Church of the Nazarene

http://bible.com/events/49317557 Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg Campus Joshua: Part 1 Harrisonburg Joshua ENTERING THE LAND- CHAPTERS 1-6 CONQUERING THE LAND- CHAPTERS 7-12 DIVIDING AND SETTLING THE LAND- CHAPTERS 13-22 Joshua 1:1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:16-18 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” - Promise - Presence - Power

https://www.bible.com/events/49318005 Church of the Nazarene East Rockingham Campus Joshua: Part 1 East Rock Joshua: Part 1 Today we are beginning a new teaching series in the book of Joshua. Our goal in this series is not just to brush up on ancient history, but to join the generations of God’s people who have looked back to see the faithfulness of God. Our series begins at a watershed moment in the story of God’s people. Joshua 1:1-2 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. In these opening verses, the book of Joshua is linked to the entire story of God’s people that has led up to this watershed moment. The book of Joshua is a continuation of the story of God and his people. Beginning all the way back in Genesis 12 and Abraham, God had promised Abraham that his descendants would outnumber the starts in the sky and that his people would have their own land, it would be a land given to them by God himself. A promise hundreds of years in the making was about to be realized, and Joshua was God’s chosen man to lead his people. Joshua 1:3-5 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. God had given the people the land, now it was time for them to step out in faith and live into that promise. This promise was not without its challenges. Flooded rivers and fortified cities. Real giants in the way, hard battles to be fought, this new life would require faith to triumph over fear. It was not going to be easy Joshua was being called to lead his people into battle, into seemingly impossible situations. Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. The promise of God’s presence comes before the command to be strong and courageous. This wasn’t about Joshua being a super warrior- this was about what God was about to do- he needed Joshua to have faith. It’s as if God says: “Joshua, I am with you, I am your strength. Be strong, because I am here, you are going to do this, be bold because we are going to do this together.” Joshua was God’s chosen leader, but it was God’s strength that would ultimately bring about victory for his people. Joshua 1:7-9 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” First Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous in God’s presence. Now, he is to be strong and very courageous through obedience to God’s word. They key to life in God’s promised land, was living God’s way. Joshua was to be strong and courageous in obedience to God’s word. What we see in the story of Joshua is the people of God encountering real obstacles to living out their faith. And in the face of all those things, we see the power of God’s presence and his continued faithfulness to his people. And Friends, that links the story of Joshua to our story today. We were brought from the wonderings of our life in sin, to the promise of His spirit birthed within us by one greater than Joshua- Jesus Christ himself. Now, we have a life to live in Christ, and it’s not easy. Sure, we don’t have literal flooded rivers to cross of fortified cities to conquer. But we do have real struggles- Health challenges, financial pains, relational brokenness. We have things in our lives that seem impossible. Real situations that we have to choose faith over fear. Real life circumstances that are beyond anything we can do alone. That’s our story, and that’s the story of Joshua. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

· WELCOME · THANKS FOR BEING HERE TODAY · PRAYER · PURCAHSE OF A NEW VAN (PASTOR JOE AND DARYL) · TODAY IS CELEBRATION SUNDAY · IT’S THE MOST EXCITING DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH · CHRISTMAS/EASTER- BAPTISM SUNDAY · IM GOING TO EXPLAIN WHY IN A MINUTE · SHOW YOU A MAN-HIS LIFE TRANSFORMED · HE CAN’T HOLD IT IN-WHATS HAPPENED INSIDE  VIDEO · PRISONER PHYSICALLY-BUT NOT SPIRITUALLY WHAT · WHAT IS BAPTISM? · ITS ONE OF 2 SACRAMENTS WE RECOGNIZE · COMMUNION/BAPTISM (JESUS PARTICIPATED) · GREEK WORD IS BAPTIZO-TO IMMERSE · ITS AN OUTWARD EXPRESSION OF AN INNER WORK · MY WEDDING RING IS AN OUTWARD SYMBOL · BAPTISM IS AN OUTWARD EXPRESSION · WE ARE BURRIED WITH HIM SYMBOLICALLY WATERY GRAVE · RAISED TO LIFE WITH HIM · BAPTISM DOESN’T SAVE YOU (HBURG WATER) · BAPTISM DOESN’T FORGIVE YOUR SINS · IT IS BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH YOU BEEN SAVED Baptism may be administered by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion, according to the choice of the applicant.  WHY · BECAUSE JESUS COMMANDED IT/DEMONSTRATED · JESUS PUBLIC MINISTRY STARTS RIGHT HERE  MATTHEW 3:13-14 13. THEN JESUS CAME FROM GALILEE TO THE JORDAN TO BE BAPTIZED BY JOHN. BUT JOHN TRIED TO DETER HIM, SAYING, “I NEED TO BE BAPTIZED BY YOU, AND DO YOU COME TO ME?”  MATTHEW 3:15  JESUS REPLIED, “LET IT BE SO NOW, IT IS PROPER FOR US TO DO THIS TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS, “THEN JOHN CONSENTED”   MATTHEW 3:16-17  AS SOON AS JESUS WAS BAPTIZED, HE WENT UP OUT OF THE WATER. AT THAT MOMENT HEAVEN WAS OPENED, HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING ON HIM. AND A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAID, “THIS IS MY SON, WHOM I LOVE, WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED.” · MINISTRY BEGINS · THE FATHER-THE SON-AND THE HLY SPIRIT MEET WHO · ANY WHO GETS SAVED · YOU ASK FOR FORGIVENESS OF SINS · YOU ASK CHRIST TO TAKE OVER YOUR HEART · NICODEMUS- YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN. FIRST SERVICE- I WANT TO INTRODUCE YOU TO SCOTT MILLER YOU HAVE PROBABLY SEEN SCOTT-DRUMMER · I WANT SCOTT TO SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT HIS BEING BAPTIZED WHEN HE WAS YOUNG- · TAKE US THROUGH THAT. · AT SOME POINT LATER- YOU FELT PROMPTED TO GET BAPTIZED AGAIN? WALK US THROUGH THAT. · YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO DO IT- BUT YOU FELT MOVED TO DO SO. SOUNDS LIKE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF BAPTISM CHANGED? IM HERE TODAY HEARING YOU- “WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THE PERSON SITTING HERE CONSIDERING BAPTISM FOR THE FIRST OR SECOND TIME- WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS STEP FOR THEIR FAITH JOURNEY?” · FEW WEEKS AGO AT OUR EAST ROCK CAMPUS · SUPPOSED TO HAVE OUTDOOR/RIVER BAPTISM · FLOOD- WATER A BIT MUDDY AND FAST PICTURE OF MARY LIZ · DANCE INSTRUCTOR · WELL KNOWN IN THE ELKTON AREA · PASTOR TERRY TALKING TO HER  PICTURE OF MARY LIZ HANDS UP · PASTOR TERRY GETTING READY TO BAPTIZE · MARY LIZ IS MORE THAN READY  PICTURE MARY LIZ · PASTOR JARED AND PASTOR TERRY · ASKED PERMISSION TO SHOW THIS GLOW WHEN · WHEN YOU GET SAVED- YOU GET BAPTIZED · WHEN YOU TAKE A CLASS? · WHEN YOU JOIN THE CHURCH? · AFTER YOU ENROL IN WHAT??? · NOT SAYING WE DON’T REVERANCE BAPTISM · BUT YOU GET SAVED- YOU GET BAPTIZED  I PETER 3:18-19 18. FOR CHRIST ALSO SUFFERED ONCE FOR SINS, THE RIGHTEOUS FOR THE UNRIGHTEOUS, TO BRING YOU TO GOD. HE WA PUT TO DEATH IN THE BODY BUT MADE ALIVE IN THE SPIRIT. AFETR BEING MADE ALIVE, HE WENT AND MADE PROCLOMATION TO THE IMPRISONED SPIRITS 1 PETER 3:20 20. TO THOSE WHO WERE DISOBEDIENT LONG AGO WHEN GOD WAITED PATIENTLY IN THE DAYS OF NOAH WHILE THE ARK WAS BEING BUILT. IN IT ONLY A FEW PEOPLE- EIGHT IN ALL WERE SAVED THROUGH WATER.  I PETER 3:21-22 AND THIS WATER SYMBOLIZES BAPTISM THAT NOW SAVES YOU ALSO-NOT THE REMOVAL OF DIRT FROM THE BODY BUT THE PLEDGE OF A CLEAR CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD. IT SAVES YOU BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, WHO HAS GONE INTO HEAVEN AND IS AT GODS RIGHT HAND- WITH ANGELS, AUTHORITIES AND POWERS IN SUBMISSION TO HIM.” · MYSTERY IN SCRIPTURE ABOUT WATER · WATER DOESN’T SAVE YOU · SYMBOLIC PASSING OF DEATH TO LIFE · STUDY THAT IN A FEW WEEKS IN JOSHUA JUST LAST WEEK- WE HAD A TEEN- WANTING FOR ABOUT A YEAR TO BE BAPTIZED SO LAST WEEK-IN THE RIVER  PICTURE · PASTOR CHRIS- BAPTIZING ELI KOHL · CELEBRATE THIS ALREADY HAPPENED · LATE 70’S AND EARLY 80S- WILD MAN · BECAME FAMOUS BECAUSE OF JUMPING THINGS · HE LIVED A HARD PARTY LIFE · SAID LIVED BETTER THAN KINGS AND PRESIDENTS  EVIL KNIEVEL · HE WAS ADDICTED TO DRUGS/ALCOHOL · BEEN IN MULTIPLE RELATIONSHIPS WITH WOMEN · WASN’T AN ATHEIST-BUT ALWAYS REJECTED GOD · HE BROKE OVER 400 BONES · JUMPED CARS/BUSES/CANYONS/SNAKES/SHARKS  PICTURE JUMPING ON MOTORCYCLE · HE STARTED WATCHING A PREACHER ON TV · ONE NIGHT MOTEL ROOM IN FLORIDA · JESUS GOT A HOLD OF EVIL KNIEVELS HEART · HE CONTACTED THE PREACHER- SAID YOU PROB DON’T KNOW ME · PREACHER LISTNENED- PREACHER WAS MOVED · DECIDED HE WOULD SUNDAY SHARE TESTIMONY · OVER 200 PEOPLE CAME TO BE BAPTIZED · OVER THE NEXT 4 WEEKS OVER 1000 BAPTIZED  ACTS 2:37-38 “WHEN THE PEOPLE HEARD THIS, THEY WERE they were cut to the he

