GLS: Closing Session By Bill Hybels

·      Matthew 16:18  “I will build my church and the gates of hell with not prevail against it!”

·      “The local church is the hope of the world.”

o   For the first 18 years of my life the church was hopeless. 

o   In college is started to become hopeful for the church.

§  Vision moves us forward.

§  People live for vision and people die for it!

§  The local church is the hope of the world.

·      Jesus Christ is the only one that can deeply impact and change the heart of man. 

·      Will the local church, the hope of the world be able to sustain itself until the end of time?

o   Confidence is in Christ. He is the builder of church.

o   This is the only thing that God is doing!  He is building the church! 

o   Will you join the savior of the world in helping Him build the local church?

o   How could you do anything else when God taps you on the shoulder! 

o   Every follow of Jesus should wake up excited about serving the church!  It is the hope of the world.

Audio: You Can Be Forgiven

You Can Be Forgiven from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

You Can Be Forgiven is a weekend message I preached at Crossroads Church in Cranberry. A growing community of faith in the north hills of Pittsburgh, PA.

You Can Be Forgiven

Have you ever carried the heavy burden of guilt?  All of us have failed or made mistakes and know the empty weight that comes with knowing that you are wrong.  This weekend at Crossroads Church in Cranberry we will be continuing our series entitled: 4 Reasons for Hope by looking at how we can know that we are forgiven. 

King David certainly knew the weight that comes when one carries guilt and wrote these words in Psalm 32:  “Blessed in the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against him.” 

Join us this week as we look at our third reason for hope: You Can Be Forgiven.

See you Sunday,

Pastor Mike

There is a Power Beyond Yourself

“There is a Power Beyond Yourself” is a weekend message I preached at Crossroads Church, a growing multi-site church in Pittsburgh, PA. In this message we look at the hope that comes when we share our struggles with God and others.

4 Reasons for Hope: There is a Power Beyond Yourself from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

Read what Jesus said in John 14:14.

·      God does indeed have the power to answer any prayer, and sometimes He does answer our prayer exactly or almost exactly the way we ask. When did God do that for you? … Take time to praise Him again today for these powerful answers to prayer!

Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

·      Paul prayed that God would remove a “thorn” in his flesh, but God did not do it. Why (verses 7 & 9)? Why do you think God sometimes does not answer our prayers in the ways that we ask?

o   In verse 9, what do you think God meant when He told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you”? When did you experience God’s power during a difficult time, even though God did not answer your prayer in the way that you asked?

o   In verse 9, God tells Paul that God’s power is “made perfect in weakness” (NIV), “is strongest when you are weak” (CEV), or “works best in weakness” (NLT). Why do you think that is true?

o   Re-read verse 10. How can you do that in your life?

Video: The Plan

Everyone knows what it feels like to gain and lose hope in life. The plan is a look at how a small group of people can inspire hope in others. It is my goal to spark thought and discussion for those who watch it. Enjoy. This is a small group series I created for North Way Christian Community in Pittsburgh, PA. 

The Plan from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

Discuss this quote from Margaret Mead:  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.  Indeed, that is the only thin that ever has.” 

·      How has history been changed by a small group of people?

·      Think back over your life.  How have seemingly insignificant moments at the time made significant impacts in your life?

·      Is there an area of focus that God is leading you to in your life? 

Sharing Hope

Everyone knows what it feels like to gain and lose hope in life. Sharing hope is a challenge for all whom have found hope in Christ to share it with others through acts of kindness and service. It is my goal to spark thought and discussion for those who watch it. Enjoy. This is a small group series I created for North Way Christian Community in Pittsburgh, PA.

Sharing Hope from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

Discussion 1

Read 1 Peter 3:15-17

·      Think of a time in your life when someone asked you why you lived differently.  How did you respond? 

·      What happened in that moment?  How did this exchange feel for you?

Discussion 2

Read Hebrews 6:10-12

·      When was the last time you have shown God love by loving His people?  Describe the experience.

·      How did these experiences help build your faith or make your hope sure?

·      Why don’t we actively pursue more of these serving opportunities in our lives?

Discussion 3

·      Take some time to think about a possible “Hope Project.”

·      Do you have a personal contact that may need some assistance?  Like and elderly neighbor or family in need?

·      Is there an area of need that someone else could help you with?

·      Is there an area of need that is specific passion for you?  Elderly, abandoned children, homeless?

Prayer

·      Pray that God will give you an opportunity to share hope with those in contact with you this week. 

·      Pray for courage to share hope in love.

Finding Hope

Everyone knows what it feels like to gain and lose hope in life.  Finding hope is a look at how we can ultimately find our hope in a relationship with our creator. It is my goal to spark thought and discussion for those who watch it. Enjoy. This is a small group series I created for North Way Christian Community in Pittsburgh, PA.

 Finding Hope from Michael P Arnold on Vimeo.

Discussion 1

Read Psalms 130 and 131

·      When was the last time you were reminded that you were not ultimately in control?

·      How did you react?

·      Share a moment in your life when you had to wait on the Lord like in Psalm 130.

·      What happened?  Are you still waiting?

·      When is the last time you quieted your soul?  Describe the experience.

Discussion 2

Read Romans 5:1-8

·      How does this understanding of Christ’s love for us give us hope?

·      When has someone done something for you when you did not deserve it?  Hoe did you react?

·      What is the role of the Holy Spirit in this passage?  Where is our hope placed in this passage?

Discussion 3

Read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

·      In what ways are followers of Jesus called to be bold?

·      How can you better reflect to Lord’s glory this week?

·      How can you continue to be transformed into his likeness?

Prayer

·      Confess the areas of your life where you have not reflected the glory of God.  Ask for forgiveness.

·      Ask God to transform a specific area of your life that needs to be changed.

·      Ask God to reveal a person this week with whom you can share the hope of Christ.

Video: The Search for Hope

Everyone knows what it feels like to gain and lose hope in life. The search for hope is a look at how we as people need to have a source of hope in our life and will spend our lives searching for hope if we do not have it. It is my goal to spark thought and discussion for those who watch it. Enjoy. This is a small group series I created for North Way Christian Community in Pittsburgh, PA.

  The Search for Hope from Mike Arnold on Vimeo.

Opening Thought:

What is the first thing that comes to you min when you thing about Hope?  Are there any images?  Famous movie scenes? Books you’ve read?  Personal experiences?  What symbolizes hope for you?

Discussion 1

Read through the lament of Job in chapter 6:1-11

·      Describe a time in your life when you were full of hope.

·      How would you describe the status of Job’s hope?

o   What lead to this?

·      Describe a time in your life when you have lost hope.

o   Would Job’s lament ever describe your life?  Have you written or felt something similar? 

Discussion 2

Read Hebrews 11:1

·      What is the difference between this hope and the hope of Job?  Where is this hope placed?

Look through Hebrews 11:4-38

·      What are some of the amazing thing the ancients di with this hope?

·      Have you ever witnessed the type of hope in action?  Describe.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

·      Have you ever experienced the felling of “outwardly wasting way” while “inwardly being renewed?”  Why do you think this happens?

·      How can you fix your eyes on the things that are eternal this week?