Living Stones Church - South Bend

Zechariah 4:10 – NLT - Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Matthew 7:15-20 – NLT - “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. SERMON POINT #1 – We need to engage or reengage as a church 1 Peter 4:10-11 – NLT – God has given each of y

SERMON POINT #1 – You have no idea how One Conversation, One Word of Encouragement, One Expression of Love might change someone’s life Matthew 5:13-16 - “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. SERMON POINT #2 – Influence isn’t always instant and it isn’t always obvious. John 4:9-10 – NLT - The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are s

Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” · John 13:12-17 - When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. · Judges 2:16 - Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. · Judges 6:1-6 - The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and for seven years he gave them into the hands of the Midianites. Because the power of Midian was so oppressive, the Israelites

Sermon Point #1 – The Magi’s reaction was worship and honor. Matthew 2:1-2 - After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:9-12 - After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Sermon Point #2 – Herod’s reaction was jealousy and fear. Matthew 2:7-8 - Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appe

Sermon Point #1 – The story of Jesus was first revealed to the marginalized. Luke 1:26-33 – NLT – In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” Matthew 1:20-25 - 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 i

Sermon Point #1 – God’s story of redemption started in the book of Genesis. Sermon Point #2 – The story of Christmas was first revealed to the prophets. Genesis 12:3 - “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earthwill be blessed through you.” Luke 2:10-12 - But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 2 Samuel 7:12-13 - “When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” Sermon Point #3 – God foretold the birth of His Son 700 years before it happened. Isaiah 7:14 - “Therefore the Lord hi

Matthew 28:19 – NLT - Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. · 2 Kings 22:1-2 - Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. · 2 Kings 22:3-4 - In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the secretary, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the temple of the Lord. He said: “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the Lord, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people. · 2 Kings 22:8-10 - Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. Then Shaphan

James 5:1-6 - Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you. Sermon Point #1 – Attitudes of a Giving Life - Don’t hoard it greedily, steward it wisely. Sermon Point #2 – Attitudes of a Giving Life - Don’t handle it deceitfully, distribute it honestly. Sermon Point #3 – Attitudes of a Giving Life - Don’t spend it selfishly, share it generously. James 5:7-12 - Be patient, then, brothers and siste

James 3:1–8 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 

Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full

James 2:1-9 – NLT - My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show f

“It is therefore faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith that justifies is not alone.” - John Calvin James 1:1-2 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, Proverbs 17:3 – NLT – Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Sermon Point #1 – Trials 1) Recognize what’s really going on James 1:2-3 - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. Sermon Point #2 – Trials 2) Cooperate with God’s growth process James 1:4 - Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Romans 5:3-4 - Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;

Acts 13:36 - “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. Sermon Point #1 – “The greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without purpose.” - Dr. Myles Monroe Sermon Point #2 – The biggest enemy of calling is comfort. Acts 8:4-8 - Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Acts 8:26-29 - Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a] eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiop

Ephesians 4:1 – NLT – Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Sermon Point #1 – Calling is about who you are before what you do. Sermon Point #2 – Calling isn’t about doing something important in the future, it’s about our faithfulness to Jesus today. 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. Mark 10:35-38a - Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. Mark 10:42-45 - Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you

Proverbs 29:18 – MSG – If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. Sermon Point #1 – What stops us from dreaming big dreams? - A wrong view of life Proverbs 4:25-27 – NLT – Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. Sermon Point #2 – What stops us from dreaming big dreams? - A wrong view of self Ephesians 2:10 – NLT – For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Sermon Point #3 – What stops us from dreaming big dreams? - A wrong view of God Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for

PT 1: Happiness is the temporary destination to eternal joy Psalm 42:1 (NIV) “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God” Matthew 16:24-26 (NLT) “24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?] Is anything worth more than your soul? Mark 8:35-36 (NLT) 35 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? PT 2: In order to find inner joy we must be willing to be authentic James 1:2 (NLT) 2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. PT 3: Joy provi

1 Corinthians 13:12 – MSG – We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us! Matthew 28:16-17 - Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Sermon Point #1 – Why do we doubt? - Questions we can’t answer Sermon Point #2 – Why do we doubt? - Situations that seem unfair Sermon Point #3 – Why do we doubt? - Hurt we can’t resolve Sermon Point #4 – Our faith is a journey, not a destination. John 20:24-25 - Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand i