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.”
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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