First International Christian Fellowship (ficfreno)

Everyone knows of this exclusive realm you wound up on with a sibling or a friend where you both understand exactly how the other one operates at any given point in time without even uttering a single word. Pastor Joe envisions the church striving to breach this level of intimacy with Christ not only derivative of, but especially outside receiving the Lord's Supper. INTRO: IN REMEMBRANCE OF JESUS [5:49] 1 Cor. 11:24-25 I: DISPUTE OVER POSITION [8:58] Luke 22:24-27 (CSB) IA: THINK LIKE CHRIST [13:54] Phil. 2:5-7 (NIV) II: JESUS WAS BETRAYED [18:51] Luke 22:1-6 IIA: GOD OR MONEY? Matt. 26:15 Jn. 12:4-6 Matt. 6:24 (NLT) IIB: RICHES WILL NOT SATISFY Matt. 27:3-5 III: JESUS DENIED BY PETER Luke 22:31-34 (ESV) Luke 22:61-62 Luke 12:8-9 IIIA: QUESTION BY JESUS Jn. 21:15 IIIB: TAKE IT FROM PETER 1 Pet. 5:5-8 __ If you are impacted by this ministry and would like to support us in our mission of reaching others for Christ, visit the link: ficfreno.com/give

Live in this broken world long enough, you will soon learn that having a weakness leaves you vulnerable to other people's exploitation. If Psalm 139 makes a magnanimous declaration of God's fearfully and wonderfully making of us, what purpose do our weak points serve then? Closely following Christ entails a series of unprecedented events that take you to uncharted territories in your life you never even knew existed in the first place. If you want to test your life for even more weak spots, definitely follow Christ closely. Continuing our series, Richard Fennimore reveals exactly what our Achilles heel converts to in God's kingdom. VERSE: 2 Cor. 11:16-12:10 PAUL BOASTS ABOUT HIS SUFFERINGS 2 Cor. 11:16-33 Acts 14:19-20 Acts 9:19-25 Phil. 3:8 PAUL'S VISION AND HIS THORN 2 Cor. 12:1-10 Daniel 12:4 __ ficfreno.com/give

Why is it essential to fellowship with other broken people who can potentially disappoint us more than anyone else in this world? In an attempt to reconcile this oxymoron, Pastor Joe takes the church on a nature trip in the beautiful campgrounds of Lake Francis. Take a hike with us across a trail of various verses. Gain some expert backpacker wisdom on navigating the glaring importance of coming together in Jesus' Name. VERSE: Acts 2:42 INTRO John 3:16 1 Jn. 3:16 Luke 10:27 Hebrews 12:1 I. FELLOWSHIP GIVES US A PICTURE OF GOD Romans 12:4-6 II. FELLOWSHIP MAKES US STRONGER Matt. 18:19-20 III. FELLOWSHIP PROVIDES ENCOURAGEMENT Hebrews 10:24-25 IV. FELLOWSHIP REMINDS US WE'RE NOT ALONE 1 Cor. 12:21 Ecc. 4:9-12 V. FELLOWSHIP HELPS US GROW 1 Cor. 14:26 __ ficfreno.com/give

On his deathbed, multi-billionaire founder of Apple Steve Jobs’ final words “Oh wow,” depict the collapse of this visionary’s life-long pursuit of wealth and merit. Having accumulated excess fame and fortune, Jobs realized fullness of life is a state of mind. They say a tell you’re living the epitome of your being is having joy. Moreover, as Teilhard de Chardin puts it, joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God. Are you able to roll with life’s Pacquiao-caliber punches and come out still joyful in God’s presence? Pastor Joe yet unpacks this box of chocolate for us. WHO WILL TEACH US Ps. 90:12 FR. SOMEONE WHO HAS DONE IT ALL Ecclesiastes 1:2 VANITY=IDOL Deut. 32:21 JESUS SAID John 16:33 TROUBLE COMES WE FLEX SPIRITUAL MUSCLES Jam. 1:2-4 Luke 12:16-21 Matt. 6:19-20 WHERE’S YOUR FOCUS Col. 3:1-4 CHRIST IS YOUR FOCUS LIVE LIFE FOR HIM Col. 3:3-7 IN GOD'S TIME? Col. 3:8-10 2 Cor. 6:2 YOU ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD YOU’RE A NEW CREATION 2 Cor. 5:17 Gal. 2:20 __ ficfreno.com/give

