Encounter Church
Sunday Morning 05.04.26
  • You Are Good
  • You Have Made Me Glad
  • Jesus Be The Name
  • When I Think About The Lord
  • Goodbye Yesterday
  • Worthy Of It All
  • Alpha and Omega
  • Hallelujah (Medley)

      • Proverbs 11:24-25NIV2011

      • Matthew 26:26–28NIV2011

  • Scripture

    John 15:9–11 NKJV
    9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
    Remain in a love that the father has for me. This how you do it. How will we remain?

    I. What is the Fathers Love in John 15:9?

    It is an amazing blemish free love that has no conditions attached.
    How good would it be to know that no matter what, you are loved. This is amplified by an imperfect human condition that is filled with mistake. This is also an important that parents should not tie the love they extend to obedience. Even when we discipline, it should be evident that love remains.
    That love brings security
    That love is sacrificial on the part of the giver
    That love is eternal and never-ending
    Jesus is saying this same personal and intimate level of love that exists in the Godhead between the father and the son, we are partakers of. It is intense and overwhelming.
    This is how men are called to love their spouses (Ephesians 5:25). Oh what would the world look like if we could love our spouses intensely while overlooking their imperfections on a NEVER ending basis? It is easy to do when we first “fall in love”. Certain things that may now cause frustration were found as cute because “Love covered it”
    1 Peter 4:8 NKJV
    8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
    Proverbs 10:12 NKJV
    12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
    The profoundness of God’s love for us is not just the perfect love that both exist in and is the Father. It also Perfect love expressed for a far from from perfect creation.
    Dads and mom’s When was the last time you intentionally expressed love to your children? When was the last time you gave a deliberate loving act. Is your praise as lavish and abundant as your correction?
    That type of love ushers in grace and promotes healing. It causes us to seek restoration over retribution. When we have found a broken brother or sister, it causes us to examine ourselves before we seek to expose others.
    Oh that the body of Christ could find the love that unites! Grace is a much more powerful force than shame! This is not an excuse to tolerate unrepentant sin. It is an opportunity to recognize when grace and restoration should be extended. For too long Judgement with no grace or mercy attached has been the hammer and every offense has been a nail.

    II. Abiding Pushes us closer to Obedience

    Even Cain who faced the judgement of God for murder, exprienced also the mercy of God in a mark to save his life. He did not deserve the mark for he had taken a life. But in this instance we see both the Justice of God and the mercy of God coexisting.
    We who believe have received that love by grace through faith in Jesus.
    The question may arise. Does this not foster a culture of people who live loosely and abuse the grace given toward them? Actually, it is quite the opposite. The mercy of God draws those who are connected and truly repentant.
    Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
    3 The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
    To abide in the love of God is not an invitation regress. It is an invitation to live in fellowship with our creator and be drawn to holiness. Our obedience and pursuit of holiness is not fear based. It is a product and of love and gratitude .
    Luke 7:45–47 NKJV
    45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
    When we abide in God’s love obedience is both a catalyst and a prooftext. Jesus is part of the triune Godhead. He flows in perfect obedience and unity with the father.
    This is what is commanded of us to day. The path that leads to communion harmony and fellowship with the Father is obedience to the instructions of the Son. We should be scouring His word which points directly to Himself.
    Our obedience proof texts his Lordship in our Life. Our connection, submission and harmony to Jesus produces lasting Joy in our lives. This joy is not attached to the events of life. It is an assurance that in every event we are connecting to the Creator and his purpose for our lives. When a rock climbers climbs, he surrounded by danger. How does he “enjoy” the experience? He makes sure his safety connection are secure. That way even if he should falter and fall they have security because of their connection. In other words they can live life knowing that their failures will not be utlimately fatal. They are not promised a trip free from bumps and scratches. As a matter of fact, t. hey expect them.They can enjoy the experience because they are secure.
    How many are living and not joyful because we are not sure if our connections is secure? This morning Christ calls us to abide in obedience. This way no matter happens we canlive a life of abundant and unbridled joy!

    III. Remain in His Love

    Jesus in John 15 is 12-15 hours from the cross. He is preparing his disciples for the shock and trauma and uncertainty that is soon to come. But He lets them know they are never alone. Even when his physical presence is gone away from them, Holy Spirit will abide.My encouragement to you today is to remain in his love. Experience that connection and fellowship that is manifested through obedience to the Jesus. To experience the fulness of Joy.
    Psalm 16:11 NKJV
    11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
    Let us stand.
    ties and to the fatherHow dow we remain in his love?

