Sunday, May 31, 2020

The World is Watching

Pericope: Acts 2: 1-12 - When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[g] as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[h] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Sermon Text: Acts 2: 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
Sermon Title: The Whole World is Watching

Point 1:  There was an Event over 2,000 years ago– vs. `1 When the day of Pentecost came…

Point 2:  Encounter – vs. 2-3 - 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
What they experienced was an encounter that theologians still grapple with today.  The most conservative theologians do not deny this event.  It needs no deep and profound explanation.  Let me read the Philips translation to help you.  1-4 Then when the actual day of Pentecost came they were all assembled together. Suddenly there was a sound from heaven like the rushing of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were seated. Before their eyes appeared tongues like flames which separated off and settled above the head of each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages as the Spirit gave them power to proclaim his message.

2 Cor. 12:2-4 - I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
Everyone should strive to have an encounter with God. I’m not talking about your daily devotion.  I am talking about an encounter that is borne out of:
a) Pain
b) Problem
c) Prayer
d) Posture
Point 3: The language and encounter was/is inclusive of Everyone – vs. 5-6 - 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.

Diversity – 1:14; 2: 9-11 - 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[h] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” (America is still afraid of diversity and differences.  Many want to kill anything and anybody that has a different opinion, political party or color of skin
2) Language vs. 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”  – the wonders of God in our own tongues God was comforting them with a new message but it took the Holy Spirit to have the new message of hope.  Church we have the message of hope not the world.
3) New Authority – vs. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.– Peter said this day was revolutionary because it was a shift in the status of power.  Servants – women would now be positions of authority.
There will be push back but we have to push forward.  vs. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy

Life Application/Conclusion

Sunday, May 24, 2020

6 PowerPoints in a Pandemic

Sermon TextActs 2: 4 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.
Sermon Title7 PowerPoints in a Pandemic
Point 1: Power of togethernessActs 2: 1 2 …, they were all together in one place…John 15: 12 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Galatians 5:13 6:1-3, 10 NLT - 13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
Romans 12: 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
1Thessalonians 5: 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
a)  Check on one another! 
b)  Connect with the life group! 
c)   Respond to the communication from the church 
Point 2: Power of PrayerActs 1: 14 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
the prayer call Wednesday 7:15 to 7:30 – new one number -559-671-2083. 
Point 3: Power of the word. Acts 2: 42 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching …
1)  Read a book
2)  Read a topic
3)  Read a word
4)  Reflect in prayer
5)  Review – write down what you hear
6)  Regurgitate – meditate day and night
7)  Remember - quote
Point 4:  Power of being out of your comfort zoneActs 10: 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.
Point 5: Power of praiseActs 16: 25 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Point 6: Power of declaring. Acts 13: 8-11 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

New Life Live Stream

Sunday, May 17, 2020

Power in a Powerless Environment

Pericope:  Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Sermon Text:  Acts 2: 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Sermon Title:  Power in a Powerless Environment 
Point 1: They were all together.  Vs. 1a When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together…
Point 2: They were all in one place
Point 3: They were all praying Vs. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 
Prayer can erase a sense of out of control period prayer isn't complicated. It is communication…
1.   Jesus prayed
2.   Jesus taught disciples how to pray
3.   Jesus even prayed on the cross
Life Application
1.   Received the power of God's presence by first accepting Jesus Christ
2.   Connect with a life group

3.   Pray without ceasing 

New Life Live Stream

Sunday, May 3, 2020

Comfortable in a Crisis


Pericope: John 14: 16-18, 25-27 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Sermon Text: John 14: 16 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
Holy Spirit Pt 1: Comfortable in a Crisis
Hebrews 13:5b NIV - “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  
Point 1: Communion only works when you commune with the Counselor. John 14: 16 AMP16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another …—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever
Point 2: Communion only works when you commune with the Helper. John 14: 16 AMP16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever.
Point 3: Communion only works when you commune with the Advocate and Intercessor.  Romans 8:26-27 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Point 4: Communion only works when you commune with the Strengthener.  Psalm 59:16-17 16 But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.
Life Application:
1: Commune with the Holy Spirit
a)  Relinquishing my will for his will
b)  Permitting Holy Spirit to remind me of God’s word then do it
c)  Receiving the truth the Holy Spirit brings to the problem

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...