Thursday, May 26, 2011

Sermon Notes
Sat. May 21st and Sun. May 22nd

Sermon: Conceiving in a Closed Womb… Pt3: Nothing is Impossible With God
Sermon Text: Luke 1: 26-38 (NKJV)

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth…27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having coming in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

We know that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, out of a womb that was closed. Joseph never touched Mary intimately. This story shows how God birthed a baby through a womb that was never opened, therefore bringing us salvation.

We can apply this to our closed womb situations because we must believe that if the situation seems impossible, then God can do it.

Point 1: You don’t need a man to conceive, but you do need a man to deliver (vs 35)

Mary knew her womb was closed and that the only way conception would happen was through a man. However, we learn that the Holy Spirit would give her conception. Mary didn’t need Joseph to conceive but she needed him to deliver…Luke 2:6: “So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.”

You can never get anything done by yourself. You need man to help you deliver your God idea. God gives you the idea and the right relationships to help you carry it out.

Your womb may be closed and you’re wondering what the solution will be and what man will rescue you, but God via the Holy Spirit will deliver you. You must be in the word for the Holy Spirit to help you conceive. Conception comes from a transformed mind. Romans 12:2-“ And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” God speaks to you through the Holy Spirit and to let you know that you will make it. When you get quiet and be still, the spirit of God will overwhelm you and you then conceive how you’ll come out of the situation.


Point 2: You must name your miracle (vs 31)

The angel informs Mary that the baby would be named Jesus and had to make sure that Mary didn’t name the baby after anyone else. The baby’s name would be Jesus because of what the baby would do, what it represented, and was it was connected to. Jesus is the one that would save the world, so he could only be named that. What if Mary would have named her baby something else?

When you need a miracle, you have to name it correctly. If you put the wrong name on it, this will present a problem. The right name or label matters. One reason we don’t label it correctly is because we don’t believe God can do it. When you go to God, label exactly what you need from him. You must be careful with what come out of your mouth when asking God for your miracle. Don’t just ask God for healing but ask him to heal you from cancer, and don’t just ask God to send you a man or a woman but ask him to send you your husband or your wife.


Point 3: You must submit yourself (vs 38)

Mary knew that she had never heard of anything like this happening before, but she understood that it would take place in her life. In other words, she has no record of God ever doing this, but when it’s announced to her, she believes. She submits to that fact that the miracle would take place in her closed womb. God didn’t open the womb first and then she submits after. The angel didn’t leave until she submitted.

In the midst of your closed situation, you must submit to God. We always say that nothing is too hard for God, but we don’t want to submit to him. In order for your miracle to take place, you must also be submitted totally to him. You can’t have one foot in and one foot out, but you must give him your all. You can’t believe today but by tomorrow you doubt. You can’t just believe during Sunday worship service but you must believe all the time. We always want to give God just a portion of ourselves but then wonder why nothing has happened. So often we want God to make the first move so he can prove himself instead of us going by what his word says. God can’t work with someone who is not submissive to him.

Life Application:
Are you in a closed situation and you’re not certain how you will come out? When you submit completely to God, expect a miracle. Your situation is never so closed that God can’t bring about salvation.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Conceiving in a Closed Womb...

Sermon Notes
Wednesday May 18, 2011

Sermon: Conceiving in a Closed Womb… Pt. 2: The Details of a Dead Womb
Sermon Text: Romans 4:18-25 (NKJV)

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

The summary of Abraham and Sarah’s theological life shows how they were “dead” but were justified and brought back to life. Their situation was an analogy to how Jesus died but was resurrected and brought back to life. It shows how the death of Christ justifies us and makes us right with God, so that we will make it to Heaven. You may be “dead”, but you must have faith in Christ’s death and resurrection so you can be acquitted of your offenses.

Point 1: Destroys Confidence in Self (vs 19)

19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.

Abraham and Sarah’s bodies couldn’t produce a child and they had no reason to do or believe what God wanted them to be. In Genesis 12 God announces that they would produce a child but it wasn’t until Genesis 21 that their first child was born. Many years had passed in between these two events and you may wonder why God waited to allow this to happen. He waited to ensure that they had no thought that they would come alive and to destroy their self confidence.

Sometimes you’re in a “dead” situation and you’re thinking “How did I get here?” and you’re saying “My back is against the wall.” You must remember that in John 15:5, Jesus says “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.” God has to destroy your confidence that you were the one who had to revive yourself so that He would get the glory.


Point 2: Deposit a Seed (vs 20)

20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God

Now that Abraham is in his “dead” situation, he has faith. He anchored himself in the promises of God and now a seed could be planted.

Even when you situation is good and “dead”, you still have to believe. God wants to see that you have faith in the midst of the “dead” situation. Many times we give up on the situation and we say its dead, so let’s bury it. But be encouraged because it’s when your situation is good and “dead” that Jesus will show up and turn things around. The seed has to be planted in your faith.


Point 3: Delivers a Living Faith (vs 21)

21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised

Abraham believed the promise and gave God all the glory.

Once the seed has been planted in your faith, God can deliver you into a living faith. You can’t depend on the flesh, but you must have faith that God will follow through on what he said he would do. God has the power to raise us from the “dead” and give us new life. If you’re in a “dead” situation and you don’t have faith, there can be no resurrection.

Life Application: (vs 24-25)

24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification

If you believe GOD raised Jesus from the dead, there is no situation you’re dealing with that will remain “dead”. The power in Jesus can bring your “dead” situation back to life. When you believe this, you can be acquitted of your sins. You are able to tap into Jesus’ power by your faith, not by your effort. In a “dead” situation, you must remind yourself to walk back through how Abraham did it. By your faith, you are a child of God, so nothing you’re going through is going to stay “dead”. You can’t claim to be a Christian and say you have faith, but not believe that your own “dead” situation won’t be resurrected.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

The Crossroads of Life

April 30-May 1, 2011

Sermon Title: The Crossroads of Life
Sermon Text: Luke 24:13-17
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.

Context: The day of the resurrection two of Jesus’ followers were traveling to Emmaus. This trip would be a short one, but because of what they are discussing it seemed longer. They were puzzled, perplexed, and not certain of which way to go. This is the morning of the resurrection and it appears to them that nothing has changed.

Questions/Points to ponder: Have you ever been on a road and you weren’t sure of which way to go? Perhaps what you thought would be a quick trip ended up lasting longer, or you prayed for one thing and you got another answer? Sometimes life is like a crossword puzzle; if you answer the questions correctly you will have the answers you need for your crossroad.

Question 1: Why didn’t the two travelers recognize Jesus? (verse 16)
Answer: A supernatural force was at work.
The two men were kept from recognizing Jesus because God was at work. This reminds us that sometimes God is at work and we don’t know it until He opens our eyes. There will be times that we may think a situation is one thing but when God opens our eyes we are able to see it was another.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” God is with us in the midst of our pain and trials.

Question 2: Why were the travelers so downcast? (verse 17 and 21)
Answer: Their hope was shattered.
We often hope that things were going to turn out differently. These two men had hoped that Jesus was the one coming to deliver them from their current government.

20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Jesus was invited to dinner but became the host. If we would let Jesus in our lives, He will turn things around for us. When Jesus comes in He can give hope and raise us up.


Question 3: What allowed the two people to finally recognize Jesus? (verse 31)
Answer: God opened their eyes.
The same supernatural force that veiled their eyes now allowed them to see. God does this in our lives; in the middle of our situation God will open our eyes. He will never allow us to be blind. When we cannot see, He has our hand. Therefore, don’t worry when things are fuzzy and you can’t see.

Question 4: Why were the travelers’ hearts burning? (verse 32)
Answer: Jesus’ words broke through.
There is nothing greater than God’s word. There may be a time when you received a word that burned in your heart; you have to live that word. God’s word has a way of turning things around. Faith without works is dead. Stand on the word that you have received. Don’t act off of your feelings; feelings will fool you.

Question 5: Why did the two travelers get back on the same road again and return to Jerusalem? (verse 33)
Answer: To tell everyone the good news.
They got back on the same road; a road that was once marked with confusion and sadness. Their hope was restored so they could get back on the same road. We should remember to get back on the same road and watch God give us the strength to continue. With God’s help we will have a different outlook and revelation.
It will be the same road but with a different destination, observation, realization, revelation, and the strength to work with the life you have. You realize that God has been there the entire time and did exactly what He said He would do.

Conclusion:
When you take a look at your situation you see that Jesus is moving. He is not dead in your situation. You may be perplexed and it may be fuzzy but because Jesus got up, your situation will turn around!

Virtual Family Sunday Questions

What ways can we create community as a family? How has our viewership/church attendance enhanced or diminished our family covenant? What way...