C C. AUGUST 2/3, 2014 WHY OBEY GOD S DIRECTIVES? Titus 2:11-15 (p. 1018) Pastor Dennis Keating

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1 AUGUST 2/3, 2014 WHY OBEY GOD S DIRECTIVES? Titus 2:11-15 (p. 1018) Pastor Dennis Keating Scan the above QR code with your smart phone / tablet scanner to access the weekly outline notes PDF and fill-ins on the EFCC Sermon Messages page online at Grace refers to God s of the. (See John 1:14) AUGUST 2/3, 2014 QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL PRAYER AND REFLECTION EFCC Small Groups are on summer break until September. These questions are provided for personal prayer, reflection and application. There will be no sermon video blog during the summer. Re-read the five verses and review your sermon outline and notes. THE MAIN POINT FIVE WAYS Our with God s grace has. (See 1 Cor. 15:10) 1. Reflect on how your life is different because of God s grace. Consider: What trajectory do you think your life would have taken, versus what it has taken? What type of a person would you have been (values, priorities, characteristics, etc.), versus who you are and are becoming? What would your relationships have been like, versus what they are like? How happy/satisfied/fulfilled would you have been, versus where you are today and the future that awaits you? Now take some time to thank God for His abundant grace to you! 1. Grace us. (2:11; 1 John 2:2; John 10:9; Rom. 10:13) 2. Grace us. (2:12) 2. In what ways did the exercise above add fuel to your heart s desire to live to bring more and more honor to God? C C 3. Grace us. (2:13) sinful behavior (See Eph. 4:29) godly behavior 3. In what ways do you typically show God your appreciation for His grace? What s something new you can do this week to further show gratitude? (Look at your notes from the sections in the message on Grace Teaches and Grace Enables. ) THE POINT Jesus is to us. (See 2 Cor. 5:10) 4. Grace us. (2:14; 1 Peter 2:9) 4. Review the fifth thing grace does (Holds us Accountable). Have you been taking advantage of grace? (Jude 4) How so? Go ahead and confess that and renew your commitment to using grace the way God intends for it to be used (1 Corinthians 15:10). 5. Grace holds us. (2:15) OUR CHALLENGE Grace doesn t allow you to do whatever without (See Jude 4) but what you without. (The 2014 Bible reading plan continues for the months of August and September. Pick up a reading plan in the foyer this weekend or visit on our web site.) Using Our S.O.A.P. Journal Devotional On the following page, you can dive deeper into God s Word from our study passage via the weekly S.O.A.P. Journal (S.O.A.P. stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer). Our hope in providing this S.O.A.P. companion to the current sermon series is that you will grow deeper in your relationship with the Lord.

2 S.O.A.P. Devotional Journal Each day this week, please read through the verses provided. As you move through the week in the passages below, look for something new you didn t notice the day before and include that observation in your S.O.A.P. Journal notes below. MONDAY SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:11-15; 3:1-11; John 1:9-18 As we lead up to our 75th Celebration, will you join us in praying for 75 Days that God will continue to use Emmanuel Faith Community Church to reach others for Christ and to honor God by living like Jesus? For more info visit Each day includes a verse about God s faithfulness and a ministry for which you can pray, with the local ministry leader noted in parenthesis. TUESDAY SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:11-15; Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 98:1-3 WEDNESDAY SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:11-15; Isaiah 55:6-11; Romans 6:1-11 THURSDAY SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:11-15; Romans 8:12-17; Psalm 4 Day 1, August 3, Deut. 7:9, The Bridge (Ernie Martinez) Pray this community outreach ministry will continue to bring students to EFCC where they will make life-transforming decisions for Christ. Day 2, August 4, Ps. 31:23, Preaching of the Word (Dennis Keating) Pray for God s wisdom in the selection of sermon topics and illustrations, and the Holy Spirit s leading in the delivery of the messages. Day 3, August 5, Isa. 55:3, Touch of Love (Carol Miller) Pray this visitation ministry will bless and encourage those who are unable to attend our worship services because of poor health. Day 4, August 6, 1 Cor. 1:9, Memorial Ministry (Carrie Claxton and Karen Corr) Pray that each memorial at EFCC will comfort those who are mourning. Day 5, August 7, 1 Cor. 10:13, Women in the Word (Leslie Campos) Pray that women will continue to grow, connect and share within this in-depth Bible study. FRIDAY SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:11-15; Romans 8:23-30; 2 Peter 3:14-18 Day 6, August 8, 1 Thess. 5:24, Men on a Mission (Mark Pearsey) As these men work on various projects, both at church and as mission trips, pray for safety and that God s love pours out of them and blesses those they serve. Day 7, August 9, 2 Thess. 3:3, Fathers in Training (Jaisen Fuson) Pray this ministry equips godly fathers and grandfathers to influence future generations.

3 August 2/3, 2014 Why Obey God s Directives? Titus 2:11-15 (p. 1018) Pastor Dennis Keating (For Scripture references and fill-in the blanks) Grace refers to God s blessing of the undeserving. (See John 1:14) The Word became flesh and dwelt among us; and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father full of grace and truth. John 1:14 THE MAIN POINT: Our experience with God s grace has changed everything. (See 1 Cor. 15:10) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 FIVE WAYS 1. Grace saves us. (2:11; 1 John 2:2; John 10:9; Rom. 10:13) And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins. And not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. John 10:9 Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13 2. Grace instructs us. (2:12) - Renounce sinful behavior (see Eph. 4:29) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth. Ephesians 4:29 - Develop godly behavior 3. Grace assures us. (2:13) THE POINT: Jesus is coming back to evaluate us. (See 2 Cor. 5:10) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each. one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 4. Grace enables us. (2:14; 1 Peter 2:9) Plain common sense may tell you that you are caught in a rut of fate or futility; grace promises that you can trust God to have a better tomorrow than the day that you have made for yourself today. Lewis Smedes

