Tough Talks Week 3 - "Doubtin' Thomas" - Pastor Joshua Miller

Title: Doubtin’ Thomas *insert quote below Christian author Philip Yancey stated “doubt is something almost every person experiences at some point, yet something that the church does not always handle well. I am an advocate of doubt, because that’s why I became a Christian in the first place.” Main passage: John 20:24-29 Here are 4 lessons we can learn from Jesus when we experience a “tough talk” with a person who has doubts about Christianity. 1. Create a Place for doubters/unbelievers John 20:24-26 2. Bring Peace to anxious minds John 20:26b, john 14:27, Matt 5:9 3. Power of Personal touch John 20:27 4. Point of decision “we cannot doubt something without simultaneously trusting in something else. Eve began to doubt God—more importantly her relationship with God—at the same moment she began to trust the serpent.” John 20:27b, 29, Heb 11:1,6

Tough Talks Week 2 - "On the Spot" - Pastor Joshua Miller

Title: On the Spot Scopophobia: the fear of being stared at or being the center of attention. It can be a “tough talk” when we get put on the spot regarding a sensitive issue or controversial subject. The happened to Jesus on different occasions but he had a way of handling these situations that we can learn from. Main passage: John 8:1-11 1. Slow to engage John 8:6, James 1:19 2. Don’t avoid tough talks John 8:7a 3. Change perspectives John 8:7b 4. Mercy over judgement John 8:10-11a, James 2:13 5. Share truth in love John 8:11b, Eph 4:15

Tough Talks Week 1 - "It's Getting Late" - Pastor Joshua Miller

Title: It’s Getting Late We will be diving into tough conversations Jesus had and what we can learn in order to be better communicators of the Gospel. Main Passage: John 3:1-21 Today we will take a look at 5 communication tips during a late night tough talk between Jesus and Nicodemus. 1. Availability v1-2 2. Approachability v1-2 3. Alternate between natural and spiritual v3-12 4. Answer the question v13-14 5. Aim for the Truth v16-21

Overlooking Offense Week 4 - "Can't Please Everyone" - Pastor Joshua Miller

Title: Can’t Please Everyone 1 Cor 1:18 1 Peter 2:7-8 It can seem like so many things now a days can cause offense. The Gospel itself is offensive but we don’t have to go out of our way as christians to be. Main Passage: 1 Cor 10:31-33, 1 Cor 11:1 God is glorified when: 1. We are looking for ways to love and not offend 1 Cor 10:31, 1 Cor 9:19-22 2. Our rights and comfort are laid down for others 1 Cor 10:32, 1 Cor 10:24 3. Our goal is to lead people to Jesus not winning arguments 1 Cor 10:33, Luke 19:10 4. We look like Jesus 1 Cor 11:1, Matt 11:28-29, Luke 7:34

Overlooking Offense Week 3 - "Walls" - Pastor Joshua Miller

The strongest walls are not build of stone or metal but by offense. The one weapon strong enough to destroy every wall of offense is LOVE. Prov 18:19 Prov 10:12

Overlooking Offense Week 2 - "Overcoming Offense Through Forgiveness" - Pastor Pedro Vazquez

Main Text: Luke 17:3-4 (ESV) I. Offenses Happen (Lk. 17:1; Rom. 3:23) II. Don’t Hide the Offense (Lk. 17:3; Hebrews 12:15; 2Sam. 12:13) III. Repentance Leads to Forgiveness (Lk. 17:3; Mark 11:25; Luke 23:34; 1Cor. 13:4-5) IV. God Fulfills His Will Through Forgiveness (Lk. 17:4; Isaiah 43:25; Matt. 5:44)

Overlooking Offense Week 1 - "Duck Tails" - Pastor Joshua Miller

Being offended has become a virtue in our society. What does the Bible have to say about personal offense? Key verse: Prov 19:11 1. Slow down Psa 86:15, James 1:19, Eph 4:26 2. Let it roll off your back Gal 5:22-23