When was the last time somebody said to you, "Just breathe"? If the Hebrew word for Spirit is "ר֫וּחַ (ruakh)", energy, breath, how would this help shape how we engage God's Spirit when we are anxious, exhausted, catching our breath, and striving on in life together?
Sermon Audio | Free to Receive the Person, Peace, and Power of the Holy Spirit
Sermon Scriptures | John 3:34-35, 7:37-39, 14:17-18, 26-27,
16:13-15, 20:21-22; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:8
Sermon Quotes + Song Lyrics |
Take a big breath. You feel that inside you? Specifically, the energy, the vitality in your body that you get from breathing deeply, that, too, is "ר֫וּחַ (ruakh)." And this is the same word used in the Bible to describe God's personal presence. + Tim Mackie, Bible Project: Holy Spirit
Jesus spoke about the gift of the Spirit more than any other gift, bursting with anticipation. “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, Counselor, Advocate, Comforter to be with you. Jesus said, “It’s to your advantage that I go away because if I don’t go, the Spirit, Your Helper, Your Counselor, Your Advocate, Your Comforter won’t come. This person will give You the peace and power that You see in me. He will convict you. He will lead you into all Truth. He will remind you of what I’ve just said in the darkest hour. And you will witness this and witness about this to people all over the world. Promise. Presence. Power. Proclamation. Peace. Prophecy. Perseverance. That’s 7 P words. These all add up to why they listened to what He said and were ready on Pentecost. + Andrew Wilson, Spirit and Sacrament
“… I'm learning to trust You even when I can't see it. And even in suffering, I have to believe it. If You say 'it's wrong', then I'll say 'no.' If You say 'release', I'm letting go. If You're in it with me, I'll begin. And when You say to jump, I'm diving in. If You say 'be still', then I will wait. If You say to trust, I will obey. I don't want to follow my own ways. I'm done chasing feelings. Spirit, lead me. It felt like a burden, but once I could grasp it You took me further, further than I was asking. … “ + Michael Ketterer + Influence Music, “Spirit Lead Me”
Sermon Creed | Our World Belongs to God 28 + 29: The Spirit
At Pentecost (and with Emmaus City Church today), promises old and new are fulfilled. The ascended Jesus becomes our baptizer, drenching us with His Spirit, creating a new community where Father, Son, and Holy Spirit make their home. Revived and filled with the breath of God, our women and men, young and old, dream dreams and see visions. The Spirit renews our hearts and moves us to faith, leads us into Truth, and helps us to pray, stands by us in our need, and makes our obedience fresh and vibrant. God the Spirit lavishes gifts on (Emmuas City) Church in astonishing variety—prophecy, encouragement, healing, teaching, service, tongues, discernment—equipping each member to build up the body of Christ and to serve our neighbors.
Sermon Illustration | Bayeux tapestry of 1066, “Bishop Odo comforts his troops” from Sally Lloyd-Jones, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing
Call to Worship | Ezekiel 37:12-14
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| "Bishop Odo Comforts His Troops," 1066 A.D. from Sally Lloyd-Jones, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing |
Call to Worship | Ezekiel 37:12-14
Fall Afresh
Jeremy Riddle, 2011 A.D.
Awaken my soul, come awake
To hunger, to seek, to thirst.
Awaken first love, come awake
And do as You did at first.
Spirit of the Living God,
Come fall afresh on me,
Come wake me from my sleep.
Blow through the caverns of my soul,
Pour in me to overflow,
To overflow.
Awaken my soul, come awake
To worship with all Your strength. (Chorus)
Come and fill this place,
Let Your glory now invade!
Spirit, come and fill this place,
Let Your glory now invade! (Chorus)
For Your Gift of God the Spirit
Edith Margaret Clarkson, 1960 A.D.
For Your gift of God the Spirit,
Power to make our lives anew,
Pledge of life and hope of glory,
Savior, we would worship You.
