Today, we have the privilege of hearing from three exceptional young leaders at Fairhaven Church. During each of our worship services, we’ll get to hear from a different speaker. Below, you will find the sermon notes for each of their unique messages.

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Young Leaders Weekend
9:00 Service - Caleb Cottrell
“Sightseeing”
Genesis 16, Luke 7, John 11

God has many names that reveal who He is.

El Roi = The God who sees 

Genesis 16 

Why was she told to go back? 
Protection from the long journey
Give Isaac the best upbringing
God is a redeemer and a God of forgiveness
A second chance for Hagar and Sarai

God saw Hagar in her suffering, in her loneliness.

Luke 7

Jesus saw this woman; El Roi in the human flesh.

John 11

Jesus’ friend died and was dead for about four days by the time Jesus arrived.

Martha showed her frustration with Jesus.

“If only …”

How often do we ask God this question? 
Where are you in my singleness? 
Where are you as my marriage falls apart? Or parents’ marriage falls apart? 
Where are you as my kids fall from their faith? 
Where are you as my loved one is sick and dying? 
Where are you in my infertility? 	

Jesus was moved as they were in their suffering. 

“Jesus wept.” –John 11:35

God sees us in our suffering.

God weeps with us in our suffering, in our loneliness, in our waiting, in our fear.

Lazarus, Mary and Martha’s suffering was used for God’s glory 

God sees you in your suffering, your waiting, your loneliness, and will use it for His glory. 

God sees you and sent his Son to die for you.

In the pain, in the joy, God weeps and celebrates with you.

El Roi = The God who sees me 

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Young Leaders Weekend
10:30 Service - Andrew Rieck
“God’s Transformative Love”
Ephesians 3:14-21

Who is God that He would consider us? 
What draws us to Him? 

The love of God

Ephesians 3:14-21

Paul’s posture: serious, associated with deep reverence, desperation, or deep emotion. 

Who God is
Relational connection
God’s authority in our lives
From God and through God there is all life

God’s transformative love is … 
Strengthened by the power of the Spirit – Ephesians 3:16
Rooted in our hearts
Beyond what we can imagine

1.3 million earths could fit inside of the sun.
100-400 billion stars in our galaxy
5 billion suns fit inside the biggest star in the Milky Way
Our galaxy is 100,000 light years across
Our neighboring galaxy is 220,000 light years across
There are an estimated 200 billion to 2 trillion galaxies in the known universe

God’s transformative love is … 
At work within us and through us

Working power vs. dormant power
Dormant power = Available but not working
Working power = Active and engaged

Abraham and Isaac – Genesis 22
This story directly parallels The Gospel. 
Instead of Abraham laying down his son, God provided a scapegoat. 
Instead of us taking the penalty of death, God provided His only son. 

Three Necessary Questions
Have I given my life to Jesus and committed to following Him?
Am I seeking God daily? 
Am I an example of God’s love to those around me? 

As we experience God’s love, it should transform us so that we reflect that same love to others.

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Young Leaders Weekend
12:00 Service - Justen Hyland
“A Great Fire”
James 3:2-11

The average American 20-year-old can recognize 42,000 English words.
There are 171,000+ words in the Oxford English Dictionary .

Do words matter to God?
Over 120 references to the tongue in the Bible.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. – Proverbs 18:21
Jesus himself is the word – John 1

James 3:2-12

The tongue is …
A bit that controls us
A rudder that steers us
A fire hazard
A world of unrighteousness
Set on fire by hell
Untamable by humans
A restless evil full of deadly poison
Used to bless God
Used to curse the likeness of God

What kind of evil comes from the tongue?

The 9th commandment – Proverbs 6:16-19

What is the poison in the tongue?
Gossip, Slander, Scorning, Boasting, Harshness, Flattery, Mocking, Strife, Lying, Cursing, Abusiveness, Divisiveness, Scoffing, Quarrelsomeness, Manipulation, Insulting, Grumbling, Unwholesome talk

What defiles us? – Mark 7, Matthew 15
Religious authorities: What we consume
Jesus: The output of our hearts

Our careless words keep hope away from those who need it.

God never gives us license to loose the restless evil of the tongue.

We are accountable before God for every word we speak about His Name.

Our words will bless God, or our words will curse His image. It’s one or the other.

Your words matter.

A careless tongue is an employee of hell. 

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” –Proverbs 4:23 

Vigilance = Alertly watchful, especially to avoid danger

“Whoever believes in me, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” –John 7:38

Why does God warn us to starkly about our tongues and our hearts?
He loves us so deeply.
He loves His bride.
His correction is His kindness.

We have an assignment.

Your words are the spring.
Salt water or living water: you choose.

Where have you been careless with your words?