Bible Study

Seeking God: What does it mean to pray for God’s will? - Part 2

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - 1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 7:7; James 4:2; Philippians 4:6-7; Jeremiah 29:11; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Psalms 27:14; Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 8:26-28
 
Do you know what it means to pray according to the will of God? The Bible tells us to do this, but does this mean that we don't pray and ask for our hearts desires? Should we just pray, "Your will be done."
We should pray according to God's will, but this might not mean what you think.  When you understand God's will, when it comes to prayer, it opens up the power of prayer in a big way.
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."What does it mean to pray for God's will?" - Part 2
II. What does it mean to pray for God's will?Our prayers must line up "according to" His purpose1. God's will is for you to ask2. God's will is for you to ask for your heart's desire3. God's will is to strengthen your faith through answered prayer4. God's will is for us to trust Him even if He does not answer in the way we ask
 
Illustration #1: Pastor Tony Liuzzo's home gym remodel (before)
Illustration #2: Pastor Tony Liuzzo's home gym remodel (during)
Illustration #3: Pastor Tony Liuzzo's home gym remodel (after)

Seeking God: What does it mean to pray for God’s will? - Part 1

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - I John 5:14-15 (1 John 4:18; 5:13-15; 2 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 4:16; Romans 8:31; Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 3:20-21; James 1:5; 4:2; Matthew 7:7 & 9-11; 14:28; Philippians 4:6-7; Luke 18:27)
 
Do you know what it means to pray according to the will of God? The Bible tells us to do this, but does this mean that we don't pray and ask for our hearts desires? Should we just pray, "Your will be done."
We should pray according to God's will, but this might not mean what you think.  When you understand God's will, when it comes to prayer, it opens up the power of prayer in a big way.
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."What does it mean to pray for God's will?" - Part 1
II. What does it mean to pray for God's will?
What is His will?It must line up according to:1. His purpose2. His desire--- God desires for us to desire to see him do great things!--- God's desire is to do great things through us!!!3. His pleasure
This is God's will for your life right now:1. God's will is for you to ask2. God's will is for you to ask for your heart's desire3. God's will is to strengthen your faith through answered prayer

Seeking God: What is prayer?

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Matthew 6:5-9; Mark 10:14 & 16; Revelation 4:11; Psalm 149:4; 1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6
 
Prayer is one of the most common aspects of the Christian life. We define it simply as talking to God. We would describe prayer as powerful and life changing. If we know this to be true, why don't we pray more? Oftentimes it is because we don't fully understand prayer. We have questions about prayer that causes us to doubt the power of prayer. 
The goal of this teaching series is to address and dig deep into the questions and confusion that we have with prayer.  We know prayer is important, let's have an honest conversation on why we don't pray like we should.
Seeking God: Desiring a touch of God through prayer and fasting."What is prayer?
I. What is prayer?A. prayer is…B. prayer is not…Prayer is simply talking to your Heavenly Father.
When you are talking to your Heavenly Father:A. be real with GodB. speak from the heart

Don’t Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews (Week 6)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Hebrews 2:1-4; 4:12-13; 6:4-8; 10:26-31; 12:25-29; Romans 5:1-11; 8:18-27; John 6:39-40 & 44; 10:25-30
 
When the going gets tough, every Christian faces the temptation to return to old habits and ways of thinking. But what do you do when a whole church community wants to return?
In this study, we'll find that the author of Hebrews gives a simple but complex answer: "Don't look back; Jesus is better."
Don't Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews
Week 6
I.  RecapA.  Jesus is BetterB.  Don't Look Back
II. Five Warning PassagesA. Hebrews 2:1-4B. Hebrews 4:12-13C. Hebrews 6:4-8D. Hebrews 10:26-31E. Hebrews 12:25-29
III.  Three Key IssuesA. Who is the author addressing?B. What is he telling them they shouldn’t do?C. What consequences is he warning of?
IV. Two Historical ViewsA. ArminianismB. Reformed
V.  AnalysisA. Professing Believers (Truly Unsaved)B. Genuine Believers (Truly Saved)--- 1. Hypothetical Rejection--- 2. Community Rejection--- 3. True Rejection--- 4. Fellowship / Repentance RejectionC. Truly Saved (but blessings removed)

Spiritual Check-up

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Colossians 1 (Colossians 1:1-4 & 7-11; John 15:8; Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 11:29; Mark 14:70-71; Acts 4:2-3 & 8)
 
Most people make it a habit to have an annual physical with their doctor. You don't do this necessarily because something is wrong, we do this to make sure we stay ahead of physical problems.
It is important for Christians to have a Spiritual Check-up. We compare our lives to God's Word to see if our spiritual vital signs are what they should be.  Let's make it a priority to be healthy Christians who want to be growing in the Lord.
Spiritual Check-upI. Is your life pleasing God?II. Is your life fruitful?III. Are you still growing in your faith?IV. Are you emotionally and spiritually strong?

