Series: “Open House” Sermon: “We Operate In Authority”

Mark 1:37 “Everyone is looking for You.”

Proverbs 9:1 “Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;”

Matthew 16:18 “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Hebrews 3:6 (NLT) “But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, …”

Mark 11:17 “Then He taught, saying to them, ‘Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

If we don’t pray, we serve no purpose in God’s framework of eternity. Charles Stanley

Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom. If you may have everything by asking in His name and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is. Charles Spurgeon

Dear God, my prayer for 2025 is a fat bank account and a thin body. Please don’t mix it up like you did this year.

Jesus is teaching His disciples about a shift in how the world is governed spiritually.

They will walk in whole new realm of power and authority.

I am going to restore to you the open deed, the right to rule and reign on earth, through redemption in my blood!!!

It isn’t going back to the way it was with Adam.

They will be taken into a new realm of Kingdom privilege that never existed before.

Hours before He is arrested He teaches a new way to interact with heaven.

John 14:13-14 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

John 16:23-24 “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now (NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE) you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

John 16:24 (CEV) “You have not asked for anything in this way before, but now you must ask in my name. Then it will be given to you, so you will be completely happy.”

The NEW COVENANT moves us from the realm of: Beggars TO Commanders

ACTS they understood their authority and the use of the Name!!!

Acts 3:16 “And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.”

Acts 4:18 “So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”

Acts 5:40 “…they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.”

Acts 8:12 “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ…”

Acts 19:13-15 “’We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.’ Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?’”

Let me show this spiritual principle in the Old Testament and show you how it applies to your current authority and prayer “in the Name Of Jesus!” INHERITANCE … REDEMPTION

Jeremiah 31:31-34 “‘The day is coming,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah … ‘I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people … ‘And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.’”

Jeremiah has this great word!!!

Jeremiah 31:38-40 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that the city shall be built for the Lord from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate. …shall be holy to the Lord. It shall not be plucked up or thrown down anymore forever.”

God makes him perform this prophetic act of redeeming property that was temporarily sold to his uncle.

Put your money where your mouth is. An act of faith!

Jeremiah 32:6-9 “…the right of redemption is yours to buy it.’ Then Hanamel my uncle’s son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the Lord, and said to me, ‘Please buy my field … for the right of inheritance is yours, and the redemption yours;…”

Jeremiah 32:11-12 “So I took the purchase deed, both that which was sealed according to the law and custom, and that which was open; and I gave the purchase deed to Baruch…”

Jeremiah 32:25-27 “And You have said to me, O Lord God, ‘Buy the field for money, and take witnesses — yet the city has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.’ Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, ‘Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?’”

This is a system established by God. It has spiritual implications

An uncle had purchased the land to get money to Jeremiah’s family … Jeremiah had the right to get it back both by redemption and by Inheritance.

The word of the Lord was, Redeem the land, it is yours by inheritance but I want you to redeem the land.

2 Rights: Right of Redemption — Right of Inheritance

2 Deeds: Sealed Deed — Open Deed

Psalm 115:16 “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.”

Nothing good happens without prayer. Man has a responsibility to exercise dominion.

Luke 4:6-7 “And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

Revelation 5:9-10 “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.’”

Jesus had the right of inheritance but He exercised the right of redemption.

You have now been restored with the open deed. DOMINION

You get the right to what belongs to you when you pray in His NAME.

You have the legal right to move the good things of God from heaven to earth when you align your will with Gods will.

Your will moves God’s will from heaven to earth.
Nothing good happens unless you pray.

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Series: “Open House”. Sermon: “We Carry Mats”

Proverbs 9:1

“Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars;”

Matthew 16:18

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will buildMy church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Hebrews 3:6 (NLT)

“But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, …”

Galatians 6:10

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Ephesians 3:10

“God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.”

You must find companions or make them. The Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.

John Wesley

Mark 1:37

“Everyone is looking for You.”

Mark 2:1-12

“And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. …

A Place Where Crowds Gather

His presence is important at Impact Church!

He draws a crowd.

We want to remove obstacles to people encountering Jesus.

And He preached the word to them.

A Place Where Word Is Preached

An anointed proclamation of the Word is the same as a personal encounter with Jesus.

E.B.I. Pulpit … “Sir, we Would See Jesus.” John 12:21

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men.

A Place Where You Bring Friends

Thankfully this person had friends.

In a culture that would have believed he was cursed.

He deserved what he was experiencing.

Sadly brokenness causes isolation and avoidance.

Luke 24:46-47

“Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations,

beginning at Jerusalem.”

I’m here today because someone picked up a corner of my mat.

People were wiling to engage my brokenness.

People saw God’s purpose in my life.

My wife carries my mat everyday.

And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

When Jesus saw their faith,…

A Place Faith Is Expressed

I just know if I remove the barriers to getting people in the house they will experience breakthrough.

Willing to go to extremes!!!

He called it FAITH!

I call the police!

He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

(Friends: Not quite what we were expecting)

A Place Of Good News

God is good. He forgives you.

He’s not mad at you.

He’s always been on a loving pursuit .

Forgiveness is not something God does, it’s something He has done.

Marghanita Laski, a well known secular humanist and novelist,

not long before she died in 1988, in television interview said:

“What I envy most about you Christians is your forgiveness; I have nobody to forgive me.”

And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, …

He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’

A Place Religious Barriers Are Exposed

False motives and faulty belief systems get exposed.

What matters most?

You’re Forgiven!!!

But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

A Place Where The Miraculous Is Manifest

We see people carrying what they used to lie on. Now it’s a testimony!

Amazed (existēmi):—to throw out of position, to astonish, throw into wonderment, to be out of one’s mind.

Luke 7:16-17 (Message)

“They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, ‘God is back, looking to the needs of his people!’ The news of Jesus spread all through the country.”

At Impact Church we carry mats.

We do circles and rows.

Get Connected
Stay Connected
Make Connections

John 1:17-18

“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” Jesus Is God!!!

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Fans Or Followers

MAKE. Attenders. DISCIPLES

Matthew 4:19 “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

Matthew 28:18-19 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, …”

We are not waiting to get to heaven. We are living now with His life. HIS POWER HIS KINGDOM

Church — Not a place you gather on Sunday but a family you belong to 24/7

Circle The Most Important To God:

Pasto Carpenter Lawyer Truck Driver Evangelist Teacher. Waitress Doctor

Martin Luther “A cobbler, a smith, a farmer, each has the work in the office of his trade, consecrated Priests and Bishops.”

Your vocation is a Holy calling. WORK = WORSHIP. LIFE = WORSHIP

1 Corinthians 7:20 “Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.”

“Usually a person should keep on with the work he was doing when God called him.” (LB)

“Each one should remain in the condition in which he was [when he was] called.” (AMP)

Ephesians 4:16 (NIV) “From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Full maturity only happens together.

Romans 16:3-4 “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me.”

2 Corinthians 6:1 “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”

Sunergos (With and to Labour / work) Synergy:— the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

“Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” Michael Jordan

Draught Horses can go from pulling 8,000lbs to 50,000lbs when trained to collaborate.

The powerful lessons that these magnificent draft horses can teach us involves not only teamwork but coordinated and trained collaboration.

A great church is not built on the talent of a few but on the dedication and sacrifice of many.

It will take a growing team to transform this city and beyond.

Acts 6:1-7 (NLT)“But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, ‘We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility.

Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”

Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith).

These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.

1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift,(SHAPE) minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

We are committed to realising your SHAPE!

S piritual Gifts

H eart

A bilities

P ersonality

E xperiences

We want to serve your shape. Our desire is that you become everything God created you to be.

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Workmanship (Poiema):—that which is made or done; a work, workmanship. creation, His PEOM!!!!

2 Questions To Help You Engage:

What makes you tick? Brings you joy makes you feel fulfilled and satisfied.
What ticks you off? Annoys me and could be done better.

Romans 12:1 (MESSAGE) “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”

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Sermon Series: “Drop The Stone” Sermon: “Don’t Screen The Guest List”

If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Mother Terresa

Luke 15:1-3 “Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying:’”

Luke 15:4-7 Lost Sheep “… and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” Leave the 99 for 1

Luke 15:8-10 Lost Coin “… light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? …she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me,…”

Forensic thorough search for coin.

Luke 15:11-24 Lost Son “And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.”

Culturally:— you are dead to me

“And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.”

Prodigal:—Waster

This chapter is the Gospel within the Gospel.

We can trust what these stories represent because they come from the only one who comes from the Father. JESUS!

“But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” (Over and over with tender love TPT)

The Father covered him with his love. Bore his shame.

“And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said…”

Enough of your nonsense!

“‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;…” Righteousness — Worth — Sonship

“…for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” Please don’t misunderstand your Heavenly Father. He’s never not loved you.

“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

“…And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.” Leaves the party for his son. The Father goes after his lost son!

“So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.”

(NIV) “‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.’”

Despises his brother and insults the compassion of his Father. I’ve earned so can he.

Pharisees and scribes had the wrong approach to Repentance:

You must clean up your act to come to a Holy God.

Jesus had Good News. The Father loves and accepts you.

“…But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’”

The father wants children not slaves. The older son spent his life as a slave.

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

Story comes to an abrupt ending.

Two Possible Outcomes: 1. The Son Comes Inside 2. The Son Rejects His Father

Sadly we do know the outcome!

John 8:40, 44 “But now you seek to kill Me … You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”

Luke 23:34 (TPT) “While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over and over, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.’”

Titus 3:3 TPT “For it wasn’t that long ago that we behaved foolishly in our stubborn disobedience. We were easily led astray as slaves to worldly passions and pleasures. We wasted our lives in doing evil, and with hateful jealousy we hated others.”

Ephesians 2:1-2 (NLT) “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”

Ephesians 2:8 “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”

Acts 5:31 (AMP) “God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior and Deliverer, in order to grant repentance to Israel, and [to grant] forgiveness of sins.”

Luke 19:10 “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

You can’ t screen or edit the guest list.

Are you: “Grace A Lot” OR “Grace Alone”

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Sermon Series: “Drop The Stone” Sermon: “It’s Safe To Come Home”

If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Mother Terresa

Matthew 7:1 (NLT) “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

Suffering is built into the structure of being self-righteous.

The Sin of Judgement will always make its way back to you.

It’s not someone else or the system that needs to be fixed. (JUDGED or ATTACKED)

The only solution is sacrificial love, ascribing unsurpassable worth to others.

In an October 2022 Barna survey of 2,000 U.S. adults, three out of four (74%) say they want to grow spiritually. Additionally, the same proportion (77%) say they believe in a higher power. Nearly half (44%) say they are more open to God today than before the pandemic.

It’s Safe To Come Home

Hebrews 1:2-3 “…spoken to us by His Son, who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person…”

The religious leaders and guides of the day had a poor concept of God.

They were great rule keepers. You would hire them.

Jesus came to represent God. He tried to correct their understanding of the Father.

Mathew 23:27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

Luke 15:4-7 Lost Sheep “… and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” Leave the 99 for 1

Luke 15:8-10. Lost Coin “… light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? …she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me,…”. Forensic thorough search for coin.

Luke 15:11-24 “And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.” Culturally:— you are dead to me

“And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” Prodigal:—Waster

“…joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. …and no one gave him anything.” An unnamed character who will take everything you have.

“But when he came to himself,” “When he finally came to his senses,…” (NLT)

“That brought him to his senses.” (The Message)

This is the A.H.A. moment.

Awakened — What am I doing? 2. Honesty — I’ve screwed up! 3. Action — Time for a change.

Tell the devil; “I changed my mind.”

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” The three part speech.

“But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” (Over and over with tender love TPT)

The Father covered him with his love. Bore his shame.

“And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said…” Enough of your nonsense!

“…for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”

Please don’t misunderstand your Heavenly Father. He’s never not loved you.

Just how long did it take for that son to get out of his pig stink and get on the dance floor?

One Hour 2. Two Hours. 3. Three Hours

Jesus loves a wild party!

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Series: “Drop The Stone: Sermon: “The Root Cause”

“A study of people ages 16–29 in the United States found that nearly 90 percent of respondents articulated the opinion that Christians are Judgemental.” Barna Research

If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Mother Terresa

Matthew 7:1 (NLT) “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

Suffering is built into the structure of being self-righteous.

The Sin of Judgement will always make its way back to you.

It’s not someone else or the system that needs to be fixed. (JUDGED or ATTACKED)

The only solution is sacrificial love, ascribing unsurpassable worth to others.

Katakrino:— against and judge, casting down, placing below, esteeming yourself better than.

Unhealthy comparison. Pride

In the privacy of our own mind or with a group we look down on others by feeding off the contrast.

Love:— ascribing worth to another at the cost to oneself.

Judgement:— ascribing worth to yourself at the cost of another.

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you,…”

L – Listen Intently. O – Offer Support. V – Voice Honesty. E – Esteem Greater

Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Diakrisis:— to discern or distinguish not for the purpose of passing judgment on opinions, but as to which one is to be preferred as the more correct.

The meat sauce or the marinara.

TWO TREES. — In Christ or In Adam. — Law or Grace

Genesis 1:28 NKJV “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”

TLV “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the land, and conquer it.” (Kawbash)

Genesis 2:15 “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”

Shamar:— to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life and protect …

What are they guarding against? God’s Enemies. Talking snakes!

Mankind is a part of the eternal purpose of God to once and for all put the KIBOSH on all evil and guard against it’s intrusion!!!

The devil wasn’t going to just sit back and let this happen. He attacked God’s plan right away.

Genesis 2:16-17 “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Genesis 3:4 “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”

“Original sin” was eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

The sin of pursuing LIFE (our identity, worth, significance and security) for ourselves, apart from God. An attempt to know what only God can rightly know.

Satan’s challenge to Adam and Eve was, don’t you want to be Godly, knowing right and wrong?

The fruit of self was introduced to mankind. INDEPENDENCE

We have the ability to now determine what is right and wrong. We will self govern! MORALISM

Genesis 3:7-8 “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,…”

“…and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

Fallen mindset: God is going to kill us!

They instead became accusers of God, themselves and each other.

Authentic Christianity is about union and communion with God.

Knowledge of Good and Evil was prohibited: They didn’t have it! They didn’t need it! They were corrupted by it! Religion is a moralistic way of living and viewing life.

God did not in any way change because they ate of the Tree of Knowledge.

Man Changed!!!

His View Of Himself Changed

His View Of Others Changed

His View Of God Changed

Genesis 3:10 “‘Where are you?’ So he said, ‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.’”

F ear — I don’t trust you. I gnorance — I don’t know you. G uilt — I’m no good.

Victimisation / Condemnation / Blame

Genesis 3:22,24 “‘… man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever’ … So He drove out the man; …and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

It is not a power figure imposing punishment on a subordinate for misbehaviour.

It is a loving Father desribing the natural consequences of eating the prohibited fruit.

The choice remains for every person: Who do I trust? Who is in CONTROL?
God doesn’t want to control you. He wants union and communion with you. He is your source!

1 Corinthians 6:17 “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.”

Moralism:— the belief that the Gospel can be reduced to improvements in behaviour.

Galatians 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Morgan Guyton. “So we should not be pursuing the knowledge of good and evil when we read the Bible; that’s eating the same fruit that Adam and Eve ate. Instead we should be reading the Bible to discover the love of God that makes us more loving.

Sadly, too many Christians want knowledge rather than love because knowledge gives us a feeling of power. It makes us think we can be like God, exactly what the serpent tricked Eve into believing.

But knowledge itself, even perfect knowledge of good and evil, has no power to make us like God at all. It is love that makes us like God, and only God can be the origin of love; we can only be its recipients and conduits.”

Luke 8:9-14 “Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: … justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Study with group connected to and MRI

Presented with things that you believe and agree with and Pleasure centre is activated.

Presented with things that you disagree with and don’t believe and Amygdela flight or fight centre is activated.

Frontal lob becomes inactive. Reason is gone. Tribal emotionalism.

The cross of Jesus utterly destroys every self-righteous presumption. There is no greater intimidation to the knowledge of good and evil than the cross. Rick Joyner

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Series: “Drop The Stone” Sermon: “Help With Consequences”

“A study of people ages 16–29 in the United States found that nearly 90 percent of respondents articulated the opinion that Christians are Judgemental.” Barna Research

If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Mother Terresa

What is Jesus agenda for sinners?

Not to harm but to help. Not to judge but to justify. Not to condemn but to convert

John 8:10-11 “So he stood back up and said to her, ‘Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?’ Looking around, she replied, ‘I see no one, Lord (BELIEF – FAITH).’

Jesus said, ‘Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.’”

Is he glorified in the stoning of a sinner or in the salvation of a sinner?

The only one qualified to throw a stone doesn’t .. why would you?

Accusation doesn’t stop people from sinning it keeps them from church!

Condemnation (katakrinō):— to give judgment against, to judge worthy of punishment, to condemn.

Condemned:— prove or show to be guilty or unsatisfactory; officially declare (something) to be unfit for use; sentence (someone) to a particular punishment, especially death

A dwelling unfit for occupation.

“If you get condemnation out of the Gospel, you put the condemnation into it yourselves! It is not the Gospel”

Charles Spurgeon

“The Law and the Gospel are two keys. The Law is the key that shutteth up all men under condemnation, and the Gospel is the key which opens the door and lets them out.” William Tyndale

Pastor Cheryl said: “Romans 8 Paul begins his case with there is no condemnation and closes it with nothing can separate us from the love of God. Perfect book ends!”

Romans 8:1-4 (TPT) “So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One. …

For the “law” of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us from the “law” of sin and death. For God achieved what the law was unable to accomplish, because the law was limited by the weakness of human nature. …

Yet God sent us his Son in human form to identify with human weakness. Clothed with humanity, God’s Son gave his body to be the sin-offering so that God could once and for all condemn the guilt and power of sin. …

So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit!”

Guilt:— I regret what I did. Shame:— I regret who I am.

“Condemnation has to do with identity, but consequences have to do with behavior.”

1 John 2:1-2 “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.”

1 John 3:20-22 “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. (for others and ourselves) This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.”

You are forgiven past, present and future. That’s permanent!

But the consequences of sin … That’s persistent!

Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.”

Grace is Jesus.

He is the ongoing sacred place where we encounter a Holy God.

I don’t have to earn or qualify for my forgiveness nor do I battle the consequences of sin on my own.

Psalm 103 10-12 “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Isaiah 57:18 (AMP) “I have seen his [willful] ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him [also] and will restore comfort to him and to those who mourn for him,”

Psalm 38:1,22 “Take a deep breath, God; calm down— don’t be so hasty with your punishing rod. … Hurry and help me; I want some wide-open space in my life!”

Titus 2:11-12 (TPT). “God’s marvelous grace has manifested in person, bringing salvation for everyone. This same grace teaches us how to live each day as we turn our backs on ungodliness and indulgent lifestyles, and it equips us to live self-controlled, upright, godly lives in this present age.”

Mattew 11:28-30 (Message) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Hebrerws 4:16 (AMP) “Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].”

You’re not Justified because you behaved right.

You behave right because you’re Justified.

Identity always precedes behaviour.

Lamentations 3:20-23 “I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

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Series : Drop the Stones “Case Dismissed”

Spending the past couple of weeks looking at the story of the woman caught in
adultery, who was by all accounts of the law required to be stoned to death… Lev
20:10

We are addressing the idea of Judgement… and a call to drop the Stones.
It is unfortunate that the church has a reputation as stone throwers instead of grace
filled lovers.

“A study of people ages 16–29 in the United States found that nearly 90 percent of
respondents articulated the opinion that Christians are Judgemental.” Barna
Research

Where does that impression find its source?

We cannot blame it on the Media they only report what they see, here
and investigate.

Intentionally or unintentionally, we have communicated to the world, that
our community, is political, judgmental, oppressive, homophobic, narrow,
and fundamentalist in nature. Whether on purpose or mistakenly our tone
has become substantive.

Wayne Dyer said, “When we judge another, we do not define them, we define
yourself.”

Mother Terresa, “If we judge people, we have no time to love them.”

Week One- We see how Jesus responds when we are caught… We learn that
we can be set free from life of sin

Week Two- We learn about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

In this story John exposes the Pharisee’s motive. They were not really concerned
about her adultery and protecting the virtue of their community.

They wanted to trap Jesus by creating a situation where He would have to choose
between His message of forgiveness and obeying the Old Testament laws handed
down from Moses.

Just as this adulterous woman had been used by her lovers for selfish reasons, these
critics used her for their own personal agenda.

Let me just say, using someone else’s failures or mistakes to promote oneself is
unkind and immoral.

Leveraging another person’s shortcomings for personal gain diminishes trust, and
damages relationships.

The voices of critics condemn, criticize, destroy, mock, and humiliate. Their
method is to use any means available to exploit your weakness and your
failures.

We ought not be those voices that judge others by the color of their skin, the brand
names of their clothes, type of car, their accent, athletic prowess, education,
musical ability, religious background, or obvious shortcomings.

This story is not suggesting that we ignore sin and its damaging affects upon
people’s lives, but using other people as a steppingstone is offensive to God.

But as we learned last week there is help for the Hypocrite

Even if you are a hypocrite Jesus still loves you and there is help.
• We learn that hypocrisy never wins, but there is an invitation to change even
for the hypocrite.
• If we have a functioning conscience we can still express enough self awareness
to drop the stones.
• They all dropped their stones and one by one and walked away the oldest to
the youngest.

Today I want to focus Jesus words, “Neither do I condemn you.”

John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

But we often leave out, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him.”

John 10:10
The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came
that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
The harbinger of heavens heart is revealed in Jesus words, “neither do I condemn
you.”
In that face-to-face encounter, instead of stones Jesus throws mercy, grace and the
transformational power of unconditional love. “Neither do condemn you, go, and
from now on, be free from a life of sin.” JESUS LOVE SETS THAT WOMAN
FREE FROM A LIFE OF SIN.**

One of the things that makes this so powerful is that it illustrates the normative
way in which Jesus works.

We don’t see this only here in John 8

Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus moving toward sinners in ways that shock
and surprise us. Jesus shows us that God isn’t trigger-happy to condemn.

• In Luke 7, When the woman of the city (likely a prostitute) poured ointment
on Jesus’s feet, and wiped them with her hair, and kissed them, the Pharisees
were repulsed, but Jesus welcomed and forgave her for her many sins.
• In Luke 19, Jesus ate with Zacchaeus the tax collector.
• As Jesus traveled and saw the crowds, he had compassion on them. He
taught them and bent down and healed their diseases (Matt. 9). Jesus stood
outside Jerusalem and wept over them.

He will not break us. He will not put us out. He was broken for us. He was put
out for us.
Carl Jung, “Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses.”
Charles Spurgeon, “If you get condemnation out of the Gospel, you put the
condemnation into it yourselves! It is not the Gospel…”

William Tyndale said, “The Law and the Gospel are two keys. The Law is the key
that shutteth up all men under condemnation, and the Gospel is the key which
opens the door and lets them out.”

J. I. Packer, “God’s love is an exercise of his goodness toward sinners who merit
only condemnation.”

Condemnation doesn’t keep us from sinning, it robs us of our faith and confidence
in His love.

Titus- It is grace that teaches us to say no to ungodliness and yes to God.

When you are caught and are guilty nothing can be more liberating than an
expression of unconditional love. Something of a miracle transpires in a face to
face moment when you hear I don’t condemn you…

Project Rachel… Confession with priest face to face…I absolve you…( I release,
forgive, pardon you)
God didn’t send His Son to condemn but to save. Save us from the condemnation
of the law, save us from the accusations and condemnation of the devil and to save
us from ourselves.

However, on any given day we can experience the voices of the critics accusing
and condemning, they are plenteous. But from a Christian perspective the loudest
ones are the law, the devil and ourselves.

The Law- It can’t condemn you … Jesus fulfilled it on your behalf…
The Devil- don’t let the devil condemn you he has no power but what you
give him.

Colossians 2:13 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of
your flesh, God made you[d] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us andcondemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed
the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over
them by the cross.[e]

And the loudest voice of all ourselves – In my experience self-condemnation
is the worst because I can’t run away from myself.

By the way you don’t have to be an adulterer to experience the cutting edge of
condemnation.

BAG AND STONES
We condemn ourselves if:
• When we don’t feel as holy as others
• When we don’t feel as close to God as we should
• When we don’t read our bible enough
We condemn ourselves:
• When we watch and R rated movie
• When we drop the “F” bomb
• When we covet someone else’s status
• When we don’t go to church enough
• When we fail in a marriage
• When we feel we have been a failure raising our kids
• When we didn’t get that job
• When we fall of the wagon
• When we get caught
• When the enemy roars accusations

We can get so bogged down with self-condemnation we begin to make friends with
it.

But make no mistake self-condemnation poisons our soul.

“It distorts our understanding of God, erodes our ability to believe Christ’s work,
opens us to demonic manipulations and attacks, and makes us suffer
unnecessarily…” https://patrickoben.com/danger-of-self-condemnation/

A Caveat… we are talking about dealing with condemnation today but make no
mistake if I have done something wrong— there are consequences…But
consequences and condemnation are not the same.

“Condemnation has to do with identity, but consequences have to do with
behavior.” https://phyliciamasonheimer.com/does-god-give-consequences-tohischildern/#:~: text=Condemnation%20has%20to%20do%20with,address%20both %20condemnation%20and%20consequences.

Self-Condemnation Attacks my Identity

There may be truth in Satan’s accusations. There may be truth to what I say
about myself…but we must never leave out the reality and truth of our
redemption…

None the less, Self-Condemnation is debilitating…So what is the answer?

Know that God is greater than your heart, and he knows everything…

1 John 3:20-22 “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice
real love. (for others and ourselves) This is the only way we’ll know we’re
living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating
self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our
worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.”

o Remedy Number ONE- Live in Love
o Remedy Number TWO-Immerse yourself in Romans 8, read it for
days…

Romans 8 is a rhetorical masterpiece, in which Paul employs several
rhetorical devices to persuade and inspire his readers: (which I will not bore
you with today)

For our purposes today let’s look at Romans 8 as a courtroom drama, where
Paul presents a compelling case for the security and assurance of believers in
Christ.

In general elements of a courtroom setting include the accused, charges,
advocates, evidence, cross examination, closing remarks and verdict:

The accused the self- condemned is charged with, being a
failure…sinning…being a bad Christian Christian…being a loser: FILL IN THE
BLANK

PAUL BEGINS WITH AN OPENING STATEMENT- (members of the court)
Verse 1… “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus.”

Immediately with his opening statement Paul proffers relief for any
Christians burdened and stuck living in Romans 7 under a cloud of accusation
and condemnation and begins to make the case for living in Romans 8

Now for the next 38 verses Paul makes the case… “There is therefore now no
condemnation for those in Christ”

BTW- Spoiler Alert the key witnesses are none other than the Son and Holy
Ghost and God the Father is the Judge.

Paul argues the case that we are not guilty or condemned by illustrating that the
whole of the Godhead is at work to prove a not guilty verdict and therefore there is
now no condemnation.

Paul calls on his first key witness Jesus who is our greatest advocate.

1. The Role of Jesus Christ as Witness:
a. HE ADVOCATED BY DEALING WITH SIN
b. HE ADVOCATED BY MAKING US RIGHT
o Verse 3: “For what the law was powerless to do because it was
weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.” (people thought law make us
right and good, but it never had the power to make us right… it only showed how
wrong we were)
Jesus was sent by God in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. By
condemning sin in the flesh, Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law
on behalf of believers. Because of Christ’s sacrifice we are not condemned…

2 Cor. 5:21 “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf,
so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be
made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His
gracious lovingkindness].”

Jesus is our advocate… backer, supporter, stand in. He did this to make us RIGHT.

HE CONDEMNED IN HIS FLESH SIN…NOT THE SINNER
c. HE ADVOCATES STILL AS OUR INTERCESSOR (Romans
8:34): “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus
who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand
of God and is also interceding for us.”

JESUS ADVOCAY WAS NOT A ONE TIME EVENT BUT HE SITS AT
THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER INTERCEDING FOR US.

Jesus not only died and was raised but also continually intercedes for believers at
the right hand of God. His intercession is a powerful assurance that we are secure
and free from condemnation.

Next Paul calls on the Holy Spirit- who provides superb evidence to the life of
God at work in us.

2. The Role of Holy Spirit as witness- witnesses that:
a. We have life and Freedom – Verse 2: “Because through Christ Jesus
the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin
and death.”
b. We have the witness that He lives in us and guides us. (Romans
8:9-11): The Spirit dwells within believers, marking them as
belonging to Christ and giving life to their mortal bodies. The
indwelling Spirit ensures that believers live according to God’s will,
which provides assurance of their standing before God.
c. The Holy Spirit Affirms Sonship—that we have a new nature
o Verse 15: “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that
you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about
your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'”
o Verse 16: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are
God’s children.”
d. Verse 26 – The Holy Spirit testifies that we are on track because
when we are weak, have a bad moment he intercedes on our
behalf.
o Verse 27: The Holy Spirit intercedes in accordance to God’s will
“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,
because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the
will of God.”

Two intercessors working on our behalf…The Son and The Holy
Spirit (making appeals, having side bars with the Father to ensure
the right outcome)
1. The Role of God the Father: He Is The JUDGE
But in these closing verses of Romans 8 Paul illustrates the role of God in this
case… As the Judge. However it is not difficult to see that God manifests some
Judicial Bias…

IN THAT GOD IS COMPLETELY COMMITTED TO A PARTICULAR
OUTCOME THAT NO MATTER WHAT THE ACCUSER ROARS, OR WHAT
YOU SAY OF YOURSELF TO HIM IT WILL NOT CHANGE THE
OUTCOME.

Romans 8:3 tells us it was God who sent The Son to deal with our sin problem
God the Father initiated the plan of salvation by sending His Son, an act that
underscores His love and commitment to saving humanity.

God Adopted us as His Children (Romans 8:15-16):
God adopts believers as His children, providing them with an intimate relationship
where we can address Him as “Abba, Father.” A profound assurance of our secure
position in His family.

God has Purposes and Plans for Us (Romans 8:28-30): He is committed to
bringing about our best.
o Verse 28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of
those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
o Verse 29: “For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be
conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the
firstborn among many brothers.”

Notice there is no mention of God predestinating some to heaven and others to
hell.[2]
Rather, He predestined, He decided beforehand, not that some would receive
eternal life and others be condemned to eternal death.
What he is predestinating is that those who placed faith in Jesus Christ would be
adopted as God’s sons—would be eternally secure, would make it finally to
heaven, and would be conformed to the image of His Son.[3] Predestination has
to do with the believer’s future, not with the believer’s past.

If God gave us His best so we could be free, surely, he will continue to give us
what we need for the lesser necessities of life?
o Verse 32: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us
all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all
things?”

God the Father is unequivocally partial.
CLOSING ARGUMENTS– Pauls asks 4 Rhetorical Questions- 1 What Questions
and 3 WHO Questions
o Verses 31-“What then shall we say in response to all these things? If
God be for us who can be against us?
o Verse 33: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has
chosen? It is God who justifies.”
God final verdict is unchangeable… they are justified… just as if they never sinned
o Verse 34: “ Who then can condemn us Christ? Christ died for us.
Christ’s death, resurrection and ongoing intercession nullifies any condemnation
o Verse 35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Trouble,
hardship, persecution, famine, danger, sword…overwhelming victory
is ours in Christ.’
o Verse 38-39 Is Paul’s Climatic Statement
“38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39 neither height nor
depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate ME from the love
of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

• THE VERDICT- NOT GUILTY
Paul begins his case with there is no condemnation and closes it with
nothing can separate us from the love of God. Perfect book ends!

It is an Open and Closed Case

In Romans 8 we see the unified and comprehensive work of the Trinity assuring
believers that they are no longer under condemnation and that we are securely
saved and loved.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation: The Case Against Us is Dismissed”
Drop the Stones

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Series: “Drop The Stone” Sermon: “Help! I’m A Hypocrite”

“A study of people ages 16–29 in the United States found that nearly 90 percent of respondents articulated the opinion that Christians are Judgemental.” Barna Research

When you Judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. Wayne Dyer

If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Mother Terresa

In trying to trap Jesus they ended up doing me a great favour. Their abuse was turned to freedom.

Vs. 10-11“‘Dear woman, where are your accusers?’ Looking around, she replied, ‘I see no one, Lord (FAITH).’”

John 8:12 “Then Jesus said, ‘I am light to the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness.’”

John 8:1-11 (TPT) “Jesus walked up the Mount of Olives near the city where he spent the night. Then at dawn Jesus appeared in the temple courts again, and soon all the people gathered around to listen to his words, so he sat down and taught them.

Then in the middle of his teaching, the religious scholars and the Pharisees broke through the crowd and brought a woman who had been caught in the act of committing adultery and made her stand in the middle of everyone.

Then they said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, we caught this woman in the very act of adultery. Doesn’t Moses’ law command us to stone to death a woman like this? Tell us, what do you say we should do with her?’ They were only testing Jesus because they hoped to trap him with his own words and accuse him of breaking the laws of Moses.

When they should have been in church they were out creeping on the bedrooms of desperate housewives. Where is the dude?

Was he a fast runner or did he change his clothes and join the team?

But Jesus didn’t answer them. Instead he simply bent down and wrote in the dust with his finger. Angry, they kept insisting that he answer their question, so Jesus stood up and looked at them and said, ‘Let’s have the man who has never had a sinful desire throw the first stone at her.’

“Wrote” (katagraphein):— a compound word, to write against, as in framing an indictment.

Just used once in the NT.

Jeremiah 17:13 “O Lord, the hope of Israel, All who forsake You shall be ashamed. ‘Those who depart from Me Shall be written in the earth, Because they have forsaken the Lord, The fountain of living waters.

John 7:37 “Jesus stood and shouted out to the crowds—‘All you thirsty ones, come to me! Come to me and drink! Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!’”

Jesus had become a real problem to the religious system of the day.

He was completely undermining their weaponising of the Law.

He manifest a forgiving and loving Father, a friend of sinners.

And then he bent over again and wrote some more words in the dust. Upon hearing that, her accusers slowly left the crowd one at a time, beginning with the oldest to the youngest, with a convicted conscience. Until finally, Jesus was left alone with the woman still standing there in front of him.

There is hope for the self-righteous. If they have a functioning conscience they can still express enough self-awareness to drop the stones. You got stones?

1 Timothy 4:2 “These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.”

So he stood back up and said to her, ‘Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?’ Looking around, she replied, ‘I see no one, Lord (BELIEF – FAITH).’

Jesus said, ‘Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.’”

1 John 2:1-2 “You are my dear children, and I write these things to you so that you won’t sin. But if anyone does sin, we continually have a forgiving Redeemer who is face-to-face with the Father: Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

Galatians 6:1-2 (TPT) “My beloved friends, if you see a believer who is overtaken with a fault, the one who is in the Spirit should seek to restore him in the Spirit of gentleness. But keep watch over your own heart so that you won’t be tempted to exalt yourself over him. Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles.”

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you,…”

What is Jesus agenda for sinners?

Not to harm but to help

Not to judge but to justify

Not to condemn but to convert

Is he glorified in the stoning of a sinner or in the salvation of a sinner?

The only one qualified to throw a stone doesn’t .. why would you?

Accusation doesn’t stop people from sinning it keeps them from church!

L – Listen Intently

O – Offer Support

V – Voice Honesty

E – Esteem Greater

Jesus in that face-to-face encounter throws mercy, grace and the transformational power of unconditional love. “Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.”

John 1:17-18 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” Jesus Is God!!!

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Series: “Drop The Stone” Sermon: “Set Free From Sin”

“A substantial majority of Millennials (1981- 96) who don’t go to church say they see Christians as judgmental (87%), hypocritical (85%), anti-homosexual (91%) and insensitive to others (70%).”

“A study of people ages 16–29 in the United States found that nearly 90 percent of respondents articulated the opinion that Christians are Judgemental.” Barna Research

When you Judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. Wayne Dyer

If you judge people, you have no time to love them. Mother Terresa

Matthew 7:1 (NLT) “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.”

That person is ugly! I’m ugly.

That person is so stupid? I’m stupid.

That person is so wrong! I’m wrong.

That person is so annoying! I’m annoying.

(Psychology Today)

People judge others to avoid reckoning with potential feelings of inferiority and shame.

Since judging others can never give a person what they really need, they feel like they have to keep doing it.

One can choose not to perpetuate the cycle of judgment.

Look what Jesus wrote in the sand!

They refused to believe Jesus was The Lord, the hope of Isreal.

So he stood back up and said to her, ‘Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?’ Looking around, she replied, ‘I see no one, Lord.’

Jesus said, ‘Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.’”

Numbers 32:23 “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.”

2 Kings 5:26 “But Elisha said to him, ‘Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes…”

Proverbs 15:3 NLT “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.”

In trying to trap Jesus they ended up doing me a great favour.

There abuse was turned to freedom.

Vs. 10-11“‘Dear woman, where are your accusers?’ Looking around, she replied, ‘I see no one, Lord.’”

Psalm 32:1-5 “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Finally, I confessed (yada) all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.”

2 Corinthians 5:19 (NLT) “For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.”

Romans 3:21-25 (NLT) “But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.”

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Sermon: “Canada, God Has A Question”

Canadian Facts:

The official phone number for Canada is 1-800-o-canada.

10% of the world’s forests are in Canada.

Sam Panopoulos Canadian creator of the Hawaiian Pizza

Longest street Young — 2,000 km. Longest coastline — 202,000 km

The United States has invaded Canada twice. Lost both times.

Wasaga – Canada has the longest freshwater beach in the world.

Canada eats more doughnuts than any other country in the world.

Basketball was invented by a Canadian — Dr James Naismith

Superman was co-created by Jerry Siegal and Canadian Joe Shuster.

Canada is the most educated country in the world

More than 50% of the Canadian population has a post-secondary education qualification. And Canada’s literacy rate is 99%.

Psalm 33:12 “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.”

Psalm 72:8 “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.”

Dominion:– dominance or power through legal authority; Sovereign or supreme authority.

“He shall have dominion…”

“…Canada and the Canadian church is going to rise up once again and go to the four corners of the world and bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to pave the way for His second coming.” CHO

The Bible is about a King, a Kingdom, and a royal family of children.

A message about the desire of a King to extend His Kingdom through His royal family.

Matthew 13:33 (NLT) “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” Quietly — Progressively — Inevitably His Kingdom fills every thing every way!

Man rejected heaven’s government, when he chose independence.

The result was manmade attempts to govern God’s creation.

The root of the problems that plague mankind are primarily fallen government and religion.

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

“Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child with God. Working hand in hand with God towards the realization of His redemptive purposes in the earth.” Jack Hayford

“What a man is on his knees before God, that he is, and nothing more.” R M McCheyne

“The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.” Andrew Murray

Acts 2:18-19 “I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy: I will show…”

Isaiah 48:6-7 “I show you specified new things from this time forth, even hidden things [kept in reserve] which you have not known.They are created now [called into being by the prophetic word], and not long ago; and before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, Behold, I knew them.”

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Two-edged (Distomos):— two mouthes

Jeremiah 1:9-10 “Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, To root out and to pull down, To destroy and to throw down, To build and to plant.’”

Jeremiah 1:12 (AMP) “Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.”

When God wants to change the world he touches someones mouth.

Isaiah 6:6-8 “Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, … Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”

Ezekiel 37 BACKGROUND
597 BC — Judah overrun by the Babylonians.

Those not taken into captivity revolted and Babylon returned, razed Jerusalem and the temple.

Ezekiel in the first group taken into Babylon.

People broken and hopeless.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 “The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.”

THIS DOES NOT LOOK GOOD — HOPELESS!!!

And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.

I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.’ So I prophesied as I was commanded;…

and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

Also He said to me, Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

1. Position Yourself For Vision

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

No fresh vision and you fall for nonsense, abuse your purpose.

“I didn’t move.” D. Karl Thomas

2. Speak His Word To The Dry Bones

Don’t speak for them speak to them. What does God Say?

Can God trust you to speak that word.

A Prophetic voice will cause NOISE!

Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

Proverbs 11:11 “A city is exalted by the blessing provided from the upright, but it is destroyed by the counsel of the wicked.”

3. Command The Army To Breathe

2 Timothy 3:5 “…having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Ezekiel 47:12 “Look, I am about to open your graves and will raise you from your graves, my people. I will bring you to the land…”

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SERIES: “This Is That” — SERMON: “Make Your Way Prosperous”

Acts 2:16 “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;”

(NLT) “No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:”

Some people read their Bibles in Hebrew, some in Greek; I like to read mine in the Holy Ghost. Smith Wigglesworth

Mark 16:17-18 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; …they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Charles Carrin “Tongues is the only spiritual gift deliberately designed to attack man’s ego and pride; it exposes insincerity, self-centeredness, falsity, and other negative traits in believers.”
“Because of its unique attack on the human intellect, tongues remains the eternal “watch guard” at the gate. In a very calculated way this gift protects the other gifts from exploitation. The Holy Spirit will not allow us to choose one charisma and reject another.”

Contrast First Pentecost with Acts 2 Pentecost: Exodus 19-32

1. 50 Days.

2. Flames and mountain shaking.

3. Law given tablets of stone. How to live.

4. Drunken party takes place.

5. 3000 people died.

6. People trembling in fear.

Acts 2 Pentecost:

1. 50 Days.

2. Flames (tongues) and a violent wind.

3. Spirit comes – Power to live.

4. Drunken party takes place.

5. 3000 people made alive.

6. People drawing near in awe and wonder

The Great Divide — Water has no choice which way it will flow.

Hebrews 8:13 (NLT) “When God speaks of a ‘new’ covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.”

Wayne Grudem — Christian Ethics

“It is important to realize that the author of Hebrews is not saying that some old covenant laws are no longer binding on Christians (such as sacrificial laws or purity laws, for example), … … but that the old covenant itself, that entire system of laws that defined the relationship with God and his people, is no longer in effect.”

New Covenant Has:

A New Commission — Proclaim Gospel Of Grace

A New Commandment — Love As He Has Loved You

A New Empowerment — Supernatural Life Of The Sprit

John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Are you going to trust Jesus for redemption or Moses?

Joshua = Jesus

As Joshua led God’s people to possess the promise Jesus will lead us to possess the promise.

Book of Battle — Drive out enemy. Book of Faith — Receive Victory

Joshua 1:1-2 (NLT) “…Lord spoke to Joshua … He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.”

Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

O.T. Stategy For Success.n Confess His Will over your life.
Meditate:— (Hagah) to mutter, to speak, to devise, to plot. “This book of the Law…”

2 Corinthians 3:6 “He has qualified us [making us sufficient] as ministers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not of the letter [of a written code] but of the Spirit; for the letter [of the Law] kills [by revealing sin and demanding obedience], but the Spirit gives life.”

1 Corinthians 14:15 “…I will pray with my spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me], but I will also pray [intelligently] with my mind and understanding;…”

We pray to communicate with God. We expect to receive!

Praying in the Spirit engages the mind of the Spirit and engages the will of God.

1 Corinthians 14:18 “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you.”

Is there a purpose to speak in tongues more? How did this affect Paul’s ministry?

Advantages Of Tongue Talking

1 Corinthians 14:2 “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” When Speaking In Tongues you’re in the Spirit.

Mysteries:– (mystērion) hidden thing, secret, mystery a) generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals. b) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding c) a hidden purpose or counsel

Vine Expository Dictionary

Mysteries:– that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by divine revelation, and is made known … to those only who are illumined by the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 4:1 “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,… But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.”

2 Peter 3:15-16 “…as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand,…”

Romans 8:26-27 (NLT) “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”

1 Corinthians 14:4 “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;…”

Edified:— build up, a building (i.e. the thing built, edifice) … manifest that you are a living breathing dwelling place of the living God.

James 3:6-8 “And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. … corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, … but no one can tame the tongue.”

The Gift of tongues tames the tongue.

By practicing praying and singing in the Spirit (tongues) you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

You are speaking and living in harmony with God’s own will.

Carl R. Peterson, M.D.

I have had a number of inquiries concerning the efficacy of praying in the spirit (speaking in tongues) and its benefit to the human immune system, i.e., immunity enhanced by chemicals released from a part of the brain. I am attempting to clarify some information I have shared with a number of ministers. This is information that may be deduced from what we know about the way the brain functions. We do know the part of the brain affected most noticeably by extended prayer represents a significant portion of the brain and its metabolic activity. Therefore, voluntary speech during extended vocal prayer causes a major stimulation in these parts of the brain (mainly the hypothalamus).

The hypothalamus has direct regulation of four major systems of the body, mainly: a) the pituitary gland and all target endocrine glands;
b) the total immune system;
c) the entire autonomic system; and
d) the production of brain hormones called endorphins and enkephalons, which are chemicals the body produces and are 100-200 times more powerful than morphine.

In summary, a very significant percentage of the central nervous system is directly and indirectly activated in the process of extended verbal and musical prayer over a period of time. This results in a significant release of brain hormones which, in turn, increases the body’s general immunity. It is further enhanced through joyful laughter with increased respirations and oxygen intake to the brain, diaphragm and other muscles. This same phenomenon is seen in physical activity in general, i.e., running, etc.

https://hischarisisenough.wordpress.com/2011/06/14/medical-facts-about-speaking-in-tongues-carl-r-peterson-m-d/

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Series: “This Is That”. Sermon: “Father Rejoices Over You”

Acts 2:16 “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;”

(NLT) “No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:”

John 17:13 “But now I am coming to You; and I say these things [while I am still] in the world so that they may experience My joy made full and complete and perfect within them [filling their hearts with My delight].”

