Point of Grace Online Worship - October 25, 2020

Point of Grace Online Worship 10.25.20

Sermon Notes - “Jesus, Can I thrive in my anxious world?” - Casting Off Anxiety

How are you handling the “anxiousness” in you and around you?

Jesus, can You help? … … … can I thrive?

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” -Jesus- (from Matthew 11:28-30)

Jesus invites us to come to “Him” and receive His “yoke” – His way of carrying the loads of life!

The apostle Peter encourages us in the art of wearing the Jesus Yoke!

1 Peter 5 5“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Three wonderful surprises from Peter about wearing the Jesus yoke to carry the loads of life!

1. Humility “I was surprised at the connection between ‘anxiety/worry’ and ‘pride’!” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

The parable of Rick Steve’s suitcase!

2. I get to cast anxiety on God 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

o I join Jesus in filtering through my anxiety ……… remember “he cares for you”. Jesus, what is my loving responsibility as I cast off my anxiety? “Not my circus not my monkeys!” “I am responsible to you but not for you” “I must own my role God will own results!” “Seek Jesus’ reign over my life and do the next right thing.” “Jesus, I give this _____ to You. But please take care of it, it’s very special to me!”

o Try “Benevolent Detachment” as a rhythm of life. “One Minute Pause App” God, I give everyone and everything to You! (Jesus, what do I need to let go of?) Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit, heal my union with You. (Jesus, You are the vine I am the branch if I remain in You and You in me I will bear much fruit. John 15 )

I need more of you God. Holy Spirit fill me afresh! (Jesus, fill me to the measure of all the fullness of God. Eph. 3) Now I get to do the next right thing!

3. My anxious world is the devil’s playground! “8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, “

How is Jesus helping me thrive in my anxious world?

How is He inviting me to change my thinking? How is He inviting me to change my doing?

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or YouTube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper into coming to Jesus and His way for thriving in this anxious world. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 11:25-30 Tue – 1 Peter 5:1-11 Wed – James 4:4-10 Thu – John 15:1-11 Fri – John 17: 20-26 Sat - Psalm 55 (notice vs. 22)

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: “Sermon Resources” from pog.church

The Pause App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Pete Scazzero

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

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 18, 2020

Point of Grace Online Worship 10.18.20 Sermon Notes - “Jesus, Can I thrive in my anxious world?” - Praying Peace into Anxiousness

Jesus, can you help?... Can I thrive?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus and His yoke

yoke - a way of carrying the loads of life

I cannot depend on my anxious world becoming un-anxious enough for me to thrive

What does it mean to thrive?

My ability to thrive is not dependent on my ability to accomplish more… but the presence of peace in our lives is a much better measure for thriving

The spinning plates of life

Can we pray peace into our anxious world?

Philippians and the "Prison Letters" Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, and Ephesians

- Wrongfully imprisoned for 5 years

- Shipwrecked

- Chained to a guard

- Possibility of Death

Paul has the yoke of Jesus figured out

How does prayer help us put on the yoke of Jesus in our anxious world?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

What is Peace? - Peace is confidence in God's control and ordering of our lives

Fake Peace:

1. Total Control

2. Nothing Matters

Opposite of Peace is Anxiousness

μεριμναω = Merimnao = to divide, to separate

Two Courts

How can we pray peace into our anxious world?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

Our "ebenezers"

"God, whatever you do in response to this request is good."

This is the kind of freeing peace that comes from reminding your heart who you are in Christ

This is a kind of peace that is not rooted in my own ability to create peace, but peace found in a Father in Heaven who loves us very much. Point of Grace Online Worship 10.18.20 Sermon Notes - “Jesus, Can I thrive in my anxious world?” - Praying Peace into Anxiousness

Tools:

- "God, whatever you do in response to this request is good. Because I am your child"

- Prayer Jumpstarters

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or Youtube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Helps: “Sermon Resources” from pog.church

The Pause App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Pete Scazzero

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

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper into coming to Jesus and His way for thriving in this anxious world. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 11:25-30 Tue – Philippians 4:4-9 Wed – Philippians 4:10-20 Thu – Luke 10:38-42 Fri – Luke 22:39-46 Sat - Psalm 42

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.

