May 2, 2010

The Battle for the Holy

Joshua

Sermon Synopsis: The Promised Land was not conquered without a fight.  If you want the best in life, you might as well expect a struggle.  The Battle for the Holy involves conflicts within and without brought to life through adversity.  There is no question whether or not you will have adversity.  Everyone has adversity.  The real question is what it will do to you.  The conquest over adversity will challenge every part of who you are and whose you are.

      It is Senior Day at Emmanuel.  We honor our high school and college graduates and the seniors in our congregation.  The word to them from Joshua is simple.  Just because you have made it to this point in your life you shouldn’t expect the world to bow down at your feet.  You have battles to fight, adversity to overcome.  Your world has yet to be conquered.  Claim it first with God and grow in God until the promise has been fulfilled in you.

Scripture References (NLT): Joshua 1:1-5, 6-9; 14:10-12

Scripture Reading: Joshua 14:10-12

Dr. Sonny Strange teaches from Deut.  and asks the question is Heaven watching?

April 11, 2010

Numbered With the Holy

Numbers

Sermon Synopsis: Numbered With the Holy takes its theme from the book of Numbers in the Old Testament.  The “Holy People of God” are numbered two times in the book.  The first took place at the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land.  The second took place as they were preparing to enter the Promise Land at the end of their 40 year journey.  There is a lot to learn from their experiences on the journey.

      There are many other times that believers are numbered in the Bible.  We usually think of the many numbers associated with the Book of the Revelation (4 Beasts, 24 Elders, 144,000, the number no man can number).  The truth is that we don’t have to wait until the end to be numbered with the Holy.  That happens at least once a week as we gather for worship.  Most believers are counted as members of the church, a Sunday School class or member of a ministry group.  If you’re not you could be and, may I add, you should be.

      We are all numbered with the living all of our days of our life.  Some day we will be numbered with the dead.  That doesn’t have to be a bad thing.  The one numbering that counts more than any other is the one that will take place in Glory.  Those who are numbered in the Lamb’s Book of Life are the ones who will be Numbered With the Holy forever.  Will you be in that number?

Scripture References (NLT): Numbers 1:1-4, 44-53; 14:27-30; 26:1-4

April 4, 2010

Dancing With The Holy In Glory

Revelation

Sermon Synopsis: Dancing With the Holy In Glory points to the ultimate worship celebration that is and will be happening in heaven.  Jesus is the first fruit of the resurrection that will continue until all of God’s children of all ages have been gathered together into God’s glory.  What a dance that will be when all of God’s children are gathered home. 

      “Do You Believe in Easter?” is what Edith Burns use to always ask people she met.  And then she would proceed to tell them the importance of death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Edith opened the doorway of faith to many through this simple phrase.

      Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the hope of our own resurrection.  The celebration here on earth may have mixed meanings and it may not mean anything to some, but in the hearts of believers the focus is on their risen Lord.  The celebration in heaven has already started and all who believe in the risen Savior will be “Dancing With the Holy in Glory” forever.

Scripture References (NLT): Revelation 4:1-6, 7:9-17, 19:1-8

Welcome to On the Path Episode #5.  In this episode we have teaching from renowned Biblical scholar and translator Dr. Gerald Borchert on the Book of Hebrews.  We also have our usual features such as the Geek Deacon, a new episode of Limping Home and a new installment of Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.  

Check back next week for another episode of On the Path.

Dancing with the Holy

Please join us as we reenact the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Narrator     Scott Waisner

Jesus  Micheal Burleson

James Dusty Shamblin

Peter Darryl Hendricks

Guest Speaker Rick Loy

February 28, 2010

Retreat Into the Holy

Matthew, Mark, Luke

Scripture Reading                                                         Mark 1:35-39

The Synoptic Gospels

Matthew, Mark, and Luke are called “synoptic” Gospels because they have the “same look” or focus on Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. 

None of the Gospel writers take a chronological approach to Jesus’ life.  Instead, the Gospels are more topical, organized to provide a theological portrait of Jesus’ actions, teachings, and impact.  Each Gospel targets a particular audience.

Matthew’s Gospel is the Jewish Gospel.

Mark centers on Jesus as Messiah and Son of God.

Luke has more about social concerns than any other Gospel.

Each Gospel is meant to be studied on its own. Each has unique perspectives and theological messages that supplement the others and challenge readers in important ways. God chose to inspire four different writers because each perspective is important for the church.  All four Gospels tell the story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Retreat Into the Holy

Matthew, Mark, Luke

Sermon Synopsis: Our search for the holy in the pages of Scripture turns to the synoptic Gospels to examine Jesus’ Retreat Into The Holy. 

Point 1: Wilderness, Luke 4:1-13, 42-44

      Not an Option

Point 2: Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1-13

      Place of Revelation & Focus

Point 3: Garden of Gethsemane, Mark 14:32-42

      Place of Strength & Surrender

Guest speaker Dr. Gerald Borchert introduces us to  the book of Hebrews.

Check back later this week for more of Dr. Borchert's teaching from the book of Hebrews.  

February 14, 2010

Learning to Dance in the Holy

Leviticus

Love Feast: Dancing at the Table

Dance: The way I am using the word in this sermon does not reference social activities.  I am not talking about ballroom dancing, etc.   I am limiting the use of the word to reflect on expressions of reverence and that is why I say “Learning to Dance in the Holy” is so very important for believers.  Today I will be talking about what we do together.  The spontaneity of the dance (last week) is enhanced by the steps of our liturgy.  Learning the steps of liturgy is what the book of Leviticus is about.  It is also what the early believers did.  You see, there are very distinctive steps in the Christian’s dance (worship, liturgy). 

Liturgy: That which is found in public worship (ritual).

All along the way we must continue to ask ourselves a simple question, “What inspires our dance?”  Why do we do what we do when we gather for worship?  There really are a lot of good reasons.

Point 1: Learning the Steps of Worship, Leviticus

      Leviticus 16 Day of Atonement

Point 2: Steps of the Early Church

      Acts 2:42

Point 3: Dancing at the Table

      1 Corinthians 11: The Love Feast

Leviticus Outline: NLT Study Bible

1-7       The Offering System

8-10     The Institution of the Priesthood

11-15   Regulations Pertaining to Purity

16        The Day of Atonement

17-26   Expressions of Holiness in the Community

27        Regulations Pertaining to Vows and Tithes