New Work Fellowship Podcast

Rhythms for Life (8/21/22)

Preach Jesus: the life habits of Jesus

Rhythms for Life

Luke 2:21-24 and 2:41-52

 

The best life rhythms and habits show up in how Jesus lived.

 

“If you are having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” James Clear, Atomic Habits

 

Building Life Rhythms: 

1. Choose your Habits

 

Life giving habits are found in God’s Word.

Three ancient, biblical ceremonies

Life giving habits are shared among God’s people. 

They started looking for Jesus among their relatives and friends. 

 

2. Change your Life

“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”

 

Thinking - Character - God likeness - Blessing to others

The Best Habits produce the Best life. 

 

How do you respond to Vision? 

1. Pray.
2. Give.
3. Invite.
4. Establish God Honoring Rhythms.

Raising Lazarus (8/14/22)

Preach Jesus: Miracles of Hope

“Raising of Lazarus”

John 11

 

What do you need to know about Friendship?

• Everybody needs friends

v3, “…your dear friend …”

 

• Friends cannot do everything

v21 and 32, “If you had only come …”

 

Misplaced expectations lead to unexpected disappointments.

 

• Jesus is a friend like no other

1 Corinthians 15:26, “And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 

 

Final thought: Everybody Needs Jesus—what about you? 

 

Restoring a Daughter and a Woman (8/7/22)

Jesus and the Miracles of Hope

Restoring a Daughter and a Woman

Mark 5:21-43

 

Purpose: Three TRUTHS about Jesus to hold onto as we walk through PERSONAL TRAGEDIES

 

Mark 5:21-29 
Truth 1. Jesus is AVAILABLE for ALL PEOPLE 

"Just as I am, Thou wilt RECEIVE 
Wilt WELCOME, PARDON, CLEANSE, RELIEVE 
Because Thy promise I BELIEVE 
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come”

 

Mark 5:30-34 
Truth 2. Jesus knows the DIFFERENCE between the FAITHFUL and the FANS 

“The FAITHFUL FOLLOW no MATTER THE COST; The FANS FOLLOW until THERE IS A COST.” 

 

Mark 5:35-43 
Truth 3. Jesus has ULTIMATE AUTHORITY

 

Reflection Question: Has Jesus Christ turned your tragedy into triumph? 

Calming the Storm (7/31/22)

Preach Jesus: Jesus & the Miracles of Hope

Calming the Storm

Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25

 

How do you Ride the Storm?

 

#1—Recognize there is More in the Storm; THAN THE STORM

Matthew 8:24a, “Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat.” 

 

#2—Realize the Storm is not only around you; IT IS IN YOU

Luke 8:25,“The disciples were terrified…” 

Mark 4:38b, “…The disciples woke him up shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 

Psalms 89:8-9 “O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful. You rule the oceans. You subdue their storm-tossed waves.”

 

#3—Believe there is more for you through the Storm; than WITHOUT THE STORM

• Jesus sent them into it.

• Jesus went with them into it.

• Jesus showed them how to go through storms with confidence.

  Matthew 8:26, “Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” 

 

#4—Jesus is bigger THAN ANY STORM

Matthew 8:26-27, “Jesus responded, ‘Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!’ Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked. ‘Even the winds and waves obey him!’” 

 

“…suddenly there was a great calm…” 

Philippians 4:6-7, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus: Our Hope (7/24/22)

Preach Jesus: Jesus & the Miracles of Hope

Jesus: Our Hope

Mark 1:40-42

 

Three Observations on Hope from Mark 1:40-42

1. HOPE IS WORTH PURSUING

Questions to reflect on: 

What Problems has Jesus fixed for me in the past? 

What Problem have I brought to Jesus this week? 

What Posture am I brining my problem to Jesus in? 

 

James 4:6 teaches that God opposes the Proud and gives grace to the Humble

 

2. HOPE CAN TOUCH ANYONE

Question: 

Who is it that you would look at as Unclean Unworthy?

When do you feel Unclean and Unworthy? 

 

The Church is called to reach the World and that means reaching an unclean world. 

 

3. HOPE’S POWER IS ROOTED IN HIS WORD

Supporting Scriptures for YOU to reflect on this week… 

Mark 4:35-41 

John 11:1-44 

Mark 1:21-28 

John 1:1-3, Genesis 1 

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 

Revelation 1:16 

Revelation 19:13-15

 

The Point: In this story I should identify as the Leper 

 

Closing Question 

What will you do with Hope today? What will you do with Jesus? What will you do with His Word, the Gospel? 

