Church of the Nazarene

WELCOME-ALL CAMPUSES/ONLINE MENS BREAKFAST- NEXT SATURDAY- BRIAN C EASTER INVITES- PALM SUNDAY STEPHEN WILLIS EASTER EGG HUNT- 9 BIKES WE NEED MORE THERE ARE SYMBOLS THAT ARE ICONIC SYMBOLS- LOGOS THAT HAVE STOOD OVER TIME LOGOS THAT ARE A REAL PRESENCE IN NEXT GENERATION COCA-COLA THIS LOGO CAME OUT 1887 THIS NEXT YEAR 140TH YEAR OF THEIR PRODUCT LARGELY UNCHANGED-RED BACK- WHITE LETTER 2013-2014 NAMES ON THE BOTTLES 2015 COKE PRODUCTS ALIGN IN DESIGN/LETTERS  NIKE LOGO SWOOSH STRIPE CAROLYN DAVIDSON- 1971 2$ HOUR- TOOK HER 17.5 HOURS ($35) SWOOSH STRIPE AS ITS CALLED COMNBINED ENERGY AND CHECK MARK JORDAN LOGO A NIKE PRODUCT- THE JUMPMAN- SILHOET OF JORDAN DUNKING FEBRUARY 1988 HE JUST JUMPED UP-PHOTO SHOOT- PIC THIS SILHOETTE HAS APPEARED EVERYWHERE ON EVERYTHING- CLEATS/GOLF SHOES/SHIRTS IT CAST A SHADOW OVER ALL SPORTS IT’S A PRESENCE IN THE NEXT FEW GENERATIONS  CHURCH DENOMINATION LOGO BIBLE- GODS WORD DOVE – REPRESENTING THE HOLY SPIRIT  JESUS FISH- ICHTHYS (GREEK WORD FOR FISH) STARTED IN 1ST CENTURY MEANT IESOES CHRISTOS THEO YIOS SOTER JESUS CHRIST- SON OF GOD IS SAVIOR 2 FISH- 5 LOAVES WHEN TWO MET- ONE WOULD DRAW PART THERE ARE POWERFUL SYMBOLS WELL BEYOND THESE THEY STAND THE TEST OF TIME THIS SYMBOL STANDS OVER HISTORY FOR 2000 YEARS IT LOOMS LARGE AND CAST A SHADOW THE CROSS THE CROSS WAS USED BEFORE JESUS MANY OTHERS HUNG AND DIED ON A CROSS STARTED IN ASSYRIA/BABYLON/PERSIA USED BY ROMANS 3RD CENTURY BC TO 4TH AD IT WAS MEANT TO PUNISH BUT ALSO HUMILIATION WAS MEANT TO BE A PROLONGED SUFFERING  THREE CROSSES BERNARD COFFINDAFFER-BUSINESS MAN LORD WOKE HIM UP ONE NIGHT-1982 SOLD BUSINESS 3 MILLION DOLLARS STARTED PLACING THESE ALL OVER WV FIRST GOLD CROSS IN THE MIDDLE- 2 LIGHT BLUE HEALING OPEN HEART SURGERY DUKE MEDICAL SPIRIT LORD TOLD ME TELL PEOPLE NEXT FEW WEEKS AS WE READY FOR EASTER ENCOUNTER THE CROSS  THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS    ALL FOUR GOSPEL WRITERS TALK ABOUT THE DEATH    EACH HAS A DIFFERENT VIEW HILLSDALE STORY- 4TH GRADE NOT DAMGED FOR LIFE BUT I REMEMBER IT WELL WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU WERE MADE FUN OF? LUKE 23 26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27 A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28 Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ 30 Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”     and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ 31 For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” LUKE 23:32 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.   LUKE 23:33    33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  LUKE 23:   34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ___________________________________________________ 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews LUKE 23:39-40    39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  LUKE 23:41   “WE ARE PUNISHED JUSTLY, FOR WE ARE GETTING WHAT OUR DEEDS DESERVE. BUT THIS MAN HAS NOTHING WRONG.” THE CROSS BAR WEIGHED BETWEEN 70-90 LBS THE ENTIRE CROSS WEIGHED ABOUT 300 LBS WASN’T SMOOTH SHAVED WOOD 10-15 FEET HIGH- CARRIED A HALF MILE  VIDEO- THE CHOSE SCENE THIS SCENE IS MUCH MORE ACCURATE THE ROMANS WANTED PEOPLE TO SEE IT TO SMELL IT. TO HEAR IT TO BE AFRAID OF IT- DETERENT FOR BAD BEHAVIOR JESUS WALKS UP CLOSE AND IS CONFRONTED 1 PETER 2:22   22. “HE COMMITTED NO SIN, AND NO DECEIT WAS FOUND IN HIS MOUTH.” I PETER 2:23   23. WHEN THEY HURLED THEIR INSULTS AT HIM, HE DID NOT RETALIATE; WHEN HE SUFFERED, HE MADE NO THREATS. INSTEAD, HE ENTRUSTED HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES JUSTLY.  I PETER 2:24   24. HE HIMSELF BORE OUR SINS, IN HIS BODY ON THE CROSS. SO THAT WE MIGHT DIE TO SINS AND LIVE FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: “BY HIS WOUNDS YOU HAVE BEEN HEALED” ALISTE

https://www.bible.com/events/49412314 Encounter The Cross Part 1 An ancient execution devise is now a universal symbol of hope and life. Today we are beginning our new teaching series called “Encounter The Cross”. We want to see and understand how this ancient execution devise is now a centuries old symbol for hope and life. We want to experience the life and victory that the cross offers. We want to encounter the cross. Our series begins today with the one central story, rather the one person, who transformed the cross from a symbol of suffering and shame, to a symbol of life and hope. Let’s turn to our teaching text today in Mark 15 Mark 15:22-26 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: the king of the jews. Why we can find life and hope in something as gruesome as a cross is because of one man, and that’s Jesus. It was his crucifixion that transformed the cross into a symbol of life and hope. Verse 24 simply says “And they crucified him.” That was enough for any first century reader. As familiar as we are with the Golden Arches being beside our roads, so the people of the first century were familiar with what it meant to be crucified. It needed no further explanation. They got it, their stomach turned at the very thought of it. Jesus’ hands are stretched out and nailed to the cross beam. Heavy metal spikes pounded through the bone and flesh into the wood. His feet are done the same. Mark 15:27-37 They crucified two rebels with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself!” In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. We can get a sense of the public disgrace that came with crucifixion. Victims were normally completely naked, exposed in a very public place. Passers by add insult to the already immense physical injury. Even the two other criminals join in the taunting of Jesus. There is quite a bit of sad irony in their taunting. Jesus is the Messiah, the King of Israel. He COULD save himself, but he refused so that he might save them (and us). And with a loud cry, Jesus breathes his last. It’s finished. This is the cross. 1 Peter 2:22-25 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. The punishment that Jesus endured on the cross, was not his own, it was ours. My Sin and your always has consequences, and it always leads to death. So on the cross Jesus takes the punishment of our sin, of our failures and mistakes. In this action he makes what the bible calls “atonement” for our sin. That’s a churchy word that means he has born the consequence of our sin, he has made the payment for sin. Jesus took that for all humanity. The effect of this atonement is that we can be forgiven, our record of sin can be wiped clean, we receive new life, a new spirit, and we are brought into the family of God. That’s what Jesus has made possible for you and me by grace, through believing in him. To follow Jesus, to experience the life he offers us, we must deny ourselves. We have to turn from our way of doing things, to living any way we want, following the desires of the world and of our flesh- we have to treat those things as if they were dead. Having no power or authority of us. It’s a complete turning away from life our way, to life God’s way as it’s shown by his spirit and in his word. God will help you do this, it’s the only way it’s even

The Power of Music in Worship Music is deeply woven into our lives. I bet I can sing just a few lines of a song, and you’ll instantly recognize where it’s from. Let’s play a little game: Name That Jingle! (Sing the tune and have the congregation finish it. Show images to connect the jingle to the product of TV Show. 1."Give me a break, give me a break, break me off a piece of that Kit-Kat bar..."  2.. "I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us kid..."  3. "The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup..." 4. "My bologna has a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R  .My bologna has a second name, it's M-A-Y-E-R  Oh, I love to eat it every day And if you ask me why, I'll say  'Cause Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!" 5. (For my More mature friends: "Here's the story of a lovely lady  Who was bringing up three very lovely girls  All of them had hair of gold, like their mother  The youngest one in curls  6. (For my friends under the age of 45)  "In west Philadelphia born and raised.... On the playground is where I spent most of my days... See? Music sticks. It connects emotions, memories, and moments in time. If Pastor Kevin can show you Michael Jackson videos in church, then we can sing commercial jingles!  When I hear a song of my childhood, or my young adult years, it places me right in the middle of that scene in my life.  For example, when I hear the theme song to "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" I can almost smell the garlic in my dad’s cooking baked Ziti, because that show was on right around the time, he would start preparing dinner.  EMILY'S MUSICAL STORY I’ll never forget when my daughter Emily, at six years old, got in trouble after church. We told her to take a moment to reflect before joining us for lunch on the other side of the double doors. A few moments later, we heard a melody. Curious, Brian and I listened through the door—Emily was full-on belting out a dramatic musical monologue about what had just happened! (Sing an example) It was hilarious, but it also reinforced the power of music to process emotions and experiences.  Science backs this up: music impacts our cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being. It enhances memory, regulates emotions, relieves stress, lowers heart rates, and even reduces pain. No wonder God gave us music as a tool for worship! It helps us remember His promises, declare His truth, and stand firm in our faith.  Music is how most of you memorized the  alphabet.  Music is how many of you were calmed by  your parents at bed time.  Music is how a lot of Scripture has gotten into  your brain.     I taught my kids the books of the Bible in       order with the Bible book bop,  That’s why it’s such an important part of worship…as a weapon. REVIEW Over the past few weeks, Pastor Kevin and Pastor Billy have shared different aspects of worship—  better understood as "Worth-ship." Worship is how we, as followers of Christ, demonstrate God's worth in our lives. As we've discussed, worship is not just about music; it’s about how we live our lives fully surrendered to Christ, because He is worthy.  Today, I want to pivot a bit and focus on the powerful connection between worship and spiritual warfare. Now, you might be wondering, "Spiritual warfare? Janette, are you talking about exorcisms?" Well, the Bible does include accounts of demon possession, but spiritual warfare is more than that. It’s the ongoing battle between the forces of good and evil—a battle that tries to pull us away from God.  While we've established that worship isn’t just about singing on Sunday mornings, Scripture makes it clear that singing, shouting, and playing instruments play a key role in spiritual battles. 1. Worship is a Weapon Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Janette, calling music a weapon is a stretch." But worship is one of the most powerful weapons we have against the enemy.  Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (NIV) We are in a spiritual battle. Our fight is not against people—it’s against darkness. But ...Worship is a battle cry that dismantles the enemy’s schemes And do you know what demons hate most? Praise.  Think about it—before his fall, Satan was a master musician, possibly even a worship leader in heaven. That’s why nothing infuriates him more than when we worship God. Our worship is not just an act of reverence—it’s a weapon that shakes the kingdom of darkness.  This is exactly what we see in 1 Samuel 16 when Saul was tormented by an evil spirit.  Later in verse 23, we see the power of worship: "Whenever the spirit came upon Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would f

Worship as Spiritual Warfare Worship Review Two Greek words translated as worship in our English Bibles. Proskuneo - to bow, fall on your knees, make a request Example: Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magifrom the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship (proskuneo) him.” Matthew 2:11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped (proskuneo) him. While bowing is an outward act of submission and honor, I’d like to suggest that the other words in the NT for worship is a higher form of worship. Letreuo – to serve, to sacrifice Example: Romans 12:1 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship (letreuo). Both worship words are found in one verse - Matthew 4:8-10 - 8Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship (proskuneo) me.” “Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship (proskuneo) the Lord your God and serve (Letreuo) Him only.’” We can distinguish between these 2 types of worship by determining their motivation: bowing worship – fear serving worship – love If you appeared before your king, whom you didn’t know, you would bow in fear because you know that he can determine if you will live or die. So, you bow in fear. But if you are the king’s servant, you know him and want to please him and bring joy to him. So, you serve in love. Today’s message, Worship as Spiritual Warfare Ephesians 6:10-17 - 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Worship is our greatest weapon in this conflict, but it’s much more than just singing. 4 Weapons of Spiritual Warfare Scripture (Word of God) -Matthew 4:1-6 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test. The devil will often tempt us, and Jesus shows us here the best defense against temptation. GOD’s WORD. Prayer and Fasting – (Daniel) - Daniel 10:10-14 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” The man in the vision said Daniel’s prayer was heard immediately, but the answer to Daniel’s prayer was delayed because of a war in the heavenlies between the forces of good and evil. (Michael the Archangel and the Prince of Persia) What does this mean for us today? We don’t

WELCOME- GLAD YOU ARE HERE 3RD WEEK OF A SERIES ON WORSHIP BEYOND THE SONG- A LIFE OF WORSHIP WEEK 1: WORSHIP ISNT JUST FOR SUNDAY AM WORSHIP IN SCRIPTURE CAN’T BE CONTAINED IN 1 WORD  CONSECRATION- ROMANS 12:1-2 PRESENT YOUR BODIES  ADORATION-IN AWE OF JESUS  PARTICIPATION- HE INVITES US TO DO WHAT CREATION ALREADY IS DOING CELEBRATION-YOUR HEART/MIND AND EVEN BODY RESPOND AT TIMES. WE ARE HARD WIRED FOR WORSHIP (MJ/T SWIFT/SPORTS WEEK 2: PASTOR BILLY SHARED PASSIONATELY    WE ARE NEVER NOT WORSHIPPING WE ARE ALWAYS DIRECTING OUR ATTENTIONS/AFFECTIONS/ALEGIANCE TOWARD GOD OR IDOLS THAT CAN NEVER SATISFY  “BEHAVIORS IN A BELIEVER THAT REFLECTS THE AWESOME MAJESTY AND WORTH (WORTH-SHIP) OF ALMIGHTY AND HOLY GOD. “ “WE HAVE A GOD WHO IS FOR US BUT WE HAVE AN ENEMY WHO IS AGAINST US AND THE ENEMY OF OUR SOUL HATES OUR WORSHIP.” TODAY PART 3 OF WORSHIP- TWO UNLIKELY WOMEN STORY IN LUKE 21 AND HERE MARK 12:42 JESUS CONDEMNS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WIDOWS RIGHT BEFORE THIS. MARK 12:41    41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.   MARK 12:42    42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. (DROP)    JESUS IN -LAST 5 SECTIONS IN OPOSITION  MARK 12:43-44   43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” WE WORSHIP IN OUR GIVING/GENEROSITY OUR TIME- ITS AN ACT OF WORSHIP OUR TALENT- GIVE THAT- WORSHIP TOUCH- SHARE THAT-ACT OF WORSHIP TREASURE- OFFER IT IN WORSHIP TRUTH IS THIS: SOME HAVE THOUGHT- I KNEW HE’D TALK MONEY SOME IT’S YOUR FIRST TIME HERE PEOPLE ARE SITTING NEAR YOU CRINGING NOW I COULD ADDRESS RACIAL DIVISION I COULD TALK ABOUT SEX TODAY I COULD TALK ABOUT POLITICS- LESS OF ISSUE BUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MONEY- IN CHURCH? TODAY ISN’T ABOUT MONEY- ITS ABOUT WORSHIP SOME THOUGHTS THOUGH ABOUT FINANCES MORE THAN ½ PARABLE JESUS TOLD MONEY AND POSSESSIONS 500 VERSES IN BIBLE SPEAK ABOUT PRAYER LESS THAN 500 ON FAITH OVER 2000 VERSES DEAL WITH FINANCES 1 OUT OF EVERY 7 VERSES IN NT REFERS TO FINANCES AND POSSESSION  PICTURE OF THE TEMPLE DO YOU SEE THE SIZE OF THIS STRUCTURE? DO YOU SEE THE RENDERINGS OF THE PEOPLE? COURT OF GENTILES- EVERYONE (NON JEWS) THEY CAN’T GO TO WOMENS COURT COURT OF ISRAEL- 15 STEPS UP COURT OF PRIEST CLOSE UP COURT OF WOMEN STRUCTURE WAS 37 ACRES 18,000 PEOPLE TO BUILD IT ITS PASSOVER WEEK JEWISH HIST JOSEPHUS POPULATON 2.7MILL COLUMNS-COURT OF WOMEN PORCH THERE ARE 13 RECEPTICLES AROUND COURT PEOPLE EVERYWHERE- TRUMPET LIKE STRUCTURE METAL STRUCTURES 6 FOR: 7 FOR : 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. ALL THIS COMMOTION- A SOUND- CATCHES JESUS EAR JUST TWO LITTLE COINS- JESUS HAD JUST RAISED LAZARUS- PEOPLE WANT TO SEE AMONG ALL THE CHANGE WIDOW- 2  SOUNDS RING OUT WE ALL ASSUME SHES OLD- 2 SOUNDS SOME OLDER PEOPLE THINK SHES YOUNG A SOUND- A MINIMAL- SHORT RATTLE SOUND JESUS GRABS HIS GUYS- DID YOU HEAR THAT? DID YOU GUYS SEE THAT? SEE WHAT JESUS- 2 COINS THEY HEARD ALL THE SOUNDS OF THE RICH-NOISY JESUS SAYS- YOU SEE THAT WIDOW- SHE GAVE 2 MITES SHE GAVE MORE THAN ALL THE REST- WAIT JESUS WHAT? 2 MITES? WORD WAS LEPTA WORTH ESSENTIALLY A PENNY OR LESS SHE DIDN’T HAVE TO GIVE BOTH- JEWISH LAW GIVE 1 THE EQUIVALENT OF 6 MINUTES OF A WORK DAY A NO NAME WIDOW- DEPOSITS HER WORSHIP JESUS DOESN’T CONDEMN THE WEALTHY HE JUST SAYS SHE GAVE MORE- OTHERS GAVE IN RELATIONSHIP WHAT THEY COULD KEEP- WE DO THE SAME SCRIPTURE SAYS “JESUS POSITIONED HIMSELF SO HE COULD SEE WHAT PEOPLE GIVE” LUKE 12:34    “FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO.” 2 SOUNDS INDICATE WHERE HER HEART IS QUOTE    “ITS NOT EQUAL GIFTS-ITS EQUAL SACRIFICE.” GIVE/SAVE/LIVE 3 WAYS MOST PEOPLE HANDLE FINANCES THEY LIVE FIRST SAVE SECOND GIVE LAST Matthew 6:24   24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. “WE HAVE A GOD WHO IS FOR US BUT WE HAVE AN ENEMY WHO IS AGAINST US AND THE ENEMY OF OUR SOUL HATES OUR WORSHIP.” JOHN 12 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with t

https://www.bible.com/events/49405668 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus Beyond The Song: A life of worship Part 3 Take your everyday, ordinary life, and place it before the Lord as an offering. Today we are continuing in our 4-part teaching series called Beyond the Song: A life of worship. Throughout this series, we want to be challenged to re-frame our thinking on worship. That we would not only think of worship as somewhere we go on Sunday mornings, or a certain song we sing, but that we would see all of our lives as an opportunity to worship the Lord. Today we are going to focus in on the idea that worship is all about offering or giving our very Best to the Lord. According to Romans 12, Worship is all about giving. Giving your life, you might sing songs to him, you might give your time to serve at the church or in the community, you give your talents to help provide for others, you give of yourself, to comfort loved ones and support them. John 12:1-3 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. Mary’s worship through giving was motivated by love. This act of worship was an act of love and adoration for Jesus. 1 Corinthians 13:3 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. We also see that Mary’s worship was intentional. Mary planned to worship. She planned to give her best. She gave careful and intentional consideration of how she would worship the Lord. Mary worshipped without reservations. She gave her best and she gave all of it. Jesus doesn’t uphold Mary’s gift as an example for future generations. No, he upholds her example of worship for future generations. To show future generations what true worship looks like. A life of worship is giving your best and giving all of yourself to the Lord. That’s worship beyond the song, that’s a life of worship. Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Then this poor widow comes in, drops in two of the smallest known coins in the money system. And Jesus sees her. He is moved by her worship. Not because she gave a lot, but she gave her best, she gave her all. He turns round and says to his disciples- Boys, this right here is how it’s done. This is how you worship. You might be here today and following along feeling like you are left out because you don’t have much money to give, or a nice car to donate, or whatever. Look, it’s not about that. This is not even a message about our money, it’s about worship. You already have your best, and you are already giving it to something or someone. What we are desiring to see today is that true worship, our true response in loving and serving Jesus is that HE gets our best. Will you give the Lord your best?