It goes without saying that it takes a village to raise your children. But miles beneath that perfectly curated hook is a nonstarter truth that gets lost in all the shuffle: Our fathers shape who we eventually become. Child-rearing is no easy task by any measure. While our moms stress over shielding us from the world, it is up to our dads to launch us to higher vistas. And they must perform such duty with equivalent grace and wit—or else it doesn’t really make any impact. Even our Heavenly Father has set a standard bar specifically catered for them, just so no one misses out. Exactly how, though? Pastor Joe’s input on the matter starts after the jump. LOVE, LIVE, LEAD BY EXAMPLE LOVE BY EXAMPLE 1 John 4:19 1 John 3:16 GOD CALLS US CHILDREN 1 John 3:1 INSTRUCTIONS TO PARENTS Eph. 6:4 TRAINING & INSTRUCTION OF THE LORD Proverbs 22:6 LIVE BY EXAMPLE 1 John 3:2-3 1 John 3:4-6 LOVE, LEAD BY EXAMPLE Deuteronomy 11:18-19 Deut. 6:4-5
 TESTING COMES Genesis 22:1-8 ___ ficfreno.com/give

Did you know that selective hearing is a legitimate psychological filtering our brain is physiologically capable of? Yes, our brain can't process all stimuli constantly bombarding us. But far from being an impairment, this voluntary choice of where we focus attention on ultimately falls on us. The church of Corinth wasn't resistant to this type of malingering when it comes to Paul's warning of false prophets—described by Pastor Joe for the next chapter of our series. Oddly enough, their habitual vices leave Paul greatly insecure. Wouldn’t you want to know how it feels to have someone care for you so much they hurt to see you pine after something…fake? THOU SHALL NOT PRACTICE ‘SELECTIVE HEARING’ 2 COR. 11:1-15 DO YOU BELONG TO GOD John 8:47 I. GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD 2 Cor. 11:1-2 Exo. 34:14 II. GREAT NEED FOR DISCERNMENT 2 Cor. 11:3-8 III. WARNING AGAINST FALSE PROPHETS Matt. 7:15 2 Cor. 11:9-15 2 Tim. 4:3 __ ficfreno.com fb.com/ficfreno instagram.com/ficfreno youtube.com/ficfreno

As imperfect people, we can be deceived by the appearance of a man, and we often measure how successful he is by what we see on the outside. This week's message tackles on how we can live a holy life by accepting one another instead of judging them first. This is the first step before we can start maturing in our walk with Jesus. Pastor Joe invites us to trust God and let His will be done in our lives. Press play for more DON'T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER 2 COR. 10:7-17 I. EYES CAN BE DECEIVING 1 Samuel 16:6-7 IA. OUR EYES ARE BIASED TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN USED TO/PREFER 1 Samuel 10:23 (CSB) II. SELF-CONFIDENCE VS GOD-CONFIDENCE 1 Samuel 17:37-40 III. CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD = FAITH IN ACTION 1 Sam. 17:45-47 Ephesians 4:23-24 Romans 12:2 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 Matthew 28:19 Phil. 1:21-22 IV. MATURITY LEADS TO SPREADING GOSPEL 2 Cor. 10:15-16 TRACK US DOWN! Website: ficfreno.com Facebook: facebook.com/ficfreno Instagram: instagram.com/ficfreno YouTube: youtube.com/ficfreno

Have you seen this post lately? 'FEAR NOT' WAS MENTIONED 365 TIMES IN THE BIBLE It serves as preface to a life lived impenetrable to fear. While it is an encouraging, well-meaning thought—it's also a false statement. At best, King James' translation only offers at least 100 verses or so of this glamorized Christian fearlessness narrative. Nevertheless, hopefully our faith in Jesus can stand by itself without made-up stats on His true and unwavering identity and promise to us. This week, Pastor Kevin White shares a message about Christ's authenticity, so tangible it almost jumps right out of the pages and takes you away with it. We all manifest doubts despite a greater need to step out in faith. Yet you can't afford to miss out on this great challenge posed upon all of us. ONE GREAT NEED, ONE GREAT FEAR, ONE GREAT CHALLENGE Hebrews 12:1-2 ; 9-14 ________ Track us down! Web: ficfreno.com Facebook: facebook.com/ficfreno Instagram: instagram.com/ficfreno Youtube: youtube.com/ficfreno

