SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: THE LIFE OF JESUS
Rev. Mat Grover
Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:8-14
During this sermon series, we will be looking at the life of Jesus. As we walk through His life and ministry and prepare ourselves for the celebration of Easter, we invite you to participate in spiritual nurturing activities in addition to attending service. We challenge you to follow the life of Jesus through one of the Gospels or in The Story book, and participate in a Lenten devotional. We also challenge you to memorize the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus. One will be printed each week on the sermon notes. Think about what you'd like to give up for Lent. Ask yourself, what am I going to put in place of that thing I'm giving up? We invite you to add your give up pledge to the board in the back of the Sanctuary. We also have a Sunday afternoon class during Lent called “What Do You Believe?” where we will look at topics like the Bible, God, the Trinity, and Salvation.
“Birth of the King”
In every story of the Bible, there are truly two stories going on:
Lower story is humanities reality. It is the people, place and things of a story and the interpersonal struggles joys and conflicts that go on.
Upper Story is God’s reality. It is the story that God is telling the world about Himself, through our own stories and lives. The upper story is God’s story of His love for creation.
“The Son of God became a man, to enable men to become sons of God.” –C.S. Lewis
“And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen His glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 NRSV
MEMORY VERSE: “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Jonah - The Mystery of God’s Mercy
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Jonah 4:4-11
“To Do Justice and Mercy”
One of the most notable features of Jonah is its surprising “cliff hanger” ending. God is so wanting Jonah to see that his self-righteousness is getting in the way of compassion. Without an answer the book ends. Most people believe the writer of Jonah ended with the question so the reader would realize the question was not just pointed at Jonah, but it was pointed at all of us.
Will we love the way God loves? Will we interact with those different than us with compassion?
One of the great theological issues of Jonah is how do we reconcile the Justice of God with the Mercy of God?
After the Reformation a theological term started to emerge among the writings of the later reformers called omnibenevolence.
Omnibenevolence = omnipotence + omniscience
The combining of the historical doctrine of God’s omnipotence, all powerful God with omniscience, all knowing God, in order to see God as perfectly just, all loving, full of mercy all the time.
Theme: What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.
We are called to love and we are called to act. We need to be “both and” kind of people.
Meditation Exercise
Read slowly three times.
What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
After reading this phrase slowly three times, now pause and ask God what He might want to say specifically to you.
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Jonah—The Mystery of God’s Mercy
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Jonah 4:1-4
“Humility Is the Antivenom of Self-righteousness”
One of the major themes of the book of Jonah that often we can overlook is that Jonah’s self-righteousness was getting in the way of God’s love for Nineveh.
Theme: Our judgment and self-righteousness can get in the way of God’s love for others.
The dictionary definition of self-righteousness is “confidence in one’s own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others.”
As we uphold Biblical teachings, how do we love others while at the same time be faithful to whom we are called to be as followers of Christ? The answer is we become humble.
The cure, the antivenom for judgmentalism and self-righteousness, is humility.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Homework:
Reflect...
Whom do we secretly hold in contempt?
To whom outside the circle do you raise an eyebrow?
To whom are you called to be humble?
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Jonah - The Mystery of God’s Mercy
Rev. Mat Grover
Jonah 3
“Belong, Believe, Behave”
We are in the middle of our sermon series on Jonah. Last week we talked about the persistent mercy of God. As we release our shame, pain, and baggage, through prayer, we start healing by God’s mercy.
After being spit out by the whale, Jonah delivers the most effective eight word sermon ever... “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4)
How do we know if someone is truly changed? We look to the next chapter.
“A Christian is not someone who never goes wrong, but one who is enabled to repent and pick himself up and begin again, because Christ- the life is inside Him.” –C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The world wants you to believe a certain thing or behave a certain way in order to belong. In the mercy of Christ, we BELONG, in order that we BELIEVE and trust in Him, in hopes that we BEHAVE like we are forgiven people.
· Where do you need to change your heart in order to change your actions?
· Where do you need to change your actions in order to change your heart?
· Where do you need to trust and rest in the mercy and grace of God and trust that you belong?
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: JONAH - THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S MERCY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Jonah 1:11-17
“Taking Responsibility”
Jonah 1:11-17
Then they said to him, “What shall we do to you, that the sea may quiet down for us?” For the sea was growing more and more tempestuous. He said to them, “Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will quiet down for you; for I know it is because of me that this great storm has come upon you.” Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring the ship back to land, but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them. Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, O Lord, we pray, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life. Do not make us guilty of innocent blood; for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.” So they picked Jonah up and threw him into the sea; and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord even more, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah; and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Theme: Taking responsibility is the first step in going from hurt to healing.
One of the key themes in all of Scripture is that when we turn our backs on God, we not only cause hurt and pain to ourselves, but we often hurt those around us. Sin is like a poison that destroys not just the sinner but often the beautiful things and people that are around them.
“Achrayut” is usually translated as the spiritual responsibility you have to improve or rectify a given situation.
All of us can default to self-justification or rationalization rather than take responsibility.
All of us can default to blaming rather than taking responsibility.
When we take responsibility even as painful as it seems, the hurt starts to form seedlings of healing. Like beautiful meadows manifesting from wildfires, our painful lives can turn into beauty.
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: JONAH—THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S MERCY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Jonah 1:5-10
“Us and Them”
It is so easy for us as Christians to indirectly have a “us” and “them” attitude to other religions, or to those who are skeptics or even atheist.
We often develop a defensive posture when God’s heart seems so much wider.
Jonah had rejected God’s call to preach to Nineveh or even interact with the sailors. He did not want to talk to pagans about God. They were the great “other.”
Theme: God cares how we believers relate and treat people who are deeply different than us.
Missional Theology - The Church is the community of believers where we equip each other to go out and be the light of Christ wherever God has us. We are sent people.
Special Grace - Is referred to those who experience the eternal freedom for becoming followers of Christ. We are saved by grace through faith.
Common Grace – Is the sovereign grace of God bestowed upon all of humankind regardless if they follow Him or not. In other words, God has always bestowed His graciousness on all people in all parts of the earth at all time.
Calvin and many of the reformers believed as Christians we were under Special Grace, but we were all called to live out the Common Grace of God by loving all those in the world, even those who are different than us.
I am asking all of us to cross the boundaries of where we feel safe so we can relate and love people who are deeply different than us.
I believe all of us are called to get out of our comfort zone and relate and treat people with love and understanding.
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: JONAH—THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S MERCY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Jonah 1:1-4
“Wake Up Calls”
Sometimes we can miss this, but God directly responds to Jonah’s disobedience.
But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a mighty storm came upon the sea that the ship threatened to break up. - Jonah 1:4
The word “hurled” is the same word in Hebrew used for throwing a spear. The text is saying God threw a mighty storm at Jonah. So what do we do with that? God throwing storms.
The question or problem of evil and suffering is one of those questions that has confounded even the very best thinkers and theologians throughout history. No one has a perfect answer for why people suffer, for why people get cancer, for why tornados wipe out neighborhoods, and I'm not going to have a perfect answer for you either. However, I want to give two arguments to pain, suffering, and storms in our lives.
First, pain, illness, crisis, and disasters are not God punishing us, rather a byproduct of living in a fallen world.
Definition of Grace –
Second, God from time to time gives us wake up calls that can be painful.
Definition of Mercy –
I want to be very clear, not all bad things are wake up calls. Much of our suffering and pain is the result of being citizens of a fallen world.
But there are times, even though I am not sure I like it or fully understand it, that God wants to get our attention.
Homework:
1. Identify a past wake up call in your life that, at that moment, was painful but turned into a blessing?
2. Where is God wanting to get your attention now in your life?
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: JONAH - THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S MERCY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Jonah 1:1-3
“Keeping God at a Distance”
Prophets were chosen spokespersons, who delivered God’s word on His behalf. The term “prophet” has several meanings: to “proclaim,” even to “bubble forth” or “pour forth words.” The clear understanding is that prophets did not speak for themselves; they were “called” to proclaim God’s truth.
God gives Jonah a challenging mission and Jonah flees in the opposite direction. It is not so much what Jonah knew of Nineveh that made him run, it was what he knew about God. Jonah knew that God intended to show mercy and compassion on Israel’s greatest enemy. Jonah wanted God to wipe them out, not show mercy on them. Jonah was ticked.
Tim Keller and other scholars believe that the story of Jonah mirrors the Story of the Prodigal Son. First half of the story of Jonah mirrors the running of the “younger son” who ran away from his father.
The second half of Jonah mirrors the “older brother” who obeys his father but berates him for showing grace and love to the younger disobedient brother.
I want to look at two ways we tend to keep God at a distance.
First, we run from God through disobedience.
Second, we run from God through obeying God without love.
Lord where, what and who are you calling me to be right now in my life?
Exercise: What are the top four areas in your life you are called to be obedient or prioritize?
1. …
2. …
3. …
4. …
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: VOICES OF THE NATIVITY
Rev. Dave Drumm
Matthew 2:1-12
“Epiphanies!”
About Epiphany
About J17
About Exodus
About Western Civilization
About Emmanuel
About John 17
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: VOICES OF THE NATIVITY
Rev. Mat Grover
Luke 2:21-38
“What Now?”
This scene comes within the tradition of the 12 days of Christmas. It is the twelve days church tradition marks between the birth of Christ and epiphany on January 6, where we celebrate the coming of the Magi, or the Wise Men.
If we trust in Scripture and what we know of God, the birth of the Messiah, the birth of Christ, must change everything.
The birth of the Messiah brings us:
Freedom - John 3:16
In the birth of Christ we witness the love of God for His creation. We are no longer slaves to fear and bondage, but we receive freedom as children of God.
Hope - Romans 15:15, Lamentations 3:21-23
In the midst of this life, we have hope. Not only that God is working in our lives, but the hope we have for our future.
Light - Matthew 4:16, John 8:12
Christ has given light to the darkness and we are called to be His light to this earth.
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C.S. Lewis
“Christmas means not just hope for the world, despite all its unending problems, but hope for you and me, despite all our unending failings. This truly is the Good News of the birth of Christ.” - Timothy Keller
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: VOICES OF THE NATIVITY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
“Gabriel – Nothing Is Impossible With God”
Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; He will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.
The Christmas Story is full of the impossible. God of the universe becoming one of us. Immanuel, God with us.
Reflective Questions:
Where in the past has God done the impossible in your life?
Where in the present or future do you need God to do the impossible?
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: VOICES OF THE NATIVITY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Psalm 46
“Refuge”
God wants to meet us wherever we are without shame or judgment, but with an embrace of love. When we truly feel that unconditional love from God we become free. This is my hope and prayer for all of us this season that we can know not just with our minds but deep in our hearts that God loves us and we can experience that freedom as we rest in the shelter of God.
The definition of “Shroud” is cover, protect, guard or shelter
Theme: God is our refuge and strength, let Jesus shroud you in unconditional love.
The Hebrew word for “Refuge” is Hasah: It translates into…to flee (for protection), to trust in, confide in, hope in…is often used in the figurative sense of seeking spiritual refuge and putting trust in God.
Famous writer Brenee Brown states, “Vulnerability is about showing up and being seen.”
We have to be willing to shed our veneer, our facades and be vulnerable in order to be shrouded by God’s unconditional love. If we want to find refuge in the love of Jesus we need to be willing to show up and be seen.
There are three words I want you to remember from this sermon.
Shroud - is cover, protect, guard or shelter
Refuge – a place of protection, to trust in, confide in, hope in
Vulnerability - showing up and being seen with God and with others.
My prayer for this Christmas season for all of us is we can find deep rest and refuge in the love of God.
Show up and be seen by God and others this season and let’s see what happens.
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: VOICES OF THE NATIVITY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Luke 2:15-20
“Humble”
In the Bible there are two Greek words that are often confused that translate into “humble” or “humility.” Tapeinos: (State of Being) lowly, poor, oppressed and marginalized
Praus: (Character Trait) a disposition of gentleness, kindness
Sometimes we can confuse these uses of “humble” but I believe these two definitions have more of a synergetic relationship.
When we show compassion for the humble we become humble.
When we show compassion to the “Tapeinos” we become “Praus.”
Theme: When we show compassion for the marginalized, those in need, we become meek, we develop a disposition of gentleness and kindness.
“Ministry of presence” is a prominent phrase of chaplains to describe how they work to be the vehicle of God’s love when they enter the room of a dying patient, the cell of a prisoner, the cubicle of an employee, or the foxhole of a frightened soldier. It is merely sitting with people in the midst of pains or blessings.
Reflective Exercise
Who is God calling you this season to be a ministry of presence?
Look for two to three names God might put on your heart:
1. Center Circle: Is it a spouse, child, sibling or extended family?
2. Second Ring: Is it a neighbor, coworker or friend?
3. Third Ring: Is it a cause, stranger, someone on the margins that are in need?
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: VOICES OF THE NATIVITY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Luke 2:8-14
“Praise”
Here are some quick facts about angels as found in scripture. Not an exhaustive list, just a primer.
1. God created angels
2. Angels are not omnipresent or omnipotent.
3. One of angels primary roles is to be messengers.
Angels other primary role is worship and praise of God.
So here is the question for this sermon: What does it look like for us this Christmas Season to have a heart that celebrates and worships God?
Definition of Worship: Biblical worship is the full-life response—head, heart, and hands—to Who God is and what God has done.
In the Old Testament a big aspect of worship is remembrance. The Jewish Festivals are beautiful symbols of remembrance. Passover is a festival that remembered and celebrated God’s redemption of Israel from Egypt. Shavout or Harvest festival remembers and celebrates God’s provision. As Christians we celebrate Christmas and Easter, remembering the incarnation of God and later His death and resurrection.
Reflection:
Today I want to give you a few minutes to write down a few intentional ways you can worship God this season.
What is my strategy for worship this season?
• Outdoors
• Morning times of silence
• Listening to music
• Obedience in tough times
• Reading Scriptures of praise
• Making list of things you are thankful for
• ????
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Voices of the Nativity
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Luke 1:5-17
“Interruptions to Invitations”
Luke is careful not to make Zechariah a particular hero rather to show that he is human, in verses 17-24 we see that when the Angel pronounces the birth of his son, Zechariah demands a sign and is struck speechless until the birth of his son. God interrupted the lives of Elizabeth and Zechariah.
Theme: God’s interruptions are often invitations to deeper faith.
When we think about disruptions in our life we can often think of negative disruptions like: crisis, wilderness experiences or even painful seasons. But many disruptions in our lives are beautiful interruptions.
Interruptions become large or small incremental moments where our lives “will never be the same” as we start moving more and more down the continuum of spiritual depth and deeper faith.
In the Gospels we see so many people miss Jesus simply because they were looking somewhere else with their eyes and their heart. It takes God and us to develop spiritual depth. We have to be open with our hearts and our eyes for God to interrupt our lives.
Ask God for a Holy encounter this season. Ask to experience His wonder, awe and beauty. Ask for it, look for it, beg God for an invitation of some sort in your life.
Homework:
List some of your Interruptions in this season of life.
Now look at your list. Look at these interruptions.
What is God wanting to say to you?
What is the invitation God is giving you?
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: VOICES OF THE NATIVITY
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
John 1:19-27
“Prepare the Way”
Our sermon series is called Voices of the Nativity where we walk towards the birth of Jesus through eyes of different characters; Zacharias, Elizabeth, angels, shepherds, and even animals. But today we are going to start with John the Baptist and the theme of Preparation.
John’s mission can be summed up by one word, “preparer.” It was his happy chore to prepare a people for the coming Messiah. Both Isaiah and Malachi had announced a prophet would “prepare” the way.
