Churches of Troy

Sermon notes from the local churches of DCAN, KUMC, Lighthouse, Livingstones, Oasis, English Ministry [DCAC], OCC

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: David [An Unlikely Choice]

Set: No Longer Slaves, Healer, Grace Like Rain, It Is Well

Attendance: 30

1 Samuel 16:1-13

David is the unlikely candidate for the next king; when Samuel arrives in Bethlehem, Jesse presents his sons minus David, who is tending the sheep; however, it turns out that David, who is the youngest and smallest out of all the brothers, is chosen.

When David is about to confront Goliath, he tells Saul that he can defeat Goliath because he defeated both the bear and the lion and saved his sheep; David directed all praise to God.

God anointed David as king over Israel because of his truthfulness.

Psalm 51:1-12

God chose us first before we even chose Him; we are able to love because God first loved us. He convicts and calls us to himself -- he takes David, a boy who everyone ignored, and made a king out of him.

God does not call the qualified; he qualifies the called.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: David [A Life Worth Studying]

Set: Heart of Worship, Scandal of Grace, Devotion, Seas of Crimson

Attendance: 34

David is a precursor to the one true king, Jesus Christ. David’s life is a direct contrast to King Saul.

The Israelites wanted a human king to lead them, despite being God’s people; thus, God gave them Saul. However, Saul was unrepentant, and God takes away his kingdom; at this time, David enters the story.

David was the youngest son who shepherded the sheep, and yet he was chosen by God to lead the next generation of Israelites.

David was not perfect; he coveted another man’s wife and abused his power as the king to order the man to be sent to the front lines of the army to be killed. But David was repentant; he was a man after God’s own heart. David is worth studying because he is just like us: flawed, broken, deceived by the illusion of control. When God tells him to do something, he does it. When confronted with his fears, he responds in faith and reliance on God.

Psalm 78:70-72 The Psalms express David’s feelings, both the good and the bad. Nevertheless, God responds every time.

David is a perpetual reminder that God does not discard us when we become tarnished; he reflects the desire of God to continually get to know us.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: GOSPEL [Everyone]

Set 1: How Great Is Our God, Glorious Ruins, Christ Is Enough, At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

Set 2: Lord I Need You, Came to My Rescue, Great Are You Lord, Lead Me To The Cross

Attendance: 45

We can have faith in God because what He says is true. He sent his Son to save us, because there is nothing you can do that can save you from the penalty of sin. 

Sola fide -- Latin for faith alone.

John 3:16-18 Belief is at the very core of the message. There is a trust, a reliance when it comes to belief.

How do you demonstrate your trust? Take a trust fall, for example. To trust fully you have to fall backward without doing anything that could potentially save you besides those who are supposed to catch you.

The same faith that saves you from the penalty of sin also saves you from the power of sin. Jesus coming back from death makes it possible for us to conquer sin.

Salvation is offered to everybody -- including the mass murderers, the child rapists, the terrorists. There are no “exceptions” -- no one is “too bad.”

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis | GOSPEL: [Paying]

Set 1: Lord, I need you, Mighty to Save, Whom Shall I Fear, Second Chance

Set 2: Above All, Cornerstone, Beautiful Exchange, Nothing I Hold On To

Attendance: 26

Speaker: Miguel Marti

Everyone has sinned at least once, and everyone has fallen short of the glory of God.

Luke 18:9-14

vs. 9 | audience is people who are confident in their righteousness vs. 10-14 | Normally pharisees were admired by the people; they were the “good guys”. Tax collectors were known to lie for their own gain; they were the “bad guys” to the people. Jesus constantly switches their roles. vs. 11-12 | The Pharisee prayed about himself, and did not pray for his own forgiveness because he believed he did not need it. vs. 13 | The tax collector showed deep grief toward his own sin.

Expiation: the act of making amends or reparation for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement. Sins required blood sacrifice. The tax collector put this in his prayer [Original Greek version].

Hebrews 9:11-15 Hebrews 9:22 Propitiation: the turning away of anger of God; God’s wrath toward our sin.

Romans 3:21-26 | All the sacrifices pointed toward Jesus Christ takes the place where we deserve to be.

[churchesoftroy]

DCAN | Summer Debate Topics

1. Inerrancy of the Bible • Christians believe the Bible is true 2. Creationism • Christians believe we are created by God 3. Sin • Christians believe everyone has a sin-nature 4. Jesus • Christians believe in the dual nature of Christ (both man and God) 5. Gender • Christians believe men and women are equal before God 6. Race • Christians believe all races are equal before God 7. Evangelism • Christians believe we need both inreach and outreach 8. Politics and Civil Issues • Christians believe our faith should be lived out in the public sphere

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: GOSPEL [Our]

Set 1: Revelation Song, I Surrender, Tear Down The Walls, 10,000 Reasons

Set 2: It Is Well, Fall Afresh, For The Honor

Attendance: 42

Tug of war represents the struggle for control in our lives. The seven deadly sins (pride, gluttony, sloth, greed, lust, wrath, and envy) are still very prevalent in our world today, and fight for our attention. We are not inherently good. We will always fall short of perfection: Romans 3:23.

People always question, “If God is so loving, why does _______ happen?”

Sin and evil have corrupted the world, causing pain and suffering; our sin is what puts us in conflict with God. God’s love and God’s holiness must be held in balance.

Genesis 3:1-19

Each and every day, people choose to rebel against God; Adam first sinned, which led to all of mankind to sin [federal headship].

We have bought into the lie that if we do certain things (such as going to church, doing good things, etc.), God will love us; however, our relationship cannot be repaired unless we are perfect. Romans 5:12

A relationship with Jesus can lead us to become holy and perfect; we need a savior because of our need. Our sin separates us from God.

[churchesoftroy]

DCAN | I Have a Dream Part 1

Faith of a Centurion - Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10

Background

conflict between Romans and Jews

Romans oppress Jews

the centurion, Roman, talking to Jesus, a Jew is unusual

Identity

often based on comparison with others

centurion knew his place compared to Jesus - “I am not worthy”

Jesus has the power to heal - worthy

identity based on God destroys pride and division between races

Romans and Jews --> Americans and Chinese

all are made in God’s image

race/ethnicity impacts faith

Christianity and race equally impact identity in Christ

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: GOSPEL [God]

Set 1: Absolutely, All I Need Is You, God I Look To You, Cornerstone

Set 2: Glorious Ruins, Overflow, With Everything, Oceans

Attendance: 37

There are numerous views of God: the policeman who is always patrolling; the vending machine; the all-you-can-eat buffet, where you can choose whatever aspects of God you like the best; the sweet old man from the Old Testament who is out of tune with the current times; and the oversized parents, in which we view Him however we view our parents.

As we start to understand who God is, we can further our relationship by understanding why He wants to further it.

John 1:1-4 You cannot make anything without the original creation. All that is true is within God Himself.

Exodus 3:13-14

Genesis 1 Randomness is not a part of God’s image or personality. We were created in God’s image to have a relationship with Him; we were created with the capacity to love. There is a built in need for a relationship with God; our souls long for the connection.

[churchesoftroy]

English Ministry: 3 Reasons Youth Need Church (And Church Needs Youth)

Proverbs 3:1-6

Sometimes God is trying to tell us things, but because as youth we may think that church is merely a lecture hall, we can miss it.

In church, we are not the yawning audience during a soccer match or the wallflowers at a dance. Instead, we participate fully in church.

1. TRAINING in worship

Awe

2. GUIDANCE in life

Proverbs 2:1-5 / Proverbs 4:1-2

God cares more about your character than your comfort. The benefit of church to youth is the wisdom of older members who are more mature; as opposed to parents imparting wisdom, the younger generation is more inclined to listen to them.

