Sermons from Good News: Asking God for a great year

Blogger's Note: On Wednesdays for the foreseeable future, I will be copying and pasting on this blog notes I take in my phone from sermons at the church I attend. My goal is to share both current week sermons (which will be posted on a different day of the week) as well as catch up on the backlog of notes. I want to also clarify that these are not my sermons, but rather the bullet point notes I put together. I enjoy our pastor's messages very much, and more importantly he preaches the Word of God as-is, which means the Spirit of God is imparting wisdom and knowledge through him. To God alone be the glory.

Church 1/2/2021

Offertory verse:

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

Malachi 3:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Malachi%203:10&version=NIV

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

Proverbs 3:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%203:9&version=NIV

Psalm for the day:

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20121:1-2&version=NIV

Sermon message:

Thesis: Asking God for a great year

What is it You want to do in my life this year?

What is it You want to do through me this year?

This is clear; God wants to do good in your life.

You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:68 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20119:68&version=NIV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%203:20-21&version=NIV

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

Psalm 65:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2065:11&version=NIV

Belief and prayer life

What you believe about God will affect your year.

What your prayer life is will affect your year.

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—

1 Corinthians 2:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%202:9&version=NIV

these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

1 Corinthians 2:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%202:10&version=NIV

God is not offended if you pray a big prayer request. It in fact expresses need for and trust in Him.

You prayer life predicts your future.

God has determined that certain expressions of His power that are expressed only when you pray.

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

James 4:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=James%204:2&version=NIV

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:7-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%207:7-11&version=NIV

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 11:9-13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%2011:9-13&version=NIV

When you spend time with God, good things happen. When you don't, they may not happen.

We may need to trust God again. We may need to pray again. We may need to trust Him again.

Ezra the scribe gives the post-exile Jews a history lesson, after they return to Jerusalem.

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Chronicles%204:9-10&version=NIV

Jabez's name means pain. Not birth pain but rather the time he was born into. But it is written that Jabez was more honorable than the others. Because he prayed to God.

Jabez prayed for God to doubly bless him. (He prayed big!)
He prayed for God to enlarge his influence (flock, family, bank account, tent, etc)

and the clans of scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, Shimeathites and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the Rekabites.

1 Chronicles 2:55 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Chronicles%202:55&version=NIV

He prayed for God to empower him

this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the Lord, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.

Ezra 7:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ezra%207:6&version=NIV

He prayed for God to protect him (for His hand to be on them)

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Chronicles%204:10&version=NIV

Sermons from Good News: strong faith, part 2

Church 4/24/2021

Offertory scripture:

20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.
Mark 16:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2016:20&version=NIV

Sermon message:

Continuation in series of the importance of strong faith. The purpose to encourage those already in the faith, but also to rebuild the faith of those who have suffered setbacks or pain.

Last week we heard about Nehemiah learning about the bad shape Jerusalem was in. He then prayed and felt like God wanted him to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city.

Similar here: goal is to rebuild the walls of faith. Not just for protection but also allow blessings within the city walls. It allows blessings in our lives.

Apostle Paul talks about putting on the full armor of God so we can stand against the wiles of the devil. Specifically to put on the shield of faith to protect us from the enemy's arrows but also to allow blessings in our lives.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:6&version=NIV

It's not just about aiming to please God, escape hell, and get in to heaven. It's also about believing God is a rewarder of faith. God rewards us because He loves us and wants to bless us.

The people God bragged on, they had great faith. But not only so but when they had trials and challenges they stood in faith but also on faith. They didn't let their trials and circumstances dictate their faith or responses or actions.

Throughout the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament, faith was needed, faith was available, and faith was important. Some received faith and some didn't. And that made the difference.

Even now, in 2021, faith is still important in the same exact way. God even today honors faith.

Important to know: faith comes from God. It doesn't come from things or from people. It comes from God and more importantly it comes from His Word. Faith comes from God's promises too. Grab hold of the Bible, of God, and from His promises. And also from a relationship from God. A personal relationship from God. Faith comes from all these things. And to get faith we first need to talk about God.

Point #1: God's character does not change.

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
Malachi 3:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Malachi%203:6&version=NIV

God never changes. Even when our circumstances change, He doesn't.

"I won't get bad. And I can't get any better."

(He is already perfect. He is the author of perfection. He can't get better than perfect.)

Part of the character of God is that He is good.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2034:8&version=NIV

It's easier to really trust God when we see that He is good.

God also is love. He is the essence of love. God loves you and He loves me.

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20John%204:8&version=NIV

But what does that mean? The fruit of the spirit is love, and all these things are attributes of that love.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%205:22-23&version=NIV

Also, God doesn't lie; he tells the truth. He never changes. His truth never changes.

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Numbers%2023:19&version=NIV

God is honest. He is full of integrity. He never lies. He never wavers back and forth.

Point #2. As you spend time with God your faith will get stronger.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:17&version=NIV

Spending more time with God means our faith gets stronger. The converse also is true. What you spend your time doing, what you spend your time reading, makes all the difference.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%201:1-3&version=NIV

Who you spend time with, who you water, etc., will determine which connections stay strong. Especially with God.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%206:7-8&version=NIV

What you spend your time doing influences what you think, what you do, etc. you're going to reap the time you sow.

Point #3: faith sees evidence of things that our natural eyes do not see

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:1&version=NIV

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:1&version=KJV

Our natural eyes give us evidence of material things. Faith eyes allow us to see what God says is present or will happen.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
John 3:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:3&version=NIV

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%204:18&version=NIV

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%204:18&version=KJV

Faith is seeing what your natural eyes do not see. Consider Elisha and his servant:

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Kings 6:15-17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Kings%206:15-17&version=NIV

He prayed for the servant's eyes to be opened. But then:

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. After they entered the city, Elisha said, “ Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
2 Kings 6:18-20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Kings%206:18-20&version=NIV

The point of this lesson is to remind us: God is good, He never changes, He loves us, He never lies, and for our faith eyes to see what is actually true around us. This is true today even in 2021.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:1&version=NIV

Sermons from Good News: The present of Jesus

Blogger's Note: On Wednesdays for the foreseeable future, I will be copying and pasting on this blog notes I take in my phone from sermons at the church I attend. My goal is to share both current week sermons (which will be posted on a different day of the week) as well as catch up on the backlog of notes. I want to also clarify that these are not my sermons, but rather the bullet point notes I put together. I enjoy our pastor's messages very much, and more importantly he preaches the Word of God as-is, which means the Spirit of God is imparting wisdom and knowledge through him. To God alone be the glory.

Church 12/19/2020

Offertory message passage:

Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

Proverbs 3:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%203:9&version=NKJV

So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Proverbs 3:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%203:10&version=NKJV

Sermon series: God's Christmas presents for mankind

Tonight's message: the present of Jesus

He wants us to be kind to one another. His kindness is what ultimately leads us to repentance

Gospel of John

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 20:30-31 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2020:30-31&version=NKJV

Gospel of John may be the best book in the Bible:

To help us receive faith, and to help us keep faith

Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

John 21:20,24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:20,24&version=NKJV

After Jesus died, resurrected, and ascended... Mary the mother of Jesus moved in with John the apostle

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

John 19:26-27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2019:26-27&version=NKJV

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 14:26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2014:26&version=NKJV

John wants us to know the value of Jesus. It's possible to know about and talk about Jesus but not really understand the magnitude of who He is. We really need to know that He was God in the flesh. God with us.

The Word existed before creation. John 1:1 was before genesis 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%201:1&version=NKJV

The Word was with God.

He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%201:2&version=NKJV

The Word was God.
(He was in the beginning with God.)
The Word was Jesus.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%201:14&version=NKJV

What was the reason, the logic behind the universe? "Logos." (Greek for "Word")

God's being is different from our being: He is one God, three persons.

Jesus came to save people

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.