http://bible.com/events/49403060 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Campus Beyond The Song: A Life of Worship Part 2 Take your everyday, ordinary life, and place it before the Lord as an offering. Today we are continuing in our 4-part teaching series called Beyond the Song: A Life of Worship. Throughout this series, we want to be challenged to re-frame our thinking on worship. That we would not only think of worship as somewhere we go on Sunday mornings, or a certain song we sing, but that we would see all of our lives as an opportunity to worship the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. The definition of worship we are working with in this series is behaviors in a believer that reflect the awesome majesty and worth ("worth-ship") of Almighty and Holy God. So, the question is, what does a life full of those behaviors look like, especially away from the church building on Sunday morning? Pastor Kevin's definition of Worship in Week 1: EXPRESSING OUR LOVE AND GRATITUDE TO GOD FOR WHO HE IS, WHAT HE IS, WHAT HE’S DONE, WHAT HE’S SAID, AND WHAT HE’S PROMISED TO DO. Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Quick review of all the mercies of God Paul has explained to us thus far in chapters 1-11: · Justification from the guilt and penalty of sin. · Adoption in Jesus and identification with Christ. · Placed under grace, not law. · Giving the Holy Spirit to live within. · Promise of help in all affliction. · Confidence of coming glory. · Confidence of no separation from the love of God. · Confidence in God’s continued faithfulness. Susanna Wesley (defining sin) Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, takes off your relish for spiritual things, whatever increases the authority of the body over the mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may seem in itself. Dallas Willard You can live opposite of what you profess, but you cannot live opposite of what you believe. Pastor Bill Lakey What is worship? It is living your life - your everyday, fold the laundry, go to work, pay the bills life - before the face of God. It is realizing who God is, who you are, that he is the most important thing in the world, and living your life in response to that truth. It is the freedom to focus on him instead of getting caught on the treadmill of religious do’s and don’ts. It’s living the life you were designed to live. Colossians 3:1-2 So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective. WE ARE NEVER NOT WORSHIPPING Romans 12:1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Richard Foster This way of living is not confined to people in religious orders or those who have special skills in spiritual matters. No, this life is also for ordinary people. People who work in high-pressure jobs of information tech and finance. People who are constantly dealing with the stresses of raising children and balancing the family budget. People who teach school and work in hospitals and provide social services and so much more. In short, people just like you and me. Extras scripture + quotes for further reflection/worship Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Colossians 3:23 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it

https://www.bible.com/events/49401981 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus Beyond The Song: A life of worship Part 2 Take your everyday, ordinary life, and place it before the Lord as an offering. Today we are continuing in our 4-part teaching series called Beyond the Song: A life of worship. Throughout this series, we want to be challenged to re-frame our thinking on worship. That we would not only think of worship as somewhere we go on Sunday mornings, or a certain song we sing, but that we would see all of our lives as an opportunity to worship the Lord. Worship- if you look it up in the dictionary, you will find definitions like: -to honor or show reverence for a divine being or supernatural power -to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion Worship is action or response ascribing value to someone or something. For us, that someone and something is the Lord. When we worship, we are expressing how much God means to us, how much we value and honor him. Today we are continuing to explore a life of worship asking questions like: How should we approach worship Monday through Saturday? How should we think about it? Is there a right way and a wrong way to express worship throughout the week? What should we look out for? These are necessary questions to consider as we continue to explore worship Monday-Saturday because as we will see, a decision about worship is at the heart of nearly every temptation we face. Matthew 4:8-11 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. If you look back in this chapter, the devils first temptation is that Jesus would turn stones into bread. He was trying to get Jesus to use his power to meet is needs, in his own way, rather than trusting the Father’s plan. The second temptation was that he would leap from the pinnacle of the temple and allow God’s angels to rescue him. The temptation seems to be that Jesus would take for granted, for his own purposes, the protection of the father. By taking that leap, he wouldn’t have to endure the cross. Again, using what was available to him to meet his own desires and needs, rather than the will of God. At the core of these first two temptations is the matter of loyalty and devotion. Who is Jesus going to live his life for? Will he take matters into his own hands, use his power to make things easier for himself? Or will he stick fast to the plans of the heavenly father? And Here in this third and final temptation in verse 8-9, the devil offers Jesus everything this world has to offer, all the power, al the wealth, all the glory- all the goods, if only he will worship him. What has been implied in each temptation before, is explicitly brought forward here. It’s a matter of worship. Who are you ultimately going to worship? The Lord? or the devil? And Friends, this is the heart of the matter of your life, and mine. Who are we going to worship? Who are we going to obey? What we give our lives to is critical. As we think about Monday through Saturday worship- It’s not just about K-Love on the radio or even saying prayer before a meal. It’s the very core decision we make every day. Who am I living for today? What am I worshipping? It’s a question that’s the very essence of our relationship with the Lord. A conscious surrender to living out his plans for our lives. Romans 12:1 MSG So, here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. John 4:19-24 “Oh, so you’re a prophet! Well, tell me this: Our ancestors worshiped God at this mountain, but you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place for worship, right?” “Believe me, woman, the time is coming when you Samaritans will worship the Father neither here at this mountain nor there in Jerusalem. You worship guessing in the dark; we Jews worship in the clear light of day. God’s way of salvation is made available through the Jews. But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you’re called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. “It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” Within Jesus’ description of worship, we see a few key truths that I believe will help us as we seek to reframe our thin

WORSHIP ISN’T · CONFINED TO A SUNDAY MORNING EXPERIENCE · SINGING ONLY-SINGING IS AN ACT/FORM WORSHIP · ABOUT YOU- ITS ABOUT GOD- WHAT HE RECEIVES · COMPARTMENTALIZED-IT’S A LIFESTYLE · CLOSED FISTED- ITS OPEN HANDED · CONFINED TO CERTAIN SPACES · WHAT YOU DO-IT’S WHO YOU ARE Worship Expressing our love and gratitude to God, for who He is, what He’s done, what He’s said, and what He’s promised to do.  22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” ROMANS 12:1-2 THE WORSHIP LIFE 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Matthew 14:22-33 “MANY SPIRIT FILLED AUTHORS HAVE EXHAUSTED THE THESAURUS IN ORDER TO DESCRIBE GOD WITH THE GLORY HE DESERVES, HIS PERFECT HOLINESS, BY DEFINITION ASSURES US THAT OUR WORDS CAN’T CONTAIN. ISN’T IT A COMFORT TO WORSHIP A GOD WE CANNOT EXAGGERATE? FRANCIS CHAN LUKE 17:11 11. “NOW ON HIS WAY TO JERUSALEM, JESUS TRAVELED ALONG THE BORDER BETWEEN SAMARIA AND GALILEE. AS HE WAS GOING INTO THE VILLAGE, TEN MEN WHO HAD LEPROSY MET HIM. THEY STOOD AT A DISTANCE AND CALLED OUT IN A LOUD VOICE, “JESUS, MASTER HAVE PITY ON US!’ LUKE 17:14 14. “WHEN HE SAW THEM, HE SAID, “GO SHOW YOURSELVES TO THE PRIESTS.” AND AS THEY WENT, THEY WERE CLEANSED. ONE OF THEM, WHEN HE SAW HE WAS HEALED, CAME BACK PRAISING GOD IN A LOUD VOICE. LUKE 17:16 16. HE THREW HIMSELF AT JESUS’ FEET AND THANKED HIM AND HE WAS A SAMARITAN. JESUS ASKED, “WERE NOT ALL TEN CLEANSED? WHERE ARE THE OTHER NINE? HAS NO ONE RETURNED TO PRAISE GOD EXCEPT THIS FOREIGNER?’ THEN HE SAID TO HIM, “RISE AND GO; YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL. 2 JESUS MIRACLES: 2 VERY DIFFERENT RESPONSES · FIRST STORY-DISCIPLES EVEN INITIALLY AFRAID · THEY WORSHIP JESUS · SECOND STORY- ONLY 1 COMES BACK? · AND A SAMARITAN TO BOOT? WOW · 1 GROUP WORSHIPS JESUS WHAT HE CAN DO · THE OTHER GROUP WORSHIPS FOR WHO HE IS HEBREW TERMS FOR WORSHIP SHACHAH: TO BOW DOWN (ANGELS APPEARED) BARAK: BEND AT WAIST-SPECIAL AUTHORITY TODAH: YADAH- THANKSGIVING/A THANK OFFERING ZAMAR: MAKE MUSIC IN PRAISE OF GOD (DAVIDS LYRE) HALAL: TO GIVE FOOLISH GLORY-SHINE/CELEBRATE WORD IN VERSE 17 THANKED MEANS (GIVING THANKS) EUCHARIST PSALM 47:1 1. “CLAP YOUR HANDS, ALL YOU NATIONS; SHOUT TO GOD WITH CRIES OF JOY. PSALM 47:1 1. “CLAP YOUR HANDS, ALL YOU NATIONS; SHOUT TO GOD WITH CRIES OF JOY. ROMANS 12:1-2 THE WORSHIP LIFE 1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. STORY FROM LUKE 17 ONE OF THEM CAME BACK TO JESUS PRAISING HIM IN A LOUD VOICE. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ADMIRATION AND WORSHIP AND FANDOM REVELATION 4

https://www.bible.com/events/49398704 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus Beyond The Song: A life of worship Part 1 Take your everyday, ordinary life, and place it before the Lord as an offering. Today we are starting a 4-part teaching series called Beyond the Song: A life of worship. Throughout this series, we want to be challenged to re-frame our thinking on worship. That we would not only think of worship as somewhere we go on Sunday mornings, or a certain song we sing, but that we would see all of our lives as an opportunity to worship the Lord. Worship- if you look it up in the dictionary, you will find definitions like: -to honor or show reverence for a divine being or supernatural power -to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion Worship is action or response ascribing value to someone or something. For us, that someone and something is the Lord. When we worship, we are expressing how much God means to us, how much we value and honor him. That's worship. Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Paul addresses the WHY of worship. He says “In view of God’s MERCY”… The reason we are called to worship is because of who God is, and all that he has done. We worship God because he is Holy, Righteous, and perfect in all of his ways. We worship him first for who he is. Sovereign creator and sustainer of all the earth. Paul said earlier in Romans “While we were yet sinners Christ died for us”. God’s mercy is on perhaps its fullest display in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It’s a love that demands a response, that’s what worship is. An expression our thanks and gratitude, our great debt as sinful people for salvation and life in Christ. Paul calls us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to him. The word here in Romans 12 for worship is closely related to the idea of service. Actions directed at or motivated by a love or reverence for another. In this case, the Lord. In it’s most basic form you could say worship is worth-ship. We are ascribing, giving, expressing worth and value to God. When we commit to doing life God’s way, that’s living worship. When we love our enemies, when we turn the other cheek. When we love our neighbors and help the poor. When we say NO to the desires of our flesh or of our temper, and YES to the will of God for our lives. When we use the talents and gifts that God has given us to meet the needs of others, to help provide a service, to make a living for our family. That’s worship. When we make prepare a meal and take it to someone who is recovering from surgery or lost a loved one. That’s worship. When we serve in Kids City or Nursery neighborhood, teaching future generations about Jesus- That’s worship. That’s offering your life to the Lord. That’s worship. That’s your true and proper response to who God is. Worship beyond the song. Romans 12:1 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

