8 10 90 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 Sustaining Grace 2026 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Good morning! Some of you came here today carrying something very heavy. Perhaps it's your health. Maybe it's someone you love. …or uncertainty about tomorrow. Some of you are waiting for answers. Some are praying for healing. Some are simply trying to make it through another day. I want you to know something before we go any further: This message is not meant to minimize your struggle. Your pain is real. Your questions are real. Your tears are real. But I also believe that God's promises are real. Today I simply want to remind you that whatever you are carrying today, you do not have to carry it alone. Our Scripture, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Today I want to talk with you about Sustaining Grace. We often say,"God is good all the time." And we do believe that. Psalm 136 tells us, "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His mercy endures forever." Sometimes those words are easy to say. Other days... they require real faith. Because life isn't always easy. Yet God's goodness is not determined by our circumstances. His goodness never changes. His grace never runs out. His faithfulness never fails. One of the greatest discoveries we can make as Christians is this: God never promised we would never face difficulties. (“In the world…”) He promised that His grace would always be enough. Grace is more than God's forgiveness. Grace is His active presence in our lives. It is His strength when ours is gone. It is His peace when anxiety begins to rise. It is His stillness in the middle of the storm. It is His healing work within us. Grace is God giving us exactly what we need for this moment. “For my weakness becomes a portal to God’s power." Sometimes we pray as though we are trying to convince God to help us. Isaiah reminds us, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear." Think about that. Before you ever whispered your prayer... God already knew. Before your first tear... He saw it. Before your first fearful thought... He was already present. Faith is not persuading God to become good. Faith is learning to trust that He already is. One question has helped me tremendously. Instead of asking, "How am I ever going to get through this?" Ask, "How would I think, live, and respond if I truly believed God was already at work?" That changes everything. Fear focuses on what is missing. Faith focuses on the God who is present. Anxiety keeps looking at the storm. "What's wrong is always available, and so is what's right. Your focus determines your reality.” Faith gently turns our eyes back toward Jesus. Divine Grace becomes the bridge that carries us into faith. Romans tells us, "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God." Notice what Paul does not say. He doesn't say that all things are good. Some things are heartbreaking. Some things are painful. Some things make no sense. But God has the remarkable ability to take what the enemy intended for harm and transform it for His glory. That's why we can honestly pray, "Lord, I don't understand everything I'm facing right now. But I trust You. And I'm looking forward to seeing how You will bring good from this." Charles Wesley. During one season of his life he suffered terribly with pleurisy. Every breath brought pain. His suffering became so overwhelming that he began questioning everything. Then one day, while reading God's Word, something changed. Hope returned. His heart was renewed. Out of that difficult season came one of the greatest hymns ever written: "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing." Imagine that. Every painful breath eventually became another song of praise. Sometimes our greatest testimonies are born during our greatest struggles. Most of us know the story called Footprints in the Sand. The man noticed that during the hardest seasons of his life there was only one set of footprints. He asked the Lord, "Why did You leave me?" Jesus replied, "I didn't leave you. Those were the times I carried you." That is sustaining grace. Sometimes God’s greatest miracle is giving us strength we never knew we had because He is carrying us every step of the way. John Newton - the man who penned words that Christians have sung for generations “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.” understood this. After losing his beloved wife, he wrote these remarkable words: "He can give strength according to our day. He can increase our strength as our trials increase." What carried him? Grace. What carried Charles Wesley? Grace. What carries us today? Grace. Sometimes we think healing only refers to the body. But God desires to heal every part of us. Our hearts. Our minds. Our relationships. Our fears.Our hope. James reminds us that God's saving work and His healing work go hand in hand. “The prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him. God's sustaining grace reaches every part of our lives. Jesus said, "You search the Scriptures because you think they give you life... yet they all point to Me." Ultimately our hope is not found in having every answer. Our hope is found in the One who walks with us. It's not so much the "How." It's the "Who." Jesus Christ. The One who never leaves us. The One who never forsakes us. The One whose grace is sufficient. Maybe today you've been trying to carry something that was never meant to rest on your shoulders. God is inviting you today to release it into His hands. Peter writes, "Cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you." Paul says, "Be anxious for nothing." The Psalmist says, "Be still, and know that I am God." Notice the invitation. Not strive. Not control. Not panic. Be still. Trust. Receive. Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is simply let God be God. My church family, God's Word never tells us to deny our struggles. It tells us to bring them to Him. Weakness is not failure. Weakness becomes the very place where God's strength shines most brightly. “My power is made perfect in weakness." When we finally stop pretending we have everything under control... we discover that God has had everything under control all along. So let me leave you with this. You don't have to carry tomorrow today. God's grace isn't given a month in advance. It arrives exactly when you need it. One day at a time. One moment at a time. One prayer at a time. His sustaining grace will carry you farther than your own strength ever could. Today... whatever burden you've been carrying... whatever fear has been weighing on your heart... whatever uncertainty has been keeping you awake... bring it to Jesus. His grace is sufficient. His peace is available. His strength never fails. And His sustaining grace will never let you go. Amen. Closing Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank You for reminding us today that Your grace truly is sufficient. When we become weary, strengthen us. When fear begins to rise, fill us with Your peace. When we cannot see the way ahead, help us trust the One who already knows the way. Teach us to release our burdens into Your loving hands. Heal every wounded heart, renew every weary spirit, and surround each person here with Your comforting presence. Help us leave this place walking not in fear, but in faith—confident that Your sustaining grace will meet us every step of the journey. We ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus. 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 Sustaining Grace 2026 持久够用的恩典 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/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/68532afad980da6505f652012def3f78.png fe40684852688dbf7fc95a4c4ac5ffa5 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/dac6630919f3195af99b3ae0a052bcfe.mp4 a675119ab9bb98b0a4afabd1cd0705be 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 Code - Week One: Who Wrote the Code You're Living By? Romans 12:1-2 Earlier this week I woke up with one simple image in my mind – - one word inside a simple rectangular frame: CODE. For just a moment, think about the hundreds of decisions you will make this week. Every decision flows from something deeper. Every decision flows from a code. code: a set of conventions governing behavior or activity in a particular sphere. a set of principles a set of standards a set of customs ethics, morality, convention, accepted behavior a set of rules and standards adhered to by a society, class, or individual. Whether we realize it or not, each one of us lives by a code. The question has never been, 'Do I have a code?' The question is: "Who wrote the code I’m living by?" Every day, someone - or something - is discipling you. Whatever has your attention shapes your thinking. Whatever shapes your thinking shapes your heart. …And the code that governs your heart will eventually shape every area of your life. Francis Schaeffer's book How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture (1976) argues that when society abandons biblical absolutes, it falls into moral chaos and authoritarianism. (I could show videos) His writings explore the shift from a God-centered worldview to secular humanism. "Most people catch their presuppositions from their family and surrounding society, the way that a child catches the measles. But people with understanding realize that their presuppositions should be chosen after a careful consideration of which worldview is true." Paul warned us of this danger long before Schaeffer wrote it down. Colossians 2:8 says, "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ." We (you and I) have a responsibility to guard our gates 2 Cor 10:5, Paul calls us to take "captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." Who - or what - has your regular attention? Romans 12:1,2 (read) Paul does not begin with behavior. He begins with transformation. That means, something was one way, and now it needs to become something else. A change is required. God desires renewed minds and transformed hearts. This same truth echoes in Ephesians 4:22-24, where Paul urges us to "put off your old self... to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." And