John 1:11-12,16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%201:11-12,16&version=NKJV

God's present of Jesus: God with us

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:18-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%201:18-23&version=NKJV

Sermons from Good News: strong faith, part 1

Church 4/17/2021

Offertory scripture: The honor and joy of giving.

King David--God called him a man after his own heart. David wanted to build God His own place of honor, because of his gratitude for Him and everything He has done. But God decided that He would rather Solomon do it:

Then King David said to the whole assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is young and inexperienced. The task is great, because this palatial structure is not for man but for the Lord God. With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple: three thousand talents of gold (gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, for the overlaying of the walls of the buildings, for the gold work and the silver work, and for all the work to be done by the craftsmen. Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?” Then the leaders of families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron. Anyone who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the Lord in the custody of Jehiel the Gershonite. The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

1 Chronicles 29:1-9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Chronicles%2029:1-9&version=NIV

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%209:6-8&version=NIV

Sermon message:

Pastor: my desire is that you get blessed and that your faith is encouraged. Even more than I, God loves you and requests you and celebrates you. You are valuable to us and to God.

Series: Strong faith

Thesis: Strong faith, part 1

Faith that the God of the Bible is still working out miracles etc.

The purpose of this series is to build faith and even more so is to rebuild faith.

The reality is our faith can take a hit when life's difficulties happen, be weakened or even damaged.

Sometimes we just need to have our faith rebuilt.

Point #1: strong faith protects you.

From Paul's armor of God passage: faith is a shield.

Consider Nehemiah. He is a cupbearer for the king in Babylon but cares for Jerusalem. Read on:

The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. ” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:1-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Nehemiah%201:1-4&version=NIV

Nehemiah fasts and prays and senses from God says that he should go back to Jerusalem and rebuild it.

Apostle Paul's take:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%206:10&version=NIV

Don't rely on your own strength. When you are weak, God is strong.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Ephesians 6:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%206:11&version=NIV

Paul's is reminding us that we are in a battle. The reality is the devil has plans and schemes for us (against us really), just like God has plans for us.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%206:16&version=NIV

Faith is a shield. Possibly the most important part of the armor of God. With the shield of faith you can quench ALL the schemes of the devil: health challenges, financial challenges, employment challenges, family challenges, etc.

The truth is a lot of good things are truly happening, especially among Christians. God is moving during this time. Even during the times if restrictions, we at Good News are doing well. God has blessed us. Even before CoViD we've had challenges. But God had been moving the whole time. He is indeed faithful. He is indeed good.

Critical point: The truth is God is really moving, but whether or not we see it depends on our faith.

Nicodemus was one of the wisest Pharisees but Jesus blew his mind.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
John 3:3-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:3-8&version=NIV

Point #2: Faith allows you to see what others don't see.

When you are born again you receive the Holy Spirit but sometimes people still see things through the natural realm way of looking at things, instead of through the spiritual realm way of of looking at things.

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%202:14&version=NIV

Sometimes we get sidetracked by worldly news. That's why we need to rebuild the faith wall in our lives.

Point #3: faith is important. Or: "faith is "really really" important. Really; I'm not lying to you."

Not just that faith is very important but also that knowing this truth is very important.

You can't get saved without faith. You can't cancel your reservation to hell and make a reservation in heaven without faith.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
Ephesians 2:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%202:8&version=NIV

By grace (Jesus) we are saved, but faith is required to receive grace, to receive Jesus. Faith is what it takes. Also, without faith it is impossible to please God. Receive Jesus Christ by faith and you will be saved.

Early in His ministry Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth in Galileo. Jesus wanted to bless His neighbors and family members. But:

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 13:58 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2013:58&version=NIV

We are in a spiritual war constantly. Without faith we don't pray or don't pray expectantly.

11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%207:11&version=NIV

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Mark 9:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%209:23&version=NIV

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”;
Matthew 9:29 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%209:29&version=NIV

According to their faith their eyes were healed.

The point isn't to tear anyone down but rather to encourage each other to build their faith.