Don’t Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews (Week 5)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Hebrews 11-13 (Hebrews 11-1-40; 12:1-17; 13:1-25; Psalms 137:1-9)
 
When the going gets tough, every Christian faces the temptation to return to old habits and ways of thinking. But what do you do when a whole church community wants to return?
In this study, we'll find that the author of Hebrews gives a simple but complex answer: "Don't look back; Jesus is better."
Don't Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews
Week 5
I.  RecapA.  Jesus is BetterB.  Don't Look Back
II. Human RitesA. The Purpose of the Old Testament InstitutionsB. Application for Today
III.  Winding Down HebrewsA. Techniques--- 1. Repetition--- 2. Example ListB. OvertureC. The First ListD. Aliens and StrangersE. More ExamplesF. Conclusion
IV.  Conclusion: EndureA. Running the RaceB. Treated as a SonC. Choose Holiness
V.  Final Passage: How to Live Out a Persevering Faith

Don’t Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews (Week 4)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Hebrews 8-10 (Hebrews 8:1-13; 9:1-28; 10:1-25; Exodus 25:40)
 
When the going gets tough, every Christian faces the temptation to return to old habits and ways of thinking. But what do you do when a whole church community wants to return?
In this study, we'll find that the author of Hebrews gives a simple but complex answer: "Don't look back; Jesus is better."
Don't Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews
Week 4
I.  RecapA.  Jesus is Better--- 1.  Better Than Angels--- 2.  Better Than Moses--- 3.  Better Than the PriesthoodB.  Don't Look Back
II.  Jesus is Better Than the Tabernacle and the LawA.  Shadows and CopiesB.  The Old Covenant is Not SufficientC.  The Old Covenant Was Made to Be ReplacedD.  Christ's Superiority to the Places and Rituals of the Old Covenant

Don’t Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews (Week 3)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Hebrews 2-5 & 7 (Hebrews 2:16-18; 3:1-19; 4:1-3 & 14-16; 5:1-14; 7:1-28; Psalm 110:4; Genesis 14:12-24)
 
When the going gets tough, every Christian faces the temptation to return to old habits and ways of thinking. But what do you do when a whole church community wants to return?
In this study, we'll find that the author of Hebrews gives a simple but complex answer: "Don't look back; Jesus is better."
Don't Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews
Week 3
I. Jesus is Better than Mosesa. Proofs and Argumentsb. Don’t Turn Back in the WildernessII. Jesus is the Great High Priesta. “After the Order of Melchizedek”b. “Consecrated Forevermore”

Don’t Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews (Week 2)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Hebrews 1:1-14; 2:1-4 (Hebrews 1:1-14; 2:1-4; Psalm 2:1-14; 45:6-7; 97:7; 102:25-27; 104:4; 110:1; 2 Samuel 7:14)
 
When the going gets tough, every Christian faces the temptation to return to old habits and ways of thinking. But what do you do when a whole church community wants to return?
In this study, we'll find that the author of Hebrews gives a simple but complex answer: "Don't look back; Jesus is better."
Don't Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews
Week 2
I. Background: Jewish Religion in the Roman Empire
II. Doing the Work of Cultural Context
III. The Warning Passages: A Note
IV. High Christology
V. The Son is Superior to the Angelsa. Argumentation Method: Overwhelming with Old Testament Evidenceb. The Son's Relationship to the Fatherc. The Son's Position Compared to the Angelsd. The Son's Eternal Naturee. Christ is Victorious
VI. Exhortationa. Lesser to Greater
Illustration: Athanasius of Alexandria
 

Don’t Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews (Week 1)

John Sullivan (FBC Trustee + Deacon) - Galatians 1:11-17; Hebrews 1:1-7; 2:3
 
When the going gets tough, every Christian faces the temptation to return to old habits and ways of thinking. But what do you do when a whole church community wants to return?
In this study, we'll find that the author of Hebrews gives a simple but complex answer: "Don't look back; Jesus is better."
Don't Look Back: The Epistle to the Hebrews
Week 1
I. What the Gospel Is and Is Nota. it IS NOT an offerb. it IS an announcementc. it IS news of a changed stated. it IS a challenge to all other powers
II. The Epistle to the Hebrewsa. dateb. authorc. audienced. message
III. Structure of the Epistle to the Hebrewsa. God is speaking to us in his Son. b. Jesus is better than the Torah or the angels. c. Jesus is better than Moses or the Promised Land. d. Jesus is better than the priesthood.e. Jesus is better than the sacrifices and superior to the Old Covenant. f. Jesus is the fulfillment of everything to which the OT heroes were looking.
Illustration: The Priene Calendar Inscription
 

No Accidental Disciples: Learning to Follow Jesus Intentionally (Message Two)

Pastor Chris Andrews (Discipleship & Missions Pastor) - James 4:13-16; Acts 9:6; Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 5:15-16; Exodus 20:8-10; Psalms 1:1-3; 24:1; Proverbs 3:9-10; 23:7; Luke 6:38; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Philippians 4:6-7
 
Have you ever stubbed your toe, spilled your coffee, or even tripped on the carpet? It's ok, because these things are accidents and you are human. These type of things happen without thought or intention, but there is one thing that you can never do in your life on accident, follow Jesus.
There are no accidental disciples. Following Jesus requires wisdom, thought, and purposeful action. Learn how to intentionally follow Jesus with your life in the new year!
 
No Accidental Disciples: Learning to Follow Jesus IntentionallyMessage Two - Where do I start?
I. Schedule: a plan for your timeII. Budget: a plan for your moneyIII. Habits: a plan for your behavior

No Accidental Disciples: Learning to Follow Jesus Intentionally (Message One)

Pastor Chris Andrews (Discipleship & Missions Pastor) - John 10:10; 15:8; Psalms 1:3; 139:23-24; Acts 2:46-47; Matthew 6:21 & 33; 22:37-40; 1 John 2:15-17; Joshua 24:15; Colossians 3:2-3; Revelation 2:4-5; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Proverbs 28:13; James 4:13-17
 
Have you ever stubbed your toe, spilled your coffee, or even tripped on the carpet? It's ok, because these things are accidents and you are human. These type of things happen without thought or intention, but there is one thing that you can never do in your life on accident, follow Jesus.
There are no accidental disciples. Following Jesus requires wisdom, thought, and purposeful action. Learn how to intentionally follow Jesus with your life in the new year!
 
No Accidental Disciples: Learning to Follow Jesus IntentionallyMessage One - Where am I now?
I. Evaluation: Evaluate where you are.II. Direction: Decide what direction you are going.III. Repentance: Identify areas that need changing.