Empowered 2.26.23

Empowered Empoderado February 26, 2023 Scripture Reader: Donna Link John 14:1-18; 25-27 Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going. No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!" Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans-I will come to you...I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative-that is, the Holy Spirit-he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. Juan 14:1-18; 25-27 No se turbe vuestro corazón. Confía en Dios, y confía también en mí. Hay espacio más que suficiente en la casa de mi Padre. Si esto no fuera así, ¿os habría dicho que os voy a preparar un lugar? Cuando todo esté listo, vendré a buscarte, para que siempre estés conmigo donde yo estoy. Y sabes el camino a donde voy. No, no lo sabemos, Señor", dijo Thomas. "No tenemos idea de a dónde vas, entonces, ¿cómo podemos saber el camino?" Jesús le dijo: "Yo soy el camino, la verdad y la vida. Nadie puede venir al Padre sino a través de mí. Si realmente me hubierais conocido, sabríais quién es mi Padre. ¡De ahora en adelante, lo conoces y lo has visto! Felipe dijo: "Señor, muéstranos al Padre, y seremos satisfechos". Jesús le respondió: "¿He estado contigo todo este tiempo, Felipe, y todavía no sabes quién soy? ¡Quien me ha visto a mí ha visto al Padre! Entonces, ¿por qué me pides que te lo muestre? ¿No crees que yo estoy en el Padre y el Padre está en mí? Las palabras que hablo no son mías, sino que mi Padre que vive en mí hace su obra a través de mí. Sólo creed que yo estoy en el Padre y el Padre está en mí. O al menos creer por el trabajo que me has visto hacer. De cierto os digo, el que cree en mí, hará las mismas obras que yo he hecho, y aun mayores, porque yo voy a estar con el Padre. Cualquier cosa podéis pedir en mi nombre, y yo lo haré, para que el Hijo dé gloria al Padre. ¡Sí, pídeme cualquier cosa en mi nombre, y lo haré! Si me amas, obedece mis mandamientos. Y yo pediré al Padre, y os dará otro Abogado, que no os dejará jamás. Él es el Espíritu Santo, que conduce a toda la verdad. El mundo no puede recibirlo, porque no lo busca y no lo reconoce. Pero vosotros lo conocéis, porque ahora vive con vosotros y más tarde estará en vosotros. No, no os abandonaré como huérfanos; vendré a vosotros... Estas cosas os digo ahora que aún estoy con vosotros. Pero cuando el Padre envíe por mi representante al Abogado, es decir, al Espíritu Santo, él os enseñará todo y os recordará todo lo que os he dicho. Los dejo con un regalo: paz mental y de corazón. Y la paz que doy es un regalo que el mundo no puede dar. Así que no te preocupes ni tengas miedo. Good morning and welcome to Lake Erie Church. To our first time guests, Welcome to Lake Erie Church. We are a multi-cultural, multi-generational Pentecostal church. We are working to create a sacred space where you and your family can belong and believe. If you have any questions, please know that almost every person around you can answer your question-except...Joey Rivers or Ron Baltus...I don't imagine they will be able to answer any questions you about LEC! For those watching online, I want you to know that I KNOW you are there...I'm mindful of this unique relationship that allows us to be miles (maybe many) apart and still connected. Our team works hard and our service facilitators are standing by to help you get connected...you'll find access to the sermon notes that in-person attenders have in their hands (both English and Spanish depending on your need). Welch Family...I just want to take a brief moment to say how proud I am of our church and all that transpired last weekend-the benefit dinner and money raised (more than $6000) for the Welch family. There was never any doubt that our church would respond powerfully to the need. The Welchs have found a temporary space to move into and began this weekend. There are still many things to do-and if you are interested, there are some lists at the welcome center that you can use. We are to the point that either cash donations or gift cards for household items may be the biggest immediate need. Let's Pray... Introduction: Maybe a good question would be to start by asking now that I'm ALL IN with Jesus, what is God's plan for my life, what am I supposed to do in the world for Jesus? It would make sense to me that God take us straight to heaven the moment He saves us- * Think about all the sorrows and suffering it would eliminate? * We would not know death or dying... But He doesn't...He saves us in order that we may become PRESENT in this world and His representative/ambassador If you've ever wondered why you are still living...listen to this... (1 Timothy 1:12-15) I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. (1 Timoteo 1:12-15) Doy gracias a Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor, que me ha dado fuerzas para hacer su obra. Me consideró digno de confianza y me nombró para servirle, aunque yo solía blasfemar el nombre de Cristo. En mi insolencia perseguí a su pueblo. Pero Dios tuvo misericordia de mí porque lo hice en ignorancia e incredulidad. ¡Oh, cuán generoso y lleno de gracia fue nuestro Señor! Me llenó de la fe y el amor que vienen de Cristo Jesús. Palabra fiel es esta, y todos deben aceptarla: Cristo Jesús vino al mundo para salvar a los pecadores y yo soy el peor de todos. Pero Dios tuvo misericordia de mí para que Cristo Jesús pudiera usarme como un excelente ejemplo de su gran paciencia incluso con los peores pecadores. Entonces otros se darán cuenta de que ellos también pueden creer en él y recibir la vida eterna. When we decide that we truly want to EXPERIENCE GOD in our lives, that determination brings us to a place of spiritual empowerment as followers of Jesus in this world. Did you notice Paul's words that God is making you a living example of his grace and mercy in this world. What does it look like to become a living example of God's grace and mercy? ¿Cómo es convertirse en un ejemplo vivo de la gracia y la misericordia de Dios? Another way to say this? What is God doing with his followers to bring the message of hope to the world? Jesus says to the disciples... The World Is Becoming A Tough Place To Be Identified With Christ. El mundo se está convirtiendo en un lugar difícil para identificarse con Cristo. In a companion passage to the one Donna read today, Jesus said... (Mark 13:13) And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Marcos 13:13) Y todos los odiarán porque son mis seguidores. Pero el que persevere hasta el fin, se salvará. (John 15:17-19) This is my command: Love each other. If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. (Juan 15:17-19) Este es mi mandamiento: Amaos los unos a los otros. Si el mundo te odia, recuerda que a mí me odió primero. El mundo te querría como uno de los suyos si le pertenecieras, pero ya no eres parte del mundo. Os elegí para salir del mundo, por eso os odia. I read just recently, a police officer in Georgia lost his job because in the view of his superiors, his religious views created doubt that his faith "bias" might hinder his effectiveness. He liked a tweet affirming a biblical view of marriage. * We've come to a place in society where it is our right to choose sinful actions but we will CANCEL YOU if you don't celebrate what we are doing. * You don't have to celebrate what you do not believe in! In such a world we need an experience with God that is empowers us to be witnesses and proclaimers of the Good News of Jesus Christ. So God promises His Holy Spirit to be our helper and He empowers me to represent Him in this world... Shine the Light Brilla la luz * Get up every day and let your "light" shine... (Matthew 5:13-16) You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its salty taste, it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing, except to be thrown out and walked on. You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don't hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven. * Who is "thanking God" for you? * In what ways did you live this week that caused people to see Jesus? Love People Ama a la gente (John 13:34-35) I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other. (Juan 13:34-35) Os doy un mandamiento nuevo: Que os améis los unos a los otros. Así como yo os he amado, así también vosotros debéis amaros los unos a los otros. Así sabrán todos que sois mis discípulos, cuando os améis unos a otros. * Extend grace and mercy to those who won't reciprocate the same * It's not easy... o To love people who don't love you o Love one another Conclusion: The world needs the followers of Jesus more than ever before. In the marketplace 1. Pray to be sensitive to what is going on in the world around you. 2. Talk about Jesus-bring His name up as often as you can in conversation. 3. Represent Jesus in everything you do (John 14:6) I am the way, the truth and the life. No man can come to the father except through me 1. Ora para ser sensible a lo que sucede en el mundo que te rodea. 2. Hable acerca de Jesús: mencione Su nombre tan a menudo como pueda en una conversación. 3. Representa a Jesús en todo lo que haces (Juan 14:6) Yo soy el camino, la verdad, y la Vida. Ningún hombre puede venir al padre sino a través de mí. Jesus is the Hope of the World. This week you represent Him to a world that does not know Him- God I'm a sinner I'm sorry for my sins I believe Jesus died for my sins I believe Jesus will forgive my sins I choose Jesus Dios soy un pecador lo siento por mis pecados Creo que Jesús murió por mis pecados. Creo que Jesús perdonará mis pecados. elijo a jesus