JOY:– Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness, or the expression or manifestation of such a feeling.

Joy 600x’s in the O.T. The Hebrew language has 27 words for expressing joy.

“But in this world everything is upside down. That which if it could be prolonged here, would be a truancy, is likest that which in a better country is the End of ends. Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” C.S. Lewis (Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer 92-93)

1 John 3:1 (MSG) “What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.”

Acts 2:33 “Being therefore lifted high by and to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit, He has made this outpouring which you yourselves both see and hear.”

The Holy Spirit is the blessing of the Father.

He poured out His Spirit upon us so that we can be supernaturally advantaged.

You can not fully function without the blessing.

Romans 8:15 “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”

FAMILY PIC. “Everything is going to be all right.” J. Karl Thomas

Let me tell you how your Heavenly Father feels about you: He’s nuts about you!

Zephaniah was a preacher during the time of King Josiah.

People were complacent and idolatrous. His message was about Justice and Hope.

God’s justice is restorative. He restores His people, moving them from sorrow and oppression to joy and peace.

Zephaniah 3:8b “And let them feel the brunt of my anger, my raging wrath. My zeal is a fire that will purge and purify the earth.”

Zephaniah 3:14-17 “Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart,O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;

You shall see disaster no more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Do not fear;
Zion, let not your hands be weak.

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV) “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

1. Father Is With You

Really deeply engaged in your life everyday. You can’t push Him away.

He’s not touchy and He’s never aloof.

1 Corinthians 1:17 “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.”

Hebrews 13:5 (AMP)

“He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]”

2. Father Is For You

Mighty To Save. What do you need to be saved from? His power is present to save you!

Romans 8:31-32 “What then shall we say to these things? If (SINCE) God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

3. Father Is Delighted In You

“He will take great delight in you.”

Isaiah 49:16 (AMP) “Indeed, I have inscribed [a picture of] you on the palms of My hands;”

My picture is in God’s wallet.

4. Father Is Embracing You

“… quiet you with His love.”

Brothers hugged me to freedom. I experience His peace in any situation.

The justice of God is restorative LOVE. Love never fails!

5. Father Is Celebrating You

“…rejoice over you with singing.”

Soos:— (verb) to display joy, leap, spin, to spring.

Rennaw:— a ringing cry, a shrill sound, a shout, proclomation of Joy

Isaiah 62:5 “…as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”

Who doesn’t smile when the Bride enters the room.

1 John 3:1 (MSG) “What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are.”

You’re an especially loved child of your Heavenly Father.

Let that fill you with confidence.

Let that heal any father wound.

Let that release His love in and through you.

What’s a dad’s favourite kind of music? Pop music.

What do you call a dad who loves to grill? A meat-eorologist.

What do you call a father who falls through the ice? A Popsicle.

What’s the difference between a dad joke and a bad joke? The first letter.

A young woman brings home her fiancee to meet her well to do parents. After dinner, her mother tells her father to find out about the young man. The father invites the fiancee to his study for a chat.

“So what are your plans?” the father asks the young man.

“I am a biblical scholar,” he replies.

“A Bible scholar. Hmmm,” the father says. “Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in, as she’s accustomed to?”

“I will study,” the young man replies, “and God will provide for us.”

“And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring, such as she deserves?” asks the father.

“I will concentrate on my studies,” the young man replies, “God will provide for us.”

“And children?” asks the father. “How will you support children?”

“Don’t worry, sir, God will provide,” replies the fiancee.

The conversation proceeds like this, and each time the father questions, the young man insists that God will provide.

Later, the mother asks, “How did it go, Honey?”

The father answers, “He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I’m God.”

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SERIES: “This Is That” — SERMON: “Spiritual Drinking”

Acts 1:4-5 (Jesus last words!) “He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Three Baptisms:

Spirit baptizes the believer into Christ / Body
Disciple baptizes a believer in water
Jesus baptizes believer in the Holy Spirit

“Baptizo” :– to submerge, to immerse, to pickle, to saturate causing a permanent change —not a dip!!! Be saturated with the nature and ability of Christ to fulfill His purpose in the earth.

Practice Of Early Church

Acts 8:12-17 “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received

the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 19:2, 5-6 “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit. … When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”

John 7:37-39 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given,”

Pino:–to drink figuratively, to receive what serves to refresh strengthen, nourish
John 7:37 “…let him come to Me and drink.”1 Corinthians 12:13 “…baptized [and by baptism united together] into one body, and all made to drink of one [Holy] Spirit.”

Ephesians 5:18 {MSG} “Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.” “…Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.” {NLT}
“…but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.” {AMP}

Lawrence of Arabia in Paris after WWI with some of his Arab friends.

They were most impressed by the faucet in the hotel bathtub. They spent much of their time turning the faucets off and on. As they were preparing to leave Lawrence found them in the bathroom with wrenches trying to disconnect the faucets.

“Sahara Unveiled” Wm. Langewiesche Pair lost in desert drank Rad fluid.

Thirsty enough they drink poison. Progression of Thirst.

eudipsia: ordinary thirst, 2. hyperdipsia: temp intense thirst 3. polydipsia: sustained excessive thirst, drives one to drink anything. 4. uriposia: the drinking of urine, 5. hemoposia: the drinking of blood.

A person may only survive a few days without water. Various factors affect how much water they need. For this reason, it is not possible to tell precisely how long a person can live without water.

(www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325174)

Signs Of Dehydration:

Extreme thirst. Headache. Irritability. Dizziness. Less-frequent urination. Dark-colored urine Fatigue. Confusion Muscle cramps. Dry mouth, lips, Lack of sweat. Elevated heart rate. Low blood pressure

Psalm 46:4 “There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.”

Psalm 36:7-9 “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give (Make) them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”

You and God are in a drinking relationship.

1 Corinthians 12:13 “…and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

We Have A Powerful Continuous Ministry.

We Are To Personally Receive and Release Spiritual Favour.

Vitals For Holy Ghost Living
1. Receive — The most difficult thing to hide is that which you do not possess.

Release —oThe Spirit is a river of Divine life that flows to you to go through you.
Rivers Of Worship
John 4:24 “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Rivers Of Witness
Acts 1:8 “…receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…”
Rivers Of Ministry
Mark 16:17-18 “…and these signs shall follow Those who believe …lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Rivers Of Gifts

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (MSG) “God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. … All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:”

Rivers Of Intercession
Romans 8:26-27 “the Spirit Himself makes intercession … Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Rivers Of Strength
Jude 20 “…building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,”

1 Corinthians 14:4 “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.”

Rivers Of Fruitfulness
Galatians 5:22-23 “… fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

8. Rivers Of Revelation
Ephesians 1:17-18 “Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened”

Rivers Of Joy and Peace

Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

I’m In A Drinking Relationship:

Matthew 10:8. “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

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SERIES: “This Is That” — SERMON: “Happy Birthday Church”

JOKE: Billy Graham was returning from Charlotte where he was where he had a speaking engagement. When his plane arrived, a limo was waiting to pick him up and take him home. He stopped and spoke to the driver and he said, “You know what? I am 87 years old and I have never, ever in my life driven a limo. Will you give me a chance to drive this limo? I’ve never done this before.” The driver said, “No problem. Go ahead and get behind the wheel and we will just be on our way.”

Well Billy got into the driver seat and they headed off. A short distance down the highway, a rookie state trooper had set up his first speed trap. The block long, black limo passed them going 70 mph in a 55-mounted per hour zone. The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo and pulled it over. When he walked up to the driver’s door, he was surprised to see who was driving. Immediately he excused himself and he called his supervisor. He said, “You know, I know we’re supposed to enforce the law, but I also know that we’re supposed to give courtesies to people that are in powerful places; important people”. Well the supervisor agreed and he said, “Is that the governor?” “No. He’s more important than that.” The supervisor responded, “Is he the president of the United States? The rookie cop said, “No, he’s even more important that”. The Super finally asked woman, “Well who is it? The young trooper replied, “I think it’s Jesus because he has Billy Graham as a chauffeur!”

Acts 2:16 “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;”

(NLT) “No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:”

PENTECOST:– Fifty, compound word, a combination of the #5 and, add a zero. 50

Fifty Days after the feast of Passover.

Three Major Feasts

Passover — Delivered From Egypt (1st Month)
Pentecost — The Giving Of The Law (3rd Month)
Tabernacles — Harvest (7 Trumpets and Atonement)

Passover — Jesus provides His righteousness.

Pentecost — Spirit enables the manifest of righteousness.

Harvest — Jesus returns to gather the righteous.

The very day that Jews from around the world gather in Jerusalem to reaffirm their commitment to the Law of Moses, the Holy Spirit descends on them offering the Gospel, the promise of new life to all who will believe in Jesus.

The Law was skin deep but the Gospel of Grace goes right to the core.

Contrast First Pentecost with Acts 2 Pentecost: Exodus 19-32

50 Days.
Flames and mountain shaking.
Law given tablets of stone. How to live.
Drunken party takes place.
3000 people died.

Acts 2 Pentecost:

50 Days.
Flames and a violent wind.
Spirit comes – Power to live.
Drunken party takes place.
3000 people made alive.

Acts 1:4 “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;…”

“When your baptized in the Holy Ghost, He takes over! All the preaching, counselling and Bible reading you can absorb will be dead to you unless you have the Holy Ghost living in you! He makes you to understand and know it is God speaking!” David Wilkerson

Acts 2:39 “…and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off,(not distance but time) as many as the Lord our God will call.”

This was fulfilled and ongoing. Acts 8, 9, 10, 19 And my experience …

The Experiences of:

D.L.Moody — R.A.Torrey — Charles Finney — Stephen Olford — Billy Graham

D. L. Moody
D.L. Moody was a successful minister but by his own admission later, he lacked the power in his ministry. One day two women came up to him after a service. They said,
“We have been praying for you.”
“Why don’t you pray for the people?” he asked.
“Because you need the power of the Spirit,” they said.
“I need the power! Why,” said Mr. Moody, in relating the incident years after, “I thought I had power. I had the largest congregations in Chicago, and there were many conversions.”

Moody also said that in a sense, he was satisfied. He was in a comfort zone. But these two praying women rocked the boat. They told him that they were praying for an anointing by the Holy Spirit for D.L. to have a special service to God. He could not get this off his mind and he said, “There came a great hunger in my soul. I did not know what it was and I began to cry out to God as never before. I felt I did not want to live if I could not have this power for service”.

After the great fire of Chicago, DL was working to raise money to rebuild a tabernacle. He said his heart was not into it because he kept crying out to God to fill him. He withdrew and prayed during a visit to New York to raise money and he cried that God would fill him with His Spirit. DL describes it this way:
“Well, one day, in the city of New York — oh, what a day! — I cannot describe it, I seldom refer to it; it is almost too sacred an experience to name. Paul had an experience of which he never spoke for fourteen years. I can only say that God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand. I went to preaching again. The sermons were not different; I did not present any new truths, and yet hundreds were converted. I would not now be placed back where I was before that blessed experience if you should give me all the world — it would be as the small dust of the balance.”

R.A. Torrey gives his testimony:
The address of this afternoon, and the addresses of the days immediately to follow, are the outcome of an experience, and that experience was the outcome of a study of the Word of God. After I had been a Christian for some years, and after I had been in the ministry for some years, my attention was strongly attracted to certain phrases found in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles, and in the Epistles, such as “baptized with the Holy Spirit,” “filled with the Spirit,” “the Holy Spirit fell upon them,” “the gift of the Holy Spirit,” “endued with power from on high,” and other closely allied phrases. As I studied these various phrases in their context, it became clear to me that they all stood for essentially the same experience; and it also became clear to me that God has provided for each child of His in this present dispensation that they should be thus “baptized with the Spirit,” or, “filled with the Spirit.”

As I studied the subject still further, I became convinced that they described an experience which I did not myself possess, and I went to work to secure for myself the experience thus described. I sought earnestly that I might “be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” I went at it very ignorantly. I have often wondered if anyone ever went at it any more ignorantly than I did. But while I was ignorant, I was thoroughly sincere and in earnest, and God met me, as He always meets the sincere and earnest soul, no matter how ignorant he may be; and God gave me what I sought, I was “baptized with the Holy Spirit.” And the result was a transformed Christian life and a transformed ministry.

Charles G. Finney
I was powerfully converted on the morning of the month of October, 1822. In the evening of the same day I received overwhelming baptisms of the Holy Ghost, that went through me, as it seemed to me, body and soul. I immediately found myself endued with such power from on high that a few words dropped here and there to individuals were the means of their immediate conversion. My words seemed to fasten like barbed arrows in the souls of men. They cut like a sword. They broke the heart like a hammer. Multitudes can attest to this. Oftentimes a word dropped without my remembering it would fasten conviction, and often result in almost immediate conversion. Sometimes I would find myself, in a great measure, empty of this power. I would go and visit, and find that I made no saving impression. I would exhort and pray, with the same result. I would then set apart a day for private fasting and prayer, fearing that this power had departed from me, and would inquire anxiously after the reason of this apparent emptiness. After humbling myself, and crying out for help, the power would return upon me with all its freshness. This has been the experience of my life.
—
Stephen Olford gives a similar testimony as he checked into a motel and committed to stay and pray until he was baptized by the Holy Spirit so God could empower him for service. God answered and gave him a powerful ministry reaching the world through radio during the golden radio years and he continues his ministry by teaching ministers.

Billy Graham said that Stephen Olford had a powerful influence over his life. Stephen prayed with Billy until he was baptized and then God exploded Billy Graham’s evangelistic ministry.

7 Observations From Pentecost

1. They Were Invited

Acts 1;4 “He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise…”

Pentecost is a command for every believer to enter into. This is not to be an optional experience.

2. They Were United

Acts 2:1“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

Wait — Test — 10 days from ascension. United in obedience to “WAIT”

3. They Were Excited

Acts 2:2 “…suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” This was a miracle from heaven.

4. They Were Ignited

Acts 2:3 “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

Whenever God identifies a new place of His fixed habitation He sends His fire.

Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth, power and resources arising from numbers, power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

Power:– {dunamis} inherent power, explosive.
Power to produce 5 things:

Miracles 2. Morality 3. Money 4. Multiplication 5. Movement

5. They Were Empowered

Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,…” You are nothing without the Holy Spirit.

filled (pimplēmi):– to furnish, to fill, to accomplish, to be fulfilled.

6. They Were Gifted

Acts 2:4 “…and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Holy Spirit wants to testify of the presence of Jesus through you. You are gifted to manifest the Kingdom.

Acts 2:18-19 “I will pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy [telling forth the divine counsels and predicting future events pertaining especially to God’s kingdom]. And I will show…”

7. They Were Ejected

Acts 2:6,14 “Now when this was noised abroad, …But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice,…”

True Pentecost will always lead to a strong witness to the lost. Must leave the upper room!!!

The church is born! A body of believers, filled with the Spirit, with Christ as their head.

