Genesis 1:26-27
New International Version (NIV)
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Continuing the Soul Talk series, April Diaz's message last Sunday was about knowing God as mom - and how it was a part of His design (Genesis 1). We always hear about God as provider and as a leader - like a dad would be - but He is also the merciful and compassionate One - like moms. He is comforter and caregiver, and is a nurturer, who cares more about our character than our comforts.
Hope in Christ means no matter what happens in life's troubles, He is a constant, just like what a mother should be to her own children.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sermon Rewind 7/17/11 - The Discipline of Pausing
Exodus 20:2-11
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[a] who love me and obey my commands.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Why should we observe the Sabbath? Charles Lee shared the ways that the Sabbath is a subversive opportunity to spend time with God in a culture obsessed with productivity.
1. The Sabbath is rooted in Covenant. God commands us to rest every seventh day.
2. It is evidence of trust. When we take a day off from working, we trust God as our provider.
3. It is a relational legacy. We can model and show our kids how to spend a day just being a part of God’s people.
4. It was specifically designed for us by God, to engage with our hearts directly.
5. It facilitates an opportunity for compassion, mercy and justice.
6. It is a pathway to joy. We “get to” be intentional with God.
7. It foreshadows eternity. The moments of rest and being with God are a glimpse of what Heaven will be like.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those[a] who love me and obey my commands.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
Why should we observe the Sabbath? Charles Lee shared the ways that the Sabbath is a subversive opportunity to spend time with God in a culture obsessed with productivity.
1. The Sabbath is rooted in Covenant. God commands us to rest every seventh day.
2. It is evidence of trust. When we take a day off from working, we trust God as our provider.
3. It is a relational legacy. We can model and show our kids how to spend a day just being a part of God’s people.
4. It was specifically designed for us by God, to engage with our hearts directly.
5. It facilitates an opportunity for compassion, mercy and justice.
6. It is a pathway to joy. We “get to” be intentional with God.
7. It foreshadows eternity. The moments of rest and being with God are a glimpse of what Heaven will be like.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Sermon Rewind 7/10/11 - The G.O.S.P.E.L.
1 John 4:10-12
New International Version (NIV)
10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Tommy Nixon taught us that the entire Scripture is the gospel and the message is GOD’s love for us. Five lessons about love from 1 John 4:7-21 are:
1. GOD is love (verse 8). He loves us enough to allow us to choose to love Him or not. Because He is also just, choosing wrongly (sin) demands a punishment.
2. Love is sacrificial (verse 10). Rather than desert us, GOD sent Jesus to be our propitiation (payment).
3. Love is the heart of Christian witness (verse 13). We are called to both live it out and share the message explicitly.
4. Love is our assurance (verse 16). GOD’s love in our lives is evidence of our relationship with Jesus.
5. Love is our confidence in judgment (verse 17). In addition, it can be our confidence in every facet of our earthly lives.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Tommy Nixon taught us that the entire Scripture is the gospel and the message is GOD’s love for us. Five lessons about love from 1 John 4:7-21 are:
1. GOD is love (verse 8). He loves us enough to allow us to choose to love Him or not. Because He is also just, choosing wrongly (sin) demands a punishment.
2. Love is sacrificial (verse 10). Rather than desert us, GOD sent Jesus to be our propitiation (payment).
3. Love is the heart of Christian witness (verse 13). We are called to both live it out and share the message explicitly.
4. Love is our assurance (verse 16). GOD’s love in our lives is evidence of our relationship with Jesus.
5. Love is our confidence in judgment (verse 17). In addition, it can be our confidence in every facet of our earthly lives.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Sunday Rewind 7/3/11 - Summer 2011: Let It Rock, and Unleash Us
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
New International Version (NIV)
Paul’s Use of His Freedom
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Dave Brubaker continued the Soul Talk Sermon Series with the secret to having a great summer (and beyond!) from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 by using the Simon Sinek Golden Circle Model: Asking "Why? How? What?" The secret to having a summer to remember: Start with the "Why." Figure out why we do things that drive us. Ask "How." Meet exotic people (people who are not like us). Third culture means adaptability in the midst of pain and discomfort. Engage with that Third Culture person. Finally, ask "What." Take a risk and go the distance by being bold and getting dirty. Dave leaves us with two questions: Why are you doing what you're doing? How far are you willing to go? God unleashed you to do something greater, take that risk.
