Church of the Nazarene

https://www.bible.com/events/49277201 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 4 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 8 begins, the writer of Hebrews is about to bring all the conversations about the priesthood of Christ to a head with a final and decisive declaration.j.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.” Hebrews 8:1-2 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, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being. For several chapters the author has been establishing Jesus as a better high priest through highlighting his better qualities than the earthly priesthood. And He puts the crowning point on his argument when he says “It’s true, we have such a high priest in Christ Jesus, and his is at work in heaven as we speak. And notice Jesus is not in the earthly tabernacle or temple, but in the heavenly realm. The Author is establishing the superiority of Christ’s priesthood by contrast between the earthly and the heavenly realm. Hebrews 8:3-4 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. Because he wasn’t the right family line, he couldn’t have been a priest on earth. The author seems to want to get the point across, Jesus is no normal priest. Hebrews 8:5-8 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. In verse 5, the author says that the normal priestly activities happen at a tabernacle that is only a mere copy or replica of the real thing. The point is that the tabernacle that they loved so much, while it was close, it was never the thing. The writer also says that the old covenant didn’t work and that God needed to do something new. In verse 7 the author implies that if the original covenant would have been working, there wouldn’t have been any need for something new to be done. Of course, the issue was not with the covenant itself, the problem was that God’s people couldn’t keep it. So, if God wanted relationship with his people, he was going to have to do a new thing- a new covenant. (And spoiler alert: that’s what we have in Christ Jesus.) Using the prophecy of Jeremiah, the author of Hebrews outlines the details of the new covenant. Hebrews 8:8-13 But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear. I

“Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are receiving the promises through faith and patience.” Hebrews 6:12 “This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.” Ephesians 4:13 “Some people once had God’s light. They experienced the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. They experienced the goodness of God’s word and the powers of the world to come. Yet, they have deserted ⌞Christ⌟. They are crucifying the Son of God again and publicly disgracing him. Therefore, they cannot be led a second time to God.” Hebrews 6:4-6 “God blesses the earth. So rain often falls on it, and it produces useful crops for farmers. However, if the earth produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Dear friends, even though we say these things, we are still convinced that better things are in store for you and that they will save you.” Hebrews 6:7-9 “God is fair. He won’t forget what you’ve done or the love you’ve shown for him. You helped his holy people, and you continue to help them. We want each of you to prove that you’re working hard so that you will remain confident until the end.” Hebrews 6:10-11 “Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are receiving the promises through faith and patience.” Hebrews 6:12 No lazy Christians- 5 ways to overcome 1. Pray to God 2. ask for guidance in determining your priorities 3. Establish accountability in a godly community 4. Start with small steps 5. Strive for progress not perfection Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are receiving the promises through faith and patience.” Hebrews 6:12 “This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.” Ephesians 4:13 “Some people once had God’s light. They experienced the heavenly gift and shared in the Holy Spirit. They experienced the goodness of God’s word and the powers of the world to come. Yet, they have deserted ⌞Christ⌟. They are crucifying the Son of God again and publicly disgracing him. Therefore, they cannot be led a second time to God.” Hebrews 6:4-6 “God blesses the earth. So rain often falls on it, and it produces useful crops for farmers. However, if the earth produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. Dear friends, even though we say these things, we are still convinced that better things are in store for you and that they will save you.” Hebrews 6:7-9 “God is fair. He won’t forget what you’ve done or the love you’ve shown for him. You helped his holy people, and you continue to help them. We want each of you to prove that you’re working hard so that you will remain confident until the end.” Hebrews 6:10-11 “Then, instead of being lazy, you will imitate those who are receiving the promises through faith and patience.” Hebrews 6:12 “How little people know who think that holiness is dull. when one meets the real thing, it is irresistible.” CS Lewis No lazy Christians- 5 ways to overcome 1. Pray to God 2. ask for guidance in determining your priorities 3. Establish accountability in a godly community 4. Start with small steps 5. Strive for progress not perfection 6. Abandon yourself to Creator God6. Abandon yourself to Creator God

Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. Christ is King, and is above every power, person, prophet, situation, gift, talent, etc. Over the course of their series, much of our study will focus in on Christ, why He is above all, and how our thoughts and lives should be different because of Him. The letter of Hebrews begins with that same focus, and that’s where we begin today: Three Things: 1. The author understood the Old Testament writings extremely well, and they are interwoven into the text. 2. The letter is a pastoral exhortation to the readers, written to early Christians who were being persecuted. 3. The author understood how all of Scripture points to Jesus - that Jesus is greater than the prophets, the angels, key political and spiritual leaders of Israel's history, sacrifices, etc. Jesus us greater. From the commentaries: "The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the most carefully written books in the New Testament. The author was well informed and articulate about the Jewish Scriptures and the message about Jesus Christ." - James Earl Massey, True to our Native Land: An African American New Testament Commentary "Written to challenge a community that the author saw as being in a perilous situation... urging its readers to remain faithful to its confession... Revelation through prophets was promissory in character; it was incomplete, not faulty. By contract, God's ultimate word through the Son is unique and final." - Victor Pfitzner, Hebrews: Abingdon New Testament Commentaries Hebrews 1:1-4 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Hebrews 1:5-14 For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.” But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” He also says, “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.” To which of the angels did God ever say, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? Psalms 2:4-8 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. Psalms 102:25-27 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. Psalms 45:6-7 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. Jesus is the just King of the eternal Kingdom. From the commentaries: "The idea that Jesus is the heir of all things addresses the human need to know where life is ultimately headed. Does the one who ends up with the most toys, or the most troops, really win? Does history flicker without a whimper? Do the richer keep on getting richer, and the violent always bear it away, world without end, amen? The preacher of Hebrews assures his congregation that when all is said and done, life does not belong to the demagogue, the oppressor, the tyrant, or the warrior; it becomes to Jesus Christ. The creation does not disin

Church of the Nazarene - East Rock Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 1 The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. Jesus is above every power, every battle, even every prophet from the scriptures- Christ is above all. So, much of our study will zero in on Christ, why He is above all, and how our thoughts and lives should be different because of Him. The letter of Hebrews begins with that same focus, and that’s where we begin today- Hebrews 1:1-2 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. Without any greeting or introduction, the author dives right into the matter at hand- The supremacy of Christ. We don’t know for certain who the author of this letter is. We do know that the author is well trained in the Greek language, and he knows the Old Testament scriptures and the story of God’s people very well. The author begins by setting up a contrast, between the back then of the Old Testament, and the now of Christ. He basically says “We used to hear form God second hand through his messengers, but now we hear straight from Him through Jesus Christ, His son” In the first sentence the author is already establishing the supremacy of Christ. Hebrews 1:2-4 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. Verses 1-4 are one sentence in the original Greek, and within this one packed sentence there are 7 different affirmations of the person, work, and status of Christ. “Christ is the appointed heir of all things.” Jesus is the one set in authority by the father, witnessed in the Old Testament scriptures. “Through whom also he made the universe.” Jesus Christ is an active agent with the father in the creation of the universe. “Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”Jesus told his disciples “If you have seen me, you have seen the father.” That’s the essence of this passage. "Jesus is the one sustaining all things by his powerful word." Jesus is leading his plan of redemption on, by his powerful word. “Christ provided purification for sins.” The blood of Christ provided a sacrifice that didn’t need to be repeated. Once and for all, Christ atoned for our sin. "He is seated at the right hand of God." Having finished his work, he is enthroned in the position of power and authority. "Jesus is above all angels and heavenly hosts." Throughout the the letter, the author will show that Christ is superior to the angels, to the old covenant and Moses himself. The letter of Hebrews declares this truth loud and clear throughout the centuries- Christ is above all. He’s above creation, He’s above the seen and unseen, He’s above every problem you can conceive of for your life. 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! Establish COTN as Your Church on the App In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us! https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

http://bible.com/events/49272993 Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg Christ Above All: Hebrews part 2 Harrisonburg What, in your life is better than Jesus? What in your life is higher than Jesus? Does anything in your mind stand above Jesus? Those are the unspoken questions asked by the Book of Hebrews. The book of Hebrews not only shows that Christ fulfills the promises of the Old Testament prophecies but also proves that Christ is better than anything established in the Jewish system. Christ above all! But the question is, is He above all for you? Hebrews 4:14-15 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. Hebrews 5:1-4 Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs. And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/97377202-1718131434730.jpg The priest's job was to offer sacrifices to the Lord daily, and once a year, on Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, the High Priest would offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. He would enter the Holy Place. As he made his way to the back of the Holy Place, there was a veil, which served as a divider separating man from the presence of God (the Holy of Holies). This was the dwelling place of God. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/97377202-1718131480776.jpg By the time the High Priest made it to the Holy of Holies, he would have gone through various cleansing. When entering the Holy of Holies, the High Priest did not wear the colorful golden garments but only the white linen garments. As the High Priest entered this most sacred room, he would first burn incense before the Ark of the covenant , filling the room with smoke. He then exited and re-entered the Holy of Holies with blood from the sacrifice, which he sprinkled on the Ark of the Covenant seven times. As Israel was not allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, the High Priest represented all of Israel, making atonement first for his own sins and then for the sins of Israel through the blood of the sacrifice. [Image] https://imageproxy.youversionapi.com/640x640/https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/mushroom-event-images-prod/97377202-1718131652915.jpg He would place the blood of the animal that was sacrificed on the lid of the ark of the covenant, called the mercy seat. This worked for a while, but God had a better plan! From the beginning of time, God had already made a way for THE HIGH PRIEST to make the ultimate sacrifice. Hebrews 5:7-10 While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Have you ever faced financial hardship? Remember, Jesus was born in a humble stable (Luke 2:7). Ever felt frustrated? Imagine traveling with His disciples, who often misunderstood and doubted Him (Mark 9:19). Tempted? Jesus faced Satan’s temptations in the desert, resisting every lure with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11). Tired? Jesus journeyed by foot, often weary and seeking rest (John 4:6). Hungry? He experienced hunger and ate with His disciples, sharing in their daily needs (Mark 11:12). Overwhelmed with sorrow? Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35). Angry? He cleared the temple, driving out those who defiled His Father’s house (John 2:15-16). Betrayed? Judas, one of His closest followers, sold Him out for thirty pieces of silver ($260) (Matthew 26:14-16). Overwhelmed with anguish and stress? He said to His disciples before His prayer at Gethsemane, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death" (Matthew 26:38). Innocent and wrongly accused? Jesus stood before the council, falsely charged by those who sought His death (Mark 14:55-59). Taken advantage of and humiliated? "They stripped Him and wove thorn branches into a crown, mocking and taunting Him" (Matthew 27:28-29). Feel disappointed in someone? Consider Peter, who denied knowing Him three times despite his earlier promises of unwavering loyalty (L

https://www.bible.com/events/49271442 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 2 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. One of the “Jesus is better” themes we find in the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is a better high priest. As we will see this morning, this was a game changing statement for the original audience, and for us, even if you didn’t even know you had a Great high priest. Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. The news of having a high priest might feel strange today because we don’t typically relate associate our faith and relationship with Jesus in priestly language. But, listen, for the people who first read the letter to the Hebrews, this was a much bigger deal than you could imagine. A priest in the Old Testament times was the person selected to bring offerings and sacrifices before the Lord. The priest was your spiritual quarterback…or clean-up hitter, or poll sitter…use your own analogy. In those times, you didn’t just waltz into the presence of the Lord in the temple- that would get you killed. You did NOT get to God without the priest. Period. There was only one person, the High Priest, who could do that. His job was to bring offerings and sacrifices on behalf of the people while they stayed outside. There was always a barrier between the people and God. So there had to be a go-between. That was a priest. But now, Jesus is our “go between”, our agent, our representative, before the Father. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Why is having Jesus as our great high priest good news? Because Jesus knows what you’re going through, he knows what it’s like to face temptation, suffering, and the trials of life. In fact, what we endure on this earth may be hard, but it’s really nothing compared to what He suffered on our behalf. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. You have a great high priest. He understands the temptations and trials of life. And he’s here to help. With Jesus as your great high priest, you can come into the presence of God with confidence that we can receive the mercy and grace that we need for this life. No religious ceremony, no burnt incense, only by the blood of Christ. Not only can we do this, in fact, we must. Hebrews 5:1-10 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus didn’t win a contest or have a popular vote to become the Great High Priest, he did not take that role upon himself. He was appointed or given that position by God the Father. Just because Jesus was the Son of God, that did not exempt him from necessity of obedience. Being the son didn’t exempt him from suffering, suffering even to the point of death. But he did it; our great High Priest earned that that title. Jesus had to say no to his desire to live, his desire to side step what was ahead- he had to choose obedience, choose the way of the Father. That’s the essence of this passage. Jesus took the Master Class of obedience and completed the course perfectly and now he offers

https://www.bible.com/events/49259423 Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg Power of Prayer Part 3 Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Isn’t it strange that we can sometimes be wrong…about OURSELVES? We sometimes don’t know ourselves as much as we think we do. 1. Sin Clouds Our Vision Psalms 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. When we ask for God to uncover our sin, the Holy Spirit reveals the things of our life that break our Father's Heart 1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. Yada- The Hebrew word for "know" to have an intimate knowing relationship. This is so important because, apart from it, we can't experience real Holiness- which is, ultimately, what God wants for us. 2. When God Saturates, Holiness Radiates. Salvation and Holiness illustration Chocolate Milk Our Life- Glass of regular white milk in a glass Salvation- Chocolate syrup poured into the milk sitting at the bottom of the glass. The presence of the chocolate alters the taste of the milk a little, but one wouldn't say, "It's chocolate milk" Holiness- When the Chocolate is stirred and overwhelms the white milk. You no longer see the "regular milk," instead it's now a new creation. It has a whole new taste. When we ask God to search, test and uncover our sin, we are asking God to stir our hearts and make us Holy. David desired the presence of God and in this prayer, he sought to eradicate anything in his own life that might destroy that life-giving relationship. 3. Hidden Sin doesn't Exist There is no such thing as Hidden sin, so why keep it from the one who already knows. Asking God to examine our own heart allows us to pursue God's will. Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Bottom Line: Seeking insight from the divine within reveals the masterpiece where His will begins The more we allow God to chisel away our sin, the more we will be formed into His image, His original masterpiece. Establish COTN as Your Church on the App In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us! https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch 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!

https://www.bible.com/events/49259592 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock The Power of Prayer Part 3 Search me, test me, uncover my sin, and lead me. Today we are continuing in our teaching series called “The power of prayer” based on Psalm 139. Prayer like we find here in Psalm 139 is very vulnerable. It’s a complete opening of ourselves to the Lord. In Psalm 139 David is inviting the Lord behind the curtain, behind what even David himself knows, to search him, to test him, to uncover hidden sin, and to lead him. As David sought the Lord in these areas, we want to do that as well. Throughout this series we are exploring and praying these four petitions: Search me, test me, uncover my sins, and lead me. Today we continue with “See if there is any offensive way in me” Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. David is inviting the Lord to come in close and have a look at his life. The word for “see” here is pretty much like it sounds. To have a look, to perceive, to look closely. To become aware or to realize. David knows he cannot see his own sin completely, but that the Lord sees perfectly. We already know the Lord sees and knows everything about us, we learn that in the beginning of this psalm. The point of this prayer is so that David will become aware, that he will have the same perspective as the Lord about things in his life. Even things he doesn’t know about yet… What David is asking to see are the “offensive ways” that are in his heart. Some translations say “wicked way” or “Grievous way.” The NASB says “See if there be any hurtful way in me.” The central idea is that anything at all that might be in David’s heart that is separating him from God, is hurtful to him in their relationship, is offensive to him and his holiness- David wants to know about it. He cared deeply about Holiness of heart and life, and David had learned the hard way that hidden sin, could cost him big time. During much of David’s life he was wildly successful in whatever he did. David was chosen by God to be king of Israel, to lead his people in the way of the Lord, to defend the nation, to see them flourish, and that he did with excellence. 2 Samuel 5:12-13 “12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.” At what seemed like pinnacle of his success, what was once a hidden desire below the surface emerged and began to drive the decisions and actions of his life. The man after God’s own heart has become an adulterer, a murderer. He has broken God’s law, and his heart. Sin that was once well below the surface has emerged to consume David’s life. Imagine how David’s story might have been different if he had prayed Psalm 139-see if there is any offensive way in me… He could have spared himself a lot of heart ache if he had only stopped to pray: Lord, see if there’s anything in me, that’s offensive to you, anything upsetting to you. No matter how small of a deal I might think it is, I want to surrender that to you. While David’s life could have been different, the good news for you and for me is that your life CAN be different. David learned the danger of hidden sin the hard way, but we have the opportunity to learn from him, and to pray for ourselves: Lord, will you come in and have a close look, show me anything in my life that is upsetting to you, that is hurtful, that is sinful. Come and see, show me Lord, and lead me in the life everlasting. How about you today? Will you invite the Lord to uncover sin in your life? You might be wondering: What do I do when he shows me something? That’s a really important question, because you can be assured that if you pray this with sincerity, that he will show you things in your life. So, what do we do? 1 John 1:8-9 "8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." If we think that it’s not possible for us to be holding sinful desires in our hearts, we are kidding ourselves. But if we will confess our sin, if when the Lord reveals something to us that is offensive to him- rather than brushing it off, rather than saying “it’s just the way I am”, or “I can’t help that”. If we will agree with him in what he finds, if we will confess that he is right, it has no place in our lives- he will forgive us. And not only will he forgive, but he will also bring healing and purity in our hearts. Praying and asking the Lord to reveal sin in our lives can be painful, can be frustrating, but it’s the only way we can ever find forgiveness and healing. Giving at COTN If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please

http://bible.com/events/49258675 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg The Power of Prayer Part 2 Search me, test me, uncover my sin, and lead me. Today we are continuing in our teaching series called “The power of prayer” based on Psalm 139. Prayer like we find here in Psalm 139 is very vulnerable. It’s a complete opening of ourselves to the Lord. In Psalm 139 David is inviting the Lord behind the curtain, behind what even David himself knows, to search him, to test him, to uncover hidden sin, and to lead him. As David sought the Lord in these areas, we want to do that as well. Throughout this series we are exploring and praying these four petitions: Search me, test me, uncover my sins, and lead me. Today we continue with “Test me and know my anxious thoughts” Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. This psalm sets a scene of tension. Evil, violent, malicious antagonists surround the psalmist and blaspheme his God. The abrupt shift in tone is jarring, but it reflects reality—especially for the leader of a nation with mixed loyalties. The psalmist, devoted to God, cannot stand those who hate God and pervert his ways. Yet he knows that he too is fallen, and in his current state he needs God’s searching light to expose the hidden darkness in his own soul. The psalmist concludes by asking God to search his heart and lead him on the right path. -(NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible) Psalm 139:23 Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life. 1 Peter 1:7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. Know My Anxious Thoughts (thoughts that are troubling) tribos = thoughts- well-worn paths know the paths of my thoughts. Excerpt from “Am I Really Okay” by Debra Fileta “We all have automatic thoughts—things we think without a conscious decision to think those things. The thing we have to be most aware of about our automatic thoughts is that sometimes we’re not really seeing the big picture. Sometimes what we’re thinking isn’t accurate or complete. Sometimes we find ourselves thinking thoughts because it’s the easiest way to think. It’s the way we’ve always thought. It’s easy and superficial and doesn’t take too much work. When it comes to our thought process, our brain loves the path of least resistance. What I’ve done most often is the easiest thing to do again because it takes the least amount of work. Thoughts included. The problem with that response is that too often our default patterns of thinking are unhealthy and often untrue." Tests are our opportunities to trust God to help us take a different path… James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Bottom Line: We must ask for help if we want the Healer to heal. Updates on the new Waynesboro campus God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey. 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! Establish COTN as Your Church on the App In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us! https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

https://www.bible.com/events/49256128 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock The Power of Prayer Part 2 Search me, test me, uncover my sin, and lead me. Today we are continuing in our teaching series called “The power of prayer” based on Psalm 139. Prayer like we find here in Psalm 139 is very vulnerable. It’s a complete opening of ourselves to the Lord. In Psalm 139 David is inviting the Lord behind the curtain, behind what even David himself knows, to search him, to test him, to uncover hidden sin, and to lead him. As David sought the Lord in these areas, we want to do that as well. Throughout this series we are exploring and praying these four petitions: Search me, test me, uncover my sins, and lead me. Today we continue with “Test me and know my anxious thoughts” Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. The word in the original language for “test me” means to examine thoroughly, to scrutinize, to try, or to investigate. It can be used figuratively of proving precious metals such as gold or silver. David is asking for the Lord to conduct a thorough investigation, to give him an examination, a test run, to arrange his circumstances to reveal his true character and nature. Having already revealed that God is omniscient, why is David asking for a thorough evaluation from the Lord to know his thoughts again? The answer is twofold- Here in this prayer, it’s personal. David is inviting the Lord into his story. It’s no longer a long-distance relationship David wants, but close intimacy. Second, the testing will reveal to DAVID what is really in his thoughts. While the Lord already knows, David may not. So, David is signing himself up for an examination to open himself up before the Lord, to allow him behind the curtain- for what? So that his anxious thoughts would be revealed. “Anxious thoughts” here is a translation of one word in the original language, and it’s a bit difficult to articulate. It’s most literal translation is “disquieting thoughts” Disquieting is defined by Websters as: to take away the peace or tranquility. To disturb or alarm a lack of peace or tranquility- think anxiety. It suggests a lost sense of security or peace of mind. So, David is asking the Lord to test him, to arrange his life circumstances, to reveal the things that shake him up, that upset him, that disturb his peace, or make him feel insecure, things that cause him to worry or be anxious. In this verse David is praying that the Lord would test him, would put something before, him that would reveal the things that throw his mind out of order. He wants to know those default paths that his mind always takes, those thoughts that have worn and old familiar groove in his mind. Un-productive, disturbing, frustrating, ruminations-He wants them to be cut-off in his mind. To be made aware of the impact those thoughts are having in his relationship with the Lord. Test me and know my anxious thoughts. The value in praying along with David in this psalm is that he is asking the Lord to help him get in front of these thoughts- before they get out of control, and before they consume his focus.To help him realize what triggers are there, what’s really happening behind those thoughts, to help him recognize what’s happening in this thinking before it gets to far. Here’s the thing about the anxious thoughts. When our minds go into this spiral, without even knowing it, we are shifting our focus away from the Lord and onto our circumstances. We are turning in on ourselves through our own thinking, and that’s a fruitless and hopeless endeavor. When that happens, we cannot hear the Lord’s voice, we don’t consider the truth and promises of his word. We are consumed in our own head- and our thoughts hold us captive. That may be for a few minutes, or a few hours or days. Perhaps it even lasts for years. As nervous as it might make us to ask the Lord to test us, it might just be how he frees us from the prison of our thoughts. James 1:2-5 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. We began last week with the simple prayer “Search me, God, and know my heart." We invited the Lord to explore the shadowy depths of our inner heart and life- places that only he can go. Today, we want to open up our thinking to him- Not just that he would explore our mind- but that he would reveal the real condition and health of our thoughts. Test me and know my a

http://bible.com/events/49254919 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg The Power of Prayer Search me, test me, uncover my sin, and lead me. Today we are beginning a new teaching series titled “Power of Prayer.” Our series is based out of Psalm 139, where David prays four very specific petitions asking the Lord to do a deep and thorough search of his heart and inner life. Throughout this series, that’s our desire too. Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. SEARCH ME, AND KNOW MY HEART C.S. Lewis We must lay before him what is in us; not what ought to be in us. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? John Wesley There is nothing so false and deceitful as the heart of man; deceitful in its apprehensions of things, in the hopes and promises which it nourishes, in the assurances that it gives us . . . One commentary notes: David came to the God of perfect knowledge and constant presence knowing He was also a God of love, and could be trusted to search him and to know him at the deepest levels. This is also an admission that God knew David better than David knew himself, and that he needed God to search and know him. It is not the challenge of a person protesting his innocence or righteousness. Rather it is the confession of one who has been in the presence of the Lord and is convicted of his own sinfulness. He realizes that he is not cognizant of all his sins and wants the Lord to point them out so they can be dealt with effectively. The searching isn’t fun, but the surgeon is faithful Warren Wiersbe We must never dispute with God, for He loves us and wants only the very best for us. Updates on the new Waynesboro campus God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey. 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! Establish COTN as Your Church on the App In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us! https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

https://www.bible.com/events/49253188 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock The Power of Prayer Search me, test me, uncover my sin, and lead me. Today we are beginning a new teaching series called “The power of prayer.” Our series is based out of Psalm 139, where David prays 4 very specific petitions asking the Lord to do a deep and thorough search of his heart and inner life- Throughout this series, that’s our desire too. Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Search me, test me, uncover my sins, and lead me. David is inviting the Lord to go beyond the normal places, to the deep places of his very heart. Prayer like this is vulnerable. It’s a complete opening of ourselves to the Lord. To allow him access not just to the places we know, to places we might be comfortable with, but beyond, to the places that only he can know. And that can cause serious disruptions in our relationship with the Lord. Just ask Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends. Mark 14:27-31 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. Can you imagine the shock of these words? They had been together for 3 years now. Seen and done some amazing things. Now, Jesus turns to them and says “Boys, you are about to walk out on me. Every one of you” "No way Jesus- not gonna happen. I would never do that, even if everyone else does.” The Apostle Peter cannot see it, he doesnt know that about himself. You probably already know the rest of the story. Peter really didn’t know himself as well as he thought, did he? He would deny Jesus, not just once, but three times. Cussing, fussing, and swearing that he had never even met Jesus. It turns out Jesus knew Peter's heart better than he did, and he knows your heart better than you do. Just like Peter struggled to see beyond his own perception of his loyalty, we too struggle to see and know what lays deep within our hearts. In Psalm 139 David is inviting the Lord behind the curtain, behind what even David himself knows, to search him, to test him, to uncover hidden sin, and to lead him. As David sought the Lord in these areas, we want to do that as well. Throughout this series we want to explore the four prayers: Search me, test me, uncover my sins, and lead me. Before we dive right into verses 23 and 24, we need to journey with David through the rest of the Psalm. There we find David’s heart and mind turning to the Lord in worship and praise, which is a critical part of our journey in seeking to engage God through prayer. Psalms 139:1-6 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. The text opens examining God’s limitless knowledge. This attribute of God is often called his omniscience. This simply means there is nothing outside of God’s knowledge, there is no thought he doesn’t know, no action he isn’t aware of, no word spoken he hasn’t heard, even before its uttered. God’s knowledge of you goes far beyond your reputation or your actions- he knows your very thoughts. As we begin to think about opening ourselves up to the Lord, there is nothing he doesn’t already know- nothing will surprise him. God knows us better than we know ourselves. Psalms 139:7-12 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. David here recognizes God limitless presence- His omnipotence. Not only does the Lord know everything in his omniscience, but he is also everywhere in omnipotence. That means there is nowhere you can go to escape God’s presence. That’s a great comfort for those who are seeking him, but it’s a great challenge to those who think they can hide form the Lord. Everyone in Scripture who tries to hide from the Lord, fails. And you can’t do it either. Psalms 139:13-16 For y

http://bible.com/events/49251326 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Holiness as Wholeness, Part 4 Holiness is living the abundant life. Holiness as Wholeness The idea behind this teaching series is that Holiness, rather than being a heavy burden of impossibility placed on believers, is a healing and freeing effect of Christ’s sacrifice. Holiness is good for us; it restores to us the design of God for our lives. The enemy wants us to believe it is a chain placed upon us, so we dread its requirements so that we’ll turn our back on it or roll our eyes at it. But, in essence, holiness brings all that we really want into our lives. It makes us whole with all of the attendant beauty of that idea. The Nazarene understanding of Christian Holiness or Entire Sanctification is freeing, not binding. Through this sermon series then, we want to see Holiness as Wholeness. James Pedlar …God’s mission is not only for those outside the church but for believers as well, who are currently experiencing the ongoing healing work of God in their lives. In other words, mission is not only “outreach” but also includes the corporate life of the church. Cultivating holiness, spurring one another on in our response to God’s ongoing work in our lives, teaching, catechizing, discipling – all these things which help to form people as disciples are part of the church’s mission. John 10:9-10 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:9-10 Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep rustlers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:9-10 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. This word “abundant” in the Greek is perisson: Meaning “exceedingly, very highly, beyond measure, more, superfluous, a quantity so abundant as to be considerably more than what one would expect or anticipate.” Oswald Chambers We must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or our intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God. If we get less than God wants us to have, we will falsely accuse Him as the servant falsely accused his master when he said, “You expect more of me than you gave me the power to do. You demand too much of me, and I cannot stand true to you here where you have placed me.” When it is a question of God’s Almighty Spirit, never say, “I can’t.” Never allow the limitation of your own natural ability to enter into the matter. If we have received the Holy Spirit, God expects the work of the Holy Spirit to be exhibited in us Change (transformation) is not the absence of temptations, it is holiness in the midst of temptation. THE WAY OF CHRIST IS THE ABUNDANT LIFE C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity “Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death, death of your ambitions and favorite wishes every day and death of your whole body in the end: submit with every fiber of your being, and you will find eternal life. Keep back nothing. Nothing that you have not given away will be really yours. Nothing in you that has not died will ever be raised from the dead. Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.” ONCE GOD SETS YOU FREE YOU HAVE TO DECIDE TO LIVE FREE! John 14:6a Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. Holiness and the Church of the Nazarene Former Nazarene General Superintendent Dr. J.K. Warrick discusses the distinctiveness of the Nazarene Church with a focus on Holiness. Updates on the new Waynesboro campus God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey. 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! Establish COTN as Your Church on the App In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple proc

