Point of Grace Online Worship - May 2, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 5.2.21 Sermon Notes – Living the NEW Life – Part 4- Easter 2021

The Resurrection means Jesus has a New Life and invites us to join Him – to Live the NEW Life!

Romans 6 “… just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Living the NEW Life frees us

from the life strangling grip of death and fear

because of our new birth into a Living HOPE!

1 Peter 1 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. The Resurrection has made possible for us “new birth” into a Living Hope insuring a future inheritance.

The resurrection of Jesus sealed the victory of the Kingdom of God on earth over sin, death and the devil. Jesus is the first-born from the dead. The resurrection signaled the dawning of the new age even though the old age still exists.

Living Hope in the Resurrected Jesus is the lifeline through which we access “not yet” kingdom benefits for “now” living.

Hope is a lifeline which fuels my “now” living with substantial doses of “not yet” life benefits!

- I get to hear my “future” judgment day verdict “now” and live accordingly, Romans 8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

 - I get to see this “now” life scarred by brokenness and wrongness with “not yet” kingdom eyes,  

- 1 Peter 1 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  

- I can have “not yet kingdom” peace (and appropriate expectations) about what this life can deliver,  

- I can face death with a Life from Jesus that death can’t take away.  

- I can be far more gracious to myself and others because we are not in a mistake-less world,  

- I get to have the identity and purpose of the “not yet” kingdom while living in the “now” world. I take my cues from the risen Lord not the broken world.  

Romans 15 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

NEW Life Living

• Soak Up Hope from the Resurrected Jesus Everyday Join the I BELONG CHALLENGE at www.pog.church

• Overflow with Hope – Seeing yourself and others with “not yet” kingdom eyes.

 Prayer of the Week

Holy and Victorious Trinity - Father, Son, Holy Spirit- I come to you now to be restored in You to be renewed in You to receive your love and Your Life and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I love You, I worship You, I trust You and I give myself over to You in my heart’s search for Life. I renounce all other gods and idols and give myself totally and completely to You. You are my HOPE for Life today and for Life everlasting.

Father, I ask for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I might know You better. I want to know You, Father, deeply and wholly. I pray also that the eyes my heart may be enlightened so that I might know, really know, the HOPE to which You have called me and that I might know the riches of the inheritance You have in store for me and all my brothers and sisters in Christ. I want to live as a person of HOPE.

Jesus, I desire HOPE in You to be the difference maker in how I live this day. HOPE in You lifts my eyes from the downward draw of this worlds priorities to the upward gaze of life in Your presence. I want to live in this world Jesus

but not of this world. Jesus, I believe You have given me a new birth into a Living HOPE through Your resurrection from the dead. I now receive afresh today this new birth, new life and resurrection HOPE - purchased by You and given to me.

Holy Spirit, I open the eyes of my heart to You asking you to pour Your love into my heart and pour resurrection Life into every crack and crevice of my living. I pray that You, the God of HOPE, fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You that I might overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – 1 Peter 1:3-9 Tue – Isaiah 40:28-31 Wed – Romans 5:1-5 Thu – Ephesians 1:18-23 Fri – Romans 15:13 Sat - Psalm 42:1-8

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading.

“Hope in Times of Fear” Timothy Keller

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 25, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 4.25.21 Sermon Notes – Living the NEW Life – Part 4- Easter 2021

The Resurrection means Jesus has a New Life and invites us to join Him – to Live the NEW Life!

Romans 6 “… just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

Living the NEW Life frees us

from the life strangling grip of death and fear

replacing it with COURAGE!

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. 11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 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.

14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say

Where did this “courage” come from?

Acts 4 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.

“Been with Jesus” Courage

I want some of that “Been with Jesus” Courage!

Peter’s “Been with Jesus” Story

- Humbling - When self-reliant arrogance dies so Jesus-dependent confidence can rise,

- Gracious – When soul crushing personal failure gives way to love graced restoration.

- Faith Stretching – When “play it safe” fear is traded for “get out of the boat” faith.  

What’s in my “Been with Jesus” story? What do you want the next chapter to be called?

“Been with Jesus” stories build “Been with Jesus” Courage

The key to “Been with Jesus” Courage is “Being with Jesus”!

NEW Life Living

- Be With Jesus Join the I BELONG CHALLENGE at www.pog.church

- Give Some Life Away with some “Been With Jesus” Courage  

This Week’s Prayer Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in You, to be renewed in You, to receive Your love and your Life and all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day. I love you, I worship You and trust you and surrender my self and my story to You. Today I want to “be with You, Jesus” and live the next chapter of my “been with Jesus” story.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit fill me afresh with Your presence, grace and power. Thank you Father for loving me so well, providing for me so appropriately and caring for my deepest as well as trivial needs. You are a good, good Father. I confess that I often take your daily love and care of me for granted – I regret that and now receive with thanks your complete and total forgiveness.

Holy Spirit, please help me remember and recall the ways you have shown yourself strong in my life. Recalling stories of your goodness, grace and power give me courage to live this day relentlessly dependent on You and live it really well.

Jesus, I deeply desire to live a courageous life in Your name marked by deep faith, surrender to Your calling and filled with the presence of Your Spirit. I renounce fear, anxiety, worry, doubt and self-reliance as the leaders of my heart, mind and living. I receive You Spirit as the master of my mind and leader of my thinking. I trust You Jesus and am overjoyed that I get to live this day fervently following You. I can have courage because You are with me and live in me.

Holy Spirit, lead me into opportunities today which will take courage in order to follow You and be a witness for You in this broken world. I deeply desire the courage to love people well, (perhaps name of the people you already know you are to love well today) to surrender my “self”, to make Spirit inspired decisions, to bring Your kingdom at all times and in every way, to trust Your grace and live with passion the meaningful life You intend for me to live today!

Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Acts 3:1-10 Tue – Acts 3:11-19 Wed – Matthew 14:25-33 Thu – Matthew 16:21-26 Fri – John 21:15-19 Sat - Psalm 40:1-5

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading.

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldridge “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 18, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 4.18.21 Sermon Notes – Living the NEW Life – Part 3- Easter 2021

The Resurrection means Jesus got a New Life and invites to join Him – to Live the NEW Life!

Romans 6 “… just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

This NEW Resurrection Life frees us from the life strangling grip of death and fear!

Can I have NEW Life living with old life thinking?

Romans 8 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you

Our “flesh” for Paul is our “sinful nature”. At its core is “The Self”, “The Exalted Self” who is self-centered, insists on self-rule and is self-ish.

Romans 85 Those who live according to the Self have their minds set on what the Self desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the Self is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the Self is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the Self but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 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. … … 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?

NEW Life Living

- Soak up the Resurrected Jesus and His Holy Spirit Join the I BELONG CHALLENGE at www.pog.church

- Say “YES” to the Spirit’s leading –every time- and say “NO” when Your self tries to take over!  

- Enjoy life giving things and give some life away! Tell somebody how the Risen Jesus has shown up this week?  

This Week’s Prayer Father in Heaven thank you for loving me so much that You gave Your Son Jesus to die for me and rise again. Thank you for the wonderful provision you give me each and every day which sustains me physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually. I praise You! I do not want any of Your blessings in my life to go unnoticed or un-received. I pray the eyes of my heart see all Your goodness to me. Jesus I receive You as my New Life my holiness and my strength. You are victorious over sin, death and the devil and I claim Your victory as my victory this day. I praise you that through Your cross and empty tomb You made it possible for the Holy Spirit to come and take up residence in me. I receive Your Spirit Jesus to live in me forever. Holy Spirit, I love You I worship You, I trust You, I yield every dimension of my spirit, soul and body, heart, mind and will to You and You alone to be filled with You, to walk in step with You in all things. Spirit I receive You now as my counselor, comforter my strength and my guide – I honor You as my sovereign leader and ask You to pilot of my mind through all that is in store for me today. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, restore my union with the Father and the Son throughout the moments of this day, lead me in all truth, anoint me for my life and walk and calling. Lead me deeper into Jesus today.

