Fusion: week of 6/23

FAMILY THEME: THE BELIEVER'S WALK

Ephesians 5:1-21

The apostle Paul continued the metaphor of "walking" to remind the

Ephesians (and us) to walk in love, walk as children of light, and walk

wisely in a dark world.

1.  Our Attitude and Actions Should Be Distinct From Those of the World

     (Ephesians 5:1-6)

    Being followers of Jesus means that we have a different hope and

    different values from the world around us.

 
2.  Expose the Works of Darkness With the Light of the Gospel

     (Ephesians 5:7-14)

     When Christians live in light of the gospel, they will automatically

     shine a light on sin.

     

3.  Submit to the Guiding and Controlling Influence of the Holy Spirit

     (Ephesians 5:15-21)

     The Spirit guides us in understanding what God would have us to do.

Fusion: week of 6/16

FAMILY THEME: UNITY IN THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 4:1-32

We are to practice unity in the body of Christ. God has given us gifts and

responsibilities as His followers; the way we treat one another should

reflect that we belong to Him.

1.  We Are to Pursue and Maintain Unity, Growing Together as We Use

     Our Gifts in Ministry

     (Ephesians 4:1-16)

     The Church demonstrates God's power by showing unity in diversity.

 
2.  God's Truth Equips Us to Live Distinct and Holy Lives

     (Ephesians 4:17-24)

     When we walk with God, our lives look different from the world

     around us.

     

3.  Our Beliefs and Behaviors Should Reflect Our New Life in Christ

     (Ephesians 4:25-32)

     As a Christian, your new heart orients what you believe and

     what you do.

Fusion: week of 6/9

FAMILY THEME: RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE

Ephesians 2:1-22

The second chapter of Ephesians is full of before and after snapshots

of the significant differences between being "in Christ" or being without

Him. These comparisons or contrasts make a compelling case for the

universal need to trust Christ as Savior and Lord.

1.  Before Christ We Were Spiritually Dead in Our Sins

     (Ephesians 2:1-3)

     Every human being is dead in sin, guilty on two counts. We are 

     dead both in our positional standing, because of Adam's original

     sin, and in our experiential standing, because of our own sins.

 
2.  God Saves Us by Grace Through Faith and Gives Us Divine Purpose

     (Ephesians 2:4-10)

     Thankfully, God completely and graciously reverses our hopeless

     condition through Christ. The domination of depravity is replaced

     with restored purpose in life.

     

3.  We Are United Together as One Into the Family of God

     (Ephesians 2:11-22)

     The gospel events (the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ)

     inaugurated a new covenant in Christ. All are now placed into one 

     family in the same way - by faith in Jesus Christ.

Fusion: week of 6/2

FAMILY THEME: SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRIST

Ephesians 1:3-23

Being "in Christ" opens the floodgates of spiritual blessings into

the lives of those who choose to believe in Christ.

1.  In Christ, We Have Been Adopted into the Family of God

     (Ephesians 1:3-6)

     God places new believers into His family through adoption,

     and all of the rights and privileges of family, through Jesus

     Christ, are immediately transferred to each believer.

 
2.  In Christ, We Have Been Freely and Graciously Forgiven of Sin

     (Ephesians 1:7-10)

     A broken family relationship with God is restored when God

     graciously forgives an individual's guilt through belief in the

     gospel.

     

3.  In Christ, We Have the Guarantee of an Eternal Inheritance

     (Ephesians 1:11-14)

     Growth in grace, knowledge, understanding, and fruitfulness

     are not possible apart from the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

4.  God's Rich Blessings Include the Opportunity to Know God

     More Fully and Deeply

     (Ephesians 1:15-23)

     Paul made requests in his prayers for the church.

Fusion: week of 5/19

FAMILY THEME: WHAT MAKES CHRISTIANITY UNIQUE?

1 Corinthians 15:1-19 ; Mark 1:14-20 ; John 21:25 ; 

Matthew 8:27 ; Romans 3:21-26

History declares Jesus lived, died and rose again, but we also

see the evidence in our own lives and in the lives of others.

1.  Christianity is Historically Testable

     (1 Corinthians 15:1-19)

     Historical evidence proves what Christianity declares;

     Jesus lived, died, and rose again on this earth.

 
2.  Christianity is News, Not Advice or Philosophy

     (Mark 1:14-20)

     Christianity has good news for all who will hear and

     receive it.

     

3.  Christianity is Based on the Life, Teachings, Death,

     and Resurrection of Jesus

     (John 21:25 ; Matthew 8:27)

     While other religions acknowledge Jesus was a man

     Who lived on earth, Christianity is the only one that

     requires a relationship with Him.

4.  The Christian Faith is Based Upon Grace, Not Works

     (Romans 3:21-26)

     Christianity is the only religion the offers grace and

     salvation, even though we don't deserve either.

Fusion: week of 5/12

FAMILY THEME: WHY IS EVERY LIFE VALUABLE?

Genesis 1:26-27  ;  2:7  ;  9:5-6  ;  Jeremiah 1:5  ;  

Psalm 139:13-16

People are important to God. God thought so much of man that He

made him in His own image. The worth of man cannot be measured

for he is made in the image of the immeasurable God. God's estima-

tion of mankind gives us our true value.

1.  Every Human Being is an Image Bearer of the Creator

     (Genesis 1:26-27  ;  2:7)

     God could have created us any way He wanted. He 

     chose to create us to bear His image.

 
2.  Every Image Bearer of the Creator Has Purpose

     (Jeremiah 1:4-5)

     The only people who will achieve lasting success

     are those who fulfill God's purpose.

     

3.  Every Image Bearer of the Creator Has Great Value and Dignity

     (Genesis 9:5-6  ;  Psalm 139:13-16)

     God is the giver of life and wants every life to be

     protected from harm.

Fusion: week of 5/5

FAMILY THEME: HOW CAN I KNOW GOD EXISTS?

Genesis 1:1 ;  Romans 1:19-20 ;  2:12-15 ;  Psalm 19:1 ; 148:1-14 

Hebrews 10:16

The Bible teaches that God is from everlasting to everlasting. If you have 

difficulty comprehending that truth you are not alone. All of us have been

perplexed by the esistence of God. Both the Scriptures and the world

around us give us reasonable evidence to believe God exists.

1.  We Know God Exists Because Life Exists

     (Genesis 1:1)

     Movies begin and end with credits to all the people

     who make it possible. The Bible begins with one

     credit. "In the beginning God created..."

 
2.  We Know God Exists Because of the Design and

     Fine-Tuning of the Universe

     (Romans 1:19-20 ;  Psalm 19:1 ; Psalm 148)

     

3.  We Know God Exists Because Morality Exists

     (Romans 2:12-15 ; Hebrews 10:16)

     Right and wrong matter to everyone. If you do not believe

     that, just observe the reaction of people when they think

     they are mistreated.