The Weekly Sermon Podcast Led By Pastor ET Tapper Brought to you by View Ridge Community Church

The Weekly Sermon Podcast Led By Pastor ET Tapper Brought to you by View Ridge Community Church

The Weekly Sermon Podcast Led By Pastor ET Tapper Brought to you by View Ridge Community Church

VRCC Notes ET Tapper
Christmas Series: Can you see what I See?
December 10, 2017
Matthew 2:1-12

INTRODUCTION: There are so many amazing aspects of the events
surrounding Christ’s birth, but one that has especially made its way into our
decorations, cards, carols and nativity scenes is the Star of Bethlehem. The
account of the star has fascinated Bible students and astronomers for
centuries. Some claim it was a conjunction of planets, some say a comet,
others a supernova in the sky. So what was this star, and why is it
important? What was God’s purpose behind the Star of Bethlehem? Those
are some of the questions we will seek to answer through this morning’s
message.
What are the qualifications for the Star. 
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King
Herod,— Magi from the east came to Jerusalem— MATTHEW 2:1
Who are these magi?
Herod asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?—
MATTHEW 2:2A
The Magis’ question gives us three points for our list of qualifications for
the Star. Whatever happened in the sky indicated:
1) birth,
2) kingship and
3) Jews. It also gives us a clue about the Magi. They were interested in
things Jewish.
…We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”—
MATTHEW 2:2B
4) it must rise in the east like most other stars.

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with
him.— MATTHEW 2:3

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of
the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in
Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you,
Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of
Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my
people Israel.'”— MATTHEW 2:4-6
Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact
time the star had appeared.— MATTHEW 2:7
5) It appeared at an exact time.
6) Herod didn’t know when it appeared.
8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and make a careful search for
the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and
worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and
the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over
the place where the child was.— MATTHEW 2:8-9
7) It endured over a considerable period of time.
8) It went ahead of them as they traveled from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
9) The Star stopped! 
Can a star do that? Yes, it can, as we shall see.
What was the star in the sky?
Video: The Bethlehem Star
Conclusion:
Just like this “Star” led the Wise Men to Christ, Jesus, the Star of the
Morning, leads us to eternal life.

“Community” is a compound word; “com” means with and “unity” means what the word says…unity or being unified or having a common union.  In short, God wants believers to dwell in union and in community having the same mind that is in Jesus Christ (Phil 2:1-11).

Small groups is not a part of our church. They are our church.

The Bible calls the church, “The Body of Christ.”

A body is made up of individual cells.

If your cells are healthy, your body is healthy.

5 Reasons why we have small groups.

1. Small Groups are Biblical.
2. Small Groups are Personal.
3. Small Groups are Flexible.
4. Small Groups are Expandable.
5. Small Groups are Economical.

What do small groups do? Acts 2:41-47

1. They studied the Bible together. (The Apostles Doctrine)
2. They Fellowshipped together.
3. They took communion together. (Broke Bread in small group)

(1 Corinthians 11 – Koinonia)

1. They prayed for each other.
2. They helped each other in practical ways. (They gave to anyone who had need) Ephesians 5
3. They ate together. (They ate with glad and sincere hearts.)
4. They sang together.
5. They brought unbelievers to Jesus. (And the Lord added to the church daily.)

Romans 12:4-5

4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

Together, we can do much.

Alone, we can do little.

Acts 2:41-47

God intends for us to experience life together, and that is why at VRCC, we encourage you to get into a small group.

A small group is a weekly gathering of three or more people who meet in a home, school, or workplace. They hang out, study the Word, and pray together.

Groups come in all shapes and sizes – married couples, singles, men’s, women’s, kids, no kids, workplace, under 20, over 40 - the list goes on! No matter where you are in life, it is important to have a group of people you get together with on a weekly basis to study God’s Word and have fun!

1. You will understand the Bible better in a small group.
2. You will begin to really feel like part of God’s family.
3. Prayer will become more meaningful to you.
4. You will be able to handle stress and pressure better.
5. You will have a natural way to share Christ with friends, relatives, and at work.
6. You will develop leadership skills you never knew you had!
7. You will deepen your understanding of worship.
8. You will be a New Testament Christian!

Consider these verses:

"They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Every day they continued to meet together... they broke bread in their homes and ate together... and the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42, 44, 46-47

"Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Jesus is the Christ." -Acts 5:42 

"Greet also the church that meets at their house." -Rom. 16:5

"Aquilla and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord and so does the church that meets at their house." -1 Cor. 16: 19

"Give my greetings...to Nympha and the church in her house." -Col. 4: 15

"Danger Island"

Kelly Pollock

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Forgiveness = Just as if it never Happened.

Matthew chapter 18:21-35 ~ "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times..."

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

[1 Peter 4:8]

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."  [1 John 4:7-8]

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."  [Ephesians 4:2]

"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs."  [Proverbs 10:12]

"It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."  [1 Corinthians 13:5]

FORGIVENESS ISN'T A ONE TIME DECISION, IT IS A WAY OF LIVING FOR JESUS CHRIST.

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”  [Mark 11:25]

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."  [Matthew 5:23-24]

Acts 2:37-47

42 …And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers…”

What were the characteristics of the New Testament Church in the 1st Century that made it powerful?

1. God’s True CHURCH PREACHES THE RIGHT                        .
2. v. 22-37  About The Savior– This message affirms that Jesus is God in the flesh. v. 22; John 1:1; 14. It affirms His crucifixion and His resurrections, v. 23-32. 
3. v. 23, 36  About Sin– It warns the sinner to turn from his/her sins, v. 40. 
4. v. 38-40  About Salvation– It calls everyone to repent and believe the Gospel. 

1. HIS CHURCH IS MADE UP OF THE RIGHT                           .
2. v. 37, 40-41  Its Members Are Saved– This church is made up of people who have had a “new birth” experience with Jesus Christ and fear the Lord, John 3:3, 7, Acts 2:43; 
3. v. 42  Its Members Are Separated– This church walked in “the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship”. 2 Cor. 5:17. 
4. v. 42  Its Members Are Steadfast– They were faithful! 1 Cor. 4:2; Heb. 10:25.
5. v. 44-45  Its Members Are Servants– This church was marked by selflessness. 1 John 3:17–19. 

III.  HIS CHURCH FOLLOWS THE RIGHT                                  .

1. v. 42, 46-47  They Worship Together As A Family– This church met together for prayer, for instruction in the Word of God and for worship.
2. v. 44-45  They Work Together As A Team – This church had as their common goal the common good. Eph. 2:10; James 2:18.
3. v. 42, 46  They Walk Together As Friends – This church enjoyed “fellowship”, “breaking of bread”, and “singleness of heart. 
4. v. 47  They Witness Together As Saints– They all spread the Gospel to a lost world. Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matt. 28:19-20.

1. HIS CHURCH OBEYS THE RIGHT .
2. v. 41, 43, 47  Their Lord Is Powerful– He manifested His power through “wonders and signs”. 
3. v. 47  Their Lord Is Personal– They personally knew Him and were consumed with love for Him. Rev. 2:1-7; Matt. 22:37-39; John 13:35.

• Are we the kind of individuals God can bless and use to make His church was He designed it to be?

• Are you saved? If not, come to Jesus right now!
• Are you surrendered to the Lord? If not, come and surrender all to Him now.
• Are you faithful to the church? If not, repent of that sin and get faithful to the Lord.
• Are you committed to the ministries of the church? If not, repent of that sin and get busy.
• Are you a servant of the Lord and His church? If not, repent of that sin and go to work.

•  If you are in a position of leadership, are you doing what you need to be doing? If not, repent of that sin and set the right example for the rest of the church and for the watching world.

VRCC Notes                                                     

ET Tapper

Power from on High Acts 2 Pt1                         

October 15, 2017

We need another Pentecost!

Acts 2:1-8

2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance…”

Intro: “Pentecost” means “fiftieth”/refers to Jewish feast held fifty days after second day of Passover. Called Feast of Weeks, Ex. 34:22; Deut. 16:10, and Feast of the Harvest, Ex. 23:16. Pentecost/a day of thanksgiving to mark the end of the grain harvest.       

The “day of Pentecost” in Acts 1:3 - Jesus was with them for 40 days/then ascended back to Heaven. Ten days after ascension and 50 days after resurrection, the words of Joel (Joel 3:18) and John the Baptist (Matt. 3:11) were fulfilled. The Lord began to harvest the lost souls of this world through His New Church.

In order to have a modern day Pentecost God’s church must be in unity in the following areas: 

1. They were united in                            . Acts 1:4-5 4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father,“which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Philippians 1:27 – 27 …I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,

We all have our different functions and different ideas. But we should all stand together in one purpose.  

1. They were united in                          . Acts 1:14 – “14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication…”

Philippians 2:1-4 – “…2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

The church that prays together, stays together and grows!  

III. They were united in                                .

Acts 2:1-4 – “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord[a] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Eph. 5:18 - 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 

We are many parts but one Body of Christ.

1. They were united in .

Acts 2:4 – “4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

   “…all were filled…and began to speak…” – Each one was busy doing their part!

   God saved no one to sit; He saved all to serve – 

Eph. 2:10 - 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

   No task is unimportant or small; each is vital to the success of the church. (Prayer, Witness, Workers, Cleaners, Mom & Dad, Josh, Teachers, Deacons, Giving, etc.)

   Are you doing what He wants you to do?  Are you doing all you can do?

We need another Pentecost! It will come when walking and working together!

As Vance Havner said, “Snowflakes are fragile things, but when they stick together they can stop traffic!”