministry
      4. Theophilus may have acted as Luke's financial sponsor (see Luke 1:3; Acts 1:1)
  3. Keep Your Eye Clear (vv. 22-23)
    1. The eye allows light to enter; it's the window of the body, so to speak
      1. Just about everything we do in life depends on our ability to see
      2. The condition of a window determines the quality of light entering the room
    2. How clearly do you see?
      1. Is there something blocking the light of spiritual values in your life?
      2. Materialism can blind us (see Matthew 23:16)
    3. How can we get clear eyesight?
      1. Through a singular focus
      2. Focus on the right stuff, because materialism can blind you from a single, undivided loyalty to Christ
      3. The quickest way to a clear focus is to relax your grip on stuff; don't be tight-fisted, but openhanded
      4. Be intentional about letting go of things you treasure on this earth
  4. Keep Your Hand Strong (v. 24)
    1. "No one can serve two masters" (v. 24)
      1. The imagery is that of the slave trade
      2. The point of this passage is the master's total control of the servant; there are no part-time slaves
    2. It's okay to have stuff, but don't serve it, because it's a cruel master
      1. Mammon is the Aramaic word for money, wealth, or possessions
      2. It enslaves the heart, mind, and will
      3. The question is not just what you own, but who owns you—who do you serve?
    3. The New Testament regularly refers to God as our Master
      1. Jesus is a friend who loves us and will carry us through life
      2. You must never forget that you are a bondslave of your Lord and master Jesus Christ, who bought you on the cross (see Romans 6:2)
  5. Conclusion
    1. Your body is not your own
      1. You've been purchased by the blood of Jesus
      2. 1 Corinthians 6:19
    2. 10 percent doesn't belong to God—all of it does
      1. God is so generous to let us keep 90 percent
      2. He simply asks us to be faithful with it
    3. If you're struggling, remember: 90 percent with you and God and will get you further than 100 percent alone
      1. This is the only area God tells us to test Him
      2. Malachi 3:10
Figures referenced: John Calvin, J. Paul Getty, Jerome, Helen Keller, Humphrey Monmouth, King Tut, William Tyndale, John Wesley

Cross references: Deuteronomy 8:18; Job 42:12; Malachi 3:10; Matthew 23:16; Luke 1:3; 12:15-21; John 3:16; Acts 1:1; Romans 6:2; 16:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 Timothy 6:7, 10; James 2:23

Aramaic words: mammon

Greek words: prostatis

Topic: generosity

Keywords: believe, clear, focus, give, love, money, openhanded, pray, time, tithe, unselfish

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: 2019 Year in Review
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 4:1-8
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4507

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The end of a year is a natural time to look back and thank God for what He has done in the past. As we pause to look back and look around, it's important to evaluate and commemorate what God has done in and through us and recalibrate our priorities. Then, we can look ahead and focus on the specifics of what God wants us to do in the future. Pastor Skip reminds us that God has proven Himself time and time again, so we can look to the future with great hope and anticipation. Watch the full service video here.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: December 29, 2019
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: Year-in-Review Recap

Path

This is our vision statement at Calvary Church: "We are a fellowship of believers who pursue the God who passionately pursues a lost world; we do this by connecting with one another, through worship, by the Word, to the world." The way we implement that vision statement is incorporated into each week's connect group recap notes.

If you did not attend service December 28 or 29, we encourage your group to watch the year-in-review video, and reflect on all that God has done through the Calvary Church congregation and ministries in 2019. Find and watch the video on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbMciwUI-f8

Points

Teaching Our CongregationLoving Our CommunityReaching Our Nation Serving Our WorldPractice

Connect Up: How has one of Calvary Church's ministries drawn you closer to God? Be specific. (Examples: The teaching of Scripture has given me the answers to face the difficulties of life. The teaching of God's Word has given me more insight into the life and ministry of the apostle Paul.) Which ministry has truly touched you this year?

Connect In: Which ministry have you been involved with in 2019? How has that ministry helped you grow as a Christian? What is one of the biggest take-away points you've learned through connecting with other believers and serving God's people? If you haven't served in a ministry, how might 2020 be different? What ministry areas are you passionate about? Where do you feel God may be leading you?

Connect Out: If you were involved in one of the outreach ministries sponsored by Calvary Church, which one? How did the ministry grow your love for believers and unbelievers? Share some stories about your ministry time. What type of fruit did you see as a result of that ministry?

