Church of the Nazarene

http://bible.com/events/6761338 Here Comes Heaven – Christmas Eve Luke 1:26-38  There are so many things about Mary that we do not know, but what we do know is how she responded in the midst of fear and uncertainty. Luke 1:38 •At no point are we told Mary understands all this, but she believes and obeys. •And her response – “I am the Lord’s servant…” can be your response – to every call of God on your life, whether you understand it or not, whether you can grasp what the future holds or not. Perhaps God is calling each of us to respond exactly like Mary did: “Lord, I don’t know how and I don’t know why, but I know You and I trust You.”

http://bible.com/events/6761259 Here Comes Heaven – Our Place Luke 2:1-20 Often we invite Jesus into our story, asking Him to bless what we are doing. The truth of Christmas is Heaven is interrupting our story. It’s not inviting God to join into my story, but rather God inviting us to enter into His story.  The reason the shepherds are so important in this story is because they most clearly represent us. -By society’s standards, they were not considered exceptional or significant.   Bottom line:  Christmas means He came for you. Jesus is the Savior of all, but often we think that means everyone else except me. The shepherds help us clearly see that Jesus is the Savior of all, even the ordinary, the outsider, the excluded. Jesus’ divine interruption is truly a divine invitation.... Christmas means He came for you.

https://www.bible.com/events/6704550 Here Comes Heaven (The Dream)Often God's plans for our lives are much different than what we imagined for ourselves, but they are ALWAYS better! Thank you for joining us today for our third message of this season of Advent!Last week's truth: Your greatest interruption may be your greatest opportunity. Matthew 1:18-25 This series addresses the fact that God intervened in the world through the coming of Christ the Messiah. God didn't just interrupt history, he interrupted people.In marrying a woman who is already pregnant, Joseph is being asked to do something that would have been socially unacceptable. This interruption was not just surprising or confusing, it was shameful.The bottom line:Sometimes what you have planned isn't what God has purposed. Here's what we know about Joseph: He was a righteous man His capacity to love overwhelmed his temptation to be bitter He was open to hearing from God•Ultimately...he obeyed-He allowed his plans to be interrupted-He trusted God enough to obey Perhaps the Christmas story asks whether this is true of us today. The question today is not...-will it be easy?-will it be convenient?-will it make sense? The question today is...-will I obey?

http://bible.com/events/6631328 Here Comes Heaven – The Interruption Luke 1:5-25 The Christmas story is not a story of convenience, but rather a story of interruption.  God intervenes not always according to our plan and our timing. Bottom Line: Your greatest interruption may your greatest invitation God was not just intervening into the lives of Elizabeth and Zechariah, He was setting a course of events that would ultimately lead to the Messiah.  God intervenes and Elizabeth becomes pregnant -this shouldn’t really be possible -this would be laughable to many God intervenes and Zechariah is silenced -this is a consequence for his lack of faith, but it is also so much more -this protected the news from Herod who would feel threatened by the news of someone preparing the way for the Messiah -this forces Zechariah to depend fully on God Our posture in response to interruptions is often like Zechariah’s: I. Fear     1. “When Zechariah saw him [the angel], he was startled and was gripped with fear.” Luke 1:12     2. While fear is a logical response, it cannot be our default response, especially for those who are in Christ. II. Doubt     1. “Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” Luke 1:18     2. Fear and Doubt are ultimately about putting my focus on ME. Instead God is intervening and inviting me to put my focus on HIM. Our posture in response to interruptions should be: “Come Jesus” In the midst of uncertainty, invite Him in. He keeps His promises. He doesn’t bow to human rules and expectations. He is not limited by time and circumstance. Even in the interruptions we can say, “Come Jesus”. Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free,  From our fears and sins release us,  Let us find our rest in Thee: Israel's strength and consolation Hope of all the earth Thou art,  Dear Desire of every nation Joy of every longing heart. Other passages to consider: Luke 1: 67-80 NIV Luke 1: 67-80 The Message END

http://bible.com/events/6296809 Here Comes Heaven (The Waiting) John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Christmas is the divine breaking into the mundane. The ordinary interrupted by the extraordinary. His kingdom entering into our reality. “Here Comes Heaven” You didnʼt have to experience the first Christmas to know that Christmas was coming. Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. The challenge is the promise of God with us came with silence. (From the end of the Old Testament to the birth of Christ was a span of silence lasting 400 years.) That of waiting that inspired these lyrics: O come, O come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel What are you waiting for? “HOPE?” You are surrounded by brokenness and feel defeated “ANSWERS?” You canʼt make sense of the circumstances around you “RELIEF?” Youʼre not sure how long you can go on like this “WHATʼS NEXT?” Godʼs plan seems foggy and Heʼs not showing you the next step “I DONʼT KNOW?” You feel stuck, like youʼre going through the motions, or like something is missing. Youʼre waiting and youʼre not even sure on what. We canʼt understand a God who doesnʼt speak how we want, or when we want. We believe, in the silence, that God is absent. The bottom line: “The presence of silence is not the absence of Presence.” Luke 1:30-33 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” This Christmas, the challenge for us in our waiting... 1. STOP In a world where we default to busy and where our norm is to run from silence, it is critical that we learn to stop. More than likely, You will not worship this Christmas on accident. 2. WAIT Yes, we continue to wait. But we donʼt wait on God, wait with Him. The same God who sent Jesus in the midst of silence is with you in your waiting. 3. TRUST Even when nothing is happening, something is happening. “But when the set time had fully come, God sent Jesus” -Galatians 4:4. The same God who kept his promise then will continue to keep His promise now. The bottom line: “The presence of silence is not the absence of Presence.” Matthew 1:22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 1 Peter 1:19-20 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.

https://bible.com/events/5923141 Praying in Jesus name ultimately means we pray like Jesus prayed, presenting our requests to God the Father but asking that His will would be done not ours. - Pastor AdrianPray Like It Matters: With His Passion Luke 22:42-44 PRAY EARNESTLY/FERVENTLY With passionate intensity; with sincere + intense conviction; seriously Acts 12:1-16 PRAYING LIKE IT MATTERS IS NOT ABOUT RATIONALE AND FEELINGS, BUT RELATIONSHIP AND FAITH Obedience always comes before freedom IT IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP NOT RATIONALE, FAITH NOT FEELINGS. Matthew 7:7 PRAY LIKE IT MATTERS - KEEP KNOCKING END

Pray like it matters: “In His name” For many of us prayer feels like: -a flip of a coin (maybe God answers and maybe he doesn’t) -a good luck charm (when we need good luck on our side) -a list of requests and demands (”help me, bless me, give me”) We often settle into a mindset of prayer that is: -passive  -reactive  -“me focused” -convenient  ““And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:5-8 If God knows what I need already, why am I praying?? Because prayer is ultimately about knowing the heart of God and growing in relationship with Him. “Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 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’? 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. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.  Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14 NIV Twice Jesus reminds us to ask “in His name”  What is the significance of praying “in His name”?  In HIS authority  We have no standing before God and no credibility on our own.  We don’t pray to God based on our merit, but based on the authority of what Jesus has done.    As HIS representative  As Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5) we don’t represent ourselves, but rather we represent Christ.  As we pray in Jesus’ name, we pray as He would.    For HIS glory  Ultimately we pray for the things that will lift up the name of Jesus and give God glory.  The power in our prayer is ultimately surrendering our will to the will of God.   “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4 NIV ““This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’” Matthew 6:9-13 NIV “Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”” Matthew 26:39 NIV Bottom Line:  The power of prayer is not what God does for me, but rather what He does in me. 

http://bible.com/events/5495565 Flip the Script: When God Redeems Your Story – From Death to Life John 11:17-35 THE FLIPPING POINT -Mary & Martha sent word to Jesus and He doesn’t show up in time -Their brother has been dead for days -As they watch Jesus weep, their hope had to be crushed What’s true in this moment? • Lazarus was absolutely no doubt, dead. Four days dead. •Their faith didn’t make any noticeable difference • There was no good reason to hope What situations have you been in that looked completely and utterly un-redeemable? And in the midst of this desperate moment, Mary & Martha might miss a powerful truth: Jesus weeps WITH YOU It’s not that He weeps FOR YOU, like your situation is helpless, but rather that He weeps WITH YOU.  Jesus grieves with you in your brokenness and pain.  John 11:36-44 Bottom Line: “Redemption means the final word is HIS.” This is the difference This is the powerful truth That through redemption, God has the final say, the ultimate authority, the final word John 11:25-26 “I am the resurrection” Martha speaks of the resurrection as an event in the future, but Jesus speaks of resurrection as a present reality made possible through Him.   Through his death and resurrection, Jesus proved that there is life that does not bow to the empty threats of the grave.  In your story, who gets the final word?  Ephesians 2:1-5

