Tag Archives: Sermons

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Where is God? Part 1 Now Here: A Walk Through Psalm 13

I had the honor of flying solo for a sermon at my church.  We are doing a 6 week series titled: Where is God? This 1st in the series addresses some practical tips that can be applied to help all of us to deal with life’s stress, anxiety, pain, and suffering. It is subtitled: Now Here, a walk through Psalm 13.
Here are the power point slides, the 2 video clips, and the audio is below. Please share your thoughts.


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The Power of Forgiveness: Matthew 18

I know that I am getting a nudge to post when I am reading a chapter about forgiveness and I also happen to start listening to a podcast on forgiveness. These notes are a summary of a chapter on forgiveness in “You Were Born for This” by Bruce Wilkinson (Chapter 12: The Forgiveness Key), and the podcast is a sermon done by Mike Erre.  As always, share your thoughts with us.

Forgiveness is VERY important to God and for us to embrace.

There is only ONE thing that we are called to do in the entire Lord’s Prayer:  “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…”-Matthew 6:12

God, as represented by the King in Matthew 18, gets angry with those He has forgiven of an payable debt refuse to forgive others of a very small debt:

“…so My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trepasses…”-Matthew 18:35 (see also Matthew 6:14-15)

What will God do to us if we don’t forgive?  He will ‘hand us over to the torturers’ (Matt 18:34).  What?! What does this mean?!  It means that God turns His people who refuse to forgive others over to the painful consequences of their own unforgiveness until the person, from their heart, forgives others their trespasses (debts).  We will torment OURSELVES until we open our hearts and forgive.

3 key points to remember:

  • Jesus: “Jesus forgave you.  You can choose to forgive others.”
  • Justice: “Vengeance belongs to God, not to you or me.”
  • Jailer: “You are your own jailer.  Your torment won’t end until you forgive.  Then it will end immediately.  You will be free. And that is what God wants for you.”

2 gifts occur when we forgive:

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Imagine: Using our Minds and Imaginations to Grow Closer to God Part 2

Enjoy sermon #6 in the Animate Series by Greg Boyd

Here is an excellent book that helps with prayer life and using imaginitive exercises to grow closer to God:

Animate Sermon Series by Boyd (This is the link to notes on the Series)

Celebration of Disciplines by Foster (This is an AMAZING book on spiritual disciplines.  It is filled with GREAT quotes from Christian disciples and with practical ways to grow deeper with Christ.  It is a How To on prayer, Bible study, fasting, etc.  Below is an excerpt from the book.)

mediation exercise: “The following is a brief exercise to aid you in “re-collection” that is simply called “palms down, palms up.” Begin by placing your palms down as a symbolic indication of your desire to turn over any concerns you may have to God. Inwardly you may pray, “Lord, I give to you my anger toward John. I release my fear of my dentist appointment this morning. I surrender my anxiety over not having enough money to pay the bills this month. I release my frustration over trying to find a baby-sitter for tonight.” Whatever it is that weighs on your mind or is a concern to you, just say, “palms down.” Release it. You may even feel a certain sense of release in your hands. After several moments of surrender, turn your palms up as a symbol of your desire to receive from the Lord. Perhaps you will pray silently: “Lord, I would like to receive your divine love for John, your peace about the dentist appointment, your patience, your joy.” Whatever you need, you say, “palms up.” Having centered down, spend the remaining moments in complete silence. Do not ask for anything. Allow the Lord to commune with you, to love you.”-Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster

Finally I end with a quote from Francisco whose devotion, passion, and focused imagery inspires and transforms our often lifeless faith.  Try starting your day with Jesus WAITING for YOU to take each day as a unique adventure!

“When I wake up every morning, Jesus is waiting for me.”-Francisco

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Part 2: Does the Bible show us God?

This is Part 2 of our 5 part series titled: Show me God. Part 2 we discuss the evidence for the Bible showing us God and being inspired by God. Please share your thoughts.

 

Show Me God

The Bible

Dr. Drew Lawson and Pastor Bucky Dennis

 

The God Who Shows Up

Creation

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” Romans 1:20

 

Ask questions:

  • What do you believe? What are the conclusions to your worldview? What do you get without God?

  • Are you willing to believe? Are you willing to believe that miracles are possible? 

 

Now We Can Talk About the Bible: God’s Word

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

 

Why Trust the Bible?

Manuscript Evidence

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) written between 45-60 A.D.

  • Book of Acts (Spectacularly accurate historically; must be dated before 62 AD)

  • Fall of Jerusalem is not mentioned even though Acts started in Jerusalem.

