January 20, 2013                                                                              

Sermon Series: What On Earth Are We Doing?

What On Earth Will You Think of Next? 

The Great Tomorrow Question

Matthew 4:18-20

Synopsis: My sermon title come from the third of Robert Fulghum’s “Great Mother Questions” in What On Earth Have I Done: Stories, Observations, and Affirmations.  Fulghum writes that this question has “ongoing relevance”. It is a way of asking if my mind is a stagnant cesspool of worn-out notions or if I am mentally active—still replacing archaic information with fresh and better ideas?  Am I still thinking—still asking—still learning?

      I remember being asked that question as a child.  Now as an adult, husband, father, grandfather and pastor I get asked that question for a whole different set of reasons and expectations.  As a believer I hear that question within the context of imagination. 

      Can you imagine a reality different from what you are experiencing now or have experienced in the past?  If you can then maybe you are ready for the next step in your journey to that new reality.  What has been doesn’t have to be the only determining factor in what will be.  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said to a group of fishermen, “and I will show you how to fish for men.”(Mt 4:19, NLT)  Imagine that!

Scripture Text (NLT): Matthew 4:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-20

January 13, 2013, Sermon Series: What On Earth Are We Doing?

What On Earth Are You Doing?

A Question For Today

Mark 12:28-34

Synopsis: What’s different about today?  It is not yesterday.  Life is different today.  Just a few hours ago today was known as tomorrow and in just a few more hours it will be yesterday.  And even now most of what’s different about today has yet to be determined.  Today happens quickly so stand at the ready.

      Today we need to concentrate on doing, and not just remembering or planning.  Today we need to be executing our plans from yesterday in the hope of making good memories to celebrate tomorrow.  We will of course spend time planning and remembering, but today needs to be about doing.  What on earth are you doing?  Are you still making good on that vow you made to make 2013 different from years before or have your initial plans already been discarded.

      Today in God’s Kingdom is a forever term. 

Scripture Text (NLT):  Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:27; Matthew 6:19-34; Romans 8:38; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2; Hebrews 3:12-14, 13:8

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:34-40

January 6, 2013                                               First Sunday of 2013

Sermon Series: What On Earth Are We Doing?

Introduction to the “Great Mother Questions”

What On Earth Have You Done?  The Great Yesterday Question

Synopsis: What’s different about today?  It is not yesterday.  Life is different today.  Just a few hours ago today was known as tomorrow and in just a few more hours it will be yesterday.  This is where life is lived but before we go too quickly into today let’s take a moment to recognize some of the things that happened to get us where we are.  How are you feeling about yesterday, or last year?

      Robert Fulghum wrote a book titled What On Earth Have I Done:        Stories, Observations, and Affirmations.  It’s first chapter is the inspiration for this four part series on the great mother questions.  The first one being “What On Earth Have You Done?” 

      The question did not originate with mothers, in fact, according to Genesis 3:13 Eve (the mother of all living) was the first to hear it asked.  God did the asking.  God asked it again in Genesis 4:10.  This time it was Cain, the first born.  These two references certainly lend a lot of relevance to the question.

      Looking back, what you did and what was done to you become parts of your unique story.  There isn’t another you and there isn’t another story just like your story.  How do you feel about your story so far?  Maybe, a more important question is how do you think God feels about your story?

Scripture Text (NLT):  Genesis 3:8-13; Genesis 4:8-12

Guest Speaker Robert Young.

December 23, 2012                                 Advent Theme: REJOICE

Rejoice In Heaven’s Gift

Luke 2:8-12

Synopsis: The season of Advent calls believers everywhere to Rejoice In Heaven’s Gift.  On the Fourth Sunday of Advent our attention is focused on God’s gift of love as it or should I say He was delivered to a stable in Bethlehem.  The Long awaited Hope for the Messiah had come.  Now the Christians Hope is focused on His Second Coming.  The Peace of God was born into the world though the gift and that is why we rejoice.

      At this time of the year Luke 2:8-12 may be one of the most familiar Scripture passage in the Bible.  Next to it for me is John 3:16-17.  When these two passages get juxtaposed during the Advent Season I know the focus is on the story of Heaven’s Gift.  God doesn’t define love the way the world does and that is why I Rejoice. 

Scripture Text (NLT):  Luke 2:8-12; John 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7;

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-12

December 2, 2012                                   Advent Theme: REJOICE

Rejoice In the Miracle of Christmas

Luke 1:76-79

First Sunday of Advent: HOPE

Help Other People Experience Emmanuel

Synopsis: This is the First Sunday of Advent and yes I can tell you how many shopping days are left before Christmas, but I would rather tell you there are three more Sundays of anticipation of Christ’s coming.  This Sunday we light the candle of HOPE.  Think about it this way, Help Other People Experience Emmanuel.  Then they too will Rejoice in the Miracle of Christmas.  Jesus is our reason for rejoicing.

