Church of the Nazarene

The Domroes Family has served the past four years as missionaries in Paraguay and will be serving in Curacao as missionaries over the next two years. If you are interested in supporting the important work the Domroes family is doing in Curacao, click the link below. https://give.nazarene.org/pledge/jadomroes#v35448 “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭  “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”  ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ ‭  “For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!””  ‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬-‭15‬ 

https://www.bible.com/events/49484655 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus  5 Keys of John Part 5  John's cliffhanger ending.  We conclude our teaching series in the Gospel of John called “Five Keys of John” today.  The gospel of John was written around 80-90AD, by Jesus’ closest friend; The Apostle John.  John was the oldest and last surviving eyewitness of the 12 disciples who were with Jesus.  He is writing for a very specific purpose. He says in Chapter 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  John believes that the Jesus we discover through the stories in his gospel account is real and alive. And when we come to know who he is and believe in him, we will find true and eternal life.  ‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-‭3‬‬  Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.  After the closing scene of chapter 20, the story advances here several days and moves to the sea of Galilee. Earlier in the gospels, Jesus had told his disciples that he would meet them there.  ‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬-‭8‬‬  Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.  For whatever reason, these guys do what the stranger says, and the results are, well, miraculous.  They drop the net over the right side of the boat and come up with so many fish they can’t even lift it out of the water.  In the fog of the moment, one person makes an important connection.  They couldn’t recognize the man on the shore by his appearance, but his power to perform miracles was undeniable.  They had seen this before. They had seen Him before. This is Jesus.  We know from the gospels that Peter had denied Jesus 3 times. He fell flat on his faith and his commitment to the Lord.  Was he racing to the shore for redemption?  Was he so excited that he just didn’t think it through? We don’t know.  All we know is that he adjusts his wardrobe and takes off.  ‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭9‬-‭11‬‬  When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.  The disciples arrive to find that Jesus already has breakfast prepared. He invites them to bring some of the fish that they had just caught.  The miraculous catch of fish fades into the background as the greater miracle begins to unfold.  Jesus, resurrected from the dead, shares a meal with his friends.  ‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭12‬-‭13‬‬  Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.  Throughout the gospel, John has gone to great lengths to make sure that we properly understand who Jesus is.  That he is One with the father, Lord of all, creator and sustainer of the universe, source of all life.  That he is the savior, messiah, come to deliver his people from the power of sin and death. That’s who Jesus is.  Now that he is tying up loose ends, John wants to make sure that we see This same Jesus, Lord and savior of the word, now back from the dead, does something no more dramatic than fixing his friends breakfast.  Who is Jesus? He is the servant king. He is the gracious friend.  As this story comes to a close John has meticulously cleared up all the missing pieces. That is all but one final cliffhanger. One story still isnt resolved.  A cliffhanger is a part of the story that remains un-resolved, in suspense.  That’s what John has left us with here. A key part of the story, still un-resolved. In suspense, unsure of what will happen next.  What is it, you ask? What’s the cliffhanger of this story?  It

The Apostle Thomas… (pause) I wonder if he was a good bowler. Now, most of you know me well enough to know I’m not exactly… gifted when it comes to sports. I’m about to tell you something, but I’ll warn you: most of you probably won’t believe me.” I actually won a game of bowling against my family last week? (Beats look around) And how many of you would need some proof? Well, in that first game, I scored a 163—and yes, I got six strikes. Still doubting me? That’s fair. Honestly, I would doubt me too. Which is why—I came prepared.” Slide: Show a pic of the scoreboard… proof. “How many of you would believe me if I told you I actually won the second game too? both scores I did- it wasn’t as high as the first, but I still came out on top with a 119. Now, I really don’t blame those of you who were skeptical. Honestly, I would’ve been skeptical too. I was just as surprised as you are! Sometimes, it’s hard to take someone’s word for it. Sometimes, we just need proof. And that’s exactly where Thomas found himself. When he heard the others saying, ‘We’ve seen the Lord!’ he just couldn’t accept it without evidence. He needed to see Jesus with his own eyes before he could believe.” This week, we will be in John 20:24-31. Review We have been going through a series titled Keys of John. Pastor Billy and Pastor Kevin have shared that the central purpose of John’s Gospel is to lead the reader to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ. John uses the word “believe” 98 times in this book, with each story serving as a testimony that Jesus is the Messiah, and that He lived, died, and was resurrected. John wants us to be CERTAIN about Jesus. In Week 2, Pastor Kevin reminded us through the story of Lazarus that Jesus is love. He loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, and He loves you and me. Last week, we examined how Jesus responded to the adulterous woman with love and forgiveness. He stooped down and restored her honor, showing Himself as a God who forgives. Jesus is forgiveness So far, all these stories are ones we can relate to. We have all experienced grief, longed for love and comfort, and fallen short of the glory of God. We all know the need for forgiveness. However, when it comes to doubt and questioning, many may feel shame or guilt. I came to know the Lord at the age of 24 and when I asked a question about something that I didn't understand or doubted, I felt I "should know the answer" so I often hesitated to ask the question. Somewhere along the way, we’ve been made to feel guilty for asking questions about our faith. In faith, sometimes we are expected to believe just because the Bible says so or because the pastor says so. But the truth is this: it is through questions, often sparked by doubt, that our faith can grow deeper and our relationship with God can become stronger. Doubt isn’t the end of faith—it’s often the beginning of a deeper journey. After Jesus’ death, after He had been placed in the tomb, and after Mary, John, Peter, and the other disciples discovered the tomb was empty, Jesus appeared to His disciples. He made Himself visible and spent 40 days teaching them. Today's scripture drops us in right at the start of Jesus "come back" Let’s read John 20:19-22: "On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' After He said this, He showed them His hands and His side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again, Jesus said, 'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.' And with that, He breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. v24 "Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came." Anyone struggle with FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out? Talk about a bad day to be absent! Thomas must have had serious FOMO. Forty days of hanging out with Jesus, and Thomas wasn’t there for the first visit. Slide: "So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.'" Thomas missed it! He only hears from the other disciples, “Thomas, guess who came to visit us? "Who?" "Jesus!” “ yeah, I’ll believe it when I see it.” And as a result, Thomas is given a nickname! NICKNAMES: Who has a nickname? Anyone know what they called Brian Charette back in the day, when he was a DJ? Slide: BC in the Morning. Catchy, don't you think? Can you imagine my surprise when I found out from his momma, that Kirby Dean's real name is not really Kirby. Kirby is his nickname. It's Gerald. Pastor Kevin, is often referred to as Griff or Rev Kev. We used to call my oldest daughter, "Google" cause when she was in HS she thought she knew everything. Now many of you might remember that I once had the nickname "Lala" on the softball field. I received a few nicknames as a ki

https://www.bible.com/events/49481405 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus  5 Keys of John Part 4  Stop doubting and believe...  We continue in our teaching series in the Gospel of John called “Five Keys of John”.  The gospel of John was written around 80-90AD, by Jesus’ closest friend; The Apostle John.  John was the oldest and last surviving eyewitness of the 12 disciples who were with Jesus.  He is writing for a very specific purpose. He says in Chapter 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  John believes that the Jesus we discover through the stories in his gospel account is real and alive. And when we come to know who he is and believe in him, we will find true and eternal life.  ‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭24‬-‭25‬‬  Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  Just before our teaching text the disciples are gathered together on the first easter evening, behind closed doors, probably processing the stories they had just heard.  As Jesus met with the disciples, he showed them beyond any doubt, that it was him. It was Jesus, back from the dead, resurrected.  There was just one problem, our boy Thomas wasn’t there. He missed it. And that’s where our teaching text picks up in verse 24.  Even though his close friends tell him the story, recounting the details, it’s not enough. Thomas has to be sure. He wanted to see Jesus, to touch the scars, to stick his hand into his side, just like everyone else.  I think it’s safe to say that Thomas could have worded this better- He probably shouldn’t have been so dogmatic to say “I will not believe”  But what he did do right; he was honest about his doubts.  ‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭26‬-‭27‬‬  A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  Dont miss where it says “Thomas was with them”.  Thomas didn’t bail out because he had questions. He didn’t throw in the towel, he kept coming. He kept coming, and Jesus showed up.  Jesus shows up with an invitation for Thomas to settle his doubts.  Jesus meets Thomas right in the place of his doubts. Word for word what Thomas said it would take, Jesus offers him here.  Jesus heard Thomas when he confessed his doubt, he always hears when his people confess their doubts. He hears you today.  ‭‭John‬ ‭20‬:‭28‬-‭29‬‬  Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  With these words, Thomas declares that not only is Jesus alive, resurrected form the dead, he declares that Jesus is Lord. And notice, he uses personal language- My Lord and my God.  This critical and practical thinker who struggles with doubt and questions has traded his doubt for a personal saving faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.  Jesus recognizes and clarifies in this moment that not everyone will be afforded the opportunity to literally see and touch him, but those who believe without seeing, are blessed.  Friends, that’s all of us who believe today.  As we conclude I want to offer three actions steps we can take in facing our doubts.  When you face doubt, I want you to A.C.T.  A-Acknowledge  To act on our doubt, to challenge them, we need to acknowledge the place they hold in our faith.  C-Connected  To pursue faith in the face of our doubts, we need to stay connected, to the Lord through prayer and worship. Connected to the church through Sunday services and fellowship opportunities.  T-Trust  As we act on our doubts, we need to trust and believe that the Lord hears us.  The most important thing about doubt is what you choose to do with it.  Will you ACT to see your doubt turned to faith? 

