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Orchard Community Church

Shaken: Facing Our Demons

Evil is real and can shake us in in this life. We need to look to Jesus’ power to break the chains of sin and evil that can bind us.

Locations & Times

8180 Telephone Rd, Ventura, CA 93004, USA

Sunday 10:30 AM

OrchardCommunity.Online.Church

Sunday 10:00 AM

Shaken

People derive security from a lot of different things in this life. Yet, from time to time things happen that shake us and reminds us of how unstable most of those things are. We know what it’s like to be shaken by a health scare, a financial struggle, a pandemic, or some other challenge. Sometimes our world is literally shaken by earthquakes and at times God even shakes us with what He’s doing or in order to get our attention. The truth is that can be shaken will be shaken at some point, and for that reason, scripture calls us to cling to what cannot be shaken, to Jesus our rock and foundation, and to God and things of God. So what can we do in this season of Lent to cling more tightly to Jesus and to build our foundation on Him?

Online Service

Join us Sunday mornings either under the Tent at Orchard or at on our Live Stream! The Service begins at 10:30 am. We invite you to be a part of our interactive online service starting at 10 am with announcements and chatting before the live stream of the service begins.

https://orchardcommunity.online.church/

Let us know you were here today!

Let us know you were here and also share your prayer requests and praise reports.

https://orchardventura.wufoo.com/forms/m87ol4d0kaymt1/

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♪ Made New

You're calling me over You're pulling me close With love You surround me You give me hope You're taking me deeper You're making me whole With grace You redeem me yeah You restore my soul Now I'm made new because of You You hold my head up You remind me who I am You hold my head up I'm alive in You again I'm made new I'm made new You're making me stronger You're healing my heart With Your hands You hold me in You set me apart You are my salvation I will not fear no You're the strength of my life, I won't fear (2x) CCLI Song # 7026321

♪ Way Maker

You are here moving in our midst I worship You I worship You You are here working in this place I worship You I worship You You are here touching ev'ry heart I worship You I worship You You are here healing ev'ry heart I worship You I worship You (You are) Way Maker Miracle Worker Promise Keeper Light in the darkness my God that is who You are You are here turning lives around I worship You I worship You You are here mending ev'ry heart I worship You yeah I worship You Lord (You are) Even when I don't see it You're working Even when I don't feel it You're working You never stop You never stop working You never stop You never stop working CCLI Song # 7115744

♪ Reckless Love

Before I spoke a word You were singing over me You have been so so good to me Before I took a breath You breathed Your life in me You have been so so kind to me (And) O the overwhelming never-ending reckless Love of God O it chases me down fights 'til I'm found Leaves the ninety-nine I couldn't earn it I don't deserve it Still You give Yourself away O the overwhelming never-ending reckless Love of God yeah When I was Your foe still Your love fought for me You have been so so good to me When I felt no worth You paid it all for me You have been so so kind to me There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me CCLI Song # 7089641

♪ Build My Life

Worthy of ev'ry song we could ever sing Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe We live for You Jesus the name above ev'ry other name Jesus the only one who could ever save Worthy of ev'ry breath we could ever breathe We live for You We live for You Holy there is no one like You There is none beside You Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are And fill me with Your heart And lead me in Your love to those around me I will build my life upon Your love It is a firm foundation I will put my trust in You alone And I will not be shaken CCLI Song # 7070345

This morning we’re going to try to face our demons, those things that haunt and shake us, things that happened in the past, and things that may have a hold of us right now.

Mark 1:21-28

Mark uses the word “teach” three times in the first two verses to highlight the fact that Jesus’ teaching will be a key part of this passage. And we see in v. 22, the people were “amazed” by Jesus’s teaching.

At that time a Rabbi’s teaching was referred as his “yoke” and most all Rabbis were trained in and taught the yoke of a great historic Rabbi.

But Jesus didn’t do that, he came teaching a new yoke, a new way of seeing the scripture and God.

Jesus spoke from the heart with conviction and communicated such clear and powerful truth to them that he and his teaching had a self-evident authority from God that the people sensed.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus didn't just affirm and endorse the words of Scripture; he talked and acted like he had authored the Scriptures. He lived with the authority of the One who wrote the "rulebook."