This Sunday we had guest speaker Pastor Noel Gandy with us. Pastor Noel Gandy was our Hunt to Harvest speaker. Pastor Noel is currently serving as a pastor in Shenandoah, Iowa. 1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:1-12

u joined us last week you are aware that we began a new series entitled, “RELATIONSHIP GOALS”  For some of us that was a new concept.  Today we will take a look at “FAMILY GOALS” The word “family” alone could evoke a wide variety of responses in all of us. From Thankfulness to Anx.   Delight to grief.    The mere mention may bring tears of joy. Or tears of hurt. I have a disclaimer – Pastor Kevin did not invite me to bring this message because the Kohl family has it all figured out, I don’t have it mastered as a mom, wife, sister or daughter.  Often when I get the opportunity to share, the message is to deepen me. And I am pretty sure, the reason I was given this topic is because we are uniquely in the throws of parenting.  PICTURE of my family. Here is a PICTURE of my family. My college sweetheart and husband of 27 years, Our oldest daughter Gwenna – she is a freshman at Liberty. Eli is a sophomore at East Rock. And Ivy is 4 and in Preschool.  I would not want you to get distracted trying to figure out just how old I was when our youngest was born – I was 44. And for those of you who love statistics, there is only a 2-3% chance of two 44 years olds to have a child naturally – even less when being prevented. NOW THAT THAT’S CLEARED UP.  I will say I call that our “ONLY GOD” story.  And though we would have never imagined that surprise in our family – we have seen the goodness of God. I remind you that the same powerful God is at work in your life and in your families – not to bring you all babies in your old age but to meet the needs you may not even know you have. Last week Pastor Kevin shared that just as the world was created, we see how the Lord Places us, Provides for us, gives us purpose, gives parameters, and is the place we find our IDENTITY.                  Our goal should be abandoning any image of myself that God doesn’t say about me. This is KEY to any healthy, vibrant relationship! What is a family? Family - a group of people who are related to each other, including parents, children, and close relatives. - Oxford dictionary Another source defines it as family, a group of persons united by the ties of marriage, blood, or adoption, constituting a single household and interacting with each other in their respective social positions, usually those of spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Marriage and family are Gods institutions.  God created the family when he made the first man and woman – telling them to be fruitful and multiply in Genesis 1:28 God wastes no time developing marriage and family. Marriage is a foundational unit of society. Shortly after , we see sin enter the scene. Self-sufficiency enters and so does family disfunction. The effects of sin, destroy families and society – wreak havoc, create unimaginable suffering, leading many to a Christless society and life. In Genesis 4, we meet Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve’s first and second born son. In Genesis 4:3-5, God favors Abels offering over Cains Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:6-7 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[a] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 4:8 Then Cain ran away to avoid punishment – creating yet more challenge and hurt. This is not to discourage, but to remind us that as soon as sin entered so did the battle against and with family. Though today’s challenges likely look different than God giving favor to one offering over another – Jealousy is a hurt that still reigns as destructive. The family is in battle. Life, Hope, Truth.com research reveals that the some of the greatest or top THREATS that come against our families today are: Materialism – keeping our families focused on acquiring more and more – and our children believing that material possessions are where happiness is.                 Secularism – 25% of Americans claim no religious affiliation                                                 Compared to 6% in 1991                 Negative Media Influence – not only bringing constant unwholesome influence, but                        

 RELATIONSHIP GOALS · STARTED A NEW SERIES 2 WEEKS AGO RELATIONSHIP GOALS SERIES · WEIGHT LOSS GOALS - FINANCIAL GOALS · ACHIEVEMENT/ACCOMPLISHMENT GOALS · FITNESS GOALS · DO WE HAVE RELATIONAL GOALS? WEEK 1- ADAM- I WILL GIVE YOU YOUR IDENTITY WEEK 2 ANGELA KOHL ASKED US TO CONSIDER RELATIONAL (FAMILY) GOALS 1. WOULD YOU CONSIDER WRITING A FEW GOALS DOWN FOR YOUR FAMILY. (SHARED SOME OF HERS) NOW BECAUSE THIS CAN BE A HEAVY TOPIC- WE SHOULD INFUSE SOME LAUGHTER INTO THIS NOT ONLY FOR MARRIED PEOPLE- BUT SPOTLIGHT · NATE BARGZATE TALKS -LAUNDRY/MARRIAGE VIDEO NATE BARGZATE · RELATIONAL GOALS TIED TO LAUNDRY · RELATIONAL GOALS TIED TO MOWING · TAKE YOU BACK TO THE BEGINNING · FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH RUTH RODRIGUEZ WAWA PICTURE · I HAD NO GOAL- GET A DATE/ THAT WAS THE GOAL · TODAY ISNT “5 STEPS TO HAPPY MARRIAGE” MATTHEW 19 1. WHEN JESUS HAD FINISHED SAYING THESE THINGS, HE LEFT GALILEE AND WENT INTO THE REGION OF JUDEA TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE JORDAN. SAYING WHAT THINGS: HE JUST FINISHED A LESSON ON FORGIVNESS- THEN THE PHARISEES COME TO HIM WITH THIS. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. MATTHEW 19:3-4 3 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ MATTHEW 19:5 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate · SIDE NOTE- HE DOES ADDRESS DIVORCE · MATTHEW 20- LET CHILDREN COME TO ME · VICTIMS IN THE DIVORCE  GENESIS 2:18 18. THEN THE LORD GOD SAID, “IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE MAN TO BE ALONE. I WILL MAKE A HELPER WHO IS JUST RIGHT FOR HIM. BUT FOR ADAM NO SUITABLE HELPER WAS FOUND. GENESIS 2:21-22 21. “SO THE LORD GOD CAUSED THE MAN TO FALL INTO A DEEP SLEEP; AND WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING, HE TOOK ONE OF THE MANS RIBS AND THEN CLOSED UP THE PLACE WITH FLESH. THEN THE LORD GOD MADE A WOMAN FROM THE RIB HE HAD TAKEN OUT OF THE MAN, AND HE BROUGHT HER TO THE MAN. GENESIS 2:23-24 23. THIS IS NOW BONE OF MY BONE AND FLESH OF MY FLESH; SHE SHALL BE CALLED ‘WOMAN,’ FOR SHE WAS TAKEN OUT OF MAN. “THAT IS WHY A MAN LEAVES HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND IS UNITED TO HIS WIFE, AND THEY BECOME ONE FLESH.” · JESUS QUOTES THIS PASSAGE · PAUL IN CORINTHIANS SAYS 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. CASUAL · DO YOU FEEL LIKE DOING THIS? MAYBE · NO COMMITMENT- NO ATTACHMENT · BOREDOM- SEEMS FUN- NO HARM NO FOUL · MOSTLY PHYSICAL- WALLS ARE UP/PROTECT SEL CONTRACT · THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT · HAS A TIME LIMIT · WE ARRIVE AT THE SIGNING WITH A MUTUAL DISTRUST- ALMOST ASSUMING THE OTHER WILL BREAK THE AGREEMENT. SETH NOT INTERESTED IN PEOPLE MY AGE WHAT I WANT TO SEE ARE PEOPLE YOUR AGE OR OLDER WHO WANT TO BE MARRIED STILL AND ARE STILL IN LOVE  COVENANT · A COVERING- THIS IS GODS IDEA · HEBREW WORD IS “bĕriyth”- TO CUT DROP OF BLOOD · OVER ARCHING THEMES IN SCRIPTURE · LOVE OF GOD-HE WANTS TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT · GRACE OF GOD- HE KEEPS EXTENDING THIS · THE BACK DROP OF BLOOD · HEBREW WORD FOR BLOOD-CUTTING BLOOD OVER THE DOOR POST · BLOOD SYMBOLIZED PROTECTION/FREEDOM CONTRACT VS COVENANT STATED TERMINATION DATE PERMANENT INK BASED BLOOD BASED MUTUAL DISTRUST MUTUAL COMMITMENT VISUAL OF GODS INTENTION MARRIAGE · KEVIN GETS CLOSER TO GOD- I STILL DON’T LEAVE RUTH · WE DON’T DRAW CLOSE AT SAME SPEED · IN THE SAME WAYS- AT THE SAME TIME · PULLEY SYSTEM-GOD DRAWS · BUT WE DO HAVE TO PURSUE HIM GODS MATH 1 + 1 = 1 COVENANT PICTURE · WEEKEND TO REMEMBER -NEXT WEEKEND · TITUS AND NICOLE BECAUSE IT TAKES WORK PEOPLE TRY SOMETHING- IT DOESN’T WORK-QUIT · WE CHECK EVERYTHING ELSE BUT OUR MARRIAGE · NOT A SCUD MISSILE IS A SLOW DRIP WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP GOAL? WHAT IS GODS GOAL FOR YOUR MARRIAGE? CAN THE TWO OF YOU BE MORE EFFECTIVE FOR GOD TOGETHER THAN YOU WOULD BE SINGLE? · PRAY TOGETGHER ONCE A WEEK. “WHAT IS GODS GOAL FOR YOUR MARRIAGE?” SURVIVE- JUST GRIN AND BEAR IT- WAIT FOR THE KIDS TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND THEN WE WILL SPLIT · CHILDREN ARE A BLESSING- THEY WILL NOT BRING THE FULLFILLMENT GOD DESIRES FOR YOUR MARRIAGE. SINGLE PERSON WANTING TO BE MARRIED THE GOAL MIGHT BE TO SEE MARRIAGE FOR WHAT IT WAS REALLY DESIGNED TO BE-SEEK IT ACCORDINGLY DIVORCED PERSON THE GOAL IS TO SEEK HEALING KNOWING THAT IT WAS NEVER GODS’ INTENTION OR DESIGN FOR YOU TO BE HERE. FIND HEALING IN GODS PROMISE. THE WIDOW TO THE ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THE TEARING OF FLESH AND LONELINESS AND ABODONMENT FEELS LIKE- CELEBRATE WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU, AND LOOK TO

https://www.bible.com/events/49391752 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus Relationship Goals Part 3 We will be covenant keeping Over the next few weeks, we will work through several relationship goals that we can see in the scriptures. By naming this series Relationship Goals, we are acknowledging from the very beginning that our relationships have room to grow. They may need work, maybe even a lot of it. We also recognize that WE need work. that ME in relationship, needs work. The purpose of this series is not to make you feel guilty about yourself or the quality of your relationships. Our desire is to offer hope, to set some goals and find practical tools that will help us work on our relationships. As the old saying goes “If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.” So why not set some goals to get us where the bible is calling in our relationships? Today we continue with relationship goal #3 "We will be covenant keeping" Genesis 2:20-24 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. God has spoken everything into existence, including Adam. Adam has his identity, worth, and purpose in life settled in the Lord. All of Adams core longings are fulfilled in the Lord, yet God recognizes that it’s not good for man to be alone. As the text notes, there was not a suitable helper or mate for Adam in creation before Eve. Adam bursts into his own poetic response at the sight of Eve, but it’s not just about a physical attraction. With poetic language, it’s communicating the idea that they are a part of each other. Adam recognizes this woman and this relationship as something deeply special and significant. Verse 24 essentially notes: “This is why we do what we do and believe what we believe about marriage- It was God’s design, it was his idea." With this scene Gods design is upheld for future generations. When it says Man is united to his wife- this literally means they stick together. It speaks of passion and permanence, it also speaks of covenant. An all in, put self aside commitment to the other person. This was God’s design, before any sin or brokenness entered our world. It’s a relationship of harmony and unity. It's a relationship built on covenant. Contract verses covenant A contract is essentially a transactional relationship We contact the roofer, he offers to complete the leak repair for the cost of $2000. He repairs the roof and we pay. Contract. Within Contracts there is an element of mutual distrust. We don’t trust each other to fulfill what we say, so we draft a document to lay out the terms. Contracts usually limited in their scope and they normally contain expiration dates. They also contain clauses that if one party no longer fulfills the obligations of the agreement, the other party is free to exit the agreement. That’s contract. Great for business, but terrible for close relationships and detrimental to a marriage. Covenant on the other hand, is a relational agreement based on mutual trust and sacrificial love for the other person. It’s a commitment of our whole self, to the other person. No conditions, no exceptions, permanent commitment. Matthew 19:3-6 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Jesus is asked about divorce and he answers them with God’s design for marriage. It’s interesting, Jesus doesn’t take up the argument as to what justified divorce. He simply points back to Genesis and God’s design to set the record straight. He essentially resets their view from contract terms to covenant keeping. Jesus reset the popular ideal for marriage in his day, and i believe he longs to do the same for us too. How are you approaching your marriage? Will you make God’s design, your goal? Will you be a covenant keeper?

If you joined us last week you are aware that we began a new series entitled, “RELATIONSHIP GOALS”  For some of us that was a new concept.  Today we will take a look at “FAMILY GOALS” The word “family” alone could evoke a wide variety of responses in all of us. From Thankfulness to Anx.   Delight to grief.    The mere mention may bring tears of joy. Or tears of hurt. I have a disclaimer – Pastor Kevin did not invite me to bring this message because the Kohl family has it all figured out, I don’t have it mastered as a mom, wife, sister or daughter.  Often when I get the opportunity to share, the message is to deepen me. And I am pretty sure, the reason I was given this topic is because we are uniquely in the throws of parenting.  PICTURE of my family. Here is a PICTURE of my family. My college sweetheart and husband of 27 years, Our oldest daughter Gwenna – she is a freshman at Liberty. Eli is a sophomore at East Rock. And Ivy is 4 and in Preschool.  I would not want you to get distracted trying to figure out just how old I was when our youngest was born – I was 44. And for those of you who love statistics, there is only a 2-3% chance of two 44 years olds to have a child naturally – even less when being prevented. NOW THAT THAT’S CLEARED UP.  I will say I call that our “ONLY GOD” story.  And though we would have never imagined that surprise in our family – we have seen the goodness of God. I remind you that the same powerful God is at work in your life and in your families – not to bring you all babies in your old age but to meet the needs you may not even know you have. Last week Pastor Kevin shared that just as the world was created, we see how the Lord Places us, Provides for us, gives us purpose, gives parameters, and is the place we find our IDENTITY.                  Our goal should be abandoning any image of myself that God doesn’t say about me. This is KEY to any healthy, vibrant relationship! INSERT STORY?? What is a family? Family - a group of people who are related to each other, including parents, children, and close relatives. - Oxford dictionary Another source defines it as family, a group of persons united by the ties of marriage, blood, or adoption, constituting a single household and interacting with each other in their respective social positions, usually those of spouses, parents, children, and siblings. Marriage and family are Gods institutions.  God created the family when he made the first man and woman – telling them to be fruitful and multiply in Genesis 1:28 God wastes no time developing marriage and family. Marriage is a foundational unit of society. Shortly after , we see sin enter the scene. Self-sufficiency enters and so does family disfunction. The effects of sin, destroy families and society – wreak havoc, create unimaginable suffering, leading many to a Christless society and life. In Genesis 4, we meet Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve’s first and second born son. In Genesis 4:3-5, God favors Abels offering over Cains Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:6-7 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.”[a] While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 4:8 Then Cain ran away to avoid punishment – creating yet more challenge and hurt. This is not to discourage, but to remind us that as soon as sin entered so did the battle against and with family. Though today’s challenges likely look different than God giving favor to one offering over another – Jealousy is a hurt that still reigns as destructive. The family is in battle. Life, Hope, Truth.com research reveals that the some of the greatest or top THREATS that come against our families today are: Materialism – keeping our families focused on acquiring more and more – and our children believing that material possessions are where happiness is.                 Secularism – 25% of Americans claim no religious affiliation                                                 Compared to 6% in 1991                 Negative Media Influence – not only bringing constant unwholesome influence, but                    &nbs

https://www.bible.com/events/49388327 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus Relationship Goals Part 2 We will be purpose driven Over the next few weeks, we will work through several relationship goals that we can see in the scriptures. By naming this series Relationship Goals, we are acknowledging from the very beginning that our relationships have room to grow. They may need work, maybe even a lot of it. We also recognize that WE need work. that ME in relationship, needs work. The purpose of this series is not to make you feel guilty about yourself or the quality of your relationships. Our desire is to offer hope, to set some goals and find practical tools that will help us work on our relationships. As the old saying goes “If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.” So why not set some goals to get us where the bible is calling in our relationships? Today we continue with relationship goal #2 "We will be purpose driven" As followers of Christ, we believe that we are called together for a purpose. We are called to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, to do things that we could otherwise not do alone. Our relationships should have purpose. As we dive into our goal of purpose driven relationship, I think it’s important that we first establish what our individual calling and purpose as followers of Jesus. As we establish that, we can begin to re-imagine our relationships in light of that core calling and purpose. To help us see these things come together, I want to look at the story of Peter and John. Two very different people who had a shared calling and a shared purpose in Christ. Luke 5:1-11 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. This moment marked a new day in the lives of these men. Peter recognizes his sinful heart and his need for a savior. He is ready to leave his old life of sin, to find forgiveness in Jesus. Affirming that desire in Peter, Jesus replies with a new calling for Peter “follow me.” The invitation to follow Jesus was that they would literally go be with Jesus. Stay where he stayed, go where he went. To learn from him, and most importantly to become like him. “From now on, you will fish for people.” The focus of Peter’s life was changing. His number one goal was to leverage his life for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. The calling and purpose we see in Peter, is representative of the call for each and every one of us today. As we seek Jesus as our Lord and savior, we too share in this same calling. Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. As this is true of our lives, it’s certainly true of our relationships too. When we enter into relationship, we don’t leave behind our calling and purpose in Christ, we bring it into our relationships. That’s the essence of purpose driven relationships. As you trace the story of Peter and John through the gospels, you can see it was a work in progress. For them personally, and for their relationships. It took years… But by the grace of God they remained committed to their calling, and to their purpose in the world. As this shaped their lives, it shaped their relationships too. The impact of this commitment over the long haul comes to light in the book of Acts. In Chapter 4, Peter and John are on trial before the supreme court of the religious elite because they healed a man who had been paralyzed or lame for 40 years. Of course, this creates quite a stir and they end up being arrested. As we get further into chapter 4 they are standing trial before the religious elite of the day. And after giving their defense of their actions, verse 13 tells us some

