OUT is the new In

Out is the new in

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Guest Speaker Pastor Jim Critcher

“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” 

-Eccl. 11:4-6, NIV

1) Seasons 

Daniel 2:21-22; 1Chron. 12:32; Amos 9:13; Mark 11:12-14 

“Out of season” fruit

- Ezek. 47:12; John 7:37-39

Generations

- 1Tim. 4:12-15; Ps. 92:12-15; 2Kings 4:38-41

2) Seeing differently 

2 Kings 3:17-18

Life in and by the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-26

3) Sowing 

Genesis 26:1-13

Galatians 6:8

“Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.”

-Hosea 10:12, NIV

Second City Church - Out is the new in - Pastor Jim Critcher 2020

Mercy, Mercy Me Part 2

Mercy, Mercy Me Part 2

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Showing Mercy to Others

The Great Expectation

The Great Realization

The Great Reconciler 

The Great Expectation

The great expectation is that we live a life where we show the mercy of God to others.

Background of Micah

“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

-Micah 6:6-8

Another word for mercy is kindness. 

Mercy is not treating someone as their sins deserve.  

We are required to show mercy to others because we are commanded to be imitators of God.  God’s character is described this way:

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

-Psalm 103:6-14 

What we need to understand when offering mercy to others: 

1. Mercy is not at the expense of justice.  However, mercy will always triumph over judgement.  

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

-James 2:13

1. Humility is a prerequisite to walking with God and having lasting, life-giving relationships with others. 

Yet it is so hard to live this way when we are offended, have been violated, overlooked and mistreated time and time again.  

The Great Realization

The great realization is that we are no better than those to whom we need to show mercy. 

We are quick to condemn people for things for which we should be condemned.   

Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.

-Ecclesiastes 7:21-22

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”

-Leo Tolstoy

When you show mercy to others, you cease being just the victim.  You have become an advocate for another’s soul.  

“Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love." 

- Gandalf (J. R. R. Tolkein ~ The Hobbit)

The Great Reconciler

We must be transformed by the mercy of the great reconciler to be able to show the mercy of God to others. 

Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

-Luke 23:32-34

How do we live a life of showing mercy to others?:

1. Consider that the offending party may not be aware of the wrong they are committing 

2. If they do know, remember that it will take an act of divine intervention to transform a heart marred by the cultural and experiential forces that have shaped them. People are slaves to sin.  Jesus has come to set them free (John 8).

3. Begin to intercede for those to whom you need to show mercy.  This is the pathway to forgiveness that Jesus demonstrated for us while he hung on the cross. 

    4.  When able, communicate the why of the demonstrated mercy, that the offending party may meet Jesus, at the cross, through the gospel, just as you have. 

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

-Luke 23:39-43

There were two criminals on the cross: 

-The justice of God was realized in the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.  

-Jesus offered mercy on the cross to the one who acknowledged his substitutionary sacrifice.  

-Humility was the second robber’s passport into paradise.  

It’s only at the cross of Jesus Christ that we truly receive the mercy that we so desperately need.  By him paying the price for our sins, we are granted the pardon that we do not deserve.  When our souls are flooded with and transformed (we are born-again) by this reality, we are then empowered to offer the pardon that we’ve received to others with the same reconciling mercy. 

Second City Church - Mercy, Mercy Me - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2020

Mercy, Mercy Me Part 1

Mercy, Mercy Me

Associate Pastor Cole Parleir

Part 1: God’s Marvelous Mercy For Me

“Moses said to the Lord, "See, you say to me, 'Bring up this people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.' Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people." And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." And he said to him, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?" And the Lord said to Moses, "This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name." Moses said, "Please show me your glory." And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The Lord.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." And the Lord said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen."

-‭‭Exodus‬ ‭33:12-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

-‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

-‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:22-33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.”

-‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:46-52‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

‭‭-Luke‬ ‭7:36-50‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

‭‭-Luke‬ ‭18:9-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“God’s mercy is so great that you may sooner drain the sea of its water, or deprive the sun of its light, or make space too narrow, than dismiss the great mercy of God.” - Charles Spurgeon

“When Jesus died on the cross the mercy of God did not become any greater.  It could not become any greater, for it was already infinite.  We get the odd notion that God is showing mercy because Jesus died.  No—Jesus died because God is showing mercy.  It was the mercy of God that gave us Calvary, not Calvary that gave us mercy.  If God had not been merciful there would have been no incarnation, no babe in the manger, no man on a cross and no open tomb.” - A.W. Tozer 

“Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.”

