Sunday’s message in the Samson: Strong Man Gone Wrong series was called Love Gone Wrong, taken from Judges 16:1-22. Here is a brief outline of the message:

Five ways love can go wrong:

1) Choosing lust over love (1-3)
   – 1 Corinthians 6:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:4-6

2) Falling in love with the wrong person (4-6)
   – Proverbs 31:10-12; 2 Timothy 2:22

3) Not learning from your mistakes (6-14)
   – Proverbs 22:3, 26:11

4) Putting other people before God (15-19)
   – Exodus 20:3; Matthew 10:37-39

5) Thinking God will ignore your sin (20-22)
   – Proverbs 29:1; Galatians 6:7-8

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Sunday’s message in the Samson: Strong Man Gone Wrong series was called Vengeance Gone Wrong, taken from Judges 15. Here is a brief outline of the message:

1) Take responsibility for your own actions (1-3)
   – Psalm 51:3-4; Matthew 7:3-5

2) Pour your energy into doing something good (4-5)
   – Proverbs 14:22; Micah 2:1; Galatians 6:9-10

3) Don’t let things escalate (6-8)
   – Proverbs 15:1; Romans 12:17-18

4) Realize that your actions affect other people (9-13)
   – Joshua 7:1-5; Matthew 7:12; Romans 14:13,19

5) Vengeance will take you farther than you imagined (14-17)
   – Proverbs 4:14-15, 5:11-14, 14:12

6) Seek the Lord and his mercy (18-20)
   – Isaiah 55:6-7; John 7:37-38

7) Instead of vengeance:
   – Love your enemies; pray for those who persecute you (Matt 5:44)
   – Walk the extra mile; turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-42)
   – Leave it up to God to handle (Romans 12:19,21)

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Sunday’s message in the Samson: Strong Man Gone Wrong series was called Marriage Gone Wrong, taken from Judges 14. Here is a brief outline of the message:

Biblical principles for those getting married:

1) Marry another Christian (1-2)
   – Deut 7:3-4; 1 Cor 7:39; 2 Cor 6:14

2) Seek your parents’ blessing (3-4)
   – Deut 5:16; Judges 17:6, 21:25; Proverbs 1:8-9

3) Pay attention to God (5-6)
   – Hebrews 12:10-11; 1 Peter 5:8

4) Do things God’s way (7-9)
   – Proverbs 3:5-6, 4:25-27

5) Beware of pride (10-14)
   – Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6

6) Practice unity, love and respect (15-18)
   – Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:33

7) Beware of anger (19-20)
   – Proverbs 22:24, 29:11; James 1:19-20

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Sunday’s message in the Hot Button Topics series was called Transgender: Caring for those who experience issues with gender identity, taken from Genesis 1:26-27. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Understanding transgenderism
   A. Understanding the terms
      – gender/sex; male/female; man/woman
      – gender identity; gender dysphoria
      – transgender; transsexual; intersex
   B. Understanding the issues
      – medical issues
      – cultural issues
      – political issues

II. What does the Bible say?
   A. God created us male and female
      – Genesis 1:26-27, 2:23; Deuteronomy 22:5; Matthew 19:4,11-12
   B. God’s created order is distorted by the fall
      – Romans 8:20-21
   C. One day God will restore creation
      – Romans 8:22-25; Philippians 3:20-21
   D. Jesus offers you abundant life now
      – John 10:10; Romans 8:1

III. How should we respond?
   A. Listen – listen to those who struggle with gender identity
      – James 1:19
   B. Learn – learn more about the issues involved
      – Proverbs 18:13
   C. Love – accept the person; speak the truth; share the gospel; seek their good (Matthew 18:6, 22:39; John 8:31-32; Ephesians 4:15)

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Sunday’s message in the Hot Button Topics series was called Homosexuality: Caring for those who experience same-sex attraction, taken from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Show compassion
   A. We are all created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27)
   B. We are all sinful, just in different ways (John 8:7; James 3:2)
   C. Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39)

