Claremore Church of the Nazarene

09/06/2026

09/04/2026

Here is the note sheet for the message on Sunday. The aim of a follower of Christ is to live holy lives. That can only happen if you decide in your heart that is how you want to live. We want to talk about that Sunday. So, if you are in the area, we invite you to join us. We start at 10:30 AM. (if you are not in the area, you can catch us on FB Live and our YouTube channel). Before that, we have a free breakfast from 8:30-9:15 and then small group discipleship for all ages from 9:30-10:15.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." From this, we can know that God has a plan for our lives. If you look throughout the Bible, God is regularly trying to direct His people to follow t...

09/02/2026

Here is the adult study for tonight, Sept. 2. We are continuing with the Holiness of Christ followers. Moving from the theology of holiness to the practics. You are welcome to join us if you are in the area. We also have activities for the children and teens. All starting at 6:30 PM

Holiness in Action, pt. 1
Proverbs 3:1-7
September 2, 2026
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." From this, we can know that God has a plan for our lives. If you look throughout the Bible, God is regularly trying to direct His people to follow the plan He has. And, throughout the Bible, you will find His people regularly bucking the plan. Most are not intentional, it is just human nature to try and find your own way. It starts when we are kids. As a child begins to walk, they begin to explore. As they explore, parents are often heard trying to "redirect" them. Sometimes, children will listen, but often they are seen looking over their shoulders and then continuing to do what they had set out to do.
As followers of Jesus, we can sometimes do the same thing. We may sense the urging of the Lord and are so comfortable in what we are doing that we just keep doing it. Or, what the Lord asks of us seems outside our understanding, so we try to find a path of least resistance. Either way, if we desire to live holy lives, we have to live fully surrendered lives and that means, following the leading of God over our desires. That is where the wisdom of Solomon comes into play.
Read Proverbs 3:1-7
Vss. 1-2 – "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you."
While the writer says, "my son", that is just simply how it is translated. The Hebrew word there is ben which does mean son, but it can also mean "child." For this study, we are going to accept that the writer is talking about both genders. What are the teachings they, and we, are to remember? Why is it important to remember?
For the sake of clarity, the commandments are the ones given to Moses in the wilderness, plus the others given by God that have been taught by the prophets and leaders. Why does the writer encourage the readers to keep the commandments in their hearts?
This is an early instance of discipleship. The religious leaders and parents made every effort to provide teaching to their children and to the others who were willing to learn.
Is the writer really saying that remembering the teachings and keeping the commandments add years to your life? What could it mean?
Vss. 3-4 – "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man."
One of the hallmarks of a holy life is to be like Jesus. And Jesus was known for His love, the love He had garnered from His Father. As we seek to emulate Jesus, love must be at the center of all we do. However, we cannot mistake love for acceptance. This is a both/and understanding. This love is directed at the Father, but also at others. What do steadfast love and faithfulness look like?
To write His commandments and teachings means to do what?
What does it mean to bind steadfast love and faithfulness around your neck?
What does it mean that our actions will find favor with God?
Vs. 5 – "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
What does trust involve?
What are some examples of the trust you have and why?
There is only one person we can truly trust and that is the Lord. He is the only one who will never go back on His promises. Again, as we read in Jeremiah, God has a plan for each, and we can trust that plan. What does it take to trust the Lord?
There are times when God will call us to do something and it is outside what we think we can do or should do. Each person builds up within themselves an idea of what their life should be, and we often live that direction. And while that is not all bad, too many times we forget to add God into our planning. In this verse, the writer is calling us to step back from our plans long enough to listen to the Lord. Sometimes we are right where He wants us to be. Other times a course correction is needed. How do we get in the right mindset to make that happen, or what advice would you give someone who is trying to figure this all out?
Vs. 6 – "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
What does it mean to acknowledge Him in all our ways?
What do you think the last half of this verse means?
Vs. 7 – "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil."
What is the problem with thinking we are wise?
Here are a few verses that speak to this:
1 Corinthians 3:18-19 - 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Isaiah 55:8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
It is very apparent that when we trust the Lord, He will watch over us and direct our paths. However, if we insist on doing it our way, He will let us and the results will not be good. One of the reasons we struggle following His will is because we are following our will. And part of that is because we have not fully surrendered to Him. Holiness calls for full surrender. Are you willing?

08/28/2026

On Sunday we will continue our Holiness as Life series. It is interesting that all throughout Scripture, God's desire for His people have been to live a holy life. Yet way too many want to live a mediocre or comfortable life. It is time we get serious about our relationship to Him and be ready when Jesus comes back. Here are the notes about the message. And in case you cannot make it to the morning service, we have a life application/discipleship gathering in the evening at 5:00 PM from the morning message. We look forward to seeing you either in person or online on our FB page or YouTube channel starting at 10:30 AM. If not here, go somewhere.

I find it very interesting that the thoughts we have today concerning when Jesus will come back haven't deviated much from the people in the Bible. Of course, they were closer to the time when Jesus walked the earth, so they may have had a little different view. But overall, curiosity is curiosity a...

08/26/2026

Here is the adult study for tonight, Aug. 26. If you are interested in learning about our call to a holy life, come join us. We begin at 6:30 and have Bible lessons for children and teens as well.

Holiness as Life, pt. 5
1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
August 26, 2026
I find it very interesting that the thoughts we have today concerning when Jesus will come back haven't deviated much from the people in the Bible. Of course, they were closer to the time when Jesus walked the earth, so they may have had a little different view. But overall, curiosity is curiosity and there is often something behind it. There are many ideas floating around about the end times and sometimes those ideas become points of disagreement or argument. Again, nothing new. Paul wants the church in Thessalonica not to get caught up in the weeds, just know it will happen, no one knows when or any details. Just be ready. In this passage, Paul takes the time to reiterate how we should live so that we are ready when the time comes.
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28
Vss. 1-3 – What do you see in these verses?
The "day of the Lord" is a very specific phrase that is found throughout the Old Testament (Isaiah 2:12, Zephaniah 1:7. Malachi 3:2 and 4:1 to name a few). What does it mean?
Is there anything wrong with having peace and security?
Vss. 4-5 – What does Paul mean when he tells them they are not in darkness?
Paul makes it very clear that if they are children of light/day, they have a responsibility. What is it?
Vss. 6-8 – Paul goes on to explain the difference between who they should be and who the others are. He also uses a couple of the pieces of armor we are to put on. How do those pieces help us in preparation for the return of Jesus?
Vss. 9-11 – What do you make of these verses?
The first eleven verses dealt with how we are to think and act as individuals while in community. These next verses will tell us how to look at community and how to respond.
Vss. 12-14 – There are a few key elements in these verses that impact our lives in community. What are they?
Vss. 15-18 – Here are a few elements regarding how we are to respond or act in community. What are they?
Vss. 19-22 – These verses deal with what could be taught or preached. There are some who don't really know how to allow the Spirit to help them discern what is true and what is not. Sometimes when something seems different, they are quick to brush it off. What does Paul encourage the people to do with what they hear (or for us, what we read)?
Vss. 23-28 – This is Paul's benediction for the church. Vss. 23-24 are probably two of the greatest verses for us to understand. What do you see in the first part of verse 23?
Verse 24 should put to bed all the ones who say we cannot be perfect or sinless. Because "He who calls you is faithful"! I put an exclamation point there because it is a statement of fact, not of hoping. We can know He will do this. We just have to have the faith to follow through with what He is calling us to do. The responsibility falls squarely on us.
What is your desire? Are you willing to live a holy life for Him?

Send a message to learn more

08/21/2026

It's Friday but Sunday is coming. We are continuing our study on Holiness as Life and below you will find a link to the note sheet for the message. We start at 10:30 AM in person or online on FB Live or our YouTube channel. We welcome you to join us.

When thinking about the holy life we are called to lead, we are going to face challenges in the world we live in because the world is going in a different direction. It is almost like someone is dancing to the beat of a different drummer. I don't know if you have ever watched people dancing. Unless....

08/19/2026

Here is the adult study for tonight, Aug. 19. We will begin at 6:30 along with the teens and children. Come join in a great time.

Holiness as Life, pt. 4
John 17:6-19; Hebrews 12:3-17 (maybe)
August 19, 2026

When thinking about the holy life we are called to lead, we are going to face challenges in the world we live in because the world is going in a different direction. It is almost like someone is dancing to the beat of a different drummer. I don't know if you have ever watched people dancing. Unless it is an intentional style of dance, there is usually one or two people who seem to be listening to something else, because their moves do not match the music or what other people are doing. In Christ, we move to a whole different sound. It is not the sound of the world, but the sound of God. Even when we know that it is sometimes hard to follow. So how do we?

Read John 17:6-19

This passage is often referred to as Jesus' high priestly prayer. It can be broken down into three sections. In verses 1-5, we see Jesus praying for Himself. In verses 6-19, He is praying for His disciples (and us). And then in verses 20-26, this is a general prayer for the Church. I would like us to look at the portion where Jesus is praying for those who will follow Him. Understand, when Jesus prayed this, the disciples were still trying to figure life out and had no idea what was coming next. Jesus is praying in such a way that He is trying to bolster their confidence as they head into the next phase of life.

Vs. 6 – What does it mean to "manifest," "reveal," "make known (manifest)" and why is this important to understand?

What does the rest of the verse mean?

What is so significant about Jesus praying that the disciples came out of the world?

What does it mean that they "kept your word"?

Vss. 7-8 – What do you see here?

Vs. 9 – What do you make of this verse?

Vs. 10 – What does it mean to "glorify"

Vs. 11 – What is Jesus asking of God?

Vss. 12-13 – What does it mean that Jesus "kept (or protected) them in your name"?

Jesus knows He is about to leave this earth and is concerned about the disciples. Why is it important that the disciples know where Jesus is going and what He is asking of them?

Vss. 14-15 – Here is the reality of what the disciples faced then, have faced in the past, and we face now. Why does the world hate the Truth so much?

We also get to see that while we may be hated, the Father is not interested in us fleeing into solitude. How does knowing Jesus has asked that God protect us, give you strength to carry on in what He has called you to do (and more)?

Vss. 17-19 – Here is the crux of what Jesus is asking the Father for. What is meant by "sanctify them in the truth"?

What does it mean that Jesus consecrated Himself?

One of the greatest sections on living the holy life we are called to live is in the example of Jesus in this prayer. In it we see the importance of staying the course, regardless of what the outcome looks like. We see that holiness is living out the purpose for which we are created. All are different, but holiness of purpose is the same. We can also see that it is imperative that we disciple others and give them all the tools we can so that they can succeed in fulfilling their purpose and passing on the information. What are you doing to fulfill your purpose?

Send a message to learn more