6-30-19 What is our ID?

Scripture   Matthew 16:13-19

WHO ARE WE?

I would guess that some people here do not know what denomination this church is.

I would guess that some people who know, don’t know very much about that denomination.

I would guess that people who know some things, could use a refresher.

          It is important that we remember our identity. A part of our identity as Christians does have to do with the church we choose to associate with. So here we go:

As American Baptist, we believe that the Bible is the final authority and trustworthy for faith and practice. It is to be interpreted responsibly under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit within the community of faith;

That the Church is a gathered fellowship of regenerated believers, a sign of the coming universal reign of God;

That the freedom to respond to the Lordship of Christ in all circumstances is fundamental to the Christian gospel and to human dignity; and

That witness to Christ is the ongoing task of every Christian and of every church.

Within the larger Baptist family, American Baptists emphasize convictions which direct our special task and ministry.

We affirm that God through Jesus Christ calls us to be:

A Redeemed People

:who claim a personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ;
:who follow the Lord in believer’s baptism;
:who gather as a believer’s church;
:who share in the meal of the kingdom known as the Lord’s Supper;
:who honor the priesthood of all believers; and
:who live their faith as visible saints.

A Biblical People

:who affirm the centrality of Scripture in our lives;
:who pursue the study of God’s inspired Word as a mandate for faith and practice; and
:who seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the understanding of Scripture, while respecting the common interpretation of Scripture within the community of believers.

A Worshiping People

:who gather regularly to praise God;
:who receive nourishment by communion with the Risen Christ;
:who share an open and public confession of faith; and
:who believe that personal devotion brings vitality to corporate celebration.

A Mission People

:who strive to fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples;
:who invite persons to receive salvation and follow Christ;
:who engage in educational, social, and health ministries;
:who seek justice for all persons; and
:who provide prayer and financial support to sustain a worldwide mission outreach.

An Interdependent People

:who affirm the Church’s unity as given in Jesus Christ;
:who gladly embody in our practice the ministry of the whole people of God;
:who recognize God’s gifts for ministry and honor all offices of pastoral ministry;
:who live and work together “in association;” and
:who bring the free church tradition to cooperative and ecumenical Christianity.

A Caring People

:who care for the needy, the weak, and the oppressed;
:who care for the earth and for all its creatures;

An Inclusive People

:who, gifted by a variety of backgrounds, find unity in diversity and diversity in unity;
:who embrace a pluralism of race, ethnicity, and gender; and
:who acknowledge that there are individual differences of conviction and theology.

A Contemporary People

:who have a remembrance for the past and a vision for the future;
:who are committed to religious liberty and to the separation of church and state;
:who call our present world to make Jesus Christ Lord of all life; and
:who trust the Holy Spirit for insight and power to live in the present age.

We further believe

:That God has called us forth to such an hour as this;
:That we live with a realizable hope;
:That all things are held together in Christ;
:That all creation will find its ultimate fulfillment in God;
:That we shall see the One whose we are; and
:That Jesus shall reign for ever and ever.

If I gave a quiz on the material you just heard, many of us would fail. Why? Because that covered a lot of ground related to who we are as American Baptist. However, to remind yourself, you can google that and find it all on the American Baptist Website or more easily find it all in today’s YouVersion live event.

WHO ARE YOU?

I wonder how you would label your ID. If someone said, who are you/ How would you respond? My name is Jeff Cooper. OK, you have a name, but who are you? Well I am 59 years old and live in Oregon, Ohio…Oh and I am a pastor…Ahhh I am also a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, son-in-law.  But who are you? Ummmm I am also a play director, a very average golfer and a boat captain.  I am a board and card game player, I am a mower of lawns and washer of dishes.

Do you see how this could go on for a very long time for every one of us when we list the things we DO. Listing the things we do may show some of who we are but the things we do are not the same as who we are. Who are you?

I am a human being. OK that is a good start and very true. I was created in the image of God. Yes, go one. I am a sinner who often decides I can live my life better than the God who created me. Now that is truth. Anymore? I am saved by grace through Jesus Christ. I am a human being who has encountered the living God who has promised me eternal life.

I am a Christian ~ I am a praying, blood bought, Spirit filled, Bible Thumping, Pew Jumping, Devil Stomping, Overcoming, Jesus Praising, From The Dead Raising, Greater Works Than These, Redeemed by The Blood of the Lamb, Saved, Sanctified, Amplified, Child Of The One True and LIVING God!

No matter how you say it - when asked, who are you, I must answer in someway that I am a sinner redeemed from my sins for eternal life by God’s son Jesus Christ!

          Notice that is not something we do - it is something Jesus has done that causes us to be who we are in him - that is our identity.

WHO AM I (or WHO IS HE?)

Now, I did not give you a quiz on our American Baptist identity, nor am I quizzing you about your personal identity. However, Jesus gave an identify quiz and I Believe if he were here he would give the same pop quiz to each one of us. Let’s watch it unfold…

    

Matthew 16:13-19

It begins: When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi…

Caesarea Philippi

Situated 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee and at the base of Mt. Hermon, Caesarea Philippi is the location of one of the largest springs feeding the Jordan River. (Source of the Jordon - important)

This abundant water supply has made the area very fertile and attractive for religious worship.  Numerous temples were built at this city in the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Apparently known as Baal Hermon and Baal Gad in the Old Testament period, this site later was named Panias after the Greek god Pan who was worshiped here.  Pan, the half-man half-goat god of fright (thus “panic”), is often depicted playing the flute. This city, which was known in ancient times as Panias. Why is that important to know? Jesus was rarely near this location and I believe he was intentional to give his quiz in the heart of where foreign false gods were worshipped and at the source of Jordan river that brings life to the entire area.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, (POP QUIZ) he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15 Jesus had to be thinking: “Well, that isn’t what I was hoping for…all those guys are dead and where they spoke on God’s behalf, they were not God?” He tries the more direct approach with quiz question #  2:” "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Now it was time for Simon to get his grade, and if this were on a 100-point scale Simon is about to get a 150 for extra credit:

17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

    What happens when we get Jesus ID correct? 1) we are blessed! 2) We are encouraged! 3) We are part of the greatest movement the world will ever know, and in that movement,  we find our identify which takes us back to the beginning of this message…the identity of Jesus reveals itself through us as we are built into His church.

6-23-19 Guest Preacher

Nathan Cooper preached this Sunday!

6-16-19 Listen up Fathers!

Scripture   Deuteronomy 6:1-25

A school teacher was correcting papers, and as she looked at one little boy’s work, she was appalled with the results. She said, “I fail to understand how one person could make so many mistakes.” The boy replied, “But it wasn’t just one person. My dad helped!”

Invite all Father’s to come to the front and stand to hear the word of the Lord - even as the Israelite men would have stood for the first time to hear these words of instructions from Moses.  Also invite any men 18 years or older who may potentially become a father one day.   

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

          These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord  your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you.

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

When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you — a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant — then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord  your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah. Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord  your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the Lord  promised on oath to your forefathers, thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the Lord said.

In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?" tell him: "We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord  brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the Lord sent miraculous signs and wonders — great and terrible — upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers. The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness."

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

These are the commands, decrees and laws

Commands = the things you must do.

Decrees = Things God has stated as truth.

Laws = Things that govern your day to day life with others.

the Lord your God

These words are coming from a personal God - not a statue or theory, but from the Lord, YOUR God!

Ps 23 The Lord is MY shepherd. Ps 18 The Lord is MY rock. Ps 27 The Lord is MY salvation. Ps 28 The Lord is MY strength. Acts 17:27-28  God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

Eph 2:12-13   Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

directed me to teach you to observe

God is not suggesting that fathers teach their children His ways - God is directing fathers to teach their children His ways. And to do it in the place he has blessed you to live - in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, which serves as a reminder that all the good things we have are a gift from God, and we need to teach that to our children.

2 so that you, your children and their children after them

Note that Father’s are to have a lasting impact on their children and their children after them - that means their grandchildren, right? Right. But it says something more - it says so that YOU, your children and children after them (beyond grandchildren). But look at the “YOU” part - Dropping off kids to church, or even taking your children to church and having it mean nothing to you is maybe worse than not going at all. Father’s especially, create patterns that their children will follow for good or bad. What things do you do that are similar to your father? I would guess in most cases there are things both good and bad. The single best pattern you can teach your children is consistent - meaningful participation in worship. WHY?

