Rooted in Christ: Discovering Our True Identity

Scripture References

• 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Introduction

• The study launched the new “Built Different” series by opening Paul’s first letter to the troubled church in Corinth, where he begins not with rebuke but with a sweeping reminder of who the believers already are in Christ.
• Every struggle in Corinth–then and now–traces back to a foggy sense of identity: until we remember we are called, forgiven, enriched, secure, and kept by God, efforts to “do better” stay shallow.
• We normally lead with jobs, family, or hobbies, but Paul starts with “called, sanctified, enriched.” Identity, not shame, is the engine of transformation.

Faith to Finish: The Perseverance God Honors

Scripture References

• Matthew 17:20
• Luke 16:10
• Zechariah 4:10
• Romans 5:3-4
• 1 John 3:13
• John 16:33
• Galatians 6:9
• Isaiah 43:2
• Revelation 21:4
• John 8:12
• Philippians 1:6
• Lamentations 3:22-23
• Ephesians 6:13

Introduction

In 1926, a young American swimmer named Trudy Ederle waded into the frigid water at Cape Gris-Nez, France, and started swimming toward England. Twenty-one miles of open sea, riptides, jellyfish, and fog lay between her and a finish line no woman had ever reached. Week 3 of “At the Movies” used her story, told in the film “Young Woman and the Sea,” as a living parable of Jesus’ words in Matthew 17:20: faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. But mountains don’t move in a moment. The speaker traced a consistent pattern in Scripture: before God entrusts anyone with something great, He first watches how they handle something small–and then He asks them to keep going when everything in them wants to quit. To move mountains for God’s glory, you will need four kinds of faith: faith to start small, faith to face opposition, faith to endure when it hurts, and faith to finish what God started.

Ignited by God's Call: Discovering Your Divine Purpose

Scripture References

• Exodus 3
• Exodus 2:23-25
• Ephesians 2:10
• 1 Corinthians 1:27

Introduction

• Wrapping up the “En Fuego” series, the message goes to Exodus 3–the Bible’s “Mount Everest” of fire passages–where God meets 80-year-old Moses in a flaming bush.
• Israel’s 400 years of prayers move heaven; heaven moves Moses; Moses will move Pharaoh.
• Every Christian has a divine assignment, no matter age or past failures. Our call becomes clear at the intersection of what breaks our hearts (affinity), what we’re gifted to do (ability), and the doors God opens (opportunity).
• Big idea: God ignites every believer with a specific calling; when affinity, ability, and opportunity meet, step out–because the great “I AM” is with you.