  • Nero’s persecution not mentioned that occurred in 64 AD

  • Paul is still alive; no mention of his death (Paul died in 64AD @ Nero’s persecution)

  • Paul’s Experiences & Writings Documented between 32-56 A.D

  • Creeds and Oral Tradition (Phil. 2:6-11, Col. 1:15-20, 1Cor. 15:5) between

  • 33-38A.D.

  • “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

  • Credible Witnesses (1 John 1; 2 Peter 1:16; John 20:30; Luke 1:3)

  • Eight men eyewitnesses or had contact with eyewitnesses (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul, James, Peter, Jude)

  • “For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.” 2 Peter 1:16

Archaeology Evidence

  • Walls of Jericho- Joshua 6:2-5

  • King David- Tell Dan Stone that Read “House of David” and “The King of Israel”

  • Acts 27- Anchors away

Prophecy Evidence

“From the beginning I revealed the end. From long ago I told you things that had not yet happened, saying, “My plan will stand, and I’ll do everything I intended to do.” Isaiah 46:10

  • Messianic Prophecy:

Isaiah 53:3-9

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”

Scientific Evidence

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

  • Scientific perspective

  • Other creation accounts

  • Genesis account


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Part 1: Does science show us God?

This is Part 1 of our 5 part series titled: Show me God. Part 1 we discuss the evidence from creation and design for God. Please share your thoughts.
 

Show Me God

Creation

Dr. Drew Lawson and Pastor Bucky Dennis

 

The God Who Shows Up

  • Looking for God

  • Facing our doubts

  • Reasons for faith

 

  • Creation: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” Romans 1:20

 

  • Word: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

 

  • Christianity: “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

 

  • Suffering: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

 

  • Resurrection: “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

 

God’s Priority

  • A love relationship

  • A free will offering

  • Faith verses certainty

 

  • “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

 

The Clues for God in Creation

 

Creator: The Mysterious Bang- How did you get something from nothing?

  • “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

    “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.” Psalm 102:25

Designer: Complexity and Wonder

  • “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Psalm 19:1

 

  • “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:13-14

 

Worship

  • “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:1-3

 

  • “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.” Psalm 8:1

 

Resources for the Journey

The Reason for God by Timothy Keller

The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel

What’s So Great About Christianity by Dinesh D’Souza

 

Websites

Dr. Lawson http://www.coachdrewlawson.com

Hugh Ross Http://www.reasons.org

Stand to Reason http://www.str.org

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Paul Young speaks and preaches AGAIN

This is the 1 of 4 teachings from July 2008 at Mariners Church when the author of the amazing book: The Shack spoke.  (There are 4 separate podcasts that you can listen from Mariners Church podcast; these 2 are the best of the 4.)

As always please share with us your thoughts by leaving a comment.

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Paul Young SPEAKS about The Shack etc.

This is the 1 of 4 teaching sessions from Mariners Church by Paul Young author of the amazing, must read book: The Shack.  In this session he shares some of his life’s experiences and answers some of the common questions people have about the book. (There are 4 separate podcasts that you can listen from Mariners Church podcast; these 2 are the best of the 4.)

Please share your thoughts with us here at UBERLUMEN by posting a comment.

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Love your Enemies

I recently had a conversation with a friend at work who mentioned that a skeptic friend of his pointed out that the God of the Old Testament seems to be a different God from the New Testament using the classic example: O.T.=eye for an eye; N.T.=turn the other cheek.

Here is a classic Mike Erre sermon from the sermon on the mount in which he explains this supposed contradiction.

Take home: eye for an eye laws were VERY progressive at the time and were created by God to promote societal justice whereas turn the other cheek teaching of Jesus was what we as individuals should continue to strive to do.

Here is another great summary of eye for an eye laws vs. turning the other cheek

As always, please share with us your thoughts!

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God Questions Part 3: Evil and Suffering

This topic has hit me personally right between the eyes this last few years.  Bucky and I discuss evil and suffering in this session of the God Questions at Pathways Church (www.ocpathways.org)

You can also read this brief collection of information that I put together concerning evil and suffering:

The 5-C’s of Evil and Suffering

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God Questions Part 1

Bucky and I did a sermon series together titled: The God Questions.  Here is Part 1 of 4.  This is an introduction by Bucky to the journey, the questions, the talking time with our friends about these life changing questions.  Please let me know your thoughts about these messages.

The 3 key themes through out our series were:

  1. Love: It is the MOST exciting adventure of our lives to explore the key questions in life.  Why not do it with love? We want to emphasize the key to any time in discussion with someone must be with love.
  2. Listen:  The best answer is a question.  Too much time has been spent NOT listening to the other person in the discussion of these important questions of life.  If you don’t know or don’t understand, then listen!
  3. Learn: This is a team effort.  We want you to enjoy and learn from the time with others in discussion on these GREAT topics.