2024 Theme: Living Life Aligned with the Divine Design
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Made N.E.W.
Trashawnda Ward
Sermon in a sentence: Jesus made me new so I can walk in N.E.W.ness
Navigating--travel on a desired course after planning a route (running my race)
Exceptionally-- to a greater degree than normal (with Holy Spirit’s power)
Well-- in a thorough manner (not giving up or giving in to the enemy)
II Corinthians 5:17-18 17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”
1. Our challenge today is not becoming NEW, that part has already been done for us. It is simply walking in the Newness that has already been bestowed upon us!
Romans 7:21-25a “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power[e] within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”
2. Key truth: Walking in N.E.W.ness is not a denial of the struggle, rather it is recognizing that you have an answer!
Phillipians 3:13-15 13 “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[d] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”
3. Key truth Walking in N.E.W.ness requires letting go of the past. Hold on to progress and move forward.
4. When you accept that your are N.E.W., then you have to get the rules for navigation. These rules come from Holy Spirit. When you walk with Holy Spirit, he will teach you what is true.
o ReNEW your mind.
Ephesians 4:21-24 21 “Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
o Practice NEW Behaviors, listening to the voice of Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:25-31: “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”[d] Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,[e] guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Galatians 5:16 “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.”
o Have a NEW Inner Circle.
Proverbs 18:24 “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 22: 24-25 “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.”
II Timothy 3:5 5 “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”
II Peter 3:18 “Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
2024 Theme: Living Life Aligned with the Divine Design
Vision 2025: How To Make Disciples Who Make Disciples
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
December 8, 2024
Sermon in a Sentence: Be Disciples, Who Make Disciples, Who Advance the Kingdom of God
Jesus’ Last Words
John 13:33-35 33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Matthew 28:18-20 (AMP) 18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words],
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:3,8 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the
kingdom of God. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
How Jesus Made Disciples, Who Made Disciples, Who Advanced the Kingdom of God 1. He invited them into a relationship John 1:35-40, 43 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s
brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.” 2. He gave them explicit instruction (formal learning)
Matthew 5:1-2 1One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the
mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
3. He engaged them in a small learning community (social learning)
Matthew 13:36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”
4. 5. He immersed them in ministry (Experiential Learning)
Matthew 10:1,5-8 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the
Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have
leprosy drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
He empowered them to make disciples
Matthew 28:18-20 (AMP) 18 Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20
teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
Application—Prepare for 2025
Daily devotions, Sunday Worship
(Formal Learning) Get in a group
Get in a small group (Social Learning)
Get in a ministry (Experiential Learning)
Make Disciples (Protégé Effect)
2024 Theme: Living Life Aligned with the Divine Design
What To Do After Thanksgiving
John M. Wallace, Jr., PhD
December 1, 2024
Leviticus 13:9, 45-46 9 “Anyone who develops a serious skin disease must go to the priest for an examination. 45 “Those who suffer from a serious skin disease must tear their clothing and
leave their hair uncombed. They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As
long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in
their place outside the camp.
Luke 17:11-19 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between
Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They
stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When
he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were
cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked,
“Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to
God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you
well.”
Sermon in a Sentence: Say Thank You!
Key Truths About Saying Thank You
1. Thank-yous we don’t say, make people feel, “some kinda way!” (i.e., offended, disrespected
or disregarded)
Luke 17:17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
2. Saying thank you reminds us who God is and what He does
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him
and praise his name.
Psalm 107:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.
Daniel 2:23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and
power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the
dream of the king.
3. Saying thank you prepares the way for God’s blessings
John 6:11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were
seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
John 11:41-42 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank
you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit
of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.'
4. Philippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Saying thank you improve our mental, physical, relational, and organizational health
Increases happiness and life satisfaction, reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression,
strengthens relationships, increases positive emotions
Enhances employee well-being and job satisfaction, and reduces feelings of burnout
5. Saying thank you should become our lifestyle
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Application—Make a Gratitude Visit
1. 2. Identify a person who has positively influenced you who you have not properly thanked
Write a thank you note or letter that specifies what the person did for you, how it affected
you, and expresses your gratitude to them
3. Schedule to meet with the person, in person or online and read the thank you note to them
4. Reflect on the experience—how it makes you feel and how they respond
Disclaimer: Everyone is entitled to their opinion. We believe and teach that the Bible is God’s Word — His opinion — and provides His instruction for how to live life under His rule (i.e., the Kingdom of God).