Over the last several weeks we have been focusing on the stories of Jesus’ compassionate attentiveness to ‘the one’.    Are you willing to follow Jesus in His steps, to take on Jesus’ missional strategy, to go for ‘the one’ He has put in your life?  Jesus was intentional to have a relationship with ‘the one’.  Definitely pray for the person, and begin to listen to the Holy Spirit to give you His guidance and to provide you opportunities to have conversations with ‘your one’.   I have a personal story, about a young woman that I have known since 2019.  Our first conversation was through a glass.  She is with us today.    I asked her permission to share, and she said “Pastor Terry, it’s okay. I want people to know how you were there for me to point me to Jesus.”      I met Amy when she was in Hotel Middle River; and for those of you who do not know, I call the local Middle River Jail the Hotel Middle River.      I visit individuals one-on-one at Middle River.    When visiting the ladies, they quickly learn that I am on a pursuit to point all people to Jesus.  Each one of the ladies know that they are “my one”.    I faithfully journeyed with Amy from Middle River and then to various prisons.    While in Middle River, Amy found a “Building Your Faith” book that was left behind by another lady who had moved to another Correctional Facility, and it had my name, the church of the Nazarene address, and my phone number written in the front of the book.  The ladies, are not allowed to take personal possessions to their next location.    Amy said as soon as she saw the contact information, she wrote me a letter.  Within a month, she said the officer on duty called to say “You have a Pastor visitor”, and Amy thought it was her pastor from her home church.  Amy said her most vivid memory was the first day that she met me, I was smiling at her through the glass and talking to her on the phone, and saying “Jesus loves you!”  It was during COVID, and she had already served two years, and everything was shut down for family or friends to visit.  Amy said she was depressed, and stressed out.  She said that being locked up that time around was really hard for her, and it was very different.    She is now living a new life, the old self is gone, and she is filled with the hope of Jesus.       When I visited Amy one-on-one:  We talked. We prayed together. Sometimes she would cry. I would share a short message. And, I always told Amy that Jesus loved her, and that He would never leave her. My heart was burdened for Amy to come to know Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior.  During our visits, I watched her grow spiritually. I remember when she prayed and asked Jesus to forgive her and come live in her heart.  Since that day, I have witnessed Amy continuing to grow in her faith and to have a thirst to know Him more and to love Him more.  She has left the old self behind.     Amy arrived in Harrisonburg in January 2023. She started to East Rock with me the first Sunday she was in Harrisonburg, and she has been with us ever since.    Amy attends Celebrate Recovery at our Harrisonburg Campus, and she recently completed her Step Study so she is ready to be a Celebrate Recovery leader.    Amy has a job, and she attends AA meetings regularly.  She is serving on a ministry team which are advocates for the ‘Homeless, Lower Income, and People who are in Need’.    Amy is growing in her faith, and she desires to share her story so that all will know that nothing is impossible with Jesus.  She wants people to know what Christ has done for her.  Amy is now enjoying a relationship with her mom, and her two sons.     Amy knows there will still be difficult days ahead, but the thought of living her life for Christ spurs her onward.    Who is your one? (Pause)  Our hope is that we have stirred in your heart the awareness that Jesus is for ‘the one’, and He uses you and me, to reach the world, one person at a time.  In the back, on the high top tables are the ‘for one’ cards.  If you have not picked up a card, please do so today, and be certain to write ‘your one’s name’ on the card.    Put your card where you will see it, to help you remember to pray for ‘your one’, and to ask Jesus to give you opportunities to spend time with ‘your one’ and for you to share Jesus with them.   We are going to look at one more story from the life of Jesus where he pursued ‘the one’. In His pursuit of this one, Jesus crossed all sorts of social and cultural boundaries.  Last week Pastor Jared taught about Nicodemus, a well-known teacher and le

http://bible.com/events/49311510 Church of The Nazarene Harrisonburg Campus For One: Part 4 Harrisonburg Part 4- Jesus and Nicodemus John 3:1-2 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” WHATS A PHARISEE? WHO IS NICODEMUS? (RULER/POWERFUL/WEALTHY) NICODEMUS MEANS “VICTORIOUS PEOPLE” John 3:3-11 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. John 3:14-15 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/97377202-1725145251251.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/97377202-1725145357981.jpg [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/97377202-1725145457037.jpg John 20:21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” Isaiah 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. Jesus & Nicodemus (The Chosen)

