Thanks for visiting! - We'll see you at www.mylifegatechurch.com!
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 The 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 The 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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Sunday, April 14, 2013
Podcast resources have moved!!!
Thanks for visiting! - We'll see you at www.mylifegatechurch.com!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
09/05/10 - Connect With Your Destiny - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore teaches on "Connect With Your Destiny" in this vision Sunday service.
Connect With Your Destiny
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 5, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
The Church, The Gospel, Our Destiny
1 Timothy 3:14-16 “I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.”
Connect with Your Destiny
1. The Law of Retribution for sin (the law of sin and death) is confirmed by our conscience. We know it is the truth. The result of sin is our separation from God, thus the elimination of our destiny.
Romans 5:12 “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”
Hebrews 2:3 (AMP) “How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak].”
2. For the Christian, our account has been settled once and for all. The law of retribution will not cease but has already been executed for us at Calvary. All my sins—past, present and future—were covered by Calvary!
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”
3. Peace, instead of guilt, is mine through the knowledge that my sins have been judged and punished in Christ!
Galatians 3:13 “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
4. By faith, in spite of my doubts and fears, I lay hold of the free gift (at great cost to Him) of my rightness with God.
Romans 5:16 “And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.”
5. If I understand this salvation given to me, then my love demands I love for Him and unto Him as an act of gratitude and thankfulness.
2 Corinthians 5:14 “Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.”
1 Corinthians 8:6 “But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.”
How? Love, Serve, Reach, Grow, Connect
Our vision as a church is to share the Life-Giving Message of Jesus with West Georgia and the world.
Our mission, the way we will do that, is by providing an environment where people can easily Love, Serve, Reach, Grow and Connect. Our destiny, personally and as a church, is found in loving, serving, reaching and growing. Note that love, serve, reach and grow will only happen when we connect. So, in essence, our mission is to connect so we can find and accomplish our destiny.
1. Connect to a local church. Learn and practice the ways of God.
2. Connect relationally to like-minded people. We are made to be social, in the image of God. We need to make life-long friends who will empower destiny.
3. Connect to your ministry. We need to know our gifts and connect to them to serve. Finding fulfillment and fulfilling destiny.
Some ways we empower this as a church:
- Connect Groups: Dinner, SOAP, Interest
- Growth Track
- Weekend Celebrations
- Ministry Teams
- Wednesday nights
- New enhancement---LifeCoaches
Connect With Your Destiny
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, September 5, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
The Church, The Gospel, Our Destiny
1 Timothy 3:14-16 “I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.”
Connect with Your Destiny
1. The Law of Retribution for sin (the law of sin and death) is confirmed by our conscience. We know it is the truth. The result of sin is our separation from God, thus the elimination of our destiny.
Romans 5:12 “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.”
Hebrews 2:3 (AMP) “How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak].”
2. For the Christian, our account has been settled once and for all. The law of retribution will not cease but has already been executed for us at Calvary. All my sins—past, present and future—were covered by Calvary!
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”
3. Peace, instead of guilt, is mine through the knowledge that my sins have been judged and punished in Christ!
Galatians 3:13 “But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
4. By faith, in spite of my doubts and fears, I lay hold of the free gift (at great cost to Him) of my rightness with God.
Romans 5:16 “And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.”
5. If I understand this salvation given to me, then my love demands I love for Him and unto Him as an act of gratitude and thankfulness.
2 Corinthians 5:14 “Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.”
1 Corinthians 8:6 “But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.”
How? Love, Serve, Reach, Grow, Connect
Our vision as a church is to share the Life-Giving Message of Jesus with West Georgia and the world.
Our mission, the way we will do that, is by providing an environment where people can easily Love, Serve, Reach, Grow and Connect. Our destiny, personally and as a church, is found in loving, serving, reaching and growing. Note that love, serve, reach and grow will only happen when we connect. So, in essence, our mission is to connect so we can find and accomplish our destiny.
1. Connect to a local church. Learn and practice the ways of God.
2. Connect relationally to like-minded people. We are made to be social, in the image of God. We need to make life-long friends who will empower destiny.
3. Connect to your ministry. We need to know our gifts and connect to them to serve. Finding fulfillment and fulfilling destiny.
Some ways we empower this as a church:
- Connect Groups: Dinner, SOAP, Interest
- Growth Track
- Weekend Celebrations
- Ministry Teams
- Wednesday nights
- New enhancement---LifeCoaches
09/01/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT5 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 5 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sunday, August 29, 2010
08/29/10 - If I Die Before I Wake PT5 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "If I Die Before I Wake" with part 5 of this Sunday service.
If I Die Before I Wake Part 5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, August 29, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Heaven: The Culmination of Restoration
Matthew 19:28 (NKJV) “So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration (AMP-new age, the Messianic rebirth), when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Acts 3:21 “For he (Jesus) must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.”
Colossians 3:10 “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”
The Big Idea:
The final Heaven is a resurrected Earth—the New Earth—a restoration of what Earth was intended to be. Our resurrected bodies are a return to what our bodies were intended to be.
Restore, Replenish, Renew, Resurrect, Redemption, Reconciliation, Regeneration, Recover (“re” is “ana” in Greek—same meaning: a return to an original condition)
“God always sees us in the light of what He intended us to be and He always seeks to restore us to that design.” (Alcorn)
All of Jesus’ miracles, except for the cursing of the fig tree which is to show us the foolishness of trusting a cursed world system, are restoration miracles. Illustrating the meaning of redemption: freeing creation from the bondage of sin and evil and reinstating life and living as intended by God.
Our celebration of Communion is a celebration of restoration:
1. The bread and the wine: a new covenant—a return to the relationship God intended. A restoration of mankind with dominion over sin instead of mankind ravaged by sin.
2. The Cross: Satan planned to kill the 2nd Adam just as he killed the 1st Adam. The temptation in the wilderness is the evidence of that plan. Satan thought he had succeeded when Jesus died on the cross. But there was a problem—the 2nd Adam didn’t die because he had to as a consequence of sin. He died because he chose to as a payment for the sin of others. His choice empowered him to win and positioned him for victory. His choice assured satan’s defeat and our victory. His choice at the cross restored our ability to make choices that position us for life as God intended.
3. The candles: 2 Corinthians 5:19 “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” We have renewed access to God. Our prayers are heard and are powerful. We can change the course of history with our prayers. We can approach the throne of God on behalf of others.
Heaven reinforces our knowledge of a loving God who is for us, who wants us to have rich and satisfying life here and for eternity. Hell demonstrates clearly the result of pursuing an un-restored life. Restoration is only available in Christ. We cannot restore ourselves and therefore cannot access life as it is intended without Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”
A life restored to God-sufficiency instead of self-sufficiency. He enables, He empowers and He gives us the faith that prompts us. Life as God intended is a God dependent life—learning to simply do what the old hymn says: “Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way…”
If I Die Before I Wake Part 5
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, August 29, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Heaven: The Culmination of Restoration
Matthew 19:28 (NKJV) “So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration (AMP-new age, the Messianic rebirth), when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Acts 3:21 “For he (Jesus) must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.”
Colossians 3:10 “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.”
The Big Idea:
The final Heaven is a resurrected Earth—the New Earth—a restoration of what Earth was intended to be. Our resurrected bodies are a return to what our bodies were intended to be.
Restore, Replenish, Renew, Resurrect, Redemption, Reconciliation, Regeneration, Recover (“re” is “ana” in Greek—same meaning: a return to an original condition)
“God always sees us in the light of what He intended us to be and He always seeks to restore us to that design.” (Alcorn)
All of Jesus’ miracles, except for the cursing of the fig tree which is to show us the foolishness of trusting a cursed world system, are restoration miracles. Illustrating the meaning of redemption: freeing creation from the bondage of sin and evil and reinstating life and living as intended by God.
Our celebration of Communion is a celebration of restoration:
1. The bread and the wine: a new covenant—a return to the relationship God intended. A restoration of mankind with dominion over sin instead of mankind ravaged by sin.
2. The Cross: Satan planned to kill the 2nd Adam just as he killed the 1st Adam. The temptation in the wilderness is the evidence of that plan. Satan thought he had succeeded when Jesus died on the cross. But there was a problem—the 2nd Adam didn’t die because he had to as a consequence of sin. He died because he chose to as a payment for the sin of others. His choice empowered him to win and positioned him for victory. His choice assured satan’s defeat and our victory. His choice at the cross restored our ability to make choices that position us for life as God intended.
3. The candles: 2 Corinthians 5:19 “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.” We have renewed access to God. Our prayers are heard and are powerful. We can change the course of history with our prayers. We can approach the throne of God on behalf of others.
Heaven reinforces our knowledge of a loving God who is for us, who wants us to have rich and satisfying life here and for eternity. Hell demonstrates clearly the result of pursuing an un-restored life. Restoration is only available in Christ. We cannot restore ourselves and therefore cannot access life as it is intended without Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.”
A life restored to God-sufficiency instead of self-sufficiency. He enables, He empowers and He gives us the faith that prompts us. Life as God intended is a God dependent life—learning to simply do what the old hymn says: “Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way…”
08/25/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT4 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 4 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
08/22/10 - If I Die Before I Wake PT4 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "If I Die Before I Wake" with part 4 of this Sunday service.
If I Die Before I Wake Part 4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, August 22, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Hell? NO!
Luke 16:19-31 “Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus1 who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.2 There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side3. 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.4 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.5’ 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”
1. A parable using a proper name—Lazarus and the rich man are probably real people. The story being told reflects real events with some figurative elements to make the point Jesus wants made. So we can deduct several things about these real places, yet we cannot induce doctrine.
2. Hell, or Hades, is a place for the dead—eternally dead. Jesus is confronting the belief that the grave is the end. Death is not the cessation of life on earth, it is separation from the presence of God.
3. Hell is aware of Heaven and Earth. Note the move to figurative—the rich man is aware of Heaven, but there is never any indication of response from Lazarus. Abraham’s response is a figurative response—it is simply putting words to what the rich man is knowing for the sake of the story. It also indicates that Lazarus does not see into Hell.
4. Heaven and Hell are a continuum of life on Earth. The rich man and Lazarus are not changed into “beings” who are disconnected from whatever happened here. Their life has continued—one in eternal life and one in eternal death.
5. Heaven is aware of Earth and what is happening here. Heaven’s happiness is not a result of ignorance but of perspective. Those in Heaven have the perspective of God—they know that God is at work in Earth for the good of people.
Mark 9: 47-48 “And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ‘where the maggots never die1 and the fire never goes out2.’”
Matthew 8:12 “But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness3, where there will be weeping4 and gnashing of teeth5.”
1. Continual guilt and shame. Guilt—sorry for what I did. Shame—ashamed of who I have become. Cannot forget.
2. Two things about fire—a literal fire of continual burning. A figurative fire—the same things we are passionate about on earth will continue in Heaven or Hell. It is passion. In Heaven, our passion is for God and it is fully satisfied. In Hell, passion is continued from earth and is never satisfied. It is like a drug addict who cannot get a fix.
3. So dark you cannot see your hand in front of your face, yet, you can see Heaven. Darkness and gloom so thick you can feel it crushing down on you yet there is a continual fire producing no light. Utter ‘aloneness’. Shout as loud as you can and no one hears or responds. Isolated confinement studies: panic, rage, a sense of total loss of control, emotional breakdown, regressive behavior, self-mutilation, nightmares, dizziness, lethargy, delusions and paranoia.
4. Hopelessness and sorrow. Depression that gets deeper and deeper. There is never an acclimation process. You never ‘get used to it’ or ‘learn to cope’.
5. Continual realization that you did not have to be here. Similar to the way we hit ourselves on the head, grit our teeth, and say, “I should have known better.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Our default destination is Hell due to the sin of one man, Adam. Any other result is not scriptural. They all sound nice, but they are not scriptural.
- Our tab has been paid. An exorbitant price—the life of God’s own Son was given so He can have relationship with us. 1 Corinthians 6:20 “…bought with a price…”
- We stand between Eden and Eternity. Genesis and Revelation are the bookends of history. (read from Alcorn’s Heaven location 1673)
So What: Life Application
1. Make sure I am on the right course. My decisions match my destination. Most importantly, to make sure my eternity in Heaven in secure.
2. The reality of Heaven and Hell gives us purpose. It should re-focus our energy and passion. I am here on purpose for Heaven’s purpose—to point the way to Heaven and serve as a roadblock to Hell. Connect on 3 levels for that purpose: to my church, to other like-minded people socially, and to my ministry for fulfillment in serving
3. Knowing I am living in the “in-between” compels me to make this life count—to make the dash between my birth and death here matter. Make choices to be a High Impact Low Maintenance Christian.
If I Die Before I Wake Part 4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, August 22, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Hell? NO!
Luke 16:19-31 “Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus1 who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.2 There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side3. 24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.4 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 27 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.5’ 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.’”
1. A parable using a proper name—Lazarus and the rich man are probably real people. The story being told reflects real events with some figurative elements to make the point Jesus wants made. So we can deduct several things about these real places, yet we cannot induce doctrine.
2. Hell, or Hades, is a place for the dead—eternally dead. Jesus is confronting the belief that the grave is the end. Death is not the cessation of life on earth, it is separation from the presence of God.
3. Hell is aware of Heaven and Earth. Note the move to figurative—the rich man is aware of Heaven, but there is never any indication of response from Lazarus. Abraham’s response is a figurative response—it is simply putting words to what the rich man is knowing for the sake of the story. It also indicates that Lazarus does not see into Hell.
4. Heaven and Hell are a continuum of life on Earth. The rich man and Lazarus are not changed into “beings” who are disconnected from whatever happened here. Their life has continued—one in eternal life and one in eternal death.
5. Heaven is aware of Earth and what is happening here. Heaven’s happiness is not a result of ignorance but of perspective. Those in Heaven have the perspective of God—they know that God is at work in Earth for the good of people.
Mark 9: 47-48 “And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ‘where the maggots never die1 and the fire never goes out2.’”
Matthew 8:12 “But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness3, where there will be weeping4 and gnashing of teeth5.”
1. Continual guilt and shame. Guilt—sorry for what I did. Shame—ashamed of who I have become. Cannot forget.
2. Two things about fire—a literal fire of continual burning. A figurative fire—the same things we are passionate about on earth will continue in Heaven or Hell. It is passion. In Heaven, our passion is for God and it is fully satisfied. In Hell, passion is continued from earth and is never satisfied. It is like a drug addict who cannot get a fix.
3. So dark you cannot see your hand in front of your face, yet, you can see Heaven. Darkness and gloom so thick you can feel it crushing down on you yet there is a continual fire producing no light. Utter ‘aloneness’. Shout as loud as you can and no one hears or responds. Isolated confinement studies: panic, rage, a sense of total loss of control, emotional breakdown, regressive behavior, self-mutilation, nightmares, dizziness, lethargy, delusions and paranoia.
4. Hopelessness and sorrow. Depression that gets deeper and deeper. There is never an acclimation process. You never ‘get used to it’ or ‘learn to cope’.
5. Continual realization that you did not have to be here. Similar to the way we hit ourselves on the head, grit our teeth, and say, “I should have known better.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
- Our default destination is Hell due to the sin of one man, Adam. Any other result is not scriptural. They all sound nice, but they are not scriptural.
- Our tab has been paid. An exorbitant price—the life of God’s own Son was given so He can have relationship with us. 1 Corinthians 6:20 “…bought with a price…”
- We stand between Eden and Eternity. Genesis and Revelation are the bookends of history. (read from Alcorn’s Heaven location 1673)
So What: Life Application
1. Make sure I am on the right course. My decisions match my destination. Most importantly, to make sure my eternity in Heaven in secure.