Flip the Script: From Evil to Good Genesis 37:12-28 As Joseph is carted off to a foreign land....what could he be thinking? What’s true in this moment?• The people who should have loved Joseph, didn’t.• For whatever “crimes” Joseph may have committed in their eyes, the punishment didn’t fit.• Everything about his future is uncertain at the very best, deeply dark at worst. At the flipping point, he’s lost everything except his life. What situations have you been in that looked just like that? Genesis 50: 15-21 Notice that both the brothers and God had intentions through Joseph’s story. The brothers MEANT evil & God MEANT good. The question of ‘WHY?’ -David asked that question “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.”‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22:1-2‬ -Jesus himself, on the cross, asked that question “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?” ).”‭‭ Matthew‬ ‭27:46 The bottom line: Hope grows not because we understand the WHY, but because we trust the WHO. The WHY is about clarity.The WHO is about trust. Romans 8:28 “For those who love Him”...In a loving relationship there is trust being built. A prayer to guide us: “Even though....yet I will trust you, Lord.” Psalms 56:3-4 -“Even though my financial need is great and I don’t see how we will make, yet I will trust you, Lord” -“Even though the future seems uncertain and I don’t know what tomorrow holds, yet I will trust you, Lord” -“Even though I don’t like it, even though I don’t understand it, yet I will trust you, Lord.”

http://bible.com/events/4588403 “Flip the Script: When God Redeems Your Story” From Defeat to Victory  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:18-19‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:34-37‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 1 Samuel 17:4-14 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 38-44  This is the FLIPPING POINT in the story. FLIPPING POINT • What would you be thinking right now if you didn’t know the story? • What were the men of Israel thinking? • Why does the Scripture provide so much detail about how imposing – about how impossible – Goliath was? •What does He want you to see at this moment in the story? • It wasn’t just that a little shepherd boy with no armor and a few rocks had little chance of defeating this giant, he had NO chance. What’s true in this moment? • Goliath looked absolutely unbeatable. • The men of Israel were paralyzed with fear. • Futile human attempts were made to cope – in the form of David stumbling around in Saul’s armor. 1 Samuel 17:45-50 Allow the Lord to “Flip the Script” in your life.... 1. Beyond my perspective.... There was more to the story of David and Goliath than we can see. At the core of redemption is a belief that there is something more happening beneath the surface that I cannot see.   God is working in places that we cannot yet see. This is not just the mystery of God, it’s the power of God. There is no such thing as “risk-free” faith. 2. Beyond my battle.... 1 Samuel 17:45 David fights not in his own power, but in the power of the living God.     We often see our job to armor up to fight the giants in our lives, but the truth of Scripture is the power of the living God is fighting for us. Exodus 14:14 Galatians 2:20  3. Beyond my victory... 1 Samuel 17:46-47  In our battles we face the great temptation: -to elevate “the giant”... -we see it every day -its the focus of our thoughts -sometimes it’s all we see, all we think about -it’s overwhelming and debilitating -to elevate self... -all we see is me -all we see is my pain -all we see is my struggle   David was committed, no matter what, to elevate the Living God. There is victory possible when we focus, first and foremost, on giving God glory no matter what happens.   That is when the power of God begins to “Flip the Script” in our lives.   Bottom Line: Surrender transforms my present defeat into my future victory.

http://bible.com/events/2989286 “Moved with Compassion” Matthew 9:35-38‬ To be moved with compassion - root word in the Greek is “splagcha” meaning “inward parts” or “bowels” In the Gospels, this word is only used to describe Jesus. Jesus was moved to the deepest part of his core. 1. Compassion leads to action  Multiple Biblical texts where  it specifically points to Jesus’ compassion leading to action: Mark 1 Mark 6 Mark 8 Matthew 14 Matthew 20 The compassion of Jesus always leads to action:  healing, feeding, forgiving, redeeming. 2. Compassion begins with one Even in the midst of the crowds, Jesus never loses site of the one.   In Mark 5, Jesus stops in the midst of a crowd to identify the one woman who needed hope. Bottom Line:  Compassion moves us to action, and it always begins with one! Full Bio for Yuri Lopez Yuri’s parents abandoned her and her twin sister when they were just babies.  At the age of two, she was separated from her sister and other siblings when she arrived at a Honduran orphanage and stayed there until she was 16. The directors of the orphanage did their best to provide emotional and spiritual nurturing for the children, but it was impossible to devote individual attention to so many children at the same time. Many times they did not have electricity or running water. When she turned 13, Yuri started cooking in the orphanage kitchen for 120 children and also helped take care of the babies. Living conditions in the orphanage were challenging and she felt hopeless and discouraged. At six years of age, Yuri experienced hope for the very first time. When she was in her second grade classroom, and they were suddenly interrupted by the sounds of a helicopter that landed at the soccer field at their orphanage. Minutes later, they were led to the church building next door and saw stacks of colorfully wrapped shoeboxes waiting for them. Yuri’s favorite items in the shoebox gift were the picture of the American girl who packed the shoebox and her note which read, “Jesus loves you, and I love you too.” Seven years later, Yuri hit a very low point in her life which caused her to run away to themountains. After hours of crying and blaming God for the life she was living, she pulled out the picture of the American little girl who packed the shoebox for her, along with her note – “Jesus loves you, and I love you too.” Three months later Yuri gave her life to Christ. Yuri’s love and talent for school and soccer eventually opened doors for her to come to the United States, where she now works with FCA. She also has a loving and supportive Christian family. Her vision and mission for the future are to help people know that God can change people’s hearts and lives. She hopes to work as a teacher and coach with inner-city children as well as open soccer camps for impoverished youth in Honduras. When she packs shoeboxes, she tells children that Jesus loves them and that God will change their lives and that they have a future, just like God showed her. Statistics about Operation Christmas Child -Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 168 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 160 countries and territories. -In 2019, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children in countries like Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda and Ukraine. More than 10.6 million shoebox gifts were collected worldwide in 2018, with more than 8.8 million collected in the U.S. -Shoebox gifts are collected in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Finland, Spain, New Zealand and Japan. -Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Samaritan’s Purse currently works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine More information is available at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

http://bible.com/events/705427 “Crossing the Divide” Ephesians 2:11-12  The Gentiles had no hope of a Messiah  Jewish people, even in their darkest moments, were promised a Messiah For the Jews, history was always going somewhere But for the Gentiles history was going nowhere Ephesians 2:13-15 There was an insurmountable barrier between the Jews and the Gentiles and there was no hope of unity. Christ destroyed the barrier and made peace with God possible. Ephesians 2:15 (cont) - 16 There are two words for “NEW” in Greek  1. Neos....new in “quantity” meaning it is new, but has existed before 2. Kainos....new in its quality, meaning something that did not exist before Jesus destroyed the barrier, creating something new that had not existed before.   Ephesians 2:17-18 Just as we are called to be ONE BODY (verse 16), we have been given ONE SPIRIT (verse 18). Ephesians 2:19  There are no “outsiders” in the kingdom of God, but rather there is a seat at the table for each and every person. Ephesians 2:20-22‭‭ Our unity, within the body, does not come from rituals, status, preference....It comes from Christ 2 Power Implications for us:  1. Jesus crossed the divide  Because of sin we were separated from God, without any hope on our own.   Jesus bore our sin on the cross and made a way for us to be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 2. We must do the same  2 Corinthians 5:18 God has entrusted us with His mission to cross the divide.   To bring hope to hopeless people.   To love the unloveable. To welcome the outcast.   Jesus crossed the divide.  We must do the same.  

