Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Seeing Him" in this Wednesday service.
Seeing Him Part 4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sunday, April 18, 2010
04/11/10 - God Is HOLY - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "God Is..." in this Sunday service.
God Is... HOLY
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 11, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Big Idea: God is Holy. Holy is more than a theological word meaning “to be revered and worshipped.” It is the response given by those who have seen Him—it is their description given in complete awe. It is the word uttered when the realization comes that His is complete—in His presence nothing is missing or out of place. It is the revelation that, in spite of our betrayals and misconceptions, He is completely for us and our good. He is where we are made “whole”.
Psalm 99:9 “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the Lord our God is holy!”
Isaiah 6:1-8—Isaiah sees the Holy God. Isaiah, one of the most famous of the OT prophets, was experiencing tremendous upheaval in his life. All the things that made Israel what is was were being shaken or destroyed. The kingdom was divided and constantly under attack. The people were led off into captivity and the temple itself was looted and destroyed. Everything the Israelites believed was confronted—Is God really for us? Does He really exist? If so, where is He? In this passage, Isaiah finds the answers to the questions and his life and purpose become clear.
- His king had died: All of us have kings, other than God, in our lives. Our comfort zones, security blankets, our way of doing things—our areas of supposed strengths or our “hiding place” in times of stress. Just as the Israelites had 31 kings to displace after entering the promised land, we have kings we have allowed to remain that need to go. They are filling “holes” in our faith walk—substitutes for “wholly” trusting God. (story about my plan “B” for the first time we decided to trust God or our income—the wallpaper money)
- Holy, Holy, Holy shakes the Temple and its foundations—1 Corinthians 3:16—we are the temple. Sometimes our foundational beliefs, our world view, are built on wrong thinking and misconceptions. The holiness of God will always challenge and confront those. Hebrews 12:27
- “It’s all over. I’m doomed.” Our first response to a holy God is the recognition of our “incompleteness.” We see things, and ourselves, as they should be and could be. 1 Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity…” Then we choose—humility or hiding. Humility precedes holiness. We will never find wholeness by hiding our inadequacies. Humility results in what Isaiah experiences next—God picking him up and making him whole—equipping him for his destiny.
- Isaiah overhears Heaven’s plans. His choices have positioned him to experience “Holiness”. He hears a plan that he gives the rest of his life for—a plan that no opposition or obstacle will ever sway him again. He is wholly committed to the same thing a Holy God is committed to—the good of people.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Romans 8:31 [Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love] What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
God Is... HOLY
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 11, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Big Idea: God is Holy. Holy is more than a theological word meaning “to be revered and worshipped.” It is the response given by those who have seen Him—it is their description given in complete awe. It is the word uttered when the realization comes that His is complete—in His presence nothing is missing or out of place. It is the revelation that, in spite of our betrayals and misconceptions, He is completely for us and our good. He is where we are made “whole”.
Psalm 99:9 “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain in Jerusalem, for the Lord our God is holy!”
Isaiah 6:1-8—Isaiah sees the Holy God. Isaiah, one of the most famous of the OT prophets, was experiencing tremendous upheaval in his life. All the things that made Israel what is was were being shaken or destroyed. The kingdom was divided and constantly under attack. The people were led off into captivity and the temple itself was looted and destroyed. Everything the Israelites believed was confronted—Is God really for us? Does He really exist? If so, where is He? In this passage, Isaiah finds the answers to the questions and his life and purpose become clear.
- His king had died: All of us have kings, other than God, in our lives. Our comfort zones, security blankets, our way of doing things—our areas of supposed strengths or our “hiding place” in times of stress. Just as the Israelites had 31 kings to displace after entering the promised land, we have kings we have allowed to remain that need to go. They are filling “holes” in our faith walk—substitutes for “wholly” trusting God. (story about my plan “B” for the first time we decided to trust God or our income—the wallpaper money)
- Holy, Holy, Holy shakes the Temple and its foundations—1 Corinthians 3:16—we are the temple. Sometimes our foundational beliefs, our world view, are built on wrong thinking and misconceptions. The holiness of God will always challenge and confront those. Hebrews 12:27
- “It’s all over. I’m doomed.” Our first response to a holy God is the recognition of our “incompleteness.” We see things, and ourselves, as they should be and could be. 1 Corinthians 13:12 “Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity…” Then we choose—humility or hiding. Humility precedes holiness. We will never find wholeness by hiding our inadequacies. Humility results in what Isaiah experiences next—God picking him up and making him whole—equipping him for his destiny.
- Isaiah overhears Heaven’s plans. His choices have positioned him to experience “Holiness”. He hears a plan that he gives the rest of his life for—a plan that no opposition or obstacle will ever sway him again. He is wholly committed to the same thing a Holy God is committed to—the good of people.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Romans 8:31 [Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love] What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
04/04/10 - God Is I AM - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore begins a new series entitled "God Is..." in this Sunday service.
