Fusion: week of 8/31

FAMILY THEME: STEWARDSHIP

BLESSED TO GIVE

II Corinthians 8 - 9

Paul used the occasion of a special offering being gathered

for the persecuted Judean believers to teach the Corinthians

the importance of generosity.

1.  Giving is an Act of Grace from Start to Finish

     (II Corinthians 8:1-15)

     God shows grace to us, enabling us to give generously.

 
2.  Good Stewardship Pays Attention to the Details

     (II Corinthians 8:16 - 9:5) 

     Paul ensured there was accountability in handling the gifts. 

 
3.  Giving Requires Us to Trust in God's Provision

     (II Corinthians 9:6-15)

     Giving should cost us something because we must trust

     God to take care of us.

Fusion: week of 8/24

FAMILY THEME: HOLINESS

NOW IS THE TIME!

II Corinthians 6:1 - 7:1

Paul called the Corinthians to a life of holiness.

1.  The Day of Salvation is Today

     (II Corinthians 6:1-2)

     It is always the right time to be reconciled with God.

 
2.  The Time for a Godly Example is Now

     (II Corinthians 6:3-13) 

    Our response to the circumstances of life and ministry

    can confirm or deny our message.

 
3.  The Time for Holiness is the Present

     (II Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1)

     The world must see us as separate from them in some sense.

Fusion: week of 8/17

FAMILY THEME: FAITH

BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT

II Corinthians 4 - 5

Paul taught the Corinthians what it means to live by faith.

1.  Faith Changes Our Outlook

     (II Corinthians 4:1-15)

    Paul's faith in Christ changes his outlook on life and service

    to God.

 
2.  Faith Makes Our Eternal Hope More Tangible

     (II Corinthians 4:16 - 5:10) 

    Jesus enables us to focus on what we will receive by faith

    rather than what we can see.

 
3.  Faith Motivates Us to Share the Message of Reconciliation

     (II Corinthians 5:11-21)

     As Christ's ambassadors, we share the message of   

     reconciliation with all who will listen.

Fusion: week of 8/10

FAMILY THEME: RESURRECTION

A NEW AND IMPROVED MODEL

I Corinthians 15

Paul explained the certainty and importance of the resurrection

of Jesus.

1.  The Resurrection is Central to How We Share the Gospel

     (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)

    The Resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith,

    so it ought to be at the forefront of our witness.

 
2.  The Resurrection is Essential to Our Faith

     (1 Corinthians 15:12-34) 

    Everything about Christianity changes if Jesus' resurrection

    is not true.

 
3.  The Resurrection is Proof that God Can Give Eternal Life

     (1 Corinthians 15:35-58)

     Our bodies will be raised as a result of Christ's resurrection.

Fusion: week of 8/3

FAMILY THEME: LOVE

MORE THAN A VERB

I Corinthians 13

Like our modern culture, the Corinthian society promoted many 

distortions of love. Paul taught the Corinthians what true love

looks like.

1.  Love is More Important Than Gifts or Sacrifice

     (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

    Actions and words are meaningless without love.

 
2.  Love Puts the Other Person First

     (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) 

    People often say they love others but act selfishly. Selfish

    love is an oxymoron.

 
3.  Love is Eternal

     (1 Corinthians 13:9-13)

     When spiritual gifts are no longer needed or used there

     will still be love.