(Sermon notes take by Jane):

Spring is hopeful.

In winter we get short of Vitamin D. We need sun to replenish it. 

Genesis 8:22. The constant rhythm of seasons is a promise from God.

Renewal of life.

Song of Songs 2:11-13.

Plowing and planting and expectation time.

Plant in hope.

Are we plowing our own hearts? Turning over fresh soil? Getting rid of the fallow ground?

Jeremiah 5:23-24.

Two reasons to plow:

#1 To plant.

#2 To get soil more fertile.

Do I have fallow ground in my heart?

Seeds God wants to plant in my heart can't be planted in fallow ground.

Do I have any fallow places in me?

Ground has to be soft to accept seeds. It has to be soft down deep so roots can grow.

Right now is the time to soften up. 

Spring was the season of war and preparation in biblical times.

We prepare our hearts for the seed.

Be ready for war (spiritual war). If we let the weeds go they will take over.

Jesus Christ isn't our honey-do list.

Our faith can't be an unfinished project. It has to be our #1 priiority.

John 11:23-24.

John 11:25.

Ezekiel called bread the staff of life.

The U.S. population spent 23.6 billion dollars on bread in 2016. 

50% of Americans eat a sandwich daily.

Genesis 3:19a "By the sweat of your brow you will eat bread."

That is the first time bread is mentioned in the Bible.

Jesus and the 40 days in the desert.

Bread and Water -- prison food.

Daily bread.

Parable about "even the dogs eat the crumbs off the children's table."

Tradition tells us they'd save the crust of the bread to wipe their fingers on and give these scraps to the dogs.

Offerings.

Wave Offering -- bread they made from the first grain from the harvest.

Abigail -- gave a huge offering of bread (and other things) to David to cover her husband's guilt.

Luke 9:10-17. 

They had a little bit, but when it was broken and shared it fed everyone. And there were tons of leftovers.

The more you give away, the more comes back.

The more our gifts will expand.

Just do it. Don't worry -- just do it.

John 6:26-40. Jesus calls Himself the "bread of life."

You should be hungry for the Word of God.

Walk by faith means stepping out. Step off that ledge. The disciples delivered the bread and fish.

Matthew 26:26 Jesus is the bread.

breaking of bread means sharing.

Acts 2:46. Continued to break bread together.

1 Corinthians 10:17, "Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread."

To put it together, we all need to be actively involved.

Acts 2:38-39.

Spirit indwells each Believer.

Indwell= permanently fixed, permanently there.

He's given the Spirit for obedience.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (20)

WHY?

1.) Mark of Ownership by God. We are meant to be changed by the Spirit.

2.) Downpayment of heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:4-5  Spirit as pledge/deposit.

2 Corinthians 4:7.

"For the love of Christ controls us." 2 Corinthians 5:14a

3.) Helps us overcome our fleshy nature. Satan loves to distract us with the world. "If it feels good, do it." "It must be right if I don't get cauht."

Every day I deny my flesh.

Everyday I start over.

The one you feed the most is the one who will win.

4.) Spirit intercedes for us.

Romans 8:26-27.
Titus 3:4-7.
2 Corinthians 3:18
Galatians 5:25-32.

Fruit is the manifestation of growth.

Step by step walking in the Spirit.

Without the Spirit there is no real understanding.
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Notes from today (3/5/2017):

Reasons for our faith:

God hasn't changed.

We are who we are.

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

Humanity got first exposure to perfection -- human perfection (Jesus is 100% Human, 100% God) in Christ. 

Jesus came to be our Sacrifice.

Problem of OT sacrifices -- constant blood shed for sin. 

They were like paying interest on the principal that could never be touched with an animal sacrifice (or any sacrifice apart from Christ). 

Romans 4:10.

He sacrificed His Son.
He paid the debt for us.

Jesus came as a mediator.  Hebrews 4.

Jesus came to fulfill the Law.

He is the Bridge to God.

Psalm 19:7 -- The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul

With maturity comes better eyesight (spiritual eyesight)

I've gotta go so the Helper can come (John 16).

Understand what a gift the Spirit is!

God says, "Come to Me now."

You can be free from sin.

It's not a one time event. It's a lifetime event.

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