Fusion: week of 2/26

FAMILY THEME: THE LAW OF LOVE

1 John 4:7  -  5:5

Love for other believers is a vital sign that proves we have been born of God.

1.  Love is the Evidence That We Know God, and the Motivation for

     Living Obediently

     (1 John 4:7-8;  Matthew 22:34-40;  Romans 13:8-10)

     Love is a critical test that reveals whether or not you really know God.

 
2.  God Demonstrated Real Love When He Gave His Son's Life for Us

     (1 John 4:9-10;  16b-18;  John 3:16)

    Jesus' death on the cross is the greatest demonstration of love.

 
3.  God's Divine Love Prompts Us to Love Others

     (1 John 4:11-12;  19-21;  5:1-5)

     God's love for us creates in us a love for others.

Fusion: week of 2/19

FAMILY THEME: GRACE-BASED RELATIONSHIPS

Romans 14:1-23

The salvation that comes through faith in Jesus revolutionizes our

relationships with others.

1.  Accept and Live in Harmony with Others No Matter Where They are

     on Their Journey of Faith

     (Romans 14:1-4)

     We are to accept others even when they disagree with us over

     secondary issues.

 
2.  We Are Part of an Interdependent Community Under the Lordship

     of Christ

     (Romans 14:5-9)

     Living under the Lordship of Christ allows for a graceful

     acceptance of differences.

 
3.  We are to Focus on Our Own Relationship with God and Leave

     Leave Judgment to Him

     (Romans 14:10-12)

     We must remember that God is the judge, not us.

4.  Be Careful Not to Harm Others as You Live in Freedom and Grace

     (Romans 14:13-23)

     It is wrong to exercise your liberty in a way that causes another 

     Christian to sin.

Fusion: week of 2/12

FAMILY THEME: FREEDOM FROM GUILT

Psalm 103:1-14

This psalm explains why believers should be eager to worship the Lord.

1.  Forgiveness Leads to Joy and Worship

     (Psalm 103:1-5;  Nehemiah 8:9-12)

     The forgiveness that God offers is meant to replace the pain of our

     fallen state with the satisfaction of a renewed state of being.

 
2.  Forgiveness is Based on God's Character, Not Ours

     (Psalm 103:6-10;  Exodus 34:1-10)

     All God does flows from His unchanging character. Forgiveness is

     about Who God is, not who we are.

 
3.  God Forgives Us in Spite of Our Weakness

     (Psalm 103:11-14;  Romans 5:6-11;  Hebrews 4:14-16)

     As a parent's concern for his child transcends that child's behavior,

     so does our Lord's care for us go beyond our actions.

Fusion: week of 2/5

FAMILY THEME: SAVED BY GRACE

Ephesians 2:1-10

Scripture is clear that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone,

in Christ alone.

1.  Our Salvation is Based on Who God Is, Not on What We Have Done

     (Ephesians 2:1-5;  Romans 3:21-26;  5:15-21;  11:5-6)

     God demonstrates overwhelming mercy, love, and grace when He

     saves us.

 
2.  We Are Saved to Bring God Glory

     (Ephesians 2:6-8; Philippians 2:3-13; Colossians 1:15-20)

     Our efforts do not make us more praiseworthy than others, but

     demonstrate His power and praiseworthiness.

 
3.  We Are Saved to Do Good Works That Draw People to God

     (Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6;  5:16-21)

     Salvation from Jesus produces service to Jesus.