Point of Grace Online Worship - July 11, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 7.11.21 Sermon Notes – Parables of the Kingdom – Why Parables? 7.11.21

Why Parables?

Jesus knows people need Him but, they can’t have Him unless they “get” Him!

Parable - A small past-time narrative that Jesus tells in order to communicate a deeper meaning. They communicate indirectly via metaphors extended to the level of narratives. They “hide” before they “reveal” … subversively making the listener think, consider, question etc.

Matthew 13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.

The Back Story – In chapters 11 and 12 we see a committed yet frustrated Jesus compassionately reaching out with works and words meeting resistance at all levels. He knows - they need Him but can’t _______ Him unless they ”____” Him! 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” Something shifted?

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. 15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Remember what He knows; people need Him but, they can’t have Him unless they “get” Him!

Why this parable?

The seed sower -

The 3 unproductive seed/soil situations –

The 1 productive seed/soil situation

How is Jesus and His parable affecting;

- the crowds?

- the disciples?

- You?

o As you contend with the King and His Kingdom

o So you can contend for the King and His Kingdom

Prayer of the Week

Heavenly Father, I thank and praise You this day for revealing Yourself to me through Jesus! Thank You, Jesus for loving me so much that You passionately and persistently keep reaching out to me with Your word, by Your Spirit and through people so that I might “get” You by faith and live now the meaningful life You intend for me. To be honest though, I want to “get” You more ... I know I “get” You some but I want to “get” … really “get” You and Your kingdom reign in my life and the world … more!

Jesus, I praise You for the creativity and passion that You revealed in using parables to reveal truth to all of us. As I pray through a portion of the sower parable I ask You to reveal afresh, today, what You know I need from You. Speak Lord, Your servant is listening.

Matthew 1319 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Take a few moments to listen.) Jesus, I also lift up to You by name people that I know are trapped in “unproductive soil” lives and I contend in prayer for them now. (Take a moment to name people now who need to be “good soil” hearers of the word.) I pray that Your kingdom would come in their hearts and Your name would be hallowed in their lives Jesus! Reign Jesus reign over them.

Thank You Father for revealing Yourself to me. I desperately desire to live the meaningful life Christ intends for me this day!

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 – Matthew 13:18-23 Tue – Matthew 13:10-15 Wed – 1 John 2:15-17 Thu – 2 Peter 1:3-9 Fri – 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Sat - Psalm 19:1-4,7-11

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 - July 4, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 7.4.21 Sermon Notes – The Church Prays for the Nation 7.4.21

It is Sunday the Fourth of July!

1 Timothy 2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

Why and how does the church pray for the nation and leaders?

1) We are “urged”! I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority.

2) We “give thanks”!

3) We make “petitions and intercessions” for civil leaders “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” What makes for a peaceful and quiet society? Justice, safety, security, basic provision etc.

4) We remember as we pray that the ultimate hope of mankind is Jesus! Life with Him is the only ultimate security! The church is called to be “salt and light” in a broken world offering what no human leaders or nations can!

Let’s Pray!

Matthew 11 28 “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.

Jesus says, “Come to Me!” ….. I say, “Restore my soul!”

Prayer of the Week

This week we include in this prayer language from “Prayer for the Nation” from our Lutheran denominational resources.

Almighty God and Father, as we celebrate this week of the 4th of July we recognize that You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will. Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action. Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people. Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail.

Lord, keep this nation under Your care. Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth. Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and serve You faithfully in our generation.

As we move into the second half of the summer lead us as individuals, families and a church to hear and respond to Your gracious call on our souls, “Come to Me … and I will give you rest”. Help us respond to that gracious call with this simple request from our hearts, “Restore my soul, Jesus, Restore my soul.”

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 Timothy2:1-6 Tue – Matthew 22:15-22 Wed – 1 Peter 2:11-17 Thu – Psalm 42:1-7 Fri – Matthew 11:27-30 Sat - Psalm 23

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 - June 27, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 6.27.21 Sermon Notes – Praying That Matters Part 2 2021

Summer 2021 – Transitions? … … … God, what are you up to?

The Lord’s Prayer leads me toward a healthy relationship with God …

especially when in transition… when setting up new “normals”.

What if we became …

Less focused on consuming kingdom benefits and more on contending for the kingdom’s cause! Less about “consuming” ………… more about “contending”… Less like “spectators” cheering good and God on and more like “special forces” deployed with purpose.