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 11, 2020

Point of Grace Online Worship 10.11.20

Sermon Notes - “Jesus, Can I thrive in my anxious world?” - My Default Thinking

How are you handling the “anxiety” in you and around you?

Jesus, can You help? … … … can I thrive?

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” -Jesus- (from Matthew 11:28-30)

Matthew 6 contains one of Jesus most profound teachings on “anxiety”.

What does He reveal about His “way” of carrying the loads of life (yoke) which will help us thrive in an anxious world?

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It’s like Jesus knows that our default “thinking” about God, ourselves and the relationship needs some work.

What some good news?

- Your heavenly Father values you far more than you can imagine. Try to get your mind around the validation this brings you as a gift. If you have that kind of validation, love and care from the God who knows you best, can you imagine how much you “don’t” have to worry about tomorrow and how many things you “don’t” have to strive over and seek to earn to get what you already have.

- Worry is powerless to help but oh so natural to do.

- What is a “pagan” and how do I “not” act like one? (but rather like I have a Father in heaven who loves me very much.)

- If it is not my role to “worry” then what do I do? Where do I exert my effort?

o Seek “first” the Father’s reign over every situation and aspect of life,

o Seek the Father’s righteousness (His right way) which is found in Jesus and His way of living.

- How do these shifts-of-thinking about my Father in heaven, me (with my worry) and our relationship help me thrive in my anxious world?

What are some practical ways I can act in alignment with what Jesus has revealed?

Helps: “Sermon Resources” from Pog.church

The Pause App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Pete Scazzero

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

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or Youtube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper into coming to Jesus and His way for thriving in this anxious world. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 11:25-30 Tue – Matthew 6:25-34 Wed – Mark 6:30-34 Thu – John 17:20-26 Fri – Luke 16:11-32 Sat - Psalm 19

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.

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 4, 2020

Point of Grace Online Worship 10.4.20

Sermon Notes - “Jesus, Can I thrive in my anxious world?” - The Way of Jesus

How are you doing?

How are you handling the “anxiety” in you and around you?

Jesus, can You help? … … … can i thrive?

Some helpful insights! – A conversation with Jim Otte – Rev., LPC

___________________________________________________________________

1 5 6 789 10

I cannot depend on my anxious world becoming un-anxious enough for me to thrive ………... but,

Is there a constant source of restoration and renewal for my soul so I can thrive even in my anxious world?

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” -Jesus- (from Matthew 11:28-30)

Jesus and His yoke

yoke – a way of carrying the “loads of life”.

I have a “way of carrying the loads of life” even if I don’t know what it is!

Jesus offers Himself and His Way of carrying the loads of life!

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” -Jesus-

As you contemplate your (daily) response to Jesus’ invitation notice your natural objections and His promises.

A really important truth:

“You were never designed to do any of life without Jesus fully in you and you fully in Jesus!”

No wonder we are stressed!

A Taste of “Jesus and His Way” for me in my anxious world.

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6

Regular refuge for the purpose of soul restoration will get sabotaged!

Soul Restoration with Jesus and His Way this week?

Helps: “Sermon Resources” from Pog.church

The Pause App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Pete Scazzero

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

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or Youtube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper into coming to Jesus and His way for thriving in this anxious world. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Matthew 11:25-30 Tue – Psalm 23 Wed – Mark 6:30-34 Thu – Psalm 84 Fri – John 14:1-7 Sat - Psalm 62

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

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 27, 2020

Point of Grace Online Worship 9.27.20

Sermon Notes - “STRONGER TOGETHER – In Faith”

1 Corinthians 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

We are STRONGER TOGETHER in Love,

STRONGER TOGETHER in Hope,

STRONGER TOGETHER in Faith,

As we do the MISSION Jesus has given us!

FAITH? ………… Is the unique relationship people can have with God made possible by Jesus.

Our experience of this “faith” relationship involves believing, trusting and responding!

Ephesians 2 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—……8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Revelation 3 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Experiencing Faith in Jesus involves Believing – Trusting – Responding (steps of faith – “Yes” to Jesus)

God creates the faith in me to believe, trust and respond with steps of faith. I am not the creator of my faith but I am a participant. God gives me the power to believe I come only with the power to reject.

