THE HEART OF JESUS
Capture the Wonder #3
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, April 30, 2023
1. I Belong.
(Ephesians 1:4–5, Message) “Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!)”
(Ephesians 5:31–32, NLT) “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” …it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.”
2. I Am Protected.
(1 Timothy 5:1–2, NLT) “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.”
(1 Peter 5:2–3, CEV) “Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do….”
GROWTHWORK
(John 2:17, NLT) “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”
1. Show Up.
(Hebrews 10:25, PT) “This not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.”
2. Listen Up.
(Ecclesiastes 5:1–2, NLT) “As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut… let your words be few.”
3. Roll Up.
(Psalm 1:2–3, NLT) “They delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”
4. Pray Up.
(Ephesians 6:18–20, NIV) “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”