Message Outline
Welcome to HEROES - Living Beyond Ourselves! Over the next five weeks you’re invited to explore a biblical paradox: To find real life, you must first lose it. You’ll have the opportunity to examine Jesus’ life and teaching and test His claim that true fulfillment – genuine soul satisfaction – is found by offering up your gifts, talents, time and abilities to meet the needs of people all around you.
One of the great realizations we can make is this: You have been created and equipped to live an abundant life filled with joy and extraordinary fulfillment. And God says that to live this pulse-quickening, satisfying life, all that’s needed it so mirror His habit of serving the people around you. But where do you begin?
Your willingness to engage with this message series over the next five weeks is an important step toward learning to live beyond yourself. Again, you are called, equipped and directed to make a difference in the lives of those around you - to be a HERO. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to live life as it was meant to be lived – beyond yourself.
Feb 7 The Value and Worth of Children and Parenting - Deuteronomy 6:5-7 
Because there is nothing more important than a child’s relationship with their Heavenly Father - and because we know that kids need parents who will help them advance in their relationship with God - Pastor Terry will share this morning how you as a parent - and we as a church - can learn how to interact with our children spiritually - creating an environment at home and at church where you as the parent are the spiritual HEROES.
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 6:5-7
“And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.”
Feb 14 The Great Gamble - John 13:1-17; Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
Most of us want to live lives of purpose and meaning. The world around us tells us how we can find that fulfillment: indulge your self-serving desires and appetites because in the end, it’s all about you and what you can get. Jesus’ message is a radical departure from that majority opinion; He instead calls us to live a life of service and self-denial. The truth is, we’re all doing one or the other of those things: either living ultimately for self, or reaching out beyond ourselves. Jesus invites us to take the ‘Great Gamble’ and determine if what He says really is true: Draping a towel over your arm and offering yourself on behalf of others is the only real way to experience satisfaction and an abundant life.
Memory Verse: John 10:10
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”
Feb 21 What? Me, A Priest? 1 Peter 2:9; 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12
Old Testament priests were a special group of people who acted as go-betweens with God and His community of believers. In the New Testament, the priesthood still exists – it’s just that every believer is a member! We all do for each other precisely what priests do: we pray for each other, speak God’s truth to each other, watch over, comfort and rejoice with each other. In other words, all of us doing what we’re gifted to do so the body of Christ is built up and the Kingdom is advanced through the ministry of volunteers, not professionals.
Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:12
“Their (pastors and teachers) responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
Feb 28 Just Jump In - Psalm 34:8; Romans 12:1-8
Finding a place of meaningful service in the church can be difficult. Needs are shared from the platform and we feel a tug at our hearts. But how can we be sure whether we are gifted and called to care for infants in the nursery, or clean the carpets, or comfort those who are in pain? Today’s message, Just Jump In! offers some insights into how God can clarify our calling, our gifting and our passion. It will suggest a sustainable model that says: first serve with a “no-strings-attached” agreement and see how that goes. Try several things before you settle in. After each serving opportunity, assess what the next step of involvement ought to be – either more of the same or move into a new area – leading us to a life of joyful serving in the Church.
Memory Verse: Psalm 34:8
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Mar 7 & 14 The Power of Doing Good - Titus 3:1-8,14; Ephesians 2:10; John 13:15,17
With so much evil and brokenness in the world, no one can miss the importance of obeying this command. It doesn’t have to be a spectacular act of goodness; in fact, the common everyday variety is usually what’s called for. You are called to live the abundant life and to make a difference in the world by using your God-given gifts to serve others. It’s not easy to adopt a lifestyle of service in a world that has little value for servanthood. But there is inherent power in serving others, of “doing good” for those around you. This week you’re invited to explore this power as you consider what it means to “do good” on an ongoing basis.
Memory Verse: Romans 12:21
“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