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20John%205:4&version=NIV

Bottom line: faith is a BIG deal. It is critical for us to walk and live by it.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%206:12&version=NIV

Sometimes we think Satan is attacking our circumstances (body, finances, family, country, church) but really he is attacking is our faith related to the circumstances.

Faith moves mountains
Faith excites heaven
Faith brings about miracles
Faith rebukes Satan
Faith makes us bold
Faith gives us tenacity
Faith honors God

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
1 Thessalonians 3:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Thessalonians%203:2&version=NIV

For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.
1 Thessalonians 3:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Thessalonians%203:5&version=NIV

But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.
1 Thessalonians 3:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Thessalonians%203:6&version=NIV

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Thessalonians%203:7&version=NIV

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
1 Thessalonians 3:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Thessalonians%203:10&version=NIV

Goal: Today we start rebuilding the wall of faith in your lives.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:17&version=NIV

Birthdays

Looking for a change of pace on this blog, even if only briefly. Today's topic -- birthdays -- will take care of that.

As much as I'd like to tell you how old I am now -- I'm not one of those types who particularly cares to lie about his age like seemingly so many people in this culture do -- I'm abstaining because of how easy it is to access one's personal information simply by putting month, date, and year together. All the bad guys are getting is month and date, by virtue of inference.

That all said, I had a nice, low-key celebration today. I went to work, received a nice card from my boss and co-workers, received a nice birthday email from my boss which I subsequently printed out, received many other such nice messages from friends, family, acquaintances (via Facebook), and of course my wonderful girlfriend who has sent me now no less than ten birthday related messages or images. :-)

That's not why I'm posting. I'm posting to share an observation about myself in regard to birthdays. For many years throughout childhood and well into adulthood, "the day of" my birthday always felt like a big deal to me, even if I never let on. If I didn't get messages or acknowledgements or even a celebration, I felt real cruddy by the end of the day, and those cruddy feelings lasted at least a couple weeks. (Sadly, these cruddy feelings kinda happened a lot in my late teens and early twenties.)

One cool thing about the therapy group I was in is that it gave the opportunity for members to celebrate their birthdays, and even to celebrate in such a way that they could feel like a child again (in the good sense). I was able to take advantage of that a couple times. Even outside of the group, several different years I arranged celebrations with groups of friends, usually by going to a restaurant or having a friend of mine graciously host it at their house. I'm grateful for all of that.

Another thing about birthday expectation-related feelings is that, when I was a child, being another year older also meant another year bigger, another year taller, another year stronger, and another year better. Granted, when I turned 26, I had that "wait a minute" reaction regarding that, realizing that at 26 I was neither taller nor stronger than I was when I had turned 25. But those deep-down "the day of" hope and expectation feelings lingered. Because, after all, these days only come around once a year.

I don't know if it's because of the kind of personal growth I experienced in the last year -- changing jobs, going back to school, getting out of debt, building up savings -- or other spiritual personal growth, or if it's because for the last year-plus I've been having perhaps the best earthly present I've ever had -- a woman I love in my life who also loves me back. But today as I turn another year, "the day of" no longer has felt pressing. After work, my goal was to get laundry done. I have a fresh batch of clean clothes. Yay! (Half my life ago, I could not for the life of me understand that. Now I do.) My dad treated me to a delicious dinner. No presents. No cards. But that's ok; I got to hang out with him, pick up our food together, and then eat it at home together.

I don't know what it is. But it seems to be what celebrating birthdays is like as an adult. And I don't mind that one bit.

Sermons from Good News: The present of a fresh start

Blogger's Note: On Wednesdays for the foreseeable future, I will be copying and pasting on this blog notes I take in my phone from sermons at the church I attend. My goal is to share both current week sermons (which will be posted on a different day of the week) as well as catch up on the backlog of notes. I want to also clarify that these are not my sermons, but rather the bullet point notes I put together. I enjoy our pastor's messages very much, and more importantly he preaches the Word of God as-is, which means the Spirit of God is imparting wisdom and knowledge through him. To God alone be the glory.

