Point of Grace Worship 5.9.21 Sermon Notes – Living the NEW Life – Part 6- Easter 2021

The Resurrection means Jesus has a New Life and invites us to join Him – to Live the NEW Life filled with HOPE!

1 Peter 1 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials………18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Living Hope – “not wishful thinking” BUT “profound certainty” in God and what He has revealed, authenticated by the resurrection of Jesus.

21 Through him (Jesus) you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

This Living Hope, which is indispensable for the meaningful life Christ intends;

- Empowers better living in this crazy “already” but “not yet” volume of God’s story and Romans 15 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Is the “secret sauce” for inviting others into the meaningful life.

1 Peter 3 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

- It is so easy under pressure to let “default self” take over

- We need a simple way to surrender “self” and lean and receive Jesus as Lord.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

- Ongoing thoughtfulness about the hope-in-Jesus difference readies me.

- I want to live an authentic life that begs the question, “Why are you ________?”  

But do this with gentleness and respect,

- Love listens!

- Beyond clichés and insider language toward humble transparency shared with the listener in mind.

Alpha is a beautiful tool helping each of us share the HOPE we have!

NEW Life Living

- Soak Up Hope from the Resurrected Jesus Everyday Join the I BELONG CHALLENGE at www.pog.church

- Overflow with Hope

- Thoughtfully consider the difference “hope in Jesus” makes day by day.

- Ask Jesus, “Who can I invite to Alpha?”

Prayer of the Week

Jesus, I love You! I worship You! I trust You! I give myself over to You today in my heart’s search for life. Restore me in You! Renew me in You and lead me in this time of prayer.

Jesus, I sincerely receive you as my Life, and I receive all the work and triumph in your resurrection, through which you have conquered sin, death, judgment, and the evil one. Death has no power over you, nor does any foul thing. And I have been raised with you to a new life, to live your life—dead to sin and alive to God.

Jesus, You are my Living Hope and I now receive the gift and presence of Your Holy Spirit. “Come Holy Spirit” – I receive You now and Surrender to You so that empowered by You I might always be ready to give an answer to anyone asking about the reason for the Hope I have. You are my Hope, Jesus, and I sincerely ask You to so lead my life, decisions, conversations and actions this day so that hope seeking questions about You are cultivated in the minds of those around me. Oh, Jesus, I want to be a life giving, sincere, hope full witness for you among the people around me.

Holy Spirit, I ask you to help me see how “hope in Jesus” makes a difference in my life today. Help me be thoughtful about You and the life and hope I have because of You so that I might be ready to give a gentle, respectful and life giving answer to all who are open and asking.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the Alpha course. Thank you for this worldwide, Holy Spirit inspired tool which helps Your children share “Hope in Jesus” with friends and family. Holy Spirit, I ask you to bring to mind those people in my life which I might invite to Alpha. Please inspire conversations around me so that I might join You Jesus in touching the lives of people who are close to me but far from You that they might come to know the Hope you have for them. (Notice who comes to mind that You might pray for and be open to inviting to Alpha.)

I love You Jesus and am thrilled that, today, I get to be your agent of Hope in the world of people around me today!

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 – 1 Peter 3:13-17 Tue – 1 Peter 1:8-13 Wed – Acts 1:1-8 Thu – 1 Peter 2:4,5,9-12 Fri – Colossians 3:2-6 Sat - Jeremiah 29:4-5,7,10-14

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.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading.

“Hope in Times of Fear” Timothy Keller

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge