Sunday Words of Encouragement July 2, 2023 - Called to Freedom!

Our Sunday School teacher taught this week on James 1:16-17 expounded with Hebrews 4:14-16 and Romans 5 and 6. We are given the gift of mercy and grace. We are no longer enslaved to sin and dealing with sin is part of growing in Christ.

Pastor’s Sermon was title “Called to Freedom” with scripture from Galatians 5:1 and 5:13-14.
Paul is writing to Galatians. There was a sect teaching salvation by works, and another group proclaiming freedom to do whatever you want (sloppy grace).

Our freedom is found in Jesus. We have freedom within the authority of our submission to Christ. We are His servant, not the servant of sin. The enemy comes and creates a slippery slide of sin. We must learn to stand firm.

There is a spirit of antichrist at work in the world, We need to stand firm.

Paul says in Galatians 5:13, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

Our freedom is not for the flesh but for love to serve. We are called to experience His kingdom and the King’s dominion. If you feel oppression, stand firm on the Spirit of God. Our lives are not our own. We give up our sinful nature as a sacrifice to serve. When you walk by the Spirit, you will not gratify the flesh. Don't let sin grow in your life.

Pastor had two side comments. First, he spoke about how we need to be careful not to act on feelings and not to allow love and compassion to accept sin. We always love the sinner but not the sin. We cannot abandon truth to promote love. Showing true love is to lead sinners to the truth of God’s way.

Second, a lack of faith can lead to doubt which then can hinder the moving of the Spirit. Worship is an expression of faith. It is more than a religious act.

I found several videos to pick from. I chose this: Greater Still.

Verses for Today:
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:13-14
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Lord, I thank you for Mercy and Grace. Help me to use your gift of freedom to serve and to show your love to others.

Sunday Words of Encouragement October 3, 2021

After 18 months Hubby returned to in person Sunday School and Church today! Pastor welcomed us back, particularly Hubby, who was humbled when people clapped. He is a big teaser and people missed his humor.

We shared in worship and then Pastor continued his sermon series on Walking With Jesus. Jesus should be the pilot, and not the copilot. He is always there; He doesn't walk away. We are always in His presence. Pastor reminded us of the foundational verses. ‘… walk with Christ, established in faith…’ Colossians 2:6-7.

When we are young, we learn to help neighbors by the example set by our fathers and mothers.
Children pick up family values and habits. When we walk with parents or others who serve, we learn to serve. The Disciples were being prepared to serve. They were sent out to serve. Matthew 10:5-20.
Jesus prepared and commanded His disciples to serve. They walked with Him, and they learned how to serve.

The Point: When we walk with Jesus, we grow to become like Jesus.

They learned compassion watching Jesus. He stopped and touched people. He said, “Let the children come to me...” He would see the people not normally seen -- even the demon possessed and the dead. Jesus told His disciples to serve others: to feed the people gathered and then to collect the reminder.

Jesus didn't favor anyone above another. Everyone had the same position. Mark 10: 35-45.

Serving others should become a part of who we are. There is no position where we are only served.
Serving others is the life of the Christ follower.

Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, showing them how important it is to be a servant to others. Then he directed them to love one another. John 13:34-35. Loving one another will prove we love Jesus.
When we serve like Jesus, people see Jesus in us.

Serving others has to be who we are, not what we do or who we were over the past years.
We should be serving inside the church and outside the church.

I found this video which is a bit beyond my usual tune but I like it.

Verses for today:
Mark 10:42-45 NIV
42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Lord, Help me be a servant that shows your love to others.

Sunday Words of Encouragement September 26, 2021

I am out of town for the weekend, returning home on a five hour drive while Sunday church takes place. In case I don't get a chance to add notes from Pastor's message, I have chosen a song that I think will go with his current series "Walking with Jesus."

Everything Comes Alive!

Verses for Today:
Ephesians 2:1-5
Made Alive in Christ
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Lord, I give thanks that You have freed me from my sins and that everything comes alive in You!

Sunday Words of Encouragement June 13, 2021

This morning we attended church online again. I am probably going to have to get used to going without hubby as he isn’t inclined to get going yet. Church remembered Christ sacrifice through communion and then a message was given by missionaries to a sensitive area of South Asia. The location has no believers and no churches.
The missionaries state that the community is not reached for two reasons:
1. Political as the community is a Muslim population.
2. The location is hard (physically) to access. This missionary family is looking to plant the first church there! They feel it is time for the “hurricane of rushing wind” – the passionate love of God.

The missionary gave a message titled “Standing Between the Dead and Living.”
cited Numbers 16:46-48. When the Lord wanted to kill the disobedient Israelites, Moses stepped in. Verses 47 and 48 says:

So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.

Moses had told Aaron that the matter was urgent to get sensor from altar. Aaron ran. Verse 46 says:

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.”

We were asked to pray for a man who is accepting Christ but has no one he can share his joy and journey with. He exhorted us to be people of His presence.
You may think you are broken, weak, full of faults. But God can use you to reach others.
The missionaries were invited to a Buddhist Temple to play games as the people with disheartened. After a fun day, the priest asked the missionary to speak to people!
The missionary had to be very careful what he said. He told them that God has made two promises:
1. God loves each of you.
2. God is very close to the brokenhearted.
The people could feel the love and presence of God.

People around the world are waiting for the light to show them home.

I looked for a song of service but instead found this one that fits!

Verses for Today
Numbers 16:46-48
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started.” 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.

Lord, help me to be a light for Christ.

 

Sunday Words of Encouragement May 16, 2021

I shared in church this morning through Facebook. I was sitting at Disney Springs while my friends were shopping. I wasn't in a situation to take notes so my summary will be brief.
Pastor continued his series "It Matters."
This mornings message reminded us that God wants our obedience, not our sacrifices.

Disobedience means we want our way, not God's Will. He has the best plan for us if we will follow.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Deuteronomy 28:1-6 NIV If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:
3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
4 The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.
5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.
6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

1 Samuel 15:22 ESV
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

John 14:15 ESV
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Proverbs 21:3 ESV
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

I chose this song for this message.

A Verse for Today:
1 Samuel 15:22 ESV
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.