Point of Grace Worship 11.7.21 Sermon Notes – “Soul Recovery – Immerse and Untangle”
Hebrews 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Souls thrive when immersed in God and untangled from all that hinders and entangles.
Soul Recovery 101 – Immerse – “My soul needs so much more of God than I think it does!”
Psalm 42 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.
“My soul needs so much more of God than I think it does!”
I need to stay immersed in God’s Presence, Love, Goodness, Truth, Story, Words, Spirit, Grace, Creation, Power ………
When my soul needs a __________ and I bring it a _________ something needs to change!
Immersion takes “time and effort” ……... “Untangle? ”
“Immersion in His Presence”: Word, Prayer, Worship, Sacraments, Sabbath, Creation ……!
Some Practical Immersion Rhythms I Belong Daily – Word and Prayer, (Music) Weekly Worship (Sabbath) Get Outside Pause App Simple Service in His Name
A Beautiful Story of a Soul Immersed and Untangled Mark 14
Prayer of the Week (Note: This week’s prayer is designed differently. After a brief prayer introduction, we will pray a portion of Psalm 95 followed by 30ish seconds of silence for us to “immerse” in the words just prayed. We will do this three times.)
Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank You for the opportunity to be in Your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in You. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in Your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, untangle me Jesus, untangle me. I am Yours and You are mine. 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. (pause) 3 For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. (pause) 6 Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; 7 for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. (pause) Amen
Resources for this Week Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.
Mon – Psalm 42:1-8 Tue – Ephesians 3:16-21 Wed – Hebrews 12:1-3 Thu – Colossians 1:15-23 Fri – Revelation 20:6-10 Sat - Psalm 149:1-5
Meditation Hints:
Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”
Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.
Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.
Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved