FBC West

Most Christians think that worship comprised of going to church, singing some worship songs, and in some traditions raising your hands while you're singing them. Some who feel even more spiritual sing worship songs while they're at home or in the car. However, the Bible talks more of worship in a broader sense than just praising God with our voices. Come and listen to what the Bible talks about true worship beyond just hymn singing. Sermon Notes Romans 12:1 Worship also means presenting your body as a living and holy sacrifice to God Romans 12:2 We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds Romans 8:5 – 8 The mind set on the flesh is hostile to God, dead and cannot please God Ephesians 4:17 - 24 Lay aside your old self like a garment and put on a new self by your mind 1Corinthians 2:16 We have the mind of Christ

The Bible discusses a topic, especially in the book of Job, that you've probably observed in your life. That good things happen to good people, bad things happen to good people, good things happen to bad people, and bad things happen to bad people, as well as good. However, the Scriptures talk about another group of people and the promise that God makes to them. Come and listen to who that group of people is and what the promise of God is. Sermon Notes Romans 8:28 God causes everything to work for good if you love Him and are called to His purpose Romans 8:29 & 30 God working to make you better Romans 8:31 If God is for us nothing is against us Romans 8:32 Since God did not spare Jesus there is no wayf He will not give you good things Romans 8:33 Wo will bring an accusation against us because God justifies Romans 8:34 Who can condemn because Jesus intercedes Romans 8:35 – 39 Nothing can separate you from the love of God. Paul gives a list showing no separation from God’s love

When public prayer and private prayer was removed from public school, many religious people's response was, "There will always be prayer in school as long as there are tests." The reason for that is that people usually pray when there's a felt need, and the stronger the felt need, the more fervent the prayer. So for instance, even in a combat situation when it gets hot and heavy, many agnostics or even atheists who are unsure or convinced there's no God will reach out and pray that God might save them or keep them from harm. We tend to pray with there is felt needs. However, the Bible suggests that we pray more than that, and it also tells us how to be effective in that prayer and how God helps us. So I would ask you to come and listen to what the Bible says about prayer and how to be effective. Sermon Notes 1 Thessalonians 5:17 & 18 Do not stop praying James 4:3 Don’t get because ask with wrong motives Romans 8:26 & 27When we do not know how to pray the Spirit does it for us because it intercedes according to the will of God Matthew 6:9 – 13 The Lord’s teaching on prayer

Unfortunately, we are very politically divided, so this example I'm going to suggest that whoever happens to be the president is a person you voted for and supported. But let's say this person just was inaugurated, and then you get contacted shortly thereafter that they want to meet you, but not only do they want to meet you, they want to meet you in the Oval Office, and they want to discuss with you what your concerns are and what your needs are. I'm pretty certain you would make sure that you are able to go to that White House, go to that Oval Office, and discuss your problems with the president. Someone far greater than the president, with far more power than the president, has sent you a letter with the very same topics. You can see what that greater person is and how he wants to discuss with you your needs. Hebrews 4:14 & 15 Jesus understands what we are going through, yet without sine Hebrews 4:16 Because of that we can go directly to the Throne of Grace (God) with confidence and get help Hebrews 7:25 Jesus save forever to those who draw near to God because He intercedes for us James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you

The Roman Empire developed a mechanism to execute people. It was called crucifixion. It was a cruel, painful, and shameful way to die. But that's how they treated their criminals, their insurrectionists, and anybody else who might defy them. Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus was crucified. But he wasn't crucified as a criminal. Even the one who judged him Pilate said that he found no fault in him. The concept of crucifixion has come to us when you'll hear people say, "Well, I'm being crucified," which usually means that they're being attacked or judged improperly. The Scriptures talk about crucifixion as well, but it has an entirely different view towards crucifixion. So come and listen to this message on crucified to see what the Bible says about it. Sermon Notes Galatians 2:20 Crucified with Christ yet I live Galatians 5:24 Passions and desires crucified Galatians 6:14 The world has been crucified to me and I to the world Luke 9:23 – 26 Pick up your cross and follow Him

You will frequently hear parents say that they want their children to be happy. Well, the Father in heaven wants more than your happiness. As a matter of fact, He wants not only for your happiness, but it was something greater than that and it is His will. Come and listen to what the Father's will is for your life that is greater than happiness. Sermon Notes 1 Thessalonians 5:16 – 18 God’s will is to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks Philippians 4:4 We are to rejoice in the Lord always James 1:2 – 4 Rejoice in various trials it produces endurance Matthew 5:11 & 12 Rejoice when you are persecuted because of Jesus, you will have a great reward in heaven

There seems to be today a overburden of anxiety. People are anxious for personal things like finance or health or family situations. Other people are anxious because of climate change or overpopulation or whatever the worldwide problem might be. There seems to be a lot of self-help books on how to deal with anxiety, but they don't seem to help. I encourage you as we take a look today at what the Bible says about being anxious and how to deal with it. Sermon Notes Philippians 4:6 – 8 Don’t be anxious and how to avoid it Matthew 6:24 – 34 Don’t worry, it does not help

Knowledge is a wonderful thing. We know what we know. There are times that we know what we don't know. And unfortunately, there are times when we don't know what we don't know. John is going to write a letter to believers about eternal life. He's going to tell us something that we can know, but unfortunately, many believers don't know that they know this. So come and listen to what John writes, that we believers can have in Jesus. Sermon Notes 1 John 5:13 Knowing you have eternal life Matthew 7:21 – 23 He never knew them Romans 8:16 & 17 The Spirit bears witness with our spirit Psalm 51:10 – 13 Restore the jou of salvation

You've probably heard it said, or maybe you've even said it yourself, "Don't judge me." Someone says that usually because they're pretty sure that the outcome of that judgment is negative, that for some reason that they didn't act or say the right things and don't want to hear that condemnation. The Scripture is going to talk about two different types of people, those who are judged and those who aren't. Let me listen to how to be on one group or the other. Is one in which I try to take scriptures that are bite-sized, something that you can easily memorize, so that when you are dealing with life, that these scriptures will come to memory and you will defeat the liar. Sermon Notes Romans 8:1 Now those in Jesus are not condemned John 3:14 – 18 Those who do not believe in Jesus are condemned already, it is not the rejection of Jesus

Some of those popular books and bookshops are self-help books. People are always trying to improve their lives, whether it's to become rich, to influence friends, become, make friends. There's always people seeming to want to better their lives. However, they rarely talk about and look at how to live and be righteous. There is a book that talks about that and how to live that way and I'll become that way. Let's see what a righteous person lives. Sermon Notes Romans 1:17 Quoting Habakkuk 2:4 Genesis 15:1 – 5 God’s promise to Abram Genesis 15:6 Abram’s response and God’s response to Abram’s response Hebrews 11:1 & 2 Approval by God is faith Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God

There are a couple of common expressions about circumstances. One is keeping up with the Joneses. There's a sense of our circumstances being at least the same as someone else. The other common expression is, "I complained that I had no shoes until I saw a person with no feet." That's an attempt to say that we feel bitter about ourselves because our circumstances isn't as bad as others. Jesus is going to tell Peter about his destiny. John 21:18 & 19 The type of death Peter will glorify the Lord John 21:20 – 23 Peter wants to know about John’s destiny. Jesus says in essence that is none of your business, you follow me Acts 5:33 – 41 Apostles arrested, jailed, flogged, then they rejoice that they had been considered worthy to suffer for Jesus’ name Acts 5:42 They continued to teach and preach every day Acts 9:15 & 16 Paul to be shown how much he must suffer for the name of Jesus Matthew 5:24 – 27 Pick up YOUR cross and follow Him

The Gospel of John records four different occasions when Jesus appears as the resurrected one. Three times he appears with his disciples. This time it's substantially different from the other times that John records. Come see what the difference is when the disciples have breakfast with the risen one. Sermon Notes John 21:1 Jesus appears to His disciples again John 21:2 & 3 Peter with 6 other disciples agree to go fishing, but catch nothing John 21:4 & 5 Jesus on the beach asked knowing they had caught nothing said to them “.. you do not have any fish do you?” and they answer no John 21:6 Jesus tells them to cast their net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch. They did so and caught so many they could not bring the net into the boat John 21:7 John recognized Jesus, told Peter and Peter put his outer garment back on and jumped into the sea John 21:8 The rest of the disciples brought the boat and the fish back to land John 21:9 Jesus already had a charcoal fire with fish and bread and ask them to bring some of the fish they had caught John 21:11 Peter went to help draw up the net and there were 153 fish, but the net had not torn John 21:12 Jesus feeds them breakfast. This is the third time Jesus had appeared to them

Jesus is going to ask Peter the same question three times. We're going to see that there's a lot of discussion about why Jesus did that, but very little discussion on why it was important for you and me. So let us see what Jesus asked Peter and the question we should ask ourselves. John 21:15 Jesus asks Peter do you love Me and Peter answers Yes. Jesus tells him to “Tend MY lambs” John 21:16 Jesus asks Peter a second time “Do you love Me”. Peter again responds Yes. Jesus tells him to “Shepherd My sheep” John 21:17 Jesus aks Peter a third time, Peter is grieved and responds the same and Jesus tells him to “Tend My sheep” 1 John 3:13 - 18 Love is not words it is deeds 1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us

There is a common expression, "seeing is believing," but when Thomas was told by his fellow disciples that they had seen the Lord, he refused to believe but said, "Not only must I see, but I must touch the wounds that he had." Jesus will later tell Thomas that there are certain benefits by believing but not seeing. Let's see what Jesus talks about in this situation. John 20:19 & 20 Jesus appears in the room where the disciples are even though the doors were shut, shows His wounds and they rejoice John 20:21 Jesus tells them as the Father sent Him, He is sending them John 20:22 Ahe breathed on them and said “Receive the Holy Spirit John 20:23 Forgiving and retaining sins John 20:24 & 25 Thomas was not with the other disciples and even though they tell him they have seen the Lord, he refuses to believe unless he sees the wounded hands and put his finger in Jesus’ side John 20:26 & 27 8 days later Jesus gives Thomas the opportunity to do as Thomas demanded John 20:28 Thomas responds “My Lord and my God” John 20:29 Jesus tells him “Blessed are those who believe but have not seen”

Sermon Notes John 20:1 & 2 Mary Magdalene went to the tomb while it was still dark, saw the stone rolled away and assumed someone took Jesus’ body John 20:3 – 8 Peter and John run to the tomb after being told that Jesus’ body was missing, entered into the tomb, did not find the body, but found the linen wrappings John 20:9 They didn’t understand the Scriptures about Jesus rising from the dead John 20:10 Petere and John went home John 20:11 – 14 Mary while weeping looked into the tomb and saw two angels, who ask her why she is weeping John 20:15 Jesus asks her why she is weeping and she turns around, thinking that Jesus is the gardener asks where the body was taken John 20:16 When Jesus says her name she recognizes Him John 20:17 Jesus tells her to stop clinging to Him and tells her and go to His brethren and tell them that “I ascend to the Father” John 20:18 Mary does as instructed 1 Corinthians 15:3 - 8 Jesus’ resurrection according to the Scriptures

The Roman Empire crucified thousands of people. They also were involved in the crucifixion of Jesus. But the crucifixion of Jesus was different in many ways. I invite you to come and listen to this message on how the crucifixion of Jesus was different and how it impacts you. Sermon Notes John 19:17 Jesus bears His own cross John 19:18 He was crucified between two men John 19:19 – 22 Pilate has an inscription written and the Jews object, but Pilate leaves it John 19:23 – 25a The soldiers gamble for Jesus’ clothing – according to the Scriptures John 19:25b – 27 Even while being crucified He makes sure His mother is cared for John 19:28 & 29 Jesus says “I am thirsty” – according to the Scriptures John 19:30 Jesus gives up His Spirit, it is not taken from Him 1 Corinthians 15:3 Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures

From the time that Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, the people who arrested him bound him and led him to Annas' house. They were seeking to assert control and authority over Jesus. It's interesting, trying to assert control and authority over the Son of God. When Jesus fails to immediately answer one of Pilate's questions, Pilate says, "Don't you understand that I have authority over you?" Jesus tells him the authority that he has doesn't come from the Roman government. John 19:1 Pilate has Jesus scourged John 19:2 & 3 Roman soldiers abuse Jesus John 19:4 & 5 Pilate presents Jesus saying he finds no guilt in Him John 19:6 & 7 Pilate attempts to avoid responsibility, but the chief priests and offiers demand that Jesus be crucified and state that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God John 19:8 – 11 Jesus refuses to answer Pilate’s questions. Pilate asserts he has authority over Jesus, but Jesus responds he only has authority because it was given by heaven. But Jeus also says those who are delivering Him have greater sin than Pilate John 19:12 – 15 Pilate still seeks to release Jesus, but the Jews keep the pressure on by saying that if he doesn’t crucify Jesus he is no friend of Caesar and they have no king but Caesar

The religious leaders take Jesus to Pilate who is a Roman governor to authorize his crucifixion. During that time Pilate and Jesus have a conversation about his kingdom and his kingship, but during that conversation Pilate deflects by asking a question. He doesn't care really about the answer to the question because he doesn't spend any time to listen. The second thing is he asks the wrong question. Come and hear what Pilate asked and the question he should have asked. Sermon Notes John 18:28 - 32 Religious leaders take Jesus to Pilate to crucify without accusation John 18:33 – 37 Pilate discusses with Jesus about being a king and the kingdom John 18:38a What is truth? John 18:38b – 40 Pilate tries to release Jesus but the crowd wants him to release a robber

