God Says — September 14, 2025
Pastor Mike Mannes
When we the way Jesus modeled, we will experience the Jesus promised.
1) God Says Go
Abraham left his home in Mesopotamia when God said “Go” (Genesis 12).
Acts 7 connection: Stephen reminds us God’s story with His people begins with Abraham obeying the call to leave Mesopotamia.
Stat: If you’re abused or grow up around addiction, you’re 4× more likely to repeat that cycle. Invite Jesus to help you leave that behind.
If you never heal from what hurt you, you’ll bleed all over people who never you.
2) God Says You
Abraham was 75 and Sarah 65 when God promised to make them a great nation.
Fill in the blanks: Inspire means to .
3) God Says Not You
We are blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2–3).
Fill in the blanks: It is more blessed to than to . (Acts 20:35)
Key point: God says you do ordinary things with extraordinary love and you’ll change the world.
Observation: In the North American church, less than 30% of people give anything at all.
Application: If you don’t give it away, you won’t keep it.
4) God Says Stop
Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22); God provided a ram, foreshadowing Jesus.
Fill in the blanks: On the cross, Jesus said: It is .
Fill in the blanks: Fear is not your . Shame is not your .
Memory Verse — Romans 12:1–2
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Text Prompts
Text CARE to 604-670-3040 — if you’re struggling with abuse or addiction, we’ll pray and help with next steps.
Text GIVE to 604-670-3040 — practice generosity.
Text GROUP to 604-670-3040 — get connected in a Small Group.
How To Be Powerful
Fall Launch — Pastor Mike Mannes • September 7, 2025
Three Aspects of Salvation
1) Justification — “Jesus Christ, who knew no sin…” (2 Cor 5:21). Fill-in: Justification = Jesus me.
2) Sanctification — “life to the full” (John 10:10). Fill-in: Sanctification = Jesus saving me.
3) Glorification — “In my Father’s house…” (John 14:1–3). Fill-in: Glorification = Jesus save me.
Power for Today — “Work out your salvation” (Phil 2:12).
Fill-in: Salvation isn’t about earning, but it is about .
Illustrations
The Karate Kid — daily practices prepare you for battle (“wax on, wax off”).
Mabel’s Story — ordinary person, powerful joy in Jesus.
Psalm 23 — Memorization Challenge
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing… Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Join a Small Group
TextGROUP to 604-670-3040