Church 12/12/2020

Offertory scripture:

Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord , who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Psalm 112:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20112:1-2&version=NIV

Sermon series: God's Christmas presents for mankind

Tonight's thesis: the present of a fresh start

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:8-20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%202:8-20&version=NIV

God used Jesus' birth to give us a fresh start. And He doesn't give us a fresh start. He gives it anytime we make a mistake.

God has a way of making things better than the way they were.

God offers you a fresh start.

The case of apostle Peter:

He tells Jesus he would die for Him. But he ended up denying Him three times. But Jesus eventually restores him.

Like He did with Peter, God offers you a fresh start

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you [divinely (agape)] love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you [(philao) with a brotherly love].” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you [divinely (agape)] love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you [(philao) with a brotherly love].” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me [(philao) with a brotherly love]?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you [(philao) with a brotherly love].” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:15-17&version=NIV

^also significance of three times Jesus asks Peter compared with Peter's three denials

God offers YOU a fresh start

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

John 21:1,14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:1,14&version=NKJV

Receive God's present of a fresh start.
God offers you a fresh start!

After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.

John 21:1-3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:1-3&version=NKJV

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Children, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

John 21:4-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:4-14&version=NIV

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Luke 5:1-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%205:1-11&version=NIV

When you quit, you always take others with you

Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus ), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

John 21:2-3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2021:2-3&version=NIV

We know about Peter and the other disciples, because we know how his choice to continue to follow Jesus affects not only the rest of his story but also history. But we don't know about us, as our place in history is still being written, and how choices we have yet to make will affect the future.

John 18 and 21: the only two times when the word "charcoal" is used in the Bible. The first time, Peter was by charcoal and denied Jesus. The second time, Jesus used charcoal to make breakfast for Peter right before He restores him.

Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.

John 18:17-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2018:17-18&version=NKJV

When you decide to go on, you take others with you.

God wants to give you the present of a fresh start.

Sermons from Good News: God is good (Psalm 23:5-6)

Church 4/10/2021

Offertory scripture:

"Even when I don't see it, You're working. Even when I don't feel it, You're working."

Don't blame God when things are going wrong; He's still working. Be able to believe and claim that God is still working. That's faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:6&version=NIV

Sometimes, work for God, when you don't want to work for "the boss."

"When you work this (situation) unto Me, I'm obligated to it."

God is obligated to His Word.

Sermon message:

God is good.

We went through Palm Sunday and saw good God is.

We then went through resurrection Sunday, and saw how good God is.

Psalm 23 tells us this truth too.

God is good and always will be good, because He's God.

Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord.
Psalm 119:65 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20119:65&version=NIV

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=James%201:17&version=NIV

God wants us to have His best.

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:10&version=NIV

God cares for you.

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 John 1:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=3%20John%201:2&version=NIV

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%205:7&version=NIV

He knows us. Like a shepherd knows His sheep, God knows us. He knows the plan He has for us.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%201:6&version=NIV

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
1 Corinthians 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%203:16&version=NIV

God puts things in their proper order. There are times God will touch you on the inside to get your life in order. God will never say you're not the temple of God, a child of God.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%204:30&version=NIV

God wants to bless you for now and for the future. Sometimes He needs to change you to allow for those blessings to come to pass.

Don't ignore what you feel when you feel a change is needed.

God who began a good work in you will see it through to completion until Jesus returns.

Psalm 23 a few weeks ago:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:1-4&version=NIV

Today's focus:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:5-6&version=NIV

#1: God is good in the middle of terribly challenging times.

He prepares a table (or a banquet) for me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 23:5.

God is there with us when we are in the middle of our enemies. God does care.

One illustration of how God prepares a table or banquet for us in the midst of our enemies:

The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
Genesis 18:1-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2018:1-8&version=NIV

The second half of psalm 23:5:

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:5&version=NIV

God will hydrate you, cleanse you, refresh you, anoint you.

