7 10 83 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/512eca45192514f7a7c271eea87ae12c.jpeg aba1bda322e25c1789d763519d624935 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/091df1156c5ab07f16c80eaa681389dc.mp4 ec500cb4de32ff2f0401bfac675a3920 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound Resurrection Revelation John 20:11-18 There’s a well-known story about a famous violinist who took his $3.5 million Stradivarius onto a platform of a Washington DC subway and started playing music. He was dressed in a T-shirt and a ball cap. Joshua Bell was accustomed to playing for packed concert halls and getting paid $1,000 a minute. During his 43-minute solo concert in the subway a total of 1097 people passed by. But only seven people stopped to listen. He earned $32 in change. J.T. Tillman, a computer specialist, was one of the people who walked by. He said, “I didn’t think nothing of it, just a guy trying to make a couple of bucks.” Tillman would’ve given him some cash, but he spent all his money on the lotto. When he was told that he stiffed one of the best musicians in the world, he asked, “Is he ever going to play around here again?” The reporter said, “Yeah, but you’re going to have to pay a lot to hear him.” Exactly one person recognized Joshua Bell. Her name was Stacy. She positioned herself 10 feet away from Bell, front row, center. She had a huge grin on her face. She said, “It was the most astonishing thing I’ve ever seen in Washington. Joshua Bell was standing there playing at rush-hour, and people were not stopping, and not even looking, and some more flipping quarters at him! Quarters! I was thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, what kind of a city do I live in that this could happen?’” It’s not what we see – it’s what we perceive (what LENS are you looking through?) “the eyes of your heart being enlightened” John 13: Then Jesus was moved deeply in his spirit. Looking at his disciples, he announced, “I tell you the truth—one of you is about to betray me.” John asked: “Master, who is it?” Jesus: “The one I give this piece of bread to after I’ve dipped it in the bowl,” Jesus replied When Jesus gave the bread to Judas, none of the others connected it with what He had just said! John 13:26, Jesus tells his disciples that he will give a morsel of bread to the one who will betray him. He then dips the morsel and hands it to Judas Iscariot. vs 28: But no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him. John 12:16: Now Jesus’ disciples didn’t fully understand the importance of what was taking place, but after he was raised and exalted into glory, they understood how Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies in the Scriptures that were written about him. Do we have an intellectual understanding – or do we have a revelation? Today on Resurrection Sunday, may we truly have a Resurrection Revelation Eph 5:14: “Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” “flesh and blood hath not revealed this” Matthew 13:15: Their minds are dull and slow to perceive, their ears are plugged and are hard of hearing, and they have deliberately shut their eyes to the truth. Otherwise they would open their eyes to see, and open their ears to hear, and open their minds to understand. Then they would turn to me and I would instantly heal them. We need a resurrection revelation. It is not something we see with our natural eyes. It is spiritually discerned, and revealed by Holy Spirit. Start this Resurrection Sunday – and in affect – your New Life – with this Divine Revelation: 2 Cor 5:19: God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. And he has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation. Christians should be the people of The Way. Light Bearers. “We are offering hope, dignity, mercy and love.” WE have all been give the ministry of sharing the Good News about Jesus with everyone Col 2:14: “ …he canceled the unfavorable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross.” We’re here to give others the hope and confidence of a better life We look beyond ourselves and we become confident in God’s Gift of Divine Mercy “Mercy is always an invitation to a better life.” The Resurrection Revelation can change everything for you As Believers – as followers of Jesus - You are “risen with Christ” Once we get that revelation living in our hearts, our next job is to share it with the whole world. Eph 1:18: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, “flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his calling” • Open the eyes of my heart, Lord Open the eyes of my heart I want to see You I want to see You To see You high and lifted up Shinin' in the light of Your glory Pour out Your power and love As we sing holy, holy, holy Phil Pringle: Dead for Nothing? “We are completely set free from sin through Christ’s death” “Everything keeping us from God has been removed by Jesus through His blood.” Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace. A Resurrection Revelation is a spiritual awakening to what Jesus paid the price for you and I to have. When you have a true Resurrection Revelation, and you understand our Redemption, our New Covenant – if you love God and walk in the Fear of the Lord, you will never minimize what Jesus has won for us in His crucifixion. 1 Peter 2:24: “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” Jesus said “according to your faith let it be to you.” (Matt 9:29) How can we have faith for things we don’t know? How can we know unless we hear it? How can we hear it unless someone shares the whole truth with us? Jesus was disruptive in His time on earth Jesus is still disruptive in 2025 – He is calling us out of our complacency. Romans 13:11: now it is high time to awaken out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed. Today is Resurrection Sunday. After the resurrection, Jesus would soon ascend into heaven. John 16:7: But here’s the truth: It’s to your advantage that I go away… …for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. (Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit, Who would come on the Day of Pentecost when all in the upper room received the baptism of the Holy Spirt and Fire) Luke 24:49: I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. What Jesus promised was not a lesser form of Himself, but all the fullness Eph 3:19: “…that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Jesus is the True Vine. We are the branches. Apart from Him we can do nothing. But yes, we have our part to play Jesus said: “According to your faith let it be done to you” When Jesus visited His hometown we read: Matt 13:58: And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Faith comes by hearing… Brothers and sisters in Christ: May our hearts become New Wineskins to receive the Word of God. Eph 4:13: until 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. “ … until we all experience the fullness of what it means to know the Son of God” May we truly have a Resurrection Revelation this Easter morning. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Resurrection Revelation 复活启示 Description An account of the resource John 20:16: Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 約 翰 福 音 20:16: 耶稣对她说∶“马利亚！”她转过身，用希伯来语叫道∶“拉波尼！”（意思是老师）(page 1759) Eph 5:14: Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 以弗所书 5:14: 因为光能使一切显明出来。因此有人说：“沉睡的人啊，醒来吧！从死人中起来吧，基督要光照你了！” (page 1899) Matthew 13:15: Their minds are dull and slow to perceive, their ears are plugged and are hard of hearing, and they have deliberately shut their eyes to the truth. Otherwise they would open their eyes to see, and open their ears to hear, and open their minds to understand. Then they would turn to me and I would instantly heal them. 马太福音 13:15: 因为这些人心灵麻木，耳朵发背，眼睛昏花，以致眼睛看不见，耳朵听不见，心里不明白，无法回心转意，得不到我的医治。(page 1580) Col 2:14: “ …he canceled the unfavorable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross.” 歌 羅 西 書 2:14: 他取消了对我们不利和反对我们的记录，把它钉在十字架上毁掉了它。(page 1910) Eph 1:18: I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people 以弗所书 1:18: 我也求上帝照亮你们心中的眼睛，使你们知道祂的呼召给你们带来了何等的盼望，祂应许赐给众圣徒的产业有何等丰富的荣耀 (page 1895) Romans 6:14: For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 罗马书 6:14: 罪不能再主宰你们，因为你们已经不在律法之下，而是在恩典之中。 (page 1829) Revelation 1 Peter 2:24 - "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds you have been healed." 彼 得 前 書 2:24: 基督在十字架上的身体负载着我们的罪孽，为了让我们死于我们的罪孽，而为义而生。他的创伤，使你们得到治愈 他拯救了我们，不是因为我们的行为，而是靠他的怜悯、重生的洗礼和使我们更新的圣灵。(page 1936) Romans 13:11: now it is high time to awaken out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed. 羅 馬 書 13:11: 你们知道我们处在一个重要的时代，所以我说了这番话。现在是应该从沉睡中醒来的时候了，因为现在我们的拯救比最初相信时更接近我们了。(page 1841) Luke 24:49: I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. 路加福音 24:49: 我要把我父所应许的赐给你们。不过，你们要留在城里，直到你们得到天上来的能力。(page 1715) Eph 3:19: …and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 以弗所书 3:19: 并知道基督的爱是远超过人所能理解的爱，好叫上帝无限的丰富充满你们。(page 1897) Matt 13:58: And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. 马太福音 13:58: 因为他们不信，耶稣就没有在那里多行神迹。 Eph 4:13: until 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. 以弗所书 4:13: 直到我们对上帝的儿子有一致的信仰和认识，逐渐成熟，达到基督那样完美的生命。(page 1898) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 04/20/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/10755dd26e4ac79086cf6c6ccadf44b6.jpg 68182b7fac40fc1179699228315ccca9 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/295343d0cb4a7fdf79cfc99ca60e0bf9.mp4 635b07e590b23545cfd60dbf15de9d06 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound RETURN Isaiah 30:15 Job 22:21-23 Time flies. That is a cliché, and yet, so very true, especially as you get older. The holidays were special. It was a time to redirect our focus a bit – and hopefully (for some) to get a little rest. It’s January – and things are getting busy again. Returning is an act of coming back – maybe for some of you went back to your home town to see family – or maybe family returned home to see you? Returning is an act of coming back – maybe it’s a physical return – but I can also be an emotional return – appreciating the ones who love you the most. Maybe it is a spiritual return. Returning is an act of coming back – it can mean coming back into God’s Holy Presence and receiving the restoration that cannot be found elsewhere. It means making a place in your heart to ABIDE once again. Jonathan Edwards: “In close meditation, prayer and conversing with God, when alone and separated from the world, a true Christian doubtless delights… to converse with God in solitude and this also has peculiar advantages for fixing his heart, for fixing what is inside him.” “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” The verse is a message from the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, that returning to him and resting in him will save people. The verse also says that quietness and trust will give people strength. We all need those people and places where we can let down our guard and just be ourselves. Fully let our hair down (so to speak) Those people and places provide acceptance and grace. Our heavenly Father offers us that – and so much more. It’s still January… our New Year has just begun. It’s time to Return. It’s time to Come Home “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” Returning is an act of coming back – it can mean coming back into God’s Holy Presence and receiving the restoration that cannot be found elsewhere. Job 22:21-23: Come to terms with God and be at peace; in this way[c] good will come to you. Receive instruction from his mouth, and place his sayings in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be renewed. Returning (in our Christian lives) usually entails some form of repentance. Maybe repenting of something we previously weren’t even aware of. (do we take time to hear? to listen?) Psalm 19:7: The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. God’s direction in our lives will restore our souls and gives us wisdom for living a better, more fulfilling life. People sometimes say to me, “I don’t know how you do everything you do.” I know from them it is coming from a place of love and concern for my well-being. …but the truth is, I don’t do everything I should be doing. (not proud of that fact) Sometimes (for me) overwhelm causes me to just shut down and do nothing, as opposed to doing what I should be doing. Time management and self-preservation may actually devolve into a form of selfishness. That’s where repentance can open the door to returning to right thinking, right actions, based on right priorities. “Confess you faults one to another that ye may be healed” (forgiven – restored) “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” It’s time to Return. It’s time to Come Home I believe the act of returning here is first and foremost a heart issue. …and returning requires that we leave someplace else. Returning also means leaving some other place Forsaking abandon (someone or something). renounce or give up (something valued or pleasant) We have to give up – renounce – turn – turn away (forsake an old pattern) It seems that choice will always redirect us to some form of service – service to God – service to others To use the gifts we were given and blessed to be able to share To follow the example of Christ Gal 6:2: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. “Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other's troubles.” Jesus told us what His commands were: Matt 22:37-39: Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ vs 40: “The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” “Contained within these commandments to love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.” “The Law of the Lord is perfect, giving new strength to the soul. “ WE are commanded by God to forgive, to love God, to love others …but don’t let this draw you down into legalism Romans 11:6 And since it is by God's grace, it can't be a matter of their good works; otherwise, it wouldn't be a gift of grace, but earned by human effort. We are only branches – apart from Christ we can do nothing …but we yield, and we find our empowerment through the Vine “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” “He restores my soul.” “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” It’s God Grace that will allows us to enter into that secret place – that place of stillness and rest. Have you ever had a moment of awareness where you finally realized you were not on the right path? …of course you have, right? So doesn’t that also mean we should show grace to those who are still awaiting that moment of revelation? That epiphany that leads to repentance? When we recognize how good and merciful God has been to us Like the prodigal son: “When he came to himself…” To whom much has been given… What will we do with the time we have left? Time is short, but God is great. "Eternity is calling your soul. It inspires you to awaken, to dream again, and to take risks." A place of peace and restoration is always there ...it is we who have to return to it. In Zechariah 1:3 Almighty GOD says: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” Let God’s Word guide you back to that place of returning to Him today. Job 22:21-23 “Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” Make my life a prayer to You… “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource RETURN 返回 Description An account of the resource Isaiah 30:15: For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest shall ye be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength; but ye would not. 以赛亚书 30:15: 主耶和华——以色列的圣者说：“你们回转、安息便可得到拯救；你们安静、信靠便可得到力量。 但你们却不肯。 (page 1160) Job 22:23: “If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…” 约伯记 22:23: 你若归向全能者，就必得到恢复。 (page 855) Psalm 19:7: The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 诗篇 19:7: 耶和华的律法完美，能更新生命；耶和华的法度可靠，让愚人有智慧。 (page 1909) Gal 6:2: Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 加拉太书 6:2: 你们要分担彼此的重担，这样就成全了基督的律法。 (page 1892) Matt 4:22:37-39: And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 马太福音 22:37-39: 耶稣回答说：“‘你要全心、全情、全意爱主——你的上帝’， 这是第一条也是最重要的诫命。 第二条也相似，就是‘要爱邻如己’。(page 1600) Romans 11:6: And since it is by God's grace, it can't be a matter of their good works; otherwise, it wouldn't be a gift of grace, but earned by human effort. 羅 馬 書 11:6: 既然是靠着恩典，就不再是由于行为了；不然的话，恩典就不再是恩典了。(page 1837) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/19/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/5e15599ba7afa35c3852fc001c82fa6e.jpg 8337ce0b005df687d495064098bd08ee https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/1fcf4ac184427edc00d5f01ba28eb5c8.mp4 4bf6ec578557bcaf81e5a92a1bb73923 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2026 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound SENT John 20:21 Ever look at yourself in a funhouse mirror? The image staring back is wildly distorted — and kind of funny. But that image in the bathroom mirror at midnight? Not so funny. I remember one night at the movie theater... "Yikes — when did I get this old?" "Be careful what you hear"* — and also — *"Be careful what you see."* Who do you see yourself as in Christ? James 1:23-24 (read) As followers of Christ, we are no longer the person we used to see in that mirror. That image is a distortion. You have a bigger mission — a greater purpose — than what you've experienced thus far. *Do you believe it?* What if everything you've believed about your life has been too small? "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." John 20:21 "Yeshua said to them again, 'Shalom aleichem! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.'"* We aren't "went ones" — we are sent ones. And if that's true… it's time we begin to see ourselves differently. Col 1:28-29: Christ is our message! We preach to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. It has become my inspiration and passion to labor with tireless intensity — with His power flowing through me — to present to every believer the revelation of being His perfect one in Jesus Christ. If you're feeling tired today — that's okay. It could actually be a great thing. When we are weak, HE is strong. We rely on His strength and power to do what He sends us to do. Feeling like you've lost your mind? Relax — you now have the Mind of Christ. Paul said: *"Grace alone empowers me so that I can boldly preach this wonderful message."* Maybe that's why it takes a while for us to fully understand this. It takes a revelation from God — through the Holy Spirit and the Word. John 8:47: "Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."* James 1:21: With a sensitive spirit we absorb God's Word, which has been implanted within our nature — for the Word of Life has power to continually deliver us. Here's something we all understand: when you decide to make a real change — health, weight loss, more energy — you add new disciplines and new perspectives… and you subtract some things that just *"gots ta go." Same in our Christian walk. When we give our life to Christ, the Bible says our lives are no longer our own. 1 Cor 6:19-20 — We are bought with a price. It's time to subtract that out-of-date image of your old nature. "Put on Christ."(Rom 13:14)* Col 3:3: "For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God." Choosing to live for Jesus is not just adding something new — it is letting go of the old. This is sanctification. A sanctified life is also a crucified life. Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. "I Live by the Power of the Son of God." We now have new purpose — new passion — new plans. God's plans. We draw our life from the Vine. Some of the greatest movers and shakers in history rose up out of the greatest adversity. (Remember last week...)* Psalm 73:26: My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength — He is all I ever need. "God is the strength of my heart and all I need forever." TPT: Lord, so many times I fail; I fall into disgrace. But when I trust in you, I have a strong and glorious presence protecting and anointing me. Forever you're all I need! Our church family — in the sanctuary and online — has such a heart for prayer and ministering to others. We believe in God's power and we want to see it manifested. "As my Father has sent me, even so send I you." — This is our heart for ministry to each other. But we're not doing this alone or under our own strength. Jesus is wherever we are. John 16:7: "It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you." And Jesus is *"the same yesterday, today and forever." Eph 4 — Jesus "gave apostles, prophets, missionaries, pastors and teachers as gifts to His church — for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ." Our job is to be equipped as conduits of God's power — standing on and speaking His Word to all who need it. And isn’t that really everyone? One of the lessons I've recognized in my own healing journey: we all desperately need the prayer of others. Others who truly believe the uncompromised truth of God's Word. Eph 3:20: Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us… Eph 3:20 TPT: *Never doubt God's mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination — His miraculous power constantly energizes you.* We are relying on Divine strength — not human limitation. To flow in the mighty power given to us by Jesus would be a very good thing indeed. – John 6:28-29: The people asked Jesus: *"What must we do to perform the works of God?"* His answer? Believe. Faith — not striving — is the foundational work that fulfills God's requirements. We can do what we are called to do, by Grace, through Faith. We can only use what we have. *What do you have?* Acts 3:6-9: Peter said, *"Silver and gold have I none — but such as I have, give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk."* And he took him by the hand… and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. He leaped up, walked, entered the temple — walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him. *"I Live by the Power of the Son of God."* Our anointing is not for ourselves — it is for the ones God gives us to bless. Isn't it time we released that anointing — by Grace through Faith — for the sake of those God has given us to minister to? 1 John 2:2: He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins — and not only for ours, but for the sins of the whole world. *"Be doers of the Word."* *"Faith without works is dead."* John 20:21: *"Peace to you. Just as the Father has sent me, I'm now sending you."* --- *(Closing prayer — keep exactly as written.)* Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource SENT 差遣 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 04/26/2026 Description An account of the resource John 20:21: Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I Am sending you. 約翰福音 20:21: 願你們平安！父怎樣差遣了我，我也照樣差遣 你們。 (page 1760) James 1:23–24: Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 雅各書 1:23–24: 人若聽道而不行道，就像人對著鏡子看自己本 來的面目，看見，走後，隨即忘了他的相貌如何。(page 1960) Colossians 1:28–29: Christ is our message! We preach to awaken hearts and bring every person into the full understanding of truth. 歌羅西書 1:28–29: 我們傳揚他，是用諸般的智慧勸戒各人，教 導各人，要把各人在基督裡完完全全地引到神面前。(page 1909) James 1:21: …Instead, with a sensitive spirit we absorb God’s Word, which has been implanted within our nature, for the Word of Life has power to continually deliver us. 雅 各 書 1:21: 因此，要摆脱一切污秽和一切盛行的邪恶，要温 顺地接受植根于你们心底的上帝的教导，这教导能够拯救你们。 (page 1960) Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. 加拉太書 2:20: 我已經與基督同釘十字架，現在活著的不再是我 ，乃是基督在我裡面活著。(page 1887) Ephesians 3:20: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. 以弗所書 3:20: 神能照著運行在我們心裡的大力，充充足足地成 就一切，超過我們所求所想的。(page 1897) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/931c0bf629b876fa214571a79011279f.jpg 6c2ab3afef7b8197f7f888c4a46b12c8 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/c69f078b619e4edafb41fb7718b8ff64.mp4 8597eba146247604d9feaa3184a69494 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound SHATTERED Psalm 30:2 “When everyone thinks something is true, it does not make it anything more than effective marketing.” We now live in what may be considered very polarizing times …and it can make for some interesting discussions When we have strong feelings about a topic – any topic – we may feel the need to stand our ground- dig in our heels – and refuse to budge an inch. It is good to believe strongly – and it is good to take a stand ? But what if what we believe is true is not really true at all? What if it is a total lie – a deception? “The brainwashed don’t know they are brainwashed.” There’s an old song that says, “’tain’t necessarily so.” You’ve heard me say many times, “You are not your thoughts” Your mind can be lying to you. “If you had friends in your life that talk to you the way your mind does, they wouldn’t be your friends very long.” We may sometimes argue in support of our limitations – our misery – our seemingly hopeless situations. We defend our weaknesses. Our shattered lives. Some people will argue for their right to continue to try to save themselves. In our shattered situations, we need to look to our Creator for help. Psalm 51:17 - The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit— O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. MSG: “I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered.“ The healing we need in our lives requires us to return to the Healer. Psalm 30:2 - LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. “Eternal One, my True God, I cried out to You for help; You mended the shattered pieces of my life.” “ …be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” It’s time to take back what belongs to you. The life God planned for you to live. It’s time to rise up from that mindset that says our lives have become too shattered to ever fulfill our higher calling. It’s time to take back what belongs to you. The life God planned for you to live. “Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. “I went to the enemy’s camp…” 1 Samuel 30 tell us the story of how King David and his men returned to Ziklag to find the Amalekites had raided Ziklag and burned it down, taking the women and everyone in the city prisoner, whether young or old. They hadn’t killed anyone but carried them off and went on their way. their wives, their sons, and their daughters taken prisoner David and the troops with him broke into tears and cried until they could cry no more. David asked the LORD, “Should I pursue these troops? Will I catch up with them?” The Lord replied to him: “Pursue them,” the LORD told him. “You will certainly catch up with them and rescue the captives.” (and that’s exactly what happened) It’s time to take back what belongs to you as a Child of God – and to give back what doesn’t belong to you “LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.” “I cried out for a miracle and you healed me!” “you didn’t let my enemies rejoice over me.” “thou hast restored me.” “You mended the shattered pieces of my life.” ? Which has more power - your sin or God’s grace? God’s grace can mend the shattered places in our lives Psalm 31:24 - Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. The broken pieces that we see as un-fixable, God says He can restore and use for even bigger things to come. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum As a philosophy, it treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object, rather than something to disguise. Just like the broken pottery, our lives may seem Shattered – and then restored to greater beauty It’s time to take back what belongs to you as a Child of God It is a higher level of repentance based on our New Covenant “Some things have to end for new and better things to begin.”  One morning, the Lord woke me up with these words: “It is time to come to the end of yourself.” Isn’t that what it will take to get to the next level of where God wants to take us? (Prayer of St Francis) “it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.” “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” cling: hold on tightly to clinging to the wrong things – sometimes even “good things” from our past, can keep us stuck. Stagnant. ? are you open to new revelation? new learning? new awakenings? we have to trade our best for God’s highest. I like to cook Chinese dumplings. My dumplings are pretty good (to me) until I eat one that was made by a true expert. Sometimes we have to just admit that even our best efforts will never get us where we need to go. “Sometimes you can’t make it on your own” Psalm 32:5 – “ … until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess them to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” “It is time to come to the end of yourself.” “ …and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.” • Take back what was stolen from you now. • Take back that power, love and a sound mind that God has given you • Trade your sorrows for the joy of the Lord • All of this is possible, but only by God’s grace. Eph 4:23,24: Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource SHATTERED 破碎的 Description An account of the resource Psalm 51:17 - The sacrifice God desires is a humble spirit— O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. 诗篇 51:17: 神所要的祭，就是破碎的灵； 神啊！破碎痛悔的心，你必不轻看。 (page 932) Psalm 30:2 - LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. 诗篇 30:2: 耶和华我的　神啊！我曾向你呼求，你也医治了我。 1 Sam 30:8 - Then David asked the LORD, “Should I pursue these troops? Will I catch up with them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD told him. “You will certainly catch up with them and rescue the captives.” 