Bible References:  1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 1 Corinthians 1:1-11; Phil 2:2-11; 1 Cor. 1-20; 1 John We need to let people know what they do right - more than what they do wrong Divisions and strife occur when we become more concerned about the things that matter to "me"and what matters to the Church Read 1 Corinthians - there are about 10 problems that Paul addresses throughout this epistle We need to be careful that worldliness doesn't take over our Church - the want to power, and corruption of the mind. Being ignorant of what Scripture says is not acceptable We should be committed and self-discipline We should NOT live loosely We need to hold to the TRUTH in Scripture not some weak doctrine We should not be self-indulgent As God's people we are commanded to love one another - God's Way It can cost people their lives if we don't tell them about God who loves them and the way to eternal life. Identity and Destiny - Who Am I and Where Am I Going? The L

Bible References: 1 Peter 1:1-12; Romans 12:5; John 3:36; Romans 6:17-18; Romans 8; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 john 1:7; Romans 5:9; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23- Team Work Working together as a team to accomplish a mission/task.  We're not called to compete against each other but to work together as a "body".  As a team member we need to become a true, obedient Christian.  Not saved by works because no one can be saved this way.  But saved through accepting that we cannot save ourselves and in faith and obedience accepting God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Obedience is an important part of being a Christian - it's non-optional and part of the deal.  Your "being a Chrisitan'is kept by the power of God -not by you. When you give your life to Jesus it's eternal - it's a covenant forever.  There is a price to pay being a Christian - you can't serve more than one master.  As a Christian we choose to serve Jesus Ch

John 8:1 – 11(7) – Matthew 9:9 – 13 (13) John 3:16 – 17; Jesus was born to fulfill this scripture – to love a world He created. "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery'. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." -Mt 5:27-28 This proves that anyone who looks at another person lustfully is guilty of adultery – most will relate to that woman in this scripture. And yet - Jesus didn't condemn that woman accused of adultery, but neither did He ignored or condone her sin. He told her to leave her life of sin. The Lord Said “I require mercy not sacrifice” – why do you think the Lord would have said that? ·         When you fall, He will pick you up – not you; "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." -1 John 1:9 – want to know how many times God will do this – “forever”. Jesus is ready to forgive si

The Candy Cane Story A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would remind people of the true meaning of Christmas; so he made the candy cane to incorporate several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church, and the firmness of the promises of God. The candymaker then shaped his cane into the form of a "J" to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to the earth as Savior. It could also represent the staff of the "Good Shepherd" with which He reaches down to to reclaim the fallen lambs who, like sheep, have gone astray. Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by

18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about [ d ] : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet [ e ] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, [ f ] because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” [ g ] (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him