Worship Service

Dark Clouds. Deep Mercy.

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Lamentations 3 (Lamentations 3:1-4, 7-8, 11, 15, 17-18 & 21-26; Psalms 34:17-18; 77:12; 2 Peter 3:18)
 
Storms and tragedy can roll into your life at any moment. Life can suddenly get dark and become uncertain. In these times it is easy to question God and doubt everything. In the midst of the dark clouds hovering over our lives, God brings to light His mercy and hope!How do you walk through the storms of life? Only by the deep mercy of God! Through this message Pastor Tony Liuzzo will share his family’s journey of God’s grace in the midst of trying times.
 
Dark Clouds. Deep Mercy.---> Brokenness brings an awakening.
---> Truths that spark hope.1. God's mercies do not fail.2. God is working in the waiting.

Life Verse :: Can you hear me now? / John 10:27

Pastor Dave Liuzzo (Executive Pastor) - John 10:27 (John 8:47; 10:2, 14 & 27; Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Proverbs 15:1; 20:12; Psalms 23:1 & 3-4; 37:23; 46:10; Matthew 7:21-23; 9:36; 15:8; Romans 10:10 & 17; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Kings 19:12; James 1:22; Hebrews 11:1)
 
Can you hear me now?
When was the last time you heard the voice of God? Sometimes we think we hear God’s voice but in reality we’ve completely missed what He’s been trying to say to us. God is asking the question, “Can you hear me now?” If you haven’t been able to hear the voice of God, then it’s time to learn why.
 
Can you hear me now? (John 10:27)
 
Three reasons we do not hear the voice of God:
I. False Identity
A. A false identity has no relationship with the shepherd.
B. A false identity excludes the heart of the matter.
 
II. Selective Hearing
A. Selective hearing is hearing what we want.
B. Selective hearing is listening to what's loudest.
 
III. Sheer Disobedience
A. Sheer disobedience prevents clear direction in life.
B. Sheer disobedience prevents faith to follow God's voice.
 
How to hear the voice of God (SHEMA):
1. You have to have faith (faith is blind).
2. You have to listen to the voice of God.
3. You have to follow God's direction.
4. You have to trust where God is leading you.

Crazy Things Take Crazy Faith

Pastor Bryce Copeland (Student Pastor) - Matthew 14; Mark 6 (Matthew 14:22-33; Romans 8:28)
 
Isn’t life crazy?
It is hard to deny that life is crazy when you look at the opportunities and oppositions that surround us. Peter was faced with an amazing opportunity to walk on water. He also faced crazy opposition.
What can we learn from Peter’s experience? Crazy things take crazy faith!
 
Crazy Things Take Crazy FaithI. Ask specifically for what you want God to do.
II. Be prepared for God's answer.A. Trust God when He says yes.B. Trust God when He says no.
III. Keep your eyes on Jesus.

Messy Life :: The Story of Jacob - Address the Mess

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Genesis 25:21-44 (Romans 6:12; 7:18; 12:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; James 4:17; Genesis 25:21-28; 27:1-4, 6-8, 18-24, 30-36 & 41-44; Psalms 51:5; Proverbs 22:6; Matthew 16:24; 19:30)
 
We would like to think that we have our lives together, but in reality behind the scenes life can be messy. We all deal with struggles, family drama, mess-ups and heartbreak.
We often describe the leaders in the Bible as heroes with halos. In reality, their lives were messy too; filled with ups and downs, family issues and set-backs.
The rest of the story is that God’s grace and mercy is greater! Our lives might be messy, but God cleans us up!
 
Messy Life :: The Story of Jacob
Address the Mess
I. We are born with a sin nature.
II. Our sin nature cultivates messes.

Mentorship

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - 2 Timothy 1:1-9 (2 Timothy 1:1-9; 3:10-11; Philippians 1:21)
 
What is the purpose of our lives? What is the deeper purpose of being a mom or a dad?
At the end of Paul’s life, he writes about one of his greatest joys and accomplishments. He writes about passing on what God has taught him to others. Paul is not writing about the crowds and churches he helped, but about one young man that he mentored.
We have a responsibility to take what we know and use it to mentor the next generation. What is the hope and direction of the next generation? It depends on who you are mentoring today.
 
Mentorship
I. Mentorship starts with you
 
II. Mentorship is a personal investment
A. we invest in them through prayer
B. we invest in them through time
 
III. Mentorship is speaking truth
A. cheer them on
B. stir up passion in them
C. point them to their purpose

Staying Driven on our Mission

Calvin Houser (FBC Missionary / Philippines) - Acts 20:16-38 (Acts 9:1-18 & 20-27; 20:16-20, 22-30 & 32-38; Philippians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Psalm 27:4)
 
What motivates or drives you forward as a Christian? Someone has wisely said that you need a great "why" to succeed at anything in your life.
We will break down the motivation behind the Apostle Paul himself. We will see what caused him to give his life for the cause of worldwide missions. May this help and inspire us to stay driven on our mission.
 
Staying Driven on our Mission
I. Paul had choices
A. Paul chose Christ
--- Jesus Himself appeared to Paul, but Paul still had a choice to follow
B. Paul chose commitment
--- Paul was committed to the message
--- Paul was committed even when others would not commit to him
C. Paul chose consistency
D. Paul chose courage
 
II. Paul had become a captivated captive
 
III. Paul had been compelled by the Holy Ghost to go, and he listened
A. I must submit to the Spirit's motivation in me
B. I must submit to the Spirit's mission in the World
 
IV. Paul had a clear conscience and could commended them to God
 
Application...
--- We too can choose
--- We can be easily be captivated
--- We can be controlled
--- We can become covetous
--- We can be changed

#nofilter :: Start Living Your Identity in Christ - Restored Identity

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - John 21 (John 1:42; 18:25-27; 21:3-12 & 15-17; Luke 5:4-6; 22:23-24, 31 & 61-62; Galatians 6:3; Philippians 3:3; Mark 16:7)
 
Have you ever messed up before?
Peter would definitely have to raise his hand to this question. Peter was called to be a rock, but he messed up. The last thing Peter felt like was a rock. Peter had an identity crisis and it affected him in a big way.
There is good news! God does not give up on us when we fail. Failure does not define us, God does. God's grace restores what Satan tries to take from us!
 
Restored Identity
 
I. How to have an identity crisis?
A. Take your focus off of Christ
B. Ignore the spiritual warfare (drop your guard)
--- 1. Satan breaks you down a little at a time
--- 2. Satan waits for moments of weakness
--- 3. Satan will use people to get to you
C. Run
 
II. How Jesus restores our identity
A. He calls us back to fellowship
B. He confronts the problem
C. He restores us to our purpose

#nofilter :: Start Living Your Identity in Christ - Living with Purpose

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - John 1:40-42 (John 1:40-42; 3:16; 10:10; Jeremiah 1:5; 29:11; Psalms 139:14; 1 John 4:4; Philippians 1:6; 4:13; Romans 8:28-29; Matthew 16:18; 1 Peter 2:5; 5:10-11)
 
We are created by God, but why?
God not only gives us our identity, but he also calls us to a purpose. This is vital for us to understand, because without purpose our lives feel empty. When God created us, He had great plans for us. When we discover our identity in Christ we also discover our purpose for living.
 
#nofilter :: Start Living Your Identity in Christ
Living with Purpose
John 1:40-42
 
I. Our creator gives us our real identity.
--- 1. He knows you.
--- 2. He gets you.
--- 3. He designed you.
--- 4. He loves you.
--- 5. He desires you.
 
II. Our identity gives us our purpose!
A. You are so much more than you know.
B. You are created for more than you know.
 
III. Our purpose gives us our fulfillment. 

#nofilter :: Start Living Your Identity in Christ - Created by God

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - John 1:40-42 (Matthew 4:18-20; Genesis 1:27; John 1:40-42; 10:27; Jeremiah 1:5; 29:11; Psalms 139:14)
 
To truly know our identity, we have to begin at the source of our lives. We have to begin with God because He is our Creator. 
This changes everything! 
It is through our identity that we know our purpose. Through living out our purpose, we find true fulfillment. This is the opposite of confusion and anxiety. This brings peace and satisfaction. This is the life that God created for us!
It’s time to start living your identity in Christ!
 
#nofilter :: Start Living Your Identity in Christ
Created by God
John 1:40-42
 
Our creator gives us our real identity.
--- 1. He knows you.
--- 2. He gets you.
--- 3. He designed you.

#nofilter :: Start Living Your Identity in Christ - Start by Losing

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Mark 8:34-35 (2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Mark 8:34-35; Romans 12:2; James 1:8; Psalms 119:165; 139:14)
 
Who is the real you?
In our culture today, we struggle to know our true identity. We live in a society that deals with insecurities and identity confusion that has led us to all sorts of struggles.
We have an image that we present to others of how we want to be perceived. This is usually a facade or filter that we present to others, but it is not the real you. Just like in social media when we add a filter to our picture, we are not presenting the real us. We may also focus our identity on our job titles, marital status, our role as a parent, our acceptance on social media, our even our financial status.
What if these things changed or are stripped away? Who are you without these titles, relationships, or positions? What if we got real and removed the “filters” we hide behind in our lives?
The Bible explains to us who we truly are in Him. When we discover these truths, we can live out our lives with assurance, confidence and passion!
 
 
#nofilter :: Start Living Your Identity in Christ
Start by Losing
Mark 8:34-35
 
Two major problems connected to our identity:
--- 1. confusion
--- 2. validation
 
How do we start living our identity in Christ?
I. Let go of your false identity.
A. let go of traditional identity
B. let go of modern identity
 
II. Allow the Gospel to identify you.
A. the Gospel is absolute truth
B. the Gospel is my identity

Child of God

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Romans 8 (Romans 3:23; 5:1-2 & 8; 7:24; 8:1, 14-16, 26 & 35-39; John 1:12-13; Psalm 149:4; 1 John 3:1; 4:18)
 
As Christians, we have lots of titles that we use to describe us: disciple, believer, follower, servant, etc. All of these descriptions are true and Biblical, but God gave us another one that takes it to another level.
It is a title that cast out fear, describes our relationship, gives us security, and nails down our identity. Do you know what it is? It is found in Romans 8 and is the perfect study for a special day like Mother’s Day.
 
Mother's Day at Fellowship
Child of God
Romans 8
 
As a child of God...
I. You are never alone.
II. You are greatly loved.
III. You are totally secure.

Identity Crisis

Cristian Liuzzo (Real Life Students at Fellowship) - Luke 15:11-22
 
We all go through an identity crisis at one point or another. We leave God to try to find identity in the world through relationships, drugs, alcohol and social media. Yet it leaves us identifying as worthless, empty and broken.
 
When we return to God He restores our true identity found only in Him.
 
Identity Crisis
Luke 15:11-22
 
I. Worldly Identity
A. removes you from the Father
B. robs you of your blessings
C. it doesn't replenish your blessings
 
II. Self Identity
A. leaves you empty
B. leaves you wanting
C. leaves you feeling worthless
 
III. God's Identity
A. the robe
B. the ring
C. the shoes