Church of the Nazarene

http://bible.com/events/644598 GO: The Waiting   Acts 1:4-5 Just as Jesus is set to commission his disciples, he gives a confusing command: WAIT (Acts 1:4)   Acts 1:8 Jesus making a promise and with the promise comes three realities.....  1. Not my power “But you will receive [my] power...” Acts 1:8 2. Not my timing “...when the Holy Spirit comes on you” Acts 1:8 3. Not my purpose “...you will be MY witnesses” Acts 1:8 The important question for us.... What are you waiting for?  Biblically, waiting is not just something we have to do until we get what we want. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what God wants us to be. – John Ortberg Acts 2:1-8, 12-17 There is a difference between waiting on God and waiting with God.

http://bible.com/events/640510 Title: Not Fearful, But Faithful  Today we celebrate 20 years of ministry at our current location.  We pause today to give thanks for God for all He has done, and to tune our hearts to His call for our church as we head into the future.  Our God is faithful!  The people God uses aren’t fearless; they are faithful. Joshua 6:1-16, 20 The promise - Joshua 6:2  God’s promises are true, even when our reality suggests otherwise.  The plan - Joshua 6:3-5  Joshua did not take the city by clever, human military action.  The strategy was the Lord’s. The obedience - Joshua 6:14  Day after day there were opportunities to quit, to become distracted or preoccupied, but obedience was the key to experiencing God’s promise. The fulfillment  - Joshua 6:20  Because they trusted the promise, submitted to the plan, and chose obedience even when it seemed impossible, they experienced God’s fulfillment. And today we stand at a critical place in our history... Do we believe that God is not done?  Do we believe that there are still walls to fall?  We thought God had done big things before, but we can’t even conceive of what it is he has before us... The question for us.... ”Will you go another lap?”  When you feel like you have obeyed and nothing is happening... ”Will you go another lap?”  When you are tempted to give up or lose focus... ”Will you go another lap?”  When you feel tired, or discouraged, or afraid... ”Will you go another lap?”  When you can’t see how God will fulfill His promise... ”Will you go another lap?” 

http://bible.com/events/637647 The Science of Temptation, Part 2 There is a plan in place to hurt you and it will kill you if it can. That sobering idea is the primary reason for this two-part series on temptation that concludes today: The Science of Temptation. Temptation comes at you with a structure, a strategy, even a science. This series asks: What is your plan to fight the temptation you face? For, while temptation itself is not sin, it wants to lead you to sin and, then, to death: For the wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23 Matthew 4:1-11 Three questions posed by Jesus’ temptation: 1. What do you want more than you want God? 2. Whom do you trust? 3. What will you trade for your soul? The Three-Point Shield in the Face of Temptation 1. “It is written…” The activated power of the Word of God in our lives. 2. The faithfulness of God 1 Corinthians 10:13 3. The power of rescuing grace  Hebrews 4:14-16

The Science of Temptation: Part 1 Temptation has been a reality to all humans since the beginning of time. It lured the fall of mankind; even Jesus faced it!  Join us as we discover exactly what temptation is and how God has prepared us to fight it. Genesis 3:1-13 They should have been running to God in their need But instead they HIDE They should be taking ownership and responsibility But instead they BLAME Is temptation a sin? No, we all face temptation, even Jesus Hebrews 4:15 Sin is.... ....a voluntary violation of a known law of God ...a violation of the law of love (because we are people who have been given a choice) Matthew 22:37-40 Temptation is.... ...the act of being enticed to sin Temptation begins with a desire, which if we aren’t careful, can give birth to sin. Temptation is anything that promises satisfaction at the cost of obedience. James 1:14-15 What was the strategy (science) in the first sin? What did the serpent know that he used to break down their defenses? The strategy (science) behind the temptation: • Humans tend to want. • They can be coerced into wanting. • They can be persuaded that they are not getting what they deserve. • They can be convinced to “want it all” and to act on that want. • They can be easily convinced that they know better. • They have the capacity to want something more than they want God. The serpent didn’t use bad temptation approaches. Strategies such as the following would likely not have worked on Adam and Eve: • You should hate God. • Disobeying God is a good idea. • Ignore everything God says. • God is wholly untrustworthy • Bad things might happen but the risk is worth it Perhaps the greatest threat temptation poses is that, in the moment, it makes a proposal that seems to make sense. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Stand firm... ...affirm God's truth What is your foundation? Who is it that is leading and guiding your life? ...affirm God's character.... Are you trusting in what you know to be true of God? ...affirm God's presence.... Isolation breeds destruction Affirming God’s truth & God’s character will always lead us to affirming His presence The battle against temptation begins with the choices I make today

