Church of the Nazarene

http://bible.com/events/48714714 One Way "Who do you say that I am?" John 20:31NIV 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. "I am the bread of life" (John 6:22)"I am the light of the world" (John 8:12)"I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:1-18)"I am the good shepherd" (John 10:1-18)"I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:17)"I am the way, the truth, the life" (John 14:6)"I am the true vine" (John 15:1-6) John 13:19-21NIV 19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” 21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you is going to betray me.” John 14:1-10NIV 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Do you know Him? Do you want to know Him?

Ephesians 3:10-11 His (God’s) intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Acts 19:8-20 8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. 11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[c] 20 In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

http://bible.com/events/48709308 Regret Prevention Part 3: I Would Have Given More Generously It doesn’t matter how much you accomplished or how much you accumulated. One day the game will end and it will all go back in the box. We are focusing on avoiding future regrets by focusing on two of the most common regrets people report as they near the end of life:-Last week: I would have loved more deeply.-This week: I would have given more generously. Acts 2:44-47NIV 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. From the very beginning, followers of Jesus were characterized by radical generosity. Luke 21:1-4NIV 1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” God’s economy, generosity is much more about the WHY than the WHAT.-The truth is, our stuff has the power to imprison us.-The widow's gift is one of deep love, devotion, and total trust. In this moment, she is demonstrating freedom. How do we practice this radical generosity both individually and within community?-We give-We serve What would it look like today for each one of us to ask God this question: "How can I be more generous?"

http://bible.com/events/48704984 Regret Prevention Part 2: I Would Have Loved More Deeply • There is hope on the other side of our regret! We are focusing on avoiding one of the most common regrets people report as they near the end of life: I would have loved more deeply.-We are exploring the importance of love as the guiding focus of life – loving God and loving people.-You’ll find that love is the great antidote to regret. Matthew 22:34-40NIV 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Greek word for love: agapaō – means to love dearly, to welcome unconditionally. Point 1: We don’t know how dearly we are loved. “If you want to know God and if you want the world to know him, you will have to saturate in this love. It may seem uncomfortably selfish at times to bathe in the love of God so thoroughly and personally, but it’s the only way you can become the vessel of love he is creating you to be. You will be able to love others only to the extent that you experience his love for yourself. You will forgive other only to the extent that you have experienced forgiveness yourself. You will bless others only to the extent you have understood blessings in your own life. Your capacity to love depends entirely on your capacity to receive it. It will shape your life more than any other force.” -Chris Tiegreen Point 2: We make love about our feelings but really love is defined by our actions. 1 Corinthians 13:3-8NIV 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:13NIV 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.Add your private notes...• • •Greek word for bear: steg'-o: to roof over, i.e. (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure patiently) -- (for-)bear, suffer. Love protects. It bears; it does not bare. Point 3: We don’t give love the final word. Trust God today and take the next step to prevent any further regret.

http://bible.com/events/48704984 Regret Prevention Part 2: I Would Have Loved More Deeply There is hope on the other side of our regret! We are focusing on avoiding one of the most common regrets people report as they near the end of life: I would have loved more deeply.-We are exploring the importance of love as the guiding focus of life – loving God and loving people.-You’ll find that love is the great antidote to regret. Matthew 22:34-40NIV 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Greek word for love: agapaō – means to love dearly, to welcome unconditionally. Point 1: We don’t know how dearly we are loved. If you want to know God and if you want the world to know him, you will have to saturate in this love. It may seem uncomfortably selfish at times to bathe in the love of God so thoroughly and personally, but it’s the only way you can become the vessel of love he is creating you to be. You will be able to love others only to the extent that you experience his love for yourself. You will forgive other only to the extent that you have experienced forgiveness yourself. You will bless others only to the extent you have understood blessings in your own life. Your capacity to love depends entirely on your capacity to receive it. It will shape your life more than any other force.” -Chris Tiegreen Point 2: We make love about our feelings but really love is defined by our actions. 1 Corinthians 13:3-8NIV 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 1 Corinthians 13:13NIV 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. •Greek word for bear: steg'-o: to roof over, i.e. (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure patiently) -- (for-)bear, suffer. Love protects. It bears; it does not bare. Point 3: We don’t give love the final word. Trust God today and take the next step to prevent any further regret.

http://bible.com/events/48701354 Regret Prevention Part 1: An Introduction to Regret “Life always plays in a forward direction; it never goes backward.” John Ortberg • • • So what do I do with my regret? • • • Matthew 26:31-35NIV 31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. • • • -Peter’s story is one of the most profound stories of regret in all the Bible. -Great regret is often preceded by great expectation: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” • • • Luke 22:54-62NIV 54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”“Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. • • • -This series is about living in such a way that we AVOID regret. But what do you do with the ones you have? What do I do with my regret? -Perhaps the most important question is: What does Jesus do with them? Add your private notes… • • • John 21:1-14NIV 1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”“No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. • • • -Even with all the pain of his regret, Peter immediately pursues Jesus. -Too often in our regret we are tempted to run from God instead of running to Him. Add your private notes… • • • Bottom Line: When you regret, there is only one place to run.

http://bible.com/events/48701354 Regret Prevention Part 1: An Introduction to Regret “Life always plays in a forward direction; it never goes backward.” John Ortberg • • • So what do I do with my regret? • • • Matthew 26:31-35NIV 31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same. • • • -Peter’s story is one of the most profound stories of regret in all the Bible. -Great regret is often preceded by great expectation: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Add your private notes… • • • Luke 22:54-62NIV 54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”“ Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly. • • • -This series is about living in such a way that we AVOID regret. But what do you do with the ones you have? What do I do with my regret? -Perhaps the most important question is: What does Jesus do with them? • • • John 21:1-14NIV 1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”“No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. • • • -Even with all the pain of his regret, Peter immediately pursues Jesus. -Too often in our regret we are tempted to run from God instead of running to Him. Add your private notes… • • • Bottom Line: When you regret, there is only one place to run.

https://bible.com/events/48696920 Psalms for Now, Psalm 23 – My Care Psalms 23:1-6NIV 1 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. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  4 Even though I walkthrough the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 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. • • • If Psalm 23 asks a question it may be “Who will care for me?” • • • Provision for our flourishing (verse 2-3) Phillip Keller writes in his book “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” “sheep do not lie down easily and will not unless four conditions are met. Because they are timid, they will not lie down if they are afraid. Because they are social animals, they will not lie down if there is friction among the sheep. If flies or parasites trouble them, they will not lie down. Finally, if sheep are anxious about food or hungry, they will not lie down. Rest comes because the shepherd has dealt with fear, friction, flies, and famine.” • • • Protection in our peril (verse 4-5) • • • Confidence for the future (verse 6) Romans 8:38-39 NIV For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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.

https://bible.com/events/48696920 Psalms for Now, Psalm 23 – My Care Psalms 23:1-6NIV 1 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. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walkthrough the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff ,they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lordforever. • • • If Psalm 23 asks a question it may be “Who will care for me?” • • • Provision for our flourishing (verse 2-3) Phillip Keller writes in his book “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” “sheep do not lie down easily and will not unless four conditions are met. Because they are timid, they will not lie down if they are afraid. Because they are social animals, they will not lie down if there is friction among the sheep. If flies or parasites trouble them, they will not lie down. Finally, if sheep are anxious about food or hungry, they will not lie down. Rest comes because the shepherd has dealt with fear, friction, flies, and famine.” • • • Protection in our peril (verse 4-5) • • • Confidence for the future (verse 6) Romans 8:38-39 NIV For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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.

http://bible.com/events/48693634 Psalms for Now, Psalm 91 – My Protection   • Share Event • Locations and Times Psalms 91:1-16NIV 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night ,nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Add your private notes… • • • The question Psalm 91 addresses: “Who will protect me?” Add your private notes… • • • The truth of Psalm 91: God offers you protection Add your private notes… • • • “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ ” Psalm 91:1-2 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 -The context of this psalm is set within (verse 1) a relationship of connection, and a relationship of trust (verse 2) . -It’s as if the psalmist is saying “No matter what is happening around me, I trust you, and I trust in your protection of me” -The powerful truth of Psalm 91 is this: God offers protection…for those who love Him, for those who trust Him, for those who dwell and abide so near to Him that they are resting in His shadow. Add your private notes… • • • The tension of Psalm 91: What about those who don’t appear protected? Add your private notes… • • • Luke 21:16-19NIV 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life. Add your private notes… • • • The proclamation of Psalm 91 goes like this: “Not only I will protect you FROM all trouble, I will protect you IN all trouble.” Add your private notes… • • • Other Scriptures for Study/Reflection -Ruth 2:12 -Matthew 23:37 -Psalm 17:8 -Psalm 57:1 -Ephesians 6:10-18 -Isaiah 54:17

http://bible.com/events/48693634 Psalms for Now, Psalm 91 – My Protection   • Share Event • Locations and Times Psalms 91:1-16NIV 1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, 10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Add your private notes… • • • The question Psalm 91 addresses: “Who will protect me?” Add your private notes… • • • The truth of Psalm 91: God offers you protection Add your private notes… • • • “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ ” Psalm 91:1-2 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 -The context of this psalm is set within (verse 1) a relationship of connection, and a relationship of trust (verse 2) . -It’s as if the psalmist is saying “No matter what is happening around me, I trust you, and I trust in your protection of me” -The powerful truth of Psalm 91 is this: God offers protection…for those who love Him, for those who trust Him, for those who dwell and abide so near to Him that they are resting in His shadow. Add your private notes… • • • The tension of Psalm 91: What about those who don’t appear protected? Add your private notes… • • • Luke 21:16-19NIV 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life. Add your private notes… • • • The proclamation of Psalm 91 goes like this: “Not only I will protect you FROM all trouble, I will protect you IN all trouble.” Add your private notes… • • • Other Scriptures for Study/Reflection -Ruth 2:12 -Matthew 23:37 -Psalm 17:8 -Psalm 57:1 -Ephesians 6:10-18 -Isaiah 54:17

http://bible.com/events/48691287 Psalms for Now, Psalm 51 – My Sin   • Share Event • Locations and Times Thousands of years ago, a collection of lyrical poems were written. This collection was originally titled, Tehillim, in Hebrew, which means “praise songs”. Today we know them in our Bible as the Book of Psalms. Throughout this series, we are going to study three specific Psalms in order to understand how they can impact us today. Add your private notes… • • • Psalms 51:1-19NIV 1 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. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar. Add your private notes… • • • “What do I do with my sin?” That’s the question David was faced with in response to the terrible sins he committed. And the question is the same for us today. Add your private notes… • • • Psalm 51 is a psalm of repentance. What is repentance? The term throughout Scripture is often translated “to turn” or “to return”. Repentance is admitting you have strayed and, in response, returning to God. Add your private notes… • • • David begins with confession. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”. Psalm 51:3-5 Add your private notes… • • • After confessing, next comes choosing the path of repentance. Consider the words/phrases David uses throughout Psalm 51: -Cleanse me -Blot out my iniquity -Create in me a pure heart -Renew my spirit -Restore joy -Sustain me -Deliver me Add your private notes… • • • Bottom Line: It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. Bring it to Him.

http://bible.com/events/48691287 Psalms for Now, Psalm 51 – My Sin   • Share Event • Locations and Times Thousands of years ago, a collection of lyrical poems were written. This collection was originally titled, Tehillim, in Hebrew, which means “praise songs”. Today we know them in our Bible as the Book of Psalms. Throughout this series, we are going to study three specific Psalms in order to understand how they can impact us today. Add your private notes… • • • Psalms 51:1-19NIV 1 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. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. 16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. 18 May it please you to prosper Zion, to build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole; then bulls will be offered on your altar. Add your private notes… • • • “What do I do with my sin?” That’s the question David was faced with in response to the terrible sins he committed. And the question is the same for us today. Add your private notes… • • • Psalm 51 is a psalm of repentance. What is repentance? The term throughout Scripture is often translated “to turn” or “to return”. Repentance is admitting you have strayed and, in response, returning to God. Add your private notes… • • • David begins with confession. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me”. Psalm 51:3-5 Add your private notes… • • • After confessing, next comes choosing the path of repentance. Consider the words/phrases David uses throughout Psalm 51: -Cleanse me -Blot out my iniquity -Create in me a pure heart -Renew my spirit -Restore joy -Sustain me -Deliver me Add your private notes… • • • Bottom Line: It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. Bring it to Him.P

http://bible.com/events/48685328 Isaiah 61:1-3NIV1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes,the oil of joyinstead of mourning,and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lordfor the display of his splendor. Add your private notes… • • • 3 Trades and a Consequence Part 1: God offers value for worthlessness, re-construction for de-construction, life for death….Beauty for Ashes. Part 2: God offers recovery from the most traumatic moments, even moments of mourning and grief. He anoints us out of those periods into joy and even celebration as only He can. Part 3: God offers a way out of longer-term sadness, anxiety, worry or depression. Praise transforms us, even in despair. Today: What are the ramifications of the power of God at work in our lives through these trades? Oaks of Righteousness Add your private notes… • • • The tree is an important metaphor throughout Scripture: Jeremiah 17:8 “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.” tree = courage, fruitfulness, absence of worry Psalm 1:3 “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” tree = fruitfulness, life, prosperity in God Other examples: Romans 11:17-21, Psalm 52:8-9 Add your private notes… • • • God restoring us… God planting us… God growing us…. God strengthening us… God sustaining us…. God connecting us…. Add your private notes… • • • Morgan’s Story Experience a real life story of God’s restoration in Morgan’s life. https://youtu.be/CBediHCfL74 • • • Other Scriptures for Study/Reflection -Isaiah 12:3 -Ephesians 3:17 -Mark 11:12-25 -Romans 11:17-21 -Psalm 52:8-9