The only normal Christian life is Pentecostal. Being Pentecostal is not a denomination or an experience – it’s a lifestyle – it’s a destiny – it’s a command from God

1. Accept the promise of Holy Spirit.

2. Ask For Baptism Of Holy Spirit.

3. Confess You Have Received Holy Spirit

4. Act On Your Confession Of Faith.

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SERIES: “This Is That” SERMON #4: “You’re The Hero”

Acts 2:16 “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;”

(NLT) “No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:”

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Luke 23:5 (The Message) “But they were vehement. ‘He’s stirring up unrest among the people with his teaching, disturbing the peace everywhere, starting in Galilee and now all through Judea. He’s a dangerous man, endangering the peace.’”

1 John 2:20, 27 “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”

(AMP) “But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you;”

We are anointed!

The world needs what is in us to get upon us so that they can see the evidence of the superior kingdom that we operate in. The anointing is how we establish the flora of heaven on earth.

“They thought they got an experience. They kept trying to get another experience like that one … it was Someone – a Divine Personality – who came to live in them. He is a Heavenly Being: the Holy Spirit” Kenneth Hagin

Acts 1:8 (AMP) “But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.”

Revelation 1:5 “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 3:11 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”

The Christian is a holy rebel loose in the world with access to the throne of God. Satan never knows from what direction he will come. A. W. Tozer

Sense knowledge has gained supremacy over Christianity and dominates it. Civilization has failed because the type of Christianity we have given it has failed. It was a sense-ruled type that was stripped of miracles. E. W. Kenyon

Daniel 11:32 “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

Exploit:– An act or deed, especially a brilliant or heroic one. (American Heritage Doictionary)

Psalm 16:3 NLT “The godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!”

PICTURE OF MY BATMAN SUIT

Judges 13:5 “For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Judges 14:3-4 “And Samson said to his father, ;Get her for me, for she pleases me well.’ But his father and mother did not know that it was of the Lord—that He was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines. For at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.”

Judges 16:1-3 (NIV) “Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron.” (40mi)

PICTURE OF MUSCULAR SAMSOM … Picture of what he probably looked like.

Judges 15:14-15 “Then the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him; … He found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, reached out his hand and took it, and killed a thousand men with it.”

Judges 16:20 “And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” So he awoke from his sleep, and said, “I will go out as before, at other times, and shake myself free!” But he did not know that the Lord had departed from him.”

Judges 16:30 “Then Samson said, ‘Let me die with the Philistines!’ And he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people who were in it. So the dead that he killed at his death were more than he had killed in his life.”

Hebrrews 11:32-34 “ and Samson … who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”

Hebrews 11:40 (AMP) “Because God had us in mind and had something better and greater in view for us, so that they [these heroes and heroines of faith] should not come to perfection apart from us [before we could join them].”

“I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.” Bob Dylan

“The ordinary man is involved in action, the hero acts. An immense difference.” Henry Millar

“Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in the heroic makes heroes.”

Benjamin Disraeli

Philippians 4:13 (AMP) “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”

1 John 4:4 (NLT) “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.”

Mark 16:15 “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’”

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SERIES: “This Is That” SERMON #2: “Exercise Your Super Powers”

Acts 2:16 “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;”

(NLT) “No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:”

Ezekiel 36:25-27 “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

Revelation 5:9-10 “For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 3:11 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”

Romans 5:17 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth (A MAN LIKE YOU AND I WAS SMEARED WITH GOD TYPE ABILITY AND POWER!!!) with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Anointing:– The person and power of Holy Spirit working through humanity to accomplish the or a divine purpose. The unction to function.

Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth power for performing miracles, moral power and excellence of soul the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth, power and resources arising from numbers, power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

Power:– {dunamis} inherent power, explosive.
Power to produce 5 things:

Miracles 2. Morality 3. Money 4. Multiplication 5. Movement

1 John 2:20, 27 “But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.”

“But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you;”

This life is ours legally because of the blood and vitally because of our relationship with Holy Spirit.

John 14:12 “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.”

We are anointed!

The world needs what is in us to get upon us so that they can see the evidence of the superior kingdom that we operate in.

The anointing is how we establish the flora of heaven on earth.

You can’t be more or less anointed but you can have more revelation on the benefits of the anointing.

You can also position yourself to be more effective in the flow and operation of the anointing … be more intentional.

Numbers 11:29 “Then Moses said to him, ‘Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!’”

Numbers 14:24 “But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it.”

Joshua 14:6-15 “…but I wholly followed the LORD my God. So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’”

Anointing Captures Your Sight

(7) “the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out (SEE get a vision) the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart.”

Anointing Quickens Revelation

(9) “Moses swore…be an inheritance to you…”

I have the title deed to this property! Now, get out!

Anointing Arouses Passion

(12) “Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day”

Proverbs 10:24 “…what the righteous desire will be granted.”

Desire:– of the father … What possesses you fathers your desire.

Anointing Instills Patience

(11) “I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.”

Stayed fit. Unshakable Expectation.

Anointing Secures Results

(14) “So Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb…”

“God never works anything independently of you that concerns your life” Yonggi Cho

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SERIES: “This Is That” SERMON: “Holy Fire”

Acts 2:16 “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;”

(NLT) “No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel:”

Acts 2:17 “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;”

John the Baptist summarised Jesus purpose for coming as:

Matthew 3:11 “… He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:”

“Baptizo” :– to submerge, to immerse, to pickle, to saturate causing a permanent change.

Picture of the “Fire Fall,” Began inadvertently in 1872 James McCailey pushed remnants of campfire over the hill … 3200 feet … waterfall of fire. People began to ask for it nightly

Stopped the practice Jan 28, 1968. “It was a manmade spectacle in a Natural park.”

Fellow went back to visit Yosemite Park. Went as a child and he remembered the “Fire Fall”.

He asked park Ranger: “When does the Fire Fall.” The Ranger responded: “The fire doesn’t fall here anymore.”

Very sad when people visit the house of God to see the fire fall, only to find out, “the fire doesn’t fall here anymore.”

The only thing that distinguishes the people of God is the FIRE FALL!!!

“You might as well try to hear without ears, or breathe without lungs, as try to live a Christian life without the Spirit of God in your heart.” D.L. Moody

Acts 1:4 “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me;’”

1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;” (GW) “Do not quench the Spirit.” (NKJV)

quench (sbennymi) :— to extinguish, of fire or things on fire, to stifle Divine influence.

I see everything a failure except that which is done in the Spirit. Many are brought into this new life through the power of the Spirit of God, … they try to perfect themselves on the lines of legalism. They go back from the life in the Spirit to a life on natural lines. God is not pleased with this, for He has no place for the man who has lost the vision. Smith Wigglesworth

Galatians 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (NKJV)

“How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” (NLT)

Fire — a symbol of acceptance and approval.

Fire fell on the tabernacle. Fire fell on the temple. Fire fell on the church.

The fire prepares and identifies God’s dwelling place on earth.

Matthew 3:11 “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

2 Timothy 3:5 (NLT) “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

Strange Fire:– It is fire that you try to produce yourself rather than taking fire off the alter.

“Using carnal means to kindle devotion and praise.” C.I. Schofield

“All not done in worship and service, in dependence upon the Holy Spirit of God and under His guidance, in obedience to the Word of God.” A. Gabelein

Leveiticus 6:13 “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”

Leviticus 9:10, 21 “Then Moses said, ‘This is the thing which the Lord commanded you to do, and the glory of the Lord will appear to you.’ … Aaron waved as a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses had commanded.”

Leviticus 9:23-24 “Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.”

Leviticus 10:1-2 “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane (Strange) fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.”

You can’t be more or less anointed but you can be have more revelation on the benefits of the anointing.

You can also position yourself to be more effective in the flow and operation of the anointing … be more intentional.

Proverbs 1:23 (NLT) “Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you (pour my Sprit on you NKJV) and make you wise.”

Acts 13:52 (TPT) “They left the new converts in Antioch overflowing with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

Intentionally Lean Into Holy Spirit:

Be Rich In The Word
Commit To Learning
Align With His Voice
Practice Divine Confidence
Fix Yourself In Joy

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Series: Faces Sermon: “Face of Restoration”

Misnomer that it is our responsibility to be the pursuer in our relationship with God.

Our pursuit for God and our pursuit for intimacy with Him is a topic often preached about, however, the flip side of this scenario doesn’t always get as much airtime.

That is God’s pursuit for man and that he not only chases after us but he never takes His eyes off me.

God is engaged in an unmitigated pursuit of us…

There is a constant wooing from heaven… to call those who are lost… and to call those who got lost in the way…

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as a seeker on a continual pursuit for something.

We find the Father seeking those that would worship (John 4:23),
Scanning the earth from heaven (Ps 14:2)
His eyes running to and fro throughout the planet to find someone he can strengthen(2 Chr 16:9).
We find Jesus telling us that He has come to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).
We find Him giving us a deeper glimpse into His heart by comparing Himself with a shepherd who leaves 99 sheep to seek the one lost (Luke 15:4-7),
He is like a father who incessantly scans the horizon for the return of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20), He is like a merchant seeking fine pearls (Mt 13:45-46).
He is in the Psalmist words when he declares surely goodness and steadfast love will follow my all days of my life. That word translated follow- yirdĕpûnî when used elsewhere has the connotation of hunting, pursuing.

Despite our sin, our waywardness, our piety, our efforts, our failures, despite everything. From the complaining, Moses to the rejection of God as King, from idolatry under the monarchs to the compromise under the Romans, God across thousands of years has pursued His people.

God appeared in the flesh to knock on their doors, to sleep in their gardens, to eat at their tables, to call them back to Him.

He possesses reckless/uncontrollable wild devotion to his children.

Scottish Anglican theologian John Macquarrie says, “We are the objects of a search directed towards us.” God is always and everywhere reaching out for us, nudging us back into the sheepfold or on into our futures, gluing together shards from what was shattered to offer us something useful and beautiful, usually not on our schedule and not in ways we would imagine.

“We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts” ― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

“Always, everywhere God is present, and always He seeks to discover Himself to each one”
― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

We have a God who is seeking us.

We have a God who is after us.

We have a God who pursues us.

Not just for the purpose of saving our souls but even more profound the King of the universe will come after us even when we walking away..

Today as we finish off our Faces Series let’s look at Luke’s Gospel and the two guys on the Road to Emmaus as we discover like the psalmist, if I ascend to heavens he is there, if I make my bed in Sheol he is there, if I dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea he is there… If I am disappointed, discouraged, despondent he is there.

Because:

God has Joined himself to us
God journeys with us
God restores us — He is the FACE of RESTORATION

This story is reminiscent of Paul bent on destruction encountering Jesus on the wrong road as well.

The story is about two men, and one of them was named Cleopas, who found themselves in a spiritual conundrum.

They had just witnessed the crucifixion of the one they hoped had been the Messiah. They had been taught as young men in the synagogue that the Messiah would bring about a political, social and spiritual change. They had hoped that the Messiah would overturn the rule and oppression of the Romans.

However, they had seen something with their eyes that did not make sense- the crucifixion Jesus.

These two guys were so negatively impacted by what they had witnessed that they turned their and walked away.

William Barclay’s Commentary says that when Jesus asked them what they were talking about, “they stood with faces twisted with grief”

The hopes, the dreams, the expectations, that Jesus was the Redeemer, the Deliverer, the Saviour, the Messiah, came to a sudden and complete end. This Jesus who was to end the slavery, and rescue the least, the last, and the lost, suddenly and abruptly had died the death of a criminal hung between two thieves crucified on a cross.

They had lost hope

It has been said that, “A soul without hope is like a body without food.”

Can you identify with these disciples?

Do you know what it’s like to think of hope as a thing of the past?

Have you ever walked a lonely road with grief written across your face?

We have all kinds of hopes and dreams—

The hope that we might meet that perfect mate and get married
The hope to have children
The hope that our adult children might finally turn their lives around.
We hope for entry into a desired college
The perfect job
To get out of poverty
To get out of soul crushing debt
To be free of stress and anxiety and depression
To be healed of some disease or disability,
To be free of addiction that keeps dragging us down.

When dreams go unfulfilled or our hopes are shattered, it’s discouraging, and sometimes devastating.

Proverbs tells us, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…

Proverbs 18:14 A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

In fact the saddest death of all is the death of HOPE

Luke 24:13-33New King James Version (NKJV)

The Road to Emmaus

13 Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day (what same day? The day that the women went to grave/angels he is risen/ go tell/ come running but he is not there) to a village called Emmaus,( walk warm bath, medicinal springs) which was seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, (perhaps seeking for answers, shocked, confused, disillusioned, grief twisted faces) that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.( some translations say suddenly, out of no where, he pulled a Nanny Mcphee) 16 But their eyes were restrained,(restrained by God/restrained because their disappointment, it is to see, hard to see what you don’t expect, so devastated were they by what happened the last thing they expected was to see Jesus) so that they did not know Him.

17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?” (sullen, gloomy, mournful) 18 Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, (you must be new, not from here) and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”(the whole world knows what happened, twin towers)

19 And He said to them, “What things?”

So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping (trusting, put all trust in, people had left life to follow Jesus, risk rejection of family) that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, (if that’s not bad enough) today is the third day since these things happened. 22 Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrived at the tomb early, astonished us. 23 When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see.” (could you imagine the roller coaster of emotion… he’s alive, he’s not at the tomb, where is he, what did the women really hear, no wonder they were on their way back to medicinal springs, total despondency)

25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! (without understanding, dull, slow to apprehend, slow to be persuaded) 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”(You can read something and believe in head but until it is experienced in the heart it is hard to apprehend. Jesus was about to give them an experience that would be etched in their hearts forever) 27And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

He would have proven through a tour of scripture that the Messiah was

The voice in the bush
The Passover lamb
The deliverance of Israel
The significance of son David
The suffering Saviour from the Psalms
The Good Shepherd from Psalm 23
The wisdom of Proverbs
The suffering servant from Isaiah 53
The prophecies concerning Him

28 Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther. 29 But they constrained (to compel and employ force) Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.

30 Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. (He Nanny Mcpheed them again)

32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together.”

There are so many observations one can draw from this illustration but for today we want to highlight that the FACE OF RESTORATION has joined himself to you and will journey with you come what may.

1. Join himself to us- Verse 14 “He drew near” that word drew near is engizo- en/ge/zo— to join one thing to another, to be at hand. He positioned himself with them.

Like gluing two blocks of wood. – he is our gorilla super glue

A spiritual way to say this is we have union with Christ now and forever. We are in Christ-

Paul used this phrase in one form or another 164 times.

Union with Christ is indissoluble. It is rooted in the unconditional and immutable decree of divine election “in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4

He has chosen to forever be in union with humanity.

God’s desire is to become the same as man and to make man the same as God…

Therefore, God Himself has been man-ized, and man is being God-ized; we will never become God in the sense of being worshipped but in the sense of having God’s life, nature, expression, and function, and ruling and reigning with God.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God… so Christ has made a decision to be joined with us.

Which means He has decided that He will journey with us no matter our condition or position.

2. Journey with us– Verse 15 “he went with them” soom-por-yoo’-om-ahee- to journey together- he began to journey with them.

Journeying with someone implies much more than just taking a walk.

Journey focuses on the process of getting there, not the arrival.
Journey implies changes, transitions, challenges and adventures.
Engages– Verse 17 “? 17 And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?
He knew
I love that says that you are so sad
He listened to their sad story///
Jesus already knows the source of our disappointment sadness, but he asks anyways
Instruct us-Verse 27 “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” He illuminated the word to them… divine illumination…The word will come along side and while he journeys with you he will illuminate the scripture. The Word expounding the word…

It was like a floodlight on the word that brought clarification, explanation, and revelation and passion.

