Impact Church Menifee

Key Scripture: Malachi 1:6-14 When it comes to gifts, "it's the thought that counts." When it comes to God, it's the heart that counts the most. The things we give to God and others are often tainted with sin and corrupted with selfishness. We give in order to gain and to get ahead. However, Jesus was the perfect Sacrifice, accepted by God on our behalf. We can now give joyfully, because of everything He has given to us. Scripture References and Quotes: 1. Hebrews 11:4 2. Isaiah 64:6 3. 2 Corinthians 9:7 4. Acts 20:35 5. 2 Samuel 24:23-24

Key Scripture: Malachi 1:1-5 "God loves you" is a phrase we hear often in church and usually take for granted. Yet when we go through pain and hardship, it's easy to doubt His love. To rest and revel in His love, we must understand it correctly. God's love isn't like human emotion or sentimentality. His love means He has chosen to enter into an unbreakable Covenant of steadfast loyalty and love with you, fulfilled by the Cross. Stop trying to earn what you already have. God loves you! Scripture References and Quotes: Quote: “We are frequently told, indeed, that the great danger of the theological student lies precisely in his constant contact with divine things. They may come to seem common to him because they are customary…The very atmosphere of your life is these things; you breathe them in at every pore: they surround you, encompass you, press in upon you from every side. It is all in danger of becoming common to you! God forgive you, you are in danger of becoming weary of God!” - B.B. Warfield 1. Deuteron

Key Scripture: Ephesians 4:1 As we follow Christ, we follow Him into our calling. God has made you for a life of significance. He has given you unique experiences, passions, talents and gifts - all of which He wants to use to make Christ-disciples and further His redemptive purpose in the world. Do you know your calling? Scripture References and Quotes: 1. Genesis 1:27 2. Psalm 139:14 3. Ephesians 2:10 4. Matthew 5:13-14 5. 1 Samuel 3:1-10 6. Jeremiah 18:1-6 7. "Just think: You are here not by chance but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else; you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation. You are God's masterpiece. You have God's blessings and can do all things through God’s strength working in and through You!" - Roy Lessin

Key Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 Christian community is vital to Christian discipleship. While most of us would love to belong to a supportive, sacrificial community like the early Church, we fail to devote ourselves to the same things: the apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking bread and prayer. Until we recapture these devotions, our small groups will be nothing more than a gathering with friends - enjoyable, but void of disciple-making power. Scripture References and Quotes: 1. 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 2. Luke 6:46-49 3. Deuteronomy 4:2 4. Acts 15:37-38 5. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

Key Scripture: Luke 5:17-26 Church isn't just where you make friends, it's where you make family. We all need strong community to encourage us, challenge us and support us on our journey toward Christ-likeness. This can’t happen exclusively on Sunday mornings. Community is a seven-days-a-week thing. It means sharing your life with others and allowing them to share their lives with you. Do you have community, or are you still trying to do it alone? Scripture References and Quotes: 1. Genesis 2:18 2. 1 Peter 5:8 3. Ephesians 2:1-2 4. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Key Scripture: Matthew 22:15-22 To be a Christ-disciple means to be Christ-like. True spiritual growth isn’t measured by Bible-knowledge or how many hours per week we pray. The only real measure of Christian maturity is whether or not we’re becoming like Jesus in our character. Do we speak like Him, treat others like Him, think like Him, love like Him? Are we more like Him today than we were yesterday? Scripture References and Quotes: 1. Psalm 139:1-4 2. Proverbs 27:6 3. Luke 11:39-40 4. Mark 4:22 5. Genesis 1:27 6. Romans 5:12 7. Colossians 1:15 8. Hebrews 1:3 9. Ephesians 4:11-13 “It should amaze us to realize that when the Creator of the universe wanted to create something ‘in His image,’ something more like Himself than all the rest of creation, He made us! Every single human being, no matter how much the image of God is marred by sin, or illness, or weakness, or age, or any other disability, still has the status of being in God’s image and therefore must be treated with the dignity and respect that is d

