Twsited: The Video

No, the video itself isn't twisted - its just the introduction played before each of the Twisted series of sermons.

Twisted: Love and Lust - 1 John 3:16-20

If there is one amazing gift that God has given us, it is love. But, not the idea of love that we have become so accustomed to. God's love is more than just romantic feelings or a strong desire or the devotion of Romeo and Juliet. God's love is sacrifice, it thinks of others before self in many ways it is contrary to what we know as love. Of course God's greatest gift is the adversary's greatest weapon.

• Love means Sacrifice
• v16 - This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers
  
• Real Love is Physical
• v18 - Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
  
• Real Love is not Risky - It Removes Risk
• v20 - For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything
  

Twisted: Freedom and Slavery - John 8:31-36

What does it mean to be free? Sometimes we think it means we can do whatever we want - but that is way too selfish of an attitude. Freedom gives us the ability to do for others instead of simply looking out for ourselves. Self-Focus leads to sin and slavery, sacrifice leads to freedom.

• Freedom Isn't Free
• If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. - v36
• Freedom is a Choice
• Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. -v34
• Freedom is a Lifestyle
• Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. -v32
• If you hold to my teaching, you are truly my disciples. -v31
  

Twisted: Money and Greed - Luke 16:1-13

Money itself isn't bad. It can do great things when used correctly. It is when money is used incorrectly that problems start. When we recognize where money comes from and how it should be used, it can be a wonderful tool. When we think only of ourselves money gets twisted into greed and we get twisted in the process.

• Money is FROM God
• Money is FOR God
• Through Other People
  
• Through the Church
• Money becomes greed when we focus on US instead of GOD
  

Twisted - Genesis 3:1-6

Why do bad things happen? Where does evil come from?
Only God has the power to create something completely new. (Everything man has "created" is actually just rearranging the stuff that was already there.) Everything God created was good. So, where does the bad stuff come from. We read in the Bible that Satan (the accuser, the tempter, the adversary) is a liar. Some of his greatest lies are taking the good things God has created and twisting them (or our understanding of them) into something they are not. This has happened since the very beginning and it still happens today. Genesis 3:1-6 tells the story of the first twist.

• Doubt - "Did God Really Say?"
• Question God's word and His will
  
• Deceit - "You will not surely die."
• Remove or reduce the consequences
  
• Desire - "You will be like God."
• Focus on you, not on God
  

(Re)Build: Stronger - Ezra 9-10

When a fault is found in the foundation of a building project, work is immediately stopped and the problem is removed. When sin appears in our lives we tend to not do the same thing. We go on living, trying our best to pretend that nothing has happened. If this goes on too long we lose our hatred of sin, we cease to be aware of its damaging effects and we wonder what could have caused the problems in our lives. When the Israelites returned from exile to rebuild the Temple, they knew they had to get rid of the sin in their midst that had been plaguing them for generations. If we are to rebuild our relationships with God, we must rid ourselves of the sin that has weakened that relationship in the past. It is not enough just to rebuild, we must ReBuild Stronger than before.

• Confront
• Contrite - Isaiah 66:2b
  
• Appalled at our sin - Ezra 9:3-4
  
• Bothered by its impact - 9:7
  
• Concerned for a future with sin - 9:14
  
• Confess - 1 John 1:9
  
• Admit we did wrong - 10:2
  
• Blame only ourselves -
  
• Call on God for Forgiveness
  
• Control - Hebrews 10:22
  
• Actions - 10:3
  
• Conscience
• Bow to God as Lord