GracePoint Plant City - Sermons

3-8| Pastor Robert Olszewski 1. Rewind - a New _______________(vs. 11:29-32; 12:1-3) 2. Stop – Abram’s _______________. (vs. 4-9) 3. Fast forward - Abram __________. (vs. 10-20) Quotes to ponder: "We’re doomed.” – C3PO "Sorry about the mess.” – Han Solo ”God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.” – Soren Kierkegaard

1. Appeal to _______________      a. Creation      b. Fall 2. Cain and _______________. (vs 1-16) 3. Abel and _______________. (vs 25-26) 4. Gospel Application Quotes to Ponder "Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.” – Mark Twain "No matter how just your words may be, you ruin everything when you speak with anger.” –John Chrysostom

Parents Rebel Genesis 3:1-24 3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘Youa]">[a] shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,b]">[b] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. 8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the coolc]">[c] of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”d]">[d] 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” 14 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this,     cursed are you above all livestock     and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go,     and dust you shall eat     all the days of your life. 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman,     and between your offspringe]">[e] and her offspring; he shall bruise your head,     and you shall bruise his heel.” 16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;     in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary tof]">[f] your husband,     but he shall rule over you.” 17 And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife     and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you,     ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you;     in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;     and you shall eat the plants of the field. 19 By the sweat of your face     you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground,     for out of it you were taken; for you are dust,     and to dust you shall return.” 20 The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.g]">[g] 21 And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them. 22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. 1. Words lead us astray (vs. 1-7) Words can be twisted Words can trick us Words can change our thinking 2. God's word brings us back to him (vs. 8-15) The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide: They hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way." - John Milton  "It is important to insist on the historical truthfulness of the narrative of the fall of Adam and Eve. Just as the account of the creation of Adam and Eve is tied in with the rest of the historical narrative in the book of Genesis, so also this account of the fall of man, which follows the history of man's creation, is presented by the author as straightforward, narrative history." - Wayne Grudem

Formation Genesis 2:4-24   The Creation of Man and Woman 4 These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. 5 When no bush of the fielda]">[a] was yet in the landb]">[b] and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, 6 and a mistc]">[c] was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground— 7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. 8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers. 11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. 13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush. 14 And the name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eatd]">[d] of it you shall surely die.” 18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit fore]">[e] him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formedf]">[f] every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adamg]">[g] there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he madeh]">[h] into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones     and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman,     because she was taken out of Man.”i]">[i] 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.   Sermon Notes   1.  God makes man. (vs 7, 18-24)      a. How does God make us? 2.  God makes a garden. (vs 8, 10-14, 19-20)      a. Why does God make a garden (Eden)? 3.  Our Response.      a. Revelation 21:1-6; 22:1-2 (p. 680-680)      b. Are you letting God form you?      c. Are you seeing how God has put you in your garden to tend to it and fill it? Quotes to Ponder “For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” – Isaiah 62:5 “This world is but a canvas to our imagination.” – Henry David Thoreau

CREATION Genesis 1:1 - 2:3   The Creation of the World 1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. 6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. 8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. 9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. 12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. 14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. 20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. 24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image,     in the image of God he created him;     male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. The Seventh Day, God Rests 2 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.   SERMON NOTES   1. The Word Creates.      a. God creates by speaking      b. God forms and fills 2. The Word tells a big story      a. Stories have a certain way they are told      b. Stories have characters in them 3. The Word is Jesus Christ.         a. He holds all things together       b. How are you holding your story together? Quotes to Ponder “The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson “The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists.” – Charles Dickens “Reading stories is like breathing air; it is a natural part of life, but we do not usually think about it.” - Gary Schnittjer

4 Points to Make when Sharing the Gospel 1. God's Position God Loves us (John 3:16) God is Perfect (Mathew 5:48) 2. Our Condition We are not perfect (Romans 3:23) We are separated (Romans 6:23) 3. God's Provision Jesus is our substitute (Romans 5:8) 4. Our Decision Beleive (John 3:16)

Intentionally Sowing Seeds   1. Begin with One Person (Luke 15:7) 2. Remember Two Principles Lost People Matter to God (John 4:35-36) God is in charge of the Harvest (1 Corinthians 3:5-7) 3. Barriers to the Salvation Message  The Emotional Barrier  Our Response - find common ground (1 Corinthians 9:22) The Intellectual Barrier  Our Repsonse - sensitively answer their questions (1Peter 3:15) The Volitional Barrier Our Response - pray like crazy (Colosians 4:2-4)

Two Principles John 4:36 and 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 1. Evangelism is a Process John 4:36 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 2. God is responsible for the Harvest   1 Corinthians 3:5-7 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.  

One Person Luke 15:1-7 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Missing the Point Jonah Chapter 4 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly,[a] and he was angry. 2 And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. 3 Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?” 5 Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city. 6 Now the Lord God appointed a plant[b] and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort.[c] So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” 10 And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?”

The Search For Jesus Matthew 2:1-12   The Visit of the Wise Men 2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise mena]">[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it roseb]">[b] and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,     are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler     who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.   SERMON NOTES   Search for Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12)   Wise men show us Jesus Christ Fools show us death Wise men respond to Jesus Christ   Quotes to Ponder   “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” - Pro. 1:7   “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” - 1 Cor. 1:25    

WHO IS WORTHY Revelation 5   The Scroll and the Lamb 5 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll     and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God     from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,     and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.   SERMON NOTES   Scrolls are to be opened Lambs are to be slain Next Steps

The Throne Of God Almighty Revelation 4 The Throne in Heaven 4 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblingsa]">[a] and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: 7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,     who was and is and is to come!” 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,     and by your will they existed and were created.”   SERMON NOTES THE THRONE OF GOD ALMIGHTY - REVELATION 4 1. Throne proclaims Lord God (vs. 1-8) 2. Throne reveals God’s (vs. 9-11) 3. Throne of (Heb. 4:16)   QUOTES TO PONDER “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:1-2 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” - 2 Cor. 3:18

Lukewarm Revelation 3:14-22   To the Church in Laodicea 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. 15 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Sermon Notes 1. Jesus graciously disturbs (vs. 14-18) 2. Jesus lovingly disciplines (vs. 19-22) 3. Next steps

Wake Up! Revelation 3:1-13 To the Church in Sardis 3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ To the Church in Philadelphia 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’   SERMON NOTES 1. Wake Up and __________. 2. Wake Up and __________. 3. Wake Up and __________. QUOTES TO PONDER “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.” - Ps. 116:1-2 “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.” - Ps. 130:5-6

Messenger Of the Gospel 1 PETER 3:15-16   15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.   SERMON NOTES   Got hope? What’s your hope?  Three assumptions You are blessed Got gospel? How can you be a messenger of the gospel? Gentleness and respect Praying Caring Sharing Next steps   Quotes to Ponder   “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” - Hebrews 11:1   “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” - 1 Peter 3:18

Mouthpiece for Truth & Justice 2 Samuel 12:1-13 Nathan Rebukes David 12 And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms,a]">[a] and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” 7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.   SERMON NOTES Jesus sends us Speak truth & justice Next Steps Quotes to Ponder “It's a matter of taking the side of the weak against the strong, something the best people have always done.” - Harriet Beecher Stowe “He has told you, O man, what is good;     and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,     and to walk humbly with your God?” - Micah 6:8

MOLDING CULTURE MATTHEW 5:13-16 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven SERMON NOTES 1. You are _______________ 2. You are _______________ 3. Next Steps QUOTES TO PONDER “Creativity is the only viable source of change.” – Andy Crouch “Culture is not territory to be won or lost, but a resource we are called to steward with care. Culture is a garden to be cultivated.” – Makoto Fujimura

MINISTER GRACE AND LOVE LUKE 10:25-37 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[c]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d]” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” SERMON NOTES 1. What shall I _______________?           a. Love _______________           b. Love _______________ 2. Who is my _______________?           a. Most unlikely person           b. Most inconvenient person           c. Most loving person 3. Next Steps. QUOTES TO PONDER “We love because he first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” - Eph. 4:1-3

Making Good Work Colossians 3:22 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.   SERMON NOTES   1. Work is important to Jesus. 2. Work is action. 3. Work praises Jesus. QUOTES TO PONDER “Work doesn’t take us away from God; it continues the work of God.” - Eugene Peterson “The first Adam was cursed with labor and suffering; the redemption of labor and suffering is the triumph of the second Adam - the Carpenter nailed to the cross.” - Dorothy Sayer  

Modeling Godly Character Galatians 5:13-26   Keep in Step with the Spirit 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,a]">[a] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who dob]">[b] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.   SERMON NOTES God is in us (Holy Spirit) Fruit of God in us (Holy Spirit)   Quotes to Ponder “Without the Holy Spirit, Christian discipleship would be inconceivable, even impossible. There can be no life without the life-giver, no understanding without the Spirit of truth, no fellowship without the unity of the Spirit, no Christlikeness of character apart from His fruit, and no effective witness without His power. As a body without breath is a corpse, so the church without the Spirit is dead.” - John Stott   “I am not asking whether you know things about Him but do you know God, are you enjoying God, is God the centre of your life, the soul of your being, the source of your greatest joy? He is meant to be.” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The Big Picture Colossians 1:15-20   The Preeminence of Christ 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.   SERMON NOTES   What is the big picture? How do I enter into the big picture? Next Steps Quotes to Ponder “We are called to be fruitful - not successful, not productive, not accomplished. Success comes from strength, stress, and human effort. Fruitfulness comes from vulnerability and the admission of our own weakness.” - Henri Nouwen “Great winds and storms help fruit-bearing trees. So also do corruptions and temptations help the fruitfulness of grace and holiness. The storm loosens the earth round its roots so the tree is able to get its roots deeper into the earth, where it receives fresh supplies of nourishment. But only much later will it be seen to bring forth better fruit. So corruptions and temptations develop the roots of humility, self-abasement and mourning in a deeper search for that grace by which holiness grows strong. But only later will there be visible fruits of increased holiness.” - John Owen

Together We Grow 1 Peter 5:6-11   6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.   SERMON NOTES   Growing together in Christ means,       1. Being humble together        2. Suffering together       3. Receiving God’s grace together QUOTES TO PONDER “The early church practiced two things simultaneously: orthodoxy of doctrine and orthodoxy of visible community.” - Francis Schaeffer “The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” - C.S. Lewis “You don’t really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.” - Tim Keller

Whatever We Do 1 Peter 3:8-12 English Standard Version (ESV) 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life     and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil     and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good;     let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,     and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”   Sermon Notes 1. Whatever you do: Christian Virtue. (vs. 8) Unity of mind Sympathy Brotherly love Tender heart Humble mind 2. Whatever you do: Blessings. (vs.9) Love your enemies 3. Whatever you do: Right Living. (vs. 10-12) Jesus Christ’s right living for us. 4. Next Steps. QUOTES TO PONDER “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” - St. Matthew “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” - St. Paul “After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God first helps us toward is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again. For however important chastity (or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue) may be, this process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important still. It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God. We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven.” - C. S. Lewis “Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in us whereby our inner being is progressively changed, freeing us more and more from sinful traits and developing within us over time the virtues of Christlike character.” - Jerry Bridges

Wherever You Are   1 Peter 2:9, 13-17 English Standard Version (ESV) 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, 14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.   Sermon Notes - Wherever You Are   1. God is in _______________ the places.           1. Where does God meet his people?           2. Work is God’s way 2. God transforms the _______________ into holy places.           1. Rome’s mistake           2. Jesus Christ’s work for us 3. Next Steps QUOTES TO PONDER “All Christians are truly of the spiritual estate, and there is no difference among them, save of office alone. As St. Paul says (1 Cor. 12), we are all one body, though each member does its own work, to serve the others. This is because we have one baptism, one Gospel, one faith, and are all Christians alike; for baptism, Gospel, and faith, these alone make spiritual and Christian people.” - Martin Luther “Those who really can receive bread from a stranger and smile in gratitude, can feed many without even realizing it. Those who can sit in silence with their fellow man not knowing what to say but knowing that they should be there, can bring new life in a dying heart. Those who are not afraid to hold a hand in gratitude, to shed tears in grief, and to let a sigh of distress arise straight from the heart, can break through paralyzing boundaries and witness the birth of a new fellowship, the fellowship of the broken.” - Henri J.M. Nouwen "I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." - Romans 12:1

All the Difference in the World 1 Peter 1:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV) 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. SERMON NOTES - ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD 1. Greets with Blessings 2. Greets as God’s Elect 3. Greets as God’s Exiles QUOTES TO PONDER “Twant me, 'twas the Lord. I always told him, 'I trust to you. I don't know where to go or what to do, but I expect you to lead me,' and He always did.” - Harriet Tubman “May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” - Psalm 29:11 “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” - 1 Peter 2:11 “How is it that some of us are converted, while our companions in sin are left to persevere in their godless career? Was there anything good in us that moved the heart of God to save us? God forbid that we should indulge the blasphemous thought!” - C.H. Spurgeon

LABOR & REST PSALM 62 1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;     from him comes my salvation. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,     my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. 3 How long will all of you attack a man     to batter him,     like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? 4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.     They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths,     but inwardly they curse. Selah 5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,     for my hope is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation,     my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;     my mighty rock, my refuge is God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people;     pour out your heart before him;     God is a refuge for us. Selah 9 Those of low estate are but a breath;     those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up;     they are together lighter than a breath. 10 Put no trust in extortion;     set no vain hopes on robbery;     if riches increase, set not your heart on them. 11 Once God has spoken;     twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, 12     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man     according to his work. Sermon Notes: Labor and Rest 1. Rest in the midst of stress (vs. 1-6)           a. Quiet confidence           b. Stress from attackers           c. Quiet confidence 2. Rest in God (vs. 7)           a. Confidence in God alone 3. Rest with confidence (vs. 8-12)           a. Heart confidence           b. God confidence           c. God confidence to save Quotes to Ponder   “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” - Augustine of Hippo “Work is a blessing. God has so arranged the world that work is necessary, and He gives us hands and strength to do it. The enjoyment of leisure would be nothing if we had only leisure. It is the joy of work well done that enables us to enjoy rest, just as it is the experiences of hunger and thirst that make food and drink such pleasures.” - Elisabeth Elliot “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.” - Matthew 11:29

Marvel at the Cornerstone Psalm 118 English Standard Version (ESV) His Steadfast Love Endures Forever 118 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;     for his steadfast love endures forever! 2 Let Israel say,     “His steadfast love endures forever.” 3 Let the house of Aaron say,     “His steadfast love endures forever.” 4 Let those who fear the Lord say,     “His steadfast love endures forever.” 5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord;     the Lord answered me and set me free. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear.     What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper;     I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord     than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord     than to trust in princes. 10 All nations surrounded me;     in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 11 They surrounded me, surrounded me on every side;     in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 12 They surrounded me like bees;     they went out like a fire among thorns;     in the name of the Lord I cut them off! 13 I was pushed hard,a]">[a] so that I was falling,     but the Lord helped me. 14 The Lord is my strength and my song;     he has become my salvation. 15 Glad songs of salvation     are in the tents of the righteous: “The right hand of the Lord does valiantly, 16     the right hand of the Lord exalts,     the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!” 17 I shall not die, but I shall live,     and recount the deeds of the Lord. 18 The Lord has disciplined me severely,     but he has not given me over to death. 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,     that I may enter through them     and give thanks to the Lord. 20 This is the gate of the Lord;     the righteous shall enter through it. 21 I thank you that you have answered me     and have become my salvation. 22 The stone that the builders rejected     has become the cornerstone.b]">[b] 23 This is the Lord's doing;     it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made;     let us rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save us, we pray, O Lord!     O Lord, we pray, give us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!     We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God,     and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords,     up to the horns of the altar! 28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;     you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;     for his steadfast love endures forever! SERMON NOTES:MARVEL AT THE CORNERSTONE 1. Marvel 1 - Timeless Love (vs. 1-4)     a. Our history     b. Give thanks 2. Marvel 2 - Timely Help(vs. 5-9)     a. Hebrews 13:6     b. Sure refuge 3. Marvel 3 - The Victor’s Welcome (vs. 19-23)     a. The challenge at the gate (vs. 19-20)     b. The chief cornerstone (vs. 21-23) Quotes to Ponder “This precious Cornerstone binds God and man together in wondrous amity, for He is both in one! He joins earth and Heaven together, for He participates in each! He joins time and eternity together, for He was a man of few years and yet He is the Ancient of Days!” - C.H. Spurgeon “"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,” - Job 38:4-6 “One cannot help but be in awe when [one] contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality.” - Albert Einstein “In the original language, 'Fear the Lord' doesn't mean be afraid. It means sustaining a joyful, astonished awe, and wonder before Him.” - Timothy Keller

Psalm 69 The Servant's Pain  To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. Of David. 69 Save me, O God!     For the waters have come up to my neck.a]">[a] 2 I sink in deep mire,     where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters,     and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am weary with my crying out;     my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim     with waiting for my God. 4 More in number than the hairs of my head     are those who hate me without cause; mighty are those who would destroy me,     those who attack me with lies. What I did not steal     must I now restore? 5 O God, you know my folly;     the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. 6 Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me,     O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me,     O God of Israel. 7 For it is for your sake that I have borne reproach,     that dishonor has covered my face. 8 I have become a stranger to my brothers,     an alien to my mother's sons. 9 For zeal for your house has consumed me,     and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. 10 When I wept and humbledb]">[b] my soul with fasting,     it became my reproach. 11 When I made sackcloth my clothing,     I became a byword to them. 12 I am the talk of those who sit in the gate,     and the drunkards make songs about me. 13 But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord.     At an acceptable time, O God,     in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. 14 Deliver me     from sinking in the mire; let me be delivered from my enemies     and from the deep waters. 15 Let not the flood sweep over me,     or the deep swallow me up,     or the pit close its mouth over me. 16 Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;     according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. 17 Hide not your face from your servant,     for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. 18 Draw near to my soul, redeem me;     ransom me because of my enemies! 19 You know my reproach,     and my shame and my dishonor;     my foes are all known to you. 20 Reproaches have broken my heart,     so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none,     and for comforters, but I found none. 21 They gave me poison for food,     and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. 22 Let their own table before them become a snare;     and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.c]">[c] 23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,     and make their loins tremble continually. 24 Pour out your indignation upon them,     and let your burning anger overtake them. 25 May their camp be a desolation;     let no one dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,     and they recount the pain of those you have wounded. 27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;     may they have no acquittal from you. 28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;     let them not be enrolled among the righteous. 29 But I am afflicted and in pain;     let your salvation, O God, set me on high! 30 I will praise the name of God with a song;     I will magnify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the Lord more than an ox     or a bull with horns and hoofs. 32 When the humble see it they will be glad;     you who seek God, let your hearts revive. 33 For the Lord hears the needy     and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. 34 Let heaven and earth praise him,     the seas and everything that moves in them. 35 For God will save Zion     and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it; 36     the offspring of his servants shall inherit it,     and those who love his name shall dwell in it. SERMON NOTES THE SERVANT’S PAIN  PSALM 69 1. Be a Servant. (vs. 1-3, 29)     a. Pain one     b. Up is down & down is up     c. How are you a servant? 2. Be . (vs. 4-15, 29)     a. Pain two     b. Righteous living     c. How are you being hated? 3. Be an . (vs. 16-18, 29, 30-36)      a. Pain three     b. Receive the free gift     c. Have you acted like an exchange? Quotes to Ponder “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. “Our duties naturally emerge from such fundamental relations as our families, neighborhoods, workplaces, our state or nation. Make it your regular habit to consider your roles – parent, child, neighbor, citizen, leader – and the natural duties that arise from them. Once you know who you are and to whom you are linked, you will know what to do.” - Epictetus “Life is an exciting business and most exciting when lived for others.” - Helen Keller “Organizations exist to serve. Period. Leaders live to serve. Period.” - Tom Peters

God and Gratitude PSALM 108   1 My heart is steadfast, O God!     I will sing and make melody with all my being! 2 Awake, O harp and lyre!     I will awake the dawn! 3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;     I will sing praises to you among the nations. 4 For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;     your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!     Let your glory be over all the earth! 6 That your beloved ones may be delivered,     give salvation by your right hand and answer me! 7 God has promised in his holiness:     “With exultation I will divide up Shechem     and portion out the Valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;     Ephraim is my helmet,     Judah my scepter. 9 Moab is my washbasin;     upon Edom I cast my shoe;     over Philistia I shout in triumph.” 10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?     Who will lead me to Edom? 11 Have you not rejected us, O God?     You do not go out, O God, with our armies. 12 Oh grant us help against the foe,     for vain is the salvation of man! 13 With God we shall do valiantly;     it is he who will tread down our foes.   SERMON NOTES   Psalm 108 - God & Gratitude   Thanksgiving is a response to our challenges (vs. 1-5) Psalm 57:7-11 - individual lament Confident hope Trials lead us to God(vs. 6-13) Psalm 60:5-12 - community lament God has promised Next Steps Following Jesus Christ into our trials Gratitude mindset   Quotes to Ponder “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” - Psalm 107:1   “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thess. 5:18   “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Col. 3:17   “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!  Give thanks to him; bless his name!” - Psalm 100:4  

ANGER Psalm 79   How Long, O Lord? A Psalm of Asaph. 79 O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple;     they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. 2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food,     the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. 3 They have poured out their blood like water all around Jerusalem,     and there was no one to bury them. 4 We have become a taunt to our neighbors, mocked and derided by those around us. 5 How long, O Lord?  Will you be angry forever?  Will your jealousy burn like fire? 6 Pour out your anger on the nations that do not know you,   and on the kingdoms that do not call upon your name! 7 For they have devoured Jacob and laid waste his habitation. 8 Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your compassion come speedily to meet us,    for we are brought very low. 9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake! 10 Why should the nations say,  “Where is their God?”     Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants     be known among the nations before our eyes! 11 Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;     according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die! 12 Return sevenfold into the lap of our neighbors     the taunts with which they have taunted you, O Lord! 13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever;     from generation to generation we will recount your praise. SERMON NOTES   1.      Blame (vs. 1-5)          1.      Story of destruction   2.      Shame (vs. 6-12)          1.      Confess your sins 3.      Hope (vs. 13)         1.      Communion and Jesus Christ         2.      Repent and Remember

HAS GOD ABANDONED ME? PSALM 77 A PSALM OF ASAPH To Asaph – 1 Chronicles 16:4- 5      1- Asaph’s Complaint v1-6      2- Asaph’s Confusion v7-10      3- Asaph’s Confession v11-15      4- Asaph’s Consolation v14-15      5- Asaph’s Conclusion v19-20 ACTION STEPS: 1- Step back from your problem 2- Remember – God is bigger than your problem 3- God usually leads us Through – not around our problem 4- Sometimes I need a Moses or Aaron to help

DOUBT PSALM 13 1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?     How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I take counsel in my soul     and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;     light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, 4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”     lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. 5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love;     my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord,     because he has dealt bountifully with me. SERMON NOTES 1. David _______________      a. David’s _______________      b. What are your doubts? 2. David at _______________      a. David’s _______________      b. What are your desires? 3. David at the _______________      a. David’s _______________      b. What and who are you delighting in? 4. Gospel Focus QUOTES TO PONDER “Surely… we cannot imagine any certainty that is not tinged with doubt, or any assurance that is not assailed by some anxiety.” – John Calvin “Belief in God does not exempt us from feelings of abandonment by God. Praising God does not inoculate us from doubts about God.” – Eugene Peterson “Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” - Jesus 

ANXIETY & FEAR PSALM 3:1-8​​​​​​ 1 O Lord, how many are my foes!     Many are rising against me; 2 many are saying of my soul,     “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah[a] 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,     my glory, and the lifter of my head. 4 I cried aloud to the Lord,     and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah 5 I lay down and slept;     I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people     who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, O Lord!     Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;     you break the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;   your blessing be on your people!  GENESIS 15:1, 8 1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 8 But he said, “O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” Sermon Notes 1. What is ? _______________      a. David’s fears vs. 1-2      b. Two aspects of fear 2. Four _______________ Out of Fear      a. Obey King Jesus      b. Change your glory      c. Trust in God’s promise      d. Be in community QUOTES TO PONDER “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matt. 6:34 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” - 1 John 4:18 “But now, this is what the Lord says…Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” - Isaiah 43:1

Living Generously Galations 6:6-10   Living Generously 6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.   SERMON NOTES Sowing is scattering. Giving is a heart issue Giving brings joy Giving is an opportunity Reaping is gathering. You sow generously You reap eternally You bless others now - do good Gospel Focus Jesus was given  We are gathered How is Jesus leading you to live generously?   Quotes to Ponder   "Generosity is not only about money. There is more than one currency. Let your generosity be pervasive in life." - Timothy Keller "“You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” - Jonathan Edwards "“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill "I gave up all for Christ, and what have I found? Everything in Christ." - John Calvin

Galatians 5:1-5 (ESV) Christ Has Set Us Free 5 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justifieda]">[a] by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

Exodus 13:3-16 (ESV) The Feast of Unleavened Bread 3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 Today, in the month of Abib, you are going out. 5 And when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shall keep this service in this month. 6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days; no leavened bread shall be seen with you, and no leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory. 8 You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt.10 You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year. 11 “When the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as he swore to you and your fathers, and shall give it to you, 12 you shall set apart to the Lord all that first opens the womb. All the firstborn of your animals that are males shall be the Lord's. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. Every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14 And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, ‘By a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15 For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of animals. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the males that first open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16 It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes, for by a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”

Work Matters:  Warnings Colossians 2:6-15   Alive in Christ 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.   SERMON NOTES 1. Walking in Him          a. Rooted and built up          b. Prayer 2. Warnings against captivity     a. Human origins     b. Spiritual origins 3. Whole salvation for the whole of life     a. Vaccine not an antibiotic     b. Triumphant not defeated GOSPEL GLASSES   QUOTES TO PONDER   “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” - Matthew 7:15 “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” - 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.” C.S. Lewis “Daily bewail our sin and daily adore our Savior.” - John Stott

Work Matters:  Whatever You Do Colossians 3:23-24 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.   SERMON NOTES   1.      One Part Do  (Colossians 3:23)          "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" 2.      One Part Rest  (Colossians 3:24a)          "knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward" 3.      Whole of Christ (Colossians 3:24b)          "You are serving the Lord Christ"  

Work Matters:  Proclaim Him Colossians 1:28 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. SERMON NOTES 1.      Christ is the gospel message.          a.      He is our message.          b.      My work 2.      Christ is the gospel goal.            a.  Where He goes, we go         b.  Your work 3.  Christ is the gospel hope.        a.      Christ in you        b.      Christ's work  

Beauty In Following John 21:15-19   Jesus and Peter 15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”  SERMON NOTES   1.  Beauty in Following the Word. 2.  Beauty in Following through people. 3.  Beauty in Following through forgiveness. Quotes to Ponder  "Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:1-2   "It is only because he became like us that we can become like him." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer   "Jesus cannot be just liked. His claims make us either kill him or crown him." - Timothy Keller     "You cannot be Christ’s servant if you are not willing to follow him, cross and all. What do you crave? A crown? Then it must be a crown of thorns if you are to be like him. Do you want to be lifted up? So you shall, but it will be upon a cross." - Charles Spurgeon  

Beauty in Resurrection John 20:1-8   20 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there,7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus'a]">[a] head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed;   SERMON NOTES   1.  Resurrection beauty in the STRUGGLE 2.  Ressurection beauty in the LIGHT 3.  Resurrection in RESPONSE  

Beauty in Kingship John 12:12-16   1. A picture - Palm Branches 2. A Word - Hosanna!  3. A Response -  Behold the beauty of the King   a. Fear not b. Behold your king Quotes to Ponder “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve….You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.” - Martin Luther King, Jr “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” - Joshua 24:17 “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.” - Luke 22:25–26 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

BEHOLD THE BEAUTY OF THE LORD PSALM 27:4   1. Why do we need God's _______________? 2. What is _______________?      1. It is _______________.      2. It is _______________.      3. It brings _______________ and _______________. 3. How does the _______________ of God change our lives? QUOTES TO PONDER "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting." - Ralph Waldo Emerson "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you." - Song of Songs 4:7 "Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;” - 1 Chronicles 16:29 “I’ve said many times that there are three dimensions of the Christian life that the Scriptures are concerned about—the good, the true, and the beautiful.” - R.C. Sproul

The Parable of the Tenants Mark 12:1-12   1. God made us to be fruitful. (Vs. 1-2) 2. God will always be faithful. (Vs. 2-8) 3. God unites through the Cornerstone. (Vs. 9-12) Quotes to Ponder “We are called to be fruitful - not successful, not productive, not accomplished. Success comes from strength, stress, and human effort. Fruitfulness comes from vulnerability and the admission of our own weakness.” - Henri Nouwen “There are periods that we forget that in the pursuit of fruit, that if we just abide in Him, then fruitfulness is a guarantee.” - Francis Chan “And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD.” - Hosea 2:20 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;” - Hebrews 10:23 ““as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." - Romans 9:33

The Parable of the Wheat and Weeds Matt. 13:24-30; 36-42   24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weedsa]">[a] among the wheat and went away.26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.27 And the servantsb]">[b] of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”  Parables make abstract concrete (Matt. 24-30) The kingdom of God is ordinary and real Three parts to the parable Work of the farmer Work of the enemy Patience of the farmer 36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. Parables reveal truths about this world (Matt.13:36-43) The sower is Christ (vs. 36-37) The enemy is the devil (vs. 39a) The field is the world (vs. 38a) The good seed is believers (vs. 38b) The weeds are unbelievers (vs.38c) The harvest is the end of the age (vs. 39b) The reapers are angels (vs. 39c-41) The granary is heaven (vs. 43) The furnace is hell (vs. 42) Parables need to be applied There are two kingdoms in this world vying for power Discern the differences between the two crops and which one you belong to Work is God’s kingdom way for bringing hope into this world   Quotes to Ponder   “Believers themselves are the point of continuity between creation and the new creation.” -  David VanDrunen   “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” - Desmond Tutu “Hope is patience with the lamp lit.” - Tertullian   “Our duty is found in the revealed will of God in the Scriptures. Our trust must be in the sovereign will of God as He works in the ordinary circumstances of our daily lives for our good and His glory.” - Jerry Bridges “Patience is necessary, and one cannot reap immediately where one has sown.” - Soren Kierkegaard

The Parable of the Mustard Seed – The Word changes us Mark 4:30-32 30 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth,32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” SERMON NOTES Big Idea:  Christ’s salvation is a kingdom which is entered into by faith. The Story of God’s salvation in Christ. Tree of Life (Gen. 2:9) The Mustard Seed Tree (Mark 4:30-32) The Tree of Life (Rev. 22:2) The Kingdom of God is salvation. Not about you but about the world. It’s about God. How does the Kingdom work?                                                   i.     The measure you use (Mark 4:24-25)                                                  ii.     The way up is to go down. Entering into the Kingdom Through the preaching of the Word Through faith (Romans 10:1-17) Gospel Challenge Go down first and think about representing Jesus by serving. Listen to the Word Quotes to Ponder ““The Gospel of Mark tells a mysterious story enveloped in apocalyptic urgency, a story that focuses relentlessly on the cross and ends on a note of hushed, enigmatic hope. Many of the key images in this mysterious narrative are drawn from Israel’s Scriptures; indeed, a reader who fails to discern the significance of these images can hardly grasp Mark’s message.” – Richard Hays, Reading Backwards   “The principle runs through all life from top to bottom.  Give up yourself, and you will find your real self.  Lose your life and you will save it.  Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favorite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end:  submit with every fiber of your being, and you will find eternal life.  Keep back nothing.  Nothing that you have not given away will be really yours.  Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead.  Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay.  But look for Christ and you will find Him , and with Him everything else thrown in.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity  

The Parable of the Seed Growing Mark 4:26-29 26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”   SERMON NOTES Growing Seed” Mark 4:26-29 The Word is the seed that changes us every day. 1. The Problem                 · We want the next big thing.                 · We are addicted to distractions. 2. Following Jesus Christ is .                 · It happens on your front line.                 · It happens in all the areas of life. 3. Growing Seed Parable                 · The seed has power.                 · The seed has roots.                 · The seed is weak. 4. Gospel Challenge                 · Receive God’s Word into your life.                 · Develop a Prayer Life Quotes to Ponder “Happiness is like a cat, if you try to coax it or call it, it will avoid you; it will never come. But if you pay no attention to it and go about your business, you’ll find it rubbing against your legs and jumping into your lap.” – William Bennett “In the internet age we are losing our capacity for deep thinking, reading, and conversations. Instead of deep-sea divers we jet on a sea of words and especially images.” – Nicholas Carr, The Shallows “Small minds are concerned with the extraordinary, great minds with the ordinary.” - Blaise Pascal “We need to be content with the gospel as God’s power for salvation. We also need to be content with his ordinary means of grace that, over time, yield a harvest of plenty for everyone to enjoy.” – Michael Horton