Building Blocks Part 5

Giving

Welcome to our teaching series “Building Blocks”.

Throughout this series we have been addressing the foundational practices of the Christian life. Practices that cultivate the life of Christ within us, as well as anchoring us firmly in the Faith.

We have taken this journey intentionally, knowing these practices will change us if we engage them in our walk with the Lord. Our final topic in the series is no different-It’s every bit as powerful and transformative.

We conclude our Building Blocks series by looking at the foundational practice of GIVING. And, as you’ll see, we’re not just talking about giving our money.

When we give, we are practicing obedience and expressing a true understanding of our relationship with God as the provider of all things.

Our teaching text today is written to the Church in Corinth before Paul arrives there. A few verses before, Paul has talked about why he is collecting money, he anticipates their gift and as we come to our text today- he is encouraging their generosity.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

When it comes to giving and being generous- The more you plant, the more you will harvest. Before we get carried away with that idea- that’s not WHY we give, it’s what God DOES when we do.

Paul continues his teaching on generosity by making sure the church knows- generosity is for everyone.

The generosity that Paul is encouraging is not a compulsive response to his preaching or to his personal mission. Generosity, our giving, is to be a heart level decision to see Christ as Lord over our life- including our wallet.

Giving is about obedience to the move of God in your heart, its the response of a transformed heart.

As Paul is encouraging generosity in the church, he doesn’t miss the opportunity to point out that the way in which we give matters to God

Give from the heart, give willingly, and give with gladness.

2 Corinthians 9:8-11

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

What’s Paul’s final encouragement on giving? God moves when you give.

When we give we are trusting God, we are obeying him and in that action of giving, God is moving.

Transforming our hearts in his likeness AND he blesses us abundantly that in all things we will have what we need.

Paul has helped us to see that giving is for everyone, it should come from the heart with gladness, and that God moves when we give.

Armed with that truth, we are ready to take this teaching into our every day lives. So, what do some of those action steps look like?

Begin by Giving Thanks

Here’s the truth: In the economy of God, Giving is always GIVING BACK. None of it really belongs to me anyway.

James 1:16-17 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

What God is asking us to give- he gave us in the first place.

If our heart posture says that what we have is ours, we worked hard for it, it was my skill and knowledge that did it, I deserve it- we will never truly experience giving as God desires.

When we come to recognize that God is the giver of every good and perfect gift- Only then is generosity is possible.

Give your treasure

If you want to step into generous living- why not take the Lord at his word and begin giving 10% to the local church-make that a priority in the first line of your monthly expenses.

In the book of Malachi- God actually invites his people to test him on this

We have already seen that when you give God moves in Malachi he says “Try me on this one”

Finally, give it all

The call to giving doesn’t stop with our money. God’s call to generosity extends to our time, our talents, and our relational touch.

What would it look like for you to be generous with your time, talents, or touch?

Give thanks, give your treasure, give the rest. WIll you live into the blessing of giving?

When you give, God moves.

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 the Kingdom of Christ!

Giving

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

Vision Sunday

“Going beyond our walls is a building block for us. But it’s not something we do individually, it’s something that’s done together.”

We’ve entitled today ‘Vision Sunday’ because across all our campuses, we are celebrating how God has been faithful, and together we are embarking on a new journey.

John 17:15-18

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

-Jesus prays ‘NOT that you take them out of the world’.

-As Jesus prays for his disciples, those that he loves so dearly, He could have prayed that they be removed from this world, but He didn’t.

-Jesus’ followers are ‘not of the world’ (verse 15) but they ARE ‘sent into the world’ (verse 18).

-Followers of Jesus are sent on a mission ‘into the world.’

Our mission: Transformed by God to bring hope to others through Christ.

Today we are excited and expectant, as we officially begin the journey of planting a brand-new Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community.

Why this?

-We are seen fruit from multi-campus ministry. It’s not always easy. It requires faith. But it’s been fruitful!

-One of the best ways to reach unchurched people is planting new churches. New churches reach new people, or in our case, new campuses.

Why now?

-God is working in Waynesboro through the faithfulness and ministry of a life group. Through that group, there has been more and more growth over the past 12 months.

-God is providing dynamic and faithful leadership through Walter and Maritza Cruz.

-Our church is experiencing growth and momentum.

PRAY

-Commit to a specific time to pray every day for the next 40 days. Pray for our church and for God to provide. Pray for those who will be impacted in the Waynesboro community and beyond.

GIVE

-Consider giving financially to support this important new work. All gifts marked ‘Waynesboro’ will go directly to help us meet our goal. God is already providing! You can give online at cotnaz.org/giving or in person.

GO

-Examine your heart and consider what part you might play in the launch of this new campus. Some will be called to support in the work prior to launch, while others may feel called to be a part of this new campus.