2. The reality of Heaven and Hell gives us purpose. It should re-focus our energy and passion. I am here on purpose for Heaven’s purpose—to point the way to Heaven and serve as a roadblock to Hell. Connect on 3 levels for that purpose: to my church, to other like-minded people socially, and to my ministry for fulfillment in serving
3. Knowing I am living in the “in-between” compels me to make this life count—to make the dash between my birth and death here matter. Make choices to be a High Impact Low Maintenance Christian.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
08/18/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 3 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
08/15/10 - If I Die Before I Wake PT3 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "If I Die Before I Wake" with part 3 in this Sunday service.
If I Die Before I Wake Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, August 15, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
The Present Heaven and the future Heaven…
Revelation 21:3 “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.”
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 “15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.”
* God wants to live among us. He has not always lived in Heaven, since He created it, and His desire is to live among people. There is a physical present Heaven—note the descriptions—people wearing clothes, River of Life, Tree of Life (same one that was in Eden), thrones, streets. There is a future Heaven even better than the present Heaven. Simply look around you and imagine what this world would be like with no sin, evil, death or corruption. Think about your favorite things about Earth and imagine them without any blemish or drawback.
* We will be with the Lord forever. Note Paul says who we will be with, not where we will be. Isaiah 65:17 “Look, I am creating new heavens and a new earth and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.’ 2 Peter 3:13 “But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.” Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth and the old heaven and old earth had disappeared.”
Colossians 3:1-3 “1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” The word “set” is the same word Jesus uses when He said He came to “seek and save the lost”—it is active, present tense—a continual energy and focus to find and understand Heaven. Paul gives us this as a command. A command assumes a natural resistance to be overcome. Paul is telling us that we will naturally digress from focusing on Heaven and turn our energy to those things that are not eternal. He is commanding us to imagine Heaven, study it, think about it, and live for it. The result is a life lived for Heaven. Note C.S. Lewis quote: “…the Christians who did most for the present world…” (Alcorn’s Heaven, location 626)
* Refocus your energies. Jonathan Edwards in his life resolutions written in his early twenties: “Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can.” If you had 30 days to live, would your life look differently than it does now? Would you settle some arguments or differences? Remember 911? Remember the phone calls being made by those in those buildings? Would you be investing as much energy in the same things you are investing in? Would your priorities be different? 2 Corinthians 7:10 —Life without regret. A life focused on Heaven becomes unoffendable. A life invested in Heaven has eternal priorities and is not pressurized by time issues. Live for treasures in Heaven. Matt 6:20 “Too heavenly minded for earthly good.” Really should be “So Heavenly minded we do the earth some good.” With Heaven as our focus our daily activities take on eternal significance. I am working for the good of others. I am here for others. Instead of focusing on what’s here for me, I turn my focus on being here for others. I will have eternity to enjoy what is here for me. Now, I will do my best to make sure everyone I know is enjoying that with me. Philippians 1:21-25
If I Die Before I Wake Part 3
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, August 15, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
The Present Heaven and the future Heaven…
Revelation 21:3 “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.”
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 “15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.”
* God wants to live among us. He has not always lived in Heaven, since He created it, and His desire is to live among people. There is a physical present Heaven—note the descriptions—people wearing clothes, River of Life, Tree of Life (same one that was in Eden), thrones, streets. There is a future Heaven even better than the present Heaven. Simply look around you and imagine what this world would be like with no sin, evil, death or corruption. Think about your favorite things about Earth and imagine them without any blemish or drawback.
* We will be with the Lord forever. Note Paul says who we will be with, not where we will be. Isaiah 65:17 “Look, I am creating new heavens and a new earth and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.’ 2 Peter 3:13 “But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth He has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.” Revelation 21:1 “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth and the old heaven and old earth had disappeared.”