#2. God is good when we are dealing with our failures.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:6&version=NIV

When we give in to negative self talk and self beat up, God's mercy and goodness will follow us. God is a God of mercy.

#3. God is good all the time.

"I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Psalm 23:6B.

Dwell = making a decision to dwell with God. To trust God with my today; with my tomorrow; and with my eternity.

Genesis 11: The Tower of Babel

[Candid post alert!]

Usually when I quote from the Word of God (not counting the sermon notes posts I've been putting forth since January), I have things to say, and analyses and insights to share. Not this time. Today I'm just too tired to put together an argument. With the rise in disinformation about COVID, worldwide shutdowns, government crackdowns, and vaccinations, and most concerningly, the widespread and thorough brainwashing and deception on these topics, the world appears on a fast track toward "one world power." My opinions about other events over the last year-plus aside, the two that concern me the most are 1.) a consolidation of power, particularly between our government and us as citizens (the government taking away our rights and freedoms to exercise our own judgments, all for heinously wrong reasons); and 2.) impending persecution on Biblical Christianity (also all for heinously wrong reasons).

The below passage describes to me where pro-worldly humanity not only wants to go but is actively and aggressively pushing to go:

The Tower of Babel

1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward,[a] they found a plain in Shinar[b] and settled there.

3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”

8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel[c]—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Genesis 11:1-8, NIV

The Word of God is always sufficient, but even today, I have nothing else to add. We've been here before. And we are inconceivably choosing not to learn from our own history.

Sermons from Good News: The Resurrection of Jesus, part 3

 PART 3

The resurrection says that Jesus doesn't lie.

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
Matthew 16:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2016:21&version=NLT

Jesus knew ahead of time that He was going to suffer a terrible death and rise again to life.

After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

Matthew 17:22-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2017:22-23&version=NLT

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

Matthew 20:17-19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2020:17-19&version=NLT

Before the resurrection...

Jesus wasn't just killed.

He wasn't just condemned to death.

They seized him. He had the power to stop them. To wit:

Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.
John 18:4-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2018:4-6&version=NIV

Jesus had the power to stop them. But instead, He laid His life down for them. He let them take Him and do all those terrible things to Him. He was spat on, mocked, jeered at, falsely accused, whipped, flogged, had a mock crown (of thorns) put on His head, with the crown beat into His head so it would pierce His head. He was whipped so badly He was lacerated; you could see some of His organs because some of His skin had been torn off. As brutal as "the passion of the Christ" was, it was still tame compared to what Jesus actually endured.

After all that, then Jesus had to carry His cross a distance, from Jerusalem to Golgotha. He was so badly beaten, abused, and worn that they had to get another man, Simon of Cyrene, to basically carry the cross for Him.

And still Jesus prayed for His enemies. He loved His enemies, just like He told us to. "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing."

After He passed away, he was buried in a sealed tomb, with a super huge stone rolled over the entrance to the cave where His tomb lay, with two roman soldiers posted in front to guard the stone.

This was so His body could not be stolen by anyone mortal.

On Sunday, the third day, the following happened:

Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint. Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
Matthew 28:1-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2028:1-7&version=NLT

None of what Jesus suffered held Him down: not the flogging, nor the crown of thorns, nor the nails in His hands or feet, nor the insults, nor the betrayal, nor the abandonment, nor anything else He endured.

We have a choice: believe that God made a way. He sent Jesus to die and then raised Him up.

Jesus doesn't lie.

You'll know you're born again because of your love for one another. Jesus says for us to love each other. He wants us to pray for one another. And to believe that God will meet our needs.

Sermons from Good News: The Resurrection of Jesus, part 2

 PART 2

Through Jesus God offered life

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%205:19&version=NIV

so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%205:21&version=NIV

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%205:21&version=NIV

Jesus never sinned. He was an offering instead for our sins. So that we can be made right with God.

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
John 3:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:3&version=NIV

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
John 3:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:5&version=NIV

To be made alive again spiritually, you need to be born again. To be born again, you need to receive Jesus as Lord and savior.

