Living Stones Church - South Bend

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! Psalms 26:4-5 - I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. 1 Corinthians 5:11 – NLT – I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. Mark 2:13-17 - Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors

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! Hebrews 12:2 – MSG - Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. Sermon Point #1 – Forgive everyone who’s trying to ruin your life. Matthew 24:10 – NKJV – And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Luke 17:1 – NKJV – The He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come…” Proverbs 18:19 – An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputs are like the barred gates of

Sermon Point #1 – God is not intimidated by our questions 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! Sermon Point #2 – Following Jesus requires humility 1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty right hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Sermon Point #3 – I don’t know everything – I can learn from others with different experiences 1 Peter 1:1-2 – Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance. Sermon Point #4 - We are exiles in thi

Sermon Point #1 – Apocalypse – to uncover, to reveal, to lay bare Sermon Point #2 - Tired decision makes = dangerous decisions Sermon Point #3 - There are no shortcuts Luke 15:11-14 - Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. Sermon Point #4 - Name the losses Psalm 6:6-7 - I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. Sermon Point #5 - A daily declaration of faith Apostles Creed: We believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord: Who was con

Sermon Point #1 – Apocalypse – to uncover, to reveal, to lay bare Sermon Point #2 – We have a longing for things to be good again Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 - The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river

Resilient Week 1 Lowell Kosak The Community of Shalom/Peace Matthew 17:14–20 - When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Shalom Community cares for the other Exodus 22:21–23 - “Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Eg

Proverbs 27:23 - Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds. Matthew 11:28-30 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find fresh for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 - MSG - “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out by religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25 - NLT - Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, es

Galatians 6:2-3 – NLT – Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the Law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Sermon Point #1 – Sharing burdens and not imposing burdens. Galatians 6:7-8 - Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Sermon Point #2 – What we invest in matters. Galatians 6:9-10 – NLT - So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Sermon Point #3 – Perseverance pays off Galatians 6:12-16 – NLT - Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cro

Galatians 3:25-26 – ESV – But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Galatians 4:4-7 - But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Sermon Point #1 – The slave has a master. Sermon Point #2 – The slave has a master. The son has a father. Romans 8:15-16 - The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Sermon Point #3 - The s

GOD’S STORY “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” Galatians 3:1-5 NIV ———————————————————————————— Two Problems 1. Theworksofthelaw 2. The Jewish Exception ———————————————————————————— “So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who re

Galatians 2:11-13 – MSG - Later, when Peter came to Antioch, I had a face-to-face confrontation with him because he was clearly out of line. Here’s the situation. Earlier, before certain persons had come from James, Peter regularly ate with the non-Jews. But when that conservative group came from Jerusalem, he cautiously pulled back and put as much distance as he could manage between himself and his non-Jewish friends. That’s how fearful he was of the conservative Jewish clique that’s been pushing the old system of circumcision. Unfortunately, the rest of the Jews in the Antioch church joined in that hypocrisy so that even Barnabas was swept along in the charade. Sermon Point #1 – How do we keep from going back? Galatians 2:16, 19 – MSG - We Jews know that we have no advantage of birth over “non-Jewish sinners.” We know very well that we are not set right with God by rule-keeping but only through personal faith in Jesus Christ. How do we know? We tried it—and we had the best system of rules the world has ev

Galatians 1:1-5 - Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christand God the Father, who raised him from the dead— and all the brothers and sisters with me, To the churches in Galatia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Galatians 1:6-7 - I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who calledyou to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Sermon Point #1 – How am I going to become godly? Genesis 2:8-9 - Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the midd

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross The emblem of suffring and shame And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross Till my trophies at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown. Sermon Point #1 - Atonement - To cover over someone’s debt Sermon Point #2 - God’s love and grace is evident throughout Scripture Sermon Point #3 - God made a way for us to not have to pay for our own sins Leviticus 17:11 - NLT - for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. Sermon Point #4 - Jesus was the perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins 1 John 2:2 - NLT - He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. 1 Peter 2:24 - “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the

Sermon Point #1 – We have a yearning for something bigger than ourselves. Ephesians 1:16-20 – NLT - I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Oh Lord, my God When I, in awesome wonder Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder Thy power throughout the universe displayed Psalm 8:3-4 – NLT - When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the

Sermon Point #1 – Humans have longed to describe and indescribable God Holy, holy, holy Lord God almighty Early in the morning my song shall rise to thee Holy. holy, holy Merciful and mighty God in three persons, blessed Trinity Sermon Point #2 – We were created to worship Revelation 4:8 - Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Isaiah 6:1-4 - In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted,seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was fi

Matthew 7:21-23 - NLT - “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Sermon Point #1 – Using God’s name for our benefit is always wrong Matthew 7:13-14 – MSG – “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t’ fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life – to God! – is vigorous and requires total attention.” Matthew 7:15-20 – MSG – Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers a

Matthew 5:21-22 – NLT – “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. Sermon Point #1 – The Law said, you shall not murder; but Jesus said, you shall not WANT to murder. 1 John 2:9 - Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Sermon Point #2 – You cannot be a follower of Jesus and have hatred in your heart Ephesians 4:26-27 - “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Matthew 5:27-28 – NLT – “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Sermon Point

Luke 23:32-33 – NLT - Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. Luke 23:34 – NLT – Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Luke 23:35-38 – NLT - The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.” Luke 23:39-43 – NLT - One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have be

Matthew 11:28-30 - “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Sermon Point #1 – Sometimes Jesus’ teachings feel confusing and unachievable John 5:53-59 - Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Proverbs 27:12 – NLT - A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Genesis 2:25 – ESV - And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Genesis 3:6-7 - When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Genesis 3:8-10 - Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” Sermon Point #1 – We often hide from those who know us best Sermon Point #2