Now, take some time to pray for the ministries of Calvary Church, asking God for a fruitful 2020. For the complete list, visit calvarynm.church/getinvolved.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Gather, Love, and Act: Bombard the World with Love
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10:24-25
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4519

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Reload Love’s mission is to convey God’s love by fighting back with tenderness toward children who have been impacted by terror. For six years, Reload Love has provided trauma relief, medical supplies, academic programs, and playgrounds and other safe spaces for children caught in the crossfire of terrorism. Now, the vision has expanded to include supporting church plants and in-country evangelists. On this Love Bomb weekend, Pastor Skip shares the need to come together as a family to act upon God's great love.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: February 9, 2020
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Gather, Love, and Act: Bombard the World with Love"
Text: Hebrews 10:24-25

Path

Reload Love's mission is to convey God's love by fighting back with tenderness toward children who have been impacted by terror. For six years, Reload Love has provided trauma relief, medical supplies, academic programs, and playgrounds and other safe spaces for children caught in the crossfire of terrorism. Now, the vision has expanded to include supporting church plants and in-country evangelists. On this Love Bomb weekend, Pastor Skip shares the need to come together as a family to act upon God's great love.

  1. Gather Regularly (v. 25)
  2. Love Lavishly (v. 24)
  3. Act Decisively (v. 24)
Points

Love Bomb WeekendGather Regularly (v. 25)Love Lavishly (v. 24)Act Decisively (v. 24)Practice

Connect Up: "God is love" (1 John 4:8) but not all love is of God. As Pastor Skip said, love for pizza is not the same as love for God. But the unique agape love, divine love, is God. God is the same as His love. How does God demonstrate His love in the world? Discuss the following areas:Connect In: First Corinthians 13 is Paul's definition of love. Using the passage as a guide, discuss how the church is to be a living witness to love. What areas can you improve upon? What practical steps can you take to be more loving? What characteristics does Paul encourage Christians to "put on" (see Colossians 3:12-17)? What should be the result (e.g., peace, wisdom, thanksgiving, worship, and good deeds)?

Connect Out: Take time to pray for the work of Reload Love. Using the map found at reloadlove.com/about-us/, pray for the following countries: Bulgaria, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Uganda, and the Navajo Nation. Also, pray for our partners: the Free Burma Rangers and the various Christians we'll partner with in upcoming projects (see 2020 Projects): reloadlove.com/projects/love-bomb-2020/.

DETAILED NOTES
"Gather, Love, and Act: Bombard the World with Love"
Hebrews 10:24-25

  1. Introduction
    1. We can show God's love to people who would otherwise not see it
      1. When somebody gets hurt, someone is there for them
      2. All people do it, but God's people do it best
      3. The world needs to not only to hear but see the love of God
    2. We don't know who wrote the book of Hebrews
      1. The audience consisted of believers with a background in Judaism
      2. These were Jews who had come to faith in Christ but were tempted to go back to trusting in the religion they were brought up with
      3. The author of Hebrews told his audience they couldn't go back because they hadn't simply changed religions—they had left an old system for something better: Jesus
    3. Hebrews 10 shows us three things we do as believers and why we should do them
      1. We gather regularly
      2. We love lavishly
      3. We act decisively
  2. Gather Regularly (v. 25)
    1. Don't forsake "the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some" (v. 25)
      1. We don't know exactly what was causing some of the believers to stop meeting
      2. They may have felt the pressure of Judaism, the pressure of family, and pressure from rabbis to stop gathering as Christian believers and return to the old system
    2. The author was not writing to an individual, but to a group
      1. "Let us draw near with a true heart" (v. 22)
      2. "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering" (v. 23)
      3. "Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works" (v. 24)
    3. He was writing to the group because that's what Christians do—we gather in groups
      1. At this time, especially in Jerusalem, those who converted to Christianity would lose their job, because jobs were controlled by the temple enterprise
      2. New believers were losing their employment and social status, so the church became their new family and community
    4. The church of Jesus Christ should provide a family for believers
      1. We live in a culture where we can connect instantaneously through technology, but the same technology that can be a blessing can also make us feel isolated because we're only interacting with a screen
      2. What technology cannot do for you, the church can
      3. Psalm 68:5
    5. There's great value in gathering together
      1. Fellowship can never be done alone
      2. True interaction includes being able to feel the reaction of people around you
      3. An isolated Christian is like a right hand bereft of the left hand
      4. We need one another, and we need proximity to one another
      5. When we gather, we're sharing our time and attention
  3. Love Lavishly (v. 24)
    1. Love needs to be stirred up because we live in a society that constantly stirs up hate
      1. It's impossible not to see people spewing hatred on social media and the news
      2. The hatred that gets stirred up creates division; we gather together in order to stir up love
    2. Our legacy should be about the success of love, not the failure of love
      1. Romans 12:9
      2. Our love can't be like our love for pizza—it has to be real, authentic love
    3. We should evaluate our lives by love
      1. This is not to be measured by how many people love you, but by how many people you love
      2. Jesus gave the world permission to judge us by our love (see John 13:35)
    4. Our love should make an invisible God visible to others
      1. 1 John 4:12
      2. Our love is the billboard that gets the passersby's attention, showing them there is a God and He is real
  4. Act Decisively (v. 24)
    1. We are also called to "stir up…good works" (v. 24)
      1. The words stir up mean to motivate or to spiritually stimulate
      2. The value of gathering together is to stir up the good work of showing lavish love
    2. We should fight against compassion fatigue in our lives
      1. Compassion fatigue occurs when people hear about needs on an ongoing basis
      2. Caregivers can also experience compassion fatigue when caring for someone over a long period of time
  5. Conclusion
    1. Jesus commanded us to love (see John 13:34)
      1. Love is not something that spontaneously arises from emotion
      2. You don't always feel the same emotions, but you make a commitment to love
    2. In showing love to "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40), you're demonstrating the love of God to someone who needs to hear it, feel it, and see it
Figures referenced: Adolf Hitler, Albert Speer, Tertullian
Cross references: Psalm 68:5; Matthew 25:40; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:9; Hebrews 10:22-23; 1 John 4:12
Topic: love
Keywords: action, authentic, fellowship, gather, real, together