Theme: We can prepare our hearts for Christ by having repentance and hope.
Repent - μετάνοια: to change one’s way of life, to turn
Repentance is not just something we do once at salvation when we choose to follow Christ. Rather, repentance is part of the spiritual practice of constantly turning towards God. Repentance recognizes that where I am is not where I am supposed to be. So I turn and move towards where I am supposed to be.
Hope
The Messianic Hope in the Old Testament had two prevailing views. One was a narrow view of the Messiah as merely an earthly King. The other view that came from the prophets spoke towards a wider view of the Messiah as God.
When we repent, turn towards Christ and hope in the new beginnings that only He can provide, it allows us to encounter a Savior. One who loves us and saves us.
Reflection Questions:
In this season what would it look like for you to repent, to turn, to focus a bit more running towards where God wants you to be?
Where do you need hope in your life?
Where do you need a new beginning?
SERMON NOTES
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Proverbs 3:5-10
“First Fruits”
We are meant to be the fruit for the world to taste and see that the Lord is good. Stewardship is the Scriptural practice of the beautiful tapestry of God’s people in Christ sharing talents, time, and financial resources for the sake of the Kingdom.
One of the main goals of St. Andrew’s is that, as Christians, when we become transformed by Christ, we then live out that Grace in the world wherever God has us, with whatever gifts God has given us. This is stewardship. Today, we will narrow the scope of our conversation and wrestle with financial stewardship.
Theme: We have to start seeing that our stewardship, contributing our financial gifts, is a Spiritual Discipline.
Tithing is an Old Testament Jewish concept that continued on to the early followers of Christ. It is the practice of proportionally giving from our income. For some, the concept of tithing is giving ten percent, others interpret the scriptural practice of tithing as a commitment to proportional giving. No matter if you practice this habit with baby steps or if you are all in, this discipline of giving back to God can be such a blessing. It allows us to trust God more and more with what we have.
If we have never exercised before, we do not just wake up one morning excited to run two miles. Rather, we start exercising because we know it is an essential element of a healthy life so we do it and eventually it becomes natural, but not at first. Stewardship is the same way. Regularly giving of our resources does not seem natural at first, but it really is a key element of trust and discipleship. So we have to start somewhere.
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Moses: Reluctance to Boldness
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Deuteronomy 6:4-8
“Building the Continuity of Our Faith”
So the million dollar question I believe every church has to deal with is how do we pass on the faith from generation to generation?
Today is our last day in our sermon series on Moses. Deuteronomy is set in the final days of Moses’ life. It is composed of his farewell discourse about passing down the faith. In Deuteronomy 6, you have some of the most important Jewish Scripture often referred to as the Shema.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NRSV
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
Mark 12:28-31 NRSV
One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that He answered them well, he asked Him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’
This interconnectedness of discipleship (love for God) and stewardship (love for neighbor) is like a spring propelling us to proclaim and demonstrate the Gospel to generation after generation. It truly is about building the continuity of Faith.
Kingdom Living and Whole Life Stewardship is the fusion of Loving God and Loving Neighbor. When people ask me in the community what is the vision for St. Andrew’s I often tell them this simple definition:
As St. Andrew’s members become transformed by Christ, we then live out that grace in the world wherever God has us, with whatever gifts God has given us.
This is how we pass down the faith from generation to generation.
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Moses: Reluctance to Boldness
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Numbers 13-14
“Wilderness Wanderings”
Moses sends 12 spies to scout out the Land of Canaan for 40 days as a future home for the Israelite people as recorded in Numbers 13-14. Moses asked for an assessment of the land.
So prior to entry, the Israelites became convinced they could not oust the current inhabitants of the land, even though God told them they could. They were scared.
Because of their lack of trust, God allowed them to wander in the wilderness for 40 years. This is often called the wilderness wanderings.
It is amazing that often when we are afraid, or we find ourselves in the wilderness, we go faster rather than slow down. What we need is to sit still long enough so that the sediment can settle and our soul can become clear as we wait for our Savior’s rescue.
1. What are the giants in your life you fear right now?
2. Where in your life do you feel like river water all shaken up?
3. Where do you need to trust God in the unknown?
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Moses: Reluctance into Boldness
Rev. Mat Grover
Exodus 20:1-21
“Up, Down, Left, Right”
The commandments, then as now, function as theological statements and a vision for authentic human living. As theological statements, each tells us something about God and God’s will for humanity. The statements offer a vision for how we live, love and relate to one another. – Adam Hamilton, Moses p. 112
TEN COMMANDMENTS
Have no gods before Me
Do not make graven images
Do not take God’s name in vain
Honor the Sabbath
Honor your mother and father
Do not murder
Do not commit adultery
Do not steal
Do not falsely testify against your neighbor
Do not covet
Faith is both vertical and horizontal - There are two categories of commandments; first having to do with our relationship to God, and second having to do with our relationship to others.
Matthew 22:36-40 NRSV
Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Faith cannot be something that stays between you and God. It must be lived in loving others so that they will see and experience the love of God.
If there is anything in us, it is not our own; it is a gift of God. But if it is a gift of God, then it is entirely a debt one owes to love, that is, to the law of Christ. And if it is a debt owed to love, then I must serve others with it, not myself. – Martin Luther
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Moses: Reluctance to Boldness
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Exodus 14:10-14
“A World Turned Upside Down”
Moses was 80 years old when he encountered God in the burning bush. The Lord observed the misery of His people and God called Moses to free them.
Observation One: God is present with us in our challenges through the very people He raises up to surround us.
God surrounded Moses with the right people. I think about many times in my life, when all seemed to be in an uproar, I felt abandoned by God, then to suddenly realize how many people were right there loving me through my circumstances.
Observation Two: During challenges in our lives, God is dismantling the things we give power to in our lives.
Adam Hamilton in his book and in this video makes an interesting argument that the plagues of Egypt were symbolic to certain Egyptian gods of the day. The plagues were a warning sign to Pharaoh. These warning signs start deconstructing and stripping the power that gripped the people of Egypt.
Observation Three: During challenges we often want to go backwards but God wants to lead us forward.
We read this story of the Exodus and see it as a beautiful act of God. But you have to realize for the Israelites in the middle of it, they did not see it as a beautiful act of God they saw it as the world they knew being turned upside down. Like many of us, they felt safer going back to bondage then trusting in God for the unknown.
Exodus 14:13-14 NRSV
But Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still.”
It is through trust that we move forward. It is through trust that we get out of bondage. It is through trust we experience freedom. It is through trust where God leads us.
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: Moses: Reluctance into Boldness
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Exodus 2-3
“God Prepares Us”
Before we get to the Burning Bush, we need to first look at the dichotomy of Moses’ previous 80 years. It is made up of two large 40-year periods.
Theme: God does not always just give us purpose, rather God often develops purpose within us.
Moses (Age 1-40) Exodus 2:1-10
Raised in Thebes
Raised by Pharaoh’s daughter
Educated
Life of luxury
Knew he was Hebrew
Moses (Age 40-80) Exodus 2:11-25
Midian
Desert – Life in harsh environment
Shepherd
Family
There are three lessons we learn from these two contrasting periods in Moses’ life.
God prepares us by taking His time.
God prepares us through the ordinary.
God prepares us with humility.
So here is the reality for us. Our everyday life, regardless if it is ordinary or not, will shape and transform us. Our work life, family life, school life, paying the bills, the everyday boring or exciting, all of life will shape us. But the question is: into what. As Christians we want to be shaped into Christ-likeness. But this will take going through our ordinary lives with a bit of intentionality and faithfulness. No matter how muddy your life is, as you keep showing up with God, God will show up with you and over time a sense of purpose begins to emerge.
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: RELUCTANCE INTO BOLDNESS
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Exodus 1-2
“Divine Conviction”
We will discover a reluctant prophet who grew in his relationship with God. We too can turn our own reluctance into boldness as we examine the significant challenges facing Moses and how God shaped his character.
Theme: The starting place of courage and boldness is Divine Conviction.
What I mean by this is when we are stirred by God for a cause, decision, life change, or challenge, then courage starts to emerge out of this conviction.
The Webster’s Dictionary definition of the word conviction is: belief, opinion, view, thought, persuasion, idea, position, stance.
Reluctance is usually the antithesis to conviction. The definition of reluctance is an unwillingness or disinclination to do something.
I think the threat to our faith these days in the West is not about the risk of danger, rather it is reluctance, domestication, and trivialization of God.
The whole story of Moses and the Israelites is about the pattern of how God’s people over and over took God for granted. That same pattern is deeply rooted in our own lives.
This sermon series is about challenging all of us to move from reluctance to boldness, to live life with conviction. Are you up for the challenge?
Here are some self-reflection questions.
Are you being challenged in your faith or is your faith feeling dull?
Do you have a conviction to live out some part of Jesus’ teachings?
Do you live your faith more out of reluctance or boldness?
What would it look like for you to live out of divine conviction?
Where is God stirring in your life?
SERMON NOTES
SERMON SERIES: RELUCTANCE INTO BOLDNESS
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Labor Day Weekend
Genesis 37-42
“Joseph”
Next week we are starting a sermon series on Moses. As a way of introduction, I want to tell the story of Joseph. It was through Joseph that the Israelites became rooted in Egypt. So to understand the story of Moses you have to first understand the story of Joseph as found in Genesis 37-42. Moses and God’s people faced evil and oppression and so did Joseph.
17 was Joseph’s age when he told his brothers about his dream.
30 was Joseph’s age when he was made second in command over all of Egypt.
39 was his age when his brothers came to ask him for grain.
22 years elapsed from when Joseph was given his dream to when it was fulfilled.
Theme: In time of evil, oppression, and personal betrayal we must trust in God’s sovereignty. We may not know where to go or what to do but we expect God to lead us.
Sovereignty is a fancy theological term that has been used throughout Church History to describe God’s perfect control. Sovereignty means God is the ultimate source of all power, authority, and everything that exists.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer states, “God does not go the way that people want to prescribe, rather God’s way is beyond all comprehension and beyond all proof.”
Joseph’s words: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” — Genesis 50:20 NIV
No matter what has been done to you, the evil you face, or the injustice or oppression that seems to be surrounding you, God is good and God is in control. God is sovereign and God will lead us through the fire.
SERMON NOTES
Rev. Connie Randall
Ephesians
"Discipleship: How Do We Keep at It?”
Scripture - Ephesians 3:14-21, Ephesians 4:11-16
I. Our Identity – Who We Are in Christ – Ephesians 3:14-20
> Knowing His Glorious Riches
> Strengthened with Power
> Rooted and Established in Love
> His Love for us is wide, long, high, and deep
> Ongoing filling of the fullness of God
A disciple is a learner, a student, an apprentice – a practitioner, even if only a beginner. (Dallas Willard, the Great Omission)
II. Built Up – Ephesians 4:11-16
> To be Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers
> To be Equipped for Unity
> To Become Mature as a Disciple
> Speaking the Truth in Love
> Continue Growing Together in Love
III. How Do We Keep at It?
> Begin Now
> Get Connected
> Be Accountable
> Be Brave and Courageous
So the greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heart-breaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as “Christians” will become disciples –students, apprentices, practitioners of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from Him how to live the life of the Kingdom of Heavens in every corner of human experience. (Dallas Willard, the Great Omission)
Sermon Notes
Sermon Series: Rooted in Confidence
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Psalm 23
“Dual Perspective”
Psalm 23:6 NRSV- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
So as followers of Christ we are called to fully live in the present while we hope for the future.
We are at the end of our sermon series of Psalm 23. Throughout this Psalm, David has reminded us with the imagery of God as Shepherd of how God is constantly faithful. Just as a good shepherd cares for the welfare of his sheep God cares for you and me. At the essence of our theology as Christians needs to be the assumption that God is good.
We are called to live fully in the present surrounded by goodness and mercy. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”
Goodness and Mercy - translates as devotion, kindness, loyalty, merciful, joy, goodness, and graciousness
Follow – translates as to chase, to hunt or to pursue
So a great way to translate this verse is… God’s devotion, mercy, kindness, and goodness will chase and pursue you for the rest of your life.
I believe David is saying, it is wider than just God’s goodness and mercy for us, rather it is also about a life permeated with goodness and mercy. We are all called to chase and pursue mercy, kindness, and goodness.
We are also called to have hope for the future. “and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long”
Often in modern day Christianity our hope is less in the eternal. Most of us are scared of dying. Most of us have a framework where our hope comes from allowing Christ to bless us in the present, our earthly life. When we live with a strong confidence that one day there will be a New Creation that is beyond our imagination, it allows us to live more fully in our present circumstances.
SERMON NOTES
Sermon Series: Rooted in Confidence
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Psalm 23
“The Faithfulness of God”
Psalm 23:5 NRSV- You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
I believe as David wrote this verse he was reminiscing on the faithfulness of God in his life. David experienced war, battles, and enemies. Even when he became King in Jerusalem, he enjoyed blessings, but right outside the gates of Jerusalem there were nations, enemies, and foes that wanted him destroyed. David knew that he had an abundant life, not because all went well, but because God is faithful.
Dallas Willard believes that Psalm 23 points to an abundant life. He defines an abundant life as one that is full yet secure in God’s faithfulness.
It is an image of a child playing at a playground, laughing, taking risks, and enjoying oneself knowing that they are safe because their mother is watching.
Theme: An abundant life is the combination of when we fully comprehend the faithfulness of God and experience the faithfulness of God.
Notice I am using the words comprehending and experiencing, it is both head and heart that makes the difference. Knowing that God is faithful, saying that God is faithful, does not actually mean that we believe in our hearts that God is faithful.
An abundant life is when we fully comprehend the faithfulness of God.
This is the theology of our identity in Christ. This is where knowledge, belief, and Biblical understanding that we are God’s is at the essence of how we evaluate our lives.
An abundant life is also when we experience the faithfulness of God.
When we have those sacred moments in our lives where we feel the touch of God through the Holy Spirit, it changes everything.
Sermon Notes
Sermon Series: Rooted in Confidence
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Psalm 23
“Walking Through Fear”
Psalm 23:4 NRSV- Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff— they comfort me.
The greatest epidemic to faith in our current culture is not materialism, not hedonism, and not even power. It is fear. If we are truly going to be confident in Who God is, then we have to deal with our fear.
We get trapped in the cage of fear, failing to discover the adventure God has for us. We let our fears dictate our decisions. - Mark Batterson
The key to overcoming fear is spending more time in the presence of God.
John 10:14-18 NRSV
I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from My Father.
At the foundation of our theology as Christians, we believe Jesus as the Great Shepherd was God incarnate. Jesus experienced the fears and pain that we often experience and eventually died on the cross not to just protect us but give us new life. This is the redemptive story of the ultimate love of the Shepherd for His sheep.
The key to overcoming fear is spending more time in the presence of God, and embracing the love of Jesus.
All of us experience turbulence in our lives that can appear as the darkest valley. But remember God has been there and is with you now, no matter what you face.
Sermon Notes
Sermon Series: Rooted in Confidence
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Psalm 23
“We Are Reclaimed”
Psalm 23:3 - He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake.
All of us go through seasons where we find ourselves wandering. Like sheep moving from one patch of grass to another, we move from one focus in life to another and before we know it we feel like we are lost.
Matthew 18:12 “What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?”
Luke 15:1-7 3 So he told them this parable: 4 “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety -nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Theme: It doesn’t matter why or how we wandered off, God is coming for us to lead us to the right path.
But I have to be clear here, God is about comfort and compassion, but God is ultimately about redemption and restoration. Restoration goes beyond compassion to heal the wounds.
The good shepherd picks us up when we are cast down or when we are lost. Then He starts the reclaiming process of making us new, restoring us, and setting us on His path. Jesus in His loving arms, like the potter to the clay, will stretch us, mold us, and shape us into who He has called us to be.
Surrender to the arms of your shepherd. Turn and allow Jesus to not only pick you up but to go even further by making beauty out of your imperfection.
Sermon Notes
Sermon Series: Rooted in Confidence
Rev. Mat Grover
Psalm 23
“Lead on”
"The prophet has shortly expressed, in the first verse, the import of the whole Psalm, viz. that whoever has the Lord for his Shepherd, shall be in want of nothing. He attempts nothing more in the whole Psalm than to expand, in fine glowing words and comparisons, how well it is with those who are the Lord's sheep." – Martin Luther
Ezekiel 34: 14-16
I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays.
“God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way, without bothering about religion. God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there. There is no such thing.” C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Under the guidance of the shepherd YAHWEH we find:
“He makes me lie down” – REST
"He leads me beside still water” – REFRESHMENT
Trust in the One Who created you, the One Who cares for you, for in Him, we have rest, in Him we find refreshment and nourishment.
Sermon Notes
Sermon Series: Rooted in Confidence
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Psalm 23
“Powerful and Personal”
Psalm 23 was written by David. Many of David’s Psalms show lament, struggle, and surrender. This particular Psalm oozes confidence in Who God is and how God acts. My hope for all of us during the next six weeks is to saturate ourselves in Psalm 23 so we can approach life rooted in the confidence of Who God is and how God acts so we can stand firm amidst the winds of life.
The Lord is my Shepherd
The word “Lord” contrasted with the word “shepherd” is an interesting juxtaposition. It is almost like combining the words “King” and “Peasant” together, combining the words “holy” and “comforter.” It describes God as both grandeur and yet personal. It really is a beautiful combination.
Yahweh
Also pronounced as Jehovah, comes from a verb which means “to exist.” Yahweh is considered the most powerful name of God. Yahweh becomes known as all-powerful to the Israelites. Yahweh becomes known as King over all of the earth.
Shepherd
As a child it is easy for us to get our head around and to embrace God as our shepherd, a guide, protector, and one who knows us by name. But as we get older, we tend to rely on our own strength, our own knowledge, and we find ourselves wandering and even sometimes lost trying to find our way home.
“I shall not want” … “I have all I need”
David in this Psalm is trying to say, “when we know in our depths that we belong” that is when we truly experience freedom and abundance. When you say the words, “The Lord is my Shepherd,” you are proclaiming profound words that God is concerned about you as a person and that our Creator gives you deep purpose and meaning.
Be rooted in the understanding that you belong to God!
Sermon Series: Hearing God
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Acts 9:10-19
“Promptings”
We are in the middle of our Sermon Series Hearing God. I do believe God is constantly trying to get our attention because He loves us. There are times in all of our lives where we are just stopped in our tracks and we suddenly feel like God is speaking to us.
Theme: One of the ways God speaks to us is through promptings, Kairos moments.
I am defining promptings as holy moments when we experience nudges from God that can feel like an inner conviction, a restlessness towards action, an anguish feeling, or even a passion that causes us to act.
How can we know when a whisper is from God?
Over time as we learn to listen to God’s whispers, we start to develop some filters that help us determine when something seems to be from God rather than ourselves. A few weeks ago I shared some filters that Dallas Willard suggested. Today I want to suggest four questions:
God, is this prompting truly from You?
Is it scriptural?
Is it in tune with my own character?
What do people I most trust think about it?
The theological term for discovering if something is from God or not is discernment, where we determine, discern, wrestle with what we are hearing from God.
Sometimes I wish God would speak to me in an audible clear voice. But I am afraid God does not often speak in this way. I believe God speaks through promptings, whispers or through a quiet voice because in the wrestling of the discernment process as shared above, in the seeking of truth, intimacy with God is created.
Sermon Notes
Rev. Mat Grover
1 Kings 3:1-15
“Dreams”
95% of brain activity is beyond our conscious awareness.
“In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on mortals, while they slumber on their beds, then He opens their ears and seals their instruction.” Job 33:15-16 (adapted from NRSV)
1 Kings 3:10-15 (NIV)
“The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to Me and keep My decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.’ Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream.”
The God Dream Test
1. God-given dreams won’t contradict Scripture.
2. God-given dreams will confront prejudice.
3. The meaning of the dreams isn’t always immediately discernible.
4. If you want to establish God’s reputation, you might have to risk yours.
God gives us dreams to keep our hope alive and draw us closer to Himself to remind us about His love and grace for us.
What are we doing to quiet the static noise in our lives in order for us to better hear what God is trying to say?
Sermon Series: Hearing God
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Nehemiah 1:1-5
“Hopes and Heart Strings”
Our sermon series is based on the book, Whisper, by Mark Batterson. He describes different modalities or ways God speaks. Today we are going to look at a way God speaks to us that sometimes we can take for granted, and that is through our “desires.”
Psychologist Abraham Maslow made this statement, “A musician must make music, a builder must build, an artist must paint, a writer must write, if they are to be at peace with themselves.”
Often God speaks to us through the way He designed us, through our desires, hopes, and heart strings.
God speaks to us through our emotions. Sometimes in our society emotions get a bad rap. Even in faith circles, folks tell you to not put too much stock in emotions. But if you look at the stories of the Old and New Testament emotions fill the pages.
Our emotions often stir us to respond to God’s whispers.
· God speaks through our tears of sadness and joy.
· God speaks and stirs us to respond when we see injustice.
· God speaks and stirs in our pocketbooks when we feel the need to give to an organization we believe in.
· God speaks and stirs us to respond when we volunteer for something that tugs at our heart.
When it comes to the Holy Spirit stirring in our lives, it is not good enough to just hear the voice of God and relish in the intimacy. We are called to obey and respond to the very voice that is calling our name.
Allow the Holy Spirit to blow in your life and bring you back to what is really important in your life.
Sermon Series: Hearing God
Rev. Connie Randall
2 Timothy 3:14-17
Key of Keys
The First Language: Scripture
“The Bible is not just my starting point; it’s the final authority when it comes to matters of faith and doctrine. I believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God - Truth with a capital T.”
- Mark Batterson
The apostle Paul described Scripture as God-breathed in 2 Timothy 3:16. When we read Scripture, we’re inhaling what the Holy Spirit exhaled thousands of years ago. We’re hearing the whisper of God in breath tones.
The Bible was composed by more than 40 writers over 15 centuries in 3 languages on 3 continents. The authors range from farmers, fisherman, and kings to poets, prophets, and prisoners of war. It covers nearly every subject matter under the sun: law and history, poetry and prophecy, cosmology and theology. Yet, despite the fact that it touches on hundreds of controversial topics, it doesn’t contradict itself. In fact it reads like one book from start to finish. And that’s because there is one Author, the Spirit of God.
· One way or another, get into God’s Word so His Word gets into you. Then the Holy Spirit can quicken it when and where and how He wants.
· The Bible is our picture frame. It redefines possibility: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
The surest way to get into the presence of God is to get into the Word of God. It changes the way we think, the way we feel, the way we live, and the way we love.
Reflection:
Begin a Bible reading plan today! Asking the Holy Spirit to speak God’s truth to you.
Become doers of the Word, watch and see what God does!
Sermon Series: Hearing God
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
1 Samuel 3:1-9
Listening Hearts
At Pentecost in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descended on the Disciples and they were filled with the Spirit which gave them power and courage. They performed miracles, signs and wonders. They experienced new life through the Holy Spirit.
There are always three main questions about the Holy Spirit:
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What does the Holy Spirit do?
How do we access the Holy Spirit more and more in our lives?
The goal of this sermon series is to crack the door to have us open our hearts more to the power of the Spirit in our lives. Especially when it comes to hearing God. The presupposition and assumption of this sermon series is that God does indeed speak to us today and God does this through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Theme:
If you want to experience more of the power of the Holy Spirit, if you want to hear more of God’s voice, it takes a posture and attitude where we are saying to God, “Speak, Lord, for I want to listen.”
Most of the time the Holy Spirit does not speak in the extraordinary, through fire, earthquakes, or trembling. Rather, most of the time, the Holy Spirit speaks to us quietly but powerfully through scripture, through prophetic words of others and through speaking to our hearts. But we have to be ready to listen.
Reflection:
Invite the Holy Spirit to fill every corner of your life…say to the Lord, “Speak, Lord, for I want to listen.”
Now go out this week looking and listening for God’s whispers in your life.
PULPIT SWAP!
We are excited to have Reverend Alison Harrington, Pastor of Southside Presbyterian as our guest preacher. Over the years we have partnered with Southside Presbyterian with their feeding program and many of their other initiatives, so we thought it would be fun in light of being part of a Presbytery of Connectional Churches that we would hear from each other. The Reverend Alison J. Harrington became Southside's Pastor in January, 2009, bringing with her a passion for Christ and for social justice. In the Fall of 2014, Alison was named by the Center for American Progress as one of 15 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2015, she was honored as the 2016 Distinguished Alumna for SFTS, and most recently was recognized as one of the "10 Women of Faith Leading the Charge Ahead" by Sojourners.
SERMON NOTES
John 20:19-23
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
“Waiting”
Over the years many of you have emailed and approached me about seasons in your life where you struggled because God had you waiting, in transition, or seasons, where you are not sure if God has made sense in your life. Waiting periods can feel like unanswered prayer. Depending on how we look at these seasons they can cause us to be filled with fear or be filled with anticipation. Post-Easter, post-Resurrection was one of these seasons for the Disciples. It was filled with the unknown.
Liminality (from the Latin word līmen, meaning "a threshold") The liminal state is characterized by ambiguity, openness, and is a period of transition where one's sense of identity dissolves to some extent, bringing about disorientation.
Theme: In times of waiting or in times of the in-between, we are on the threshold of God’s giving us a new sense of purpose.
John 20 tells us that Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples.
In Luke 24, Jesus says, “And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Most of us go through seasons in our lives where we are waiting, a pregnant season of transition that can either cause us to be filled with fear or be filled with anticipation.
The key is seeing these seasons as a time of anticipation, the key is seeing these seasons as a time that God is giving us a new sense of purpose, the key is staying and waiting.
It ultimately goes back to trusting and waiting.
SERMON NOTES
Luke 14:16-23
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
“Come to the Table”
All of the macro and micro design of the universe points to something greater than ourselves. We get to behold creation. We were created to be in a relationship with the Creator where we can experience His wonder, peace, and purpose.
Theme: The Parable of the Great Banquet illustrates God’s Kingdom, where He loves all of us no matter what we have done or who we are. We are invited to God’s great Banquet, the Kingdom of God.
This scene of the Banquet is a prophetic image of Jesus’ redemptive and restorative plan for the world. Easter is a sunrise in the middle of complete darkness. Jesus on the cross paid for our sins once and for all and declared “it is finished.” We are no longer slaves. We are free. We are restored. We are home again to the place of love.
1. The Kingdom of God is about us experiencing God’s wonder and beauty.
2. The Kingdom of God is about experiencing the peace we have knowing that God loves us as we are.
3. The Kingdom of God is also about us having a purpose to love others.
This parable also gives us a model on how we are to love as God loves. We are called to “care” others into the Kingdom.
The Kingdom of God is a “we” thing, it is a community where we have a purpose as individuals to “care” others into the Kingdom. This is where we pray with our feet.
I want all of you to leave today knowing Jesus is saying to you, trust me, follow Me, sit with Me, My Grace and Mercy is for all those who are in need of a savior. You are invited to come and experience My great embrace.
SERMON NOTES
Mark 13
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole/
Parables of Mark
“Live Ready Now”
I always like to think of Palm Sunday as the dress rehearsal for Jesus’ coronation as King. A dress rehearsal looks like the real thing but it is not the final thing. Our last parable in our series is two images we find in Mark 13:27-28 that describes our waiting for Jesus’ final return, that is often referred to as Jesus’ second coming.
Now, the beginning of Mark 13, leading up to the parable of Jesus’ return, is some of the toughest and most complex passages in the Gospel of Mark. Mark 13 is often seen as Apocalyptic literature which is a theme of Jewish literature that would utilize vision and imagery that often concerns itself with final events at the end of time. Jesus and Scripture warn us that before Jesus’ return there will be pain here on earth. However, He eventually reassures us that the end, ends with Him.
I want to argue that Mark 13 is giving us a historical perspective and an ultimate perspective.
First, there is the historical perspective.
Jesus was indeed prophesying and warning the disciples about a real event that was going to take place in 70 A.D. Titus, the adopted son of the Emperor at the time, burnt the Temple, destroyed Jerusalem, and crucified many. The world as they knew it had ended.
Second, there is an ultimate perspective.
Jesus in the parable here points to the “Parousia.” That is a fancy word to describe Jesus’ appearing as the King of all the world in His return to earth.
This passage is given to us for a very specific reason: to prepare followers of Jesus to stay faithful to Jesus no matter what happens.
This is what we proclaim on Palm Sunday: Jesus is King. Jesus is indeed returning, and we need to live ready now! We are called to trust and be faithful.
SERMON NOTES
Mark 12:1-11
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
The Parables of Mark
“Breaking Down the Barriers”
A few days after the cleansing of the temple, Jesus is being attacked by the religious leaders. They are trying to trap Him and eventually kill Him.
In the Parable of the Tenants, Jesus declares that as they reject Him, now the Kingdom of God will be given to others, you and me. No more barriers.
Theme: Let’s set God free in our church and in our personal lives.
In the Parable of the Tenant…
· The Landowner is God,
· The Son Who was killed is Jesus,
· The Wicked Tenants are the religious leaders,
· The Rejected Servants are the prophets of Israel who warned Israel, but Israel did not listen.
The New Tenants are the disciples, you and me, the followers of Christ. The New Covenant.
Jesus was symbolically showing in the cleansing of the Temple and with this Parable of the Tenants that the Spirit of God was going to abide in the heart of the believer. No longer would people worship God in the Holy Temple. No longer did your faith have to go through the religious leaders. Rather, God will be set free through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. The triune God exists as three persons, but one being. We have God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the helper, guide, or comforter. The person of the Godhead Who dwells among us.
What are the barriers that keep God from running free in your life?
What are the barriers in your life that keep the Holy Spirit at a distance?
SERMON NOTES
Mark 4:1-20
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Parables of Mark
The Path From the Ears to the Heart
Today we are going to look at one of Jesus’ first parables, the Parable of the Sower, found in Mark 4. It is also found in Matthew and Luke. The farmer scatters seeds on different soils.
As I was sharing last week, in order to understand the parables we have to understand the Kingdom of God. Jesus was not announcing a political, material kingdom that is bounded by geography, but instead, He was declaring that God’s reign, rule, and way of living is available to anyone who would “enter in” and receive it by faith.
Theme: We must open our ears and hearts so Jesus can take root.
Our ears and hearts must connect.
Let’s look at the parable a bit closer…
· The seed, the message of the Kingdom of God, is first sown on the hard path where when people hear it, it gets snatched up immediately.
· Next in the parable, the seed is sown on rocky ground where when people hear it, it eventually dies without roots.
· Third, the seed is sown on thorny soil, where when heard, the things of the world choke it out.
· And finally, the seed is sown on good soil, they hear the word and it penetrates, producing much fruit.
You can see a common theme when you start to look at lives of those who have been transformed by Christ. They are people who let the words of Jesus penetrate their heart.
SERMON NOTES
Mark 2:16-22
Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Parables of Mark
New Wineskins
Today we start our new sermon series on the Parables of Mark. There are roughly seventy-four parables in all of the Gospels, depending how you count it. There are ten parables in the Gospel of Mark.
What is a Parable?
Equally with performing miracles Jesus told stories. Stories that were able to get under the skin of his listeners. Parables were often seen as earthly stories with heavenly meanings.
Today we are going to look at a parable found in Mark 2:21-22. But again, in order to understand the parable, we have to understand the whole context. The parable was in response to the Pharisees complaining about Jesus.
Jesus is using an image of old wineskins, old structures that will not hold new wine. It won’t work. Jesus is trying to say that if we put this new work of God into the thought forms and behavior patterns of John the Baptist movement or even the Pharisaic movement, all you will get is an explosion. Jesus is saying the Kingdom of God has authority and power that is a shatteringly new thing.
What is this Kingdom that is New Wine?
Jesus was not announcing a political, material kingdom that is bounded by geography but instead he was declaring that God’s reign, rule, and way of living is available to anyone who would “enter in” and receive it by faith.
Theme: We are the Wineskins, how we live our lives as believers determines if the world will see the New Wine of Jesus.
If you have not figured it out, we believers, we the followers of Christ, are the wineskins, we are the heralds of the Kingdom of God with what we say and how we live our lives.
SERMON NOTES
Rev. Jim Toole/Anxious for Nothing
Philippians 4:6-8
Meditation
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:6-8
We need good, healthy thinking combined with a good dose of relationship and trust with God.
Theme: Focus your thoughts and cling to Christ.
The word used for “think” or “meditate” in verse 8 is a familiar word in Greek. It is logizomai. From that word, we get the word for logic.
Paul is making a simple point, anxiety is best faced when we meditate on clear thinking and not negative thinking. When we meditate on our blessings, when we think about what is good in our lives, when we ponder things to praise God, when we get excited about our calling in the Kingdom of God, and when we share hope with others.
We also need to cling to Christ in our hearts.
The secret to a less-anxious living is not as much about doing more, but rather it is about abiding in Christ through every situation. Our goal is not to have everything figured out about our future. Our goal is to hold on to the hand of the One Who does and He is One Who will never let go.
Meditation Exercise
Look into your mirror piece and ask yourself these following two questions. Listen for God to speak to you (remember compassionate thoughts, not condemning thoughts).
1) How does God see you?
2) What does God want to tell you about yourself?
SERMON NOTES
Rev. Jim Toole/ Anxious for Nothing
Philippians 4:4-7
Peace
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Peace is often seen as an internal state relative to our outward circumstances. Peace often is equated with happiness, family, our money, nature, and less stress.
The Hebrew word for peace is Shalom. It is defined as a totality of safety, satisfaction, blessing, completeness, and wholeness.
The Greek word for peace that is found in the New Testament means deep rest, freedom and security.
Theme: We must find peace in God and not our circumstances. God is the only one who can give us deep rest, freedom, and security.
Peace is part of God’s character as we often see God referred to as the God of Peace.
Peace is one of the great blessings God gives those who follow him.
God regularly commands His people to seek and pursue peace.
If we relate to God as peace, as shalom, as our completeness, we have assurance even if our circumstances are unsolvable.
Ken Sande in his book, describes Peace Makers as people who breathe grace. They draw continually from the goodness, peace and power of Jesus and then they exhale love, mercy, forgiveness, strength, and wisdom to their daily encounters in life.
As we draw continually from the goodness, peace, and power of Jesus, then we exhale love, mercy, forgiveness, strength, and wisdom to our daily encounters in life. We are called to experience peace and be peace makers.
SERMON NOTES
Rev. Jim Toole/ Anxious for Nothing
Philippians 4:4-7
WHAT IS IN THE BASKET?
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippian 4:4-7
Today we are going to look at making our requests known to God as found in verse six.
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Often, I use the phrase, “We have to let things go.” But for many things that cause us great stress and anxiety, it is less about letting it go and more about entrusting it to God.
Theme: We can entrust our heart’s desires to God
According to Max Lucado the terms prayer, supplication, and request are similar but not identical.
Prayer is general devotion, worship, and praise.
Supplication suggests humility as we bring our concerns before God.
Request is a specific petition with particulars.
If prayer, supplication, and making our request known to God are ingredients to encountering God, then the container that holds our prayers together is a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving.
Entrusting our heart’s desire to God requires habitual attention and communication with Jesus. God calls us to bring specific concerns small or large and make them known to Him.
What is it in your life you need to entrust to God?
What is it you need to put in a basket and let go of it and give to God?
SERMON NOTES
Rev. Jim Toole/ Anxious for Nothing
Philippians 4:4-7
Non-Anxious Presence
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Last week we talked about rejoicing in verse four.
Today we are going to look at gentleness as found in verse five.
Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
The Greek word translated here as “gentleness” describes a temperament that is seasoned and mature. It is levelheaded, tempered, steady and fair. It is the opposite of erratic and panic.
There is a leadership term that I discovered years ago that revolutionized how I want to be as a Pastor. It is called being a Non-Anxious Presence.
It is a term made famous by Edwin Friedman; it is defined as a leader who responds with thoughtfulness, instead of reacting. Under conditions of extreme anxiety, most people become an anxious presence, lacking restraint and acting on impulse.
What would it look like for us to be people who, in the midst of conflict and turmoil, are a calm steady presence?
Theme: Being a non-anxious presence/gentleness is both a conscious choice and a reliance on the One who gives us our confidence.
There is static noise in all of our lives. There is the pressure we feel in society to get it all just right. If we put our confidence just in our own abilities, at some point we will not only fail, we will feel pressure and anxiety from within ourselves. As followers of Christ we must make the choice to have confidence that we have a Savior and God who is near.
We can’t forget the best part of this verse. As we make the choice to live in the confidence that our God is near and is holding us firm, it allows others around us to know God is near them as well.
Rev. Jim Toole/ Anxious for Nothing
Philippians 4:4-7
Sovereignty of God
This week we are starting a five-week sermon series based on the book, Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (NRSV)
Max Lucado describes four admonitions that lead to the wonderful promise of peace:
· Rejoice in the Lord
· Ask God for Help
· Leave your concerns with Him
· Meditate on Good Things
Rejoicing in the Lord
For Paul rejoicing was a byproduct of an internal confidence in the sovereignty of God.
Theme: Rejoicing is not just a feeling, but equally a decision to be deeply rooted in the confidence that God is in control and that God is good.
Sovereignty is a fancy theological term that has been used throughout Church History meaning God is the ultimate source of all power, authority, and everything that exists.
At the core of our Theology has to be the sovereignty of God. When small tears of doubt penetrate this core belief then suddenly we find ourselves taking matters in our own hands, we feel like we have to control things and eventually we can feel the weight of the world. When we wash ourselves with the truth - that we have a God and Savior Who is carrying not only the ills and tragedies of the world but is carrying our burdens as well - it is water to our soul. Being rooted in the Confidence that God is in control and God is good starts to filter and cleanse the anxiety that often haunts us.
Rev. Mat Grover
“Live Every Day”
Philippians 3:12-16
“Live Every Day”
Jonathan Swift who wrote Gulliver’s Travels had an unusual greeting for others- “May you live every day of your life!”
Philippians 3:12-16
Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
1. Forget yesterday – build on it – build from it
2. Live today – where you are – giving all you have
3. Trust tomorrow – because God is there
Are we as individuals and as a church living “every day of our lives”? Are we living abundantly?
In the new year, what do we need to do, as a church and as individuals to live life fully and press on towards the goal of Jesus Christ?
SERMON NOTES
Joseph / Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Matthew 1:18-21
“The Beautiful Rhythm”
Theme: “Seeing an Angel” and “Being an Angel.”
We are called to experience the power of God and be the power of God to others. It is this beautiful rhythm for Advent, the holidays, actually for life where we encounter God and we respond. There is a fine line between the light of Christ we receive and the light of Christ we share with others. It is often intertwined, sometimes indistinguishable. Encounter and response is not just a rhythm we do, eventually it becomes an infusion of who we are becoming.
First, we must experience the power of God.
It all starts with opening our heart for God’s power to indeed do a miracle in our lives. My hope during this Christmas season is that all of us can slow down just enough so we can encounter God afresh.
What is the Christmas miracle you need in this season?
Where do you need a message from God?
Where do you need to encounter Jesus?
Second, we must be the power of God to others.
My prayer for all of us this Christmas season is for us to experience God’s power but also be God’s power. Again, it is this beautiful rhythm where we encounter God and we respond. Often God’s miracles are through people like you and me.
During the Christmas season we feel pressure to experience joy. It can feel at times that we are trying to manufacture joy, but joy really comes when we experience peace within our soul. Again, there is this fusion of experiencing joy and being joy for others.
Questions:
1. As you experience a miracle, who are you called to be a miracle to?
2. As you experience God’s power, how are you to demonstrate God’s power?
3. As you experience the light of Christ in your life, where are you called to be the light of Christ.
4. Where are you called to be and give joy?
SERMON NOTES
Joseph / Rev. Jim Toole
Matthew 1:18-20
Messy
Today we are on the second week of our Advent sermon series where we are looking at Christmas through the eyes of Joseph.
Theme: The Redemptive Story of God Is Messy
I. The story of God coming to us as Jesus, the incarnation is messy.
II. Jesus’ ministry is often messy.
III. The Cross is messy.
IV. Through the resurrection there is blessing and redemption.
The Redemptive Story is indeed messy because redemption is about God turning our messiness and brokenness into a blessing.
In Matthew, the Christmas Story, the story of Jesus, the story of God becoming one of us, starts off with a scandal. Mary becomes pregnant and Joseph is not the father. Joseph faced a dilemma, he could call off the marriage, but in this culture, this would bring extreme shame upon Mary and in some circumstances, she could be stoned to death. The other option would be to divorce her and Mary would not be disgraced, rather he would. Joseph decided not to take the easy road but the higher road even though it was going to leave him with a lifetime of shame.
If we want to experience restoration/redemption then we must first acknowledge our mess.
If we want to experience restoration/redemption then we must also reveal ourselves.
• We must reveal ourselves to ourselves.
• We must reveal ourselves to God
• We must reveal ourselves to others.
Question: During this Advent season what reality do you need to face, large or small, to acknowledge and reveal to God?
SERMON NOTES
Joseph / Rev. Jim Toole
1 Corinthians 15:55-58
Faithfulness
Today we are starting a new sermon series looking at Joseph of Nazareth. The primary resource I will be using is the book, Faithful by Adam Hamilton. We often hear more about Mary in the birth narrative. There is relatively little in Scripture, only sixteen verses in the Bible mention Joseph by name.
Theme: Faithfulness is trusting God and following His call even when we do not understand it all.
Joseph had a very important role in the redemptive story of all of creation. But he never got to see the fulfillment of it in his lifetime.
N.T. Wright describes that often we Christians are content with separating our future hope from present responsibility. If God is going to transform this present world and renew our whole selves ,then Paul reminds us that we are not to sit idle in the here and now waiting for our future. Rather we are to live faithfully in the present. Your labor is not in vain.
Faithfulness really is about asking ourselves:
“Who” and “How” is God calling me to live right now in my life? Not yesterday, not tomorrow but in the here and now.
Faithfulness is taking one step forward at a time even when it does not make sense.
What does being faithful look like for you in this season of your life?
SERMON NOTES
Wesley Challenge / Rev. Jim Toole
John 7:37-44
Relationship With God: an Upward Focus
Methodist Pastor Chris Folmsbee is one of the first to take the 21 Questions of the Holy Club and turn them into a 21 day devotional for self-reflection and spiritual growth. This devotional, The Wesley Challenge, has taken off across our country and churches are challenging their members to take the 21 Day Wesley Challenge, and so do I challenge all of you.
Upward Focus (Questions 1-7)
Is Jesus real to me?
Am I enjoying prayer?
Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscious is uneasy?
Did the Bible live in me today?
Did I disobey God in anything?
Do I pray about the money I spend?
Do I give time for the Bible to speak to me every day?
Is Jesus real to me?
Who is Jesus to you? What would your quote about Jesus be?
Jesus is to me…
Am I enjoying prayer? Did the Bible live in me today?
There is an underlying assumption in these questions that we need relationship with God. When we dissect Jesus philosophically or even theologically or when we put Jesus into a box we lose sight that ultimately Jesus needs to be defined not just by what we believe of Him but how we relate to Him. How we relate with Jesus starts affecting what we believe of Jesus.
Knowing God versus Experiencing God
We need to know Jesus with our heart and mind?
My hope as we go through the Wesley challenge and prayerfully ask ourselves these 21 questions that it will stir a small awakening in our souls.
SERMON NOTES
Stewardship/ Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
Acts 6:1-7
Holy Chaos
After lots of feedback, research, discernment and discussion we discovered three priorities we want to focus on for the next several years in addition to the things we are already doing.
Church Priority 1 - Church Life
Church Priority 2 - Family Ministries/Discipleship
Church Priority 3 - Communications for the 21st Century
Based on the analysis of the Action Learning Team and input from both staff and committees, Session has implemented these changes:
• Permanently change from a 3 Pastor Model to a 2 Pastor Model
• Change Cluster Structure from 4 to 3 Clusters (Church Life and Family Ministries Cluster, Evangelism and Outreach Cluster, Support Cluster)
• Change Pastor Mat’s title and job description to Associate Pastor of Church Life and Family Ministries
• Maintain Adult Discipleship Director
• Increase Care Ministries by adding an Assistant Director of Care
• Communication Coordinator (Digital Media, Web, Publications)
• Missions/Outreach – ensure and maintain strong missional focus
We believe these changes will help align us as a church to be who we are called to be in the 21st Century. But I want to be very clear here: if we are to be a healthy church in the 21st century it will take all of us!
Theme: It takes all of us!
If we want to be a healthy church, it takes all of us offering all of ourselves.
If we want to be a healthy church, it takes all of us being sent out.
To be a church that is intergenerational, missional, Biblical, cares for our city, cares for our world, and cares for our own church community, it will not always be smooth sailing. It will be more like Holy Chaos. We will need to be a church where everyone is being called to use their specific gifts!
SERMON NOTES
Creed / Rev. Dr. Jim Toole
1 Corinthians 15:42-44
“What Is Heaven Like?”
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Today we are going to look at the Resurrection and Life Everlasting. The whole idea of eternity/heaven is a difficult concept to wrap our mind around. None of us has a very good mental model of what eternity looks like. Even though the Bible does not give us any conclusive description of what Heaven will be like, there are glimpses in Scripture.
The historical theological view of Heaven is twofold.
Christ’s return will usher in a New Creation, a New Earth, and a New Heaven.
Christ’s return will usher in the moment that all who have died will rise again.
1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (NRSV)
So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NRSV)
For the Lord Himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.
All the sunrises and sunsets, symphonies and rock concerts, feasts and friendships are but whispers. They are a prologue to the grander story and an even better place. Only there, it will never end.
“Its not on sin, but Grace”
Creed / Rev. Mat Grover
Romans 3:23-24
Belief in the forgiveness of sins is only good news if we first understand that we need forgiveness, and to make sense of that understanding we must first understand sin.
The word for sin in the New Testament is ἁμαρτία (harmartia) meaning missing the mark. It is used in Greek Tragedy to refer to the fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero.
1. We all need forgiveness.
Romans 3:22-23 he says the righteousness of God through faith in in Jesus is for all who believe, for there is no distinction, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
2. God forgiveness is for us all.
Psalm 103:9-12 He will not always accuse, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
3. Because we are forgiven, we must forgive.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.
Homework:
Where do you need to ask for forgiveness? From God? From Yourself?
Where do you need to forgive others and work towards redemption?
