Fusion: week of 11/1

FAMILY THEME: JESUS IS GOD

John 1:1-18

A coin has two sides: Jesus has two natures. Jesus is both God

and man. John's purpose in writing this account was to set forth

Jesus as God so that people could believe and be saved.

1.  Jesus is the Timeless, Creator God

     (John 1:1-3)

     Jesus eternally exists as the revelation of all God is.

 
2.  Jesus is the Light That Enlightens People and Gives Eternal Life

     (John 1:4-13)

     Jesus is Light (morally and spiritually), embodying all that is good,

     right, and true.

 
3.  Jesus is God's Grace, Truth, and Glory in Human Form

     (John 1:14-18)

     Jesus revealed God's grace, truth, and glory and made Him

     known to us.

Fusion: week of 10/18

FAMILY THEME: WHY DOES HELL EXIST?

Matthew 10:28;  Romans 1:18-23;  2 Thessalonians 1:9

There is nothing about the subject of Hell that is pleasant. But, while

the subject is not pleasant, the conversation is important.

1.  Why Believe in Hell?

     (Matthew 10:28;  Mark 9:43)

     Although it may be an uncomfortable topic, the Bible clearly

     teaches that Hell is real.

 
2.  Defining Hell

     (Matthew 13:42, 50;  25:30, 41;  2 Thessalonians 1:9)

     Hell is the absence of the presence, goodness, and love of God.

 
3.  Who Goes to Hell? 

     (Romans 1:18-23;  6:23)

     Hell is the natural place for people who do not want to embrace

     Christ as Savior and Lord.

4.  Answering Questions About Hell

     (Romans 3:23)

     Knowing the truth about Hell does not soften the impact or reality

     of the knowledge that people we know may spend eternity there.

Upcoming Stuff from our Party Planner

Our church is hosting a concert Oct 24th featuring Mark Trammel Quartet, Stan Whitmire, Taranda Green, 7 Jim Brady Trio. Tickets are $18-24. Get them this weekend.

Dress up party Oct 31st. Come as your favorite movie character! Have you ever wanted to be superman or batman? well, here is your chance! We will have food and fun and lots of laughs! Invite friends, the more the merrier!

 

There is STILL time to get aboard the cruise in January! Its not too late and its a fun group going from our class. See Penny R. or Brian T. for details.

Opry Tonight!

Fusion: week of 10/11

FAMILY THEME: WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING?

Job 2:11-13; Romans 5:3-5

Our response to suffering and pain may be our best chance to 

reflect God's love.

1.  When It Hurts: How Can We Help Those Who Are Hurting?

     (Job 2: 11-13)

     The subject of suffering requires much more than answers;

     it requires a listening ear and a mournful spirit.

 
2.  Even Jesus Had Questions About Suffering

     (Luke 22:42)

     Jesus can identify with the pain and suffering of the entire world.

 
3.  The Transformational Power of Suffering: 

     God Uses Suffering to Shape Us

     Scripture encourages Christians to see suffering as a catalyst 

     for growth and change.

4.  The Bankruptcy of Suffering in Other Worldviews:

     We Have True Hope in Christ

     (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 11:25-26, 35-36)

     Why can Christians have hope even in the midst of suffering?

     (Romans 8:37-39)

5.  The Suffering God: Jesus Understands Our Pain

     (Phillipians 2:5-8; Hebrews 4:15)

     In what ways can Jesus sympathize with us?

Fusion: week of 10/4

FAMILY THEME: WHY DOES EVIL EXIST?

Genesis 3; 50:20

Few subjects make Christians as uncomfortable as the existence

of evil, but it doesn't have to be that way.

1.  Emotional vs. Intellectual: Two Ways We Deal With Evil

     (Romans 5:12; 8:20-23; 2 Corinthians 5:2)

     We don't just think about evil, we also feel evil and its effects.

     Most people are not really struggling with evil intellectually,

     but emotionally.

 
2.  Is There Good Without God?

     (Genesis 3:1-7)

     Without God as the standard for evaluating actions, calling

     any action good or bad is meaningless. There are no true moral

     judgments if there is no moral judge.

 
3.  The Intellectual Problem: Would a Good God Allow Evil to Exist?

     (Genesis 2:16-17)

     God gave humanity a free will, which allows us to choose

     something over Him.