Topic: love

Keywords: action, authentic, fellowship, gather, real, together

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Should I Be Worried?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:25-34
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4530

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Sure Steps for Uncertain Times
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 27
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4531

MESSAGE SUMMARY
This worldwide pandemic called the coronavirus (COVID-19) did not take our God by surprise. And it won’t last forever! David talked about walking through the valley of the shadow of death (see Psalm 23), not living there indefinitely. Until then, life seems extremely inconvenient and indeterminate. So how do we proceed? By taking these five steps:

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: March 22, 2020
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Sure Steps for Uncertain Times"
Text: Psalm 27

Path

This worldwide pandemic called the coronavirus (COVID-19) did not take our God by surprise. And it won't last forever! David talked about walking through the valley of the shadow of death (see Psalm 23), not living there indefinitely. Until then, life seems extremely inconvenient and indeterminate. So how do we proceed? By taking these five steps:

  1. Vigilance (vv. 2-3)
  2. Confidence (vv. 1-3)
  3. Reverence (vv. 4-7)
  4. Obedience (vv. 8-12)
  5. Expectance (vv. 13-14)
Points

Vigilance (vv. 2-3)Confidence (vv. 1-3) Reverence (vv. 4-7) Obedience (vv. 8-12) Expectance (vv. 13-14)Practice

Connect Up: Pastor Skiphighlightedtwo key words in Psalm 27: light and salvation (v. 1). The Hebrew word used for light is ore, meaning illumination. Salvation is yesha, meaning liberty and deliverance; the word yesha is similar to Jesus' name in Hebrew, Yeshua, which means God saves. Jesus said He is "the Light of the world" (John 8:12). How is Jesus your light and salvation? What has He delivered you from? How does He illuminate your life? Furthermore, look up these verses to discuss how one is to be saved: John 5:24, Acts 4:2, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 10:9-10, and Ephesians 2:8-9. What are the key steps people must take to be saved?

Connect In: Many of the words Pastor Skip touched on in this message apply to individual Christians and to the church. How are Christians to be vigilant in today's world? What is the church to guard against? In times of trial, the church is to be both obedient and expectant. Use John 14:23 to discuss what it means to be obedient and expectant Christians. What are we to be obedient to? In John 15:16, Jesus says our obedience will produce fruit. What type of fruit should our obedience to Christ produce? (See 1 Corinthians 13 and Galatians 5:22-23.) Discuss the results of obedience in a Christian's life and in the church.

Connect Out: Pray through these themes this week. Here's a start:
1 C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (1940; repr., San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001), 91.

OUTLINE


  1. Vigilance (vv. 2-3)

  2. Confidence (vv. 1-3)

  3. Reverence (vv. 4-7)

  4. Obedience (vv. 8-12)

  5. Expectance (vv. 13-14)

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Quarantined Life
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 13
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4532

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Our country has become more focused on health during this COVID-19 crisis. We understand the need to stay healthy physically and mentally, but our spiritual health is more important. Cultivating a strong Christian life is akin to training the body for a marathon (see Hebrews 12:1-2). In this message, Skip Heitzig encourages you to build up your spiritual life by setting aside the busyness, constant noise, and security of this world and by putting your trust in God.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Why Should I Suffer?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1:6-7
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4533

