Sunday 2019-08-18

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

Take a Deep Breath

Galatians 5:16-26

16-18My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?

19-21It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.

22-23But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

25-26Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

The Situation in Galatia


Two Roads Diverged


Peace, Patience, Self-Control


Idea, Sentiment, or Everyday Choice?

Find more resources to read, watch, listen, and pray through in light of today’s sermon topic here.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Dr. Isaac Gaff is Managing Director of Worship and Creative Arts at Calvary UMC


Sunday 2019-08-11

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

The Holy Spirit: Fruits of the Spirit

Love, Joy, Kindness

John 15:1-8; Galatians 5:13-18; 22-26

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

13You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

When and how do we Methodists receive the Holy Spirit?

Gifts and Fruits

Fruits of the Spirit:

  • Love, Joy, Kindness - Randy

  • Peace, Patience, Self-control - Isaac Gaff

  • Goodness/faithfulness/gentleness - Lori Buitemeier 

What is fruit?

How does fruit grow?

  • Psalm 1

  • John 15:1-8

  1. LOVE

  2. JOY

  3. KINDNESS

PRAYER:

“Holy Spirit, I want to be totally surrendered. I want to be as full of Jesus as I can be. I want to reflect Jesus and Your fruits in the very best way I can. Forgive me when I hold onto things that don’t give You enough room to help me as kind as Jesus, or as loving, or as patient, or as gentle. Bear witness to and my spirit so I can feel - sense - know in some way that it’s You. Amen”

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-08-04

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

The Holy Spirit: Gifts

Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:7-13

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,

he took many captives

and gave gifts to his people.”

9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

  • Connectwithcalvary.org

  • Get Involved

  • Gifts of the Spirit Inventory

  • Apostleship - Distinguishing of Spirits

  • Encouragement - Evangelism

  • Faith - Giving - Healing

  • Helps (serving) - Hospitality

  • Message of Knowledge

  • Leadership - Mercy

  • Miraculous Powers

  • Pastor/Shepherd

  • Prophecy

  • Speaking in Tongues

  • Interpretation of Tongues

  • Teaching - Message of Wisdom

Next week:

  • When and how do Methodists receive the Holy Spirit?

  • Fruits of the Spirit: Love/Joy/Kindness

Closing Prayer

O Holy Spirit who is light unto your children, may you enlighten us. O Holy Spirit who gives never-ending grace, may you replenish us. O Holy Spirit who is the fire of love, may you burn in our hearts. O Holy Spirit who is Lord and giver of life, may you live within us. As a cloud lessening our temptations, as the dew reviving our weariness, as fire purging the waste in our hearts, as water purifying our spirits, as the wind sending us out, as a dove turning our eyes to heaven. Amen

Based on “A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” by Christina Rossetti


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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC



Sunday 2019-07-28

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

Go and Do Likewise….

Luke 10:25-37

25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

27He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

29But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”


  1. Wanting to justify ourselves…

  2. Proximity- who is close to you?

  3. Moved.

  4. The Cost.

  5. From being to doing.


Going Deeper:

  • How does loving God impact our ability to love our neighbors? 

  • Is there a connection between Jesus’ command in the great commission to "Go and make to disciples” (Matthew 28:16-20) and the one here “Go and do likewise”?

  • What is the cost of loving our neighbors?  What is the cost of being a disciple (Luke 14:25-33)?

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Michael Pitzer is Director of Sr. High Ministries at Calvary UMC



Sunday 2019-07-21

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

The Holy Spirit: Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:3-8; I Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:7-13

3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

7But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.”

9(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Questions:

Why can’t we know the answers? Why do we have to experience “bad news?” How does suffering end? How is the Holy Spirit made visible to us?

“Charisma”:

The Origin of Spiritual Gifts and their purpose:

Gifts and the Body of Christ:

Gifts and Talents:

Discovering your gifts:

  • Realization

  • Prayer

  • An understanding of what the Bible says

  • A knowledge of yourself

  • Use a spiritual gift inventory - take a deep breath

Apostles

Prophets

Evangelist

Pastor

Teacher

Closing Prayer

O Holy Spirit who is light unto your children, may you enlighten us. O Holy Spirit who gives never-ending grace, may you replenish us. O Holy Spirit who is the fire of love, may you burn in our hearts. O Holy Spirit who is Lord and giver of life, may you live within us. As a cloud lessening our temptations, as the dew reviving our weariness, as fire purging the waste in our hearts, as water purifying our spirits, as the wind sending us out, as a dove turning our eyes to heaven. Amen

Based on “A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” by Christina Rossetti

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-07-14

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

When God Says, Get Up!

Luke 7:11-17

11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

14Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” 17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

What this story of Jesus healing reveals.

  • How the crowds were ________________ to Jesus.

  • How Jesus had ___________________ in the face of human suffering.

  • How Jesus was Lord, even over ________________________.

  • How the Gospel was spread by __________________________.

What this story of Jesus healing does not reveal.

  • How did this young man ________.

  • Did he have any other ____________________.

  • How did he feel about being _______________________________.

  • What ______________ did this experience make for the rest of his earthly life.

 Have you discovered God’s unique purpose for your life? (Please check one!)

Yes _______

No _______

Not Sure ________

 

What is the common life purpose that we all share?

  • To have a _____________ ______________ with our Creator.

Before we ever discover our life’s unique purpose, we have to ______________  ________________ to ________________.

Where do you need Jesus to stop the procession in your life?

 

 

Where do you need to have Jesus say to you, “Get Up!”?

 

 

Where do you need Jesus to reconnect you?

TODAY’S PREACHER

Rev Ray Owens is the Pastor of Visitation at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-06-30

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

The Holy Spirit: Who and What

John 14:15-21; 16:6-11

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

6Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Questions:

  1. Is there an emotional, physical, or spiritual feeling when the Holy Spirit enters you?

  2. How do you hear the Holy Spirit when you’re in a deep valley of depression? How do I discern whether that little voice in my head is the Holy Spirit?  

I need Jesus for my eternal life.

I need the Holy Spirit for my internal life.

He is God - the third person of the Trinity

The Holy Spirit is a person - of sorts

The Holy Spirit has:

  • intellect

  • emotion

  • will

He ________________   Rev 2:7; Acts 13:2

He ________________   Romans 8:26

He ________________   John 15:26

He ________________   Acts 8:29/Rom 8:14

He ________________   Acts 16:6,7

He ________________   John 16:13

He ________________   Acts 20:28

He ________________   Acts 5:3-4

He ________________   Heb. 10:29

He _______________   Matt 12:31-32

He _______________   Eph 4:30

Closing Prayer

O Holy Spirit who is light unto your children, may you enlighten us. O Holy Spirit who gives never-ending grace, may you replenish us. O Holy Spirit who is the fire of love, may you burn in our hearts. O Holy Spirit who is Lord and giver of life, may you live within us. As a cloud lessening our temptations, as the dew reviving our weariness, as fire purging the waste in our hearts, as water purifying our spirits, as the wind sending us out, as a dove turning our eyes to heaven. Amen

Based on “A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” by Christina Rossetti

TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-06-23

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

A Roadmap for the Future

Romans 8:26-27; John 14:25-26

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Pastor Randy Reese & The Strategic Leadership Team

Sunday 2019-06-16

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

The Holy Spirit and the Trinitiy

Genesis 1:1, 3:22; Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 13:14

1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

22And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

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 of the Son and of 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.”

14May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Questions:

  • Is there an emotional, physical, or spiritual feeling when the Holy Spirit enters you?

  • He?

  • Has there always been a Trinity?

  • Is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit the same person or are they three individuals?

  • What’s the difference between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?

  • Is there a hierarch between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?

Next week:

Strategic Leadership Team

The Holy Spirit and Prayer - Should we pray to the Holy Spirit?

6/30 - Finish “who is?” and “what does the Holy Spirit do?”

Questions: How do you hear the Holy Spirit when you’re in a deep valley of depression? How do I discern whether that little voice in my head is the Holy Spirit?

7/07 - Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Questions: Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Why unforgivable? Why can’t we know the answers? Why do we have to experience “bad news?” How does suffering end? How is the Holy Spirit made visible to us?

7/14 & 7/21 - Fruits of the Spirit

Closing Prayer

O Holy Spirit who is light unto your children, may you enlighten us. O Holy Spirit who gives never-ending grace, may you replenish us. O Holy Spirit who is the fire of love, may you burn in our hearts. O Holy Spirit who is Lord and giver of life, may you live within us. As a cloud lessening our temptations, as the dew reviving our weariness, as fire purging the waste in our hearts, as water purifying our spirits, as the wind sending us out, as a dove turning our eyes to heaven. Amen

Based on “A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” by Christina Rossetti

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-06-09

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

The Holy Spirit: Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13

1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

What was Pentecost?

  • OT - feast related to the Law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. In one sense, the old covenant.

  • NT - Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us change our lives, grow in our faith, become disciples and disciple makers, & set us free from the control of sin.

Jesus instructions:  Acts 1:3-8

  1. Do not leave Jerusalem

  2. Wait

  3. Baptized with the Holy Spirit

Question:  Baptism and Filling

Note: Still struggling with God’s plan

Receive power

Be my witnesses

Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth

Spirit like a dove descending on Jesus at His baptism - Matt. 3:16-17

Spirit descending - wind and fire - on His disciples

Baptized and filling - what does that mean?

Something Happened!!!!

Acts 2:40-41 New International Version (NIV)

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Closing Prayer

O Holy Spirit who is light unto your children, may you enlighten us. O Holy Spirit who gives never-ending grace, may you replenish us. O Holy Spirit who is the fire of love, may you burn in our hearts. O Holy Spirit who is Lord and giver of life, may you live within us. As a cloud lessening our temptations, as the dew reviving our weariness, as fire purging the waste in our hearts, as water purifying our spirits, as the wind sending us out, as a dove turning our eyes to heaven. Amen

Based on “A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” by Christina Rossetti

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-06-02

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

The Holy Spirit: Who Is He?

John 14:15-21; 16:6-11

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

6Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. 7But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

Two Needs of Humanity:

The Son of God died for us.

The Spirit of God works in us.

I need Jesus for my eternal life.

I need the Holy Spirit for my internal life.

He is God - the third person of the Trinity

The Holy Spirit is a person - of sorts

The Holy Spirit has:

  • Intellect

  • Emotion

  • Will

1) He ________________   Rev 2:7; Acts 13:2

2) He ________________   Romans 8:26

3) He ________________   John 15:26

4) He ________________   Acts 8:29/Rom 8:14

5) He ________________   Acts 16:6,7

6) He ________________   John 16:13

7) He ________________   Acts 20:28

8) He ________________   Acts 5:3-4

9) He ________________   Heb. 10:29

10) He _______________   Matt 12:31-32

11) He _______________   Eph 4:30

Who:

  • Eternal Heb 9:14

  • All Powerful Luke 1:35

  • Everywhere present (omnipresent) Ps 139:7

  • All knowing (omniscient) 1 Cor. 2:10-11

  • Called God Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 3:18

  • Creator Gen 1:1-2; Job 33:4

Closing Prayer

Come Holy Spirit Come, Help me to hear Your voice when You speak, to hear the inner voice when You whisper, and even to understand when You are silent but very real and very present. Lead me today closer to Jesus.  Help me to walk in His pathways. Give me courage to do the things He did for those who others ignored.  Come Holy Spirit Come … Come Holy Spirit Come. Amen.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-05-26

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

Divide & Conquer (Or Be Divided & Conquered)

Luke 11:14-15; 17-22, 24-26

14Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.”

17Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”

What are the two basic ways to “Divide & Conquer”?

Which approach did Joshua employ at the second attack on Ai?

When Jesus healed the man who couldn’t speak, of what did some accuse him?

How did Jesus answer their accusation?

We are able to live by Faith and not by Fear because of these Promises of God:

  1. To __________________ be with us. (Matthew 28:20)

  2. To be __________________ than our enemy. (1 John 4:4)

  3. That ___________________ can separate us from God’s Love. (Romans 8:38-39)

We can do Nothing. We can do Anything. Or, we can do the Right thing.

What is the Right thing? ______________________________!

What elements comprise the Full Armor of God?

  1. The belt of ______________________.

  2. The breastplate of _______________________.

  3. Feet fitted with the ____________________________________.

  4. The shield of ________________________.

  5. The helmet of __________________________.

  6. The sword of the __________________________.

TODAY’S PREACHER

Rev Ray Owens is the Pastor of Visitation at Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-05-12

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

This Is Love: Give It Away

Matthew 25:34-40

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’


  1. The Invitation from Jesus ________________________.


  2. You who are ________________________ by my Father.

    What does He mean blessed? What’s in it for me?


  3. Take your inheritance _________________________.


What are you invested in? Stocks? Money Market? Dow? Nasdaq? Bonds?


How about __________________________?


Hungry

Thirsty

Stranger

Needed clothes

Sick

In prison

God invests in people - all people.


CLOSING PRAYER

Sweet Lord, thank You and praise You that You loved me enough to come, take my sins away, offer me a new life, and lift up the promise of a blessed life both now and in the future. I know that this trust I give You, this heart I give You, and this heart to honor You will be hard some days, but I know You will see me through because You are faithful. Give me eyes to see the hungry and the thirsty and the stranger. Help me find a humble way to connect with those who need clothes, who are sick, or in prison. Especially help me to reach out to those who are searching for You, for Your grace, and for Your peace. In Jesus name, Amen.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC


Sunday 2019-05-05

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

This Is Love: Love That Makes All Things New

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The Resurrection Changed Everything

  1. This Is Love: Forgiveness of sin

  2. This Is Love: Defeated Death

  3. This is Love: We have become new creatures in Christ and all things are created new



What do we need to get rid of to make space for the new?



Christian hope is not compensation.



Christian hope is not explanation.



Christian hope is not evacuation.



Christian hope is new creation.



It begins on the inside and moves outside.

CLOSING PRAYER

Mighty God, You are our creator and our redeemer. You sent Jesus into the world not only to defeat the power of sin and death, but to change us to righteousness, to bring us a new and different life and lifestyle, new values, new ways of thinking, new ways of acting...new ways. We surrender our thoughts and minds to You. Continue to renew us every single day so we might live the full life You desire for us, a life of joy and peace, a life of hope and endurance, a life of goodness and wholeness. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-04-28

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

This Is Love: Love That Conquers Death

Acts 13:32-39; I Corinthians 15:20-26

32“We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

“ ‘You are my son;

today I have become your father.’

34God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’

35So it is also stated elsewhere:

“ ‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’

36“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

38“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.



20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Resurrection changes ___________________________.



Resurrection is the _________________________ of death.



Resurrection is the promise of new ___________________.



Resurrection is a _______________________.



I Corinthians 15:3-8



Romans 8:11  “ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[a] his Spirit who lives in you.”



Romans 8:37-39  “ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Closing Prayer

Gracious God, you have loved us with an everlasting love.  You sent your Son to earth because You loved us. Jesus, you laid down your life willingly. In Your death and resurrection we see Your love manifested at its highest level possible. We want to let You love us and we want to love You as well.  Bring Your resurrection live in us. Stir us with new power to obey and love You. Send us into this world with this life. Fill us with the hope that one day we will know this resurrection life in fullness. In Jesus name. Amen

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC



Sunday 2019-04-14

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

Hosanna! Blessed is He Who Comes in the Name of the Lord

John 12:12-19, 23-26, 37-43

12The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

14Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

15“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;

see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.”

16At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him.

17Now the crowd that was with him when he called Lazarus from the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to spread the word. 18Many people, because they had heard that he had performed this sign, went out to meet him. 19So the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

37Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:

“Lord, who has believed our message

and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

39For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:

40“He has blinded their eyes

and hardened their hearts,

so they can neither see with their eyes,

nor understand with their hearts,

nor turn—and I would heal them.”

41Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him.

42Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

A bit of history

  • Zechariah 9:9

  • Psalm 118:25-26


Significance of the crowd


Significance of the palm branches


The “red carpet” treatment


Why a donkey?


Where did they all go?


Some believed but wouldn’t say so


What are your plans for this year’s Holy Week?

We don’t plan to fail, but many times, we fail to plan.


CLOSING PRAYER

Dear God,

Thank you for sending your Son and paving the way for our lives to be set free through Jesus' death on the cross. Thank you for what this day stands for - the beginning of Holy Week, the start of the journey towards the power of the cross, the victory of the Resurrection, and the rich truth that Jesus truly is our King of Kings.

"Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord..."

We give you praise and honor for your ways are righteous and true. We give you worship for you are holy and just. We will declare that your love stands firm forever. For your loving kindness endures forever.

In the Mighty Name of Jesus,

Amen.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-04-07

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

Jesus Heals

John 4:43-54; 5:1-14

43After the two days he left for Galilee. 44(Now Jesus himself had pointed out that a prophet has no honor in his own country.) 45When he arrived in Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. They had seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, for they also had been there.

46Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. 47When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

48 “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

49The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

50 “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. 51While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

53Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

54This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 4 5One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When 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?”

7“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.”

8Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”

11But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”

12So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”

13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

My biggest fear…….

Interesting question:

Do we believe in Jesus as the Son of God because He has done something for us or do we just simply believe?

  • The official’s request for healing for his son

  • Jesus’ interesting response

  • What preconceived notions do we have about Jesus or about healing?

  • Jesus has a world wide reach

  • Jesus’ interesting question to the man at the pool - “Do you want to be healed?”

(Do you fully understand what that means or may mean?  Are you ready for those who will respond poorly to your healing?)



This morning, do you (or your friend or family member) want to be healed?

Are you (they) ready for what may come with the healing?

Do they believe in Jesus?

CLOSING PRAYER

I come Lord Jesus, just as I am. I’m as ready as I know how to be healed of bitterness, anger, guilt, pain, physical matters, spiritual matters or emotional matters. I need Your help and I ask for that help. I trust You with the outcome of my prayer.  I trust You.  Amen

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-03-24

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

Do You Really Want a King?

Psalm 107:1-3, 19-32; John 6:16-24,12-13

1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

2Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—

those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3those he gathered from the lands,

from east and west, from north and south.

19Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

and he saved them from their distress.

20He sent out his word and healed them;

he rescued them from the grave.

21Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

22Let them sacrifice thank offerings

and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23Some went out on the sea in ships;

they were merchants on the mighty waters.

24They saw the works of the Lord,

his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25For he spoke and stirred up a tempest

that lifted high the waves.

26They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;

in their peril their courage melted away.

27They reeled and staggered like drunkards;

they were at their wits’ end.

28Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and he brought them out of their distress.

29He stilled the storm to a whisper;

the waves of the sea were hushed.

30They were glad when it grew calm,

and he guided them to their desired haven.

31Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

32Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people

and praise him in the council of the elders.

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21Then they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

22The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. 23Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Why do we have the accounts of signs and wonders?

When have you felt that Jesus is absent, indifferent to your pain, or too late?

We seek His hand when we should be seeking His face.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Lori Bultemeier

Sunday 2019-03-17

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

Raising of Lazarus

John 11:17-27; 38-44

17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

2 Johanian meanings:

The cure for “death” or to “death” would enable humanity to see

_______________________________.  

Jesus talks of his glory in connection  with _____________________.

John 7:39

What does Jesus say that’s important:

  • I AM the resurrection and the life

  • Whoever believes in me …..

  • That they might believe You sent me

  • Take off the grave clothes

In practice, what does all of this mean:

  • Can we pray for someone to be raised from the dead?

  • Are there living “deaths” that we need to be freed from?

  • What grave clothes are you wrapped in that you need to be freed from?

PRAYER FOR LIFE

Almighty and Everlasting God, our Creator and Sustainer and giver of life,  we believe this morning that You are the resurrection and the life. Come this morning and free us from whatever binds us, free us from whatever holds us captive.  Free us from the parts of us that have died or are controlling us.  Free us and let Your glory shine in us and through us.  We give ourselves completely to You.  We seek Your help and Your favor in Your time. In Jesus Name,  Amen.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC

Sunday 2019-03-10

Order of Worship 7:45, 9:00, & 10:30

Water to Wine

John 2:1-11

1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

4 “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”

5His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

7Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

8Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

11What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.

Sometimes misconstrued:


Context/Practices of the wedding:


Lessons we learn:

  1. Jesus hears us even in what appears mundane

  2. Understand a bit about His relationship with His mom

  3. ”Woman” was not a word of disrespect

  4. God has a plan

  5. Jesus will use circumstances to help others see and understand who He was

  6. Changing water into wine using the stone water pots was a significant statement


What will you ask of Jesus today?  Will you do whatever He says to do?


Ask Him right now - Lord, will you …?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, You are invited into our hearts, into our lives, little events and big events, we want You there. Your presence changes our minds and attitudes and hearts and brings good things out of what appears to be tough situations. Thank you for being faithful and willing to help us out with whatever is happening in our lives. May our hearts reflect our gratitude and love for You and to You. In Jesus Name.

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TODAY’S PREACHER

Randy Reese is Directing Pastor of Calvary UMC