[1]Matt Woodley, The Gospel of Matthew: God With Us (InterVarsity Press, 2011), pp. 68-69

Jesus exercised an authority like no one had ever seen. In v. 25 he orders the evil spirit to “Be quiet,” and then command it to “come out” of the man. And it says, “The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek” in v. 26. I doubt that was the first time that demon had shaken the man, but it would be the last.

Now, for whatever reason we don’t get many of those kinds of evil spirits these days, but we all have our demons don’t we.

But Jesus has the authority to change our lives and it comes from a God who made us and loves us! So, there’s no chain Jesus can’t break, no demon he can’t drive out, no hurt he can’t heal, no sin he won’t forgive if we put our faith in him.

But the scripture is clear that evil is real and that it grips and shakes this world and our lives at times

But however the issues of the past were created, they can become tools for evil to use to harm us today.

What are the demons that haunt you?

But there’s another way evil can grip and shake us and it’s through our sin. When we sin, not only have we done something wrong and against God’s will and therefore evil on some level… we’ve also created a foothold for evil in our lives.

So where might evil have a foothold in your life? Or, what is the demon that has a grip on you right now?

V. 27 - this time Mark uses a different word (thambeo) which not only to means to “amaze” but also “to frighten or terrify.” At that moment they realized Jesus not only had true authority, but also awesome, even scary power.

So not only does he have the authority to change our life, but the power to do it! So have you asked Jesus to do that? To break your chains, to drive out your demons? What if we prayed for that today?

So how do we guard ourselves against evil and these kinds of demons? First: obedience. Obedience is the way we can resist giving evil a foothold in our lives.

Second: guard our hearts and minds. These are the places where evil often seizing on sinful thoughts or on the hurts and sins of the past and uses them to hurt and shake us and tell us lies.

Third: Trust God to forgive and heal. The same power and authority that Jesus has to drive out demons and change lives he also uses to forgive sin and heal our hearts and minds.

♪ Well Done

What will it be like when my pain is gone And all the worries of this world just fade away What will it be like when You call my name In that moment when I see You face to face I'm waiting my whole life to hear You say Well done well done My good and faithful one Welcome to the place where you belong Well done well done My beloved child You have run the race and now you're home Welcome to the place where you belong What will it be like when tears are washed away And every broken thing will finally be made whole What will it be like when I come into Your glory Standing in the presence of a love so beautiful I'm waiting my whole life for that day I will live my life to hear you say What will it be like when I hear that sound All of heaven's angels crying out Singing holy holy Holy are You Lord Singing holy holy Holy are You Lord Singing holy holy Holy are You Lord I'm waiting my whole life for that day Until then I'll live to hear You say Welcome to the place where you belong CCLI Song # 7119916

Today's Music
Orchard's Streaming and Song Select CCLI# 160190

2021 Renewal Conference with Sean Martin

Did you miss the presentation with Sean Martin with Lifewater International? Watch it now!

https://youtu.be/d4Q2-r4SsNA

Orchard Kids March Mission Collection

Orchard Kids March Mission Collection is for NEW art supplies for James to take with him to the Oncology center at Kaiser Sunset where he receives his treatment. As James has shared with us, it is hard for kids to have to sit in a room all day. There is a volunteer who will do art with the kids. They would love to have any of the following new items: Watercolor sets Crayons Markers Drawing paper Watercolor paper Playdough Small lego sets Activity books Coloring books Craft beads and lacing string Small craft sets Items may be put in the red bin at the welcome table.

Learn more about Ramazan Arkan!