MESSAGE SUMMARY
One-third of the world population is presently on lockdown; they are restricted by their own governments and kept (by force if necessary) from gathering together in groups. Though infection rates from the coronavirus seem to vary from region to region, one thing is common to all—everyone is suffering in one way or another. But did you know that suffering can be a good thing in the hands of a good God? Consider four truths:

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: March 29, 2020
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Why Should I Suffer?"
Text: 1 Peter 1:6-7

Path

One-third of the world population is presently on lockdown; they are restricted by their own governments and kept (by force if necessary) from gathering together in groups. Though infection rates from the coronavirus seem to vary from region to region, one thing is common to all: everyone is suffering in one way or another. But did you know that suffering can be a good thing in the hands of a good God? Consider four truths:

  1. Trials Are Multiple
  2. Trials Are Painful
  3. Trials Are Needful
  4. Trials Are Remedial
Points

Why Should I Suffer?Trials Are MultipleTrials Are PainfulTrials Are NeedfulTrials Are RemedialPractice

Connect Up: As Pastor Skip pointed out, the Bible is full of God's people going through trials.  Even Jesus experienced suffering and pain, but from Jesus' death and resurrection came a new destiny, renewal, and restoration. How have trials in your life been used to refine you? What are some of the eternal truths you've learned through tribulation?

Connect In: As Pastor Skip pointed out in his teaching, The Quarantined Life, "the coronavirus isn't so much about the end of days in Revelation 13 as it is the healthy community practice of Leviticus 13. Therefore, let's act according to 1 Corinthians 13 (love) until Romans 13 runs its course (government protection)." Discuss the differences between a "Leviticus 13" crisis and the "Revelation 13" tribulation. Discuss these chapters. What is one of the common factors? According to premillennial eschatology, the church is in one, and not the other. Since we are in a Leviticus 13 predicament, what is the role of the church and government (see Romans 13)?

Connect Out: Using Pastor Skip's points (trials are multiple, painful, needful, and remedial), how would you discuss the trials of a believer's life with a non-believer?  How would you answer his or her question as to why God allows evil, pain, and suffer? (Discuss Norman Geisler's perspective: http://normangeisler.com/category/problem-of-evil/.)

OUTLINE


  1. Trials Are Multiple

  2. Trials Are Painful

  3. Trials Are Needful

  4. Trials Are Remedial

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: God and the Coronavirus
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Luke 13
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4534

MESSAGE SUMMARY
When a situation like the coronavirus pandemic occurs, it's only natural for us to ask questions: Why would God allow something so small to stop everything and affect everyone around the world? And what do we do now? This virus is further evidence of the fallen world we live in; this is not the world God intended to create. But this is a time in which the church can truly be the church—the hands, feet, mouth, and heart of our Savior. In this message, Skip Heitzig teaches how this current crisis can move you from acknowledging and believing in God to clinging to God.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: I Feel Your Pain!
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Luke 19:28-44
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4535

MESSAGE SUMMARY
I have often been drawn to this biblical text over the years for Palm Sunday because the events indeed did take place on a Sunday and Jesus was greeted with happy song and palm branches. But in light of the present situation with the entire world suffering the spread of the coronavirus, I want to look at it through the lens of suffering: our own suffering, Jesus’ personal suffering, and the future suffering predicted. In so doing I think we will see Jesus in a very different light.

STUDY GUIDE

Connect Recap Notes: April 5, 2020
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "I Feel Your Pain!"
Text: Luke 19:28-44

Path

I have often been drawn to this biblical text over the years for Palm Sunday because the events did take place on a Sunday and Jesus was greeted with happy song and palm branches. But in light of the present situation with the entire world suffering the spread of the coronavirus, I want to look at it through the lens of suffering: our own suffering, Jesus' personal suffering, and the future suffering predicted. In so doing I think we will see Jesus in a very different light.

I. Jesus Entered Our Suffering (v. 28)
II. Jesus Embraced His Suffering (vv. 29-40)
III. Jesus Predicted More Suffering (vv. 41-44)

Points

Jesus Entered Our Suffering (v. 28)

Jesus Embraced His Suffering (vv. 29-40)

Jesus Predicted More Suffering (vv. 41-44)

Practice

Connect Up: God sees your future—He knows your choices, and He cares about the decisions you make every day. Make time today to connect with Him—put the day ahead into His hands and give Him editing rights over your life. Praise Him for His faithful goodness and mercy and talk to Him about your struggles. He knows how you feel, and He sympathizes with your suffering.

Connect In: Look out for your fellow believers. Stay in touch with your Connect Groups and others you know through ministry or fellowship. Check in with them, pray with them, and maybe even put them in touch with Calvary's Kindness Campaign if they need food or hygiene supplies (call the front desk at 505.344.0880 for assistance).

