Sermon

Friends, Children, and Heirs

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Friends and Heirs

Life is filled with choices - some good and some bad. The amazing thing is that even though God knows everything about us, he chooses us and loves us.

It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:16-17

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This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/VT2MoiRVgug

Lord of the Harvest

"The seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.
This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

In Jesus' parable, the sower's seeds land in a variety of situations. The seeds, representing the message of the kingdom of heaven are received and grow, or have no lasting impact. Jesus explains that the harvest depends on the seeds that fall on fertile soil, into lives and hearts who understand the message, and for whom the kingdom of God becomes their heart's greatest desire.

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This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/dCD3jwWaRVU

Music performed under CCLI License No. 11123016 which includes streaming permissions
"Whom Shall I Fear" by Chris Tomlin, Ed Cash & Scott Cash © 2012 S. D. G. Publishing, McTyeire Music, Worship Together Music, Alletrop Music (admin. Capitol CMG Publishing, Music Services Inc.)
All rights are reserved by the copyright holders.

Alongside Jesus

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Jesus came as God's anointed messiah, not as many who thought themselves wise expected. The religious elite piled heavy burdens on people, and did nothing to help them. Jesus, however, invites people to take his yoke upon ourselves, and learn from him; for he is gentle and humble in heart, and we will find rest for our souls. For his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.

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This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/vAIdR94dYaY

Music performed under CCLI License No. 11123016 which includes streaming permissions
"They Will Know we are Christians" by Peter Scholtes © 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 Lorenz Publishing Company (Admin by Lorenz Corporation)
"It Is Well (With Me)" by Horatio Gates Spafford, Philip Paul Bliss, Kristene DiMarco
© 2013 Bethel Music Publishing

All rights are reserved by the copyright holders.

Simple Kindness

Whoever welcomes you welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

Jesus sends his followers to extend his ministry, proclaiming the good news and bringing healing and new life in his name. As they go they will encounter a variety of responses to their message and their work. Jesus brings to light the eternal worth and reward of kindness and hospitality. Whoever welcomes a prophet will receive a prophet's reward. Whoever welcomes his followers welcomes him. Whoever welcomes a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous. Whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple will not lose their reward. Simple acts of kindness and compassion done for others in Jesus' name are as if done for Jesus himself.

Even though we may not be gathering on Sunday mornings, we continue to serve in Jesus' name.

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This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/_v9IVp5Ui2c

Music performed under CCLI License No. 11123016 which includes streaming permissions
"Kindness" by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, Louie Giglio
© 2000 sixsteps Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing), worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)
All rights are reserved by the copyright holders.

Under God's Eye

Not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without
your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head
are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable
to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Jesus warns his disciples, as he sends them out, that they will be treated as he is treated - welcomed by those in need, and rejected by those who like things the way they are. The good news of Jesus Christ means change, change in our hearts and lives, and through us change in the world. God's work transforming our lives and hearts is disruptive, and as we place our faith in Jesus, and live and minister in his name, God will use us as a disruptive force in the world, turning it from the ways of sin and death toward life and love.

In inevitably, as we humbly minister in Jesus' name and the power of the Holy Spirit, we will face obstacles and persecution. As the world treated Jesus, so it will treat us. We can rest, however, in the assurance that as we participate in God's work, we have a heavenly father who loves us and knows our needs intimately.

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This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/7NOJC0jwlXw

Music performed under CCLI License No. 11123016 which includes streaming permissions
You Say" by Lauren Daigle, Jason Ingram & Paul Mabury © 2018 Flychild Publishing, So Essential Tunes, Fellow Ships Music  
"His Eye is on the Sparrow" music accompaniment © 2009 Mansion Entertainment
All rights are reserved by the copyright holders.

Sent to Serve

“Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 28:19

Jesus sends his disciples throughout the region as a vital part of his ministry. On their own, they were a very unlikely group of people for this work, but with Jesus' authority they proclaimed the good news of the kingdom, cast out unclean spirits, and to cure every disease and every sickness. Jesus continues to send his disciples, as unlikely as we are, to do far more than we ever imagined, not because we can, but through us God can.

