Sermon Notes:o Dallas Willard – Joy is a deep and pervasive sense of well-being, of knowing and trusting that God cares for us and is working for our good.o Are we a joyful church?o A church of joy focuses not on us, but on Jesus.o My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.o Acts 2:22a – Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you…o Acts 2:22b – … accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.o Acts 2:23 – This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge, and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.o Acts 2:24 – But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.o Jesus was on a mission from God.o Jesus proved he was from God by his miracles and mighty works.o Jesus died for our sins on the cross because it was God’s plan.o Jesus was resurrected by God to show death was defeated.o Being a church of joy means this is Jesus’ church, not ours.o To help as many people as possible take their next step toward Jesus.o Being church of joy means we are participating in God’s plan.o You are to be my witnesses…o Are you participating in God’s plan?o Being a church of joy means we are forgiven people.o Being a church of joy means we are Easter People!o Acts 2:37-39 - 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”o 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”o Heavenly Father, I confess I have failed at life. Please forgive me. I give you control of my life and from now on I will follow Jesus.o Lake Baptism, Sunday, September 14, 5 pm.o Thy will be done, thy kingdom come.LIFE Group Discussion QuestionsOpener: On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 is high) what score would give to our church being a church of joy? Please share your reasons.Go Deeper1. Read Acts 2:22-24.a. In Peter’s list of core beliefs, what do you see as the core beliefs required to be a follower of Jesus?b. In your opinion, what do modern day Christians add to the list? What is the impact of adding something to Peter’s list?c. Imagine being in the crowd that day. What might be the biggest stumbling block to you as you pondered following Jesus?2. Read Acts 2:37-39a. Notice the reaction of the crowd. What do you think it means that they were cut to the heart?b. To repent is to go the other direction. Have you known someone who professed Jesus and was baptized, but showed no life change? What do you think Jesus would say about their relationship to him?c. Baptism was well known in Jesus time. Converts to Judaism were baptized. Why do you think Jesus told his followers to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?3. Name three things your group can do that will help our church be a church of joy.

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