- Saint Augustine

Second City Church - Mercy, Mercy Me - Associate Pastor Cole Parleir 2020

Amazing Grace: Week 6

Amazing Grace: Week 6

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Amazing grace transforms our devotional life

They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain...

-Exodus 19:2-3 

“Grace is opposed to earning, not effort.” 

-Dallas Willard

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

-Hebrews 4:12-16 

Amazing Grace Transforms Us From:

1. Entitlement

2. Apathy

3. Autonomy

4. Timidity

Second City Church - Amazing Grace - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2020

Amazing Grace: Week 5

Amazing Grace: Week 5

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Enriching Grace

How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms Our Finances

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

-2 Corinthians 9:6-11 

Four Postures of Giving:

1. Got to Give 

     •Obligated to give

2. Give to Get

     •Investment 

     •Expecting something in return

3. Get to Give

     •Excited to give

4. Graced to Give 

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you — see that you excel in this act of grace also.

-2 Corinthians 8:7 

The Grace of Giving Comes Forth in:

1. All Sufficiency (autarkia/contentment) - all contentment 

2. All Times and Things 

3. All Good Works

Second City Church - Amazing Grace - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2020

Amazing Grace: Week 4

Amazing Grace: Week 4

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Amazing Grace Transforms Our Suffering

I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,  a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

-2 Corinthians 12:1-10 

Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

-2 Corinthians 11:23-27

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’

-Isaiah 14:12-14

Second City Church - Amazing Grace - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2020

Amazing Grace: Week 3

Amazing Grace: Week 3

Pastor Rollan Fisher

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

-Titus 2:11-14

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

-John 14:18-21

25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

-John 14:25-26

“There is no justification without sanctification, no forgiveness without the renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow.”

-Martin Luther

Second City Church - Amazing Grace - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2020

Amazing Grace: Week 2

Amazing Grace:

Pastor Rollan Fisher

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

-Titus 3:3-7

Second City Church - Amazing Grace - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2020

Amazing Grace: Week 1

Amazing Grace:

Pastor Rollan Fisher

16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.18 Therefore, as one trespass[a] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[b] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience, the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

-Romans 5:16-21

Second City Church - Amazing Grace - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2020

Vision 2020: Prophetic word for Second City Church for 2020

Vision 2020: Prophetic word for Second City Church for 2020

Pastor Cole Parleir

“As you let God put your roots down deep, He will send the branches out wide”

(John 15:5-6)

Focus Scripture

“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”

-‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭29:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.”

‭‭-Proverbs‬ ‭29:18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”

‭‭-Proverbs‬ ‭29:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. Prophetic vision is revelation of divine guidance into God’s plan. It’s seeing life as it really is according to God’s plan set forth in Jesus Christ.  To know and walk with Jesus Christ, God incarnate, is God’s plan for your life, your family, and the world. To know Christ is to be forgiven, to be blessed,  and have the Holy Spirit enabling us to live God’s way walking with Christ as Lord. To not know Christ is to be under God’s wrath and is the opposite of being blessed. To not know Christ is to cast off restraint of the Holy Spirit who wants to work in, preserve, and increase your life through holy living. To not know Christ is to be discouraged and feel condemned and hopeless as you languish in sin. To not know Christ is to be frustrated, living an unproductive life by running wild chasing fruitless pursuits that dishonored God.  

   1. “Revelation” is the uncovering or revealing of God’s plan. 

1. “Divine guidance” happens when you see and surrender to God's plan in Christ for your life.

2. “No prophetic vision” is not knowing Christ, His forgiveness, and His ways.  Christ is the blessing, the happiness, and the joy our Heaenly Father intends for us. 

   1. “No prophetic vision” is Divine judgment and comes by rejecting Christ as Lord and Savior

      1. “Behold, the days are coming," declares the Lord God, "when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the Lord, but they shall not find it. "In that day the lovely virgins and the young men shall faint for thirst. Those who swear by the Guilt of Samaria, and say, 'As your god lives, O Dan,' and, 'As the Way of Beersheba lives,' they shall fall, and never rise again."

         1. ‭‭Amos‬ ‭8:11-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

      2. “Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has ruined and broken her bars; her king and princes are among the nations; the law is no more, and her prophets find no vision from the Lord. The elders of the daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth; the young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.”

         1. ‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭2:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

      3. “We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long. How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?”

         1. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭74:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

1. Casting off restraint, running wild, and discouragement are the results of not knowing God’s plan for your life found in Christ Jesus.

   1. “Running wild”

      1. Living your own way, the world’s way, or ultimately Satan’s way.  If we want to build a life that produces something of eternal value we must take up our cross and follow Jesus. 

   2. “Discouraged”

      1. Satan’s plan for the follower of Jesus is to discourage them.  To steal their courage and replace it with fear or frustration.  Abiding in Christ and praying His kingdom come (that our Heavenly Father’s vision come to earth) is how we maintain courage through God’s grace. 

2. Blessing comes when we obey God walking with Christ. Walking with Christ obeying God will make us the happiest and joyful.

   1. Happy 

      1. “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].”

         1. ‭‭MATTHEW‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

   2. Joyful

      1. “For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,”

         1. ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1:4-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

3. Keeping the law refers to God’s commands as a whole, but can also apply to God’s wisdom and instruction.  Does the God of the universe give suggestions? No, if we’ve heard His voice in His word or our heart on a particular matter we must obey with corresponding grace He gives, and this leads to blessing

   1. Torah

      1. Gods commands

   2. Instruction

      1. Obeying Jesus

In summary

Start this year by recommitting to Christ as Lord and Savior.  Gaze upon His life in the Bible marveling at God’s graciousness and blessing toward those who trust Him.  Let Christ be your prophetic vision and surrender to it. Receive His blessing through abiding in Christ, walking with Him in all of his Holy and perfect ways.  Let God put your roots down deep in Christ so He can send your branches out wide. Amen.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

-‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12-16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

-‭‭John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Second City Church - Pastor Cole Parleir 2020

When God Draws Near: Extraordinary Response

When God Draws Near: Extraordinary Response

Pastor Rollan Fisher

• The Nature of Lordship

• Appropriate Gifts

• Returning a Different Way

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.  Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

-Matthew 2:1-18

The Nature of Lordship

When God draws near, it is to benevolently rule our lives. 

*Herod was disturbed because Jesus coming as King would threaten his own rule.  We attempt to seek and destroy those aspects of the commandments of God where our hearts are not submitted to Christ (and anyone who holds us accountable to these things).  What area is that for you?

• Is it how you view your relationships?

• Is it how you use your finances?

• Is it the control you want over your own time?

• These are our treasures. 

“When you find your definitions in God, you find the very purpose for which you were created. Put your hand into God's hand, know His absolutes, demonstrate His love, present His truth, and the message of redemption and transformation will take hold.”

-Ravi Zacharias

Appropriate Gifts

When God draws near, it demands an extraordinary response on our part. 

The wise men traveled with a group to give their gifts and honor Christ.  They knew God’s worth and purposes were greater than their independent plans, so they openly and together gave out of their treasures - what was valuable to them and useful to Christ.  

Don’t be a misanthrope. 

“In community, we discover who we really are and how much transformation we still require. This is why I am irrevocably committed to small groups. Through them, we can accomplish our God-entrusted work to transform human beings.”

-John Ortberg

These gifts would be used to preserve the life of Jesus and his parents when they would go for a period of time to Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath. Their financial gifts literally paved the way for the protection of Christ, the fulfillment of his earthly mission and perpetuation of generational gospel work.  Your gifts, tithes and offerings have no less significance today. 

Returning a Different Way

When God draws near, we are expected to leave different than when we came.  

The issue is transformation. 

“First comes thought; then organization of that thought, into ideas and plans; then transformation of those plans into reality. The beginning, as you will observe, is in your imagination.“

-Napoleon Hill

And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength— he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord , who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

-Isaiah 49:5-7

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.

