Consumed by God's Fire: Surrendering All to Him

Scripture References

• 1 Kings 18
• Hebrews 12
• Romans 12:1
• Acts 2
• Isaiah 44
• Philippians 4:13
• Ephesians 1

Introduction

• The message moves us from being spiritual consumers to people completely consumed by God.
• Using the fiery showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, the pastor contrasts the silence of idols with the blazing presence of the living God.
• The central invitation is surrender–laying our lives on God’s altar so His power, not our preferences, defines us.
• “How long will you waver?” becomes the piercing question that demands a decision today.

Freedom Through Forgiveness: Letting Go of Anger and Bitterness

Scripture References

• Matthew 5
• Ephesians 4:26-27
• James 1
• Ephesians 4:31-32
• Colossians 3:1
• Colossians 3:13
• Romans 2:4
• Job 5:2
• Job 18:4
• Job 21
• 1 John 2:9-11
• Mark 11
• 1 Peter 3
• Matthew 18
• Psalm 73
• Romans 12
• Colossians 3:15

Introduction

• The message digs beneath explosive moments to the hidden fire of anger that keeps many followers of Jesus locked in a self-made prison of bitterness.
• Drawing from Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 and Paul’s warning in Ephesians 4, the pastor shows that unresolved anger either erupts or quietly smolders – both destroy.
• The only key that unlocks that cell is forgiveness: receiving it from God, extending it to others, and seeking it from those we have hurt.
• Series context: week three of the “En Fuego” series continues the focus on the smoldering fire of anger before moving on to passion and refinement.

Giving God Our Best: Sacrifice, Covenant, and Relationships

Scripture References

• Malachi 1:7-14
• Malachi 2:10-16

Introduction

• Malachi confronts God’s people for bringing blemished, second-rate sacrifices and then wondering why heaven seems silent.
• Tonight’s lesson presses the class to see that God is not after our “leftover sushi” but our first and finest – and that the quality of our worship is inseparable from the way we treat one another.
• Half-hearted offerings, broken promises, and self-centered living desecrate the “sanctuary” of our bodies, homes, and relationships.
• Faithfulness to God shows up as faithfulness to people.

What Lies Beneath: Godly Anger and the Path to Healing

Scripture References

• Ephesians 4
• Proverbs 15:1
• Ephesians 4:29
• Ecclesiastes 7:9
• Proverbs 10:19
• Proverbs 21:23
• Proverbs 29:22
• Proverbs 11:29
• Psalm 139

Introduction

• We live in an “age of rage,” yet Jesus warns that simmering anger is as deadly to the soul as murder.
• Using Ephesians 4 and Proverbs 15:1, the message uncovers what really lies beneath our explosions, sarcasm, or silent stewing, and offers practical, Spirit-empowered steps to respond instead of react.
• When we invite God to search our hearts, reflect before we lash out, and give a gentle answer, we cut the root of anger and step into the free, righteous life God desires.
• Series context: the four-week “En Fuego” series explores fire imagery. Weeks 1-2 tackle the smoldering fire of anger before moving on to passion and refinement.
• The teaching opens with cultural examples of things going “en fuego,” then shifts to the staggering personal and societal damage of mismanaged anger.

Completely Loved: Introducing Malachi

Scripture References

• Malachi 1
• Haggai 2
• Zechariah 1
• Zechariah 2
• Zechariah 8

Introduction

• Malachi opens with a startling exchange: God declares His love; Israel fires back, “How have You loved us?”
• Tonight’s study launches a seven-week series called “Completely,” showing how God’s covenant love for His people is total even when life feels empty.
• By tracing Israel’s history, their dashed expectations, and God’s covenant response about Jacob and Esau, we learn that grace – not fairness – anchors the relationship.

When You Can't Control the Storm

Scripture References

• Acts 27
• 2 Corinthians 11
• Acts 21
• Acts 23
• John 19

Introduction

• Guest speaker Jonathan “JP” Pokluda continues Lake Pointe’s Acts series, “There Is More: Endgame,” walking through Paul’s harrowing voyage in Acts 27.
• From a prisoner’s chains, Paul steadies 276 frightened people, proving that God – not weather, not authorities – holds the outcome.
• The chapter carries three big lessons: stay calm by remembering who is in charge, realize storms reveal real faith, and do your part while trusting God for everything else.

Jesus Is Enough to Change Us

Scripture References

• Colossians 2:6-15

Introduction

• Paul reminds the Colossians that growth in Christ does not come from spiritual add-ons.
• Believers deepen by returning to what they already received in Jesus: trust, dependence, surrender, fullness, forgiveness, and victory.
• The question is not whether Christ has made us complete, but whether we will live as if His finished work is true.

Living with a Christ-Aligned Conscience

Scripture References

• Acts 23
• Acts 9
• Acts 12
• Acts 13
• Romans 2
• 1 Corinthians 4
• 1 Corinthians 8:7
• Romans 12:2
• 1 Timothy 1:5
• 1 Timothy 4:1
• Titus 1:15
• Hebrews 5:14
• 1 Peter 3

Introduction

• Pastor Josh continues Lake Pointe’s Acts series, “There Is More: Endgame,” by tracing Paul’s declaration before the Sanhedrin: “I have fulfilled my duty to God with a good conscience to this day.”
• The weekend also celebrates the largest baptism weekend in the church’s history, with around 700 people publicly identifying with Christ.
• The sermon defines conscience, explains why it matters, and walks through four biblical conditions of the conscience: good, defiled, seared, and weak.
• The message moves from teaching to direct response, calling listeners to examine their conscience before God and obey Jesus publicly.

Week 4 — Examination

A short set of questions to sit with for a week. One per day, Monday through Friday. Saturday to review. Sunday to name the one thing and act on it.

The questions are not designed to be skimmed. The point of the middle three is to make the answer to the last one honest.

Monday, April 27

Where in my life do I still look the same as I did a year ago?

Habits, reactions, thought patterns, relationships.

Jesus Is Enough to Unify Us

Scripture References

• Colossians 1:21-23
• Colossians 1:28
• Colossians 2:2

Introduction

• Leader opened by rearranging chairs, asking how everyone felt entering an unfamiliar room.
• Purpose: create a micro-example of the tension we carry into relationships and to explore how Jesus’ sufficiency addresses unity.
• Study continues the Colossians series “Enough–Jesus Is Enough for ___”; tonight’s blank: “to unify us.”