Connect Out: Don't be afraid to reach out to unsaved people from work or your neighborhood who may be suffering. You can listen to their concerns, pray for them, and offer such help as you can provide—perhaps connect them to a pastor. You may never know what difference you could make for someone teetering between life and death. As Augustine said, can you "mourn a body from which the soul has departed, and not a soul from which God has departed?2

1 Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996 ed.), 3.

2 Augustine, Sermons: The Works of Saint Augustine: A Translation for the 21st Century, Vol. III (Brooklyn: New City Press, 1991), 196.



OUTLINE


  1. Jesus Entered Our Suffering (v. 28)

  2. Jesus Embraced His Suffering (vv. 29-40)

  3. Jesus Predicted More Suffering (vv. 41-44)

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Families in a Time of Crisis
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 24
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4538

MESSAGE SUMMARY
How can you hold your family together in a time of crisis? In times like the current global pandemic, this question challenges us to take a step of faith, revisit our priorities, and rest in God's promises. Joshua challenged the Israelites to choose to serve the Lord despite the crisis that surrounded them. In this message, Skip Heitzig shows you how your personal spiritual commitment affects every relationship in your life, especially those in your own home.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Together Again
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Acts 2:1-16
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4550

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Welcome back! Today we find the doors of the church beginning to swing open once again (though they were never truly closed). We are seeing people we haven’t seen in a long time (though they might be unrecognizable from wearing a mask). Nevertheless we are here to declare that God is bigger than any virus. We affirm that our bond of love for Christ is strong and our commitment to one another is inseparable. We love you and are glad to see you! Let’s consider four experiences that marked the early church on the day of Pentecost.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: May 31, 2020
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Together Again"
Text: Acts 2:1-16

Path

Welcome back! Today we find the doors of the church beginning to swing open once again (though they were never truly closed). We are seeing people we haven't seen in a long time (though they might be unrecognizable from wearing a mask). Nevertheless we are here to declare that God is bigger than any virus. We affirm that our bond of love for Christ is strong and our commitment to one another is inseparable. Let's consider four experiences that marked the early church on the day of Pentecost.

  1. They Were Together (v. 1)
  2. They Were Empowered (vv. 2-4)
  3. They Were Misunderstood (vv. 5-13)
  4. They Were Scriptural (vv. 14-16)
Points

They Were Together (v. 1)They Were Empowered (vv. 2-4)They Were Misunderstood (vv. 5-13)They Were Scriptural (Acts 2:14-16)Practice

Connect Up: The tri-unity of God is a picture of the unity God's people are to have. A theological word used to describe the Trinity is perichoresis, meaning "a mutual exchange of love within the Godhead." As God is a harmonious unity within Himself, He calls His people to live in community, loving one another. What other characteristics of God should His people exemplify? (Consider holiness, justice, truthfulness, goodness, and love.) How are Christians to reflect each of these characteristics? Give practical examples.

Connect In: As the early church was empowered by the Holy Spirit, so are Christians today.  Discuss the three relationships Christians have with the Spirit (with, in, upon):Connect Out: Christians were misunderstood in the early church, as we are misunderstood today. What are some of the ways Christians are misunderstood today? Discuss some of the points Pastor Skip addressed (i.e., morals and science).

OUTLINE


  1. They Were Together (v. 1)

  2. They Were Empowered (vv. 2-4)

  3. They Were Misunderstood (vv. 5-13)

  4. They Were Scriptural (vv. 14-16)

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Church and Racism
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Acts 10:27-36
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4551

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Solomon admonished us, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1). We neither planned for nor wanted the virus and subsequent lockdown that was imposed on our globe. But we experienced it, and we talked about it. And we neither planned for nor wanted the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota last week and the deep racial division that has surfaced since, including widespread pandemonium. But we are experiencing it in our nation currently, and we must talk about it. Let’s consider a scriptural account of racism and four steps to deal with it.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Recap Notes: June 7, 2020
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "The Church and Racism"
Text: Acts 10:27-36

Path

Solomon admonished us, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1). We neither planned for nor wanted the virus and subsequent lockdown that was imposed on our globe. But we experienced it, and we talked about it. And we neither planned for nor wanted the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota last week and the deep racial division that has surfaced since, including widespread pandemonium. But we are experiencing it in our nation currently, and we must talk about it. Let's consider a scriptural account of racism and four steps to deal with it.

