Clue #4 -- Freedom: 052511

Tonight we finished our series called Clue. During this series we looked at four ways that the Holy Spirit can affect our lives if we allow him to be part of it. Week 1 taught us that the Holy Spirit can change us from bad to good. Week 2 taught us that the Holy Spirit can use us to change the world. Week 3 taught us that the Holy Spirit can give us direction and guidence. And tonight we learned from a man named Onesimus that we can have freedom because of the Holy Spirit. In the Bible we learn of a man named Onisemus who was a runaway slave that is sent back to his master by the apostle Paul after he has converted Onesimus. Later we find out in christian tradition that he was released by his master and ended up as the Bishop of the Ephesus, a town of about 250,000 people. He was freed from the role of slave but more importantly he was freed from slavery to sin when he was saved and allowed the Holy Spirit to have reign in his life. 2nd Corinthians 3:17 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Many of us are slaves to sin because we have never gained forgiveness from our sins through Christ (what we call salvation). Many of us are slaves to addictions, things that have latched on and we can't seem to stop doing (drugs, alcohol, sex, porn, tobacco, etc...). And some of us are also slaves to depression. People have hurt us and we are on the brink of life, thining we want to die because we can't take it any longer. But Christ is ready to set you free through the Spirit! You can have freedom, you just have to turn to him!

I give tonight: B
Favorite Moment: The revealing of the prankster

Clue #3 -- Head vs. Heart: 051811

Tonight we studied the life of Paul/Saul as he is transformed by the Holy Spirit. In Acts we learn of Paul being well versed in the scriptures and passionate to keep God's commands but he was still lacking true knowledge of who God was. He hated christians, hunting them down to throw them in jail or kill them. Yet he was transformed on the road to a town called Damascus as Jesus appeared to him, blinding him. Then a disciple of Jesus' named Ananias is sent to heal him and baptized Paul in the Holy Spirit. From this point on Paul was transformed. He didn't just think he knew God, he did. He didn't just think he knew what he was supposed to be doing, he was actually directed by God. We too can find direction from the Holy Spirit, he can give us the guidenance we sorely need. He can also help us to understand and know God better.

I give tonight: B-
Favorite moment: Popcorn!

Clue #2 -- Using What We Are -- 051111

Tonight we continued our series entitled clue in which we are looking at different biblical character's lives and seeing what changed them. Tonight we looked at Peter who went from a brave loudmouth that spoke, sometimes ridiculous, things and turned into ....well a brave loudmouth who changed the world by sharing the message of Christ. In our last message we talked about how God, through the Holy Spirit can change us from going one direction with our actions and attitudes and turns us around 180 degrees. But tonight we talked about how the Holy Spirit, if we allow him to, can take what we already are and use it to do great things.

I give tonight: A
Favorite Moment: Skylor wanting to open the present

Clue #1 -- 180 Degrees -- 050411

Tonight we started a new series called Clue. In this series we are looking for what changed people and thus what can change us. In tonight's message we checked out John the apostle. He went from an angry, jealous, and power hungry individual to becoming a man known for love. So what changed him? He was changed by two things, salvation through belief in Jesus and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. We can have this same 180 degree change in our lives. We can be one way (lying, lust, anger, stubbornness, fear, etc...) and if we allow God to chagne them we can be completely different. We can't do it on our own....only God can chagne us! How? #1. Accept Jesus as your Savior. #2. Invite the Holy Spirit to come in and change you. #3. Tarry (wait and keep praying until God makes that change in you).

I give tonight: B-

Favorite Moment: Group Resplit