The Divine Story of Jesus and You - South Bay Community Church

Your Divine Love Story

September 22, 2024 • Pastor Tammy Long • Psalm 139:1–18

Sermon Quick Summary Pastor Tammy Long returned from her summer sabbatical and shared how God has provided immense blessings. Psalm 139 1-18 is the Yes and Amen to the sabbatical experience and the message God has for you today. For many of you, some verses in Psalm 139 are familiar. As one of the most personal expressions in scripture, Psalm 139 is an intimate psalm of David’s insight and experience with God’s divine love story: God knows me (verses 1-4). God’s hand of blessing is wonderful for me and even too great for me to understand (Verses 5-6). God is always with me (verses 7-12). God Has a Plan (Story) For Me (vv. 13-16). God loves me (Verses 17-18). Our response should be to love God back with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: The Great in The Commission

September 15, 2024 • Pastor Rev. Troy NIchols • Matthew 28:16–20

Sermon Quick Summary The scripture text for today is from Matthew 28:16-20 (Section 6.10 of our booklet on the Life and Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth): “16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” While the Great Commission in verse 19 can seem overwhelming, it is essential to see the greatness of God within it. In Matthew 28, we find reminders of God's Presence, Power, and Personal Invitation, which provide the foundation and strength for our commission. Verse19 starting with “Therefore”, prompts us to look back and understand the context. Before this moment, Jesus was betrayed, crucified, and resurrected, fulfilling His promise in Mark 14:28: "But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." This shows us that Jesus always shows up, even amidst chaos, highlighting God's Presence in the Commission. Verse 18 reveals God's Power; the Greek word used here is Exousia, which signifies not just power but also the authority to use it. This reminds us that Jesus is in control of both the spiritual and physical realms, reinforcing the Great God's Power in the Commission. Jesus offers a Personal Invitation in verse 20: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This assures us that we are never alone; God is with us, guiding and supporting us in this mission. Understanding the greatness of God in the Great Commission transforms it from a mere duty into a revelation of God's ongoing presence and power. The Greatness of the Commission lies in knowing that our Great God is with us every step of the way.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: When God Disappoints Us

September 8, 2024 • Reverend Doctor Stanley Long • John 18:1–11

Sermon Quick Summary The scripture text for today is from John 18:1-11 (Section 5.42 of our booklet on the Life and Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth). We will be looking at the story of Joe as an example of a Christian man’s disappointment with God. Judas and Peter had disappointments with God with some similarities to Joe’s story. The question to you is: has God ever disappointed you? Let’s explore what to do when we are disappointed with God’s behavior not being what we expect: (1) Always choose faith over fear. (2) Always trust that God is in control on the throne, remembering that it is the sovereignty of God that is the source of your sanity. (3)There is awesome power in patiently waiting. (4)You must look for lessons learned. (5)There is amazing power in gratefulness to God. (6)You must get ready for the turnaround as God transforms us on the inside for outward action in this world.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: A Mean with a Purpose

September 1, 2024 • Reverend Gerald Mann • Luke 22:14–20

Sermon Quick Summary The scripture text for today is from Luke 22:14-20 (Sections 5.23, 5.24, 5.27 of our booklet on the Life and Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth). You, as a believer in Jesus Christ, are invited to the communion meal with application to your life today. For Jewish people, the Passover provided security on liberation from bondage; for believers, Jesus is our Passover. A reference to Jesus’ body is the bread remembering Jesus’ body crushed and broken for us. Another reference to Jesus’ body is the cup representing the blood of Jesus shed for us and the forgiveness of our sins. The body of Jesus is a new covenant that we remember. God transforms our heart, and we interact with God personally as we walk as children whose sins are forever forgiven. The New Covenant Meal is encouragement of the guarantee of God’s promises through hope. We do the New Covenant Meal to internalize what God has done through Jesus in and for us.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: For God’s Glory

August 25, 2024 • Minister Philip Thompson • John 11:1–16

The scripture text for today is from John 11:1-16 (Section 4.62 of our booklet on the Life and Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth). In our scripture sermon text, Jesus taught about the death of Lazarus, Jesus as the resurrection and the light raising Lazarus from death, and God’s call on us to show the glory of God’s divine greatness. God’s glory is a foundational theme of scripture. Glory is used as a designation for God and a description for God’s presence. The God we worship is intrinsically glorious in the fullness, sufficiency, majesty, beauty, and splendor as well as the display of God’s attributes, perfections, or person. We are called to praise and worship God as God is transforming us for God’s glory. Transforming for God’s Glory includes reaching out to others. There are 5 Lessons from Lazarus’ story for living our life. Lesson 1: Our story is bigger than we know or imagine. God knows us and every aspect of our story. Lesson 2: We decide if we want Jesus as part of our story and choose when to invite the divine God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit into our lives. Lesson 3: Lesson 3: God’s love is immutable and speaks a word of destiny over and into our life story. Lesson 4: God’s work in our life stories grows our faith for God’s Kingdom, God’s glory and God’s love. Lesson 5: As we trust in God, God has the final say in how our story ultimately ends...

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: All Is Well

August 18, 2024 • Reverend Doctor Stanley Long • Matthew 14:22–33

Sermon Quick Summary The scripture text for today is from Matthew 14:22-33. In our scripture sermon text, Jesus taught about the miracle of Jesus walking on water, Peter following Jesus on the water, and the eleven disciples who through fear of the storm did not get out of the boat. Jesus taught this lesson on what it is like to live in fear of the environment and storms of life. While following God’s guidance, it is still possible to encounter storms. Jesus sees us, and Jesus challenges our fears. A misunderstanding of our reality can fill our hearts with fear. Three things we can do to keep our hearts from fearful torment: (1) Acknowledge and name your fears. (2) Examine your assumptions based on fear, in the light of the facts. (3) Attack your anxiety with positive action. There is the power of courage in prayer and trusting that God is with us, despite difficult circumstances around us. As we chase fears away and trust God with us, all is well!

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: Eye of Faith

August 11, 2024 • Minister Ashley Watson • John 9:35–41

Sermon Quick Summary The scripture text for today is from John 9:35-41 (ESV). In our scripture sermon text, Jesus taught about overcoming spiritual blindness with eyes of faith. Our natural inclination is to rely heavily on our physical senses to confirm the reality in our hearts and minds of what we hear. Some will say, “Show me the receipt” or demand some proof from pictures or videos. Even with receipts or actual proof, Jesus encountered skepticism from those who were spiritually blind. Similarly for us today, spiritual blindness can keep us from recognizing and accepting the truth of Jesus Christ, even with undeniable evidence of Jesus’ divine power and identity. We can overcome spiritual blindness with practical steps and ensure that we are truly seeing as Jesus intends. For those who do not accept Jesus Christ the practical steps are: (1) In humility acknowledge your blindness in making a U-turn back towards God; (2) See and declare Jesus as your Savior; (3) Hear and respond to the Word of God spoken by Jesus Christ with faith in Jesus. For those who have already come to faith in Jesus Christ, practical steps in maintaining spiritual sight is an ongoing journey: (1) Continue to connect with God and Jesus by remaining in the light of daily spiritual habits; (2) Grow together with other believers including sharing your faith with others; (3) Go out and change the world through service in helping others and taking a stand for justice.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: From Rejection To Belief: The Invitation of Jesus

August 4, 2024 • Tony DeGruy • Mark 6:1–6

Sermon Quick Summary The scripture text for today is from Mark 6:1-6 (ESV), which is Section 3.56 in your booklet, available at http://www.plusnothing.com In the Old Testament, the people of Israel rejected the prophecy of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. They continuously turned away from God. Similarly, the Mark 6:1-6 scripture focuses on Jesus being rejected in His hometown. The costs of rejecting Jesus include choosing darkness over light, choosing spiritual blindness over the light of truth, developing spiritual hardness of our hearts, choosing spiritual death as separation from God, and losing inner peace. The gifts of belief include God’s forgiveness, righteousness, grace, and eternal life. God promises us peace that surpasses all understanding, salvation, and being transformed into the likeness of God's attributes. God allows U-Turns when we confess and repent. The choice before us is rejection or belief. Let us open our hearts to Jesus, believe in Him, and receive the gift of eternal life and all the other gifts accompanying believing in Jesus.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: The Blessings of Acceptance

July 28, 2024 • Minister Paula Fuller • Luke 7:18–35

Sermon Quick Summary The scripture text for today is from Luke 7:18-35 (ESV), which is Section 3.37 in your booklet, available at http://www.plusnothing.com This scripture has Jesus’ teaching about great blessings for those who accept Jesus. John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord. John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod, and doubts entered his mind. John sent two of his followers to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we wait for someone else?” Jesus responds to the question from John with action of immediate healing. Jesus affirms John’s ministry as a strong messenger through a solid reputation with Jesus. Jesus taught that even those who are least in the Kingdom of God are greater than John the Baptist. Unlike those who receive Jesus, the Pharisees rejected John the Baptist and Jesus. God’s wisdom is right and great blessings flow to those who accept Jesus Christ. A person who has accepted Jesus is blessed, spiritually favored, and has inner peace. In times of doubt, take questions to Jesus. God positions the blessed who accept Jesus to be able to live their life with power and purpose.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: How to be a Love Agent in Troubled Times

July 21, 2024 • Reverend Doctor Stanley Long • Matthew 5:43–48

Sermon Quick Summary The scripture text for today is from Matthew 5:43-48, which is Section 3.24 in your booklet, available at http://www.plusnothing.com This scripture has Jesus’ teaching on loving your neighbors, even including enemies. Our world is in trouble. People are hurting, and we are in trouble. The United States is in trouble because our moral compass is deeply compromised. The Church today in America is in trouble; a lower percentage of people are attending churches than at any point in American history. Does God see and care about the trouble we are in? God knows and cares even when we do not understand how God will use events to bring about God’s ultimate purpose. Often, like biblical characters, we ask God, “Do you see the mess I am in?” God’s purposes for my life cannot be thwarted. Yes, God does care. God wants us to trust divinity. With proper patience, we will see that God is in control. In responding to these difficult times, God has followers of Christ arm not with a weapon, but with more love. The five behaviors to help us love more effectively are: (1) Listen for clues that people are in pain. (2) Stop what you are doing at that moment because busyness kills compassion for others; you cannot follow Jesus and live a self-centered life. (3) Look past people’s behavior to see their value; if you want to be merciful and not judgmental you listen, stop, and look because attention is love. (4) Ask people what they need, not assuming you know. Let that person set the agenda as you learn to ask questions to be a better love agent. (5) Do what you can do to help. Ask the person what you can do to help. When Jesus is showing love to people, Jesus used His ears, His eyes, His mouth with words, and His hands to touch them. A love agent resists systems that hurt people.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: Do You Want To Be Made Well?

July 14, 2024 • Bishop Don Green • John 5:1–9

We are continuing our miniseries, “The Divine Story of Jesus and You.” The scripture text for today is from John Chapter 5:1-9, which is Section 3.10 in your booklet, available at http://www.plusnothing.com This message, “Do You Want to Be Made Well?” describes an encounter between Jesus and a sick man at a pool who needed healing. We live in a sick society that is confused about its identity, confused about the truth, with no real absolutes about right and wrong but everything depends on how you look at it. Surrounded by wickedness in this fallen world, we are a sick society. As The Church, are we bowing down to the culture of today? The real question for The Church is: Do you want to be made well? We have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who has the power, strength, ability, and authority to make us well. But some do not want to lose their position relying on the world rather than trusting Jesus Christ for healing. “One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been sick for a very long time. So he asked him, 'Do you want to be well?'” (John 5:5-6). The sick man at the pool who needed healing did not answer Jesus’ question. “The sick man answered, ‘Sir there is no one to help me get into the water when it starts moving. I try to be the first one into the water. But when I try, someone else always goes in before I can.” (John 5:7). Have you ever been in a place where you were so depressed and discouraged that you missed Jesus’ question, do you want to be made well? The sick man’s answer was not to trust in Jesus; instead, the sick man relied on others in the culture to place him in the stirring waters of the pool. The sick man was using the culture as a crutch for self-pity from pain, discouragement, and disappointment. “Then Jesus said, ‘Stand up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ Immediately the man was well. He picked up his mat and started walking." (John 5: 8-9). Jesus supplied the sick man even with the will to be cured, trusting in Jesus rather than the culture.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: You Must Be Born Again

July 7, 2024 • Reverend Gerald Ashby • John 3:1–21

Sermon Quick Summary We are continuing our miniseries, “The Divine Story of Jesus and You.” The scripture text for today is from John Chapter 3:1-21, which is Section 2.10 in your booklet, available for free at http://www.plusnothing.com This message, “You Must Be Born Again,” describes an encounter between Jesus and the Jewish Pharisee leader Nicodemus. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him” (John 3:2). This is a simple statement of fact. “Jesus answered ‘everyone must be born again. Anyone who is not born again cannot be in God’s kingdom’” (John 3:3). Jesus provides an answer to a question that Nicodemus did not ask. The real question, like it is a Jesus Jeopardy show, is: how can a person in this life be in the Kingdom of God? Why would Jesus answer this question without Nicodemus asking? It was taught widely among Jews at that time that since they descended from Abraham, they were automatically assured of life in the Kingdom of God. We still face the fact today that we must be born again. Today, some think they have good life and do not need Jesus as Savior to have life in the Kingdom of God.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: The Wedding

