The Kings, Part 4

SERMON NOTES:  

The stories of Israel’s first and most prominent Kings (Saul, David, Solomon) vividly illustrate the contrast between a person driven by pride and fear -vs- person lead by humility and faith!

Prayer and worship are essential to the empowered life of humility and faith.

The two empowering questions to remember when praying and worshiping in humility and faith:

                Who is God and how does He act?

                therefore

                Who am I and how do I act? 

A glimpse into the worship and prayer life of King David:

Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2     He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3     he refreshes my soul.

Psalm 62 My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.

Psalm 51 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

 Psalm 95 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. 3 For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Psalm 23

Tuesday – Psalm 62

Wednesday – Psalm 51

Thursday– Psalm 95

Friday – Psalm 100

Saturday – Psalm 42

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

The Kings, Part 3

SERMON NOTES:  

The stories of Israel’s first and most prominent Kings (Saul, David, Solomon) vividly illustrate the contrast between a person driven by pride and fear -vs- person lead by humility and faith!

“Pride and fear” (as seen in Saul’s life) leave us vulnerable to the influence of diminishment, which constricts our view of “Who we are and What is possible … In Christ”!

The Contrast:

Saul gave in to “diminishment” resulting in an anguished life of fear and pride!

1 Samuel 18 8 Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands.

David renounced diminishment surrendering to a life of humility and faith in Jesus!

1 Samuel 24 “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” 7 With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

What can “renouncing diminishment and living in humility and faith” look like in our lives?

In Christ I Can … follow Jesus with integrity and Zeal!

           In Christ God Does ... beyond what we can ask or imagine!

2 Samuel 7 “‘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.

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 1 Samuel 17:1-6

Tuesday – 1 Samuel 24:1-22

Wednesday – 1 Samuel 31:1-13

Thursday– 2 Samuel 2:1-7

Friday – 2 Samuel 6:1-23

Saturday – 2 Samuel 7:1-29

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

The Kings, Part 2

SERMON NOTES:  

The stories of Israel’s first and most prominent Kings (Saul, David, Solomon) vividly illustrate the contrast between a life driven by pride and fear -vs- life led by humility and faith!  

How did “pride” and “fear” show up in Saul’s life?  (In my life?)

1 Samuel 15 22 But Samuel replied:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. 

How did “humility” and “faith” show up in David’s story?  (In my life?)
Do you see the contrast? 

1 Samuel 17 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

A life of “humility and faith” is powerful because the focus is beyond one’s self to the Lord who “opposes the proud but give grace to the humble!” (1Peter 5:5)

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 1 Samuel 15:1-31

Tuesday – 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Wednesday – 1 Samuel 17:1-24

Thursday– 1 Samuel 17:25-40

Friday – 1 Samuel 17:41-58

Saturday – Psalm 144

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

The Kings, Part 1

SERMON NOTES:  

I and 2 Samuel begin the stories of Israel’s first and most prominent kings:
                                                      Saul, David, & Solomon. 

 These stories vividly contrast “pride -vs- humility” and “fear –vs– faith.” 

 I Samuel 3:10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”  

Samuel is presented as a man of “faith  and humility”. 

I Samuel 8:19-20  But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”

 I Samuel 10:10 When he and his servant arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him;
the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he joined in their prophesying.

 I Samuel 12:20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; 
yet do not turn away from the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.”

 I Samuel 13:11-12 “What have you done?” asked Samuel.
Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.”  

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Tuesday – 1 Samuel 8:1-9

Wednesday – 1 Samuel 10:9-24

Thursday– 1 Samuel 12:9-25

Friday – 1 Samuel 13:1-14

Saturday – Psalm 1

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

Judges, Part 3 "Gideon"

The Book of Judges –    

The Death Spiral                              Samson                                                Gideon

God calls Gideon to a seemingly impossible task for which he is seemingly totally unprepared.

God calls (your name) to a seemingly impossible task for which he is seemingly totally unprepared!

God fills Gideon with the Holy Spirit.

God fills (your name) with the Holy Spirit!

 Judges 7 Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now  announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.”

God gives Gideon something to do. 

God gives (your name) something to do!

God gives Gideon signs along the way.

God gives (your name) signs along the way!

22 When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords. The army fled to Beth Shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel Meholah near Tabbath. 

The victory over the Midianites is secondary.  Trusting God is the story! 

 SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Judges 6:1-16

Tuesday – Judges 6:17-32

Wednesday – Judges 6:33-40

Thursday– Judges 7:1-8a

Friday – Judges 7:8b-14

Saturday – Judges 7:15-25

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

Judges, Part 2 "Samson"

SERMON NOTES:  

Samson’s Fatal Flaws: 

        1. He dishonored his parents.

      2. He underestimated his enemy.

      3. He ignored his vulnerability.

      4. He defiled his purity.

      5. He diminished his potential.

God’s Great Gifts: 

      1. He remembers our faith.

      2. He forgets our failures.

      3. He strengthens our weaknesses.

      4. He pays our penalty.

      5. He prepares our place.

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Psalm 34

Tuesday – Isaiah 43

Wednesday – Ephesians 1

Thursday– Romans 5

Friday – Romans 6

Saturday – Ephesians 3

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

Judges, Part 1 "The Death Spiral"

The Book of Judges –     

How did we get here?      

What’s it about?

The Descending Cycle:

Judges 2:10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger 13 because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

How can I relate?  Is this any way to live? 

Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

 www.thebibleproject.com

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Judges 2:6-15

Tuesday – Judges 2:16-19

Wednesday – Judges 2:20-3:6

Thursday– Romans 8:5-11

Friday – Romans 8:12-17

Saturday – Psalm 32

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7

"How does following Jesus affect my actions as a Citizen?

SERMON NOTES:  

Today’s Panel
Rich Potts (Moderator)

John Frahm, Hayden Stephen, Brenda Watson

”How does following Jesus
affect my actions as a Citizen?”

Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words.16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”   21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.  Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”   22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

I Timothy 2:1-8
I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  ⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all people.  This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.  ⁷And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle - I am telling the truth, I am not lying - and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.  ⁸Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

Romans 13:1
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.

SYNC GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend several minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… … …Ask, “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word!”

Scripture – Read slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there!  (Sermon notes may help with understanding, but don’t stop there.)

Keep asking, “Jesus, what are You saying?  Why this word this day?

What are You asking me to believe about You and about me?  How am I learning to Sync up?

How do I join You today on Your mission and in my transformation?” 

Prayer – Let your conversation with God flow from what He is saying then talk about what you notice is on your heart and also on your list.

Monday – Matthew 22:15-22

Tuesday – 1 Timothy 2:1-8

Wednesday – Romans 13:1-7

Thursday– 1 Peter 2:13-17

Friday – Titus 3:1-8

Saturday – Psalm 46

Got questions?  Continue the discussion.  Follow the link @  https://goo.gl/Jd93J7