  1. Acknowledging the Problem (vv. 27-28)
  2. Accepting Redirection (v. 28b)
  3. Inviting a Conversation (v. 29)
  4. Renouncing Discrimination (vv. 34-36)
Points

Acknowledging the Problem (vv. 27-28)Accepting Redirection (v. 28b)Inviting a Conversation (v. 29)Renouncing Discrimination (vv. 34-36)Practice

Connect Up: In a time like this, none of us can afford to think we have all the answers. But are we willing to let God redirect us? Are we willing, as Pastor Tony Clark counseled, to sit with those who are hurting and listen wholeheartedly (see Ezekiel 3:15)? Are you willing to pray that God will show you any blind spots in your life? If so, ask Him for the strength to face what He may show you.

Connect In: Pastor Tony said that this season could be the church's defining moment. We must seize this moment, because to be undecided is to decide. How can we as Christians make sure our church doesn't miss this important opportunity to be a place where the hurting can be heard, and healing can begin? Read Galatians 6:1-10. How can we be salt and light, not only to the world but to our brothers and sisters who haven't had their Peter moment yet?

Connect Out: Pastor Skip used the analogy that we have to put out the house that's on fire, instead of protesting that "all houses matter." Based on the conversation between Pastor Skip and Pastor Tony, why is it important for the church to move past the idea that "all lives matter" and focus on letting black lives matter? What are some ways you can make yourself available to those who are hurting right now and simply listen to them?

OUTLINE


  1. Acknowledging the Problem (vv. 27-28)

  2. Accepting Redirection (v. 28b)

  3. Inviting a Conversation (v. 29)

  4. Renouncing Discrimination (vv. 34-36)

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Gracious Marks of Generous Hearts
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4585

MESSAGE SUMMARY
I’m always inspired by those who rise to meet a challenge with grace, dignity, and generosity. This season is no exception. Through the volatile season of COVID-19 that brought economic instability and health worries, you have been kindhearted and generous. And today we celebrate that generosity. What I preach today from these verses is a reflection of your largesse and love. Together we have made a difference in tough times. Allow me to frame it scripturally in this text.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Recap Notes: October 4, 2020
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "Gracious Marks of Generous Hearts"
Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

Path

It's inspiring to watch those who rise to meet a challenge with grace, dignity, and generosity. This season is no exception. Through the volatile season of COVID-19 that has brought economic instability and health worries, people are still kindhearted and generous. Today's teaching is a reflection of God's people's largesse and love. Together we have made a difference in tough times.

  1. Generosity Is a Signal (vv. 1, 6-7)
  2. Generosity Is Sacrificial (vv. 2-3)
  3. Generosity Is Volitional (vv. 3-4)
  4. Generosity Is Consequential (v. 5)
Points

Generosity Is a Signal (vv. 1, 6-7)Generosity Is Sacrificial (vv. 2-3)Generosity Is Volitional (vv. 3-4)Generosity Is Consequential (v. 5)Practice

Connect Up: As Pastor Skip noted, God is a giving God, and His greatest gift is Jesus (see John 3:16). How else is God generous? Consider the following gifts. What is our due response to each?Connect In: As Christians, we are called to be generous. What does a generous person look like? According to Ariix.com, generous people care, have no expectation of repayment, are optimistic, have humility, are patient, have a purpose, are energetic, and are leaders.What is clear is that Christians are called to use our time, talents, and tithes for God's kingdom. What area(s) do you find the most difficult to give in—time, talents, or tithes? What do you think you should do to improve in that area?

Connect Out: How can you use John 3:16 as an apologetic for reaching unbelievers? For example:

OUTLINE


  1. Generosity Is a Signal (vv. 1, 6-7)

  2. Generosity Is Sacrificial (vv. 2-3)

  3. Generosity Is Volitional (vv. 3-4)

  4. Generosity Is Consequential (v. 5)

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Worship in the Uncertainty
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Various
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4588

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Our world has been thrust into uncertainty, and we hear more bad news every day. But there are truths that can anchor us in the turmoil. In this message, Skip Heitzig shares how authentic worship ushers you into God's peace so you can face life with His confidence.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: The Theology of a Christmas Tree
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 10
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4601

MESSAGE SUMMARY
What does a Christmas tree have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ? Some people would say absolutely nothing—that Christmas trees are a pagan tradition. In this Communion message, Skip Heitzig explains where the Christmas tree originated, what it demonstrates, and how it can point you to another tree: the cross of Jesus Christ.

