Fusion: week of 12/28

FAMILY THEME: CORRUPTION

ROTTEN TO THE CORE

1 Kings 16:29-33; 21:1-26

The kings of Israel continue their drift away from God.

1.  Corrupt Influences Can Lead Us Away From God

     (1 Kings 16:29-33)

     Ahab was already rebelling against God when he took

     a pagan wife.

 
2.  Corrupt Leaders Abuse Power and Oppress the Weak

     (1 Kings 21:1-16)

     Jezebel used her influence to have an innocent man

     murdered.

 
3.  Corrupt Actions Cannot be Hidden from God

     (1 Kings 21:17-26)

     It only appeared as though Jezebel and Ahab got away

     with their sin.

Fusion: week of 12/21

FAMILY THEME: THE PROMISE

JUST AS PROMISED

II Kings 16:1-5; Isaiah 7:1-14; Matthew 1:18-25

God promised and delivered a Savior.

1.  Human Wickedness Cannot Stop God's Promise

     (II Kings 16:1-5)

     Man's wickedness does not hinder God's ability to

     keep His promises and fulfill His purposes.

 
2.  Human Doubt Cannot Stop God's Promise

     (Isaiah 7:1-14)

     Isaiah tells us more of Ahaz's story. Incredibly, as

     enemy troops waited just outside of Jerusalem, God

     gave this unbelieving king one of the most beloved

     prophecies of all.

 
3.  Jesus is the Promised Savior

     (Matthew 1:18-25)

     Isaiah's prophecies were ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

Fusion: week of 12/14

FAMILY THEME: IDOLATRY

MISDIRECTED WORSHIP

1 Kings 12:25-33; 13:33 - 14:20

King Jeroboam leads the people into idolatry.

1.  Selfishness is at the Heart of Idolatry

     (1 Kings 12:25-33)

     Jeroboam's sole concern was protecting his

     position of power.

 
2.  Refusing to Repent Makes Things Worse

     (1 Kings 13:33-34)

     Jeroboam's refusal to repent caused more

     (and ultimate) destruction for his house.

 
3.  Idolotry Can Have Far-Reaching Effects

     (1 Kings 14:1-20)

     As with all sin, the consequences of idolatry

     often affect many.

Fusion: week of 12/7

FAMILY THEME: PRIDE

PRIDE AND CONSEQUENCES

1 Kings 12:1-24; 14:21-31

Rehoboam learns the price of pride.

1.  Pride Leads to Foolish Decisions

     (1 Kings 12:1-15)

     Pride led Rehoboam to foolishly follow the young men's

     counsel, resulting in a divided kingdom.

 
2.  Pride Can Blind Us to God's Greater Plan

     (1 Kings 12:15-24)

     Rehoboam's pride led to the political equivalent of a

     divorce.

 
3.  Prideful Decisions Have Big Consequences

     (1 Kings 14:21-31)

     Rehoboam's pride negatively affected his leadership,

     and his leadership affected the entire nation.

Upcoming Activities

The Christmas tree is up for us to bring in winter things like gloves, hats, scarves & blankets for the homeless. Let's be a blessing! Check out the Dollar Tree for these items!

Dec 5th Ladies Tea-- Get your tickets now $10.

Dec 6th Bedlam Game in the gym

Dec 7th PM shower for Chris & Heather Lyliston

Dec 12 & 13 Dinner & 4 Tickets to Christmas $10.

Dec ? (prob 14th) Christmas Caroling

Jan - cruise--there is still time to book!

Oh, wait....not the right image...

Maybe not THIS particular one...

Just get ready to have the time of your life!!

Fusion: week of 11/30

FAMILY THEME: BROTHERLY LOVE

LOVE YOU LIKE A BROTHER

Philemon 1:1-25

Paul provides an example of brotherly love.

1.  Brotherly Love is Mutual Encouragement

     (Philemon 1:1-7)

     Paul greatly appreciated the encouragement he received

     from others and ecouraged others at every opportunity.

 
2.  Brotherly Love is Forgiveness and Acceptance

     (Philemon 1:8-16) 

     Paul wanted Philemon to forgive and accept Onesimus

     in spite of his past offenses.

 
3.  Brotherly Love Assumes the Risk

     (Philemon 1:17-25)

     Paul assured Philemon that he would make restitution

     for whatever losses that were suffered from Onesimus'

     past actions

Fusion: week of 11/23

FAMILY THEME: ALIVE WITH CHRIST

WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS?

Colossians  2:6 - 3:4

Paul teaches what it means to be alive with Christ.

1.  Believers Preach the Supremacy of Christ

     (Colossians 2:6-15)

     Our message is neither human tradition nor the basic

     principles of this world.

 
2.  Believers Refuse to Submit to Man-Made Religion

     and Philosophy

     (Colossians 2:16-23) 

     Man-made rules and regulations may appear wise but

     they lead one away from Christ.

 
3.  Believers Set Their Minds on Higher Things

     (Colossians 3:1-4)

     Since Jesus rose from the dead, believers focus on

     things above and not the temporary things of our earth.