"Hilarious" -2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Outline-January 21, 2024

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Title: Hilarious 

Quote: We give to please-not to receive

Points: I. Sowing Saints (v.6) II. Cheerful Saints (v.7)

Application:

1-When you give- is the purpose of your giving to please God, or to please yourself?

2- What do you learn from the statement: “When it comes to us giving- we cannot out give our Heavenly Father”?

3- How would you explain the spiritual principle of Sowing and Reaping?

4-Are you a hilarious giver? What did you learn from the various definitions of the word “hilarious”?

5-What did you learn from our discussion on the “Principle of Intent”?

6- What did you learn from our discussion on “stewardship”?

7-What did you learn from our discussion on “How We Are To Give God’s Way”?

8- What did you learn from our discussion on the “3 Corollaries”?

Ministry Opportunities: 24th-Corporate Praise/Prayer/Bible Study

27th -Men’s Small Group-7:30/ Ladies’ Small Group-10

28th -Sunday School-9:30/ Search Committee Status Mtg.- After Service

"God’s Upward Call" - Philippians 3:14

Outline-January 14, 2024

Text: Philippians 3:14

Title: God’s Upward Call

Quote: Each step of fellowship with Christ now is a little bit of heaven

Points:

I. Goal-Oriented Saints ( v. 14a)

II. Upward-Calling Saints ( v. 14b-c)

Sermon Application:

1-How much do you use your age or circumstances to affect you pressing

on toward the goal?

2- Is God’s goal for your life, your goal for your life? Why, or Why not?

3- What do you make of the statement: “The prize is not only a future prize

but also a present prize”?

4-What do you make of the statement: “Each step of fellowship with Christ

now is a little bit of heaven”?

5- What did you learn from our discussion on the following:

A. A Focused Life- Keeping Eye on The Prize

B. A Purposeful Life- Toward the Goad

C. A Fulfilled Life- In Christ Jesus

Ministry Opportunities:

14 th - Sunday School-9:30

16 th - Advisory Board Mtg. -7pm

17 th - Corporate Prayer and Bible Study- 7-9pm

20 th – Ladies’ Small Group- 10-11:30am

28 th – Pulpit Seach Committee Meeting- after Morning Service

‘Saintward” - Philippians 3:13

Outline-January 7, 2024

Text: Philippians 3:13

Title: Saintward

Quote: If our eyes are glued to the past, we will miss the blessing the Lord has for

us which lies ahead.

Points:

I. Backward Saints ( v.13 a-b)

II. Forward Saints (v. 13 c)

Application:

1- What role do the two key elements of pleasing God- pressing on play in

your spiritual journey?

2- What did you learn about spiritual forgetting?

3- Do you live life with more of a front view perspective or rear-mirror view?

Why?

4- Which of the 3 things we are to forget do you have the most trouble

forgetting?

5- What did you learn from today’s discussion on the “Dangers of

Unwillingness to Forget”?

6- What did you learn from today’s discussion on the “Advantages/Lessons”

learned from forgetting?

7- What do you think of the statement- Where we’re going is more important

than where we’ve been?

8- What did you learn from the four closing points of today’s sermon?

Ministry Opportunities:

10 th - Corporate Praise/Prayer and Bible Study- 7-9

13 th – Men’s Small Group-7:30am

14 th - Sunday School Class- 9:30am

"Pressing On" - Philippians 3:12-14

Outline-December 31, 2023

Text: Philippians 3:12-14

Title: Pressing On

Quote: God is seeking progression not perfection- Chuck Swindoll

Points:

I. Perfection (v.12a)

II. Pressing ( v.12b)

III. Lay Hold (v.12c)

Application:

1. Are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit to provide a 2023 spiritual

inventory?

2. Do you have a better understanding of spiritual perfection?

3. Read and Meditate on Philippians 3:10-11

4. What do you think of Chuck Swindoll’s statement: “God is seeking progress

not perfection”

5. Why is it important for you to know that you have not reached perfection?

6. Are you living your life as though God you know that Christ Jesus laid hold

of you?