Don’t you just wish on some days following Christ is like the film Yes Man (2008)? The movie’s premise is hinged on this cult ideology that there’s zero need for a complex formula to better your conditions or an excruciating ordeal to go through to succeed in life—you only ever need to say ‘Yes’ to everything, no matter how ludicrous it may sound at first. Pastor Joe takes us further in with this next installment of our series as he breaks out a back-to-back message on obedience. It's terrifying not knowing what’s around the corner or difficult, even, waiting for the going to stop being so tough. Be that as it may, could it be possible that, by proactively deciding to put yourself in full submission, you place yourself in the most liberating position in this world? It’s not that hard. You can live your most rewarding life today if you engage in this week’s sermon. CALL FOR OBEDIENCE 2 COR 10:1-6 NLT, NIV, NKJV I: OBEDIENCE =PROOF OF OUR LOVE FOR CHRIST JOHN 14:15 ; JOHN 14:21 [...]

Has this ever happened to you? Mother’s Day is fast approaching and somehow you just can’t come up with the perfect special gift to give your beloved mom. Unless you have an immaculate track record you maintain, you might have missed the mark on several years here and there. But what if we tell you the best Mother’s Day gift out there has zero calories, is gluten-free, and unbelievably dirt-cheap? Pastor Joe offers a scam-free, 100% money-back guaranteed present everyone can get today for absolutely $0 cost-shipping. Press that play button for more info. MOTHER’S DAY 2018: The Best Mother’s Day Gift… 2 TIMOTHY 1:5 (NIV, NLT, NKJV) I.THE BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFT IS: AN OBEDIENT CHILD Ephesians 6:1-3 - WHY? OBEDIENCE = BLESSINGS/SUCCESS Proverbs 13:13 - EXAMPLE OF A DISOBEDIENT CHILD Numbers 6:1-8 Judges 14:1-3 Judges 14:8-9 ; 15:15 Judges 16:17-19 II.EXAMPLE OF AN OBEDIENT CHILD: TIMOTHY 2 Timothy 1:5 * MIND YOUR TESTIMONY THROUGH YOUR LIFE Hebrews 12:1 Romans 6:13[...]

Unbeknownst to many, the last book of the Harry Potter franchise befuddled critics and fans alike when it featured Matthew 6:21 in its plot line. Like the Bible verse: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,“ Pastor Joe urges us, this week, to ruminate on things we give value to. Do our offerings reflect whom we place our reliance on? Are we able to genuinely say “It’s my pleasure,” when God asks of our participation in matters of His Kingdom? IT'S MY PLEASURE 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-15 NLT, NKJV, NIV INTRO: A) IF, WHAT, WHY, HOW: 1 JOHN 3:16-18 B) THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM: MATTHEW 6:21 / MATTHEW 19:21 I: GRACE GIVING: 2 COR 8:1-5 IA: SACRIFICIAL GIVING: MARK 12:41-44 II: PART OF GROWTH / MATURITY: 2 COR 8:6-7 IIA: FOLLOW CHRIST' EXAMPLE: 2 COR 8:8-9 IIB: BE TRUE TO YOUR PROMISES: 2 COR 8:10-11 III: GIVE AS YOU ARE BLESSED: 2 COR 8:11-13 IV: O.T. GIVING VS GRACE GIVING V: SHARE YOUR BLESSINGS TO OTHER BELIEVERS: 2 COR 8:14-15 VA: IN GOD WE TRUST: 1 TIMOTHY 6:17-19


Shortly after its launch in 1990, NASA discovered that the billion-dollar initiative Hubble Telescope had a lens problem when photos it took of the Milky Way came back blurry. Richard Fennimore pleads a case against our complacency when it comes to God’s call to holiness. How come our perception and awe of our God come back dull and blurry? How come it takes only searing pain for us to peer underneath our sinful habits? Is it possible that we have our own personal lens flaw…and not know it? This week's sermon is an eye-opener, don't miss it. TITLE: LOOKING INTO THE HEART OF GOD 2 Corinthians 7:1-16 2 Corinthians 12:14-17 Titus 1:5 John 16:8-9 Proverbs 3:12 Proverbs 8:10-11 1 John 1:9 Titus 1:10-11 __________________ Track us down! Website: www.ficfreno.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ficfreno/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/ficfreno/ Youtube: youtube.com/ficfreno

They say worship is a lifestyle, in such a large scale that it hijacks your weekend plans, sabotages the habitual decisions you used to make and interferes with your regularly scheduled program called Life. An insidious operant takes over a Christian’s life if a disconnect between what he does on weekdays and how he serves on the weekends exists. Pastor Joe takes a series break detour this week as he lifts the rug and exhibits the dirt we all sweep under it from time to time and, importantly—having that legitimate information—what next steps should we allow our God to do in us. Title: BEING AND DOING EVERYTHING FOR GOD 2 SAMUEL 11:1-27 & MARK 4:35-40 INTRODUCTION: COLOSSIANS 1:10 JEREMIAH 17:9 PROV 4:20-23 *BEING WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE: 2 SAMUEL 11:1 *NOT BEING WHERE GOD WANTS US CAN LEAD TO SIN: 2 SAMUEL 11:2-3 *GUARD YOUR EYES! MATTHEW 6:22-23 *COMPLACENCY = SIN= DEATH 2 SAMUEL 11:4-5 *DESIRE = SIN = DEATH JAMES 1:13-15 *CHANGE YOUR DESIRES! PSALM 37:4 *BEING WITH JESUS...

Jesus clearly said that He came that we may have life and enjoy it to the fullest. There were no hidden caveats—He was not talking about this seemingly far and ahead afterlife we all long to get to someday but, instead, this * right now* life that we live. But also, God expects us to live a life of purity and holiness in such an extreme way that we shine as beacons of hope to this sinister world. How do you find a happy medium, if in the midst of all the conflicting messages you hear in this day and age, all lines are blurred and any information can be polished, twisted and Christianized? WHY NOT press play and we’ll let Pastor Joe navigate you through the nitty gritty of this week’s continuation of our journey through the Book of 2nd Corinthians? TITLE: WHY NOT? 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14,7:1 INTRODUCTION: THE BIG "IF'S" & "WHY'S" JOHN 14:15 LUKE 9:23 "IT" BEGINS IN THE MIND ROMANS 12:2 I: GOD'S COMMAND 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 IA) THE FIRST COMMAND EVER GENESIS 2:17 II: SOME THINGS JUST DON'T..

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. The very first motion picture of Spider-Man has cemented what probably is the most tired quote of all time: “With great power comes great responsibility.” What it entails is this huge, unspoken obligation expected from anyone gifted with extraordinary capabilities. This week, we discover exactly what extraordinary bearing we receive when we come to know our Savior. Press that play button for more. Title: MARKED FOR LIFE. 2 COR 6:3-10 NIV, NLT, & NKJV INTRODUCTION: DID YOU KNOW? DEUTERONOMY 7:9 I: DO NOT BE A STUMBLING BLOCK 2 COR 6:3 II: SHOW JESUS THROUGH OUR LIVES 2 COR 6:4-6, 8-10 FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT GALATIANS 5:22-26 PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD EPHESIANS ‪6:14-17‬ PLUS PRAY EPHESIANS 6:18 III: NOT BY OUR POWER, BUT BY GOD'S POWER! 2 CORINTHIANS 6:7  QUESTION FOR YOU: NUMBERS 11:23  RELY ON GOD'S POWER!  JEREMIAH 32:17

In this day and age, information is open-access. But imagine being alive during the first century, when mere mention of Christ’s Name comes with risk; when grieving for a death of a son, a brother or a friend is punishable by law. Can we sincerely pledge our allegiance to this self-proclaimed Messiah who, despite His magnanimous promises of eternal life, simply…died? Will we ever be ready to find out, three days later, that His tomb would have been empty? TITLE: SPOILER ALERT; THE TOMB IS EMPTY! MAIN VERSE: LUKE 24:1-12 / 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-8, 14-22 THE TOMB IS EMPTY: LUKE 24:1-6, 24:7-9, 24:10-12 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION: 1 COR 15:14,17, 21-22 I: I: JUST AS IT WAS WRITTEN: MATTHEW 20:17-19 PSALM 22& 69, ISAIAH 50,52 & 53 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3 II: EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT: 1 CORINTHIANS 15:5-8 LUKE 24:36-39 III: EVIDENCE INVESTIGATED: SIR LIONEL LUCKHOO HANS VON CAMPENHAUSEN LEE STROBEL TOMB IS EMPTY: NOW WHAT? GALATIANS 2:20 CHRIST IS RISEN, LIVE FOR HIM! ROMANS 6:7-8