in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" I know many of these verses may sound all-too familiar to some of you, but don’t let this slip past you… Before we talk about God's Code, we must understand God's HEART. Isaiah 57:18 declares: 'I have seen their ways... but I will heal them; I will lead them and restore comfort...' God sees us completely, just as we are, yet He still responds with grace. Psalm 103:8-10 reminds us: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love... he does not treat us as our sins deserve." Romans 5:8 tells us the depth of that grace: "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The Code is not God's way of keeping you out. It's God's way of bringing you home. ( ) Hebrews 8:10 reveals God's ultimate purpose: 'I will put My laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.' “ …this verse points out the difference between a covenant based on external, legalistic rules and one based on internal, personal experience with God. This drive for obedience, from the inside out, is the work of the Holy Spirit in those who are saved.” God says, “I will put my laws into their thoughts. I will write my laws deep inside them. I will be their God and they will be my people.” This New Testament promise is rooted in Old Testament prophecies, particularly Jeremiah 31:33, which foretold a time when God would establish a new relationship with His people. Jeremiah prophetically declares God’s Word: “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel after those days,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. God is not merely giving us better information. He is giving us a new heart. He isn't merely changing our behavior. He is changing our desires. Ezekiel 36:26: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." God never intended His Word to remain merely in our hands. His desire has always been to write it upon our hearts. (a Divine CODE for living) Jesus said He came that we might have “Life and have it more abundantly.” Eventually, the CODE should become our identity. (“I don’t smoke”) GOD wants the best for our lives. ( ) Ed Mylett, 'I want my friends to love me, but I don't want them to always accept me.' People who care about you also want the best for you. They won’t let you drop off a cliff just because they don’t want to offend you. This is GOD’s Heart toward us. Real love desires to see transformation. Elevation. God loves us exactly where He finds us, but He loves us far too much to leave us there. There must be a change – and it starts with a renewed mind and a transformed heart. Are we willing to let that happen – to do our part in this radical reformation? This week, before you scroll, before you react, before you speak, ask: “Who is writing the code I am following today?” Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Jesus (“the Word made flesh”) did not merely teach the Way. He is the Way. He did not merely speak the Truth. He is the Truth. He did not merely point us toward Life. He is the Life. In John 14:6, Jesus says it plainly: "I Am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Remember this: The Code is not God's way of keeping you out. It's God's way of bringing you home. Francis Schaeffer : "Here is a simple but profound truth: If there are no absolutes by which to judge society, the society is absolute. Society is left with one man or an elite filling the vacuum left by the loss of the Christian consensus which originally gave us form and freedom." “without a vision, the people perish” “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.”  You’ve probably heard that expression: “bring something up to code” Like renovate or update an old building in line with the latest building regulations. "the wiring has to be brought up to code" To recognize the need to follow God's Code, we must understand God's HEART. The CODE is more than just a word or a cool symbol… It represents the God who says, "I have seen your ways..." "...I will heal you..." "...I will lead you..." "...I will restore you..." "...I will write My law upon your heart." Jesus told us where that absolute truth is found. In John 17:17 He prays, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." And in John 8:32, He promises: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Let's us pray Father, thank You for Your Word, which is truth, and for Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life Thank You that You do not just call us to try harder - You promise to write Your law on our hearts and give us a new heart, a heart of flesh Lord, search us and know our hearts Show us where we have been living by a code we did not choose - a code written by culture, by comparison, by fear, or by old wounds. Forgive us for the times we conformed to the pattern of this world instead of being transformed by the renewing of our minds Thank You that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us You do not condemn us - You heal us, lead us, and restore us Because Your compassion never fails, help us receive Your grace today So as we go from this place, let Your word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path Set us free with Your truth and write Your Code - Your law of love - deeply into our hearts. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Way, our Truth, and our Life. 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 Code - Week One: Who Wrote the Code You're Living By? 生命密码1：谁在编写你所遵循的密码？ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 07/04/2026 Description An account of the resource Romans 12:1-2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 罗马书 12:1-2 所以，弟兄们，我以神的慈悲劝你们，将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是神所喜悦的；你们如此事奉，乃是理所当然的。不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化，叫你们察验何为神的善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意。 Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 希伯来书 8:10 因为我要与以色列家立的约乃是这样：我要将我的律法放在他们里面，写在他们心上；我要作他们的神，他们要作我的子民。 2 Corinthians 10:5 We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 哥林多后书 10:5 我们争战的兵器本不是属血气的，乃是在神面前有能力，可以攻破坚固的营垒，将各样的计谋，各样拦阻人认识神的那些自高之事，一概攻破了，又将人所有的心意夺回，使他们都顺服基督。 John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 约翰福音 14:6 耶稣说：我就是道路、真理、生命；若不借着我，没有人能到父那里去。 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/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 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/4130cc3e584029764f8c49b6e58c2e76.jpg b33e544c6ccff6d912203d4be6944af8 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/35c76e4b3789fc0e2da92ef982c3cc2a.mp4 eaa1f8678bb0e135bfd04dc685e74e87 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 Love Connection: Advent Week Four Experiencing Christ's Pursuing Love Last week, during Drive-Thru Prayer, we were standing outside, praying for people as they passed by. At one point, I said to Tracy, "We're getting a lot of wavers today." Not too many people were stopping... but at least many waved. And as I stood there, it struck me - despite the distance, a connection was being made. Not because of words. Not because of explanations. But because people could sense sincerity. They could feel that someone genuinely cared. Then I realized something profound: Love doesn't always require proximity - it requires presence. When the arms of this church reach beyond our walls, we are offering to the world what we ourselves have already discovered: The Love of Christ. "Everyone you know is fighting a battle" - everyone. My church family... we all struggle to fully comprehend and experience God's love in our daily lives. Many people see Christians and might imagine that we're probably nice people - but they still miss the true connection. They remain at a distance, essentially just waving rather than pulling over, hesitant to take that leap of faith that would allow God to minister to them personally. Ephesians 3:19 reminds us: "May you experience the love of Christ..." Not just hearing about it through words, but truly experiencing it. Because only then will you KNOW its transformative power. We often believe intellectually in Christ's love without allowing ourselves to be enveloped by it. We keep God at arm's length, thinking we need to fix ourselves first before approaching Him. This scripture doesn’t just say believe in the love of Christ. It says: “May you know the love of Christ…” Because knowing (experiencing) His love …changes everything. This message is not about the love we have to give – it is about the love we have received. “Love came down at Christmas” Titus 3:4-7: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. When our eyes are opened to the love Jesus has for us, we can reach out to Him in faith — for forgiveness, for healing, for restoration. Love becomes the bridge. And this is exactly what Jesus does for all of us. John 12:36: “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.” John 12:36: “Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” Jesus does not wait for us to fix ourselves before He comes near. He reaches out to us just as we are — because He is our only hope of moving beyond our current state. That’s the heart of the gospel. And that’s why Advent matters. Advent Week 4 is about LOVE — not sentimental love, but God’s faithful, pursuing love, revealed in the coming of Christ. Love that moves toward us. Isn’t that exactly what happens in Holy Communion? Paul tells us: “When you partake of the bread and the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26) That means every time we receive Communion, we are declaring — - not just remembering. We declare – we proclaim to ourselves, (our hearts) to the powers and principalities, to our own bodies and circumstances: We proclaim that Jesus’ finished work applies to me. Not trying to be forgiven — forgiven. Not hoping to be righteous — righteous. Not waiting to be healed — healed. Not wishing for restoration — restored. Holy Communion is the Love of Christ made tangible. (Means of Grace) When you partake of Communion, you’re not earning anything. You’re acknowledging and receiving by faith… • His broken body for healing and wholeness • His shed blood for forgiveness and right standing • His life for every place of lack Holy Communion becomes a moment (sacrament) where love meets need. Not because you deserve it — but because He loves you. This is Divine Reconciliation Remember the Mission It is our mission as a church: To share the love of Christ by making a connection — connecting with people at their genuine point of need. That’s what Jesus does for us. …And that’s what He invites us to do for others. • Sometimes it’s a prayer. • it’s an invitation to come to church it can be simply a Drive-Thru Prayer wave. …and sometimes it’s bread and a cup. …But every time, it’s love reaching out. Advent reminds us: Love has come. Love is present. Love is reaching toward you today. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. You don’t have to figure it all out. You don’t have to close the distance. Just receive. Because the love of Christ is already reaching for you. Prayer Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us where we are. Thank You for reaching us when we could not reach You. As we receive the bread and the cup, help us to receive Your love again — deeply, personally, fully. And teach us to carry that love beyond these walls, into the world You came to save. Amen. Jesus said: (John 8:12) "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light 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 LOVE Connection 愛的關係 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 12/21/2025 Description An account of the resource Eph 3:19: May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 以 弗 所 書 3:19: 基督的爱比任何人所能知道的都要伟大。但是，我祈祷你们能够知道那种爱，这样，你们才能彻底被上帝的丰富所充满 (page 1897) John1:4,5: 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. 约翰福音 1:4,5: 祂里面有生命，这生命是人类的光。 光照进黑暗里，黑暗不能胜过光。(page 1716) John 12:36: While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may become children of light. 约翰福音 12:36: 所以你们当趁着有光的时候信从光，好成为光明的儿女。 (page 1744) John 8:12: "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 約 翰 福 音 8:12: 耶稣又对他们说∶“我是世界之光，跟随我的人绝不会走在黑暗之中，他将获得生命之光。” (page 1733) Titus 3:4-7: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 提 多 書 3:4-7: 但是当我们的救主－上帝显示他对人类的爱时， 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。 上帝通过耶稣基督，我们的救世主，慷慨地把圣灵倾注给了我们， 所以，现在我们靠上帝的恩典，在他面前是清白的，从而得以成为他的继承人，实现了我们对永生的盼望 (page 1936) 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/15c04e19e3b18548edd391524a1cb5cf.jpeg e0104f523800022995b9bae9e86fadd4 https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/c907e9806a0ed6e232f6aa1af4d9edbc.mp4 aca7c655019b11a686e3efa7e30a404a 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 Mystery of the Temple John 2:13 - 22 Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary - Pure and holy, tried and true With thanksgiving, I'll be a living - Sanctuary for You Driving around Beijing, I was shown one of the primary government buildings – well-guarded and considered a place of great authority. Q: Was that power and authority because of the building itself? No, it was the power and authority held within the walls of that building. Today I am going to share with you from the Word of God, that we are God’s Holy Temple. John 2:18 – “ …the Jewish leaders demanded, "What are you doing? If God gave you authority to do this, show us a miraculous sign to prove it." (v..19) “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”” (v 22) “After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered He had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.” This is a KEY for us this morning. ? Will we believe and accept what God’s Word has to say to us this morning? ? Will we believe it today – or will it have to wait for another day? Glove Illustration: The power comes from what’s inside of it. 1 Cor 3:16 - Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? There are times when we really feel the need for a power greater than our own – just to get through the day. “It’s just not in me” There are times when our bodies fail us – and we need a true resurrection – a resurrection that has to come from a power greater than ourselves. Paul said, “That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” It was near the time of Passover when Jesus cleansed the temple of the money-changers and declared before the Jews - “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Today it is Christ in you that is ready to raise you up out of your struggles – out of your sickness – out of your depression – right now. • Faith is NOW. • Christ in YOU, the hope of glory. • Do you believe and receive this HOPE today? (“yes” or “Yes?”) Romans 15:13 - "I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Are you ready to overflow with confident hope today? Hope is the seed – the starting place – for your breakthrough. Hebrews 6:19 - This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. This hope being described in Hebrews is the New Covenant – which is demonstrated in the sacrament of Holy Communion – the Body & the Blood. You - (as a true follower of Jesus Christ) are God’s Temple. His Spirit dwells in you. You already know that He put resurrection power inside of you. That power is released through faith is His Word and His promises. YOU are God’s holy temple – and it is time to reclaim His Temple for His Glory. Reclaim God’s Temple for God’s Glory – just like Jesus did when He drove out the money changers. The money changers represent your old carnal way of thinking and living that hinders the resurrection power of God from working in and through you. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Romans 8:10, 11: “And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” You and I have to humble ourselves – submit ourselves to God – and admit our own weakness. Confess our need for God’s power. Resurrection power is in you to raise you up to new life – because you are God’s temple. “Christ in you – the hope of glory.” 1 Cor 3:16 - Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? Eph 3:20 – “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Maybe you’ve been trying to do things on your own for so long you wonder if it’s even possible to live this other way – to rely on God’s strength and power? To finally allow His mighty power to work in you – to raise up this temple? Maybe you’ve rebelled against God – maybe you feel like the prodigal child this morning and think you don’t have the right to ask God for His help now? Is it fair to fall on your face – trying to do everything yourself – and then run to God when you’ve made a mess of things? In Psalm 107 Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life, your bodies feeling the effects of your sin… Then you called out to GOD in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He spoke the word that healed you, that pulled you back from the brink of death. This is from the Old Testament. “How much more…” You must BELIEVE in Divine Mercy Romans 2:4 tell us it is “the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.” God knows where you’ve been – and He also knows what He could do in and through you if you will give Him control of your life. Jesus knows how to heal and restore your life. Jesus showed us the Divine Will of His Father while He was here on earth. Matthew 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. You need the life of God working in and through you – because that is God’s will for your life. He wants to raise you up to a whole new level of wholeness and victory. Jesus prayed in John 17:22 - "I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” “I am in them and you are in me.” Col 1:29 – “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” Today God calls us out of darkness and into His marvelous Light. He is ready “to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…” 1 Cor 2:12: For we did not receive the spirit of this world system but the Spirit of God, so that we might come to understand and experience all that grace has lavished upon us. “ …that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. We need a greater revelation of the Cross and its Power for our lives Your body is God’s temple – and it should glorify God. Jesus gave us power over the enemy and said “nothing shall by any means harm you.” Nothing. No thing. Not viruses. Not disease. No affliction. He bore our infirmities. “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.” That struggle you are going through is a weapon formed against you – but I declare in Jesus’ name it shall not prosper. Today you’re breaking through and breaking out. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses …” You and I will glorify God and be His witnesses – even as our light shines brighter and brighter and gives witness to the life-changing resurrection power that is working mightily within us. “Let the Lord be MAGNIFIED…” (“let them say continually”) God is magnified as we reflect Him – His Grace – His Mercy – His Love Mark 16:20 – “And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.” “the Lord worked through them” “confirming the word with signs following” One of the signs Jesus described was “they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” Today it is Christ in you that is ready to raise you up out of your struggles – out of your sickness – out of your depression – right now, right before Passover. Christ in YOU, the hope of glory. Do you believe and receive this HOPE today? (v 22) “After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered He had said this, and they believed both the Scriptures and what Jesus had said.” Today it is our turn to Hear and Believe God’s Word and what Jesus said. See the Living Word manifested in your life. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance – to turn back to God for the answers we seek – the help we need – the healing we desire in our lives. We have a New Covenant of Healing and Salvation through what Jesus Christ did for us. Acts 20:32,33: “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.” It’s time to command our Holy Temples to line up with The Word and Glorify GOD Psalm 107:19-21: Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did! God spoke the words “Be healed,” and we were healed, delivered from death’s door! So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves! “He sent His Word and healed them…” Command this temple to line up (into agreement) with the Will and Word of God to come into alignment with Holiness – Purity – Health – Vitality To Glorify God in its members 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 Mystery of the Temple 圣殿的奥秘 Description An account of the resource John 2:19: Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” 約 翰 福 音 2:19: 耶稣回答说：“你们拆毁这座殿，我三天之内会把它重建起来。” (pg 1719) 1 Cor 3:16 - Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 哥林多前书 3:16: 岂不知你们就是上帝的殿，上帝的灵住在你们里面吗？(pg 1850) Romans 8:10, 11: “And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” 罗马书 8:10,11: 如果基督在你们里面，你们的身体虽然因罪恶而死亡，灵魂却因上帝所赐的义而活着。 如果使耶稣复活之上帝的灵住在你们里面，叫基督耶稣从死里复活的上帝，必借着住在你们里面的圣灵，使你们终有一死的身体活过来。 (page 1832) 1 Cor 2:12: For we did not receive the spirit of this world system but the Spirit of God, so that we might come to understand and experience all that grace has lavished upon us. 歌 林 多 前 書 2:12: 我们接受的不是这世界的灵，而是上帝的圣灵，使我们可以领会上帝开恩启示给我们的事。(page 1849) Psalm 107:19-21: Then we cried out, “Lord, help us! Rescue us!” And he did! God spoke the words “Be healed,” and we were healed, delivered from death’s door! So lift your hands and give thanks to God for his marvelous kindness and for his miracles of mercy for those he loves! 诗篇 107:19-21: 于是，他们在患难中呼求耶和华，耶和华便拯救他们脱离困境。 祂一发令，就医治了他们，救他们脱离死亡。 他们当称谢耶和华的慈爱，称谢祂为世人所行的奇事。 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 06/01/2025 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/4448bb697a2c85df62105c7cb62d211c.jpg c2a9b5334def4320c818714858ef166a https://church.jhkpress.com/files/original/f1ca1a374c9b710ab6756ea2ae17cbf0.mp4 9e82fafb611c37814f5cb395f8ca3601 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 ADVENT WEEK 3 - JOY: The Return of Joy When the Heart Flows Again "Long before you see spring... you hear it. When winter begins to loosen its grip, the very first sign is not the melting snow or the budding trees - it's the sound. A single birdsong on a cold morning. A crack of ice along the riverbank. A quiet drip of melting snow from a rooftop. Movement. Life. Sound. These tiny sounds are not the fullness of spring - but they are the announcement that spring is coming. And the Holy Spirit whispers: "Joy is the sound of the heart thawing." Not loud excitement. Not forced happiness. But the first movement of life inside a heart that is flowing again. This is Advent Week 3 - JOY - and today we listen for the sound of signs of an early spring in the soul. Psalm 16:11 tells us, "You make known to me the path of life; in Your Presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." And James 1:2-3 reminds us that joy can emerge even in trials: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." We've previously talked about the danger of a hardened heart. A heart that freezes... cannot feel joy. Even if joy is present - it cannot be sensed. Many of us live in this winter season of the soul. Our hearts grow cold through disappointment, through busyness, through the weight of our burdens. Some of you may feel this today - a numbness where joy once flowed freely. Romans 1:21 describes this condition: For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. When we stop glorifying God, when we stop being thankful, when our imagination drifts away from the truth... the heart grows dim. “survival mode” Psalm 51:8 speaks to this when David prays, "Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice." David understood that sometimes our joy is broken, crushed under the weight of sin or sorrow. This is the spiritual winter we may find ourselves in - not because God has withdrawn His joy, but because our hearts have lost their capacity to feel it. And in this frozen state, we often make a critical mistake - we try to manufacture joy through our own efforts, through positivity, through circumstances. We strive and strain to create what can only be received. Prayer of St Francis – Make me an instrument of Thy JOY A joyless Christianity is a contradiction. It becomes heavy religion rather than vibrant relationship. Without joy, our witness grows dim. Without joy, our strength diminishes. Without joy, our hearts grow weary. Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that "the joy of the Lord is your strength." When joy departs, our spiritual strength goes with it. Many believers live in this weakened state - faithful in practice but missing the vitality that should characterize those who know the living God. Isaiah 35:10 paints a picture of what we're missing: "Those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." And even the world will notice when we lack joy. They see our duty but not our delight. They hear our words but don't witness our wonder. A frozen heart cannot flow with the living water Jesus promised in John 7:38: "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." Philippians 4:4 calls us to "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" This is not a suggestion - but a command - because joy is essential to our spiritual health and witness. Weeks ago we