 RELATIONSHIP GOALS SERIES · NEW HERE- WE HAVE SEVERAL CAMPUSES · LAST WEEK LAUNCHED HISPANIC CAMPUS-56 · ESPERANZA VIVA CELEBRATED 20 YEARS · 1 ASK- STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS HUNT 2 HARVEST · TODAY BEGIN A NEW SERIES RELATIONSHP GOALS DEFINE GOAL: · AN AIM OR PURPOSE · INTENTION- TARGET DUDE PERFECT TRICK SHOTS · THESE GUYS HAVE MADE MILLIONS-HOW? · THEY GET A TARGET-THEY AIM-THEY SHOOT · THE TARGETS THEY SHOOT AT-UNUSUAL WE HAVE EVERY OTHER KIND OF GOAL · WEIGHT LOSS GOAL EDUCATIONAL DEGREE GOAL · JOB PROMOTION GOAL · GET OUT OF DEBT GOAL · SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE GOAL DO WE ACTUALLY HAVE RELATIONSHIP GOALS? HOW IMPORTANT ARE RELATIONSHIPS ANYWAY? PURPOSE: · WE WOULD HAVE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF TOOLS TO MAINTAIN GOD HONORING RELATIONSHIPS GENESIS 2:18. GOOD GOOD GOOD 18. “THEN THE LORD GOD SAID, IT IS NOT GOOD FOR THE MAN TO BE ALONE. I WILL MAKE A HELPER WHO IS JUST RIGHT FOR HIM. # 1 TACTIC FOR PUNISHING-ISOLATION-NOT SOLITUDE VIDEO ON BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS · BUSINESS PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ITS IMPORTANCE · DO WE? · I DON’T THINK HES SUGGESTING APPROACH THIS SELFISHLY · IDENTIFYING GENUINE RELATIONSHIP BUILDIUNG · WE DO RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE WE BELIEVE WE ARE CALLED TOGETHER FOR SOMETHING BIGGER THAN US IN GODS KINGDOM GENESIS 2:7-8 7. “THEN THE LORD GOD FORMED A MAN FROM THE DUST OF THE GROUND. HE BREATHED THE BREATH OF LIFE OF LIFE INTO THE MAN’S NOSTRILS, AND THE MAN BECAME A LIVING PERSON. THEN THE LORD GOD PLANTED A GARDEN IN EDEN IN THE EAST, AND THERE HE PLACED THE MAN HE HAD MADE. PLACED · WHAT PLACE ARE YOU LOOKING FOR? · WHERE HAS HE PLACED YOU? STILL LOOKING?  GENESIS 2:9 9. “THE LORD GOD MADE ALL SORTS OF TREES GROW UP FROM THE GROUND-TREES THAT WERE BEAUTIFUL AND THAT PRODUCED DELICIOUS FRUIT. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GARDEN HE PLACED THE TREE OF LIFE AND THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL.” PROVIDES · THE LORD PLACES THE MAN · THEN HE HAS PROVISION FOR THE MAN · HE PLACES AND PROVIDES · MANY OF YOU HAVE SERVED THE LORD · HAS HE NOT ALWAYS PROVIDED? · NO EVE YET  GENESIS 2:15 15. “THE LORD GOD PLACED THE MAN IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN TO TEND AND WATCH OVER IT.” PURPOSE · WHERE YOU LOOKING TO FIND PURPOSE? · PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE? AGE OLD QUESTION  SCRIPTURE GENESIS 2:16 16. “BUT THE LORD GOD WARNED HIM, YOU MAY FREELY EAT THE FRUIT OF EVERY TREE IN THE GARDEN.” GENESIS 2:17 17. EXCEPT THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. IF YOU EAT ITS FRUIT, YOU ARE SURE TO DIE.” GARDEN IMAGE · LONGWOOD GARDENS- DUPONT · HE DOESN’T SAY- YOU HAVE 2 CHOICES · HE PROVIDES INCREDIBLE OPTIONS · HE SAYS ALL OF IT IS YOURS- EXCEPT 1 THING · CHRISTIANITY HAS TOO MANY RESTRICTIONS · HANDCUFFS ME- YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL PARAMETERS · THE LORD PROVIDES GUARDRAILS FOR ADAM · HERE ARE THE BOUNDARY LINES FOR YOU · HE DOES THE SAME FOR US INDIVIDUALLY · WHAT DOG DOES WHEN LET HIM OUT THE DOOR · RUNS TO THE EDGE-PERIMETER. GENESIS 1:26 26. THEN GOD SAID, “LET US MAKE HUMAN BEINGS IN OUR IMAGE, TO BE LIKE US. THEY WILL REIGN OVER FISH IN THE SEA, THE BIRDS IN THE SKY, THE LIVESTOCK, ALL THE WILD ANIMALS ON THE EARTH, AND THE SMALL ANIMALS THAT SCURRY ALONG THE GROUND.”  IDENTITY · IN EVERY RELATIONSHIP- IT HINGES ON THIS · DOESN’T MATTER WHAT THE RELATIONSHIP · IF YOU DON’T KNOW YOUR IDENTITY- YOU WILL STRUGGLE · HINGES ON HIM- WHO DOES HE WANT ME TO BE  WORDS P/P/P/P IDENTITY PLACE. PROVISION. PURPOSE. PARAMETERS. IDENTITY MANY PEOPLE (MAYBE US) HAVE THE WRONG TARGET? SO WHAT IS YOUR GOAL OR GOALS? WHAT ARE THEY? HOW MANY ARE USING/ALLOWING CULTURE TO PROVIDE THE TARGET? WHAT IS BAROMETER TO HELP SET PROPER GOALS? RELATIONAL GOALS ARE KARDASHIAN ESTABLISHED · THE OTHER ISSUE IS MANY OF US HAVE POOR AIM · WE DON’T MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENT FOR WEATHER · DISTANCE  TARGET WITH CROSS IN THE CENTER · HERE IS A TARGET · DEATH TO LIFE- DIE TO YOURSELF- SEEK TO ELEVATE OTHERS · JESUS “I CAME NOT TO BE SERVED BUT TO SERVE” · EVERYONE NEEDS EXAMPLES/RELATIONSHIPS  PYRAMID · THINK OF IT LIKE A PYRAMID- · TOP IS OF COURSE GOD- MOST IMPORTANT · PAUL- A MENTOR (HE MENTORED TIMOTHY) · BARNABAS-COMRADE/PEER JOIN YOU · TIMOTHY-YOU HELP/POUR IN TO · SAMARITAN- OPEN YOUR HANDS TO LIFT UP · FOR ONE-DO HAVE 1 THAT DOESN’T KNOW JESUS?  RELATIONSHIP GOALS 1. FIND MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST 2. FIND 12 MEN THIS CALENDAR YEAR TO JOURNEY WITH ME IN PRAYER, FELLOWSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP 3. HAVE OUR KIDS WANT TO HANG OUT WITH US, EVEN WHEN THEY DON’T HAVE TO. 4. COMMUMINCATE BETTER 5. GET COMPLETELY OUT OF DEBT JOHN THE BAPTIST · JOHN STATES HIS RELATIONSHIP GOALS · HE MUST INCREASE · I MUST DECREASE EVEN THE MISSION IS A RELATIONSHIP. ITS NOT A TASK, THE MISSION IS A RELATIONSHIP. GOD IS SEEKING TO BRING YOU INTO A RELATIONSHIP, AND ONCE WE’RE THERE, TO BRING OTHERS TO RELATIONSHIP. SALVATION IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD/JESUS. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, THE MISSION THAT GOD SENT JESUS ON WAS TO BUILD A TEAM. GOD SENT JESUS TO BUILD A TEAM, AND HE CALLED THESE MEN TO BE WITH HIM, FOLLOW HIM, BUILD THEIR LIVES ON HIM AND THAT RELAT

https://www.bible.com/events/49384868 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus Relationship Goals Part 1 Our Identity is in Christ Over the next few weeks, we will work through several relationship goals that we can see in the scriptures. By naming this series Relationship Goals, we are acknowledging from the very beginning that our relationships have room to grow. They may need work, maybe even a lot of it. We also recognize that WE need work. that ME in relationship, needs work. The purpose of this series is not to make you feel guilty about yourself or the quality of your relationships. Our desire is to offer hope, to set some goals and find practical tools that will help us work on our relationships. As the old saying goes “If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.” So why not set some goals to get us where the bible is calling in our relationships? Today we begin with relationship goal #1 "Our identity is in Christ" In relationships we must begin by grounding our own identity in Christ before pursing relationship with others. To know who we are as a child of God created in his image for a purpose, frees us to engage in relationships freely and with confidence because we know that no individual can ever be my “number 1” in any relationship because that place is always reserved for Jesus. To get a clearer picture of our identity and god’s design, I want us to go back to the beginning, let’s turn to Genesis chapter 2 In genesis 1-2 we have the account of how the Lord created everything Sun, moon, and stars, land and sea and everything in it. There is no sin present, everything is as God designed and intended it to be, including the first man, Adam. Let’s read about his beginnings Genesis 2:7-8 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. “God formed a man from the dust of the ground” Who are you? You are god’s masterpiece, skillfully and purposefully created. You are not an accident. You are created with intrinsic value and worth. Formed, shaped, knit together by the hand of the Lord. “Breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” This idea is of the breath that you would blow onto an ember to bring it flame. God took the elements of the earth and breathed life into them. Genesis 2:15-17 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” The Lord had a specific plan, a specific place for Adam. He gave him a calling, a vocation, a purpose to give his life work to. Like Adam we are created for a purpose, to glorify God as he has a plan for us. The Lord also gave parameters, instructions on how to live out his calling and how to live in relationship with God. Adam first found his identity in relationship with the Lord. It was there that Adam had fulfilled the deep core created longings of his heart. And now he was ready for relationship. Genesis 2:18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Having our identity, purpose, and belonging secure in the Lord, doesn’t mean we don’t need relationships. I believe it means we are ready for relationships. Adam had all this sorted out and settled in the Lord, but God still looks at him and sees “it’s not good for man to be alone”. And what we see in this passage, in this “not good” idea, is that we were made for relationships. It’s part of who we are and how we are made. We are made to be in community and relationship with others. It’s good. But don’t miss the order in which the Lord brought these things together. Adam first had his identity in the Lord, THEN relationship with Eve. If we enter into relationship with our identity being incomplete, inevitably we will seek to complete ourselves, our identity, our purpose, our value, in another person. And friends that is not going to go well. We cannot expect any other person to complete something that God designed for himself. That means that nobody can be our number 1. Not our parents, not our kids, not our spouse, or even our best friend. That place must be reserved for Christ alone. And friends, that’s why our first relationship Goal is "Our identity is in Christ First."

‭‭LAST WEEK OF SERIES HEALTHY ME STARTED 3 WEEKS AGO COVERED LONELINESS- DEPRESSION-ANXIETY  LONELINESS RECOGNIZE/REALIZE GODS PROMISE TO NEVER FORSAKE US. EMBRACE GODS DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY. ASK YOURSELF “WILL ANYONE BENEFIT FROM MY LONELINESS?  DEPRESSION/ANXIETY EMBRACE COMMUNITY CAST YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM (I PETER 5:7) LISTEN FOR HIS WHISPER. HE WISHPERS BECAUSE HE IS CLOSE. MEET WITH A TRAINEDE CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR. POSSIBLY MEET WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. THIS WEEK: ANGER- SOME THINGS REALL SLIDE 5: COMMANDERS/REDSKINS HELMET/LOGO I MEAN I KNOW THIS IS TROUBLE SOME OF US ARE EXCITED TODAY SOME OF US- THIS MAKES US ANGRY TODAY SLIDE 6: PICTURE OF TOILET PAPER ROLL WHEN THIS HAPPENS- DOESN’T IT TICK YOU OFF? WHEN IT HAPPENS IN A PUBLIC PLACE- AWFUL HAPPENS IN YOUR HOUSE- ROLLS RIGHT THERE SLIDE 5: LONELINESS RECOGNIZE/REALIZE GODS PROMISE TO NEVER FORSAKE US. EMBRACE GODS DESIGN FOR COMMUNITY. ASK YOURSELF “WILL ANYONE BENEFIT FROM MY LONELINESS? DEPRESSION/ANXIETY EMBRACE COMMUNITY CAST YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM (I PETER 5:7) LISTEN FOR HIS WHISPER. BECAUSE HE IS CLOSE. MEET WITH A TRAINEDE CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR. POSSIBLY MEET WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS. ANGER: WOMEN LOSE TEMPER 3 XS WEEK/MEN 6 TIMES WOMAN ARE MORE VERBAL WITH ANGER MEN ARE MORE PHYSICAL WOMEN EXPRESS ANGER AT PEOPLE/ MEN AT THINGS SINGLE ADULTS EXPRESS ANGER TWICE AS OFTEN AS MARRIED PLACE YOU EXPRESS ANGER MOST OFTEN AT HOME 51 ILLNESSES ARE DIRECTLY ATTRIBUTED TO ANGER   “SPEAK WHEN YOU ARE ANRGY AND YOU WILL MAKE THE BEST SPEECHES YOU WILL EVER REGRET”   AMBROSE BIERCE INTRODUCED TO ANGER   GENESIS 4:2-7   2 Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.” EPHESIANS 4:22    “YOU WERE TAUGHT, WITH REGARD TO YOUR FORMER WAY OF LIFE, TO PUT OFF YOUR OLD SELF, WHICH IS BEING CORRUPTED BY ITS DECEITFUL DESIRES; TO BE MADE NEW IN THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MINDS; AND TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF, CREATED LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS. EPHESIANS 4:25-26    THEREFORE EACH OF YOU MUST PUT OFF FALSEHOOD AND SPEAK TRUTHFULLY TO YOUR NEIGHBOR, FOR WE ARE ALL MEMBERS OF ONE BODY. “IN YOUR ANGER DO NOT SIN. DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN WHILE YOU ARE STILL ANGRY. HE HAD JUST TALKED ABOUT UNITY HE HAD JUST TALKED ABOUT SENSUALITY/GREED SUNSET EVERY SUNSET- BEAUTY IN IT THINK- AM I ANGRY WITH SOMEONE?  EPHESIANS 4:27-28   27. AND DO NOT GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD. ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN STEALING MUST STEAL NO LONGER, BUT MUST WORK, DOING SOMETHING USEFUL WITH THEIR OWN HANDS, THAT THEY MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE WITH THOSE IN NEED.  CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE PROBLEM UNDER HOOD- ENGINE NEEDS CHECK UP. WARNING IMAGE   READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND OPERATORS MANUAL BEFORE USING THIS EMOTION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. I WONDER HOW MANY OF US STRUGGLE WITH ANGER? WE MIGHT STRUGGLE BECAUSE WE FEEL GUILTY THAT WE HAVE IT- YOU SHOULDN’T GOD GIVEN EMOTION CANNOT LET IT RULE YOU- LIVE IN IT YOU SHOULD HEAD WARNINGS GIVEN ABOUT IT WORD INDULGE MEANS:  TO GIVE FREE REIGN- TO GRATIFY (CANT WITH ANGER) JOHN 2:13   13. “THE PASSOVER OF THE JEWS WAS NEAR, AND JESUS WENT UP TO JERUSALEM. IN THE TEMPLE HE FOUND PEOPLE SELLING CATTLE, SHEEP, AND DOVES AND THE MONEY CHANGERS SEATED AT THEIR TABLES.  JOHN 2:15   15. MAKING A WHIP OF CORDS, HE DROVE THEM ALL OUT OF THE TEMPLE, WITH THE SHEEP AND THE CATTLE. HE ALSO POURED OUT THE COINS OF THE MONEY CHANGERS AND OVERTURNED THEIR TABLES. JOHN 2:16   16. HE TOLD THOSE WHO WERE SELLING DOVES, “TAKE THESE THINGS OUT OF HERE! STOP MAKING MY FATHERS HOUSE A MARKETPLACE!” “IT IS WRITTEN, MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER” BUT YOU ARE MAKING IT A DEN OF ROBBERS. ( HOUSE OR WORSHIP/PREACHING) I READ THIS IS BECAUSE JESUS GETS ANGRY BUT ITS NOT BECAUSE OF WHATS DONE TO HIM HES ANGRY BECAUSE OTHERS ARE MISTREATED  PICTURE OF TWO MEN ADOLF AND RUDOLF DASSLER (2 YEARS APART) 1948 RUDOLF ESTABLISHES PUMA 1949 ADOLF ESTABLISHES ADDIDAS    In 1948, after over 30 years of working together, Adolf and Rudolf abruptly shuttered Geda and separated GET BURRIED AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF CEMETARY ANGER IS A PROBLEM INCONVENIENCES TRIGGER STRONG ANGER RESPONSE ANGER HAS PATTERNS- ANGER UNCONTROLL

