Full Full Nets, a prayer based Jesus Calling the Disciples (Mark 1)

Posted on January 17, 2019 by revlisad

Mark 1:14-20, NRSV
See also Matthew 4:18-22 and Luke 5:1-11
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus,
You call me from what I know to something new
From a life on this sea with this family
From the nets of generations before me

You call me to a new beginning
A new being and doing
You call me to follow
To move and become

Help me turn towards you
Help me follow
Help me believe and trust you fully
Immediately
Help me live into my chosenness
To lay down what I know and pick up the new

Empower me to go out with you
Across, beyond, into the deep
Bringing in your wild, shining kingdom
Full, full nets
Full, full nets
Full, full nets

************
For another prayer based on the call of the fishermen, check out Let Down Your Nets by Steve Garnaas Holmes.

Full, full nets © 2019 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

The Songs of Christmas: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Posted on December 17, 2018 by revlisad

Sermon Series song music christmas 1110 x 624

Do You Hear What I Hear? The Songs of Christmas
December 16: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by Charles Wesley
These are the notes from a message offered Sunday, 12/16/18 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota Florida.

christian family tree 2 While we hold so much in common, each portion of the Christian family tree celebrates a different aspect of the greatness of God. What does the Methodist branch bring to the party?

An emphasis on the Journey of Faith, not just the moment of decision
An emphasis on God’s grace at work in every part of the journey of faith
Singing the faith

John and Charles Wesley were brilliant at helping persons understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus. They had a massive publishing business which catered to those who could read. For the uneducated, working poor, they helped them learn the faith by singing it. (It helped those who could read as well!)

As an aspiring poet and pastor, here’s a picture of me geeking out over Charles Wesley’s attic space and quill.

The one who put the faith to music was Charles Wesley, John’s younger brother. We had the chance to tour his home in Bristol England. The bottom floor contains a sunny music room. Charles’ children were accomplished musicians. The attic space was Charles’ study where he wrote his sermons and hymn texts. It wasn’t uncommon for Charles to come running into the house asking for his quill and parchment so he wouldn’t lose an idea.

Charles Wesley wrote between 6,000 – 7000 hymn texts, many of which we still sing today.

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Christ the Lord is Risen Today
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, which was written less than a year after his conversion.

Conversion? Wait a minute.

The Wesley boys grew up in a parsonage. Their father was a pastor and their mother homeschooled them in both academics and faith.
They studied theology at Oxford and started a holy club to try to live what Jesus taught.
They were ordained pastors and served as missionaries in Georgia.

And yet, both men experienced a conversion. Their head knowledge born of studying who God is, the Word of God, and ways of God, turned into a heart and soul relationship.

In 131 Christians Everyone Should Know, Mark Galli reports:

After returning to England, Charles taught English to Moravian Peter Böhler, who prompted Charles to look at the state of his soul more deeply. During May 1738, Charles began reading Martin Luther’s volume on Galatians while ill. He wrote in his diary, “I labored, waited, and prayed to feel ‘who loved me, and gave himself for me.'” He shortly found himself convinced, and journaled, “I now found myself at peace with God, and rejoice in hope of loving Christ.” Two days later he began writing a hymn celebrating his conversion.

And Charles kept on writing.

Below you will find the verses of Hark! The Herald Angels Sing with some of the scripture references. Some thoughts…

The text begins with an invitation for all people, all nations to join the angels in joyous and enthusiastic praise of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Notice the recurrence of the theme “rise”
Instead of describing the rest of the Christmas story, Wesley then begins to praise Jesus Christ by naming who He is. This is what praise is at it’s simplest. God you are… Christ, you are…
At the end of verse 2, Wesley describes both the Incarnation and the dual nature of Christ in just a few words
In verse 3, the repetition of the word “born” builds momentum while proclaiming what Christ accomplished
- Born that we no more may die
- Born to raise us from the earth (Christ descends that we may rise, death and resurrection, buried with Christ and raised to new life in baptism)
- Born to give us second birth
Verse 4 is not often included in modern hymnals. The theme shifts from praising Christ to a prayer of response. Come Jesus. Make your home in me. Deliver me from the influence of evil. Let everyone who sees me see the image of God in me. Save me by your love.

There’s an old saying. If you stand in the middle of the garage, that doesn’t make you a car. Examine your heart and soul. Say yes to a real relationship with Jesus Christ.

Verse 1: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King; Peace on earth, and mercy mild; God and sinners reconciled.”	Luke 2:8-14 (13-14) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With angelic hosts proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.” Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King”	Psalm 67:4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth.
Verse 2: Christ, by highest heaven adored.	Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
Christ, the everlasting Lord:	Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him, all things hold together.
Late in time behold Him come. Offspring of a virgin’s womb.	Isaiah 7:14 NKJ Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see. Hail the incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King.”	John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.
Verse 3: Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!	Isaiah 9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Hail the Sun of righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings:	Malachi 4:2 But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. John 1:4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.
Mild He lays His glory by,	Philippians 2:5-7 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the sons of earth; Born to give them second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King.”	John 3:3 NKJ Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 1 Corinthians 6:14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us by his power.
Verse 4: Come, Desire of nations, come! Fix in us Thy humble home:	Haggai 2:7 NKJ I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.
Rise, the woman’s conquering seed, Bruise in us the serpent’s head;	Genesis 3:14-15 The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Adam’s likeness now efface, Stamp Thine image in its place: Final Adam from above, Reinstate us in Thy love. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King.”	1 Corinthians 15:45-49 Thus it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Prayer
Hallelujah to Jesus!
Born of a woman that we might be born again

Hallelujah to Jesus!
Struck by the full force of evil yet rising victorious,
that we might rise with him.

Hallelujah to Jesus!
Crushing Satan, sin, and death,
that we might know peace and the fullness of life.

Guard us, Anointed One, from every warring way

Deliver us, Liberating King, from every enticing falsehood

Lead us, Lord, to your wisdom and truth
May this grace birth faithfulness and innocence within us
May our new life delight you and honor you
May it better your world and draw many to your saving love. Amen

***********
CLICK HERE for a pdf of the Christmas Song Devotional Readings.

The Christmas Story is full of singing. Mary sings. Zechariah sings. Simeon sings. The angels sing. Over the centuries we’ve continued to celebrate with songs of our own, songs born from the joy of Christ’s coming.

This holy season, to prepare our hearts again for the coming of Christ, we’ll reflect on the poetry of these meaningful songs. Some will be old friends. Others will be new. My prayer is that their beauty and power draw us closer to Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, the Risen King. And that the grace of drawing near fulfills in us Christ’s power of new life.

Suggestions for Reflection on Each Song Lyric in the Christmas Devotion:

Find a quiet place to sit. Take a couple of deep breaths.
Read the song lyrics several times slowly, savoring the words.
Ask yourself:
- What is the big idea?
- Why is it important?
- How does this truth connect with my life?
Have a conversation with God about this truth.
Invite God to use this truth to birth something new in you this holy season.

Additional Ideas:

Journal your reflections
Draw, paint, or create some other kind of art based on your reflections
Find a scripture or two which inspired the song or where brought to mind by the lyrics
Sing or listen to the song
Share the song or just the lyrics on social media or face to face

I look forward to hearing your comments. – Lisa <

************
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing © 2018 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Sermon Recording- Send Me (Isaiah 6.1-8)

Posted on August 16, 2018 by revlisad

Sermon Series World missions 1110 x 624

Sermon Series: Hometown Missionary
Message 5 of 5: Send Me
Scriptures: Isaiah 6:1-8
This message was offered Sunday, 8/5/18 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota Florida.

Isaiah encounters the One True Living God. I imagine it would be like standing in the middle of a holy circus: spectacular, blindingly colorful and bright. Yet the presence of God is so thick the light is coming through a milky veil of smoke and incense.

Next comes the magnificent creatures. God is surrounded by Seraphs: powerful, awe-full creatures. The highest order of angelic beings, associated with light, passion, and purity.

The creatures are praising God, calling out who God is. (That’s what praise is) Holy, Holy, Holy… Lord of the Hosts Heaven… the Earth full of God’s glory. The power and glory of God are over both heaven and earth.

The call is so loud, everything is shaking. The call is so loud you feel it in your chest, it rattles your teeth and your bones.

How could Isaiah think, breathe, let alone speak?

Isaiah can’t help himself. He is undone. He is fully self-aware. He knows he’s not worthy of being in God’s holy presence. None of us are.

Verse 5: And I said: “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Can Isaiah cleanse himself? – No!
Forgive himself? – No!
Save himself? – No!
Can any of us? – No!

God knows this and acts

Verse 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.”

Notice God takes care of both the guilt and the sin. But look at what it takes! For Isaiah to be forgiven it takes a terrifying angel holding an equally terrifying coal coming straight for Isaiah’s mouth. Thank God for Jesus that we don’t have to go through that!

We could stop the story right here.

Isaiah’s story is mystical and dramatic and unique, yet, we can still connect with it. It’s a classic salvation story.

Our eyes are opened to the presence of God, to the beauty and power and love of God
We are undone
We realize we cannot save ourselves. We are separated from God by sin and everything we try to bridge the gap falls short. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
We speak the truth. We confess who we are and our deep need. God comes with mercy, healing, forgiveness in Jesus. We are saved. If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead you will be saved.

Lord Jesus, thank you for seeking me and welcoming me. Thank you for your life, death, and resurrection. I place my trust in you as the leader and forgiver of my life. Forgive me, cleanse me, save me.

We can stop the story right there, and far too many of us do. Undone and done.

This isn’t the end of the story. God doesn’t just come with mercy, healing, forgiveness, and salvation. God comes with coal.

With that fiery coal comes…

tongues of fire dancing on our heads, like Pentecost. We are filled with the Holy Spirit in order to share who God is and how God saves.
a fire in the belly to join God in saving the world. A new life with new meaning, a new purpose, and new priorities
a fire in our hearts, a longing for the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven
a call to action

Verse 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I; send me!”

After Isaiah is saved God calls. God doesn’t look at Isaiah or mention his name. God sends out a call across the heavens and it’s available for anyone to respond.

Isaiah makes the courageous decision to draw God’s attention again, “Here am I; send me!” It’s an immediate response- no apathy, no excuses. “Here am I; send me!”

Singing: This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine/ This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine/ This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine… Wait! I’m not holy enough. I’m not trained enough. Go anyway- God provides the forgiveness and you will learn as you go.

Singing: This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine/ This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine/ This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine... Wait! I’m not brave enough. I’m not strong enough. Go anyway- You don’t have to do this in your own strength God fills you with the power of the Holy Spirit. And you don’t have to do it alone. God sends companions to go with you.

Singing: This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine/ This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine/ This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine... Wait! What if I fail? You’ve already failed if you don’t try. God’s just asking you to try.

Singing: This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine/ This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine/ This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine… Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

God sends out a call across the heavens and it is available for anyone to respond. Respond, “Here am I, send me.”

*****************
I’m excited to now offer mp3’s of my Sunday messages. A huge thank you to Sean and my brothers and sisters at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota for all their help in making this possible. If you’re ever in Sarasota, please drop by for worship Sundays at 9:00 am or 10:30 am, or join us live on our Facebook page at 9:00 am Sundays or drop by during the week for a chat or small group. You and those you love are always welcome.

Sermon Recording- Sharing the Gospel (Acts 10.34-48)

Posted on August 9, 2018 by revlisad

Sermon Series: Hometown Missionary
Message 4 of 5: Sharing the Gospel
Scriptures: Acts 10:34-48
This message was offered Sunday, 7/29/18 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota Florida.

Summary and reading of Acts 10, the story of Peter sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with Cornelius

This is a classic missionary story from the Bible

Peter is well trained. He’s been walking with Jesus for 3 years and is now a leader of the early church. He prays and receives visions from God.
Peter has a clear calling from God and has received an in-person invitation to travel to a foreign territory to share the Good News with people from another culture.
Peter arrives and is immediately welcomed and accepted. He immediately proclaims the good news in a beautiful, eloquent, and theologically perfect way.
The people immediately place their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They are immediately filled with the Holy Spirit and baptized.
Peter and the believers who came with him stay a few days to further disciple the new believers.

This is like a 30-minute sitcom. Everything works out perfectly with a happy ending. It doesn’t usually work this way.

Often we are one small part of a long chain of spiritual encounters. Every part is important and valuable.

Maybe we plant seeds, building relationship, and trust.
Maybe we have the change to pray with someone or share a testimony.
Maybe we are the ones to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Maybe we are the ones who encourage and disciple a person after they come to faith.

We need to know how to help at every point in the process, including how to share the Good News in graceful and simple ways.

Below you will find the drawings which accompany the explanation on the recording. This method of sharing the Good News is called The Bridge.

If you want to add scriptures to your explanation, consider using these passages from the book of Romans. They’re often called The Roman Road.

Romans 3:23
All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 5:8
God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 10:9
If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For a slightly different version of The Bridge by the Navigators entitled One Verse Evangelism, click here

Sermon Recording- My Story, God’s Story (Titus 3, 1 Peter 3)

Posted on July 26, 2018 by revlisad

group conversation

Sermon Series: Hometown Missionary
Message 3 of 5: My Story, God’s Story
Scriptures: Titus 3:3-7
This message was offered Sunday, 7/22/18 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sarasota Florida.

The Classic Testimony- Your Conversion

Consider these helpful questions when writing and sharing the story of how you came to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Speak as you would normally speak. Keep your testimony to 2-3 minutes.

My Life Before Christ

What did my life revolve around?
Where did I get my security, identity or happiness from?
How did those things begin to let me down?

How I Came to Christ

When was the first time I heard the gospel? What were my initial reactions?
When and why did my perspective begin to change toward Christ?
What were the final struggles that went through my mind just before I accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation and new life?
Why did I finally decide to follow Jesus? (or deepen my commitment to Jesus, or give Jesus complete control of my life)?

My Life After Coming to Christ

How is my life different now? List some specific changes in your character, attitude, and perspective on life.
What motivates me now? What do I live for?
Even though my life still isn’t perfect, how does knowing Christ help me deal with that fact?

Testifying to our Hope- The stories of God at work along the journey of faith

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) … Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

Revlisad.com

Christian Practices with Rev. Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia

Tag Archives: conversion