The God Who Sees - August 2023 - New Apostolic Church USA

New Apostolic Church USA

The God Who Sees - August 2023

Our theme for this month comes from Hagar, the only person in the Bible to give God a name. Hagar thinks she is alone in the desert, but God comes to her, comforts her, and promises a future for her and her child. Hagar calls God El Roi, meaning, the-God-who-sees. Hagar was seen and heard by God in her struggles, even though she was not an Israelite.

Each sermon this month will focus on the God who sees - He sees each of us individually, He sees His church, His people, and all of humanity - no matter where we are, how far we are from Him, in the good and bad days; He is ever near.

•God sees you

•God sees your heart

•God sees your struggle

•God sees your future

•God sees His own

In Hebrew, El Roi can also mean the-God-who-is-seen-by-me; not only did God see Hagar, but God allowed Hagar to perceive Him. Let us continually teach and encourage a sense of awe in our members regarding this truth: God cares about you individually. He is with you and He is for you. Draw close to Him; see Him.

Empowered - May 2024

After witnessing the proclamation of the resurrection, we turn to anticipating the Holy Spirit. Jesus says to His disciples: And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high (Luke 24:48-49). May is a celebration and commemoration of the sending of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. The self-revelation of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is concluded in the Pentecost event. The Holy Spirit is not only the presence of God on earth, but the Person of God who empowers believers and the church to carry out the mission given by Jesus Christ. We are... •Empowered with promise - the pouring out of the Spirit was foretold in the Old Testament •Empowered with blessing - Jesus' ascension bestows blessing and responsibility on believers •Empowered with clarity - the Spirit brings to remembrance the presence of Christ in our lives •Empowered with teaching - the church is built on a foundation of the apostles' doctrine •Empowered with proximity - as God reveals Himself to humanity, we are brought closer to Him

Proclamations of the Resurrection - April 2024

Lent gave us the opportunity to prepare our hearts for Holy Week, to walk the path to the cross with Christ. April leads us into the joyous season of Eastertide - the longest liturgical celebration in the Christian calendar. It also gives us the time to truly celebrate the Risen One; an event as astounding as the resurrection could not be contained in just one day. Christ's victory over sin and death, prompt our April sermon theme: Proclamations of the Resurrection - truths that we will unearth as we, along with the disciples, encounter the Risen Christ: •April Midweek: I live with Christ! - now and in the future •April 7th: The tomb is empty! - the women's testimony •April 14th: I believe! - Thomas' move from doubt to faith •April 21st: Enlightened in wisdom, Rooted in love - a prayer for the church •April 28th: He is perfect! - the people recognize their Messiah From our Meditations of Lent resource: He who this day rose from the clods of earth, we expect one day from the clouds of heaven: to raise our bodies, to perform His promises, to finish our faith, to perfect our glory and to draw us unto Himself. Let us celebrate the Risen Christ!

The Path With Christ - March 2024

The month of March leads our preaching through Lent and the holy days of Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter. Lent is a time of reflection and repentance that allows us to intentionally know Jesus in a new way; we walk with Him on the path that led Him to His death, and ultimately His victory on Easter. Each sermon leads us further on the path with Christ: •A prayer of confidence in God's mercy, •A reflection on the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, •An invitation to the realities of Christ's table, •A perspective of His kingdom through the events of Palm Sunday, •A journey to the foot of the cross on Good Friday, and •A celebration of His resurrection on Easter Sunday. To walk and preach this journey takes focus and intention. This is our proclamation for this month - resolved to know nothing... except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2).