Longview Heights Sermons

Is there anyone who cares about me?

Is there anyone who knows my name?

Is there anyone who watches over me?

The Lord's Prayer answered these questions with a resounding, "YES!"

In Part 2 of our Livin' on a Prayer series, Pastor Whit helps us see where to start, because "Every Prayer Begins Somewhere". The text for this message is found in Matthew 6:9 and Luke 15

There are three realities we can see in Matthew 6:9

1. Our – The Existence of Community

• Meaning: I do not pray alone

2. Father – The Existence of Family

• Meaning: I am not left alone

3. Our Father in Heaven – The Existence of Authority

• Meaning: I do not struggle alone

What is branding and why is it important?

Branding = Identity

This is true for businesses as well as the church. Our goal is for our brand to give our community a visual picture of our identity - who we are and what we are about.

Our new branding symbol represents these things about our church.

• The “L” is the most prominent part of the icon, alluding to “Longview”

• Disciples replicate themselves just like the “L” is replicated in the icon.

• Going to our neighbors and the nations is at our heart. So our icon has has arrows showing that missional mindset.

Longview Mandate: (What are we supposed to be doing?)

•Bringing Glory to God as disciples who make disciples of all people.

Longview Motives: (Why are we doing it?)

• We unite biblically

• We gather purposefully

• We connect meaningfully

• We invest generously

• We engage intentionally

• We welcome graciously

• We risk obediently

Longview Map: (How will we do it?)

KNOW GROW GO

Christ In Maturity Into Our Church

Community In Generosity Into Our City

Church In Ministry Across Cultures

Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always to the end of the age.

Ask yourself, "What is the one thing that keeps me from growing deeper in prayer?"

Most Christians recognize and accept, at least intellectually, the need for and the importance of prayer. We know we need to pray. We ask people to pray for us. We say we’ll pray for other people. But for many and maybe even most Christians, there’s not really what we would call a vibrant prayer life.

As Pastor Whit begins this series on The Lord's Prayer we will look at Why we ray, How NOT to pray and How we SHOULD pray. This is Part 1 of the series, Living on A Prayer from Matthew 6:5-15.

An Open Invitation

Matthew 6:5-15

WHY DO WE PRAY?

• To express our complete dependency on God

• To experience intimacy with God

o Primary point of prayer is not to get something but to know someone

• To enjoy the experience of participating with God

HOW NOT TO PRAY?

• Do not pray like the Hypocrites

• Do not pray to Impress

HOW DO WE PRAY?

• Praise – “Our Father in Heaven”

o Worship God for who He is

• Repent – “Forgive us our debts”

o Confess your sin and acknowledge your need for Jesus

• Ask – “Give Us This Day”

o Intercede for specific needs in your life and others’

• Yield – “Lead Me”

o Surrender your life to following Jesus wherever and however He leads you

In the conclusion of our Christmas Gifts series Pastor Whit turns our attention from the gifts presented by men to Christ and focuses on Christ as God's gift to man.

While we gave and received gifts, Jesus gave His too....it was His life.

Jesus' gift to the world was His death for our sin penalty that we couldn't pay. God's Holy & righteous wrath was poured out on Someone Who was NOT guilty yet became that penalty for ALL men who trust in His finished work (not their own works) to save them & repent.

Jesus' gift was His life for your life.

The Gift

Romans 5:12-17

The Difference In The Gifts:

• Gifts given by men to Christ- the gift given by Christ to men

• Gifts were given to Jesus symbolizing His future - the gift given through Jesus symbolizing your future

• Gifts were valued only on this earth - the gift through Jesus is valued for all eternity

• Gifts were costly, but did not cost everything - the gift through Jesus cost Him everything

The Difference in the Men:

• Adam sinned - Jesus saves

• When Adam sinned, many died - when Jesus died, many can live

• Adam brought bondage - Jesus brings freedom

• Adam disobeyed God his Creator - Jesus obeyed God His Father

• Adam sinned, and people were declared unrighteous; Jesus paid the price, and people can be declared righteous

What Does The Gift Mean?

1. The Gift Means You Are Loved

2. The Gift Means You Can Be Forgiven

• Result – Your future is secured

3. The Gift Must Be Received

CHRISTMAS GIFTS:

In our consumer culture, Christmas can become all about getting and giving the latest gadgets and goods. Due to this, we've pushed aside the one gift that fulfills our deepest needs: Jesus the Christ. This series takes a fresh look at the gifts the wise men brought the child Jesus--gold, frankincense, and myrrh--and the ultimate gift that Jesus offers through salvation.

In this second part of our Christmas Gifts series we take a look at the gift of frankincense that the magi presented to Jesus. Frankincense was associated with the priesthood of Israel as the priests burned a sweet smelling offering to God on behalf of the people. Jesus is now our Great High Priest and stand as mediator before God so that we may approach His throne boldly.

A Gift That Smells

Matthew 2:9-11, Hebrews 4:14-16

I. This gift’s meaning

II. This recipient’s ministry

CHRISTMAS GIFTS:

In our consumer culture, Christmas can become all about getting and giving the latest gadgets and goods. Due to this, we've pushed aside the one gift that fulfills our deepest needs: Jesus the Christ. This series takes a fresh look at the gifts the wise men brought the child Jesus--gold, frankincense, and myrrh--and the ultimate gift that Jesus offers through salvation.

In this first part of our Christmas Gifts series we take a look at the gift of gold that the magi presented to Jesus. Gold was the metal of kings. It represented royalty. The magi recognized that this was a King who had been born. Notably, before they presented their gifts they recognized that he was worthy of worship and they bowed their hearts and their knees before him in worship.

A Gift for A King

Matthew 2:1-11

December 6, 2020

Matthew 2:1-11

1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. 5 “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: 6And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:

Because out of you will come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.”

7 Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was—the star they had seen at its rising. It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy.

11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

I. Requests about a Coming King

II. Reactions of the Current King

III. Rejoicing for the Competent King

Concluding Truth:

Whenever Jesus becomes your King, you will go out differently than you came in

• Herod followed the star of self, though he claimed to be a worshipper

• The religious leaders followed the star of religion; they knew all the right answers

but had all the wrong actions

• The magi were seeking a King, and when they found that King, they worshipped Him

As your enemy prowls, how will you prepare?

We have a real enemy seeking to destroy and devour us. In the conclusion of our EXILES series, Pastor Whit challenges us to recognize and face our enemy while remembering that Jesus is the ultimate LION KING who has ultimately conquered the enemy.

The Lion King

1 Peter 5:6-11

I. You have an enemy

II. Your enemy has a plan

III. Your enemy is active

IV. Your enemy cannot be ignored

A. Our inner weaponry

B. Our outer weaponry

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE LEFT?

There is a certain currency of time allotted to each of us. How will you spend the time you have left?

Wasting Time or Making Time Count

1 Peter 4:1-6

Four principles guaranteed to make the time you have left really count:

I. Eliminate your sin

II. Enjoy God’s will

III. Enough with your past

IV. Engage the lost

We often talk of missions as being an event or trips somewhere. In Part 7 of the Exiles series from 1 Peter, Bro. Whit calls us to understand that our home is our first mission field!

Missional Marriage

1 Peter 3:1-7

November 15, 2020

A Word for Wives:

• Her actions speak louder than her words

o Submissive practice

o Silent preaching

• Her adornment is her gentleness, not her jewelry

• Her admiration is more Biblical than conventional

A Help for Husbands:

• Consideration is essential

• Cooperation is practical

o A husband should promote honor

o A husband should provide strength

o A husband should pledge companionship

• Division is unprofitable

Conclusions

• Husbands, out serve your wife

• Wives, observe your husband’s leadership

• Together, may the glory of God be the aim of your marriage