http://bible.com/events/628594 HFCN Definition: The Gospel is the good news message that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. He was raised to life, victorious over the power of death. In choosing to live for Him, we can be free from the power of sin and experience abundant life today and eternal life in Heaven.  1 Corinthians 15: 1-2 The Gospel Is.... -Your gift  I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received 1 Corinthians 15:1 The Gospel is not something we invented and it is not something we discovered The Gospel is the gift of God for us  -Your foundation  Which you received and on which you have taken your stand 1 Corinthians 15:1 The Gospel is your foundation and your solid rock  -Your salvation  By this gospel you are saved 1 Corinthians 15:2 Not a past tense “you were saved” but a present tense...”you are being saved”  1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 Our series “The Pure Gospel”  The Life of Jesus  The Death of Jesus  The Resurrection of Jesus  1 Corinthians 15:12-19 Why is resurrection critical?  What does it mean to us today? Truth is stronger than lies  The Truth of God is stronger than any lie of the enemy Good is stronger than evil  The resurrection proved that evil had lost and that God is greater  Love is stronger than hate  When Jesus rose again, He proved that the perfect love of Jesus     overcomes ALL Life is stronger than death  Powerful implications....  1. This life is not all there is   2. In this life, freedom is possible  If there is no resurrection, there is no… Life Freedom from Sin Victory Hope Two Questions that the Gospel asks of us: Will you believe in that which you don’t fully understand?  Does your daily life reflect victory over sin?

http://bible.com/events/624911 Pure Gospel: The Death of Jesus  HFCN Definition of the Gospel:The Gospel is the good news message that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. He was raised to life, victorious over the power of death. In choosing to live for Him, we can be free from the power of sin and experience abundant life today and eternal life in Heaven.  Romans 5:1-5 In our series last month “More than Me: More Hope”  Romans 5:6-11  The Pure Gospel:  Week One: The Life of Jesus Week Two: The Death of Jesus   Who we were.... Ungodly (Romans 5:6)  Powerless (Romans 5:6) Sinners (Romans 5:8)  Guilty (Romans 5:8)  Enemies (Romans 5:10)  Who God is.... Just (Romans 5:9)  We all love justice, except for when it is applied to us.  When the Bible speaks about “the wrath of God”, it is referring to a God of justice (the presence of sin means a debt must be paid).   Loving (Romans 5:8 “God demonstrates His love for us”   If it is all about justice then we are doomed, but our God is just AND full of love. Romans‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ His love is willing to meet the demands of His justice. -Billy Graham  Who we are.... Justified (Romans 5:9)  Justice has been served on our behalf  Saved (Romans 5:9) “Jesus died so you could choose not to. He chose death so you could choose life.” Reconciled (Romans 5:10-11)  We were separated, but because of the cross, we are brought near. Closing Thought: What is your response to the cross of Jesus? 

http://bible.com/events/621039 Pure Gospel: The Life of JesusWord Study: The Greek word for Gospel is euaggelion– “Good message”  Mat 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news (euaggelion) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Mat 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news (euaggelion) of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. Mat 24:14 And this gospel (euaggelion) of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Mat 26:13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel (euaggelion) is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”  HFCN Definition: The Gospel is the good news message that God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins. He was raised to life, victorious over the power of death. In choosing to live for Him, we can be free from the power of sin and experience abundant life today and eternal life in Heaven.   John 5:19-20 Two reasons why the life of Jesus is critical to the Gospel... 1. Jesus was...The Plan   From the moment sin entered the world, Jesus became the plan for our redemption.  “The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” John 1:14 Jesus has Complete confidence.... His confidence came from knowing that his future was in God’s hands. Jesus has complete fearlessness ... His fearlessness came from recognizing it was more important to be true to God than to please man.  2. Jesus was...The Example   “The Son can do nothing by himself”  “The son does what the Father does”  John 5:19 The example of who the Father is -The mind of Jesus...the mind of God -The words of Jesus...the words of God -The actions of Jesus...the actions of God The example of who we are to be The identity of Jesus was based on: -not power, but submission -not in his position but in his obedience These were the things that defined who Jesus was & they are the things that should define who we are. The Question: • What’s the greatest difference between the way Jesus lived and the way you live?

