How Big is God’s Yard?                                                “Taking Care of Business”

The Big Ideas About Creation Theology:                                

1. Creation belongs to God.                                                           
2. Creation is included in God’s redemptive plan                         
3. We have been charged to care for creation, which involves stewardship.

 Exodus 23:10-11, “For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.”

Leviticus 25:4-5, “But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards. Do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the grapes of your untended vines. The land is to have a year of rest.”

1. In agricultural terms, this is known as “fallowing,” letting a piece of land go ______________________ for a period of time.

2. Big Rainforest fact: According to National Geographic, _____      acres of rainforest are cleared every ______________ for agricultural and industrial development.                                                  

Deuteronomy 22:6-7, “If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life.”

3. Scary Extinction fact: The natural rate of extinction (and it can happen naturally) is estimated to be between 1 to 5 species a year. Our current rate — one species going extinct every ________________.                                                                   

Deuteronomy 20:19-20, “When you lay siege to a city for a long time, fighting against it to capture it, do not destroy its trees by putting an ax to them, because you can eat their fruit. Do not cut them down. Are the trees people, that you should besiege them?However, you may cut down trees that you know are not fruit trees and use them to build siege works until the city at war with you falls.”

“The Theology of Creation”                                                     Taking Care of Business

The Big Ideas on the Theology of Creation

See: Deuteronomy 22:6-7; 20:19-20

Baptism by the Book (2) 

Matthew 3:11; 13-15  “’I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’… ¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?’ Jesus replied, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John consented.”

Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Why Baptism?

1. Baptism is our opportunity to ___________________ Jesus.

Matthew 10:32-33,  “Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.  But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven.”

2. Baptism is the time God has appointed for initially bestowing ______________________ upon believing,  repentant sinners.

Galatians 3:26-27, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,  for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

See 2 Kings 5:9-14

                                            Baptism by the Book

Mark 16:15-16, “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” 

Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Facts About Who I Am? 

Romans 10:9,13, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved… Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 

Ephesians 2:8, “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” 

Acts 16:31, “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.’” 

Mark:16:16, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” 

  Give Honor Where Honor is Due  

        “What’s Next”

Where Everyone Knows Your Name 

“What’s Next?”

Theme: If you want to live the life that Jesus lived, you ________________ the things that Jesus _______________.

Acts 2:42-47, “ They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Our Mission Statement:

We will help others KNOW Jesus as their Savior; GROW in their Christian Faith and relationships; and, SHOW Christ’s love through service to our community.

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching

DQT                                                                                “What’s Next?”

Theme: If you want to live the life that Jesus lived, you ______________ the things that Jesus __________________.

Mark 1:35-29, ”Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and His companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for You!’ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So He traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.”

Jesus’ Time with the Father and It’s Impact

   (1) Read from a __________________________ translation.

   (2) ____________ with the life and teaching of Jesus. (Estimated time: 4 minutes)

. Pray (Est. Time-2.5 min.)         

   (1) It should be _________________________________.  Matthew 6:9, “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.’”

   (2) Suggested Guidelines — A.C.T.S. 

      A= _____________. Tell God what’s in your heart toward Him. 

     C= _____________. Be completely honest before God.   

     T= _____________.

 1 Timothy 4:4, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,”  

     S= _____________. Asking God for help.