Lessons from a Wheelbarrow!

Matthew 14 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

STRONGER TOGETHER in Faith means I have encouragement around me

- Believe rightly about God, myself and the world,

- Trust deeply in the one who loves me and gave Himself for me,

- Respond authentically with whatever steps of faith He is calling me to!

Some really Good News …

- Jesus is a really good tight rope walker and has a wheelbarrow made for me! Say “Yes” to Jesus!

- The meaningful life Christ intends is filled with “steps of faith” for me to say “Yes” to everyday! He loves me too much to do it any other way!

- I get to see “obedience to Jesus” not as a burden to be born but as “steps of faith” to be engaged.

- When I am finding it challenging to say Yes to a “step of faith” I get to ask Jesus, “What do I need to believe more deeply about You to do what You are asking me to do?”

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or Youtube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper into the theme for this week “Stronger Together in Faith”. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Ephesians 2: 1-10 Tue – Revelation 3: 14-22 Wed – Matthew 14:22-33 Thu – Hebrews 11:1-22 Fri – Hebrews 11:23-40 Sat - Hebrews 12:1-3

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.

Recommended Titles and Resources

The “One Minute Pause” App by Wild at Heart – Look in your app store. (use is multiple times every day)

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

Restoration Year by John Eldredge – A 365 Day Devotional - These daily devotions are excellent encouragement to live by the Spirit each day.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Devotional Book)

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 20, 2020

Point of Grace Online Worship 9.20.20

Sermon Notes - “STRONGER TOGETHER – In Hope”

1 Corinthians 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

We are STRONGER TOGETHER in Love,

STRONGER TOGETHER in Hope,

STRONGER TOGETHER in Faith,

As we do the MISSION Jesus has given us!

HOPE? ……………. It’s about the future! Is it any more than wishful thinking? Are we a people of hope? How do I deal with dashed hopes and deep disappointments?

Isaiah 40 “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

The key to having life giving HOPE is that little word “in”! It makes a big difference to start with “hoping in” before I “hope for”.

We are STRONGER TOGETHER when helping each other “HOPE in the Lord” especially when hopes are dashed!

HOPE that “hopes in” before it “hopes for”!

Romans 5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

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.

HOPE that “hopes in” Jesus –

- Moves us from “survive” to “thrive” no matter the circumstance,

- Gives us an eternal perspective for how we live today. (I don’t have to have it all now – the best is yet to come.)

- Greatly relieves anxiety and disappointment! (I can only go so low before I hit my solid “hope in” foundation.)

- Means I have constant access to the God who loves me and gave Himself for me! Jesus, Today my hope is in You! With my whole heart I hope in You! I call forth hope in You to reign in me in every situation throughout this day! Amen!

What is the possible impact of a church that is STRONGER TOGHETHER in HOPE? (Hope that “hopes in”!)

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or Youtube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper into the theme for this week “Stronger Together in Hope”. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Romans 5:1-5 Tue – 1 Peter 1:3-9 Wed – Romans 8:22-27 Thu – Isaiah 40:28-31 Fri – 1 Peter 3:13-18 Sat - Titus 2:11-14

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.

Recommended Titles and Resources

The “One Minute Pause” App by Wild at Heart – Look in your app store. (use is multiple times every day)

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

Restoration Year by John Eldredge – A 365 Day Devotional - These daily devotions are excellent encouragement to live by the Spirit each day.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Devotional Book)

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 13, 2020

Point of Grace Online Worship 9.13.20

Sermon Notes - “STRONGER TOGETHER – In Love”

What does it mean to be Jesus’ Church now?

The Church of Jesus is “STRONGER TOGETHER”

Stronger How? Stronger for What?

1 Corinthians 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

We are STRONGER TOGETHER in Love,

STRONGER TOGETHER in Hope,

STRONGER TOGETHER in Faith,

As we do the MISSION Jesus has given us!

LOVE - It’s a Jesus thing!

John 13 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

1 John 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

This “Love One Another” Love:

- is GOD’s– defined, designed and delivered by Jesus!