Today's message, we're going to take a look at Peter and his denial of his Lord. It would be easy, and it is easy, to quickly judge Peter for those failures. But sometimes, even though Peter had told Jesus that he'd be willing to die for him, we'll take a look at maybe sometimes it is easier to die for Christ than to live for him. But also, what we're going to take a look at is that while Peter denied Jesus, all of us have done something that we regret or are ashamed of. But the fortunate thing, just like Peter and in our lives as well, that's not the final end to the story. So let's take a look at what Peter does and what will happen. Sermon Notes John 18:12 & 13 Jesus is arrested, bound and taken to Annas’ house John 18:14 John reminds us of Caiaphas was the one who said that “it is expedient that one man die on behalf of the people” John 18:15 & 16 Peter and another disciple follow Jesus to Anna’s house and the other disciple helps Peter to enter John 18:17 Peter’s first denial John 18:18 Peter and others warm themselves by a charcoal fire John 18:19 – 21 Jesus questioned about His teachings and His disciples John 18:22 Jesus struck John 18:23 Jesus responds to being struck John 18:24 Jesus sent bound to Caiaphas, the High Priest John 18:25 – 27 Peter denies being a disciple for the second and third time and immediately a rooster crowed

There are times in our lives when we may face circumstances when we truly wonder whether God is in control and can solve our problems. Jesus is going to show a situation where his betrayal and his seizure is such that he is not a victim, but he is in control. And not only to make sure that God's purposes are accomplished, but he protects his own. Come and see how God is in control of even circumstances that seem to be out of control. Sermon Notes John 18:1 Jesus goes to a garden with His disciples John 18:2 & 3 Judas knowing where Jesus often went led a Roman cohort and officers John 18:4 – 7 Even though Jesus is to be arrested He takes charge John 18:8 & 9 Jesus tells them to let His disciples go John 18:10 & 11 Peter tries to defend Jesus, but Jesus tells him this is the cup Jesus is to drink

A parable of talents. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes Luke l9:11 - 27 The stewardship and accounting of three different people Luke 21:1 – 4 Very little adds up to great

We're going to continue looking at how Jesus was praying for His disciples that were present with Him. He's going to continue to do that, but He's going to make a surprising prayer request for future disciples, which means He's going to pray for you and me. Come and see what His prayer requests are for you and me. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes John 17:13 Jesus continues to pray that the joy He has will be complete in them John 17:14 Jesus gave them the Father’s word and the world hates them John 17:15 & 16 Jesus does not ask them to be taken out of the world, but be protected from the evil one John 17:17 – 19 Jeus asks the Father to sanctify His disciples and He has sanctified Himself for them John 17:20 Jesus prays for future disciples John 17:21 Jesus prays that the future disciple be one as the Father and He are one John 17:22 Jesus gave the disciples the glory given to Him so that they may be one as the Father and He are John 17:23 If the disciples are in Jesus and Jesus in the Father, they will be perfected in unity and know that the Father sent Jesus and the Father loves the disciples just as He loves the Son John 17:25 & 26 The world does not know the Father, but Jesus knows the Father and the disciples know that the Father sent the Son and Jesus has made the Father’s name known and is making it known so that the Father’s love of the Son may be in them and Jesus in them

Jesus would frequently throughout the scriptures go by himself and pray. His disciples asked him to teach them how to pray and we call that teaching the Lord's Prayer, although that's not really what it was, it's the disciples prayer. We only have two or three opportunities in the scriptures to see Jesus's actual prayer. One was when he was praying at the tomb of Lazarus, he spoke out loud so that the people might come to believe. We see him praying in the Garden of Gethsemane where he asked this cup to be passed from him. In John 17 which we're going to take a look at today, he prays an extensive prayer. We're only going to look at the first part of that prayer and he's going to ask for four different matters to be answered by the Father. Come and see what those four requests are. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe John 17:1

We celebrate what most of the world calls Easter or some called resurrection Sunday. I happen to call first verse but that's for a different time. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead is essential to the Christian faith. If he did not raise from the dead then our faith is in vain and the scripture says that. There are a number of people who have witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. The Apostle Paul outlines how many different appearances plus others and as well as over 500 people saw Jesus. We have this tendency that Jesus rose from the dead, appeared for a little while, then left. In reality he rose and was around the earth for 40 days before he ascended. Of all the various accounts of his resurrection we're going to take a look at one of my very favorite accounts. That's about two men who are traveling on a road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. We'll see and discuss their experience. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe Sermon Notes Luke 24:13 & 14 2 men were walking and talking about what had happened in Jerusalem Luke 24:15 – 24 Jesus comes and joins in their discussion, but they are prevented from recognizing Him Luke 24:25 – 27 Jesus explains what has happened and taught them the Scriptures Luke 24:28 – 31 Jesus eats with them and as He breaks bread they recognize Him and He vanished Luke 24:32 The men state “Didn’t our hearts burn as He was speaking and teaching the Scriptures Luke 24:33 – 35 They go back to Jerusalem and relate what they saw and witness to them that Jesus actual rose from the dead