March 06, 2022

Pastor Jeff Hines

March 06, 2022/ Heidi Grace

sermon notes - printable

Sunday — March 6, 2022

Wonders in the Wilderness

1. Qumran Map

2. Satellite View of Qumran

3. Caves of Qumran

4. Overhead View of Qumran

Why were the Essenes there?

Deuteronomy 8: 1 – 3 (NLT)

Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

2 Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

3 Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Jesus repeated this when led into the dessert and tempted by the Devil…

Matthew 4: 4

Dead Sea Scrolls are the Essenes attempt to live by

“Every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Meticulous care in writing EVERY LETTER…

THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD!!!

5. Mikvah

1. Repent…

2. God forgives…

3. Ritual Bath Declaration of devotion to Righteous living…

Living Waters… Flowing… Aquaduct

US: 1 John 1: 9 (NLT)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Deuteronomy 8: 2 & 3 (NLT)

Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character,

and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors.

He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone;

rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Then they would sit back down and receive more instruction…

When this teaching time was concluded, the people would go back to their homes and instruct their families…

Why the Wilderness?

Isaiah 40: 1 - 5 (NLT)

Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.” 3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! 4 Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. 5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together.

February 27, 2022

HOLD ON pt2 // Sunday, February 27. 2022 // Pastor Jeff Hines

February 27, 2022/ Heidi Grace

Sunday — February 27, 2022

Hold On (Part 2)

Colossians 2: 6 (NLT)

…just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord,

you must continue to follow him.

Helpful Habits…

1. Keep my heart pure.

2. Stay Alert

3. Be Firm in God’s Will.

Isaiah 26: 3 (NLT)

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Psalm 33: 11 (NLT)

… the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.

What is God’s will?

1. To know and love Him (Worship)

2. Join His family (Fellowship)

3. Grow and Mature (Discipleship)

4. Serve people (Ministry)

5. Share the Good News (Witness)

2 Benefits of focusing on God’s will:

1. Tenacity

The ability to persevere when you feel like giving up.

2. Resilience

The ability to get back up each time you get knocked down.

Luke 9: 62 (NLT)

…Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.

Romans 6: 13 (NLT)

Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.

Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the

glory of God.

Helpful Habits…

1. Keep my heart pure.

2. Stay Alert

3. Be firm in God’s will.

4. Have a grateful heart.

Colossians 4: 2 (NLT)

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

1 Thessalonians 5: 18 (NLT)

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Why can we be grateful even during hard times?

1. Because God will strengthen us.

Psalm 138: 3 (NASB)

On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.

1 Peter 5: 10 (NASB)

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

Why can we be grateful even during hard times?

2. Because hard times can’t change God’s will!

Hebrews 12: 28 (ESV)

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,

and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.

February 20, 2022

HOLD ON // Sunday, February 20, 2022 // Pastor Jeff Hines

February 20, 2022/ Heidi Grace

sermon notes - printable

Sunday — February 20, 2022

Hold On (Part 1)

Colossians 2: 6 (NLT)

…just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

Helpful Habits…

1. Keep my heart pure.

2 Timothy 2: 21 (NLT)

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

1 Peter 3: 16 (NLT)

…Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

Romans 12: 9 (NLT)

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.

Psalm 139: 23 & 24 (NLT)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Job 17: 9 (NLT)

The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.

Helpful Habits…

1. Keep My Life Pure

2. Stay Alert

Psalm 105: 4 (ESV)

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.

Proverbs 18: 15 (NLT)

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

Philippians 3: 17 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

Ephesians 1: 18 (ESV)

Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

February 13, 2022

WHAT WILL YOU SOW? // Sunday, February 13, 2022 // Pastor Jeff Hines

February 13, 2022/ Heidi Grace

sermon notes - printable

Sunday — February 13, 2022

What Will You Sow?