In John 3, Jesus was explaining this to Nicodemus, one of the elder Pharisees and one of the wisest. However, Nicodemus didn't get it.

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
John 3:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:4&version=NIV

Jesus' answer to Nicodemus' question:

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
John 3:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:6&version=NIV

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
John 3:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:6&version=NLT

How we become born again:

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:16&version=NLT

Adam believed and acted on the wrong thing, therefore he spiritually died. We can believe and act on the right thing, and we can spiritually come alive.

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:9&version=NIV

18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Revelation 1:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Revelation%201:18&version=NIV

I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.
Revelation 1:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Revelation%201:18&version=NLT

Sermons from Good News: The Resurrection of Jesus, part 1

PART 1

Church 4/3/2021

The Resurrection of Jesus

Offertory scriptures

An offering to the church is an act of love, in the same way that God offered His Son as a sacrifice for us.

Thank God for Jesus sacrifice

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:3-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Peter%201:3-4&version=NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:16&version=NIV

Sermon message:

God is good. He wants to bless you. He wants to build your faith. And He loves you.

Sermon thesis: The importance of the resurrection of Jesus.

Knowledge is power.

my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
Hosea 4:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hosea%204:6&version=NIV

If we don't have knowledge, our faith can be destroyed.

We believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ is very important and the center and core of our faith. He died, was buried, and rose again.

But it's not important only to Christians. It's important to every person who has ever lived. Their destiny is determined by what they believe about the death and especially the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore this service is very important. It's an opportunity to bring people to Jesus.

Through Adam death came into the world. Before Adam's sin in Genesis 3, there was no death.

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
Genesis 2:16-17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%202:16-17&version=NIV

Not you will "maybe" die but rather you will certainly die.

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.
Genesis 3:2-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%203:2-4&version=NIV

There are two deaths 1. Physical death. 2. Spiritual death.

God meant spiritual death. Satan tricked Adam. Adam chose to believe Satan instead. When he sinned he didn't physically die, not until many years later, but he did die spiritually.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned —
Romans 5:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%205:12&version=NIV

Sermons from Good News: The present of forgiveness

Blogger's Note: On Wednesdays for the foreseeable future, I will be copying and pasting on this blog notes I take in my phone from sermons at the church I attend. My goal is to share both current week sermons (which will be posted on a different day of the week) as well as catch up on the backlog of notes. I want to also clarify that these are not my sermons, but rather the bullet point notes I put together. I enjoy our pastor's messages very much, and more importantly he preaches the Word of God as-is, which means the Spirit of God is imparting wisdom and knowledge through him. To God alone be the glory.

Church 12/05/2020

Sermon series: God's Christmas presents/presence to mankind

Tonight's thesis: The present of forgiveness

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.

John 8:2-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:2-6&version=NIV

The Pharisees set this up to trap Jesus. If Jesus lets her go, the Pharisees could Point at Him as someone who doesn't love God's law. If He says to stone her, then He would be seen as someone who isn't compassionate, and would lose His popularity with the people. Jesus recognizes this as a setup. His response was to give forgiveness.

Everyone needs forgiveness

7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

John 8:7-9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:7-9&version=NIV

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%207:12&version=NIV

The point is everyone deserves judgment. Everyone has sinned. Everyone needs forgiveness.

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%203:23&version=NIV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%206:23&version=NIV

Why did the Pharisees drop their rocks? Jesus reminded them that they too were also in the same boat as the woman they caught in adultery.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

Psalm 18:25 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2018:25&version=NIV

God wants you to have His present of forgiveness

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:18-21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%201:18-21&version=NIV

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 8:8-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:8-11&version=KJV

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:17&version=KJV

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%206:23&version=KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%203:16&version=KJV

Forgiveness changes you

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

John 8:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:11&version=KJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%201:16&version=KJV

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%202:14&version=NIV

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%202:14&version=KJV

Bottom line: don't put the cart before the horse. RECEIVE JESUS FIRST. Receive His forgiveness. Receive Him into your house and into your heart.