Category: Sermon Notes

In 597 b.c., the Babylonians began to deport the Jews to Babylon. Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles helps us understand how we can make the best of a difficult situation.

• A look at recent generations

Jeremiah 29:4‭-‬13 NIV
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 

5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.

• Accept it: Live as normal a life as you can and put up with inconveniences without complaining.

• Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 NIV  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

• Help, not Hinder: Try to be a blessing to others. Be a peacemaker, not a troublemaker. In tough times, don’t make times tough…

• Romans 12:10‭-‬13 NIV  Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
  • Be joyful in hope,
  • patient in affliction,
  • faithful in prayer.
  • Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.
  • Practice hospitality.

• Colossians 3:15 NIV Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.

• Check your Sources of Hope:
• The News Informs
• God’s Word Instructs

• Hebrews 4:12‭-‬13 NIV  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.

• Be patient. God has the timing all worked out, and His plans never fail. He knows how long and how much.

• 2 Peter 3:8 NIV But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

• Trust God. Verse 11 is a powerful promise to claim when you are “in exile.” God thinks about you personally and is planning for you. His plans are for peace, not war, so you need not fear the future. His plans are purposeful, so let Him work out His will. No matter how difficult your situation may be, do not waste your suffering by resisting God.

• 2 Chronicles 7:13‭-‬15 NIV “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Jesus wondered… How can I help them remember?

Salt and light (13–16). Tasteless salt and hidden light are good for nothing! Salt arrests decay in our world, and light banishes darkness. Salt is hidden, but light is visible. Both are needed in the world, and both must give of themselves in serve.

Matthew 5:13-16
What we need to know? We are meant to have an impact on the world for the kingdom, not just enjoy its benefits.
Why we need to know it? To understand God’s good and perfect will for your life. (It is your destiny)

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 
How we lose our saltiness?  Compromise “waters” down our faith…

• Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 
What we need to do?Be The Light and share the fruit it bears

• Galatians‬ ‭5:22-23 ‬“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

‭‭Why do we need to do it? Completes our purpose and To Give God Glory
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Here’s the first YouTube video from an Almond Branch Baptist Church Sunday Service back in August, 2013.

In this message we observe the Apostle Paul as he does a self-examination regarding the importance in doing what is right. He reminds us that Christ in us helps us to live a life pleasing in God’s sight.

“God delights in the little things that are prompted by a feeling of love.” D. L. Moody
Love puts maturity into character (vv. 4–7). The Corinthians were impatient with each other, suing each other, tolerating sin in the church, and creating problems because they did not have love. Whatever good qualities you may have, they are nothing without love.

The Message
John 13:34 NIV  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Jesus Loves us in the context of His Grace (Undeserved Favor)

1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬8 NIV4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

• Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NIV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

• We focus more on I Owe You OR You Owe Me.

• Micah 7:18‭-‬19 NIV Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

• Genesis 9:20‭-‬23 NIV Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

8 Love never fails.

• Romans 12:9‭-‬12 NIV Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Our plant story:

We Love Container Gardens

We Love Plants in the Home

I have learned that Good Soil and Healthy Roots Matter Most

Matthew 13:18‭-‬23 NIV “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

When we say God works “behind the scenes,” we’re saying He is at work even when we cannot see Him.

Isaiah said “Truly you are a God who has been hiding himself, the God and Savior of Israel,” it says in Isaiah 45:15(NIV). Other translations use the term “a God that people cannot see” (NCV) or “who conceals himself” (GNT). The Message translation uses, “a God who works behind the scenes. ”Job 1:21‭-‬22 NIV and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

Job teaches us that, in all events, God is sovereign. “The LORD gave”—and we praise Him for His good and undeserved blessings. “The LORD has taken away”—and we praise Him that our loss is for our good and that He still has our best interests at heart. In all things, then, we say, “Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21, ESV).

• Romans 8:26‭-‬29 NIV In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 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. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

• 1 Peter 5:10 NIV  And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Imagine God hands you a gift: His Peace. In return, He asks you to give Him your worries and concerns. That may seem crazy, but that’s exactly what God wants from you.

