Point of Grace Online Worship - November 19, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 11.19.23 Sermon Notes – “Servants of Christ Together - Thanks Giving”

Something wonderful happens in us when we remember that “Thanksgiving” is a “verb” and then act like it.

Mark 6 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. Mark 14 22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 “This is my blood of the[c] covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.

Psalm 100 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 1 Thessalonians 5 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

It is as if “giving thanks” is a key that unlocks a whole lot of “life” that is hidden in plain sight!

e u c h a r i s t e o “give thanks”

c h a r i s “grace”

c h a r a “joy”

Joy is the realist reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy! Ann Voskamp – one thousand gifts

Luke 17 11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[b] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Jesus knows that something beautiful, something vital, something irreplaceably joyful happens in us when we intentionally and substantially return “to give thanks” to Him.

Point of Grace Online Worship - November 12, 2023

Point of Grace Worship        11.12.23    Sermon Notes – “Servants of Christ – TOGETHER” - 5

How do we do life as “Servants of Christ” ……… TOGETHER?

“You can count on me!  Can I count on you?”    
What does this mean as we serve Jesus and others through financial giving?

Why give?   

Why be “sacrificially generous” in our financial offerings?   (when there are so many reasons not to be)

Answer:  Jesus … because He has been so “sacrificially generous” to us! 
            Jesus knows that when His sacrificial love is firmly rooted and trusted in the “born again” heart of His followers…..  
            then “sacrificial generosity” will be the normal, joyful and inevitable response.

1 Corinthians 8

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 
2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 
5 And they exceeded our expectations:
They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 
6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.
 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.
 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 

What happens when God’s sacrificial love and generosity fades to the fringes of our hearts?

Malachi 3
7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 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. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. 

Where do I start?  How do I excel?

Love – Jesus’s generous love flows to me and overflows through me!

First – Giving is the first financial decision not from the left overs!

Percentage –  We give a portion of what we have been given.

Sacrificial – Giving that tangibly affects our lifestyle.

Trust – Giving is an act of trust that God’s generous love will not run out.

Point of Grace Online Worship - November 5, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 11.5.23 Sermon Notes – “Servants of Christ – TOGETHER” - 4

How do we do life as “Servants of Christ” ……… TOGETHER?

“You can count on me! Can I count on you?” What does this mean as we serve God and others through financial giving?

Romans 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. What is our thinking with regards to money and giving and what influences us?

Luke 12 13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 0 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

How is Jesus reframing our thinking about money and giving?

1 Timothy 6 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. Luke 19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

How does financial giving help us live out a Jesus way of thinking about and handling money?

Proverbs 3:5-10 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a] 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Mark 12 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Financial giving helps us HONOR God with all of our being, especially those parts of us that tend to become idols.

Financial giving helps us TRUST God above ourselves for all we need and want …. for everything.

Luke 18 18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’[a]” 21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 29, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 10.29.23 Sermon Notes – “Servants of Christ – TOGETHER” – 3

How do we do life as “Servants of Christ” ……… TOGETHER?

Romans 12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters,

 in view of (through) God’s mercy,

to offer (present) your bodies as a sacrifice,

(that is) living,

holy, (set apart to God, consecrated to Jesus)

pleasing to God—

this is your true and proper (spiritual/reasonable) worship.

Why “God’s mercy”?

“Seculosity”

How career, parenting, technology, food, politics, and romance became our new religion and what to do about it!

by David Zahl 

Romans 3 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness,

Romans 5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, …. 31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 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? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In Christ …… I am ENOUGH!

The “finished and for me” work of Jesus Christ purchased true “enoughness” with my name on it!

It is through this “mercy of God” that we must go in order to present ourselves everyday as “living, holy and pleasing sacrifices” … which is true and proper worship.

Then the rest of Romans 12 makes sense!

How do we present “our everyday all day living” to Jesus as a living, holy, pleasing sacrifice?

We can start by coming to Jesus and telling Him our deep desire!

Jesus, I am here! I am yours!

I come to You now to soak in Your grace and mercy that I so desperately need this day!

Thank you for being my “enough”!

I now present myself and all my living this day to You as an offering – a living sacrifice!

Jesus, I am here! I am yours! You are mine! You lead… I follow!

 Amen

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 22, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 10.22.23 Sermon Notes – “Servants of Christ - TOGETHER!” - 2

How do we do life as “Servants of Christ” ……… TOGETHER?

1 Corinthians 12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Who is in charge of how the servants of Christ are gifted and serve?

Our unity as the Body of Christ does not come from shared “preference” but from shared “Presence”!

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

Each part cannot discount themselves from functioning in the body … nor can the parts discount each other from functioning in the body.

“You can count of me! Can I count on You?”

 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

What do you love about Jesus’ vision of His church?

What is challenging about Jesus’ vision of His church?

How is this unique community of servants possible?

1 Corinthians 13 And yet I will show you the most excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.

Servants of Christ are defined by His love and empowered by His presence as they serve Together - putting God’s heart on display to a watching world.

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 15, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 10.15.23 Sermon Notes – “Servant of Christ!” - 1

Servant ……………………….. Slave

What does it mean to Serve in Jesus name, in my life, in His church and in His Kingdom cause?

What does He have the right to ask of us?

Matthew 20 17 Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 18 “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19 and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!”

