Sermon: 2 Sam 11, 12 Troy Merceal

David and Bathsheba
2 Sam 11, 12
The man after God's own heart was out of relationship with God.
He tried to sweep things under the rug, but God knew and confronted him. He repented but still paid the consequences for his sin, then he went back to praising God.

Sermon: Moses

Ex 13, 14, 15
-God's plans are always better than my plans Ex 13:17-20. Sometimes God leads us on a path that is not always the shortest or easiest route
-God allows tough circumstances in our lives for our good and his glory Ex 13:20-14:4; Rom 8:28-30
-when things get tough our first response is often to question God.  Why??  Ex 14:5-12
-Sometimes we stand still when ought to be moving on. Ex 14:13-15
-Faith is stretching out what you have, even though you don't know that what you have is going to do what you need it to do Ex 14:16-18
-never forget in the darkness what God has shown you in the light Ex 14:18-20
-God is able Ex14:21-22
-sing!! Ex 15:1-6

Amazing Stories: Noah

Genesis 6, 7, 8
The story of Noah and the ark is a picture of the beauty of God's salvation
-the world was full of wickedness then and now. Gen 6:5, 11; Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12; Gen 9:29-21
-God judges sin. Gen 6:7, 13, 17; 7:21; there is another judgement day coming Rom 3:19-20
-Jesus is coming back someday soon (just like a flood)!  Mt 24:36-44; 2 Pet 3
-just like Noah, we need to be ready. Heb 11:12. We need to live as if this is true in our own lives.

Peace in the storm

Phil 4:4-9; Mt 8:23-27
- The fact that Jesus is in your boat does not exempt you from storms. You can not avoid storms. Mt 7:24-27; Jas 1:2-4
- Often, when you are in the midst of a storm, it seems as if Jesus is asleep. Jn 11:4-6, 14-15 Jesus delayed intentionally so that they may believe.
- Jesus is ordering the circumstances of your life to lead you to the place of crying out: LORD SAVE.
- He's in control of everything. We are in control of nothing. The question is: Are we going to trust the one who is in control of everything or the one who is in control of nothing? Mt 8:27, 6:25-34 The greatest times of stress come when we forget that someone who lives us is in control of everything
- On this side of eternity, there will never be a day when you don't need to trust the God who loves you.
- We must not be anxious, but cast all your cares on him 1 Pet 5:6-11

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."