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: This Seat Is for You (The Power of the Gospel)
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4637

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Welcome to Vision Weekend. Today I want to help renew our understanding of why we even exist as a church. I want us to see clearly what it means to be a redeemed society in the midst of an unredeemed culture—to be a welcoming committee for the downtrodden, lonely, lost, broken, and unsaved. To do that, we need to see how the gospel works in our lives, how it transforms us, and what our responsibility is once that has happened.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Recap: April 11, 2021
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: "This Seat Is for You (The Power of the Gospel)"
Text: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Path

In this Vision Weekend message, Pastor Skip renews our understanding of why we even exist as a church, helping us to see clearly what it means to be a redeemed society in the midst of an unredeemed culture—to be a welcoming committee for the downtrodden, lonely, lost, broken, and unsaved. To do that, we need to see how the gospel works in our lives, how it transforms us, and what our responsibility is once that has happened. In this teaching, we learn three clear aspects of how the gospel works:

  1. The Gospel Is Received (v. 5)
  2. The Gospel Redirects (vv. 6-7, 9-10)
  3. The Gospel Rings Out (v. 8)
Points

The Gospel Is Received (v. 5)The Gospel Redirects (vv. 6-7, 9-10)The Gospel Rings Out (v. 8)Practice

Connect Up: When did you first hear the gospel? What sort of impact, if any, did it make on your life? What about when you first saw the gospel? Once you were saved, what idols in your life did you have to throw out?

Connect In: You fit into God's biblical vision for the church. You have unique gifts and talents that He wants you to use for His glory, not just in the world at large but in the body of Christ. Take a moment to discuss spiritual gifts. Do you know what your spiritual gift is? How have you offered yourself and your gift to be used by the Lord in the church today? If you're not sure what your gift is or how to use it, what next step will you take to figure that out?

Connect Out: Have you so insulated your life that the gospel has stopped with you and isn't reverberating to someone else? Pastor Skip said that people will follow your footsteps more quickly than they'll follow your advice. What's one area you need to work on when it comes to living out the gospel?

OUTLINE


  1. The Gospel Is Received (v. 5)

  2. The Gospel Redirects (vv. 6-7, 9-10)

  3. The Gospel Rings Out (v. 8)

Keywords: the church, evangelism, the gospel, repentance, salvation, the truth, vision

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: Does God Really Care?
SPEAKER: Nate Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 9; Mark 5
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4696

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Guide: October 24, 2021
Speaker: Nate Heitzig
Teaching: “Does God Really Care?”
Text: Matthew 9; Mark 5

Main Point
Some people put their hope in unrealistic Hallmark slogans like “For every cloud there’s a silver lining” or “When life gives you lemons make lemonade.” Sometimes life doesn’t go well. Sometimes there isn’t a happy ending around the corner. There’s a lot in this world that we don’t know, but there are a few things we do know: we know that there is a heaven, that God died for our sins, and that through that death He made it possible for us to join Him. We know should be our motto as Christians. It can be easy to doubt God’s purpose or timing when life gets difficult. The temptation can be to ask, “Does God really care?” In this message we consider how Jesus dealt with Jairus, and we see how He takes time for the broken, brings hope to the hopeless, and ultimately breathes life into the lifeless.

“When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, ‘Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.” —Matthew 9:23-25

Talk about It

  1. Share about a time when an interruption in life turned into an opportunity for God to show you He cares for people.
  2. What fear is causing you to doubt or question that God cares for you?
  3. What kind of faith does it take to care for the hurting, broken, and helpless? (For example: simple, specific, or special—God’s unique work)
  4. Have you ever had a situation in your life when you asked, “Where is God?” How did God show Himself strong?
Make It PracticalPrayCross References: Isaiah 63:9; Luke 19:10; John 11:11-35; 18:8; Acts 7:59-60; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; Hebrews 4:15

OUTLINE


  1. He Takes Time for the Broken

  2. He Brings Hope to the Hopeless

  3. He Breathes Life into the Lifeless

Keywords: Believe, Broken, Care, Compassion, Death, Delay, Faith, Hope, Hopeless, Life

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16:24-27
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4704

MESSAGE SUMMARY
The word disciple is common in Christian circles, and though the meanings of words change over time, we have the job description straight from Jesus’ mouth. Many of us willingly call ourselves disciples, but have we really delved into what Jesus meant by it? When He invited those in His circle to follow Him, He outlined what it would take. He wanted them to count the cost. And He wanted them to know the reward.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Guide: November 21, 2021
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: “What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?”
Text: Matthew 16:24-27

Main Point
The word disciple is common in Christian circles, and though the meanings of words change over time, we have the job description straight from Jesus’ mouth. Many of us willingly call ourselves disciples, but have we really delved into what Jesus meant by it? When He invited those in His circle to follow Him, He outlined what it would take. He wanted them to count the cost. And He wanted them to know the reward. So what does it mean to follow Jesus? In this message, we explore what Jesus Himself said He expects of those who follow Him.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” —Matthew 16:24-25