Ministry Opportunities:

3 rd - Corporate Praise/Prayer and Bible Study-James 1:4-6- 7-9pm

6 th - Couples’ Small Group- 10:30-Noon

7 th - Lord’s Supper

"The Heavenly Gift" - Luke 2:1-7

Outline- December 24, 2023

Text: Luke 2:1-7

Title: The Heavenly Gift

Quote: Jesus is many things . . . but He isn’t convenient.

Points:

I. Heavenly Plan Fulfilled ( vv. 1-5)

II. Heavenly Room ( vv. 6-7)

Application:

1. Do you expect the Christian life to be convenient? If not, why are we so

troubled whenever an inconvenience occurs in our lives? Do you see

anything that poses an inconvenience to our lives as a nasty negative.

2. What do you think of the following statement: When we choose God’s

choice, we find the joy of obedience in the midst of being inconvenienced.?

3. What do you think of the following: We cannot celebrate The Birth of

Christ without considering Calvary, The Cross.

4. What steps do you daily take to make room for the Lord?

Ministry Opportunities:

27 th - Praise/Prayer and Bible Study ( James 1:4-5)

"My Praise Song" - Luke 1 :46-56

Text: Luke 1:46-56

Title: My Praise Song

Quote: Christ sends none away empty but those who are full of themselves? D.L. Moody

Points:

I. Personal Praise ( vv. 46-48)

II. Providential Praise ( vv. 49-54)

Sermon Application:

1- What do you think of the following statement: Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.?

2- What do you think about D. L. Moody’s quote- Christ sends none away empty but those who are full of themselves.?  

3- How often do you burst into a song of praise of the Lord? Do you normally only sing praise to the Lord during Praise and Worship? Are you able to burst into a song of praise during bleak circumstances?

4- Have you created your own “Magnificat”?

5- What does it mean to you that the Lord is mindful of you?

6- What did you learn from our discussion on those who are objects of God’s mercy? 

Ministry Opportunities:

20th – Charter- 4pm

20th- Corporate Praise/Prayer and Bible Study-James 1:3-5

24th – Sunday School – 9:30am

"The Immaculate One" - Matthew 1:18-25

Outline-December 10, 2023

Text: Matthew 1:18-25

Title: The Immaculate One

Quote: To create, God only had to speak; To Redeem, He had to Suffer. D. L. Moody

              A great tragedy may mar one’s life, but a task marks our life.

Points:

I. Joseph’s Faithfulness ( vv. 18-21)

II. Joseph’s Obedience ( vv. 22-25)

Application:

1. What did you learn from our discussion concerning the two-stages leading up to a Jewish Marriage?

2. How do you respond when your faithfulness in God is challenged/is shattered?

3. When facing a spiritual dilemma, how does your faith prevail, or does your flesh rule?

4. What did you learn from our discussion on the “Three-Fold” discussion on sin?

5. What did you learn from our discussion on the unconditional, unwavering, unfailing obedience God expects?

Ministry Opportunities:

13th -Corporate Praise/Prayer and Bible Study ( James 1)

16th- Ladies’ Small Group- 10-11:30am

17th- Kidz Zone

17th- Members’ Meeting- Immediately after Morning Service

"JESUS Is The Reason" - Micah 5:2

Outline- December 3, 2023

Text: Micah 5:2

Title: Bethlehem

Quote: Jesus Is The Reason

Points:

I. A Place Called Bethlehem (v. 2a)

II. A Plan Designated for Bethlehem ( v. 2b)

III. A Person Unlike Any Other Person Born In Bethlehem ( v. 2c-d)

Sermon Application:

1. What did we learn about the place called Bethlehem? (i.e events that took

place in Bethlehem)

2. What did we learn about God’s Plan of Salvation? ( i.e. Gen. 3:15, Exodus

12, Isa. 7:14;53:1-6; Eph. 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20)

3. What did you learn about the Promises of God?

4. What is the significance of the fact that Lord Jesus Christ is Eternal?

Ministry Opportunities:

6 th - Corporate Praise/Prayer and Bible Study- 7pm-9pm

9 th – Men’s Small Group- 7:30-9am

10 th – Sunday School- 9:30-10:30am

16 th – Ladies’ Small Group- 10-11:30am

17 th - Members’ Meeting- After Morning Service ( 2024 Budget and Calendar,

Pastoral Status and other matters will be discussed)

R U Afraid To Die Badly? - 1 Samuel 31:1-6

Outline- November 26, 2023 Text: 1 Samuel 31: 1-6 Title: R U Afraid To Die Badly? Quote: Every person knows he/she will die but no one wants to believe it. Points: I. Death Comes A Calling ( vv. 1-2) II. Death Comes Tragically ( vv. 3-6) Application: 1-Who has the last word in your life? What type of leader are you? Do you believe you have absolute power? 2-Why do you think we fail to remember that one day we will die? Why is it important to know one day we will die? 3- What do you think of the following statement: “Death plays no favorites”? 4- If you died tomorrow- would you die badly or die well? 5- What did you learn from today’s discussion on suicide? Ministry Opportunities: 28th- Sis. Julia Johnson’s Homegoing- Family Christian Church 340 45th Street-Munster, Indiana 46321- 10-Viewing/ 11-Service-Repass @ SSEFC 29th – Corporate Praise/Praeyer-7pm / Corporate Bible Study- 8pm 2nd -Couples’ Small Group- 10:30-Noon

"Sharing GOD's Blessings" - 1 Samuel 30:16-25

Text: 1 Samuel 30:16-25

Title: Sharing God’s Blessings

Quote: God is willing and able to see us through every battle!

Points:

I. Recovering What Was Lost ( vv. 16-20)

II. Sharing What Was Gained ( vv. 21-25)

Application:

1. How much do you rely on the faithfulness of God? If we rely on God’s

faithfulness, then why are we often discouraged during trials and

tribulations?

2. What did you learn from the Lord’s Recovery Doctrine?

3. What did you learn from our discussion on criticism?

4. Do you think you would have fallen into the category of the wicked and

worthless saint- who didn’t believe in sharing equally?

5. What did you learn from our discussion on sharing? ( i.e. Sharing blessings

w/others will never lead to deprivation; We can never out give God; A

hoarded blessing won’t ever be enjoyed as richly as a shared one; God

meets our needs so that we can pass His blessings on to others, etc.)

6. What did you learn from our discussion on “Magnifying the Lord”?

Ministry Opportunities

21st - Search Committee Mtg. 7:30pm

21st - Pastor’s Orthopedic Appointment-3pm

22nd – Special Thanksgiving Praise and Prayer- 7pm/ Bible Study 8pm

26th -Sunday School-9:30

26th – Voice of the Martyr Video- 10:50

"Godly Pursuit" - 1 Samuel 30:7-15

Outline-November 12, 2023

Text: 1 Samuel 30:7-15

Title: Godly Pursuit

Quote: Positive action is needed if we are to accomplish great things for God.

Points:

I. Receiving and Accepting God’s Will ( vv. 7-9)

II. Receiving and Accepting Divine Direction ( vv. 10-15) 

Application:

1. What did you learn from our discussion on- Ways to discern God’s Will?

2. Review and meditate on the following Scriptures- Prov. 3:6; Psalm 5:8; Psalm 32:8; Psalm 86:11; Psalm 143:10.

3. What do you think of the following quote: “Positive action is needed if we are to accomplish great things for God??

4. What do you think of the statement- When we do the possible; God does the impossible.

Ministry Opportunities:

14th- Advisory Board Meeting- 7pm ( All ministry leaders- zoom link )

15th – Charter-4pm

15th -Corporate Praise and Prayer (7pm)/ Corporate Bible Study (8pm)

16th- Ministerial-11:30-1

18th – Ladies’ Small Group- 10am

"The LORD Is My Strength" - 1 Samuel 30:1-6

Outline- November 5, 2023

Title: The Lord Is My Strength

Text: 1 Samuel 30:1-6

Quote: What life does to us depends on what life finds in us.

Points:

Strength In Self ( Background)

Strength Up in Smoke ( vv. 1-3)

Strength In The Lord ( vv. 4-6) 

Application:

 Have you ever experienced a “Line of Demarcation” moment in your life?

 Have you ever heard someone say about you-What is a Christian doing here?

 What do you think of the statement-“It is when we act foolishly- it is then that God has encouragement for us”?