WELCOME  WELCOME- GLAD YOU ARE HERE WE HAVE 4 CAMPUSES THAT MEET WEEKLY EAST ROCK CAMPUS- ELKTON RIVER BAPTISM- OVER 200 IN SERVICES WHO IS JESUS?                                                      AW TOZER QUOTE  WEEK 1- JESUS IS GODS SON  THE WORLD HAS A WIDE VARIETY OF OPINIONS BILLBOARDS TRY AND TELL US DIFFERENT. CULTS AND OTHER RELIGIONS SAY HES NOT WEEK 2 (WHO IS JESUS)   JESUS IS LOVE JESUS LOVES ME JESUS AND THE WRITER OF THIS BOOK ASK-   DO YOU BELIEVE?  BELIEVE WHAT? –   98 TIMES HE USES THE WORD BELIEVE  BUT EVEN DEMONS BELIEVE SCRIPTURE SAYS  THAT I’M THE SON OF GOD  DO YOU BELIEVE- BELIEVE WHAT? THAT I LOVE YOU  WHAT ELSE WOULD CHANGE IN MY LIFE?   TODAY- WEEK 3, ANOTHER LOOK INSIDE JOHN SOME PEOPLE ARGUE HISTORICAL PLACE HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN CAUGHT?   WHAT WAS LAST THING YOU GOT CAUGHT ?  CHILD HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR.            FAIRLY INNOCENT HERE- ITS REAL THO COLD PLAY CONCERT? – NO PIC NEEDED BILL CLINTON PICTURE  COUNTRIES PERCENTAGE CHEATERS  JOHN 8:1-2    1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.  2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them.  PICTURE OF WAILING WALL  FEAST OF TABERNACLES 3 FESTIVALS ALL JEWISH MALES 21 OLDER ATTEND PICTURE OF NIGHT PICNIC  STILL CELEBRATED TODAY – (7-8 DAYS) SLIDE 17: SCRIPTURE JOHN 8:3-5                                       3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?”   DEUTERONOMY 22:22    “IF A MAN IS FOUND SLEEPING WITH ANOTHER MAN’S WIFE, BOTH THE MAN WHO SLEPT WITH HER AND THE WOMAN MUST DIE. YOU MUST PURGE THE EVIL FROM ISRAEL.”  LEVITICUS 20:10    10. “IF A MAN COMMITS ADULTERY WITH ANOTHER MAN’S WIFE- WITH THE WIFE OF HIS NEIGHBOR- BOTHTHE ADULTERER AND THE ADULTERESS ARE TO BE PUT TO DEATH.”  JOHN 8:6    6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger.     WOMAN IS A COMMIDITY IN THEIR GAME  JOHN 8:7-8     7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.  PICTURE OF WOMAN CAUGHT  JOHN 8: 9-10                                                  9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”  JOHN 8:11    11. NO ONE, SIR, “ SHE SAID. “THEN NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU, “JESUS DECLARED. “GO NOW AND LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN.”     HE DOESN’T SAY DON’T DO THIS SIN ANYMORE     HE DOESN’T SAY- I KNOW YOUR PROBABLY GOMNA STRUGGLE-  JUST TRY AND NOT SIN  IF WE GRASP THAT- WE HAVE A DESIRE TO LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN  JOHN 20:30-31    20. “JESUS PERFORMED MANY OTHER SIGNS IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS DISCIPLES, WHICH ARE NOT RECORDED IN THIS BOOK. BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE MESSIAH, THE SON OF GOD, AND THAT BY BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME.”  JESUS IS FORGIVENESS  WHO IS JESUS JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD JESUS IS THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE JESUS LOVES ME SCARLET LETTER  NATHANIEL HAWTHORNES FAMOUS BOOK- 1850 GIRL NAMED HESTER PRYNNE (PEARL) SHE IS SHAMED AND MUST WEAR AN A HER DRESS ARTHUR DIMMESDALE- FATHER HES A MINISTER REVELATION12:10    THEN I HEARD A LOUD VOICE IN HEAVEN SAY. “NOW HAVE COME THE SALVATION AND THE POWER AND THE KINGDOM OF OUR GOD, AND THE AUTHORITY OF HIS MESSIAH. FOR THE ACCUSER OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WHO ACCUSES THEM BEFORE OUR GOD DAY AND NIGHT, HAS BEEN HURLED DOWN.”  JESUS STOOPS  18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses

Five Keys (Truths) from John:   Sent into the World | John 17:13-21  John 15:9-11 - HIS JOY 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Quickly introduce myself or offer greetings WHO IS JESUS? Week 1: The Lordship of Christ Jesus - Creator, eternal, Lord of all of Creation Week 2: The Resurrection and the Life (note of baptisms from previous week) Now we make a turn in our series If we understand and KNOW not just who this Jesus is but we would declare in faith today that He is that to us, then we must ask what is his will for our lives as his children, as disciples? Week 3: Sanctified and Sent Church of the Nazarene - Core Values (plug DYC next week with lunch) We are a Christian people We are a Holiness people We are a Missional people Key Concepts  In essence, Jesus prays in this way in our text today: That His followers have a full measure of joy That His followers not be taken out of the world That His followers be protected from the work of the evil one in our lives That the Father sanctify His followers by His Word (which He has given us) That if you are Christ’s, you are on a mission in this world. MESSAGE: (stand for the reading of the Word)  (SLIDE) John 17:13-19 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. The prayer of the Lord specifically is that we may be sanctified because we are being sent into the world on a mission for the Kingdom of God. 13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.. If Jesus was so concerned for joy among His disciples that He prayed for it, we can know that He is also concerned that we have joy. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.. ‘the world’ Is the world system (set of values) that is ruled by Satan John 12:31 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. John 16:11 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. Jesus will tell them before he prays to the Father in their presence John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 1 John 5:19 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. Illustration  Author and pastor Mark Sayers says there are two stories competing for our minds and hearts. The first story is broadcast loudly across pop culture, social media, and all media. It claims that you and I are the center of the universe. We are unique individuals, and we can be awesome. We just need to create our identities. By making the right choices with our wardrobe and weekends, and by hanging out with the right people and doing the right things, we can be limitlessly happy. The world offers you and me an amazing life; we just have to go out and make it happen.  The second story is quiet. It’s more of a whisper from the back burner in our brains, but it will not go away. It’s there in the quiet, in the middle of the night. It’s the longing when the promises of the first story under-deliver. The whisper tells us we were made for more. In hushed voices, it insists that we have an immovable and important identity, a sort of real home somewhere out there. We’re longing for it, and we know it’s not just in our imaginations. There’s got to be more to this life, it nags.  We continuously suppress that second story, though, largely because the first story is so loud. Everything from Instagram to movies to clothing ads to political campaigns declares that we can be whoever we want to be. Pursuing the second story takes time and intentionality and going against every cultural grain.  And often times, those living according to the systems of this world will hate you because of it… Why? “The truth looks like hate, to those who hate the truth.” Jesus understand this reality He did then He does now It is one reason He prays wh

MOST KNOW THAT WE HAVE MULTIPLE CAMPUSES  WANTED TO SHARE FROM THE OTHER CAMPUSES  WE ARE GOING TO DO A COMBINED BAPTISM END OF SEPTEMBER FIRST TWO SERVICES  MORE DETAILS COMING  PASTOR JARED AND JOHNNY GOOD     JOHNNY’S MOM/DAD ATTEND EAST ROCK     JOHNNY IS BEING DEPLOYED THIS WEEK  JOHNNY GOOD BAPTISM  JOHNNY AND PASTOR JARED IN SHENANDOAH RIVER- PRAY FOR JOHNNY ADDISON/MOMMA WE ALSO THIS PAST WEEKEND CELEBRATED   EPSERANZA VIVA CELBRATED 20 YEARS AS A CAMPUS  PASTOR MARITZA BAPTIZING     WAYNESBORO CAMPUS- GRAN ASADO  GIANT BARBECUE  65 TOTAL PEOPLE  12 NEW PEOPLE CAME  PASTOR WALTER AND PASTOR MARITZA  BAPTIZED 2  GRAN ASADO PICTURE- 20TH ANNIVERSARY  ESPERANZA VIVA MET LAST WEEK  37 PEOPLE SAVED (19 ADULTS/18 CHILDREN)  PASTOR SAM/ PASTOR CHRIS BAPTIZING  BAPTIZED 6 PEOPLE  PASTOR SAM/PASTOR CHRIS BAPTIZING  ADULTS AND CHILDREN FOOD WAS AMAZING PARTY- MECHANICAL BULL KEYS OF JOHN SERIES WEEK 2  JOHN DISCIPLE- NOT JOHN BAPTIST WRITER JOHN WRITES AS ONE WHO SAW FIRSTHAND JOHN WROTE JOHN WAS A HUMBLE BRAGGER ATEAM PICTURE  In 1972 , a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire... the A-Team  JOHN 1 IS THE INTRO- ITS PROLOGUE EVERYTHING FLOWS FROM THERE SIGNS IN JOHN     TURNING WATER INTO WINE     CLEASING THE TEMPLE     HEALING A NOBLEMANS SON      HEALING THE LAME MAN    FEEDING THE MULTITUDE    HEALING THE BLIND MAN    RAISING LAZARUS  I AM STATEMENTS     I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE     I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD     I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP     I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE     I AM THE WAY TRUTH AND LIFE     I AM THE VINE  JOHN 11: 1-3                                   Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick. LAZARUS NAME MEANS “GOD HAS HELPED”  JOHN 11:4-5     4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  HAND GESTURE FOR LOVE  WHAT’S THE SIGN FOR LOVE? LAST TIME YOU SENSED- YOU KNEW WERE LOVED?HEART EYES EMOJI CAN YOU REMEMBER FEELING INTENSE LOVE?  THE MOST DEEPEST/BESTEST/ HEART WARMING  ________________________________________________________  6 So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days  TWO DAYS  HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED TWO DAYS? TWO EXCRUCIATING-LONG-NO RESPONSE DAYS WHAT IS HE WAITING FOR- THIS IS LOVE? __________________________________________________________  After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” 13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. 14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”  Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”  JESUS SHOWS UP- LAZARUS IN GRAVE 4 DAYS  SLIDE 19: SCRIPTURE JOHN 11: 20-22     20. WHEN MARTHA HEARD THAT JESUS WAS COMING, SHE WENT OUT TO MEET HIM, BUT MARY STAYED AT HOME. “LORD, MARTHA SAID TO JESUS, “IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE, MY BROTHER WOULD NOT HAVE DIED. BUT I KNOW THAT EVEN NOW GOD WILL GIVE YOU WHATEVER YOU ASK,”  JOHN 11: 23-25    23. JESUS SAID TO HER, “YOUR BROTHER WILL RISE AGAIN.” MARTHA ANSWERED, “I KNOW HE WILL RISE AGAIN IN THE RESURRECTION AT THE LAST DAY.” JESUS SAID TO HER, I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL LIVE, EVEN THOUGH THEY DIE.   JOHN 11:26-27    26. AND WHOEVER LIVES BY BELIEVING IN ME WILL NEBER DIE. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS? YES LORD, SHE REPLIED, I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS COME INTO THE WORLD.”     THIS IS DIFFERENT- THI