Key Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4 There is nothing and no one more important than Christ Himself. To be His disciple requires knowing and following Him every day. You can’t become like someone you don’t know, which makes relationship the foundation of discipleship. Do you know Jesus rightly? Do you know Him intimately? Scripture References and Quotes: Matthew 7:21-23 1 John 5:19-20 John 17:3 4 Philippians 3:8 Ephesians 1:17

Key Scripture: Mark 10:17-22 Far worse than failure is succeeding at things that don't really matter. There are many good things a church can do, but what is the most important thing to accomplish? Making Disciples. Jesus is calling you to follow Him - to copy who He is and imitate what He does; to watch Him and learn from Him as you become more like Him. It won't be easy, but He is worth it! Scripture References and Quotes: Matthew 21:18-20 Galatians 3:3 John 15:5 Luke 14:25-27 Luke 9:57-62 Philippians 3:8 Matthew 13:44

Key Scripture: Joshua 4:1-24 This time of year is often characterized with goal setting and planning ahead so that this new year is better then the last, which is great! But before we run into this next year, let's stop and look at what God has already done. Stopping to see God’s faithfulness may be looking at the past but that just might be what we need to have faith for the future. References and Quotes: 1 Samuel 17:32-37

Key Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 It's the most wonderful time of the year. It can also be the most stressful and overwhelming time of the year. There's so much we have to do, so much we need to buy and so many people we're trying to make happy. During these times, we must remember the good news we tend to forget: God sent His only Son to save and redeem us and to make us right with Him. Not only does He see you, He has called you into His family and given you the privilege of worshipping Him. Glory to God in the highest! Scripture References and Quotes: Matthew 13:13-16 Psalm 27:1 Romans 1:18 Nahum 1:2 Matthew 26:39 Romans 5:1 Psalm 51:12 Ephesians 2:13 “I can safely say, on the authority of all that is revealed in the Word of God, that any man or woman on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven.” - A.W. Tozer

Key Scripture: Luke 1:5-25 John the Baptist isn't included in the nativity, but he's a big part of the Christmas story. He was chosen by God to prepare the way for Jesus in the world. He did this so well, Jesus called him the greatest man who ever lived. Today, you and I are called to prepare the way for Christ in the lives of others. We represent Him in the way we live and in how we love. Is this the kind of greatness you're pursuing? Scripture References and Quotes: 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 Mark 3:21 John 1:46 Matthew 11:7-11 John 1:29-31

Key Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 We often miss out on God's plans for us because we feel unworthy or we're simply unwilling. When an angel appeared to Mary, telling her she was chosen to bring Christ into the world, she was stunned. How could God choose a nobody like her to do such an incredible thing? While Mary knew her inadequacies, she also knew the greatness of God. While she knew the road ahead would be difficult, she also knew it would be worth it. Are you willing to allow God to use your life according to His will? Scripture References and Quotes: Luke 1:28-29 Hebrews 13:5 Matthew 1:23 Ephesians 3:20 1 Corinthians 4:1 1 Peter 2:16 Galatians 1:10

Key Scripture: Mark 3:13-19 Description: Christmas is the perfect holiday. Lights shining, music playing, and everyone looking so jolly in those well-staged social media posts. With everything and everyone around us so perfect, is it any wonder we feel like we don’t fit in? Our fears, faults and failures make us feel defective - like an outsider, a reject, a misfit. The Christmas story is all about misfits. Jesus came into this world as a Misfit and called other misfits to follow Him and gave them a place to belong. He’s still calling misfits today. Will you answer? Scripture References and Quotes: James 2:5 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 1 Samuel 16:6-7 Isaiah 66:2 1 Peter 5:5 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 John 15:19

Key Scripture: Acts 28:23-31 One day, we will stand in the company of the great men and women of faith who have gone before us. Theirs is an example of what it means to follow Jesus with uncompromising conviction and unwavering devotion. It’s easy for us to let the cares and concerns of this life distract us from following Him with our whole heart. We pursue lesser goals and waste too much time chasing after things that don’t ultimately matter. God is still writing His Story in this world through the Church. Will you be a part of it? Scripture References and Quotes: “In Acts, we see Christianity, the real thing, in action for the first time in human history. Here we are seeing the Church in its first youth, valiant and unspoiled - a body of ordinary men and women joined in an unconquerable fellowship never before seen on this earth. This surely is the Church as it was meant to be. These people did not make ‘acts of faith,’ they believed, they did not ‘say their prayers,’ they really prayed. They did not hold

Key Scripture: Acts 27 Life is full of storms. We sail along with clear and sunny skies until the wind suddenly changes and we find ourselves holding on for dear life. When seasons of hardship come, how do we keep our lives from falling apart? How can we hear and trust God’s voice in the midst of trial and difficulty? Even when we can’t understand, His promises and purpose never fail. While storms aren’t optional, shipwreck is. Scripture References and Quotes: John 16:33 Matthew 7:24-27 1 Peter 3:17 Matthew 7:13-14 Hebrews 6:17-18 James 1:2 Philippians 1:21

Key Scripture: Acts 21:1-14 We all want to make sense of suffering. When things get hard, we want to know why. Why would God allow something so horrible to happen to me? There's a common fatal flaw in our thinking that God would never want us to suffer, yet Paul's life and words indicate He isn't nearly as concerned with our comfort as we think He should be. God's priorities are His glory and our maturity, and suffering often brings these things about. Are you going through a trial today? Trust His will for your life! Scripture References and Quotes: Luke 22:42 Philippians 2:5-8 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 Romans 8:18 Philippians 3:10 “If you seek God as the nonnegotiable good of your life, you will get happiness thrown in. If, however, you aim mainly at personal happiness, you will get neither.” ― Timothy Keller

Key Scripture: Acts 20:17-38 The need for Christ-like leaders in the Church has never been greater. Too many of us come to church, we listen and learn, but we don't grow. We need leaders of character who are willing to live as an example of what it means to follow Jesus every day. We tend to celebrate spiritual gifts and spectacular exploits more than simple acts of service and obedience, yet Jesus told us that we’ll know them by their fruits not by their gifts. Leadership in its simplest form is influence, and each of us has influence in the lives of others. Who are you leading? Are you leading well? Scripture References and Quotes: Matthew 23:3 2 Corinthians 5:20 1 Corinthians 11:1 Matthew 7:15-23 Galatians 5:22-23 Hebrews 1:3 “Do you not know that there comes a midnight hour when every one has to throw off his mask? Do you think you can slip away a little before midnight in order to avoid this? Or are you not terrified by it?” - Soren Kierkegaard "People will always hit the ceiling that their character m

Key Scripture: Acts 19:21-27 We’ve done away with the statues, but idols remain a significant part of our lives. We devote ourselves to people and things, seeking from them what only God can give. Money is one idol that remains firmly entrenched in our society, as well as our hearts. Greed and covetousness are the new normal in a country that celebrates success and riches. Yet, Jesus warned us more about the dangers of riches than the dangers of lust, pride or anger. Could it be that greed is a bigger problem in our hearts than we might realize? Scripture References and Quotes: 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 Exodus 20:4 Colossians 3:5 Matthew 6:24 Luke 12:15 Colossians 3:1-4 Matthew 6:19-20 2 Corinthians 8:8-9 "Anything can be an idol, and everything has been an idol…An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give." - Tim Keller

Key Scripture: Acts 19:11-20 We all face problems that make us feel powerless: financial hardship, physical struggles, family issues, fear, and an uncertain future. So many things in life seem beyond our control. We are also spiritual beings who fight against a spiritual enemy who daily wreaks havoc in our lives. While we should be aware, we have nothing to fear. Jesus has given us His authority over every evil in this world. This authority doesn’t come from religiousness or spirituality, but from an intimate relationship with Him. Stop living as a victim. There’s victory in His Name! Scripture References and Quotes: Ephesians 6:10-12 Philippians 2:9-11 Luke 4:36 2 Peter 2:19 1 Corinthians 15:57

Key Scripture: Ephesians 5:22-33 God has a plan for your family that is anything but typical and far better than anything you can design yourself. While every person's circumstance is unique, His Word provides us with answers to every question and strength for every situation. No matter what you're going through or what challenges you're facing, you and your family don't need to settle for typical!