4 You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. 1 Peter 2:9 5. Grace holds us accountable. (2:15) OUR CHALLENGE: Grace doesn t allow you to do whatever you want without penalty, but what you should do without reservation. (See Jude 4) turn the grace of God into licentiousness. Jude 4

5 August Bible Reading Plan God s Word is relevant and sufficient for every generation, and He uses it among other ways to encourage, comfort, correct, and guide those who spend time with Him in the Word. Our monthly reading plan continues with August and September (see reverse side), as you read through the entire Bible this year. Please consider this as just a guide. The ultimate goal enjoy your daily time with your Heavenly Father! Aug. 1: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Prov. 20:13-15 Aug. 2: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Prov. 20:16-18 Aug. 3: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19 Aug. 4: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Prov. 20:20-21 Aug. 5: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23 Aug. 6: Ezra 3:1-4:23; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25 Aug. 7: Ezra 4:24-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27 Aug. 8: Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30 Aug. 9: Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2 Aug. 10: Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3 Aug. 11: Nehemiah 1:1-3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-24; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4 Aug. 12: Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:25-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Prov. 21:5-7 Aug. 13: Nehemiah 5:14-7:73; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Prov. 21:8-10 Aug. 14: Nehemiah 7:73-9:21; 1 Corinthians 9:1-18; Psalm 33:12-22; Prov. 21:11-12 Aug. 15: Nehemiah 9:22-10:39: 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 34:1-10; Prov. 21:13 Aug. 16: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26; 1 Corinthians 10:14-33; Psalm 34:11-22; Prov. 21:14-16 Aug. 17: Nehemiah 12:27-13:31; 1 Corinthians 11:1-16; Psalm 35:1-16; Prov. 21:17-18 Aug. 18: Esther 1:1-3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20 Aug. 19: Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22 Aug. 20: Esther 8:1-10:3; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13; Psalm 37:1-11; Prov. 21:23-24 Aug. 21: Job 1:1-3:26; 1 Corinthians 14:1-17; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 21:25-26 Aug. 22: Job 4:1-7:21; 1 Corinthians 14:18-40; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 21:27 Aug. 23: Job 8:1-11:20; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 21:28-29 Aug. 24: Job 12:1-15:35; 1 Corinthians 15:29-58; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 21:30-31 Aug. 25: Job 16:1-19:29; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 22:1 Aug. 26: Job 20:1-22:30; 2 Corinthians 1:1-11; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 22:2-4 Aug. 27: Job 23:1-27:23; 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 22:5-6 Aug. 28: Job 28:1-30:31; 2 Corinthians 2:12-17; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 22:7 Aug. 29: Job 31:1-33:33; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 22:8-9 Aug. 30: Job 34:1-36:33; 2 Corinthians 4:1-12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 22:10-12 Aug. 31: Job 37:1-39:30; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:10; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 22:13 September Bible Reading Plan Continuing this month, our Bible Reading Plan inserts include two months of readings. Each month s plan will be available on our web site at or extra copies also are available in the Worship Center foyer. Sept. 1: Job 40:1-42:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 22:14 Sept. 2: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 22:15 Sept. 3: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16 Sept. 4: Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 22:17-19 Sept. 5: Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Psalm 49:1-20; Prov. 22:20-21 Sept. 6: Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16; 2 Cor. 8:16-24; Psalm 50:1-23; Prov. 22:22-23 Sept. 7: Song of Solomon 5:1-8:14; 2 Cor. 9:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19; Prov. 22:24-25 Sept. 8: Isaiah 1:1-2:22; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 22:26-27 Sept. 9: Isaiah 3:1-5:30; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 22:28-29 Sept. 10: Isaiah 6:1-7:25; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 23:1-3 Sept. 11: Isaiah 8:1-9:21; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 23:4-5 Sept. 12: Isaiah 10:1-11:16; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 23:6-8 Sept. 13: Isaiah 12:1-14:32; 2 Corinthians 13:1-14; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 23:9-11 Sept. 14: Isaiah 15:1-18:7; Galatians 1:1-24; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 23:12 Sept. 15: Isaiah 19:1-21:17; Galatians 2:1-16; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 23:13-14 Sept. 16: Isaiah 22:1-24:23; Galatians 2:17-3:9; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 23:15-16 Sept. 17: Isaiah 25:1-28:13; Galatians 3:10-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 23:17-18 Sept. 18: Isaiah 28:14-30:11; Galatians 3:23-4:31; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 23:19-21 Sept. 19: Isaiah 30:12-33:9; Galatians 5:1-12; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 23:22 Sept. 20: Isaiah 33:10-36:22; Galatians 5:13-26; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 23:23 Sept. 21: Isaiah 37:1-38:22; Galatians 6:1-18; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 23:24 Sept. 22: Isaiah 39:1-41:16; Ephesians 1:1-23; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 23:25-28 Sept. 23: Isaiah 41:17-43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 23:29-35 Sept. 24: Isaiah 43:14-45:10; Ephesians 3:1-21; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 24:1-2 Sept. 25: Isaiah 45:11-48:11; Ephesians 4:1-16; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 24:3-4 Sept. 26: Isaiah 48:12-50:11; Ephesians 4:17-32; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 24:5-6 Sept. 27: Isaiah 51:1-53:12; Ephesians 5:1-33; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 24:7 Sept. 28: Isaiah 54:1-57:14; Ephesians 6:1-24; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 24:8 Sept. 29: Isaiah 57:15-59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 24:9-10 Sept. 30: Isaiah 60:1-62:5; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 24:11-12