SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea: To end the chaos and find normal, we should follow the steps God did when designing normal in Genesis 1.

In the beginning ... Beginnings are meant to lead us to the next step.

Read Genesis 1:1-2, 31 and 2:1 - How did we move from one place to another? How did we move from darkness to good?

Main Message: Ending the Chaos...

In the beginning: the world was formless, dark, empty.

To address darkness, God brought LIGHT. Proverbs 8:22 - 23, 27 - 29.

To address formless, God created structures and boundaries. Genesis 1:6-10.

To address empty, God filled the earth. Genesis 1:14 - 15, 20:21.

BUT, each have limits according to their kind, lest freedom lead to chaos.

Creating man: Genesis 1:26-28.

Created in God's image to subdue the earth.

Where are the boundaries?*

Creation of man may be the climax of this story, but not the conclusion. Man is not the goal.

The End: Genesis 2:1-3. REST.

God rested to enjoy what he had accomplished and to reign over his kingdom.

The Goal: a place for God to fellowship with man.

The seventh day had no evening and no morning. It never ended for God. He established his kingdom and has been reigning ever since. OUR job is not over - the GOAL of man is to lead and subdue it as his delegates.

So, how would he handle the chaos?

1. Get some light.

-- Let others speak into your life.

-- Things are always scarier in the dark.

-- God's Word = The Light

-- Hebrews 4:12-13

2. Make some space.

-- Start separating, prioritizing.

-- You can't deal with everything at once.

-- Identify specifics.

-- Examples: schedule, budget, diet.

3. Apply some limits.

-- Add good things with limits.

-- Example: "Boundaries" class.

4. Rest to Remember.

-- *What is man's boundary? The 7-day cycle. The Sabbath.

-- Rest speaks to our trust in God.

-- Work is a gift. Don't worship the creation instead of the Creator.

-- Sabbath is supposed to be different, separate, holy.

Conclusion: Proverbs 3:5-10

Application Questions ::

1. What is the chaos in your life?

2. What specific step can you take to follow God's example in addressing that chaos?

3. How do you practice Sabbath?

4. Where/how can you see the Sabbath as an example of your faith in Christ? Any specific examples where this was true for you?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Our only real, true beginning starts when the light of Christ comes to us. Then we can recognize that good beginnings begin with God; we have our beginning and can align ourselves to God as the fixed point that establishes the normal we’ll live by.

Content:

1. Normal is an elusive concept and several questions could be asked about it: what is it, who decides, why do we want it?

2. Somewhere certain/fixed has to be established before we can go anywhere. The fixed point will change if it’s tied to things that change. But if it’s tethered to something fixed and immovable, we’ll always know where we are.

3. The Bible gives answers to questions that are critical to life. This sermon series is a journey to discover those answers, those fixed points that will never change.

4. Genesis is a book of beginnings. The first 11 chapters are unique but are intricately connected to the whole of the Bible. They tell us about things that happened when no one was around.

5. Genesis tells about a supreme and sovereign being who speaks and things happen; everything is put into place. God is present, in relationship with His creation.

6. Where we are today, individually and as a culture, is tied to finding our fixed points in this story.

7. The first verse is a starting point, reference/fixed point: God began something. That He created is the point; it implies purpose, intent, design and control.

8. What’s emphasized:

~ Earth was formless and empty

~ Darkness was over the surface of the deep

~ Spirit of God was hovering

9. Dark places and wasteland settings are normal in life, and so is having hope while in them.

10. The image of the Spirit hovering is also in Exodus when Israel came out of captivity from Egypt, and it’s also mentioned when Israel is in exile – 70 years in a foreign land. Both these stories look back to this beginning, to this fixed point, to find their normal, to get their bearing.

11. What happened next: a light pierced the darkness and changed everything. This light wasn’t the sun or stars (they come later); it was more, the light of Christ. He is the fixed point that gives us our beginning. See John 1:1-5.

12. You won’t find normal if you don’t have a fixed point that makes sense out of this world. We don’t see until the light of Christ pierces our hearts and breaks into our darkness. Before that, life is empty and confusing; nothing is fixed or for certain. See 2 Cor. 4:16.

13. When we can’t make sense out of all that’s happening, we need Christ’s light to be our certainty and our fixed point. Then we can find normal, an alignment, a measurement that doesn’t change, connected to God.

Application Questions:

1. How would you define 'normal'?

2. Have you ever felt like you were in a wasteland where nothing was taking shape, there were no opportunities, it was empty and barren?

3. Have you ever felt like you were in a dark place, with no insight or understanding?

4. When you’re in one of those settings, how do you have hope that something new can begin?

5. Who or what is your fixed point?

6. Do you have a time when you made God your fixed point? If so, describe how that happened. If not, would you like to make Him your fixed point now?