-Isaiah 60:1-6

“Transformation is a process, and as life happens there are tons of ups and downs. It's a journey of discovery - there are moments on mountaintops and moments in deep valleys of despair.”

-Rick Warren

Second City Church -When God Draws Near - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

When God Draws Near: It Will Be Just Like He Said

When God Draws Near: It Will Be Just Like He Said

Pastor Rollan Fisher

• Just Like He Said 

• Peace Among Those With Whom He is Pleased

• Marked by Jesus 

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

-Luke 2:1-21 

Just Like He Said 

God drawing near will be just as he said it would be. 

In the first advent, the Messiah would be:

• Born of a Virgin (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6,7)

• Of the Tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9-12)

• In the town of Bethlehem 

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

-Micah 5:2

It will be the same for us as for the shepherds.  As we follow the instructions of the Lord, we will find Jesus in his second advent just as the messengers of Scripture have spoken about him - the resurrected King who makes his return to save those who are waiting for him in the world. 

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. 23 Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather. 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

-Matthew 24:3-14,21-31 

“Bible teaching about the Second Coming of Christ was thought of as “doomsday” preaching. But not anymore. It is the only ray of hope that shines as an ever brightening beam in a darkening world.”

-Billy Graham, Billy Graham in Quotes

Peace Among Those With Whom He is Pleased

Since this is our hope, we make it our ambition to please him in every way.  We want God’s peace to be upon us as we are those with whom he is pleased.  Faith is how we please him, demonstrated in obedience to his commands in all areas of life. 

21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.

-John 14:21-24

Marked by Jesus 

Your life needs to be marked by Jesus To live this way, you must make what is said about Jesus the treasure and meditation of your heart, just as it was Mary’s.  Why don’t I have a heart to worship? I don’t need to procrastinate.  I need to in haste, make moves towards God, lest my heart be hardened and dull. Can you imagine if the shepherd’s got this news and then stayed put where they were simply discussing Jesus’ birth? 

True worship will be the result when you not only hear the good news about Christ, but in haste do everything in your power to meet with him, see him as he is.  The shepherds had to make an effort to leave their daily affairs and go to the place where they could meet with Christ.  Then you will go your way rejoicing like the shepherds did because you will experience that everything that was said about Jesus is true.  

The Shepherds Became Marked by the Life of Jesus

There’s no getting around this reality - just as in any other relationship, the more you share this good news as the shepherds did, the more real in your life Christ becomes because you invite his life to define yours.  

In many traditions, the fourth Sunday of Advent celebrates LOVE.  In no greater way was this expressed in the fact that Jesus in his first Advent was literally born to die for the sins of the world - yours and mine. 

“If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus' fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.”

-A.W. Tozer, Preparing for Jesus' Return: Daily Live the Blessed Hope

This Advent Season, let us take great confidence in the fact that the Second Coming of Christ will be just as the first was, as he said it would be.  Therefore come to the cross in repentance and faith that you might live a life pleasing to him.  Receive the great joy of his salvation that is for all the people.  Let the worship of Jesus, this risen King, be upon your lips and mark your life forevermore.  

Second City Church -When God Draws Near - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

When God Draws Near: Intentional Preparation

When God Draws Near: Intentional Preparation

Pastor Rollan Fisher

• Why Hedonism Doesn’t Work

• Where True Joy is Found

• Preparing for the Coming of the Lord

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” A voice says, “Cry!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

-Isaiah 40:1-11

Why Hedonism Doesn’t Work

Though we are redeemed believers, we still live with the reality of the sinful nature that we must put off daily. Though God have us all things for our enjoyment, if we only live for that enjoyment, we will be unfulfilled and disappointed.

The problem with hedonism is it keeps you from being useful in the hand of God because you’re always living for pleasure rather than appropriate sacrifice.

*The challenge is the longevity of devotion

To combat this, God told the Israelites to prepare for the first coming of the Messiah. The Scripture continually talks about the Second Coming of Christ the Messiah not to die for sins again on the cross, but to save those who’ve been waiting for Him. We must live prepared for this.

