Fusion: week of 7/1

FAMILY THEME: A SONG OF WISDOM

Psalm 1

Is there a way to live that enhances our ability to be blessed?

Check out what Psalm 1 has to say about this.

1.  Choosing the Right Influences Results in Spiritual Blessings

     (Psalm 1:1-2)

     The person who carefully monitors his relationships and his

     counsel will be blessed.

 
2.  Our Choice of Influences Affects Our Spiritual Stability

     (Psalm 1:3-4)

     The righteous who saturate themselves with God's Word are

     likely a healthy tree that is planted by a river.

 
3.  There is an Eternal Contrast Between the Life of the Righteous

     and the Life of the Wicked

     (Psalm 1:5-6)

     The righteous and ungodly are not only different on earth, but

     also in eternity.

Fusion: week of 6/24

FAMILY THEME: THE BELIEVER'S STRENGTH

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Selflessness, humility, and personal weakness in a believer's

life are, ironically, potential virtues of true strength. These may

become conduits through which the power of God flows.

1.  Seek to Exalt Christ Rather Than Self

     (2 Corinthians 12:1-6)

     The mistake pride often makes is taking credit

     for what Christ or others have done. Paul found

     it difficult to boast.

 
2.  God May Use Difficulty to Keep Us Humble

     (2 Corinthians 12:7)

     Because of the inclination of fallen human 

     nature to exalt self is so powerful, especially

     when one is talented or successful, God used

     a "thorn in the flesh" to keep His servant humble.

 
3.  God's Power Shines Brightest Through Our

     Weaknesses

     (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

     God did not always grant even the apostle

     Paul's requests. But He always had a good

     reason for not doing so. Grace and power

     were released into his life and ministry.

Fusion: week of 6/17

FAMILY THEME: THE BELIEVER'S TESTIMONY

2 Corinthians 6:1 - 7:1

Because we are partners in the work of the gospel, we should

live in a way that honors God.

1.  Seek to Live a Blameless Life That Affirms We

     Follow and Serve Christ

     (2 Corinthians 6:1-10)

     The message of salvation is simple. We are saved by

     God's grace, through our faith in Christ and His work

     done for us.

 
2.  We Are to Monitor Our Close Associations

     (2 Corinthians 6:11-16)

     Paul's heart was open to the believers in Corinth, and

     he shared it transparently.

 
3.  Be Constantly Growing Toward Holiness and

     Spiritual Maturity

     (2 Corinthians 6:17 - 7:1)

     If we want to live a life of holiness, set apart for God's

     work, we have to make some hard decisions. We must

     turn away from anyone or anything that can keep us from

     complete obedience to God.

Fusion: week of 6/10

FAMILY THEME: THE BELIEVER'S IDENTITY

2 Corinthians 5:1-21

Though our earthly bodies are only "temporary housing", we 

look forward to Heaven. Until then, we make it our aim to

please God as His ambassadors, aware of the judgment to

come, motivated by His love, and living as His new creation.

1.  We Look Forward to a New Glorified Body in Heaven

     (2 Corinthians 5:1-8)

     According to the United States Social Security

     Administration, an average life expectancy for

     men who reach age 65 is 84.3 years. A woman

     reaching age 65 can expect to lie until age 86.6.

     We all know that we won't live forever here on this

     earth.

 
2.  We Seek to Please Christ in Appreciation for All He

     Has Done for Us

     (2 Corinthians 5:9-15)

     Paul, the author of this letter to the Corinthians,

     had a goal in life. We should as well.

 
3.  God Has Chosen to Continue His Work Through Us

     (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

     If you are one of God's children, you have been

     chosen to be His ambassador to the world!

Fusion: week of 6/3

FAMILY THEME: THE BELIEVER'S QUEST

2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Paul instructed the Corinthian believers to live in a way that allows

the gospel message to shine in spite of our own inadequacies and

the difficulties that we face. We can endure present hardship in 

light of the glory to come in eternity.

1.  We Live and Serve With Integrity, Clearly Proclaiming 

     Christ as Lord

     (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)

     We must minister with simplicity and godly sincerity to

     be effective.

 
2.  Living for and Serving Christ Can Be Challenging

     (2 Corinthians 4:7-12)

     We desperately need the power of God to be His

     ministers.

 
3.  Proper Perspective Helps Produce Endurance

     (2 Corinthians 4:13-18)

     Knowing the future God has planned should

     encourage us to serve Him now!