Crowning gift of resurrection
Sent from Your ascended throne,
Fullness of the very Godhead,
Come to make Your life our own.
He, Himself, the living Author,
Wakes to life the sacred Word,
Reads with us its holy pages
And reveals our risen Lord.
He it is who works within us,
Teaching rebel hearts to pray,
He whose holy intercessions
Rise for us both night and day.
He, the mighty God, indwells us;
His to strengthen, help, empower;
His to overcome the tempter
Ours to call in danger's hour.
In His strength we dare to battle
All the raging hosts of sin,
And by Him alone we conquer
Foes without and foes within.
Father, grant Your Holy Spirit
In our hearts may rule today,
Grieved not, quenched not, but unhindered,
Work in us His sovereign way.
Fill us with Your holy fullness,
God the Father, Spirit, Son;
In us, through us, then, forever,
Shall Your perfect will be done.
No Longer Slaves
Bethel, 2015 A.D.
You unravel me with a melody,
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance from my enemies
'Til all my fears are gone.
I'm no longer a slave to fear.
I am a child of God. (x2)
From my mothers womb, You have chosen me.
Love has called my name.
I've been born again into Your family,
Your blood flows through my veins. (Chorus)
You unravel me with a melody,
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance from my enemies
'Til all my fears are gone.
I'm no longer a slave to fear.
I am a child of God. (x2)
From my mothers womb, You have chosen me.
Love has called my name.
I've been born again into Your family,
Your blood flows through my veins. (Chorus)
Woah, Woah ...
You split the sea so I could walk right through it!
My fears were drowned in perfect love!
You rescued me so I can stand and sing
"I am a child of God!"
Throne Room Song
You split the sea so I could walk right through it!
My fears were drowned in perfect love!
You rescued me so I can stand and sing
"I am a child of God!"
Throne Room Song
People & Songs, 2019 A.D.
Jesus is in this room here right now, here right now
Making this place I stand holy ground, holy ground.
Your Spirit moves and breathes all around, all around,
All good and perfect things flowing down, flowing down.
If all of the heavens are singing along
With the saints and the elders in glorious song,
And the praises they sing never seem to get old,
Then I’ll stay here forever singing ...
"Holy, holy, holy Lord!
God almighty, over all!
You were, You are, and You’ll be forever,
The King, enthroned in glorious splendor!
Holy, holy Lord!"
Gentle love calling me closer still, closer still,
Jesus, You’re guiding me to Your will, to Your will.
(Pre-Chorus + Chorus)
The veil is torn and the doors fling wide,
I see glory, as I run inside
Your throne room, before You, I bow!
(Repeat 3x + Chorus)
Look and See
Jesus is in this room here right now, here right now
Making this place I stand holy ground, holy ground.
Your Spirit moves and breathes all around, all around,
All good and perfect things flowing down, flowing down.
If all of the heavens are singing along
With the saints and the elders in glorious song,
And the praises they sing never seem to get old,
Then I’ll stay here forever singing ...
"Holy, holy, holy Lord!
God almighty, over all!
You were, You are, and You’ll be forever,
The King, enthroned in glorious splendor!
Holy, holy Lord!"
Gentle love calling me closer still, closer still,
Jesus, You’re guiding me to Your will, to Your will.
(Pre-Chorus + Chorus)
The veil is torn and the doors fling wide,
I see glory, as I run inside
Your throne room, before You, I bow!
(Repeat 3x + Chorus)
Look and See
Village Church, 2012 A.D.
To Him be the glory for all He has done!
Praise to the Father who gave us His Son!
A ransom for many, He bled and died
Then rose in victory enthroned on high!
To Him be the glory in heaven and earth,
All of creation is shouting His worth.
The saints and the angels all live to proclaim
The wonderful story, the glorious name.
Oh look and see our God and celebrate
The power of the cross and the empty grave!
And now we're free, let the redeemed
Lift up your heads, oh look and see our God!
To Him be the glory, He's coming again
And all of the sadness will come to an end!
