Sunday, April 26, 2020

Whipping Weary

Pericope2 Cor 11: 25-27 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stonesthree times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from banditsin danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been coldand naked.
Sermon Text: 2 Cor 11: 26 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.
Sermon TitleWhipping Weary
2 Cor 11: 27-29 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?...
Point 1: Recognize and call weary out.  2 Cor 12: 10 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weakthen I am strong.
Point 2: Trade weary in for God’s grace.   2 Cor 12: 9 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” 
Point 3: Acknowledge your own strength2 Cor 12: 11 11…for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”… 
Point 4: Receive the Reward after weary is defeated. Gal 6: 9   9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Life Application:
1: Don’t give up, don’t give in don’t give out
2: Weary isn’t weakness, its humanity in search of your spirit man
3: There is no change without a challenge, no advancement without adversary, no strength without struggle

Sunday, April 19, 2020

The COVID-19 Church: Character in a Crisis


Pericope: Acts 2: 42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved

Sermon Text: Acts 2: 46 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

The COVID-19 Church: Character in a Crisis

Point 1: Courage. 2 Cor 11: 25-27 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea , 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.;….

Point 2: Competence.  Acts 22:3 3 … I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.
1.  Still be generous
                                         i.    Luke 21:2-4 (NKJV) 2 and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; 4 for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.”
                                       ii.    2 Chronicles 31:10- 10 and Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadok, answered, “Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, because the Lord has blessed his people, and this great amount is left over.”
2.  Stay on course
3.    Seek help with your budget

Point 3: Cost  Paul traveled the world, but it was not free.     
Point 4: Core.  Gal 2: 14 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas (Peter) in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
a)  The earth's solar system (core of the sun gravitational pull)
b)  You when you exercise
Life Application:
1.  Connect with the LifeGroup (be intentional stay in covenant for strength)
2.  Trust God - he designed you to lead in this moment
3.  Give your life to Christ in this crisis

Sunday, April 12, 2020

2020 view of the Cross

PericopeJohn 19:1-5 - 1Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. 2And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; 3and they began to come up to Him and say, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and to give Him slaps in the face. 4Pilate came out again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you so that you may know that I find no guilt in Him.” 5Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!”
Sermon TextJohn 19: 5Jesus then came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the Man!”
Sermon Title2020 View of the Cross – Crossview
Point 1: Their view of the cross.
On that fateful day over 2000 years ago there was a large audience viewing the crucifixion. It happened during Passover and the streets were bustling with Jews who had pilgrimaged to Jerusalem for the feast that celebrated their deliverance out of Egyptian bondage. Every since Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead the place was at a fever pitch about Jesus.  
John 12:9-11 - 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.
His popularity didn't stop them from crucifying him and his crucifixion was not only seen by the crowd but by the Jews. 
a)  The religious authorities didn’t like what they saw – (CLIP – SOLDIERS LOOKING AT HIM ON THE CROSS)   John 19:20-21 20 Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. 21 The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”
The Jews were so bothered with the sign above Jesus head. This was prophetic. The sign confirm the scripture even though the Jewish authorities hate it Jesus is the king of the Jews .
Not only does this sign confirm it for them it confirms it for us. Jesus is the king of Kings and Lord of Lords. Right now, his Kingdom is under attack by an invisible enemy going from city to city, country to country and community to community like a death Angel. But this morning we shout Jesus is King of Kings let your Kingdom come let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Can you say that “let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”
b)  Another view of the crowds was Jesus’ disciple whom he loved John the Beloved– John 19:35-37 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. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.
     John often spoke in the third person so as not to color the facts with his opinion. When John wrote the book of John he declared himself an eyewitness but only wanted to give you the facts. John knew it was important as a leader to focus people on Jesus, give them the facts so they can grow their faith.
Today it is a fact that Jesus was crucified for our sins and by his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)
c)  The third view of what they saw is Mary and the woman who followed him. John 19:25-26 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”  Can you imagine the anguish she felt?  
Point 2: His view comes in seven vignettes – each with a word or a phrase that has lasting meaning.  
1st Word – SHOW CLIP
Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
It was about 9:00 o'clock in the morning and Jesus was nailed to the cross. Jesus said forgive them for they know not what they do. The cross view is forgiveness. How can you not forgive when you didn't hang on the cross for forgiveness? Forgiveness belongs to God. Jesus bought it on the cross and gave it to us. Now we must use it for when people hurt you the most. If Jesus can forgive hanging from a cross, then so can you hanging on to hurt! 
2nd Word – SHOW CLIP
Today you will be with me in paradise.  Luke 23:43 “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (NIV) 
Jesus cross view tells me it’s never too late to get your heart right so you can get into heaven. Once Jesus was teaching and he made that point in the parable about the workers in the vineyard. No matter when the workers started, they got paid the same. Matthew 20:1-16 That tells me I shouldn't worry about when somebody comes into the Kingdom just be thankful that they came. Don't worry about how much a person is blessed but that they are blessed. 
3rd  Word – SHOW CLIP
John 19:26-27 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” (NIV)
Jesus cross view looked at his mother as if to say look at me I've done what I came to do. 
4th Word – Matthew 27:46 (also Mark 15:34) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (NKJV)
SHOW CLIP
All of us feel forsaken by God sometimes. 
5TH  Word – SHOW CLIP
John 19:28 Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, “I am thirsty.”(NLT)
Jesus shows his humanity. Jesus cross view was this is painful.
6TH Word – John 19:30… he said, “It is finished!” (NLT)
SHOW CLIP
Jesus cross view was he finished what he came to do . “It” is a blank for us to insert whatever we need to be over in our lives.
7th Word – SHOW CLIP
Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (NIV)
Point 3: Your View
I believe my view of the cross can best be seen through the eyes of three people who were there. 
a)  Luke 23: 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”  
You will either accept Jesus or reject him. There is no middle ground. One soldier in the midst of Jesus dying now could believe Jesus was who he said he was now that he was an eyewitness. Today we are an eyewitness to an historical event. What better time to accept him? 
b)  Luke 23:43 “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (NIV)
Or our view can be like the criminal. Accept Jesus.  Both were guilty and was getting what they deserved. We too are guilty, and we have a chance to accept him. 
c)  Matthew 27:54 - When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son of God! He surely is the Son of God. And if there was ever a moment we needed the Son of God its right now. Darkness has covered the earth much like it covered the earth when Jesus died, but just like then he got up. And Jesus resurrection makes s people who are not without hope. Jesus resurrection changes everything. And if your view of the cross that he was crucified for your sins and mine then no virus, no shortage of food and no social distancing can discourage you.
Life Application
1. Our view of the cross gives us life – 1 Pet 2:24 - 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
2. Our view of the cross gives us something to live for – 1 Pet 2:21 - 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

3. Our view of the cross gives us power to live.  Phil 3:10-11 - 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Friday, April 3, 2020

Broken Pieces

PericopeActs 2: 42-47 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Sermon TextActs 2: 42 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Sermon TitleBroken Pieces!
Point 1: Brokenness brings people togetherVs 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Point 2: Brokenness multiplies our effortsMatthew 14: 19 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. 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 the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
Point 3: Brokenness breaks down social economics bearersMatthew 15: 37-38 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children.
Point 4:  Brokenness brings Jesus into problemLuke 24: 30-31 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,..
Life Application:
1. Your brokenness is not your breaking its your making
2. Broken periods always produce more so put your basket out for the pieces that belong to you. (Great Depression, Great Recession, Civil Rights era, Iraq war)
3. It took a breaking for us to have communion.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Wait for it

Sermon Text: Ps. 27:14 - Wait for the Lord;  be strong and take heart  and wait for the Lord.
Sermon Title:  Wait for It
1.  Builds anticipation – Phil. 4:6 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
2.  Grows your faith – Romans 10:17 - 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
3.  Draws you closer to God – vs. 8 - 8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”  Your face, Lord, I will seek.
4.  Weeds out bad motives – Matt 6:33 - 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
5.  Becomes a teachable moment – vs. 11 - 11 Teach me your way, Lord;  lead me in a straight path  because of my oppressors.
6.  Gives you “street cred” – 1 John 4:4 - 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
7.  Confirmation that God will do it!  - vs. 14 - Waitfor the Lord;   be strong and take heart and waitfor the Lord.

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...