      The hymn I am using in this series dates back as far as the 8th century.  O Come, O Come, Emmanuel started as a Gregorian Chant and has been used in the celebration of Advent down through the centuries.  Originally there were seven verses, one for each day of the week leading up to Christmas and each verse had its own identity for Jesus.  In the arrangement that we have: verse 1 – Emmanuel; verse 2 – Day-Spring; verse 3 – Wisdom from on high; verse 4 – Desire of nations.  Through the Four Sundays leading up to Christmas we move closer to His Coming.  Anticipate it! Wait for it! And Rejoice!

Scripture Text (NLT):  Luke 1:76-79

November 25, 2012                                  Advent Series: REJOICE

Rejoice: A Note in the Chorus of Worship

Philippians 4:4-5

Synopsis: Rejoice!  The biggest shopping day of 2012 is now history.  How did you do?  That is the big question for shoppers, merchants and probably credit card companies as they tally up their booty.  Black Friday may be a good indicator of the US economy, but I don’t know if it really tells us much about what kind of Christmas we are going to have. 

      With black Friday behind us I wonder “Is It Already Too Late?” to talk about Christmas.  Today is November 25thand I am sure you know that one month from today it will be Christmas Day.  Actually the First Sunday of Advent isn’t until next Sunday, and yet I think some people have already lost sight of the reason for rejoicing?

      What a difference the gift of Christmas makes when the focus of our rejoicing is in Jesus.  No it really isn’t too late to let Jesus be the source of our rejoicing.  Whatever else might be the source of rejoicing it will in time pass away, but Jesus lives forever.  The value of Jesus’ gift to us will grow more precious in time.  That is why believers continue to rejoice in the miracle of Christmas.

Scripture Text (NLT):  1Chronicles 16; Psalm 118:24; Philippians 4:4-5; Luke 2:8-12

Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 16:8-11

November 18, 2012                                           Miracles of Stewardship Series

Thanks Offerings Don’t Stop With a Word

The Remembrance

Synopsis: Our service today draws us to the Lord’s Table for a time of Remembrance.  We are a congregation drawn again and again to this special service to acknowledge our gratitude to God the Father for sending the Son, to Jesus who gave Himself for us and to the Holy Spirit who continues to move us forward in faith.

        There were ten lepers pleading with Jesus for healing.  All were healed, but only one returned to give thanks and he was a Samaritan.  Believers everywhere want to be counted with that one who represents all of us outcasts who have been healed and allowed to come to Jesus.  We bow at the Table of Remembrance, acknowledging our sins and giving thanks again and again for our salvation.  Our thanks offerings only start with a word because a word is never enough.

        As we gather at the Lord’s Table I invite you to listen carefully as Scott Waisner and Michael Burleson lead us inFor This We Give Thanks.  Their words will remind us of the many names we use to remember why we are so thankful.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Luke 17:11-19; Isaiah 54:4-6

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 54:4-6

Blessings,

Dr. Sonny Strange, Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1916 Overlook Ave., Jefferson City, TN 37760

Sharing Hope, Meeting Need, Through Word, Gift and Deed

Web Page: www.emmanueljeffcity.com, Podcast of sermons available online.

November 11, 2012                                           Miracles of Stewardship Series

Veterans Recognition

Returning for Thanks

Luke 17:17-19

Synopsis: To me, some of the most haunting words in the Gospels come from Luke 17:17 where Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?”

        Gratitude is personal.  The crowd went on their way, but not this one.  They all received the miracle of healing, but he alone came back to give thanks to his healer. I am convinced that miracles do not make believers.  We all receive miracles in our lives.  Believers are the ones who return to give thanks to the one they believe “healed” them.

        The one returning leper wasn’t told to return to give thanks.  He didn’t have too.  I have to think he just want to.  What about you?  In your life, are you included in the nine or singled out with the one?

Scripture Text (NLT):  Luke 17:11-19

Blessings,

Dr. Sonny Strange, Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1916 Overlook Ave., Jefferson City, TN 37760

Sharing Hope, Meeting Need, Through Word, Gift and Deed

Web Page: www.emmanueljeffcity.com, Podcast of sermons available online.

November 4, 2012                            Miracles of Stewardship Series

Even the Blind Can See

Mark 10:46-52

Synopsis: In the Gospel of Mark Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem actually starts at Bethsaida (house of fishing) which is located on the northern end of the Sea of Galilee.  In chapter 8 Mark records some defining moments as Jesus deals with the demands of the Pharisees and the needs of his disciples and those in need around Him.

      Jesus refuses to give the Pharisees the miraculous signs they demanded.  Then Mark tells of a blind man that was brought to Jesus.  Jesus took him outside of the village and healed him in a two step process and told him not to return to the village.

      Two questions come from this text that I think is repeated all the way to Jerusalem.  Can you see?  Can you see clearly?  Jesus asked the disciples who people say He was.  Then he wanted to know who they say He is?

      The section ends with another story of healing a blind man.  This time He and the disciples were traveling through Jericho.  Bartimaeus calls out to Jesus wanting to see.  Jesus said, his faith has made him well and Bartimaeus followed Jesus on down the road to Jerusalem.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Matthew 11:4-6; Mark 8:11-13; 8:22-26; 8:34-38; 9:21-24; 10:45, 46-52;