In the midst of our despondency, despair and disappointment Jesus will journey with you whether you are hot for him or hiding from him.

The Emmaus Road story reminds us that… we are loved, supported, and guided on our way.

He is journeying with you even though you may not recognize him.

3. Restores us– to return something to an earlier good condition or position

Verse 32 “did not our hearts burn” : (kah’-yo) kaió: to kindle, burn…, ignite…, light, set on fire, he fills us with great emotion…

After a 7 mile walk one way they headed right back, and probably much faster. When you have good news you can’t wait to go and tell someone.

Verse 33 “so they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together.”

The went back and shared the news with the rest…

Verse 3 35- 36 as they were telling the story suddenly Jesus appeared/// verified their story

God sees our heart (1 Sam 16:7), He sees the hidden feelings and movements of our hearts, even the ones we are not yet aware of.

God knows who we are, He knows our frame (Ps 103:14). He is aware of our weaknesses and limitations and the frailty of our heart.

Jesus isn’t shocked by our weaknesses.

He was pursuing us before we ever responded to Him.
He has been the jealous, wooing Bridegroom all along.
He won’t relent, even when our response feels weak or when we fail to act.

Jesus is walking that road with you listening to your sorrows. He has joined himself to you, he is committed to journey with you, fill you with passion, and restore you in mission and fill your heart with joy.

No matter how discouraging or depressing life gets, no matter how hurt or heartbroken you are or how lonely you feel; Jesus won’t make you walk that road alone. You may not see him, but he’s there. He will come alongside.

Jesus Will pursue the:

Tax Collectors and the Pharisees
The Sinners and the Saint
The Outcasts
The rejected and the Respected
Those who need deep forgiveness
Those who break the rules and those who live by them
Those who loose their way
Those who loose hope—–He is right in there, in the midst.

Conclusion

He is the lord our God and he will never forsake us- Deuteronomy 31:8
Jesus said behold I am with you always Mathew 28:20
When I sit/walk in darkness the Lord will be a light to me Micah 7:8
He is the strength of my heart and my portion forever Ps 73:26
He the Lord will strengthen us, help us and holds our right hand- Is 41:10-13
If God is for us who can be against us
Who can separate us from the love of God-NOTHING can separate me from His love toward me- Romans 8:30-39

Nothing can ever extinguish the flame in God’s heart, it is his love for us that fuels his relentless pursuit of us, even when we mess up and get terribly lost.

Appeal 1- if you are lost and have not experienced Christ, open your eyes He is right here

Appeal 2- you and I are now Christ representatives on earth, and this story teaches us to join others in their journey.

The lesson of the road to Emmaus is to understand:

The importance of listening to others, especially as they share their pain and doubt.

Is to help people see that their story is caught up in God’s story.

May our eyes be opened, so that we can recognize Jesus in our midst.

May our hearts burn with joy as we see our story wrapped up in his.

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SERIES: Faces SERMON: “The Face Of Rejoicing”

Romans 4:25 (TPT). “Jesus was handed over to be crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and was raised back to life to prove that He had made us right with God!”

Romans 4:25 (YLT) “Who was delivered up because of our offences, and was raised up because of our being declared righteous.”

Jesus could not be raised if every sin was not forgiven.

Full atonement! Jesus covered it all.

The resurrection is proof that I am righteous!!!

Acts 4:33 “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”

Central Message of the early Church!

That Jesus Christ is risen from the dead is the central theme of the Christian faith.

If Jesus had only lived as a good example we would still be in our sin.

If Jesus had only died for us we would still be in our sin.

Jesus is risen from the dead!

1 Corinthians 15:17-19 “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human, for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ.”

Colossians 2:17 “These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

The old covenant. Special days … foods … sacrifices…

Psalm 89:15 (AMP) “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are the people who know the joyful sound [who understand and appreciate the spiritual blessings symbolized by the feasts]; they walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance!”

Jesus was raised on the 17th day of Nisan.

(17 Overcoming Enemy – Complete Victory)

Day of the harvest of Firstfruits. Day Noah’s ark rested on the new earth.

Day passed through the Red Sea – New Life Day manna stopped enjoyed New Land

Day Esther touch the sceptre of the King.

Leveiticus 23:10-11, 14 “When you come into the land which I give to you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.”

… You shall eat neither bread nor parched grain nor fresh grain until the same day that you have brought an offering to your God; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.”

The harvest is blessed when He is first.

Matthew 27:52-53 “…and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.”

John 20:1, 11-18 “Now the first day (First Fruits 17th) of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb…

“Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”
She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

Adam was a gardener who failed in his task and the world became a wasteland of war and sin. Second Adam (Jesus) will succeed in his task. Christ will restore the ruined garden.

Revelation 22:2-4 “On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Nothing accursed will be there anymore. … They shall see His face,”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, …

… ’I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.”

Closing Lessons:

The victory is complete.

This broken world can’t shape you.

All injustice is eliminated.

You are marginalised NO MORE!

Look in His Face — Freedom

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SERIES: Faces SERMON: “The Face Of Discovery”

Picture of Writing in blood on train chair.

John Phipps — Jan. 26, 2013 on the Metrolink in LA — Accident thought he was going to die!

Wrote this in his own blood. “I (Heart) my kids I (heart) Lil” His wife said; “ “Hallmark is never going to top that,” she said. “It’s moving, it’s thoughtful and it’s chilling all at the same time.”

Rescue Worker: “ “I’ve seen some gruesome things on this job, but that moved me,” Rosario said at the news conference. “My only thoughts at that point was, I have to get this seat to his wife and kids.”

Picture Bloody Cross.

Mark 15:24-39

“Then the soldiers nailed him to the cross. They divided his clothes and threw dice to decide who would get each piece. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.” Two revolutionaries were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left.

The people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. “Ha! Look at you now!” they yelled at him. “You said you were going to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days. Well then, save yourself and come down from the cross!” The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself!

Let this Messiah, this King of Israel, come down from the cross so we can see it and believe him!” Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

“My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” Jesus entered our human blindness to a Father who never abandons anyone, in order that our eyes may be open to see Him. Jesus asks our human question “Why?” fully empathizing with the core Adamic lie of our God-forsakenness.

“Sin-induced separation is ‘real’ to us, but is itself the delusion that continues to fuel our darkness. Jesus did not pay off God by dying for our sins. He is God. He became our sin and brought it to death in order to liberate us from sin and death. Jesus wasn’t changing God; He was changing you.”

John Crowder

Some of the bystanders misunderstood and thought he was calling for the prophet Elijah. One of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, holding it up to him on a reed stick so he could drink. “Wait!” he said. “Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down!”

Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

What Convinced This Centurion?

Composure

John 19:26-27 “He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!’”

2. Compassion

Luke 23:43 “And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’”

3. Confession

Luke 23:34 “While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over and over, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.’”

4. Completion

John 19:30 “It is finished.”

Mark 15:28 “Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

Ernest Borgnine — “Jesus Of Nazareth” (1977)— He played the Centurion

“As that centurion learned 2,000 years ago, I too have found that you simply cannot come close to Jesus without being changed.”

Then His cry rose against the desert wind. Not the voice of Zeffirelli, reading from the Bible, but the voice of Jesus Himself: “Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.” In awe I watched Jesus’ head slump to one side. I knew He was dead. A terrible grief welled within me, and completely oblivious to the camera, I started sobbing uncontrollably.

“Cut!” yelled Zeffirelli. Olivia Hussey and Anne Bancroft were crying too. I wiped my eyes and looked up again to where I had seen Jesus—He was gone.

Whether I saw a vision of Jesus that windswept day or whether it was only something in my mind, I do not know. It doesn’t matter.

For I do know that it was a profound spiritual experience and that I have not been quite the same person since.

I believe that I take my faith more seriously. I like to think that I’m more forgiving than I used to be. As that centurion learned 2,000 years ago, I too have found that you simply cannot come close to Jesus without being changed.

The cross of Christ proclaims you are never alone.

God is present and powerful even when life is manifesting extreme pressure and pain.

Romans 4:25 (TPT)

“Jesus was handed over to be crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and was raised back to life to prove that He had made us right with God!”

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SERIES: Faces SERMON: “The Angry Face Of Religion”

Mark 14:9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.” WOW! She expressed LOVE!!!

The greatest lesson we can embrace from this encounter:

The power of the gospel is manifest in our lives through beholding and not behaving.

A Deep Vision Of Grace!!!

“The sweet language of experience is ‘Thou God seest Me’ When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth.”

A.W. Tozer (The Pursuit Of God)

The feast of Passover:Brought the sacrifice for inspection. Got rid of the leaven.
Jesus came for inspection. Jesus cleansed His temple.
Today He begins His final assault to secure JUSTICE FOR ALL!

Matthew 21:9 “Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!’”

Matthew 21:10 “And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’”Moved:— (Seio) to shake, agitate, cause to tremble

Luke19:41-44 “He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes’ … because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Matthew 21:12-13 “Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text: My house was designated a house of prayer;”

Mathew 5:2:3 “Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’” Sermon On The Mount

Picture Of The Religious Leaders Challenging Jesus.

Matthew 23:13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”

“… you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. … whitewashed tombs … full of extortion and self-indulgence … Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”

Matthew 23:37 ”O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!“

The Greek word “ouai” (Woe) is used in the following three ways:

Used to express a denunciation; blameworthy and evil.

Used to express a severe distress or affliction. Used to express great grief.

hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace’):— an actor; stage-player, pretender one who hides behind a mask.

This was using profanity to a religious Jew. Theatre Pretend.

Hypocrite:— a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

Hypocrisy is the gap between what we show and who we are.

Jesus got angry with religious leaders who used His father’s word to harm others.

He got mad when religion got in the way. VERY MAD!!!

Religion is behavioural conformity. Wanting a list and not the Lord.

An empty heart. The system without the Saviour.

The perfect way without the indwelling perfect person.

Exodus 20:19 ”Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’”

Give us Rules without Relationship. We would like to follow without the personal encounter

John 5:39-40 ”You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.“

God loves you more than God loves His rules. NOT

God loves His rules more that he loves you. This Hurts People

Mark 2:27 “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.’”

“Legalism is the conviction that law-keeping is the ground for our acceptance with God — a failure to be amazed at grace.” John Piper

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT) ”For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.“

Luke 24:49 “What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you’re equipped with power from on high.”

I am learning that the best cure for hypocrisy is community. Hypocrisy is not so much the result of not living what I preach but much more of not confessing my inability to fully live up to my own words. Henri Nouwen

Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Psalm 32:5 (Message) “Then I let it all out; I said, ‘I’ll come clean about my failures to God.’ Suddenly the pressure was gone— my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.”

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SERIES: Faces SERMON: “Something About Mary”

John 12:1-11

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.”

Mark 14:9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

WOW! She expressed LOVE!!!

The greatest lesson we can embrace from this encounter:

The power of the gospel is manifest in our lives through beholding and not behaving.

A Deep Vision Of Grace!!!

Three places we see Mary Of Bethany in the Scriptures.

Luke 10:38-42

“ Therefore tell her to help me. … But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part.”

“The sweet language of experience is ‘Thou God seest Me’ When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth.” A.W. Tozer (The Pursuit Of God)

She see’s beyond the stuff that He does for us and has grasped the fact of His motivation … RECKLESS LOVE. “Jesus loves me this I know.” Beyond His acts to see His person.

Busyness can be artificial significance. Bill Johnson

It is so often our activities that obstruct our union with Him. Madame Guyon

Corrie Ten Boom “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”

Busyness:— not having too much to do, its doing that is not rooted in Jesus as your source.

Baking cakes He didn’t order.

Busyness, worry, anxiety arise when my activity has its source in me.

He must be my starting point. I can’t replace WORTH with work. FIRST!

John 11:32. “Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.’”

Martha met Jesus with words. — Mary met Jesus with worship.

They both had the same revelation but Mary went beyond the theological facts to the personal relationship.

Mark 14:5 “And they criticized her sharply.”

embrimaoma (en-brim ah’ om ahee) :— to snort with anger

Extravagant worship annoys religious people.

He is looking for worshippers and not workers.

Any work should flow from Him as your source!

She gets it. — Doing it for my burial.

John 12:7. “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.”

An ounce of devotion eclipses tons and tons of striving.

She smelt like him and he smelt like her and her devotion changed the atmosphere.

A woman who didn’t write a book, preach or perform a miracle became the one who Jesus said is a clear manifestation of the gospel.

Grace that leads to adoration and not effort to gain understanding.

Matthew 26:8 “But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste?’”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

ap-ol’-loo-mee:— perish, ruin, waste

Mark 14:9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

WOW! She expressed LOVE!!!

There was distance between her encounters.

Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit…”

John 14:20 “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”

JESUS MAKES HIS HOME IN US. NO MORE DISTANCE.

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Sermon Series: “Better Together ” — Sermon: “God’s Actionable Love Enables Us To Love Others”

Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: … servant …”. If no proper foundation all you build will be unstable.

“A happy marriage is the union of two great forgivers.” — Ruth Bell Graham

Asked his secret of being married fifty-four years he said: “Ruth and I are happily incompatible.’”

— Billy Graham

Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

helper:— (ezer) strong help comparable:— (kenegdo) as in front of him; perfect match, same nature.

Unilateral:— I am all in in my commitment no matter what.

Unconditional:— I will be constant no matter your performance.

Permanent:— Nothing can weaken the bond.

Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”

New Covenant has a New Commandment:

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Salem Oregon … “One Flew Owe Cuckoos Nest” — Mental Institute.

Ps. Robert Cornwall Empties Ward 37

“Jesus loves me, this I know For the Bible tells me so Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong Sing, yes, Jesus loves me (3x’s) For the Bible tells me so.”

John 13:23 “The disciple that Jesus dearly loved was at the right of him at the table and was leaning his head on Jesus.” John had a personal, experiential relation of the love of God.

1 John is the epistle of agape love. Used 46 times in 135 verses.

1 John 4:8, 16 “God is love”

Without question the most profound statement found in the bible.

God’s Actionable Love Enables Us To Love Others

1 John 4:7-21 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, …

…that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

1. Personal

1 John 1:3 (TPT) “So we proclaim to you what we have seen and heard about this Life-Giver

so that we may share and enjoy this life together.”

Your very own personal knowledge of a highly relational God.

2. Proven

Two Proofs:

Vs.9-10 “Sent His Son … propitiation for our sins.”

Vs. 13 “God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in him…”

3. Perfecting

Two Ways:

Vs. 12 “His love is perfected in us…” Brought to completion.

Vs. 18 “…perfect love casts out fear.” “ballo”:—throws out with force, smites, slaps, buffets.

4.Pervading

Vs. 17 “… we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

Obliterates guilt, shame, weakness condemnation … done done done!!

5. Preserving

Vs 19 “We love Him because He first loved us.”

His love never fails.

His love empowers and gives us confidence.

He will finish what He Started.

What’s Our Response To His Revelation Of Unconditional Love?

1. Recieve It

It’s for you right now.

2. Give It Away

It’s for you to share with others,

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Sermon Series: “Better Together ” — Sermon: “God Made The Marriage Covenant Not You”

Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: … servant …”. If no proper foundation all you build will be unstable.