Father, Son, Holy Spirit I will declare Your praises today as I live the meaningful life You so graciously intend for me to live. Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Romans 8:1-2, 5-8 Tue – Romans 8:9-12 Wed – Galatians 5:16-23 Thu – Romans 8:15-18 Fri – Romans 8:26-28 Sat - John 14:15-18

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading. “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Waking The Dead” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace Online Worship - April 11, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 4.11.21 Sermon Notes – Living the NEW Life – Part 2- Easter 2021

The Resurrection of Jesus changes things! He got a New Life and invites to share in it – to Live the NEW Life! How?

The Resurrection frees humanity from the life strangling grip of death and fear! What are you afraid of?

John 20 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

It is so important to Jesus for His disciples to “get it”- to believe and act like – He’s alive! He relentlessly pursues them … and us!

His vision is that we benefit personally from all He accomplished and become passionate allies in the world!

Fear and Doubt – The Toll It Takes

Doubt gets between me and Jesus! It distances me from the one who has the answer to my fears.

There is a temptation to “settle” on life with crippling doubt instead of healing and growing through it! Satan wants me to doubt my beliefs and believe my doubts.

What does Jesus bring to us so we can lead doubt-less lives!

21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

Where should my effort go in dealing with doubt and fear? Am I embracing the Peace Giver or am I embracing the fear generator?

NEW Life Living

 Soak up the Resurrected Jesus – Join the I BELONG CHALLENGE at www.pog.church

 Do a life giving thing! Refrain from “death dealing” things! Jesus, is this life giving?  

 Give some life away! Tell somebody how the Risen Jesus has shown up this week?  

This Week’s Prayer Father in Heaven, thank you for your deep and abiding love for me and for all people. Thank you for Your gracious provision in all areas of my life. You are a good, good Father. I renounce the enemy’s lies that seek to create doubt in Your goodness to me. I receive You now as my Father in heaven who loves me very much.

Jesus I sincerely receive all the work and triumph of Your cross, death, blood and sacrifice for me through which I am atoned for and ransomed by your blood. I now receive your complete and total forgiveness of all my sins and I take my place in your kingdom as a child of God who is completely reconciled to my Father in heaven.

Jesus, I also receive all the work and triumph of Your resurrection. I receive Your Resurrection Life as my new life to live every day. I renounce all lies of the enemy tempting me to doubt whether the full benefits of Your life, death and resurrection apply to me. I now receive all the blessings and benefits you paid so dearly for me to have.

I confess, God, at times I am all too ready to agree with the lies about Your goodness, love and truth. I have coddled doubt in my mind and heart about You and Your intentions toward me as well as doubt about me, who You say I am and what my true worth and value is according to Your truth. I repent of believing untruth and receive Your complete and total forgiveness.

Holy Spirit, I receive You as the very presence of living God in me, my counselor, comforter, strength and guide. I honor You as my sovereign and yield every dimension, category or part of my life totally and completely to You. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, anoint me for my life today, my walk today and my calling. Lead me deeper and deeper into union with the Father and the Son --- closing the gap created by fear and doubt.

I love being loved and rescued by You Jesus and I will enjoy this day as a child of the Living God. Amen.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – John 20:19-25 Tue – John 14:23-27 Wed – John 20:26-31 Thu – Matthew 14:25-33 Fri – 1 Samuel 17:41-47 Sat - Psalm 27:7-14

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading. “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Waking The Dead” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace - Easter Sunday Worship, April 4, 2021

Point of Grace Worship 4.4.21 Sermon Notes – Living the NEW Life – Easter 2021

The Resurrection of Jesus changed everything!

He got a New Life and invited them to share in it – to Live the NEW Life!

Matthew 28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

- The Resurrection frees humanity from the life strangling grip of death and fear! What are you afraid of?

- The angel invites the women into this New Life! Notice his gentle yet authoritative way! He gives them something to do …… a faith step consistent with NEW LIFE living!

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.

- His Resurrection became their Resurrection to NEW Life (life on the other side of death). John 11 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Ephesians 2 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ Romans 6 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

- Jesus attacks their fear before fear attacks them.

Resurrectionless, old life living looks like this!

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

NEW Life Living

- Soak up the Resurrected Jesus – Join the I BELONG CHALLENGE at www.pog.church

- Do what is life giving! Jesus, is this life giving?

