8/21/16 Sunday's Sermon Notes

Here is the list of Scripture references we'll be looking at this Sunday:

Romans 8:28-29

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 
29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Bringing Glory to God
1 Peter 4:11
whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

1 Corinthians 10:31
11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

Psalm 29:2
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

Our Salvation in Jesus Christ  
Romans 10:9-10

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,   9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:9
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 

 Romans 8:14
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Romans 8:17
and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Conformed to the Image of Christ

Bodily -
Philippians 3:20-21

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Hebrews 1:2-3

2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 
  
1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 

Romans 6:5
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Spiritually -
Hebrews 2:9-11

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 
11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,

May the Lord bless your week.

4/10/16 Sunday's Sermon Notes

Well, today I'd like to say a little something about our ladies bible study.  We meet every other Tuesday, usually at the church - if you're interested in coming just call to make sure where & when it will be.  I've attended bible studies before and I hate to admit it, but I had never attended one here until this year.  What a wonderful time of studying God's word, prayer and fellowship I'd been missing out on.  Don't get me wrong, I know all too well, that it's not always possible to attend everything that goes on, I'm just very thankful that I'm able to attend right now. We're studying prayer with a book by Charles Stanley called "Prayer the Ultimate Conversation".  It's a good read even if you don't attend the study - and it's not just for women, the men out there could get a lot out of it too.

Now, on to Sunday's notes.  In Sunday School Dan continued in our study of the book of Ephesians.  We delved deeper into the process of unity in the church.

For our 11:00 am service Pastor Randy taught us about who God is and His character attributes from the book of Romans, chapter 8.  Here are the scriptures he referenced:

2 Timothy 2:8-13   (ESV)

8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful--for he cannot deny himself. 

Romans 8:5-17   (ESV)

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 

Luke 12:8-12   (ESV)

8 "And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,  9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."

Luke 12:22-31   (ESV)

22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 

Philippians 4:4-7   (ESV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Colossians 3:1-17   (ESV)

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

Acts 14:21-23   (ESV)

21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Have a wonderful week.

 

 

4/3/16 Sunday Sermon Notes

Easter Sunday we read scripture on the biblical account of Jesus' death and resurrection and this past Sunday our study was summed up by the title "He is Risen! Now What?"
Now we believe, we repent, and we worship, worship, worship.  When we are on our face in worship it puts us in our place, it exposes the true intimate relationship we have with a pure and holy God.

Here are the scripture references:

Psalm 95:1-7  (ESV) 
1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4 In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. 6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! 7 For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today, if you hear his voice, 

Mark 1:15  (ESV)
and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

1 Chronicles 16:29  (ESV)
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

Worship -

• Genesis 22:5  (ESV)   Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."

• Matthew 2:2  (ESV)   saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

• Deuteronomy 6:4-5  (ESV)   4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

• 2 Chronicles 7:3  (ESV)   When all the people of Israel saw the fire come down and the glory of the LORD on the temple, they bowed down with their faces to the ground on the pavement and worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever."

• Matthew 14:33  (ESV)   And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." 

• John 9:35-38  (ESV)  35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you." 38 He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.

Obedience - 

• Romans 6:15-18  (ESV)  15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have come slaves of righteousness. 

We also celebrated the Lord's Supper / Communion this past Sunday

Matthew 26:26-29  (ESV)

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

Have a blessed week. 

3/20/16 Sunday Sermon Notes

As we prepare for the celebration of Resurrection Sunday (Easter), I'm continually reminded that most of the stuff we see in the stores, on TV, and even from some churches regarding Easter, actually has nothing at all to do with what Easter is really about.  Referring to this celebration as Resurrection Sunday reminds us that Christ is the reason we're celebrating.  And what a wonderful reason to celebrate! Christ bore our burdens on the cross, he died, and rose again on the 3rd day - just like he said he would.  Can you fathom that? And Over 500 people saw him alive again.  Our God's not dead, He's very much alive.

Make time this week to read through the account of Christ's death and resurrection and then join us on Sunday.  We'll have an early service at 8:30 am and then a breakfast potluck, followed by our  11:00 am service.  We'd love to see you there.

This past Sunday we continued studying what Jesus went through before his death on the cross and resurrection.  His soul was so troubled, yet He willingly bore the punishment of each one of us on Himself.  He is one with the Father, yet in his fleshly body He was obedient to the Father.



Scripture References

John 12:27-50  (ESV)

27 "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again." 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him." 30 Jesus answered, "This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, "We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" 39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said, 40 "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them." 41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. 44 And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

Matthew 26:38-39  (ESV)

38 Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."

Matthew 26:46  (ESV)

46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand."

John 18:37  (ESV)

37 Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world--to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."

God’s Approval -  

1)  Matthew 3:17  (ESV)
     and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

2)  Matthew 17:5  (ESV)
      He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."

3)   John 12:28  (ESV)
      Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."

4)   Hebrews 2:9-10  (ESV)
      9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned   with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste   death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.

The Light -

1)  John 12:35-36  (ESV)
     35 So Jesus said to them, "The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.

2)  John 12:46  (ESV)
     I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

3)  John 1:9  (ESV)
     The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 

4)  John 3:19  (ESV) 
     And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather  than the light because their works were evil.

5)  John 8:12  (ESV) 
     Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

6)  John 9:5  (ESV)
     As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

7)   John 11:9  (ESV)
      Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not  stumble, because he sees the light of this world.

8)   John 12:46  (ESV)
       I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

9)   Matt. 5:14-16  (ESV)
      "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a  lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Ephesians 5:8-11  (ESV)

8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Jesus and The Father -  
1)  John 12:44  (ESV)
      And Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent    me.

2)  John 12:49-50  (ESV)
     49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment--what to say and what to speak.  50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me."

3)  John 10:30  (ESV) 
     I and the Father are one." 

Have a blessed week and a wonderful, Christ-centered, Resurrection Sunday.  

3/13/16 Sunday Sermon Notes

We had another Sunday of wonderful teaching.  It started with our 9:45 am Bible study taught by Dan Kinniburgh and finished up with Pastor Randy teaching at 11:00 am about how Christ gave His life out of obedience to the Father.  What an incredible gift came to all of us from that obedience.  We struggle with things like complacency, mediocrity, and self-preservation - none of this has anything to do with Christ and what he did for us.  He died, was buried in a tomb, and rose again on the third day just as He said he would.  And that my friends, is what Resurrection Sunday (Easter) is all about.  It's not about chocolate bunnies and hunting for colored eggs.  It's about Jesus, only Jesus. We celebrate Easter because of who Christ is, and what He did, and He did it all for us. Hallelujah!

Scripture References:

John 12:20-26   (ESV) 
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Daniel 7:13-14   (ESV)

13 "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. 

John 2:1-5   (ESV)

1 On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. 3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." 4 And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

John 1:14-18   (ESV)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") 16 And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. 

Hebrews 2:5-8   (ESV)

5 Now it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, "What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet. "Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 

Isaiah 53:3-5   (ESV)

3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Isaiah 55:8-9   (ESV)

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Have a blessed week 

3/6/16 Sunday Sermon Notes

This past Sunday was a really sweet and precious time at our little church.  We were blessed to welcome two new members into our church family - Monty M. and Hana W.  We're so glad to have them both join us, and what a blessing it was to hear their precious testimonies.

Afterwards, we celebrated the Lords Supper followed by a make your own pizza lunch.

Dan continued in our study of Ephesians (Eph. 2) in Sunday School. It's a wonderful study. Our lesson was about the walls that we erect as a church and individually that keep us from fully walking with God and how Christ breaks down the wall - (I can't do it justice in a couple sentences, you need to come join the study yourself.)

Pastor Randy taught from Ephesians 4 which nicely tied-in with our Sunday School lesson.  Pastor taught regarding unity in the body of Christ and walking in a manner worthy of what Christ has done for us. Here's the text from the ESV (English Standard Version):

Ephesians 4:1-16

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." 9 (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. 

Have a blessed week!

2/28/16 Sermon Notes

This week we continued in our study of the book of  Romans.  I love this study! This book beautifully, and clearly lays out the simplicity of what we must do to be saved.  And while the writer, the apostle Paul, is explaining salvation, he also points out not only our need for it, but also our inner struggles that keep us from it.

Pastor Randy explained that the law exposed our unrighteousness, but in God's ultimate love for us He sent us a Savior, His only Son, Jesus. We must walk in the Spirit, seeking to please the one who saves us; set your mind on the Spirit of God and walk in it.  We must determine whether we will follow God by His ways or not - the choice is ours (this is not verbatim - relying heavily on my slippery memory & sloppy notes ;).

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 63:1-4  (ESV)

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 

Romans 8:1  (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:3-8  (ESV)

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

Hebrews 10:1-18  (ESV)

1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, "Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6 in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.'" 8 When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), 9 then he added, "Behold, I have come to do your will." He does away with the first in order to establish the second. 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds," 17 then he adds, "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Romans 3:10-20  (ESV)

10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." 13 "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." 14 "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known." 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes." 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 

Romans 12:1-2  (ESV)

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

James 4:1-4  (ESV)

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 

Well, that should give you plenty to ponder this week.  Determine whether you will follow the LORD or the world, because you can't follow both.  The dog you feed is the one that will grow stronger. 

Have a blessed week.

2/21/16 Sunday's Sermon Notes

It's looking as though spring is peeking it's head around the corner here in northwestern Montana.  For most of us it seems a bit early, but we forget that things happen in God's time not our own - and God's timing is perfect.

This past Sunday we had some excellent teaching both in our Sunday School and at our regular church service.  I really encourage you to attend both. Dan is leading us through the book of Ephesians in Sunday school and Pastor Randy is teaching from the book of Romans at our 11:00 service.

Here are some of the verses we studied last Sunday:

Oh, and Pastor gave us two questions to ponder at the start of our service - you may want to ponder them yourself -
    1.  What does it mean to be "in Christ Jesus"?
    2. What does it mean to "walk in the Spirit"?

Romans 8:1-8  (ESV)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit  5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 

Scripture Reading - Romans 8:1-4

John 3:16-18  (ESV)

16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Personal Testimonies / Conversions

Acts 4:7-12 - Peter & John 

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did  you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders,  9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Acts 9:1-22 - Saul of Tarsus (Paul)

1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

References for Acts 9:1

• Cross References

• 528 9:1 - ver. 13, 21; See ch. 8:3
• 529 9:1 - [ Ps. 27:12 ]
• 530 9:1 - ch. 22:5 ; 26:10

2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" 5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."

References for Acts 9:14

• Cross References

• 548 9:14 - ver. 21
• 549 9:14 - ch. 22:16 ; Rom. 10:13 ; 1 Cor. 1:2 ; [ ch. 7:59 ; 2 Tim. 2:22 ]

15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?" 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ. 

Acts 16:25-34 - The Philippian Jailer

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.

References for Acts 16:26

• Cross References

• 1049 16:26 - See ch. 4:31
• 1050 16:26 - ch. 5:19 ; 12:10
• 1051 16:26 - ch. 12:7

27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

Romans 12:1-2

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Have a blessed week,