THINGS WE LOSE 

• KEYS 

• PHONE 

• REMOTE 

• WALLET 

• GLASSES (DO YOU ALL ORDER THESE IN BULK LIKE US?) 

WHICH ONE IS MOST STRESSFUL TO YOU? 

AVERAGE TIME 

• WE SPEND 5:20 SECONDS SEARCHING FOR EACH ITEM 

THINGS WE SPEND MORE TIME ON?  

• KEYS 

• UMBRELLA 

• PASSPORT 

• WALLET 

• ID (WHICH SHOULD PROBABLY BE IN YOUR WALLAT) 

NO 1 MOST LOST ITEM 

• US- REMOTE 

• UK-KEYS 

SUNDAY  

• TOP DAY TO LOSE YOUR PHONE 

IMPORTANT DATE IN HISTORY 

• NOVEMBER 15^TH, 2022 

• FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER 

SLIDE 10: 8 BILLION 

• PLANET EARTH BROKE THE 8 BILLION POPULATION 

• THINK ABOUT THAT STAGGERING NUMBER 

• MORE PEOPLE ALIVE ON THE PLANET THAN EVER 

SCRIPTURE MARK 5:1-2 

1. They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. ²When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 

• IMPURE SPIRIT-TROUBLE 

• CAME FROM THE TOMBS (UNCLEAN- CAN’T DEAL) 

SCRIPTURE MARK 5:3-4 

   ³This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 

SCRIPTURE MARK 5:5-6 

    ⁵Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. ⁶When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.  

HULK 

• I DON’T KNOW WHAT/WHO ELSE TO IMAGINE 

• LOOKED LIKE THIS PROBABLY?  

SCRIPTURE MARK 5:7-8 

    ⁷He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” ⁸For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 

SCRIPTURE MARK 5:9-10 

⁹Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 

• JESUS AND HIS DISCIPLES CROSS LAKE 

• JESUS LEAVES THIS AREA 

• LANDS OVER HERE. 

• DECAPOLIS MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES 

VIDEO BOY FISHING 

• EXCITEMENT IN THE BOY 

• EXCITEMENT IN THE FAMILY AROUND HIM 

• COMMUNITY IS CRUCIAL IN KINGDOM 

• DAD SAYS “I CAN WANNA HELP YOU” 

SCRIPTURE LUKE 15:4 

   4. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  

• WHO IS JESUS TALKING TO HERE? 

• JESUS IS TALKING TO RELIGIOUS LEADERS 

• NONE OF THEM WOULD HAVE SHEEP 

• THEY LOOKED DOWN ON SHEPHERDS 

• JESUS IS SAYING TO THEM-YOU MISSED IT 

• YOU ARE THE LEADERS/YOU ARE THE SHEPHERDS 

LAST WEEK THE MAIN QUESTION WAS THIS: WHO IS YOUR ONE?  

   THIS WEEKS QUESTION IS DIFFERENT.  

SCRIPTURE MARK 3:9 

   9. “BECAUSE OF THE CROWD HE TOLD HIS DISCIPLES TO HAVE A SMALL BOAT READY FOR HIM, TO KEEP THE PEOPLE FROM CROWDING HIM.” 

SCRIPTURE MARK 3:20 

  20. “THEN JESUS ENTERED A HOUSE, AND AGAIN A CROWD GATHERED, SO THAT HE AND HIS DISCIPLES WERE NOT EVEN ABLE TO EAT.” 

JMU FOOTBALL CELEBRATION 

• EVERYBODY LOVES A CROWD (MOST EVERYONE) 

• OH WE LOVE CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE (PACKED) 

• ENERGY-EXCITEMENT 

• PACKED ARENA FOR A PHILLIES GAME 

• CROWDS GATHER- DISCIPLES FOLLOW 

• JESUS IS SAYING TO HIS GUYS 

• YOU WILLING TO LEAVE THE CROWDS? 

• YOU WILLING TO WALK AWAY FROM THE  

• YOU WILLING TO LET GO SO WE CAN LET’S GO? 

THE REAL QUESTION THIS WEEK IS DIFFERENT–  

LAST WEEK WAS DO YOU HAVE A ONE?  

THIS WEEK IT’S- WHAT ARE YOU WILLING TO GO THROUGH TO GET TO YOUR ONE?  

• JESUS IS IMMERSED/SWAMPED BY CROWDS 

• DISCIPLES ARE IN IT 

• JESUS “HEY GUYS GET A BOAT- WE GOING TO OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE.” 

• HUH?  

• MUST BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WAITING 

• BIGGER CROWDS 

SCRIPTURE MARK 4:35-36 

•   34. “THAT DAY WHEN EVENING CAME, HE SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES, “LET US GO OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE.” LEAVING THE CROWD BEHIND, THEY TOOK HIM ALONG, JUST AS HE WAS, IN THE BOAT. THERE WERE ALSO OTHER BOATS WITH HIM.” 

 ³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”³⁹He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.⁴⁰He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” ⁴¹They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him 

SCRIPTURE MARK 8:1-2 

1. During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ²“I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.  

• THIS IS JESUS 3^RD TRIP TO THE DECAPOLIS 

• HE LANDED TO MEET 1 

• IN CHAPTER 7 THERE IS A SMALL GATHERING 

• IN CHAPTER 8- WHATS THE HEADING?  

• 4000 NOT INCLUDING WOMEN/CHILDREN 

COULD BE AS MANY AS 7-10 THOUSAND? 

SCRIPTURE MARK 5:19 

  19. JESUS DID NOT LET HIM, BUT SAID “GO HOME TO YOUR OWN PEOPLE AND TELL THEM HOW MUCH THE LORD HAS DONE FOR YOU, AND HOW HE HAS HAD MERCY ON YOU.”  

3 times in this region of the Decapolis 

Mark 7 

³¹Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 

Mark 8 

This is a massive crowd 

Jesus has left a crowd and entered danger all for 1 

JESUS WAS SUPPOSED TO DROWN-INSTEAD PIGS DO 

STORY NEVER SAYS IF THE DISCIPLES GOT OUT OF BOAT 

THIS ISN’T A LIST OF PEOPLE YOU INVITE TO CHURCH 

YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT- GREAT 

THIS ISN’T A PRAYER LIST THAT YOU HAVE (YOU SHOULD HAVE THAT) 

A ONE (AND IT COULD BE MORE THAN ONE) IS DIFFERENT, IT’S IM REARRANGING MY LIFE FOR A ONE OR POSSIBLY A FEW- I CAN’T REARRANGE MY LIFE FOR 15-20 DIFFERENT PEOPLE, STILL BE MARRIED-BE A PAPI- WORK-  

THIS IDEA OF ONE IS SO INTENTIONAL AND ITS JUST- WALK THE JOURNEY AND … 

https://www.bible.com/events/49304128

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

For One -Part 2 East Rock

There is no such thing as too far gone…

Last week we began a new 4-part teaching series called “For One”.

Throughout this teaching series we are seeking to know and understand the power of Jesus’ one at a time pursuit of people. We believe that Jesus came to save the whole word, and that through his life, death, and resurrection, he has made the pathway to salvation and eternal life open to us.

Jesus is for everyone.

During his earthly ministry, many times we see Jesus fulfilling this worldwide redemption mission, one person at a time.

Jesus is for one.

So, what would it look like for you and I to adopt that same model for our lives? So many times, our focus is on our country or our community, and that’s not a bad thing. But what would it look like for us to be for one, like Jesus was?

That’s what Jesus did, and it transformed the lives of many people in the gospels. Even the ones who seemed too far gone.

Luke 8:26-27

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs.

Our teaching text begins with a note about some travel plans that establish the location for the story. Earlier in this voyage at sea, Jesus and his disciples had encountered a great storm.

Just before our text in chapter 8, we find the miracle of Jesus calming the wind and the waves with only a word. The disciples are in such a fierce storm they are afraid for their lives. They grab Jesus and beg that he would do something. Jesus speaks and immediately the sea and storm were calm, and the disciples wonder among themselves, “Who is this guy that can even control the wind and the waves?”

Our text at verse 26 continues that same trip, with an arrival on shore. There Jesus receives a shocking welcome from a demon possessed man.

For a long time, this man had lived in the graveyard naked, making his home among the graves. The gospel of Mark records that this man was heard screaming out day and night.

Luke 8:28-29

When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

All other attempts had failed at restraining this man had failed. The evil spirits that had possessed him had such control and power over him that he was able to break free from chains. Yet, at the very presence of Jesus, these evil spirits know they are outmatched, they are done.

What this passage illustrates is the immense power of Jesus over the most seemingly uncontrollable forces in this man’s life.

Luke 8:30-33

Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

Much study and attention has gone into the details of this demonic oppression.

How many demons? How did this happen? What does it mean today? And to be sure, there is a time a place for those questions.

But what I want us to focus on today is the ultimate power and authority of Jesus over every single evil spirit. The demons were so sure of their immanent judgement and destruction, they are literally begging Jesus over and over, not to cast them back to the Abyss.

Commentator Darrel Bock says: “Jesus may have been outnumbered, but he was certainly not outmatched.”

Luke 8:34-37

When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

When the people of the town came out to see this crazy story about the demon possessed man, what they found was a brand-new man, redeemed and restored, sitting at the feet of Jesus.

The word at the end of verse 36 that says “had been cured”. In the original language that literally means “saved” or to be made whole.

He wasn’t cured from a disease- He was rescued and re-made. Transformed.

That’s the miracle working power of Jesus.

iWhat is amazing to me is that the people don’t seem to have a category for this kind of power.

We don’t know if they were afraid of his supernatural power, if they were afraid he was there to shut down the pig industry- either way, they ask him to leave. And he does. Jesus heads back home.

But what about the man? What happened to him?

Luke 8:38-39

The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

The man wanted to go with Jesus and his disciples, but Jesus had another plan. Jesus wanted this man to go home and tell everyone how much God had done for him.

The one who everyone would have said was too far gone, was no Jesus’ trusted messenger to tell everyone in his hometown about all that God had done.

There is no such thing as too far gone for Jesus.

Friends as this was true for the crazed and possessed man in the cemetery, it’s still true today. There is no evil force in the world today greater than the power of Jesus Christ. Not an evil spirit, not an addiction, not an illness, nothing.

Those stories in the lives of our loved ones can be extremely painful. This story does not make light of the power and pain of sin.

But as we begin this journey together asking the Lord to give us one person, we might have a reaction or response to the name he gives us.

You might have been praying for and working with that person for a long time and you honestly have just given up hope.

Time and time again, nothing’s changed. Because of lies, addictions, poor choices, broken relationships. They just seem too far.

Friend, those feelings are real. And the truth is, someone can be to far for us to reach. But there is no such thing as too far for Jesus. He is greater!

Will you trust him today with the one he is placing on your heart?

Establish COTN as Your Church on the App

In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It’s a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!

https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

· COTN WILL YOU COME FIND ME IF IM DROWNING?

· WILL COME RESCUE ME?

· KEVIN COSTNER- RIGHT AT THE END/GRADUATION

· MEN/WOMEN- BEEN TRAINED TO PUT THEIR LIVES IN PERIL

· TO GO AFTER IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS TO RESCUE LOST INDIVIDUALS.

· NOT ALL LOST INDIVIDUALS DID IT ON PURPOSE

· THIS WEEK WE BEGIN A SERIES CALLED FOR ONE

· IF YOU LEAVE TODAY AND YOU MISS THE POINT

· 1912 HOPE DIAMOND PURCHASED FOR 180,000

· 1949 HARRY WINSTON PURCHASES IT

· 1958 HE DONATES IT TO THE SMITHSONIAN

· 45.5 CARROTS- PURE BLUE DIAMOND

· SENDS IT IN REGULARD MAIL- BROWN PACKAGE

· 145.29 SEND IT/2.44 WAS THE POSTAGE PART AND IT WAS INSURED FOR 1 MILLION DOLLARS.

· ESTIMATED WORTH TODAY IS 350 MILLION

“MAIL CARRIER SAID I JUST DIDN’T WANNA LOSE IT”

IT WAS A PRIVALEGE TO CARRY SOMETHING SO VALUABLE.

WE’VE BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH SOMETHING GREATER

THE EXTRAORDINARY HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED TO THE ORDINARY.

TODAY I WANT TO TALK TO YOU UNTIL ONE

WE WILL LAND IN LUKE 15- BUT START IS LUKE 14

YOU HAVE TO GET THE CONTEXT AND SETTING BEFORE WE GET TO LUKE 15.