Jesus: Casting out the Unclean Spirit (7/17/22)

Series: Preach Jesus: Jesus & the Miracles of Hope

Sermon: Jesus: Casting out the Unclean Spirit

Scripture: Mark 1:21-28

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NIV)

 

Get this from the story: 

• There is an AUTHORITY

  • v22, “The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority…” 

  • v27b, “…What sort of new teaching is this?...It has such authority.” 

 

There is an ADVERSARY

See v23-24. 

 

There is a PROBLEM 

1. We don’t believe in authority 

2. We don’t believe in the supernatural

    

Ephesians 6:10-12, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

 

There is HOPE, Right Now

• We all, are this man. RIGHT NOW.

• We all, have access to Jesus. RIGHT NOW.

• We all, can be freed. RIGHT NOW.

 

Final Thought: Jesus is still in the miracle of hope business.

Changing Water into Wine (7/10/22)

Preach Jesus: Jesus & the Miracles of Hope

Changing Water into Wine

John 2:1-11

 

What big picture truth is God showing us?

 

1. Jesus shows up.  (John 2:1-2)

• The ultimate bridegroom & redeemer. (Galatians 4:4-5)

• The long-awaited Messiah. (Luke 2:11)

• God Himself is present. (Matthew 28:20)

 

2. Jesus is bigger than any problem. (John 2:3-8)

• Someone fell short. (Romans 3:23)

• The righteousness of Jesus is shown. (Ephesians 6:1-3)

• The covenant is filled full through cleansing. (1 John 1:9)

 

3. Because of Jesus, the best is yet to come. (John 2:9-11)

• This wedding is a preview of a great wedding feast to come. (Revelation 19:6-9)

• It’s all about the glory of Christ being revealed. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

• Jesus is the hope of the world.

• Do you believe? (Hebrews 10:23) 

 

Final Thought: Every life circumstance is an opportunity for you to show the Glory of Christ.  

He is the King (7/3/22)

Preach Jesus

He is the King

Deuteronomy 33:1-5, 1 Samuel 8:4-9

 

1. Without the KING you’re on your OWN

   - True freedom comes from submission to Jesus

2. Without the KING you’re ALONE

   - We all follow something

3. The KING wants you to come HOME
   - Jesus wants to be your king and be part of His Kingdom

 

What happens when Jesus is my King?

1. Forgiveness of Sins

2. Inclusion in His Kingdom community

3. Kingdom Purpose

4. Kingdom Presence

 

Final Thought:

You do not have to be on your own.

You do not have to be alone.

The King wants to welcome you home.

He is the Kinsmen Redeemer (6/26/22)

Preach Jesus

He is the Consuming Fire

Ruth

 

Our Jesus is the one who takes the hard
and turns it to goodness, joy, and peace.

 

Redeem-“buy back” or “buy again”.

 

Two-fold blessing of a family redeemer:

·       He provides family.

·       He steps into the mess and distress of broken life; to restore.

 

Life Lessons from Ruth:

In life, there is TROUBLE (see Ruth 1)

Job 14:1, “How frail is humanity! How short is life, how full of trouble!”  

2 Timothy 3:1, “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.”  

1 Peter 4:12, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”

In trouble, there is always GOD (see Ruth 12)

2 Corinthians 4:8, “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."

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

With God, you can always PATIENTLY TRUST (see Ruth 3)

Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.” 

Micah 7:7, “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.”

Romans 12:12, “…Be patient in trouble…” Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

·       Get this down: When in Trouble—better than anxiety—is Prayer.

“Faith is best spelled RISK” -John Wimber

For God loves to RESTORE (see Ruth 4)

1 Peter 1:18-20a, “For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life … And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began…”

 

Our Jesus is the one who takes the hard and turns it to goodness, joy and peace.

He is the Consuming Fire (6/19/22)

Preach Jesus

He is the Consuming Fire

Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:28-29

 

The Lord your God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 4:24

 

Let’s go on a Campfire Journey:

(See Exodus 3)

Jeremiah 23:29, “Does not my word burn like fire?”

 

Lessons at the fireside:

#1–Don’t tell me about your past. God’s got your future

#2–All you need to do, is make the first turn; God’s got the rest 

(See Exodus 19)

Proverbs 17:3, “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.”

 

#3–God’s fire isn’t to destroy you—but to refine you! 

(See Deuteronomy 4)  

Matthew 3:11-12, (NIV) “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, …. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire…. unquenchable fire.”

Luke 12:49-51, “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, … I have come to divide.”

(See Hebrews 12)

 

#4–God’s fire is calling you in; embrace the heat 

(See Revelation 1:12-16)

 

“From about half past ten at night

until about half past midnight,

FIRE…

—Blaise Pascal

 

“…I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…”

2 Timothy 1:6