Mark 4: 26 – 29 (NLT)

Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. 28 The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. 29 And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

4 Insights

1. God expects us to grow.

2. The fruit of my life comes from seed sown into me.

3. We are often unaware of the seeds growing in us.

4. Our growth is gradual and happens in stages.

Philippians 1: 6 (NLT)

…I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

The Dynamics of Sowing

1. Everything begins as a seed.

Genesis 1: 11 (NLT)

Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of

seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened.

2. A seed is powerless until it is planted.

John 12: 24 & 25 (NLT)

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

3. Some seed should be stored, not eaten.

Genesis 47: 23- 25 (NLT)

Joseph said to the people, “Look, today I have bought you and your land for Pharaoh. I will provide you with seed so you can plant the fields.

24 Then when you harvest it, one-fifth of your crop will belong to Pharaoh. You may keep the remaining four-fifths as seed for your fields and as food for you, your households, and your little ones.”

25 “You have saved our lives!”

4. You reap what you sow.

Galatians 6: 7 (ESV)

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

5. I’m not the only one sowing into my life.

John 4: 38 (NLT)

I sent you to harvest where you didn’t plant; others had already done the work, and now you will get to gather the harvest.”

6. Sowing and Reaping are two different seasons.

Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven... A time to plant and a time to harvest... A time to scatter and a time to gather...”

7. The harvest is greater than what you sow.

Mark 4: 8 (NLT)

Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”

8. The more you sow the more you reap.

2 Corinthians 9: 6 & 7 (NLT)

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.

9. We should ALWAYS be sowing seed.

Ecclesiastes 11: 4 (NLT)

Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

Ecclesiastes 11: 6 (NLT)

Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.

10. Patience is required while waiting for the harvest.

Galatians 6: 9 (ESV)

… let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap,

if we do not give up.

What losses have you experienced?

Psalm 126: 5 & 6 (NLT)

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. 6 They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.

What preparation do you need to do?

Jeremiah 4: 3 (NLT)

… Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns.

February 06, 2022

FAITH & REPENTENCE pt 2 // Sunday, February 6, 2022 // Pastor Jeff Hines

February 06, 2022/ Heidi Grace

sermon notes - printable

Sunday — February 6, 2022

Faith & Repentance

Mark 1: 15 (NLT)

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced.

“The Kingdom of God is near!

Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Acts 2: 18 (NLT)

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God,

and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 20: 21 (NLT)

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

A Christian:

Someone who turns away from their sin and trusts the Lord Jesus Christ – and nothing else – to save them from sin and the coming judgement.

Genuine repentance leads to a changed life that produces real fruit.

Ephesians 2: 1, 4 & 5 (NLT)

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

4 But God is so rich in mercy,

and he loved us so much,

5 that even though we were dead because of our sins,

he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.

(It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

Acts 26: 20 (NLT)

I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles,

that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—

and prove they have changed by the good things they do.

Luke 6: 44 (NLT)

A tree is identified by its fruit.

Figs are never gathered from thornbushes,

and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.

James 2: 18 (NLT)

Now someone may argue,

“Some people have faith;

others have good deeds.”

But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds?

I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

Galatians 5: 19 – 25 (NLT)

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,

20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,

21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

January 30, 2022

FAITH & REPENTANCE // Sunday, January 30, 2022 // Pastor Jeff Hines

January 30, 2022/ Heidi Grace

sermon notes - printable

Sunday — January 30, 2022

Faith & Repentance

Mark 1: 15 (NLT)

“The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced.

“The Kingdom of God is near!

Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Required responses to the gospel.

The apostles required Repentance.

Acts 2: 18 (NLT)

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God,

and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Paul:

Acts 20: 21 (NLT)

I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.

A Christian:

Someone who turns away from their sin and trusts the Lord Jesus Christ – and nothing else – to save them from sin and the coming judgement.

Faith… This mystical, unseen,

can’t prove with empirical evidence…

Hebrews 11: 1 (KJV)

…faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen.

Faith is Reliance…

Abraham had to rely on God to fulfill His promise…

Romans 4: 18 – 21 (NLT)

Even when there was no reason for hope,

Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations.

