Summer 2018 - A Summer In Sync

SERMON NOTES:  

The summer can be a challenging time spiritually!   

What if this summer we “refuse the line” and “advance the cause” to be in sync with God?

A “Summer In Sync” is about an intentional, creative, connected life with God especially through prayer!

Matthew 11 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Regular Rhythms
             &
Micro-practices

·         Pray First

·         Give God Credit – out loud! 

Remember WHO has invited us into His heart!

Luke 15 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 

Dear Jesus, how desperately I need to learn to pray.  And yet when I am honest, I know that I often do not even want to pray.
I am distracted!         I am stubborn!        I am self-centered! 
In your mercy, Jesus, bring my “want-er” more in line with my “need-er” so that I can come to want what I need.   In your name and for your sake, I pray.  Amen. 

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 Sync up?

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 11:29-30

Tuesday – Revelation 3:14-22 (20)

Wednesday – Ephesians 6:10-18 (10-12, 18)

Thursday Philippians 3:7-11 (8-9)

Friday – Jeremiah 29:11-14

Saturday – Psalm 42:1-11 (1,2,5)

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"A Beautiful Mystery!" Trinity Sunday 2018

SERMON NOTES:  

The Trinity

What?

Genesis 1 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image …!

Deuteronomy 6 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one  5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

John 1 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Ephesians 218 For through him (Jesus) we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

How?

The doctrine of the Trinity reveals the nature of God as a singular unified whole (one) while also being three distinct persons. 
One God in three persons – co-equal, co-eternal, co-existent! 

Why?     …… for us!

Grasping, by faith, the mystery of the “Trinity” frees us to receive God in all His fullness as

Father –

Son –

Holy Spirit- 

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 – Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Tuesday – John 1:1-14

Wednesday – Ephesians 2:18-22

Thursday – John 3:1-18

Friday – Ephesians 3:14-21

Saturday – Psalm 103

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"The Illuminator!" Pentecost 2018

SERMON NOTES:  

What we celebrate today happened and is still happening!

Acts 1 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.”  9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Acts 2 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them…  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.” 

The Holy Spirit illuminates us to receive “truth” so we can come alive through faith in Jesus! 

The Holy Spirit empowers us to live in the Kingdom of God and fulfill our vital role!  

We get to Surrender to the Spirit, Receive of the Spirit and then Act like it! 

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 – Acts 2:1-13

Tuesday – Acts 2:36-41

Wednesday – Ephesians 5:15-20

Thursday – John 14:25-27

Friday – Romans 8:5-11

Saturday – Romans 8:12-17

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"Be Bold - Jesus Won!" Ascension Sunday 2018

SERMON NOTES:  

The Ascension of Jesus – Why is it important?

Philippians 2 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

The Ascension completes Christ’s victory over that which we are powerless against.
Sin (Crucifixion), Death (Resurrection), Evil (Ascension)! 

The Ascension enthroned Jesus in the position of absolute power and authority over all things and He wants us to know it!   

Ephesians 1 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

It is like Jesus is saying, “Church, please act like I won!  In Me you are victors not victims!” 

What would it look like for me to live in the fullness of Jesus’ victory and power? 

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 – Acts 1:1-11

Tuesday – Philippians 2:6-13

Wednesday – Ephesians 1:17-23

Thursday – Ephesians 2:1-7

Friday – Colossians 3:1-4

Saturday – Psalm 110

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.   Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"Inexpressible and Glorious Joy" - Bringing Joy!!

SERMON NOTES:  

We are made for Joy because our Creator and Re-creator is Joy full!

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

Joy is a powerful, persuasive, authentic yet subtle testimony of Life in Jesus! 
We always get to bring Joy!

1 Peter 1 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. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 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, 

Habakkuk 3 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,  though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,  I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Philippians 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Matthew 5 13 “You are the salt of the earth. …. 14 “You are the light of the world.

So how has Jesus been training you in 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 – 1 Peter 1:3-9

Tuesday – Philippians 4:4-9

Wednesday – Habakkuk 3:17-19

Thursday – 1 Peter 3:13-17

Friday – 1 Peter 4:12-19

Saturday – Psalm 103

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.   Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"Inexpressible and Glorious Joy" - Practically Joyful

SERMON NOTES:  

We are made for Joy because our Creator and Re-creator is Joy full!

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

Joy has enemies – the Unholy trinity – The devil, the world and my sinful nature!  

My old nature is Self – Reliant!    When it leads I am very vulnerable.  Why?

            My new nature is God–Reliant!   When it leads I am very productive.  Why? 

Practically Joy-full:

·         “keep His commands”, “embrace His instruction” in my thinking, saying and doing!

John 15 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

·         “Rejoice ….. Do not be anxious”   Anxiety and fear are the natural fruit of the old me!

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

o   Prayer

o   Gratitude

o   Celebration - focuses us on God and His Goodness revealed! 

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 – John 15:5-11

Tuesday – Philippians 4:4-9

Wednesday – Colossians 3:12-17

Thursday – Ephesians 5:15-21

Friday – Isaiah 35

Saturday – Psalm 111

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"Inexpressible and Glorious Joy" - Joy's Unlikely Partner

SERMON NOTES:  

We are made for Joy because Maker is Joy full!

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

Joy has enemies – the Unholy trinity – The devil, the world and my sinful nature!  

How do they work together against me and joy?      

Galatians 5 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 

John 3  3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again  he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 

Joy has an unlikely partner – Repentance – “changed thinking” in God’s direction!

Repentance releases Joy!

How does my thinking need to change in God’s direction? 

John 15 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

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 – Galatians 5:16-25

Tuesday – John 3:1-8

Wednesday – John 15:5-11

Thursday – Psalm 51:1-12

Friday – Matthew 7:24-29

Saturday – Psalm 34

"Inexpressible and Glorious Joy" - Why Do I Lose It?

SERMON NOTES:  

We were made for Joy!

Nehemiah 8:10 “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”
Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace ….

Joy has enemies!    (Robbers, thieves, leaks, drains, impostors etc.)

If Joy is a fruit of life with God then enemies of that life are enemies of Joy in my life! 

The Unholy Trinity – a Triple Alliance against Life and Joy!

            The Devil         John 10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they  may have life, and have it to the full.

            The World     John 16 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this  world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  

            My Sinfulness   Galatians 519 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual  immorality, impurity and  debauchery…; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. 

John 15 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

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 – Nehemiah 8:9-12

Tuesday – Psalm 100

Wednesday – John 10:7-13

Thursday – Galatians 5:16-25

Friday – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Saturday – Zephaniah 3:14-17