The Shepherd is Calling presents Jesus as the “good shepherd” who is calling “his sheep” to follow him to fullness of life. Salvation and fullness of life is found in no one else because no one else has laid down his life for us like Jesus.

Psalm 23; John 10:11-18: Acts 4:5-12; 1 John 3:16-24

April 26, 2009

Second Sunday

Worship in the Fellowship Hall

I Didn’t Do It

Acts 3:16

Sermon Synopsis: Acts 3 tells the story of the healing a lame man who sat at one of the entrances to the Temple. The people who knew him realized that a true miracle had taken place. They gave Peter credit for it. Peter said, “I didn’t do it. Faith in the name of Jesus did it.”

Peter went on in Acts 3 to offer the same hand of faith to the crowds who were gathered in the Temple. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Peter’s word to the crowd was “Repent and turn to God.” Faith in the name of Jesus that healed the lame was offered as the way of spiritual healing for the crowd that had betrayed Jesus. That same hand of faith is extended to all of us today. “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Well! What are you doing just sitting there? Get up and get going.

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.” (1 John 3:2)

Scripture References (NIV): Acts 3:12-19; 1 John 3:1-7

Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus,

Dr. Sonny Strange, Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church

1916 Overlook Ave., Jefferson City, TN 37760

Phone (865) 475-9424

Sermon podcasts available online at www.emmanueljeffcity.com

Guest speaker Brad Bull talks about the healing power of touch and how often Jesus used touch to heal.

This is the first podcast from our temporary Sanctuary while our main Sanctuary is being remodeled.

April 12, 2009

An Easter Affirmation of Life

John 20:1-18

Sermon Synopsis: An Easter Affirmation of Life makes three observations. The first word from the tomb was centered on the fact that Jesus had risen from the grave. The second word affirmed the fact that Jesus lives. That word came from many witnesses after the resurrection and even from Paul who affirmed it after the ascension. The third word comes from the church in its continuing affirmation that Jesus lives. Jesus has not only risen from the grave, He was seen alive by many witnesses. Worship continues to reveal that Jesus lives. That reality is affirmed in the hearts and lives of believers every day and especially on Easter.

Scripture References (NIV): John 20:1-18; Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus,

Dr. Sonny Strange, Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church

1916 Overlook Ave., Jefferson City, TN 37760

Phone (865) 475-9424

Sermon podcasts available online at www.emmanueljeffcity.com

We hope you enjoy this special episode of The Emmanuel Podcast.

Actors:

Jesus of Nazareth: Micheal Burleson

Nicodemus : Scott Waisner

Joseph of Arimathea: Mark McGinley

Disciple: Norman Eskridge

Peter: Darryl Hendricks

Narrorator: Dr. Sonny Strange

Music for this episode in order of appearance

Shout Praise: Words by Scott Waisner, Music by Joseph North, Arranged by Jeff Smith

Action Kevin McCloud (incompetech.com)

As We Come Words and Music by Mark Hussung, Harmony by Joseph North, Arranged by Jeff Smith

Peter's Song - Words and Music by Mark Hussung, Harmony by Chris Merritt (Merritmusic.com) Sung by Darryl Hendricks and Mark Hussung

Callies Eyes Music by Jeff Smith, Performed by Joseph North

As We Come Words and Music by Mark Hussung, Harmony by Joseph North, Arranged by Jeff Smith

Cafe Diem Music by Jeff Smith

March 29, 2009

Did You Ask Me Why?

John 12:27-28

Sermon Synopsis: Children like to ask the question “Why?” I suppose we all do. This message deals with some of the answers about Jesus’ journey to Calvary. Why did the Geeks coming to see Jesus tell Jesus that it was time. Knowing what lay ahead, why was Jesus willing to be obedient to his Heavenly Father? Why the voice?

The Hebrews passage gives a lot of possibilities for answers. Everything about Jesus made him better than any other alternative. He provided the way of salvation to who every will come.

Have you responded to his invitation? Why not? Time is running out.

Scripture References (NIV): John 12:20-33; Heb 5:5-10

Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus,

Dr. Sonny Strange, Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church

1916 Overlook Ave., Jefferson City, TN 37760

Phone (865) 475-9424

Sermon podcasts available online at www.emmanueljeffcity.com

March 15, 2009

Celebration of Church

Dedication of Renovated Baptistry and Baptism,

Deacon Ministry,

The Lord’s Supper

Text

Sermon Synopsis: This year Baptists around the world are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Baptist Movement. Today’s service will celebrate three distinctive of the Baptist Church: baptism, deacon ministry and Lord’s Supper.

We are Baptist partly because we celebrate the distinctive of believer’s baptism. The church works to bring people to faith in Jesus Christ and attempts to lead new believers to make a public profession of their faith. Then, in obedience to the command of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ believers are baptized (immersed in water) as a “living sign” of their death, burial and resurrection with Christ. It is a public celebration of faith. We have a newly renovated baptistry at Emmanuel and today we dedicate it with a baptism service.

A second part of our worship will feature Emmanuel’s deacon ministry. Deacons are, as the name implies, servants of the congregation and minister to various needs of people in the church.

A third part of our worship will feature a celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Like baptism, the “breaking of bread” has been celebrated by people of faith since the very beginning. This service is also identified as The Last Supper, Eucharist, or communion. It is a celebration in remembrance of Jesus Christ. We invite people to receive Jesus, broken so that they might be made whole. Participants receive a small piece of bread as a “living sign” of their acceptance of Jesus into their life. And they receive a small cup of grape juice as a “living sign” of entering into the New Covenant of life through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Our sermon this week is presented by Dr. J. Randall O'Brien, Carson Newman College's new President. Dr. O'brien is an ordained Baptist Minister and published author.

Dr. O'brien speaks on forgiveness and why we should forgive.

Join us as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Pastor Sonny Strange at Emmanuel Baptist Church. You will hear stories and testimonies from church staff, community leaders and church members who have been touch by this wonderful man of God.

Thank you Sonny for allowing us to produce and distribute this podcast. Without you we would not be here to spread the message of Jesus Christ

Emmanuel Podcast Team [email protected]

M423 Studios [email protected]

February 22, 2009

Chariots of Fire

2 Kings 2:1-12

Sermon Synopsis: Chariots of Fire highlights God’s presence among the saints. The sermon starts and ends with an African-American Negro spiritual first recorded in 1909, Swing Low Sweet Chariot. Like the song, this sermon is inspired by the “chariots of fire” that separated Elijah and Elisha and the whirlwind that took Elijah to heaven. Elisha never lost sight of those chariots of fire. He knew they were always there watching over him.

This story provides insights into what was happening on the Mount of Transfiguration when Elijah and Moses came to meet with Jesus. Peter, James and John said Jesus glowed bright with the glory of God. The fire had not lost its power. The chariots had not come to separate Jesus from his disciples not even death could do that. There was no whirlwind that day, but there would be.

Jesus didn’t take off that day because he knew we needed him to finish the course laid out for him. Paul talked about the need of others keeping him in the fight. How much more important was it for Jesus to stay. Though others cannot see him, he is with us still. The day is coming when he will once again come in the power and glory of God to take the redeemed to be with him forever. Are you ready to climb on board?

Scripture References from NIV: 2 Kings 2:1-12; 2 Kings 6:12-17; Mark 9:2-9; Philippians 1:23-26; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.

Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus,

Dr. Sonny Strange, Pastor

Emmanuel Baptist Church

1916 Overlook Ave., Jefferson City, TN 37760

Phone (865) 475-9424

Sermon podcasts available online at www.emmanueljeffcity.com