Talk about It

  1. Share how Jesus has given you a desire and craving for a different way of life since following Him. How did your desire to follow Him begin?
  2. We live in a world where we desire to follow no one, deny ourselves nothing, and revere independence. What did Jesus mean when He said, “Let him deny himself,” and what didn’t He mean? How do you practice the kind of self-denial Jesus calls us to?
  3. A cross-less Christianity is a poor substitute. German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer called it “cheap grace.” Discuss the cost of following Christ and what Jesus meant by “take up his cross.”
“If you desire to follow Jesus, you can’t let your competing desire of maintaining control win.” —Pastor Skip

Make It PracticalPray
Father, we are Your people; we belong to You. We’ve been bought with the highest price—the precious blood of Jesus Christ. We don’t belong to ourselves anymore. Thank You for securing an eternal salvation in heaven. Create in us a desire and willingness to give up control, letting go of the comforts that keep us from true discipleship. We submit to You as Lord over our whole lives. We invite You to be part of our days, projects, vacations, relationships. Help us to lock step with You as we follow Your lead.

Cross references: Matthew 10:25; 16:22-23; 28:19-20; Acts 11:26; Romans 8:20; 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

OUTLINE


  1. The Step of Desire

  2. The Step of Denial

  3. The Step of Death

  4. The Step of Devotion

  5. The Step of Destiny

Keywords: cross, death, denial, desire, destiny, devotion, disciple, discipleship, follow, self, tourist, traveler

 


 

SERIES: Topical
MESSAGE: How to Live (and Love) in the Last Days
SPEAKER: Skip Heitzig
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 4:7-11
URL: http://SkipHeitzig.com/4728

MESSAGE SUMMARY
Welcome to one of our most cherished weekends of the year—Love Bomb weekend. We love it so much because we know that as a result, people will be changed by it. The fruit produced in the next forty-eight hours will impact some who have never heard of God’s love in Christ, but they will shortly. Today we consider the words of Peter to believers who were struggling under the weight of Roman tyranny and oppression. He encourages them to wait expectantly for Jesus to return, but in the meantime to live their lives with three elements in place so they can stay strong and vibrant.

STUDY GUIDE
Connect Group Guide: February 13, 2022
Speaker: Skip Heitzig
Teaching: “How to Live (and Love) in the Last Days”
Text: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Main Point
Welcome to one of our most cherished weekends of the year—Love Bomb weekend. We love this weekend so much because we know that as a result of your generosity, people will be changed by it. The fruit produced in the next forty-eight hours will impact some who have never heard of God’s love in Christ, but they will shortly. Today we consider the words of Peter to believers who were struggling under the weight of Roman tyranny and oppression. He encourages them to wait expectantly for Jesus to return, but in the meantime to live their lives with three elements in place so they can stay strong and vibrant.

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” —1 Peter 4:7-10

Talk about It

  1. What place does prayer have in your life now? Are you going through the motions, doing all the right activities, but find erosion in the heart? Discuss how prayer can fuel or has fueled your relationship and devotion to the Lord.
  2. As Jesus’ followers, love should not be relegated to emotion or sentiment. Discuss the importance of the language Peter used: “above all things” and “fervently” (In Greek, εκτενης meaning strenuously). Why is it vital to love the people in your circle of care sacrificially and practically?
  3. Have you discovered your spiritual gifts? If yes, share how you are actively fanning them into flame and using them. If no, discuss what steps you are willing to take to discover them to serve the Lord and others.
“Love makes an invisible God visible to the world.” —Pastor Skip

Make It Practical
Be engaged in God’s work around the world in these three essentials.
Pray
Lord, teach us to live in holy satisfaction, connected in love to You and to people. Thank you for your multicolored grace, giving gifts to each of us, your children, uniquely and diversely. Use our hands, our ears, our lips, and our feet as Your own to serve people, reaching and striving for the gold medal in love toward one another. Most of all, keep us connected to You primarily, our first Love. In Jesus’ name.

Cross references: Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 14:28; Matthew 26:38; 26:40-45; Mark 13:35; Luke 12:40; John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 12:4; James 5:8; Hebrews 1:1-2; Titus 2:13; Revelation 2:4

OUTLINE


  1. Pray Diligently (v. 7)

  2. Love Deeply (vv. 8-9)

  3. Serve Wisely (vv. 10-11)

Keywords: cover, deeply, devotion, diligent, emotional, end times, gift, glorify, helpful, hospitable, fervent, first love, last days, love, passion, practical, pray, prayer, purpose, recover, sacrificial, second coming, sentimental, serious, serve, service, steward, stretching, sustain, watch, wisely


Topical | SkipHeitzig.com/series11
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