Church of the Nazarene

http://bible.com/events/7134645 March 15 Drifting, Part 2: The Two Sides of Technology Hebrews 12: 1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. The writer of Hebrews is calling for us to “throw off” two things set up as distinct: o              “Everything that hinders” and o              “Sin that so easily entangles” “hinders” is onkos in Greek – or literally something that weighs us down. A burden that has the effect of dragging us down until it stops us If we are called to throw off everything that hinders....What is it today that is hindering you?  This series addresses three specific things that can hinder us  The truth is technology is a neutral -There is nothing about technology is inherently destructive or evil -Technology is like any other other medium – paper, music, images -It is neutral in that it can be used in positive ways and be extremely helpful, but it can also be destructive  We begin to drift when we don’t possess technology, but when it possesses us.  -The issue is not technology in and of itself, but rather how we use technology  -It is critical to examine the role we allow it to play in our lives  Two things that happen when technology causes us to drift It changes us... -Much of the technology being created today is being designed for distraction and addiction -Biologically, something happens in our brain as we are actively engage in technology -When it comes to technology, many of us are at least at the level of compulsion (“I have to look”), but many are at the level of addiction  -Technology also impacts our perception of ourselves and others through constant comparison (social media)  -We begin to drift when technology changes us from the inside out   It consumes us... -Technology is not just changing us internally, but it is also consuming our time, energy, outward habits, and practices  -Our media has no clear “stopping cue” as we just keep scrolling, watching and consuming -Unlimited access means we often have no margin, and don’t know when enough is enough -We begin to drift when technology consumes our time, energy and focus  Bottom Line: We don’t have a technology problem, we have a worship problem.  In Luke 12:34 Jesus said our hearts will follow after our treasures... -Treasures are not just possessions and money, but also our attention  -There is a restlessness in our hearts that God alone can will  -Our problem ultimately isn’t technology, it’s that technology becomes what we turn to in place of God   “The root problem is not technology. It is the gaps we are trying to fill in our hearts with technology.” John Mark Comer  We know our use of technology is healthy when... ...it doesn’t interfere with a lifestyle of worship  ...it isn’t an obstacle to learning the practice of silence and solitude   ...it prevents us from seeking God’s wisdom and guidance first  ...it is not a constant distraction (something we possess, not something that possesses us) We know our use of technology is unhealthy when... ...we create no boundaries  ...we lack intentionality  ...we mindlessly consume, not aware of its impact on us ...we allow technology to numb, instead of allowing God to fill us  What do we do?  Focus.... -Pay attention to what’s happening in your heart and commit to reorienting your focus on worship  Urgency.... -Intentionally pray, intentionally set boundaries, not out of legalism but out of a renewed desire to worship fully  Other Verses & Resources to Consider:  We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  Hebrews 2:1 “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 7:35  Excellent resource by John Mark Comer called “How to Unhurry” https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58431a7603596e3099e87531/t/5dcd82a34474a007a68a3b47/1573749412344/How+to+Un-Hurry+Workbook.pdf

http://bible.com/events/7130573 Hebrews 2:1 Understanding the Greek word “drift” • It is NOT a falling away or sudden crash • It is slippage, like sand slowly through our fingertips or something that slips past us unseen • Drifting is not sudden, but subtle and gradual. ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1:1-2‬ ‭ The background of Hebrews 1 •  Hebrews 2:1 is the first command in the book of Hebrews, but we must refer to Hebrews 1 for its context   • Hebrews 1 is about recognizing who Jesus is as Creator and Sustainer and Owner and Ruler and Redeemer of the world • This is much like John’s gospel begins....”In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” In summary, Hebrews 1 says that the Son of God (Jesus) is: • the heir of all things (verse 2), • the creator (world made through him) (verse 2) • the radiance of God’s glory (verse 3) • the exact representation of God’s nature (verse 3) • the sustainer (he sustains all things by his power) (verse 3) • the purification for sins (verse 3) • at the right hand of God’s majesty (verse 3) • greater than any angel (verse 4) • worshipped by the angels (verse 6) • the mighty God (verse 8) Understanding Hebrews 1 gives us important context when it says “therefore” in Hebrews 2:1: Two guiding principles in regards to drifting from Hebrews 2:1.... 1. Focus matters..... • We are all listening to something....Driven by something...In step with something.... •“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Augustine •We are instructed to pay attention, tune in, and remember who Jesus is 2. Urgency matters.... • This is not a message of convenience, or a message of “when I’m in crisis, then do it”. • We shouldn’t be fearful, but we should be urgent. Bottom Line: (In God’s design) If you’re standing still, you’re drifting We must swim against the stream of sin, the stream of indifference, the stream of doing what everyone else does.   Hebrews 12:1-2 We must keep our eyes on Jesus (focus) We must run the race marked out for us (urgency) The good news: our God passionately pursues every one of us, even those who are drifting.

Vision Sunday - March 1 Our new mission together.... Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ. Background of today’s Scripture -Joshua is leading the nation of Israel into the Promised Land -This text is a moment sandwiched between these two great miracles -Joshua 3-4 is the account of the parting of the Jordan River -Joshua 5 is the account of victory over Jericho -This is a pivotal moment in Joshua’s life and for the nation of Israel Joshua 5:13-15 God is telling Joshua: “I haven’t come to be a part of your story, I have come to discover if you want to play a role in my story” While this was true in Joshua’s life, it is true for us today -You and I have been invited to play a role in His story -It’s not about who is for me, it’s about who I am for -“Leaving my mark is too small a thing to spend my life on” Andy Stanley -Ultimately, if life is simply about what can I do, inviting God to bless what I’m doing, then it’s just not worth it   Bottom Line: God will do whatever He wants through an obedient church. ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭24:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬  At the end of his life Joshua recognizes an incredible crossroads for the nation of Israel -“Choose today who you will serve” -“Will you ask God to bless what you do? Or will you choose to join God at work?” The invitation to step out in obedience: 1. Go 2. Give 3. Serve For more information on these specific steps, check out cotnaz.org/eastrock

http://bible.com/events/7065900 February 23 The Future is Now: The Call to Outreach At HFCN we are committed to living lives of complete obedience to God. So we sense His love compelling us to worship Him wholeheartedly but, more than that, we will reach beyond our walls to welcome the outsider, the broken, the lost, the hopeless. Our work to bring hope to others through the person of Jesus Christ will make us relevant and valuable in our community. NEW MISSION STATEMENT: Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Remembering the call in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17: • The love of Jesus compels us • Jesus died for all and we are compelled to no longer live for ourselves • We no longer live according to a worldly perspective • We are transformed, new creations finding our identity in Christ • All of this is rooted in obedience to God   Paul goes on to remind us (two times): • God reconciled us to himself through Christ • God initiated the work of grace • God initiated the work of forgiveness • God initiated the work of redemption • God invites us to the same ministry of reconciliation • We are his ambassadors and representatives in the world   • We are extensions of his grace, forgiveness and redemption If this is true, then how do we get it so wrong? • This is a call to rescue, a call to redemption, a call to reconciliation • The church is often known as isolated, disconnected, disengaged • There is an incredible call to experience Godly community, to gather, and to build one another up. But we are never called to do that at the detriment of the world around us. If this is true, wouldn’t the church look different? • Wouldn’t we be spending just as much time focused on those outside of the church than those within? • Wouldn’t we be building relationships with those who are different than us? Who believe differently • Wouldn’t we be showing up in the lives of hopeless people? The bottom line: The church that does not go is not the church. • The call to be Christ’s representatives in the world (ambassadors) is the call to “go” • Obedience leads to transformation in our lives, and as we are transformed we are compelled to go!   • If we are not obedient in this way, then we are not who God has called us to be John 17:20• Jesus is praying not just for believers, but for the future believers • For Jesus, the source of future believers is our message Other Texts for Further Study/Reflection: “So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.” Matthew 28:18-20 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you. Then you will be my witnesses to testify about me in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 "I’m not ashamed of the Good News. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes, Jews first and Greeks as well.” Romans 1:16

http://bible.com/events/7061090 The Future is Now: Part 2 – The Call to Obedience Who are we called to be? At HFCN we are committed to living lives of complete obedience to God. So we sense His love compelling us to worship Him wholeheartedly but, more than that, we will reach beyond our walls to welcome the outsider, the broken, the lost, the hopeless. Our work to bring hope to others through the person of Jesus Christ will make us relevant and valuable in our community. Last week: The Call to relevance This week: The Call to obedience Our new mission statement: Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ. Transformados por Dios para traer esperanza a otros a través de Cristo. 2 Corinthians 5:14-17  He died so we might live through Him.   ...His death, His payment for our sins, gives us access to forgiveness instead of the penalty of death He died so we might live for Him. ...we want to live our lives for His honor, for His glory, for His purposes He died so we might live with Him. ...we experience His power at work in us and the promise of eternal life with Him The bottom line: The transforming work of God begins the moment we say yes.   * God does the transforming work as we obey Him * Disobedience has the power to stunt God’s transforming work * Obedience and transformation go together. You don’t have one without the other. * As we introduce this brand new mission statement, our first focus must be on obedience.   “Transformation into Christlikeness is not going to happen unless we act...what transforms us is the will to obey Christ Jesus.“ Dallas Willard “Christianity does not begin with our pursuit of Christ, but rather His pursuit of us. Christianity does not with an invitation we offer to Jesus, but an invitation Jesus offers to us.” David Platt * How will you respond to His invitation? * We are a holiness church, meaning we believe that the power of God can transform us, to make us like Him, as we obey Him. Texts for Further Study/Reflection: John 14:15-17 ‭‭James‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭15:22‬ ‭‭John‬ ‭5:19-20‬‬‬ ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:16-18‬ 

Vision Night was a night for the church to come together to celebrate all that God has done in our church and believing that He has so much more in store. We took time to assess where we are today, introduce a new mission statement, and focus on a specific goal in the coming year to launch a new campus in East Rockingham County. We will keep sharing in the weeks to come!

http://bible.com/events/7055715 The Future Is Now – February 9 “The Call to Relevance” The early history of the US Coast Guard had a simple but profound motto: “We have to go out, we don’t have to come back.” Instead of feeling INSPIRED, COMPELLED, and CALLED, the Church is often defined as FEARFUL and PASSIVE, while being DISCONNECTED and DISENGAGED from our world. The Church in 2020 will always face the temptation the run away from danger, but we are called to go.   Background of Ephesians 2:  In the midst of turmoil and division, Paul is calling the Church towards a message of ONE: -ONE humanity (verse 15) -ONE body (verse 16) -ONE spirit (verse 18) Ephesians 2:19-22 One Nation (verse 19) “You are no longer foreigners and strangers” Within the church there is a seat at the table for each and every person One Family (verse 19) “Fellow citizen’s with God’s people and members of His household” Within the church our identity comes from being a citizen of His kingdom. One Temple (verses 20-22) “Rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” Jesus is the cornerstone, and the church is RISING UP to become His temple, a place where His Spirit dwells. What does it mean for us, the church, ”to rise to become His temple” in 2020?  At HFCN we are committed to living lives of complete obedience to God. So we sense His love compelling us to worship Him wholeheartedly but, more than that, we will reach beyond our walls to welcome the outsider, the broken, the lost, the hopeless. Our work to bring hope to others through the person of Jesus Christ will make us relevant and valuable in our community.  HFCN Church Purpose Statement What does it mean to be relevant? • We believe that God’s purpose for the church was relevant then. • We believe that God’s purpose for the church is relevant today. • God’s purpose for the church is not outdated. Specifically, when we speak of a church that is relevant, we are focusing on three things: REAL • We are REAL - honest about who we are (and who we’re not) • We take time to listen, to understand those we are reaching • We tell our real story about faith in Christ • We don’t pretend or hype and we aren’t playing games • We’re not afraid to speak truth to what’s happening today URGENT • We understand that this really matters -  eternal life and eternal death hang in the balance • We believe that we are in the last days and that “waiting till tomorrow” is bad evangelism and bad theology. (Thus, “The Future is Now.”) • We have hope and we will cannot keep it to ourselves • We won’t be pushy, but we will have urgency to share the Gospel faithfully. IMPACTFUL • We make a meaningful difference. • We realize that nothing happens apart from the love of Christ flowing through us. • We don’t expect people to “have their act together” before extending a hand to them. • We truly care and people know it. • We’re not intimidated by sin, but we don’t turn a blind eye to it either.  Ephesians 3:10-11  • God’s work will be done through the church (We are His Plan A) • If the church is irrelevant, it’s not because our marching orders have changed. • God doesn’t become irrelevant. Bottom Line:  There is no substitute for the church being the church.

http://bible.com/events/7052310 Afraid Not: Brave There at least 21 different times in the Gospels alone where Jesus encourages us not to fear.  -Matthew 10:31 - So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows -Luke 8:50 – Don’t be afraid, just believe -John 14:1 – Don’t let your hearts be troubled -Others examples: Matthew 6:25, Matthew 14:27, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:32, Luke 24:18, Matthew 24:6 Throughout Scripture the command not to fear often includes the command to “be strong and courageous”.   -Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” -Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. -1 Chronicles 28:20 - David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished. -Daniel 10:19 - And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” -1 Corinthians 16:13 - Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong We conclude our series on fear by leaning into this topic of courage: -Courage does not mean you’re not afraid (all the fearless people are dead!) -Courage does not mean you’re an impenetrable robot. -Courage does not mean you pretend to be unfazed by the hardships in your life We witness one of the most important struggles of courage in history in today’s passage:   Matthew 26:36-46 As Jesus prepares to go to the cross, He clearly experienced fear (Luke’s account speaks of Jesus’ sweat like drops of blood). Despite the fear that he was experiencing, Jesus’ response was ultimately one of surrender to the will of the Father. What does courage mean? -Obedient action in the face of fear and uncertainty -Courage cannot be the absence of fear.  The one thing you must have to have courage is fear, because courage isn’t overcoming nothing. Courage is overcoming fear. In the moment of uncertainty, it is not fear that determines the outcome, but rather obedience.  There are three different pictures of Jesus’ obedience 1. Verse 39 “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 2. Verse 42 “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 3. Verse 46 “Rise! Let us go!” A closer look at Matthew 26:46 “Let Us Go”  1. Jesus was saying yes to God’s calling       a. The felt real fear and anxiety, but ultimately he chose obedience     b. Jesus was saying yes to the cross of suffering 2. Jesus was inviting his disciples to say yes to God’s calling       a. Jesus’ response was also an invitation to others     b. The road ahead would be marked with difficulty, pain, and heartache     c. Jesus is challenging them to model their obedience after his own 3. Jesus was acknowledging that we walk in obedience together       a. The power of presence of God would be undeniable in the days ahead     b.  The presence of God allows us to obey in spite of fear Bottom Line: Without courage, your calling is crippled. At the end of our lives, what we will regret most is not the risks we took, instead the times when we played it safe. Other Texts for Study & Reflection: Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

http://bible.com/events/7047267 Afraid Not: Anxious for Nothing “Anxiety and fear are cousins but not twins. Fear sees a threat. Anxiety imagines one. Fear screams, Get out! Anxiety ponders, What if?” Max Lucado The United States is considered by many the most anxious nation in the world. While many of us can identify with anxiety in so many ways, God’s Word gives us a clear command and a clear promise: The command:  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 -The command is not to be anxious, but rather to pursue relationship! -We overcome anxiety by turning to God in relationship, which is what prayer is really all about. The promise: And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 -For some, there is an incredible peace that comes instantly.  -For others, this is a peace that comes one step at a time, one moment at a time.  As they pursue relationship, as they turn to God, moment by moment they walk in peace.   Bottom line:  Our circumstances never have the power to give us peace What is your role in regards to the anxiety and fear you face? Our Focus -our focus becomes distracted, distorted, or clouded by so many others things -our expectations -we fill our hearts and minds with so many things that create faulty expectations for ourselves and for others around us -we embrace “bad theology” where we expect that we wont face opposition -our thoughts -we entertain a toxic mindset about our circumstances and the people around us -we replay negative thoughts about ourselves repeatedly, which leads to shame   -our words -a distorted focus will ultimately come out in our words and in our actions -we give voice to things that are not of God, creating storms of destruction   Psalms‬ ‭16:8‬ ‭ESV  1 Peter 5:7 Other Texts For Study & Reflection: Lamentations 3:17-26 ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Chris Holcomb is the Executive Pastor of Age Group Ministries at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma. Pastor Chris was the guest speaker for the 2020 Virginia District Teen Winter Retreat. Friday Night of Retreat he ask the question How do we see God? Saturday Night he ask How do we see ourselves? Sunday Morning he ask How do we see others? He preached from Mark 11:12-25.

