Consecration "The Utter Relief of Holiness"

SERMON NOTES:  

CONSECRATION!
           The Utter Relief of Holiness

What is Consecration?

-          To consecrate is to make holy, sacred, “set apart unto the Lord!”, dedicate afresh!

Why Consecration?

Exodus 19 10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.  14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 
Leviticus 20 7 “‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God.8 Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
Romans 12 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. 
1Peter 1 13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Colossians 3 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

How is holiness an “utter relief”?

-          Holiness in Jesus name is both the gift of life in Jesus and the way to live in Jesus!

Consecration – Pray and Do!

A Prayer of Consecration for 2019 

   My dear Lord Jesus Christ, we come to You today to be restored in You and renewed in You.

   Jesus, we confess that You are the author of our faith and the foundation of Your church.  We are called to be Your children and Your church in 2019.  
   We now consecrate this year of life as individuals, as families and as Your church to You and You alone!
You are God and we are not in 2019. 

   We surrender every aspect of our lives totally and completely to You.  We yield our spirit, soul, body, our heart, mind and  will to the life and lead of Your Holy Spirit.  Come Holy Spirit, fill us afresh this day and every day this new year!  

   Jesus, we receive all the work and triumph of Your life, death, resurrection, ascension and current reign over our lives and church.  We pray, “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come and Your will be done” in our lives and church in 2019.  

   Jesus, I am Yours totally and completely in 2019.  You purchased and redeemed me from sin, death and the devil so I now consecrate all of my life in 2019 to You and You alone -

- my time, ability and money,
- my sexuality, influence and personality,
- my work, pleasures and ambition
- my brokenness, imperfections and failures
- my loves, losses, worries and dreams
- my everyday all day life.

I now bring the authority, rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over all aspects of my life this new year. 

   Jesus, we are Your church and this is Your year totally and completely.  We now bring the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over our church this new year! 

   We come in Jesus name against Satan and His kingdom and bind and banish him and all forces of evil from our lives, our families and our church this year in the powerful and victorious name of Jesus! 

   Jesus, we surrender our agendas for this new year to You and You alone and call forth the Kingdom of
God and the gracious reign of Jesus over ourselves, our families and our church in 2019! 

   In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen! 

Scripture and Meditation Guide
Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.  Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you!  Read the Scripture!   Listen, dwell, reread, and notice what words and phrases you are drawn to!  Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying to me?  What are You teaching me to believe about You and about me?  How can I join You today?”

Monday – Exodus 19:1-25

Tuesday – 1 Peter 1:13-21

Wednesday – Romans 12:1-2

Thursday– Ephesians 5:1-8

Friday – Colossians 3:1-17

Saturday – Psalm 50

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

The Epic Invasion of LIGHT - "Epiphany's Contrast"

SERMON NOTES:  

The Epic Invasion of Light!
        “Epiphany’s Contrast”

Epiphany means “light shines on!”

Matthew 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied,…

10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

What does Matthew want us to see?

-          The Maji were the most unlikely worshipers to an unlikely King !

-          Herod is the likely worshiper of Jesus but is threatened by Him and reacts unimaginably!

-          The contrast is stark! Jesus is seen as a promise to be worshiped or a threat to be contained!

-          Who is the hero of the story?

God is shining light on Jesus drawing all of us, the likely and the unlikely, to worship Him!

A Prayer of Consecration for 2019 

   My dear Lord Jesus Christ, we come to You today to be restored in You and renewed in You.

Jesus, we confess that You are the author of our faith and the foundation of Your church.  We are called to be Your children and Your church in 2019.  
   We now consecrate this year of life as individuals, as families and as Your church to You and You alone!
You are God and we are not in 2019. 

We surrender every aspect of our lives totally and completely to You.  We yield our spirit, soul, body, our heart, mind and  will to the life and lead of Your Holy Spirit.  Come Holy Spirit, fill us afresh this day and every day this new year! 

   Jesus, we receive all the work and triumph of Your life, death, resurrection, ascension and current reign over our lives and church.  We pray, “Hallowed be Your name, Your Kingdom come and Your will be done” in our lives and church in 2019.  

   Jesus, I am Yours totally and completely in 2019.  You purchased and redeemed me from sin, death and the devil so I now consecrate all of my life in 2019 to You and You alone -
- my time, ability and money,
- my sexuality, influence and personality,
- my work, pleasures and ambition
- my brokenness, imperfections and failures
- my loves, losses, worries and dreams
- my everyday all day life.

I now bring the authority, rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over all aspects of my life this new year. 

   Jesus, we are Your church and this is Your year totally and completely.  We now bring the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over our church this new year! 

   We come in Jesus name against Satan and His kingdom and bind and banish him and all forces of evil from our lives, our families and our church this year in the powerful and victorious name of Jesus! 

   Jesus, we surrender our agendas for this new year to You and You alone and call forth the Kingdom of
God and the gracious reign of Jesus over ourselves, our families and our church in 2019! 

   In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen! 

Scripture and Meditation Guide
Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.  Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you!  Read the Scripture!   Listen, dwell,
reread, and notice what words and phrases you are drawn to!  Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying to me?  What are You teaching me to believe about You and about me?  How can I join You today?”

Monday – Matthew 2:1-23

Tuesday – Ephesians 5:8-20

Wednesday – John 1:19-34

Thursday– Ephesians 4:17-24

Friday – 1 John 1:5-2:2

Saturday – Psalm 19

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

The Epic Invasion of LIGHT - "Do you see?"

SERMON NOTES:  

The Epic Invasion of Light!
        Do You See?

In the infancy stories of Jesus Luke helps us see really see who He is.

Luke 2 21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

When they looked at Jesus they saw:

- Yahweh (the Lord) saves!     (21)
 - A firstborn male taken to the temple and consecrated to the Lord.  (23)
 - Salvation which is prepared in the sight of all nations (31)
 - Light for revelation to all people and the glory of Israel (32)
 - Will cause the falling and rising of many (34)
 - Redemption. (38)

… and when they saw they were released in praise!

Do you see?  

Jesus,

  As 2018 closes and 2019 begins, I want to see You and what You mean to me clearer than ever before.  I want to see myself, and the people and situations around me the way You would have me see them.  Jesus, You are my Light and my Life and I praise You!

Monday – Luke 2:21-40

Tuesday – Luke 2:41-52

Wednesday – John 8:12

Thursday– John 1:1-14

Friday – John 9:1-41

Saturday – Psalm 121

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

The Epic Invasion of LIGHT - Christmas Eve 2018

Simplify Christmas - Celebrate Christ, Advent Part 4 "Peace"

SERMON NOTES:  

Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 4 – “Peace – Is it Possible?”

We simplify Christmas by clarifying our focus - on Christ!

Colossians 3 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Advent 1 – Coming!
Advent 2 – Prepare!

Mark 1  “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Advent 3 – Rejoice!
       Philippians 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Advent 4 – Peace!       (Well-being and Reconciliation!)                 

Micah 52 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”  3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.  And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.5 And he will be our peace…

Isaiah 9 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Peace isn’t brought by changes in our circumstances but is brought by the One from God! 

He comes as shepherd, with strength, in the majesty of Yahweh His God!   This changes everything!

Peace is possible because He brings it and He Comes!   

 This week’s Remember Verse:

“Let the PEACE of Christ rule in your hearts!” Colossians 3:15 

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using the Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Peace”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Luke 1:26-38

Tuesday – Luke 2:1-20

Wednesday – Isaiah 9:2-7

Thursday– Micah 5:2-5a

Friday – John 14:23-27

Saturday – Psalm 23

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

Simplify Christmas - Celebrate Christ, Advent Part 3 "Rejoice"

SERMON NOTES:  

Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 3 – “Rejoice!”

We simplify Christmas by clarifying our focus - on Christ!

Colossians 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Advent 1 – Coming!
Advent 2 – Prepare!

Mark 1  “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Jesus

Advent 3 – Rejoice!

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

Zephaniah 3
14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!  Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,  Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away your punishment,  he has turned back your enemy.
   The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;  never again will you fear any harm.
16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,  but will rejoice over you with singing.”

 This week’s Remember Verse:

“Rejoice in the Lord always!  I will say it again, REJOICE! Philippians 4:4

The Anatomy of “Rejoice!”: 

 Vs. 14  What do we do?              We sing, shout aloud, be glad, rejoice with all our heart!
Vs. 15  What does God do?        He takes way punishment, defeats enemies, comes to be with us!
Vs. 16  What do we NOT do?     We do not fear and do not give up!
Vs. 17  What is God doing?        He is with us and is mighty to save!   He delights in us!  His love insures that “rebuke” is not His last word to us but rejoices over us with singing!

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using the Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Rejoice”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Philippians 4:4-9

Tuesday – Zephaniah 3:14-20

Wednesday – Psalm 13

Thursday– Luke 1:39-56

Friday – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23

Saturday – Psalm 118:15-29

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

Simplify Christmas - Celebrate Christ, Advent Part 2 "Prepare"

SERMON NOTES:  

   Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 2 – “Prepare!”

We simplify Christmas by clarifying our focus - on Christ!

Colossians 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Advent 1 – Coming!
Advent 2 – Prepare!

Luke 3 The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’

How do you get ready for God?    Repentance - “change of thinking and then acting like it”,
turning from self and self’s ways to Jesus and His ways! 

It is a bold “yes” to God and a bold “no” to all other paths!

Repentance is a step of faith including sorrow for sins, receiving of forgiveness and then acting like it.

Repentance is our friend not our enemy nor an occasional necessity.  It is a way of life!  We get to change our mind, heart and actions toward God again and again and again and again …!

This week’s Remember Verse:
“The time has come; the kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!” - Jesus
Mark 1:15

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using the Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Prepare”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Luke 3:1-20

Tuesday – Matthew 11:1-15

Wednesday – Malachi 3:1-7

Thursday– John 1:19-34

Friday – Luke 1:57-80

Saturday – Psalm 51

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

Simplify Christmas - Celebrate Christ, Advent Part 1 "Coming"

SERMON NOTES:  

Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 1 – “Coming!”

How does celebrating Christ simplify Christmas?

Colossians 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Simplicity comes through clarity of focus even for Christmas!

How?

Advent – Coming!

We celebrate Jesus – our Advent God – the Coming One – God on the move – towards us!

3 Advents-  He came then – He comes now – He will come again …

No matter where we find ourselves He is on the move to rescue!    Let Him!

 This week’s Remember Verse:

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2

Luke 19 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Psalm 24 7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8 Who is this King of glory?    The Lord strong and mighty,  the Lord mighty in battle.

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Coming”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Colossians 3:1-4

Tuesday – Psalm 24

Wednesday – Luke 19:28-40

Thursday– John 12:12-19

Friday – Revelation 3:19-22

Saturday – Psalm 118:19-29

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