http://bible.com/events/617092 ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬  Galatians 5:1 (NIV)  We were once slaves to sin, but we have experienced freedom in Christ. Because of Jesus there is  MORE LIFE,  MORE HOPE,  MORE PURPOSE & MORE FREEDOM Galatians 5:2-5  There is a group of believers (called “Judaizers”) teaching that the only way to receive God’s love and forgiveness was to become like a Jew and follow Jewish customs  While there is nothing wrong with the outward act of circumcision, in this context it represented adding something to the Gospel  MY FOCUS  Galatians 5:2- “Christ has no value to you at all”  When we add something to the Gospel, we make it about what we do When we make it about what we do, we diminish Christ’s value  MY DEBT  Galatians 5:3- “obligated to obey the whole law” When we attempt to pay back the debt that’s forgiven, we turn God’s free gift into a loan to be repaid or wages to be earned  MY WORK Galatians 5:4-  “justified by the law”  “you have fallen away from grace” When we make it about what we do, then it is no longer about God’s grace MY POWER Galatians 5:5- “through the Spirit” “by faith” We don’t need to rely on the “external” law to keep us in line  We have the “internal” work of the Holy Spirit  Those who claim to follow Jesus can still be chained... I keep the rules  I do enough good things  I am a spiritual person  I believe I have the strength to improve every day  I do what I’m told  I measure up to the standards set for me  I am making progress I don’t do some things that I used to do  I’m better off than some around me  I do good things and have a good reputation  I wish others were more like me If only other groups could be as spiritual as us When you choose the law over grace you lose every time  What has you chained today?

http://bible.com/events/612603 More Than Me: More Purpose “He must become greater; I must become less.”” John 3:30 NIV Acts 26:12-18NIV Philippians 3:7-11 (NIV) The Purpose of ME is often defined by....  -ACTIONS -REPUTATION  -SOCIAL STANDING -EFFORT -PASSION  Phil 3:9 If we aren’t careful, building my life on my own purpose leads to a righteousness of my own.   Some attributes of the ‘RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ME’  ...attends Church fairly regularly because it is expected. ...chooses what is popular over what is right. It desires to fit in both at church and outside church. ...does not want to be saved from sin, just the penalty of sin. ....does not really believe that the new life Jesus offers is better than the old life of sin. ...will serve God and others but there are limitations. ... does whatever is necessary to stay in its comfort zone. ... does not live by faith. Life is so structured that faith isn’t necessary  ...does not love Jesus as much as it loves self. It loves Him some but loves self more. HIS PURPOSE FOR ME Philippians 3:10-11  My purpose begins with ME  His Purpose for me begins at the cross  Luke 9:23-24 MY purpose is about MY POWER  HIS Purpose for me begins with HIS POWER IN ME  The power of God’s purpose changes us.... Instead of “What can I do?”  It becomes “What can you do in me?” Instead of “What can I accomplish?” It becomes “What can you accomplish through me?”   Instead of “My spotlight”  It becomes “His glory”  Instead of “I want to be famous”  It becomes “I want to be faithful”  The best purpose we find is not in our purpose but in God’s purpose for us. It is more than dreaming, more than your work, more than a collection of tasks, more than me.