https://www.bible.com/events/49249500 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock Holiness as Wholeness, Part 4 Holiness is living the abundant life. Holiness as Wholeness The idea behind this teaching series is that Holiness, rather than being a heavy burden of impossibility placed on believers, is a healing and freeing effect of Christ’s sacrifice. Holiness is good for us; it restores to us the design of God for our lives. The enemy wants us to believe it is a chain placed upon us, so we dread its requirements so that we’ll turn our back on it or roll our eyes at it. But, in essence, holiness brings all that we really want into our lives. It makes us whole with all of the attendant beauty of that idea. Holiness is not a requirement as much as it is a remedy. The Nazarene understanding of Christian Holiness or Entire Sanctification is freeing, not binding. Through this sermon series then, we want to see Holiness as Wholeness. In John 10:10 Jesus says: “10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” For Jesus, the good life is abundant, life to the full. And notably, it’s not something we acquire, it’s not something we can work for, it’s the life we receive from Him. If Jesus brings us good and abundant life, why doesn’t my life with him seem more, abundant? Why doesn’t life seem more, I don’t know, “good”? So often our experience is one of frustration, guilt, or shame because we can’t seem to pull it together, a seemingly unending cycle of failure and forgiveness, never seeing the victory in our lives. Rather than full of life, it’s just full of frustration. I would propose to you today that the abundant life Jesus came to bring, only comes on the other side of our full surrender to him. The truth is, “abundance” in Christ is not about gathering it all in, but giving it all up. There is great abundance in… SURRENDER. John 10:9-10 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Those who enter life with Christ are first of all, saved. Safe from the enemy. They are rescued and redeemed. They have freedom- to come and go- to live life. Jesus here isn’t promising material prosperity. iii.He is saying that "in life with me, I will see to all your needs". Perhaps not your wants, but you will know my hand in having what you need. It’s a life full of freedom, marked by his presence, no matter what comes our way. This is the good life that Christ offers. Notice the contrast- with the enemy/the thief “The thief only comes to steal, to kill, and destroy.” The immediate context of this passage, the thief is likely pointing back to those false messengers and leaders that Jesus referred to in verse 8- but it does not fail to include the enemy of or souls- the devil himself. He comes offering some sort of distorted life, but his motives are not pure. 1.He is greedy, selfish, and self-serving. 2.The thief, always takes and never gives. 3.The thief is full of lies and deceit. he confuses us about what a “good life” even is. 4. And he ultimately destroys. The thief came to destroy, Christ has come that we might have life, and that to the full. The life that he came to give is abundant, full, offering contentment. The word for to the full or abundantly, it means a super-abundance, overflowing with more than what is needed or expected. It’s not merely filling the jar to the top; it’s filling it to overflowing. That’s the picture of the life that Christ came to give. We have forgiveness of sins, freedom from shame and guilt. We have belonging in the family of God; we have a calling to take part in his kingdom work. His life is healing, restoring, and transforming- and most of all, it’s in an abundance. "I have come that they may have life, and that to the full." here’s the truth for us today- the fullness of the life Christ came to give cannot be realized in our lives as long as we are in control. Holiness is giving God full control of our lives. That’s how we can know the good life. As long as we are still calling the shots, telling the Lord what we will and will not do or agree with- we are living our lives, with Jesus as an add-on. And that can never be a truly good life… The abundant and holy life comes when we surrender our lives completely to God and begin living HIS life. On this journey, there are many critical moments, decision points along the way of sanctification. But there is coming a crisis moment in your life where you will have to decide. Am I going to give God control of my life- or am I going to keep control myself? The abundant and holy life that Christ came to offer cannot be found by avoiding that crisis- we must go through it. That’s holiness friends. That’s what experiencing life to the fullest is all about. The decision to say YES to Christ will change the trajectory of your

http://bible.com/events/49247921 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Holiness as Wholeness, Part 2/3 Holiness as Wholeness The idea behind this new teaching series is that Holiness, rather than being a heavy burden of impossibility placed on believers, is a healing and freeing effect of Christ’s sacrifice. Holiness is good for us; it restores to us the design of God for our lives. The enemy wants us to believe it is a chain placed upon us, so we dread its requirements so that we’ll turn our back on it or roll our eyes at it. But, in essence, holiness brings all that we really want into our lives. It makes us whole with all of the attendant beauty of that idea. Holiness is not a requirement as much as it is a remedy. The Nazarene understanding of Christian Holiness or Entire Sanctification is freeing, not binding. Through this sermon series then, we want to see Holiness as Wholeness. Holiness as wholeness means that the sanctifying work of God in the pursuit of holiness in our lives doesn’t just allow us to be in relationship with God, but cleanses, refreshes and heals our body and our mind... The path of holiness is one that compels us to be in unity. Genesis 1:26-28 Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” To be fully human is to be in holy relationship with God, others, oneself, and all of creation. Original Sin: We believe that original sin... is that corruption of the nature of all the offspring of Adam by reason of which everyone is very far gone from original righteousness or the pure state of our first parents at the time of their creation, is averse to God, is without spiritual life, and inclined to evil, and that continually... Personal Sin: We believe that... personal sin is a voluntary violation of a known law of God by a morally responsible person... we believe that personal sin is primarily and essentially a violation of the law of love... - Church of the Nazarene, Articles of Faith Sin always results in death. Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Sin can be attractive, but it is always destructive. Sin will take your further than you were ever meant to go, and further than you may ever intend to go! It’s too great of a burden for us to hold. Genesis 4:6-9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Sin leads to death, but holiness leads to life. Romans 6:19-23 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Sanctification is God’s response to sin. Updates on the new Waynesboro campus God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey. 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! Establish COTN as Your Church on the App In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us! https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

Church of the Nazarene - East Rock https://www.bible.com/events/49245979 Holiness as Wholeness, Part 3 Holiness as Wholeness The idea behind this teaching series is that Holiness, rather than being a heavy burden of impossibility placed on believers, is a healing and freeing effect of Christ’s sacrifice. Holiness is good for us; it restores to us the design of God for our lives. The enemy wants us to believe it is a chain placed upon us, so we dread its requirements so that we’ll turn our back on it or roll our eyes at it. But, in essence, holiness brings all that we really want into our lives. It makes us whole with all of the attendant beauty of that idea. Holiness is not a requirement as much as it is a remedy. The Nazarene understanding of Christian Holiness or Entire Sanctification is freeing, not binding. Through this sermon series then, we want to see Holiness as Wholeness. Often we can struggle to see what the big deal is about a little sin. "It’s fine, God isn’t THAT concerned about it." We imagine that we have control over it, that we can call the shots, quit when we want, that it’s not a big deal. But that’s not what the bible says about sin. Jesus said “I tell you the truth, everyone who commits sin, is a slave to sin.” Paul says in Romans 6 “The wages of Sin is Death”… On our own we tend to have a very different and often less severe of an outlook about sin than what the bible gives. As we continue with part 3 of our series, we will seek to understand the serious and destructive nature of sin in our lives. Without a proper understanding of sin, it is easy to miss the urgency of seeking holiness. The great lie of sin is that it is harmless, or even that the pleasure it can sometimes bring will actually help us. Whether we would say it or not, when we choose sin, we are saying that we know better than God. Romans 6:19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. Paul is referencing back to a metaphor he began in verse 16 of being a slave. For the Apostle Paul, we only have two choices. We are either offering ourselves to God leading to righteousness or we are offering ourselves as slaves to sin leading to death. There is no spiritually neutral position. Every single person you meet, including yourself, is serving one of these two- Either God or sin- there is no option C. Notice that Paul says you USED to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity. Paul is presenting a picture of the Pre-Christ life, and in so doing, he gives us the real true nature of sin. He says “You offered yourself” Sin was and is a choice. It’s a conscious decision. It doesn’t just happen; we don’t just end up there. We choose it, we go along with it. “You offered yourself as slaves” Sin has an imprisoning, enslaving power over us. So often we think sin will bring us freedom and autonomy, but it really brings enslavement and bondage. The exact opposite of what it promises. “Slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness” The idea of “ever-increasing wickedness” describes the insidious, cumulative impact of sin, like a cancer growing within on its way to total destruction. The old saying “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.” It’s true, because sin is never static. It’s never neutral. It’s always growing, always grasping for more, always binding and blinding us to its real nature. “So now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness” Christ has come and broken the power of sin, he has given us freedom, and as Christians we are to respond. Just as we used to sign up for sin, we need to sign on to righteousness, to saying yes to Christ. Rather than leading to death, choosing to offer ourselves as slaves to God leads to holiness Romans 6:20-21 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! As you think about your life before Christ, what benefits did you reap from it? How did that go for you? Paul is inviting us to remember… Paul has gone to great lengths illustrating the destructive enslaving power of sin that used to dominate our old life. He has pointed to Christ and the forgiveness and life we can have in him. He has brought up old memories for us of sin form our old life. We literally have experienced everything he’s talking about. But all of that teaching, all of that personal experience, and yet, so often we will underestimate the seriousness of sin in our lives, we invite it back into our lives. We still undersell it, minimize it, ignore it, we dabble with it, we put off dealing with it until later. Rather than choosing to pursue holiness with as much fervor as we used to pursue sin,

http://bible.com/events/49241752 The Call Who are we called to be? As the church, as those who claim to love Jesus, to follow Him, to trust Him...who are we called to be? To those that we like and those that we don’t? Those who look like us, speak the same language, and those who don’t? To our neighbors and those on the other side of town, to those on the other side of the world? The picture this morning begins with two individuals who knew Jesus very well, in fact, Jesus chose them each specifically. Of all the people who Jesus would have invited to be his disciples, he chose these two. And yet their inclusion and participation in the kingdom of God speaks volumes to us today. Matthew 10:1-4 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. Zealots were an aggressive political party who had such a deep concern for the Jewish people that they would despise anyone who sought peace with Rome or tolerated them in any way. They fiercely opposed anything and anyone that diminished their culture, religion or their desire for self-government. Among the zealots there were those extremists who turned to terrorism and assassination. This group became known as the Sicarii or ‘the dagger men’. They were known for their hidden daggers ready to strike down anyone friendly to Rome. And yet Jesus chooses one of them? A zealot? Jesus Calls Simon Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Of all the people Jesus could choose, he chose him? Matthew, a tax collector? Tax collectors were hated by everyone. The Jews, their own people, reviled them because they collaborated with the enemy. They worked for Rome and carried out their orders. But even worse, tax collectors like Matthew gained wealth by padding their own pockets, demanding more than what was due, and keeping it for themselves. They represented the enemy, and got rich by over-taxing their own people. And yet Jesus chooses him, “follow me”. Jesus Calls Matthew So why in the world would Jesus choose both of them to be His followers? First, He loved them. Jesus had a way of seeing through the exterior, even when it was controversial or unpopular. He demonstrated the love of God – He IS the love of God. But there's an even more compelling reason: why did Jesus choose Matthew, Simon, among others? Why did he choose two individuals who clearly stood in opposition to one another? To demonstrate the incredible power of this prayer in action: ‘May they be one, Father. Make them one’ John 17:20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. Jesus prays that these disciples, this rag tag group, which included two of the more opposite and different people you could imagine, would be ONE. And He prays the same for us today..."that ALL of them would be one" Updates on the new Waynesboro campus God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey. 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! Establish COTN as Your Church on the App In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us! https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

Today we are on week two of our series Holiness as Wholeness. The Bible tells us that we were created in God’s image. We are called to be holy because God is holy. We need to not only reflect the heart of God as far as loving people, but also, we need to reflect the character of God and have the mind of Christ pursuing holy character and behavior. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Today’s message is on Holiness. Let me say Verse 23 again: 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

http://bible.com/events/49238706 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Holiness as Wholeness, Part 1 Holiness as Wholeness The idea behind this new teaching series is that Holiness, rather than being a heavy burden of impossibility placed on believers, is a healing and freeing effect of Christ’s sacrifice. Holiness is good for us; it restores to us the design of God for our lives. The enemy wants us to believe it is a chain placed upon us, so we dread its requirements so that we’ll turn our back on it or roll our eyes at it. But, in essence, holiness brings all that we really want into our lives. It makes us whole with all of the attendant beauty of that idea. Holiness is not a requirement as much as it is a remedy. The Nazarene understanding of Christian Holiness or Entire Sanctification is freeing, not binding. Through this sermon series then, we want to see Holiness as Wholeness. When you decided to attend Church of the Nazarene this morning, you decided to attend a church born of what's referred to as the Wesleyan or Holiness tradition. "Wesleyan" because of the influence of the great church father John Wesley, and "Holiness" because the pursuit of a real, deep genuine (not generic) relationship with Christ is at the heart of our purpose together. 1 Peter 1:13-16 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Hebrews 12:14-15 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. "Holiness is a word that can make us feel uneasy. It seems lofty, threatening, alien. We instinctively sense that God’s holiness has dangerous overtones. His purity calls our sinful attachments into question, demanding that we forsake them in order to enjoy the greatest of all goods—belonging to a God of infinite love and power. To come casually with our hearts grasping tightly to the sins we cherish or to come lightly as though they are no big deal, might be like throwing ourselves onto a roaring fire with the expectation we will not perish. How, then, can we—sinful and broken human beings—hope to come into the presence of a holy God and survive the experience?" Ann Spangler Why do some struggle with the concept of Holiness? "I believe most think it's impossible to be holy so they are intimidated by the word. But we need to understand that any holiness we have is not from us, but God working in and through us. Impossible for us? Yes. For God working in us? No." "I attend a holiness believing denomination because I was tired of being frustrated trying to live a holy life without understanding full surrender, trying to live in my own strength and hearing 'you can try, you can try really hard, but you can't do it' by other denominational teachings. It is scary when one tries to live a holy life in their own strength, and then it truly becomes frustrating, trying but just not able to do it." "I believe that the concept of holiness often feels distant because it's mistakenly equated with perfection. However, true holiness isn't about flawlessness but about aligning ourselves with God's purpose. Similarly, many misconstrue sin as mere error, when in reality, it's a conscious choice. While perfection remains unattainable in our earthly journey, perfection in Christ entails fulfilling our intended purpose without succumbing to sin. It's not about flawlessness, but about living without the stain of sin." "And here in Holiness is the remedy for all our disease, all the corruption of our nature." John Wesley "How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets real thing, it is irresistible." C.S. Lewis "Fear of God is the blush upon the face of holiness enhancing its beauty." C.H. Spurgeon Holiness as wholeness means that the sanctifying work of God in the pursuit of holiness in our lives doesn’t just allow us to be in relationship with Him, but cleanses, refreshes and heals our body and our mind. Romans 7:24-25 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Holiness and the Church of the Nazarene Former Nazarene General Superintendent Dr. J.K. Warrick discusses the distinctiveness of the Nazarene Church with a focus on Holiness. Updates on the new Waynesboro campus God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and

Church of the Nazarene - East Rock https://www.bible.com/events/49239220 Holiness as Wholeness, Part 1 Holiness as Wholeness The idea behind this new teaching series is that Holiness, rather than being a heavy burden of impossibility placed on believers, is a healing and freeing effect of Christ’s sacrifice. Holiness is good for us; it restores to us the design of God for our lives. The enemy wants us to believe it is a chain placed upon us, so we dread its requirements so that we’ll turn our back on it or roll our eyes at it. But, in essence, holiness brings all that we really want into our lives. It makes us whole with all of the attendant beauty of that idea. Holiness is not a requirement as much as it is a remedy. The Nazarene understanding of Christian Holiness or Entire Sanctification is freeing, not binding. Through this sermon series then, we want to see Holiness as Wholeness. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter is written by Apostle Peter. It’s believed he is writing in the early to mid 60’s AD, so this is nearly 30 years after Christ. The letter was written to Christians in and around Rome who were facing severe persecution under the Roman Emperor Nero. It was a widespread and ruthless persecution of Christians. Peter wants to write them a letter of encouragement, a letter of hope to remind them of who they are in Christ and the victory found only in Him. His letter opens affirming the wonderous work of Christ and the hope that believers have in him. Peter, much older than we find him in the gospels, fans the flame of faith and hope for these weary and persecuted believers. For Peter’s audience, it wasn’t the time to be mentally and spiritually sloppy or lazy it was time to be alert and focused. It’s interesting to me in verse 14 that he doesn’t point out specific actions they used to do. Not how they used to talk, now how they used to dress, or what they used to drink- none of those specifics. Peter is looking beyond the conduct and actions themselves, to the heart motives and he says, “Don’t let those old passions and desires rule over you, don’t let them call the shots.” Then he sets up the contrast "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." The word there in the Greek for holy is hag'-ee-os It means to be set apart for God, to be exclusively His Think about what Peter is saying- Rather than being driven by desires, the old ways down in your heart, set yourself apart, give your heart fully to the Lord. Friends that’s the essence of holiness. 1 Peter 1:14-16 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” The invitation of holiness is to allow the Holy Spirit to come and deal with our lives at a heart level. To deal that old nature- to purify our hearts. It’s possible by the blood of Jesus, it’s brought to life in us by the Holy Spirit and it’s a categorically different way of living. We still need to grow, we still need to learn, we still need to heal. But our hearts are not divided any more. We don’t have that inner war. By the power of The Holy Spirit, we have traded that war for peace, the peace of his presence. It’s a close and intimate relationship with Christ himself. That's Holiness, and it's anything but drudgery and bondage. It's freedom! Holiness and the Church of the Nazarene Former Nazarene General Superintendent Dr. J.K. Warrick discusses the distinctiveness of the Nazarene Church with a focus on Holiness. Updates on the new Waynesboro campus God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey. 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! Establish COTN as Your Church on the App In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It's a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us! https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

https://www.bible.com/events/49235012 Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg Easter 2024: A Tale of Two Gardens "Where are you?" Easter is really a tale of two gardens. The first garden was beautiful, but more than just physical beauty, this garden represents all creation as it should be: man and woman made in God’s image, walking intimately with Him. There is no sin, no brokenness, no sickness, and no death. This is life as it should be, and it’s beautiful. The story begins in that garden Genesis 2:8-9 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God has provided everything they needed in a garden whose beauty is beyond imagination. Within this garden there was one tree that was off limits. They were not to take and eat from that tree. Adam and Eve, they had a choice- Would they take God at his word? Or would they take control? Genesis 3:7-8 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. They decided to take control, to call their own shots. The moment that sin enters into the world through this selfish act, immediately there is fear and shame. They were ashamed to be naked, and they ran from God. Read a little further and there is accusation, blame, and denial between husband and wife. Sin entered the story and so did separation from God. The weight of failure and shame set in, and they hid. Romans 5:12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Sin entered into the world in that first garden, and it didn’t stop there. It became an epidemic infecting the hearts and souls of all mankind forever. Whenever you see confusion, you can be sure that something is wrong. Disorder in the world implies that something is out of place. Usually, at the heart of all disorder you will find man in rebellion against God. It began in the Garden of Eden and continues to this day. -A.W. Tozer Our story begins in that first garden because sadly, for many, that’s really all they know. That’s their whole story, at least, so far. All they’ve known is a life filled with disorder and chaos. That is the story of the first garden. But…Easter is the story of not just one garden, but two. John 19:38-42 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. Here we see another garden. Interesting that the first garden initially represented life, but now symbolizes death. A place where life should have been celebrated, death became victorious. And now in this garden, the garden tomb, it is clearly a place of death, a place where death has had the final word. But in this garden, the second garden, death does not get the final word. Matthew 28:1-10 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” There’s great irony in juxtaposing the two gardens: 1. In a place of the earth’s greate

http://bible.com/events/49234754 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock Easter 2024 "A Tale of Two Gardens" "Where are you?" Resurrection Sunday 2024. Easter is really a tale of two gardens. The garden of the resurrection of course, but it's also the story of another garden. A garden where sin and death entered our story. The Cross stands between these two gardens, and the question remains for us "Where are you?" John 19:16-18 Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle. Crucifixion was a terrible and horrific method of execution. Specifically designed to inflict pain and to slow down death. Jesus would be there for several hours before he would cry out “It is finished.” He who knew no sin, no mistake, no flaw, was made to be sin for you and me. It is finished. John 19:38-42 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. This once beautiful garden, full of beauty and life, now plays host to death. With that, the story of Jesus seemingly comes to a cold and dark end. I bet if we were to ask Jesus’ closes friends and disciples in these moments: Where are you? They might have answered with something like- 1.Bewildered and broken. 2.Crushed and confused. 3.Perhaps they would have just said- I have no idea right now… This garden tomb seemed to swallow up all of their hope...But today is resurrection Sunday. Matthew 28:1-10 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” The Garden that once swallowed the disciples hope in death, brought forth resurrection life for all eternity. This is Victory. This is life and that eternal. This is resurrection Sunday. The good news for those who believe in him. Remember, this is a story of two gardens. Maybe today, you are stuck in the first garden, the garden of Eden. Genesis 2:8-9 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God created this garden perfect. All of creation was as it was supposed to be. That was true for Adam and Eve as well. They were created to be God’s partners, co-gardeners in creation. They had calling, purpose, and most importantly un-broken fellowship with God. God has provided everything they need in a garden whose beauty is beyond imagination. Within this garden there was one tree that was off limits. They were not to take and eat from that tree. Adam and Eve, they had a choice- Would they take God at his word? Or would they take control? Genesis 3:7-8 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. They decided to take control, to call their own shots. Sin enters the world bringing its cousins fear, guilt, and shame. This

Church of the Nazarene - Harrisonburg http://bible.com/events/49232705 The Untold Jesus Stories- Carrying the Cross Simon carried your cross, and mine. Today we conclude our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.” Throughout this series we will have been looking into stories that are not literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels. This series has simply focused on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often. Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Luke 23:23-27 Luke 23:23-27 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus was so weary from the beating he has received that he cannot continue to bear the weight of his cross. The Roman guards instructed Simon to carry the cross for Jesus. Simon came to the Passover with his family to remember when God delivered the Children of Israel from the death grip of the Egyptian empire and their bondage there. But the story Simon found himself thrust into was different. This was a new kind of redemption, a new kind of deliverance. This is the story of Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world. Here’s the question: What does Simon the Cyrene have to do with you? With me? Luke 23:26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. We don’t know a lot about Simon even though his story appears in 3 of the 4 gospel accounts. By Cyrene, it means that he’s from an area of Northern Africa known by that name. The gospel of Mark records that he is father to Alexander and Rufus, and he has come to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover Festival. Simon disappears from the story as the crucifixion continues. Jesus is crucified between two criminals. There’s little doubt that this procession, this moment specifically, never faded from Simon‘s memory. 1. Simon is demonstrating what faith would look like 2,000 years later. We must choose to take up our cross and follow after Christ. Jesus never hid the true cost of discipleship. To join Christ, is to die to ourselves. To surrender our hearts, our desires, our attitudes to him. It is giving Jesus all authority in our lives. And unlike Simon of Cyrene- nobody will ever force you to bear that cross. You must accept the call of Christ. You have to choose to follow after him. It’s the only way that truly leads to life. Luke 9:23-25 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 2. The cross Simon carried didn’t belong to Jesus, but to him (and to you and to me). Jesus bore the penalty of sin for you and for me. Now he calls us, to bear our cross. Not that we literally die for our sins, no, that work has been done. But we are invited to lay down our right to ourselves, and follow Christ. Scriptures for further study/reflection: Luke 19:28-44 Matthew 27:27-32 Mark 15:20-24 Mark 15:21 Updates on the new Waynesboro campus God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey! Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey. 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!

https://www.bible.com/events/49231419 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock The Untold Jesus Stories- Carrying the Cross Simon carried your cross, and mine. Today we conclude our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.” Throughout this series we will have been looking into stories that are not literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels. This series has simply focused on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before. Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Luke 23:23-27 Luke 23:23-27 But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus, so weary from the beating he has received that he cannot continue to bear the weight of his cross. The Roman guards needing to get this show on the road, grab Simon and demand that he carries the cross for Jesus. Simon came to the Passover with his family to remember when God delivered the Children of Israel from the death grip of the Egyptian empire and their bondage there. But the story Simon found himself thrust into was different. This was a new kind of redemption, a new kind of deliverance. This is the story of Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world. Here’s the question: What does Simon the Cyrene have to do with you? With me? Luke 23:1-6 Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.” So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” But they insisted, “He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here.” On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. By the time Simon enters the story, Jesus has already been tried and sentenced to death. The Jewish leaders didn’t have the authority to put Jesus to death, they would need to enlist the help of their otherwise hated enemy- The Romans. After facing a mock trial before Herod, Jesus appears again before Pilate and his accusers. Luke 23:13-24 Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.” But the whole crowd shouted, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.” But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. The guilty gone free, and the innocent condemned to death. That’s the story of Jesus. That’s our story. And it’s this story that Simon of Cyrene is thrust into. Luke 23:26 As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. We don’t know a lot about Simon even though his story appears in 3 of the 4 gospel accounts. By Cyrene, it means that he’s from an area of Northern Africa known by that name. The gospel of Mark records that he is father to Alexander and Rufus, and he has come to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover Festival. Simon disappears from the story as the crucifixion continues. Jesus is crucified between two criminals. I think it’s safe to say, this procession, this moment specifically never faded from Simons memory. In a very real sense, in the days ahead the parade that Simon of Cyrene witnessed will pass before us. No one will force you into the story like the soldiers did to Simon. No, we

https://www.bible.com/events/49228310 Church of the Nazarene - East Rock The Untold Jesus Stories- The Secret Trip to Town God's timing is everything. Today we continue our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.” Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels. This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before. Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in John 7:1-13 John 7:1-13 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. Before we dive into chapter 7, we need to catch up to what’s happening in John’s gospel to get a clearer picture of the tension in the background of our teaching text. Back in chapter 5, Jesus is at Jerusalem and heals a paralytic man by the pool of Bethesda. This was awesome, except that the religious leaders thought his timing was off, because he performed this miracle on the sabbath- a strict day of rest in their opinion. This conflict grows to the point that in verse 16 we read that the Jewish leaders sought to Kill Jesus… Chapter 6 records several miracles that Jesus did, and it also records a growing movement of rejection among the people, culminating in one of the most profoundly sad verses of scripture, verse 66, says: from this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him. As we come into chapter 7 and 8, what has been a growing undercurrent of rejection is about to the boiling point, and Jesus knows it. John 7:1-5 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. About 6 months has passes since the sabbath incident of Chapter 5, but as the time has passed, the tension had not. Jesus chose to stay away from Jerusalem, he knew there could be no more casual visits to the capital city. Jesus’ brothers are basically daring him to go up to Jerusalem during one of the largest festivals of the year and do some of the mighty miracles he’s been doing in Galilee. They wanted him to go and prove something. "Go on Jesus- we dare ya." But the underlying problem is revealed in verse 5- Jesus’ brothers didn’t really believe Jesus was the Messiah. John 7:6-9 Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. Being double dog dared by his brothers didn’t bother Jesus. He wouldn’t be moved out of alignment with His fathers will at the insistence of anyone. John 7:10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Skeptics have used this small and obscure passage in an attempt to discredit Jesus by saying that he lied to his brothers. But there’s more to this story. In Jesus answer to his brothers, he didn’t say he wasn’t ever going to the festival- he said he wasn’t going in their timing and in their way. His brothers had a plan at best for popularity, at worst for his shaming. Ei