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Meat and Potatoes | Scripture
Next week. We will talk about Sharing our Faith.
We are going to pick up where we left off last week. The whole concept of last week asked the question, “When you pray, why does God listen to you?” Is it because you have a business relationship with him or a family relationship with him?
Today, we will read a prayer from a man who got it right. He was a man after God’s own heart. DAVID. David understood the power of God, the Grace of God, and the Kingdom of God.
Today we will read his prayer in Psalm 119. Turn there with me.
In this Psalm, he expresses the POWER of God’s Word. There are basically 3 ways in which he discusses the influence of God’s word in His life:
His Word Gives us DIRECTION
Look at this stage. It is filled with clutter and obstacles. I think most would agree that our life’s path is very similar to this obstacle course and we have to find our way through the maze of life.
HOWEVER, life is not really like the way you see it here. It is actually like this.
**BLACKOUT LIGHTS**
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
29 Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
How do we know his Instructions? READ HIS WORD
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.
67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.
How do we closely follow his Word? READ HIS WORD
74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.
How do we become wiser? READ HIS WORD
101 I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word.
104 Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. How do we have understanding? READ HIS WORD
We know what way is false and what way is right when we READ HIS WORD.
133 Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.
165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
How do I have great peace and not stumble? READ HIS WORD
**BRING LIGHTS UP to normal**
His Word Brings Us DELIVERANCE
25 I lie in the dust; revive me by your word.
28 I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.
40 I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
Revive! Encourage! Renew! How do these come? READ HIS WORD
43 Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.
45 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
David’s heart is passionate for the structure and boundaries of God. A heart of a son who understands that discipline and regulations are purposed filled
50 Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.
61 Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
69 Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
81 I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.
87 They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.
Freedom from the mess of other people! How do we find our hope and freedom? READ HIS WORD
92 If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.
93 I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.
How do we find joy and life? READ HIS WORD
109 My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.
143 As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.
149 In your faithful love, O Lord , hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.
153 Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions.
How do we not forget his instructions? READ HIS WORD
161 Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.
His Word Expresses Our WORSHIP
7 As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
Our lives RESPOND in a heart of gratitude. WE are motivated by HIS love!
How do we know how to respond to God’s love? READ HIS WORD
131 I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.
148 I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.
How do we know His Promise? READ HIS WORD
151 But you are near, O Lord , and all your commands are true.
175 Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me.
If you are brand new to Christianity or simply exploring start with John, then read Luke and Acts.
Once you have met Jesus and are getting a picture of who He is, go back and read the Bible from Genesis. (English Standard Version or New International Version)
Those who have been around for a long time, choose a new translation and read whole Bible through or go slow and read segments (History, Prophets, Gospels, Epistles).
Highlight and take notes every time you are touched.
How we designed our new Stage Background
When we built our new worship facility, we installed a lot of colorful lighting. However, we noticed over several months that the colors were not really being reflected on stage because the back wall was black. We decided to add a white pattern to the wall in order for the color of the lights to pop!
Harry Fleming found an idea online using decorative ceiling tile. Bloom Foldscapes are white, flat cardboard sheets. They are folded into a 3D shape and then stapled to the wall in whatever pattern you choose. The whole background cost us $80! We rented a lift and laid out a pattern that would symmetrically fit with the side walls and center screen. Then, our lighting team took a few of our Elation Opti Quad fixtures and positioned them to make the background POP! When you look at the squares up close, they look rough. However, if you back up 5′, you don’t see all the staples and rough edges.
Sermon Notes Nov11, 2012
Before the Moment
John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”(ESV)
Truth: Aletheia – The reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter. Worship at the BASE LEVEL of the heart. To understand base level, lets talk about the three levels of communication.
1 John 3: 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
- Verbal communication – (lowest level) Saying things matter.
Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. However, this level of communication can be misused. Matthew 21:28-31 summary –
Sermon Notes 10/28/12
These were the notes I used on Sunday. As you can tell by reading them, they are not intended to be example of great grammar or editing. 🙂
They are spotty and have some elements missing. I usually fill those in from my mind. Also, I leave some of this content out of the sermon when it is not necessary to the particular audience.
2 Chronicles 5: 13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 14 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.
Surverys show the: Reasons for not going to church: Boring, Not relevant, people feel judged
Surveys have recorded: What would make you come to church? “If I knew I could experience the presence of God or know what he we like.”
Relevant is a means to an end. All churches were relevant at one time. Today’s relevance is tomorrow’s religion.
What makes a church grow and have life is a transformational environment.
All the cool stuff, musicians, style, practical teaching, list goes on and on…Is not the power.
Solomon knew that all the pomp and circumstance is not the power. The priests were purified. We are all purified/royal priesthood.
1 Peter 2:9 … You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession…for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Everyone is gathered together. 120 in both this covenant and the upper room. Harps, cymbals, stringed instruments, forgiven people, finished works, sacrifice of sins. Singing, dancing, celebration, focus on God… Corporate Worship to God.
There is something powerful about people gathering together and worshipping God in one place.
For those of us who have been around a while, we forget and take for granted what it is like in the presence of God on Sunday morning. For those who are new to church, you might be struggling to figure out what the big deal is about gathering every single week, and reshaping our weekend to make sure that we don’t miss Sunday. We shouldn’t do it just to do it. That is laborious.
We forget the effect of the power of God on the lost.
Worshipping together as a group is different than missions, and social fellowship, and classes, All those are important and have a place in our discipleship.
However, we can not forget the power of getting together as a group and having an “At that moment” Experience.
‘At that moment’ – No flesh could stand or function in that moment. We are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we engage God in sincere worship, it is the only time this side of heaven, every part of our sinful flesh brokenness, sin, pain, has to be paused! The only time this side of heaven. When we are in the moment.
1 Corinthians 1:29 …no flesh should glory in his presence.
Your flesh – that which is prone to sin and opposed to God, the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin. It is not a process or a part of growth. It is not like serving or discipleship. The world fades away and there is a reprieve of the flesh. We spiritually kiss in that moment the face of God. We get a tiny drop of what heaven will be like. There will be like no more sickness and no more pain forever!!
We learn to surrender to the presence of God. At that moment it is impossible to sin.
John 4:24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.
Jesus teaches at the well the lowest of the low. Half breed, woman, her only connection to power was 7 broken men, it was this woman that God brought this revelation of worship to. I will give you living water. She needed a release from the pain. She needed to experience the reprieve.
2 Chronicles 20: 21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” 22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. …not a single one of the enemy escaped.
Jehoshaphat king leading people. Singing the same song as earlier. Something had been taught to them. How to worship. At that very moment.
No flesh or enemy of god could stand in the glory of God. Worshippers set the atmosphere for the evil to perish.
Took three days to gather all the stud foreshadowing of resurrection.
Psalm 84: 5 What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. 7 They will continue to grow stronger, and each of them will appear before God in Jerusalem.
turn your mourning into dancing
Valley of blessing.
God wants to turn your valley of battle/mourning into a valley of blessing. He inhabits the praises of his people. Stop fighting your battles and start worshipping god. Keep coming to church and start letting loose a little bit.
walking through the valley of weeping it will become a place of refreshing springs
You will remember places of blessing forever. You will want to return to physical places because if the deliverances
The only way for trials to become triumphs is through worship.
3 simple principles for “at that moments”
What is the most important commandment?
Mark 12:29 Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
We can love him with all our heart soul and mind, strength “at that moment”
1. Engage God Physically. Strength You start with all these issues. Get your body moving. Your mind follows your body. Start clapping. Start dancing. Move something. Raise hands. Sign of surrender.
Our church is the big messy mix of humanity. We have all shades Of all kinds of cultures and issues.
We know the power of the presence of God. We have to carry the banner!
2. Encounter God Mentally– Mind- encounter God. Mind follows spiritually minded is life and peace. You focus on Him
3. Experience God – soul
Robin Steele 