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.

Steps Toward God - July 2024

Our relationship with God is constantly changing. The decisions we make each day either draw us closer to Him, or perhaps, we lose sight of His presence in our lives and we drift further apart. This month, we will contemplate the Steps toward God that we can take to cultivate and strengthen our connection with Him: •Call on His Name - as an initial step, this sermon will focus on what we believe about God. (July 7) •Don't confuse the messenger with the message - as we progress in our relationship with God, confusion about His messengers could distract us along the way. (July 14) •Walk in the newness - Holy Baptism is God's act on a human being, pulling them nearer to Him and changing His relationship with them forever. (July 21) •Join His whole family - God loves all humans and is the Father of all. When we respond to His love, we are adopted in His family with the expectation to grow in our resemblance to His Son. (July 28) •Spread the Word - the midweek sermon explores the Parable of the Sower, and how we are called to sow, grow, and listen. (July midweek)

As the church... - June 2024

Perhaps you have heard the phrase - "We are all the church, all the time." What does it mean to "be the church"? How should it impact our individual lives? This month, as the church, we will explore the following: •We preserve and profess - through the example of Peter, we understand how to preserve and profess, and what it means to belong to the church. •We magnify the Lord - through the example of Mary and her song, we learn how to praise God. •We worship God - the first commandment teaches us who God is and how we worship Him. •We remember the Sabbath - the third commandment opens up a teaching on what the Sabbath means in our lives and how we can commemorate it. •We believe and pray - in anticipation of the Service for the Departed, we understand our responsibilities to believe and pray. •We self-reflect - the Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32) urges us to reflect on our confirmation vow. May our actions, inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit, bring glory to God in the church (Ephesians 3:20-21).

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