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 22 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” they answered. 23 Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”

24 When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

How is the community of Jesus disciples to be different?

In the Kingdom of men self-promotion, personal preference and comfort are highly valued.

In the Kingdom of God humility, self-denial and sacrifice are highly valued.

If I deny “self”…. Who is going to take care of me? Who is watching out for me?

Galatians 2 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 1 Corinthians 6 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Jesus owns me! Jesus is taking care of me! In Christ, I am freed from the cruel taskmasters of sin, self, the world’s priorities and the evil one. I get to be radically available for Jesus to deploy me as His servant (slave) serving in His name. It’s my identity not just something I do!

Luke 17 7 “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? 8 Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? 9 Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? 10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 8, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 10.8.23 Sermon Notes – “B.L.E.S.S. – Story!”

B.L.E.S.S – 5 everyday practices to love our neighbors and change the world

B-egin with Prayer

L-isten

E-at

S-erve

S-tory to Share

Why do the B.L.E.S.S strategy? We are in training! We are growing from hoping people trust Jesus to helping people trust Jesus!

It is amazing to see how our stories, humbly told, help others hope in Jesus!

1 Peter 3 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

John 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him. ”But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” 10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked. 11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”

The man shares his “What difference has Jesus made?” story in a simple 3part paradigm:

Life Before ..... Encounter Jesus …… Life After

Life Then ........ Encounter Jesus …… Life Now

Life Without .… Encounter Jesus …… Life With

Acts 4 5 The next day the rulers, the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.” 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” 13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

It is amazing to see how our stories, humbly told, help others hope in Jesus!

Our Stories – Our testimony is an unfolding series of stories, the “wow” stories and everyday life stories! It takes daily processing of life to notice and be able to talk about the ways Jesus is working in our lives.

Humbly told – Jesus is the Hero – He rescues us, He doesn’t help us rescue ourselves - Jesus sets us up so He can show up – He creates encounters we follow His lead – Remember the “gentleness and respect”

Help others Hope in Jesus – Jesus is the Hope…. Jesus is the savior – Faith is a process not a quick fix! It is a miracle that any of us have a living relationship with Jesus.

A Simple Tool for Storytelling

Part 1 – My Life before Jesus What was your life like before you met Jesus? Or if you grew up knowing Him what was life like when He was less real for you or your faith was less alive? You story begins with who you were.

Part 2 – How I Encountered Jesus How did you become a Christ-follower? When did He become more “real” to you? Was there a tough time in life? Were you invited? Did someone introduce you to Jesus? Was it a point in time or a process of discovery?

Part 3 – The Difference Jesus Makes What difference has following Jesus made in your life? How does He help you walk through the ups and downs of life? Our stories include hard times and good times, success and failure. Jesus shines through our weakness often more than our strengths. Don’t give easy, cliché’ answers – life is not like that. How does Jesus make a difference when we get it wrong, are confused, doubt, struggle……?

Jesus, Help me now reflect on our story together, past and present. When have I encountered Your realness and received Your comfort? When have I been lifted by hope and peaced by Your presence? How are you leading me by Your Spirit and how am I experiencing Your love? Jesus, If given the opportunity today to share about the hope I have in You, what story would I tell – what words would I use?

Point of Grace Online Worship - October 1, 2023

Point of Grace Worship 10.1.23 Sermon Notes – “Blessed to be a B.L.E.S.S.ing”

B.L.E.S.S – 5 everyday practices to love our neighbors and change the world

B-egin with Prayer

L-isten

E-at

S-erve

S-tory to Share

Listen

Being heard is so close to being loved that, for the average person they are indistinguishable -David W. Augsburger

“The first act of love is always the giving of attention” -Dallas Willard

“Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond. Listening is paying full attention to others and welcoming them into our very beings. The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends, to get to know their inner selves more fully, and even to dare to be silent with you.” - Henri Nouwen

1 John 5:13-15 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

“When we have received the Spirit of Jesus as the breath of God breathing within us – that Spirit creates in us a sacred space [middle space] where the other can be received and listened to. The Spirit of Jesus prays in us and listens in us to all who come to us with their sufferings and pains. When we dare to fully trust in the power of God’s Spirit listening in us, we will see true healing occur." - Henri Nouwen

This means that if we have a new life birth in us by the Spirit of Jesus, we can love people selflessly in ways like:

• Listening willingly before being listened to

• Seeking to understand before seeking to be understood

• Being interested before trying to be interesting  

We can be a people who listen, because we are people who have been listened to. Talk is cheap and plentiful, Listening is expensive and rare. How would the world change if we became known as people who listened? - Andrew Cordy

Eat

Jesus’ practice of “radical hospitality” at the table addressed a deep and abiding human need common to us all – the need to BELONG!

Luke 5 27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

Luke 14 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

Jesus’ radically showed that human beings (all of them) “belong” with God!

The absence of this relationship leaves us wanting… always longing to belong!

Serve

John 13:12-17 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Meeting tangible needs of people in Jesus name is an act of grace – unmerited favor that speaks volumes to a skeptical world.

Listening, Eating and Serving the Jesus way display the radical hospitality which was a core value and practice of His and the community of followers He formed.

Why should we dive headlong into these ancient practices of love and radically commit to this kind of lifestyle?

Psalm 23

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.

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