September 7, 2008
September 7, 2008
SERMON SERIES: Walking With God (Emmanuel: God With Us)
Theme Verse: Matthew 22:37 & 38 - Greatest Commandment: Love God
CALL TO WORSHIP
THE LORD BE WITH YOU
AND ALSO WITH YOU
(L) Adam and Eve walked with God until...
(P) Enoch and David walked with God
OPENING HYMN # 92 "FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH or This is My Father’s World
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, you have called us into a loving relationship with you and each other by walking together. amen.
CHILDREN'S MOMENT
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 46:10 & Genesis 2 (Wes, Jane and Peggy ; tentative)
SERMON: Walking With God: Learning to Hear the Voice of God
CLOSING HYMN #314 In the Garden or Trust and Obey
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
What is your favorite Jazz number?
On a scale 0 – 10
0 being not at all
10 – can’t stop
How often have you listened to God?
Sermon Series
Walking With God
September 7, 2008
INTRO
During the Passing of the Peace of Christ, the question:
On a scale 0 – 10; 0 - being not at all and 10 – can’t stop
How often have you listened to God?
ANOTHER QUESTION
Are you where you thought you would be at this time in your life? Why?
How have previous decisions brought you to where you are in your life?
How about your spiritual life?
Is your spiritual life where you thought it would be at this time in your life?
Do you have a desire to be closer to God?
If so, how? What can we do to be closer to God?
I.TRUE STORY - The Christmas Tree (hearing the voice of God)
(John Eldredge, “Walking With God”, p. 3)
BIBLE DIALOGUE – WEDNESDAY NOON (bring your lunch)
Point: “If only I had listened.”
QUESTION: How do we hear the voice of God?
KEY WORD: RELATIONSHIP (focus: Listen)
A. Relationship (God is with us)
1. We were created by God to be in relationship with God and others
2. Scripture: Genesis 2 & 3
3. One of the tests for the quality of a relationship is how well we listen to the other
(How often do you talk and listen to the other?)
B. LISTEN
1. “ You never listen to me” (not a good sign)
2. God’s temptation “Can you hear me now?” “What must I do to get you to hear me?”
3. We are all different (and listen and talk to God at different levels)
4. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”
II. OUR LIVES ARE IMPACTED BY THE DECISIONS WE MAKE
A. Lots of variables to why we are where we are (environmental, others, etc.)
B. God does not give us direction for consideration (we choose to listen or not to listen)
III. WALKING WITH GOD
A. How do we Walk with God?
SCRIPTURE #2 JOHN 10: 1 – 43; 9 – 10
JN 10:1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
JN 10:7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
JN 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
OBSERVATIONS ON HOW TO WALK WITH GOD (based on John 10)
1. Independence (American Way – I pulled myself up by my own bootstraps) vs Dependence
2. Sheep live in a dangerous environment (very risky)
3. Sheep submit (dependent) on the Shepherd for survival
4. Follow the Shepherd
Question: Who do you follow?
A. Yourself (your own conscience, one becomes the judge) (The Shack, p. 151f)
B. God
C. Others
D. Thief
E. Follow?
F. other
5. The only way they can move securely in and out and find pasture is to follow their shepherd closely
6. POINT: Most of us Christians assume that the way to find the life God has for us is to
A. Believe in God
B. Be a good person
C. And God will do the rest
7. Jesus says “no” there is more to the equation. Jesus does want us to have life (10:10)
8. But there is a thief, trying to destroy you (false shepherds too) Don’t listen to them
9. Don’t just wander off looking for pasture
10. There is more to being a Christian than believing, it’s following Jesus (trust and obey)
11. Stay close to Jesus
12. Listen for the voice of God
13. Let God lead
CONCLUSION: GOD CREATED =US TO HAVE A REALTIONSHIP WITH HIM & EACH OTHER (GENESIS 2)
OPPORTUNITIES: TRIADS; MONDAY & WEDNESDAY BIBLE DIALOGUE (noon)
Intro to Puppets
Questions:
1. Who here is a good talker?
2. Is it important to talk?
3. Who here is a good listener?
4. Is it important to listen?
5. What is more important to listen or to talk?
6. Do you know anybody who isn’t a good listener?
7. Pay attention to the puppets and Are they listening to each other?
PUPPETS
BOB: So, where do you want to go to for lunch?
JULIE: I don’t have a lot of time.
BOB: Taco Time. I haven’t eaten there in years.
JULIE: No, I don’t have a lot of time.
BOB: Taco time is a good choice, because I don’t have a lot of money.
JULIE: No, I don’t have a lot of time.
BOB: Yeah, you’re right, it takes a lot of time to eat there.
JULIE: Brother! (knock on his ear and say) Hey! Are these ears working?
BOB: Hey don’t hit my ears.
JULIE: Can you hear me now?
BOB: Of course I can hear you. I heard every word you say.
JULIE: Okay, what did I say?
BOB: You want to go to Taco Time.
JULIE: No!
BOB: Then why did you say you want to go to Taco Time?
JULIE: I didn’t.
BOB: Do my ears deceive me?
JULIE: Listen to me.
BOB: I don’t know who you are anymore.
JULIE: You don’t know who I am because you don’t take time to listen.
BOB: I remember the last time we went to Taco Time, you didn’t want to go there at all, and I thought you did, I guess I wasn’t listening then. And the food was terrible. If I had only listened to you to begin with.
After Puppet message:
Who is the best listener in your family?