https://www.bible.com/events/49311109 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock For One Part 4 East Rock You must be born again... Welcome to our teaching series called “For One”. Throughout this teaching series we are seeking to know and understand the power of Jesus’ one at a time pursuit of people. We believe that Jesus came to save the whole word, and that through his life, death, and resurrection, he has made the pathway to salvation and eternal life open to us. Jesus is for everyone. During his earthly ministry, many times we see Jesus fulfilling this worldwide redemption mission, one person at a time. Jesus is for one. So, what would it look like for you and I to adopt that same model for our lives? So many times, our focus is on our country or our community, and that’s not a bad thing. But what would it look like for us to be for one, like Jesus was? That’s what Jesus did, and it transformed the lives of many people in the gospels. Today as we continue in part 4 our teaching series, we are going to look at the story of Nicodemus. One of the most well known one-on-one conversations in the bible. John 3:1-2 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” We are introduced to Nicodemus as a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council. The Pharisee’s were an elite group of people who had sworn to uphold all of the law and the extra oral traditions that went with it. They separated themselves from most normal life so they could be perfectly in line with every letter of the law. The Jewish Ruling Council was also known as the Sanhedrin. This was the highest legal, legislative, and judicial body among the Jewish people. It was like the supreme court of the Jews. And Nicodemus is there. He is a portrait of the best of the best in the Jewish mind, and he is coming to ask Jesus some questions. John 3:3-4 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” "Like for real, how is someone supposed to be born a second time as an adult?" That’s basically Nicodemus’s question back to Jesus. One of the most prestigious religious leaders in all of Israel isn’t getting it. But Jesus is clear- VERY truly I tell you- he adds extra emphasis- No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. What Jesus is pointing to is an altogether different kind of birth, not from our mothers, but from above, the spiritual realm This idea of again can literally mean a second time, or it can also mean from above. Here it seems to be referring to both. To see the kingdom of God, something new and from another source, must be born, must come alive inside of us. John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Much scholarly debate exists trying to tease out what exactly water and spirit means, but there is a clear reference in the Old Testament that seems like the clearest connection. Ezekiel 36:25-27 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. God was describing what the new work of Messiah would be like. It would be a washing a cleansing from sin. He would put a new spirit within his people, and they would be made new, having a new heart. With all this NEW, it’s like being born all over again. Completely different. Fast forward to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus. Jesus says, if you don’t have that cleansing from sin and spiritual birth from the Lord- you aren’t going to be in the kingdom of God. You won’t see it or participate in it. John 3:9-15 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in

Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg For One - Part 3 Are you paying attention? This morning's speaker is Brian Charette, who is a lay person who occasionally teaches for us. Brian and his wife Pam have been a part of our church for many years. Pam is a member of the Church Board. Our beautiful, God-designed brains are fearfully and wonderfully made. One of your brain's greatest giftings is the ability to filter out and/or ignore information and stimuli. It's also one of your brain's greatest challenges when it comes to the theme of this series...For ONE. This story in focus this morning appears in all of the Synoptic Gospels - Matthew, Mark an Luke. We'll focus on the version in Mark but include the other two versions below. Mark 5:21-30 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” Mark 5:31-34 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Two medical students from Nigeria – Serekara Christian and Daniel Koate -published a paper in 2017 in the Nigerian Biomedical Science Journal. Their goal was to diagnose the woman in the story. They wrote: The woman with the issue of blood as reported in the Holy Bible suffered in her condition for 12 years before she was healed by Jesus Christ. This review aims at underpinning the condition to hematology, identifying the probable causes and its diagnosis. Based on the signs and symptoms associated with her condition, menorrhagia, a condition characterized with prolonged menstrual bleeding is the probable clinical condition she suffered. A low level of von Willebrand factor, other clotting factors and disorders in platelet functions can all be implicated in menorrhagia. Under Mosaic laws a woman with an issue of blood was considered unclean and was “put apart” for 7 days. During this time anything she lay on or sat on was considered “unclean” meaning that if anyone touched one of those things he would have to wash his clothes and bathe in water to become clean again. The Mosaic law also specified that if a woman had an issue of blood that lasted longer than 7 days that all the days of her issue were considered unclean, and she must be treated as such. This means that this woman had probably been unclean for 12 years and that she had to live “put apart” from others for all that time. Sometimes, we are called to pursue the ONE - searching as did the woman with the lost coin and shepherd with the lost sheep. But sometimes, the ONE will pursue us, like the woman with the issue of blood or the prodigal son. The question is, when the latter occurs, will we be paying attention? Pastor Kevin's first teaching series - "For One" is based on the lost and found stories of Luke 15, which follow. Luke 15:1-32 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the

Church of the Nazarene - East Rock For One Part 3 East Rock Jesus sees the one seeking Him... Welcome to our teaching series called “For One”. Throughout this teaching series we are seeking to know and understand the power of Jesus’ one at a time pursuit of people. We believe that Jesus came to save the whole word, and that through his life, death, and resurrection, he has made the pathway to salvation and eternal life open to us. Jesus is for everyone. During his earthly ministry, many times we see Jesus fulfilling this worldwide redemption mission, one person at a time. Jesus is for one. So, what would it look like for you and I to adopt that same model for our lives? So many times, our focus is on our country or our community, and that’s not a bad thing. But what would it look like for us to be for one, like Jesus was? That’s what Jesus did, and it transformed the lives of many people in the gospels. Today as we continue in part 3 our teaching series, we are going to look at two people that really stood out from the crowd. Luke 8:40-42 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. The first one to stand out from the crowd is a man named Jairus. He’s a local synagogue leader. He was likely in charge of ordering worship and the business of the church. He would have been a man of reputation, of status, and means. But Jairus doesn’t stand out because of any of those things- He stands out because he has fallen at the feet of Jesus. For a man of his status, this was a humbling scene, but he didn’t care- His daughter was dying, and he had faith that Jesus could do something about it. As the crowd moves, they press in on Jesus. So close they bump and stumble together. Then, someone else emerges from the crowd. Luke 8:43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She shouldn’t have been there. She shouldn’t have been in the crowd, in contact with other people. An issue of bleeding made you unclean according to the law of Moses. Anything you touched would bear the same stigma and penalty as you did. Anyone who touched you, brought this on themselves. This woman had been cut off from virtually all contact and community because of her health condition. She had tried everything to be made well. Marks gospel records she spent all she had on doctors and treatments, but nothing worked. It seemed that nothing and no one could help her. But she had heard about this Jesus. He could heal the blind, make the leaper clean. Surely, he could help her. If she could only touch the corner of his garment- that would be enough. That would do it, she had faith. And that’s what made her stand out from the crowd. Luke 8:44-48 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” She was the one. The one seeking Jesus in faith. She believed that a personal encounter with him could bring healing, if she could only touch him. All those other people crowded around Jesus. They wanted to be near, maybe hear a teaching, see a miracle. They even bumped into Jesus, they touched him, he felt it. He probably even smelled them they were so close. Nothing happened to them Something was different about her touch. She was seeking. It was a reach out in faith to Jesus as the one who could save her. It was personal. And it changed everything. This beautiful scene of peaceful commissioning is seemingly cut short. Luke 8:49-53 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. The people bringing this news think that all hope his gone. No need to bother Jesus anymore, she’s gone. They didn’t have faith that he could do anything else. People in the first century knew how to properly identify when someone was deceased. Jesus

