Peace of mind

-It is impossible to have the peace of God, without being at peace with God.  Rom 5:1
-Don't be anxious about anything. Peace is the calm assurance that what God is doing is best. Anxiousness is being focused on our circumstances and our feelings.
3 things for peace:
-right praying Phil. 4:6 prayer, supplication (specific things in our world), and thanksgiving- the more we pray, the lower our anxiety will be
-right thinking Phil 4:7; 2:3; 3:8. It is far better to pray and experience the peace of God. Work on what thoughts we allow in our minds. Be more disciplined about what thoughts we allow to stay in our minds. Fight for the right thoughts. 2Cor 10:5; Isa 26:3; Phil 4:8; true - Jn 17:17, Jn 8:44, Ps 19:7-9, 119:165; noble -take the high road, think the best and don't run your mouth; just- righteous; pure- sexual connotations; lovely-pleasing; admirable,  excellence (human), praiseworthy (God)
- right living

Sermon: What matters most Rick T

Eccl 7:2-4 A wise man thinks of death,  because it reminds us of what matters most in our lives.  Life is a precious gift,and if we are wise, we will spend it wisely.
Life apart from living for God is meaningless. Eccl 2:12-16.
1. Since each day is a gift, we need to treasure people and our time with them. Eccl 9:9 invest in those around you, seek to bless them, treasure them
2. Since each day is a gift, we need to treasure our day to day lives. Eccl 5:18-20, 2:24-25, 3:12-13, 7:14, 5:15, 4:6, 2:1-11, 5:10-11, 6:9 Enjoy what we have, but remember we can't take it with us. Stuff does not equal satisfaction.
3. Since each day is a gift, what matters most is to treasure God above all else. Eccl 12:9-14 Fear God and keep his commands, honor, worship, obey Him. Trust in Him.

Sermon: Three words that can change your life- "Has no one condemned you? Neither do I." RickT

Prov. 12:18 Reckless words pierce like swords,  but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Jn. 8:1-11 Words that have the power to change lives,  "Neither do I" (condemn you)
1. our words and our actions have the power to change lives, choose to bring healing and hope with my words
2. We have the choice to treat people like Jesus did, or like the Pharisees did
Don't be critical and judgemental of others Mt 7:1-5
3. We are no better or worse than this woman- we all have our own sinful areas and needs.  "Go and leave your life of sin."

Sermon: ... but Christ has indeed been raised

1 cor. 15:12-22
If Christ has not been raised from the dead, then our preaching and our faith are useless and we are still in our sins, are hopeless and should be pitied
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, therefore we have a relationship with him, and this should directly affect my life.
Ps 103:8-13
My salvation is in Christ
My life is for him
My eternity is with him

Sermon: The Art of Forgiveness

The art of forgiveness: part 1
Eph4:22-5:2
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each another, just as in Christ God forgave you.
-Unforgiveness is sin, do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God
-the opposite of forgiveness is really ugly v.31 bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, malice
-deal with unforgiveness right now v.26 do not let the sun go down on your anger.
-be nice! v.32 be kind and compassionate to one another
-be an example v.22-24, 5:1-2 put on the new self, use God's strength and power

Sermon: Forgiveness - How many times?

Mt18:21-35 We have been forgiven a debt we could not pay, and that should translate horizontally to others
Mt18:15-20 gives the steps for forgiving others
-we have been forgiven an unpayable debt, God wrote it all off, just like the servant in the story
-because you've been forgiven, you must forgive
-unforgiveness affects everyone
-we don't forgive to earn our salvation,  we forgive because of our salvation
-this is God stuff, we aren't able to do it on our own
Forgiveness is a decision to release someone from the debt they owe you

Sermon: Revive - radical obedience

Isaiah 6:1-8
v8 Here am I, send me
-this is the most spectacular invitation ever, don't treat it like we have the right to say no.
Psalm33:6-9
-we never really serve Him,  we are always the benefactors. Even as we serve Him, we benefit.  Acts17:24-28 it's a win-win situation and a privilege
-there's no plan b. God wants to use me.
-it's not always easy. Isaiah 6:9-13
-this invitation is more about my heart than my head