SERMON NOTES
NEW - Wk1
”The Rescue"

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Isaiah 43:19

19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

What is the New
God wants to do in you?

“If I find myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I am meant for another world”

- C.S. Lewis 

Colossians 1:13-14

13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Matthew 4:18-20

18 One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” 20 And they left their nets at once and followed him.

Jesus rescues us
from a meaningless life
and gives us purpose

Matthew 14:22-24

22 Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.

Jesus sometimes places us in a storm
so we can experience him on a level
we otherwise couldn’t

Matthew 14:25-27

25 About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Sometimes Jesus speaks to the storm
and sometimes he speaks to the people
in the storm

Matthew 14:28-29

28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

The next step is always the right step
but seldom is it the easy step

Matthew 14:30-33

30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Matthew 26:31-35

31 On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have been raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

33 Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.

Loneliness

Shame

Mark 16:7

7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.

SERMON NOTES
Worship - Wk4
”I Surrender All"

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Luke 7:36-50

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.

38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 You did not give me a kiss,but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

• Begins with a bold initiative

• Gives a costly sacrifice

• They are motivated by grateful hearts

Hebrews 4:16

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Begins with Bold Initiatives

A Costly Sacrifice

Romans 3:25 | NLT

25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,

Hebrews 13:16 | NLT

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

A Grateful Heart

Galatians 6:9-10 | NLT

9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

SERMON NOTES
Worship - Wk3
”Blessed Assurance"

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Galatians 2:20

20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Never been on an airplane?

Never lived without the internet?

How many have NEVER been confused, frustrated or angry in your walk with Jesus?

Mark 11:1a 

1a As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives,

Mark 11:1b

1b Jesus sent two of them on ahead.

Mark 11:2-3

2 “Go into that village over there,” he told them. “As soon as you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks, “what are you doing?” Just say, “the Lord needs it and will return it soon”.

“Follow me,”
not “Believe in Me”

“I wish everybody in the church could have demon theology—He said a lot of people say that they believe in God—but the book of James says, you say you believe in God? Good, even the demons believe in God and tremble—and if we could just get people in the church to believe and tremble—we would see an awakening like we’ve never seen before.”

— Jud Wilhite

Uncomfortable

The supernatural is on the other side of uncomfortable

Mark 11:4-6

4 The two disciples left and found the colt standing in the street, tied outside the front door. 5 As they were untying it, some bystanders demanded, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They said what Jesus had told them to say, and they were permitted to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it.

Follow Through

Mark 11:7-10

7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it. 8 Many in the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of him, and others spread leafy branches they had cut in the fields.

9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!”

Jesus always wants to do more for us than we can imagine 

Confused, Frustrated, Angry

Mark 16:1-4

1 Saturday evening, when the Sabbath ended, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome went out and purchased burial spices so they could anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they went to the tomb.

3 On the way they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” 4 But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.“

Mark 16:5-7

5 When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, 6 “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. 7 Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

Jesus hasn’t given up on you

Revelation 21:14

14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

SERMON NOTES
Worship - Wk2
”I Know a Name"

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Jesus

Worship
– following Jesus everyday, with everything 

Tell others about Jesus

Acts 1:8

8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 3:6

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Acts 3:16

16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes.

Choose relationship over religion

Acts 4:1-3

1 While Peter and John were speaking to the people, they were confronted by the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and some of the Sadducees. 2 These leaders were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead. 3 They arrested them and, since it was already evening, put them in jail until morning.

Religion—DO

Relationship—DONE 

Grow

Acts 4:4

4 But many of the people who heard their message believed it, so the number of men who believed now totaled about 5,000.

As a church

Personally

Acts 4:5-7

5 The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, along with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest. 7 They brought in the two disciples and demanded, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?”

Not stop talking about the name of Jesus

Acts 4:11-12

11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

SERMON NOTES
Worship - Wk1
”It is Well"

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Not in Fellowship

Not in Relationship

Worship = Following Jesus, everyday, with everything 

Worship allows Jesus to work in and through my life

Acts 6:8

8 Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

Worship will give us wisdom

Acts 6:9-10

9 But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

Worship empowers me to overcome opposition

Acts 6:11-14

11 So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” 12 This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. 13 The lying witnesses said, “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. 14 We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

Worship changes our attitude

Acts 6:15

15 At this point everyone in the high council stared at Stephen, because his face became as bright as an angel’s.

Worship compels us to speak the truth in love

Acts 7:51-53

51 “You stubborn people! You are heathen[a] at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! 52 Name one prophet your ancestors didn’t persecute! They even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered. 53 You deliberately disobeyed God’s law, even though you received it from the hands of angels.”

Worship allows us to see Jesus in ways we have never seen before

Acts 7:54-56

54 The Jewish leaders were infuriated by Stephen’s accusation, and they shook their fists at him in rage. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 56 And he told them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!”

Worship brings peace in us even when there is none around us 

Acts 7:57-60

57 Then they put their hands over their ears and began shouting. They rushed at him 58 and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well, with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul!

O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,

the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;

even so, it is well with my soul.

SERMON NOTES
Ecclesiastes - Wk4
”Fear God"

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Ecclesiastes 12:13

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

The end of the matter;
all has been heard

Fear God

Proverbs 22:4

4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

Proverbs 19:23

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Psalm 25:14

14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

Keep His Commandments

John 14:15

15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

For this is the whole duty of man

SERMON NOTES
Ecclesiastes - Wk3
”Sixth Sense of Faith"

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God's gift to man.

14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

Under the sun, life is seasonal

Purpose is timeless

Passion is timely

Eternity is a reality

What are the things that we are doing right now that would be celebrated in 100 years?

SERMON NOTES
Ecclesiastes - Wk2
”At the Intersection"

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Ecclesiastes 2:3

3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom — and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.

Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.

Ecclesiastes 2:7b-8 

7b …I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.

Ecclesiastes 2:9

9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Discover Your Purpose

Ephesians 2:10

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Psalm 139:13

13 or you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.

How do we discover our purpose?

God’s Glory

What are my gifts?

What is my passion?

Open Doors

SERMON NOTES
Ecclesiastes - Wk1
”Meaningless"

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Ecclesiastes 1:1-10

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever.

5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. 7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again.

8 All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us.

Ecclesiastes 1:11-18

11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. 12 I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem.

13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

15 What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be counted. 16 I said in my heart, “I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”

17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind. 18 For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

“Most men die at 27,
we just bury them at 72”

– Mark Twain

“The world will lament you for an hour
and forget you forever. ”

– Mark Twain

“Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. A baby feels hunger: well, there is such a thing as food. A duckling wants to swim: well, there is such a thing as water. Men feel sexual desire: well, there is such a thing as sex. If I find in myself a desire in which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.”

– C.S. Lewis
(Mere Christianity)

SERMON NOTES
The Gospel According to John - Wk7
”The Final Sign"

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John 19:18

18 There they crucified him, and with him two others — one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

John 19:30

30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:35

35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe.

John 19:38-40

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.

John 19:41-42

41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John 20:3-4

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

John 20:5-7

5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.

John 20:8

8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 

John 20:24-25a

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25a So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

John 20:25b

25b …But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:26-27

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 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.”

John 20:28

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:29

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

SERMON NOTES
The Gospel According to John - Wk6
”The Raising of Lazarus"

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Why would a good God allow bad things to happen?

John 10:24

24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

John 10:25

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,”

John 11:1-3

1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

John 11:4

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 

John 11:5

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

John 11:6-7

6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 7 and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

John 11:8

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

John 11:9-10

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. 10 It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

John 11:11

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

John 11:12

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”

John 11:13-15

13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

John 11:16

16 Then Thomas said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

John 11:17

17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.

John 11:20-21

20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 

John 11:22-23

22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

John 11:24

24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

John 11:25-26

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. 

John 11:27

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

John 11:33-34

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

John 11:35

35 Jesus wept.

John 11:36-37

36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

John 11:38-39

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

John 11:40

40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

John 11:41-42

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

John 11:43

43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

John 11:44

44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

John 11:45

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. 

John 11:46-48

46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

John 3:19

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

John 20:31

31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

SERMON NOTES
The Gospel According to John - Wk5
”Open Eyes"

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They followed because of what they actually saw and heard

1 John 1:1

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.

2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

John 20:30-31

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Seven Signs

The Healing of a Blind Man

John 9:1-2

1 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

John 9:3

3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

John 9:4-5

4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 9:6

6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.

John 9:7

7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam.” So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

John 9:8-9

8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

John 9:10

10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.

John 9:11

11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

John 9:12

12 “Where is this man?” they asked him. “I don’t know,” he said.

John 9:13-14

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath.

John 9:15-16

15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided.

John 9:17-19

17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

John 9:20-21

20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.”

John 9:22

22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue

John 9:24

24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”

We want to understand everything

before we believe anything

John 9:25

25 He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

John 9:26-27

26 Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”

John 9:28-29

28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don’t even know where he comes from.”

John 9:30-31

30 The man answered, “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.

John 9:32-34

32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” 34 To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

Willful Blindness
– Refusing to see what can be seen

Perhaps God is bigger
than you thought He was

John 20:30

30 …may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

SERMON NOTES
Mother’s Day 2026
”The Virtuous Woman"

------------------------------------

Proverbs 31:1

1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

Proverbs 31:10

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 

The Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman Is Priceless And Quite Rare

The Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman is Trustworthy

Proverbs 31:11-12

11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

The Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman Loves Her Husband 

Proverbs 31:12

12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

The Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman Loves Her Family

Proverbs 31:13-15

13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. 14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

Proverbs 31:16

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

The Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman is Wise

Proverbs 31:26

26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

Proverbs 31:28-29

28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her. 29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

The Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman is beautiful inside and out 

Proverbs 31:30-31

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. 31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

SERMON NOTES
The Gospel According to John - Wk4
”He Had To"

------------------------------------

1 John 1:1-3

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

John 20:30

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

6,000 Kentucky residents dying from overdoses in 2024

30 million people are enslaved in human trafficking — population of Florida and Georgia

1.2 million abortions performed every year — as a use of mere birth control or due to inconvenience 

In 2025, the estimated Opioid Use prevalence in certain southeastern Kentucky counties was as high as 16-18%.

God created you on purpose, with a purpose, for a purpose

Every major progressive thing in history is and was the result of followers of Jesus being so compelled to make a difference

Education

Artist—creative arts exploded because of the church

As early as the 4th century there were monasteries

Orphanages came about because of the church

See Like Jesus Saw

John 4:4 | NIV

4 Now he had to go through Samaria.

John 4:5 | NIV

5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph.

John 4:6 | NIV

6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

John 4:7 | NIV
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”

Do What Jesus Did

Use What Jesus Built

John 4:16-18 | NIV

16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

John 4:27 | NIV

27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

John 4:28 | NIV

28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,

John 4:29-30 | NIV

29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

John 4:32-34 | NIV

32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

John 4:35 | NIV

35 “Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Believe What Jesus Said

John 4:39 | NIV

39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”

John 4:40 | NIV

40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.

John 4:41-42 | NIV

41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Our mission is simple:
to bring those far from God close to Him

Jesus is our Message

SERMON NOTES
The Gospel According to John - Wk3
”Temples + Superstition"

------------------------------------

They followed because what they actually saw and what they actually heard

1 John 1:1

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched — this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

John 20:30

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Seven Signs

Healing on the Sabbath

John 5:1-3

5 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.

John 5:5-6

5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

John 5:7

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

John 5:8-9

8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath

Exodus 20:8

8 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy

When what’s best for people is no longer what’s most important to you, you find yourself at odds with God

John 5:10-11

10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’

John 5:12

12 So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”

John 5:13

13 The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

John 5:14

14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

When you choose to follow Jesus, religion will lose its grip on you

John 5:15

15 The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

John 5:17

17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.”

John 5:18

18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

John 5:19

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

John 5:39-40

39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

The Word has become flesh and is standing in front of you

Does your version of Christianity get in the way of loving people God loves?

SERMON NOTES
The Gospel According to John - Wk2
”In Spite Of"

------------------------------------

Believe “in spite of” people

Dr. Francis Collins, Director
The Human Genome Project 

A genome is an organism's complete form of DNA

“If faith was a psychological crutch…it must be a very powerful one. If it was nothing more than a veneer of cultural tradition, then why were these people not shaking their fists at God and demanding their friends and family stop all this talk about a loving and benevolent super natural power?”

– Francis Collins

Christianity is not about “just believing” or “just taking it by faith”

They followed because what they actually saw and what they actually heard

1 John 1:1-3

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

John 20:30-31

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Seven Signs

The Healing of the Nobleman’s Son

John 2:23

23 Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name.

John 4:46

46 Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum.

John 4:47

47 When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

John 4:48

48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

John 4:49

49 The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

John 4:50

50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

This is where we all live

He walked home by faith and not by sight

John 4:51-52

51 While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52 When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

John 4:53

53 Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

John 4:54

54 This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

“Love as I have loved you”

John 20:29

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:31

31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

SERMON NOTES
Easter 2026
”No Other King"

------------------------------------

How has failure shaped your life? 

Easter is the celebration of how God can take what the enemy intends for evil and use it for good.

Luke 22:31-34

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

To know what the Rabbi knows, to do what the Rabbi does, for the reason that the Rabbi does it, in order to be just like the Rabbi.

Luke 22:54-55

54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”

59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Luke 24:12

12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened.

John 20:1-2

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

Luke 24:11

11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

John 20:3-10

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.

6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.

8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:17

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

SERMON NOTES
Parables - Wk 5
”The Ten Minas"

------------------------------------

Luke 19:11

11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

Prepare for the unexpected

Luke 19:12-15

12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’

14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ 15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.

Luke 3:1

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee,...

Be productive for the King

Luke 19:13

13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’

Luke 19:15

15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.

Luke 19:16

16 The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’

Luke 19:17-19

17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’

You have been given things:
Are you using them?

Discouragement

Hebrews 12:12

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

Distraction

Doubt

Luke 19:20-26

20 Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’

22 He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’

24 And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Faithful Steward

Wasteful Steward

Hateful Enemy

SERMON NOTES
Parables - Wk 4
”The Prodigal”

------------------------------------

The goal of a disciple: to know what the Rabbi knows, in order to do what the Rabbi does, for the reasons the Rabbi does them, in order to be just like the Rabbi in their walk with God

How do you view God?

How does God view you?  

Luke 15:11-32

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.

15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

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.’”

Prodigal
– spending money and resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant

Observation 1:
This story was given to a people to correct their view and reveal the heart of God

Luke 15:1-2

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Observation 2:
The younger brother has this moment where he moves from regret to repentance

Observation 3:
The minute the prodigal son began walking back home, the father saw him and ran toward him

Observation 4:
The father embraced the messy son

Observation 5:
The father pursued both sons in the end

SERMON NOTES
Parables - Wk 2
”The Rich Fool”

------------------------------------

A parable is like a bank vault — on the other side of the door there is this tremendous wealth — and it is only accessible if you have the key

Christ is the key

Luke 8:9-10

9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “ ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’”

Afraid of the future?

Luke 12:1

1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

Luke 12:13-21

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”

15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’

18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’

20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12:13

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Luke 12:15

15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:17-18

17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.

Luke 12:20-21

20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Money is an excellent servant,
but a lousy savior

Luke 12:21

21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.

Luke 12:22-31

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.

30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Luke 12:32

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Luke 12:33-34

33 “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Can I Trust God

What Is My Next Move?

SERMON NOTES
Parables - Wk 1
”The Good Samaritan”

------------------------------------

What is a parable? 

Luke 8:9-10

9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.”

Christ is the key

Luke 10:25-37

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

The Bystander Effect 

A social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. The presence of others creates a diffusion of responsibility, where each individual feels less personal responsibility to intervene because they assume someone else will take action. The term was coined after the infamous murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964 where it was reported that many bystanders witnessed the attack but did not intervene or call for help

“Loving everybody in general may be an excuse for loving nobody in particular”
– C.S. Lewis

The secret of the kingdom is not found in defining your neighbor, but in being a neighbor

The Good Samaritan has a bias toward action

“We need to read ourselves into the story as the one beaten and robbed and left for dead”
– Billy Graham

SERMON NOTES
He’s Up To Something - Wk 4
”Don’t Miss The Miracle”

------------------------------------

Luke 1:1-4

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled[a] among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke 5:12-16

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 5:17

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.

Evaluation vs. Participation 

John 12:9-10

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

Luke 5:18-19

18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

Luke 5:19

19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

Luke 5:20

20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 5:21-26

21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?

24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

Luke 5:25

25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

SERMON NOTES
He’s Up To Something - Wk 2
”So Will I”

------------------------------------

The Goal of Christianity is not perfection – it is progress

Luke 1:1-4

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke 5:4 

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

General Revelation
& Specific Revelation

Luke 5:4 

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Jesus speaks to Peter specifically after Peter simply made himself available. 

Luke 5:4 

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Luke 5:5

5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

SERMON NOTES
He’s Up To Something - Wk 1
”Give Me Your Boat”

------------------------------------

1 Corinthians 9:26

26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

Luke 5:1

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.

Luke 1:1-4

1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke 5:1

1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God.

Luke 5:2 

2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.

Luke 5:3

3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

SERMON NOTES
Christmas at Forward - Wk 3
”Suffering Servant”

------------------------------------

Matthew 2:10-11 | NLT

”When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.“

Isaiah 53:6 | NLT

”All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.“

Isaiah 53:6-7 | NLT

”All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.“ 

Isaiah 53:3-5 | NLT

”He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.“

Isaiah 53:8-9 | NLT

”Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.“

Isaiah 53:11 | NLT

”When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.“

Luke 9:22-23 | NIV

”And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.“

SERMON NOTES
Christmas at Forward - Wk 1
”Peace on Earth”

-------------------------------------

Somewhere Else

Someone Else

Something Else

Isaiah 2:4

4 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.

Isaiah 9:6

6 For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be on his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace.

Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is God breathed and profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 

Isaiah 40:25-26

25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? Says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? 26 He who brings out their hosts by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing.

Jeremiah 10:12-13

12 It is he who made the earth by His power who established the world by His wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. 13 When he utters his voice, is a tumult of waters in the heavens and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Psalm 19:1-4

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world

Jesus is our Prince of Peace


Peace is found in the presence of God and nothing else

Our Plan is not always His plan

Luke 1:38

38 Behold, the bond slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word…

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

The Process may be Painful

John 16:33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world. 

His plan always includes His presence

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight…

Psalm 23:4

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

SERMON NOTES
Gratitude - Wk 2
”The Diary of a Dog”

-------------------------------------

Luke 17:11-14

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

Ephesians 2:1

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,

Ephesians 4:17-18

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;

Ephesians 2:12

12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Romans 7:5

5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.

2 Timothy 2:26

26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

Ephesians 2:5

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Luke 17:15-18

15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

SERMON NOTES
Gratitude - Wk 1
”Everything Flows From Gratitude”

-------------------------------------

Gratitude is the door to
the presence of God 

Psalm 100:4 | NKJV

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 

Gratitude brings
freedom

Jonah 2:9-10 | NKJV

9 “But I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” 10 So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. 

Gratitude is
a daily choice

Acts 16:25-26 | NKJV

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 

Choosing gratitude means
letting go of something else

SERMON NOTES
All-In - Wk 4
”Heart Check”

-------------------------------------

How open am I, right now, to the work Jesus wants to do in and through me?

2 Kings 1:2

2 One day Israel’s new king, Ahaziah, fell through the latticework of an upper room at his palace in Samaria and was seriously injured. So he sent messengers to the temple of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether he would recover.

hard heart = no desire to change

2 Kings 1:3-4

3 But the angel of the Lord told Elijah, who was from Tishbe, “Go and confront the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover? 4 Now, therefore, this is what the Lord says: You will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’” So Elijah went to deliver the message.

open heart: knows God is good & faithful

2 Kings 1:5-6

5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, “Why have you returned so soon?” 6 They replied, “A man came up to us and told us to go back to the king and give him this message. ‘This is what the Lord says: Is there no God in Israel? Why are you sending men to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether you will recover? Therefore, because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’” 

2 Kings 1:7

7 “What sort of man was he?” the king demanded. “What did he look like?”

A hard heart keeps things superficial

2 Kings 1:8

8 They replied, “He was a hairy man, and he wore a leather belt around his waist.” “Elijah from Tishbe!” the king exclaimed.

A hard heart becomes angry and accepts no responsibility

2 Kings 1:9-10

9 Then he sent an army captain with fifty soldiers to arrest him. They found him sitting on top of a hill. The captain said to him, “Man of God, the king has commanded you to come down with us.” 10 But Elijah replied to the captain, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and destroy you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and killed them all.

An open heart allows us to experience the supernatural power of God

2 Kings 1:11

11 So the king sent another captain with fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, the king demands that you come down at once.”

A hard heart will lead to continual destructive patterns

2 Kings 1:12

12 Elijah replied, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and destroy you and your fifty men!” And again the fire of God fell from heaven and killed them all.

A hard heart always impacts more than just me

2 Kings 1:13-14

13 Once more the king sent a third captain with fifty men. But this time the captain went up the hill and fell to his knees before Elijah. He pleaded with him, “O man of God, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants. 14 See how the fire from heaven came down and destroyed the first two groups. But now please spare my life!”

An open heart is willing to move in the right direction

2 Kings 1:15

15 Then the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him, and don’t be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went with him to the king.

2 Kings 1:16

16 And Elijah said to the king, “This is what the Lord says: Why did you send messengers to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether you will recover? Is there no God in Israel to answer your question? Therefore, because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.”

2 Kings 1:17

17 So Ahaziah died, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. Since Ahaziah did not have a son to succeed him, his brother Joram became the next king. This took place in the second year of the reign of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.

A hard heart always leads to death

SERMON NOTES
All-In - Wk 3
”Normal Isn’t Working”

-------------------------------------


1 Peter 2:11 | NLT

11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

παροίκους   παρεπιδήμους

paroikous

parepidemous 

Para

—Beside/Near/Temporary

To live near, but not in.

To be close, but not from.

To be in, but not of. 

Philippians 3:20 | NLT

20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.

Philippians 3:18-20 | NLT

18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.

Philippians 3:19 | NLT

…they think only about this life here on earth.

You will think differently
from this world

Romans 12:2 | NLT

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Colossians 3:1-2

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

You will live differently
from this world

1 Peter 2:11 | MSG

11 Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.

I am a Citizen of Heaven. My life belongs to God. Because earth is not my home, I think differently, and I live differently

If you don’t actively resist the current of culture, you’ll drift into the deception of this world.

“Don’t worry if you’re different from the world. Worry if you’re not.”
— Craig Groeschel 

Who are you?
I am a Citizen of Heaven

My life belongs to God. Because earth is not my home–I think differently—I live differently.

SERMON NOTES
All-In - Wk 2
”I Surrender All?”

-------------------------------------


MAIN IDEA:
If we don’t have moments of surrender, we will never step into the abundant life Jesus wants for us

If you want to get,
you must give

If you want to to go up,
you must go down

If you want to lead,
you must serve

If you want to find,
you must lose

If you want to be strong,
you must be weak

If you want to live,
you must die

Matthew 5:5

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Surrender

The way to be in control is to surrender to God’s control

Matthew 11:29

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.

Numbers 12:3

3 Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.

Broken and brought under control

Isaiah 53:6

6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

If you are not broken before the Lord, you will be broken by the Lord, because God never uses anything until it’s broken first.

Are you totally, completely, and unconditionally surrendered to the will of God, in every area of your life, regardless of what it may cost you, or what you would want to do?

James 1:21

21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 1:22

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

I surrender all

Your Finances

Your Will

Your Work

Your Anger

Your Bitterness

Your Greed 

Your Selfishness

Matthew 5:5

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Lord, I am willing. I am willing to receive what you give. I am willing to lack what you withhold. I am willing to relinquish what you take. I am willing to suffer what you require.

SERMON NOTES
All-In - Wk 1
”You’ve Got What it Takes”

-------------------------------------


Faith is not always easy
– but is essential for us to maximize the life God has called us to live

Hebrews 11:1

1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:7

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

2 Thessalonians 1:11

11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

Exodus 4:1-5

1 But Moses protested again, “What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you’?” 2 Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied. 3 “Throw it down on the ground,” the Lord told him. So Moses threw down the staff, and it turned into a snake! Moses jumped back.

4 Then the Lord told him, “Reach out and grab its tail.” So Moses reached out and grabbed it, and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand. 5 “Perform this sign,” the Lord told him. “Then they will believe that the Lord, the God of their ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—really has appeared to you.”

Mark 6:37-38

37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” 38 “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”

2 Thessalonians 1:11

11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.

SERMON NOTES
God of Miracles - Wk 5
”More Than I Could Imagine”

-------------------------------------


Miracles are not transactional
– they are relational

2 Kings 5:1

1 The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.

You don’t have to
suffer in silence

God can use your story
–no matter how much you’ve been through

2 Kings 5:2-3

2 At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. 3 One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.”

2 Kings 5:4

4 So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said.

The enemy will do his best
to misdirect my pursuit for a miracle

2 Kings 5:5

5 “Go and visit the prophet,” the king of Aram told him. “I will send a letter of introduction for you to take to the king of Israel.”

2 Kings 5:6

6 So Naaman started out, carrying as gifts 750 pounds of silver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. 6 The letter to the king of Israel said: “With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy.”

Dealing with doubt, doesn’t mean I lack faith–but rather is an indication that I am getting close to a breakthrough

2 Kings 5:7

7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, “Am I God, that I can give life and take it away? Why is this man asking me to heal someone with leprosy? I can see that he’s just trying to pick a fight with me.”

God loves me too much
to let me get it wrong

2 Kings 5:8

8 But when Elisha, the man of God, heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes in dismay, he sent this message to him: “Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel.”

I have to ask myself,
“Am I seeking magic–or a miracle?”

2 Kings 5:9-10

9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”

2 Kings 5:11-12

11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. “I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!” he said. “I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! 12 Aren’t the rivers of Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than any of the rivers of Israel? Why shouldn’t I wash in them and be healed?” So Naaman turned and went away in a rage.

I am too close
to give up now

2 Kings 5:13

13 But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’”

2 Kings 5:14

14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!

2 Kings 5:15

15 Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.

God wants to do more for me
than I could ever imagine

SERMON NOTES
God of Miracles - Wk 4
”I’ve Witnessed It”

-------------------------------------


Mark 2:17

17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:2-5

2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Need 

Cares

Preoccupied

We will do anything and everything we can to get people into an environment where they can experience the Presence of Jesus

Mark 2:5

5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Critical

Mark 2:6-7

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

Mark 2:10-12

10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

We are all someone who needs to and can be changed

WE are the CHURCH and we can say, “I’ve Witnessed it!”

SERMON NOTES
God of Miracles - Wk 3
”How a Miracle Works”

-------------------------------------


How a biblical miracle works

“Where there is a need, sensed by a few, and each individual understands his or her responsibility and gives their all, regardless of the odds, then Jesus works a miracle.”

– John Maxwell

Mark 6:33-44

33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”

37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”

39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

SERMON NOTES
”No Win Without Sacrifice”

-------------------------------------

Luke 7:36-50

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.

38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 

45 You did not give me a kiss,but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Hebrews 4:16

16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Characteristics of a worshipful person:

Begins with Bold Initiatives

A Costly Sacrifice

Romans 3:25 | NLT

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,”

Hebrews 13:16 | NLT

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

A Grateful Heart

SERMON NOTES
”We Are Sent”

-------------------------------------

Generation Z
(11-26)

Millennials
(28-43)

Generation X
(44-59)

Boomer II
(60-69)

Boomers
(70-78)

At 47%, nearly half of
millennial practicing Christians
say it is wrong to evangelize

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 

Matthew 28:19

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

Mark 16:15

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Luke 24:47-48

47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

John 20:21-23

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

A sending God
creates a sending people 

MOTIVATION

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

METHOD

Acts 4:13

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

MESSAGE

Revelation 12:11

11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Where is God
sending you?

SERMON NOTES
Not Our Home - Wk 4
”Our Perspective in Persecution”

-------------------------------------


Isaiah 41:10 | NLT

10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

John 15:18,20 | NLT

18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first... 20b If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”

Ephesians 6:12 | NLT

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

1 Peter 4:12 | NLT

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

1 Peter 4:13 | NLT

13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

Pursue Comfort > Avoid Opposition > Faith Weakens > Life’s Empty

Live Boldly > Face Opposition > Faith Strengthens > Closer to Christ 

1 Peter 4:19 | NLT

19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Do what is right and
trust God with the results

1 Peter 5:5-7 | NLT

5 God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. 7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:10-11 | NLT

10 So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.”

1 Peter 1:7 | NLT

7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

SERMON NOTES
Not Our Home - Wk 3
”Our Calling”

-------------------------------------


“Higher calling matters. When you care so deeply about the why-why you’re doing what you’re doing-then and only then are you operating in a way that allows you to overcome the obstacles.”

— Dave Ramsey

AN ETERNAL CALL
TO CHRIST

A TEMPORARY CALL
TO AN ASSIGNMENT

A DAILY CALL
TO A DIFFERENT STANDARD

You are a co-worker of God
(1 Corinthians 3:8-9)

You are a light
(Matthew 5:14-16)

You are a masterpiece
(Ephesians 2:10)

You are a new creation
(2 Corinthians 5:17)

You are a temple of the Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

You are blameless
(Colossians 1:22-23)

1 Peter 2:9

9 …for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:11-12

11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

1 Peter 2:15

…15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

1 Peter 2:21

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

1 Peter 2:22-24

22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.

1 Peter 3:9

9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

SERMON NOTES
Not Our Home - Wk 2
”Different Values in an Unholy Culture”

-------------------------------------


1 Peter 1:13-17

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

Romans 12:1-2

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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.

1 Peter 1:14-16

14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Hágios

— holy, set apart, different, pure

1 Peter 1:14

14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.

What are three areas
I struggle most trying to fit in?

When was a time
I put my happiness above
God’s call for holiness?

What are the biggest ways
that I’m different from the world?

What is the area that God
wants me to be different? 

1 Peter 1:18-21

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 

20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

“It’s in our hearts that the evil lies and it’s from our hearts that it must be plucked out.”

— Bertrand Russell

“It’s easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man.”

— Albert Einstein

Living holy
isn’t the path to
knowing Christ

Knowing Christ
is the path to
living holy

SERMON NOTES
Not Our Home - Wk 1
”Faith in Trials”

-------------------------------------


1 Peter 1:1

1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 

Parepidēmois
— exiles, sojourners, aliens,
strangers, foreigners

1 Peter 1:6-7

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine.

INHERITED
FAITH

SHALLOW
FAITH

CONDITIONAL
FAITH

TRIALS
REVEAL
YOUR FAITH

1 Peter 1:7

7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine.

Luke 22:31-32

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail . And when you have turned back , strengthen your brothers.”

 
James 1:2-4

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

TRIALS
DRAW YOU
CLOSER
TO GOD.

1 Peter 1:8-9

8 You love [God] even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

A life IN THE SPIRIT
looks more like a life
in OUR ETERNAL HOME
than a life IN THE FLESH does

SERMON NOTES
Fire & Rain - Wk 3
”The Word The Lord Has For Me”

-------------------------------------


Isaiah 55:10-11

10 The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. 11 It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.


Do I really want to receive the word the Lord has for me?


1 Kings 18:41

41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”


1 Kings 18:42

42 So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.


1 Kings 18:43-44a

43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything. ”Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. 44a Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”


Condemnation
vs. Conviction


1 Kings 18:44b

44b Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”


1 Kings 18:45

45 And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel.


1 Kings 18:46

46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.

SERMON NOTES
Fire & Rain - Wk 2
”Am I Available?”

-------------------------------------


God wants to do
an incredible work
in and through you

Am I Available?

God does not call the equipped,
He equips the called

1 Kings 18:18-26

18 “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. 19 Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.

20 So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. 21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. 

22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. 23 Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it.

24 Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed. 25 Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you. Choose one of the bulls, and prepare it and call on the name of your god. But do not set fire to the wood.”

26 So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made.

Activity
does not equal
Availability

1 Kings 18:27

27 About noontime Elijah began mocking them. “You’ll have to shout louder,” he scoffed, “for surely he is a god! Perhaps he is daydreaming, or is relieving himself.[b] Or maybe he is away on a trip, or is asleep and needs to be awakened!”

1 Kings 18:28-35

28 So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out. 29 They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response.

30 Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been torn down. 31 He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, 32 and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons.

33 He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.” 34 After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, 35 and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench.

Sometimes an Act of Worship
is giving a costly sacrifice

1 Kings 18:36-39

36 At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. 37 O Lord, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.”

38 Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”

James 5:17-18

17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

God uses only messy and broken people
because that’s all that there are

SERMON NOTES
Fire & Rain - Wk 1
”In the Dry Season”

-------------------------------------

- Physically
- Emotionally
- Relationally


God is the God
of the Dry Season


1 Kings 17:1

1 Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”


Everybody has a next step:
what is my next step?


1 Kings 17:2-4

2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” 


God wants us to
know the will for our lives
more than we want to know it


1 Kings 17:5-7

5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook.

7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.


Do you know?
God will sometimes let us run out so that we will recognize that He is our source


1 Kings 17:8-9

8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”


1 Kings 17:10-12

10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”

12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”


1 Kings 17:13-14

13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”

14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”


1 Kings 17:15-16

15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.


1 Kings 17:17-24

17 Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. 18 Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?”


19 But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.”


20 Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?”

21 And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” 22 The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived!

23 Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” 24 Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.”

SERMON NOTES
Upside Down Kingdom - Wk 7
”Seek First Heaven’s View”

-------------------------------------


A King
establishing His Kingdom
through His people


Chiasm


Matthew 6:19-34

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.


Repentance
– Getting Heaven’s view on an earthly matter


Matthew 6:22-23

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!


The way you and I see anything
is the way you and I see everything


You cannot see the world
the way God sees the world
until you see you
how God sees you


“His Eye is On the Sparrow”

Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart be lonely
and long for Heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion
My constant Friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
and I know He watches me

His eye is on the sparrow
and I know He watches me

SERMON NOTES
Upside Down Kingdom - Wk 6
”Does Jesus expect me to be perfect?”

-------------------------------------


A King
establishing His kingdom
through His people


Matthew 5:48

48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.


Be perfect because
your heavenly father
is perfect


Leviticus 19:2

2 Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.”


1 Peter 1:15-16

15 Be holy in all you do… 16 ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’


You Can’t


Romans 3:23

23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.


Even though you can’t,
Jesus can


Romans 4:6

6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works.


2 Corinthians 5:21

21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.


We are transformed
through this relationship

SERMON NOTES
Upside Down Kingdom - Wk 5
”You’ve Heard It Said”

-------------------------------------


The letter of the law
creates legal loopholes


The spirit of the law
creates kingdom people
doing kingdom things


Matthew 5:33-47

33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34 But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’

39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?


Tell the Truth


“If you always tell the truth you will never have to remember what you said.”

- Mark Twain


Keep your word


Go the extra mile


“The first mile is the obligation, the second mile is the opportunity”

- Clayton King


Turn the other cheek


“What if we turned every offense into an opportunity?”

SERMON NOTES
Upside Down Kingdom - Wk 4
”Easter”

-------------------------------------


Colossians 3:1-3

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God…


You can’t always change your circumstances, but you can change your perspective


Repentance
— gaining heaven’s view on a matter


• No Christians • No Bible •
• No Church • No Believers •


MY GOD HAS
FAILED ME


“CRUCIFY HIM!”
Local Religious leaders demand action from Pilate


BLASPHEMY!
— local leaders are outraged!


FINALLY
—blasphemous rabbi put to death!


“IT’S TIME TO PANIC!”
— says leader of ‘movement’


IN HIDING
— Rabbi’s Closest followers in fear


KING OF JEWS SLAIN


“ALL HOPE IS LOST”
— says anonymous follower


“HE’S NOT MY KING”
group of people iterate


“TURN THE OTHER CHEEK”
— local Rabbi tells his followers


FORGIVE
— Pray for those who have hurt you


• Love your neighbor as yourself
• Love your enemies


John 20:1-2

1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”


Luke 24:11

11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.


John 20:3-10

3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.

6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.

9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.


GOD’S FINAL KING
— Jesus is who He says He is


PROOF!
— the King is Back


He Is ALIVE!
— sin is destroyed


The resurrection of Jesus is not the bible story – The resurrection of Jesus is THE story – and it intersects with your story


Not only does the resurrection of Jesus resolve one of history’s greatest mysteries – it resolves a personal mystery


John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


John 3:17

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.


Psalm 71:14

14 As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

SERMON NOTES
Upside Down Kingdom - Wk 3
”Salt and Light”

-------------------------------------


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.


Repentance
is the key into the
Kingdom of Heaven


Matthew 4:17

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.


The Kingdom life
is a distinct and
intentional life


The Kingdom life
is a life of everyday
repentance


Romans 2:4

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?


2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.


Revelation 3:19

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.


Hebrews 12:17

17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.

SERMON NOTES
Upside Down Kingdom - Wk 2
”The Beatitudes”

-------------------------------------


‭‭Matthew 4:17-22

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.


Matthew 4:23-25

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.


What is the blessed life?
Who will show me how to live it?


The beatitudes introduce someone who is to be congratulated. Someone's place in life is an enviable one. Happy are those who walk in an everyday relationship with Jesus.


“These Beatitudes are descriptions of the character of our Lord…Jesus can speak with an authority of happiness because it is His constant possession.”

Clovis G. Chappell


Blessing will come
no other way but God’s way


Blessed is the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven


Matthew 18:1-4

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.


John 5:19-20

19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.


Blessed are those who mourn
for they shall be comforted


Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth


Matthew 11:28-30

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”


“Meekness is His outstanding characteristic, it is the one virtue, within himself that he calls our attention. It is that which he seems most to desire us to imitate.”


Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied


John 4:34

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.


Blessed are the merciful,
or they will receive mercy


“The pitiless are usually cowards.”

- Charles Ellicott


Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God


Blessed are the peacemakers
for they shall be called Children of God


Blessed are
those who are persecuted
for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

SERMON NOTES
Upside Down Kingdom - Wk 1
”The Kingdom of Heaven”

-------------------------------------


‭‭Matthew 4:17-22

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.


Matthew 4:23-25

23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.


The King


There is THE Kingdom


The People

SERMON NOTES
Everyday Church - Wk 4
”Everyday Fight”

-------------------------------------


‭‭Exodus 15:3

3 The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.


Matthew 10:34

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.


Revelation 19:11

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns...


Revelation 19:11-13, 15-16

13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God…15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations... 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.


SOMEONE TO PROTECT


Nehemiah 4:14

14  “…Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”


A MISSION TO ADVANCE


Luke 9:1

1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.


A BATTLE TO WIN


Psalm 144:1

1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.


Victory isn’t always
what you conquer later


Victory is being faithful
and obedient today


Joel 3:9-11 | NLT

9 Say to the nations far and wide: “Get ready for war! Call out your best warriors. Let all your fighting men advance for the attack. 10 Hammer your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears. Train even your weaklings to be warriors. 11 Come quickly, all you nations everywhere. Gather together in the valley.” And now, O Lord, call out your warriors!

SERMON NOTES
Everyday Church - Wk 3
”A Church Who Gathers”

-------------------------------------


‭‭Hebrews 10:19-25 | ESV

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”


Acts 2:1 | ESV

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were ALL TOGETHER IN ONE PLACE


EKKLESIA
— a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.


Matthew 16:18 | ESV

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.


Acts 15:4 | ESV

4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the [ekklesia] church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.


Romans 16:5

Greet also the [ekklesia] church in their house.


Greeting + Welcome


Public Reading of Scripture


Singing


Hebrews 2:12

12 I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the [ekklesia] congregation I will sing your praise.


Isaiah 6:3

3 And they were calling to one another; ‘holy holy holy is the Lord God Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.


“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us”

A.W. Tozer


Baptism


Matthew 28:19 | ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit


Teaching + Preaching


Acts 2:42 | ESV

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.


2 Timothy 3:16-17 | ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

SERMON NOTES
Everyday Church - Wk 2
”Everyday Relationship”

-------------------------------------


‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ | ‭ESV‬‬

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”


Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭29‬ ‭| ESV‬‬


29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.


“God was so well pleased with his Son, and saw such beauties in him, that he determined to multiply his image… The face of Jesus is more lovely to God the Father than all the worlds, his eyes are brighter than the stars, his voice is sweeter than bliss; therefore does the Father will to have his Son’s beauty reflected in ten thousand mirrors in saints made to be like him. In what way could the Father put greater honor on his Son than by forming a race like himself?”

- Charles Spurgeon


An Everyday Relationship
will cost you everything

The life hidden with Christ in God is one of such growing union with God in love that God’s presence becomes the context of our daily life, God’s purposes become the matrix of our activities, and the values of God’s kingdom shape our life and relationships; God’s living presence becomes the ground of our identity, the source of our meaning, the seat of our value and the center of our purpose.”

- Dr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.


Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬-‭29‬ ‭| ESV‬‬

27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.


Matthew 22:36-37 | ESV

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, 37 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”


Matthew 22:38-39 | ESV

38 This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: 39 You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”


Maturity is formed by intentionality, over time, through the power of the Holy Spirit


“The path of spiritual growth in the riches of Christ is not a passive one. Grace is not opposed to effort. It is opposed to earning. Effort is action. Earning is attitude. You have never seen people more active than those who have been set on fire by the Grace of God. Paul, who perhaps understood Grace better than any mere human being, looked back at what happened to him and said: “By the Grace of God I am who I am, and his Grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the Grace of God with me.” (1 Cor. 15:10)

- Dallas Willard


1 Corinthians 15:10 | ESV

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.


Time: Recognizing all relationships grow over time


Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭| ESV‬‬

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”


Through the power of the Holy Spirit: Living a fully surrendered life


Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬ ‭| ESV‬‬

29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.


What is God saying to you?
What do you need to do about it?

SERMON NOTES
Everyday Church - Wk 1
”Everyday Church”

-------------------------------------


Have you ever been disoriented?


What’s Business?
How’s Business?
- Henry Ford


Avodah
—work, serve, worship


Genesis 2:15

15 The lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.


Exodus 8:1

1 Then the Lord says to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘thus says the Lord, “let my people go, that they may serve me.”


Joshua 24:15

15 But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.


An everyday disciple
looks up, in, out, repeat.


Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭| ESV‬‬

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. 20 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”


Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭| ESV‬‬

28 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”


Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.

—D.L. Moody


What is God saying to you?
What do you need to do about it?

SERMON NOTES
How to Slay Our Giants - Wk 4
”Being Stuck”

-------------------------------------


Spiritually, I can choose to be stuck, or choose to take next steps and get stronger


1 Samuel 17:11

11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.


1 Samuel 17:16

16 For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.


Excuses


Playing the Victim


Religion


1 Samuel 17:45-46

45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!


“One Day When”


1 Samuel 17:48-50

48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.


I’ve done enough


1 Samuel 17:51

51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.


Jesus will take what the enemy was going to use to try and destroy you and actually allow you to use it to destroy the work of the enemy. 


John 4:28-30

28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.


Because of the power of the holy spirit in me, I have victory over the work of the enemy (and I do not have to stay stuck)


1 Samuel 17:54

54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent.


Matthew 27:33

33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull…


Jesus, may your holy spirit move in me so that I can see and take my next steps

SERMON NOTES
How to Slay Our Giants - Wk 3
”Not Ashamed”

-------------------------------------


1 Samuel 17:47

47 And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”


1 Samuel 17:47a

“And everyone assembled here…”


1 Samuel 17:47b

…Will know…


We say
“YES”


We are
unashamed


1 Samuel 17:47c

…that the Lord…


Romans 10:9

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.


Christianity
is not about a “what”
but rather a “who”


1 Samuel 17:47d

…rescues…


Psalms 40:2

2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.


1 Samuel 17:47e

…His people…


Jesus,
what do you want to do
in and through me? 

SERMON NOTES
How to Slay Our Giants - Wk 2
”Believing the Truth”

-------------------------------------


John 14:6

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.


John 8:44

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.


1 Samuel 17:24-27

24 As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. 25 “Have you seen the giant?” the men asked. “He comes out each day to defy Israel. The king has offered a huge reward to anyone who kills him. He will give that man one of his daughters for a wife, and the man’s entire family will be exempted from paying taxes!”

26 David asked the soldiers standing nearby, “What will a man get for killing this Philistine and ending his defiance of Israel? Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?” 27 And these men gave David the same reply. They said, “Yes, that is the reward for killing him.”


Accusation


1 Samuel 17:28-31

28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. “What are you doing around here anyway?” he demanded. “What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!”

29 “What have I done now?” David replied. “I was only asking a question!” 30 He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer.

31 Then David’s question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him.


Proverbs 13:20

20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.


Doubt


Fear


Quit/Give Up


Insecurities


1 Samuel 17:32-33

32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” 33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

God is so
disappointed
in you


Psalm 139:16

16 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.


You cannot change;
it’s just the way you are


Romans 8:11

11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.


Commonalities


1 Samuel 17:41-44

41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy.

43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.


I don’t
need church


It’s my life
and I can do
whatever I want


I’ll do it
later


John 8:32

32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

SERMON NOTES
How to Slay Our Giants - Wk 1
”Always on Time”

-------------------------------------


Jesus did not bring me this far to watch me fail


1 Samuel 16:1

1 Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”


I am not forgotten


1 Samuel 16:11-13

11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah


I am not being punished


1 Samuel 16:14

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.


1 Samuel 16:15-19

15 Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” 17 “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” 18 One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.” 19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.”


1 Samuel 16:20-23

20 Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine. 21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” 23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.


1 Samuel 17:1-4

1 The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. 2 Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. 3 So the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them. 4 Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall!


1 Samuel 17:11

11 When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.


1 Samuel 17:16