Giving Up Everything to Gain Christ - Nathan Rages

Matthew 13:44-46 records two more of Jesus' parables about the Kingdom: one about a man finding hidden treasure and another about a man finding a pearl of greatest value.  From these we can learn four Kingdom lessons: 

1. The Kingdom is discovered in different ways.

2. Kingdom citizenship is supremely valuable.

3. Kingdom entry requires a costly transaction.  

4. The Kingdom is entered joyfully. 

Mysteries of Kingdom Growth - Nathan Rages

Matthew 13:31-33 records two of Jesus' parables, about the mustard seed and the leaven.  Both parables about about the growth of Christ's kingdom:

 1. The mustard plant: outward growth

     a. Kingdom will start small but become surprisingly large. 

     b. Kingdom will provide benefits to non-kingdom entities.

2. The leaven: inner transformation

     a. Kingdom will spread quietly and inconspicuously through society.

     b. Kingdom will spread similarly within individuals.    

The Wheat and the Tares - Nathan Rages

Matthew 13:24-43 records Jesus' parable of the Wheat and the Tares about a farmer whose enemy sowed his wheat field with weed seeds:

 

1. Christ’s crop: His people throughout the world (v24,37-39).

2. Devil’s weeds: false Christians among the true (v25,28,38-39).

3. Frustrating mixture of the two:

    a. Discerned by fruitfulness (v26).

    b. Living together until judgment (v28-30).

4. Divergent destinies: tormenting fire or shining glory (v30-31,40-43).

Healing the Woman Bent Double - Nathan Rages

Luke 13:10-17 gives the account of Jesus healing the woman who was bent over double.  The story proceeds in five steps:  

1. Disease (v10-11).  

2. Deliverance (v12-13).

3. Disapproval (v14).  

4. Defense (v15-16).

5. Division (v17).

Offering Your Sacrifice of Praise - Nathan Rages

Hebrews 13:15 deals with the subject of praising God: "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."  

1. Definition: What is it?  

2. Content: What should we say? 

3. Participants: Who should do it?

4. Frequency: How often should we do it? 

5. Reception: What does God think?

Christian Fellowship - Richard Hamilton

Using 1John 1:1-7 as a text, this message explores the subject of fellowship among believers:

1. Fellowship is rooted in the Gospel.

2. Fellowship is sustained by walking in the light.

3. Fellowship is expressed by a shared life together.

4. Fellowship is a means of growth and protection.

5. Fellowship is a witness to the world.

Applications:

1. Join and invest in it.

2. Be intentional about it.

3. Let it shape your schedule.