REFLECTION SERMON SUMMARY NOTES BY PASTOR TREVOR
PERSONAL STORY
I remember the time Gloria and I got lost on our way to a wedding reception outside of Calgary. Although we arrived with the gas gauge on "E" the hope was knowing the gauge light didn't turn on. Well...after leaving that night it didn't take long for the light to go on to which our hearts dropped and prayed we would make it to a gas station that would be still open in the middle of the night. I remember placing the car in neutral, coasting down the hills when applicable, and eventually by the grace of the gas fumes and GOD (of course), pulled into an open gas station. PHEW!
QUESTION
What are the warning indicators letting you know your spiritual tank is near empty?
Author/Speaker Rob Parker describes this as the "depleted soul."
ASKING OF YOU AND THE CHURCH
Is it time for "SPIRITUAL REFUELING?" Wouldn't it be great to live out what Parkman further states: "If you access all that God has made available, in the end you will be able to say 'my cup overflows'" (Ps. 23:5).
SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES ON RENEWAL: Psalm 51:10; Jeremiah 31:25; Colossians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Revelation 21:5; etc.
BIBLICAL ACCOUNT IN SUMMARY: Jesus & the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42)
We see FOUR IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES / QUESTIONS to ask when we think about REFUELING / RENEWING our spiritual journey with God.
1) DO YOU HAVE A THIRST? - Regardless of past regrets or current lifestyle, do you still have a chasing from within you to thirst for a right-living, love-abiding relationship with God? "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matt. 5:6).
2) DO YOU DESIRE TO HAVE DEEPER ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD? - Will you allow yourself to be "courageously vulnerable" to draw close to Jesus allowing Him to bring out the hidden things within your heart? As like the Samaritan woman, He desires to do so to bring to you NEW LIFE (a new way of living) only found through Him.
3) DO HAVE THE EXPECTANCY TO BE TRANSFORMED? - Are you willing TO CHANGE in order TO BE CHANGED as God reveals more of Himself to you? Jesus brought forth new realities in what it means to worship God and even the reality of making Himself known as the Messiah!
4) STATEMENT: As we THIRST - we ENCOUNTER, as we ENCOUNTER - we TRANSFORM, as we TRANSFORM we will be moved to be ON MISSION! - After meeting Jesus this Samaritan woman left her water jar at the well and went immediately back to her hometown to TELL PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS! The woman was SPIRITUAL CHARGED & FUELED UP to share Jesus so He could fill the hearts of those in her community! What courage! Remember this woman was despised, shunned upon, rejected, etc. And what was the response from her community? THEY CAME TO SEE JESUS AND BELIEVED HIM TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD (verse 39-42)!
(Principles adapted from pastor/author, David Young).
PASTOR TREVOR'S ASKING FOR 2018
So church I am excited and have great "HOLY-EXPECTATIONS" for God to move with us and free us in deeper ways this year - a year of renewal! But this also means from our end, we need to have willing minds and open hearts to be a committed body of believers. This is from our Elders, Pastors, Staff, Leaders, Teachers, Volunteers, and Members to really be ALL IN so we may collectively grow in Spirit and in Truth maturing in the fullness and completeness of Christ. So will you, who call this your home church, enter this year with "courageous vulnerability" that invites the presence of the Holy Spirit to flow more freely through you? I trust as we do so, God will faithfully do His part by replenishing, renewing, and refueling our spiritual tank and may this IGNITE us to fulfill His great and mighty Kingdom-Serving work!
Let's start our journey of renewal by coming THIRSTY. Jesus is already waiting at the well for you. Will you now draw yourself close to Him?
May God bring upon us refreshing waters through the life of Christ,
PASTOR TREVOR