How do you sail a ship and dock it successfully? You orient yourself in the right direction and you consistently sail forward, according to your measured bearings. This metaphor is analogous of Richard Fennimore's take on the perilous, legalistic stance even some vet Christians are not immune of taking. Avoid other various, common traps. Learn how to navigate #GodsPlan and policy in this week's Palm Sunday message. Title: GRACE AND TRUTH: God's Policy and Orientation 2 CORINTHIANS SERIES / 2 COR 5:10-6:02 Ministry of Reconciliation 1 John 1:17 Galatians 5:22-23 Doctrine of Unlimited Atonement 1 Timothy 4:10 1 John 2:2 Matthew 4:4 Psalm 1:2 Genesis 2:17 Ephesians 4:10 _______________________________________ Track us down! Website: https://www.ficfreno.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ficfreno/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ficfreno/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/ficfreno

Just accepted Christ into your life? What's next and what do we do now to please God with our actions? We find our way out of the woods this week and get an intimate know-how on proper service as new creations with our new body in Christ for God's glory and what we get out of that exactly. Title: THE PROMISSORY NOTE 2 COR 5:1-11 Introduction:2 COR 4:16-18 I: THE NEW BODY 2 COR 5:1-8 IA: OUR GOAL IS PLEASE GOD WITH OUR BODY / LIFE 2 COR 5:9 ROMANS 14:15-18 COLOSSIANS 1:10 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1 II: JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST 2 COR 5:10-11 1 COR 3:10-15 III: RECEIVE THE REWARD 1 COR 9:25 JAMES 1:12 1 PETER 5:4 2 TIMOTHY 4:5-8 ********************************** Track us down! Website: www.ficfreno.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ficfreno/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/ficfreno/ Youtube: youtube.com/ficfreno

This week's sermon attempts to unravel God's mysterious intent on providing pain in this world. Pastor Joe carefully drives us home to the point: We ought to focus our energy on propagating God's Word throughout our personal frontiers. Fix your eyes so far ahead into the unseen and encounter Jesus. Title: PART OF THE GAME MAIN VERSE: 2 COR 4:7-18 INTRODUCTION: GOD'S POWER IN JARS OF CLAY 2 COR 4:7 I: GOD'S POWER NOT OURS JOHN 15:5 PHILIPPIANS 4:13 1 COR 1:26-29 II: WE ARE LIKE JARS OF CLAY 2 TIMOTHY 2:20-21 III: LIFE OF CHALLENGES 2 COR 4:8-9 IIIA: WE SHARE IN HIS SUFFERINGS & GLORY 2 COR 4:11-12 ROMANS 8:17 IV: TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL 2 COR 4:13-15 V: FIX OUR EYES ON THE UNSEEN 2 COR 4:16-18 VA: FIX OUR EYES AND HEART ON CHRIST COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 ********************************** Track us down! Website: www.ficfreno.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ficfreno/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/ficfreno/ Youtube: youtube.com/ficfreno

How do you tap into God's unlimited power? Pastor Joe delves deeper into our series: The Book of 2nd Corinthians and plays out this dynamic between the Spirit and our capacity to choose to stay behind the eponymous veil Jesus has already torn apart. Podcast is now up on your native resource. Title: By the Power of God Main Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 INTRODUCTION: GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT THE HOLY SPIRIT REVEALS THE TRUTH: JESUS John 16:6-15 POWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT: 2 CORINTHIANS 4:1-2 I: WHEN THE VEIL IS NOT REMOVED: 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 1 Corinthians 1:18 1 Corinthians 2:14 IA: YOU BELONG TO THE ENEMY: EPHESIANS 2:2 II: LIGHT= JESUS CHRIST 2 Cor 4:5-6 IIA: FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT ACTS 26:18 III: WHEN THE VEIL IS REMOVED: 2 Corinthians 3:18 IIIA: CHANGED INTO HIS IMAGE: EPHESIANS 4:17-24 *********************** Track us down! Website: www.ficfreno.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ficfreno/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/ficfreno/ Youtube: youtube.com/ficfreno