A 1991 article in the Chicago Tribune told how a Texas mother was so intent on her 13 year old daughter making the cheerleading squad that she hired a hitman to kill the mother of her daughters competition. Detectives discovered she originally planned a double murder of the daughter and the mother but the double murder turned out to be too expensive so she opted for a single murder of the mother for a cheap $2,500. All this to secure her 13 year old daughter's spot on the cheerleading squad. How to people become so evil and cold-hearted? As we continue our way through Genesis we learn how sin slowly takes control of each of our lives and drags us into a descent of increasing levels of wickedness. Jesus is our line of hope from God to break free.

Genesis 4 + 5 - Descent - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Genesis 4 + 5 - Descent - Manuscript - PDF
Genesis 4 + 5 - Descent - Sermon Handout - PDF
Genesis 4 + 5 - Descent - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Genesis 4 + 5 - Descent - Life Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Sin, Repentance, Church, Church Conflict, Conflict, Consequences, Consumer Christianity

After the holiday, you find fitness advertisements reminding you to get in shape. They always feature someone who tried the advertised weight loss plan and they feature a before and after photo. In this passage, Paul gives us a before and after photo of what we were like with and without Jesus.

Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Jesus Gave Me a Family - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Jesus Gave Me a Family - Manuscript - PDF
Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Jesus Gave Me a Family - Sermon Handout - PDF
Ephesians 2:11-22 -- Jesus Gave Me a Family - Life Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Family, Forgiveness, Church Conflict

You would expect the church to be a place where the peace of Christ reigns in the heart. Unfortunately, that is often far from the truth. The church has become known as a battlefield of wills. What should we do when our church changes in a way we didn't expect? How should we respond when we don't like what our church has become. In this message, James gives us godly wisdom on how to navigate church conflict.

James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Audio - MP3
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Manuscript - PDF
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - What's Wrong with a Good Church Fight? - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Church Conflict, Church Leadership

James taught us there is something called Fake Faith. It is a counterfeit faith in Jesus that will not save in the end. The way you can tell the difference between saving faith and fake faith is that only saving faith changes our lives. Saving faith doesn't just prompt us to acts of mercy and compassion but it even changes the way we think. It gives us a different set of values, a whole new understanding of what is foolish and what is wise.

James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Audio - MP3
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Manuscript - PDF
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - Saving Faith Changes My Thinking - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF

Tags: Church Conflict, Division, Diotrephes, Jealousy, Selfish Ambition