“So that they”…may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you.

The SHEMA

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

          Hear - Love - Impress - Talk - Tie - Bind - Write

          ABAB pattern = The Lord our God, the Lord is one (meaning only) Singular devotion to the one true God. (Jesus - “Worship the Lord you God and serve him only”)

How do we show our devotion to this one and only God? LOVE! What does that love look like? It looks like loving God with ALL your HEART, with ALL your SOUL, and with ALL your STRENGTH.

a)    Our Love for God works from the inside out not the other way as most religions work. Love begins with the heart - here meaning the seat of the emotions, the will and the mind = the inner person - heart and mind.

b)    Then it moves to the NIV translated word “soul” but is literally translated “throat” and metaphorically means appetite/desire or living being - the whole person.

c)    Finally it moves to the external “strength”. The word is better understood as “resources” which includes physical strength, but also the social and economic strength of a person, which includes your relationships and everything you own.

To love God as the Fathers of the Israelites are being directed to do - is to love God with every fiber of your heart, mind, entire being and all that you are and all that you have. Living such a life is the best gift any father can give to his children, not to mention his wife and community.

10 When the Lord  your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you — a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant — then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

I have seen this many times over years of ministry. It usually happens to a single person - they have a need for relationship and seek the church and or Christ. They have a wonderful experience with the church. Then they get involved in a relationship and the other person comes to church a few times, then we see that person less and less. WHY? Because they forgot who gave them that relationship, or job, or whatever else now takes the Lord’s place as #1 in their life. God is looking for fathers who are fully devoted to Christ and his church and nothing less.

13 Fear the Lord your God serve him only and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; 15 for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. 16 Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah. (Moses - water from the rock) 17 Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you. 18 Do what is right and good in the Lord 's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the Lord  promised on oath to your forefathers, 19 thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the Lord said.

Listen up fathers! Why should you know how and why should you live according to the ways of the Lord our God - Jesus Christ? Because…

20 In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?" 21 tell him: "We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 22 Before our eyes the Lord sent miraculous signs and wonders — great and terrible — upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. 23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers. 24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. 25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness."

          Fathers - Men of the church - now you know how to live. But some might be tempted to live otherwise - to not pay attention to the scripture we have heard today that serves as a road sign, warning us of the danger in not following the Lord and setting an example for others;

IILUSTRATION

The story is told about the father of a vacationing family who came across a large sign that read, “Road Closed. Do Not Enter.” The man proceeded around the sign because he was confident it would save them time. His wife was resistant to the adventure, but there was no turning back for this persistent road warrior. After a few miles of successful navigation, he began to boast about his gift of discernment. / His proud smile was quickly replaced with humble sweat when the road led to a washed-out bridge. He turned the car around and retraced his tracks to the main road. When they arrived at the original warning sign he was greeted by large letters on the back of the sign “Welcome back, stupid!”

Sometimes we can have utmost confidence in ourselves to figure out issues or fix problems, but we let ourselves down. Confidence is only as good as the object it’s placed in. The wise father, the wise person lives by loving Jesus with ALL of their HEART with ALL of their SOUL and with ALL of their strength.

GOD IS WITH YOU

Remember our story about the boy who didn’t do his work alone but his dad helped. It is true in the best way about our heavenly father as we seek to LOVE according to His ways.

The story is told about a little boy who had been invited to a friend’s birthday party. He was so excited and started counting the days until the party. But the morning of the party he was devastated when he found that a blizzard had struck their little town. The snow was falling in wet, heavy flakes, and the wind was howling. “I don’t think you should go to the party,” his father said. The little boy was so disappointed.

He began to importune his father, begging to be allowed to go. Finally, much to his surprise, his dad said, “All right, you can go to the party.” The little boy bundled up in his hat and coat and mittens and started down the street to his friend’s house. When he got to the door, he turned around and saw his father turning to walk back home. It was then he realized that his father had been walking behind him all the way to make sure he was safe.

"he abides faithful" (2 Timothy 2:13).

6-9-19 A Musical Message

Scripture   Psalm 134:1-2

INTRODUCTION

          Instead of taking a Sunday off at the end of vacation, because I have 3 weeks of vacation and two other weeks of American Baptist camps and conferences over an 8-week period, it is time to do what Ashland is now known for - being creative.