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when your strength went up in smoke?

How well do you respond/handle criticism?

What do you think of the following statement: “A crisis does not make a person; it shows what a person is made of”?

How do you strengthen yourself in the Lord?

Ministry Opportunities:

5th- Lord’s Supper

7th- Search Committee- 7:30

8th- Corporate Prayer (7:00)/ Corporate Bible Study (8:00)

11th- Men’s Small Group-7:30am

14th- Advisory Board Meeting- 7:00pm

"Unbroken Saints" - 1 Samuel 28:15-25

Outline-October 29, 2023

Title: Unbroken Saints

Text: 1 Samuel 28:15-25

Quote: Just because there are people who will obey you does not mean you are right with God.

Points:

I. Last Conversation ( vv. 15-19)

II. Last Meal ( vv. 20-25)

Application:

1- Do you find yourself at times playing the role of the victim?

2- When was the last time someone asked you to go against God? Did you give in to their request?

3- Have you ever experienced the stiffening of the soul? ( William Blaikie’s quote)

4- What do you think of the statement- “Just because there are people who will obey you does not mean you are right with God”.

5- Do you have better communication with unsaved people than you do with saved people?

Ministry Opportunities:

Meet our New Chicagoland Superintendent- Steve McCausland- Today

1st- Corporate Praise/Prayer and Bible Study – 7-8pm and 8-9pm

4th- Couples’ Small Group-10:30-12

5th- Lord’s Supper

"U-Turn Saints" - 1 Samuel 28:8-14

Outline- October 22, 2023

Text: 1 Samuel 28:8-14

Title: U-Turn Saints

Quote: A scared world needs a fearless church. A. W. Tozer

Points:

I. Disguising (vv. 8-11)

II. Deceiving ( vv. 12-14)

Application:

1. During your spiritual journey with the Lord, have you ever experienced

traveling on the wrong road, making a wrong turn? What caused you to

make a U-Turn?

2. What are factors leading you to be defiant of authority? To be defiant of

God?

3. Have you ever used the Lord to get what you wanted?

4. Have you ever found yourself talking to someone dead? Have you ever

desired to hear from a dead person?

Ministry Opportunities:

25th – Prayer and Bible Study ( Church of Laodicea)

28th - PSTF-9:30-12/12:30

4th – Couples’ Small Group- 10:30-noon

"Evilness Is Develish" - 1 Samuel 28:1-7

Outline-October 15, 2023

Topic: Evilness Is Devilish

  Text: 1 Samuel 28:1-7

Quote: Anything good is hated by everything evil

Points:

I. Evilness of Lying and Deceiving ( vv. 1-2)

II. Evilness of Inquiring and Dabbling ( vv. 3-7)

Application:

1. Do you struggle with lying? Do you rationalize your lying? Are you a deceptive person?

2. Have you been fighting the wrong enemy for so long you have forgotten who is the real enemy?

3. Have you ever turned to evilness for guidance? ( i.e. horoscope, Ouija Board, palm reading, tarot card, etc.)

4. Do you recall the times in your spiritual journey with the Lord that you became impatient with God? Whom or What did you turn to for guidance/comfort? Have you ever felt God was keeping something from you that you needed?

5. What do you think of the quote- Anything good is hated by everything evil.

Opportunities:

Moody Founders’ Week- 18th- 20th 

Sunday School-22nd

PSTF Workshop- 28th – 9:30-12:30

Regional Superintendent- Steve McCausland-29th – Morning Service

"Discouraged Saints" - 1 Samuel 27:1,4-7

Outline-October 7, 2023

Text: 1 Samuel 27:1, 4-7

Title: Discouraged Saints

Quote: Discouragement distorts our perspective and leads us to compromise

Points:

I. Making Ungodly Decisions ( vv. 1,4)

II. Deal Making ( vv. 5-7)

Application:

1. How often do you sing the Blues? Does your Blues singing indicate you

discouragement with life? With the Lord?

2. Do you find yourself talking to yourself? Do you find yourself listening to

yourself?

3. What did you learn from our discussion concern the “Three Sources for

Spiritual Doubt”?

4. What did you learn from our discussion on the “Two Keys”?

5. What did you learn from our discussion on the “Spiritual Weapons Against

Discouragement”?

6. Have you experience a “Spiritual Slump”? If yes, how did you get out of

your spiritual slump?

Ministry Opportunities:

8 th - Sunday School-9:30

9 th -10 th – GLD Conference- Deerfield, IL- Pastor will be attending

11 th - Corporate Praise and Bible Study-Church of Philadelphia and Application

14 th - Men’s Small Group-7:30am

28 th – PSTF Workshop- 9:30- register by 10/25

"Tomfoolery Saints" - 1 Samuel 26:13-21

Outline- October 1, 2023

Text: 1 Samuel 26:13-21

Title: Tomfoolery Saints

Quote: If we are to avoid being the fool, we must instead seek to be wise.

Points: 

I. What’s Up With You (vv.13-20)

II. What A Fool I Am (v.21)

Application:

1. What do you believe your epitaph will be?

2. Have you ever been challenged by someone saying to you-“Are you not a man” or “Are you not a woman”?

3. How do you feel when you fail to accomplish your God-given assignment?

4. Do you hunger like David to be in the presence of the Lord? Do gather in the Lord’s House?

5. When was your latest “Aha Moment”? concerning your sinfulness?

6. What did you learn about playing the fool? ( i.e. foolish ways of living, foolish beliefs, ways Saul played the fool)

Ministry Opportunities:

3rd- Corporate Praise and Bible Study

5th – PASS Fundraising Banquet

7th- Couples’ Small Group- 10:30am

8th – Sunday School Class-9:30

28th – Workshop-Sharing My Faith With My Children/Grandchildren-9:30-12

Deja Vu - 1 Samuel 26:2-12

Points:

I. Another Wilderness Encounter ( vv. 2-5)

II. Another Defenseless Encounter ( vv. 6-7)

III. Another Character Encounter ( vv. 8-12)

Application:

1. Have you ever experienced Déjà vu ?

2. What’s your normal first thought when facing a problem:

A. Run

B. Hide

C. Boldly face

3. What steps do you take to keep doing the right thing?

4. Are you a situational ethic saint?

5. What do you think of statement: Integrity is a choice?

Ministry Opportunities:

27 th - Corporate Prayer and Bible Study- Church of Philadelphia- 7pm and 8pm

October Launce

1 st – Lord’s Supper

" Deliver Us From Evil" - 1 Samuel 25:29-44

Text: 1 Samuel 25:39-44

Title: Deliver Us From Evil

Quote: You may have won a battle yesterday, but that doesn’t count when

today’s conflict comes.

Points:

I. Evil All Around ( v.39a)

II. Evil of Matrimony (vv. 39b-42)

Application:

1- What did you learn from today’s message about evil? Types of evil?

2- What did you learn from the Three Lessons about conflicts?

3- What do you think of the statement: “Yesterday’s victories may become

today’s temptation-the sin we shunned yesterday, we may embrace

today”?

4- What did you learn from our discussion on the “Worldly Perspective on

Marriage”?

5- What did you learn from our four closing lessons?

Ministry Opportunities:

Today- Ministry Sign up/Kidz Zone

20th -Corporate Praise and Bible Study-7pm-Church of Philadelphia

Ministry Sign-Up-9/17-9/25

PASS-Fundraising Banquet- Sign up by 9/23- Banquet on October 5th-doors open at 5:45- Dinner served at 6:30-Odyssey Country Club

"Speak To My Heart Lord" - 1 Samuel 25:32 - 38

Text: 1 Samuel 25:32-38

Title: Speak To My Heart Lord

Quote: If you lay down your rage, your anger, it doesn’t get lost; God picks it up.

Points:

I. A Heart Touched by God ( vv. 32-35)

II. A Heart Turned to Stone by God ( vv. 36-38)

Application:

1. Are you able to hear God speaking to you? What gets in your way from

hearing God’s voice?

2. What did you learn from our discussion on the levels of anger? What steps

do you take to let go of your anger?

3. What do you think of the following statement: When we do what is right,

without tiring of it, God takes care of the impossible things?

Ministry Opportunities:

12 th - Advisory Board Meeting-7pm- link will be sent out on Sunday or Monday