Yesterday’s message was called A Christian in the Voting Booth. The purpose of the message was to demonstrate how to think Biblically through various issues related to voting in the election on Tuesday. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Do I have a Christian responsibility to vote?
    A. You are responsible to exert a godly influence.
    B. You are responsible to pray for your leaders.
    C. As a voter you share the responsibility of government.

II. How do I approach voting as a Christian?
    A. Voting on state issues (Massachusetts)
        1) State personal income tax
        2) Possession of marijuana
        3) Dog racing

    B. Voting on national issues
        1) The economy
        2) Foreign policy
        3) Moral issues (such as marriage and abortion)

    C. Voting for candidates
        1) Character
        2) Wisdom
        3) Leadership

III. Three things to remember.
    A. The gospel is bigger than politics.
    B. The church is bigger than political parties.
    C. God is bigger than elections.

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Yesterday’s message in the Called series was titled Called to Contribute, taken from various scriptures. The main idea of the message was that we must all work together in the body of Christ in order to achieve God’s purposes. Here is a brief outline of the message:

    I. Give of your time and talents. (Ephesians 4:7-13)

    II. Give of your finances. (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

    III. Give of your love. (John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 13:3)

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Yesterday’s message in the Called series was titled Called to Communicate, taken from 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. The main idea of the message was that we are called by God to communicate the gospel to other people. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Compelled by Christ’s love (2 Corinthians 5:11-15)
    A. Persuade others about Christ.
    B. Have a right motivation.
    C. Be convinced that Christ died for all.

II. Seeing others through Christ’s eyes (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)
    A. Regard no one from a worldly point of view.
    B. Recognize that Christ makes all things new.

III. Serving as Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)
    A. God gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
    B. God has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

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Yesterday’s message was called Christian Finances in Troubled Times, taken from various scriptures. The main idea of the message was how we should handle our finances as Christians during troubled times. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Be joyful in God. (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
    A. Though the future looks bleak
    B. Though the present disappoints
    C. Though your past reserves are spent

II. Practice good Christian stewardship.
    A. Give faithfully. (Matthew 6:19-21; 1 Corinthians 16:2)
    B. Spend carefully. (Luke 12:15)
    C. Save wisely. (Genesis 41:28-38; Proverbs 6:6-8)

III. Trust God to meet your needs.
    A. Ask God’s help. (James 4:2; Philippians 4:6-7)
    B. Don’t confuse wants with needs. (Philippians 4:19)
    C. Trust God’s promises. (Hebrews 13:5-6)

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Yesterday’s message was called Come to the Table, taken from 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. The message focused on the significance of gathering around the Lord’s Table for communion. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. A place to remember Jesus
    A. Remember his sufferings. (1 Corinthians 11:24)
    B. Remember his death on the cross. (1 Corinthians 11:25)
    C. Remember why he did it – for our sins. (Matthew 26:28)

II. A place to celebrate God’s forgiveness and grace
    A. Thank God for the forgiveness of sins. (1 Corinthians 11:25)
    B. Marvel in God’s gracious invitation to come. (John 6:35-37)

III. A place to share in Christian fellowship
    A. We share in fellowship with Christ. (Psalm 34:8; 1 Peter 2:2-3)
    B. We share in fellowship with each other. (1 Corinthians 10:17)

IV. A place to anticipate Christ’s return
    A. Jesus proclaimed the coming of God’s kingdom. (Luke 22:18)
    B. We proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26)

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Yesterday’s message in the Called series was titled Called to Holiness. The main idea of the message was that God calls all Christians to a life of holiness. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. God calls you to be holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
    A. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
    B. Without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

II. Holiness is not what you (may) think it is.
    A. Holiness does not mean acting “strange.”
    B. Holiness is not separated from practical daily living.
    C. Holiness is not achieved through self-will or determination.

