Pastor Tony Ashmore continues the series "Family Recipes" with part 4 in this Sunday service.
Family Recipes Part 4
Pastor Tony Ashmore
Sunday, November 29, 2009
www.churchatmirrorlake.com
Sermon Notes:
Philippians 4:10 (Message) “I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess…I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am…”
Main Point: God’s family recipe is risky. The family He wanted has rejected and betrayed Him, yet He keeps on loving. Today, we will look at the ingredients of His recipe for family—Dangerous Love
Dangerous Love
1. Every Time He Drove a Nail—When did He know? We know that by the time He was 12, He knew the scriptures and His place in them. Yet, He loved dangerously. John 6:61-65 “The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
2. Risk it all to get it all--John 12:24 "Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.”
3. Dangerous Love Ingredients—(Remember “God is love” 1 John 4:16—so we can interchange ‘God’ and ‘love’ in this passage without compromising the scripture. So we can know the actions of Dangerous Love) 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
4. Communion represents Dangerous Love—
a. The Bread and the Wine--Risking it all to become one with Him (Paul said if Jesus was not raised from the dead, then we are fools)
b. The Cross--Risking it all to love ourselves (forgiving ourselves, moving beyond our tendencies and failures to go for the best—the image of God in us)
c. The Candles--Risking it all to love others (Forgiving, reconciling, actively seeking influence by moving past our experiences, our cynicism, our low expectations of others)
Final Word:
Luke 19:26 Message "He said, 'That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag.
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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