Let us know how you want to get involved at 540-434-1092 or info@cotnaz.org.

John 17:20-21

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Updates on the new Waynesboro campus

The best place to go for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.

Waynesboro

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 the Kingdom of Christ!

Giving

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Building Blocks Part 4

Community

Welcome to our teaching series “Building Blocks”.

Building Blocks is focusing on the essential features, the basics, of the Christian life. And it’s not intended just for new believers in our midst, but as an important refresher for even those of you who are veterans of the faith.

Today we continue looking at the foundational practice of community.

The currents of the world have always been pulling us apart, but now with the advent of social media and on the heels of the pandemic, those forces are amplified.

Isolation, loneliness, depression, anxiety are all on the rise at historic rates because of the powerful pull into isolation.

Here is the truth for us today: We were created for community.

Introvert, extrovert, doesn’t really matter. You were created for life together.

When we find ourselves swept away into isolation and individualism, we find ourselves far from the heart of God.

Our Lord had no vision for believers in isolation.

He called for us to be IN COMMUNITY with each other while at the same time impacting the COMMUNITY in which we find ourselves.

So, we are community impacting the community.

John 17:20-21

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Who is Jesus praying for? YOU and for me, and for generations before us. He is praying for the people who will believe through the message of the first disciples.

What’s Jesus prayer for you and for me?

That we would be one.

He asks the father to move mightily, exert his power and influence in our lives that we would be united together- reflecting Jesus connection with the father.

We cannot go through the scriptures and find that community or togetherness is optional. It’s the very heart of the Lord for his people.

Independence and  isolation, just won’t ever fit.

As the church, we don’t have community because we are all from the same place, or we all like the same things.

Our connectedness, our unity is a spiritual reality that comes through Christ.

So, if you are in Christ, you are in community.

John 17:21-23

that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Just a few verses before this, Jesus prayed that his disciples would not be taken out of the world, but that they would be sent into the world- He sent them on mission

Here, Jesus prays that our community, our unity, would be a witness to the world of his great love.

Think about that, the way that we come together, in unity, living out this mission is how the world will see that Jesus Christ is real and alive and powerful!

We are a community together in Christ, and we have a mission to bring hope to our world.

We are a community impacting our community.

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 the Kingdom of Christ!

Giving

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

Building Blocks – Part 3

Worship- Make worship your lifestyle and you will have life

We’ve discussed the significance of prayer and the sanctity of the Sabbath, and today we embark on a new journey, adding another crucial block to our spiritual foundation-worship. Imagine these building blocks as the very foundation of our spiritual house.

John 4:21

Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.

John 4:22

You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.

John 4:23

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.

John 4:24

For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

The woman is concerned about the “where”

But Jesus was much more concerned about the “how!”

What is critical is the the “how”

Worship in Spirit emphasizes a heart connection with God!

– God wants to meet with you

Jesus emphasizes the importance of deep, sincere, and authentic connection with God that goes beyond outward appearances and religious rituals. It’s about engaging the heart and spirit win a genuine encounter with the divine.

The core of your worship isn’t what occurs on stage, but what occurs in your heart.

“Worship will never get more powerful the more things you add to it, because its power has never flowed from its form. Its power has always flowed from His presence.” – Jeremy Riddle, The Reset (Returning to the Heart of Worship and a life o undivided devotion.)

Jesus also informs the woman that we are to worship in Truth.

Truth is inseparable from God

-Without knowing God, we can’t understand how or why we worship.

– The knowledge of who God is distinguishes true worship.

God’s truth sets apart believers for Him.

Colossians 3:16

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

Luke 7:36-50

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Expectations of a Host in Jesus’s Middle Eastern World:

1. A kiss of welcome

2. Washing the guests’ feet with water

3. Olive oil for the guests hands (soap)

4. Esteemed guests would be anointed with special oil (an extra dose of hospitality)

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Table: Head toward the wall, leaning on the left, grabbing food with your right, feet toward the wall, Outcasts and sinners sitting against the wall to be fed after the meal was served.

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1.Worship is Intentional

– The woman came prepared to honor and worship Jesus.

2. Worship is worthy of our best, not our leftovers.

– The woman gave Jesus her best.

-The perfume in the alabaster jar is understood to be equivalent to a year’s worth of income.

– A woman’s hair was her glory… yet she used it to wipe Jesus’s feet.

3. Worship occurs in His presence:

– Worship is not just emotional Although, the Holy Spirit does stir our emotions during worship.

-When we are in the presence of God, we can’t Not worship. The woman knew, if Jesus is going to be there, He will be worshipped!

– Worship is what we were created to do!

Psalms 29:2

Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

4. Worship is expressive and participatory

– If you love Jesus and you know it, TELL YOUR FACE!”