  • Scripture

    Isaiah 43:1–7 NKJV
    1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; 6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My

    I’m Covered

    Bible Passage: Isaiah 43:1–7

    Summary: This passage illustrates God's deep and personal love for His people, likening it to the unconditional love and support of a mother, emphasizing His presence and protection throughout life's challenges.
    Application: Understanding God's loving embrace can empower believers to face their struggles and fears, knowing they are cherished and not alone. It encourages them to reach out to God as their source of strength and comfort in difficult times.
    Teaching: This sermon teaches that God’s love transforms our understanding of our trials and tribulations. Just as a mother supports and encourages her children, God walks with us, reminding us of our inherent worth as His chosen ones.
    How this passage could point to Christ: This passage foreshadows the ultimate love of Christ, who echoes God's care by dying for our redemption. In Christ, we find the perfect model of unconditional love, assuring us of God's constant presence and faithfulness.
    Big Idea: A mother’s love goes deep. God’s goes even deeper. The comfort and assurance we receive from mother God will always give even when our mother is no longer there to hold our hand. Yes, mom won’t always be with us. But God always will.
    Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider using your Logos library to explore commentaries on Isaiah 43 that discuss the historical context, particularly Israel's exile and need for reassurance. Look into the different Hebrew words for 'love' and 'fear' in this passage, as they could reveal deeper meanings. Additionally, examine New Testament connections that highlight Christ as the ultimate expression of God's nurturing love.
    This morning, we celebrate God’s genius manifested in the creation of motherhood.

    1. Personal Proclamation of Love

    Isaiah 43:1
    Isaiah 43:1 NKJV
    1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
    The love of someone who knows you deeply and intimately. For 9 months (for most us )have been incubated in the womb we slepted and were nourished inside the body of another forming a unique bond. Similarly god says to Israel and also to us, that the relationship he has with us goes before even deeper, He tells Jeremiah.
    Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
    5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”
    His message this morning is clear. FEAR NOT.
    There are alot of scary things in life. But God is there to guide us. He Reminds us that we have been purchased and are His. We are known by God. We are cherished by God and even in the darkest moments, He is there.
    meditate on this divine reassurance, knowing they are individually known and cherished, especially amid crises.

    2. Protective Presence in Trials

    Isaiah 43:2
    Isaiah 43:2 NKJV
    When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.
    See, God promise His presence to protect us in trails. Just as we receive support and smiles from mamma, God is with us during our trying times. In times of great trail God gives us great comfort. It shouldn’t take much energy to look back at a struggle in life when you wondered how you were going to make it through and now you are here. The very fact that are with us now lets you know that you are not alone. You are not isolated. You are not unloved.
    You are never alone in Christ. He is right there with us sharing in our journey.

    3. Precious in His Sight

    Isaiah 43:3-4
    Isaiah 43:3–4 NKJV
    For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.
    Highlight God's declaration of value over His people, resembling a mother’s valuation of her children as priceless. Emphasize how Christ's sacrifice embodies this valuation, willing to exchange Himself for humanity's redemption. Suggest that understanding their worth explicitly through God's eyes can embolden believers, building their resilience against life's depreciative tendencies. Encourage them to rest assured in the knowledge that God deems them precious and beloved, motivating them to live confidently and unashamedly as His children.

    4. Promise of Reclamation

    Isaiah 43:5-6
    Isaiah 43:5–6 NKJV
    Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth—
    Just as a mother seeks to keep her home united. God seeks to bring his children home. Many families have recognized that when a matriarch passes, families do not stay as connected. Many of us have gone our own ways in life. But isn’t it wonderful how God has gathered us up and redeemed us to himself. He even took the penalty we deserve. God is restoring Israel and truth be told, He is restoring us.
    Isaiah 53:6 NKJV
    All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

    5. Purposeful for His Glory

    Isaiah 43:7
    You could conclude by focusing on God's purpose for His people—to reflect His glory, akin to a parent's joy in a child's achievements. Emphasize that this purpose is fulfilled through Christ's finished work, inviting believers to live gloriously and purposefully. Encourage a pursuit of a life that reflects divine attributes through love, service, and worship, showcasing the transformative power of a life embraced by God’s motherly love.
    Isaiah 43:1–7 NKJV
    from the ends of the earth— 7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
    Our mother is our first sign of nurturing and presence.

      • Isaiah 43:1–7NKJV

      • Isaiah 43:1NKJV

      • Jeremiah 1:5NKJV

      • Isaiah 43:2NKJV

      • Isaiah 43:3–4NKJV

      • Isaiah 43:5–6NKJV

      • Isaiah 53:6NKJV

      • Isaiah 43:1–7NKJV

Encounter Church
http://www.encounter360.org
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