Impact Church Menifee

Key Scripture: Acts 2:42-47 Do you ever get distracted? In a world with so many options, it’s difficult to be truly devoted to anything. Church is no exception. There are so many different kinds of churches to choose from and each of these churches has so many different activities to occupy our time and attention. While these things are meant to engage us in spiritual growth, they can actually distract us from a simple devotion to Christ. The early Church gives us a clear example of Christian community engaged in God’s Word, fellowship, communion and prayer. To recapture the limitless influence of the early Church, we must recapture their simple devotion to the things that matter most. Scripture References: John 17:20-21, Hebrews 5:12-14, Ephesians 4:11-12, James 5:16, Luke 22:31-32

Key Scripture: Acts 2:1-41 When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, He changed everything. When He comes into your life, He changes everything in you. So many things in life serve as constant reminders of our faults, fears and failures. It seems we’re always coming up short and we’ll never be good enough. In fact, we’re NOT stronger than we think…BUT He is stronger than we’re weak. He takes our greatest weaknesses and uses them to put His power and glory on full display. Do you believe His promise? His power is made perfect in your weakness! Scripture References: Joel 2:28, Psalm 51:11, Galatians 3:13-14, Matthew 16:17-18, 1 Corinthians 2:3-5, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Key Scripture: Acts 1:12-26 God is always moving. His kingdom is always advancing. Nothing in heaven or on earth can stop the forward movement and progression of God. No government, no law, no evil, no earthly power, no philosophy and no person on earth can stop God’s will and purposes from being accomplished. God is the great “I am” and His power, glory and greatness are beyond human comprehension, He is Unstoppable! Often situations in life can cause us to doubt God’s sovereignty but our circumstances do not change His character. Trust His Unstoppable Purpose for your life! Scripture References: Isaiah 46:9-10, Job 42:2, Proverbs 16:9, Romans 8:28

Key Scripture: Acts 1:1-11 We all have our limits. Some limitations are self-imposed, due to our past failures or lies we believe about ourselves. Other limitations are due to the finite nature of our humanity. Yet Jesus made it clear that His followers can experience a life without limits – a life of faith where “nothing will be impossible” and we do the works that He did. So, what’s the problem? Living without limits requires living beyond the suffocating boundaries of ordinary Self as a part of God’s extraordinary Church. It requires recapturing our mission to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. We can’t do this on our own, of course, but He has given us His Spirit and power. This means we are no longer “only human,” but are His witnesses in this world. His Church is unstoppable! Scripture References: Matthew 17:20, John 14:12, Matthew 16:18, Matthew 23:23-24, Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:11

Key Scripture: John 12:12-19 Palm Sunday. The day Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. “The Triumphal Entry.” But have you ever wondered what made it so triumphant? After all, didn’t they crucify Jesus at the end of the week? Many people at that time sided with Jesus for the same reason some Pharisees and others sided with Rome. They thought Jesus could do for them what Rome had done for their rulers—deliver them from the oppressive system under which they lived and make their lives better. Jesus never did what they wanted him to do, so they quickly changed their minds and wanted to get rid of Him. However, God had a much different and much better plan. He has a better plan for your life today, as well. Will you choose His script, or insist on your own? Scripture References: Isaiah 55:8-9, Zechariah 9:9, Luke 19:41-44, Psalm 118:22-24, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 8:28

Key Scripture: Colossians 3:18-4:18 The reason most of us come to church is to get help with our relationships. Our marriage is struggling, our family is failing, and people are constantly disappointing us. God’s Word is clear: The Truth of Christ and good news of the gospel is our only hope for a changed life and healthier relationships. Why, then, do so many of us still struggle? Nothing in our lives will ever change until how we think about everything changes. Our minds are naturally conformed to the world’s self-focused way of thinking. Jesus came to transform us by renewing our minds. He came to show us that the surest way to get over our problems is to get over ourselves. Worship and sacrifice free us to experience the fullness of life Jesus offers us. To experience life change, we need a change of mind. Scripture References: Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 3:1-2, Matthew 16:25, Revelation 5:11-14

Key Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17 Jesus Christ died and rose again to pay the penalty for our sins and to give us new life in Him. This new life includes a new way of thinking. As followers of Christ, our mindset is different than it used to be. Why? Because our mind is no longer set on worldly things that are here and now. Instead, our minds are set in a different realm – above with Christ, in eternity. Our old life is dead and our new life is now found only in Him. He is our present and our future! As our thinking changes, so does the way we live and the way we love others. What is your mindset? Scripture References: Romans 8:5-8, John 10:10, John 14:6, Ephesians 3:19-20, Galatians 2:20

Key Scripture: Colossians 2:1-23 Truth isn’t popular. Our world prides itself in being “inclusive” to all truth, yet all truth is exclusive by nature. Jesus claimed to be the exclusive Truth and the only Way to God. To call Him just another great religious teacher is to seriously misunderstand Who He is and what He said about Himself. He came to pay the infinite and impossible debt we owed God because of our sin. This means we no longer have to keep working to pay it off through exceptional moral living or religious performance. We can rest assured in the Truth that our sins are forgiven and we are righteous in Christ, regardless of how we might feel in any given moment. This is truth worth celebrating! Scripture References: Matthew 18:23-27, Jeremiah 17:9, Luke 8:13

Key Scripture: Colossians 1:15-29 The only Truth that can change lives and change our world is the Truth of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect expression and visible representation of God to us, the One who made all things and holds everything together. As we get to know Him more, we become more like Him; as we become more like Him, we become less like this world. This difference will always bring opposition from those who stand against the good things of God. As Christ followers, we must be willing to endure any hardships that result from our standing for the Truth of the Gospel. We must speak boldly about sin, grace and the Cross of Jesus Christ. We must never be ashamed of the good news of Jesus – for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes! Scripture References:  John 5:39, John 14:6, Philippians 3:8, Hebrews 1:1-3, John 1:1, James 4:4, John 15:18, Acts 4:29, Romans 10:13-14, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-24

Key Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14 Countless Christians in the American Church today live in fear of standing for Truth and supporting the authority of Scripture. Why? Because we’re afraid of offending people and being labeled “one of those” narrow-minded and intolerant Christians. The result is often a timid, silent, and private form of Christianity that bears little resemblance to the revolutionary, world-changing Faith of the early Church. While our efforts to show God’s love to others must continue in full force, we must never stop boldly proclaiming His Truth. But we can’t proclaim what we don’t first possess ourselves. It’s time to once again cultivate a hunger for the knowledge of Christ and the Truth of His Word. It’s time to hold fast to the gospel as if life itself depends on it – because now more than ever, it most certainly does. Scripture References: Colossians 4:6, Amos 8:11-12, Joshua 1:8

Key Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Our world has many problems and God wants to use His Church to do something about them. However complicated and challenging this might seem, the ultimate goal of the Christian life is quite simple: Love. Jesus made it clear that a genuine and lived-out love for others is the distinguishing mark of His followers. Without love, all of the programs, plans and charitable organizations in this world amount to nothing, and we have missed what it means to be Christian. A troubled world is crying out for Help. Let us answer and affect change one person at a time by loving well. Scripture References: 1 Thessalonians 3:12, Colossians 3:14, 1 John 4:7-8, John 13:35

Key Scripture: Genesis 4:1-18 Gun violence and mass shootings have become a pervasive and petrifying problem in our country. Since 1982, there have been 109 mass shootings in the U.S. that have left 883 dead and 1,328 wounded. It seems no place in our society is really safe, as these acts of violence have taken place at schools, the workplace, restaurants, and even churches. Gun violence as a whole results in more than 11,000 murders every year in our country and more than 20,000 deaths by suicide. When the news breaks of yet another shooting, the public debate over gun control and mental health begins anew. How do we stop this evil from happening? To stop violence in our country ultimately requires going to the source of the problem: the human heart. When a person feels extreme rejection from an individual or from society as a whole, that hurt can turn into anger and acts of vengeance. As the Church, we must show people they are known and loved and give them a place to belong. We must also examine our own he

Key Scripture: Luke 10:25-37 Immigration and mass migration have become complicated and divisive problems in our country. Since 1960, the U.S. has continued to serve as the top destination for international migrants as the land of freedom and opportunity. This influx has led to increasingly tense public debate over our national economy and security as we struggle to balance our humanitarian responsibility with our ability to care for humanity. Is the ultimate solution walls and travel bans, or can we make a greater difference as the Church? Immigration is a problem for our country because the Church has failed in her imitation of our Christ. God repeatedly calls His people to care for the foreigner and love the immigrant, not as a matter of public policy but as a matter of personal responsibility. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that the surest solution to immigration concerns is not an open or closed border, but the open doors of the Church and Christian homes. Will we love others the way He

Key Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17 Human trafficking is a significant problem in our world today. It’s estimated that more than 20 million people worldwide are currently living as slaves, while as many as 800,000 are trafficked across international borders every year. Even in the United States, more than 20,000 people are victims of human trafficking annually, with the vast majority being women and more than half of them children. These victims are typically exploited and forced into involuntary servitude and prostitution. The vulnerable and marginalized have always been at the center of God's missional activity in the world, and Scripture repeatedly calls us to care for the outcast, widows, orphans, and the poor. As followers of Christ, we must do everything we can to secure freedom for those living in bondage. How does God want to use you to help set people free? Scripture References: 1 John 2:15-17, Genesis 3:6, Jeremiah 17:9, Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Corinthians 5:17

Key Scripture: Proverbs 24:11-12 Abortion is a most serious problem in our country and in our world. This past January 22nd marked the 46th anniversary of the landmark SCOTUS decision, Roe v. Wade, that made it illegal for any state to ban abortion. Since that time, nearly 60 million legal abortions have been performed in the U.S., an average of 1.3 million abortions per year. This means that for every 1,000 babies born, more than 200 have been killed prior to birth. How is this still happening? Every day, lies are told and laws give permission for this evil to be committed in ignorance and defiance. As the Church, we must educate and inform people with the truth – that every unborn child is very much a child and has a God-given right to life. We must also offer hope to those considering abortion, showing them it is not their only way out. We must use our voice to speak for those who don’t yet have one. We must fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Scripture References: Luke 18:15-16, Luke 1:44, 46

Key Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-16 Racism remains a serious problem in our world. People are still pre-judged by the color of their skin and by their outward appearance, not by the content of their character. Our divided World is desperately in need of a united Church who is determined to see each other as God sees us. Jesus died to bring an end to pride, to fear, and to prejudice. The Cross demolishes distinctions we make for ourselves and unites us in our humanity, our sin and our salvation. As the Church, we are called to fight against Ignorance by listening to and learning from others who have different experiences than we have. We must overcome Indignation and pursue reconciliation and freedom through Forgiveness. We must oppose Indifference and acknowledge racism as our problem – not just their problem. One day, “every tribe and language and people and nation” will be united in God’s presence forever. Until then, let’s give the world a glimpse of that glorious Day! Scripture References: Galatians 3:27-28,

Key Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46 Poverty is a serious problem in our world. Everywhere you look, there seems to be a great imbalance of wealth and power that causes anxiety and suffering. Many live without even the most basic provisions: food, shelter and clothing. Yet God is a God of justice. He wants His people to make a difference in the world, standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. He is a God of compassion, and He wants His church to share what we have with those who have nothing. We are called to display God’s love by caring for those who need help. Who do you know in need? What can you do to help today? Scripture References: Leviticus 19:9-10, Mark 10:21-22, Mark 12:41-44, James 2:15-16, Luke 12:12-14, 1 John 3:17

Key Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16 Poverty. Racism. Immigration. Gun Violence. Abortion. Human Trafficking. Our world has problems. God has plenty to say about the problems in our world, and He wants to use His Church to do something about them. The Christian Church has been the single most influential and world-shaping entity in human history. Recently, however, we have lost – or rather, abdicated – our position of transformational influence. We tend to focus on the wrong things and do little to meet the needs and fix the problems our culture is actually facing. We care more about our needs being met in church than we care about meeting needs as the Church. We have lost sight of the need, the brokenness, and the Battle. And it’s time to re-engage. Help is Wanted. Apply today! Scripture References: Isaiah 5:1-2, Matthew 7:16-20, Matthew 16:18 "(Those who have) applied to serve in the legion of the expendables; who love not their lives unto the death; who volunteer to suffer for Christ’s sake and who follow up the

Key Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21 A New Year often brings a sense of optimism as we reflect on all the possibilities in life. It’s a time we set new goals, start new routines, and establish a new set of priorities. All of these things can be quite beneficial, but we must also ask ourselves: What kinds of goals are we making? While failing to achieve our goals can be discouraging, achieving the wrong goals can be destructive. What goals are you focused on this new year? Are they aligned with God’s goals for you? Let this next year be one where you press on towards the goal that brings the true prize. Other Scripture References: Isaiah 43:25, Galatians 2:20, Revelation 21:4-7

Key Scripture:  Mark 4:35-41 Christmas is a time filled with many opportunities to “be jolly” and celebrate with friends and family. It can also become a great big Show. Our lights need to look as good as our neighbors’ lights. The gifts we give need to be better than the ones we get. The house needs to be perfectly clean when guests arrive for our perfectly-planned party. If anything is out of place or below our Norman Rockwell standards, it robs us of Peace. Often, we try to make things seem perfect to cover up the things in our lives we know aren’t perfect: the loss of loved ones, the breakup of family, financial hardship or problems with health. Ultimately, no amount of Christmas production can bring us the Peace we’re missing. Instead the answer is focusing less on how we celebrate and more on Who we’re celebrating. Let’s put Jesus back at Center – our Prince of Peace! Scripture References: Romans 12:12, Galatians 5:22, John 17:13, 1 Samuel 16:7, Psalm 98:1-4