- is SACRIFICIAL – it gives!

- is STRONGER -because it is stretched, challenged and strained, and encouraged, exemplified and perfected as we do life TOGETHER!

- is LIVED! We cannot love one another without acting “loving” to one another. Sometimes “loving” looks different than we might expect!

1 John 3 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 Corinthians 13 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

My identity as a “disciple of Jesus Christ, a baptized child of God”

supersedes all other identifying realities about me!

- is WITNESS – The church is God’s heart on display to a watching world!

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Go to www.pog.church/live to view or through Facebook or Youtube.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of the week which help dive deeper into the theme for this week “Stronger Together in Love”. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 Tue – 1 John 3:1,11-18 Wed – 1 John 4:7-12 Thu – John 13:12-17, 34-35 Fri – Ephesians 4:29-5:2 Sat - Romans 12:9-21

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.

Recommended Titles and Resources

The “One Minute Pause” App by Wild at Heart – Look in your app store. (use is multiple times every day)

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

Restoration Year by John Eldredge – A 365 Day Devotional - These daily devotions are excellent encouragement to live by the Spirit each day.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Devotional Book)

Point of Grace Online Worship - September 6, 2020

Point of Grace Online Worship 9.6.20

Sermon Notes - “Psalms – Ancient Prayers for Unprecedented Times! - Psalm 142, 145”

Jesus, what are you showing me through this Psalm journey?

“No matter where I am,

the Psalms

Lead me where I need to be!”

Sometimes my starting point is not a very pretty place!

The Psalms run the gamut from extreme Lament to extreme Praise and everything in between!

LAMENT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRAISE

“No matter where I am,

the Psalms

Lead me where I need to be!”

Where do I need to be?

Psalm 27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 34 22 The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Psalm 42 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.

Psalm 51 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 95 1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Sometimes the Psalm uses blinkers, sometimes brakes, sometimes accelerators … to lead me where I need to be!

Psalm 142 A maskil of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

1 I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. 2 I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.

3 When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. 4 Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

5 I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7 Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.

Psalm 145 1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works. 6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds. 7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

“No matter where I am,

the Psalms

Lead me where I need to be!”

Homework: Read and pray a Psalm each day!

Two suggestions:

- Live a while with the Psalms we have covered 27, 34, 42, 51, 95, 103, 136!

- Live with a Psalm a day according to the day of the month. Cover the psalms in 5 months!

Join in on “After Thoughts” Thursday at 7 pm – Join in through Facebook Live or go to www.pog.church/live to view.

Afterthoughts is a live interactive internet conversation about the topic of this week’s sermon. We would love for you to join in to make your contribution to the conversation, share your thoughts and ask your question.

Resources for this Week

These resources which will help you “Pray a Psalm a Day” this week from those we covered in this series.

Since this is the last week in our series on the Psalms, we can return to at least one Psalm a day this week. I encourage you to read the designated Psalm every day and then take some additional focus time to reread and meditate what grabs your attention that day. Remember, No matter where I am the Psalm will lead me where I need to be. Repetition is your friend. Remember you are not necessarily looking for new information from the Psalm once you understand it. These Psalms are a great opportunity to begin journaling if you do not. Making written note of what God brings to your mind is a great way to begin journaling. I don’t do it every day but it is always a blessing when I do. If the schedule below is helpful, great, use it. If not, then work through the Psalm at your own pace. We covered all or part of 9 Psalms in the series! Enjoy as you recall what you have learned and hear the fresh voice of God each day.

Mon – Psalm 27 and Psalm 34 Tue – Psalm 42 Wed – Psalm 51 Thu – Psalm 95 and Psalm 103 Fri – Psalm 136 Sat - Psalm 142 and Psalm 145

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.

Recommended Titles and Resources

Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller excellent daily devotional based on the Psalms

The “One Minute Pause” App by Wild at Heart – Look in your app store. (use is multiple times every day)

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

Restoration Year by John Eldredge – A 365 Day Devotional - These daily devotions are excellent encouragement to live by the Spirit each day.

Check out bibleproject.com. Look for their videos on the Psalms.

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Devotional Book)