• My dad was the master of exchanges and kept good records
  • He could get exchanges far beyond the normal return period
  • He would make his case, present his sales receipt and get an exchange
• We have all exchanged purchases
  • Damaged
  • Wrong size
  • No longer needed
  • See something better
• God wants us to exchange our worries for peace.  His Peace

1 Peter 5:6‭-‬10 NIV6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

• Luke 14:11 NIV For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

• Proverbs 16:18 NIV Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

• Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Psalms 55:22 NIV Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

• 1 Peter 1:13 NIV Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

• James 4:7 NIV Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

The Word of God (21–27).

• The Word gives us spiritual birth (v. 18; 1 Pet. 1:22–23).
• It is like seed planted in the heart that produces spiritual fruit (v. 21).
• It is a mirror that helps us examine ourselves (vv. 23–25) and cleanse our lives.
• We must do the Word of God, not just read it or study it; the blessing is in the doing.

“He is already half false who speculates on truth and does not do it. Truth is given, not to be contemplated, but to be done.” F. W. Robertson

James 1:22‭-‬25 NIV22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

• Joshua 1:7‭-‬8 NIV “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

• Psalms 119:11 NIV I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

• Psalms 119:105 NIV Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

• Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

• John 14:26 NIV But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

• Joshua 1:8 NIV Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

If you trust the power of God, you can be like an eagle, a runner, and a patient pilgrim (vv. 28–31). In the emergencies of life, God helps you soar; in the daily routine of life, He helps you patiently walk. Both are the working of His mighty power (Eph. 3:20–21).

Isaiah 40:28‭-‬31 NIV
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Just a Reminder

• Isaiah 55:8‭-‬11 NIV “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Give God your problems (not just tell Him about them)

• 1 Peter 5:6‭-‬7 NIV Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
God can carry burdens we were not designed to carry alone…

• Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

• Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Remember God has good plans for us in every season of life…

• Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

• Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 NIV Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Attitude of Gratitude  – By Chuck Swindoll “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company… a church… a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes

”Today’s Message

Romans 12:1‭-‬2 NIV1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

• Galatians 2:20 NIV I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

• Hebrews 11:1‭-‬2 NIV Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

• Hebrews 11:6 NIV And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• Ephesians 4:22‭-‬23 NIV You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

• 1 Peter 1:13‭-‬16 NIV Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

How?

• 1 Corinthians 6:19‭-‬20 NIV Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

• Ephesians 4:30‭-‬32 NIV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
  • Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
  • Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

It is accomplished by His Strength
Philippians 4:13 NIV I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Theme:  The Power of Words…

Proverbs 18:4 NIV The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
Ephesians 4:29 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

The Message: Matthew 5:13‭-‬16 NIV “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

• Salt and light (13–16). Tasteless salt and hidden light are good for nothing! Salt arrests decay in our world, and light banishes darkness. Salt is hidden, but light is visible. Both are needed in the world, and both must give of themselves in serve.

• Ephesians 2:10 NIV For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

• 2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Who God Says We Are:

• I am a child of God.

But to all who have received him–those who believe in his name–he has given the right to become God’s children … (John 1:12).

• I am a friend of Jesus.

I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father (John 15:15).

• I have been justified and redeemed.

But they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

• I will not be condemned by God.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

• I have been accepted by Christ.

Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God’s glory (Romans 15:7).

• My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in me.

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you (1 Corinthians 6:19)?

• I am a new creature in Christ.

So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away–look, what is new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17)!

• I have been set free in Christ.

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1).

• I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

• I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God.

For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love (Ephesians 1:4).

• I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:7).

• I have been predestined by God to obtain an inheritance.

In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11).

• I have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)–when you believed in Christ–you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

• I am God’s workmanship created to produce good works.

For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them (Ephesians 2:10).

• I have boldness and confident access to God through faith in Christ.

… In whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christ’s faithfulness (Ephesians 3:12).

• I am a citizen of heaven.

But our citizenship is in heaven–and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ … (Philippians 3:20).

• The peace of God guards my heart and mind.

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

• God supplies all my needs.

And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

• I have been chosen of God, and I am holy and beloved.

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience … (Colossians 3:12).The more we embrace these truths from Scripture about who we have become in Christ, the more stable, grateful, and fully assured we will be in this world.

Attitude of Gratitude  – By Chuck Swindoll “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  It will make or break a company… a church… a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes”