Homecoming at Emmanuel.  Guest speaker Dr. Steve Frye.

August 5, 2012                                                                                                                 

Structural Integrity

1 Corinthians 3:10-17

Synopsis:     Let me restate the obvious, the work of the church cannot be bourn on the shoulders of one or two of its members.  It cannot because the work is too great.  It cannot because it was never intended to.  While there is only one foundation, all believers are admonished to be builders. The product of their labors will be judged by God and man as well as whether or not they labor.

        Paul’s warning to believers is echoed throughout the New Testament (1 Corinthians 3:10-17).  “Be very careful” that you build on the foundation of Christ Jesus and that you build appropriately.  Be careful how, what, why, when, that and why you build.

        Yes, God is watching and so are your fellow believers who are encouraging your labors both in this world and in the presence of God.  There are also those living around you who watching to see if your labors are about you or Christ.  There is just too much at stake for any believer to not do their part.

Scripture Text (NLT): 1 Corinthians 3:10-17; Acts 6:1-7; Joshua 1:7; Isaiah 28:16; Hebrews 12:1

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:24-27

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.

July 29, 2012                                                  High Youth Mission Team Report,

                                                                                   Summer Missions Celebration

It Didn’t Seem Like Much!

Luke 16:10-13

Synopsis: “It Didn’t Seem Like Much” features a recap of summer mission involvement at Emmanuel as a celebration of what God has done with that which we have given to Him.  Bill & Gloria Gaither’s song tells the story of how our “Little is much when God is in it!”

        “It Didn’t Seem Like Much” is also used as an excuse what our actions or lack of actions.  When we offer ourselves in the right spirit our little becomes great in the hands of our Lord.

        It didn’t seem like much when we offered ourselves in His service, but it make a huge difference in the lives of those we touched.  Joplin, AO Week, VBS, Costa Rica, High School Youth, PA Youth in accident.

Scripture Text (NLT): Luke 16:10-13;

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.

Guest speaker Tim Holder.

July 8, 2012 Organ Dedication

The Psalter and Harp

Psalm 150

Synopsis: We are dedicating a new organ at Emmanuel today.  It seems like it has been a long time coming and we are ready to praise the Lord.

        Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that breaths sing praises to the Lord!”  The whole Psalm has the verb praise in every line.  It also lists more instruments than are found in any other passage in the Bible.  These are instruments used in the sanctuary to aid the people in making “joyful noise.”

We continue that tradition today as we add another instrument of praise to our list.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Psalm 150; Colossians 3:16

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.

July 1, 2012

An Independent Voice

Matthew 3:1-12

Synopsis: John the Baptist is a good example of “An Independent Voice.”  He was not filled with the message of the status quo, rather his message was one centered on turning.  Turning was what you might call the entry point of the kingdom of God.  That is what people went out to hear.

        Jesus’ first messages carried John’s message forward.  He is our primary example of “An Independent Voice.”  He was not the mouth piece of any political group.  He had not social agenda apart from God’s. 

        What My Brother Needs from me is “An Independent Voice.”  A voice filled with the good news of Jesus Christ calling all people everywhere to come and follow Jesus.  Turning begins from where you are and leads into the kingdom of God.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Matthew 3:1-12

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.

June 24, 2012                                                                     My Brother Series 3 of 3

What Does My Brother Need?

John 3:16-17

Synopsis:     This is the third sermon in a series dealing with relationships.  “Am I My Brother’s Keeper?” was the question raised by Cain in regards to Able whom he killed.  “Who Is My Neighbor?” was the question raised by a lawyer in response to the demand of the law to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:25-37)  Jesus’ reply opened up the issue of relationship.  Thus the title for sermon two was “Who Is My Brother?” The question for this sermon today is simply “What Does My Brother Need?” 

        If God the Father hold us accountable for the treatment of “my brother” (i. e. my fellow human being) then how am I to respond to what “my brother” needs?   The answer involves many things but it starts with “me” and extends to things “I” can do.  Until I offer myself to my brother, my things will not satisfy. 

        If you have the capacity to save the world and all who are in it, you should.  God did!  God did it through offering God’s self (John 3:16-17).  God in Christ Jesus gave Himself.  Jesus in turn gave Himself and offered an open invitation to whoever will come (Revelation 21:5-7; 22:17).  Let us not restrict His offer.

        “Sharing Hope, Meeting Need, Through Word, Gift, and Deed” is not just Emmanuel's motto.  It is the essence of our mission statement.  It’s who we are.  It’s what we do.  It is what “my brother” needs.

Scripture Text (NLT): Matthew 7:3-5; John 3:16-17; Revelation 21:5-7; 22:17.

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.

June 17, 2012                                                                     My Brother Series 2 of 3

Who is My Brother

Luke 10:25-37

Synopsis:     This is the second sermon in a series dealing with the question of relationships.  “Am I My Brother’s Keeper” was raised by Cain in regards to Able whom he killed.  Today my sermon deals with the question raised by a lawyer in response to the demand of the law to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:25-37) 

        This question of who is my brother is raised in several of Jesus’ parables.  The older brother in Luke 15:11-32 was acting like his brother was dead, but the Father insisted that he was alive. 

        There is a third parable most often identified with judgment (Matthew 25: 31-46).  It is told in reference to the separation of the sheep and the goats.  The distinction of the two groups is drawn from the way they treated Jesus’ brothers.

        I need to be sure you know that I am not using the term “Brother” as a term of gender.  I do not believe the text is trying to limit its lesson to gender specific relationships.  I believe Jesus is present a truth that transcends gender.  In other words I think the lesson of this text crosses the gender barrier, kinship barrier, socio-economic barriers to make a simple point.  Your brother is the person the Father places in your path who needs you or you need him.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Luke 10:25-37; 15:11-32; Matthew 25: 31-46

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.

Guest Speaker John McClellan