The Word from Mountain View

Worship Service Video Podcast - June 28, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on June 28, 2020.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.

The Necessity of Preparation in the Christian Walk - June 28, 2020

The Necessity of Preparation in the Christian Walk

Pastor Josh Dringenberg 

Text:  James 5:13-16

 

1. Preparatory spiritual practices are necessary in our pursuit of God’s kingdom.

 

1. Building the kingdom must include something called personal Discipleship.
2. Personal discipleship is action that is taken to grow closer to God personally through various spiritual practices or means of grace.

 

2. We live in a “can-do” society where we like to see results now.

 

1. God works through our preparation.
2. Jesus spent 30 years learning and preparing his heart and mind for God’s calling on his life.
3. Like Jesus we should prepare ourselves for God’s work in our lives by routinely taking part in prayer, Bible study and other means of grace.

 

3. God works in the right timing.
4. We must remember that even though God doesn’t answer right away, he does answer.
5. The prayers of the righteous person are Powerful.

 

 

Worship Service Video Podcast - June 21, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on June 21, 2020.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.

Jesus Includes the Disciples in Ministry - June 21, 2020

Jesus Includes the Disciples in Ministry

Text: Mark 8:1-13

Thesis: The true definition of a Disciples is one that has been discipled and is now able to disciple another.

1. Jesus continuously demonstrates compassion to the general (vs1-3)

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mathew 9:36)

1. Jesus recognized people are “like sheep without a shepherd.”
2. Jesus also recognizes, people that do not have him as a “Shepherd”, “are harassed and helpless” by the evil one.
3. Jesus protects the Christian from the evil one. With Jesus we are no longer “helpless”.
4. Jesus’ “compassion” stems not only from his love but from the vulnerable state in which they were in.
5. It is easy to love your own family members and friends but what are your thoughts about those in your community, your state, your country, and your world.

• “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

1. To become like Christ is to recognize that the general public are “like sheep without a shepherd.”
2. Jesus does not allow his disciples to just sit on the sideline but challenges them to be directly involved in ministry. (vs4-8)
3. Jesus engaged the disciples mentally, Jesus asked, “How many loaves…”
4. Use your mind for building the kingdom of God, think, think and thing again.
5. Jesus engaged the disciples financially; Jesus asked, “How many loaves do you have?”
6. Use your finances to build the kingdom of God.

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9: 6-7)

 

1. Jesus engaged the disciples in physical “Jesus told the disciples to distribute them.” (vs7)
2. Use your physical strength to build the kingdom of God.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:7)

1. Jesus engages the disciples in a Faith Adventure that required the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Utilize the Holy Spirit that lives in you to build the kingdom of God.

“Jesus said, ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8) 

“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

 

 

Worship Service Video Podcast - June 14, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on June 14, 2020.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.

A Bold Witness for Christ - June 14, 2020

A Bold Witness for Christ

 

Text: Mark 6: 14-29

Thesis: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

 

1. There is power in Jesus’ name! (vs14)

“Jesus’ name had become well known”.

1. The people’s awareness of Jesus and their understanding of His purpose in coming was proclaimed by John the Baptist. (See Mark 1:1-12)
2. John was the “voice calling in the desert Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.” (Isaiah 40:3)
3. John came in the power of Elijah.

     “he will be filled with the Holy spirit even from birth.” (Luke: 1:15b)

3. John was known for his “bold witness for Christ.”
4. Jesus defends John’s boldness!

           “As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.” (Mathew 11: 7-9)

5. John’s boldness cost him his life here earth (not in the heaven).

(read vs 17-20)

1. Jesus said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” (Mathew ll:12)
2. Jesus makes it clear that it will take great courage that is equal or greater than the forces of evil that prevails against the Church.

              “What Jesus may well have said is: ‘Always my kingdom will suffer violence; always savage men will try to break it up, snatch it away and destroy it; and therefore only the man who is desperately earnest, only the man in who the violence of devotion matches and defeats the violence of persecution will in the end enter into it.” (William Barclay page 8)

2. Bible from Genesis to Revelation teaches that God’s children must be courageous.

• “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be       afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you           wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
• “But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." (Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50b)

 

1. Christ calls all his disciples to be a bold witness and proclaim His name.

“He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

(Mark 16:15)

1. Use your unique God given gifts to make people aware of the power of Jesus’ name.
2. We are all called to be “the voice in the wilderness” proclaiming, “Jesus has come.”

   “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How         beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:15)

 

Online Worship Service Video Podcast - June 7, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on June 7, 2020.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.

He Has Done Everything Well - June 7, 2020

“He Has Done Everything Well”

 

Text: Mark 7:31-37

Thesis: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

 

1. Jesus is once again called upon to heal a man, who could not hear or speak.
2. Friends of a man with physical challenges “begged” Jesus to heal him.
3. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.” (John 15:3)
4. Jesus modeled this type of friendship when he willingly laid down his life on the cross for you and me.
5. May we as Christians bring our friends to Christ:

• By praying for their salvation and personal needs.
• By genuinely sharing Christ’s love with them.
• By inviting them to Church that they may worship God and become acquainted with other Christians.

 

1. Jesus demonstrated great sensitivity to the man who could not hear or speak. (vs33-35)
2. Mark intentionally highlights the fact that Jesus “took him aside, away from the crowd”, prior to healing the man.
3. Jesus prior to this healed many people publicly.
4. God knows and loves all of us personally and uniquely.
5. The Bible references that God has a divine understanding of us.

• "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)
• “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalms 139:14)
• “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were  written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalms 139:15)
• “Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely”. (Psalms 139:4)
• “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

 

III. Jesus, “He has done all things well.” (vs37a)

1. Jesus revealed a personal knowledge of the man’s mind and emotions as well as his physical challenges.
2. Jesus as the “great physician” possessed excellent “bedside manners.”
3. Jesus demonstrated his power to heal.
4. Jesus “did everything (so) well”, “the people were overwhelmed and amazed.” The people said, “He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

From the Pastor's Study - Video - June 3, 2020

This is a podcast that presents a brief word of encouragement and a glimpse of my upcoming Sunday Sermon. It will be recorded Wednesday morning each week and posted later that afternoon. You will find it posted in our podcast player. I hope you will find this podcast helpful and enlightening, as we prepare to Worship together Sunday Morning through Streaming Live. It would be greatly appreciated if each of you would share this podcast on your FB page! “Each One, Reaching One, for Christ!”

--Pastor Chuck

Online Worship Service Video Podcast - May 31, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on May 31, 2020.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.