http://bible.com/events/608342 April 28 More Than Me: More Hope John 10:10 (The Message)   We are living in between two tensions: The wonder of ME.... -I am a miracle of God -I am created with gifts, talents & abilities -I am created in the image of God The problem of ME... -Sin separates me from God -Sin prevents me from experiencing God’s best for my life today “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” Augustine Romans 5:1-5 (NIV) Peace with God.... -The opposite of justification is condemnation -Condemnation is what we deserved because of sin -Justification means we are made righteous Access to God... -We used to depend on what we can do for ourselves -Now we depend on what God can do for us Hope of the glory of God.... -Things I place my hope in... Who I Am (My abilities) What I Do (My accomplishments) My People (My relationships) My Stuff (My finances, possessions, etc) -The reality: ME has no real capacity to hope Our hope is not founded in me Our hope is founded in God’s Glory Peace with God - takes care of the past Access to God - addresses the present Hope of the glory of God - speaks to the future Romans 5:3-4 Suffering -Suffering seems contradictory to hope, but suffering is actually a gateway to HOPE -“Hope itself is like a star – not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.” -Charles Spurgeon Perseverance -When you are willing to endure, resistance builds strength Character -Through suffering something beautiful is produced -“Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted” Matthew 5:4 Hope -Hope is the product of something else – it doesn’t appear out of nowhere. Suffering Perseverance Character Hope Romans 5:5  The Hope of ME can fail The Hope of God cannot fail

http://bible.com/events/605161 The wonder....ME I am miracle I am created by God and made in His Image The problem....ME There is something broken within us.  In our human-ness and in our frailty: There is a wrestling, there is an emptiness, & there is a brokenness within.  Ultimately this life is about more than ME....more than what I can accomplish on my own.   ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1-3  The problem of ME is really the problem of SIN. -acts of sin -nature of sin ‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭‬‬ Jesus isn’t speaking of simply being alive, but what FILLS our life o Symptoms of a taste of death ▪ constant worry, fear, anxiety) ▪ we can’t be ourselves....we have to hide ▪ we lack true joy Ephesians 2:4-5 In His mercy, He does not give us what we do deserve, and in His grace He gives us what we do not deserve.   This life is possible when we recognize it’s beyond ME, it’s only found in Christ More Than Me begins with a prayer... 1. “I can’t do it” (It’s more than Me, more than what I can do on my own) 2. “God, you can do it” (God is capable...He CAN fill us with real life now and for eternity)  3. “I turn from DEATH” (the taste of death I am currently experiencing...the worry, shame, fear...I REPENT and turn from that life) 4. “God, fill me with your LIFE” (Only God can bring me true life)

http://bible.com/events/600832 Let's share the following for 'show notes' for this week. 1. This Friday night at 7:00pm, we're a having a Good Friday worship service. We hope you'll join us this week as we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us. 2. On Saturday at 2pm, our children's ministry is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt. We are still accepting candy donations for the eggs in the foyer or just outside of Kid's City. You can register online for the egg hunt and we recommend you do so. abeaconofhope.churchcenter.com/registrations 3. On Easter Sunday, we will have one additional worship service at 7:30am. All of our other service times will stay the same. If you have been thinking about serving at HFCN, Easter Sunday is about the best day we can think of to start. Let us know and we'll work with you to find the right spot for you. Thank you! cotnaz.org abeaconofhope.churchcenter.com/giving abeaconofhope.churchcenter.com/registrations [email protected]. 540.434.1092

The Uncomfortable Jesus: The Adulterous Woman John 8:1-11 Consider the woman.... She would be forever branded by the worst thing she ever did: “the adulterous woman” She was guilty and everyone, including her, knows it. And yet....Jesus loves her.   Consider the religious leaders... -An authority issue They saw their role as authorities in the law, standing watch, investigating, watching, ready to pounce with unforgiving punishment. Any authority which is solely concerned with punishment is a wrong authority.   -An attitude issue They didn’t see a person, but rather a thing. To them, the woman had no name, no story, no feelings. The love of Jesus compels us to see people first...In spite of their past, and no matter what they’ve done. A GOSPEL OF GRACE AND TRUTH  ‭‭John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭ GOSPEL OF GRACE Jesus is not dismissing sin, He is withholding judgement.   Jesus is always interested NOT in what you have been, but in what you CAN BE. It’s not that the past doesn’t matter, but just as you have had a past, you HAVE a future. GOSPEL OF TRUTH Jesus didn’t pretend that what she did was okay.   Jesus simply said, “go and sin no more.” He is speaking a vision over her life that she didn’t even know was possible. ‭‭Psalm‬ ‭103:10-12‬ ‭ All are welcome to the table as Jesus says “Go and leave your life of sin”

This series continues to challenge us in a big way, as we look at some very difficult teaching by our Lord and Savior, Jesus.  Let's grow together. Thank you for joining us in the journey as we look more closely at our wee little friend, Zacchaeus. http://bible.com/events/591245