God Is... I AM
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 4, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Big Idea: God identifies Himself as “I AM”. Jesus is identified as “I AM”. All the things we are not, He is. He is the “I AM” to all of our “We are not.” And the last obstacle that needed an “I AM” was death and the grave. “I am not able to conquer death” we say, and Jesus responds, “I AM.”
Genesis 3 13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” 15
John 4 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”[a] (John 4:26 Or “The ‘I Am’ is here”)
John 11:25-26 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die…”
Revelation 1:18 “I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
The difference in a Sweet Potato and a Yam (I AM). Not even distantly related. Lots of posers—(Jesus said there will be lots of things and folks claiming to be I AM (lots of “ways” to have life, lots of “solutions” to our problems), but don’t be fooled. Mark 13:6 & 21 There is only one I AM—only one who is the I AM for everything we are not!)
After sin entered the human race, our cry became, “I am not…” Our focus was shifted from the greatness of our God to the weaknesses in ourselves.
Romans 8:3 “The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”
Abraham: “I am not able to have a son and be the father of nations.” God: “I AM.”
Moses: “I am not able to speak before Pharoah.” God: “I AM.”
David: “I am not able to lead Israel to greatness as a nation.” God: “I AM.”
Peter: “I am not able to keep walking on this water.” Jesus: “I AM.”
Paul: “I am not able to handle all the obstacles and opposition.” Jesus: “I AM.”
All of us:
- “I am not able to become good enough to face God.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not able to live a consistent Godly life.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not worthy of God’s love and Heaven.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not strong enough to face the circumstances in my life.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not smart enough to be successful.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not likeable enough to make good friends.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not deserving of any of God’s blessings.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not going to live forever.” Jesus: “I AM.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
(I am not is replaced by I AM)
How do we gain the benefits of “I AM”?
1. Believe He is and seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 “Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
2. Believe the Bible is His Word to you and is relevant today.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
3. Begin to practice your identity in Him by faith, looking for I AM instead of I am not.
1 Corinthians 2:2 (HCSB) “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
God Is... I AM
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, April 4, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Big Idea: God identifies Himself as “I AM”. Jesus is identified as “I AM”. All the things we are not, He is. He is the “I AM” to all of our “We are not.” And the last obstacle that needed an “I AM” was death and the grave. “I am not able to conquer death” we say, and Jesus responds, “I AM.”
Genesis 3 13 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” 15
John 4 25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!”[a] (John 4:26 Or “The ‘I Am’ is here”)
John 11:25-26 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die…”
Revelation 1:18 “I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.”
The difference in a Sweet Potato and a Yam (I AM). Not even distantly related. Lots of posers—(Jesus said there will be lots of things and folks claiming to be I AM (lots of “ways” to have life, lots of “solutions” to our problems), but don’t be fooled. Mark 13:6 & 21 There is only one I AM—only one who is the I AM for everything we are not!)
After sin entered the human race, our cry became, “I am not…” Our focus was shifted from the greatness of our God to the weaknesses in ourselves.
Romans 8:3 “The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.”
Abraham: “I am not able to have a son and be the father of nations.” God: “I AM.”
Moses: “I am not able to speak before Pharoah.” God: “I AM.”
David: “I am not able to lead Israel to greatness as a nation.” God: “I AM.”
Peter: “I am not able to keep walking on this water.” Jesus: “I AM.”
Paul: “I am not able to handle all the obstacles and opposition.” Jesus: “I AM.”
All of us:
- “I am not able to become good enough to face God.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not able to live a consistent Godly life.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not worthy of God’s love and Heaven.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not strong enough to face the circumstances in my life.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not smart enough to be successful.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not likeable enough to make good friends.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not deserving of any of God’s blessings.” Jesus: “I AM.”
- “I am not going to live forever.” Jesus: “I AM.”
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
(I am not is replaced by I AM)
How do we gain the benefits of “I AM”?
1. Believe He is and seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 “Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
2. Believe the Bible is His Word to you and is relevant today.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”
3. Begin to practice your identity in Him by faith, looking for I AM instead of I am not.
1 Corinthians 2:2 (HCSB) “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
Thursday, April 1, 2010
03/31/10 - Seeing Him PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Seeing Him" in this Wednesday service.
Seeing Him Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Seeing Him Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
03/28/10 - Treehugger PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Treehugger" in this Sunday service.
Treehugger Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 28, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Life-Giving:
The Big Idea: Jesus is our Tree of Life and in Him we find God-focused life built on relationships and innocence restored. Life emphasizing the power of God, the integrity of His Word, and real life found in Jesus.
