Restoration - "He Restores My Soul"

SERMON NOTES:  

Restoration? 

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
      He leads me beside still waters.
3     He restores my soul.
      He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

John 10
11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

Who is the shepherd and what does that mean for me?     What did it mean for David?

Notice the subject of all the promises.

“Restores”?     Soul?

When Jesus restores my soul He brings my life’s center back home to live alive!

What will I say when they “Ask Me”?

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. 

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone.  Take some deep breaths… Just be… … ”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! 

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?”  Talk about what you notice is on your heart.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – Psalm 23

Tuesday – John 10:1-10

Wednesday – John 10:11-18

Thursday –  Psalm 63

Friday – Matthew 11:25-30

Saturday – Psalm 100

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

Why We Do What We Do, #4 - Personal Transformation

SERMON NOTES:  

At Point of Grace we highly Value:

·       Tangible Grace

·       Relentless Dependence         

·       Unconnected People    

·       Personal Transformation   -  God loves us … … … too much to leave us the way we are!

Transformation ???            Change ???

John 15 4 “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me.
5-8 “I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

Philippians 2 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Acts 1 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses 

Romans 12 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Highly valuing “personal transformation” might be demonstrated at PoG by:

•          A “Full of Grace and Full of Truth” Culture       John 1:14

•          Encouraging “GROW Groups”

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone.  Take some deep breaths… Just be… … ”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! 

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?”  Talk about what you notice is on your heart.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – John 15:1-8

Tuesday – Romans 12:1-8

Wednesday – Romans 12:9-21

Thursday –  Philippians 2:1-13

Friday – John 14:23-27

Saturday – Psalm 51

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

Why We Do What We Do, #3 - Unconnected People

SERMON NOTES:  

“Values are the motivational flame of the church.  They are shared convictions that guide actions and reveal your strengths.  They distinguish your philosophy of ministry and shape your culture and ethos. Values answer the question, “WWDWWD?”

At Point of Grace we highly Value:

·       Tangible Grace

·       Relentless Dependence         

·       Unconnected People     - Jesus passionately engaged those far from Him ... so?

·       Personal Transformation

Luke 15 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 
Luke 15 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate….
31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

2 Corinthians 520 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 

Highly valuing “unconnected people” might be demonstrated at PoG by:

•         JOY

•         Alpha or something better

•         Hospitality

•         Pray and Invite

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone.  Take some deep breaths… Just be… … ”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! 

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?”  Talk about what you notice is on your heart.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – Luke 15:1-10

Tuesday – Luke 15:11-24

Wednesday – Luke 15:25-32

Thursday –  2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Friday – Matthew 23:37-39

Saturday – Psalm 23

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

Why We Do What We Do, #2 - Relentless Dependence

SERMON NOTES:  

“Values are the motivational flame of the church.  They are shared convictions that guide actions and reveal your strengths.  They distinguish your philosophy of ministry and shape your culture and ethos. Values answer the question, “WWDWWD?”

At Point of Grace we highly Value:

·       Tangible Grace

·       Relentless Dependence          … a radical reliance on the living God and acting like it!

·       Personal Transformation

·       Unconnected People

Matthew 14 Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
Matthew 11 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
Mark 10 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

How will a group of people act who highly value “Relentless Dependence” in the living God?

• Unwavering trust in God’s word as the source and standard for our beliefs, teaching and life!

• A vibrant prayer culture which calls us to “Pray First, Pray Now, Pray Bold and Pray Through”!

• Reliance on Holy Spirit’s presence and ministry among us, “If He doesn’t show up we are toast!”

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone.  Take some deep breaths… Just be… … ”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! 

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?”  Talk about what you notice is on your heart.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – Matthew 14:22-36

Tuesday – Matthew 11:1-15

Wednesday – Mark 10:17-31

Thursday –  Mark 10:46-52

Friday – Hebrews 11:1-12

Saturday – Psalm 56

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

Why We Do What We Do, #1 - Tangible Grace

SERMON NOTES:  

“Values are the motivational flame of the church.  They are shared convictions that guide actions and reveal your strengths.  They distinguish your philosophy of ministry and shape your culture and ethos. Values answer the question, “WWDWWD?”

At Point of Grace we highly Value:

·       Tangible Grace

·       Relentless Dependence

·       Personal Transformation

·       Unconnected People

Ephesians 2 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
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. 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

What is Grace?     Unmerited Favor

God’s grace is revealed through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus and is received by faith.

Romans 3 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.

What are a group of people like who highly value God’s Tangible Grace?

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone.  Take some deep breaths… Just be… … ”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! 

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?”  Talk about what you notice is on your heart.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – John 1:14-18

Tuesday – Luke 13:10-17

Wednesday – Luke 15:11-32

Thursday –  Luke 12:22-34

Friday – Romans 3:21-26

Saturday – Psalm 92:1-8

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

Epiphany 2020 - "Look! The Light is On!"

SERMON NOTES:  

The coming of Jesus means God has turned the lights on! 

He gave the world an ‘epiphany’ and said, “Look!”

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.

When God turns the lights on will I look where He is shining?

·       We can be assured that if we are looking at Jesus we are looking where God is shining!

·       Jesus is not only the light of life He is the light for life!

·       Help is available!  Notice the role of the Holy Spirit in Simeon’s life!

Practical helps to “look” where Jesus is shining:

1)      Consecrating 2020 to Jesus!

2)      “One Minute Pause” App

3)      Daily and Weekly Rhythms of Soul Restoration – Word, Prayer, Worship

Study Guide

Solitude, Scripture & Prayer 

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone.  Take some deep breaths… Just be… … ”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! 

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?”  Talk about what you notice is on your heart.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God

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

Wonder Restored - History of Carols

SERMON NOTES:

“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”  1849 Dr. Edmund Sears

Not only was the beauty and wonder of the Christmas story woven into this lyrical fabric that was rich and meaningful, but Sears also managed to point out that God, in the form of a child, was entering a world that sorely needed His help. He wanted his congregation and the world to hear those cries as he did.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife The world hath suffered long; Beneath the angel-strain have rolled Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not The love song which they bring: O hush the noise, ye men of strife, And hear the angels sing!

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”   

Oddly enough, understanding the original meaning behind this song—one of the most misunderstood carols of Christmas—also helps explain one of the most misused words describing Christmas itself. What Americans hear when they listen to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is nothing like what the English peasants meant when they first sang this song more than five hundred years ago.

Vs 1 original:   “God make you mighty, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. (or, let nothing get you down or steal your joy!) 
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day, to save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray….”

What makes sense is the literal spiritual warfare dimension of this verse.  It is almost a Commander’s cry rallying the troops! 
“God is making you mighty men!  Have no fear!  Lift up your heads, men!  Remember, Christ was  born on Christmas day to save us from Satan’s power—on our own we go astray, but Jesus is here … we fight on with His might!”

Philippians 4:13  “I can do all this through Christ Who gives me strength.”

“Silent Night”   1817 Joseph Mohr

Even though “Silent Night” has been recorded more than any other song in history, the fact that we know it at all is a miracle. Created out of necessity and performed in a tiny village on a solitary Christmas Eve by two ordinary Austrians and a tiny choir, this incredibly beautiful and simple carol owes its debut to an organ that wouldn’t play and a priest who wouldn’t hold a Christmas mass without special music. Later, just weeks into the new year, the beloved carol’s march to worldwide popularity was begun by the man who came to fix the faulty instrument.

Vs 1  accents “peace” with is a major theme associated with the coming of Jesus—the long-awaited Messiah.

Vs 2 leans into the Angel’s presence and proclamation that this holy infant of peace is the long-awaited Messiah, who is Savior.

Vs 3 explains the depth and breadth of the Child’s significance.

Notice the placement of the apostrophe on Love’s pure light!

The same God that created the universe, called Abraham, spoke to Moses in the burning bush, the King of kings and Lord of lords has humbled Himself into birth as a human.   He is Jesus, Lord at Thy birth.

Wonder Restored - Christmas Eve 2019