Where True Joy is Found

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years. Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

-Luke 1:5-17

We have joy because, in Christ, no matter what comes from here, I’m good and it gets better if I’m right with God. I have no reason to fear the future, death, lack or his coming if I’m building my life around him now.

“The second coming of Christ will be so revolutionary that it will change every aspect of life on this planet. Christ will reign in righteousness. Disease will be arrested. Death will be modified. War will be abolished. Nature will be changed. Man will live as it was originally intended he should live.”

-Billy Graham, Billy Graham in Quotes

It will be joy for those who are waiting, distress for the unprepared.

Preparing for the Coming of the Lord

“When He returns is not as important as the fact that we are ready for Him when He does return.“

-A.W. Tozer, Preparing for Jesus' Return: Daily Live the Blessed Hope

“Let us be alert to the season in which we are living. It is the season of the Blessed Hope, calling for us to cut our ties with the world and build ourselves on this One who will soon appear. He is our hope—a Blessed Hope enabling us to rise above our times and fix our gaze upon Him.”

-A.W. Tozer, Preparing for Jesus' Return: Daily Live the Blessed Hope

Second City Church -When God Draws Near - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

When God Draws Near: Unusual Mission

When God Draws Near: Unusual Mission

Pastor Rollan Fisher

• The Complexity of Purpose

• Recognizing that which is of the Holy Spirit

• Serving Immanuel

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

-Matthew 1:18-25

The Complexity of Purpose

You need to realize that God’s plans may not be your plans.

Through the Eyes of Joseph

When you have a day like Joseph’s, receiving the news of Mary’s pregnancy, sometimes, platitudes like the following are not enough:

“The attitude you bring to the day is what the day will bring to you. Great attitude, great day.”

-unknown

Joseph’s entire concept of purpose was being shaken. We live in a culture where our sense of significance is attached to our feeling of individual achievement and purpose. It was expressed well in the existential musings of Saul Bellow’s Dangling Man:

“Of course, we suffer from bottomless avidity. Our lives are so precious to us, we are so watchful of waste. Or perhaps a better name for it would be the Sense of personal Destiny. Yes, I think that is better than avidity. Shall my life by one-thousandth of an inch fall short of its ultimate possibility? It is a different thing to value oneself, and to prize oneself crazily. And then there are our plans, idealizations. These are dangerous, too. They can consume us like parasites, eat us, drink us, and leave us lifelessly prostrate. And yet we are always inviting the parasite as if we were eager to he drained and eaten.

It is because we have been taught there is no limit to what we can do. Six hundred years ago, a man was what he was born to be. Satan and the Church, representing God, did battle over him. He, by reason of his choice, partially decided the outcome. But whether, after life, he went to hell or to heaven, his place among other men was given. It could not he contested. But, since, the stage has been reset and human beings only walk on it, and, under this revision, we have, instead, history to answer to. We were important enough then for our souls to be fought over. Now, each of us is responsible for his own salvation, which is in his greatness. And that, that greatness, is the rock our hearts are abraded on. Great minds, great beauties, great lovers and criminals surround us. From the great sadness and desperation of Werthers and Don Juans we went to the great ruling images of Napoleons; from these to murderers who had that right over victims because they were greater than the victims; to men who felt privileged to approach others with a whip; to schoolboys and clerks who roared like revolutionary lions, to those pimps and subway creatures, debaters in midnight cafeterias who believed they could he great in treachery and catch the throats of those they felt were sound and well in the lassos of their morbidity; to dreams of greatly beautiful shadows embracing on a flawless screen. Because of these things we hate immoderately and punish ourselves and one another immoderately. The fear of lagging pursues and maddens us. The fear lies in us like a cloud. It makes an inner climate of darkness. And occasionally there is a storm and hate and wounding rain out of us.”

-Saul Bellow, Dangling Man

Joseph was moving dutifully through the seemingly uninspired, but good, life responsibilities thrust upon every man of his day. He was making use of his skills of stone masonry for work, had an impending marriage and was preparing a home for a simple Jewish family.

*However, Joseph almost missed the call of God because the immaculate conception didn’t fit into his life plan and offended his sensibilities of how things ought to be done. Joseph could have said to himself, “It is not my plan to married to a woman who claims pregnancy by supernatural, undefined means. Nor do I plan on supporting this child that is not my own. It would definitely take a deep level of trust in God and those he’s put in my path for me to do this. I don’t want to deal with the ridicule of what it will mean to be associated with such a faith that will be misunderstood.”

We find ourselves in similar circumstances. Do you have ideas of how you should best spend your time - what type of experiences should fill the Instagram feeds of your life? What about your idea of what relationships you will or will not allow to be prioritized in your life? What about that to which your resources will go to supporting?

Recognizing that which is of the Holy Spirit

You need to be able to recognize that which is being birthed by the Holy Spirit.

The demands of faith are really answering the question, “How will I recognize that which God is trying to birth by the Holy Spirit in, around and through my life?”

You do this, in part, by responding to the relationships that will bring you into the unusual mission of God’s redemptive story.

What was significant about Joseph’s submitting to that which the Holy Spirit conceived:

1. It came through God’s unusual interaction with his betrothed. The immaculate conception seemingly sucked Joseph into God’s story indirectly, but his role became of vital importance.

1. The call to be the surrogate father of Jesus, the Son of God, rubbed his natural sensibilities. He had to overcome doubts and reasonable suspicion towards Mary.

1. What was conceived of the Holy Spirit was confirmed by God through his messenger (the angel). Who has been your messenger of confirmation calling you up into the purposes of God?

Serving Immanuel

Like Joseph, you need to realize that your life is ultimately about glorifying Jesus and supporting the story of Immanuel - how God draws near to both judge and save the world through His Christ.

The entire meta-narrative of creation is ultimately HiStory - His Story. This means it’s all about God the Father, sending his Son Jesus, conceived by the Holy Spirit to save a world broken and estranged from him. In many traditions, the second Sunday of Advent represents PEACE. Submitting to this reality is where you find true fulfillment and peace.

The sooner, like Joseph, we recognize that our purpose is to find our place in God’s redemptive storyline, the sooner we’ll stop trying to live for ourselves. Instead, we’ll come to the cross in repentance to receive forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, burial, and resurrection from the dead. We’ll accept our place in serving God’s ultimate ends as we’re entrusted with the unusual mission of serving Immanuel.

Second City Church -When God Draws Near - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

Excuses Excuses: God's calling on your life

Excuses Excuses: God’s calling on your life

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Guest Speaker Michael McReavy

The Burning Bush

3 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

-Exodus 3:1-4 

10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

-Exodus 3:10-12 

13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”[a] And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

-Exodus 3:13-14 

Moses Given Powerful Signs

4 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’”

-Exodus 4:1 

10 But Moses said to the Lord, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.”

-Exodus 4:10 

13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

-Exodus 4:13-14 

A short message film by Caleb Bislow about a man who lives in a bunker for 14 years. This film seeks to inspire followers of Jesus to take risks for the things that matter most before time runs out. You can purchase and download this film here: http://www.sermonspice.com/product/68007/bunkerman

Second City Church - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

Seasons: Thankful In All Circumstances

Seasons: Thankful In All Circumstances

Pastor Rollan Fisher

• When Things Go Right

• When Things Go Wrong

• When All Will Be Made Right

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

-1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

When Things Go Right

We never want to be remiss in thanking Jesus for what he has done.

“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.”

-George Bernard Shaw

Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the Lord makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the Lord your God.

-Deuteronomy 8:17-20

Though some in the Christian camp have at times misused it, prosperity is not a dirty word. The Lord delights in the well-being of his servants.

Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether who rejoice at my calamity! Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me! Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, “Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

-Psalm 35:26-28

At the same time, we need to be sober-minded and prepared.

“Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. Switchback after switchback. And the point of biblical stories like Joseph and Job and Esther and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns. God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.”

-John Piper, A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God

When Things Go Wrong

We never want to act like our present circumstance is all that we will ever see of Jesus. However, we don’t want to miss what he wants us to see through it.

Thank God for what he’s done in the past -this expresses your appreciation for his faithfulness

This protects you from an entitled heart which is never satisfied and ungrateful (Luke

“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy.”

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Thank God for what he is doing presently - this opens your eyes to the present moves of the Holy Spirit in, through and around you. This protects you from a dullness of spirit, being unaware of how Jesus is constantly on the move around you (John

“The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!”