· LOST OPPORTUNITY

· LOST PRIORITY

· LOST SHEEP

· LOST COIN

· LOST SON

4 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a

prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way.

5. “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.

· LOST OPPORTUNITY

· LOST PRIORITY

· LOST SHEEP

· LOST COIN

· LOST SON

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

Luke 15:2

2.But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

LUKE 15:3-4

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

LUKE 15:5-6

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

 LUKE 15:7

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (MORE)

SLIDE 10: PICTURE OF SHEPHERD AND SHEEP

· SHEEP WONDER (THOUGH THIS SAYS LOST)

· SHEEP GET INJURED

· SHEEP NEED LED/FED AND RESCUED

· RELATIONSHP MATTERS HERE-TRUST

· SHEEP WEIGHS 70 LBS

· BOND TO CARRY LIKE THIS

 LUKE 15:8

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

 LUKE 15:9

9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’

LUKE 15:10

10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

FOR ONE BUT THE ONE WENT FROM

1 OUT OF 100 SHEEP-VALUABLE-YES

1 OUT OF 10 COINS- MORE VALUABLE

1 OUT OF 2 SONS- MOST VALUABLE

· MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE HEAD BAND

· RING FINGER

· PEOPLE WOULD SEE HER HEAD BAND AND KNOW

· SHE LOVES ANOTHER

· SHE BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE

· THIS BEING MISSING COULD SEND THE WRONG MESSAGE

REPEATED WORDS IN LUKE 15 IN THESE 2 PARABLES

UNTIL. ONE REJOICE

MATTHEW 28:16

16. THEN THE ELEVEN DISCIPOLES WENT TO GALILEE, TO THE MOUNTAIN WHERE JESUS HAD TOLD THEM TO GO.

 MATTHEW 28:17-18

17. WHEN THEY SAW HIM, THEY WORSHIPPED HIM, BUT SOME STILL DOUBTED. THEN JESUS CAME TO THE AND SAID, “ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH HAS BEEN GIVEN TO ME.

MATTHEW 28:19

19. THEREFORE GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

MATTHEW 28:20

20. AND TEACHING THEM TO OBEY EVERYTHING I HAVE COMMANDED YOU. AND SURELY I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE.”

WAYS PEOPLE ATTEND CHURCH

A FRIEND INVITED ME- 86 %

ORGANIZED VISITATION- 6%

PASTOR INVITE- 6 %

ADVERTISING- 2%

FRIEND SAID- PASTORS AREN’T DOING MUCH

THIS ISN’T ABOUT CHURCH ATTENDANCE

 SCRIPTURE ACTS 1:8

8. “BUT YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES ON YOU; AND YOU WILL BE MY WITNESSES IN JERUSALEM, AND IN ALL JUDEA AND SAMARIA AND TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.”

· WHAT DOES A WITNESS DO?

· A WITNESS TELLS THE STORY

WE SEEM MORE INTERESTED IN BEING THE PROSECUTION

TEEN CAMP- TELL THE STORY

BEST WEEK EVER- TELL THE STORY VBS TELL THE STORY

CHURCH SERVICE GOD SHOWED UP- TELL IT

IN MY CAR

THE CHURCH FULFILLS ITS MISSION BY MAKING DISCIPLES THROUGH EVANGELISM, EDUCATION, SHOWING COMPASSION, WORKING FOR JUSTICE, AND BEARING WITNESS TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

JESUS ISSUED HIS GREAT CO- MISSION TO GIVE HIS FOLLOWERS A REASON (SAVE THE WORLD) AND A PLAN (MAKE DISCIPLES)

OUR STRATEGY WILL NOT BE OUR BUILDING

OUR STRATEGY WON’T BE OUR MUSIC- JANETTE

OUR STRATEGY WON’T BE MY MESSAGES

OUR STRATEGY IS YOU-

IT’S THE SAME STRATEGY JESUS STARTED WITH 12 GUYS- THEN 120- THEN/NOW ALMOST 2.7 BILLION PEOPLE.

SO WHAT ARE YOUR EXCUSES?

WELL KEVIN I STILL CUSS A LITTLE AND I …

WELL KEVIN NOT MY PERSONALITY

YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND WHERE I GO TO SCHOOL

IM RETIRED KEVIN- TIME FOR YOUNGER PEOPLE

WELL I DON’T KNOW ENOUGH

HOW LONG DOES A PERSON HAVE TO WATCH A BRICK LAYER BEFORE THEY GET TO ACTUALLY TRY TO LAY A BRICK?

SO ULTIMATELY IM ASKING YOU TODAY

WHO IS YOUR ONE? UNTIL/ONE/REJOICE

WHAT I’M DESCRIBING ISN’T A PRAYER CARD

WHAT I’M DESCRIBING ISN’T A PROJECT

WHAT I’M DESCRIBING ISN’T PLUERAL LANGUAGE

(WELL WE INVITE OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS)

WHAT I’M DESCRIBING ISN’T EVEN ABOUT INVITING THEM TO COTN- THAT’S FINE- ITS GOOD, BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT

IT’S A PERSON YOU REARRANGE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE FOR

TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW JESUS.

I KNOW WHERE THEY SHOP-I KNOW THEIR KIDS T BALL GAMES SCHEDULE- I KNOW WHERE THEY GO ON VACATION

WHO DO YOUR GRIEVE- THEY MIGHT NOT END UP IN ETERNITY WITH ME- WHO IS THAT?

INVITATION TO COME- GET A CARD- PUT A NAME

SONG FILL OUT YOUR CARD- SO WHO IS YOUR ONE

LUKE 15:4

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

HEY COTN- WILL COME FIND ME IF I AM LOST?

YOU CARRY SOMETHING FAR GREATER IN VALUE THAN THE HOPE DIAMOND

https://www.bible.com/events/49300460

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

For One -Part 1 East Rock

Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

John 5:1-9

Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

Have you ever noticed Jesus’ focus on just one person in this story?

Think about it, the teaching text says that there were a “great number” gathered around this pool. But we have no record of Jesus engaging with any of the other people here, performing any other miracles, or teaching any other lessons.

We see Jesus preaching to crowds, feeding thousands in other places, but this story is about a one-on-one encounter that changed everything for this man.

I want to welcome you to our new teaching series called For One.

Throughout this series we will seek to know and understand the power of the Lord’s one at a time pursuit of people. Our goal is not only that we would know the stories, but that we would adopt Jesus’ one at a time approach in our lives.

Often our focus is on the many. Our nation, our community, our family, and to be sure, that is a good thing. But the goal of this series is that together we will ask the Lord to give us just ONE person that we would pray specifically for. And not just pray for them, but that we would literally interrupt out days, our plans, yes, our lives to see them come to know Christ.

That’s what Jesus did, and we want to join him. We want to be for one, because in the kingdom of God, one is worth it all.

Luke 15:1-2

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

As more and more of “those people” are coming to hear Jesus, the local religious folks begin to voice their disapproval. They don’t think a prophet or a teacher like Jesus should be keeping company with notorious sinners.

God’s prevenient grace was at work drawing people in and not everyone was excited about that. The religious leaders thought he should keep his distance from those people, he certainly shouldn’t be sharing meals with them. But what becomes clear is that they don’t know God’s heart for his poeple.

Luke 15:3-6

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

Rather than a direct rebuke for their self-righteous murmurings, Jesus tells a story to help the religious leaders understand His heart for the one.

The story begins with a man who owns 100 sheep. One of these sheep wonders away, getting lost from the rest flock.

Now from a practical standpoint, this is no big deal. 99% the sheep are still right there, doing fine. But this ONE lost sheep causes the man to take action.

The only explanation for this reckless accounting is that the man LOVES his sheep.

We arent told what the search involves, but we are told how long it takes. Don’t miss that key word of determination in the search: “The man looked for it UNTIL it was found.”

This wasn’t a quick look over the ridge, a convenient whistle here and there- whatever it took, however long it lasted, he searched until the sheep was found.

When he finally finds this sheep the shepherd puts the wondering sheep on his shoulders and carries it back to the flock.

When he arrives back home, he calls his friends and neighbors to help him celebrate the safe return of this one sheep. The man literally throws a party to celebrate. All for one sheep who wondered away.

While this makes a compelling and heartwarming farming story, that wasn’t the point. Remember, Jesus is telling this story to make a point.

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The tax collectors and the sinners that the religious folks were looking down on, who were murmuring about- they were God’s lost sheep.

Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, was giving his life to go after them. And to the shock and surprise of the pharisees and teachers of the law, there was more rejoicing in heaven over just one them coming home, than any of those who didn’t need rescue.

Friends, what we see in this story is God’s heart for the one.

God sees every lost sheep and his heart is to see them found.

He knows their names, he knows their story, he knows the pain and brokenness they have experienced. God knows his lost sheep, they are his, created in his image. And he wants to see them found, he wants to see you found.

Throughout Jesus’ life we see him pursuing one person at a time. He would change is plans, allow interruptions, and he would go where others wished he wouldn’t. All for one.

Are you ready to join Jesus and his heart for one?

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Establish COTN as Your Church on the App

In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It’s a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!

https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch

http://bible.com/events/49297097

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Light & Sword: The Truth of the Bible – Harrisonburg

Today’s speaker is Brian Charette. After a long career at James Madison University, Brian has been on our church staff helping with the transition between lead pastors. He’ll retire in September. He and his family are long-time members of our church. His wife Pam serves on the church board. He does fill-in preaching for us on an occasional basis.

What do you believe about the Bible? How does that belief impact you?

2 Timothy 3:10-16

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Psalms 119:103-105

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Pastor Billy – August 4, 2024

“My great concern for you today and for the church today and for our world and the culture in which we’re living comes from the shocking reality that according to the Barna Research Group, as of 2023, 68% of Americans identified as Christians. And if the data stopped there, that might be encouraging. But of those 68% only 6% hold a biblical worldview. Therein lies my concern.”

Many Evangelical Christians have accelerated the drift away from commitment to the Bible.

> 82% only read their Bibles on Sunday at church.

> For a person to consider themselves a “frequent” user of the Bible, they would need to read the Bible just 4 times per year.

> 22% believe the Bible is inspired by God.

Those scholars who argue in defense of the Bible tend to use one or more of three descriptive words:

Inspired – that the Bible is the word of God and the words of God

Infallible – that it declares truth consistently, Genesis to Revelation

Inerrant – That there are no errors in truth, no deceit, no lies, no mistakes or contradictions that impact meaning. (Which is particularly true in the manuscripts in the originally languages.)

Harold Lindsell

The Battle for the Bible

The very nature of inspiration renders the Bible infallible, which means that it cannot deceive us. It is inerrant in that it is not false, mistaken, or defective. Inspiration extends to all parts of the written Word of God, and it includes the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit even in the selection of the words of Scripture. Moreover, the Bible was written by human and divine agencies; that is, it was the product of God and chosen men. The authors of scripture retained their own styles of writing and the Holy Spirit, operating within this human context, so superintended the writing of the Word of God that the end product was God’s. Just as Jesus had a human and a divine nature, one of which was truly human and the other truly divine, so the written word of God is a product that bears the marks of what is truly human and truly divine.

Matthew 4:1-4

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

From the Introduction to the Gideon Bible

This Book is the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding; its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. Follow its precepts and it will lead you to Calvary, to the empty tomb, to a resurrected life in Christ; yes, to glory itself, for eternity.

Key Sources

Bruce, F..F. (2003). The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? Eerdmans.

Geisler, N.L. & Roach, W.C. (2011) Defending Inerrancy. Baker Books, Grand Rapids.

Knechtle, C. (1986) Give Me an Answer. Intervarsity Press. Madison, WI.

Lindsell, H. (1977) The Battle for the Bible. Zondervan.

Wallace, J.W. (2023) Cold-Case Christianity. David C. Cook Publishing, Brighton, England.

Warfield, B.B. (1948) The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible. Presbyterian Publishing Co. Phillipsburg, N.J.

It’s impossible to even scratch the surface of today’s topic in a 30-minute message. So, in January, Lord willing, we’ll present a four-part Wednesday night workshop series, Defending the Bible, which will start on January 8. (We’re choosing January so as not to interfere with life group meetings.) As the date draws closer, look for more information and an opportunity to register for the class.

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

Establish COTN as Your Church on the App

In this YouVersion Bible app, we encourage you to set up COTN as your church. It’s a simple process and will open up opportunities to stay connected to us!

https://help.youversion.com/l/en/article/y03uerubo8-mychurch