(Goodness! Jane got a new digital recorder for the podcasts, but she couldn't find it this morning. So, following are the notes she took this morning at the service. If you weren't there, you missed an incredible sermon! )

Following are the notes:

Shannon talks about football and his love for football. He speaks about the first round draft picks -- how his team, The Minnesota Vikings didn't get a First Round Draft pick.

It's all wonderful to be a first round draft pick, but now the 'rubber meets the road." Now, it's down to what you do with what you have.
 
(An aside -- A lot of players who weren't first round draft picks -- even third, fourth or ninth picks -- are in the Football Hall of Fame  or going to be.) 

There are three people sitting in your chair: the person you are today; the person satan can make you into; and the person God can make you into. We might not be a "first round draft pick" but that gives us no excuse.

Joshua 17:12-18 states: 12 Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. 13 However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.
14 The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.”
15 “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.”
16 The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”
17 But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

The Israelites crossed over and took their allotments of the Promised Land. Manasseh was told to clear it out and take it. They had the same potential as all the other tribes. The did not complete what they were supposed to do. They didn't finish what they started.

Incomplete obedience is disobedience. Obedience means you finish the job.

You have all you need.

Incomplete means failure.

There is victory or defeat, obedience or disobedience.

The Manassites were comfortable with the forced labor. They didn't mention it of course. Instead they made excuses. They didn't want to work, do what God required of them. They wanted to be given everything. 

We all have those partial obediences, partial commitments. When our fervor fades over time and choose to give up, this is disobedience.

If we have a sin in our lives and refuse to let it go, this is disobedience.

Partial obedience = complete disobedience.

Jesus has a high impossible standard for life, but in Him we can be live it.

We say things like, "It calms  me down" or "This is the way all the men/women in my family are."

EXCUSES!!

There's a straight, narrow path we are called to be on. Manassah left that path.

Some of the Canananites were kept and some were feared. The Manassites sinned in their comfort and they sinned in their fear.

1 Corinthians 10:13:

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

He always gives you a way out -- He is the way out.

Jesus says in Matthew 11, "My yoke is easy, my load is light."

Joshua 17:14, "“Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.”

They're asking for hand outs even though they were already blessed. We are entitled to more (they thought). When you ask for more because you think you deserve it this is being prideful. 

We want to fulfill what God wants us to do. We want to be successful. But do we want to work for it? Or do we have the attitude, "I'm here so you better pay me."

We tell God, "If you let me win the lottery I'll give all this money to the church."

God says, "How about you don't win the lottery and do it anyway."

If you take what you have and make it the best you can, God will give you more (remember the Talents parable).

The song says, "I never promised you a rose garden."  

God didn't either.

Proverbs 16:18 -- Prides goes before the fall.

People like to see people fall off their pedestals. We like to see someone else fail. It's easy to knock someone down. 

And it's okay to fall in the mud, but it isn't okay to wallow in the mud and enjoy it.

The Manassites said in verse 18, "We need more!"

Joshua told them they had more than they were claiming. So do we.  You are strong and can drive the enemy out. You can do it if you just get off your behinds and do it.

Is God saying that to us?

Clear it! And you'll have more land. You want it -- get it. Cut the clutter and make space for what you need to do. What do I have to clear away? What's stopping and hindering me from putting God and His will first? That clutter is going to interfere with this, with being obedient.

It could be familiy, jobs, sin, entertainment, gossip, anger, bitterness, resentment, spite, hatred -- absolutely anything.

All of these are junk between us and God. You gotta clear it out. You're piling up garbage between you and God. Clear the hill country!

Yeah, you've got some challenges. Whoop-de-do! You can still win if you fight.  Are you going to have a pity party or are you going to fight?

We did all the work and you wouldn't take the test because you said it was hard. Take the test!

God asks us to do such few things. Love God. Love people. 

"It's hard," you say. "There's that one guy . . . "

Clear the clutter. Get rid of sin. Get rid of the excuses. 

Do these two things! Clear away the clutter and get rid of the sin, the excuses. 

We can't worship God if we haven't gotten off our behinds.

God told us we have everything we need. So what's stopping us? 

Do it. Just do what God calls you to do.

(So last week I suddenly broke our recorder beyond repair. I ordered a new one, received it on time -- Praise the Lord -- but then we somehow didn't get the sermon recorded. I will clean up the glitches and hopefully have the sermon recording next week. This week I only have the notes, but I will from now on write out the scriptures I site so you can read them as you read these notes. Thanks for stopping by. Following are today's sermon's notes):

Our Redeemer and our commitments:

"'He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.'" Matthew 28:6-7

He came from heaven for us. He knew what the end result would be. He came willingly. He knew it wouldn't be a pretty death. 

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but, emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

"Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." Hebrews 2:17

What do we do with that sacrifice now?

100 million people in the USA claim they are Christians. Why are we not having a greater impact on our society?

Why is it so hard to read the Word of God if we truly believe it is the Word of God? 

Why aren't we telling more people about Jesus Christ and the way to Heaven if we truly believe Jesus when He says He is the only way to the Father and that if a person doesn't accept Him that person is bound for hell. There is only one way to heaven. Why are we willing to allow our fellow humans to die without the truth?

We lack in our commitment. The only things people commit to these days are cell phone plans or mortgages. And these can be broken. If we are Believers there are three commitments we MUST make:

#1 Commitment to Christ Jesus. 

"And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'" Luke 9:23

The cross we carry is nothing compared to what Jesus carried. Daily we are supposed to carry the cross. 

(Told the story of Bob the "Cross Walker"). 

We need to carry Jesus with us everywhere and all the time. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 (366 leap year) days a year. There is no vacation. It should be so much a part of us that we can't exist without Christ.

Do we notice if we don't have our cross with us?

The whole world's inside that purse (talking about what women carry in their purses and never leave home without them. One woman's purse in the congregation reportedly weighed 75 pounds. ...well, Shannon says that was a joke, but it was heavy). 

Make Jesus Christ central and all of your life. We must have God with us all the time. Jesus is in front of us, behind us, beside us and within us.

#2 Committed to our Family. We must be so committed to our family that our family is part of us. 50% of marriages end in divorce. In the church the statistic is the same. 

#3 Committed to God's church. 

"not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25

You don't need to go to church to be a Christian, but you do need to go to church to stay on the path. The more active you are in your faith, the more you will be attacked by the enemy.

The fellowship, the studying, walking through the door is a commitment. We come here in the day not in the night.

Back in the U.S.S.R. you'd end up in prison or killed for worshipping or telling others about Jesus Christ. Here, it is easy to worship -- it is still legal. But it is so easy to just not go since we take it for granted.

Do your kids need to ask if you will be going to church Sunday morning? Do they know it is what you do or is it just a sometimes thing? Do they see that you are committed?

We have a choice, most of us, to attend church. Do you stay home at the slightest sign of sickness but then Monday morning when you still feel the same you go to work? Where are our priorities?

If we are truly committed, we will have an impact.

As an individual, what is your impact?

Do you know where your cross is?

Let's not let our cross get lost. Because when you need it the most you will know exactly where it is. Always have Jesus with you. Every day!  Every hour! Every minute! Every second!

"'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'" Matthew 28​:19-20

This is not a request. It is a command.

This is our job -- winning souls for Christ.

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." James 1:6

If you don't know how, ask!

If you need wisdom, ask!

It is God's will to give us wisdom. Ask Him. He will give it. 

He wants us to be well armed.  He committed to us. To follow Jesus, get rid of what's in the way. The rich young ruler had riches in the way. Some have family in the way. Others have their own dreams in the way. Whatever is stopping you from following Jesus wholeheartedly, get rid of it.

Get off the couch.

Get your face in the Word.

"And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me saying 'Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.'" Revelation 1:17-18

​Jesus is alive and well. He loves us. He wants us to follow Him.

(Following are notes that Jane took while listening to Shannon preaching today except for when she took Hawk to the bathroom).

John 12:1-2.