          I asked Becky to have the choir select their 4 favorite songs over the past year and I will use those to create a sermon. I didn’t want to just introduce songs - I want the songs to be an integral part of a message from scripture. I didn’t think about the fact that I would have no say in what they chose, even a song they worked on but never got to sing - so I have never heard it.

          So I studied the lyrics, researched the origin of the songs and prayed - a lot.

          During a year where we strongly emphasize worship, it makes sense to begin a song that is simply about Jesus. It is a song that may lean to much toward the soft side of worship but nonetheless it calls us to completely focus on our fairest Lord Jesus. The song captures several important characteristics of who Jesus is: 1) Ruler of all nature 2) Is completely God and completely man 3) Greater than all nature 4) brighter that any light 5) Lord of all nations and the ruler of all!

The tune, originally a Silesian folk song, and the German text were printed for the first time in 1842

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature
O thou of God and man the Son
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor
Thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all
Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands
Robed in the blooming garb of spring
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer
Who makes the woeful heart to sing

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all
Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight
And all the twinkling starry host
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels heaven can boast

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all
Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all

Beautiful Savior! Lord of all the nations
Son of God and Son of Man
Glory and honor, praise, adoration
Now and forevermore be thine

Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all
Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all

Songwriters: Richard Storrs Willis

--------------

The song was originally composed as an instrumental piece and titled "Silent Story". The song was made by and for Løvland himself and performed for the very first time at the funeral of Løvland's mother. With no lyrics, you can’t call it a Christian song and even with the lyrics it is not a Christian song until we ascribe it to Jesus. HE is the one who comes to us when we are weary or burdened and raises us up. Matt 11:28-30   "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

It is in the midst of worship that we can bring our life storms, out heartache, our anxiety, our troubles and we become amazed that even though we felt down like nothing could help - Jesus raises us up - Be still and know that I am God!

You Raise Me Up (Be still my soul)

When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up to more than I can be

You raise me up to more than I can be

Songwriters: Brendan Graham / Rolf Lovland

Retell the story of the WALLS OF JERICHO

Like the veil of the temple being torn in two - entrance into the promised land.

The origin of this well-known African American spiritual is lost to time, but it was probably composed on the fly by a slave or slaves working on a plantation in the Deep South. The walls came a tumblin’ down are a metaphor to the end of slavery. For us who have worshiped the fairest Lord Jesus, who has rasied us up now sets us free from what stands in our way to live life adundant.

Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

Good morning Sister Mary
Good morning brother john
Well I wanna stop and talk with you
Wanna tell you how I come along

I know you've heard about Joshua
He was the son of nun
He never stopped his work until
Until the work was done

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your men of Saul
There's none like good old Joshua
At the battle of Jericho

Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'cause the battle is in my hands

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your king of Saul
There none like Joshua
At the battle of Jericho

They tell me, great god that Joshua's spear
Was well nigh twelve feet long
And upon his hip was a double edged sword
And his mouth was a gospel horn

Yet bold and brave he stood
Salvation in his hand
Go blow them ram horns Joshua cried
'cause the devil can't do you no harm

Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'cause the battle is in my hands

Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The trumpets began to sound
Old Joshua shouted glory
And the walls came tumblin' down

God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
Jericho jericho
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
And the walls come tumbling down

Down, down, down, down, down
Tumblin' down

Songwriters: . Dp / Carol Tornquist

We started with a quiet praise of our Fairest Lord Jesus and now end with a bold praise.

Aaron, the first High Priest, raised his hands in prayer as he blessed the Israelites when the sanctuary was first established. The book of Psalms speaks of raised hands regularly: "I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name" (Psalms 63.3-4). Further, the congregation is exhorted to lift their hands in worship of God: "Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord . . . lift up your hands to the holy place, and bless the Lord" (Psalms 134.1-2).

Raised hands are symbolic of our dependence on someone else. Raising hands during worship can be similar to children who lift their hands to be picked up, comforted, protected, or carried: "I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land" (Psalm 143.6).

Another significant meaning of raised hands is to bless God, much like Aaron's blessing of the people. In Psalm 63 the psalmist says he raises his hands to bless God. This symbolizes both gratefulness and joy for the blessings God has given.

Finally, the lifting of a hand may signify a vow. This is similar to our custom of raising our hand in court and promising to tell the "truth." This is practiced throughout scripture: "Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them that he would make them fall in the wilderness" (Psalms 106.26)

The custom of raising hands during worship was a common practice in the early church. In Paul's letter to Timothy he writes, "I desire, then, that in every place the people should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument" (1 Timothy 2.8).

Feel free to lift your hands or not - in either case give praise to Jesus! We encourage you to stand and sing (and maybe raise your hands) near the end of the song - we will let you know when that time has come.

In the Sanctuary

We lift our hands in the sanctuary.
*We lift our hands to give You the glory.
*We lift our hands to give You the praise,
And we will praise You for the rest of our days;
Yes, we will praise You for the rest of our days.

Jesus, we give You the praise.
Emmanuel, we lift up Your name,
Heavenly Father, coming Messiah;
And we will praise You for the rest of our days,
Yes, will praise You for the rest of our days,

Vamp 1:
Yes,
Yes, Lord for the rest of our days.

Vamp 2:
Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah for the rest of our days.

Ending:
And we will praise You for the rest of our days.

* additional verses: (we clap our hands, we sing our song, hallelujah)

Songwriters: Kurt Carr

6-2-19 Let my People go, so that they may worship me!

Scripture  Exodus 3:7-12      

What is the greatest event in the OT?

          The Exodus. (EXPLAIN THE EXODUS)

What was the Exodus all about?

It was NOT about showing God’s superior power over the Egyptian magicians.

It was NOT about showing God’s power over creation (Red Sea)

It was NOT even about the people being freed and going to the promised land (otherwise they would have done it quickly.

What was the Exodus all about?

It was about God’s people being set free for one reason ONLY…so they could worship him.

Go back to Moses being called at the burning bush - Exodus 3:7-12      

          The Lord  said, "I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey — the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt."

  But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" 12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."

God’s word to Pharaoh - Exodus 4:22-23 Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the Lord  says: “Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, ‘Let my son go, so he may worship me.’”

# 1 BLOOD

Exodus 7:16-18   'This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the desert. But until now you have not listened. This is what the Lord  says: By this you will know that I am the Lord : With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water.'"

# 2 FROGS

          Exodus 8:1-4   'This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs. The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs. The frogs will go up on you and your people and all your officials.'"

# 3 LICE/GNATS

# 4 FLIES

          Exodus 8:20-21   'This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you do not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you and your officials, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians will be full of flies, and even the ground where they are.

# 5 PESTILENCE

#6 BOILS

Exodus 9:1-3   This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let my people go, so that they may worship me." If you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them back, the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field — on your horses and donkeys and camels and on your cattle and sheep and goats.

# 7 HAIL

          Exodus 9:13-15   'This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth.

# 8 LOCUSTS

          Exodus 10:3-5   "This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me. If you refuse to let them go, I will bring locusts into your country tomorrow. They will cover the face of the ground so that it cannot be seen. They will devour what little you have left after the hail, including every tree that is growing in your fields.

           

Exodus 10:7-11   Pharaoh's officials said to him, "How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship the Lord their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?" Then Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. "Go, worship the Lord your God," he said. "But just who will be going?" Moses answered, "We will go with our young and old, with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, because we are to celebrate a festival to the Lord ." Pharaoh said, "The Lord be with you — if I let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly, you are bent on evil.  No! Have only the men go; and worship the Lord, since that's what you have been asking for." Then Moses and Aaron were driven out of Pharaoh's presence.

# 9 DARKNESS

          Exodus 10:24   Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, "Go, worship the Lord. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind."

# 10 FIRST BORN DEATH

Exodus 12:31-32   During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, "Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me."

What is the greatest event in the NT?

          The Passion of Christ.

What was the Passion of Christ all about?

It was NOT about showing God’s superior power over the Roman Government.

It was NOT about showing God’s power over creation (earthquake-stone rolled away)

It was NOT even about the people being freed and going to the promised land (otherwise they would have done it quickly.

What was the Passion of Christ all about?

It was about God’s people being set free for one reason ONLY…so they could worship him.

Jesus in the temptation -     

Matthew 4:8-10

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Communion