SERMON SERIES: Walking With God (Emmanuel: God With Us)
Theme Verse: Matthew 22:37 & 38 - Greatest Commandment: Love God
CALL TO WORSHIP
THE LORD BE WITH YOU
AND ALSO WITH YOU
(L) Adam and Eve walked with God until...
(P) Enoch and David walked with God
OPENING HYMN # 92 "FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH or This is My Father’s World
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, you have called us into a loving relationship with you and each other by walking together. amen.
CHILDREN'S MOMENT
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 46:10 & Genesis 2 (Wes, Jane and Peggy ; tentative)
SERMON: Walking With God: Learning to Hear the Voice of God
CLOSING HYMN #314 In the Garden or Trust and Obey
PASSING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
What is your favorite Jazz number?
On a scale 0 – 10
0 being not at all
10 – can’t stop
How often have you listened to God?
Sermon Series
Walking With God
September 7, 2008
INTRO
During the Passing of the Peace of Christ, the question:
On a scale 0 – 10; 0 - being not at all and 10 – can’t stop
How often have you listened to God?
ANOTHER QUESTION
Are you where you thought you would be at this time in your life? Why?
How have previous decisions brought you to where you are in your life?
How about your spiritual life?
Is your spiritual life where you thought it would be at this time in your life?
Do you have a desire to be closer to God?
If so, how? What can we do to be closer to God?
I.TRUE STORY - The Christmas Tree (hearing the voice of God)
(John Eldredge, “Walking With God”, p. 3)
BIBLE DIALOGUE – WEDNESDAY NOON (bring your lunch)
Point: “If only I had listened.”
QUESTION: How do we hear the voice of God?
KEY WORD: RELATIONSHIP (focus: Listen)
A. Relationship (God is with us)
1. We were created by God to be in relationship with God and others
2. Scripture: Genesis 2 & 3
3. One of the tests for the quality of a relationship is how well we listen to the other
(How often do you talk and listen to the other?)
B. LISTEN
1. “ You never listen to me” (not a good sign)
2. God’s temptation “Can you hear me now?” “What must I do to get you to hear me?”
3. We are all different (and listen and talk to God at different levels)
4. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”
II. OUR LIVES ARE IMPACTED BY THE DECISIONS WE MAKE
A. Lots of variables to why we are where we are (environmental, others, etc.)
B. God does not give us direction for consideration (we choose to listen or not to listen)
III. WALKING WITH GOD
A. How do we Walk with God?
SCRIPTURE #2 JOHN 10: 1 – 43; 9 – 10
JN 10:1 "I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
JN 10:7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
JN 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
OBSERVATIONS ON HOW TO WALK WITH GOD (based on John 10)
1. Independence (American Way – I pulled myself up by my own bootstraps) vs Dependence
2. Sheep live in a dangerous environment (very risky)
3. Sheep submit (dependent) on the Shepherd for survival
4. Follow the Shepherd
Question: Who do you follow?
A. Yourself (your own conscience, one becomes the judge) (The Shack, p. 151f)
B. God
C. Others
D. Thief
E. Follow?
F. other
5. The only way they can move securely in and out and find pasture is to follow their shepherd closely
6. POINT: Most of us Christians assume that the way to find the life God has for us is to
A. Believe in God
B. Be a good person
C. And God will do the rest
7. Jesus says “no” there is more to the equation. Jesus does want us to have life (10:10)
8. But there is a thief, trying to destroy you (false shepherds too) Don’t listen to them
9. Don’t just wander off looking for pasture
10. There is more to being a Christian than believing, it’s following Jesus (trust and obey)
11. Stay close to Jesus
12. Listen for the voice of God
13. Let God lead
CONCLUSION: GOD CREATED =US TO HAVE A REALTIONSHIP WITH HIM & EACH OTHER (GENESIS 2)
OPPORTUNITIES: TRIADS; MONDAY & WEDNESDAY BIBLE DIALOGUE (noon)
Intro to Puppets
Questions:
1. Who here is a good talker?
2. Is it important to talk?
3. Who here is a good listener?
4. Is it important to listen?
5. What is more important to listen or to talk?
6. Do you know anybody who isn’t a good listener?
7. Pay attention to the puppets and Are they listening to each other?
PUPPETS
BOB: So, where do you want to go to for lunch?
JULIE: I don’t have a lot of time.
BOB: Taco Time. I haven’t eaten there in years.
JULIE: No, I don’t have a lot of time.
BOB: Taco time is a good choice, because I don’t have a lot of money.
JULIE: No, I don’t have a lot of time.
BOB: Yeah, you’re right, it takes a lot of time to eat there.
JULIE: Brother! (knock on his ear and say) Hey! Are these ears working?
BOB: Hey don’t hit my ears.
JULIE: Can you hear me now?
BOB: Of course I can hear you. I heard every word you say.
JULIE: Okay, what did I say?
BOB: You want to go to Taco Time.
JULIE: No!
BOB: Then why did you say you want to go to Taco Time?
JULIE: I didn’t.
BOB: Do my ears deceive me?
JULIE: Listen to me.
BOB: I don’t know who you are anymore.
JULIE: You don’t know who I am because you don’t take time to listen.
BOB: I remember the last time we went to Taco Time, you didn’t want to go there at all, and I thought you did, I guess I wasn’t listening then. And the food was terrible. If I had only listened to you to begin with.
After Puppet message:
Who is the best listener in your family?
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3:27 PM
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