The Reformation: Moving Forward From 500

SERMON NOTES:  

What does Joining Jesus have to do with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation?

Our New “Joining Jesus” Mindset

-          He invites us to go with Him – to join Him in His Mission!

-          Seek First His Kingdom!

Matthew 4 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Matthew 6  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. 

What is His Kingdom and how do we seek it?

Matthew 13 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

This week’s questions:
                                Jesus, what are you up to?
                               How would you have me join you?

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Matthew 6:28-34
Tuesday:  Mark 10:13-16
Wednesday:  Matthew 13:44-46
Thursday:  Matthew 13:36-43
Friday:  Matthew 13:31-35
Saturday:  Psalm 66

Part 2, Getting Started

SERMON NOTES:  

How is Jesus messing with you?
What is He up to?    What is He inviting you to notice, believe, wrestle with or do?

John 4 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” …… 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

 
What is Jesus up to?
 “Jesus is on a mission.  He is on a grand adventure to redeem and restore human lives to the kingdom of His Father…..”
(Joining Jesus pg.28)


This is what He is doing and He invites us to join Him!
He does not ask us to go for Him!  He invites us to go with Him!

2 Corinthians 5  “19God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

This week’s questions:

Jesus, what are you up to in my life?
Jesus, what are you up to in their life?   I want to join You!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  John 4:7-18
Tuesday:  John 14:22-33
Wednesday:  John 4:27-38
Thursday:  John 11:17-27
Friday:  2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Saturday:  Isaiah 49:1-6

Part 1, Why Are We Doing This?

SERMON NOTES:  

Another sermon series…?  Why?

Jesus commanded His disciples to “make disciples!” 
How do we do this? 

Matthew 4 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 

 “Jesus makes disciples according to His design not their design!       It’s the meaningful life Christ intends!” 

What does the meaningful life of a disciple look like?        
Up      
Out     
Together   
Against
 

Matthew 5 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Matthew 4:18-25
Tuesday:  Matthew 4:12-17
Wednesday:  Matthew 5:13-16
Thursday:  Matthew 7:24-29
Friday:  Matthew 8:18-22
Saturday:  Psalm 46

Part 3 "...Because People Still Matter"

SERMON NOTES:  

What happened 500 years ago and why does it still matter?

·         In the Reformation God restored His view that every person Matters!

·         Each has significant Value and significant Contributions to make in the church and society!
 

1 Peter 2 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ….9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 

In Jesus we are each Priests!      We get Access and Responsibilities in His Kingdom!   

We really do Matter!  We get to show up and make a difference!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  1 Peter 2:4-10
Tuesday:  Hebrews 4:14-16
Wednesday:  Romans 12:1-2
Thursday:  1 Corinthians 12:14-26
Friday:  Romans 12:3-13
Saturday:  John 15:12-17

Part 2 "...Because Scripture Still Matters"

SERMON NOTES:  

What happened 500 years ago and why does it still matter? 

 The Bible’s - availability was secured and
 
                      - authorityrestored!

 Holy Scripture is God’s inspired Word! 

2 Timothy 3 “14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

·         It claims to be!   It seems to be!  It proves to be!

·         God not only has spoken but is speaking!

·         Scripture was given so we might have a real relationship with God!

How do I live under the authority of Scripture?  

  “My conscience is captive to the Word of God!” – M. Luther

 An unexpected result!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  1 Timothy 3:14-17
Tuesday:  Psalm 119:9-16
Wednesday:  Hebrews 4:12-13
Thursday:  Isaiah 40:6-11
Friday:  2 Peter 1:16-21
Saturday:  Psalm 119:145-152

Part 1 "...Because Grace Still Matters"

SERMON NOTES:  

What happened 500 years ago and why does it still matter?

Romans 1  17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

 Our view of God matters!

Romans 5 Therefore, since we have been justified(declared righteous) 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

Ephesians 2 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.  

A “GRACE” view of God FREES me to:

·         live “reconciled” to God by faith!  Life is a gift in a world at war!
 

·         Obey Him because He loves me not so He will love me!
 

Love others with all the energy I use to burn filling my own holey heart!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Romans 1:16-17
Tuesday:  Romans 5:1-5
Wednesday:  2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Thursday:  Romans 5:6-10
Friday:  Luke 15:11-24
Saturday:  John 14:15-27

Beginnings, Part 5 "Begin Content!"

SERMON NOTES:  

What have we learned about “Beginning” anything?

·         Beginning “IN CHRIST” means more Joy and Hope with less Fear and Anxiety!

·         THE SECRET SAUCE: Convert your anxieties into prayers, add thanksgiving, and then receive Peace!”

·         MY MIND is led by what it’s fed ……. So feed it well!

Philippians 4  For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

The Secret of Being Content?           (…….. in any and every situation!)

“through HIM” -

“who gives me strength” -

“I can do all this” –

Our “through HIM” living is relentlessly dependent on God’s Word, my Prayers and His Spirit!

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Philippians 4:10-13
Tuesday:  John 15:5-10
Wednesday:  Matthew 6:31-34
Thursday:  Romans 5:1-5
Friday:  Isaiah 26:1-4
Saturday:  Psalm 118:19-29

Beginnings, Part 4 "What's IN My Mind?"

SERMON NOTES:  

Philippians 4:6-7 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The “Secret Sauce” – “Convert your anxieties into prayers, add thanksgiving, and then receive Peace!”

Next?

8 Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things. 

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. 
And the God of peace will be with you.
 

My mind is led by what it’s fed! 

Romans 8 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 

 DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS:

Monday:  Philippians 4:8-9
Tuesday:  John 8:31-32
Wednesday:  Romans 8:5-9
Thursday:  Ephesians 4:17-24
Friday:  Romans 12:1-2
Saturday:  Ephesians 6:13-18