Crossing Over

Phenomenon

 

February 3, 2008

 

Worship through Song

 

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Chronicles of NarniaThe Prophecy

 

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Superstition

Stevie Wonder

 

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Have it Your Way

 

Message:

 Pastor Clare Loughrige

 

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Trinity

 

Communion

 

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Any musical selections and/or media elements used in our services are for illustrative purposes only and are not an endorsement of any artist, musical group, film or television program.

 

 

Crossing Over: Phenomenon

 

People are asking and want to know, “What really is out there?”  “Is there possibly more to life than meets the eye?”  Can psychics tap into the world beyond and tell us what's out there and talk to who is over there? Furthermore what, if anything occurs after death? Is there really an afterlife, an eternity, reincarnation...or is death the end? What about Heaven? Hell? Limbo? Purgatory?  These important questions and several others will be the focus of our attention in this life and eternity influencing 3 week series. 

 

phe·nom·e·non   

n.   pl. phe·nom·e·na (-nə

1. An occurrence, circumstance, or fact that is perceptible by the senses.

2. pl. phe·nom·e·nons

1.  An unusual, significant, or unaccountable fact or occurrence; a marvel.

2.  A remarkable or outstanding person; a paragon. 

3.  Philosophy In the philosophy of Kant, an object as it is perceived by the senses, as opposed to a noumenon.

4.  Physics An observable event.

 

1.  PHENOMENON of Mystery:

 

Col 2:1-10(EXERPTS) (NIV)

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea...that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. ... 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

 

2.  The PHENOMENON of Spiritual Gifts

1 Cor 12:1-7 (NIV)

1Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

 

3.  The PHENOMENON of Angels

 

Angels are created to point to God

Ps.148:2, 5 

Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts…Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were CREATED.

 

Angels are servants

Hebrews 1:14 (NIV)

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to SERVE those who will inherit salvation? 

 

Angels are not to be worshipped

Colossians 2:18

Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize...

 

Not every Angel OR spiritual guide is God’s messenger

Matt 25:41

Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

 

2 Cor 11:13-15 (NLT)

13These people are false apostles. They have fooled you by disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

 

2 Peter 2:1-3

1But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. 

 

Leviticus 19:31

“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.  I am the Lord your God.”

Mark 13:22-23

 “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if it were possible. So be on your guard! I have told you everything ahead of time.”

 

I John 4:1

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 

 

Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

 

What is truly PHENOMENAL:

God is Omnipresent (everywhere all the time) Psalm 139:7-12

God is Omnipotent (all powerful) Isaiah 40:25

God is Omniscient (all knowing) Jeremiah 32:16, 17, 19

God is Love-1 John 4:16

God is Truth· John 14:16

God is Eternal John 1:1

God is Holy (Rev. 4:8) 

 

What PHENOM seekers are searching for:

life should be abundant

life should be an adventure

mystery is real and valuable

we are God’s image on the earth

supernatural power is real

spirituality is for today... all day

there is an afterlife

 

The Bible, JESUS, THE PHENOMENAL...IT’S ALL HERE!!

 

IN LIFE GROUPS:

HOW DO WE DISCERN THE ORIGIN OF A PHENOMENON?

TALK ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURES

 

Pray this week that God will open your heart and eyes to the mystery and the amazing works of God in Jesus Christ.

 

READ: 

Surprised by the Power of the Spirit, by Jack Deere

Hidden Power , by Tommy Barnett

 

Today’s message is available in the bookstore on CD or DVD. Streaming audio and videos of today’s message are also available on our website:  ccmonline.org.

Copyright © 2008  Clare Loughrige