- Give some life away! Tell somebody how the Risen Jesus has shown up this week?

This Week’s Prayer: Jesus, I love You! I worship You! I trust You! I give myself over to You today in my heart’s search for life. Restore me in You! Renew me in You and lead me in this time of prayer.

Jesus, I sincerely receive you as my Life, and I receive all the work and triumph in your resurrection, through which you have conquered sin, death, judgment, and the evil one. Death has no power over you, nor does any foul thing. And I have been raised with you to a new life, to live your life—dead to sin and alive to God.

I take my place now in your resurrection and in your life, and surrender my life to you to live your life. I am saved by your life. I reign in life through your life. I receive your hope, love, faith, joy, your goodness, trueness, wisdom, power, and strength. Apply to me all the work and triumph in your resurrection; I receive it with thanks and I give it total claim to my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will.

I bring the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ over my life today, over my home, my family, my household, over all my kingdom and domain. I bring the resurrection and the empty tomb of Jesus Christ against Satan, against his kingdom, against every foul and unclean spirit which may come against me and mine this day.

Jesus, please help me see and seize every opportunity to choose “living life” over “dealing death” this week. I am so excited that you called me to be a Life giver, giving away Life to all around me in creative and simple ways. Thank you Jesus for giving me New Life through Your Resurrection from the dead!

Amen.

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 Tue – Matthew 28:1-7 Wed – Matthew 28:8-15 Thu – John 11:21-26 Fri – Ephesians 2:4-10 Sat - Psalm 16-5-11

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.

Helps: Join the “I BELONG” Challenge Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab. After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading. “Sermon Resources” for this week from pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Waking The Dead” by John Eldredge

“Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge

Point of Grace - Good Friday Worship, April 2, 2021

Point of Grace - Maundy Thursday Worship, April 1, 2021

Point of Grace Online Worship - March 28, 2021

Point of Grace Worship         3.28.21     Sermon Notes – Expectations for a Savior – Palm Sunday 2021

Through the layers of Palm Sunday, Matthew is setting up a challenge for his readers to ask the question themselves:
“Who is Jesus and what do I expect from Him?”

Matthew 19

29 As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. 30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
31 The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
32 Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
33 “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”
34 Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Son of David?

                   “‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: 12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son.                                                            - 2 Samuel 7

God’s savior was going to be from the house and line of David. To accept the title “Son of David” was to accept the role of savior.

The blind men know exactly who Jesus is.

 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
5 “Say to Daughter Zion,
    ‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
    and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”

Why a donkey?

6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Why Palms?

12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them.

By flipping over the tables Jesus made room for those who needed him.

The flow of the temple stopped. People were prevented from the old way of connection with God, and yet in the presence of Jesus they found God himself.

15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.
16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”
17 And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

Blind men vs. the Pharisees

Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted,

“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts,

“Hosanna to the Son of David,” 

they were indignant.

 Matthew presents us with a challenge:

Am I going to be like the Pharisees

OR

am I going to be like the blind men? 

Every time God chooses to reform His church there are tables that need to be flipped to make room for the new ways God wants to work.

I don’t want to miss what God is doing because I am too focused
on overturned tables.

Matthew is subtly challenging our ideas of what we need to be saved from.

“What Palm am I waving?”  

Afterthoughts for 2021 - Thursday @ 7

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week.
The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon –  Matthew 20:29-33
Tue –   Matthew 21:1-5
Wed – Isaiah 52: 7-15
Thu –  Matthew 26:26-30
Fri –   Matthew 27:45-51
Sat  - Psalm 30:1-5

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!  I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?”  Talk about what you notice is on your heart.  Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you. 

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved. 

Helps:   Join the “I BELONG” Challenge 
Go to pog.church and click the “I BELONG CHALLENGE” menu tab.  After you sign up you will get a daily email with the daily reading.
“Sermon Resources” for this week from Pog.church

“Union with Christ” by Rankin Wilbourne

 The “One Minute Pause” App from your app store

“Get Your Life Back” by John Eldredge

 “Restoration Year – A 365 Day Devotional” by John Eldredge