September 6 Outreach

We have a great opportunity on Saturday, September 6th from 1:00-3:00pm.  Our church has been invited to participate at the Family Fun Days at Golden Living Center in Knox.  We will have one of our inflatables for kids to enjoy.  In the past over 300 kids have visited this outreach.  We want to be a part of sharing the love of Christ to our community.  If you would like to help out, contact Lyndee Duhnovsky 574-806-3304

Romans 8

This is one of the most intense chapters in the book of Romans. It identifies the war inside of humanity. When I was younger I remember reading this and being amazed of how true the fight between our selfish nature called flesh and following the leadership of Christ called spirit. This is a battle we all can identify with. The great news is Jesus took the penalty for our sin all we have to do is accept the free gift and live a life pursuing and loving the Lord.

Romans 7

The chapter is referring to the law (10 Commandments) and their purpose. They were designed to show us that we are sinful by nature and we can not live up to the standard. As hard as we try in our own ability, we will fail. The following is the Law.

1) You shall have no other gods before me
2) You shall not make for yourself a carved image
3) You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain
4) Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy
5) Honor your father and mother
6) You shall not murder
7) You shall not commit adultery
You shall not steal
9) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
10) You shall not covet your neighbors wife; and you shall not desire your neighbors possessions

This is very revealing to go over. Jesus came to the earth to assist humanity because we are stuck in sin and it is destroying our lives. In our own ability we are not able to fix ourselves. Jesus came to take our deserved punishment for braking the rules. John 3:16 says it so well: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  This verse is telling us to change the leadership of our lives. The best we can do is manage a life that is complicated and filled with messy circumstances of life, and many times we get overwhelmed. If we give our lives to Christ on a daily basis and trust His leadership, all we have to do is follow Him. There will be moments of discomfort in the process, but it is only because we are not use to the pure and excellent leadership of the creator of the world. Over time It gets exciting and addictive. Life with Christ is awkward at first but a great ride once you get use to the change.

Romans 6 “Addictive behavior”

It is interesting how we are made as humans. We are designed to find an identity in something. In this chapter, it is talking about when we follow the influence of sin in our lives, we as a result will became a slave to our own sin and addictions. One of the odd things I have realized about people, we like to be addicted to something. The thing we don’t like, is the bad things that happen from bad behavior and addictions.

There is hope for all of us. We may lean toward addictive behavior and habits, but through leadership in Christ, He can break the cycle and change our desires. A life given to Christ will lead to better habbits and decisions that will greatly influence our families, health, and eternity. Christ says we can accept His leadership and He will set us free of the behaviors that destroy us. That is good news! This draws me to Christ.

Romans chapter 2

This Chapter hilights judgement. This is not something we look forward to in life, but the Lord is a just and perfect judge. in verse 4 it refers to the goodness of the Lord. The Lord is so patient and filled with love toward us. He even blesses us hoping that it will lead to repentace. The Lord truly wants the best for His creation. This chapter will make you sit back and reflect.

North Central Indiana Bible College (NCIBC)

Bible College is accepting applications for Fall Classes. I (Pastor Shawn) am a graduate of the College and it was a life changing experience for me. I would not be where I am today with out the training I received during the years I attended. If you are hungry for intense Bible, leadership, and ministry training make this the year you take a step of faith and enroll.

Galatians 1 “Voices”

“Voices”, this would be the word I would use to sum up this chapter. In life there are so many voices that try to capture our lives and our devotion. Verse 6 talks about walking away from the one who has called you by the grace of Christ. Obedience to Christ is essential and a life long mission. When the Lord speaks, He expects us to obey. I have experience the pressure of people pleasing and the pressure of society that sends me into confusion, about where to go in life. I am continually seeking the Lord and His leadership in the direction of My heart. I realize Christ has called us, by His Grace. When I am out of grace I am easily moved by the circumstances and the voices of life. There is only one thing the Lord is saying to all of us, and that is to obey His voice. The Bible promises that if we need wisdom, He will give it every time. If you are confused just ask the Lord and He will give the obvious answer.

Sermon Notes: “Where are you?”

Have you ever got up in the morning and wondered “Where are you?” I have wondered this from time to time in my life. There have many times I have woke up in the morning realizing that I need more than my own ability to make it through the day or the particular season in my life. 2 Peter 3:18 says “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen” Wherever we are in life, by faith receiving grace for daily life is essential!

Grace –> our obedience with God’s ability
As I was getting ready for church yesterday I was thinking about grace. I know many successful men and women of God and they do the impossible. Grace is the fuel that gives them the ability to do what they do. Ephesians 2:1-10talks of Grace. The motivating power behind grace is God’s love for us. Jesus’ love for humanity is rich. The Love that God has for us is so abundant that He desires that we sit with Him in Heavenly realms. We have the ability to live everyday above the circumstances of life, if we tap into grace. Grace dissolves the circumstances that face us. In the past week, I had what looked like big circumstances. Both times I talked to Christ about them, and recieved His strength and grace in the situations. They seemed to loose their power and disolve. With Grace, what seems big and impossible just looses it’s power. Ephesians 2:8 says we are saved by grace through faith. This is very true!!

Team

I am so proud of the team that is developing in our campus. Yesterday was such a great example of team in the service. It all started in the 9am Bible Study before church. I came in beat up from life and we as a team began to share what the Lord has been sharing with us throughout the week. Everybody in that room got activated in hearing the Lord and responding.

The Worship team had a song talking about the storm’s of life, it was exactly what the church was going through that day. In the closing of the sermon about 3/4 of the people admitted they were going through a storm in their life. I felt the Lord was pouring out grace to make it through, with victory. It was great to see the church getting activated in grace. 

Hesper shared yesterday morning in the Bible Study that she feels that the Lord is laying the foundation for growth in our campus. I agree with her. When we as a church unite together, and believe God for breakthrough we will see growth because of what the Lord is doing in us.

I want to say I am thankful for everyone. LET’s DO LIFE TOGETHER!!

2 Corinthians 11

Paul and false Apostles
v.1-6 We need to honor and respect those God has put in leadership over us. We need to value their input and leadership over our lives. The super-apostles Paul was talking about may have looked polished as ministers but they were not given the office of Apostle over that church.
v.7-12 Apostle Paul laid his life down for this church.
v.13-15 These so called apostles were seeking glory. they wanted to look good and call themselves apostles, but they were not willing to pay the price that the office of Apostle requires.

Paul boasts about his sufferings
v.21-33 Paul knew in his flesh he was weak. He knew in his weakness God’s strength would be perfected. Our human nature is to tell people how great we are, but the Apostle Paul only boasted in his weaknesses. Paul did not succeed because of his great talent but because of Christ’s Great Strength.