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@ The Bridge

Announcements

Reno Sparks Gospel Mission Baptisms
Sunday, May 28th @ 1pm
The Bridge Church Reno
The Reno Sparks Gospel Mission will be having baptisms in the worship center this Sunday afternoon at 1pm.  Please consider sticking around after the bbq to hear stories of changed lives and witness their public commitment to follow Jesus.  It will be a great time to support this partner of ours and celebrate new life in Jesus.

Community Garden Day
Wednesday, June 7th
Katie’s Community Garden
Come plant with us at Katie’s Community Garden.  A fun time of cleaning up the garden and planting for the summer season.  Morning and afternoon shifts are available and all are welcome to help.  Please go to https://www.thebridgereno.com/garden to sign up to help.
 
Starting Point Class
Sunday, June 11th @ 11:15a
The Bridge Church Reno - Learning Center
If you are new to The Bridge Church this is a great place to learn all about our mission and vision and why we believe God has placed us here in this neighborhood.  You will learn all about how we are reaching our community and world, you will also have the opportunity to become a member. Please use the connection card on the website or app to sign up and let us know you will be joining us.
 
Discovering My Ministry Class
Sunday, June 11th @ 11:15a
The Bridge Church Reno - Learning Center
If you have said yes to Jesus and have started a relationship with Him then you have been given at least one spiritual gift. This class focuses on discovering that gift as well as how you can use your talents, abilities, and past experiences all together to serve God.  In this class we will develop your personal ministry profile and work towards discovering how God has uniquely shaped you to further His Kingdom.  Please sign up using the connection card.

Message Notes

Motivation that Matters

Pastor Bill West
May 28, 2023

Honor God Above All
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Acts 20:22–24

How We Live
When they arrived, he said to them. You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.
Acts 20:18–19

I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ 
Acts 20:33–35

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1

The Truth We Share
You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
Acts 20:20–21

Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.
Acts 20:26–29

The Way that We Love
I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.
Acts 20:19

So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.
Acts 20:31

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts 20:36–38

Bottom Line: Honor Him Above All
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here

Small Groups Talk About It

Watch the latest Message Summary:

Discussion Questions:
  1. Talk about the three things that Paul dealt with (see above) that caused him to be discouraged.  On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your discouragement level over the past month?

  2. What are some things that cause you to be discouraged? How do you deal with discouragement? What helps you when you face discouragement?

  3. Read Acts 18:1-4. How did God provide for Paul’s needs after he arrived in Corinth?  What relationships gave him support as he was there?  What are some ways God has provided for you in the past in terms of resources and relationships when you were discouraged?

  4. Read Acts 18:4-8. How did Paul remain faithful despite his discouragement and struggles?  What helps you remain faithful when you are discouraged?

  5. Read Acts 18:9-11. Why do you think God spoke to Paul? How relevant is that same message to you today when you are dealing with tough issues in your life?

  6. Read Acts 18:12-16. How did God protect Paul in this situation?  What are some ways God has protected you in discouraging situations?

  7. Spend Time praying for each other.

Dig Deeper:  In preparation for this week’s discussion, please do the following:
  1. Read Acts 13:50-52; 14:15; 14:19-22; 16:23; 17:5; 17:13-15.
    • What stands out to you about how Paul was treated in these situations?
    • How would you respond if God allowed you to be treated you in this manner? 
    • Who is someone you can encourage today?

  2. Read these verses about encouragement.  Think about what stands out to you about God in these verses.
    • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
    • Deuteronomy 31:8-9
    • Hebrews 13:5
    • Psalm 9:9-10
    • Psalm 145:18-19

  3. Read these verses about encouragement.  Think about how you can encourage someone each day.
    • Hebrew 10:24-25
    • Romans 15:2
    • Philippians  1:6
Previous Messages Can Be Found Here