Have you ever noticed that when someone needs saving, there's usually no way they can save themselves? They always need help from someone else. Join us as we explore what it means to be saved.

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• Ephesians 2:1-10

Sometimes we can get so caught up in trying to "act" like a Christian that we forget what it's all about. We sell ourselves short when all we do is go through the motions. Join us as we chat about how to live as God intended.

Some folks seem so sure of when they were saved by believing in Jesus Christ. They can tell you the date, the time, and where they were at. Others aren't so sure. It's kind of like they grew up this way. How do we know if we're saved or not? Come, find out!

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• Romans 8:12-17

The phrase "born again" carries a lot of preconceived notions from many people. What does it mean to be "born again"? What does it mean to be saved? It might mean something different than you think!

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• John 3:1-17

Can you figure out if someone is a Christian just by observing how they live and act? You should be able to! How about you if you're a Christian? As they say, "actions speak louder than words!"

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• Ephesians 5:1-14

Being saved is not a one time deal. It's not even a sprint; it's a marathon. How do you keep going when you want to quit? What about when life seems to get in the way? There is help, and it's not far away!

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• Colossians 3:14-17

Ordinary people were called by an extraordinary God to a certain territory for His kingdom. What's your territory?

Gale force winds will push you even when you're trying to hold on. Gale force winds push disciples out the doors and "out there" to do incredible stuff through God's Spirit. Are you feeling the gale force wind?

How did Paul know not to go one place, but to go another place? What helps a hero know which way to go?

Experience Jesus' feeding of the 5000 with bread for yourself.

How does God view the church?

Dads who have the heart of a champion play by different rules!

Imagine a different life. That's what Jesus claimed.

God is on mission. You're invited. What's the plan?

What does "rest" mean in the Kingdom of God? Are you well rested?

Jesus' Kingdom of God is a place to belong deeply.

Jesus' Kingdom of God is permanent. How much in your life is permanent?

I can't overcome this guilt feeling I have.

There's someone I can't forgive. In fact, I don't want to forgive them.

When is busyness a sin? How do I get help?

When does "I want more" empty your soul? Have you found what you're looking for?

What's his story? Who does he think he is anyway? It's a slow whine to the bottom, but encouragement to the top.

What good is Easter in real life?

What if our world never had another homeless person? How can one person make a dent in homelessness?

Democrat. Republican. Independent. Gringo. Hispanic. Drunk. OCD. Asian. Black.. White. Pretty. Hot. Dirty. Homeless. Poor. Rich. Unwanted. Immigrant. Labels separate and divide us. Jesus puts them all in one basket and interacts with them. How will we as Christ followers "rock that divide" to such an extent that we see Jesus' face?

Make a difference - one person at a time.

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• Matthew 25 scripture

Jesus comes to move that marriage into the great arena. Get ready to rock your marriage (or relationship)!

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• He Said/She Said
• Frustrated with her
• It is not my fault
• Played 2.14.10 Fireproof, Lead Your Heart
• Played 2.14.10 Love Words
• Played 2.14.10, Fireproof, Apology

Jesus breaks prison chains and sets people free. Hear the sound of chains being broken and become part of a Jesus movement.

Resources

• Be a Prison Pen Pal

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• Hear our Prison Team Share

Hear the stories from our Epiphany Team who ministered in the Culpeper Prison facility last weekend.

Jeff Foxworthy said, “If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world… all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because five minutes at the fair, you'll be going, 'you know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty!' You are dang near royalty! Let God whisper into your family life this season.

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• Matthew 1

God talks. We say, "Are you sure????" "Is that really you???" "Can I get a second opinion???" But look up. God is asking that this year be different. Impossible, you say? Things are set in motion. Expectations are, well, expected. Nah ... It's possible to pare down that list and hear Jesus instead! Let God whisper impossibilities into your ear.

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• Matthew 1

God is on a first name basis with us. That's astounding! How much do you think about being on a first name basis with Jesus? Immanuel: God with us. This name shatters envy, hatred, addictions, the need to be loved, feelings of hopelessness, and pride. Let God whisper about surrender into the world around you.

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• Luke 1
• Chorus of O Holy Night shown in worship

Would you change your entire life schedule for a possibility? How much of a 'sure thing 'would it need to be? Let God whisper to you about heroes and the life changes they make.

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• Matthew 2

Wait! It's a Musical! - a musical centered Sunday of joy and celebration in the birth of Jesus Christ.

In this time of economic depression, there is a silver lining. We can re-examine our priorities and invest in things that last forever.

Did you feel that? Time to notice what you're feeling, hearing and seeing. Tune in and focus upon your soul to live without limits - just like Jesus.

We were not meant to be carbon copies of each other but a reflection of God's image in us. This is to be truly human. "Religion" works from the outside - in, while "Jesus" works from the inside - out. Life soars when it is lived from the inside out.

Pender United Methodist Church exists in Fairfax County to follow Jesus, and He changes everything!

