The Kings, Part 1

SERMON NOTES:  

I and 2 Samuel begin the stories of Israel’s first and most prominent kings:
                                                      Saul, David, & Solomon. 

 These stories vividly contrast “pride -vs- humility” and “fear –vs– faith.” 

 I Samuel 3:10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  

Samuel is presented as a man of “faith  and humility”. 

I Samuel 8:19-20  But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

 I Samuel 10:10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him;
the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.

 I Samuel 12:20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; 
yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.”

 I Samuel 13:11-12 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.
Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”  

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

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 – 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Tuesday – 1 Samuel 8:1-9

Wednesday – 1 Samuel 10:9-24

Thursday– 1 Samuel 12:9-25

Friday – 1 Samuel 13:1-14

Saturday – Psalm 1

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

Judges, Part 3 "Gideon"

The Book of Judges –    

The Death Spiral                              Samson                                                Gideon

God calls Gideon to a seemingly impossible task for which he is seemingly totally unprepared.

God calls (your name) to a seemingly impossible task for which he is seemingly totally unprepared!

God fills Gideon with the Holy Spirit.

God fills (your name) with the Holy Spirit!

 Judges 7 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now  announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.”

God gives Gideon something to do. 

God gives (your name) something to do!

God gives Gideon signs along the way.

God gives (your name) signs along the way!

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 

The victory over the Midianites is secondary.  Trusting God is the story! 

 SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

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 – Judges 6:1-16

Tuesday – Judges 6:17-32

Wednesday – Judges 6:33-40

Thursday– Judges 7:1-8a

Friday – Judges 7:8b-14

Saturday – Judges 7:15-25

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

Judges, Part 2 "Samson"

SERMON NOTES:  

Samson’s Fatal Flaws: 

        1. He dishonored his parents.

      2. He underestimated his enemy.

      3. He ignored his vulnerability.

      4. He defiled his purity.

      5. He diminished his potential.

God’s Great Gifts: 

      1. He remembers our faith.

      2. He forgets our failures.

      3. He strengthens our weaknesses.

      4. He pays our penalty.

      5. He prepares our place.

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

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 – Psalm 34

Tuesday – Isaiah 43

Wednesday – Ephesians 1

Thursday– Romans 5

Friday – Romans 6

Saturday – Ephesians 3

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

Judges, Part 1 "The Death Spiral"

The Book of Judges –     

How did we get here?      

What’s it about?

The Descending Cycle:

Judges 2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

How can I relate?  Is this any way to live? 

Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

 www.thebibleproject.com

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

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 – Judges 2:6-15

Tuesday – Judges 2:16-19

Wednesday – Judges 2:20-3:6

Thursday– Romans 8:5-11

Friday – Romans 8:12-17

Saturday – Psalm 32

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

"How does following Jesus affect my actions as a Citizen?

SERMON NOTES:  

Today’s Panel
Rich Potts (Moderator)

John Frahm, Hayden Stephen, Brenda Watson

”How does following Jesus
affect my actions as a Citizen?”

Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”   21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.  Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”   22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

I Timothy 2:1-8
I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  ⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all people.  This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.  ⁷And 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.  ⁸Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

Romans 13:1
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

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 22:15-22

Tuesday – 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Wednesday – Romans 13:1-7

Thursday– 1 Peter 2:13-17

Friday – Titus 3:1-8

Saturday – Psalm 46

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

Summer 2018 - A Summer In Sync Part 4

SERMON NOTES:  

Praying the Lord’s Prayer with understanding, faith, humility and passion intentionally syncs us with God!

Matthew 6:9-15  
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
        “‘Our Father in heaven,            (This establishes the syncing relationship)

        Hallowed be Your name…        (The first three petitions help sync us, as His allies, with what He is already doing in the world around us –                                                               we join Him)

10 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.’

(The second three petitions sync us with our Father by training us to embrace Him as the gracious provider for our deepest needs physically, spiritually and relationally!)

How is God syncing us with Him concerning our need and His giving of “forgiveness”?

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

How is God syncing us with Him concerning our need and His giving of “deliverance”?

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

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 – Colossians 3:12-17

Tuesday – Romans 12:17-21

Wednesday – Ephesians 6:10-13

Thursday– Ephesians 6:14-20

Friday – 1 Peter 5:6-11

Saturday – Psalm 36

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

Summer 2018 - A Summer In Sync Part 3

SERMON NOTES:  

How do I get in sync with my Father?                       

Praying the Lord’s Prayer with understanding, faith, humility and passion intentionally syncs us with God!

Matthew 6:9-15  
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

       “‘Our Father in heaven,                 (This establishes the syncing relationship)

     Hallowed be Your name…              (The first three petitions help sync us, as His allies,    

 10 Your kingdom come…                     with what He is already doing in the world around us –         

Your will be done…                               we join Him)   

                                                                                   
                                … 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.’

(The second three petitions sync us with our Father by training us
to embrace our deepest needs as only being met through His magnanimous provision!)
 
How is God syncing us with Him concerning our need and His giving of “daily bread”?

How is God syncing us with Him concerning our need and His giving of “forgiveness”?

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

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 – 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Tuesday – Matthew 6:25-34

Wednesday – Matthew 18:21-35

Thursday– 1 John 1:8-2:2

Friday – Romans 8:12-17

Saturday – Psalm 19

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

Summer 2018 - A Summer In Sync Part 2

SERMON NOTES:  

In order to live this “Summer in Sync” with God we need sharpened perspective combined with good practices !  In other words right thinking coupled with right doing makes for right living!

Jesus revealed God as our Father in heaven, who loves us very much,

         who calls us friends,

         who chooses us as allies.

Exodus 33 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
 John 15 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will lastu.

How does this Father, Friend, Ally perspective of our identity in Christ keep me in sync this summer?

Practicing in Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,

                  Hallowed be Thy Name…

                  Thy Kingdom Come …

                  Thy Will be Done …                                

                                                      … on Earth as it is in Heaven!                      

Heavenly Father, I am blown away that I get to call you Father…... Abba Father! I praise you for magnificently making this possible in Jesus, who so graciously calls me friend and ally.  Wow!!!!
Father, I pray Your name, Your presence, is joyfully and authentically treated as holy in all of my living today.   I pray that Your Kingdom Reign come over the dimensions of my life and Your Will override all other wills every moment of my day.  I surrender every thought word and deed to your presence, rule and will. 

As Your ally I now call on Your Holy Presence, Your Authoritative Reign and Your Divine Will to come and graciously invade these lives and situations …………!  Let Your invasion happen now on earth in these situations as if in heaven where nothing is in conflict with Your presence, reign and will!  Amen

 SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

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 – John 15:12-17

Tuesday – Exodus 33:7-11

Wednesday – John 14:25-27

Thursday– 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Friday – John 21:15-19

Saturday – John 15:5-11

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