"Inexpressible and Glorious Joy" - How Do We Get It?

SERMON NOTES:  

“Joy is at the heart of God’s plan for human beings. 
The reason this is worth pondering awhile: Joy is at the heart of God himself.” – John Ortberg
 

The JOY Perspective:  “God’s capacity for Joy makes possible our experience of Joy!” 

God’s capacity for Joy… is seriously underestimated!

     Psalm 118 24This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

     John 15 11I have told you this, so that, my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

     Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace ….
 

“Joy is the serious business of heaven” – C.S. Lewis
 

…makes possible…
 

Ephesians 5 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
 
     “If I need more Joy it means I need more of God!”
 

...our experience of Joy!

     Philippians 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  

                  Living joy-fully takes practice …….. Gratitude and Celebration! 

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, PRAYER - GUIDE:  

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Live Loved?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Psalm 118:21-29

Tuesday – Psalm 19

Wednesday – John 15:9-11

Thursday – Galatians 5:16-25

Friday – Philippians 4:4-9

Saturday – Habbakuk 3:17-19

"Inexpressible and Glorious Joy" - Easter 2018

SERMON NOTES:  

Joy and Easter just go together!

What would it be like to live with Joy that is inexpressible and glorious? 

Matthew 28 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”  8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

1 Peter 13 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……
…… 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

Inexpressible and glorious Joy…

·         Flows from this “new birth into a living hope” life secured by the resurrection of Jesus
 

·         Is a result of loving and believing in Jesus (even though we haven’t seen Him)
 

·         Is a “now” thing no matter how bad our circumstances!

Joy Tools:  “REJOICE!  He is Risen!”

What’s your “JOY ?”

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, PRAYER - GUIDE:  

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Live Loved?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Matthew 28:1-7

Tuesday – Matthew 28:8-15

Wednesday – 1 Peter 1:3-9

Thursday – 1 Peter 1:13-21

Friday – Philippians 4:4-7

Saturday – Psalm 150

Continue the conversation by scanning the QR code above or https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

Palm Sunday 2018 "See, Your King Comes To You

SERMON NOTES:  

The key to getting the most out of Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter …. and beyond is to:

            “Embrace what Jesus is up to … instead of what He is not up to!” 1  

So Jesus, what are you up to?

Matthew 21  5 “Say to Daughter Zion,    ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey,
 and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.

I see Jesus…

·          Being a different sort of King…
 

·          Coming to fight “for me”…
 

·          Against my truest enemy…
 

·          Even if fighting “for me” means sometimes working against me …
 

·         Because He loves me! 

1What Jesus (God) has said and done is the lens needed to be able to see what He is up to now! 

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, PRAYER - GUIDE:  

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Live Loved?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Matthew 21:12-17

Tuesday – Matthew 22:34-40

Wednesday – Matthew 26:6-13

Thursday – Matthew 26:31-35

Friday – Matthew 27:22-31

Saturday – Matthew 27:45-66

Live Loved With 1 John! The 5th Sunday of Lent

SERMON NOTES:  

Learning to “Live Loved” is a journey!  1 John is our guide to explore an amazing way to live!

The Fellowship of the Light Trail   (1:5-2:2)                   The Obedience of Love Trail   (2:3-17)      
Opposition Overlook   (2:18-28)                                           Born of God Basin   (3:1-24)
Pre-Summit Warnings and Encouragement (4:1-6)    The Summit (4:7-21)

The “Overcomer’s Victory” Trail (5:1-21)

·         (1-5) Living Loved means living as an “overcomer” because we have been born of God!

3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands (…embrace His instructions…) . And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world?  Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 

·         (6-12) Living Loved means having faith in Jesus Only, Only Jesus and All of Jesus!

11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 

·         (13-21) Living Loved means heeding heartfelt concluding gifts of truth about …
 

*  Confidence before God (13-15)

*  Sins and the SIN (16-17)

*  Winning against Evil (18-19)

*  Knowing Him who is TRUE! (20-21)

1 John 5 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. 

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, PRAYER - GUIDE:  

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Live Loved?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 1 John 5:1-5

Tuesday – 1 John 5:6-12

Wednesday – 1 John 5:13-15

Thursday – 1 John 5:16-17

Friday – 1 John 5:18-21

Saturday – 1 John 5:1-21

Live Loved With 1 John! The 4th Sunday of Lent

SERMON NOTES:  

Learning to “Live Loved” is a journey!  1 John is our guide to explore an amazing way to live!