Dr Dean Ornish (Ornish Lifestyle Medicine)

“Love and intimacy — our ability to connect with ourselves and others, is at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, … People who feel lonely and isolated have a 300-500 percent greater risk of premature death due to

physical illness.”

Ruth Graham was asked if she ever considered divorce, She answered, “No, never divorce. Murder, yes. Divorce, No!”

“It is a foolish woman who expects her husband to be to her that which only Jesus Christ Himself can be: ready to forgive, totally understanding, unendingly patient, invariably tender and loving, unfailing in every area, anticipating every need, and making more than adequate provision. Such expectations put a man under an impossible strain. The same goes for the man who expects too much from his wife.” — Ruth Bell Graham

“A happy marriage is the union of two great forgivers.” — Ruth Bell Graham

Asked his secret of being married fifty-four years he said: “Ruth and I are happily incompatible.’”

— Billy Graham

Matthew 19:5-6 “He answered, ‘Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female? And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh …

… no longer two bodies but one. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.’”

Hebrews 13:4 (Message) “Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.”

Malachi 2:15-16 “God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse. …

… ‘I hate divorce,’ says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, ‘I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.’ So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.”

Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”

God Made The Marriage Covenant Not You

Matthew 26:28 (AMP) “for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.”

Hebrews 9:15 (ESV) “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”

Elements Of A Covenant:

Terms Agreement — Solemn Vows — Exchange Of Gifts — Witness Or Memorial — Covenant Meal

Cutting / Shedding Of Blood

Covenant:— A unilateral, unconditional, permanent commitment that creates a relationship where the two become one sealed by the shedding of blood.

We have a relationship with God that is unshakable!!!

Blood Covenant — His precious blood! He is not moody and fickle.

He is faithful and committed. He is gracious and forgiving.

“Do you, ______, take _______ to be your lawful wedded spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”

Unilateral:— I am all in in my commitment no matter what.

Unconditional:— I will be constant no matter your performance.

Permanent:— Nothing can weaken the bond.

Contract:— A bilateral agreement between parties that is governed by the performance of the agreement.

Contract to limit distrust. — We better put that in writing. — I do this and you do that.

Contracts have expectations:

Make me happy. — Perform the conditions — Sexual satisfaction— Nothing change

Everything Change — I can opt out if you fail

It’s difficult to become one with someone you can’t trust.

Covenant deals with distrust right at the outset of the relationship.

Its hard to be intimate and vulnerable when no safety.

Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

helper:— (ezer) strong help comparable:—

Comparable:—(kenegdo) as in front of him; perfect match, same nature.

Complementarian:— the theological view that although men and women are created equal in their being and personhood, they are created to complement each other via different roles and responsibilities as manifested in marriage, family life, religious leadership, and elsewhere. It is also known as the Traditionalist or Hierarchical view.

Egalitarian:— within Christianity, the theological view that not only are all people equal before God in their personhood, but there are no gender-based limitations of what functions or roles each can fulfill in the home, the church, and the society.

The Bible teaches the fundamental equality of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

New Covenant has a New Commandment:

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

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Sermon Series: “Exponential” — Sermon: “God Has Blessed You”

God Has Blessed You!

John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Galatians 3:13-14 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Genesis 12:2 “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.”

If you embrace the revelation in Genesis 15 you have a complete grasp of the core purpose of the Bible … You will seize a thorough understanding of the Gospel.

GRACE!

Genesis 15:1-2 “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless,”

Ten years later and Abram is questioning God’s promise.

God confronts His doubt by repeating the promise with a covenant act.

Genesis 15:5-6 “Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed (āman) in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

Romans 4:3-5 “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.”

Galatians 3:6-7 “…just as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”

James 2:23 “And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.”

Romans 4:20-21 AMP “No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.”

Promise Sealed In Covenant.

Genesis 15:8-9 “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two,…”. BINDING AGREEMENT IN BLOOD

Genesis 15:12-13 “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly…”

Genesis 15:17-18 “And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,”

Two Shocking Observations:

Abraham was a spectator.
God alone did the walk of blood.

This is the whole Gospel.

May I be torn in two if I don’t bless you.

May I also be cut in two if you don’t fulfil your part of covenant.

The Immortal become mortal.

The Immutable become mutable.

The Infinite become finite.

The Powerful become powerless.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Isaiah 58:3 “For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.”

John 19:30 “He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Genesis 22:17 (AMP) “In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies.”

Genesis 24:1 (AMP) “Abraham was old, well advanced in years, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.”

Jesus Christ fulfilled the conditions of the covenant so that we could be received and blessed unconditionally.

GOD HAS BLESSED YOU!

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Proverbs 10:22, 19:17

“The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]”. — “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

Father we declare we are blessed. We agree with Your word over us that, “This is a season of exponential blessing.”

Father, in the name of Jesus, I speak your word over my finances this day. I have worshipped you with my tithes and offerings, now I claim the Windows of Heaven blessing for my life.

I now receive doors of opportunity opening for me and my family. I have given, therefore I shall never lack.

Those who the spirit of God speaks to are free to obey and give to me good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

I believe my every need is met with heaven’s best! I thank you Father my need was supplied according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Father, your word says my giving increases the fruits of my righteousness. Therefore, I thank you for an abundance of love, joy, peace, temperance, goodness in my life … In Jesus Name! AMEN!!

Sermon Series: “Exponential” — Sermon: “You Hear His Voice”

You Hear His Voice

Can You Hear Me Now? Verizon Picture

Hannah (GRACE) gave birth to a new generation (Samuel:— The Lord Hears and Answers) that was aligned with the voice of God and led the people of God into a revelation of Kingdom life.

1 Samuel 3:1 “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.

1 Samuel 3:19 “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”

Picture of Police man on radio Picture of Jesus leading His sheep.

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

Hebrews 1:1-2 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,”

John 8:47 (AMP) “Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.]”

John 16:13-14 “…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; … and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (TPT) “I am always thanking my God for you because he has given you such free and open access to his grace through your union with Jesus, the Messiah.

In him you have been made extravagantly rich in every way. You have been endowed with a wealth of inspired utterance and the riches that come from your intimate knowledge of him.”

4 Basic Forms of Revelation
1. General Revelation – Nature
2. Specific Revelation – Jesus
3. Biblical Revelation – Holy Spirit illuminating Word
4. Direct Revelation – Holy Spirit

Hebrews 1:2-3 “… in these last days spoken to us by His Son, … who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person,…”

Romans 8:16 (NIV) “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Romans 8:16 (MSG) “God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.”

“Christians today operate very little in the Holy Spirit because of their ignorance concerning the Holy Spirit Himself.” Kathryn Kuhlman

Acts 10:19 “While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you.’”

Matthew 4:4 “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Luke 8:18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken

away from them.”

Mark 4:24 (AMP) “And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you–and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.”

Hearing The Voice Of The Spirit Is:

Innate — In your DNA
Learned — Use your words!
Matured — Revelation Knowledge 4. Attacked — Mark 4:15 “Satan comes immediately and takes

away the word.”

It’s A Lifestyle

Proverbs 3:6 (MESSAGE) “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

7 Basic Leadings Of The Spirit
Inward Witness – Romans 9:1 Inward Voice – Romans 8:16 Spirit’s Voice – Acts 10:19

Knowings – Luke 1:1-4 Visions Dreams – Acts 2:17,16:9 The Word – Ps 119:11, 105 Prophecy – Acts 21:10-14

Acts 13:1-3 “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul … fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them,… sent them…”
Three Parts Of An Encounter:
1. Revelation 2. Interpretation 3. Application

Some Practical Advice:

1. Take Time To Pray

Luke 5:16 “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”

2. Find A Place To Pray

Matthew 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

1 Corinthians 2:12 “And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.”

Did you receive the Spirit???

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Sermon Series: “Exponential” — Sermon: “Rags To Results”

Deuteronomy 6:10-11“So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land … to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant..”

Romans 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

1 Samuel 1:6-7 “And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.”

Peninah:— pearl, irritation, provoker.

Hannah:—Grace, to be favoured.

Peninah provokes Grace to become fruitful and bring the purpose of God into manifestation .

Psalm 78:40-42 “How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert!

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel.

They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy.”

Hannah (GRACE) gave birth to a new generation (Samuel:— The Lord Hears and Answers) that was aligned with the voice of God and led the people of God into a revelation of Kingdom life.

Sometimes you don’t know how special you are.

Become complacent because you don’t know that you are exceptional.

God won’t let you be satisfied with less than what He has for you.

God’s dream wrapped in flesh.

“God never works anything independently of you that concerns your life” David Yonggi Cho

Are you annoyed enough … are you provoked enough to demand change!!

1 Samuel 1:9

“So Hannah arose…” (NKJV)

“Hannah stood up.” (NIV)

“Hannah went over…” (LB)

“So Hannah rose up…” (KJV)

“Then she pulled herself together…” (Message)

The Provoking Causes Rage

Uncomfortable — Agitated

Restless — Discontented

Reflecting — Examining

This is not okay.

I demand change.

The Rage Becomes A Cry

1 Samuel 1:13 “…only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.”

Proverbs 27:7 “A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

The Cry Brings Alignment

1 Samuel 1:17 “Then Eli answered and said, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.’”

The Alignment Brings Results

1 Samuel 18:18-20 “And she said, ‘Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord …

… and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her. So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, ‘Because I have asked for him from the Lord.’”

Isaiah 54:1 “Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord.”

1 Samuel 3:1 “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

1 Samuel 3:19 “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”

Joshua 18:3 “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?”

Psalm 2:8 “Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.”

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Sermon Series: “Exponential” — Sermon: “Expand Your Capacity”

Deuteronomy 6:10-11 “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land … to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant..”

Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

1 Samuel 1:7 “So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.”

Hannah (GRACE) gave birth to a new generation (Samuel:— The Lord Hears and Answers) that was aligned with the voice of God and led the people of God into a revelation of Kingdom life.

1 Samuel 3:1 “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

1 Samuel 3:19 “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.”

Jeremiah 15:1 “Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.”

God is calling us into a season of EXPONENTIAL Growth … corporately and individually.

He is asking us to align ourself with His unfolding purpose right NOW! 2024

John 10:10

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Romans 8:32 (AMP)

“He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?”

Isaiah 9:7

“Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, … From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Isaiah 54:2-3

“Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, …

… and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.”

capacity :— the maximum amount that something can contain. The ability or power to do, experience, or understand something.

Joshua is considering the transition to His new leadership. He is to take God’s people into possess their inheritance.

He is confronted by a pre-incarnate encounter with Jesus. Jesus wants him boldly lead the people into this new season. First thing he wants Joshua to do is SEE!

Joshua 6:2

“And the Lord said to Joshua: ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.’”

God wants to enlarge his capacity! SEE!

“No individual can rise higher than the pictures that have been painted in their minds.” Zig Ziglar

Psycho Cybernetics:– Ideas and actions that are contrary to a persons belief system wille rejected and not acted upon.

Jesus was about to call his first disciples. Before He called them to follow Him He had to move them from a mindset of empty nets to boatsinking increase!!!

Luke 5:1-11

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake …

… but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.”

Jesus was looking for people who He could share His purpose with. He was developing and invasion force.

Jesus taught and transformed their mindsets through teaching and through miracles.

Imperatives For Moving Into EXPONENTIAL Growth.

1. Expectation

vs. 2 “…washing their nets…”

He found people preparing their nets. They had an expectation. They were believing that a catch is possible.

Even though we see Peter was never much of a fisherman

3 Fold Prep: Wash Mend Stretch. — Soaking in the life of the Spirit

2. Participation

vs. 3 “…push away a little…”

First let me be captain of a little.

God often begin with a little. Faithful in little faithful in much.

“God never works anything independently of you that concerns your life” David Yonggi Cho

3. Impartation

Can see what he was teaching here from a parallel Gospel.

Mark 4:1-3 “…so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. Then He taught them … “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.”

He was teaching about 30 60 100 fold increase. Framing a mindset with words.

4. Forget The Past

vs. 5 “…caught nothing…”

Don’t project your past. Forget it.

I will not create a theology that makes my lack of manifestation okay. I will not use any sense of loss to propel me into future gain. I will demand that my experience aligns with God’s Word not reduce God to my circumstances.

5. Get Beyond Yourself

vs. 5 “…toiled exhaustingly…”

The had worked hard all night with nothing to show for it. Will you risk all your hard work and do something unconventional. FISHING IN THE HEAT OF THE SUN?????

Faith begins where ability ends.

Colossians 1:29 “For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the [superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.”

6. Alignment

vs. 4-5 “…on the ground of your word…” (Rhema). This WORD had convincing power.

Even if unconventional.

Living in the supernatural means that you are often operating in a way that violates natural laws.

7. Experience

vs. 6-7 “net was breaking … filled both the boats … they began to sink…”

Daily unexplainable living.

God is always more than enough!

8. Dependance

vs. 11“…forsook all, followed Him.”

He is the source of my life.

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Maturity is dependance. Fruitfulness is abiding and trusting and believing His WORD

God is calling us into a season of EXPONENTIAL Growth … corporately and individually.

He is asking us to align ourself with His unfolding purpose right NOW! 2024

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SERMON: “The Space Between” D. Karl Thomas

Eugene Peterson (The Message).

“There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life, apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself.”

God “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” Genesis 2:18

According to the National Institute on Ageing the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Social isolation and loneliness have even been estimated to shorten a person’s life span by as many as 15 years. (https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2022/05/prolonged-social-isolation-loneliness-are-equivalent-smoking-15-cigarettes-day

Acts 20:20 “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.”

Acts 2:46 “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,”

The Space Between Matters!!!

The corporate celebration is important.

The midweek connect is an essential part of advancing the purpose of God.

Habakkuk 2:14 “… earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,…”.

Fellowship Function Formation

Giligan’s Island — Hogans Heros — Friends — Real Housewives of New Jersey

Johann Hari “The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety – it’s connection”

Professor of Psychology Bruce Alexander “For too long, we have talked exclusively about individual recovery from addiction. We need now to talk about social recovery—how we all recover, together, from the sickness of isolation that is sinking on us like a thick fog.”

Experiment: “What happened is—again—striking. The rats seemed to have a few twitches of withdrawal, but they soon stopped their heavy use, and went back to having a normal life. The good cage saved them.”

In the book of Acts we see the working strategy for fulfilling the mission of God.

Jesus left behind a loving community that would manifest His glory to the ends of the earth.

Equipped

Acts 1:3 “He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Empowered

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Exponential

In a matter of years the church went from conception to a number that could not be counted. A church with significant influence on the community.

Exponential Growth They grew from 120 people to 3,120 in one day, and the Lord added people daily.

Acts 2:41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Acts 4:4 “However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

Acts 5:13-14 “Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”

Acts 5:28 “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

Church in Jerusalem grew to 100,000 in twenty years. Population of 250,000.

Acts 6:1 “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying,…”

Acts 6:7 “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly.”

Acts 21:20 “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed,…’”. myrias:— an innumerable company

How did they handles all these people coming into the Kingdom? How were they discipled and cared for? 59 One another NT Commands.

Acts 2:41-47 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Four Needs That Are Met:

1. Spiritual

Word Of God — Study question. Prayer — Engaging God together.

