Cheraw First Baptist Chruch

EPHESIANS 2:1-10

EPHESIANS 1:15-23

EPHESIANS 1:1-14 - One of our deepest longings is to belong. Belonging is important because it includes our identity and our purpose. We were not created to be loners; we were created to belong to Christ. God has had a plan before the foundations of the world and that plan included you and I. This week we begin looking at the book of Ephesians. In this book we will discover three main aspects identity, belonging, and calling. As we begin today we will look to answer three questions about belonging through our text.

2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-10 - Have you ever watched the show Hoarders? On this reality TV show people have made a lifestyle of holding onto what they have while family and friends confront their loved ones to clean the stuff out. This morning we will see from Paul’s writings the importance of giving. Art Rainer stated it best when he said, “God did not design us to be hoarders, but conduits through which His generosity flows.” I want us to look at the grace of giving, and focus on 3 principles about giving.

JOSHUA 1:1-9 - We all want to be successful. No one wants to be a failure. How do we live a successful life? The world has several ways to determine if a life is successful, but God only has one way. Today we will see God’s design for successful living through the life of Joshua. Do you determine success the same way God does? There are 4 areas I want to point out as we look at the road to success.

REVELATION 3:14-22

JOHN 13:1-17; 14:12 - Leadership is an essential aspect in the church today. As a covenant member of this local body God has gifted each of us with various gifts and talents to be used in the local church. We can read thousands of books on leadership that are published in our secular society, but we can learn far more from the example of Jesus’ life. The only way we can lead our homes, children, community, and church is through Jesus. This morning, I want us to focus on 3 “C’s” on which Jesus focused His leadership.

I PETER 1:3-7 - The word "hope" is something we use often, and often that hope is misplaced. Our hope is misplaced because we put it in temporal things. In our text, Peter tells of the hope we have, and this morning we will look at where our hope needs to be. Where have you placed your hope?

COLOSSIANS 3:23-24 - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

LUKE 5:1-11 - 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... take off. We are launching out into our community and New Jersey over the course of the summer. The word launch means to start or set in motion. Cheraw First Baptist, God is setting us in motion sharing the good news with our neighbors. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus calls His first disciples to a life of discipleship by following Him. This call to launch out is a command Jesus gives and we must respond. We will look at three important factors to launching out.