Colossians 3:1-3 “1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” The word “set” is the same word Jesus uses when He said He came to “seek and save the lost”—it is active, present tense—a continual energy and focus to find and understand Heaven. Paul gives us this as a command. A command assumes a natural resistance to be overcome. Paul is telling us that we will naturally digress from focusing on Heaven and turn our energy to those things that are not eternal. He is commanding us to imagine Heaven, study it, think about it, and live for it. The result is a life lived for Heaven. Note C.S. Lewis quote: “…the Christians who did most for the present world…” (Alcorn’s Heaven, location 626)
* Refocus your energies. Jonathan Edwards in his life resolutions written in his early twenties: “Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can.” If you had 30 days to live, would your life look differently than it does now? Would you settle some arguments or differences? Remember 911? Remember the phone calls being made by those in those buildings? Would you be investing as much energy in the same things you are investing in? Would your priorities be different? 2 Corinthians 7:10 —Life without regret. A life focused on Heaven becomes unoffendable. A life invested in Heaven has eternal priorities and is not pressurized by time issues. Live for treasures in Heaven. Matt 6:20 “Too heavenly minded for earthly good.” Really should be “So Heavenly minded we do the earth some good.” With Heaven as our focus our daily activities take on eternal significance. I am working for the good of others. I am here for others. Instead of focusing on what’s here for me, I turn my focus on being here for others. I will have eternity to enjoy what is here for me. Now, I will do my best to make sure everyone I know is enjoying that with me. Philippians 1:21-25
Friday, August 13, 2010
08/11/10 - What's A Party Without Gifts PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "What's A Party Without Gifts?" with part 2 in this Wednesday service.
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
What's A Party Without Gifts? Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sunday, August 8, 2010
08/08/10 - If I Die Before I Wake PT2 - Pastor Tony Ashmore
Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "If I Die Before I Wake" with part 2 of this Sunday service.
If I Die Before I Wake Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, August 8, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Colossians 1:15-16 “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.”
3 “Heavens: 1st heaven: atmosphere, space, stars. 2nd Heaven: heavenly realms—spiritual activity, spiritual warfare. (Eph 6:11-13—“high places”) 3rd Heaven: the place where God is” (2nd Corinthians 12:2)
All civilizations from the beginning of time have ideas about the afterlife. It is a common thread throughout humanity. The Egyptians buried people with maps so they could find their way to the afterlife. The native Americans believed their spirits would be hunting the spirits of buffalo. The early Mexicans believed they went to the sun or the moon. The Vikings thought they went to a faraway island. You may remember the opening scene from the movie Gladiator based on the Roman belief that they would picnic in beautiful fields while their horses grazed nearby. Every human culture has tried to deal with the issue of the afterlife. Alexander the Great’s father had a servant whose sole job was to stand in his presence once a day and say “Philip, you will die.” Louis XIV decreed that the word death never be uttered in his presence. Each day on this planet 250000 people die and face eternity. Too many Christians have taken the path of Louis XIV, trying to avoid the subject and live like this life is all there is for us.
Jesus explicitly tells us many times this life will come to an end. The Bible gives some definite signs that must occur before His return. (Mark 13:7 “…for such things must happen…”) Most of them have happened. One of them is the whole world must know. At the rate Christianity is advancing (growing 10% a year vs. population growth rate of 3%. At that rate the whole world will know by 2032! So the Lord could return at any time. There will be a shout and a trumpet. Graves burst open, we who are still alive, meet in the air). We need to know Heaven. It is our home, our native land. But too many of us aren’t sure we want to go there. We know we want to end up there, but we don’t long for it because of the misconceptions we have believed.
It is not:
- Clouds, wings, harps
- Non-stop continual church service on our face forever
- Celestial retirement home
- Result: people are not excited about going there. It is not the target of our life. If we have Heaven in our life as a real hope—the blessed hope—then it empowers us to win in this life when everything around us in this cursed Earth is imploring us to quit. (Read story from Heaven about Florence Chadwick)
It is:
- A Real place: God has never abandoned His plan of a perfect Earth occupied by righteous people. Heaven is a resurrected Earth filled with resurrected people sharing joyous life with a resurrected Christ. 1400 miles in every direction, streets of pure gold, jasper walls, pearl gates. John 14:1-2 (note what preceded this in John 13) “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” Jesus told them not to be worried, but to set their affections on Heaven.
