May 20, 2012                                                                                                                    

What’s This About Trespasses?

A Confession In the Context of the Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4

Synopsis: “When you pray,” Jesus said, “… pray to your Father in private.” (Mt. 6:6, NLT)  In matters of private personal prayer, the public is not invited.  Topics of prayer come from matters of the heart and soul of believers.  Forgiveness is one of the issues believers have to address in the presence of their Heavenly Father.

        Each Sunday morning at Emmanuel, during our opening prayer, as an expression of our unity in the presence of Christ, we pray together the Lord’s Prayer.  It is, as found in Scripture, a corporate expression of prayer.  I have often told people that it doesn’t matter if they are using the same words together.  Week by week certain words take on special meaning to us individually. 

        Translators vary in the English words they use to translate the Greek.  There are even differences in the Greek.  That’s not a problem.  The fact is there are many ways to say what we need to say to our Heavenly Father in times of prayer. 

        This message deals particularly with issues of forgiveness and the words of the prayer.  “Forgive us our ____” is it debts, or trespasses, or wrongs, or sins?  “As we forgive our ____” well, you really need to be the one to fill in the blanks.  Maybe it would help if I closed the door for you.  I believe that when we stand “face to face” with our Heavenly Father forgiveness matters.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Matthew 6:6, 12; Luke 11:4; Mt. 7:12; Lk. 6:31.

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.

May 13, 2012                                                                                          Mother’s Day

Let’s Give Them a Hand

Genesis 3:20

Synopsis: Mothers are special people.  They are the ones we bond with before we even know there is anyone else in the world.  Eve, Adam called her because “she would be the mother of all living.”  All of us trace our beginnings back to our mother’s womb.

        Today we want to especially honor the mothers who are here with us not only for the life they made possible for us but also for the love and sacrifice they extended to us.  They have earned our “applauds,” our “assistance,” and our “assurance.”

        All moms are not all that they should be any more than all sons and daughters are all that they should be.  Maybe your mom is already gone.  Be encouraged, there are plenty of “moms” around who would love nothing more than to take you in as one of their own.  Maybe, you as a mom have already lost your child or children.  Be encouraged there are a lot of sons and daughters around needing your love.  Reach out and grab one.  Remember, moms don’t have to ask you to be your mom.  Blessings!

Scripture Text (NLT): Genesis 3:20

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.

May 6, 2012                                                                     Senior Day at Emmanuel

Where Are You Headed Now?

Luke 24:13-34

Synopsis:     Today is Senior Day at Emmanuel and my message is intended to address the challenge of the senior experience.  Seniors stand for just a moment on the threshold of what will be.  It is a time to celebrate and commemorate the moment, but life does not stand still.

        I want to read Luke 24:13-34.  This is the story of the experience of two of Jesus’ followers on the road to Emmaus after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.  Their experience of the Resurrected Lord challenged their understanding of what had happened and changed their direction in life. 

        Calling all seniors: are you ready for the challenge?  Where are you headed … now?

Scripture Text (NLT): Luke 24:13-34

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:25-27

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.

April 29, 2012                                                                                                                    

Celebrating Our Faith Story

Psalm 100

Synopsis: If you’ve not come to the place in your life where you can celebrate your life story in worship, then I would suggest you are not where you should be.  Your spiritual life should bring you into the presence of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and not lead you away from the Lord.

        Amazing Grace is John Newton’s story presented as a celebration of his faith story.  It is open and honest not unlike any true faith story.  Let’s be honest, we don’t always get it right.  His song resonates in our soul and becomes a true expression of those who sing it still.

        William J. Bausch in Storytelling: Imagination and Faith (a book on the study of parables) has a chapter on “Spirituality and Story.”  In it he defines six connections between story and “sanctity.”

        The Psalms are full of examples of David’s story bringing him into the presence of God in worship.  They include praise and thanksgiving but also confession and repentance.  David’s prayers spring from the depths of his hungering, often hurting, frightened soul.  It was David’s story that brought him into the presence of the Lord God in worship.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Psalms 100, 1 Chronicles 16:1-36; Psalm 51:7-11, 54:1-2, 55:1-2, 62:11-12, 65:1-4

Scripture Reading: Psalm 51:7-11

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.

April 22, 2012                                                                                                                    

Believe

John 20:24-29

Synopsis: I think Thomas has a bad reputation he doesn’t deserve.  I am referring to Jesus’ disciple also known as the Twin but who is often denigrated by the word “doubting.”  Let’s just start with the primary text of John 20:24-29.

        When I examined the various references in the New Testament and in  church history I have no doubts that Thomas was sold on Jesus.  Read John 11:16 and see if you think Thomas had any doubts about following Jesus.  Thomas had to see the resurrected Jesus in order to be qualified as an “eye witness.” 

        Faith started Thomas on a journey with Jesus that touched far more than his natural senses.  Now, Thomas’ story beckons people to believe in the Resurrected Lord.  And Jesus invites people in faith to take his nail scarred hand for a journey in the Spirit where believers experience things far beyond the limits of natural senses.

Scripture Text (NLT):  John 20:24-29; 11:16; Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13; John 21:2, 14:1-7

Scripture Reading: John 20:26-27

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.

April 8, 2012                                                                                                          Easter

Resurrected Lord

Acts 4:1-4

Synopsis: Happy Easter!  Jesus is the Resurrected Lord.  There is none other like Him.  The resurrection of the dead begins with Him and is possible only through Him.  What does it mean?  For many, it means nothing, but to believers it means everything.

        Mark 16:1-8 tells of the women’s discovery.  Other Gospels reveal additional details, but none had the answer to the meaning of the empty tomb.  Only later would it be revealed to them that Jesus was and is The Resurrected Lord.  In 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 the Apostle Paul affirmed it as the bedrock of the Christian faith.

        There are some interesting insights that come to the reading the book of Hebrews in the New Testament in the context of Easter.  For example, there is a clear difference when you compare the Resurrected Lord to angels.  Jesus is not just a messenger, He is the message.  When compared to Moses Jesus is not just a servant, He is the son.  When compared to the heroes of faith as listed in Hebrews 11 it is apparent that the Resurrected Lord is not just a hero of the faith, He is the faith. Jesus is the Resurrected Lord, the “something better” that God had planned.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Mark 16:1-8; Acts 4:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Hebrews 2:9-10, 14-15, 16-18; 3:1; 4:14-16; 5:6-10; 7:18-19, 23-28; 8:1-2; 9:11-12, 27-18; 10:19-25; 11:39-40

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:8-9

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 Dr. Brad Bull.

March 11, 2012                                                                       Third Sunday of Lent

The Celebration of Discipline - Repentance

Luke 3:8

Synopsis:     As we move toward Easter it is very important that believers use this time to reflection on the story of Christ’s self-sacrifice and examine our lives accordingly.  Repentance is in order whenever believers finds their actions and attitudes are leading them in the wrong direction.  That is indicated when we find ourselves living for the moment instead of moving toward the resurrection.

        Repentance was the message of John the Baptist (Luke 3:7-14), the fore runner of Christ and was often heard throughout the Old Testament.  The first words of Jesus’ sermons were the same.  On the day of Pentecost, repentance was the starting point of Peter’s sermon to the curious crowd.

        Paul made it a point to call believers to actions consistent with living as “citizens of heaven” (Philippians 1:27-30).  He admonished the believers in Corinth “not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-13)  For believers to live their lives in oneness with the Father calls us to live in unison with one another.

Scripture Text (NLT): Luke 3:7-14; Philippians 1:27-30; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

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.