http://bible.com/events/48685328 Isaiah 61:1-3NIV1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Add your private notes… • • • 3 Trades and a Consequence Part 1: God offers value for worthlessness, re-construction for de-construction, life for death….Beauty for Ashes. Part 2: God offers recovery from the most traumatic moments, even moments of mourning and grief. He anoints us out of those periods into joy and even celebration as only He can. Part 3: God offers a way out of longer-term sadness, anxiety, worry or depression. Praise transforms us, even in despair. Today: What are the ramifications of the power of God at work in our lives through these trades? Oaks of Righteousness Add your private notes… • • • The tree is an important metaphor throughout Scripture: Jeremiah 17:8 “They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.” tree = courage, fruitfulness, absence of worry Psalm 1:3 “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” tree = fruitfulness, life, prosperity in God Other examples: Romans 11:17-21, Psalm 52:8-9 Add your private notes… • • • God restoring us… God planting us… God growing us…. God strengthening us… God sustaining us…. God connecting us…. Add your private notes… • • • Morgan’s Story Experience a real life story of God’s restoration in Morgan’s life. https://youtu.be/CBediHCfL74 • • • Other Scriptures for Study/Reflection -Isaiah 12:3 -Ephesians 3:17 -Mark 11:12-25 -Romans 11:17-21 -Psalm 52:8-9

http://bible.com/events/48680972 Beauty for Ashes, Part 3: Praise for Despair Isaiah 61:1-3 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.   “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” “spirit of despair” -That Hebrew term for spirit is “rûaḥ” and gives the sense of something having descended on us in torment. -As opposed to mourning, which is event-driven, the “spirit of despair” tends to “move in” and stay with a person in the form of fear, anxiety, chronic sadness.     “garment of praise” -The Hebrew word here is like something wrapped around us. God Himself puts it on us to wear throughout our day. -Our God wants to give you praise even in your despair.       Praise is God’s antidote for despair.   Psalms 40:1-3NIV 1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth ,a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalms 103:1-5NIV 1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 42:11NIV 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 119:164NIV 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. When we praise God, there is renewal happening: -renewal of our focus: praise takes the focus off of us, and puts it back on the Lord. -renewal of our mind: the voice of despair is hopeless and overwhelming, but when we praise we are actually allowing our thoughts to be reformatted. -renewal of our time: what if praise was so important that we plan our day around it?       Shannon’s Story Experience a real life story of God’s renewal in Shannon’s life, even in the midst of despair. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Qbxyw7CNQ

Beauty for Ashes, Part 2: Joy for Mourning   • Share Event • Locations and Times Week 1: In Christ there is always beauty on the other side of your ashes. -Pastor Adrian Add your private notes… • • • Isaiah 61:1-3NIV 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Add your private notes… • • • Luke 4:16-19NIV 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Add your private notes… • • • Joy for Mourning Add your private notes… • • • Isaiah 61:3NIV 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Add your private notes… • • • What is THIS joy? Add your private notes… • • • Romans 14:17NIV 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, Add your private notes… • • • Why is THIS exchange so wonderful? Add your private notes… • • • Psalms 30:5NIV 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Add your private notes… • • • Happiness is found in circumstance Joy is found in Christ Add your private notes… • • • “The joy and peace of believers arise chiefly from their hopes. What is laid out upon them is but little, compared with what is laid up for them; therefore, the more hope they have, the more joy and peace they have . . . Christians should desire and labor after an abundance of hope.” -Matthew Henry Add your private notes… • • • Steph’s Story Experience a real life story of God’s anointing with His deep joy during a season of mourning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jwPdDJFe8E • • • Other Scriptures for Study/Reflection -Romans 12:12 -Nehemiah 8:9-10 -Matthew 5:4 -Galatians 5:22 -Psalm 45:7

http://bible.com/events/48673711 Beauty for Ashes, Part 1: Life for Death Easter is really about a trade. And the truth is, God makes terrible trades. What’s the worst thing about your life right now? Sickness, despair, hopelessness, loneliness, heartbreak? God will trade you for it. That’s what Easter is all about. Isaiah 61:1-1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes,the oil of joyinstead of mourning,and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lordfor the display of his splendor. Luke 4:16-19 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”     -Jesus intentionally points to Isaiah 61 at the very beginning of his ministry. Jesus used this passage to summarize his mission here on earth. -You might call Isaiah 61:3, “Three Bad Trades and a Consequence”: -We trade our ashes and He gives us beauty. -We trade our mourning and He gives us joy. -We trade our despair and He gives us praise. -We trade our broken and feeble roots and He makes us oaks. Beauty for Ashes -Ashes were sign of destruction, despair, and mourning. -Many of us know “ashes” quite well. There are many synonyms – hopelessness, brokenness, hurt, and emptiness. -But those are just cousins to the worst of the ashes – DEATH. -Today on Resurrection Day we can be very specific about what “beauty for ashes” means: life for death. Ephesians 2:1-5 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 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.     You were dead (Ephesians 2:1-3) -Sin festers, it corrodes, it deteriorates and destroys. It brings death today, and eternal death. Now you are alive (Ephesians 2:4-5) -If you are in Christ, He exchanges your death and gives you new life. Lewis’ Story Experience a real life story of God exchanging beauty for ashes, trading death for new life! https://youtu.be/hGSJ6e_NUgs Lewis- testimony Week 1 Testimony from our Beauty for Ashes series (April 2021). youtu.be In Christ there is always beauty on the other side of your ashes.

http://bible.com/events/48673711 Beauty for Ashes, Part 1: Life for Death Easter is really about a trade. And the truth is, God makes terrible trades. What’s the worst thing about your life right now? Sickness, despair, hopelessness, loneliness, heartbreak? God will trade you for it. That’s what Easter is all about. Isaiah 61:1-1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,because the Lord has anointed meto proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favorand the day of vengeance of our God,to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beautyinstead of ashes,the oil of joyinstead of mourning,and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lordfor the display of his splendor. Luke 4:16-19 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”     -Jesus intentionally points to Isaiah 61 at the very beginning of his ministry. Jesus used this passage to summarize his mission here on earth. -You might call Isaiah 61:3, “Three Bad Trades and a Consequence”: -We trade our ashes and He gives us beauty. -We trade our mourning and He gives us joy. -We trade our despair and He gives us praise. -We trade our broken and feeble roots and He makes us oaks.   Beauty for Ashes -Ashes were sign of destruction, despair, and mourning. -Many of us know “ashes” quite well. There are many synonyms – hopelessness, brokenness, hurt, and emptiness. -But those are just cousins to the worst of the ashes – DEATH. -Today on Resurrection Day we can be very specific about what “beauty for ashes” means: life for death.   Ephesians 2:1-5 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 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.     You were dead (Ephesians 2:1-3) -Sin festers, it corrodes, it deteriorates and destroys. It brings death today, and eternal death. Now you are alive (Ephesians 2:4-5) -If you are in Christ, He exchanges your death and gives you new life. Lewis’ Story Experience a real life story of God exchanging beauty for ashes, trading death for new life! https://youtu.be/hGSJ6e_NUgs Lewis- testimony Week 1 Testimony from our Beauty for Ashes series (April 2021). youtu.be In Christ there is always beauty on the other side of your ashes.

This is the Good Friday message for Church of the Nazarene.

http://bible.com/events/48624659 Road to the Cross Part 4: The Cross Week 1: The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world in the Garden, when humanity and all creation were broken. Week 2: On the road to the cross, we see God as a promise keeper, first with His covenant throughout the Old Testament, and then with the arrival of Jesus establishing a new covenant. Week 3: In the life of Jesus, we see a God who walks with us no matter where we are and what we are going through. Jesus was the fulfillment of the most important promise you’ve ever been given. Matthew 27:45-54 45 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). 47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” 48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 49 The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” 50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” -Here on the cross, Jesus was forsaken. God the Father turns his back on His own Son, forsaking Him for our sake. -Jesus gave up his Spirit. He came to lay down His life. No one had to take it from Him. He laid it down willingly. The profound truth of the cross: History’s darkest moment became its greatest. 1. Victory over sin -The law required the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). The temple became the place of worship, but most specifically, the place where a sacrifice was made. Blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins. -The Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest was permitted to go, was separated by a curtain. -In that moment on the cross, the curtain was torn completely in two, signifying that there is a new and living way that is now open for all people to enter into the presence of God. –“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16   2. Victory over death -The moment Jesus is crucified, bodies are resurrected, which is a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus’ resurrection. -Even in Jesus’ death, resurrection is already underway! -But just as powerful, this moment points to the resurrection that all believers anticipate. -“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep”. 1 Corinthians 15:20   3. Victory over doubt -In this moment, doubt is swallowed up in the rich love and grace of Jesus. -As Jesus is being crucified, they mock Him. But consider what happens in response to His death on the cross: “When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:54 -Here at the foot of the cross, the doubters believe, the enemies find faith, and the unbelievers draw near.

http://bible.com/events/48593891 Road to the Cross Part 3: The Fulfillment Week 1: The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world in the Garden, when humanity and all creation were broken. Week 2: On the road to the cross, we see God as a promise keeper, first with His covenant throughout the Old Testament, and then with the arrival of Jesus establishing a new covenant. Luke 4:14-21 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” -As Jesus picked up the scroll, you have the Old Testament being read by the One who would fulfill its promise and introduce the new covenant. -Isaiah speaks of the Spirit of the Lord, and now Jesus is walking in the power of that same Spirit. The question we often ask is “why did Jesus die?” But today I want us to ask the question “why did Jesus live?” -If the cross was all that was needed, why didn’t Jesus just show up, appear out of the wilderness, and go to the cross? -What was the purpose of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth? Why did Jesus live? Why did he minister here on earth? To show us the Father. –Literally, when you see Jesus in the pages of your Bible, you see God Himself. -“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9 -Jesus didn’t just come to pay the ultimate price for our sins. He also came to show us how to live. -Because you’ve seen Jesus walk this life, you know exactly what it’s like for him to be walking with you right now. Jesus came to die for you so that He could walk with you.

http://bible.com/events/48573915 Week 1:The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world in the Garden, when humanity and all creation were broken."God finishes what He starts." - Pastor Adrian The road to the cross began in the Garden of Eden and that road wound through the Old Testament as a promise - communicated through covenants by God to His people. Isaiah 43:1 NIV 1 But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Jeremiah 31:31-33 NIV 31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.  32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord.  33 “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.“ I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. I will be their God, and they will be my people.This is the covenant formula expressing God's relationship with His people. The amazing thing about the story of God and His people in the Old Testament is that God doesn’t snap His finger and say, “Fine. If you don’t want me, then I don’t want you.” He certainly could have, but instead he kept promising, kept pursuing, kept chasing. He longs to dwell with his people, yesterday and today. -Jefferson Bethke Jeremiah 31:34 NIV34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” His faithfulness to the Promise summons our adoration, and His promised return stirs up our faith-filled anticipation. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NIV20 For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.  21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us,  22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Revelation 21:1-5 NIV 1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.  2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”  5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

http://bible.com/events/48554543 Many of us don’t understand where the road to the cross begins. For some, we may think the road to the cross begins on Palm Sunday, or the Holy Week accounts in Scripture.-For others, we may think the road to the cross begins in a manger in Bethlehem, or in the Gospel accounts of the New Testament.-But that’s not where the road to the cross begins. Genesis 3:1-13 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’ ” 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” 11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” -The road to the cross began the moment sin entered into the world. -Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve and all of their children, including you and me, would be born with an infected sin nature because of it. Just as the first lie was uttered by the serpent in the garden, the enemy of our souls is still speaking lies today. Often we can believe the lie that "we are not sinners", or "we don't need a Savior". We believe that if we can be good people, or moral enough, then we don't need Jesus. But that's a lie. Romans 3:23 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 5:12 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—The power of sin is great. The power of the cross is greater.

http://bible.com/events/48538153 For What? Part 4: We’re for Hope Week 1: We are for Jesus.  Week 2: We are for holiness. Week 3: We are for compassion.  • • • We believe that as a church we are transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ. • • • This week: We are for hope Hope is: the joy and peace that is found in knowing-truly knowing-that a trustworthy God holds our future in his careful hands. • • • Jeremiah 29:4-9NIV 4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.  6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.  7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”  8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.  9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.  • • • Jeremiah 29:10-11NIV 10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.  11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  • • • 1. God's promise of hope has been fulfilled - We have hope and a future NOW - We pray to him and he listens to us NOW - We find him when we seek him NOW - We have hope NOW 2. Hope is a tool 3. We don't keep hope to ourselves  • • • Romans 15:13NIV 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.  • • • God doesn't just give us hope, he is the God of hope.