http://bible.com/events/701320 Jesus & My Mask  ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:6-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ The moment that sin enters into the world shame is present. Guilt says “I did something bad” Shame says “I am bad” We cope with shame by building a wall (a barrier) We do this for two reasons: 1. We feel like we won’t be accepted as is 2. To protect ourselves from getting hurt again 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 God’s power is at its BEST when my power is at its WORST  In response to shame we must choose vulnerability.    Vulnerability: The courage to let go of who you think you should be in order to be who you are and in that to understand deeply that you are loved and accepted by God. We have seen God meet people in their moments of their greatest vulnerability Jacob: Genesis 32:31 Jacob wrestles with God and walks away with a limp Moses: Exodus 4:10 Moses is asked to lead God’s people even thought he stutters David: Psalm 51 David mourns in the midst of great sin and disobedience Peter: Luke 22:60-61 Peter denies Jesus 2 Corinthians 6:11-13  Perhaps the best definition of Godly vulnerability is a heart that’s open wide. 1. Vulnerable with God -Our response to shame is the same as Adam and Even in the garden: we hide. -When we can’t be vulnerable with God: -we place limitations on the depth of our relationship with Him -we limit the work He can do in our lives  2. Vulnerable with others -Shame prevents us from experiencing love, belonging, joy, trust, and intimacy in our relationships.   -Research of hundreds of people dealing with shame led to one powerful conclusion: it’s not that vulnerability was always comfortable, but it was always necessary. Christ’s Mind Versus the Human Mind as it Relates to Vulnerability The Mind of Christ/The “Merely Human” Mind The truth will set you free./The better you look, the better you are. We are precious to God as we are. (Matthew 13:45-46)/God’s acceptance is something we must earn. We are loved. (Romans 5:8)/We aren’t worthy of God’s love. Not really. We must be open and honest about who we are./We can’t be open and honest about who we are. Risk/Pretend Love/Protect Step out in faith/Hide

https://www.bible.com/events/697695 Jesus & My Sin Part four of our series: Jesus &: My World Through His Eyes 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 – Romans 12:1-2 When it comes to your sin, what do you THINK?John 8:1-11The adulterous woman simply did not get what she deserved. She received MERCY.Which describes you? You may be haunted by one big sin…the failing of a lifetime. And it won’t let you go.You have actually learned to entertain sin. It’s an escape. It’s something just for you. You feel guilty, but not guilty enough.Or perhaps it's a matter of frequency. You want Jesus and you pursue him, but over and over and over again you fail. You hate it and you get caught again and again. You give up. The “Two Truths and a Lie” of Mercy.Truth #1: You deserve judgment and destruction for your sin. (The teachers of the law brought a woman caught in adultery.)Truth #2: There is an accuser who exists for your condemnation. (They made her stand before the group.)The Lie: Your sin is too much for Jesus, beyond His grasp and His grace. (“In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women…”) Supplemental ScripturesThese additional texts might be helpful for your study.Romans 8:1-4 Romans 7:21-25Psalm 103:1-12 Psalm 40:11-13

http://bible.com/events/691561 Jesus & My Money Jesus spoke often about money because He knew that there was a deep connection between our possessions and our heart.   “It’s okay for us to have stuff, but it’s not okay for our stuff to have us.” True transformation begins not by ACTING differently but by THINKING differently. So that leads to the question: “What is your mindset when it comes to money?” Luke 12:13-21 The rich farmer is a fool not because he is wealthy or because he saves, but because he lives only for himself. “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:21 What does it mean to be “rich toward God”? ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:17-19‬ ‭ Understanding what it means to be rich towards God begins with a shift in our mindset, asking His Holy Spirit to give us the mind of Christ.   My mindset defined is defined by: “Me-Centered” Four ways that our mindset must shift: 1. Owners vs Managers Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 Everything we have is from God, which means we are managers and not owners. Managers don’t feel guilty, but they feel responsible. 2. Goal vs Resource Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 We don’t put our hope in money, but rather we understand that our money is a resource that can be used for powerful things. ....the love of money is the root of evil (see 1 Timothy 6:10) ...a spirit generosity is a root to something much greater 3. Keep vs Give Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 1 Timothy 6:18 At HFCN we believe in giving.... -Biblically a call to give the first 10% -and then, at times, to give beyond that A command them to be rich... -rich in good deeds -to be rich in serving -to be rich in loving -to be rich in extending grace “Earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can” John Wesley 4. Hoard vs Sacrifice In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:19 The entire life of Jesus and His call to all believers could likely be summed up in a word: SACRIFICE.   The bottom line: God’s generosity towards us moves us to be generous toward others Christ’s Mind Versus the Human Mind as it Relates to Our Money  Life does not consist of an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15) VERSUS Get all you can while you can Our money belongs to God. (Psalm 24:1) VERSUS Our money belongs to us Our stewardship of money is for His use and glory (Luke 16:1) VERSUS Our stewardship of money is to get more money for ourselves We depend on Him for provision and providence (Ps 50:10-12; Phil 4:19) VERSUS God helps those who help themselves Give (Acts 20:35) VERSUS Keep (See Ananias and Saphira) Sacrifice (Luke 12:20) VERSUS Hoard Other Scriptures for Consideration I Timothy 6:6-10 Luke 16:1-15 Matthew 25:14-30‭James 2:15-17‭‭Biblical Principle of Tithing: Previous Messages: 9-17-17 message begins at 28:00 https://vimeo.com/23455609811-11-19 messages begins at 40:10 https://vimeo.com/300184208 ‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭27:30-33‬ ‭‬‬ Malachi 3:6-10 ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23:23

http://bible.com/events/688612 Jesus & My Enemies– September 15 True transformation begins not by ACTING differently but by THINKING differently.  1 Corinthians 2:14-16 JESUS & MY ENEMIES  Matthew 5:43-48  Verses 43-44 Jesus speaks of AGAPE, meaning “unconquerable love”  AGAPE love is not a feeling of the heart, but a determination of the mind.   We need the mind of Christ to love in this way. Verses 44-45 We love our enemies, not so we will be blessed, but instead because this is what it means to be children of God.   Verses 45-47 Jesus does not call us to a love that is REACTIVE but rather a love that is PROACTIVE.  Verse 48 Jesus call us to TELEIOS, meaning “growth” or “completeness”  If we want to live out this radical call to love, then we have to allow the Spirit of God to make us like Him. Jesus is not interested in making us moral people.  Jesus wants to make us like Him. How do we respond? Admit “This is beyond me”  “On my own I can’t do this” Surrender “God, I need your Spirit” “I need your power” ENGAGE I engage the world around me with the power of His Spirit.   The powerful truth:  “As the Spirit transforms us, each person who encounters us encounters the living God”. Christ’s Mind Versus the Human Mind as it Relates to Our Enemies The Mind of Christ The “Merely Human” Mind Defaulting to love (Phil 2:4) / Defaulting to defense or fear Building bridges (Luke 10:35) / Building barriers Challenging feelings of animosity (Mt 5:43-44) / Feeling justified by hate Making personal sacrifice (Luke 10:33-34) / Being inherently self-concerned Looking for opportunities to approach / Looking for opportunities to avoid (Luke 10:32)

http://bible.com/events/683796 1 Corinthians 2:14-16  PNEUMA vs PSUCHE (verses 14-15) Paul speaks of two different individuals.... One guided by pneuma...the spirit - verse 15 One guided by psuche....the physical life (the appetites) - verse 14 THE MIND OF CHRIST (verse 16) The Spirit moves us from living a compartmentalized life through the mind of Christ. Having the mind of Christ means sharing in the plan, purpose, and perspective of Christ.   The Mind of Christ /  The “Merely Human” Mind Alive (Romans 8:6)  /  Tormented by the shadow of death Single-Minded, Focused (2 Cor 11:13) /  Double-Minded/Scattered (James 1:8) Humble (Phil 2:3) / Proud/Self-Focused Pure (Titus 1:5) /  Sin-Infected Responsive (Luke 24:45) /  Stubborn Peaceful (Romans 8:6) / Fearful Romans 8:5-8 The mind governed by the flesh: DEATH (verse 6) HOSTILE TO GOD (verse 7) CANNOT PLEASE GOD (verse 8) 1. My thoughts are powerful -they drive how I live and impact  -what I think about myself  -what I think/believe about others  -what I think/believe about God 2. God’s thoughts can become my thoughts -as believers in Christ, we have access to the “mind of Christ” if we walk in step with the Holy Spirit   3. True transformation begins not by acting differently, but by thinking differently. -“The Mind of Christ” transforms every part of me You can’t compartmentalize obedience. You can’t fully obey God without the mind of Christ.  

http://bible.com/events/679023 “Eyes to See” Luke 7:36-50 NIV As we realize the depth of our sin, we understand the depth of God’s forgiveness When we consider this encounter through the perspective of Simon the Pharisee, we understand that his problem was blindness. Simon did not see the woman “Then he [Jesus] turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?” Luke 7:44 The challenge is to see beyond someone’s past and beyond their brokenness, but instead to see what Jesus see. All Simon could see was her past, but Jesus saw her future. 2. Simon did not see himself Simon was so focused on “the sinner” in his presence that he was totally unaware of his own sin. ““Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” Matthew 7:3-4 NIV Jesus doesn’t seek to address the amount of sin, but rather the awareness of sin. 3. Simon did not see his savior “When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”” Luke 7:39 NIV Simon was blinded by his skepticism, his doubts, even his religious duty in such a way could not see that the Son of God was in His presence. A simple but profound prayer…. “Lord, give me eyes to see” A. Eyes to see others To Jesus there were never any invisible people. What would happen if we lived our lives that way? What would change? Who would we begin to see that we’ve never seen before? B. Eyes to see myself Before I am quick to point out the sin in someone else, may I stop to see the pain in my heart. Being aware of my own need is where transformation begins. C. Eyes to see my Savior It does not matter if your sin is obvious (the sinful woman) or hidden (Simon the Pharisee), He is the Savior of all. As my eyes are open to see the needs of others and as my eyes are open to see my own need, I can see clearly that He is enough.

http://bible.com/events/675827 All Together new: Grow The call to community is a call to GATHER. The call to community is a call to GIVE. The call to community is a call to GROW. Ephesians 4:11-16 Ephesians 4:11-13  These verses set the foundation of what the community of believers is called to do: We are called to be “equipped” in order to be “built up” towards unity and even towards maturity  Ephesians 4:14 We are given a powerful picture of what maturity is NOT: -No longer infants  -No longer tossed back and forth by deceit  Ephesians 4:15-16 We are given a charge: -We will grow  -With Christ as the head, we will be the body Acts‬ ‭2:42-47‬ ‭‬‬‭‭In Biblical Community, The Body Grows.... -Grows in knowledge  -Grows in serving  -Grows in experiencing the power of God  -Grows in praise for God  -Grows in experiencing community  -Grows in number  ISOLATION BRINGS:   -DISUNITY -IMMATURITY   -IGNORANCE  -DEATH

http://bible.com/events/671648 All Together New: Give Acts 2:42-47 The first biblical rule of community: It’s not about you. Love is the act of laying down one’s life. (John 15:13) The model of Jesus is to regard others first. (Philippians 2:3) Since he laid down his life for us, we are to lay our lives down for our brothers and sisters (1 John 3:16) The call to community is a call TO GIVE. Romans 12:9-13 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Consider Paul’s words in light of the call to community is a call to GIVE.  Love is sincere (Romans 12:9)  Be devoted (Romans 12:10)  We honor one another (Romans 12:10)  We give to those in need (Romans 12:13)  We practice hospitality (Romans 12:13)  THE GREAT SHIFT.... A mindset of WHAT DO I NEED...to a mindset of WHAT CAN I GIVE.  A mindset of ME...to a mindset of US.  It is entirely possible that community is less about WHAT YOU WILL GET OUT and more about WHAT YOU WILL GIVE. “Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.  Where there is hatred, let me sow love;  where there is injury, pardon;  where there is doubt, faith;  where there is despair, hope;  where there is darkness, light;  where there is sadness, joy.  O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;  to be understood as to understand;  to be loved as to love;  For it is in giving that we receive;  it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;  it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.” -St. Francis of Assisi Community is the fruit of our capacity to make the interests of others more  important than our own. -Henri Nouwen

