Simplify Christmas - Celebrate Christ, Advent Part 3 "Rejoice"

SERMON NOTES:  

Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 3 – “Rejoice!”

We simplify Christmas by clarifying our focus - on Christ!

Colossians 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Advent 1 – Coming!
Advent 2 – Prepare!

Mark 1  “The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Jesus

Advent 3 – Rejoice!

Philippians 4 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Zephaniah 3
14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!  Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,  Daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away your punishment,  he has turned back your enemy.
   The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you;  never again will you fear any harm.
16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you;
    in his love he will no longer rebuke you,  but will rejoice over you with singing.”

 This week’s Remember Verse:

“Rejoice in the Lord always!  I will say it again, REJOICE! Philippians 4:4

The Anatomy of “Rejoice!”: 

 Vs. 14  What do we do?              We sing, shout aloud, be glad, rejoice with all our heart!
Vs. 15  What does God do?        He takes way punishment, defeats enemies, comes to be with us!
Vs. 16  What do we NOT do?     We do not fear and do not give up!
Vs. 17  What is God doing?        He is with us and is mighty to save!   He delights in us!  His love insures that “rebuke” is not His last word to us but rejoices over us with singing!

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using the Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Rejoice”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Philippians 4:4-9

Tuesday – Zephaniah 3:14-20

Wednesday – Psalm 13

Thursday– Luke 1:39-56

Friday – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-23

Saturday – Psalm 118:15-29

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

Simplify Christmas - Celebrate Christ, Advent Part 2 "Prepare"

SERMON NOTES:  

   Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 2 – “Prepare!”

We simplify Christmas by clarifying our focus - on Christ!

Colossians 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Advent 1 – Coming!
Advent 2 – Prepare!

Luke 3 The word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all people will see God’s salvation.’”
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’

How do you get ready for God?    Repentance - “change of thinking and then acting like it”,
turning from self and self’s ways to Jesus and His ways! 

It is a bold “yes” to God and a bold “no” to all other paths!

Repentance is a step of faith including sorrow for sins, receiving of forgiveness and then acting like it.

Repentance is our friend not our enemy nor an occasional necessity.  It is a way of life!  We get to change our mind, heart and actions toward God again and again and again and again …!

This week’s Remember Verse:
“The time has come; the kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!” - Jesus
Mark 1:15

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using the Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Prepare”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Luke 3:1-20

Tuesday – Matthew 11:1-15

Wednesday – Malachi 3:1-7

Thursday– John 1:19-34

Friday – Luke 1:57-80

Saturday – Psalm 51

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

Simplify Christmas - Celebrate Christ, Advent Part 1 "Coming"

SERMON NOTES:  

Simplify Christmas – Celebrate Christ!
         Advent 1 – “Coming!”

How does celebrating Christ simplify Christmas?

Colossians 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.

Simplicity comes through clarity of focus even for Christmas!

How?

Advent – Coming!

We celebrate Jesus – our Advent God – the Coming One – God on the move – towards us!

3 Advents-  He came then – He comes now – He will come again …

No matter where we find ourselves He is on the move to rescue!    Let Him!

 This week’s Remember Verse:

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2

Luke 19 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Psalm 24 7 Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8 Who is this King of glory?    The Lord strong and mighty,  the Lord mighty in battle.

Simplify Christmas

Celebrate Christ!

How?  Raise your Gaze! Focus on Christ as you simplify Christmas by using Advent Devotion booklet and the following Scriptures that coincide with today’s Advent sermon, “Coming”.  Enjoy!

Monday – Colossians 3:1-4

Tuesday – Psalm 24

Wednesday – Luke 19:28-40

Thursday– John 12:12-19

Friday – Revelation 3:19-22

Saturday – Psalm 118:19-29

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

"The Lies We Believe!" Part 3 - Replacing Lies with Truth

SERMON NOTES:  

“The Lies We Believe!”
Part 3 – Replacing Lies with Truth

Ephesians 6 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist….. 

John 8 He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

An agreement happens when we “agree” with an untruth in our inner being.  The enemy often tempts us to enter into agreements in times of vulnerability and weakness and then continues to use them to rob us of joy, hope and life.  They can be deep and long term or mundane even appearing normal.

John 10   10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

1 Peter 5 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith!

How do we deal with agreements?

Ask for help from Jesus (and others)!

Name the agreement as best you can!     
            You will know them by their fruit.
            Notice “always” and “never” declarations.
            Notice agreements in the categories of “You”, “Others” and “God”!

Renounce the agreement in the authority of Jesus name! 
                Repent and receive forgiveness for sins associated with the agreement!

Reclaim Truth in this area of life!  Speak and own scriptural truth for one’s self!
                Reclaim what has been lost and invite Jesus to heal.
                     

John 8 31  “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Ephesians 6  17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The Truth we believe:

Romans 8   Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

John 8  “If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

1 John 3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

John 10   Jesus said, 10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

Joshua 1 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. 

1 Peter 5  6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.   7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 

Ephesians 2 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Philippians 4 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  7 And  the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Proverbs 3 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.

Listen to these two Podcasts:  “Agreements” part 1 and 2  at Ransomed Heart Ministries
www.ransomedheart.com/rhplay/podcast/agreements-part-1

www.ransomedheart.com/rhplay/podcast/agreements-part-2

This Week’s Readings:  spend time in Solitude with Scripture & Prayer. Allowing God to speak to you this week. 

Monday – Romans 8:1-11

Tuesday – Joshua 1:1-9

Wednesday – Ephesians 2:1-10

Thursday– Psalm 23

Friday – Proverbs 3:1-12

Saturday – Psalm 42

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

"The Lies We Believe!" Part 2 - Renouncing Agreements

SERMON NOTES:  

“The Lies We Believe!”
Part 2 – Renouncing Agreements

Ephesians 6 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, 

An agreement happens when we “agree” with an untruth in our inner being.  The enemy often tempts us to enter into agreements in times of vulnerability and weakness and then continues to use them to rob us of joy, hope and life.  They can be deep and long term or mundane even appearing normal.

John 8 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free……… He (the devil) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 10   10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

1 Peter 5 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith!

Ask – Name – Renounce – Reclaim

Ask for help from Jesus and others!

Name the agreement the best you can!     
            You will know them by their fruit.
            Notice “always” and “never” declarations.
               Notice agreements in the categories of “You”, “Others” and “God”!

Renounce the agreement in Jesus name! 
                Repent and receive forgiveness for sins associated with the agreement!

Reclaim Truth in this area of life!  Speak scriptural truth over one’s self, with thanksgiving.
                Reclaim what has been lost and invite Jesus to heal.
                     

STUDY GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

“Why is it that we have ‘SLOW’ when God appears to delight in it? Lord, help me take steps today to slow down and live more attentively to the voice of Jesus. “

 Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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 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.

Finish – Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – John 10:1-10

Tuesday – John 10:11-18

Wednesday – John 10:19-33

Thursday– Psalm 118:1-8, 19-29

Friday – Luke 17:11-19

Saturday – Luke 11:14-28

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

"The Lies We Believe!" Part 1 - Agreements?

SERMON NOTES:  

“The Lies We Believe!”

Part 1 - Agreements?

Ephesians 6 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, 

John 8 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free………
44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 

An agreement, in this sense, happens when we “agree” with an untruth in our inner being.  The enemy often tempts us to enter into agreements in times of vulnerability and weakness and then continues to use them to rob us of joy, hope and life.  They can be deep and long term or mundane even appearing normal.

Help with identifying agreements:

1.       Ask Jesus to help you see what they are.

2.       Pay Attention to your thoughts, words and actions especially when stressed or anxious which include some aspect of judgement or accusation against yourself, God or others!

Agreements can dramatically affect how we interpret daily life - BUT can be renounced, broken and retruthed in the name of Jesus!               “If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.” – Jesus

1 Peter 5 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith!

STUDY GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

“Why is it that we have ‘SLOW’ when God appears to delight in it? Lord, help me take steps today to slow down and live more attentively to the voice of Jesus. “

 Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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 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.

Finish – Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – John 8:31-47

Tuesday – Luke 4:1-13

Wednesday – Genesis 3:1-7

Thursday– Ephesians 6:10-18

Friday – 1 Peter 5:5-11

Saturday – Psalm 96

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

"Emotionally Healthy Spirituality!" Becoming Mature - Loving Well

SERMON NOTES:  

“Emotionally Healthy Spirituality!”
 Becoming Mature – Loving Well

The joining of emotional health and contemplative spirituality takes us below the surface of our lives so Jesus can heal and transform.

At the heart of living as a follower of Jesus – Christian spirituality - is living a life of love - loving God, others and myself well! This is emotionally healthy spirituality. 
Jesus reconciled us to our Father in heaven through His death and resurrection.  We can now live this reconciled life of love by faith.  Love is always the fruit of this reconciled life with God.

John 7 “38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.

Luke 10 27‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The Challenge

We can be chronologically mature and emotionally immature! Emotional immaturity really trips up our capacity to love well because at the heart of our sinful nature is acute narcissism!

How am I doing on my maturity journey?
(EHS pg.168-169)

Infant -
Child -
Adolescent -
Adult –

The Hope
In Christ I have hope!   I can mature in love as I practice the presence of God, the presence of others and the presence of me in light of Jesus!

STUDY GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

“Why is it that we have ‘SLOW’ when God appears to delight in it? Lord, help me take steps today to slow down and live more attentively to the voice of Jesus. “ (Day by Day p 34)

 Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWO 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 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.

Finish – Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – John 7:37-43

Tuesday – Luke 10:25-37

Wednesday – Mark 10:17-30

Thursday– Mark 5:21-36

Friday – Romans 5:1-5

Saturday – Galatians 5:19-26

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

"Emotionally Healthy Spirituality!" Rhythms and Structure

SERMON NOTES:  

The joining of emotional health and contemplative spirituality takes us below the surface of our lives so Jesus can heal and transform.

Remember: Jesus is the one who heals and transforms!

John 15 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 

 Matthew 11 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Psalm 37 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

Psalm 46 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

How do we practically “remain in Jesus”, “come to Jesus”, “find rest”, “be still” in our very busy, hurried, distracted world?

Daily and weekly rhythms (such as Daily Office and Sabbath) set us up well to experience “union with God” as a way of life?

Stopping, centering, silence, scripture and prayer are daily lifelines with Jesus! 

Stopping, resting, delighting and contemplating God and His gifts are beautiful elements of “Sabbath” God wants us to experience.

Rhythms and structure in our spiritual life is intended as a “want to” for connection with Jesus and not a “have to” for pleasing God!  

STUDY GUIDE

SOLITUDE, SCRIPTURE, AND PRAYER

Silence and stillness helps us to enter into awareness of God’s presence and to rest there in His love.  We stop our activity and turn our attention to the Living God. In a posture of attentiveness and surrender, we allow Him and His will access to the innermost parts of our lives.  This is the very core of being in loving union with Him.  - Peter Scazzero      

Find a quiet place and 15 minutes.

Solitude – Spend TWOl 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 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.

Finish – Spend TWO minutes again with God

Monday – John 15:1-6

Tuesday – Psalm 46

Wednesday – Matthew 11:25-30

Thursday– Psalm 119:9-16

Friday – John 7:37-39

Saturday – Psalm 1

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