June 30, 2024 • Reverend Doctor Stanley Long • John 2:1–11

Sermon Quick Summary We are continuing our miniseries, “The Divine Story of Jesus and You.” The scripture text for today is from John Chapter 2, which is Section 2.8 in your booklet, available for free at http://www.plusnothing.com/. This scripture is called the wedding at Cana. Jewish weddings at the time of Jesus were bound by tradition and culture. The wedding ceremony would take place late in the evening after a time of feasting and celebration lasting for days. At this wedding, they had no more wine. Jesus, as Divinity, performed a miraculous sign and changed water into wine. We started this miniseries by exploring the three components of God’s story: the necessity of revelation, the indispensability of reconciliation, and the exhilaration of restoration. We now see God working out God’s story through the everyday reality of the wedding. God becomes more aggressive about reconciling the world unto God. God takes advantage of an everyday human problem to get a more serious commitment from you and me. Jesus, Divinity in the flesh, will not carry out the mission alone; Jesus will need us as convinced coworkers. God chooses problems as an opportunity for self-revelation of God. Through the miracle of additional wine, the disciples put their faith in God. Their faith convinced them that God can be trusted. God uses problems to direct us and change our direction. God uses problems to correct and teach us, not to punish us. God uses problems to protect us from greater harm.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: Introducing the Word

June 23, 2024 • Minister Douglas Ericsson • John 1:1–18

Sermon Quick Summary We are continuing our miniseries “The Divine Story of Jesus and You.” Last week, Dr. Stan Long started this series by exploring essential elements of God’s story including the opportunity to interview God through God’s self-revelation in scripture. Jesus asked the Disciples two key questions: (1) what do the people of the world say about Jesus, with a multitude of answers. (2) Then in each of the gospels Jesus asked the disciples who do you say that Jesus is? The disciple Peter responded that Jesus is the Christ of God (See Matthew 16:16, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20, and John 6:69). This series explores these two key questions: Who is Jesus? In what ways does Jesus affect our world and us today? In this series, we are utilizing a booklet covering the life and teachings of Jesus based on scripture, spanning from the birth and childhood of Jesus to His last 40 days. This booklet is available for free at http://www.plusnothing.com Jesus is an unavoidable figure in history. To do justice to any evaluation of Jesus, one must listen to those who walked with Jesus and knew Jesus personally. This booklet gives us the primary documents to understand who Jesus is. Through this series, we will discover afresh who Jesus is and examine how Jesus intersects with our story both personally and for society as a whole. The scripture text for today from John 1:1-18 is a prologue that introduces the main themes and foreshadows events that are to follow. It is vital to grasp the life and teachings of Jesus. The central figure, Jesus, is the WORD. The WORD is the crucial figure to understand the world, God, truth, grace, darkness, light, and becoming a child of God in reconciliation and right relationship with God and neighbors. The WORD is the key to our life journey.

The Divine Story of Jesus and You: God’s Story

June 16, 2024 • Reverend Doctor Stanley Long • Genesis 1:1, Genesis 3:6–10, Genesis 3:14–15, Genesis 1:26–27

Sermon Quick Summary What would we learn if we could interview God? Through God’s self-revelation, someone had already done that and some of what they discovered is in today’s scripture text. We need to revisit the scriptures that captured the essence of God’s story. We will rethink many of the myths and misconceptions we have about God and weigh them against what God has revealed about Himself. Our myths and misconceptions about God include that God is unreasonable, unreliable, unconcerned, and unpleasable. Such ideas about God are wrong arising from no relationship or an estranged relationship with God. The essential components of God’s story include the following: (1) God’s self-revelation is necessary for us to get to know God. As God declares “I am the I am.” (2) Reconciliation is indispensable. God invites us to join God on the mission. (3) Restoration is exhilarating. God is making things over again, as God invites us to yield to God restoring us. As we celebrate Father’s Day, out of God’s love for us, let us consider our Heavenly Father’s attributes. God is a caring Father. God is a consistent Father. God is a close Father. God is a competent Father.