NC3 Sermons

October 27, 2024- Jay Jefferson- Ask.Seek.Knock

Ask / Seek / Knock

 

 

Ask / Seek / Knock
If you have spent any real time praying or examining what prayer is, then you have undoubtedly heard the phrase “Praying Through.”  But what does that really mean? Some say it means to pray until something happens, others say that it means to pray a certain way, and still others will tell you its meaning is to pray using scriptures. Well, in Matthew chapter 7, Jesus gives us a real clear understanding of what it means to “Pray Through” This Sunday Jay will expound on Jesus’ words concerning this mode of persistent prayer in the sermon, “Ask / Seek / Knock.”

 

Matthew 7: 12 & 7-11

A Golden Reminder vs. 12

Persistent Faith vs. 7 & 8

Ask - Pray

Seek - Pursue

Knock - Overcome

Bricks & Snakes vs.9 & 10

Good Gifts From A Good Father vs11

Follow The Narrow Brick Road- Jim V

The Wizard of Oz is iconic for many thing; among them the yellow brick road. The promise made to Dorothy is if she follows it she will get what she desires at the end; to go home. The journey is long with difficulties, but Dorothy finds help, and helps others along the way. All she has to do is,"Follow the yellow brick road." 

How many of us with we had something like this? A marked out path showing us where to go? While many wish for more details and clarity, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus tells us what path to take. Join us this Sunday as Jim challenges us with the message Follow the Narrow Brick Road. 

Who's To Judge?

Matthew 7:1 (“Do not judge”) has possibly superseded John 3:16 as the most easily recognizable and popular verse in our broader culture. The words of the great 20^th century philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, could easily serve as one of our cultural mottos: “Do not judge people. Try to understand them.”

Just a moment later, however, Jesus is comparing certain people to “dogs” and “pigs” and warning his followers against trusting them with anything important (Mt 7:6). This seems just a little “judgy.” Can there be a distinction between “judging” a person and criticizing his or her behavior? And are we ever in the position to do either?

Please join us this Sunday as David helps us work through this famous, tricky and critically important passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with his sermon Who's To Judge?

No Worries

Matthew 6:25-34

 

No Worries

 We live in a society where people are plagued with anxiety. As if that was not bad enough, anxiety has infiltrated the church and the ranks of God’s people. This is a problem because the people of God, through His redemption, have been freed from such things as sin, shame, doubt, and fear. So if we are free, then why do we embrace the normalization of anxiety in our lives? For the scriptures tell us that “He that the Son has set free is free indeed…right?  This Sunday, Jay will remind us of Jesus’ remedy for the plague of anxiety in the Sermon, “No Worries.”

Comparing Treasures

Many people look forward to retirement. This is why some will get a financial advisor to manage their accounts and assets and to help them prepare for the future. But too many will not plan ahead for the ultimate retirement: the afterlife. Jesus, the ultimate advisor, financial or otherwise, tells us to not sacrifice the eternal by focusing and being occupied with the temporary.

Join us Sunday as we learn about getting the best outcome from this life in Jim’s message Comparing Treasures.  

When You Pray 9.22.24 Jim Villalobos

When You Pray
Everyone tries it at least once. Before a meal. Before bedtime. During a test. During jury selection. Or in a foxhole. What it is? Prayer. People call out to a bigger, higher being when we need help. And while we know we should pray, too often many of us feel inadequate or silly when we pray.

Thankfully, Jesus knows our weakness and gave us directions to pray. And he tells us what God really wants in our prayers. Join us this Sunday as we continue with our Overflow series talking about the most famous prayer in history in Jim’s message, When You Pray.  

 

Get Alone with God-Matthew 6:5-6

Talk Real with God Matthew 6:7-8

Follow This Pattern Matthew 6:9-13

Praise-vs 9

Submit-vs 10

Request-vs 11

Confess and Fortive-vs12

Fight!-vs 13

 

What’s Your M. O.?

What? Hold on. Wait one minute. In Matthew chapter 5 verse 16, Jesus tells us to “let our light shine before all men”. Now, here in the beginning of chapter 6, He tells us to do our giving to the needy in secret. Which way is it? Well, it’s both. Jesus is dealing with the motive behind our giving. He wants us to understand that there is a right and a wrong way to do everything. The right way to give ends in the glorification of God and not ourselves. This Sunday, Jay will deal with the motive behind the way we give, in the sermon, “What’s your M.O.?”

Big Sermon, Big Life 9-8-24 Jim Villalobos

Don't Resist Your Best Life-Matthew 5: 3-12

Aim For a Greater Righteousness-Matthew 5:20, 48

Seek the Counter Cultural Kingdom Life- Matthew 6:33

Trust and Transform-Matthew 7:24-25