“Finding Normal” Sermon Series Bibliography:

- Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament I, Genesis 1-11

Editor, Andrew Louth

- Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible: Genesis

General Editor, R.R. Reno

- Genesis: A Commentary

Author, Bruce K. Waltke

- Genesis 1-11: Its Literary Coherence and Theological Message

Author, Thomas A. Keiser

- How to Read Genesis*

Author, Tremper Longman III

- ‘In the Beginning…”: A Catholic Understanding of the Story of Creation and the Fall

Author, Pope Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger)

- Rethinking Genesis 1-11: Gateway to the Bible

Author, Gordon J. Wenham

- The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis

Consulting Old Testament Editor, John H. Walton

*Recommended for personal reading

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea: Heritage has been mobilized into mission to mobilize others into mission.

Content:

Presently we as a church support multiple types of missions, but it has not always been like this.

Jesus uses 5 words to mobilize us from Mt. 9:35-10:8

1. SEE Mt. 9:35-36 Open our eyes to see that people all over the world are just people, like us.

2. CARE Mt. 9:36 Jesus had compassion, was relational, used words like "sheep" and "shepherd ".

3. PRAY Mt. 9:37-38 This is God's mission/problem. Pray to send out workers. Called vs. manipulation, guilt, or pressure. God gives peace as well as passion, pray for his leading.

4. RECEIVE Mt. 10:1-8 God's message is much different/higher than a Rotary club type mission. Kingship of Jesus vs Brotherhood of Man. We can give food, shelter and so much more!

5. GO Mt. 10:2-5 Train, learn, then go! Not all the apostles had the same gifts, but all were followers of Jesus.

Going is part of Following.

Application Questions:

1. What is the difference between recognizing a need and hearing a calling?

2. What needs have you recently been aware of?

3. What have you recently been bothered by, or recently been praying for?

4. What steps can you take toward being mission minded?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

God calls us to connect into community.

Content:

Reasons to live in community:

- God lives in community with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You were made in his image.

- When you become part of the body of Christ, you need to stay connected to stay alive and to grow.

In the book of Hebrews, Paul calls us to do life together. Hebrews 2:1.

1. Hebrews 4:14-16: Community is when we pray together.

-- approach the throne together = pray

-- we pray in Jesus' name because he is our advocate - like a stamp that makes sure the message gets to the intended place

-- your prays make it to God, you are qualified to pray for other, in Jesus' name

-- everyone who steps up to serve feels inadequate at times but prayer is an act of trust in Jesus' sufficiency, not your ability

-- pray for each other brings mercy and grace because of humility and admission of need

-- nothing unites us like praying

2. Hebrews 5:12 - 6:1: Community is when we train together.

-- moving toward maturity together

-- others provide perspective on how you're doing

-- we pay people to give us feedback in business, finance, and fitness, but avoid it spiritually

-- you must be willing to have others help you grow

3. Hebrews 10:23 - 25: Community is when we press on together.

-- sometimes we must prod, poke, or spur each other on

-- we need to be spurred on to love and do good deeds

-- you need more than care and compassion from strangers, you need Community

Back to Hebrews 2:1 - are you drifting away? who is holding onto you? what you are connected to, to keep you from drifting?

Other scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:18

Application Questions:

1. Who are you connected to/in community with?

2. Do you have any examples of a time that your community stopped you from drifting, or lack of community allowed you to drift? What were the consequences of that?

3. Why are we more uncomfortable asking for spiritual feedback than asking for feedback in other areas? How can we address those fears?

4. If you have not really engaged in community yet, or remember a time in your life when you hadn't, what were the primary reasons? What stopped/is stopping you? How can you turn to Jesus' to get past that?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Welcome into Worship - A lifestyle that God is deserving of what's most valuable to you

Content:

John 1:35-45; Revelation 4:1-2, 9-11; Matthew 11:28-25

1. Come and See

- This is how it starts, an invitation, an offer

- How it's presented is crucial - is it genuine and sincere, or does it come across as an obligated act of religious duty?

- If you sense the door is open, come give it a try and see if it works for you

-God has orchestrated providential relationships where he wants you to invest, build a friendship, partly so that you can impact them for Christ

- It's important that the genuine and sincere attitude you had with inviting your friend to church continues once your at church; be welcoming, hospitable, accommodating.