Oh what a reunion, the Bride and her King!
Forever we'll praise Him, forever we'll sing!
(Chorus)
Glory, glory to our God!
Prayers for the Peace and Power of the Spirit
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
for Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.
To Him be the glory for all He has done!
Praise to the Father who gave us His Son!
A ransom for many, He bled and died
Then rose in victory enthroned on high!
To Him be the glory in heaven and earth,
All of creation is shouting His worth.
The saints and the angels all live to proclaim
The wonderful story, the glorious name.
Oh look and see our God and celebrate
The power of the cross and the empty grave!
And now we're free, let the redeemed
Lift up your heads, oh look and see our God!
To Him be the glory, He's coming again
And all of the sadness will come to an end!
Oh what a reunion, the Bride and her King!
Forever we'll praise Him, forever we'll sing!
(Chorus)
Glory, glory to our God!
Prayers for the Peace and Power of the Spirit
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
for Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.
Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist
Celebrant: He is risen! People: He is risen indeed!
Emmaus City Church is a local church made up of City Groups.
A City Group (CG) is a group of 10-30 people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. CGs are small enough that people can know you and value you, but large enough to make an impact in communities throughout Worcester. Each CG gets together throughout a month (i.e. dinners, times of prayer or learning from the Story of God in the Bible, acts of service, parties, etc.) to see Worcester become a city of neighbors and friends that showcase Jesus' love and compassion to all. Those who are cautious or curious to hear and see what it means to follow Jesus are just as welcome as those who believe Jesus is Lord and God and seek to follow Him in every area of life.
Current City Groups: Lincoln Street City Group | W.R.A.P. City Group
To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com
Christ is all,
Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Prayer Asking for Jesus' Help
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
I want to see. Please reveal to me who You are.
Give me ears to hear You, and understanding for
the Good News You are saying to me today. Amen.
Prayer for Communion with Jesus and Each Other
Jesus, by Your Spirit, fill us with Yourself,
the true Bread and Vine. We turn to You now to
unite us, strengthen us, and empower us
to be Your Kingdom family of servants and witnesses
together until You return and make all things new. Amen.
Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church
Benediction | Matthew 28:18-20Prayer Asking for Jesus' Help
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.
I want to see. Please reveal to me who You are.
Give me ears to hear You, and understanding for
the Good News You are saying to me today. Amen.
Prayer for Communion with Jesus and Each Other
Jesus, by Your Spirit, fill us with Yourself,
the true Bread and Vine. We turn to You now to
unite us, strengthen us, and empower us
to be Your Kingdom family of servants and witnesses
together until You return and make all things new. Amen.
Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church
Celebrant: He is risen! People: He is risen indeed!
Celebrant: All power in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus.
Now go in the peace and power of His Holy Spirit to make
disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, teaching them how to listen to and obey
every good, true, and beautiful thing Jesus said. And remember, He is with you always. You are sent out in Jesus' grace and peace!
Next sermon audio + liturgy notes: Free to Be Filled with the Spirit & Truth in Worship Together
Now go in the peace and power of His Holy Spirit to make
disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit, teaching them how to listen to and obey
every good, true, and beautiful thing Jesus said. And remember, He is with you always. You are sent out in Jesus' grace and peace!
Next sermon audio + liturgy notes: Free to Be Filled with the Spirit & Truth in Worship Together
A City Group (CG) is a group of 10-30 people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. CGs are small enough that people can know you and value you, but large enough to make an impact in communities throughout Worcester. Each CG gets together throughout a month (i.e. dinners, times of prayer or learning from the Story of God in the Bible, acts of service, parties, etc.) to see Worcester become a city of neighbors and friends that showcase Jesus' love and compassion to all. Those who are cautious or curious to hear and see what it means to follow Jesus are just as welcome as those who believe Jesus is Lord and God and seek to follow Him in every area of life.
Current City Groups: Lincoln Street City Group | W.R.A.P. City Group
To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com
Christ is all,