began this series with the truth that transformation does not come by trying - but by beholding. Because whatever we behold... we become. …we magnify. David understood this when he wrote: "In Your presence is fullness of joy." Joy is not something we create - it is what rises when our eyes are lifted from ourselves and fixed again on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 instructs us to fix "our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." This is why the angel's announcement at the birth of Christ began with: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10) Where Jesus enters... joy begins to flow. Jesus came with a promise: "He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted." (Luke 4:18) A healed heart becomes a feeling heart. A tender heart. A responsive heart. And when the heart softens - joy returns. Romans 15:13 offers this powerful promise: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Not because circumstances improved. Not because life became easy. But because the heart thawed. Isaiah 52:9 says, "Break forth into JOY." Joy is the warmth that comes when the ice breaks. Joy is evidence that Jesus has touched a deep place within you. Where there is flow, there is joy. Joy is not the result of human positivity. Joy is the overflow of divine life moving freely within us. 1 Peter 1:8-9 describes this supernatural joy: "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." Psalm 126:5-6 promises, "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." Joy is not the goal - it is the symptom of a heart where Jesus is flowing again. Some of you may have rediscovered this in recent weeks. The moment you stopped striving and started beholding... Peace came. Clarity came. …And Joy began to return Joy is the echo of a heart looking at Jesus. Andrew Wommack teaches that joy is not something we pursue - it is something we maintain by staying aware of God. (beholding) Psalm 51:12 becomes our prayer: "Restore unto me the JOY of Thy salvation." When we restore awareness - by glorifying Him... by thanking Him... by beholding Him... the heart brightens. And joy returns. Habakkuk 3:17-18 shows us how to implement this even in difficult circumstances: "… yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Advent joy is not loud. It is not emotional hype. It is the quiet confidence that: "Christ is with me. Christ is in me. Christ is moving within me." Psalm 30:5 promises: "For His anger lasts only a short time. But His favor is for life. Crying may last for a night, but joy comes with the new day." This is the joy that carried Mary. This is the joy that sustained Joseph. This is the joy that made unborn Baby John leap. This is the joy that filled the shepherds. This is the joy that Simeon felt when he held the child. The joy of "God is here." Emmanuel (will YOU choose to BELIEVE Today?) Maybe joy has felt distant for a while. Maybe winter has lingered too long in your soul. Maybe your heart has been frozen, or numb, or just plain tired. But today... listen. There is a sound. A small movement. A flicker. A whisper. The sound of spring. The sound of joy returning. Not because everything is perfect - but because Christ is present. John 15:11 captures Jesus' promise: "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." And Isaiah 61:3 reminds us that God gives us "the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." And when Christ comes, winter loses its hold, the river begins to move, and joy rises naturally. The tests and challenges of this current season may have you feeling weak... …but the joy of the Lord can once again be your strength. **Prayer** "Lord Jesus, restore the flow of joy in my heart. Let every frozen place thaw in Your presence. Let every silent place begin to sing again. Open my eyes to behold You. Open my heart to feel You. Open my spirit to flow with You. Fill me with the deep, steady, unshakeable joy that comes only from Your life within me. Amen." Because of you, I know the path of life, as I taste the fullness of joy in your presence. 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 Return of JOY 《喜乐的归回》 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 12/14/2025 Description An account of the resource Psalm 16:11: You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 詩 篇 16:11: 你 必 将 生 命 的 道 路 指 示 我 。 在 你 面 前 有 满 足 的 喜 乐 ； 在 你 右 手 中 有 永 远 的 福 乐 。 (page 892) Romans 15:13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 羅 馬 書 15:13: 但 愿 使 人 有 盼 望 的 神 ， 因 信 将 诸 般 的 喜 乐 、 平 安 充 满 你 们 的 心 ， 使 你 们 藉 着 圣 灵 的 能 力 大 有 盼 望 。(page 1843) Nehemiah 8:10: …for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 尼 希 米 記 8:10: ...因 靠 耶 和 华 而 得 的 喜 乐 是 你 们 的 力 量 。 (page 802) John 15:11: I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 約 翰 福 音 15:11: 这 些 事 我 已 经 对 你 们 说 了 ， 是 要 叫 我 的 喜 乐 存 在 你 们 心 里 ， 并 叫 你 们 的 喜 乐 可 以 满 足 。 (page 1749) Isaiah 61:3: To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. 以赛亚书 61:3: 以华冠取代锡安哀伤者头上的灰尘，以喜乐的膏油取代他们的哀伤，以颂赞的外袍取代他们的沮丧。他们将被称为耶和华所栽种的公义橡树，以彰显祂的荣耀。 (page 1213) 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