2. Come up Here

- We can be overwhelmed on a continual basis by what we see, experience, and feel going on in the world around us. When we get to church, either as a guest or regular attender, we need a place that is different that where we've been all week

- This is a second invitation, but this one comes from the Spirit of God to approach the throne and the one upon it at the center of it all

- The only place is for hope, peace, and sanity is at the center with a God who is in control of everything; God is the only thing in our lives that is certain, unchanging, and is in absolute control

- Acknowledging that God is at the center and in control and provides stability is a part of worship

3. Come to Me

- We may not know where someone is on the journey of faith or what God is doing in their life, but we know that Jesus is calling us and we need to respond

- Following Jesus implies a change in attitude, behavior, value, and mindset; a kind of step

- Everyone is in need to come to Jesus, be it someone considering Christ as Savior for the first time or someone who has been walking with him for years

Application Questions:

1. In what ways have you been inviting someone to "Come and See"? Are you doing so sincerely/genuinely? Is that sincerity continuing once you get to church?

2. What do you need to bring before the throne of God and lay at his feet, like the twenty four elders in Revelation that lay their crowns at his feet?

3. What burden is Jesus calling you to lay down so that you may take his yoke that is easy and light?

4. Jesus is calling you to come to him. How are you responding? How are you living your life that demonstrates that God is deserving of what's most valuable to you?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

On Point: Realign, reset, get back on track and take responsibility to keep the fire for the things of God in your soul.

Content:

2 Timothy 1:5-15; John 14:23-24; Acts 2; Galatians 5; Romans 8; Luke 6:26;

New series that will serve to re-establish who we are as a Church, what we’re about, and where we’re headed.

Christianity is not a spectator sport, you must get in the game.

Put down roots somewhere in order to grow in faith.

Stay on alert for spiritual atrophy and tend to your own spiritual fire.

Christianity is a package deal – you do not have the option to pick and choose.

Join with others and make a statement.

The “Mysteries of the Gospel” – not meaning unknown, but depth of meaning.

He has saved and called us.

Salvation happens in a moment, but continues throughout our lives.

1-God’s Grace has a now and an always component.

God’s-Riches-At-Christ’s-Expense

No matter what we face, the challenges we must deal with, it’s all about, and all possible, through God’s Grace.

2-Christ’s resurrection redefines life and eternity.

There’s no shame and no wasted time when you live for Christ – there is another day, another life.

Application Questions:

1. Think about your life and how you’ve “put down roots” – with family or your community? How are you putting down roots spiritually?

2. What do you do in your life to “re-set” or “re-commit” to goals with family or work? How do you stay in alignment with those goals over time? How can you apply these strategies to keeping your relationship with Jesus strong and alive with passion?

3. Christianity is a package deal – in what ways have you “dabbled” in your faith, or have you “dove in?” Share examples with others in your group.

4. The phrase “Mysteries of the Gospel” does not mean unknown, but depth of meaning. How have you tried to go deeper in your understanding of the Gospel? What advice would you give others on their quest for a deeper understanding?

5. It’s not always easy following Christ. When you are out in the community, at sports, social gatherings or work, how do you show others you follow Christ? Have you “bailed” on Jesus in the past, and how will you strive to stand with Him, now and in future situations?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

If you really believe, you can’t live an ordinary life. How we answer the two questions below will determine how we live. The right answers to these questions are the way we become free from self and therefore free to fully follow Christ.

1. Who do you say Jesus is?

2. Who does Jesus say you are?

Content:

Are you a vulture or a hummingbird? Vultures wake up and look for the rotten stuff, all the bad things going on in the world. Hummingbirds wake up and look for the “sweet stuff,” the good things that are happening.

Although there are many terrible things going on in the world, God is working in mighty ways such as:

• Church planting movements in Baghdad have increased from 13 to 67 since 9-11.

• Bible translation techniques have greatly improved resulting in every people group having a translation in less than 30 years.

• Teens that went to Guatemala in June on a mission trip are reporting changed lives and increased desire of participants to follow Jesus.

• Come hear about the “sweet stuff” Pastor Andy has to share Tuesday, August 4, 6:30-8:30 Room 210

In Matthew 16:13-18, Jesus asks, and Peter answers, the question “Who do you say I am?” Jesus had prepared his disciples for this moment. He had been with them constantly, and the closer they got to him the more they thought of him. (This is the opposite of most of us, in that the closer others get to us, the more they see our flaws.)

Jesus’ impact was greater after he died, while other people’s influence wanes after death, often completely forgotten. He died alone, but many have died for his name. He lived a pure life. No one has been able to find fault. Even other religions hold Jesus as a good teacher, even if they do not see who he really is.

Canon Andrew White, Vicar of Baghdad, said, “They took everything. All we have is Jesus who is everything,” demonstrating that the real test of what we believe about who Jesus is shows in how we live our lives.

Knowing what Jesus says about who you are is critical to living a full, healthy life in Christ.

Who you are determines what you do, not the other way around.

• We are not defined by failures. Look to Peter as an example, who, after denying Jesus, delivered a sermon that began the Church.

• We are not what others say.

• We are not what we are labeled.

• Jesus says we are children of God (1 John 3:1-2)

Jesus knew who he was, and did not worry about what others said or thought (See John 13 and the account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet.)