II. Speak the truth
   A. Homosexual relations are unnatural (Genesis 1:27; Romans 1:26-27)
   B. Homosexual practice is sinful (Leviticus 18:22; 1 Timothy 1:8-10)
   C. Homosexual sin is forgivable (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
   D. What about marriage?
      1) Marriage is to be honored by all (Hebrews 13:4)
      2) Marriage is between a man and a woman (Matthew 19:4-5)

III. Provide supportive friendships within the church
   A. We are all family in the body of Christ (Matthew 12:49-50)
   B. Be devoted in love; practice hospitality (Romans 12:9-13)
   C. Encourage each other towards love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25)

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Sunday’s message in the Hot Button Topics series was called Divorce and Remarriage: Covenant, commitment, grace and forgiveness, taken from Matthew 19:3-9. Here is a brief outline of the message:

1) Biblical definition of marriage:
   – created by God (Matthew 19:4)
   – a sacred, covenant relationship (Matthew 19:5; Eph 5:32)
   – between a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27, 2:24)
   – based on a public vow of lifetime faithfulness (Matthew 19:6)

2) Two ways to break the marriage covenant:
   – Adultery breaks the covenant of sexual faithfulness (Ex 20:14)
   – Divorce breaks the covenant of lifetime commitment (Mal 2:14-16; Matt 19:7-8)

3) You can be divorced and still married in God’s eyes
   – Only God can separate what he has joined (Matthew 19:6)
   – In this case remarriage would constitute adultery (Mk 10:11-12; Lk 16:18; Rom 7:2-3)

4) When are divorce and remarriage allowed?
   – in the case of marital unfaithfulness (Matthew 5:32, 19:3,9)
   – in the case of an unbeliever divorcing a believer (1 Cor 7:12-16)
   – Otherwise, you should stay married, remain unmarried or be reconciled (1 Cor 7:10-11)

5) What about abuse?
   – No abuse of any kind is ever acceptable in marriage or any other relationship (verbal; physical; emotional; sexual)
   – A person in an abusive situation should: 1) Call the police; 2) Get away from the abuser; 3) Get long-term help
   – Scripture does not give clear grounds for divorce and remarriage in the case of abuse. All agree you should separate from the abuser and put your safety and the safety of your children first.

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Sunday’s message in the Hot Button Topics series was called Living Together: Dishonoring those you love the most, taken from Hebrews 13:4. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. You dishonor God
   – Genesis 2:24-25; Hebrews 13:4

II. You dishonor each other
   – Proverbs 14:12; Ecclesiastes 3:1,5; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 6:7-8; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:2-5

III. You dishonor your family
   – Genesis 39:9; Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 17:25

Living together without sex:
   1) The problem of temptation
   2) The problem of testimony
   3) The problem of trivialization

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Sunday’s message was a Mother’s Day sermon from the Famous Mothers in the Bible series. The message was called Rebekah – The Conniving Mother, taken from Genesis 25 and 27. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Favoritism leads to rivalries (Genesis 25:21-34)
   A. Be careful to preserve marital unity
      – Genesis 25:21-28
   B. Be careful not to provoke sibling rivalry
      – Genesis 25:29-34, 37:3-4; Ephesians 6:4

II. Manipulation disrespects relationships (Genesis 27:1-17)
      – Ephesians 5:33
   A. Don’t try to manipulate people or situations around you
      – 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:3-5
   B. Trust God to fulfill his plans in his way and in his time
      – Proverbs 3:5-6

III. Dishonesty prevents people from working out best solutions together (Genesis 27:41-46; Proverbs 15:22)
   A. Deception is just as bad as lying
      – Proverbs 12:22; Acts 5:1-4
   B. Commit to speaking the truth at all times
      – Ephesians 4:25; Galatians 6:7

