"CONTRAST - LIVING SET APART!" Part 2 - Stepping Into Rescue!

SERMON NOTES:  

Israel’s old history calls us today to lives of renewed faith-full-ness to Jesus, to lives of refreshing contrast.  It is a set apart life!    

Elijah the Prophet
1 Kings 17 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”….

Suffering is common to all who live in a broken sinful world!  Contrast is seen in the response. 

Contrast living in the midst of suffering is uncommon.  It means taking steps of faith to see and receive God’s provision and rescue graciously available. 

1 Kings 17:2-21.
10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.
17 Sometime later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”
19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed.20 Then he cried out to the Lord…

Faith surrenders in very real steps only to discover that “rescue ” comes packaged in a real relationship with the living God.

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

The readings this week:

Monday – Colossians 1:9-14

Tuesday – 1 Kings 16:19-17:1

Wednesday – 1 Kings 17:17-24

Thursday – 1 Kings 17:17-24

Friday – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Saturday – Psalm 121

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

"CONTRAST - LIVING SET APART!" Part 1 - Faith-Full-Ness Matters

SERMON NOTES:  

Israel’s old history calls us today to lives of renewed faith-full-ness to Jesus, to lives of refreshing contrast – to a set apart life!     

It is a life in contrast!    The question is where will the contrast be?

The Preface

1 Kings 11 9 The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. 

The Story

1 Kings 12 … 12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, “Come back to me in three days.” 13 The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, 14 he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijahthe Shilonite.

1 Kings 14 7 Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over my people Israel. 8 I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, but you have not been like my servant David… 9 You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods you have aroused my anger and turned your back on me.

In this story what is God saying …

… about people?

… about Himself?

… to me?

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

The readings this week:

Monday – Matthew 11:20-30

Tuesday – 1 Kings 11:1-13

Wednesday – 1 Kings 12

Thursday – 1 Kings 14:1-20

Friday – Ephesians 4:17-32

Saturday – Psalm 51

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

"Hungry Sunday" - 2019

SERMON NOTES:  

What is at the heart of Hungry Sunday?                 Joining Jesus on His Mission! 

Jesus is on a mission to redeem and restore a broken world!    He invites us to join Him!

We don’t go for Him as much as we go with Him …… He is already out there!

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.

When people encountered Jesus His goodness rubbed off into their lives!

It still happens as people encounter Jesus in us!

John 10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 

Joining Jesus on His mission is at the core of living the meaningful life Christ intends!

Envision approaching each day, “Jesus, What are you up to?  How can I join You?”

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

The readings this week:

Monday – Matthew 5:13-16

Tuesday – John 10:1-10

Wednesday – Ephesians 2:8-10

Thursday – Romans 12:14-21

Friday – Matthew 25:34-40

Saturday – Psalm 103

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

"Engage The Mystery!" Trinity Sunday 2019

SERMON NOTES:  

“Engage the Mystery”
Trinity Sunday - 2019

The Trinity ….. So 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  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made… 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.

Matthew 28 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Ephesians 218 For through him (Jesus) we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

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 me!              

The mystery of the “Trinity” frees me to engage with the One who is for me!    (1n34me)

Father –

Son –

Holy Spirit-

 
Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

The readings this week:

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 Ascension of Jesus - A Story that Matters!

SERMON NOTES:  

What’s the Story?

Acts 1:1-14 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 2 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God,

In the ascension Jesus is exalted to the “right hand of God”- a position of immense power and authority!  The other amazing thing is what the Ascension meant to Jesus followers and early Christianity!

Why does it matter?

·       Jesus is present in heaven with those already there while also interceding for us!

Romans 8 Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

·       Jesus ascension made room for the Holy Spirit to come in fullness 10 days later - Pentecost!

·       Most importantly He now “reigns with power and authority” for us and through us who believe.

Ephesians 1:18-23 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.

Ephesians 2:4-7 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace,

Ascension Application

·       Surrender! “I now bring my whole self under the authority, rule, dominion of my Lord Jesus Christ!”

·       Advance!   “In Jesus name I now bring the authority, rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ over myself, my family, my Kingdom and my domain specifically…….
and against Satan and every force of evil that is coming against me today! In Jesus Name!

“Surrender to Jesus - Advance in His Name!”

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

The readings this week will help us grasp the story and tremendous effect of the Ascension of Jesus!

Monday – Acts 1:1-4

Tuesday – Philippians 2:5-11

Wednesday – Ephesians 1:15-23

Thursday – Ephesians 2:1-10

Friday – Romans 8:31-39

Saturday – 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

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

"LOVING WELL MATTERS" 6th Sunday of the Resurrection

SERMON NOTES:  

What day is today?        Resurrection Day
Which means?                 I get to fear less, hope more and love well!

Philippians 1:9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately.

1 Corinthians 13 Love is…
patient,
kind,

not jealous
not boastful,
not proud
not rude
not self-seeking
not irritable,
not keeping a list of wrongs,
not rejoicing in unrighteousness
but
rejoices together with the truth,
always protects,
always believes,
always hopes,
always endures.
Love never fails.

Love (rejoicing with the truth):

“protects” – covers the worst not pointing it out, giving a wide lane of grace without complaining nor being blindly naive.
“believes” – interpreting the situation and motives in the best possible way – puts the best construction on everything.
“hopes” – knowing no pessimism, hopeful for the best in people and situations.  Hope is visionary, seeing in someone what they cannot yet see in themselves, expecting grace to conquer and win its way.
“endures” – bravely perseveres, bearing up under the worst of situations and people.

“never fails” –never falls into disappearance

The repeated “always” or “all things” provides a critical key to practically “loving well”:

“Love’s quality is not controlled by its circumstances!”

We are set “free” to love well – to be who we really are and love well out of our true selves, our new selves, our “in Christ” selves. 

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

The readings this week will help us disconnect the quality of our loving with the circumstances at hand so we can truly love well.

Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tuesday – Philippians 4:4-10

Wednesday – 1 Peter 2:9-17

Thursday – John 8:31-36

Friday – Romans 12:9-21

Saturday – 1 John 4:1-21

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

"LOVING WELL MATTERS" 5th Sunday of the Resurrection

SERMON NOTES:  

What day is today?        Resurrection Day
Which means?                 I get to fear less, hope more and love well!

Philippians 1:9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately.

1 Corinthians 13 Love is…
patient,
kind,

not jealous
not boastful,
not proud
not rude
not self-seeking
not irritable,
not keeping a list of wrongs,
not rejoicing in evil but
rejoicing in the truth,

always protects,
always believes,
always hopes,
always endures.
Love never fails.

The “nots” in Paul’s explanation of love directs us to:

·       turn away from what comes naturally to our “old self” with its impostor way of loving,

·       embrace our “new self” way of loving and living empowered by God.

Galatians 5 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.

Loving Well is a battle.  

Our Old Self (sinful nature, the flesh) is allied with the devil and the world forming an un-holy trinity. 

Our New Self, empowered by the Holy Trinity experiences victory in Loving Well!       What is today?

1 Peter 5   8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith,    
James 4  7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

The readings this week take us deep into the source of power to love and win the battle of loving well.

Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tuesday – Galatians 5:13-18

Wednesday – Galatians 5:19-26

Thursday – Romans 6:8-14

Friday – Ephesians 6:10-18

Saturday – Psalm 51

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

"LOVING WELL MATTERS" 4th Sunday of the Resurrection

SERMON NOTES:  

4th Sunday of the Resurrection

What day is today?        Resurrection Day
Which means?                 I get to fear less, hope more and love well!

Philippians 1:9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately.
Romans 12 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

1 Corinthians 13 Love is…   
                     patient,
                     kind,

                     not jealous                                      ...to boil with envy!      Why?
                     not boastful,
                     not proud                                        ... to puff up self through words and actions,
                     not rude
                     not self-seeking                              ...  to subtly drain life from others for self’s sake
                    not irritable,                          
                    not keeping a list of wrongs,
                    not rejoicing in evil but
                          rejoicing in the truth,

                   always protects,
                   always believes,                               … these don’t drain life from others but pour into them
                   always hopes,                        
                   always endures.                                                    
    Love       never fails.                   

When it comes to Loving Well the question is, “Where are we looking for LIFE”?

          The “old self” drains life from others and is never filled!
          The “new self” receives life from Jesus and overflows into others – that is Loving Well.

Notice the fruit!  Who is in charge?    

We get to say to the old self, “You’re Fired” and to the new self, “You Lead”!

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

The readings this week take us deep into the source of true love and the capacity to love well – Jesus!  Ruminating on these verses will help your receive the power of the love and life of Jesus who is Risen from the dead.

Monday – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Tuesday – Romans 12:1-2, 9-12

Wednesday – Romans 12:13-21

Thursday – John 15:1-8

Friday – John 15:9-17

Saturday – Psalm 42

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