Genesis 2:9 “The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
The choice offered Eve is the same we are offered:
- live according to the knowledge of good and evil—maintaining a form of godliness and a certain righteousness (but one that ultimately ends in frustration, darkness and death—“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees…”) (Building a life—developing the plan and making it happen) The result is a me-focused life. Even in our best deeds, we are doing them for us. Galatians 2:16 “…a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”
- discover righteousness and godliness naturally through our relationship with Jesus Christ (Discovering a life—finding God’s plan and allowing Him to accomplish it through us) The result is a God-focused life. Our best deeds are just who we are instead of something we do. Colossians 3:3 “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Don’t be a Monkey! (swinging from one tree to the other)
Once eyes were opened they became driven by their senses (1 John 2:16 “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”)
3 Reasons We End Up in the TKGE:
- Driven by feelings (selfishness—“me-focused”)
- Lust, envy, and covetousness (“this world” mindset—temporary vs eternal)
- Pride and judgment (pride always produces judgment—I can’t be prideful without comparison and judgment—“I’m better than you.”)
3 Things We Use to Swing:
- Our Thoughts (as a man thinks, so is he)
- Our Words (power of life and death are in the tongue)
- Our Actions (you shall know them by their fruit)
Living in the TKGE produces an ever widening “death” effect—We are dying, we cover ourselves with things that are dying, more death is produced as sacrifices for our choices. Genesis 3:7 “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”
Genesis 3:21 “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” (Sacrifice initiated. A system of life-taking replaces the life-giving system created by God)
Living in the Tree of Life produces influence:
Revelation 22:2 “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” When we live a grace-filled life in the Tree of Life, it has an impact on others. Those around us will find healing—hope for the hopeless, acceptance for the rejected, cleansing for the filthy, restoration for the broken—the ultimate healing: reconciliation with their Heavenly Father.
How do I live in the Tree of Life:
- Change my view of my Heavenly Father. Eve was deceived through a desire to please God. She was already pleasing to God. Through Jesus, we are all pleasing to God. He wants children, not slaves.
- Approach Him through relationship, not rules. We do not have to earn an audience with Him, nor can we. We have been given our right standing as a gift of love.
- Practice responding to Him, to His presence. Re-sensitize yourself to Him. Actively recognize and honor Him.
- Respond to sin with life. Jesus did not come to make us sorry. He came to fix our broken lives. When we, or others, sin, respond with innocence and freedom rather than shame and blame. Instead of hiding and covering, run to the mercy seat and find the grace you need to win. (Hebrews 4:16)
Isaiah 30:21 CEV “If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—you will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the right way. You should go this way."
Treehugger Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 28, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Life-Giving:
The Big Idea: Jesus is our Tree of Life and in Him we find God-focused life built on relationships and innocence restored. Life emphasizing the power of God, the integrity of His Word, and real life found in Jesus.
Genesis 2:9 “The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground—trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”
The choice offered Eve is the same we are offered:
- live according to the knowledge of good and evil—maintaining a form of godliness and a certain righteousness (but one that ultimately ends in frustration, darkness and death—“Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees…”) (Building a life—developing the plan and making it happen) The result is a me-focused life. Even in our best deeds, we are doing them for us. Galatians 2:16 “…a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.”
- discover righteousness and godliness naturally through our relationship with Jesus Christ (Discovering a life—finding God’s plan and allowing Him to accomplish it through us) The result is a God-focused life. Our best deeds are just who we are instead of something we do. Colossians 3:3 “For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”
Don’t be a Monkey! (swinging from one tree to the other)
Once eyes were opened they became driven by their senses (1 John 2:16 “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”)
3 Reasons We End Up in the TKGE:
- Driven by feelings (selfishness—“me-focused”)
- Lust, envy, and covetousness (“this world” mindset—temporary vs eternal)
- Pride and judgment (pride always produces judgment—I can’t be prideful without comparison and judgment—“I’m better than you.”)
3 Things We Use to Swing:
- Our Thoughts (as a man thinks, so is he)
- Our Words (power of life and death are in the tongue)
- Our Actions (you shall know them by their fruit)
Living in the TKGE produces an ever widening “death” effect—We are dying, we cover ourselves with things that are dying, more death is produced as sacrifices for our choices. Genesis 3:7 “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”
Genesis 3:21 “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” (Sacrifice initiated. A system of life-taking replaces the life-giving system created by God)
Living in the Tree of Life produces influence:
Revelation 22:2 “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” When we live a grace-filled life in the Tree of Life, it has an impact on others. Those around us will find healing—hope for the hopeless, acceptance for the rejected, cleansing for the filthy, restoration for the broken—the ultimate healing: reconciliation with their Heavenly Father.