https://www.bible.com/events/49475044 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus  5 Keys of John Part 2  I am the resurrection and the life.  We continue in our teaching series in the Gospel of John called “Five Keys of John”.  The gospel of John was written around 80-90AD, by Jesus’ closest friend; The Apostle John.  John was the oldest and last surviving eyewitness of the 12 disciples who were with Jesus.  He is writing for a very specific purpose. He says in Chapter 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  John believes that the Jesus we discover through the stories in his gospel account is real and alive. And when we come to know who he is and believe in him, we will find true and eternal life.  ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭5‬‬  Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are close friends of Jesus who live in a village just a few miles from Jerusalem. John makes sure we understand that Jesus loved them.  Lazarus has become ill and it’s pretty serious. The sisters send the message to Jesus “Lord, the one you love is sick.”  These unique words of Jesus are a clue that something different is going on here.  ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬‬  So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days,  In our text, Jesus' delay has a very specific purpose- He waits so that he might have the opportunity to reveal something to his disciples greater than even death itself.  His disciples are as confused about this plan as we might be today. The next few verses unpack their confusion, before finally Jesus makes it clear for them in vs. 14  ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭14‬-‭15‬‬  So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”  What Jesus is about to teach his disciples, is that knowing him, knowing who he really is and the life he brings, is the most important in their lives. Even greater than the tragedy of death itself.  Jesus is glad for their sakes, they have this opportunity to know him more.  ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭17‬-‭22‬‬  On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”  The note about 4 days signals to readers that Lazarus is truly gone, any hope of a misdiagnosis is past.  Martha comes to Jesus bearing the weight of grief and sorrow, yet still confident that even in death, Jesus can bring about something good. There is no rebuke in her words, as she clings to faith in the face of death.  ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬-‭26‬‬  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”  Jesus invites Martha to know Him as the resurrection and the life. The future hope she held, was now embodied in the person of Jesus, standing in front of her. He is the resurrection and the life.  Note that Jesus doesn’t say, “I do resurrection” or “I do life”, he says “I am”.  I am the Resurrection, I am the power to overcome death, to bring hope in the darkness of death. I am the life, the vital essence of full and real life here and now.  This is a key to understanding who Jesus is. This is the revelation this whole story has been building up to. The raising of Lazarus that comes next, that’s secondary to seeing this truth.  This whole seen has ben building to this moment, and it hangs on the edge with one searching question on the lips of Jesus: Do you believe this?  Friends our journey to discover who Jesus is and the life he came to bring, must stop here and answer that very question for ourselves.  Do you believe this?  Do you know Jesus as the power over sin, death, and hell itself- Do you know that in your life?  Have you experienced resurrection through faith in him?  ‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭27‬‬  “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who

Isaiah 43:10b-11   Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.  INTRO:  We begin a new series today — Keys of John Note the purpose for this series. To understand the Book of John more deeply by focusing on five fundamental truths from the Gospel. To grasp the book’s context and purpose while, more importantly, being equipped to live out/practice as a disciple five of its essential teachings Gospel writers purpose/audience Matthew wrote with his fellow Jews in mind and emphasized that Jesus came from Abraham through the line of David and had fulfilled the OT prophecies of the Messiah Mark wrote for the Romans, he presents Jesus as the Servant who came from Nazareth, ministering to needy people Luke wrote for the Greeks and introduced them to the sympathetic Son of Man. John, who was known as the beloved disciple, wrote for everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, with purpose of showing the Jesus is the Son of God: While the first 3 writers emphasize and describe events (where+what) in the life of Christ — John emphasizes the meaning of those events to reveal WHO JESUS IS. One major theme runs throughout John’s gospel: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 The preamble to John—first 18 verses— is critical for reinforcing the preeminence(supremacy) of Jesus, His pre-existence and His deity. The first eighteen verses of John counter many false beliefs about God. It is a summation of the entire book It is like the overture of an opera or ballet Today’s Key: The Preeminence and Lordship of Christ Church of the Nazarene - Article of Faith II - Jesus Christ 2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Triune Godhead; that He was eternally one with the Father; that He became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say the Godhead and manhood, are thus united in one Person very God and very man, the God-man. We believe that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that He truly arose from the dead and took again His body, together with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven and is there engaged in intercession for us. T.A Noble writes: “It is not enough to know doctrines or theories. It is not enough to know practices and follow them. What is at the heart of the faith is to know God. This is not just sub-personal knowledge about God. This is Person-to-person knowledge of God…but to know God it is not enough to be present when the Church gathers, and it is not even enough to know the Bible by heart. Bible and church are essential. But God’s self-revelation is centered in the Person of his beloved Son, the Word made flesh. We ‘come to the Father through Jesus, the Son.’” (SLIDE) John 1:1-5  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.  1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. “In the beginning” This refers to the timeless eternity of Genesis 1:1 (In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth). ‘was the Word’ Gr. logos - The idea of the logos had deep and rich roots in both Jewish and Greek thinking. i. Jewish rabbis often referred to God (especially in His more personal aspects) in terms of His word. They spoke of God Himself as “the word of God.” For example, ancient Hebrew editions of the Old Testament change Exodus 19:17 (Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God) to “Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet the word of God.” In the mind of the ancient Jews, the phrase “the word of God” could be used to refer to God Himself. ii. The Greek philosophers saw the logos as the power that puts sense into the world, making the world orderly instead of chaotic. The logos was the power that set the world in perfect order and kept it going in perfect order. They saw the logos as the “Ultimate Reason” that controlled all things. Verse 1 establishes that the universe had a beginning, contrary to the idea that it is eternal. It also states that God has existed from that beginning. Later verses will show that God, in fact, created all that exists. This verse also makes it noticeably clear that this Logos, Jesus, is identical to the Creator: the Word was God. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

https://www.bible.com/events/49471790 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus 5 Keys of John Part 1 The Preeminence and Lordship of Christ We are beginning a new teaching series in the Gospel of John called “Five Keys from John”. The gospel of John was written around 80-90AD, by Jesus’ closest friend; The Apostle John. John was the oldest and last surviving eyewitness of the 12 disciples who were with Jesus. He is writing for a very specific purpose. He says in Chapter 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John believes that the Jesus we discover through the stories in his gospel account is real and alive. And when we come to know who he is and believe in him, we will find true and eternal life. John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The first 18 verses form an introduction to the whole book. The themes and theological ideas that John sets out here in the beginning will shape the entire narrative of this gospel. Our teaching text today is not just a nice point to start a book, for John it’s key to understanding who Jesus is. In the beginning, was the word, was Jesus… Jesus extends beyond the beginning we read about in Genesis. He always was. The word was with God, and the word was God- Jesus was with God, and distinct from him, and at the very same time, he is God. God and Jesus are one. Jesus is Lord, from the beginning. John 1:3-5 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus is the central figure in creation. Nothing that has been made without him, and as we will see in the next verse, nothing has life without him either. When John talks about life and light in his gospel, he is often referring to spiritual realities. So what we also read here is that Jesus is the source of true and lasting spiritual or eternal life. Light is the revelation, the revealing grace that allows us to see our true spiritual condition. He is the life, and the light. This is a preview of the saving action of Jesus that will come to full display later in the gospel. When John talks about darkness, it’s not about an absence of light. It’s about the presence of evil. Jesus has the power and authority over the forces of evil. Evil has not, nor will it ever overpower Him. Friends, this is Jesus. The expressed wisdom of God made flesh. One with God from before the beginning. Creator, author, and sustainer of life. Savior of the world, defeating darkness, bringing salvation and the light of eternal life. This is Jesus. Lord, at the very heart of all of creation, of life itself. A.W. Tozer says “What we believe about Jesus is the most important thing about us.” I invite you to consider your answer to the question “Who is Jesus?” I especially want you to think about the answer your life, your actions, your desires and drives, how would they answer the question: Who is Jesus? Is he the center of your life, or if you were really honest, you are in the center of your own life. Maybe your career, your family, your relationships are at the center today, and you need to allow Jesus to have his rightful place in your life. To surrender that place to him, allowing the person and life of Jesus to RULE in your life. The Gospel of John is an invitation to know Jesus, and today, this is an invitation to know him as Lord of you life.

