Church notes 1/9/2021
Offertory scripture:
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112:5-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20112:5-7&version=NIV
Sermon message:
God wants you blessed. Every season. No matter what.
Five important things God wants you to know: (from Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus)
(Context: Paul is in prison at this time. Ephesus is a big city; it has a big pagan temple; it also has one of the biggest Christian churches in the city. In other words, lots of darkness but also light.)
God wants us to know Him more
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
Ephesians 1:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%201:17&version=NIV
(God knows your heart. God wants us to know His heart. God wants to restore you and bless you; that's why.)
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. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:7-10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%206:7-10&version=NIV
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Galatians 6:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%206:1&version=NIV
God wants you to know you can still have hope.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Ephesians 1:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%201:18&version=NIV
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2041:10&version=NIV
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:7&version=NIV
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Psalm 54:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2054:4&version=NIV
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Romans 8:31-33 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%208:31-33&version=NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%208:28&version=NIV
God wants you to know how HE sees YOU.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Ephesians 1:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%201:18&version=NIV
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 7:9-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%207:9-11&version=NIV
God wants you to know His power is available to you.
and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength
Ephesians 1:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%201:19&version=NIV
he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:20-21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%201:20-21&version=NIV
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Timothy%203:1-5&version=NIV
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20John%204:4&version=NIV
God wants you to know peace in hard times.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%202:14&version=NIV
While you're on earth you can have peace. But it doesn't mean that there will be peace in the earth. It means you can have peace in the middle of the storm.
Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.
Genesis 28:10-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2028:10-11&version=NIV
He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord , the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. ”
Genesis 28:12-15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2028:12-15&version=NIV
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”
Genesis 28:16-17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2028:16-17&version=NIV
Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.
Genesis 28:18-19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2028:18-19&version=NIV
Jacob lays the stone (aka his problem) and lays it down at the altar before God.
He takes oil and anoints the problem.
He speaks Word of faith (renames the town Bethel: the house of God)
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