Discovery Community Church - Tacoma

Facing It With FaithDon't Shrink!Bobby HumesToday's Scripture: Hebrews 10:38-39 NIV Hebrews 10:38-39 NIVBut my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. James 2:19 NIVYou believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. Romans 8:28 NIVAnd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Ephesians 2:8-10 NIVFor it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Hebrews 11:1 KJVNow faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. James 2:14-17 NIVWhat good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Romans 12:3 NIVFor by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Mark 9:23b-24 NIV“Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”1) RECOGNIZE THE RACE, THROW OFF THE WEIGHT, AVOID THE TANGLE, AND RUN BY FAITHHebrews 12:1 NIVTherefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2) STAND UP TO SIN BY FAITH1 Corinthians 10:13 NIVNo temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 3) BE WASHED (RINSE AND REPEAT)1 John 1:9 NIVIf we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 4) TRUST GOD BY FAITHProverbs 3:5-6 NIVTrust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Hebrews 11:7 NIVBy faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. Hebrews 11:8 NIVBy faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. Hebrews 11:11 NIVAnd by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. Hebrews 11:35b-39 NIVThere were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, Hebrews 12:1b-3 NIVAnd let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

MONSTERS: Faith and the Problem of PainGod FOR Us and WITH UsBobby HumesToday's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-4, 4:7-12, & 4:16-18 ESV __________John 16:33 ESV33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. Romans 5:3-4 ESVNot only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, Psalms 119:71 ESVIt is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. 2 Corinthians 1:1-4 ESVPaul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 ESVBut we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESVSo we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 1) THE FATHER2 Corinthians 1:3 ESVBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. Micah 7:18-19 MSGWhere is the god who can compare with you - wiping the slate clean of guilt, Turning a blind eye, a deaf ear, to the past sins of your purged and precious people? You don't nurse your anger and don't stay angry long, for mercy is your specialty. That's what you love most. And compassion is on its way to us. You'll stamp out our wrongdoing. You'll sink our sins to the bottom of the ocean. 2 Corinthians 1:4 ESVwho comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2) THE SON2 Corinthians 1:5 ESVFor as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 1 Peter 4:12-13 ESVBeloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 2 Corinthians 1:6 ESVIf we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Isaiah 48:10 ESVBehold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. 3) THE BROKEN1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 ESV 2 Corinthians 4:10 ESV 4) TOMORROW TODAY2 Corinthians 4:16-18 ESV

LEGO: A Foundation That LastsFaith Redeems CommunityJon FredricksToday's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:11 GNT__________ 2 Corinthians 13:11 GNT11 And now, my friends, good-bye! 2 Corinthians 3:11 NIV11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 3:11 WE11 Now, my brothers, in closing I say, `Goodbye.' Be what you should be. Listen to what I say. Be good to each other. Agree with one another. Live in peace with one another. And the God who gives love and peace will be with you. 1 Peter 2:10 NIV10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God… Psalm 68:6 NIV6 God sets the lonely in families… John 13:34-35 NIV34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 1) MEND WHAT IS BROKENLuke 15:2 NIV2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”Luke 15:6 NIV6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ Luke 15:9 NIV9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ Luke 15:22-28 NIV22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 2) FROM THEM BEFORE MEHebrews 3:13 NIV13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 10:25 NIV25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. 3) FIND AGREEMENTPhilippians 2:1-4 NIVTherefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Matthew 18:19 NIV19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 4) CULTIVATE PEACEMark 9:50 NIV50 "Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Romans 12:18 NIV18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

LEGO: A Foundation That LastsCurrent State of the CultureBobby HumesToday's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:1-6 ESV___________ Romans 12:2 ESVDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 ESV... in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, Matthew 28:19 ESV19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 2 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV 2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESVFor the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. Luke 6:43-45 ESVFor no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Galatians 6:1-2 ESVBrothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Romans 12:4-6 ESVFor as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: Galatians 6:2 ESVBear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:9-10 ESVAnd let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. Proverbs 27:17 NIVAs iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. 1) CHRIST'S AMBASSADORS2 Corinthians 5:20 ESVTherefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. John 17:16 ESVThey are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. Jude 1:3-4 ESVBeloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 2) WEAPONS UNSEEN2 Corinthians 10:1-6 ESVI, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV John 15:12-14 ESV

LEGO: A Foundation That LastsDeveloping a DependanceJon FredricksToday's Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 __________Hebrews 11:6 NIVAnd without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Luke 18:8 NIVHowever, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” 2 Corinthians 1:24 NIV24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm. 2 Corinthians 1:8 NIV8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 NIV7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 1:9 NIV9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 2 Timothy 1:12 NIV12 because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. Proverbs 3:5 NIV5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Jude 1:20 NIV20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, Colossians 2:6-7 NIV6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Exodus 20:3 NIV3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 1) REFLECT ON WHAT YOU TYPICALLY LEAN INTO (TRUST)2 Corinthians 1:8 NIV8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Philippians 3:4-7 NIV4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 2) MAKE A DECISION TO CHANGE ALLEGIANCE2 Corinthians 1:10 NIV 3) CREATE SPACE TO DEVELOP DEPENDANCE2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV 4) PRACTICE THE WAITRomans 8:25 NIV Psalm 27:14 NIV Isaiah 40:31 ESV