“Seeds”
Galatians 6:7-10
December 29, 2019

One of the word pictures often used in the Bible is seed.

You reap what you sow. What you plant is what you grow.

Lord, increase our faith (Prayer, Study, Worship, Giving, Serving, Speaking) to the size of a mustard seed.

Plant generously so you can be part of a great harvest.

May we be the type of soil that when the seed (the Word of God) comes into our lives, it may take root and produces fruit.

“He Could Not Be Hid”
Mark 7:24
December 22, 2019

“Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret.”
-Mark 7:24

He could not be hid.

His Birth
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.”
-Luke 2:4

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
-Luke 2:10-11

His Boyhood
“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”
-John 1:46a

“Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.”
-Luke 2:47

His Baptism

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’“
-John 1:29

“And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ “
-Mark 1:11

Temptation
“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.”
-Matthew 4:1

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin.”
-Hebrews 4:15

His Teaching
“As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.”
-Mark 1:45b

The Transfiguration
“After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.”
-Mark 9:2-4

“Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!’”
-Mark 9:7

The Triumphal Entry

“Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’ ‘I tell you,’ he replied, ‘if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.’ “
-Luke 19:39-40

In the Garden
“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed.”
-Luke 22:39-41

His Trial
“ ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ asked Pilate.”
“ ‘Yes, it is as you say,’ Jesus replied.”
-Mark 15:2

The Crucifixion

“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!’ “
-Matthew 27:54

The Resurrection
“. . . he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time.”
-1 Corinthians 15:4b-6

His Ascension
“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”
-Luke 24:50-51

His Return
“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. . . .At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.”
-Matthew 24:27, 30

He cannot be hid!

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
-Psalm 139:13

He cannot be hid.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
-Luke 2:19

“Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.”
-Luke 2:51

We must treasure up all we know about Jesus.

We cannot be hid from Him.

This is Christ the King!

“First Fruits”
Philippians 3:12-21

Pray Fervently
Study Deeply
Worship in Community
Give Generously
Serve Joyfully
Speak Boldly

First Fruits was an offering at the start of the harvest.

First Fruits was an expression of gratitude.

First Fruits was gratitude expressed in restraint.

“Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
-James 1:16-17

First Fruits was about faith and promise.

The first fruits of Count Me In is about gratitude . . .

The first fruits of Count Me In is about gratitude and promise.

Eventually the newness will wear off and the hard work will begin.

In Philippians 1:6 is the promise that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion.

God is at work in us, but we have a role to play.

“What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.”
-Philippians 2:12-13 (The Message)

He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion, but we have a role to play as well.

As we continue to work we must strain toward what is ahead and press on toward the goal.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
-Galatians 6:9

All of us who are mature need to listen up.

Take note of those who live according to this pattern of faith.

If we do not grow weary and we continue to press on, we will also continue to enjoy the fruit along the way.

“Choose Life”
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
December 8, 2019

The Bible is filled with invitations and points of decision.

“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”
-Genesis 6:22

“Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you . . . and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
-Genesis 12:1-3

“I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
-Esther 4:16b

“Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
-Matthew 4:19

“At once they left their nets and followed him.”
-Matthew 4:20

“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it . . .”
-Jonah 1:2

“But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish.”
-Jonah 1:3

“Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
-Matthew 19:21

“When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
-Matthew 19:22

God invites us into something better, but most often it is also an invitation into something hard.

God invites us into something of purpose which has the potential to affect the lives of others.

Deuteronomy 30:11-20 is an invitation given by God, but spoken by Moses.

The Israelites were eagerly waiting on the east side of the Jordan River, ready to cross over into the Promise Land.

Deuteronomy 30:11-20

It was an invitation to life and an invitation into something better.

What God asked was not beyond their reach.

Life is found in obedience to God’s Word and death is found in disobedience.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
-John 13:34

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
-Ephesians 5:21

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
-Ephesians 4:29

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
-Ephesians 4:32

Their choice will impact those who come after them.

Moses nails down the invitation.

Moses brings them to a point of decision.

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”
-Nehemiah 4:14

Am I woman/man enough to do it?

"Speak Boldly"
Acts 4; 1 Peter 3:15
December 1, 2019

Being bold can be a scary thing.

Peter and John showed boldness in what they were saying.

How did Peter and John speak boldly?

We speak boldly about what we believe deeply.

Telling stories about things that truly matter, helps keep us tied to the Kingdom ourselves.

How do we begin/continue to speak more boldly?

Start where you are.

Be bolder in new or small ways.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill us with more courage.

Look for opportunities to talk about Jesus.

Invite others:
-into your home to share a meal.
-to the Christmas service here on December 22.
-to Christmas Eve service
-to the Single Service Sunday on December 29.
-to the Winter Carnivale at the end of January.

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
-1 Peter 3:15

How is God calling you to speak more boldly?

“Serve Joyfully”
Joshua 24:14-15; John 13:14-15
November 24, 2019

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’”
– Mark 9:35

“. . . whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
– Mark 10:43-45

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
– Galatians 5:13

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
– Philippians 2:5-7

We are to take on the mindset and nature of a servant.

In order to be a servant, there must also be a master.

“Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
– Joshua 24:14-15

We get to choose our master.

For the first Christians, it was about serving, not ruling.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teachings and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”
- Acts 2:42-45

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
- Acts 4:32-35

Church, “ecclesia”, is a living and breathing display of a whole new way of going about life.

One of the key elements of the early church was serving.

We find a deeper kind of joy when we place ourselves under a good master and serve him.

“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.’”
- John 13:12-17

A good servant does what their master asks them to do.

We must enter into this way of training ourselves to become certain types of people.

“Give Generously”
Luke 10:1-24

What’s the expression that you most often see on Jesus’ face?

Jesus smiling.

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
-John 10:10

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”
-Galatians 5:1

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
-Matthew 11:28

Jesus set us free to find something good.

One of the areas of freedom Jesus wants to lead me/us into is generosity.

God wants me to be a source of blessing to others.

“Freely you have received, freely give.”
-Matthew 10:8

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
-1 John 3:17

God will provide all I need.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
-Philippians 4:19

The heart of God gives

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
-Romans 8:32

Worrying about money chokes the Word in me.

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
-Mark 4:18-29

Worrying about money is a bottomless trap.

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
-1 Timothy 6:9-10

I want to be a more generous person.

Am I willing to enter into a life of training?

I must let go.

I must trust.

Don’t be foolish. Be generous.

Luke 10:1-24

Jesus send them out with nothing.

They come back excited.

It’s not just about me.

We get to be part of how God blesses people.

That’s why Jesus is smiling.

Give generously to the on-going ministries of Bethany.

Give generously to Faith Promise supporting the Kinemans in England

Give generously to the building enhancements and improvements.

Give generously to the people around me.

“Worship in Community”
Psalm 121; Hebrews 10:25
November 10, 2019

Speed limit signs and laws are not placed there by the government to exercise control or to demonstrate their authority or to make our lives more difficult . . .

. . . they are there to help us and to maintain a society that works.

Worship is commanded in the Bible.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
-Psalm 100:1-2

“When they first lived there, they did not worship the Lord; so he sent lions among them and they killed some of the people.”
-2 Kings 17:25

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
-Hebrews 10:25

There are practices that are fundamental to what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

These practices help to reshape how we live and think.

Worshiping in community trains us to look up.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
-Psalm 121:1-2

2 Kings 6:8-23

The Aramean army surrounded Elisha and his servant.

The servant’s eyes were open and he looked up.

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
-Hebrews 10:25

The weekly practice of worshiping in community trains us to look up.

Acts 16:16-40

In prison, Paul and Silas were praying and singing to God.

Others in the exact same spot as Paul and Silas were given the opportunity to look up along with them.

As they looked up they were able to catch their breath and think clearly.

“This book is dedicated to my parents who did an extraordinary job living ordinary life to the full. They modeled the most important things about life to us six kids: love one another (especially when unlovable), go to church (particularly when it’s boring), eat long meals together (at the smallest possible tables) . . .”
– Julie Canlis

Worshiping in community helps train us to live an ordinary life to the full