Stonecreek Church

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4) God With Us Waking up to Presence of God 2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. (Acts 2:1-6) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son[d] from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14) 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19) 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19 What am I full of? “Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn.” - John Wesley You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11) One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4) You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” (Psalm 27:8) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.  (Acts 4:13) And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach. (Mark 3:14) How hot is the fire in your soul? The power of God follows the presence of God. We proclaim the truth about God. How hot is the fire in your soul? Where should I repent?

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:1-16 Cultural Christian  Kingdom Christian Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. - Philippians 2:12 Where am I in the journey? Kingdom people wake up to spiritual truth by getting over themselves. Humble Honest The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.  - Winston Churchill You can’t handle the truth.  Jack Nicholson Hungry How does my life reflect what I want? Kingdom people choose God’s Kingdom over this kingdom.  Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:5 Cultural Christianity lacks the power of the gospel Kingdom people run after heart change. Getting more than you are getting, requires more than keeps you comfortable. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:31 This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;  in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Jesus New Birth - New Identity Kingdom people obsess over the King. Where am I in the journey? How does my life reflect what I want? Am I running after what matters in God’s Kingdom?

Only God is great – and it’s because of His glory and grace. This past Sunday, Pastor Steven Gibbs continued in our new message series, Awakening: Step into the Life You Were Made For.  He unpacked what it means to awaken to the greatness of God as he went through the throne room scene in Isaiah 6:1-7. We might not reject God, but we do reduce Him, and the Bible makes it clear that He alone is high and lifted up. Because of His glory, life revolves around God – not us.  “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:  “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 6:1-7 We might not reject God, but we will reduce Him. Where am I “successful”? How have I reduced God? Because of God’s glory, life revolves around God … not us. Because of God’s glory, He is worthy of worship. What gets my attention? Because of God’s glory, God is goodMoses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’  Exodus 33:18-19 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 Do I live like God is good? God is great because of His Grace. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper,     and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  Ephesians 5:13-17 What do I want out of life?  “Awake, O sleeper,     and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14 Culture Sedates Us Life Is Hard Comfort Chokes Us This is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. Mt. 13:22   What am I worried about? 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  Ephesians 5:15-17 Consider that there’s more to your life than this life.  Lord, stamp eternity on my eyeballs.  Jonathan Edwards “One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.” John Piper So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 How much time do I waste? Is my attention intentional or accidental? What kind of person do I want to be? 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light.  Ephesians 5:13-14 Ask God to Open My Eyes Put Off Put On Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11  Next Steps What do I want out of life? What am I worried about? How much time do I waste? Is my attention intentional or accidental? What kind of person do I want to be?

Do you feel stuck? Like you’re bound to your anxiety, depression, and insecurity, chained to your less than ideal circumstances? This past Sunday, we heard from Pastor Joey McLaughlin as he closed out our sermon series, House of Prayer Pt. 2. He unpacked Paul’s prayer to the Philippian church. Paul had to remember his imprisonment in order to move forward: what if redeeming your past meant living your best life in the future? I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11 Acts 16:13 …on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer…Acts 16:16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. Acts 16:23 …they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. Acts 16:25-28 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

Do you wish that your prayer life was better, more powerful, more meaningful than it is? This Sunday, Pastor Mike Reinsel continued in our second week of our series House of Prayer, Pt. 2 as he unpacked Ephesians 3:14-21. We learned that the purpose of prayer is simply the privilege of relationship with our Heavenly Father. What would happen if we started praying big, bold prayers because we actually believed in the abundant power of God?  “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21 Who is the most powerful person of prayer you know?How do I become better at prayer? 1. Our place and posture of prayer matter. Prayer isn’t a duty to be completed, but a highly privileged relationship to embrace.  With-ness  2. God’s deep desire for us is to be with Him first and to do for Him leading out from that. “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 “And rising early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Mark 1:35 “...and great crowds gathered to hear him and be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”  Luke 5:16 “‘Be with’ God first through prayer and let our good work come out of that.” Ephesians 6:18 Our “busy-ness” is the enemy of our “with-ness.” God shapes us in the quiet. 3. God wants us to pray bold prayers.  Bold prayers are usually answered because we’re consistent in our time with God. What prayers are you praying?   