III. Holiness comes through Christ.
    A. Jesus died to make you holy. (Ephesians 5:25-27)
    B. Growth in holiness is a life-long process. (Philippians. 1:6)

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Yesterday’s message in the Called series was titled Called to Community. The main idea of the message was that God has called us to community as believers. Here is a brief outline of the message:

Why has God called us to community as believers?

I. We need each other.

    A. Encourage each other in the battle against sin (Hebrews 3:12-13)
    B. Pick each other up when we fall (Galatians 6:1-2)
    C. Spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25)

II. We belong to each other.
    A. We are family (Galatians 6:10)
    B. We are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)
    C. Each member of the body belongs to all the others (Romans 12:4-5)

III. We are called to bear witness to Christ.
    A. God is building a people (Titus 2:13-14; Revelation 21:3)
    B. Jesus died for the church (Ephesians 5:25-27)
    C. Our unity testifies to the world that God sent Jesus (John 17:20-21)

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Yesterday’s message was called Telling the Next Generation, taken from Psalm 78:1-8. The main idea of the message was that we must tell the next generation about the Lord. Here is a brief outline of the message:

1. A call to attention
    – A call to listen and obey
    – The history of Israel set forth as a parable

2. The passing of the torch
    – Teach your children the works of God (what God has done)
    – Teach your children the word of God (what God has said)

3. The forging of a child’s faith
    – That they may learn to trust God
    – That they may remember God’s deeds
    – That they may keep God’s commands

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Yesterday’s message was called When Christ Died For Us, taken from Romans 5:6-11. The main idea of the message was that Christ died for us at just the right time. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Christ died for us at just the right time. (6a)
    A. We were at our point of deepest need.
    B. This was the greatest demonstration of God’s love.

II. What were we like when Christ died for us?
    A. He died for us when we were powerless (6b)
    B. He died for us when we were ungodly (6c)
    C. He died for us when we were sinners (7-8)
    D. He died for us when we were God’s enemies (9-11)

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Yesterday’s message was called Rest for the Weary, taken from Matthew 11:25-30. The main idea of the message was that you can only find rest in God through Jesus Christ. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. Come to Jesus and learn from God. (verses 25-26)
    A. God is Lord of heaven and earth.
    B. God has hidden these things from the wise and learned.
    C. God has revealed these things to little children.

II. Come to Jesus and know the Father. (verses 27)
    A. All things have been committed to Jesus by the Father.
    B. No one knows the Son except the Father.
    C. No one knows the Father except the Son.

III. Come to Jesus and find rest for your soul. (verses 28-30)
    A. Jesus offers rest to the weary and burdened.
    B. Jesus is gentle and humble in heart.
    C. Jesus calls you to follow him as his disciple.
    D. His yoke is easy; his burden is light.

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Yesterday’s message was called God So Loved the World, taken from John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The main idea of the message was that God’s love for the world is a mandate for missions. Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. The Scope of God’s Love – the World

II. The Depth of God’s Love – His Son

III. The Fruit of God’s Love – Our Salvation

Application Points:
    1) Make worldwide missions a priority.
    2) Exalt Christ.
    3) Share the gospel.

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Yesterday’s message was called Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, taken from Acts 9:31.

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. (Acts 9:31)

Here is a brief outline of the message:

I. What does it mean to be encouraged by the Holy Spirit? (John 14:16-17)
    A. The Holy Spirit comes alongside you to help.
    B. The Holy Spirit dwells within you.
    C. The Holy Spirit will never leave you.

II. How does the Holy Spirit encourage you?
    A. He teaches you God’s truth. (John 14:26)
    B. He gives you God’s peace. (John 14:27)
    C. He fills you with God’s love. (Romans 5:5)
    D. He assures you that God is your Father. (Romans 8:15-17)
    E. He gives gifts of encouragement. (Romans 12:8)

III. What are the results? (Acts 9:31)
    A. We are strengthened in the Lord.
    B. We draw closer to God.
    C. We reach out to others.

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