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• Matthew 26

Believing we can matter to the world is hard to focus upon in a place where unbelief shatters confidence. When we actually believe in something, we act upon it. "I believe my children will someday ..." is no good unless we live that out. It's the same with Jesus' plan.

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• Acts 1

Have you ever been suspicious that God was absent from the church? Tell your story.

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• Matthew 16:18

Have you ever given up on a dream?

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• Sermon "Script" - no audio this week

Have you ever tried to be a superhero?

Has there been a time when you heard God calling you? If you answered the call, what did you learn about God?

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• Matthew 28:18-20

Have you discovered a geat mentor? What was the creative process God used in your to discover what you could do?

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• 2 Timothy 1:3-14

So, how do you know when God is talking to you? By knowing something about God's character, we can test whether what we are hearing is in line with who He is. Myth: God is too big and complicated to know. Discovery: a BIG God is, helps us hear.

Myth: God is about control rather than freedom.

So, how do you know when God is talking to you? By knowing something about God's character, we can test whether what we are hearing is in line with who He is. Myth: Once broken, always broken. Discovery: God heals.

WE'LL BE OUTSIDE IN THE TENT TODAY! What does it mean to be a spiritual person? What's your picture?

Discipline can be confused with conformity. But think about it. Without discipline, we end up trying to be like "someone else" other than uniquely how God created us. Let's be different.

Children do not naturally have an inclination for appreciation. Parents have to constantly remind their kids to say “Thank You” by asking the chiding question: “What do you say?” Thank Full Ness seeps into everything we do and every relationship we have.

Enthusiasm is the expression of a passionate relationship with Christ. Without it our Christian witness is like decaffeinated and bitter espresso. In 2 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul gives us a java jolt about the power of enthusiasm to move the heart of God and impact the lives of others.

In Matthew 7 Christ warns against a negative style of expression that has the potential to decaffeinate our Christian witness: the sin of judging others. But the Bible also prescribes a radical procedure that has the power to liberate us from this critical, judgmental spirit.

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• Susan Boyle's Performance at End of Message

Join Dr. Thornton and his wife, Janice, for an adventure in what it means to be a missionary and to send missionaries.

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• GO InterNational

Come. A simple word. It's spoken to you from Jesus's lips: "Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest." The less weary way is followed by the least number of people. A "grinding life" is more common. How did Jesus live life to the max volume without sacrificing soul rest?

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• Matthew 11:28-29

Listen. Another simple word. Do you hear the creek babbling and gurgling? Do you hear the birds singing? Do you hear God speaking to you? Listen for the less weary way today.

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• Luke 10: 38-42

"I want to be great!" Come one - haven't you said it too? The disciples get caught saying it - by Jesus - and they're afraid to own up to their greatness dreams. What do we aspire to become and what arguments does it cause in our lives? See the scripture at Mark 9: 30 - 37.

Links

• Manning Brothers commercial - playful sibling riva
• Necessary Choices - The Devil Wears Prada
• What If?

A person goes for a private chat with Jesus. He wants to know what he has to do to be tight with God. He's a "rule keeper." So, he figures if he gets all of the info down right and checks off his action plan, he'll have it made. And he does well with Jesus - to a point. We've all got some finer points in our life that could get better. Some of us even have larger points in our life that could use some tweaking! But Jesus isn't concerned about those "rules" here. Read the story and see if you can see where and why Jesus is taking this route with this young man. Mark 10: 17 - 27.

A little over 2000 years ago, people PARADED Jesus into Jerusalem. So, we're having a genuine parade with Jesus! This week's worship is different and very much about moving your feet in the parade. We'll be bringing in all of the kids to pick up their puppets they've made and we'll have GIANT (8 feet tall) puppets to help. Imagine - What would it have really been like to be in the parade for Jesus coming into Jerusalem? Are you more a fan or a follower?

It's Easter! Jesus is alive! I asked some folks at a mall a few years ago about who they thought Jesus was. They thought there was an obvious answer: "He was some dead guy on a stick, that's all." It makes all of the difference in the world whether Jesus is alive or dead. Check out Mary's confusion in John 20:10-18. What caused the confusion? Why did she recognize Jesus alive?

Is you life guided by "your call"? It's essential to actually following Jesus.

Spiritual gifts are God’s equipment for each of us to be able to fulfill the call of God in our lives. Gifts are more than natural inclinations. They are spiritually given and they allow us to do things that we never dreamed possible. What are your gifts?

Serving brings joy more than anything else in the spiritual life. Where do you serve? What does it bring to your life? Where is there a need that you feel strongly about? Is God calling you there? Let’s talk about serving this Sunday.

Does your life feel like a paper blowing in the wind? Ecclesiastes is the book to look for wisdom.

The first in a series on how to start with God. Life is interesting and sometimes like a football game. It begins with strategy and ends with a score.

There's always a kick-off! The Super Bowl is here. Are the men in that starting line-up nervous? How did they get where they are today? How does God go about naming MVP's?

Looking at Jacob and his dysfunctional family, is it possible to see God at all? Where does God fit into the picture for any dysfunctional family?