This is the Grace Heritage Church messages distribution list.
 
Outlines and links to audio messages from Grace Heritage Church are sent out each week.  This is a great way to get the word out about Grace Heritage Church and to spread the benefit of the teaching we receive each week.  We encourage you to forward these mailings to others you think would benefit from the teaching ministry of Grace Heritage Church.
 
To unsubscribe or change your subscription options, go to http://www.graceheritage.org/mailman/listinfo/messages and scroll to the bottom for further instructions.  Basic outlines of many of the messages on our web site can be found in the Messages list archives, which are available to subscribers.
 

Note: Right-click on download link to save.

Audio Links Date Occasion Topic Speaker
Play |
Download  		 Nov 07 2004 AM Worship Complete service Paul Stith
Play |
Download  		 Nov 07 2004 AM Worship Sermon Happy Trials to You (James 1:1-4) Paul Stith
Play |
Download  		 Nov 07 2004 AM Bible study Desiring God: Missions, the Battle Cry of Christian Hedonism Stan Reeves

Sermon Outline

 

Happy Trials to You

James 1:1-4 

 

1.  A Birds-Eye View of the Book

            1a.  The AuthorJames, the half-brother of Jesus.

 

            1b.  Datec. A.D. 49.

 

            1c.  Recipientsthe scattered Jewish Christians.

 

2.  Develop a Christian Response to trials (2)

            2a.  Dont pretend they wont or shouldnt come.

 

            2b.  Dont be surprised when trials come

 

            2c.  Dont be overwhelmed by the makeup of your trials

           

3.  Keep in mind the purpose of the trial (3)

            3a.  Trials illuminate the object of our faith

           

            3b.  Trials produce steadfastness in our faith           

 

4.  Cooperate with the process that leads to maturity (4)

            4a.  Dont short-circuit the process

             

4b.  Dont stop pursuing the goal

 

Application Activities/Questions:

 

1.  Think together of some examples of how difficulty increases the strength of things.

 

2.  Think about the last trial you encountered.  How did you respond?  Did you look for a ways to trust God and to be more like Christ?

 

3.  What is the last trial you have faced as a family?  How did you respond?  How did your response reflect a grasp or a lack of the principles in this passage?

 

4.  Have you considered that the only proper response to trials comes out of a personal relationship with Christ?  Perhaps you need to count this as your starting point.

 

Bible Study Outline

 

DESIRING GOD
 
Missions: The Battle Cry of Christian Hedonism
 
 
All things considered, your greatest happiness can be achieved by committing yourself according to your calling to the task of world missions.

Rev. 5:9; 6:9-11

1) God is clearly pleased to bring salvation to the nations. If we are most satisfied in God, then we will want to experience the pleasure of making him known and of feeling his pleasure in bringing salvation to all peoples; but 2) this enterprise will clearly be quite costly!

1. Christ promises great reward for sacrifices made on his behalf.

a. The gain is many times greater than the loss. Mark 10:25-30

b. The suffering is minuscule compared to the glory. 2 Cor. 4:17

c. The glory ultimately reflects back to God, not us. 2 Cor. 3:5

d. Friends in heaven are better than money on earth. Luke 16:9

e. An experience is never completely enjoyed until it is shared.

2. We can be certain of fruitful results.

a. There are those who object that believing in the sovereignty of God in salvation will stifle our zeal for evangelism and missions. But the very opposite is true! Acts 18:9-10, John 6:37, John 10:14-16

b. We can be certain of fruitful results through the use of the appropriate means. Rom. 10:14-15