How do I live in the Tree of Life:
- Change my view of my Heavenly Father. Eve was deceived through a desire to please God. She was already pleasing to God. Through Jesus, we are all pleasing to God. He wants children, not slaves.
- Approach Him through relationship, not rules. We do not have to earn an audience with Him, nor can we. We have been given our right standing as a gift of love.
- Practice responding to Him, to His presence. Re-sensitize yourself to Him. Actively recognize and honor Him.
- Respond to sin with life. Jesus did not come to make us sorry. He came to fix our broken lives. When we, or others, sin, respond with innocence and freedom rather than shame and blame. Instead of hiding and covering, run to the mercy seat and find the grace you need to win. (Hebrews 4:16)
Isaiah 30:21 CEV “If you go the wrong way—to the right or to the left—you will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the right way. You should go this way."
03/28/10 - Unplugged - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on living life "Unplugged" in the first Unplugged 8:30am Sunday service.
Unplugged
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 28, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Luke 12:29 "What I'm trying to do here is 1get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you 2know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! 3The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
Relax: to release or bring relief from the effects of tension and anxiety; to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension; to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., esp. for the sake of rest or recreation.
- Change focus from getting to responding to God’s giving. (Getting a raise as compared to receiving a raise. Getting the Holy Spirit as compared to receiving the Holy Spirit. Getting requires work, effort, application—which produces inhibition, worry, tension. Receiving is a release. Compare the act of reaching out to get and the act of reaching out to receive and note the difference in the neck tension.)
- Saturate yourself in knowing God and His ways. (Marinating a piece of meat infuses the flavor into the meat. The longer you marinate it, the more the flavor saturates the meat. 30 minutes marinades taste good on the surface, but once you cut into the meat the flavor of the marinade is lost.)
God-Reality (Knowing God…)
Psalm 9:9 “God's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry you knocked.”
(…And how He works—His ways)
God-Initiative
Jude 1:1 “I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!”
God-Provisions
Psalm 116:7 “I said to myself, "Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."
- Note point 3 from Luke 12:29—The Father wants to give us the Kingdom. It is an act of receiving, of responding to His giving, not an attempt by us to get. As long as we are focused on getting, we can’t receive the Kingdom that Jesus died to give us.
Exodus 33:13-14 “If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
Unplugged
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, March 28, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Luke 12:29 "What I'm trying to do here is 1get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you 2know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! 3The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.
Relax: to release or bring relief from the effects of tension and anxiety; to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension; to reduce or stop work, effort, application, etc., esp. for the sake of rest or recreation.
- Change focus from getting to responding to God’s giving. (Getting a raise as compared to receiving a raise. Getting the Holy Spirit as compared to receiving the Holy Spirit. Getting requires work, effort, application—which produces inhibition, worry, tension. Receiving is a release. Compare the act of reaching out to get and the act of reaching out to receive and note the difference in the neck tension.)
- Saturate yourself in knowing God and His ways. (Marinating a piece of meat infuses the flavor into the meat. The longer you marinate it, the more the flavor saturates the meat. 30 minutes marinades taste good on the surface, but once you cut into the meat the flavor of the marinade is lost.)
God-Reality (Knowing God…)
Psalm 9:9 “God's a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you're never sorry you knocked.”
(…And how He works—His ways)
God-Initiative
Jude 1:1 “I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!”
God-Provisions
Psalm 116:7 “I said to myself, "Relax and rest. God has showered you with blessings. Soul, you've been rescued from death; Eye, you've been rescued from tears; And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling."
- Note point 3 from Luke 12:29—The Father wants to give us the Kingdom. It is an act of receiving, of responding to His giving, not an attempt by us to get. As long as we are focused on getting, we can’t receive the Kingdom that Jesus died to give us.
Exodus 33:13-14 “If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”
03/24/10 - Seeing Him PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Seeing Him" in this Wednesday service.
Seeing Him Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Seeing Him Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
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A Life-Giving Church for People Just Like You!
Whether you are full of questions or ready to jump right in, there is a place for you at LifeGate Church at Mirror Lake. Our church is a place where you can build relationships with others, experience God in worship, be empowered by practical, life-giving teaching from God's Word, and have fun doing it.
Together, we are living the Winner's Life as we learn to love, serve, reach, grow and connect. So whether you're a spiritual seeker starting to ask questions about God, or a committed Christian looking to sink your faith roots even deeper, you'll feel at home at LifeGate Church at Mirror Lake.
If you believe Jesus really meant it when He said, "I came so people can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of," (John 10:10 Message Translation) then join us this weekend at one of our Jesus Celebrations. Until then, browse our website (a link is on the right of this page) where you'll find lots of helpful info and feel free to download one of our service messages or subscribe to our weekly podcast where you will receive the fresh, life-giving Word of God.
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