When we forget to pray, we rob our faith of its power. The power of Jesus sets us free to live the lives we were designed for. This past Sunday, we kicked off our new sermon series, House of Prayer Pt. 2, where Pastor Aaron Bennett taught us that prayer creates life-giving relationships. We learned that the teaching of the early church was compelling, but it was their love that was contagious. Powerful prayers lead to radical changes. Prayer creates life-giving relationships. (Great relationships are the secret to the life you really want.) “There are far too many people who settle for practicing a sterile religion rather than enjoying a growing, vibrant, personal relationship with the living God.” ― Henry T. Blackaby, Experiencing God “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” Philemon 1:4-7 6 —I pray 6 — that the sharing of your faith = koinonia The teaching of the early church was compelling. The love of the early church was contagious. 6 —“I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective” “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 6 —“I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.” “Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:9-11 Practical Tips 1. Make a daily practice of praying for people you love. 2. Make a daily practice of praying with people you love. 3. Pray the scriptures back to God.

Where is Jesus and why hasn’t He come back yet? This past Sunday, Pastor Sean Curry reminded us that we are able to walk in a living hope that is rooted in the promise of a King that will return for His people. Knowing the heart of God should lead us to repentance and empower us to live daily like eternity starts tomorrow. We don’t know when Jesus will come back exactly, but we can trust that He will and love like His love is alive.  Am I prepared for when the storm is going to come? We walk in a living hope rooted in a King who is coming back. How do you want to be found by Jesus?

God protects His promise, and as children of His promise, God fiercely protects us. This past Sunday we heard from Pastor Aaron Bennett as he continued in our series, Resilient: Following Jesus in a World That’s Falling Apart. We unpacked chapter 2 of 2 Peter and learned just how deadly bad ideas can be. God will do whatever it takes to protect His promises, and because of the assurance of His rescue, we can be resilient with hopeful expectation. The Hidden Danger of Bad Ideas. God fiercely protects His promise. Bad ideas about little things can be disappointing. Bad ideas about big things can be deadly. Who influences you? If you want a great life, you have to be honest about the threats you’re facing. Either Jesus starts changing you, or you will start trying to change Jesus. Jesus doesn’t ignore sin. Jesus died to forgive sin. Jesus calls us to a new life, free from sin. The Gospel is God’s great promise. God saves His most ferocious anger for those who twist His promises so they can profit off of bad ideas. “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” 2 Peter 2:19 1. In a world full of lies, teach yourself to crave God’s truth. 2. Walk in the truth and expose the lies. 3. Find practical ways to enjoy the freedom of knowing Jesus.

Are you living like this is all there is to life? This past Sunday we heard from Steven Gibbs as he unpacked 2 Peter 1:16-21 as we continued in our series, Resilient: Following Jesus in a World that’s Falling Apart. In order for us to live our lives well, with purpose, and with resilience, we have to do so with the understanding that God’s word is ultimate authority.  For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:16-21 Resilient Reminder Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. 1 Peter 1:12-15 Absorb God’s Words What am I forgetting about the life I want to live?  I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report of supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies and claim that their writings are Divine rather than human in origin.  Do I live like I believe the Bible is true?  And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.  Matthew 17:1-6 EVERYTHING GIVES WAY JESUS. Where do I need light in my life? Do I live like this life is all there is to my life? All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 What authority do I live by? We are people of a book. Our understanding of God is not shaped primarily by experience, tradition, popular opinion, culture or what we’re comfortable with…our understanding of God is shaped by the written word of God that points to the living word, Jesus. God’s words aren’t a weapon used to hurt people, but a lifeline to save them. This is our first source, final authority, the greatest love story ever written and the best part of all … it’s true.