http://bible.com/events/666831 Youversion - August 11  All Together New: Gather  Acts 2:42-47   The Greek word for “fellowship” is KOINONIA, meaning deep commitment and communion.   It’s also found in 1 John 1:3  “what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Our three week series is centered around a call to community and we have never needed community more than we do today.       - [ ] We live in a world that has never been more connected, yet never felt more isolated      - [ ] A recent study shows nearly half of all Americans report feeling alone      - [ ] As many as 43% of adults say that they lack true meaningful relationships  The call to community is a call to GATHER Hebrews 10:23-25 Gathering sustains us.... “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 There is always the temptation to quit, but in community we are able to persevere.  “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” African Proverb Gathering moves us.... “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” Hebrews 10:24  Spurring one another on.... We are compelled   We are pushed  We are urged  We are pointed We are redirected We are moved  Gathering encourages us  “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25  Isolation and discouragement are always connected.   “The God we meet in solitude is always the God who calls us to community.”  Henri Nouwen 

http://bible.com/events/662934 August 4 - Best Week Ever  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:3-5 NIV Jesus had all the power and authority (He was from God and He was returning to God), yet He chose to serve.  Jesus took an object that was common place (towel and basin) and made it holy.   John 13:12-17 NIV John 13:34-35 NIV Jesus doesn’t ask us to serve one another, He commands it!  We cannot claim to know Jesus and claim to be His followers and not obey His command to love one another. 

http://bible.com/events/659804 Youversion - July 28  “Go: The Impact” Acts 4:8-13  Acts 4:29-31 ORDINARY PEOPLE  “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men”....Acts 4:13  The call to “Go” is for all  THROUGH GOD’S POWER “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)  We “Go” not in our power and authority, but because of His power at work in us. FOR GOD’S PURPOSE  “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:29-30 ‭NIV‬‬ We “Go” not to live out our purpose, but to live out God’s purpose for us.  Acts 4:32-35‭‭ In the midst of experiencing the supernatural power of God, the believers never loss site of the physical needs of those around them.  There is no conflict between meeting the spiritual needs of others and meeting the tangible needs.   ORDINARY PEOPLE...THROUGH GOD’S POWER...FOR GOD’S PURPOSE

http://bible.com/events/655676 Go: The Cost Key Thematic Questions: > What is the cost of following Christ? > What is the cost of GOING? Pastor Adrian from Part 2 of the series: “It impossible to please God, without complete surrender.” > Think about the events in Stephen’s story that you’ve seen before. Acts 6:7-15 Acts 7:1-2a Acts 7:51-60 The message of Stephen’s martyrdom is that sacrifice didn’t end with Jesus. It was and should be a hallmark of His church. > Jesus paid the ultimate price for us. > Stephen paid the ultimate price for Jesus. Luke 14:25-33 Consider: > Not only is the Lord asking your life of you. If you are believer, you’ve already agreed to give it. > In fact, it is likely that today, somewhere, someone will pay the ultimate price. > To lay down’s one life isn’t strange or foreign, since we are made in His image. We know it is what real love is all about. To count the cost, to be willing to pay, is to love as God loves.

http://bible.com/events/652238 What are our expectations of what it means to Go? More importantly, what are His? Thanks for joining us today! GO: move from one place to another; travel. Acts 1:3-8 Acts 8:4-5 “Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person— our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or to a cause.” -Oswald Chambers The concept of going: Matthew 28:18-20 The people of God are now called from centripetal living to centrifugal living Back to our story of Philip: Acts 8:26-29 Acts 8:40 What does this mean for the Church today? The expectation of the call/commission of Jesus to his followers to “GO” is not one of extra credit or optional by nature. It is to be embodied by all who are part of God’s Kingdom.

http://bible.com/events/647588   Go: The Surrendering  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭7:58-60‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Acts 9:1-22 Last week we spoke of the waiting.... This call to Go is about God’s power, in God’s timing for God’s glory. This week we focus on the idea of surrender... In order to answer the call to “Go” we each must choose to surrender.  It is impossible to please God without complete surrender. WHAT DO WE NEED TO SURRENDER?SIN.... -Unrepentant sin separates us from God -When we have repented of sin, we must surrender: -The things that used to define us -Memories of past hurt, disappointment, failure -Shame CONTROL.... -Control is about SELF  -My interest  -My blessings -My expectations  -ME, ME, ME  FEAR... -Fear of the unknown  -Fear of failure  -Fear of rejection   “Great people don’t do great things. God does great things with surrendered people. and surrender happens every day in one thousand small moments.” Jennie Allen Surrender teaches us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.