Who is Ramazan Arkan? How did this former Muslim become the pastor of Antalya Evangelical Church in Turkey? Ramazan grew up Muslim, learning Islam from his mother as a child, and as a teenager, became even more seriously devoted after joining a conservative Islamic group in Antalya. Like some American Christian youth, after high school, he met people with different beliefs, atheist and communist, who argued with him about Islam. He started reading the Koran for himself, raising doubts and questions which his spiritual teachers couldn’t answer satisfactorily. As a result, he lost his faith, became an atheist, and joined communist activities. His life became very sinful and corrupt. A good friend at his work was a Christian and they talked a lot about Christianity, trying to prove each other wrong. So, to understand Christianity’s weaknesses better, Ramazan accepted a Bible from his friend and started to read it. Ramazan even accepted his friend’s invitation to church, hoping to meet a foreign girl, get married, and thus leave Turkey. The people at church were friendly and kind and accepted him as he was. Therefore, he continued attending church for 2 and a half years and learned a lot about Christianity. All Turks have to do military service, and when it was Ramazan’s time, he became miserable and depressed. One night on guard duty, God spoke to him with the verses and truths he had learned from church, and for the first time in his life, he felt God’s presence. He understood that God exists and that Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with Him. He bowed down and repented of all his sin, accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and gave his life into His hands. After that, Jesus totally changed him. He was baptized in the church and went to Bible classes. He wanted to minister for the Lord, so went to Bible school, which was illegal in Turkey. He studied for five years and became a pastor in the church. Ramazan the Antalya Evangelical Church has on-going relationships with Community Pres. and Monte Vista churches in Ventura county.

Register Now for the Virtual Renewal Conference

Click here to register!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rrMKk2lETOd4dekk-H-Pd2-cN50gkQTNCaCwCg8Wn8I/edit?ts=601c80a9&gxids=7628

Small groups are a big deal! They help you grow by connecting with others, studying the Bible, and praying together. Contact Jo Schultze (joanna.l.schulze@gmail.com) or Richard Smith (r_smith122@hotmail.com or text 805-766-6549) to learn more.

Grow Where You Are Planted!

One of our main goals as a church this year is to seek to grow and prosper TOGETHER! This goal is comprised of 3 parts:1. Encounter Scripture Regularly2. Invest in Relationships3. ServeGet connected!Click the link below for info to get plugged in and stay connected!Most are low commitment groups with no homework and each meeting is a stand-alone study, so don’t worry if you can’t make it each time.Those that meet via Zoom, you can use your computer, laptop, tablet, or phone. Zoom works with audio and video, or just audio alone – your choice!

https://orchardventura.org/2021/02/18/small-groups/

March Issue of the Orchard Life

Orchard Life is our monthly publication highlighting all the great things going on at Orchard. In every issue, you will find Staff and Ministry articles, announcements, and much more!

https://orchardventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/March-2021-OL.pdf

Worship Options

We are excited to be able to worship under the Tent together. If you are not wanting to be under the Tent, feel free to sit in the front row of parking spots of the Orchard Parking Lot your car and tune your radio to 100.1 FM to listen to the service.

1. Masks must be worn while on the Orchard Campus (both inside and out)
2. Please maintain the Social Distance
3. Sunday Morning Children's program. Children are always welcome in the service and we do not mind the noises that come with children. Children are a healthy sign of a healthy congregation.

Orchard Kids Sunday School (For preschool through 5th grade)
We encourage families to bring your own blanket and beach chairs and distance on the lawn as much as you like. Children will worship with their families and be dismissed following the kids’ message, escorted by our Orchard Kids’ Leaders to our beautiful outdoor classroom space in the children’s play yard. We will have our Bible story, activities, crafts, and games in a specially designed format following current health and safety guidelines. Parents, please come to the children’s area immediately following the worship service and find all of your children in one place. Each family will receive a “My Church Bag” to be brought each week with basic supplies already included plus items from home: water bottle and mask for each child and a blanket for all siblings. Our team is so excited to see your family! See you Sunday!

Nursery care for children birth to 3 years old is available by RSVP only to Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.

Interested in being a Volunteer? Middle school through adult, please contact Melinda Hoyt at melinda@orchardventura.org.

While we understand that some may not feel comfortable coming back in person or having to wear masks while on the Orchard campus, we encourage you to stay home and join us online with our Live Stream.

Office Hours
Monday – Thursdays from 10 am to noon.
Masks and social distancing are required.
If you are unable to make it in during our office hours, please send an email to info@orchardventura.org and or leave a message at (805) 647-3757.

Enjoy the company of other parents at 9:00 on Zoom (or in the library eventually) on Sunday mornings discussing what God says about life as a family. Make life more enjoyable and less frustrating by strengthening your relationship with God, Find life filled with opportunities, We will be following the children's curriculum, using stories from throughout the bible, taking some from unusual perspectives. This group is facilitated by Rich and LuAnn Smith. Please email Rich to get the Zoom Link and password at R_smith122@hotmail.com

Orchard Community Church

http://orchardventura.org/