The Word from Mountain View

Come Holy Spirit We Need Thee - May 31, 2020

“Come Holy Spirit We Need Thee”

 Text: Acts 2: 1-13

Thesis: The Holy Spirit came just as a Jesus promised.

 Pentecost is one of the most important events recorded in the Book of Acts.

1. This is the grand entry of the Holy Spirt, made available to everyone who puts their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
2. The Disciples were commanded by Jesus “not to leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” (Acts 1:4)
3. Waiting is one of the hardest things for people to do.

                      “but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

 

2. The Holy Spirit is a gift of God to every person who puts their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

                      "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:11-13)

 

3. When Jesus told Nicodemus, he must be “born again” he was referring to the birth that comes from the Holy Spirit. (see John 3:3-8)
4. The general public did not understand the transformation that had taken place in the disciples. They thought they were drunk. (vs 13-15)

 

1. The Holy Spirit came just as Jesus promised.
2. The disciples were obedient to Jesus’ command and waited in Jerusalem.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” (vs. 1)

1. The Holy Spirit came with great power.

“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them... “(vss. 2-3)

1. Everyone there experienced the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.” (vs4)

1. The disciples now that they were empowered by the Holy Spirit could speak in other languages.

* “… and began to speak in other tongues (or languages) as the Spirit enabled them.(vs.4b)

 * When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. (vs.6)

 

Online Worship Service Video Podcast - May 24, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on May 24, 2020.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.

God's Ways Above Man's Ways - May 24, 2020

God’s Ways Above Man’s Ways

 Mark 7:1-22

Thesis: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,’ declares the Lord” Isaiah 55:9

 Jesus is confronted by the “Pharisees and some teachers of the law” because his disciples are not following the teachings of the religious leaders. (vs1-5)

1. The religious leaders of Christ’s day were sticklers on enforcing their religious customs, as we would describe, “keeping the rules of the Church”.
2. They had many “religious washing methods” that they believed brought spiritual merit.
3. We have such traditions today, that are “traditions of man” and not God, that many have attached spiritual merit too, such as:
4. The order of the worship service.
5. The sanctuary furnishings and architectural styles of the building.
6. The type of Sunday attire worn.

                      “But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

1. The choice of instruments to be used in worship music.
2. The times of Sunday Worship.
3. The choice of Biblical translations to use.

 

1. Jesus draws a distinction between the Laws of God and the traditions of mankind, that were wrongfully taught as from God. (6-13)

     “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (vs8)

1. The religious leaders had developed laws from their religious traditions that were not from God.
2. Traditions may even be helpful to the Church, but they must not be viewed as the law of God or even given by God.
3. It is heresy to say, “the traditions of man are of equal value to the laws of God”, and the modern-day Church has been as guilty as the Pharisees in violating this truth.
4. Jesus is saying, “Do not be a hypocrite (literally means “actor”) by “worshiping me in vain; their teachings are rules taught by men” (see verses 6-7).
5. Jesus used as an example, the religious leaders teaching the people it was justified to violate the 5^th Commandment-- “Honoring your Father and Mother” to finance the Temple. (vs9-13)

 

III. Jesus then addresses the condition of a person’s “heart” which is the main source of all Spiritual issues. (vs14-23)

1. Jesus clarifies that eating food with unwashed hands will not make you spiritually unclean and “In saying this, declares all food ‘clean”.
2. Jesus makes it very clear that “it is what comes out of a man (person) that makes him unclean,” (vs15b &20-23) because it reflects the condition of their heart.
3. Jesus gives a list of evils that come from a sinful heart in vss21-23.
4. The very reason Jesus came was to provide the possibility for every person’s “heart” to be right with God.

• “If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 8:9)
• “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)
• “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

Special Presentation - Video - Jessie Wood Senior Project Paper

"If we have an all loving God, why is there pain and suffering?"

Jessie Wood introduced by Pastor Chuck Ryan

Also available as an audio podcast.

Special Presentation - Jessie Wood Senior Project Paper

"If we have an all loving God, why is there pain and suffering?"

Jessie Wood introduced by Pastor Chuck Ryan

Also available as a video podcast.

Online Worship Service Video Podcast - May 17, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on May 17, 2020.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.

Walking on Water in the Perfect Storm - May 17, 2020

Walking on Water in The Perfect Storm

 Text: Mark 6:45-52

Thesis: With God there are endless possibilities even during the “Perfect   Storm”.

Truth: “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised  as impossible situations.” Charles Swindoll

 There was an urgency in Jesus to protect his disciples from the rebellious actions of the crowd.

1. Mark emphasizes that “Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go…while he dismissed the crowd.” (vs45)
2. In John’s gospel we learn that following the feeding of the Five thousand Jesus was aware of the crowds false understanding of the Messiah and their malicious intent. John states, “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force…” (John 6:15)
3. This may have been, as well, the motivating factor of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus.
4. Jesus wants to protect us from false doctrine as well.

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

1. Jesus, “After leaving them, went to the hills to pray.” (vs46)

“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)

“God always has our best interest in mind” CR

 

1. The Disciples were experiencing the “Perfect Storm”. (vs47-48)
2. Mark’s gospel describes at least six negative facts about their dangerous situation, (1)“When evening came, (2) the boat was in the middle of the lake, and (3) he (Jesus) was alone on land. (4) He saw the disciples straining at the oars, (5) because the wind was against them. (6) About the fourth watch of the night(3am-6am).
3. Difficulties at times come in multiples.
4. Difficulties come at the most inconvenient of times.
5. Difficulties often seem impossible.

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” Charles Swindoll

 

III. Jesus recognizes the extreme difficulties of his disciples’ situation.

1. Mark’s Gospel states four relevant facts revealing Jesus’ method of caring for his disciples

1^st Jesus interceded on the disciples’ behalf prior to their difficulties.                 (He Prayed vs 46)

       2^nd Jesus observed, in the present-time of their crisis. (“He saw”-vs48)

       3^rd Jesus spoke hope and courage into their desperate situation! “Immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take Courage! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” (vs50)

       4^th Jesus demonstrated his power over what appears to be impossible!

        “Jesus went out to them walking on the lake…climbed into the boat with them and the wind died down” (vs48 &51).

Worship Service Video Podcast - May 10, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on May 3, 2020.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.

The Hope of a Mother - May 10, 2020

The Hope of a Mother

 

Text: Mark 7:24-30

Thesis: Our HOPE should be in Jesus Christ alone. If our life choices do not pass the “Jesus litmus test” avoid them at all cost.

 

1. Jesus once again seeking solitude went into the border region called Tyre. (vs.24)
2. Jesus could not be hidden. People need the light of Christ!

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Mathew 5:14-15)

1. Parents, we are called to let the light of Christ shine in our homes.
2. We read in I kings 17: 8-23 that Elijah came to this same area where he performed the great miracle of raising a widow’s son to life.
3. God is concerned about a mother’s great responsibility in raising children, especially the single mother.

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)

 

1. Jesus was confronted by a woman who put her entire hope in Jesus. (vs.25-26)
2. The mother was fervent in her appeal to Jesus to heal her daughter.

     “She fell at His feet…and begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.”

1. The Bible teaches that God is aware of our level of fervency in prayer.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16 KJV)

2. Fervency is not only evident in our emotions but in our persistence in prayer.

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Mathew 7:7)

3. Fervency also precludes that your heart is right before God.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:17)

 

III. Jesus tested the mother’s faith and it was found to be strong.

1. The mother would not be detoured by Jesus ‘factual statement.

 Jesus said, "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take   the children's bread and toss it to the dogs." (vs 27)

1. Jesus was pointing out that the Gospel was first given to the Jew and then to the Gentiles. Since She was a Gentile her time would come.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)

2. Jesus toned down his comment, not wanting to sound harsh and used the Greek word for dog meaning “a small cute little house dog.”
3. This persistent loving mother, because she put her hope in Jesus, continued to make her request.

    "Lord," she replied, "even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." (vs 28)

1. She acknowledged Jesus as “Lord” and She acknowledged the power of God to be so great, that even the crumbs would be enough.

“Prayer is the Key to Power”

2. What Jesus has to offer is sufficient!!!

Mothers’, “you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.”

                    (Philippians 4:13)

1. “Then Jesus told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” (vs 29)

 

Worship Service Video Podcast - May 3, 2020

WORSHIP SERVICE video and audio recorded live at Mountain View Church on May 3, 2020. Note: no audio during first two minutes.

Find Sermon Notes here.

Find Bulletin here.