撒母耳记上 30:8: 大卫求问耶和华说：“我可以追赶这群匪徒吗？我可以追上他们吗？”耶和华回答他：“你可以追赶，你必定追上，也必定把一切救回来。” (page 492) Psalm 31:24 - Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. 诗篇 31:24: 凡仰望耶和华的人啊，要刚强壮胆！(page 909) Psalm 32:5 – “ … until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, “I will confess them to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” 诗篇 32:5: 我向你承认自己的罪，不再隐瞒自己的恶。 我说：“我要向耶和华认罪。”你就赦免了我。(page 909) Eph 4:23,24: Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness. 以弗所书 4:23,24: 洗心革面， 穿上照着上帝形象所造的新人。这新人有从真理而来的公义和圣洁。 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 02/16/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/d81c405d58eed3f5244299452b24c591.jpeg 50665085701ed55111af6965ac21f1c1 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/051df7b45f4e590578f096bdb30f1c98.mp4 548e81828dd15ba9575fd024051d62c3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound SHINE: Reflecting God's Light in a Dark World Daniel 12:3 Have you ever been in a place of complete darkness, where even the smallest light becomes a beacon of hope? Like a power outage or in an unfamiliar place at night? …where even the tiniest flame can illuminate an entire room? When things are darkest, we need a good source of Light to be able to see. Today’s scripture tells us, 'People who are wise will shine like the bright sky. Those who help many people to do what is right will also shine brightly forever. They will shine like the stars in the sky at night.' In our world with so much spiritual darkness, God is calling each of us to SHINE—not with our own light, but by reflecting His divine light that can transform lives and illuminate paths. We live in a world desperate for authentic light. People are stumbling in darkness—making decisions without guidance, seeking purpose without direction, and searching for hope in places that only deepen their despair. John 1:4-5 reminds us, 'In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.' The problem isn't just the darkness around us—it's that too often, we who carry God's light have covered it up – made it hard for others to find. We've hidden our light under cultural conformity, fear of rejection, or simple complacency. As Proverbs tells us, 'As a man thinketh... so he is.' Our lives reflect our thoughts, and when our minds are filled with the world rather than God's Word, our light dims. The world doesn't need more artificial light. It needs the authentic reflection of God's glory through transformed lives. Sometimes it may feel challenging to be a light in the midst if darkness. Maybe because of the shame or condemnation we have experienced about our own personal failings. TODAY I want to release you to “walk by faith and not by sight” so you can become Bright Lights for the Kingdom. To SHINE as beacons of Hope for a lost and dying world. The beautiful solution is that we don't need to generate our own light. 2 Cor 4:6 declares, 'For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.' When we are shining properly, we are actually reflecting. Like how the moon doesn't generate its own light but reflects the sun, we reflect the glory of God. 2 Cor 3:18 puts it this way: 'We all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus.' God shines on us first—then we reflect that light. Our purpose is not to seek our own glory but to be vessels that God can use for His glory. Ephesians 5:8 reminds us, 'Once your life was full of sin's darkness, but now you have the very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him. Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light!' When I was in China for two weeks, I stood out as the only American I saw there. I couldn’t escape being “noticed” Similarly, as Christians, we should stand out in this world. We are ambassadors for Christ. Philippians 3:20 tells us, 'For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.' As citizens of another Kingdom, we have both rights and responsibilities. Imagine what our community would look like if every true believer truly reflected God's light: Ÿ Families would be restored as God's love shines through forgiveness and grace Ÿ Workplaces would be transformed by integrity and excellence that glorifies God Ÿ Neighbors would be drawn to Christ not by our words alone, but by seeing His character reflected in our actions Ÿ Those sitting in darkness and the shadow of death would find the path to peace through our consistent witness The closer we get to the Light, the brighter our lives become. As we draw near to God, His light reflects more brilliantly through us. Even when we stumble, we have a solution—run back to the Light! As Micah 7:8 encourages us, 'Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.' 2 Cor 3:18 promises this beautiful transformation: 'We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another.' Let Your Light Shine Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:16, 'Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Notice the word 'let'—it indicates intentionality. It's a choice we must make daily. How do we “let our light shine” in practical ways? 1. **Daily Reflection** - Spend time in God's presence through prayer and His Word. You cannot reflect what you haven't first experienced yourself. Make this your first priority each morning. Peter 3:18: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. 2. **Remove the Veils** - Identify what might be covering your light—fear, sin, busyness, worldly thinking—and surrender these to God. Confess them daily. “Chip away that version that doesn’t serve you.” 2 Cor 3:16: But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see. vs 18: with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. 3. **Intentional Witness** - Look for specific opportunities to help others do what is right. Remember : 'Those who help many people to do what is right will also shine brightly forever.' 4. **Community Illumination** - Join with other believers to multiply your light. Commit to serving in one area where our church is bringing light to darkness. 5. **Persevere in Darkness** When facing dark circumstances, remember Micah 7:8: “Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light." Your light shines brightest against the darkest backgrounds. From Glory to Glory 2 Cor 3:18 continues: “…We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” it “comes from the Lord” Proverbs 27:19 tells us, 'As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.' What does your life reflect today? God has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light, not just for our benefit, but so we can shine for others. As we reflect His glory, we are being transformed 'from glory to glory' into the image of Christ. This week, I challenge each of us to identify one specific way we will intentionally reflect God's light. Perhaps it's in your family, your workplace, or your neighborhood. Write it down, pray over it, and then act on it. Remember the promise from Daniel 12:3: 'People who are wise will shine like the bright sky. Those who help many people to do what is right will also shine brightly forever. They will shine like the stars in the sky at night.' Let us pray: Father, thank You for shining Your light into our hearts. Help us to reflect Your glory in every aspect of our lives. Remove anything that dims our witness, and use us to bring Your light to those still walking in darkness. (removing the veils – “the abundance of grace & the gift of righteousness”) May our lives bring glory to You alone. In Jesus' name, Amen. 2 Cor 4:6: For God, who said, “Let brilliant light shine out of darkness,” is the One Who has cascaded His light into us—the brilliant dawning light of the glorious knowledge of God as we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource SHINE 发光 Description An account of the resource Daniel 12:3: People who are wise will shine like the bright sky. Those who help many people to do what is right will also shine brightly forever. They will shine like the stars in the sky at night. 但 以 理 書 12:3: 智者必发出光辉，如耀眼的穹苍；引导多人归向公义的人必如闪烁的星辰，直到永永远远。 (page 1459) John 1:4,5: Life was in him, and this life was the light of the human race. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. 約 翰 福 音 1:4,5: 他蕴含着生命，这生命给人类带来了光明。 光明在黑暗中闪耀，但是黑暗无法战胜光明 (page 1716) 2 Cor 4:6: For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 哥林多后书 4:6: 因为那吩咐光从黑暗中照射出来的上帝光照了我们的心，为要让我们认识上帝在耶稣基督的面容上所彰显的荣耀。 (page 1873) 2 Cor 3:18: We all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. 哥林多后书 3:18: 我们这些脸上不再蒙着帕子的人，可以像镜子一样反映主的荣光，渐渐变成主的样式，荣上加荣。这都是主的作为，主就是那灵。(page 1873) Matthew 5:16: Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 马太福音 5:16: 同样，你们的光也应当照在人面前，好让他们看见你们的好行为，便赞美你们天上的父。(page 1563) Micah 7:8: Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. 弥迦书 7:8: 我的仇敌啊，你们不要对我幸灾乐祸！我虽跌倒，但必再爬起来；我虽坐在黑暗里，但耶和华必做我的光。 (page 1515) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 07/27/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/f4ef190a7c491390ae7b985ff88fa56d.jpeg cdd2b9965d8a3506b20c614a33d49d8e https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/3499b4e46d27f2fdeb2bbd2520bc0df7.mp4 64b936d5e320c5bc361cc0ede8873ff4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Table of Grace: Finding Renewal in Christ I used to love to stay up late on Friday nights. Sometimes I would stay up half the night - maybe even watch two movies. Not so much anymore. I know you can blame part of that on my age, but honestly, I know it is much more than that. It is also a symptom of the age we all live in. We get overwhelmed. We know we need to regroup - refresh - revive. What I may have “lost” in my late-night routine, maybe I have gained in my mornings. Jesus, the Bible tells us, rose up early in the morning, while it was still dark to pray Mark 1:35: The next morning, Jesus got up long before daylight, left the house while it was dark, and made his way to a secluded place to give himself to prayer. “Domination at Dawn” “Rise Early. Reign Daily” A good night's sleep can work wonders...but there's a part of true restoration that can't come from just sleeping more. Like a remote control with dead batteries needing new power from an outside source, we, too, need renewal that comes from beyond ourselves. In the mornings I am full of ambition - but like Paul says in Romans 7:19, 'I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.' Maybe we all need our spiritual batteries recharged today. When our plans break down due to exhaustion or lack of focus, it's a sign we're disconnected from our power source. We are the branches and Jesus is the life-giving vine. Without that connection, we wither. Paul continues in Romans 7:25: 'I am thankful to God for the freedom that comes through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!' This is the answer to our spiritual exhaustion. The vine is where the life is. Through God's grace, we have access to this life that we now live by faith. Galatians 2:20: 'I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.' We need a constant flow of God's grace to live in victory and to walk in peace. Without it, we can become spiritually depleted. Titus 2:12-14 tells us: 'For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.' This scripture states that the Grace of God makes us 'eager to do good works.' Spurgeon : 'Our good works, if we have any, spring from a real conversion; yet more, they spring also from a constant spiritual influence exercised upon us, from the time of conversion even until the hour of death. It is not like the planting of a tree in our hearts, which naturally of itself bringeth forth fruit; but the sap cometh up from the root of Jesus Christ. We are not trees by ourselves, but we are branches fixed on the living vine.' God's grace reaches out to us (prevenient grace) and teaches and instructs us (sanctifying grace). John Wesley: By ‘means of grace’ I understand outward signs, words, or actions ordained of God, and appointed for this end – to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men preventing, justifying, and sanctifying grace…. The chief of these means are prayer, whether in secret or with the great congregation; searching the Scriptures (which implies reading, hearing, and meditating thereon) and receiving the Lord’s Supper, eating bread and drinking wine in remembrance of him; and these we believe to be ordained of God as the ordinary channels of conveying his grace to the souls of men. In Holy Communion, we find this means of grace - a sacred connection to the source of our spiritual power. Imagine what happens when we truly connect to Christ, the True Vine. Colossians 2:13 says, 'You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.' TPT: 'This "realm of death" describes our former state, for we were held in sin's grasp. But now, we've been resurrected out of that "realm of death" never to return, for we are forever alive and forgiven of all our sins!' Picture yourself as a branch drawing life-giving sap from the vine. See the fruit that grows naturally when you're connected. Envision the peace described in Romans 5:1-2: 'Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God.' Imagine hearing those powerful words from Romans 5:9, that through the blood of Jesus we have heard the declaration, 'You are now righteous in my sight.' And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, (that same passage tells is) we will never experience the wrath of God. Our life and strength that we draw from the Vine comes through God's grace and mercy. But it requires something of us - we must yield to that grace, surrendering to a power greater than ourselves. William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army with his wife Catherine, said: 'The greatness of the man's power is the measure of his surrender.' As God spoke to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.' (acknowledging this is a form of surrender) To which Paul responded: 'Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me.' I invite you today, as we come to the Lord's Table, to surrender anew to God's grace. To acknowledge your need for spiritual renewal and to receive the life that flows from Christ our Vine. In this sacrament of Holy Communion, we have the opportunity to be re-awakened, to have the victory of the cross within us revived by the very grace of God. "Coram Deo" is a Latin phrase meaning "before the face of God" or "in the presence of God". It's a concept in Christian theology that describes living one's entire life in the presence of God, under His authority, and to His glory. 1 Cor 10:16: The cup we use in the Lord's Supper and for which we give thanks to God: when we drink from it, we are sharing in the blood of Christ. And the bread we break: when we eat it, we are sharing in the body of Christ. We believe Christ is very present in this means of grace 1 Cor 11:29: For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. Renewed at the Table of Grace Titus 2:12-14 reminds us: 'For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.' We live in the busiest world that has ever existed. (am I wrong?) All the modern “conveniences” have not simplified our lives. Technology has blessed us with 24/7 lifestyles. (no escape) Distractions rob us. We have to learn when to turn them off. “Must Be Present to WIN” Holy Communion is a time for FOCUS. This is a foundational part of “seeking first the Kingdom of GOD” Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Today, as we come to the Table of Grace, we do exactly what we need - we re-awaken to the victory of the cross within us through this means of grace, the sacrament of Holy Communion. We need grace to become the people we were called to become. To strengthen that which is alive and remains. To walk in true freedom and holiness. Romans 5:10 tells us, “Now that we are at peace with God, and because we share in his resurrection life, how much more we will be rescued from sin's dominion!" Let us come to His table now, acknowledging our need for renewal, and receiving by faith the grace that transforms us from depleted believers into branches vibrant with the life of Christ. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Table of Grace 恩典表 Description An account of the resource Titus 2:12-14: For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works. 提 多 書 2:12-14: 这恩典管教我们，使我们拒绝不敬神的事和地上的欲望，在今世能过自制、公义、敬神的生活， 期待那蒙福的盼望，以及我们那伟大的神、救主耶稣基督[e]荣耀的显现。 他为我们献上自己，是为了救赎我们脱离一切罪恶[f]，并且洁净我们做他自己特选的子民，做美好工作的热心人。(page 1935) Col 2:13 - You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 歌罗西书 2:13: 你们从前在自己的过犯和没有受割礼的肉体中是死的，神却使你们与基督一同活过来了。神已经赦免了我们的一切过犯 Eph 2:4,5: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! 以弗所书 2:4,5: 不过神有丰富的怜悯，因着他爱我们的大爱， 甚至当我们还死在过犯中的时候，就使我们与基督一同活过来——你们得救是藉着恩典！(page 1895) Romans 5:1,2: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 罗马书 5:1,2: 这样，我们既然因信称义，就藉着我们的主耶稣基督与神和好了； 我们也藉着他，因信[a]进入了现在所站的这恩典中，并且以盼望神的荣耀而夸耀。(page 1827) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 07/05/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/64120f8101c89cf055c2a0066b932edd.jpg 564989b97db7ae3ffbbe04eeaa1d4ee3 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/1fb6a6d338060111ab417165f17e6694.mp4 3e6609cc19fe5eeef88820896d97d75b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2025 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Algorhythm of Your Life Proverbs 4:23 The First Sunday of the New Year Do you already feel tired? Overwhelmed? “you're not tired, you're just unfocused” “you're not fatigued, the dream doesn't fulfill you” “I want to challenge all of you at every level get a new vision get a bigger dream” The I AM tells me who I am (God is sovereign) …but we have responsibilities as to what we think and what we do The Algorhythm of Your Life An algorithm is a set of instructions that are used to accomplish a task or solve a problem: Definition: A finite list of well-defined instructions for calculating a function Purpose: To perform calculations or find information in databases Examples: Recipes, social media platforms, navigation systems, search engines, and music streaming services In daily life, we follow algorithms every time we follow a step-by-step process, like making coffee or tying our shoelaces “Level Up” We can only “level up” to the algorithm we are living by. Do you really believe something is possible? Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” we are transformed (go beyond our current situation) – (or) our algorhythm is updated – by the renewing of our minds. (Eph 4) “Good Things” Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. It’s time to Level Up – trusting in God to do what we could never do ourselves. 1 Thess 5:23,24 - May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If He said it, He’ll do it! Do you believe this is true for you? Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. An algorithm is a set of steps for accomplishing a task or solving a problem. Your personal algorithm will determine how you approach and experience life. So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. ? Are we living from an “it is finished” algorithm of life? ? Do you know you are complete in Him? Acts 20:32: And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which He provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones. Have you seen the Light? Ephesians 1:18: I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. The apostle Paul knew that our minds would try to talk us out of the awesome future that God has planned for us. He knew that we could get passive and let disappointments, setbacks, and delays cause us to quit believing and to settle where we are. That’s why he prayed that our hearts would be flooded with light. To be flooded means to be overwhelmed. We are not to be overwhelmed with doubt, with trouble, with problems. No, we’re to be flooded with light, flooded with hope, flooded with faith, flooded with expectancy. In this (brand new) year, God has moments of favor that you’re going to come into that are going to catapult you ahead. He has things in your future that you can’t imagine right now. My question is, Are you expecting a favor-filled year? Are you anticipating great things? Are the eyes of your heart flooded with light, or have they become dim? Ask God to flood your heart with light so you can say, like David, “I am confident I will see the goodness of God.” alogorithm: a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations our internal algorithms direct the course of our lives. They interpret every situation and event based on what our hearts are filled with ? What is the algorithm of your life moving YOU toward? I hear ministers whose preaching focuses more on the hardships of life rather than the Goodness of God. ? Are we living from an “it is finished” algorithm of life? Above all else, (Above all else ) guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. What is in your heart? In the natural world, “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Jesus: “He who has will be given more, and they will have an abundance.” Ephesians 1:3 states, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places". This verse begins the first major section of Paul's letter, which continues through verse 14. It emphasizes that every blessing a person could need has been given in Christ. Is this biblical truth the algorithm of your heart? Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts! Is this biblical truth the algorithm of your heart? “As a man thinketh in his heart…” “The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives.” Do you truly trust that God’s Word is true? True for you? You can be a God-loving, God-fearing believer and still have an algorithm of fear – or doubt. Be very careful to keep your mind safe. The thoughts that you think make you the person that you are. RAS – Reticular activating system - Ford Mustangs everywhere (the model year, etc) Above all else, (Above all else ) guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Jesus said, “He who has will be given more, and they will have an abundance” What do you have today? The man with leprosy came to Jesus: “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” ? Could you imagine all of the opinions of the people in the crowd? All of the doubters and naysayers? “How dare you trouble the Master! Don’t you know you are breaking the Levitical law just by being here? Have you no fear of God?” Whose report will you believe? “Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. “ Just like in that situation, we have to choose what voices we listen to – and what we choose believe. What is in our hearts? This affects every part of our lives. The KEY to a better perspective of God’s desire for you – the pathway to a more affective algorithm for your life – starts in the heart, and comes by way of renewing your mind to the true nature and desire of God for your life. 1 Cor 1:18: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. TPT “To preach the message of the cross seems like sheer nonsense to those who are on their way to destruction, but to us who are being saved, it is the mighty power of God released within us. “ We offer the true answer to the world’s problems – the world’s lack – the world’s hunger. We have the missing piece. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Is the Gospel Message the algorithm that is directing the course of your life today? Above all else, watch over your heart; diligently guard it because from a sincere and pure heart come the good and noble things of life. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Alogorithm of Life 生命的算法 Description An account of the resource Prov 4:23: So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. 箴言 4:23: 要一丝不苟地守护你的心，因为生命之泉从心中涌出。 Acts 20:32: And so now, I entrust you into God’s hands and the message of his grace, which is all that you need to become strong. All of God’s blessings are imparted through the message of his grace, which He provides as the spiritual inheritance given to all of his holy ones. 使徒行传 20:32: 现在，我把你们交托给上帝和祂充满恩典的道， 这道能造就你们，使你们与一切圣洁的人同得产业。(page 1804) Ephesians 1:18: I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. 以弗所书 1:18: 我也求上帝照亮你们心中的眼睛，使你们知道祂的呼召给你们带来了何等的盼望，祂应许赐给众圣徒的产业有何等丰富的荣耀 (page 1895) Ephesians 1:3: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 以弗所书 1:3: 赞美我们主耶稣基督的父上帝！祂在基督里赐给了我们天上各样属灵的恩福 (page 1894) Matt 8:1-3: When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 馬 太 福 音 8:1-3: 耶稣下山时，身后跟着一大群人。 一个麻风病人来见耶稣，跪在他面前说∶“先生，如果您愿意，您就能治好我的麻疯病！” 耶稣伸出手摸着他说∶“我愿意，痊愈吧！”立刻，麻疯病人就痊愈了。(pg 1569) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike J Koger Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01/05/2025 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3739 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/12b97c315d79246f7fe14525a2f0793e.jpg c02ca49220c4010068eda0ad265844e2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2022 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Blood of Jesus Ephesians 1:7-10 Ash Wednesday has come and gone… we are now in the season of Lent The season of Lent leads us to Easter Easter Sunday is so beautiful. I always think (showing my age) of bright Easter colors and ladies and little girls wearing white gloves (does anyone wear them anymore?) But to get to Easter, we first have to go through the cross. Good Friday Just like our salvation. Today we celebrate Holy Communion together. The bread and the cup It is a New Testament version of Passover. Old Testament Passover was a celebration/commemoration of the original Passover God sent the Death Angel to slay every first born child in every household There is no passing over (no “Passover”) without the blood on the doorposts If the Children of Israel had not applied the blood, they would have lost their children, too. With the Blood came protection. Without it, there was only death. Jesus is: The lamb of God, slain for the sins of the world. (John 1:29) Some things are difficult for our minds to process without the Holy Spirit to reveal them to us. John 6:53: Then Jesus said unto them, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” John 6:60: Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” “This teaching is too hard. Who can listen to it?” Every morning I approach the Throne of Grace by first recognizing I am nothing of my own effort. I cannot earn the privilege of His presence. Through the Blood of Jesus, we have redemption from our sins The sins that would have otherwise sent us to an eternity in hell. Forever separated, not only from our loved ones, but from God Himself. Through the blood of Jesus, we are redeemed from our past. We regain right standing with God. Righteousness. Our dignity is restored. “Sin hath left a crimson stain…” “Oh, precious is that flow…” We have nothing without Jesus shed blood, but through it, we have total victory. Early last week this verse jumped out at me off the pages of my Bible: Romans 9:16 - It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. Rom 1:17: “This gospel unveils a continual revelation of God’s righteousness—a perfect righteousness given to us when we believe. And it moves us from receiving life through faith, to the power of living by faith. This is what the Scripture means when it says: “We are right with God through life-giving faith!” “We are right with God through life-giving faith!” Faith in what? Faith in the Power of Jesus’ Blood. (mixed with faith) We first recognize we are sinners – and therefore separated from God. Even at our best attempt we can never live right – we can never purify ourselves. Our only hope is to have faith in God’s mercy – and His mercy is made available to us (only) through the shed blood of Jesus. Col 1:20: - And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again! The law came through Moses – which showed us our sinfulness Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ We know ALL have sinned – and scripture also tells us “You have ALL become true children of God by faith in Jesus Christ!” (Gal 3:26) ALL: John 1:12 - “ …to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” Faith in Jesus Christ means we have faith in Him and what He accomplished for us through His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection. We have faith in the blood of Jesus Eph 1:7 - In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace There is power in the blood of Jesus to forgive you from all your sins, and understanding this is crucial to living a victorious life. The enemy fears this truth the most and that is why he attacks this teaching on the forgiveness of sins so vehemently. If the enemy can get you to believe the lie that you are not completely forgiven and keep you sin-conscious, he will be able to keep you defeated, condemned, fearful of God, and caught in a vicious circle of failure. Understand: Jesus is the Son of God and His blood is untainted by any sin. That is why the shedding of His pure and innocent blood is able to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. His blood does not cover sins temporarily like the blood of bulls and goats in the old covenant. His blood blots out and completely erases all our sins. This is the blood of God Himself, shed for the forgiveness of all our sins! We need to start to realize that this is not a “basic teaching.” This is the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we reject the Blood we reject the Gospel In the end times, people are not exactly anti-God, but they are anti-Christ. The anti-Christ movement attempts to devalue Jesus’ deity, the cross and His power to forgive all our sins. That is why, in these last days, we need more preaching about Jesus, His finished work and the new covenant of His unmerited favor. We need to keep the new covenant and the cross of Jesus as the focus of our message. The only way to stem this deception from creeping into the church is to focus on exalting the person of Jesus and the central tenet of the new covenant, which is the complete forgiveness of sins! This is the gospel, and when the gospel truth is preached, people will be set free. There should be no compromise when it comes to the gospel of Jesus. There is no denying the truth – we only accept it or reject it Forgiveness of sins is based on His grace (unmerited favor) alone and we have access into this grace by faith. Our part is to only believe! This is what makes the gospel the good news. Take away the complete forgiveness of sins and it is no longer the “gospel,” which means “good news.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be SAVED” Believe that all your sins are forgiven. That is your part in the new covenant. That is how you become established in the new covenant of grace and experience the fullness of His unmerited favor! Eph 1:7 “Because of the blood of Christ, we are bought and made free from the punishment of sin. And because of His blood, our sins are forgiven. His loving-favor to us is so rich.” It starts with that recognition of our lost condition that we have without Christ. Jesus: “Blessed are the poor in spirit (who realize their spiritual poverty – that they are spiritually needy,) for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Romans 5:9 - And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God. This is the Gospel – this was God’s plan for ALL of us 2 Tim 1:10: Jesus “destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” I preach the gospel of grace because the good news of Jesus changes lives. The gospel is the good news that at the moment you receive Jesus into your life and make Him your Lord and Savior, all your sins are forgiven and you receive the gift of eternal life. Heb 10:10 - For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. Chinese version: By God's will, Jesus Christ sacrificed His body only once to make us holy forever. We have faith in Jesus sacrifice that: cleanses us - redeems us - makes us righteous, free from sin - heals us Heb 10:19 - Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… Rev 1:5 – Jesus “loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood” You are justified and made righteous through your faith in Jesus Christ. Your righteousness is a gift from Him. In Christ you now have perfect standing before God, paid for by the precious, eternal blood of His Son. There is no more judgment, punishment, and curse for you because the full judgment, punishment, and curse for all your sins fell upon our Lord Jesus at the cross. Jesus paid it all! The same blood that tore the veil removed your sins. We can never make light of the awful price Jesus paid for our redemption. “Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” “…for the Joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.” “Oh, precious is that flow…” Acts 2:38: Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Blood ​血液 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 03/06/2022 Description An account of the resource Eph 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 以 弗 所 書 1:7: 在基督之中，我们凭借他的血（死）， 享有自由，罪孽得到赦免，是根据他那丰富的恩典所赐。(pg 1894) Romans 9:16 - It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy 罗马书 9:16: 由此可见，这不在于人的意愿，也不在于人的努力，而在于施怜悯的神。(pg 1834) Col 1:20: - And by the blood of his cross, everything in heaven and earth is brought back to himself—back to its original intent, restored to innocence again! 歌罗西书 1:19,20: 因为上帝乐意让一切的丰盛住在祂里面， 又借着祂在十字架上所流的血成就了和平，使天地万物借着祂与上帝和好。(pg 1909) Romans 5:9 - And there is still much more to say of his unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in my sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God. 羅 馬 書 5:9: 由于基督血的奉献，我们得到了上帝的认可，所以，通过基督，我们肯定会得以拯救，免遭上帝的愤怒。(page 1828) Heb 10:10 - For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. 希 伯 來 書 10:10: 凭上帝的意旨，耶稣基督只牺牲了自己的身体一次，便使得我们永远圣洁。(pg 1950) Heb 10:19 - Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus 希 伯 來 書 10:19: 所以，兄弟姐妹们，我们有信心借助耶稣的血进入至圣处 (pg 1951) https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/8a6918038a7c5bf7d1119cf4658b1324.jpg 9e964fd9086750f0fd34b5e3248e3a64 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/510a47dbdb94d5abaae9b8c3329b4acd.mp4 46963b4354e097459a3525b77c265370 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2026 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound THE CONCLUSION Ecclesiastes 12:13 The ground is shifting beneath our feet — and most of us can feel it. Not long ago, I came across a video by Tony Robbins titled: 'No One Is Ready for What's Coming.' He wasn't talking about a storm or a recession. He was talking about artificial intelligence — technology accelerating so fast that entire industries are being rebuilt overnight. But here's what struck me: you don't have to follow the tech world to feel what he was describing. You already feel it. In your gut. In your conversations. In the quiet moments when you wonder — “what is coming next?” Because one of the deepest human needs is certainty. We need to know: Will things be okay? Will I be okay? Can I trust what's ahead? So before we go any further, I want to ask you one question — and I want you to sit with it: In a world that never stops changing, where do you place your anchor? Arguments change. Opinions shift. Headlines rotate every 24 hours. But experience anchors. 'A man with an experience is never at the mercy of a man with an argument.' Most of us in this room have experienced the faithfulness of God firsthand. We have walked through loss, financial strain, sickness, disappointment, and unanswered questions. As my mentor Eddie would say, 'I have been through this before. I have seen this situation before.' And still — through it all — God carried us. Still, God sustained us. Still, God was present with us. Maybe a better way to say it in 2026 is this: “what is unchanging should never be held hostage to things that are always subject to change.” As Matthew Kelly reminds us, “What is unchanging allows us to make sense of change.' When you lose what is unchanging, everything feels unstable.” That’s why the book of Ecclesiastes is so powerful. Solomon examined everything. Pleasure. Wisdom. Achievement. Wealth. Status. Productivity. Philosophy. He chased every possible answer …and after all the searching, after all the experimenting, after all the analyzing… He arrives at one final conclusion: “Here is the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” When all is said and done… That’s it. That’s the anchor. When you know the foundation, there is no panic. No frantic scrambling. No desperation to keep up. Because when all is said and done… Fear God. Keep His commandments. Paul said (Acts 20:24): “But I am not worried about this. (none of these things move me) I do not think of my life as worth much, but I do want to finish the work the Lord Jesus gave me to do. My work is to preach the Good News of God’s loving-favor. Live aligned. Now let’s be clear: “Fear God” does not mean terror. It means reverence. It means recognizing that there is something higher than: Technology. Politics. Culture. Economics. …even higher than Your emotions. It means aligning your life under God’s authority. It means: God defines what is good. God defines what is true. God defines what matters. And here’s the comfort: God is not surprised by this generation. He is not scrambling. He is not reacting. He is not intimidated by A.I. He is not anxious about the future. And if you are rooted in Him… You don’t have to be, either. Sometimes when our world is spinning… …We don’t need more information. We need stillness. Psalms 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Be still. Not passive. Not disengaged. Still. • Still enough to remember who is in control. Still enough to remember who you belong to. Still enough to remember what actually matters. We all know the classic hymn: Softly and Tenderly “Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling… Ye who are weary…” And I think that’s the word for many today. Not rebellious. Not faithless. Just weary. Weary of noise. Weary of all the outrage. Weary of constant updates. Weary of trying to predict the future. And into that weariness, Solomon says: “After everything has been examined… Here is the conclusion. Fear God. Keep His commandments.” That is enough. Empires have risen and fallen. Technology has evolved. Generations have shifted. But this foundation has not moved. Reverence for God. Obedience to His ways. Alignment with His truth. That foundation has outlasted every empire in history. It will outlast this cultural moment. It will outlast your fears. It will outlast your questions. When everything else feels uncertain… This is certain. When all is said and done… Fear God. Keep His commandments. In Matt 22: Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Jesus said, “Contained within these commandments to love you will find all the meaning of the Law and the Prophets.” When you get off course in life – when the foundations are shifting… Be Still and Know. …and Listen Isaiah 30:21: You will hear his voice behind you. When you turn off the path, to the right or to the left, it will say, ‘This is the right way. Walk in it.’ Maybe things have fallen apart for you at this time… and maybe it has not even been your own doing GOD can Restore You right in front of the people who "broke" you Jentezen Franklin: When we walk through a fiery furnace, go through a severe trial in our home or marriage, our family, the devil wants you to look like and smell like that trial the rest of your life. Sorrow, went through a divorce, shame,guilt. But when you start… worshiping and (receiving) the word. …you start worshiping Jesus …you know what he'll do? He'll restore your trust. He'll restore your faith. He'll restore your soul. “Trust and Obey” Psalm 27:13: I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. Hope. Believe. Trust. Let’s close - not with intensity… but with grounding. Let’s pray together. Father, In a world that is constantly changing, we thank You that You do not change. When the pace accelerates and the future feels uncertain, anchor us. When the noise grows louder, quiet our souls. Teach us what it means to truly fear You — not in terror, but in reverence. Align our hearts under Your authority. Stabilize our minds in Your truth. Strengthen our obedience. When we are weary, call us softly and tenderly back to You. When we are anxious, remind us Who is on the throne. Let what is unchanging in You steady what feels unstable in us. Help us stand calmly at the crossroads, without panic, without hurry, without fear. And when all is said and done, may our lives be rooted in this conclusion: We feared You. We kept Your commands. We walked with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Conclusion 最后的结论 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 03/01/2026 Description An account of the resource Ecc 12:13: Here is the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” 传道书 12:13: 这些事都已听见了，总意就是敬畏神，谨守他的诫命，这是人所当尽的本分。(page 1101) Acts 20:24: 'But I am not worried about this. None of these things move me. I do not think of my life as worth much, but I do want to finish the work the Lord Jesus gave me to do — to preach the Good News of God's loving favor.' 使徒行传 20:24: 我却不以性命为念，也不看为宝贵，只要行完我的路程，成就我从主耶稣所领受的职事，证明神恩惠的福音。 (page 1804) Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God." 诗篇 46:10: 你们要休息，要知道我是神！ (page 926) Isaiah 30:21: You will hear His voice behind you. When you turn off the path, to the right or to the left, it will say, This is the right way. Walk in it. 以赛亚书 30:21: 你或向左或向右，你必听见后边有声音说：“这是正路，要行在其间。 (page 1160) Psalm 27: 13,14: I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. 诗篇 27:13,14: 我还是相信，在活人之地，我可以看见耶和华的恩惠。 你要等候耶和华，要刚强，要坚定你的心，要等候耶和华 Matt 4:22:37-39: And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 马太福音 22:37-39: 耶稣回答说：“‘你要全心、全情、全意爱主——你的上帝’， 这是第一条也是最重要的诫命。 第二条也相似，就是‘要爱邻如己’。(page 1600) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/72653bd3e18d80987442b54b1c270a59.jpg 135745faec5d5d7d7e466d795a4601cd https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/7609677f9dc4fde06bb836d95dade2ed.mp4 ddaeb4ac7383647b443b4bfbd307bb6b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 2026 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Transcription Any written text transcribed from a sound The Endurance Factor Living Through the Process Into Victory Hebrews 10:35-39 The morning workout feels tough at times… There are moments when everything in me wants to stop. To ease up. To quit early. But when I push through—when I endure— I experience something on the other side that I could never get by quitting. There’s a satisfaction. A strength. A quiet confidence that says: “I didn’t stop.” “Keep Showing Up” …and the Christian life works the same way. As Believers, Victory Is Already Built Into the Journey Scripture tells us: “Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ…” 2 Corinthians 2:14 Notice that word: always. Not sometimes. Not eventually. Not just for certain people. Always. That means your current struggle (despite how it may feel right now) is not evidence of defeat. It is part of a process that ends in victory. 1 Cor 15:57: But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. You are not fighting for victory. You are walking through a process that leads to victory. (Jesus won the victory) One Day at a Time. Hebrews 10:35–36: “So do not throw away your confident trust in the Lord… Patient endurance is what you need now… Then you will receive all that He has promised.” We love the promise. We celebrate the calling, but we often underestimate the process. (I believe in miracles… and in “suddenlys”) …but often, there is a gap between: What God has spoken and what we are experiencing. …And that gap is bridged by endurance. “Patient endurance is what you need now… Then you will receive all that He has promised.” Endurance is not punishment. Endurance is positioning. Alignment. (“I see the objective and the obstacle must give way”) Endurance is what carries you from: Promise given to Promise fulfilled 1 Peter 5:10: “After you have suffered a little while, He Himself will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” “A little while.” It may not feel like a little while. But compared to what God is producing in you — it is. “…will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever.” God is not just bringing you out of something. He is building something into you. Strength Stability Firmness Spiritual depth (vs 35) “ …So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” ( ) 2 Cor 3:12: Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. What you’re going through is temporary. But what God is forming in you is lasting. (listen) Psalm 139:5: “You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way…” Before you arrive—God is already there. Before the breakthrough—He has already made provision. Before the victory—He has already secured it. So endurance is not walking into uncertainty. It is walking into something God has already prepared. You are not moving toward an unknown outcome. You are moving toward something God has already seen—and prepared—for you. Sometimes the most freeing thing we can say is: “I can’t fix this on my own.” That’s not weakness. That’s alignment. God’s Word does not deny anxiety—it meets us in it. Philippians 4:6–7 says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation… present your requests to God…” It does not say: “Pray once and you’ll never feel anxious again.” It says: “In every situation.” That means: Every time the worry returns Every time the pressure rises Every time the thoughts race We bring it back to Him. Again. And again. And again. Endurance in faith is repetition with trust. (trust “all things work together for good”) And the promise? “The peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds…” Not peace you create. Peace He provides. Psalm 94:19: “When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.” Not after the struggle. Not instead of the struggle. Within it. That means: You can feel pressure and still have peace You can be in a battle and still have joy You can be waiting and still be winning God does not always remove us immediately from the situation… …But He meets us powerfully within it. “Yea, though I walk through…” Merton: “Contemplation is a spontaneous awe at the sacredness of life, of being. It is gratitude for life, for awareness and for being.” (listen again) Psalm 94:19: "Whenever my busy thoughts were out of control, the soothing comfort of Your Presence calmed me down and overwhelmed me with delight". So here’s the truth: You are not stuck. You are not failing. You are not forgotten. You are in the middle of a process that requires endurance but is guaranteed to end in victory. Heb 11:6: “…He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” The same God who: called you walks with you strengthens you …has already determined the outcome: Triumph in Christ. I CANNOT RETIRE - IT’S TIME FOR ME TO REFIRE (before we refire, we need to *rewire) *mind renewed Declaration (Congregational Response) “I will not quit. I will not throw away my confidence. God is working in me, through me, and ahead of me. My endurance will lead to breakthrough. In Christ—I will triumph.” Father, Thank You that You have not called us to a life of defeat, but to a life of victory in Christ. Give us strength to endure. When we feel weak, remind us that You are our strength. When we feel anxious, draw us back to Your peace. When we feel like giving up, anchor us in Your promises. Teach us to trust You—not just once, but in every situation. Build in us a faith that perseveres. Form in us a life that stands strong, firm, and steadfast. And Lord, we thank You that even now, You are working ahead of us—preparing the way. We choose to keep walking. (“we walk by faith”) We choose to keep trusting. We choose to endure. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Endurance Factor 坚持到底的力量 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 05/03/2026 Description An account of the resource 2 Cor 2:14: Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ and who maketh manifest through us the savor of His knowledge in every place. 哥林多后书 2:14: 感谢神！他常率领我们在基督里夸胜，并借着我们在各处显扬那因认识基督而有的香气。(page 1872) Heb 10:35,36: So do not throw away your confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. 希伯来书 10:35,36: 所以，你们不可丢弃勇敢的心，存这样的心必得大赏赐！你们必须忍耐，使你们行完了神的旨意，就可以得着所应许的。(page 1952) 1 Peter 5:10: After you have suffered a little while, He Himself will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 彼得前书 5:10: 你们暂受苦难之后，必要亲自成全你们，坚固你们，赐力量给你们。(page 1971) Psalm 139:5: You have gone before me and prepared the way, and You follow behind me with kindness. 诗篇 139:5: 你在我前后环绕我，按手在我身上。 (page 1022) Philippians 4:6,7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation present your requests to God, and His peace will guard your hearts and minds. 腓立比书 4:6,7: 应当一无挂虑，只要凡事借着祷告祈求，将你们所要的告诉神，神所赐的平安必保守你们的心怀意念。(page 1906) Psalm 94:19: When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy. 诗篇 94:19: 我心里多忧多疑的时候，你的安慰使我快乐。 (page 979) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pastor: Mike Koger Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Hillside United Methodist Church 3737 US 80 Phenix City AL 36870 United States