by Arnold Wang
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
New International Version (NIV)
Paul’s Use of His Freedom
19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
Dave Brubaker continued the Soul Talk Sermon Series with the secret to having a great summer (and beyond!) from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 by using the Simon Sinek Golden Circle Model: Asking "Why? How? What?" The secret to having a summer to remember: Start with the "Why." Figure out why we do things that drive us. Ask "How." Meet exotic people (people who are not like us). Third culture means adaptability in the midst of pain and discomfort. Engage with that Third Culture person. Finally, ask "What." Take a risk and go the distance by being bold and getting dirty. Dave leaves us with two questions: Why are you doing what you're doing? How far are you willing to go? God unleashed you to do something greater, take that risk.
by Arnold Wang
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resourcecs/message-archives
Monday, July 4, 2011
Sermon Rewind 6/26/11 - The Secret
Matthew 6:25-32
New International Version (NIV)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Peter Park began the Soul Talk series this Sunday, where speakers shares issues currently on their heart. Peter spoke of our misplaced faith and our tendency to fall into safe, predictable patterns in life. Though we often have dreams that we want to realize, we put them aside as the realities of the world creep in and we worry - of money, the future, careers, stability. The truth is that the world can never fully provide what we want - the more we try to control it the more bound we are by its fraudulent rules. Matthew 6:25 - 32 teaches us to live in freedom - to focus on things NOT of this world and to let go of our worries to our God, the one constant and guarantee. Do you have faith in the promises of a God who provides? Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
New International Version (NIV)
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Peter Park began the Soul Talk series this Sunday, where speakers shares issues currently on their heart. Peter spoke of our misplaced faith and our tendency to fall into safe, predictable patterns in life. Though we often have dreams that we want to realize, we put them aside as the realities of the world creep in and we worry - of money, the future, careers, stability. The truth is that the world can never fully provide what we want - the more we try to control it the more bound we are by its fraudulent rules. Matthew 6:25 - 32 teaches us to live in freedom - to focus on things NOT of this world and to let go of our worries to our God, the one constant and guarantee. Do you have faith in the promises of a God who provides? Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sermon rewind 6/19/2011 - True Identity
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[a]”
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would[b] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
Tommy Nixon's message on Father's Day was about identity, and referred to John 8:31-48. The teachers of Jesus' time questioned Him about who He was. Our identity can be shaped by our past, our family, and what others say about us. We can choose to believe in what others say about us and what the world says about us, or we can choose His Word, where we are loved as children of God, created in His image and never abandoned. Turn to Him. Love others. Christ is eternally trustworthy. His truth stands up in a world of lies created by the father of lies. If you really knew and were to accept these things, how would your life look like living our that truth? To be loosened from the chains of doubt and shame, and experience freedom?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.[a]”
39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered.
“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would[b] do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
48 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”
Tommy Nixon's message on Father's Day was about identity, and referred to John 8:31-48. The teachers of Jesus' time questioned Him about who He was. Our identity can be shaped by our past, our family, and what others say about us. We can choose to believe in what others say about us and what the world says about us, or we can choose His Word, where we are loved as children of God, created in His image and never abandoned. Turn to Him. Love others. Christ is eternally trustworthy. His truth stands up in a world of lies created by the father of lies. If you really knew and were to accept these things, how would your life look like living our that truth? To be loosened from the chains of doubt and shame, and experience freedom?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
http://noc.newsong.net/grow/resources/message-archives/
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sermon Rewind 6/5/11 - Give Till You Need Jesus
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (New International Version)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Tommy Nixon continued the Empire State of Mind series with a sermon from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 about whether we are hindering our relationship with God because of our lack of giving. Our common perceptions of giving are full of arrogance. God’s perceptions of giving are relational. When we think of our relationship with God as a transaction instead of transformational, we build up barriers that hinder our relationship with God. God created us to be in deep relationship with Him without barriers. Giving of our time, talents and treasures is an essential act of affirming who we follow. Every act of giving is a reflection of our faithfulness to God. We should give enough so that it forces us to need Jesus and therefore spend time with Him – that’s all He wants from us! How are you giving of yourself? How does it look?
Listen to this sermon and others online!
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