-Worship is driven by love and sometimes breaks societal norms:

– David dancing in the streets

– Daniel got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and

gave thanks before God, even though He was forbidden to do so.

– The Israelites marched around the wall of Jericho blaring their

trumpets and screaming waiting for the walls to come tumbling

down.

– The woman with the perfume understood who Jesus was and gave her all in worship.

5. Worship is a lifestlye

– It’s a series of decisions and a shift in our perspective of who God is

and how we respond to Him.

6. Worship Requires Obedience

– Obedience is a tangible expression of love and trust.

– It’s a powerful way to say, “I love and trust You, God.”

Practical ways you can worship

– Using your gifts to serve

– Participating in intercessory prayer

-Giving tithes and offerings

-Helping someone in need

– Many more

Revelation 7:11-23

And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. “That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Spoiler Alert: We are going to be worshipping for the rest of eternity, so we may as well spend time perfecting it now! He deserves our praise

If you make worship your lifestyle, you will have life!

Toddler Worshipping When Holding His New Baby Brother

@spiritlifewham

wait for it! 3 year old boy sings worship song to his newborn brother when he first sees him #baby #waymaker #inspiring

♬ original sound – SpiritLifeWham

Premature Baby Worshipping as Mom Sings

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Premature Baby Worshipping as Dad Sings

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Verses for further study/reflection:

Romans 11:33

Romans 12:1

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 the Kingdom of Christ!

Giving

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Building Blocks Part 3

Worship

Welcome to our teaching series “Building Blocks”.

Building Blocks is focusing on the essential features, the basics, of the Christian life. And it’s not intended just for new believers in our midst, but as an important refresher for even those of you who are veterans of the faith.

Today we continue looking at the foundational practice of Worship.

Worship, running parallel with prayer, is a key element of our ongoing relationship with God.

When many of us hear worship, I think all too often our minds zero in to something that only happens between 9:00 and 9:30 for first service (or 10:30 to 11:00 for second) on Sunday morning.

And to be sure, that can be part of worship in our lives.

But to think of it only in those terms isn’t necessarily biblical. If we only think about worship as something that happens on Sundays at church, we are missing a foundational building block in our Christian life.

John 4:19-26

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

Jesus says “True worshippers- those who are getting it right- will worship in spirit and in truth”

For the woman at the well, this mean that worship wasn’t limited to location anymore. It wasn’t the subject of debate and fighting- all that was over- something new was right before her.

For us today- it means that worship is not only something we do in this building on Sundays- Worship is an expression of hour heart to God for who he is and what he has done. Anywhere, anytime.

So true worship is in spirit and truth- that’s what it is, what does it look like?

The word worship in our teaching text here means to kiss the hand as a token of reverence; to fall on one’s face before another in reverence and submission.

That’s the essence of worship, to express, communicate, show reverence, respect, or submission to another. In this case and in our case it is worship of the Lord.

Pastor and Author Louie Giglio gives a good working definition of worship. He says: Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God for who He is, and what He has done; expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live.

Worship- the God oriented expression of our hearts of who God is.

Friends, that opens the doors really wide when we start to think about what worship can look like. You can express your love, your gratitude, your praise from your heart anywhere, anytime.

There is something about worship that you just have to dive into- You just have to try it on.

Here are a few take away’s as you begin the journey in worship.

First, The bible is absolutely full of examples of worship.

That’s part of worship in truth right? God’s word. Start there.

Abraham, Moses, King David, Mary.

In a few weeks our nativity scenes in the yard will tell about 3 men who came to worship Jesus.

Dive into God’s word to grow your perspective on worship.

Second take away about worship: we can do it wrong.

Did you notice Jesus called out the Samaritans for this? He said “You all worship what you do not know”

The Samaritans could get it wrong, and we can too.

I think one way we can get worship wrong is by thinking that we have done it by simply being in the room when others were worshipping.

We must engage our own hearts.

Another way we can get worship wrong, is by worshping the wrong things. Things like money, material possessions, sports, careers. We can even worship ourselves.

God’s first command is that we have no other God’s but him- we don’t want to get worship wrong by worshipping the wrong things.

We can get it wrong but the good news is, we can do better!

I hope you hear that good news today- you can learn to worship. You can improve in worshipping.

We can practice worship, we can grow and get better at it. The beautiful thing is- God is pleased by our practice!

Finally, worship can be a lifestyle

We have learned how worship is an expression of the heart to God for who he is and what he has done.

What if we allowed our every day lives to be part of that expression?

Going to work, wrangling the kids, working the garden- what if our lives were one ongoing expression of the spirit life within us? That’s worship as a lifestyle

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Remember Jesus’ words- God is seeking worshipers- Will he find one in you?

Start now! Let your heart express praise and honor to the Lord this morning.

Don’t miss this foundation in your spiritual life!

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 the Kingdom of Christ!

Giving