https://www.bible.com/events/49381389 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus Healthy Me: Mind Made Up Part 4 Mad is Hell... Healthy Me is a compassionate invitation to seek healing and wholeness in the area of mental health. Believing that God sees us and he cares about how we are feeling. Our goal is to provide a biblical approach to our mental health and to gain tools to begin a path towards a healthy me. This is not about quick fixes, easy answers, or cliché responses. It’s not a substitute for professional counseling. These are tools for the journey of wholeness and healing through Christ. Today we conclude our series talking about anger. Anger- a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism. Or a threatening or violent appearance or state. In our everyday language we might say someone has a short fuse, or a bad temper, they get a little hot headed. You may be surprised to hear this morning that Anger is actually a God-Given emotion. It is part of our “fight or flight” response system that helps us avoid danger and compels us to action at injustice. But the truth about this God given emotion is that we often mis-use it. In fact, this emotion comes with specific instructions AND a warning label. James 1:19-20 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. How’s your relationship with anger? Have you read the operators manual for anger? Are you following it’s instructions? The reality is that failure to follow the biblical approach to anger, could result in serious injury to people around us, and to ourselves. Even death. Anger might seem like a strange topic for a series on mental health, but the truth is, if we are pursing wholeness and healing in Christ, we must address our anger. Ephesians 4:25-28 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. It’s really fascinating that right in the midst of lying and stealing having no place in the life of a Christian, Paul addresses anger. It’s fascinating because I think if we were honest, im not sure many of us would put our anger up there on a list in significance with lying and stealing. Often times I think look at anger and we want to excuse it, deny it, or attempt to justify it in our lives. But Paul says look- how you handle anger is critical in your life with Christ. He says “In your anger, do not sin: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” We need to read carefully here. I think it’s easy to read this and think it’s giving us permission to be angry, but in reality, it’s offering a concession. Commentator Andrew Lincoln paraphrases this verse by saying: “Anger is to be avoided at all costs, but if, for whatever reason, you do get angry, then refuse to indulge such anger so that you do not sin.” When we give into anger, if we allow it to take the controls, we give the devil a vantage point to wage hell on our life, our family, and our relationships. When anger comes up, use extreme caution. Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. If you have been following along in the series, you know we have tried to close each message with a some practical tools for seeking wholeness and health. We have used acrostics as a way to remember those tools. For the path to wholeness and healing in the area of anger, i would propose that we remember the letters A.C.T. A-Awareness. The path to a healthy me in the area of anger begins with awareness. An honest look at the place anger has in our life. C- Check into it. As we become aware of our anger we need to check into it. "pop the hood" on our emotions and see what's going on underneath the feelings of anger. T-Today. We must take action to deal with our anger today. Don't continue to give the devil free room and board in your life by holding onto anger. At the end of the day we have a choice with anger. We might not choose when or how anger enters our lives, but we have a choice and a responsibility when it does. We can surrender to it, allowing it to control our lives. Or we can surrender our anger to the Lord, and allow him to bring the healing and transformation we need. What will it be for you?

Winter Retreat: Echo Echo God ‘s love Jeremiah 31:1-25 ““And when that happens”—God’s Decree— “it will be plain as the sun at high noon: I’ll be the God of every man, woman, and child in Israel and they shall be my very own people.” * * * This is the way God put it: “They found grace out in the desert, these people who survived the killing. Israel, out looking for a place to rest, met God out looking for them!” God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again, dear virgin Israel. You’ll resume your singing, grabbing tambourines and joining the dance. You’ll go back to your old work of planting vineyards on the Samaritan hillsides, And sit back and enjoy the fruit— oh, how you’ll enjoy those harvests! The time’s coming when watchmen will call out from the hilltops of Ephraim: ‘On your feet! Let’s go to Zion, go to meet our God!’” * * * Oh yes, God says so: “Shout for joy at the top of your lungs for Jacob! Announce the good news to the number-one nation! Raise cheers! Sing praises. Say, ‘God has saved his people, saved the core of Israel.’ “Watch what comes next: “I’ll bring my people back from the north country And gather them up from the ends of the earth, gather those who’ve gone blind And those who are lame and limping, gather pregnant women, Even the mothers whose birth pangs have started, bring them all back, a huge crowd! “Watch them come! They’ll come weeping for joy as I take their hands and lead them, Lead them to fresh flowing brooks, lead them along smooth, uncluttered paths. Yes, it’s because I’m Israel’s Father and Ephraim’s my firstborn son! “Hear this, nations! God’s Message! Broadcast this all over the world! Tell them, ‘The One who scattered Israel will gather them together again. From now on he’ll keep a careful eye on them, like a shepherd with his flock.’ I, God, will pay a stiff ransom price for Jacob; I’ll free him from the grip of the Babylonian bully. The people will climb up Zion’s slopes shouting with joy, their faces beaming because of God’s bounty— Grain and wine and oil, flocks of sheep, herds of cattle. Their lives will be like a well-watered garden, never again left to dry up. Young women will dance and be happy, young men and old men will join in. I’ll convert their weeping into laughter, lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy. I’ll make sure that their priests get three square meals a day and that my people have more than enough.’” God’s Decree. * * * Again, God’s Message: “Listen to this! Laments coming out of Ramah, wild and bitter weeping. It’s Rachel weeping for her children, Rachel refusing all solace. Her children are gone, gone—long gone into exile.” But God says, “Stop your incessant weeping, hold back your tears. Collect wages from your grief work.” God’s Decree. “They’ll be coming back home! There’s hope for your children.” God’s Decree. “I’ve heard the contrition of Ephraim. Yes, I’ve heard it clearly, saying, ‘You trained me well. You broke me, a wild yearling horse, to the saddle. Now put me, trained and obedient, to use. You are my God. After those years of running loose, I repented. After you trained me to obedience, I was ashamed of my past, my wild, unruly past. Humiliated, I beat on my chest. Will I ever live this down?’ “Oh! Ephraim is my dear, dear son, my child in whom I take pleasure! Every time I mention his name, my heart bursts with longing for him! Everything in me cries out for him. Softly and tenderly I wait for him.” God’s Decree. “Set up signposts to mark your trip home. Get a good map. Study the road conditions. The road out is the road back. Come back, dear virgin Israel, come back to your hometowns. How long will you flit here and there, indecisive? How long before you make up your fickle mind? God will create a new thing in this land: A transformed woman will embrace the transforming God!” * * * A Message from Israel’s God-of-the-Angel-Armies: “When I’ve turned everything around and brought my people back, the old expressions will be heard on the streets: ‘God bless you!’. . . ‘O True Home!’. . . ‘O Holy Mountain!’ All Judah’s people, whether in town or country, will get along just fine with each other. I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.” Jeremiah 31:1-25 MSG ““That’s right. The time is coming when I will make a brand-new covenant with Israel and Judah. It won’t be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master.” God’s Decree. “This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They’ll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I’ll wipe the slate

https://www.bible.com/events/49378594 Church of the Nazarene - East Rockingham Campus Healthy Me: Mind Made Up Part 3 For Nothing! Healthy Me is a compassionate invitation to seek healing and wholeness in the area of mental health. Believing that God sees us and he cares about how we are feeling. Our goal is to provide a biblical approach to our mental health and to gain tools to begin a path towards a healthy me. This is not about quick fixes, easy answers, or cliché responses. It’s not a substitute for professional counseling. These are tools for the journey of wholeness and healing through Christ. Today we are talking about anxiety. Psalms 118:17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorders in the U.S. Fear, worry and anxiety are, not surprisingly, intense as we begin a new year living in the days in which we are living We are told in our Bibles to be “anxious for nothing.” Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. It is possible to not be anxious. In the end, anxiety is that nagging, tormenting feeling that you cannot fully trust God to be in control. There is hope TODAY that you can be free from a life of perpetual anxiety. Pastor Max Lucado The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. 1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Exemption from care (worry/anxieties) goes along with humble submission (surrender) to God. Living free from worry and anxiety requires acting on our trust in Jesus. According to God’s Word, you can wage war on worry by doing these 4 things: -Praying -Proclaiming -Praising -Placing Other Scripture for study/reflection: Psalms 91:1-2 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Luke 12:22-31 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Romans 8:26-28 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:31-39 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are consid

· WELCOME- GLAD YOU ARE HERE · STARTED NEW SERIES · MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE RAMPANT · CROSS EVERY BARRIER (ETHNICITY/AGE/GENDER) · CHRISTIANS AND NON CHRISTIANS SUFFER · NOT PSYCHOTHERAPIST/PSYCHOLOGIST · WE BELIEVE IN PRAYER- WILL PRAY- BUT NOT ONLY PRAY HARDER ISSUE. OR MORE FAITH · NEVER LOOK DOWN ON A PHYSICAL ISSUE · WHY DO WE DO THAT WHEN IT COMES TO THIS? DEUTERONOMY 6: SHEMA (EVERY ISRAELITE) HEAR OH ISRAEL THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD IS ONE; LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. JESUS SPEAKING: IN RESPONSE TO “WHICH IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT IN THE LAW?” LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT · PRESENT A PROBLEM OFFER AN ANTEDOTE/S · LAST WEEK LONELINESS- SOLUTIONS: 1. GOD’S CONSISTENT PROMISE TO BE WITH US EVERY FEAR NOT- FOLLOWED BY I AM WITH YOU 2. INVEST IN COMMUNITY/GOD CREATED IN US A DESIRE FOR ONE ANOTHER (59 TIMES IN THE NT PHRASE- ONE ANOTHER) TODAY TACKLE 2 DIFFERENT BUT CLOSELY RELATED TOPICS IN 1 MESSAGE SO I GET DOUBLE TIME. “MENTAL PAIN IS LESS DRAMATIC THAN PHYSICAL PAIN, BUT IT IS MORE COMMON AND ALSO HARDER TO BEAR. THE FREQUENT ATTEMPT TO CONCEAL MENTAL PAIN INCREASES THE BURDEN: IT’S EASIER TO SAY “MY TOOTH IS ACHING THAN SAY- MY HEART IS BROKEN” C.S. LEWIS · PROPHET IN THE BIBLE NAMED JEREMIAH · SOLOMONS TEMPLE (400 YEARS) 587 BC · JEREMIAH SAW THE DESTRUCTION TEMPLE · WATCHED BABYLONIANS RAVAGE RELATIVES DEPRESSION LAMENTATIONS 3:1-2 1. “I AM THE MAN WHO HAS SEEN AFFLICTION BY THE ROD OF THE LORDS WRATH. HE HAS DRIVEN ME AWAY AND MADE ME WALK IN DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT.” LAMENTATIONS 3:5-6 5. HE HAS BESIEGED ME AND SURROUNDED ME WITH THE BITTERNESS AND HARDSHIP. HE HAS MADE ME DWELL IN THE DARKNESS LIKE THOSE LONG DEAD. LAMENTATIONS 3:7-8 7. HE HAS WALLED ME IN SO I CANNOT ESCAPE; HE HAS WEIGHED ME DOWN WITH CHAINS. EVEN WHEN I CALL OUT OR CRY FOR HELP, HE SHUTS OUT MY PRAYER.” LAMENTATIONS 3:17-18 17. I HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF PEACE; I HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT PROSPERITY IS. I REMEMBER MY AFFLICTION AND MY WANDERING, THE BITTERNESS AND THE GALL.” LAMENTATIONS 3:20 20. “I WELL REMEMBER THEM, AND MY SOUL IS DOWNCAST WITHIN ME.” PAUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE EMOTIONS ARE REAL · 1. EMOTIONS ARE REAL AND VALID · 2. YOUR SITUATION FEELS HOPELESS · THE BIBLE DOESN’T TRY AND HIDE REAL PEOPLE WITH RAW ISSUES. · ALL THE WAY THROUGH BROKEN PEOPLE · MANY MAKE BAD DECISIONS DEPRESSION MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN’T WIN THAT’S PART OF THE BATTLE OF DEPRESSION STEPHEN FRY QUOTE “TRY AND UNDERSTAND THE BLACKNESS, LETHARGY, HOPELESSNESS, AND LONELINESS THEY’RE GOING THROUGH. BE THERE FOR THEM WHEN THEY COME THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE. IT’S HARD TO BE A FRIEND TO SOMEONE WHO’S DEPRESSED, BUT IT’S ONE OF THE KINDEST, NOBLEST, AND BEST THINGS YOU WILL EVER DO.” S FRY INTRODUCE YOU TO GRACE- LISTEN TO PART STORY LISTEN TO THE SPIRAL · HAD DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY BOTH · PULLED AWAY FROM PEOPLE/GOD · FANTASY ABOUT ENDING LIFE (ESCAPE) · NUMBNESS WAS HER ONLY ESCAPE · PUSHED PEOPLE AWAY/ISOLATED SO WHAT’S THE ANTEDOTE? JEREMIAH PROPHET WRITES LATER- 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. WILL HEAR FROM GRACE IN A FEW MINUTES SHE SAID SHE HAD BOTH ACTUALLY AND MOST DO- · THESE BLEED INTO AND ALL OVER THE OTHERS · WHILE THESE ARE SEPARATE THEY SHARE ALOT ANXIETY MENEIRE’S DISEASE · LATE 20’S LABOR DAY PARTY (I GOT SICK) · DIZZINESS/VOMITTING/HOURS · NOT LIKE LOSS OF BALANCE- INCAPACITATED · STARTED HAVING ATTACKS- LAST FOR HOURS · HOSPITALIZED/MET WITH DRS FROM PENN/JHU/UVA · OVER A PERIOD OF 7-8 YEARS AT LEAST · DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY · I WAS SCARED TO LEAVE MY HOUSE-PANIC · IT DEPRESSED ME- I WATCHED CARS GO BY · I THOUGHT NO HOPE FOR THIS-NO CURE PICTURE OF BOOK ANXIOUS GENERATION · RESEARCH DONE BY JONATHON HAIDT GENERARATION Z STATISTICS SINCE 2012 COLLEGE AGE STUDENTS SHOW 134 % INCREASE IN ANXIETY 106 % INCREASE IN DEPRESSION 72% INCREASE IN ADHD 57 % INCREASE IN BIPOLAR DISORDER GIRLS/BOYS STATS SINCE 2012 GIRLS: 188 % INCREASE IN VISITS TO ER FOR SELF HARM 167 % INCREASE IN SUICIDE RATES BOYS: 48% INCREASE IN VISITS TO ER SELF HARM 91% INCREASE IN SUICIDE RATES PROVERBS 12:25 25. ANXIETY IN THE HEART CAUSES DEPRESSION, BUT A GOOD WORD MAKES IT GLAD.” EVERYDAY ANXIETY VS ANXIETY DISORDER HOW DO WE KNOW WE HAVE A PROBLEM? I KINGS 19:4-5 “4. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, LORD, “HE SAID, “TAKE MY LIFE; I AM NO BETTER THAN MY ANCESTORS.” THEN HE LAY DOWN UNDER THE BUSH AND FELL ASLEEP.” I KINGS 19:11 11. “THE LORD SAID, “GO OUT AND STAND ON THE MOUNTAIN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORDM FOR THE LORD IS ABOUT TO PASS BY. “THEN A GREAT AND PWERFUL WIND TORE THE MOUNTAINS APART AND SHATTERED THE ROCKS BEFORE THE LORD, BUT THE LORD WAS NOT IN THE WIND. AFTER THE WIND THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE, BUT THE LORD WAS NOT IN THE EARTHQUAKE. I KINGS 19:12 12. AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE CAME A FI

https://www.bible.com/events/49374853 Church of the Nazarene East Rockingham Campus Healthy Me: Mind Made Up Part 2 Out of The Dark... Today we are starting our new teaching series called Healthy Me: A mind made up. Healthy Me is a compassionate invitation to seek healing and wholeness in the area of mental health. Believing that God sees us and he cares about how we are feeling. Our goal is to provide a biblical approach to our mental health and to gain tools to begin a path towards a healthy me. This is not about quick fixes, easy answers, or cliché responses. It’s not a substitute for professional counseling. These are tools for the journey of wholeness and healing through Christ. Today we are talking about depression. Depression is more than a bad day or being a little blue. It’s a sense of gloom or darkness that just lays over you. It’s persistent feelings of sadness or anxiousness. And often you cant pinpoint why. You might feel like crying or you might have the motivation to even get out of bed, or you might feel overwhelmed by basic tasks You might feel hopeless and helpless about the future. You also might struggle to find any joy in life, even in things you once loved to do. Depression doesn’t just manifest itself in crying and sadness, it can also show up as being really irritable, or easily angered too. These feelings might last anywhere from several days, to several months or even years. And these feelings get in the way of your daily life. We certainly here more about depression today, but it’s definitely not new. People throughout the bible deal with feelings and seasons of depression. Jeremiah, Job, King David, The Apostle Paul, just to name a few. For our teaching text today, I want to look at a story from the life of the Prophet Elijah. 1 Kings 19:3-4 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Depression can come into our lives through many different things. It could stem from a physical issue with our bodies, or relational challenges we are facing. The loss of a loved one, getting let go from a job, a loss of friendship. Depression may even be a reflection of a spiritual battle we are facing. And truth be told, we might not know why we feel the way we feel. For Elijah, it was a threatening situation and fear for his life. And Elijah does what many of us do when our emotions run away- he sought isolation. Elijah withdraws from his daily life, isolates himself, lays down under a tree, and asks the Lord to take his life. It doesn’t end here under the broom tree, God doesn’t his prayer to die. Far from killing him like he asked, the Lord sends and angel to feed Elijah. Even when Elijah was running away, the Lord was there to care for him. And the Lord’s first words for Elijah in this season was not a lecture about his fear and actions. He didn’t give him a good talking too. No, the Lord simply asks Elijah a question 1 Kings 19:9 … And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:10-13 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” To the runaway prophet, hiding in isolation, dealing with feelings of depression and despairing of life itself, God shows up. Not in a big and dramatic way- but with a gentle whisper. The Lord met Elijah in the midst of his depression, not with condemnation or judgement, not with a lecture, but with compassion and a plan to get him back on track. Dealing with depression doesn’t disqualify you from being seen and heard by God. It doesn’t have to define your future and it certainly doesn’t disqualify you from being used by God. It means your human, and you need God’s help. And he is here, he is ready to help, and there is hope. Part of our goal in this teaching series is to offer practical tools to help us on this journey towards a Healthy Me. So I want to end with a simple invitation, a simple word to help guide us when our thoughts and feelings are dark and gloomy. That invitat