Online Church
Our New Normal Church For Now!
Standing for Us
May 3, 2020 • Andrew Rehbein
Join us as we continue to consider the power that emerges from the throne. Stephen allows us to share in his vision of Jesus at the right hand of God. He shows us something unique about the encouraging work of Christ. (Acts 7:54-60) KEY PASSAGE: ACTS 7:54-60 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul approved of their killing him. HOW DID STEPHEN SEE? The Holy Spirit is the enabling power to connect Heaven’s activity to our hearts. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. —Matthew 6:10 WHAT DID STEPHEN SEE? THE SON OF MAN 1. Jesus has a shared human experience 2. Jesus is a Messiah who embodied Suffering Servant 3. Jesus is now in a position of authority and power STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD 1. This is a unique description of Jesus’ activity at the right hand of God 2. Jesus standing is a vision of encouragement En-courage-ment - To put in courage WHAT DOES IT MEAN? JESUS PUTS IN US THE COURAGE TO SPEAK Stephen speaks boldly. “Look,” he said, “I see…” —Acts 7:56 When prompted to speak, will you? JESUS PUTS IN US THE COURAGE TO SUFFER Stephen suffers gracefully. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” —Acts 7:59 JESUS PUTS IN US THE COURAGE TO SHINE Stepen shines brightly. All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like that of an angel. —Acts 6:15 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” —Acts 7:60 WHAT TO WE DO TO SEE? Pray for more of the Holy Spirit!
Held Together
April 26, 2020 • Andrew Rehbein
HELD TOGETHER April 26, 2020 Hebrews 4:14-15 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin. OUR CONFESSION High Priest - Mediator, “go-between”, speaks on our behalf Empathize - to suffer with This confession does not lead us to shame, but to confidence. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. OUR CONFIDENCE Confidence/Boldness - outspoken, without fear of offense Throne - power, authority, where things get done Grace - receiving what we can’t deserve Mercy - not receiving what we do deserve Help - nautical term, to frap, wrapping ropes or chains around hull of ship and tying on top to hold boat together. HE HOLDS US TOGETHER WITH Pardon & Power Promises & Presence Provision & People
Epic Easter Fort
April 19, 2020 • Andrew Rehbein
FROM THE THRONE PART 1: EPIC EASTER FORT Key Passage: Colossians 3:1-14 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yoursleves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knolwedge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these vitures put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. APPLICATION: Before you get up each morning, say: I am alive today because of you Jesus. I am accepted in you. I am safe in you. My real life is found in you. Help me live for eternal things today. —Morning As you are getting dressed, ask: “Clothe me today with your compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I’m dressed today in your forgiveness, so help me forgive others. I’m covered today in your love, so help me love others well.” —Getting Dressed At lunch, pray: Keep me focused on you, Jesus. Help me walk with you, and live your way in all things today. —Lunch Getting ready for bed, reflect: Clothe me today with your compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I’m dressed today in your forgiveness, so help me forgive others. I’m covered today in your love, so help me love others well. —Bedtime If there are specific ways in which you have demonstrated old, sinful patterns of life, name those and receive forgiveness. Before you fall asleep, meditate on this: Tonight I rest knowing my life is hidden in You, Jesus. Thank you for eternal life. Thank you for hope and peace and the adventure of life in You. —Before Sleep
O Death, Where is your Victory?
April 12, 2020 • Andrew Rehbein
1 Corinthians 15:54-57 “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Worship That Holds Out
April 5, 2020 • Andrew Rehbein
WORSHIP THAT HOLDS OUT Matthew 2:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19 Hosanna! 1. Save now! 2. Rescue! 3. Save, I pray! 4. Help! Does our worship hold out when God doesn’t deliver in the way we think He should? WORSHIP THAT HOLDS OUT KNOWS… God Never Abondons Redemptive Purposes He sees more redemptive potential than I can ever see. 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… —Ephesians 3:20 He secures more redemptive promises than I could ever accomplish. WORSHIP THAT HOLDS OUT LEARNS TO… LAMENT Prayer out of Pain (Psalm 13) Choosing not to repress your feelings, nor be ruled by them. LOOK & LISTEN Redemptive clues speak into the mystery. 1. How do I see God redeeming me during this time? 2. How do I see God redeeming my family during this time? 3. How do I see God transforming the Church during this time? 4. How do I see God showing up in the world right now? LOVE WELL No circumstance prevents this from being the prayer of our heart and the purpose of our day.