Celebration time. Jesus and Lazarus. Must have had a great conversation at the table. In the middle of this walks in Mary with the perfume and worships Jesus extravagently.

How did she know about His upcoming death? He told His disciples but none of them ever caught on before it happened. (I wonder if she sensed something in Jesus...Jane's thought).

Lazarus was a walking testimony. Must have been a very special dinner for Jesus.

Luke 19:28-35.

Between 2 and 3 million visitors traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. 

Which disciples got the donkey? Interesting thought....

Zechariah 9;9. Fulfillment of prophecy.

Bethany to Jerusalem known as The King's Road.

He was coming as a normal king arrives. A conquering king would ride on a white charger. He came on a donkey. Jesus was Himself, but everyone saw what they wanted to see. Power of suggestion is huge.The people were looking for the conquering hero -- the hero who would overthrow Rome. 

Town waiting with huge energy and excitement for Jesus to arrive -- maybe He is their answer.

John 12:12..

What did Jesus see?

His disciples (Hey, yeah, he's finally getting what he deserves! This is what we knew he'd get someday.)

But Jesus wept.

He saw the pharisees. Luke 19:39.

They want Him and everyone else to be quiet. This isn't how they ought to be arriving for Passover. They didn't want Jesus around.They were losing control of the crowds. He didn't fit their script of how  rabbit should act!

Roman solders. They were there guarding,keeping order. They didn't care what they did as long as they kept to themselves and didn't trample Roman law or offend roman government.

The crowd -- they thought they were finally getting what they wanted.He could be their savior if he did what they thought a savior should doo.

What does Jesus see when He looks at you and me?

A disciple who is following Him but has no clue what Jesus really meant?

A Pharisee who wants to control God, who wants God to stay in a box and obey the pharisee's rules.

A Roman who doesn't care as long as Rome gets first place.

Or Mary -- the one who, in the midst of it all, worshipped Him not caring what anyone thought.

(Sermon notes taken by Jane)

John 15:1-8.
​
"Remain in Me" and I'll remain in you.

Jesus saw a vine that was prepared and dressed. He knows what's coming (His crucifixion and resurrection).

We are control freaks.

Earliest word often is "mine."

But all things belong to God.

The fruit we bear is not from ourr efforts. It's from God.

​We should constantly be seeking to be better fruit bearers.

There are times we try to force the fruit. This is not possible (for us to truly bear fruit).

Galatians 5.

Self-control.

Rarely do we say, "I want self control."

Love one another.

In loving someone we often have to forgive -- especially the people who have wronged us.

Let it go. Let the Spirit lead.

Pruning. Pruning is aggressive. There's not much left after pruning.

If it's not bearing fruit it goes.

Prune --

A sucker root -- gotta pinch it off.

All this excess take a lot of energy. What may look good on the outside is often unnecessary. 

Tie up the branches. More air and more sunshine.

We need things cut out out of our lives that are hindering production. Sometimes good things gotta go.

We can't do it on our own.

New movement is a personal trainer in fitness coach.

1. We have to be connected to the Vine. The branch doesn't have a root system.

2. We have to allow the pruning. "Prune me, Lord."  When a branch is pruned there is trauma to the branch. It will heal. The vine heals the branch. Don't put your mind on what you've lost.

3. We need to stay in the light. The world is living in the dirt. We must seek the light. Fill one hearts and minds with the Word and the things of God. What we fill ourselves up with is what will come through.

The fruit of the World is rotten (money, fame, accolades, success.). Bad fruit can kill the plant. Fertilize our minds, hearts and spirit. If you aren't full of the Word you'll be full of the world.

God wants us to be in constant communion with Him. If it's a daily interruption something probably needs to go.

Focus early and often on God.

Another job of the vinedresser is to guard the fruit. If we don't guard the fruit it will be stolen. Being attacked by a loved one is devastating. God will help us.

We don't have to fix a broken branch. God will heal it. 

Scars often remind us of some stupid things we did. We have to actively cut out the rotten spots.

​Joh 15:15-17.