This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/GhAde6dgwD0

Music performed under CCLI License No. 11123016 which includes streaming permissions
"If You Say Go" by Diane Thiel © 2002 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing
All rights are reserved by the copyright holders.
"Making Disciples" video by Kelly and Niki Tshibaka own all the rights to the video and are happy to distribute it free of charge. For more information or questions about it, please contact Kelly Tshibaka at kellytshibaka@hotmail.com

Teach Them How to Follow

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations"
Matthew 28:19

In a world connected by the internet, filled with books, and churches driven by programs, it might be tempting to think of discipleship as a class you take, something you achieve, or things you know – a noun rather than a verb – rather than a relationship in which we live. All those things can be helpful to disciples, but reading the books, participating in programs, being a member of a church, or even being a pastor, does not make you a disciple.

To be a disciple of Jesus is to be fully committed to following him so closely that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, our hearts and lives resemble his, and draw people to him.

This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/XOdBLWnnro8

Music performed under CCLI License No. 11123016 which includes streaming permissions
"Who You Say I Am"  by Ben Fielding & Reuben Morgan © 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing
"Here I Am, Lord" by Daniel L. Schutte © 1981 New Dawn Music/OCP Publications
"Spirit of the Living God" by Daniel Iverson  St. 1 © 1935, 1963 Birdwing Music 

Coming of the Spirit

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak
in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability."
Acts 2:4"

As Jesus followers gathered after he ascended into heaven, there was a sound like wind and the appearance of what looked like fire that hovered over their heads. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and  all of them began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

The power and work of the Spirit is a present reality, not ancient history. The Holy Spirit continues to fill, empower, direct, and shape Jesus' followers for his work in the world.

This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/8epj9dty5IQ

Music performed under CCLI License No. 11123016 which includes streaming permissions
Holy Spirit (You Are Welcome Here) By Bryan Torwalt and Katie Torwalt. © 2011 Capital CMG Genesis, Jesus Culture Music
Spirit of the Living God By Daniel Iverson St. 1 © 1935, 1963 Birdwing Music 
The inclusion of "The Story of Pentecost" is licensed from Dan Stevers

Thriving in the Wilderness

“ Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place
... as though something strange were happening to you."
1 Peter 4:12

Difficulties, pain and loss happen in everybody's life, including Christians. God's good creation has been distorted by sin, human evil abounds, and we cannot escape the price of our own poor choices. The frank honesty of scripture bears these truths, but brings hope and confidence in the face of inevitable trials and tribulations.

The cross of Jesus and the power of his resurrection bear testimony to God's compassion for his beloved creation, for "he so loved the world that he gave his only son."

As we live in this time between the cross and God's new creation, we share the pains common to humanity, but as Jesus' followers, we give of ourselves for the sake of the world.

As 1 Peter 4:19 says, "let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good."

This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

Direct link to video: https://youtu.be/SsvUaJICGfY

Music performed under CCLI License No. 11123016 which includes streaming permissions
"How Great Thou Art" by Stuart K. Hine © 1953, 1981 Manna Music, Inc.
"The Traveling Psalm (The Lord Will Keep Me Safe and Holy)" from Psalm 121 by John Ylvisaker, Music: "Wayfaring Stranger," trad. American © 1982 John Ylvisaker
"Something Beautiful" by Gloria Gaither © 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc.
"You Say" by Paul Mabury, Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle © 2018 Essential Music Publishing LLC

You Have Not Been Abandoned

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. ... I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you"
John 14:15-16,18

Jesus promised his followers that they would not be left alone, that even though he was leaving to prepare a place for them, and would return, he would not leave them as orphans, he would send another Advocate, one to act on their behalf. He also gave them an important assignment. They were to continue to live and minister as he had taught them.

Our lives and world are dramatically affected by the pandemic. This is one of those events where we cannot ignore the fact that we face problems, obstacles, and needs that are bigger than us. But, even then, Jesus promises that we have not been abandoned, we are not alone, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, is present and at work.

Now, more than ever, we are to love one another as Jesus loves us. As we love others the way Jesus loves us, we become aligned with and part of God's will and work in our lives and in the world.

With all the stress and change going on in people's lives, this week's video includes a 6 minute presentation by a mental health counselor that Nancy has known for many years.

This worship service is produced through the combined efforts of Hope Presbyterian Church at Lake Nona and Oviedo Presbyterian Church and we pray that God will use it to bless people far beyond our congregations. We are very grateful to all who contribute to these services.

Please share them with your friends and families.

"You are My King (Amazing Love)" by Billy Foote (c) 1996 Worshiptogether.com songs
"Something Beautiful" by Gloria Gaither (c) 1971 William J. Gaither, Inc.
"In His Time" by Diane Ball (c) 1978 Maranatha! Music
All rights reseved by publishers and copyright holders
Used under CCLI license #11123016 which include streaming permissions