http://bible.com/events/7039028 Afraid Not, Part 2 - Love Conquers “I believe fear is the number one barrier that keeps us from experiencing God’s best for our life.” Pastor Adrian Mills January 5, 2020 Today’s message is in two parts: Part 1: A look at fear, worry and anxiety in our world and at HFCN - exposing our enemy. To consider: When you hear how others are experiencing fear, worry or anxiety, how does it impact that way you feel about your own? What’s one important takeaway for you personally as it relates to the state of fear in our culture/community? Part 2: Fear from a biblical perspective (Romans 8:14-15 and 1 John 4:16-18) Key Texts The Bible fights the idea of fear, the concept of anxiety, with two fear-overpowering concepts: Romans 8:14-15 Fear Fighter #1: If you are in Christ you are a child of God Himself. You no longer have to return to the prison of fear that once held you - “so that you live in fear again." 1 John 4:16-18 Fear Fighter #2: The love found in God obliterates fear. Drives it out. We mostly think about fear from our own perspective. We consider how WE process anxiety…how it makes US feel. But what about fear from God’s perspective? The One who loves you. How does God feel when you worry? How will you respond today? Supplemental Texts 2 Timothy 1:7 Romans 8:11-17 Mark 14:32-36 Hebrews 2:14-15 Lamentations 3:22-23

http://bible.com/events/7017982 Afraid Not: Fear and Faith The first example of fear in Scripture is from Adam in the garden: He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭ * When sin enters the world (in Genesis 3), fear is rampant. * While it began at the fall of creation, in 2020 we are being tormented by fear, anxiety and worry like never before. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) * Spirit of fear – pneuma deilos – fearfulness, torment, dread, cowardice * The term gives the sense of being tormented or haunted by something that begins outside of oneself but, once entertained, enters in. * Paul contrasts the idea of this spirit with three things:     * Power     * Love     * A sound mind * The term “sound mind” doesn’t really mean “peace” or “calm” but rather self-control or self-discipline.     * Freedom from fear means it doesn’t control you anymore. Romans 8:15 Fear is the perversion of faith. * Fear is faith that God can’t be trusted * Fear is faith that God will abandon you * Fear is faith that God is not in your future Matthew 8:23-27 * Jesus presents two ideas that are deeply connected: Faith & Fear * Consider Jesus’ response to fear in John 14:1, “Do not LET your hearts be troubled…”     * Jesus is saying “Don’t allow it!”     * The battle against fear is not passive. Bottom Line: Passive faith cannot defeat pervasive fear. * Fear loves the passive soul. * You can build your faith or build your fear but you can’t build both How to Build Faith:  Immerse yourself in the word  Focus your thoughts on your faith  Linger on the promises of God  Surround yourself with hopeful people  Listen diligently to words of Truth. How to Build Fear:Immerse yourself in the worldFocus your thoughts on your fearsLinger on the pains of lifeSurround yourself with doubtful peopleListen lazily to words of Truth Other verses for reflection: Proverbs 12:25 Isaiah 41:10 Joshua 1:9

http://bible.com/events/6928282 Luke 2:41-52 (2011 NIV) The Boy Jesus at the Temple God with us (Emmanuel), became God like us. I. Gives value to our humanity. a. Wesley’s Explanatory Notes on Luke 2 (John Wesley) i. St. Luke describes in order Jesus the fruit of the womb, Luke 1:42; an infant, Luke 2:12; a little child, Luke 2:40; a child here, and afterward a man. So our Lord passed through and sanctified every stage of human life. Old age only did not become him. b. Our value and our worth does not come from what we can produce, what we can do, what we have, who we know, or how attractive we are. We are loved, we are valued, and we have dignity because of who we are before God. Human beings, created in his image. II. Shows our need for a Savior a. Romans 5:12-17 III. Provides Opportunity a. Hebrews 2:14-18 b. Hebrews 4:14-16 IV. Points to our mission a. Matthew 28:16-20

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.