God’s story that began before the world was created was a hidden mystery that was finally revealed in Jesus.

Series: A Beautiful Mess,
Speaker: Pastor Don Dodge,
Scripture: 2 Peter 3:15-16, 1 Corinthians 2:6-9, 1 Corinthians 2:16, John 15:5, 1 Corinthians 2:9,
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C72fhYn6y1E,
Webpage: https://www.avalonchurch.org/sermons/a-beautiful-mess-the-mystery-of-god-week-5/,
Discussion Questions: 2021-10-31_A-Beautiful-Mess_Week-5_DQ.pdf,

Notes:

Title Slide
... This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. – 2 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT)
Translation Slide
Yet when among mature believers, [we] do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” –1 Corinthians 2:6-9 (NLT)
“[It’s] the moment when the great melody of history has begun to be heard in a major key instead of a minor one.” –NT Wright, Paul for Everyone: 1 Corinthians
But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. –1 Corinthians 2:16b (NLT)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. –John 15:5 (NLT)
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” –1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)
Baptism Slide
Communion Slide

The power of the gospel is often revealed in the ordinary, weak, and foolish.
Series: A Beautiful Mess,
Speaker: Pastor Don Dodge,
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Galatians 6:14, 2 Corinthians 5:5, Galatians 5:22-23,
Video: https://youtu.be/vrrdUjSZ2C4,
Webpage: https://www.avalonchurch.org/sermons/a-beautiful-mess-gods-power-is-revealed-in-weakness-week-4/,
Discussion Questions: 2021-10-24_A-Beautiful-Mess_Week-4_DQ.pdf,
Notes:

Title Slide
Map
Ways to Participate
AvalonChurch.org/Commentary
1 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV)
Vs. 1
Vs. 3
Vs. 2
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. –Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less. –2 Corinthians 5:5 (The Msg)
Vss. 4-5
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. –Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

Pastor William Nieto leads us in studying 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 and why the Gospel is foolishness to those who are perishing.
Series: A Beautiful Mess,
Speaker: Pastor William Nieto,
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25,
Video: https://youtu.be/kHUlBqOU1mM,
Webpage: https://www.avalonchurch.org/sermons/a-beautiful-mess-the-foolishness-of-the-gospel-week-3/