“On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.” But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.” When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn’t let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl’s father and mother. The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭8‬:‭40‬-‭56‬ ‭

https://www.bible.com/events/49469036 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus  Miracles Part 4  Jairus followed Jesus anyway, will you?  Today we are going to talk about one of the hardest things to wrestle with as we consider miracles- And that is God’s timing  As we conclude our series on Miracles this morning, I want to answer what may be the one question you’ve been asking as you’ve listened. Not Who? Or What? Or Where? But: WHEN?  Throughout this series, we have defined a miracle as:An extraordinary work performed directly by the power of God in our natural world for His glory. Works that reveal his word, presence, and love in our world.  We are seeking to open our hearts and minds to the reality that Jesus is still doing miracles today. We want to be people who have eyes to see the power of God at work in our lives and in our world, and to give him praise and glory.  ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭21‬-‭23‬‬  When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”  Jairus is like the executive pastor at the local Jewish synagogue. He was in charge of taking care of the details of the service, seeing to the daily affairs of things. He was a man of prominence, of authority and good reputation. Not someone you see making rash decisions or actions.  But today he’s desperate. He needs a miracle, and He approaches Jesus, of all things, begging for it.  The language here indicates that Jairus didn’t just ask once, it was over and over. His only daughter was dying. She was in her final hours of life, and time was of the essence. Jesus, I need you NOW.  ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭24‬‬  So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.  The language here literally means that the crowd was pressing in around Jesus so hard, they were crushing him.  Through the crowd presses another person seeking a miracle from Jesus. A woman who has been suffering from bleeding for 12 years. She believes that if only she could touch Jesus’ clothes, she could be healed. She has faith and she is determined to get to Jesus.  She makes it through the crowd, close enough that she can reach out and touch just the corner of Jesus’ garments. She is healed IMMEDIATELY.  Among the crowd no one even notices. No one except Jesus.  He knows that miraculous healing power has gone out from him, and he does what must have seemed like the un-thinkable to Jairus.  Jesus stops.  He takes precious moments to set her free from years of stigma and shame. Precious moments that had to be agonizing to Jairus.  ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭35‬-‭36‬‬  While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”  In this moment, in the whirlwind of emotions that Jairus is going through, he has a choice.  He can give into anger at Jesus for not doing anything. He can allow resentment to fuel bitterness and in desperation he can walk away to be in his pain alone. He can believe the report of his peers “it’s no use to bother Jesus anymore. It’s over”  OR  He can believe Jesus words that faith is enough. Jairus can surrender his timing, his thoughts of how it all should have worked- he can lay that down, and choose to trust Jesus anyway.  Jairus had a choice, just like you and I do when God's timing doesnt match our own.  Friends, Jairus chose to follow Jesus anyway.  Will you? 

1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Matthew‬ ‭8‬‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭ 12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke‬ ‭5‬‬:‭12‬-‭16‬ ‭ 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John‬ ‭1‬‬:‭9‬  ​ Music and Video Copyright Church of the Nazarene has Church Copyright License®- 597055 CVLI 505510135 CCLI Streaming License™ CSPL121919 CCS Worshipcast 13736

We are in week three of studying several of Jesus’ key miracles.  It is important for believers to know that the same healing POWER of the Holy Spirit is at work in the believer’s life today. Week one, Jesus turned the water to wine, we learned: We should ‘do what He tells you to do’. Week two, we learned: That the man was born blind “so that the works of God might be displayed in Him”. We learned about spiritual blindness vs. sight, and that nothing is impossible with God. Today, Week 3, the story of the Leper found in Matthew Chapter 8 helps us understand: The Lord’s power and willingness to ‘heal’ not only our physical needs, but other needs as well. The Church of the Nazarene’s core beliefs are summarized in the Articles of Faith, which are 16 statements outlining our beliefs of key Christian doctrine.  Article 14 titled Divine Healing says: “We believe in the biblical doctrine of divine healing and urge our people to offer the prayer of faith for the healing of the sick.  We also believe God heals through the means of medical science.” This article affirms our belief that God can heal individuals through both direct divine interventions AND the means of medical science.  Billy Graham is known for saying, “God is not limited, and He is certainly able to work in miraculous ways today just as He did in biblical times, if He so chooses.” Let us pray: “Dear God, we love You.  We thank You for Your love, and for the truth found in Your word.  We express our trust in You as the Great Physician, and that You can heal all things.  Lord, You have the power to heal not only disease, but also our mind, relationships, our finances, and to fill me, fill us, with Your peace. Abba, Father, there are many needs represented today. You know our needs, and You care.  We surrender to You, may Your will be done. Holy Spirit, please give us peace, and open our ears to hear.  May Your presence be felt in this service today, and in every moment of our lives. We need You Lord.  We praise You Lord, and we thank You for Your amazing love.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.” Please turn with me to Matthew 8:1-4.  Stand with me if you are able for the reading of God’s Word. The words will be on the screen. 8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Jesus loves all people, even those that are kept at a distance in society.  His love for lost humanity is real and this passage demonstrates His sovereign power. We also learn in Matthew 4:25, “25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.” Now we are going to unpack our passage for today. Matthew Chapter 8: Verse 1:  When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. When the Word says, “Jesus came down from the mountainside,” the mountain to which the text refers to, is the mountain where Jesus had just finished preaching His most famous sermon on the mount, found in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. The crowds followed Him down from the Mount of Beatitudes where He had been teaching with authority, and the news of His healing power had spread, drawing massive crowds from various regions. On this day, imagine the atmosphere…the crowds were singing, and praising Jesus, overwhelmed over what they had witnessed by His power.  The multitudes followed Jesus for a variety of reasons:  Curiosity Jealousy Desperation Devotion And the hope He offered for a better life, including the opportunity to experience a miracle. His message of love, forgiveness, and the promise of the Kingdom of God resonated with many, therefore drawing large crowds. The air was filled with PRAISE and JOY until a leper appears and kneels before Jesus.  Verse 2:  2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus had just walked into town. Leprosy referred to unsightly skin diseases that were frightening to people, considered to be VERY contagious, and led communities to distance themselves from those who suffered from these diseases. The leper, who appeared hopeless, and in great need, had heard about Jesus, and he walked up to the man who could heal him. The leper didn’t care that he looked appalling.  He had been cast out of the city.  He didn’t care about embarrassment or the opinions of others.  This man humbled himself.  The first thing he did was kneel before the Lord.  He had heard about the miracles of Jesus.  And the lepe

WELCOME- DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? MIRACLE DEFINITION   EXTRAORDINARY WORK PERFORMED DIRECTLY BY THE POWER OF GOD IN OUR NATURAL WORLD FOR HIS GLORY AND TO ATTEST TO HIS WORD, PRESENCE AND LOVE. SCRIPTURE MATTHEW 11:2-3    2. “WHEN JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS IN PRISON, HE HEARD WHAT JESUS WAS DOING. HE SENT HIS FOLLOWERS. THEY ASKED, “ARE YOU THE ONE WHO WAS TO COME, OR SHOULD WE LOOK FOR ANOTHER?”  SCRIPTURE MATTHEW 11:4    4. JESUS SAID TO THEM, “GO AND TELL JOHN WHAT YOU SEE AND HEAR. SCRIPTURE MATTHEW 11:5    5. THE BLIND ARE MADE TO SEE. THOSE WHO COULD NOT WALK ARE WALKING. THOSE WHO HAVE HAD BAD SKIN DISEASES ARE HEALED. THOSE WHO COULD NOT HEAR ARE HEARING. THE DEAD ARE RAISED UP TO LIFE AND THE GOOD NEWS IS PREACHED TO POOR PEOPLE. VIEWS ON MIRACLES CONTINUUM THERE ARE NO MORE MIRACLES PICTURE OF YOUNG MAN MANOJ YADAV- SURGERY 18 YRS/YEAR REWIRING SCRIPTURE JOHN 9:1-2 “AS HE WENT ALONG, HE SAW A MAN BLIND FROM BIRTH. HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM, “RABBI, WHO SINNED, THIS MAN OR HIS PARENTS, THAT HE WAS BORN BLIND?” FEAST OF TABERNACLES- THOUSANDS GATHERED BLINDNESS WAS A COMMON ISSUE THEN SCRIPTURE RECORDS JESUS HEALING 5 DISTINCT EPISODES- TOTAL OF 7 BUT WE KNOW MOR SUFFERING=SIN THE GENERAL THOUGHT IS THIS SOME JEWS THOUGHT BABIES COULD SIN/WOMB NO DOUBT CONSEQUENCES FOR SIN THE STORY OF JOB REFUTES THAT SCRIPTURE JOHN 9:3-4 “NEITHER THIS MAN NOR HIS PARENTS SINNED, SAID JESUS, “BUT THIS HAPPENED SO THAT THE WORKS OF GOD MIGHT BE DISPLAYED IN HIM. AS LONG AS IT IS DAY, WE MUST DO THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME. NIGHT IS COMING, WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK. THE DISCIPLES NEED TO LEARN HES NOT A THEOLOGICAL PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BUT A PERSON TO BE HELPED AND HEALED  SCRIPTURE JOHN 9:5-6    5. WHILE I AM IN THE WORLD, I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. “AFTER SAYING THIS, HE SPIT ON THE GROUND, MADE SOME MUD WITH THE SALIVA, AND PUT IT ON THE MAN’S EYES. NOT SUPPOSED TO SPIT ON SABBATH DEFINITELY CAN’T MAKE MUD AND RUB OR KNEAD JESUS DOESN’T NEED MUD- CONNECTS HIMSELF CREATION FORMED YOU AGAIN USES WHAT IS PROVIDED PERFORMS MIRACLE. CONTRAST “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD” AND THIS MAN LIVING IN TOTAL DARKNESS MOM EVER USE SALIVA FOR YOUR HAIR?  PICTURE OF MAN BEGGING ALMOST LIKE THIS WAS DEFAULT JOB JOHN 9:7    7. “GO, HE TOLD HIM, “WASH IN THE POOL OF SILOAM (WHICH MEANS SENT). SO THE MAN WENT AND WASHED, AND CAME HOME SEEING. PICTURE OF MAP THE DISTANCE A BLIND BEGGER TRAVELED HOW DID HE GET THERE? HALF MILE MAYBE JESUS AGAIN PARTNERS WITH PEOPLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE MIRACLE  SCRIPTURE JOHN 9:8    8. HIS NEIGHBORS AND THOSE WHO HAD FORMERLY SEEN HIM BEGGING ASKED, “ISNT THIS THE SAME MAN WHO USED TO SIT AND BEG?” THIS IS THEIR INTERPRETATION  THE CHOSEN                                 THE REACTION OF THE MAN SEEING FOR THE FIRST TIME NEIGHBORS THINK THEY RECOGNIZE HIM THESE AREN’T MAGIC TRICKS WHO DIDN’T SEE WHO HERE? WAS HE INVISIBLE? 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others asked, “How can a sinner perform such signs?” So they were divided. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. 19 “Is this your son?” they asked. “Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?” 20 “We know he is our son,” the parents answered, “and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.”  SCRIPTURE JOHN 9:25   25. “HE REPLIED, “WHETHER HE IS A SINNER OR NOT, I DON’T KNOW. ONE THING I DO KNOW. I WAS BLIND BUT NOW I SEE!” SO HOW’D HE OPEN YOUR EYES? 27 He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?”  (JOHN ADDS HUMOR) 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You a

MIRACLES – John 9 Jesus Heals Man Born Blind  Introduce – Angela Kohl – Harrisonburg Campus…  How many of you are currently asking “WHY?” to something you are facing in life?             If you have kids – you likely deal with answering “why” often.   Some at my house lately –   Why can’t I have a treat right before bed?  Why do I have to go to bed now?  Why can’t we do it now?  Why are bubby and sissy on summer break and I’m not?  I’ve even asked… Why can’t I eat cookies and they …  Why did God create stink bugs? (In case you are wondering – I tell my kids, those likely came after the fall?)  Or  it may come from a more tender space?  Why is my child struggle with this challenge?  Why is his business successful and I am struggling to make ends meet?  Why hasn’t God healed me?  Why is my marriage in such a mess?  Why will this difficult season not just end?  Why? Why? Why?  “Why” is ultimately necessary, important question for us to navigate life.  But I would also ask you has the “why” ever blocked your view, blinded you, or kept you stuck?  As we continue the series on the MIRACLES of Jesus and look at the story of healing the man born blind–   I am going challenge us to ask a different question.  “What …What can God do?  As we dive into John 9:   Let’s shift our view from WHY to WHAT in Christ?   Let’s breakdown and talk through this powerful story!  As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”             Right off the bat, we see this chapter starting off with a WHY.  Why is he blind – Jewish beliefs says it is sin.  Sin of the parents or sin of the man even bf birth.  3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”            Jesus does not address the WHY here – He simply sees an opportunity to reveal His glory.  A platform to reveal to those around Him and to us – His power.  (Now of course, sin in our lives can result in illness and hardship but that is not the truth in this story)  6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes.             Jesus sees a need. A blind beggar.  He has just reminded them of His purpose on Earth – to be the light of the world.  We have just heard that he will bring light and He spits on the ground and makes mud and then puts it on the mans eyes.             Now, I have to tell you 2 things came to mind when I first read vs 6  I hated being “spit-washed” as a kid. I can still see my mom lick her thumb – with what seemed like force and come at me ready for a fight! I made a solemn vow – I would never do that to my kids… and I must admit I have not survived parenting without breaking out the spit wash! So now my kids are also scarred! And 2, Jesus will go through spit and mud to me us. He has surely met me in the dirt. This is not in any commentary you will find – but just a reminder for my heart. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.  This is often an instruction of Jesus in scripture … GO. Take the first step and then see “What God can do in His power”   Jesus also uses the opportunity of the Feast of Tabernacles. The city would have been packed and the blind man had to make his way through the crowd with mud still caked on his eyes to get to the pool of Siloam.  He went eagerly and as he did He displayed the grace of God as he went.    8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some claimed that he was.  Others said, “No, he only looks like him.”  But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”  10 “How then were your eyes opened?” they asked.  11 He replied, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.”  12 “Where is this man?” they asked him.  “I don’t know,” he said.  Lets take a step back and take note that the man did not see Jesus but He obeyed and did as He said.  Nothing held him back in light of hope.   The Pharisees Investigate the Healing  13 They brought to the Pharisee

WELCOME- HAPPY 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND START NEW SERIES START SERIES ON FEBRUARY 22, 1980 LAKE PLACID NEW YORK  USA HOCKEY UNDERDOG USA TEAM- COLLEGE PLAYERS SEMI-FINALS VS SOVIET UNION RUSSIA WAS THE 4 TIME DEFENDING CHAMP RUSSIA TEAM CONSIDERED FINEST IN WORLD THEY HAD WON 4 IN A ROW AL MICHAELS ANNOUNCER SAID “WE PRAYED ON WAY TO GAME ONLY LIKE a 3-1 LEAD” 10,000 LIVE FRENZIED SPECTATORS 35 MILLION PEOPLE WATCH ON TAPE DELAY 3 DAYS BEFORE OLYMPICS-SOVIETS BEAT THEM 10-3 USA WAS SEEDED 7TH- TRAILED IN GAME 3 TIMES SOVIETS OUTSHOT US TEAM 39-16. THEY BEAT THE SOVIETS AND 2 DAYS LATER BEAT FINLAND TO CAPTURE GOLD MEDAL. MIRACLE DEFINITION   EXTRAORDINARY WORK PERFORMED DIRECTLY BY THE POWER OF GOD IN OUR NATURAL WORLD FOR HIS GLORY AND TO ATTEST TO HIS WORD, PRESENCE AND LOVE.    BRIAN CHARETTE THOMAS JEFFERSON 3rd PRESIDENT IN OUR COUNTRY BORN IN SHADWELL VA- DIED IN MONTICELLE VA AGE OF 83 JEFFERSON-WAS A DEIST- GOD YES-ME NO  JEFFERSON BIBLE JEFFERSON CREATED HIS OWN BIBLE HE ON PURPOSE CUT OUT MIRACLES HE BELIEVED WASN’T INTELLIGENT TO BELIEVE TITLE GIVES AWAY JESUS IN HIS LIFE DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? WHY? NOT? MATTHEW 4:23   23. “JESUS WENT THROUGH GALILEE, TEACHING IN THEIR SYNAGOGUES, PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM, AND HEALING EVERY DISEASE AND SICKNESS AMONG THE PEOPLE.  MATTHEW 4:24   24. NEWS ABOUT HIM SPREAD ALL OVER SYRIA, AND PEOPLE BROUGHT TO HIM ALL WHO WERE ILL WITH VARIOUS DISEASES, THOSE SUFFERING SEVERE PAIN, THE DEMON-POSSESSED, THOSE HAVING SEIZURES, AND THE PARALYZED; AND HE HEALED THEM. MATTHEW 4:25   25. LARGE CROWDS FROM GALILEE, THE DECAPOLIS, JERUSALEM, JUDEA AND THE REGION ACROSS THE JORDAN FOLLOWED HIM.” WEDDINGS ARE INCREDIBLE EVENTS/DAYS BRIDES DREAM THESE DAYS MORE THAN GROOMS LOTS CAN GO WRONG AT A WEDDING WEDDING JUNE 28TH-2003. EASTON MD RUTH RODRIGUEZ IS SUPPOSED TO MARRY ME PICTURE TAKEN BEFORE WEDDING TOOK MOST BEFORE SO WE COULD FELLOWSHIP PACKED OUT CHURCH-EARLY AFTERNOON BIGGEST MOMENT OF THE WEDDING IS? REHEARSAL WENT WELL - PICTURES BEFORE PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER FOOD IS PREPARED MUSIC STARTS “HERE COMES THE BRIDE” IT’S THE BIGGEST MOMENT- WHEN SHE ENTERS PACKED OUT CHURCH IS STANDING LOOKING ME-LOOKING DOWN THE AISLE-NOTHING PLAY SONG AGAIN- GROOMSMEN IN PLACE BRIDESMAIDS ARE IN PLACE- NOTHING WHAT WE HAVE IN THIS MIRACLE IS WORSE THIS WAS A TRAGEDY AND EMBARASSMENT COULD GET SUED- EVEN BE A GUEST JOHN 2:1 “ON THE THIRD DAY A WEDDING TOOK PLACE AT CANA IN GALILEE. JESUS’ MOTHER WAS THERE, AND JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES HAD ALSO BEEN INVITED TO THE WEDDING. WHEN THEY WINE WASA GONE, JESUS’ MOTHER SAUD TO HIM “THEY HAVE NO MORE WINE” 3RD DAY IS TUESDAY- DAY OF DOUBLE BLESSING GOD DECLARES IT IS GOOD TWICE ON 3RD DAY NAZARETH ABOUT 500 PEOPLE-CANA SMALLER  JOHN 2:4-5    4. “WOMAN, WHY DO YOU INVOLVE ME? JESUS REPLIED. “MY HOUR HAS NOT YET COME.” HIS MOTHER SAID TO THE SERVANTS, “DO WHATEVER HE TELLS YOU.” WOMAN- “MAAM”  JOHN 2:6-7    6. NEARBY STOOD SIX STONE WATER JARS, THE KIND USED BY THE JEWS FOR CEREMONIAL WASHING, EACH HOLDING FROM 20-30 GALLONS. JESUS SAID TO THE SERVANTS, “FILL THE JARS WITH WATER”; SO THEY FILLED THEM TO THE BRIM. STONE WATER JARS NOT SURE THEY ALL 30 GALLON CONTAINERS PICTURE HAS DIFFERENT SIZES PERSPECTIVE- THIS IS 30 GALLON DRUM 6 IS EITHER 120-180 GALLONS OF WINE LETS ADDRESS THIS WHILE WE ARE HERE JESUS DOESN’T DO THIS TO MAKE THE PARTY BETTER HE DOESN’T DO THIS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO SIGN OFF ON WINE CONSUMPTION FOR ALL TIME    PEOPLE SERIOUSLY AND JOKINGLY POINT TO THIS PASSAGE AND USE IT FOR THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. THERE ARE ONGOING DEBATES ABOUT HOW FERMENTED THE WINE ACTUALLY WAS, OR IF IT WAS EVER FERMENTED AT ALL. (THIS MUCH WE KNOW- IT WASN’T LIKE OUR CURRENT WINE AND CERTAINLY WHAT MADE IT THE MOST AMAZING WINE THEN WASN’T HOW FERMENTED OF THE PERCENTAGE PROOF IT WAS. AT FACE VALUE THOUGH- WE TAKE IT THAT THIS WAS WINE. JESUS DOESN’T USE HIS POWER HERE TO INCREASE THE CHANCES PEOPLE WOUD GET HAMMERED. SCRIPTURES FROM BEGINNING TO END HOLD VERY CONSISTENT PROHIBITION OF INTOXICATION FROM ALCOHOL (BE INSTEAD FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IN FACT IT SAYS) JESUS ACTIONS HERE DON’T CONTRADICT THAT. IN ADDITION TO THE WITNESS OF THE SCRIPTURES, OUR LIVED EXPERIENCE WITH LOVED ONES, FRIEND- NEIGHBORS OF THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL, SHOULD IMPACT HOW WE APPROACH ANY DRINK WITH EXTREME  CAUTION AND RESPECT FOR THE POWER THIS SUBSTANCE HAS IN OUR HUMAN EXPERIENCE. OUR CHURCH TAKES A POSITION OF TOTAL ABSTINENCE FROM ALCOHOL- WE BELIEVE IT’S THE MOST FAITHFUL RESPONSE WE CAN HAVE AS JESUS SANCTUARIES. WE DO NOT BELIEVE A DRINK IS GOING TO KEEP A PERSON OUT OF HEAVEN YOU CAN DISAGREE WITH OUR POSITION SURELY AND YOU ARE MOST WELCOME HERE- BUT WE DO COMMIT TO TAKE IS SERIOUSLY. JOHN 2:8-9   THEN HE TOLD THEM, “NOW DRAW SOME OUT AND TAKE IT TO THE MASTER OF THE BANQUET.” THEY DID SO, AND THE MASTER OF THE BANQUET TAS

https://www.bible.com/events/49458757 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus  Miracles Part 1  Water into wine...  We are entering our new teaching series Miracles.  Our goal is not only to study them in the scriptures, but to open our hearts and minds to the reality that Jesus is still doing miracles today.  To understand that miracles aren’t just something we read about in the bible, or back then, they are for here and now.  We want to be people who see the power of God at work in our lives and in our world, and see our faith rise up, to give God the glory he deserves.  John 2:1-3  On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”  In chapter one, Jesus’ first disciples join him, and now they are heading to a wedding.  We don’t know who’s wedding it was. That Jesus and his mother were invited suggests that it was the wedding of a family member or close friend.  Running out of wine in this culture was far more serious than the pastor dropping the rings or the wedding party falling into the water. To run out was a major mistake, something that would have brought tremendous shame on this newly wed couple.  Mary comes to Jesus with the news...While we don’t know how Mary said this, or what she was expecting, we do know that she trusted him.  John 2:4  “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”  Scholars aren’t exactly sure what this response meant culturally, but many do agree that Jesus is gently telling his mother that their relationship is different now.  Even though the full hour of his glorification hasn’t come, he will only be guided and directed by the will of his Heavenly Father.  John 2:6-7  Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.  The instruction to fill these massive stone jars with water had to seem like a strange solution to running out of wine.  The passage suggests that each container held 20-30 gallons.  If we take the conservative number of 20 and multiply it by 6- that’s 120 gallons of water. That is 24, 5 gallon buckets.  John 2:9-11  and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.  Jesus uses his creative and transforming power to change the water into wine. We don’t know when exactly in the story it happened, we don’t know how he did it.  But Jesus performed a miracle. He used supernatural power to change the trajectory of this story.  What we are to see is that Jesus is the Son of God, mighty in power and glory, yet compassionate in caring for even the small details in the lives of his people.  When his disciples saw all of this, it says they believed in him, their faith in him grew, and they saw his majesty as the son of God.  Friends, that’s the power of a miracle.  Do you believe in miracles? 

Psalms: 119 INTRO: Merrill Tenney - on reading the Word of God“Reading the Word is not so much a technique as a spirit, it is the spirit of eagerness which seeks the mind of God; it is the spirit of humility which listens to the voice of God; it is the spirit of adventure which pursues earnestly the will of God, it is the spirit of adoration which rests in the presence of God.”The word of God - THE SCRIPTURES - THE BIBLEWhat comes to mind when you hear those words?Most likely a multitude of things for many of youMaybe ill start with this question, “Do you know God?”If you answered YES in your heart, why do you think you know Him?Is there evidence in your life that you know Him?Let me tell you the QUICK version of William Tyndale’s storyWhat is about this Word (HOLD UP BIBLE) that has caused men like Tyndale to be willing to give their life so others can read it for themselves, and also cause men like the bishop and King to stop with deadly force those who would propose that it be possessed and read by everyday people? The Psalms: I Didn’t Know That Quickly review the last 2 weeksPsalm 23 - Shepherd Psalm 51 - Repentance The most frequently cited verses from Psalm 119Psalms 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.Psalms 119:11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.Psalms 119:9How can those who are young keep their way pure? By living according to your word.Psalms 119:89Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.Psalms 119:97Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Is the Word of God like that to you? What you may not know:Psalm 119, the longest single chapter in the Bible176 versesIt has more verses and words the letter/book of Philippians has in its 4 chapters total It is an acrostic poem 22 sections, each of 8 verses, corresponding to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.This made it easier to memorize. YES MEMORIZE! It was expected to be memorized and used as a kind of “Worship tool” for God’s people, and it remains such today. Terms for the word of the Lord in Psalm 119 Ps 119 uses 8-10 different Hebrew terms for the word of the Lord. Each of these synonyms refers to God’s word in its own way, emphasizing different aspects of that word.Law(s)PreceptsStatutesCommandsJudgementsWordOrdinancesWaysDecrees Promises MESSAGE: (Stand for the reading of the word) (SLIDE) Psalm 119:1-8 1 Blessed (Heb 'ešer – “How happy!” – see also beatitudes in Matthew and Psalm 1) are those whose ways are blameless,     who walk according to the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes     and seek him with all their heart— 3 they do no wrong     but follow his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts     that are to be fully (Heb mᵊ'ōḏ - greatly, diligently, exceedingly) obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast     in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame     when I consider all your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart     as I learn your righteous laws. 8 I will obey your decrees;     do not utterly forsake me. Charles Spurgeon“To enjoy this beatitude a holy walking must become habitual. This sacred exercise is very different from sluggish piety. ‘Blessed are the undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the Lord.’ A man may sit down in the road without soiling his skin or fouling his apparel, but that is not enough. There must be progress – practical action – in the Christian life; and in order to experience blessedness we must be doing something for the Master.”TO LIVE IN OBEDIENCE ACCORDING TO HIS WORD/HIS WAY WE MUST GO BEYOND READING JESUS VIEW OF SCRIPTURE WAS INCREDIBLY HIGH…Matthew 5 Jesus frames what we call the Sermon on the Mount with a few powerful statements on scripture and the law In John 14, Jesus says this: (SLIDE) John 14:21,23-2421 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. To have His commands and keep them demonstrates that we love Him, that you love Him, that I love Him You cannot live out & practice the way of Jesus, you simply cannot know Him in any personal way if you are not regularly consuming His word and being consumed by His Word. Scripture is not designed for scrolling & skimmingThat is the approach we take to try and pick up some information quickly but Scripture is to be engaged for our forma

https://www.bible.com/events/49456697 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus The Psalms Part 4- Psalm 119 The essential nature of God's word. Today we are concluding our teaching series in the book of Psalms. We are doing an intentional deep dive into 4 different Psalms. Our goal is to study each Psalm to understand how these words from thousands of years ago still offer wisdom and hope for our lives today. The book of psalms is a large collection of poems written by various different authors across the span of 1000 years. Many of these poems were lyrical in nature and intended to be set with music. The content of these psalms covers a large range of our human experience and relationship with God. Their diversity makes them a valuable tool for our faith walk today. our series concludes today in Psalm 119 Psalms 119:1-8 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. Psalm 119 is the single longest chapter in the entire bible. It has 176 verses, containing 2,445 words in the NIV. It’s also interesting that Psalm 119 is organized into an acrostic so that it would be easy to memorize. There are 22 sections, each section containing 8 verses, and each verse begins with the same letter of the alphabet. One more thing before we begin, there are 8 to 10 different terms that refer to the word of the Lord. You will see things like Law, statutes, ways, precepts, decrees, word, promise, and command. While all of these different terms have nuance in their meaning, and emphasize different aspects of God’s word, we should understand for our study today that they are all pointing back to the expressed and written word of the Lord himself. Psalms 119:1-3 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways. The life of blessing is marked out by a few specific things Blessed are those who ways are blameless or pure Blessed are those who walk according to the law of the Lord, Blessed are those who keep his statutes. This picture is of someone who lives their every day, ordinary life from a place of relationship and devotion to the Lord and his word. This person Is not just someone who knows the word, it’s a picture of someone who LIVES the word. The way they talk, the way they act, the way they relate to others, is all lived according to the word of God. Psalms 119:4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. The relationship that Psalm 119 shows us with God’s word does not allow for us to make our own judgements, to be selective about what we think is important- it doesn’t allow us to skip the uncomfortable parts. Friends, this is a good point to stop and look into the mirror of this passage and ask the hard question: Do I believe this? Do I view the instructions and words of the Lord as essential to be fully obeyed in my life? Psalms 119:5-8 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. I think if we spend some honest time reflecting on our relationship with Gods word, and how we are doing in living it out. I think if we are humble and honest, we might arrive at a place of feeling a little low. Desperate maybe. Realizing that we need help in this area. Friends, I think that’s what the Psalmist realizes too. Psalm 119 continues for 21 more sections like this, each one looking to the Lord, holding God’s word and his instruction as the essential for life and relationship with the Lord. Within this massive work, there is one subtle invitation i dont want us to miss. The invitation to live into an essential relationship with God's word. Not just to see the facts about God’s word, but to experience it for yourself. Will you commit to pursing the Lord in and through his word as an essential part of your life?

 THE PSALMS WELCOME- GLAD YOU ARE HERE WELCOME ONLINE CAMPUS THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT- US TALKING TO GOD PSALMS 5 PARTS PSALMS 3-41 PSALMS 42-72 PSALMS 73-89 PSALMS 90-106 PSALMS 107-145 PSALMS 146-150    HALLELUJAH BEFORE WE GET TO THE PSALM TODAY THE STORY THAT LEADS TO THIS PSALM IS LOCATED IN PICTURE OF COUPLE 11-12 YEARS OLD WAS A THURSDAY- CHURCH-50 MINUTES AWAY SPOKE ON PSALMS THAT NIGHT HOW IS YOUR HEART? BEFORE WE GET TO THE PSALM TODAY THE STORY THAT LEADS TO THIS PSALM IS LOCATED IN 2 SAMUEL 11 1. In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” 6 So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. 7 When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. 8 Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. 9 But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house. 10 David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?” 11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!” DAVID BATHSHEBA THEN THE PROPHET NATHAN CONFRONTS DAVID DAVID IS ABOUT 50 YEARS OLD- MID LIFE CRISIS DAVID SITS ON THIS ABOUT A YEAR WHEN YOU DON’T ENGAGE IN THE BATTLE END UP ON ROOFS LOOKING AT THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T BE LOOKING PRESENTS A PARABLE- YOU ARE THAT MAN DAVID DAVID DESIRES DAVID HOLDS ALL THE POWER DAVID IMPREGATES HER LURES HER HUSBAND HOME GETS HIM TO TRY AND SLEEP WITH HER COVER UP- DRUNKENESS HAS URIAH KILLED IN BATTLE PSALM 51:1-2 “HAVE MERCY (RAHAM-MOTHER WITH HER CHILD) ON ME OH GOD, ACCORDING TO YOUR UNFAILING LOVE; ACCORDING TO YOUR GREAT COMPASSION, BLOT OUR MY TRANSGRESSIONS. WASH AWAY ALL MY INIQUITY AND CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN. SIX WORDS DEALING WITH SIN    TRANSGRESSIONS- BLOT OUT (MOSES LANGUAGE)      INIQUITY- WASH AWAY       SIN- CLEANSE DEFINITIONS OF SIN    SIN: HAMARTIA A MILITARY SHOOTING TERM MEANING TO “MISS THE MARK” MISS THE BULLS EYE. “WILLFULL TRANSGRESION OF THE KNOWN LAW OF GOD.”  JOHN WESLEY “REMEMEBR IT IS SIN TO KNOW WHAT YOU OUGHT TO DO AND THEN NOT DO IT,”  JAMES 4:17 DISOBEDIENCE TO WHAT GOD DESIRES” SIN IS THE EXPRESSION OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD  PSALMS 51:3-4 FOR I KNOW MY TRANSGRESSIONS, AND MY SIN IS ALWAYS BEFORE ME. AGAINST YOU, AND YOU ONLY, HAVE I SINNED AND DONE WHAT IS EVIL IN YOUR SIGHT; SO YOU ARE RIGHT IN YOUR VERDICT AND JUSTIFIED WHEN YOU JUDGE. PSALM 51:5-6 SURELY I WAS SINFUL AT BIRTH, SINFUL FROM THE TIME MY MOTHER CONCEIEVED ME. (ORIGINIAL SIN) “YET YOU DESIRED FAITHFULNESS EVEN IN THE WOMB; YOU TAUGHT ME WISDOM IN THAT SECRET PLACE. PSALM 51:7 CLEANSE ME WITH HYSSOP, AND I WILL BE CLEAN; WASH ME, AND I WILL BE WHITER THAN SNOW.” HYSSOP- PLANT USED CLEANSING FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS JESUS ON THE CROSS – SOMEONE GRABS A HYSSOP PLANT AND EXTENDS IT TO JESUS- DYING FOR THE FORGIVENSS OF SINS HYSSOP PLANT GROWS WAILING WALL IN JERUSALEM HYSSOP PLANT APPLY THE BLOOD OVER DOOR POSTS PSALMS 51:9-10 “HIDE YOUR FACE FROM MY SINS AND BLOT OUT ALL OF MY INIQUITY. CREATE IN ME PURE HEART, O GOD, AND RENEW A STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME. 6-7 TIMES IT ADDRESSES SIN OR SINNER  PSALM 51: 11-12   11. DO NOT CAST ME FROM YOUR PRESENCE OR TAKE YOUR HOLY SPIRIT FROM ME. RESTORE TO ME THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION AND GRANT ME A WILLING SPIRIT, TO SUSTAIN ME. PSALM 51: 13-14   13. THEN I WILL TEACH TRANSGRESSORS YOUR WAYS, SO THAT SINNERS WILL TURN BACK TO YOU. DELIVER ME FROM THE GUILT OF BLOODSHED,” THE HEART IS THE CENTER OF THE PERSON- NOT JUST THE PHYSICAL  IDIOMS ABOUT THE HEART CHANGE OF HEART HEART OF GOLD EAT YOUR HEART OUT HEART TO HEART LOSE HEART HEART OF STONE EZEKIEL 36:26    I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT WITHIN YOU; I WILL TAKE THE HEART OF STONE OUT OF YOUR FLESH AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH WHEN DAVID WAS CHOSEN- REMEMBER HAPPENED It speaks to the deep pain we feel inside us whe

Psalm 51 offers a powerful example of genuine repentance. profound sin. God’s forgiveness is available and freely given to those who humbly seek Him, regardless of the severity of your sin. The more that we know about the author of this Psalm, David, the better we will understand it. David, is one of the most important people of the Old Testament. King David had a humble beginning as a shepherd boy. David is known as a great warrior. David was also a skilled musician. After King Saul and his son Jonathan died in battle, David became king of Israel, first over Judah and then uniting all the tribes under his rule. Many of the psalms are attributed to David who despite being known as “a man after God’s own heart”, had the propensity to sin. Psalm 51: For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. 5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. 6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. 7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. This psalm highlights the importance of a heart that is deeply remorseful and sorrowful for wrongdoing, God's mercy, and the transformative power of confession and forgiveness that leads to personal healing, strengthened relationships, and spiritual growth, serving as a model for believers today. Psalm 51 is a prayer of deep repentance. It reveals God’s great love through several key aspects: God’s boundless mercy and compassion. God’s desire for genuine inner transformation. God’s power to restore and renew. God’s acceptance of a broken heart genuinely seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. Psalm 51 shows that God’s love is not limited by sin or brokenness. God offers forgiveness and restoration to those who repent and seek His grace. You may have unconfessed sin in your life, big or small, that you can’t seem to let go of. You may be asking the question, “What do I do with my sin?” Psalm 51 is God announcing from the hills, “I will make your darkest sin whiter than snow, your greatest emptiness full of my Holy Spirit.” It is important that you know the back story of what compelled King David to write Psalm 51. God will take your worst sin and turn it for His best. 2 Samuel 11:1-15 tells us that it is ‘in the spring, at the time when kings go off to war …David remained in Jerusalem when he should have been off to war. The Bible tells us that David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. When you choose to be in the wrong place you are likely to get into trouble. Here are several examples of being in the wrong place at the wrong time: For someone who is recovering from alcohol addiction, going to a bar can be a significant temptation for you to drink. If you are someone who is tempted to overeat, going down the snack aisle of the grocery store makes it much harder for you to resist. Surfing the internet and you are engaging in activities where you are likely to be exposed to pornography in the hidden place of your home, it can be hard to resist. Or you are wrestling with God when He wants to be first place, and you continue to put work over His call on your life. And there are many other examples that could be listed. Sin is subtle. It is very sneaky in how it gets your attention. Being in the wrong place for King David caused him to sin. The woman was very beautiful and David gazed upon her. King David lusted upon Bathsheba. David sent someone to find out about her. Then he sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. When our eyes go where they shouldn’t then you are likely to act upon it to sin. When you act upon sin, it will only take you to more sin. King David also sinned in that he plotted to take Bathsheba. He coveted Uriah’s wife and suddenly he had committed the sin of adultery. We learn that Bathsheba sends word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” Immediately David plots the cover up. David encourages Uriah to go home, hoping that he will go home and be with his wife, Bathsheba, and then Uriah will think that he got her pregnant. Uriah felt it would be wrong to be with his wife when his men were on the battlefield. Uriah says he can’t go home as he must go back to war. It’s not enough that King David had violated a married woman, committed adultery, and lied to a loyal friend, now h

WELCOME- LAST WEEK INVITED YOU TO GIVE RICHARD AND DANIEL DUNN- PLANE CRASH MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS TEENS WANTING TO ATTEND CAMP/OTHER TEEN ACTIVITIES WANT TO INVITE YOU TO PAUSE WITH ME TODAY AND PRAY: WE HAVE MUCH GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY MUCH GOING ON IN OUR WORLD WARS/ PLANE CRASHES HOW DOES A PLANE SOLVE/FIX IT? IT DOESN’T PSALMS SERIES PSALMS WRITTEN OVER A PERIOD OF 1000 YEARS DAVID WROTE ABOUT HALF DAVID WRITER OF TODAYS PSALM 150 CHAPTERS LONGEST BOOK LONGEST CHAPTER AND SHORTEST CHAPTER THIS BOOK IS DIFFERENT- GODS WORD TO US THIS BOOK IS OUR WORDS TO HIM 70 % OF THE BOOK IS LAMENT PSALMS OF LAMENT- FOLLOWED BY PRAISE JESUS QUOTES THE PSALMS (2 ON THE CROSS) PSALM 22:1 “MY GOD MY GOD- WHY HAVE YOU ABANDONED ME? WHY ARE YOU SO FAR FROM HELPING ME, SO FAR AWAY FROM AWAY FROM THE WODS OF MY GROANING.” 10                     JESUS SPEAKING.                                     JOHN 10:10   10. “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; I KNOW MY SHEEP AND MY SHEEP KNOW ME-SO I GIVE MY LIFE FOR MY SHEEP.”  JOHN 10:27   27. “MY SHEEP LISTEN TO MY VOICE; I KNOW THEM AND THEY FOLLOW ME.” VIDEO SHEEP OVER 500 REFERENCES TO SHEEP AND SHEPHERD  PSALM 23:1-2 THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I LACK NOTHING. HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES, HE LEADS ME BESIDE QUIET WATERS  PSALM 23:3 HE REFRESHES MY SOUL. HE GUIDES ME ALONG THE RIGHT PATH FOR HIS NAMES SAKE. PSALM 23:4 EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.  PSALM 23:5    YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES. YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP OVERFLOWS.  PSALM 23:6    6. SURELY GOODNESS AND LOVE (MERCY) WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE, AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.” DAVID WRITES THIS AS A SHEPHERD- HE’S LOOKING BACK AT THAT RELATIONSHIP  PSALM 23:1 THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD, I LACK NOTHING. (FIRST PERSON) ITS PERSONAL- DOESN’T SAY HES A SHEPHERD- (MINE) HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES, HE LEADS ME BESIDE QUIET WATERS,                               (THIRD PERSON)  PICTURE OF SHEEP GRAZING MIDDLE EAST SHEEP GRAZING/FEEDING SHEEP ARE LED- NOT DRIVEN SHEPHERD HAS TO GO OUT AND PREPARE BY LOOKING FOR PLACES TO FEED THE SHEEP  TUFT OF GRASS PICTURE MIST AND SPARSE DEW COME OFF 3 FEW BLADES HERE AND THERE TO FEED ON SHEPHERD IS PROVIDER FLOODING IN THE DESERT WHEN IT RAINS- NOT OFTEN- IT POURS – FLOODING TAKES PLACE CREATES MUD/MIRE PSALM 40:2 HE LIFTED ME OUT OF THE PIT OF DESPAIR, OUT OF THE MUD AND MIRE. HE SET MY FEET ON SOLID GROUND AND STEADIED ME AS I 20 DAVID LOOKS BACK AS A KING ON BEING A SHEPHERD I CAN LOOK BACK AND USE COACHING LANGUAGE  PSALM 23:3 HE REFRESHES MY SOUL. HE GUIDES ME ALONG THE RIGHT PATH FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE. (SHEEP DOG) GREEK FOR REFRESH RESTORES/BRINGS BACK  PSALM 23: 4 EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE DARKEST VALLEY (THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH); I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME. LANGUAGE SHIFTS- GOD WALKS INTO THE SCENE DAVID HAS A DIRECT CONVERSATION WITH HIM ACTUAL PLACE CONSIDERED VALLEY OF DEATH NOTICE YOU DON’T STAY THERE TWO DIFFERENT IMPLEMENTS- ROD AND A STAFF STAFF HAD A CROOK/HOOK ON THE END REACH DOWN AND RESCUE ANIMALS IN NEED THE ROD- THE CLUB HAD SPIKES AT THE END MEANT TO FIGHT OFF ANIMALS THOSE TWO WEAPONS BROUGHT THE SHEEP COMFORT THE LORD IS THE LIFTER OF OUR HEAD HE FIGHTS AND IT SAYS THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS CAN’T HAVE A SHADOW WITHOUT LIGHT 23                                  SUNDAY NIGHT MID JULY      PICTURE FOOTBALL PLAYER 6’8 315 POUND HUMAN STANDING IN DOORWAY WENT ANYWHERE WITH ROB- NO FEAR BURGER KING SHEPHERD IS PROTECTOR HOW MANY GUYS SHEEP TATOO? PSALM 23:5 YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES. YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP OVERFLOWS. OIL IS USED FOR MANY THINGS CALM THE SHEEP KEEP INSECTS OUT SNAKE REPELLENT OIL SIGN ”YOU ARE WELCOME HERE” SO WOULD THE OVERFLOWING CUP HE PREPARES A TABLE BEFORE ENEMIES PSALM 23:6 SURELY GOODNESS AND LOVE WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAY OF MY LIFE, AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.” SHEPHERD IS PURSUER 28 YOUNG GIRL- HORSE RIDER- HORSE INJURED YOUNG GIRL IS STRUGGLING MOM SEES HER FADING- SHE LOVES HER HORSE PEOPLE TOLD MOM PUT THE HORSE DOWN MOM DECIDES SHES RESCUE AND REACH BOTH

https://www.bible.com/events/49449315 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus  The Psalms Part 2- Psalm 23  Who is my shepherd?  Today we are continuing our teaching series in the book of Psalms.  We are doing an intentional deep dive into 4 different Psalms. Our goal is to study each Psalm to understand how these words from thousands of years ago still offer wisdom and hope for our lives today.  The book of psalms is a large collection of poems written by various different authors across the span of 1000 years.  Many of these poems were lyrical in nature and intended to be set with music. The content of these psalms covers a large range of our human experience and relationship with God.  Their diversity makes them a valuable tool for our faith walk today.  We continue today looking at Psalm 23  Psalms 23:1  The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  The sheep/shepherd imagery is not quite as familiar to us so there’s a few things to keep in mind about sheep.  The first thing to know is that sheep are notoriously helpless and notably not that intelligent. For the most part, sheep are completely dependent on the care of the shepherd. For food, water, grooming, and shelter, practically everything requires help from the shepherd.  As David is reflecting back on his life, he recognizes his total dependance on the care and leading of the Lord as his shepherd.  For David, the Lord isn’t just THE shepherd, he is MY shepherd.  This is personal, this is intimate. This is the invitation of this passage. To find yourself in the care of the Shepherd.  Psalms 23:2-3  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  Continuing with the imagery of the sheep/shepherd metaphor, the care of the shepherd is shown in meeting the everyday needs of the sheep.  What is in view is compassionate and complete care, down to the details of life.  That's life with the Good Shepherd.  Psalms 23:4-5  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Life is not always lived where things are green and happy. We will face dark valleys, trials that would cause us to fear. David certainly did  He had to run for his life from people trying to kill him, even his own son tried to take his life. He lost loved ones and friends.  As he faced those trials, he recognizes the Lord has been there for him. Guiding. Protecting. It’s the Lord’s presence that has been his comfort through it all.  As David reflects on the Lord’s presence, he also remembers his provision.  In verse 5 the shepherding imagery gives way to that of a banquet. But not a banquet you might expect. This banquet is hosted in the presence of enemies and adversaries.  David can see that The Lord has provided for him, right in the midst of the conflict, in the presence of enemies.  Psalms 23:6  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Having considered the Lords provision and protection in the past, David concludes with a sure hope for the future.  As the Lord had been faithful in the past, David trusted that his future was secure in the care of the shepherd. That’s the beautiful life under the care of the shepherd.  Psalm 23 reveals the Lord to us as the compassionate and attentive shepherd of our lives.  He knows us intimately, what we need, and how to handle the things that are troubling us.  He takes action to guide and protect us in the course of our daily lives. Even in the shadow of death, the most scary darkness we can imagine, he is right there.  When the cards are stacked against us, he prepares a feast for us. He pours out blessing over us, our life is overflowing with his joy.  And we have hope for tomorrow, because we know the Lord will be there for us too.  This is personal, it’s powerful, it speaks to us in the area of our greatest needs, and it asks us a practical yet critical question:  Who is my shepherd?  Who am I looking to to care for me? Who am I trusting for my daily needs?  Who or what am I looking to to restore my soul?  Psalm 23 invites us to come under the care of The Good Shepherd, to surrender to loving care and guidance in every detail of our lives. 

“The Spirit of Pentecost”  "HE WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WITH FIRE!" Matthew 3:11b NLT  “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭AMP‬‬  “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  ‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NLT  “But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.””  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1‬:‭8‬ ‭AMP‬‬  “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬  How to be baptized by the Holy Spirit and with Fire:  1. Ask God  2. Believe God  3. Surrender All  4. Receive His Spirit