SERMON SERIES: CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF

SERIES DESCRIPTION:

One of our greatest battles, whether we realize it or not, is the battle to know truth. This is a difficult quest in a world saturated by the deception of the Enemy. Jesus, though, says we can know the truth, and that when we do it will set us free.

In this series we'll uncover 5 lies too many people believe. As we do, we’ll replace them with some beautiful and freeing truths found in Scripture.

PART 1: "NOT FAIR IS NOT OKAY."

Fairness: it’s one of those values we learn to appreciate from an early age. But is fairness all it’s cracked up to be? In this message we’ll examine whether or not everything should be fair, looking to the example of a God who, in so many cases, has no interest in fairness.

10/12/14 Speaker: Justin Gerhardt

DISCUSSION GUIDE

PART 2: "THE FIRST SHALL BE FIRST."

How much power do you wield on a daily basis? Before you say "Not much," think a bit more. Most of us exert more power than we realize--which means Jesus' one key teaching about power is highly relevant (and potentially disruptive). Thankfully, Jesus teaches his followers how to use their power to bring freedom rather than oppression.

10/19/14 Speaker: Justin Gerhardt

DISCUSSION GUIDE

PART 3: "SEX IS THE BEST AND IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL."

It's a message culture shouts at us on a daily basis: "Sex is the best and it's not a big deal." In other words, sex should be prized above all else, and it's just physical--so the stakes aren't very high. ...But what if all of that is a lie? What if sex is actually not as good--and so much better--than culture says it is?

10/26/14 Speaker: Justin Gerhardt

DISCUSSION GUIDE

PART 4: "LOVE LETS..."

“Loving people are the ones who tolerate the actions of those with whom they disagree.” ...Right? In this message, we’ll explore the relationship between love and tolerance, challenging the idea that tolerance is love, and that intolerance is always the opposite of love. Love, God teaches us, is so much bigger than tolerance. And so much better as well.

11/2/14 Speaker: Justin Gerhardt

DISCUSSION GUIDE

PART 5: "GOD NEEDS OUR HELP."

God is never in trouble.

Why do we need to know this? Every time we feel that God is threatened, we feel that we are threatened. So we try to defend God (and in the process, often hurt others). Meanwhile, God wants us to know that he'll be fine without us coming to his rescue.

11/9/14 Speaker: Mitch East