When we do not know what Jesus says about us, we doubt. The moment you believe who Jesus says you are, your self is done, and you are free to follow Jesus.

Prayer of Commitment:

Jesus Christ, from this day

Forward I declare you to be the

Son of God, and therefore, my

Lord and Savior. I choose to

follow you with full abandonment

and give my heart, soul, mind

and body to you in full surrender.

As your beloved, purchased by your

blood, I choose to accept and believe

who You say I am, your CHILD, perfectly

loved by you. Out of this truth and in

your strength I choose to live out of

who I am in you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Application Questions:

1. Who do you say Jesus is? Research the Bible to find the evidence.

2. Who does He say you are? Research the Bible to find the evidence.

3. What will you do with Him now that you’ve answered the questions?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Age isn't a factor in being used by God.

Content:

Make a Difference "Courageous Initiative"

Prayer for kids moving up and volunteers

Joseph's story, moving down to Egypt

Pharaoh and the Egyptians begin to fear the size of the Hebrew nation and makes the people into slaves.

Pharaoh institutes death for Hebrew baby boys

Exodus 2:1-20

Movie Clip - "The Prince of Egypt"

What are the names of the people in the story?

Only names mentioned is "Moses"

Three people take courageous initiative

Moses' mother

hides her baby son for three months

disobeyed Pharaoh's command

She thought her baby was "awesome" :)

A Mother's love....

"Tar and Pitch" - The Ark

She gives him up to give him life

Miriam

Miriam watches the basket, protects herself and Moses

Miriam has the the thought to go to the princess and ask "shall I get a Hebrew woman to nurse him?" Does she give the princess the idea to keep the baby?

-The Princess

- She decides to keep the baby and go against the laws of her father

An amazing difference is made on this day

- Moses grows up to deliver his people out of Egypt

"You don't know what God will do, but nothing is going to happen if you don't take that step."

Application Questions ::

1. What does courageous mean? What does initiative mean?

2. Who isn't mentioned in this story, but is featured significantly?

3. What idea did the mom come up with when she realized her baby (Moses) was a boy?

4. Does Miriam give the princess the idea to keep the baby?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Eager Generosity begins with an open handed mentality of what you have.

Sermon Content:

There wasn't enough food to feed all the people; far too much for any of us to fee them.

How far will the fish and loaves go? (this is the child's portion)

Jesus is testing the Disciples because He wants to to teach them something

Does Jesus test us to teach us something He wants us to learn?

When Jesus meets a need, there's always extra left over

Jesus did something amazing because a little boy was willing to give everything he had

If you give what you have to Jesus, even a little, it can become quite a bit more

Jim shares the story of little boy at Waffle House. Helps to buy a homeless man a meal. Prays with him before he eats

Jesus takes the little we have, and does something “more” with it.

No need, no hunger is to big for Jesus to satisfy… and with more than enough.

The crowd wants to make Jesus king.

Jesus came to satisfy more than just our stomachs… He came to satisfy our souls

What are our deeper hungers? Forgiveness, connection with God, love, etc.

John 6:26,27 &33

Jesus isn't speaking here about bread… He's talking about a bread from Heaven.

Verse 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us this bread.”

Verse 35 “I am the bread of life….

John 6:38 & 40

Family Application Questions:

1. What does Jesus want us to learn?

2. How many disciples did Jesus have?

3. Does Jesus sometimes test us to teach us something He wants us to learn?

3. Who else had eager generosity in this story?

4. What are your deeper hungers?

SERMON NOTES (click arrow to the right to open)

Main Idea:

Namaan's servant girl showed Bold Compassion by speaking into his life about what he could do to be healed.

Content:

Bold = No Fear (kids answers)

Compassion = Caring about other people (kids answers)

Naaman- military commander who had leprosy

How would you respond if you were a slave to someone like Naaman who was sick?

She was willing to say something to him.

Is it hard to say the truth to adults sometimes?

Video from "America's Got Talent" - "well, not Shirley Temple, Jesus"

Costa Rica short terms mission trip update "it reminds me of everything God has done for me." -Carol

Bible translation- Finished New Testament, working on Old Testament; group visited a remote church 'reminded that we're all a part of the same family.'

Call for children to speak up.

Naaman responds and goes to the prophet... But the servants have to convince Naaman to go in the water. = sometimes the solution is very simple.

We have to give up our anger and pride like Naaman did.

Family Application Questions:

1. What is leprosy? How do people treat those with leprosy?

2. Have you ever read the Emperor's New Clothes? Who was the first to stand up and say something in this story?

3. What does it take to be bold and speak with conviction to authorities or adults?

4. What can you do to speak into the struggle of someone you know?

Has God put someone on your heart to "make a difference" in their life?