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

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Sunday’s message in the Hot Button Topics series was called Racism: A sin against God, humanity and the gospel, taken from Revelation 5:9. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Racism is a sin against God
   A. We are created in God’s image
      – Genesis 1:26-27; James 3:9-10
   B. God commands you to love your neighbor as yourself
      – Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 10:25-37

II. Racism is a sin against humanity
   A. God created us as one human race
      – Genesis 3:20; Acts 17:26
   B. God created us with diversity
      – Acts 17:24-26

III. Racism is a sin against the gospel
   A. Jesus died for all
      – Romans 3:22-23; 5:12,18-19; 1 John 2:2
   B. Jesus died to make us one
      – Gal 3:28; Eph 2:14-16; Phil 2:1-2; Col 3:11
   C. Heaven: “from every tribe and language and people and nation”
      – Genesis 12:3; Psalm 22:27; Revelation 5:9

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Sunday’s message in the Hot Button Topics series was called Alcohol: God’s Dangerous Gift, taken from Psalm 104:14-15 and Proverbs 20:1. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Alcohol is one of God’s good gifts that he gives us to enjoy
   A. Alcohol is presented as a blessing from God
      – Psalm 104:14-15; Ecclesiastes 9:7
   B. Alcohol is used positively in celebrations
      – Gen 14:18-20; Dt 14:26; Is 25:6; Mk 14:23-25; Jn 2:1-11
   C. Alcohol is also used for medicinal purposes
      – Proverbs 31:6-7; Luke 10:34; 1 Timothy 5:23

II. Alcohol poses special dangers (Proverbs 20:1)
   A. The danger of intoxication
      – Lev 10:9; Eph 5:18; vice lists (Rom 13:13; Gal 5:19-21; 1 Pet 4:3-4)
   B. The danger of potential addiction
      – Proverbs 23:29-33; Isaiah 5:11; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Titus 2:3
   C. The danger of negatively impacting others
      – Proverbs 31:4-5; 1 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Timothy 3:2-3,8

III. Alcohol use is a matter of Christian freedom
   A. We should not judge those with different convictions
      – Romans 14:1-3
   B. We need to be sensitive to those who struggle with alcohol
      – Romans 14:13-16
   C. We need to maintain a clear conscience before God
      – Romans 14:22-23; 1 Corinthians 10:31

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Sunday’s message in the new Hot Button Topics series was called Assisted suicide: Caring for the elderly and infirm, taken from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. What is my value?
   A. Created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)
   B. Bought with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19)
   C. Called to care for each other
      1) Honor the elderly (Leviticus 19:32)
      2) Comfort the suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

II. Who has authority over my life?
   A. God is the giver and taker of life (Ex 20:13; Job 1:21; Acts 17:25,28)
   B. My body belongs to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
   C. We belong to God in life and in death (Romans 14:7-8)

III. Who directs my path?
   A. God directs my path (Proverbs 3:5-6)
   B. God has good purposes for me (Romans 8:28)
   C. Only God knows the future (Psalm 139:16)
   D. Eternal life awaits the believer in Christ (1 Cor 4:16-18)

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Sunday was the first message in our new Hot Button Topics series. The message was called Abortion: Caring for mothers and children in crisis pregnancy situations, taken from Psalm 139:13-16. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Protecting the lives of unborn children
   A. The unborn child is a living, human being (science)
      – S.L.E.D. (size; level of development; environment; degree of dependency)
   B. The unborn child is created in God’s image (Scripture)
      – Genesis 1:26, 9:6, 25:22; Psalm 51:5, 139:13-16
   C. The unborn child is worthy of protection (law)
      – Exodus 23:7; Proverbs 6:17, 24:11-12

II. Supporting mothers in crisis pregnancy situations
   A. Need various levels of support (emotional; material; spiritual)
   B. Need loving counsel and care
   C. Need the support of church and family

III. Sharing the good news of forgiveness in Christ
   A. We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23)
   B. Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins (1 Pet 2:24)
   C. No sin is too big to be forgiven (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

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