-Henry Ward Beecher

“Be grateful for what you have and stop complaining - it bores everybody else, does you no good, and doesn't solve any problems.”

-Zig Ziglar

Thank God for what he will do - this is an act of faith demonstrating your trust in God’s faithfulness. It protects you from a fearful heart, knowing the way God has moved in the past, he can move again by his power and grace

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”

-Zig Ziglar

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

-Theodore Roosevelt, Citizenship In A Republic

When All Will Be Made Right

We never want to forget that this place is not the Christian’s ultimate home. We want to live in the light of our ultimate salvation, the forgiveness of our sins purchased by Christ on the cross through his death, burial and resurrection from the dead.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

-1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Second City Church - Seasons - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

Seasons: Food That Does Not Spoil

Seasons: Food That Does Not Spoil

Pastor Rollan Fisher

• The Problem at the End of the Rainbow

• What You're Looking For

• The Bread of Life

On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

-John 6:22-40

The Problem at the End of the Rainbow

Our vats can be full but our souls still be wearied, disoriented and empty. Intrinsically, we know such things as the following to be true:

“All the success in the world means nothing if you aren’t loved and respected the most by those closest to you.”

-John Maxwell

Yet in life, we're more often driven by things like the following:

• FOMO

• Living My Best Life Now

• The perfect relationships (romantic, with children, etc.)

• The search for the Fountain of Youth

• The Thirst for Defining Culture and Prestige

• My storybook ending

"The loneliest moment in life is when you have just experienced that which you thought would deliver the ultimate & it has just let you down."

-Ravi Zacharias

Food that spoils has a shelf life to it. You are always battling to maintain a sense of control to create the perfect environment and scenarios for the food to stay fresh, lest it deteriorate. This is exhausting and is that from which Jesus wants to free you. He gives food that does not spoil that leads to eternal life in him.

"I wish everyone could experience being rich and famous, so they'd see it wasn't the answer to anything."

-Jim Carrey

The problem is, that even having all of your material and perceived experiential needs met, what's at the end of the rainbow lacks the promised luster of animating, sustained life.

“I am absolutely convinced that meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain; meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure. And that is why we find ourselves emptied of meaning with our pantries still full.”

― Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God

What You're Looking For

We long to live a satisfying life full of love, meaning, and purpose that can only be found in proper relationship with Christ.

“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.”

― Timothy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

The recognition of Jesus Christ has to be more than a mental assent. Jesus and his Word must be the bread that you feed on daily for the life that is truly life.

“Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul.”

-J.I. Packer,Knowing God

The Bread of Life

Our needs can only fully be met by the Creator of those desires, Jesus, the Bread of Life. Continued repentance, a continual renewing of the mind through the Holy Scriptures (the Bible), is key to accessing this life.

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.”

― C.S. Lewis

“We do not live so that we can eat, nor do we just eat so that we can live. Life is worth living in and of itself. Life cannot be satisfied when it is lived out as a consuming entity. When it is filled by that which satisfies a hunger that is both physical and spiritual in a mutuality that sustains both without violation of either, only then can life be truly fulfilling.”

― Ravi Zacharias, Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message

We need to end our cycles of living lives full of JUSTIFYING sins of omission and commission.

What must I do?:

1. Come to the cross and accept Jesus' saving work through his death, burial, and resurrection for your self-sufficiency and sins.

2. Bear fruit in keeping with repentance as you are baptized and added to Christ's church.

“Repentance means turning from as much as you know of your sin to give as much as you know of yourself to as much as you know of your God, and as our knowledge grows at these three points so our practice of repentance has to be enlarged.“

-J.I. Packer,Keep in Step with the Spirit: Finding Fullness in Our Walk with God

3. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind as you continue to feed on the life and purposes of God in Jesus, the Bread of Life, that does not disappoint or spoil.

”For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

-John 6:40

Second City Church - Seasons - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

Seasons: When God Chooses Us

Seasons: When God Chooses Us

Pastor Rollan Fisher

Orphan Sunday

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

-James 1:26-27

• Stages of Life

• When God Chooses Us

• Fruitful in Every Season

Stages of Life

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world— the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life —is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

-1 John 2:7-17

3 stages of life:

• Children

• Young Men/Women

• Fathers/Mothers

“Nobody is born into this world a child of the family of God. We are born as children of wrath. The only way we enter into the family of God is by adoption, and that adoption occurs when we are united to God’s only begotten Son by faith. When by faith we are united with Christ, we are then adopted into that family of whom Christ is the firstborn."

~ R.C. Spoul

When God Chooses Us

When God chooses us, it is an act of unmerited grace

Fruitful in Every Season

The goal is to be fruitful in every season

“The Gospel is not a picture of adoption, adoption is a picture of the Gospel.”

~ John Piper

Second City Church - Seasons - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

Seasons: Your Root Determines Your Fruit

Seasons: Your Root Determines Your Fruit

Pastor Rollan Fisher

• With Whom You Walk

• On What You Stand

• Where You Are Seated

With Whom You Walk

In each season, God wants you to be discerning regarding the counsel you receive.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

-Psalm 1:1-6

“People have presuppositions... By 'presuppositions' we mean the basic way that an individual looks at life- his worldview. The grid through which he sees the world. Presuppositions rest upon that which a person considers to be the truth of what exists. A person's presuppositions provide the basis for their values- and therefore the basis for their decisions.”

-Francis A. Schaeffer

The counsel of the wicked is sin-loving and approving. It does not encourage obedience to Christ in such things as love, purity and faithfulness, but instead endorses a spirituality that remains independent, self-sufficient and self-focused.

In every season, God has a purpose and a plan, whether it is in:

• Finding the job you were going to take after years and thousands of dollars of education.

• Marriage

• Starting a family

• Shepherding Teenagers

• Beginning life as empty nesters or in retirement

We must seek him in the counsel of his word and people for that plan.

2“but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

On What You Stand

In each season, you stand on that which you meditate. God wants you to stand on his eternal, Holy Word full of good promises. The way of sinners is simply an existence not rooted in the life of Christ as our Creator and Lord.

Jesus is both gentle and gracious. He is also all wise and all powerful. Christ calls both the strong and the weak to repentance and faith that times of refreshing might come from him.

“Christ is sufficient. We do not need “support groups” for each and every separate tribulation. The most widely divergent sorrows may all be taken to the foot of the same old rugged cross and find there cleansing, peace, and joy. “

-Elisabeth Elliot

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

-Psalm 1:3-4

Where You Are Seated

In each season, your root determines your fruit. When seated perpetually in Christ, you will bear the good fruit of God’s promises in season.

Seat of Scoffers -

people begin to become cynical and mock the counsel of God because the seasons are longer than we would like (think the Chicago winter). We begin to gravitate instead to the quick fix or “get rich quick” mentality. What we need is an investor’s mindset. Before you ever see fruit, plants have a well-established root system from which they draw life-sustaining nutrients.

“I think the greatest weakness in the church today is that almost no one believes that God invests His power in the Bible. Everyone is looking for power in a program, in a methodology, in a technique, in anything and everything but that in which God has placed it—His Word. He alone has the power to change lives for eternity, and that power is focused on the Scriptures.”

-R.C. Sproul, The Prayer of the Lord

We must give God’s promises the time to work. They bear fruit in season, as we are faithful to remain rooted in his commandments and ways.

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

-2 Peter 3:1-13

“It is not what we do that matters, but what a sovereign God chooses to do through us. God doesn't want our success; He wants us. He doesn't demand our achievements; He demands our obedience. The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of paradox, where through the ugly defeat of a cross, a holy God is utterly glorified. Victory comes through defeat; healing through brokenness; finding self through losing self.”

-Charles Colson

The sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our forgiveness and His subsequent resurrection from the dead makes a way for an eternal season of fruitfulness for all who turn from their sin and believe the good news.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

-Ephesians 2:1-10

Second City Church - Seasons - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019

Seasons: Pruning for Growth

Seasons: Pruning for Growth

Pastor Rollan Fisher with Guest Speaker Pastor Peter Ahlin

I Am the True Vine

15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

-John 15:1-17

Second City Church - Seasons - Pastor Rollan Fisher 2019