- A Right place: the place where things are made right. Relationships are made right, bodies are made right, evil will be absent. Rev 21:4-the old order has passed away. No police, armies, depression. Krispy Kreme light is always on.
- A Relational place: will I know people in Heaven. Heaven wasn’t created for a continual song service—it was created for relationship and enjoyment. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. “So encourage each other…” . How about my dog? Not sure about specific animals but there will be animals and all the animals will be mansion broken.
- A Rewarding place: He wants a family, not a bunch of servants—He has those. Rev 22:12—my reward is with me. First words: Matthew 25:21 NCV 'You did well. You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my joy with me.' NLT: Let’s celebrate together. CEV: Come and share my happiness. It is an awesome place—first 1000 years will be here on a perfected earth.
Sometimes life here is tough. Sometimes there are loved ones that are gone on and we miss them. How do we handle that? Heaven is the blessed hope. Paul said “we don’t grieve like everybody else.”
Titus 2:11- 14 “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
1. Remove your doubts.
a. There is a real place
b. Make sure you are going—we have a debt to pay. When we commit one sin the penalty is eternal death. Jesus came to pick up the tab. God sends no one to Hell. Hell is the place where people who want to can pay there own bill. 1 John 5:11 “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” The reason there is only one way to Heaven is because Christianity is the only religion that deals with the debt. The rest teach you how to handle the result of sin, Jesus removes the issue of sin. Grace: I didn’t deserve it but I got it. It was my bill. I incurred the debt. I deserved to pay it. Acts 15:11 “We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
2. Replace your anxieties. From time to time life stinks. Earth is cursed—bombs, rapes, murders, bad economies, bad relationships. James: “Life here is a vapor”. David (Psalm 39:4-5—life is a breath) Jesus: “Don’t be afraid of what can kill your body…focus on eternity”.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” Paul was able to keep his focus, to avoid depression, to keep moving forward by staying focused on Heaven.
How: talk about it just like you are planning a vacation. We took our family to the Abacos Islands. We planned it, talked about it, were excited about it. It was our target. We still talk about it. Replace your worries with thoughts of Heaven. Replace the news, the stock market, the doctors’ report with thoughts of Heaven.
Colossians 3:1-3 “1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Paul became a problem for those who wanted to punish him because his affections were not set on earth.
3. Refocus your energies. Jonathan Edwards in his life resolutions written in his early twenties: “Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can.” If you had 30 days to live, would your life look differently than it does now? Would you settle some arguments or differences? Remember 911? Remember the phone calls being made by those in those buildings? 2 Corinthians 7:10 —Life without regret. A life focused on Heaven becomes unoffendable. A life invested in Heaven has eternal priorities and is not pressurized by time issues. Live for treasures in Heaven. Matt 6:20
If I Die Before I Wake Part 2
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, August 8, 2010
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Colossians 1:15-16 “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.”
3 “Heavens: 1st heaven: atmosphere, space, stars. 2nd Heaven: heavenly realms—spiritual activity, spiritual warfare. (Eph 6:11-13—“high places”) 3rd Heaven: the place where God is” (2nd Corinthians 12:2)
All civilizations from the beginning of time have ideas about the afterlife. It is a common thread throughout humanity. The Egyptians buried people with maps so they could find their way to the afterlife. The native Americans believed their spirits would be hunting the spirits of buffalo. The early Mexicans believed they went to the sun or the moon. The Vikings thought they went to a faraway island. You may remember the opening scene from the movie Gladiator based on the Roman belief that they would picnic in beautiful fields while their horses grazed nearby. Every human culture has tried to deal with the issue of the afterlife. Alexander the Great’s father had a servant whose sole job was to stand in his presence once a day and say “Philip, you will die.” Louis XIV decreed that the word death never be uttered in his presence. Each day on this planet 250000 people die and face eternity. Too many Christians have taken the path of Louis XIV, trying to avoid the subject and live like this life is all there is for us.
Jesus explicitly tells us many times this life will come to an end. The Bible gives some definite signs that must occur before His return. (Mark 13:7 “…for such things must happen…”) Most of them have happened. One of them is the whole world must know. At the rate Christianity is advancing (growing 10% a year vs. population growth rate of 3%. At that rate the whole world will know by 2032! So the Lord could return at any time. There will be a shout and a trumpet. Graves burst open, we who are still alive, meet in the air). We need to know Heaven. It is our home, our native land. But too many of us aren’t sure we want to go there. We know we want to end up there, but we don’t long for it because of the misconceptions we have believed.
It is not:
- Clouds, wings, harps
- Non-stop continual church service on our face forever
- Celestial retirement home
- Result: people are not excited about going there. It is not the target of our life. If we have Heaven in our life as a real hope—the blessed hope—then it empowers us to win in this life when everything around us in this cursed Earth is imploring us to quit. (Read story from Heaven about Florence Chadwick)
It is:
- A Real place: God has never abandoned His plan of a perfect Earth occupied by righteous people. Heaven is a resurrected Earth filled with resurrected people sharing joyous life with a resurrected Christ. 1400 miles in every direction, streets of pure gold, jasper walls, pearl gates. John 14:1-2 (note what preceded this in John 13) “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” Jesus told them not to be worried, but to set their affections on Heaven.
- A Right place: the place where things are made right. Relationships are made right, bodies are made right, evil will be absent. Rev 21:4-the old order has passed away. No police, armies, depression. Krispy Kreme light is always on.
- A Relational place: will I know people in Heaven. Heaven wasn’t created for a continual song service—it was created for relationship and enjoyment. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. “So encourage each other…” . How about my dog? Not sure about specific animals but there will be animals and all the animals will be mansion broken.
- A Rewarding place: He wants a family, not a bunch of servants—He has those. Rev 22:12—my reward is with me. First words: Matthew 25:21 NCV 'You did well. You are a good and loyal servant. Because you were loyal with small things, I will let you care for much greater things. Come and share my joy with me.' NLT: Let’s celebrate together. CEV: Come and share my happiness. It is an awesome place—first 1000 years will be here on a perfected earth.
Sometimes life here is tough. Sometimes there are loved ones that are gone on and we miss them. How do we handle that? Heaven is the blessed hope. Paul said “we don’t grieve like everybody else.”
Titus 2:11- 14 “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
1. Remove your doubts.
a. There is a real place
b. Make sure you are going—we have a debt to pay. When we commit one sin the penalty is eternal death. Jesus came to pick up the tab. God sends no one to Hell. Hell is the place where people who want to can pay there own bill. 1 John 5:11 “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” The reason there is only one way to Heaven is because Christianity is the only religion that deals with the debt. The rest teach you how to handle the result of sin, Jesus removes the issue of sin. Grace: I didn’t deserve it but I got it. It was my bill. I incurred the debt. I deserved to pay it. Acts 15:11 “We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”
2. Replace your anxieties. From time to time life stinks. Earth is cursed—bombs, rapes, murders, bad economies, bad relationships. James: “Life here is a vapor”. David (Psalm 39:4-5—life is a breath) Jesus: “Don’t be afraid of what can kill your body…focus on eternity”.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” Paul was able to keep his focus, to avoid depression, to keep moving forward by staying focused on Heaven.
How: talk about it just like you are planning a vacation. We took our family to the Abacos Islands. We planned it, talked about it, were excited about it. It was our target. We still talk about it. Replace your worries with thoughts of Heaven. Replace the news, the stock market, the doctors’ report with thoughts of Heaven.
Colossians 3:1-3 “1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” Paul became a problem for those who wanted to punish him because his affections were not set on earth.
3. Refocus your energies. Jonathan Edwards in his life resolutions written in his early twenties: “Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can.” If you had 30 days to live, would your life look differently than it does now? Would you settle some arguments or differences? Remember 911? Remember the phone calls being made by those in those buildings? 2 Corinthians 7:10 —Life without regret. A life focused on Heaven becomes unoffendable. A life invested in Heaven has eternal priorities and is not pressurized by time issues. Live for treasures in Heaven. Matt 6:20
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