My Sunday sermon notes @coe22 and @jobypmartin …

The angel to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of GREAT JOY…”

Great Joy. The coming of the Jesus, the Messiah, brings with it great joy. Our attempt at joy on our own looks more like the pursuit of the elusive happiness.  The problem with seeking happiness is that happiness is temporary. It is based on happenings and is contingent on our ability to control circumstances all around us. And it is exhausting. It is a myth that we have any ability to be in control of many of the things that contribute to our happiness.

We typically chase happiness in one of the “If I could just….” categories. Searching for it in self improvement (physical, vocational, hobbies, religious activity, etc.), or in others (relationships, marriage, children, a better boss, etc.), or in the things the world has to offer (instant gratification, experiences, money, power, stuff, etc.). The things we thought would make us happy at one point get tossed aside in the pursuit of the next thing that surely will be the thing at last. Joby calls it the cul-de-sac of stupidity, and we keep taking laps…over an over again.

While these things we chase may provide some temporary happiness, they don’t provide lasting joy. Created things can’t fully and finally satisfy what only the Creator can do. Jesus is the only one that fulfills all that we are actually looking for. He is the only source of true joy. He is the only way to get to a point to say what Paul says in Philippians 4:4-13…things like, “rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS….do not be anxious about anything…I have leaned in whatever situation I am to be content…I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.”  Paul can say these things because the secret to peace and joy is found in Jesus. In knowing “the Lord is at hand.” In “everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.” In recognizing that our life follows were we focus our attention, so “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever if lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

There is Joy in trusting that Jesus is better. The God of peace will be with us. He will guard our hearts and minds and give us a peace that surpasses understanding. Because it won’t make sense…we can’t muster this peace on our own. There is rest for our souls in recognizing we don’t have to try to control everything because Jesus is in control of everything.

When the angel told the shepherds about the Christ who was born, they went. They saw Jesus. And as they journeyed home, their outward circumstances didn’t change --- they were still lowly shepherds looked down on by society --- but they were changed. They returned home glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. Meeting Jesus brings joy that nothing else can.

“The pursuit of happiness is the insatiable attempt to control your circumstances because happiness is dependent on ever changing happenings. Joy is found in the everlasting Jesus.”

Click here to watch the sermon.

My Sunday sermon notes - @coe22 and @jobypmartin
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Continuing with the MESSENGERS series, though we are not angels, we are called to be messengers who deliver Good News. If we truly believe all that Jesus is and says…if we truly want to live out loving God and loving others, we will become passionate about telling others the good news of Jesus. It can be a scary thing, no doubt. Our instinct is to think things like, “I don’t know enough…I’m not a good enough example myself…what if they ask me questions…what if they think I am crazy…what am I supposed to say?...I'll just leave that to someone more qualified”

Joby shared four ways we can be MESSENGERS with examples of how Jesus did it…

1. Share an invitation. We can simply invite them to come to church with us; to come and hear for themselves. In John 1:43-49, early in Jesus’ ministry, Philip encounters Jesus and believes He the Messiah they have been waiting for. He tells his buddy Nathanael the news. Nathanael knows the Messiah is to come from Bethlehem, but hears that Jesus is from Nazareth. “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asks. Philip doesn’t counter back with theological explanations. The truth is, he doesn’t have all the answers, but he believes. So, instead, he simply says, “Come and see.” By extending this invitation, Philip hopes his friend will see in Jesus what he sees. He hopes the answers Nathanael seeks that he doesn’t have a response for will be found in Jesus. Nathanael goes. And this invitation begins Nathanael’s discipleship journey. Friends, you can start here…invite someone to church this weekend or for the Christmas Eve service. Extend an invitation for someone to “come see.”
2. Share the Gospel. A good place to start is 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 and John 3:16-17. “…Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” We need a Savior. Jesus came to save us.
3. Share your Story. Has Jesus changed your life? Are you a different person with Jesus than you were before Jesus? More than any theological debate, this is what will cause someone to seek what you have found. In John 9, Jesus heals a blind man. The witness and religious leaders repeatedly ask the man how this happened. He doesn’t know the answers to their questions, but he does know that he was blind, he met Jesus, and now he can see. You may not have all of the answers or retorts to the anti-Christian arguments, but no one can take away from you the fact that you are a different person after you encountered Jesus. Friend, that is powerful.
4. Share a little more life. Sometimes there are people we deeply love and fervently pray for that remain far from Jesus. Sometimes the way we can be a messenger to them is to simply spend more time with them. More time over coffee, more being there in the tough times, more shared tears, more freely offering love and prayers. In John 11:1-44, Martha and Mary are devastated by the death of their brother that they know Jesus could have healed had He only come sooner. As Jesus at last comes to them, Martha greets Him. Remember Martha? The type A sister who was busily doing chores as her sister, Mary, sat a Jesus’ feet? Jesus meets her and answers her questions with theology about Himself. Next, He encounters Mary. She is more tender-hearted, and in her sorrow, He weeps with her. Sometimes with the power of the Gospel in us, we simply need to share life with people where they are and love them.

How can you be a messenger this Advent season? Pray for God to give you opportunities to be His messenger. He loves to meet you in these prayers.

(The full Church of Eleven22 sermon will be available this week on their app and website. It’s a good one!)

​Sunday Sermon Notes - @coe22 & pastor @ryanstone

We started a new series today called MESSENGERS, focusing on the angels who appeared to tell of the birth of Jesus. When the angel came to the shepherds in the field, they were filled with great fear. These were no cuddly cartoon character angels, but warrior messengers for God. Their presence, surrounded by the glory of the Lord shining around them, elicited fear.  But, the first words of the angel were, “Fear not.”

So, how do we fear not when we are in a frightening situation and there is so much to fear engulfing us? Because the reality is, there are things to fear all around us. Health issues, broken relationships, financial hardships, loss, and more. How do we fear not?

The person of Jesus overcomes the power of fear.

Remember the story of Jesus and the disciples in the boat during the storm. The boat is taking on water and the disciples – many of whom were experienced fishermen and worthy navigators of stormy conditions – were terrified. Meanwhile, Jesus slept. Overwhelmed with fear, the disciples awaken Him. Jesus rebukes the wind and waves. All is calm. Jesus asks, “where is your faith?” Luke 8:25 continues, “And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?’”

The disciples were afraid AND they marveled. Our fear can pale in comparison to the One we marvel at. Yes, there are things to be feared, but our faith can be placed in the One who has all of these things under His authority and control. Our response to fear is directly connected to our answer to the question, “Who is this man, Jesus?”

Pastor Ryan Stone closed with three ways we can respond in the face of fear:

1. Become more desperate in prayer. Journal, have quiet time, walk and talk it out with God…whatever approach works for you, become desperate in your prayer.
2. Stand on the truth of Scripture. Get in the Word. Scripture exposes fear. Let God’s Word speak to you. Isaiah 41:10 is a great place to start, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
3. Worship passionately. Crank up some good worship music. Soak in the lyrics and sing them aloud.

Properly placed fear leads to passionately placed worship. The waves and wind still know His name. The storms of life still listen to His voice. Everything is under His control and authority. Let go your soul and trust in Him.

Happy Sabbath, friends.