"Count the Cost"

“Count the Cost”

Luke 14:28-30 (NLT) 

28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’

3 Questions to Counting the Cost

1. What’s it goi

"Great Expectations"

“Great Expectations”

Luke 10:38-42 (NLT) 

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and hel

"Fighting Forgiveness"

Fighting Forgiveness

31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) 

Luke 17:3-5 (NLT) 3 So watch yourselves! “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and

"Finding Strength in the Storms"

FINDING STRENGTH IN THE STORMS 

28“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. 29 He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. 30 What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!  31 Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. 32 Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.

Psalm 107:28-32 

How To Find Streng

"The Anger Test"

Does Your Anger Pass the Test?

26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT) 

"The Destruction of Disobedience"

The Destruction of DISOBEDIENCE

 17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. 21 Since you have heard a

"The Struggle with Significance"

“The Struggle with Significance”

16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) 

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Overcoming the Struggle of Significance:

1. God DESIGNS

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) 16 He makes

"Sounding the Alarm of Apathy"

"Sounding the Alarm of Apathy"

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Ephesians 4:14-15 (NLT) 

APATHY is defined as a lack of feeling, emotion, interest or concern.

"Put Down the Control"

“PUT DOWN THE CONTROL”

4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all…

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NLT) 

To Put Down the Control We Must Realize:

1. GOD is over all.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future a

"The Pitfall of Pride"

"The Pitfall of Pride"

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NLT) 

3 Types of PRIDE We Battle:

“I LIVE FOR MYSELF” (selfish desires)

Philippians 2:3 (NLT

"You Must Grow!"

"You Must Grow!"

18 Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:18 (NLT) 

Spiritual Growth Is…

1. POSSIBLE.

Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

2. GRADUAL.

LUKE 8:14 (NLT) 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too

"The 3 C's of Uncertainty"

How To Handle Times of Uncertainty?

1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalm 37:5 (NLT) Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

John 14:27 (NLT) 27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

"How To Spiritually Move In The Right Direction"

"How to Spiritually Move in the Right Direction"

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God

"A Life Well Sent"

A Life Well Sent

13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 

Romans 10:13-15 (NLT) 

The GOOD NEWS of

"The Grip of Grief"

HOW TO HANDLE THE GRIP OF GRIEF

1. Grief will make you question God.

John 11:17-21 (NLT) 17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had