New Day Christian Church - Weston, WI

James (Dan Mandigo)

Key verses James 1:1-4

Living stones

1 Peter 2:5 (NLT)  And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 

Scattered

Acts 8:4 (NLT)  But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 

How to Engage People with the Good News: LOVE. LISTEN. DISCERN. RESPOND.

What is the Good News?

    SIN: Romans 3:23 (NLT)  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 

    DEATH: Romans 6:23 (NLT)  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

    LOVE: Romans 5:8 (NLT)  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 

    FAITH: Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) 8  God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 

    LIFE: Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) 9  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10  For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Engaging the Good Soil

How did Jesus engage the good soil? (John 4:25-30)

LOVE: Go OUT of your WAY. You need to SEE them.

LISTEN: Build a RELATIONSHIP.

DISCERN: They have an OPEN, soft, and TEACHABLE heart. They are ready to LISTEN. Observe their   RESPONSE to the Gospel.

RESPOND: Ask, “What is KEEPING you from receiving Jesus?”

Engaging the Thorny Heart

How did Jesus engage the thorny heart? (Mark 10:17-22)

• LOVE: Have a heart of COMPASSION.

• LISTEN: Listen to their QUESTIONS. Be READY with an answer.

• DISCERN: They aren’t READY to COMMIT. LIP service vs. a HEART condition and relationship.

• RESPOND: Make the COST CLEAR.

Engaging the Rocky Heart

How Did Jesus Engage Rocky Hearts? (Luke 17:11-19) 

    LOVE: Be available to MINISTER no matter whom you may encounter.

    LISTEN: Listen to their NEEDS.

    DISCERN: Recognize the OBVIOUS. There may be a LACK of CONSISTENCY.

    RESPOND: Speak with AUTHORITY.

Engaging Hard Ground

How Did Jesus Engage The Hard Heart? (Matthew 13:53-58)

1. L_______: Go _____ and Make Yourself ____________.

2. L_______: Listen To Their _________.

3. D________: Their Heart is _________.

4. R________: Move _____ and Don’t _________ It.

How to Save a Life

BIG IDEA: People will respond to the Good News of Jesus in different ways; their response is not your responsibility.

WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS? Acts 10:36 (NLT)  This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

Four Soils from the Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed (Luke 8:4-15)

1. _______________

2. _______________

3. _______________

4. _______________

Resurrection Sunday (Easter 2015)

Matthew 28:1, 5-6 (NLT) 1  Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.  5  Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”   

The Five Stage of Grief: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. (Kubler-Ross, On Death and Dying)

Five Reactions to the Resurrection (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20)

    F______

    D_______

    D_______

    A___________

    W_______

John 20:29 (NLT)  Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have _______ _____. Blessed are those who believe without ________ ____.” 

Excess Baggage (Dan Vergin)

Matthew 11:28-30  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”