Praying the Lord’s Prayer moves us in this direction. Praying that matters.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name … Your kingdom come … Your will be done … …on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6

Notice the sequence and shift of the prayer’s two halves!

Petition 4 – Father, Give us today our bread that is coming (near),

What frame of mind do we need to authentically pray for our daily physical needs? How freeing would it live each day with the faith that provision for our physical needs is coming from the Father and it is all gifts of grace?

Petitions 5 – Father, forgive us our (sin) debts as we also have forgiven our (sin) debtors.

Jesus prioritizes forgiveness (receiving and giving) for the good of our souls – so He gave us actual words to pray. Jesus authored forgiveness; - is motivated by God’s forgiveness of us not our feelings about the person or situation, - recognizes the violation and doesn’t ignore it, - is a faith-based decision drawing on the power of the cross and not dependent of feeling forgiving. - is the pathway to reconciliation which can happen if repentance is present.

Living forgiven and forgiving frees us to contend for the kingdom of God in the lives of all we influence.

Petition 6 - Father, lead us not (only) into temptation but (even more) deliver us from the evil one.

When taken as one petition the first clause is negated (with a not) in order to subordinate (or lessen it) thus magnifying the main clause.

Jesus gives us words to pray which bring us into the reality of the war zone we live in as contenders for His Kingdom. The second half of the Lord’s Prayer equips and trains us to be Kingdom contenders by:

- Turning us toward Our Father in heaven for 100% of our physical needs,

- Teaching us to seek, receive and give forgiveness so life can happen all around,

- Leading us to relentless dependence on our Father’s deliverance in the war with evil.

Prayer of the Week Heavenly Father, You are my true Father, who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Pause and strategically pray these three petitions over the real life situations you are facing. You are calling in the coordinates asking Him to act.)

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Give us this day our daily bread”. I recognize and ask for Your care and provision for all of my physical needs from finances to food, a warm bed to a running car, medical care to retirement income …. It is all from Your hand. Thank You. In praying I surrender my needs to Your care and I surrender my sometimes incessant need to worry about all these things. Help me trust You Father. Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us”. Father You are leading me to recognize my deep need for Your forgiveness. Forgive me of my every sin, Father. (Confess any specific sin burdens that today weigh on your heart.) I receive Your complete and total forgiveness. Lead me now Father as I recall any grudges, retribution or unforgiveness harboring in me against those who have sinned against me. I now surrender this all to You and make the decision to “let it go … into Your hands” … to forgive. Help me Father to live forgiven and forgiving.

Father, I join forces with Your entire family praying “Lead us not (only) into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”. Father help us recognize and follow Your leading as we contend for Your Kingdom in this war zone of a world. Even more, Deliver us from the evil one. Jesus, You are the only one who is completely victorious over evil and we go forward this day facing whatever evil may come in the power of Your name. Deliver us from evil Father, deliver us.

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend 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 – Matthew 7:7-12 Tue – Exodus 16:11-15, 19-21 Wed – Matthew 18:21-35 Thu – Colossians 3:12-15 Fri – 1 Peter 5:6-11 Sat - Psalm 103:8-14

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.

“Moving Mountains” 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

Point of Grace Online Worship - June 20, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 6.20.21 Sermon Notes – Praying That Matters Part 1- 2021

Summer 2021 – Transitions? … … … God, what are You up to?

The Lord’s Prayer leads me toward a healthy relationship with God …

especially when in transition… when setting up new “normals”.

What if we became …

Less focused on consuming kingdom benefits and more on contending for the kingdom’s cause!

Less a “consumer” ………… more a “contender” …

Less about “consuming” ………… more about “contending”…

Less like “spectators” cheering on good and God, and more like “special forces” deployed with purpose.

Praying the Lord’s Prayer moves us in this direction. Praying that matters.

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name … Your kingdom come … Your will be done … …on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6

The Opening Our Father in heaven, A plural prayer plunging us into deep life with God!

Petitions 1- Hallowed be Your name … on earth as it is in heaven,

I am ASKing (with volition) that God’s name(presence) be recognized and treated as holy…

Petition 2- Your kingdom come … on earth as it is in heaven,

I am ASKing (with volition) that God’s reign (authority, rule, dominion) come …

Petition 3 - Your will be done … on earth as it is in heaven,

I am ASKing (with volition) that God’s will gets done in a sea of competing wills …

The Lord’s Prayer equips and trains us to be Kingdom Contenders –

- Memorable

- Strategic – (Calling in the coordinates.)

- Useful

Prayer of the Week Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me before You made the world. You are my true Father, my heavenly Father who loves me very much. I love You, I trust You, I worship You and step by faith into my true identity as Your lavishly loved child – the identity given to me in my baptism.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Hallowed be Your name on earth as it is in heaven.” I pray that I might recognize, treat and honor Your name and presence as true and real in every aspect of my being and living this day. I also pray that those people, institutions and cultures that do not treat You as holy might come to know You and proclaim You as the just, true, saving, forgiving, life giving God You are.

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” I ask for and seek Your authority, rule and reign over every aspect and dimension of my life. I also request Your good and gracious reign come over people, circumstances and situations that desperately need Your truth, leadership, provision, protection, authority, healing and wholeness – all the many benefits of life in Your kingdom. – Come reign of Jesus, come!

Father I join forces with Your entire family praying “You Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Among all the competing wills in my life, situations and world I pray that Your will breaks through and gets done. Over all my desires, prayers and decisions I pray Your good and gracious will Be Done. I also request Your Will override all other competing evil and sinful forces that are always luring myself and my fellow human beings into poor, life stealing decisions.

(Now pause and take some time to strategically pray “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done” prayers over your life and the people and situations you are close to.)

Father, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for calling me to be a contender for You and Your kingdom as I live the meaningful life You intend 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 – Matthew 6:25, 31-34 Tue – Galatians 4:4-7 Wed – Numbers 6:22-27 Thu – Acts 26:12-18 Fri – Acts 4:23-31 Sat - Romans 12:1-2

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.

“Moving Mountains” 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

Point of Grace Online Worship - June 13, 2021

Point of Grace Online Worship - June 6, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 6.6.21 Sermon Notes – Pentecost Part 3- 2021

The Holy Spirit – The Experience of God

At the heart of experiencing God is experiencing His love – love that fits – personal love! God comes in person by His Spirit!

The New Testament writers often referred to experiencing God the Holy Spirit with phrases like:

“filled with the Spirit” (Acts 2:4), “baptism of the Spirit” (Acts 1:5), “receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20)

This “experience of the Spirit” is not just for the miracle of faith which begins our relationship with God

but for our ongoing, everyday life … … go on “being filled” with the Holy Spirit!

Jesus is super helpful here!

John 7 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Luke 11 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Why does Jesus think Ask Seek Knock so important for Holy Spirit filled life?

The posture of ASK-ing is so helpful to living a life filled with the Holy Spirit. ASK promotes a posture of humility, need, intentionality and relentless dependence on a willing and gracious Heavenly Father who loves us very much!

Jesus deals with our innate doubts, fears and feelings of inadequacy about receiving from God.

- Doubt whether God’s promises are true!

- Fear that if I open myself up to Him will it be good!

- Inadequacy feelings that all this really applies to me!  

Jesus identifies our greatest need to ASK for – the Holy Spirit filling us!

Ezekiel 47 8 He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.

So shall we ask?

Prayer of the Week

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love you, I worship you, I trust you. Thank you for always breathing life into lifeless situations. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live in Jesus name! I now receive all the new life that you have for me today, bought for me by Jesus Christ. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.) I now recognize my utter need for You, Holy Spirit in every aspect and dimension of my life. I deeply desire to be filled with you, to walk in step with you in all things. I seek to have You animate through every one of my thoughts, words and deeds today! Father, I ASK you to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh! (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him) Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive you with thanks, and I give you total claim to my life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 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 – Luke 11:9-13 Tue – Ezekiel 47:1,5-9, John 7:37-39 Wed –Acts 19:1-8 Thu – Jeremiah 29:11-14a Fri – Luke 4:14-19 Sat - Psalm 103:1-5: 11-13

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.

“Moving Mountains” 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

Point of Grace Online Worship - May 30, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 5.30.21 Sermon Notes What does the Holy Spirit Do?

Pentecost?

Our modern culture makes it incredibly difficult to talk about the Holy Spirit.

John 16

But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you… 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore, I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

- In Jesus’ mind it is better for Him to leave so that we could have the Holy Spirit than for Jesus to stay.

- This is totally contrary to what I would normally want...Jesus sees and understands something about the Holy Spirit that I don’t see or understand.

What does the Holy Spirit even do? - “Some church traditions are really into the Holy Spirit. And for some traditions, the Trinity can be more like the Father, Son and Holy Scripture.”

Genesis 1 & 2

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Spirit = Ruakh = God’s breath/energy

The Holy Spirit Specializes in creating life, order and beauty out of darkness, chaos and death.

Ezekiel 37

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley] it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling] and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

- The bones grew flesh and skin, but until the breath of God was in them they were lifeless.

Examples of the Holy Spirit creating life out of lifeless situations: Peter and the disciples, Isaiah in the temple, Joseph in prison, Jonah in the whale

The Holy Spirit that Jesus has made available to us all on Pentecost, through His resurrection unlocks a living, breathing God that is more than just “right knowledge” and trying harder.

In the midst of the chaos and darkness of my own life, I receive the Spirit who creates life, order, goodness and beauty!

I become able to breath this Holy Spirit life, order, goodness and beauty out into a dark, chaotic world.

"The holy spirit doesn't add to what Jesus has already said and instituted, but he makes all Jesus has said and done alive today. This is what the Holy Spirit is meant to be. The one who accomplishes, who realizes, who re-enacts the work of Jesus.”

What good news is this for me?

1. I am not expected to do life on my own.

2. I can enjoy the journey of faith rather than just working for the end result of faith.

3. The Holy Spirit breathes life into our imaginations on what we are “able-to-do” as God’s children

Helpful tools to regularly Breathe in and Out Holy Spirit life:

1. I Belong Challenge, particularly the prayers

2. The Alpha Course

3. “Come Holy Spirit” prayers that lead to “Relentless Dependence” on the Holy Spirit

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 – Genesis 1: 1-2 & 2:4-7

Tue – Ezekiel 37:4-10

Wed – Romans 8:14-17

Thu – John 14:15-20

Fri – Acts 4:31-35

Sat – Isaiah 11:1-5

Prayer of the Week

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love you, I worship you, I trust you. Thank you for always breathing life into lifeless situations.

I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live in Jesus name!

I now receive all the new life that you have for me today, bought for me by Jesus Christ. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide.

(You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.)

I honor you as Lord, and I fully give to you every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will—to be filled with you, to walk in step with you in all things.

Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him) Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive you with thanks, and I give you total claim to my life.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen

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.

“Moving Mountains” 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

Point of Grace Online Worship - May 23, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 5.23.21 Sermon Notes – Pentecost – 2021

Pentecost – What happened? Why does it matter?

Acts 2

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy…. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

That’s what happened!

- The Holy Spirit Comes Wind, Fire, Power (“able-to-do-ness”)

- Peter Explains Was present but promised - Now present as promised

- People Respond Surrender – Receive - Act  

Why does this matter?

Acts 1 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”….. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Power – “able-to-do-ness” - The Spirit enables “couldn’t to can” living!

Witnesses – “here and everywhere”

John 7 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Ezekiel 47 8 He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.

Spirit inspired rivers of living water will not only flow in me but overflow from me!

Holy Spirit, I am relentlessly dependent on You for Life and the power to Live it!

Prayer of the Week

Holy Spirit, thank you for coming. I love you, I worship you, I trust you. I praise and thank You for enabling me to believe and live in Jesus name! I now receive all the work and triumph in Pentecost, through which you have come. You have clothed me with power from on high. You have sealed me in Christ, become my union with the Father and the Son, the Spirit of truth in me, the life of God in me, my counselor, comforter, healer, strength, and guide. (You may pray here about specific needs today for the Spirit’s counsel, comfort, strength, healing and guidance.) I honor you as Lord, and I fully give to you every aspect and dimension of my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will—to be filled with you, to walk in step with you in all things. Fill me afresh, Holy Spirit. (Slowly repeat this phrase a couple of times, pausing to simply receive Him) Restore my union with the Father and the Son. Lead me into all truth, anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and lead me deeper into Jesus today. I receive you with thanks, and I give you total claim to my life.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

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 – Acts 2:1-18 Tue – Acts 2:32-41 Wed –John 7:37-39 Thu – John 14:25-27 Fri – Ezekiel 36:24-27 Sat - Psalm 51:10-13

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.

“Moving Mountains” 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