Sermon Notes...Tales From The Hood (Part 2 of 3)

Scriptural Springboard...John 1:46a (New Living Translation) " “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

Subject...Something Good From The Hood (Player Hating)

Introduction: The hood is normally categorized by crime, corruption, drugs and prostitution. But many of us are products of the hood and we've got different stories to tell. It's a story of hope, hard work and people who never made it out of the hood but made sure that we did! What I'm suggesting today is boldly optimistic and is an aggressive truth, that something good can come from the hood! Bellevue, Unionville, Alphabet City, Pleasant Hill and Village Green! Philippians 1:6 says "And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

Transition: Nazareth, Israel and Macon, Georgia have some similarities: small, economic struggles, religious strengths and they both are familiar with having a bad rap...

Overwhelming Observations: Things that leaped out of the text and wouldn't leave me alone...

1) Sometimes your motives doesn't match what comes out of your mouth
     -Player Haters aren't necessarily bad people they just don't process feelings before they speak

2) A friendship brought Nathanael to Jesus
     -"Come see" is the invitation and the implication is that Nathanael wasn't doing anything

3) Don't allow apprehension to keep your stuck in the shade, instead of living in the SON
     -Being cool is of no comparison to being warmed by the love and grace of God

4) The hood is an incubator for innovation
     -Don't allow where you are to limit who you can become

Sermon Notes...Tales From The Hood (Part 1 of 3)

Scriptural Springboard...Joshua 2:18 (New Living Translation) "When we come into the land, you must leave this scarlet rope hanging from the window through which you let us down. And all your family members—your father, mother, brothers, and all your relatives—must be here inside the house."

Subject...A Red Light District Rescue (Prostitution)

Introduction: Stories help us to connect with each other... The stories of this series will help connect us to God, with the understanding that the pain, problem or predicament you're plagued with is just a platform for God to display power over it.

Transition: The bible has some interesting characters who have some interesting chronicles. Prostitutes, pimps and player haters. Let's start with the story of Rahab the prostitute...

Exposition: Please pay attention to three aspects of this prostitute's life that she got extremely right...

1. Rahab didn't allow her history to control her destiny (verses 1-11)
    -She helped the spies by hiding them not having them.
    -Her profession didn't stand in the way of her prayers.

2. Rahab heard opportunity knocking and she opened the door (verses 12-14)
    -Help is only available for those that are hungry for it.
    -She made sure that she opened the door for a guest and not a visitor.

3. Rahab understood that salvation is meant to be shared (verses 14-21)
    -Your salvation must not be contained. Compel (by any means) them toward Jesus!
    -Who's in your house that needs to hear the helping word of the gospel? It's you they're waiting on!

*Please share this flyer on your social media pages, as an invitation to next week's Café Grace*