3. BELONGING to the family of God

1 Peter 3:18-22

The church is the Noah’s ark that is being built; God has chosen the church to be the vehicle of salvation. The church is similar to Noah’s ark as in things stink on board, but if you get off, you will drown -- the church is nowhere near perfect, but it is crucial to our relationship with Christ.

There is room on Noah’s ark for everyone.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: GOSPEL [Life In Six Words]

Set 1: Alabaster, Jesus I Come, Devotion, Great Are You Lord

Set 2: Heart of Worship, It Is Well, To Be Like You, Seas of Crimson

Attendance: 39

GOSPEL: God Our Sins Paying Everyone Life

God created us to have a relationship with him. Our sins separate us from God. Sins cannot be removed by good deeds. Paying the price of sins, Jesus died and rose again. Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. Life with him starts now and lasts forever.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

The gospel is the most important message that a Christian can learn, understand, and share with others in life.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: Dead Cities

Set 1: Unashamed, Lord I Need You, Glorious Ruins, Came To My Rescue

Set 2: Broken Vessels, You Alone Can Rescue, Still, How He Loves

Attendance: 31

Speaker: Mr. Wong

Jonah 3:1-3

Jonah responded to God and Nineveh listened to him and turned from their evil ways. By being obedient, you are the happiest, even if it may seem like you are losing your freedom.

Luke 19:8

Zacchaeus was so changed by Jesus that he immediately repented of his ways and promised to change.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: Dead Men

Set 1 (Hmong Youth): Nothing But The Blood, Amazing Love

Set 2 (Oasis): Second Chance, Never Once, I Surrender

John 11

Verse 3: Mary acknowledges Lazarus’s relationship with Jesus, who predicts that Lazarus will come back to life, and thus glorify God through his resurrection.

Jesus points out to his disciples that Lazarus is dead in order to show his reason for existence on earth. He wantsto show them and have them believe that Jesus came to raise people to life.

Jesus purposely waits before he goes to see Lazarus to illustrate that dead things must die in order for God to work in our lives -- sin and earthly things must die completely, so that God can change our hearts.

In the same way, our dead hearts must die also.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: A New Community

Set 1: Cornerstone, Shoulders, Overflow, I Surrender

Set 2: Lord I Give You My Heart, This I Believe, Second Chance, Broken Vessels

Pastor picks up student, gets coffee together. Student stopped talking once on the road. Pastor said “I thought you wanted to be friends and share with me”

Genesis 2:18-24

Man should not be alone -- Genesis 2:18

    It is not good for the man to be alone.

    God exists in perfect community (Trinity). Our need for community comes           from this.

Our current culture is narcissistic. We have social media to show ourselves to the world. We believe we can do everything [ourselves]. We view our relationship with God the same way. (”I can be a Christian only by myself.”)

Our church community is a vision of future when Jesus comes back. 

Nothing can fill the void of community in our lives -- Genesis 2:19

    But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

    We try to fill with friends, money, etc.

True community is found in creation between man and woman -- Genesis 2:21

    God creates out of man, someone that Adam can be with.

Church is bride of God. Refers to perfect relationship between man and God. -- Isaiah 61:10

Walt Disney dreamed Epcot as utopia of 20000 people. Disney died, and the dream became an entertainment center. Likewise, God left man, however, time passed and community of man turned away from God. 

Restoration begins with community and spreads to neighbors, etc. This community should reflect our relationship with God.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: Restored From Within

Set 1: Fall Afresh, Holy Spirit, I Surrender, Heart of Worship

Set 2: Sinking Deep, Scandal of Grace, The Stand

The first step towards restoration is change -- change your mindset.

We are new creations -- 2 Corinthians 5:17

the new creation has come

Transformation starts with the mind -- Romans 12:1-2

be transformed by the renewing of your mind

The mind is about what you think -- Romans 12:2 [NLT]

let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think

You are what you think -- Proverbs 4:23, Proverbs 23:7 [NKJV], Romans 8:6 [NLT]

When you condition to run a marathon, you must believe you will reach the end and finish it.

Have a new attitude -- Ephesians 4:22-24

you were taught... to be made new in the attitude of your minds

How do you renew your mind?

Feed / fill the mind with truth [Matthew 4:4]

Free the mind from destructive / negative thoughts [Romans 7:23, 1 John 2:16]

The enemy of your mind is your old self / nature, Satan, worldly values / culture

Spiritual warfare of the mind [2 Corinthians 10:3-5]

The strongholds include the lie you believe and wrong attitudes such as worry, reluctance to forgive, etc.

Demolish >> take captive >> make it obedient

Focus the mind on the right things

Fix your thoughts on Jesus [Hebrews 3:1]

Think about others [Philippians 2:4]

Focus on things with eternal value [Colossians 3:1-2, Romans 8:5]

View things with God’s perspective; have the same mindset as Jesus [Philippians 2:5-8]

What does the new mind mean to you?

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: Called, Not Employed [Restore]

Set 1: Great Are You Lord, Mighty to Save, For the Sake of the World, Commission My Soul

Set 2: To Be Like You, Enough, For The Honor, With Everything

Matthew 5:1-11 (The Beatitudes)

Beatitude means the perfect state of joy.

Be humble (vs. 5)

Compassion is necessary (vs. 7)

Romans 12:2 Rely on the Holy Spirit to be pure in heart (vs. 8)

Embrace suffering; it is a step closer to understanding the kind of sacrificial love Jesus had for us (vs. 10)

Matthew 5:13-16 (Salt and Light)

Light shines in our lives so to help us see where we are going. But even if you have light, you need the principles -- following God comes first. When you see shadows, you can see all the sins inside.

Matthew 5:21-26 (Murder)

We are called to love; learn to let go of grudges against others.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: Moving Beyond Offended

Set 1: I Surrender, Cornerstone, Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone), Lead Me to the Cross

Set 2: Consuming Fire, Fall Afresh, From the Inside Out, For the Honor

We often define ourselves by what we’re offended by; however, the Gospel doesn’t tell us to boycott, but rather to love. The Church nowadays is often up in arms, but we must get over being offended. We may have the right to truth (e.g. abortion is wrong), but the way we act can render the message ineffectual. Nobody likes the Westboro Baptist Church.

Acts 17:16-34

Paul doesn’t condone their beliefs, but neither does he outright accuse them; we have to be similarly careful in how we approach non-believers.

Jesus went to Zacchaeus, and Paul went to the Greeks. We should also go and seek out others, rather than wait for them to come to us. Paul also knew his target audience very well--knew how they thought, and understood their struggles and mindsets--and thus he knew how to persuade them. Many times, we fail to really get to know others; we rarely consider others’ situations. To effectively share our faith, we have to really love others, and find the right avenue to take.

Don’t be discouraged if people don’t respond immediately. Sometimes it’s enough to just lay the foundation for their faith.

[churchesoftroy]

Oasis: Engaging the Culture [Restore]

Set 1: 10,000 Reasons, Unashamed, Glorious Ruins, God Is Able

Set 2: Devotion, Love Like Fire, Like An Avalanche, White Flag

The church has struggled with culture, placing each facet into two categories: secular vs. sacred.

Christ calls us to be relevant to encounter culture. Culture is a nation’s collective mind, and the way perception becomes reality. It is a definition of society’s self -- it differentiates between right and wrong; it is the standard we set for ourselves. It is the collective conscience of society.

Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus does not fit in with the Jewish culture: he is short and hated because he is a tax collector, and the worst one of them all. But Jesus chooses to associate with Zacchaeus -- he crossed the cultural barriers of the time to reach out.

Matthew 5:13-16 To engage with our culture, we must be the salt and the light -- tasted and seen.

1 Peter 2:12 Live so radically others wonder why: everything points to God.