THINGS WE LOSE  KEYS PHONE REMOTE WALLET GLASSES (DO YOU ALL ORDER THESE IN BULK LIKE US?) WHICH ONE IS MOST STRESSFUL TO YOU?  AVERAGE TIME  WE SPEND 5:20 SECONDS SEARCHING FOR EACH ITEM THINGS WE SPEND MORE TIME ON?   KEYS UMBRELLA PASSPORT WALLET ID (WHICH SHOULD PROBABLY BE IN YOUR WALLAT) NO 1 MOST LOST ITEM  US- REMOTE UK-KEYS SUNDAY   TOP DAY TO LOSE YOUR PHONE IMPORTANT DATE IN HISTORY  NOVEMBER 15TH, 2022 FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER SLIDE 10: 8 BILLION  PLANET EARTH BROKE THE 8 BILLION POPULATION THINK ABOUT THAT STAGGERING NUMBER MORE PEOPLE ALIVE ON THE PLANET THAN EVER SCRIPTURE MARK 5:1-2  They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. IMPURE SPIRIT-TROUBLE CAME FROM THE TOMBS (UNCLEAN- CAN’T DEAL) SCRIPTURE MARK 5:3-4     3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him.  SCRIPTURE MARK 5:5-6     5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.   HULK  I DON’T KNOW WHAT/WHO ELSE TO IMAGINE LOOKED LIKE THIS PROBABLY? SCRIPTURE MARK 5:7-8     7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”  SCRIPTURE MARK 5:9-10  9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.  JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES CROSS LAKE JESUS LEAVES THIS AREA LANDS OVER HERE. DECAPOLIS MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES VIDEO BOY FISHING  EXCITEMENT IN THE BOY EXCITEMENT IN THE FAMILY AROUND HIM COMMUNITY IS CRUCIAL IN KINGDOM DAD SAYS “I CAN WANNA HELP YOU” SCRIPTURE LUKE 15:4     4. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?   WHO IS JESUS TALKING TO HERE? JESUS IS TALKING TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS NONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE SHEEP THEY LOOKED DOWN ON SHEPHERDS JESUS IS SAYING TO THEM-YOU MISSED IT YOU ARE THE LEADERS/YOU ARE THE SHEPHERDS LAST WEEK THE MAIN QUESTION WAS THIS: WHO IS YOUR ONE?      THIS WEEKS QUESTION IS DIFFERENT.   SCRIPTURE MARK 3:9     9. “BECAUSE OF THE CROWD HE TOLD HIS DISCIPLES TO HAVE A SMALL BOAT READY FOR HIM, TO KEEP THE PEOPLE FROM CROWDING HIM.”  SCRIPTURE MARK 3:20    20. “THEN JESUS ENTERED A HOUSE, AND AGAIN A CROWD GATHERED, SO THAT HE AND HIS DISCIPLES WERE NOT EVEN ABLE TO EAT.”  JMU FOOTBALL CELEBRATION  EVERYBODY LOVES A CROWD (MOST EVERYONE) OH WE LOVE CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE (PACKED) ENERGY-EXCITEMENT PACKED ARENA FOR A PHILLIES GAME CROWDS GATHER- DISCIPLES FOLLOW JESUS IS SAYING TO HIS GUYS YOU WILLING TO LEAVE THE CROWDS? YOU WILLING TO WALK AWAY FROM THE YOU WILLING TO LET GO SO WE CAN LET’S GO? THE REAL QUESTION THIS WEEK IS DIFFERENT-   LAST WEEK WAS DO YOU HAVE A ONE?   THIS WEEK IT’S- WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GO THROUGH TO GET TO YOUR ONE?   JESUS IS IMMERSED/SWAMPED BY CROWDS DISCIPLES ARE IN IT JESUS “HEY GUYS GET A BOAT- WE GOING TO OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE.” HUH? MUST BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WAITING BIGGER CROWDS SCRIPTURE MARK 4:35-36  34. “THAT DAY WHEN EVENING CAME, HE SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “LET US GO OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE.” LEAVING THE CROWD BEHIND, THEY TOOK HIM ALONG, JUST AS HE WAS, IN THE BOAT. THERE WERE ALSO OTHER BOATS WITH HIM.” 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” 41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him  SCRIPTURE MARK 8:1-2  During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. THIS IS JESUS 3RD TRIP TO THE DECAPOLIS HE LANDED TO MEET 1 IN CHAPTER 7 THERE IS A SMALL GATHERING IN CHAPTER 8- WHATS THE HEADING? 4000 NOT INCLUDING WOMEN/CHILDREN COULD BE AS MANY AS 7-10 THOUSAND?  SCRIPTURE MARK 5:19   

https://www.bible.com/events/49304128 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock For One -Part 2 East Rock There is no such thing as too far gone... Last week we began a new 4-part teaching series called “For One”. Throughout this teaching series we are seeking to know and understand the power of Jesus’ one at a time pursuit of people. We believe that Jesus came to save the whole word, and that through his life, death, and resurrection, he has made the pathway to salvation and eternal life open to us. Jesus is for everyone. During his earthly ministry, many times we see Jesus fulfilling this worldwide redemption mission, one person at a time. Jesus is for one. So, what would it look like for you and I to adopt that same model for our lives? So many times, our focus is on our country or our community, and that’s not a bad thing. But what would it look like for us to be for one, like Jesus was? That’s what Jesus did, and it transformed the lives of many people in the gospels. Even the ones who seemed too far gone. Luke 8:26-27 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. Our teaching text begins with a note about some travel plans that establish the location for the story. Earlier in this voyage at sea, Jesus and his disciples had encountered a great storm. Just before our text in chapter 8, we find the miracle of Jesus calming the wind and the waves with only a word. The disciples are in such a fierce storm they are afraid for their lives. They grab Jesus and beg that he would do something. Jesus speaks and immediately the sea and storm were calm, and the disciples wonder among themselves, “Who is this guy that can even control the wind and the waves?” Our text at verse 26 continues that same trip, with an arrival on shore. There Jesus receives a shocking welcome from a demon possessed man. For a long time, this man had lived in the graveyard naked, making his home among the graves. The gospel of Mark records that this man was heard screaming out day and night. Luke 8:28-29 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. All other attempts had failed at restraining this man had failed. The evil spirits that had possessed him had such control and power over him that he was able to break free from chains. Yet, at the very presence of Jesus, these evil spirits know they are outmatched, they are done. What this passage illustrates is the immense power of Jesus over the most seemingly uncontrollable forces in this man’s life. Luke 8:30-33 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. Much study and attention has gone into the details of this demonic oppression. How many demons? How did this happen? What does it mean today? And to be sure, there is a time a place for those questions. But what I want us to focus on today is the ultimate power and authority of Jesus over every single evil spirit. The demons were so sure of their immanent judgement and destruction, they are literally begging Jesus over and over, not to cast them back to the Abyss. Commentator Darrel Bock says: “Jesus may have been outnumbered, but he was certainly not outmatched.” Luke 8:34-37 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. When the people of the town came out to see this crazy story about the demon possessed man, what they found was a brand-new man, redeemed and restored, sitting at the feet of Jesus. The word at the end of verse 36 that says “had been cured”. In the original language that literally means “saved” or to be made whole. He wasn’t cured from a disease- He was rescued and re-made

· COTN WILL YOU COME FIND ME IF IM DROWNING? · WILL COME RESCUE ME? · KEVIN COSTNER- RIGHT AT THE END/GRADUATION · MEN/WOMEN- BEEN TRAINED TO PUT THEIR LIVES IN PERIL · TO GO AFTER IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS TO RESCUE LOST INDIVIDUALS. · NOT ALL LOST INDIVIDUALS DID IT ON PURPOSE · THIS WEEK WE BEGIN A SERIES CALLED FOR ONE · IF YOU LEAVE TODAY AND YOU MISS THE POINT · 1912 HOPE DIAMOND PURCHASED FOR 180,000 · 1949 HARRY WINSTON PURCHASES IT · 1958 HE DONATES IT TO THE SMITHSONIAN · 45.5 CARROTS- PURE BLUE DIAMOND · SENDS IT IN REGULARD MAIL- BROWN PACKAGE · 145.29 SEND IT/2.44 WAS THE POSTAGE PART AND IT WAS INSURED FOR 1 MILLION DOLLARS. · ESTIMATED WORTH TODAY IS 350 MILLION “MAIL CARRIER SAID I JUST DIDN’T WANNA LOSE IT” IT WAS A PRIVALEGE TO CARRY SOMETHING SO VALUABLE. WE’VE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH SOMETHING GREATER THE EXTRAORDINARY HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO THE ORDINARY. TODAY I WANT TO TALK TO YOU UNTIL ONE WE WILL LAND IN LUKE 15- BUT START IS LUKE 14 YOU HAVE TO GET THE CONTEXT AND SETTING BEFORE WE GET TO LUKE 15. · LOST OPPORTUNITY · LOST PRIORITY · LOST SHEEP · LOST COIN · LOST SON 4 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. 5. “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say. 7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” 16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room. · LOST OPPORTUNITY · LOST PRIORITY · LOST SHEEP · LOST COIN · LOST SON 15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. Luke 15:2 2.But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” LUKE 15:3-4 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? LUKE 15:5-6 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  LUKE 15:7 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (MORE) SLIDE 10: PICTURE OF SHEPHERD AND SHEEP · SHEEP WONDER (THOUGH THIS SAYS LOST) · SHEEP GET INJURED · SHEEP NEED LED/FED AND RESCUED · RELATIONSHP MATTERS HERE-TRUST · SHEEP WEIGHS 70 LBS · BOND TO CARRY LIKE THIS  LUKE 15:8 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?  LUKE 15:9 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ LUKE 15:10 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. FOR ONE BUT THE ONE WENT FROM 1 OUT OF 100 SHEEP-VALUABLE-YES 1 OUT OF 10 COINS- MORE VALUABLE 1 OUT OF 2 SONS- MOST VALUABLE · MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE HEAD BAND · RING FINGER · PEOPLE WOULD SEE HER HEAD BAND AND KNOW · SHE LOVES ANOTHER · SHE BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE · THIS BEING MISSING COULD SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE REPEATED WORDS IN LUKE 15 IN THESE 2 PARABLES UNTIL. ONE REJOICE MATTHEW 28:16 16. THEN THE ELEVEN DISCIPOLES WENT TO GALILEE, TO THE MOUNTAIN WHERE JESUS HAD TOL

https://www.bible.com/events/49300460 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock For One -Part 1 East Rock Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? John 5:1-9 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, Have you ever noticed Jesus’ focus on just one person in this story? Think about it, the teaching text says that there were a “great number” gathered around this pool. But we have no record of Jesus engaging with any of the other people here, performing any other miracles, or teaching any other lessons. We see Jesus preaching to crowds, feeding thousands in other places, but this story is about a one-on-one encounter that changed everything for this man. I want to welcome you to our new teaching series called For One. Throughout this series we will seek to know and understand the power of the Lord’s one at a time pursuit of people. Our goal is not only that we would know the stories, but that we would adopt Jesus’ one at a time approach in our lives. Often our focus is on the many. Our nation, our community, our family, and to be sure, that is a good thing. But the goal of this series is that together we will ask the Lord to give us just ONE person that we would pray specifically for. And not just pray for them, but that we would literally interrupt out days, our plans, yes, our lives to see them come to know Christ. That’s what Jesus did, and we want to join him. We want to be for one, because in the kingdom of God, one is worth it all. Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” As more and more of “those people” are coming to hear Jesus, the local religious folks begin to voice their disapproval. They don’t think a prophet or a teacher like Jesus should be keeping company with notorious sinners. God’s prevenient grace was at work drawing people in and not everyone was excited about that. The religious leaders thought he should keep his distance from those people, he certainly shouldn’t be sharing meals with them. But what becomes clear is that they don’t know God’s heart for his poeple. Luke 15:3-6 Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ Rather than a direct rebuke for their self-righteous murmurings, Jesus tells a story to help the religious leaders understand His heart for the one. The story begins with a man who owns 100 sheep. One of these sheep wonders away, getting lost from the rest flock. Now from a practical standpoint, this is no big deal. 99% the sheep are still right there, doing fine. But this ONE lost sheep causes the man to take action. The only explanation for this reckless accounting is that the man LOVES his sheep. We arent told what the search involves, but we are told how long it takes. Don’t miss that key word of determination in the search: "The man looked for it UNTIL it was found." This wasn’t a quick look over the ridge, a convenient whistle here and there- whatever it took, however long it lasted, he searched until the sheep was found. When he finally finds this sheep the shepherd puts the wondering sheep on his shoulders and carries it back to the flock. When he arrives back home, he calls his friends and neighbors to help him celebrate the safe return of this one sheep. The man literally throws a party to celebrate. All for one sheep who wondered away. While this makes a compelling and heartwarming farming story, that wasn’t the point. Remember, Jesus is telling this story to make a point. Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. The tax collectors and the sinners that the religious folks were looking down on, who were murmuring about- they wer

http://bible.com/events/49297097 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg The Light & Sword: The Truth of the Bible - Harrisonburg Today's speaker is Brian Charette. After a long career at James Madison University, Brian has been on our church staff helping with the transition between lead pastors. He'll retire in September. He and his family are long-time members of our church. His wife Pam serves on the church board. He does fill-in preaching for us on an occasional basis. What do you believe about the Bible? How does that belief impact you? 2 Timothy 3:10-16 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, Psalms 119:103-105 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Pastor Billy - August 4, 2024 "My great concern for you today and for the church today and for our world and the culture in which we’re living comes from the shocking reality that according to the Barna Research Group, as of 2023, 68% of Americans identified as Christians. And if the data stopped there, that might be encouraging. But of those 68% only 6% hold a biblical worldview. Therein lies my concern." Many Evangelical Christians have accelerated the drift away from commitment to the Bible. > 82% only read their Bibles on Sunday at church. > For a person to consider themselves a "frequent" user of the Bible, they would need to read the Bible just 4 times per year. > 22% believe the Bible is inspired by God. Those scholars who argue in defense of the Bible tend to use one or more of three descriptive words: Inspired – that the Bible is the word of God and the words of God Infallible – that it declares truth consistently, Genesis to Revelation Inerrant – That there are no errors in truth, no deceit, no lies, no mistakes or contradictions that impact meaning. (Which is particularly true in the manuscripts in the originally languages.) Harold Lindsell The Battle for the Bible The very nature of inspiration renders the Bible infallible, which means that it cannot deceive us. It is inerrant in that it is not false, mistaken, or defective. Inspiration extends to all parts of the written Word of God, and it includes the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit even in the selection of the words of Scripture. Moreover, the Bible was written by human and divine agencies; that is, it was the product of God and chosen men. The authors of scripture retained their own styles of writing and the Holy Spirit, operating within this human context, so superintended the writing of the Word of God that the end product was God's. Just as Jesus had a human and a divine nature, one of which was truly human and the other truly divine, so the written word of God is a product that bears the marks of what is truly human and truly divine. Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” From the Introduction to the Gideon Bible This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the Christian's character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, t

https://www.bible.com/events/49297693 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 9 - East Rock The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. Today we are concluding our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”. Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus. But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him. The message from the writer of Hebrews is loud and clear: “There’s no life in the old way of doing things. The only source of salvation is Christ alone. He is above all.” As chapter 13 brings the letter to a finish, the author applies the truth of Christ above all to the every day aspects of life for his readers. Hebrews 13:1-3 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. The first commands of Hebrews 13 is right in line with what Jesus said in some of his farewell words: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” In just three short verses, we have been commanded to love those we know, to show hospitality to those we don’t, and to remember those who would be easy to forget. What we believe about Jesus should show up in how we love those around us. This is quite the farewell, and he’s just getting started. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. The covenant relationship between one man and one woman, as God has prescribed in his word, should be honored by all. The word honor here has the idea of respect, cherish, something of value. “The marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” The term “marriage bed” here is an idiom for the sexual relationship- and that is to be kept pure, as God has designed. God’s judgement is assured to all those who would violate their marriage vows, or by any who would engage in sexual activity outside of marriage. God has designed the covenant of marriage to be the sacred and holy space where our sexual desires are expressed and enjoyed together. So, our sexuality is not a matter of preference, or pleasure, but of God’s design. As if this farewell address wasn’t feeling awkward enough at this point, the author continues on into another touchy subject… Hebrews 13:5-6 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” The author is encouraging his people to keep a proper perspective on money. Not to give themselves over to the pursuit of wealth at the expense of their focus on Christ. Quoting from Deuteronomy and the Psalms the author calls the people of God to focus on the promises of God and his gracious provision in our lives. With the Lord as our helper, we do not need to fear. This is the source of true contentment. Hebrews 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Much like the Hall of Faith from Chapter 11, the author again encourages his audience to remember the faithfulness of the leaders who shared the gospel message with them. To consider not only their message but their life, allowing both to be a model for their own. That Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever is a reminder that the same Jesus that was preached to them then, is the same Jesus with them now. Their circumstances may have changed, but Jesus has not. Verses 9 through 14 contain a warning that they would not fall victim to false teachings, especially those that were appealing to their Jewish roots, and that they would live with a resolute focus on the eternal reality of God’s kingdom through Christ. Just as Christ suffered reproach at the hands of the Jewish leaders, so would they. Living a life that declares Christ above all, will draw persecution and pressure. As we continue in verse 15 the author moves to give farewell guidance about worship and sacrifice offered to God. Hebrews 13:15-19 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Have confidence in

https://www.bible.com/events/49295234 But, What is a Christian? - Harrisonburg Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! There is a lot of confusion today in our culture on what a Christian really is. Statistics tell the shocking truth of where we find ourselves. Will we step back and examine the word of God as our authority to see if indeed we pass the test? Are you a Christian by cultural definition or according to God's word and work? Charles Spurgeon “Discernment is not the ability to tell the difference between right and wrong; rather, it is telling the difference between right and almost right.” Disciple vs. Christian (Andrew Stroud) The name “Christian,” meaning “belonging to Christ,” appears to have been invented by those outside of the church. It was most likely meant as a derogatory term by the way it was used in the NT. If you’re not actively learning from Jesus or living for him, you can still call yourself a Christian and most people won’t bat an eye. But calling yourself a disciple changes things. It gives you something bigger than yourself to live into. By definition a disciple is someone who is actively learning and living as a follower of someone else, or of some set of teachings. By calling yourself a disciple of Jesus you are declaring that you’re living for him. And that’s powerful! John 10:3-5, 14-16, 27 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Robert Bortins CEO Classical Conversations 1/2/24 A shocking statistic from Barna’s research shows that the majority of Americans consider themselves to be Christians (68%), but only 6% of them have a biblical worldview. This data clearly shows that although many people identify as Christians, most have no idea what it means to actually be a Christian. These people could be referred to as cultural Christians, which are individuals that claim to be Christian but instead are shaped and molded by the world rather than by God’s holy Word. As a result, America’s spiritual health has been cursed by cultural Christianity Calling ourselves Christians but chasing after the world (cultural Christianity) won’t get anyone through the narrow door, because in the end chasing after the world is a wide pathway that leads to eternal destruction. As Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) Matthew 7:13-14, 21 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” Be with Jesus Become like Jesus Do what Jesus did John Mark Comer “The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who…are identified as “Christians” will become disciples—students, apprentices, practitioners—of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from him how to live the life of the Kingdom of Heaven into every corner of human existence.” John 3:3-5 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity The Christian way is different:harder and easier. Christ says ‘ Give me All. I don’t want so much if your time and so much of your money and so much of your work. I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have t

Who Is Jesus: The Last Adam  Today, we are exploring the name attributed to Jesus, The Last Adam. Starting in Genesis, we will learn how Jesus fulfilled and completed what Adam was intended to do. We will see the parallels between Adam and Jesus in that they both had God for their Father, and both had the Spirit of God empowering them, but Adam failed to live faithful to what God commanded, and Jesus lived in complete obedience to God and competed the mission.  In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for Breath, Spirit, and Wind is the single word, “ruach”. All through the Old Testament, we see how God breathed “ruach” into Adam and others who he wanted to use for a special purpose.   God Breathed Life into Adam  “Then the Lord God formed a man (Literally, Adam) from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Gen. 2:7  When Adam and Eve sinned, they really did die. The Spirit that God put in them was removed. Throughout the Old Testament, we find multiple examples of how God did give his Spirit to certain individuals to empower them for a certain task or purpose. The most prominent examples are Joseph, Joshua, Samson, Saul, and David.  Sin and the Spirit (breath) of God cannot reside in the same place.  The Prophets prophesied that a Messiah would come to redeem Israel. They assumed that the Messiah would restore the Nation of Israel, but God’s plan was much bigger. He was actually restoring, through Jesus, for all humanity, what was lost in Eden.  “I will pour out my spirit (ruach) on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants, in those days, I will pour out my spirit (ruach).” Joel 2:28  The Spirit “ruach” would rest on the promised Messiah  “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.  The Spirit (ruach) of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit (ruach) of wisdom and of understanding,  The Spirit (ruach) of counsel and of might, the Spirit (ruach) of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.” Isaiah 11:1-2.  In the New Testament, which was written in Greek, the word for Breath, Spirit, and Wind is the single word, “pneuma”.  The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus  “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit (pneuma) descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22  Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit (pneuma), left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit (pneuma) into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1  The Garden of Eden and the Baptism/Temptation of Jesus are parallel stories  But where Adam failed, Jesus did not fail.   Adam and Eve were filled with the Spirit of God, but they failed to resist the Temptation to Sin.  Jesus was filled with the Spirit of God, and he did not sin.  Satan triumphed over Adam in the Garden.  But Jesus triumphed over Satan in the Wilderness and would ultimately triumph over death and hell as well.  This is the beginning of the end of Satan’s power over people.  Jesus explains what being filled with the Spirit is all about to Nicodemus  “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”  Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit (pneuma). Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit (pneuma) gives birth to spirit (pneuma). You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind (pneuma) blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit (pneuma).” John 3:4-8  WHAT IS THE NEW BIRTH – IT IS THE RESTORATION OF THE BREATH OF GOD THAT WAS FIRST GIVEN IN CREATION, BUT LOST IN THE FALL.  Jesus breathes on his disciples after his resurrection  “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit (pneuma).” John 20:19-22  The Spirit of God is restored to his people  “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled t

https://www.bible.com/events/49291217 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Christ Above All: A Study in Hebrews Part 8 Hebrews 12:4-8 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Hebrews 12:4-8 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off big-time, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. Many would agree that one of the most difficult parts of parenting is disciplining your children. As I read the scripture in Chapter 12, I realize that the writer of Hebrews is pulling out some of the very same phrases that we use as parents when talking about God's discipline. 1. "I'm doing this because I love you!" Disciple is in the word discipline. Discipleship means discipline. Without discipline, we can't be disciples. God is a disciplinarian, and the discipline that He provides is because He has a person al relationship with us. He loves us! God's discipline comes from a place of protection and love, not condemnation. Proverbs 3:11-12 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. 2. "Rules are there or a reason, and this is for your own good." Boundaries and rules from the Lord are not designed to suck all fun out of life, they're to protect us and keep us holy. Hebrews 12:18-19 You have not come to a physical mountain, to a place of flaming fire, darkness, gloom, and whirlwind, as the Israelites did at Mount Sinai. For they heard an awesome trumpet blast and a voice so terrible that they begged God to stop speaking. 3. I'm not asking you to like it. I am asking you to obey. One day you will understand. -The word trained in the greek means vigorous exercise. Hebrews 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. The late Tom Landry, Former coach of the Dallas Cowboys said this, "The job of a coach is to make players do what they don'y want to do in order to achieve what they've always wanted to be." An athlete must strive to improve their abilities. The understand that the suffering is temporary compared to the gain and reward they receive afterwards. Likewise, our spiritual lives can flourish when we recognize challenges as signs of God's guidance and discipline. No Pain, No Gain! "The fact that He doesn't allow us to stray away from Him is love in action. He doesn't ignore us, He comes after us to keep us right in His sight." - Pastor Kerry WIllis Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. We can react to discipline in 3 ways. Resist It Accept it Grudgingly Embrace it willingly ( 5 Truths about God’s Discipline, Rick Ezell) "When God disciples us, He isn't getting back at us. He is drawing us back to Him." (Rick Ezell) God's chastening is not His rejection, It's proof of His great love for us. 4. "It hurts me more than it hurts you!" How can we possi

Church of the Nazarene - East Rock https://www.bible.com/events/49291217 Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 8 - East Rock The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”. Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus. But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him. The message from the writer of Hebrews is loud and clear: “There’s no life in the old way of doing things. The only source of salvation is Christ alone. He is above all.” As chapter 12 begins the pastoral heart of the author shines through in encouragement and exhortation. Hebrews 12:5-6 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” When we hear about discipline, our mind fills with memories, and it can make it more challenging for us to receive the good news of God’s discipline. We need to be aware that we are coming with “pre-loaded” thoughts and feelings about it In the face of real challenge and difficulty the author is inviting us to see things differently, through the lens of what God can do through difficult seasons. To see the trials and tribulations of life as opportunities for God’s grace to transform us into the image of Christ Jesus, to grow us in holiness. Hebrews 12:4-6 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” “The Lord disciplines the one he loves” To help unpack this text, we need to do some quick word study work because in this verse there are two different Greek words that are translated as discipline. The first word translated discipline sounds like "pie-die-ah" in the Greek. This has in view the whole training and education of children. Cultivating and shaping their mind and morals. It includes commands, admonitions, and punishments to accomplish this development. In our vernacular, I would say it’s akin to “upbrining” The second word translated discipline sounds lik “pie-doo-oh”. It carries the idea of chastisement or punishment in order to shape the character of others. It’s the more specific action taken within the greater framework of a good upbringing. The author has established his dialogue about discipline within the context of relationship with God. We are God’s children and as God’s kids we should expect his training and discipline, His active involvement in our upbringing. The author quickly moves to apply this truth to their current situation. Hebrews 12:7-8 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. The author is challenging his audience to see their suffering, the challenges and pain they are experiencing through a different perspective. Rather than something to run from, to avoid at all costs, or even to despise. They are called to see those things as opportunities for God to grow them, as God’s discipline. That’s how the heavenly Father grows and matures his children. The author doesn’t say God CAUSES these things, God does not author evil. But, in his sovereignty, he does allow it, and what the author wants us to see is that God will use these things for our growth and our good, if we will submit to him. And it’s this discipline, this up brining by God that is the proof that we are in fact children of God. So often we think we are facing challenges because God is mad at us, or that he has forgotten us. But we are called to remember that God can use these things to grow and mature us. Hebrews 12:9-11 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been

http://bible.com/events/49288815 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 7 - Harrisonburg The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”. Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus. But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him. At the heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. He is the Great High Priest, the Redeemer of All Mankind, the Radiance of God’s Glory, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, etc. Hebrews 10:36-39 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. “The righteous/just shall live by faith” is the Christian principle of life Habakuk 2:1-5 Romans 1:17 Galatians 3:11 FAITH ENCOMPASSES OUR WHOLE LIFE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD Acts 16:31 - Saved by faith 1 Peter 1:5 - Kept by faith Galatians 2:20 - Living by faith 1 Peter 1:7 - Faith shall be tried many times and in many ways Isaiah 40:31 - Faith knows how to wait on the Lord 1 John 5:4 - Faith is always victorious Matthew 17:14-21 - Faith will defy reason; it can move mountains Hebrews 11:32-39 - Faith does not “face the facts”; it never gives up! Hebrews 11:1-30 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no o

https://www.bible.com/events/49286741 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 7 - East Rock The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”. Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus. But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him. The message from the writer of Hebrews is loud and clear: “There’s no life in the old way of doing things. The only source of salvation is Christ alone. He is above all.” As chapter 11 opens the author is about to share the "hall of faith" to encourage his readers to persevere in the faith. Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. In Chapter 10 the author has been encouraging the readers to recall how they had already persevered in the midst of hardship and trials. He is seeking to lift their spirits and spur on faithful living in the face of persecution. Coming into Chapter 11 he is about to share the Hall of Faith, names and stories of people who trusted God in the face of some really difficult circumstances. Before he begins, he wants to clear up what he means by Faith. “Faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” What we notice immediately is that biblical faith is not a flimsy hope. It’s decided and resolute choice, a firm and conscious decision to believe and trust in the reality of the Lord. And biblical faith is not a static intellectual assent, it’s not a casual “yeah I believe in God”, it’s a settled affirmation that he is LORD of YOUR life that results in action. Faith in the Lord means we live by his word and his desire, not what we see all around us in the world. And that’s the kind of lives the author is about to show us. Hebrews 11:4-12 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. From the first children of Adam and Eve, through the great flood with Noah, to the calling of Abraham, the author does a sweep of biblical history to highlight the impact of faith on each persons life. Notice how many times he says “By faith” then lists the action they took. This phrase comes up again and again, that repetition is there to drive home the point- True Faith results in ACTION. All of these stories are unique and different, but they all show a life lived by faith and trust in the word of God. Hebrews 11:13-16 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. The author wants his audience to understand- The life of faith is

http://bible.com/events/49284474 Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 6 - Harrisonburg Today's speaker is Brian Charette, a part of our church staff. Brian, his wife Pam and their family have been part of our church for many years. As we enjoy the afterglow of our Independence Day celebrations, it's poignant to think of brothers and sisters around the world who don't have the freedom to meet together as we do. For those dear souls, the risks are significant. Why do they risk it? Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. The imperatives of the Hebrews text: > Hold tightly to hope > Consider how we may spur one another on > Don't give up meeting together > Encourage one another Acts 2:46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, It wasn’t always easy or comfortable or safe to commit to a life in Christ - to commit to brothers and sisters in the church. There was pressure to flee, pressure to scatter…to isolate. And if your enemy has anything to do with it, there will always be pressure to give up the habit of meeting together. Hebrews 10:32-36 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. The central problem in the text: As some are in the habit of doing. Davis, Graham and Burge (2023) The Great Dechurching: Who's Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will it take to Bring Them Back? The more serious dechurching began in the early 1990s. What happened then? First, When the Soviet Union collapsed and that struggle ended, it became more culturally acceptable to be both American and non-Christian. Second, the rise of the religious right and its involvement in politics alienated some people, but, as is sometimes unsaid, left-wing politics alienated just as many. Finally, third, the internet. People could get what they wanted online without the bother of getting dressed and going to church. But, perhaps most importantly — people who went to church but weren’t really Christians in the biblical sense felt free to stop attending. There is likely a connection between people giving up the habit of assembling and the increase in loneliness in America. We are the most connected, yet the most isolated generation. But the importance of this lesson goes well beyond that. Consider how Jesus Himself characterized the church. Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Giving at COTN If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: [email protected] Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others! Set COTN as Your Church in this App In this Bible app, be sure to select "Set As My Church" so you get all the information and benefits of connecting to COTN with this app. See the link below for help. https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

The author of Hebrews is writing to Jewish Christians, perhaps second-generation Christians who were undergoing fierce persecution, socially and physically.   Times were hard. They were well-versed in the Old Testament and had professed their faith in Jesus Christ.    However, they were considering returning to Judaism because of persecution, false teaching, and Christ had not returned to establish His Kingdom and overthrow the Romans.    The writer’s desire is to establish the superiority of Jesus above the angels, Moses, and high priests.        Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV)  19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,   21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,   22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.   24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,   25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  The message of Hebrews is that Jesus is better, Christ is superior, and He is completely sufficient for our salvation.    Jesus is King of kings. He is Lord of lords. He is the Great High Priest and the sacrifice of Jesus should change the way we approach the world.     Or to put it another way, what we believe and know about Jesus should impact how we live as individuals.  Hebrews informs us how we should respond to each other during the ordinary moments of life, the good times and the not so good times.    The practical implications of following Jesus will touch on the new covenant and the way to holiness.     Verses 19 and 20, 19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,   Therefore is a connecting word.  Hebrews Chapter 10 is a connecting point of the book.    Everything from Hebrews Chapter 1 to Chapter 10, the writer has shared because of Christ's work we can have the confidence to approach God in a way that was never before thought possible.  Under the Old Covenant, in the Jewish temple, there was a veil that served as the barrier to the Holy of Holies.   The Holy of Holies was said to be where God's presence rested.  Only the high priest could enter this area to make atonement for the sins of Israel.  We can enter the holy place because of what Jesus did on the cross, by the blood of Jesus, He died and rose again, and ascended to the Father.    The tearing of the veil is profoundly significant and provides a pictorial foundation for how we can approach God today.   We can directly and boldly come before God through Jesus to receive mercy and grace. Jesus meets our needs and even identifies with our weaknesses.  Verse 21, “and since we have a great priest over the house of God,”  Jesus is the Great High Priest that is over the house of God.    We no longer need to rely on the religious practices of the Old Testament.    Every believer, through faith, can go directly to God.  Since Christ has provided us such open and free access to the Father, the writer of Hebrews says “Let’s use it!”  What joy and freedom—and yes, liberty—for the person who is in an intimate relationship with Jesus.  Verse 22, “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”  Let us draw near to God, is an urgent plea to enter into heart holiness, an intimate relationship with God, so that we gain a clean conscience, and walk in faith according to His plans for our lives.  Where the Old Testament ceremony and ritual could make the worshipper ceremonially clean, the blood of Christ can purify our hearts; and through Christ alone, we can approach God the Father.  As we draw near to God, we can persevere in our lives through the most difficult of times of suffering and hardship.  Verse 23, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  The author reminds us that God made the promise and He is always faithful.    For the believer, then and now, live your faith, do it without being apologe

https://www.bible.com/events/49282508 Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 5 - Harrisonburg Hebrews 9:11-15 So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. Jesus is our high priest. 1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, The people of the Old Testament “clung to the promises of God even when they could not see how these promises would be fulfilled. They were, then, people in waiting, people on a journey toward a land they could not yet see, and everything about their approach to God carried the symbolism of the transitory. They offered imperfect sacrifices through flawed priests in a temporary and movable tabernacle that screened them from the holy presence… they were reaching toward a God they could not grasp, and now God has reached back to take their hands.” Thomas Long, Hebrews: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching The blood of Christ purifies us. The blood of Christ saves us. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace The blood of Christ gives us hope today. Is there anything you’re holding onto today that doesn’t let your cling onto this old rugged cross? Giving at COTN If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: [email protected] Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

1. What comes to your mind when I mention the word sacrifice › pause I’m an ice cream person, sacrifice for me could be letting someone have the rest of a favorite ice cream. maybe it is working long days to help provide for your families. 2. The idea of sacrifice is familiar to us as american’s. Wartime hero’s, everyday men and women who go above and beyond what could ever be asked of them. i. some of them making the ultimate sacrifice for the good of another. ii. Sacrifice is something we see tin the story of Gods people from the very beginning. The example of abraham and isaac is a powerful portrat of sacrifice. a. it could look something like this (about 4 minutes) b. (Video) sacrifice of Issac Transition 1. So, Did you catch the words spoken in the beginning of the video? › PAUSE 1. Issac speaking to Abraham, Father, we have the firewood but where is the lamb? › pause 1. Abraham speaking to Issac, The Lord will provide a sacrifice my son. a. As we continue in our series…We will see that Christ made the ultimate sacrifice, not for a country or a single person, but for every person. b. The spotless Lamb of God › PRAYER (SHORT) Welcome back to our series Christ above all Last few weeks, diving into this series Christ above all Part 1 we learned that Jesus is above all, greater than all other heavenly beings part 2 we learned that while on earth jesus learned from his suffering. made perfect thru it he became our great high priest before god the father. Part 3 we learned that The faith relationship is one of fidelity to Christ and a life bearing fruit. we can choose to walk away from such a life, walking away from Christ. Part 4 we learned that The new and better Covenant, superior to the Old, giving us access to God through Christ, the High Priest of this New Covenant. Today in part 5 we will see that the new covenant spoken about last week is made possible by the sacrifice Jesus made when on the cross. That we can be washed clean, not just on the outside but can be made free of the attitude and disposition to sin. Teaching text Hebrews 9:11-15 Hebrews 9:11–15 NLT So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. Teaching text Hebrews 9:11-12 Hebrews 9:11–12 (NLT) So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. For us to understand a little better what verse 11 and 12 are saying lets step back a few verses Hebrews 9:7–10 NLT But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. And he always offered blood for his own sins and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the entrance to the Most Holy Place was not freely open as long as the Tabernacle and the system it represented were still in use. This is an illustration pointing to the present time. For the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them. For that old system deals only with food and drink and various cleansing ceremonies—physical regulations that were in effect only until a better system could be established. i. Did you catch what the author said in verse 8? The entrance to the presence of God was not freely open. 1. Only the High priest could enter into the presence of God, and only once a year. ii. Coming back to verse 11&12 1. Christ Jesus made a way into the very presence of God a. In the old covenant as spelled out in the book of Exodus there was a large thick curtain separating the most holy place. When Jesus shed his blood on the cross that barrier that couldn’t be crossed but once a year, and only by religious authorities, was torn in two from top to bottom. iii. In the old covenant blood sacrifice had to be offered continually. it only delt wi

This is the fourth installment in our series on Hebrews. I have to say that Hebrews, even before this series has become a favorite of mine. Hebrews Bible Study with Allen Biller - I’ve had the privilege of doing a personal Bible Study with someone in our congregation that I visit who is unable to get here to worship with us, and he recently started asking me a lot of questions about Hebrews, so we started studying it together. How to get the full benefit of the Hebrews Series - If you are wanting to really get the full benefit of this teaching series, can I suggest to you to read Hebrews in your own personal devotional time. I would read it several times because there is so much here to digest. I would get myself a cup of coffee and open your Bible and begin reading. He-brews Coffee joke - It is after all, a biblical thing to do. Even the title tells we should drink coffee when we read this book, because it says, “He Brews”. I’m sorry. Bad Dad Joke. Today we arrive at chapter 8. In rapid review: 1. We don’t know who wrote it 2. It was written to Jewish Jesus believers – those who believed Jesus was the Promised Messiah a. THE AUTHOR ASSUMES HIS READER UNDERSTANDS THE OLD TESTAMENT AND DOESN’T SAY HE IS QUOTING FROM IT. b. IN A SIMILAR FASHION, TODAY I WILL BE MENTIONING A LOT OF DETAILS ABOUT THE OLD TESTA MENT AND LIKE THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS, I CAN’T EXPLAIN EVERY DETAIL, BUT I’M ASSUMING THAT MOST OF YOU HAVE ENOUGH BIBLE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND. 3. It quotes and alludes to the Old Testament more frequently than any other NT Book 4. The underlying theme of Hebrews is that through Jesus, everything is better. Jesus is better than, the prophets, the angels, Moses, Joshua, the High Priest, the tabernacle, the Law and sacrifices, and so much more… and the new covenant is better than the first one In week 2 of this series, Pastor Janette helped us understand the role of Jesus as our High Priest and that he was the Suffering Servant we read about in Isaiah 53. Last week, Dr. Phil Fuller encouraged us to remain faithful to God and to not be lazy about our faith, but to persevere and remain in Christ as he remains in us. Now this week, we get to dig deeper into the idea that Jesus is truly our High Priest and how he is better than any Priest of the Old Testament. In some respects, this is a Part 2 to what Pastor Janette preached on just 2 weeks ago. Jesus is our high priest, and he is the author and perfector of our faith. He is the arbiter of the new covenant which is better than the old Covenant which was given to Moses. COVENANTS We don’t use the word covenant often. Most common today: 1. A NEIGHBORHOOD COVENANT – a list of regulations that the inhabitants of that neighborhood are bound to live by. 2. A MARRIAGE COVENANT – the agreement of a man and women to live committed to each other for life, in a monogamous relationship. Sidebar: it’s the clear teaching of the Bible that the only people who can enter into this covenant is one man and one woman. EXAMPLES OF BIBLICAL COVENANTS Ever since the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God has been on a mission, a pursuit to restore what mankind lost when our first parents fell into sin and rebellion against God. And so, he has entered into 7 covenants with mankind to bring about that restoration. There isn’t sufficient time to explore all 7 of them this morning, but I do want to highlight 3 of them: 1. The Adamic Covenant – right after Adam and Eve sinned and God covenants with them that he will provide a redeemer, a savior (this covenant is renewed in the Abrahamic Covenant) 2. The Mosaic Covenant – God gives Moses the Law, the Ten Commandments and many conditions for how they should conduct themselves, including the sacrificial system of lambs for the atonement of sin. 3. The Davidic Covenant – the renewal of the covenant that God would send a redeemer, a savior, and that this promised one, the Messiah would be a descendent of King David and that his throne would be established forever. COVENANTS – OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS – SHOW BIBLE DIVISIONS And now that leads us to today’s message… READ ENTIRE CHAPTER - SLIDES SLIDE Vs. 1- 2 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. This is the Main Point – I love this: There’s no guessing what the author wants to tell us.. What does “Now the main point … is this” mean. He is referring back to what has just been taught in the previous chapters. We learned that Jesus is a High Priest after the order of Melchizidek, who was a priest in Salem in the time of Abraham. Unfortunately, there isn’t time to delve into that today, but suffice it to say, that this character, though spoken only twice in the OT, looms large in the book of Hebrews and we learn that Jesus is greater than him. At the time H