The Fellowship of the Light Trail   (1:5-2:2)
The Obedience of Love Trail   (2:3-17)      
Opposition Overlook   (2:18-28)
Born of God Basin   (3:1-24)

Pre-Summit Warnings and Encouragement (4:1-6)

-Test the spirits, “Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.

-Remember Whose you are, “4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because  the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The Summit (4:7-21)

The “Live Loved” life is extraordinarily powerful because this Love is:

·         Sourced in God (the Lover)

·         Received by us (the Beloved)

·         Given to others (the Loved)

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. 

Love finds completeness in our lives, powerfully overcoming fear and hate!

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear 

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, PRAYER - GUIDE:  

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Live Loved?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 1 John 4:1-6

Tuesday – 1 John 4:7-10

Wednesday – 1 John 4:11-15

Thursday – 1 John 4:16-18

Friday – 1 John 4:19-21

Saturday – 1 John 4:1-21

Live Loved With 1 John! The 3rd Sunday of Lent

SERMON NOTES:  

Learning to “Live Loved” is a journey!  1 John is our guide to explore an amazing landscape!

The Fellowship of the Light Trail   (1:5-2:2)

 The Obedience of Love Trail   (2:3-17)      

Opposition Overlook   (2:18-28)

Born of God Basin   (3:1-24)

1 John 3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

Being “Born of God”:

·         Means we are Loved as the children of God – astonishingly and boldly!

Receiving and believing in Jesus gives us a new identity!

·         Means we do not Love what is “not” of God (namely sin) – astonishingly and boldly!

Do I consider the sin I do as an aberration of my true identity or part of it?

In fact we must continually reject, deny and repulse that persistent stalker – sin – in our thinking and our talking and our doing!

·         Means we do Love God and others – astonishingly and boldly!

1 John 3 16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, PRAYER - GUIDE:  

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Live Loved?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 1 John 3:1-3

Tuesday – 1 John 3:4-6

Wednesday – 1 John 3:7-10

Thursday – 1 John 3:11-15

Friday – 1 John 3:16-19

Saturday – 1 John 3:20-24

Live Loved With 1 John! The 2nd Sunday of Lent

SERMON NOTES:  

Learning to “Live Loved” is a journey!  1 John is our guide to explore amazing connected trails!

1st Trail (1:5-2:2) - The Fellowship of the Light         

2nd Trail (2:3-28) – The Obedience of Love           

·         Vs.3-6 – For John, to know, obey, love, live in, believe and trust, are all relationship synonyms! 
He always sees “obey” in light of “love”!   

1 John 2:3-11 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. 

·         Vs.7-11 – This “old not new yet new not old” command for us to obey is the message which brings us into the “fellowship of the light” with all the implications in our daily living.
 

·         Vs. 12-17 – Rest at “Encouragement” bench before you scale “Not Love” ascent!

1John 2 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 

·         Vs. 18-28 – Observe the warnings and winnings at “Opposition Overlook”

1 John 2  20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.  24 As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us—eternal life.

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, PRAYER - GUIDE:  

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases  you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Live Loved?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 1 John 2:12-14

Tuesday – 1 John 2:15-17

Wednesday – 1 John 2:18-20

Thursday – 1 John 2:21-25

Friday – 1 John 2:26-28

Saturday – 1 John 2:3-28

Live Loved With 1 John! The 1st Sunday of Lent

SERMON NOTES:  

The essence of Life is to “Live Loved”……. Living that way changes everything!

          Learning to “Live Loved” is a journey!  1 John is our guide taking us on a series of trails!

The Prologue:   1 John 1:1-4 – We get this “backpack” to hold all we are given on the journey.

3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete. 

The “Live Loved Journey”  1st Trail    -     The Fellowship of the Light

1 John 1:5-2:2 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Living Loved means our sin can’t be ignored!  We deal with it by confessing it and receiving forgiveness.  This is essential to walking in the Fellowship of the Light – but it’s not natural!

The “Live Loved Journey”  2nd Trail   -   The Obedience of Love

1John 2:3-11 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Living Loved means loving, through obedience, the One who loved us!
Remember, disobedience (and its result) reveals holes in my love for God not His love for me!

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, PRAYER - GUIDE:  

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible,  listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases  you are drawn to, return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me? 

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?”

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday - 1 John 1:1-4

Tuesday - 1 John 1:5-10

Wednesday - 1 John 2:1-2

Thursday – 1 John 2:3-8

Friday – 1 John 2:9-11

Saturday – 1 John 1:1-2:11