Falling Waters Bible Church

Faith in Action: Ezra 2-3:7

What does a list of ancient Israelites have to do with us today? What are signs of God honoring worship among His people? This week we address these questions from Ezra 2 and 3. 
Returning and Rebuilding:
Returning: What's in a name? (Ezra 2:1-67)
Rebuilding: The signs of God-honoring worship (Ezra 2:68-3:7)
A Generous Spirit (2:68-69; 3:6-7b)
Worship Centered Upon Sacrifice and According to God's Word (3:2-6)

Turning Point Session 2 - Getting Clear: Understanding the Root

Most people fail to change because they fail to understand and address the root of the problem: the heart. Just think of gardening as an example. If you simply snip the weed off at the ground, it inevitably comes right back or re-emerges in another place nearby. In the same way, if we only address our outward behavior or circumstances, the root remains and resurfaces.
 
Session 2 helps us understanding the goal of the initial hard work to change ingrained sin patterns and gives a helpful "Big Picture" understanding of the biblical change process. 
 
Download the Session 2 Workbook

Faith in Action: Ezra 1

What in the world is going on?! That's a question we often find ourselves asking as we look out on the events of our lives and our world. Scripture helps us understand God's purpose in the world. In Ezra 1, we learn that God is working to fulfilling his promises and gathering a people to worship Him.
God’s Purpose:
God is acting… (1:1)
To fulfill his promises… (1:1)
To gather a people to worship him (1:2-3)
God’s Plan: 
People
Provisions
Our Response:
Do you have a proper view of God?
Have you answered the call? 
Are you ready to play your part?

Living By Faith: Galatians 6:11-18

One of the the great threats to the Christian church is fall into fear and people pleasing by diluting the message of the gospel to make it palatable to the world and advantageous to themselves. But these verses make it clear: You can't have it both ways, we either live for God by his grace, or deny and dilute the gospel to please the world.
 
You can't have it both ways:
We must not dilute the gospel to please the world (6:12-13). Those who do, are motivated by:
Outward Appearances & Applause
An avoidance of Persecution and Suffering
We must live for God according to the gospel (6:14-18)
And boast in Christ
Because he's all that counts in the end.

Turning Point: Session 1 - Soul Check-up: Good News & Bad News

Have you ever felt stuck in a sinful behavioral pattern and wish you could change? Well, there's good news. "Turning Point", is a study that teaches the basic principles of how to change ingrained patterns. Session 1 is titled, "Soul Check Up: Good New & Bad News. 
You can download the workbook here.

Living By Faith: Galatians 6:6-10

Why would Paul emphasize generous giving at the end his letter to a church struggling with legalism? How does the church's giving connect with Paul's prescription for health in the local church? Discover the answer to these questions in this message on Galatians 6:6-10. 
Paul's Prescription for restoring a legalistic church to gospel health:
Support preachers/teachers who will strengthen the church (6:6-8)
Churches support pastors, so the one who feeds can also be fed (6:6)
Churches who do or don’t, will reap what they sow (6:7-8)
And don't grow weary, but do it all the more! (6:9-10)

Living by Faith: Galatians 6:1-5

How does the spiritually mature Christian deal with fellow sheep stuck in sin? In these verses, you can learn the road map from Paul on how to minister mercy to those ensnared in sin. 
The spiritually mature Christian:
Seeks out and serves the struggling (6:1a)
Bears the burdens of others (6:2)
Conducts sober self-assessment (6:1b, 3-5)

Grace-based Growth: Romans 6 & 2 Peter 1

The New Year is often a time that many resolve to try and grow and improve. But trying to change is like trying to correct poor posture...no matter how much we try, we inevitably find ourselves slouching again. In this message we explore how you can you begin grace-based growth this year.
Our Mindset:
A Renewed View: I'm dead to that...and alive to God (Rom. 6:10-11)
Embrace Grace: Accounting for failure (1 John 2:1)
Our Action:
Stop serving your old self (Rom. 6:12)
Give yourself to God (Rom. 6:13)
The Secret Ingredient: Knowing God (2 Peter 1:2-4)

The Mercy of God: Exodus 34

When God spoke to Moses and explained who he was, one of the first things he wanted him to know was that he was a merciful God. If fact, His mercy is so great, that it's greater than all our sin. 

Isaiah 9: The Light in the Dark Night of Christmas

Outside and in, this life is full of darkness. What hope do we have that things will ever brighten up? What could ever drive away this dark night we live in? Learn from Isaiah 9 and John 1 why we can have hope in the bleakest of circumstances.