For God had said to him,

“That’s how many descendants you will have!”

19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though,

at about 100 years of age,

he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise.

In fact, his faith grew stronger,

and in this he brought glory to God.

21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

When we put our Faith in Jesus, we are Relying on the Fact that when we stand before God, He will substitute our record for Jesus’ record…

…That Christ’s Perfect Life and Penalty Paying Death will stand in place of ours…

Romans 3: 22 (NLT)

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

Repentance ≠ Perfection

Many new Christians have a false sense of Freedom From Sin…

Galatians 5: 17 (NLT)

The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.

And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.

These two forces are constantly fighting each other,

so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

1 John 2: 1 (NLT)

My dear children,

I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.

But if anyone does sin,

we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.

He is Jesus Christ,

the one who is truly righteous.

January 23, 2022

HURT. HELP. HEAL. pt.3 // Sunday, January 23, 2022 // Pastor Jeff Hines

January 23, 2022/ Heidi Grace

sermon notes - printable

Sunday — January 23, 2022

2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4 & 6 (NLT)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.

4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.

We are Products of our Past…

We are NOT Prisoners of our Past

Your greatest ministry will come from your deepest hurts…

How to use your Hurts to Help others:

1. Share how hurts sharpened your Focus:

Job 36: 15 (NLT)

…he gets their attention through adversity.

When sharing about your hurts…

· Be open about your Feelings.

2 Corinthians 6: 11 (NLT)

Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you.

· Be humble about your Faults.

Galatians 6: 5 (NLT)

…we are each responsible for our own conduct.

· Be frank about your Failures.

1 Timothy 1: 15 (NLT)

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

· Be honest about your Frustrations.

Romans 7: 18 & 19 (NLT)

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.

19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.

· Be candid about your Fears.

2 Corinthians 12: 20 (NLT)

I am afraid that when I come I won’t like what I find, and you won’t like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.

When sharing about your hurts…

2. Share what you learned from your Hurts.

Proverbs 20: 30 (TEV)

Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.

· I learned to depend on God.

2 Corinthians 1: 8 - 10 (NLT)

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.

· I learned to trust & obey God’s word.

Psalm 119: 67 (NLT)

I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.

· I learned I need other people.

Galatians 6: 2 (NLT)

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

· Share how God is bringing good out of your hurt.

Philippians 1:12 (NLT)

I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.

Romans 8: 28 (NLT)

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Genesis 50: 20 (NLT)

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.

He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

· Share the hope Jesus brought you in the midst of your hurt.

2 Corinthians 2: 8-10…

Psalm 91: 15 (NLT)

    When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
       I will rescue and honor them.

January 16, 2022

HURT. HELP. HEAL pt. 2 // Sunday, January 16, 2022 // Pastor Jeff Hines

January 16, 2022/ Heidi Grace

sermon notes - printable

Sunday — January 16, 2022

Ecclesiastes 2: 22 & 23 (NLT)

So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? 23 Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

Romans 8: 28 (NLT)

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Galatians 3: 4 (ESV)

Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

How can I benefit from my hurts…

1. Use my hurts to draw closer to God.

2 Corinthians 1: 8 - 10 (NLT)

2 Corinthians 7: 9 (NLT)

I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.

2. Use my hurts to draw closer to others.

Galatians 6: 2 (NLT)

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

3. Use my hurts to become more like Jesus.

Proverbs 20: 30 (NLT)

Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.

Proverbs 20:30 (TEV)

Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.

Hebrews 5: 8 (NLT)

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

2 Corinthians 7: 11 (NLT)

Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.

2 Corinthians 4: 11 & 12 (NLT)

Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

4. Use my pain to become more compassionate.

2 Corinthians 1: 4 - 6 (NLT)

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.

5. Use my hurts to be a witness.

Philippians 1:12 (NLT)

I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.

2 Corinthians 6: 3 - 10 (NLT)

We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry.

4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God.

We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.

5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food.

6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience,

our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us.

We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense.