Series:  The Apostle’s CreedI believe in God the FatherJude 3 the apostle’s creed  The word “creed” comes from the Latin word “credo,” meaning      “I believe.”  The Apostle’s Creed is one of the earlier creeds           (ca 375-400 AD).  It was originally written in Latin and was called the ‘Apostles’ Creed’ because it was believed to be an accurate summary of apostolic teaching.   Creeds, Confessions & Statements of Faith ·      Creeds are simple, concise, liturgical written statements which primarily deal with essentials of the faith.·      Confessions/Statements of Faith are more detailed works that deal with both primary and secondary doctrines. ·      Catechisms are a series of question and answers designed to teach the faith.   The Bible is the primary and final authority in all of our church’s beliefs and decisions.   the value of creeds·      Formation·      Distinction ·      Connection to History·      Connection to Community While the creeds hold value, they are not inerrant.  I believe in God,           Romans 10:9-10  The creed’s construction highlights the importance of the Trinity.   the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Psalm 103:8-13 Our God is infinitely powerful, yet He is intimately personal. Jeremiah 32:27Genesis 1·      His creation was ex nihilo.              ·      His creation was easy. ·      His creation was good.  ·      His creation was purposeful.Acts 17:22-27John 1:12  Today’s Takeaways  We must know that a creed has no saving power, but it can point us to biblical truth.  Our God is a Trinity and, thereby, a loving, relational God.   Understanding that God is infinitely powerful and intimately relational is essential to having a healthy personal identity.   Through Jesus, we can know Him as Father and find rest for our souls. 

Porter Podcast

I believe in God the Father

Series: The Art of ForgivenessReconciliation: Beauty Mixed with MysteryPhilemon 12-25 Philemon’s Purposes: To reveal that God can forgive anyone.  To admonish Christians to forgive and seek reconciliation.  RecapPhilemon is the shortest letter of Paul. It was written to an individual member of the church at Colosse. The 3 main characters in the book are Philemon, Paul and Onesimus.  Philemon 12-25     Biblical Lessons for Us 1.             Forgiven people forgive people.   2.             Reconciliation is not the same thing as forgiveness             Forgiveness deals with retaliation; reconciliation     deals with relationship.3.             Reconciliation does not always mean the past relationship is the same. 4.             Reconciliation is a humble, volitional, two party activity.             If you are the offenderü Repent ü Ask for forgiveness, ü Make amendsMatthew 5:23-26            If you are the offendedü Release your right to retaliateü Work on your partü Acknowledge God’s sovereigntyü Confirm repentanceü Be realistic  Romans 12:16-19 5.             Reconciliation is a powerful witness.  the Gospel in Philemon                All of our relationships provide an opportunity to point people to Christ, even those that require forgiveness. 

Reconciliation: Beauty Mixed with Mystery 07/25/21

Series: The Art of Forgiveness       The Beauty of RedemptionPhilemon  Book of PhilemonPhilemon is the shortest of Paul’s writings.   It was written from prison sometime between AD 55-62.  The letter to Philemon has close connections to the book of Colossians.  Philemon was a private letter.  The letter focuses on three people: Paul, Philemon, and Onesimus. The slavery problem Galatians 3:28 Philemon   Onesimus = Useful  pote = Formerly, Once, Thende nuni = But Now, Currently    Biblical Lessons 1.    We all have a past of which we need forgiveness. 2.    We all have a debt we cannot pay -- only Christ can cover our sin.             2 Corinthians 5:21 Double imputation (2-WAY TRANSFER):My Sin on Jesus, His Righteousness in me 3.  People in Christ are transformed.  o   Our standing has changed.o   Our Character is changed. Colossians 3:7             o   The trajectory of our lives has changed.  4.  It takes transformed hearts to experience true forgiveness. 

The Beauty of Redemption 07/18/21

Joey Fink

July 4, 2021Appropriately PatrioticPsalm 33:10-22   Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.I Peter 2:17  Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.Philippians 3:20  Patriotic Mistakes ·      Confusing Patriotism with Christianity ·      Claiming that Patriotism is Idolatry  An Appropriately Patriotic Christ Follower   Acknowledges nations are temporary and only God is eternal   Remembers God honors the nation that honors Him         Faith’s Influence on America                         Faith inspired the settlement of America.              Faith influenced the education of America.                 Faith encouraged the leaders of America.                Faith shaped the heart of America.     Knows God is the source of our hope--not our military or our wealth.                “America is great because America is good.  If she ceases to be good, she’ll cease to be great.”Alexis de Tocqueville   Realizes the most patriotic thing you can do for your country is to live a Godly life.    Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.Proverbs 14:34

Appropriately Patriotic

Series: Open HouseHospitality and the Church3 John Hospitality…·      was valued in the Scripture and in the culture. ·      is consistent with the character of God.·      is a key part of the Christian mission strategy.·      is expected to be prevalent among church members.  3 JohnQuick Facts            It was written between 60 - 90 AD.             Historically, it has been attributed to John, the apostle.             It is the shortest book in the Greek New Testament.            It focuses on 3 men:  Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius.  The ContextThe congregations still met primarily in homes.  Mission work is expanding rapidly. The early church was still governed by the apostles; however, the leadership structure of the church was starting to transition.  The MessageChristians and churches are expected to be hospitable, especially toward those who are serving Jesus.  The Text            “I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.”             “you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers.”             “we ought to support such people so that we can be coworkers with the truth.” “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good.” biblical lessons The one who knows God is transformed.  The lack of Christian obedience is to be regarded as a mark of an absence of a Christian experience.   A part of “walking in the truth” is living a hospitable lifestyle.   All Christians are called to missionary investment.   Hospitality is a billboard for Jesus. 

Hospitality and the Church 06/27/21

Series: Open HouseHospitality to StrangersThe Gospel of Luke Hospitality reveals that God is a welcoming God.  Hebrews 13:2 Jesus frequently used a social gathering to evangelize the lost and build disciples.   There is generosity in serving a meal, humility in receiving one, and fellowship in eating together. Luke 5:31-32Luke 15:1-2Luke 19: 10 the power of hospitality ·      It displays value. ·      It breaks down barriers:  barriers of perception, proximity and apathy.  ·      It reveals the unique character of Christians. Hospitality Warnings  There will be an internal resistance to a hospitable lifestyle. We will constantly struggle to balance Grace and Truth. There is a cost to hospitality. Hospitality Starter Kit  Take an inventory of your network.              Diagram your neighborhood…      Do your prayer work.   Develop an intentional strategy.            ·      Practice hospitality at church. ·      Utilize your home as a missional outpost.o   Connect with people in your network.o   Look for the lonely. o   Minister to internationals/students.                         Remember the Gospel.

Hospitality To Strangers 06/13/21

Series: Open HouseA Welcoming GodVarious Scriptures what is hospitality?  Hospitality is “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” Hospitality is not simply about what you do; it is about who you are. Our hospitality or lack of it reveals what we think about people, what we think about ourselves, and what we understand about God.  hospitality theology  God is a Welcoming God.  ·      This is revealed in and through His Creation.  God is a circle-expanding God – He enjoys bringing more into His fellowship.   ·      This is understood through His pursuit of self-made strangers.  ·      This is illustrated through the “Dwell” motif seen throughout Scripture.  Genesis 3:8; Exodus 25:8; I Kings 8:10-13; John 1:14John 14:16-18; John 14:1-3: Revelation 21:1-3   God loves to see hospitality in His children. Our sinful nature complicates this.              Leviticus 19:33-34; Acts 2:44-45; I Timothy 3:2               Romans 12:13; I Peter 4:9   The Gospel enables and informs our hospitality. Because we are sinful by nature, we must be transformed by the gospel.  We can expand the circle because we are confident in our acceptance. Those touched by the gospel love people. The gospel enables selflessness.                                                                                      Romans 5:6-8

A Welcoming God

Chandler Snyder IMB 05/30/21

Series: Relationship StatusWidowedI Corinthians 7 Regardless of your relationship status, your role is always to glorify God.  foundational truth about the widowed  ·      God loves the widowed. ·      God expects His people to care for the vulnerable.  ·      God expects His people to glorify Him in all circumstances, even in grief.  glorifying God through loss  Give yourself permission to grieve.   We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.I Thessalonians 4:13 Remain faithful to Jesus. Ø You have the opportunity to trust God. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.2 Corinthians 1:3-4   Ø Your pain is the greatest opportunity for witness.  Pursue joy through Christ. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.Philippians 4:4-5  Stay connected to people.  Look for opportunities to serve the church community.  Let others serve you. Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.James 1:27 Keep your eyes on the hope to come.            Today’s Takeaway:

Widowed 05/23/21

Series: Relationship StatusDivorce  I Corinthians 7 Regardless of your relationship status, your role is always to glorify God.  divorce facts God hates divorce, not divorced people.Malachi 2:13-16Divorce always hurts someone. Divorce always involves sin. Sometimes God permits divorce.  when divorce is permitted ·      in instances of infidelityMalachi 2:13-16 ·      when your spouse abandons youMalachi 2:13-16 ·      in cases where abuse is present What if you are divorced for an unbiblical reason?   glorifying God as a divorced person  Extend forgiveness to your ex-husband or ex-wife.   Don’t try to justify your divorce to others.    Never demean your ex-spouse.    If possible, make amends to those you have hurt.    Help people with relationship struggles, but don’t promote divorce.   Stay involved in church.   Don’t let Satan make you believe you are not loved by God.  Today’s Takeaway

Divorced 05/16/21

Series: Relationship StatusMarriedI Corinthians 7 Regardless of your relationship status, your role is always to glorify God.  definition of marriage Marriage is a public covenant to a lifelong monogamous, heterosexual relationship.   why is marriage a struggle? ·      Marriage is the merging of two wills. ·      Most people’s love language is Love of Self. ·      You are married to a sinner.   God receives great glory from healthy marriages.   steps for a healthy marriage Take your own sanctification very seriously; give grace to your spouse.   Sacrificially love your spouse.   Be faithful to your spouse.    Don’t punish your spouse.    Don’t keep score.               Our goal in marriage is to model Christ’s sacrificial love.             Love Advice:                        Small actions mean a lot to women;                         touch means a lot to a man;                         time means a lot to everyone.    Forgive quickly.    Raise your children in the Lord.  Find your contentment in Christ.  

Married 05/09/21

Series: Relationship StatusSingleI Corinthians 7 Regardless of your relationship status, your role is always to glorify God.  Discussing singleness is difficult because...  The one who is speaking about being single is not single.   People who are single have vastly different views about being single.   Being single is difficult.  Loneliness, sexual temptation, and financial/domestic issues are often real struggles for singles.  I Corinthians 7   Glorifying God as a Single   Be content in your relationship with Christ. Neither marriage nor singleness can satisfy your heart. Only Christ can do that!  Singleness is portrayed as honorable in scripture.   Contentment doesn’t mean you do not desire or pursue marriage.     Don’t settle; wait for God’s best.                              Maintain purity.                          Use your time to serve God.   Today’s Takeaways 1.    Every season of life is for God’s glory. 2.    Purity is the expectation of every Christian, regardless of age or life stage.  3.    God has given singles the unique opportunity to invest their life/time for the gospel.  4.    Churches should intentionally incorporate singles into the family life of the body.  5.    If a person is not satisfied in Christ, changing his/her relationship status will not change that.  

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