February 27, 2011                                                                             

What is the Relationship of

Giving & Receiving?

Luke 6:37-38

Synopsis: Where does one start when examining the relationship of “Giving and Receiving”?  In this message I started with God instead of with believers.  What I quickly discovered was that God has been giving for a long, long time.  In fact Scriptures paint a portrait of God as one who was giving before time began.  One might say that giving is part of the very nature of God.  It is more than just something God that does.  This may be the biggest clue of all about what God desires of and for believers.

      Then I began to search for times when God was on the receiving end.  I couldn’t find very much.  Indeed, what can others give to the one who has everything? 

      I had to reverse my approach when I began to examine “Giving and Receiving” from the human perspective.  Receiving seems to be a part of our human nature.  We are born dependent and some seem to never grow out of it.  When we are born again we receive a new nature that turns us from receivers into givers.  Jesus is the greatest gift.

      Have you received the gift of God’s giving?  If you have then you know it comes with a new nature.  Believers have the nature of God that transforms them from receivers to givers.

Scripture Text (NLT):  Luke 6:37-38; Genesis 28:20-22; Malachi 3:10-12; Genesis 1:27-30; Psalm 50:7-14; Acts 20:33-35; Luke 14:12-14; Matthew 16:24-28; John 3:16

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:37-38

February 20, 2011                                                                             

Is That Music That I Hear?

Prayer as a Melody in the Ear of the Lord

Romans 8:18-30

Synopsis: Have you ever wondered how our prayers must sound to God?  Individually we make up only one part of what must be one of many notes when arranged together in the ear of God they must make a very pleasing sound.  I imagine it might sound like music.  Think about it.  Prayer heard in the ear of God as music from the soul a melody of the heart not the mouth.

      I you take any of our hymns apart and listen to only one note at a time it is difficult imagine what it would sound like when all the notes are played together.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the notes we are playing that we forget that prayer is never a solo performance.  We never pray alone.  Other believers join in the chorus and the Holy Spirit joins us as well (Romans 8:18-30).

      Come join the chorus of prayer.  Play your notes faithfully because it is part of the grand melody heard in the ear of God the Father as the Son stands to join us and the Spirit hums in harmony with our prayer and the will of God the Father.

Scripture Text (NLT):  1 Kings 19; Romans 8:18-30

Guest Speaker Dr. Brad Bull discusses the six most important words in a relationship.  He also asks a question: What is something we have to do that Jesus never did?

Scripture

Psalm 119: 33 - 34

Proverbs 9:1 -12

Matthew 18: 15 - 17

Titus 3: 10 - 11

February 6, 2011        Souper Bowl of Caring

It's Not a Secret
Discerning the Heart of God
James 1:22-27

Synopsis: It's not a secret; in fact, it's not really that difficult to
discern the Heart of God.  The words of the prophets continue to proclaim to
those who will hear.  God desires justice.  Jesus came to earth as a living
demonstration of what is at the heart of God.  Love is what God desires.
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 declares what it that God the
Father blesses.  The disciples taught the same thing to the church following
Christ's ascension.  Paul declared that when he was weak God was strong.
James simply said that if you want to worship God then you need to be sure
your religion reflects the heart of God.  Elements of "true religion"
involve our lives in activities initiated in the heart of God.

 Scripture Text (NLT):  Matthew 5:3-12; James 1:22-27

Scripture Reading: James 1:26-27

January 30, 2011                                                                              

Only You

God Knows Worship Defines You

Exodus 20:1-11

Synopsis: God knows that worship defines you and that is why it is so very important for believers to worship only the “Lord your God.”  God invites believers into an exclusive relationship.  If we really all desire to get closer to the one God then the closer we all get to God must at the same time bring us closer to one another.

      The Ten Commandments commence with God’s word on the subject of the relationship between the Lord and the people whom God has saved.  The first four commands in Exodus 20:1-11 make it clear that believers are to have an exclusive relationship with the Lord your God. 

      Israel often stood alone in their insistence that there was only on Lord.  The early church continued that same commitment understanding that they worshipped the only God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

      If you are going to worship, then be sure you worship the “Lord your God, who rescued you from … your slavery.”  The redeemed are not to worship any other god, nor bow to any image.  Believers are to revere the name and maintain the relationship. 

Scripture Text (NLT):  Exodus 20:1-11

January 16, 2011                                                                              

It’s Personal

John 1:14

Synopsis: Defining relationships are personal.  That is the way it was with God in the beginning.  Creation was and is personal with God (Gen. 1:1-2).  That is the way it was with Christ coming into the world He had created and among the people He had chosen.  God got personal with creation in Christ Jesus (John 1:1-5).  Redemption is personal with God and it must be personal (John 1:14) with everyone who comes to God in faith. 

Scripture Text (NLT):  Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-5, 14

Scripture Reading: John 1:14

January 9, 2011                                                                                

Isn’t a Thing

John 10:25-30

Synopsis: Today I begin a yearlong sermon series on relationships.  During the year I will explore various aspects of relationships.  I begin with the God relationship and start by pointing out that the “main thing” in relationships “Isn’t a Thing.” 

Jesus said, “The Father and I are one.” (John 10:30, NLT)  This is the ultimate relationship.  Neither God the Father nor Jesus the Son were going to allow any “thing” to come between them.  Interjecting “things” into a relationship can destroy the very fabric of the relationship.  For example: when people relate to God on the basis of “things” they elevate the thing above God and have erected an idol in place of the relationship.  Jesus never did that.

      Relationships should give meaning to things.  In the relationships of a family a house become a home.  In the relationships of a congregation a church building becomes a sanctuary a center of worship.

      The main thing in life isn’t a thing.  It is a relationship.  The main things of life are not things!  Listen carefully, We go awry in relationships every time we fall into the “thing” trap. 

Scripture Text (NLT):  John 10:25-30

Scripture Reading: John 10:25-30

Guest Speaker Rick Loy

December 26, 2010

Inspecting the Wall

1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Synopsis: This is the last Sunday of December and a good time to stop and reflect on what has happened during the year.  A few years ago I had the joy of traveling to Jerusalem and to see some of the ancient walls that remain intact.  I wondered if I had done anything in life that would last beyond by years.  Paul used the metaphor of building a wall to refer to our working together (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) and talked about God’s test of fire that was to come. 

      As we take inventory of our actions in 2010 I think there are things that we have done at Emmanuel that will stand the test of God’s fire.  First, let’s talk about the kingdom work.  Second, let’s talk about the fire.  Third, let’s talk about the work.

      Never forget, you are a gift God has given.  You are part of a family, a community, and a church.  What you do can make a difference for good in the lives of those around you.  Be a gift others will welcome and thank God for.

Scripture Text (NLT): 1 Corinthians 3:10-15