Fellowship — intimate vulnerable application and accountability

2. Physical

Had things in common. Peoples needs were met. Can you help me with some stuff.

Example. Sharing of skills.

3. Emotional

Gladness. Praising God. Favour. People in community are happier than those in isolation.

4. Missional

Favour with all people. Daily people were added. Together serving locally and beyond.

Others impacted by your life.

The Space Between Matters!!!

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Sermon Series “The Light Of The World” Sermon #4 “Light Continues To Shine”

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish (Overcome) it.”

Luke 1:78-79 NLT “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Acts 26:17-18 “Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins…”. VISION HEAVEN

Isaiah 60:1-3 “Arise, my people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you. Darkness as black as night shall cover all the peoples of the earth,…

…but the glory of the Lord will shine from you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see the glory of the Lord upon you.”

PICTURE OF JIM ELLIOT and friends … Missionaries to Ecuador

January 8,1956 they were Martyred.

The were killed by one of the most dangerous tribes of the rain forest in Ecuador.

The Auca were a violent people average life expectancy 30 years.

His Journal That Morning

I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious, to stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coattail and the heavens hailing your heart, to gaze and glory and give oneself again to God—what more could a man ask? Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!

I care not if I never raise my voice again for him, if only I may love him, please him. Perhaps in mercy he shall give me a host of children [i.e., converts] that I may lead them through the vast star fields to explore his delicacies whose finger ends set them to burning.

But if not, if only I may see him, touch his garments, and smile into his eyes—ah then, not stars nor children shall matter, only himself.

O Jesus, Master and Centre and End of all, how long before that glory is yours which has so long awaited you?

Now there is no thought of you among men; then there shall be thought for nothing else. Now other men are praised; then none shall care for any other’s merits. Hasten, hasten, Glory of Heaven, take your crown, subdue your kingdom, enthrall your creatures.”

PICTURE OF Jim Elliot’s Journal: GREEN STAR BESIDE…

“He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose.” Phillip Henry

PICTURE OF STEVE SAINT & MINCAYE

“When I kill Steve’s father, I did not know he coming to show us new trail – Waengongi, the Creator’s trail. All I know is killing. My heart black with sin. When later I met Waengongi, my heart changed to peace and love. No more killing. Now walk Waengongi’s trail.”

Why did they go to the rain forest?

Why did their family go after they killed their fathers?

“The light shines in the darkness.”

Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

You don’t have to seek God’s will for your life. It’s not lost.

Trying to find God’s will is like using a flashlight to find the sun at midday in a clear blue sky.

Matthew 28:18-19 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,”

2 Peter 3:9 “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

How big are God’s plans? How does He want us to pray?

Acts 2:8 “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”

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Sermon Series “Light Of The World” Sermon #3 “Light Collides With Darkness”

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish (Overcome) it.”

Matthew 2:1-12 “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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’ (A Collision Of Kingdoms)

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.

And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.

“Herod had an evil nature, relentless in punishment and unsurpassing in action against the objects of his hatred.”

Josephus — 1st century Historian

“It is safer to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son.” Emperor Augustus

“I am come to rest my safety on my integrity…I am not ashamed to declare my loyalty to Antony. But if you would disregard the individual concerned, and examine how I requite my benefactors, and how staunch a friend I prove, then you may know me by the test of my past actions. I hope that the subject of inquiry will be not whose friend, but how loyal a friend, I have been” (Ant. 15.193; War 1.390).

“The light shines in the darkness.”

There was a cosmic confrontation taking place. Kingdoms were colliding.

Very few recognised the moment. Herod thought he could resist.

Lessons From Wise Men:

1. Be Aware “Have seen His star.”

Two types of consciousness.
a) Automatic – Reacting Same thing over and over.
b) Accountable – Responding A working awareness …adjusting.

2. Be Intentional “… come to worship Him.” vs. 2

Colossians 3:2 “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”“Empires of the future are empires of the mind.” Winston Churchill

3. Be Passionate “at its rising and have come” (AMP)
Romans 12:11 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

4. Be Determined “…they went their way…” vs. 9

Herod didn’t spook them.

Acts 20:24 “But none of these things move me; …so that I may finish my race with joy,…”

5. Be Joyful “…rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”

Engaging Jesus is a joy filled trip.
Phillipians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

6. Be A Worshipper

“…fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasure bags,…” (11)

God wants worshippers who worship.

John 4:23 “…for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.”

7. Be Transformed “They departed for their own country another way.” vs. 12
You can’t go back the same way when you encounter Jesus.

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.”

“The light shines in the darkness.”

Herod died a horrible death.

The infant born in a stable 5 miles south of Herods palace is filling the earth with His Light and Life!

“If Jesus were born one thousand times in Bethlehem and not in me, then I would still be lost.”

CORRIE TEN BOOM

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Sermon Series “Light Of The World” Sermon #1 “The Light Shines”

John 12:46 “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”

Acts 26:17-18 “I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.”

Miners trapped in mine in Chile People hostages … darkness affected their eyes … sunglasses

Donkeys coal mines blind.

Bright Light Therapy: S A D and Beyond

“…subjecting patients with winter SAD to bright white light, thereby lengthening their photoperiod (daily exposure to light), reduced their depressive symptoms.” (National Library Of Medicine)

Christmas can be a dark time. Thing get amplified, exaggerated.

Brothers girlfriend gave him a 15’ Boa Constrictor … no a Poodle

Picture of me with Mark Brazee … Mom showed family this picture on Christmas 2000 … Not end well!

Austrian psychologist Carl Jung “Those psychiatrists who are not superficial have come to the conclusion that the vast neurotic misery of the world could be termed a neurosis of emptiness. DARKNESS Men cut themselves off from the root of their being, from God, and then life turns empty, inane, meaningless, without purpose.”

John 1:1-5 “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish (overcome) it.”

John written between 90-100 AD

He had experienced DARK times.

Israel and Jerusalem destroyed.

Incredible LOSS — Peter and Paul executed.

YET!! he wrote “God is LOVE”

YET!! “Light Shines In The Darkness”

John 19:26-27 “When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.”

John had Mary, Jesus Mother, at his table everyday,

On Jesus birthday he could ask Mary what was it like.

Yet his gospel was not a historical narrative but theological declaration.

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish (Overcome) it.”

John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

This is the event that preceded this I AM statement!

John 8:2-12 (NIV) “At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group …

… and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write (Katagraphein against/write)

on the ground with his finger. …

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus (LOVE) declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 8:11 TPT “Looking around, she replied, ‘I see no one, Lord.’ Jesus said, ‘Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.’”

Micah 7:8 “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.”

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish (Overcome) it.”

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #10 “Jesus Is Imparting Himself To Others”

Pictures Of Seating Assignments.

Pray for hearing … hands on ears … how is your hearing? Its next Wednesday. Misunderstanding.

Yucatan:— We don’t understand you. Named a whole region based on misunderstanding.

We often misunderstand how leadership works in God’s Kingdom.

John Quincy Adams

“If your actions inspire others to dream more to learn more to do more and become more then you are a leader.”

Jim Wallace (Australian Special Forces)

The real power of effective leadership is maximizing other people’s potential.

Albert Schweitzer

Every person I know who has been truly happy has learned how to serve others.

Mark 10:32-45. “They were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again …

and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death;

then they will hand him over to the gentiles; they will mock him and spit upon him and flog him and kill him, and after three days he will rise again.”

“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, ‘Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.’ And he said to them, ‘What is it you want me to do for you?’

And they said to him, ‘Appoint us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’ But Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?’

They replied, ‘We are able.’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you will be baptized, but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to appoint, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.

When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, ‘You know that among the gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them.

But it is not so among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.’

We are called to REIGN in life. But our model of leadership is amplified service. Self giving love.

Slave (doulos) :— one that is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will altogether swallowed up in the will of the other.

Martin Luther King Jr “But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s a new definition of greatness. And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”

John 13:3-5 “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. … Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”

J Karl Thomas (Leadership)

“I do. — I do and you watch. — We do together. — You do I watch. — You do.”

I will serve others joyfully. 2. You watch me serve others joyfully. 3. Join me and we will serve others joyfully.
You serve others joyfully I’ll watch. 5. You go and serve others joyfully.

First warning sign of drifting towards selfishness. Your language changes from: “I Get To.” To “I Got To.”

Jesus Is Calling Out His Successors.

Jesus Is Launching His Leadership Team For His Church.

Jesus Is Securing The Success Of His Eternal Mission.

Jesus Is Imparting Himself To Others.

Selection: He Prayerfully Chose

Luke 6:12-13 “…and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:”

Association: Devoted His Time

Mark 3:14 “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”

Consecration: Left The Nets

Mark 1:17-18 “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ They immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

Demonstration: His Example

Luke 11:1 “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

Impartation: He Gave Himself

Luke 9:1 “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.”

Delegation: He Released Them

Luke 9:16 “Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, … and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.”

Luke 9:2 “He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

Accountability: He Coaches

Mark 6:30 “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.”

Reproduction: His Expectation

Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,…”

Vs. 45 “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many.”

1 John 4:19 (NLT). “We love each other because he loved us first.” Have you let Him love you?

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #9 “Jesus Is Healing And Setting People Free”

We can’t talk about W.I.J.D. without talking about demons.
1 John 3:8 “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 61x’s Gospels Jesus is dealing with devils.

Matthew 8:16-17 “And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”

Mark 1:39 “And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”

We have a mandate:

Mark 16:17-19 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; … they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Luke 13:10 “Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, …

“Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd,…

“There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?

So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.”

“Ought” (dei):– a necessity of law and command, of duty, equity necessity established by the counsel and decree of God.

Jesus was legally bound to release this woman form her affliction. There was a heavenly obligation to fulfill.

“Being” (on):– being. Present participle … it is active … at work right now.

NOT —“I want to be a believer.” BUT — “I am being a believer.”

Psalm 103:2-3 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,”

Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely He has borne our griefs (SICKNESSES) And carried our sorrows (PAIN); … But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.”

1 Peter 2:24 “… who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”

Mark 2:9. “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk?’”

Caroline Leaf “Who Switched Off My Brain” — page 4, 37 “Research has shown that around 87% of illness can be attributed to our thought life, and approximately 13% to diet, genetics and environment …your emotions are cellular signals that translate information into physical reality.”

Proverbs 17:22 (AMP) “A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

Let’s Cover These Four Things:

There are demons. 2. They really can influence us.
Jesus has set us free. 4. Our most effective weapon

C.S. Lewis — Screwtape Letters

“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about devils. One is too disbelieve in there existence. The other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

Jack Hayford. “You can’t cast out the flesh and you can’t disciple a demon.”

We need both: Discipleship and Deliverance.

Matthew 12:22 “Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.”

Daimonizomai:– to have or be vexed by a demon. Does not denote ownership.

Can light dwell with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:14 “And what communion has light with darkness?”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “…new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”

Ephesians 4:27 “…nor give place to the devil.”

topos:– place, any portion or space marked off, opportunity, power, occasion for acting.

Buick commercial … “Did you lock the car?” Locks car with app.

“Did you close the windows?

Pigeons have filled the apartment.

Pigeons don’t own the apartment but they have moved in and will influence things until removed.

3 Pronged Attack Of Enemy

Deception – lies vain imaginations. Temptation – follows deception. Accusation – rubs it in your face.

Ephesians 6:11 “…take your stand against the devil’s schemes”

“Methodeia”:— to journey behind, to study, craft.

Good News!!! If you are experiencing any form of bondage … Jesus sets you completely free!!!

John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

It is not a power struggle. — It is primarily a truth struggle.

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”

1 Corinthians 13:8 “Love never fails.”

Freedom Is The Father’s Business

Start Ministering Healing. 2. Keep On Ministering Healing. 3. Don’t Stop Ministering Healing

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #8 “Jesus Is Restoring Relationships”

John Doerr (Venture Capitalist) “Teams. He said I bet on teams. Some people would say people, I say teams. It’s not just people, but how these people work together in relationships. … are these the people that you want to face those problems with?”

Daniel Goleman — (Workplace Psych) “Emotional Intelligence is twice as important as the other two (Skill and IQ) and it is the ability to relate well to a whole variety of people. Without emotional intelligence, … still not be effective in the workplace environment.”

Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”

Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

Ephesians 3:1 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,…”

Many people think that Christianity is a belief system, but it’s really a belong system.

John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Jesus On Relationships:

John 13:14 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Greatness is selflessly serving.

Matthew 5:21-22. Anger “…anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder.”

Matthew 5:29 LUST “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you;…”

Matthew 5:38-42 Annoying People “…Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also … go also the second mile. “

Matthew 5:44 “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you,…”

Matthew 7:1-5 “Judging “First remove the plank from your own eye…”

Matthew 7:12 (Message) “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.”

Galatians 3:24 “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Purpose of the law is to point you to Jesus and cry MERCY!!!

1. Know Who You Are

John 8:14 “Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going;”

You are unique. There is no one like you. Be yourself!

“The church preaches too much about who we aren’t. Knowing who you now are and Who lives in you is the key to Christian living.” Ryan Rufus

2. Practice Vulnerability

John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

Knowing who you are, where you come from and where you are going frees you to be present and authentic.

C. S. Lewis (The Four Loves)

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; …

… avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”

3. Avoid Labelling People

People don’t appreciate Judgement or Assumptions.

We tell ourselves average of 50 stories a day. We forget they are stories.

4. Excel At Packaging

Colossians 3:14 “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”

Don’t be a brown paper bag. Add some bling to the presentation.

Luke 22:61-62 “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So Peter went out and wept bitterly.”

Angel with special message.

Mark 16:7 “But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”

John 21:15 “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’”

1 Corinthians 5:18-19 “And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.”

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #7 “Jesus Lives Under An Open Heaven”

John 21:25 “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”

Matthew 4:24-25 “News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed— he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

John 1:47-51 “Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!’ Nathanael said to Him, ‘How do You know me?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ And He said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.’”

Nathanael being a student of the word knew exactly what Jesus was referring to:

John 1:45 “Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote —Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’”

Genesis 28:10-19 “Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it. Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!’”

Jesus manifest open heaven.

Water into wine. Feeding five thousand. Calmed the storm. Raised the dead. He healed them all.

Apostles Manifest Open Heaven:

Acts 5:12, 15 “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people … so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them.”

Nathaniel / Bartholomew

“Batholomew preached with such success that the heathen God’s were rendered powerless … his voice was like a trumpet; angels waited upon him; he was always cheerful, and he new all languages.”

(William Barcley — The Master’s Men)

Cessationism is the view that the “miracle gifts” of tongues and healing have ceased—that the end of the apostolic age brought about a cessation of the miracles associated with that age. Most cessationists believe that, while God can and still does perform miracles today, the Holy Spirit no longer uses individuals to perform miraculous signs.

The Westminster Confession Of The Faith — Section 1 (Of The Holy Scriptures) “… those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased.”

Year 367 — Canon of Scripture complete

“But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. False assumption — With His Word defined we don’t need other manifestations.

Continuationism is the belief that all the spiritual gifts, including healings, tongues, and miracles, are still in operation today, just as they were in the days of the early church. A continuationist believes that the spiritual gifts have “continued” unabated since the Day of Pentecost and that the demonstration of “signs, wonders, and miracles”, as witnessed in the apostolic era, should be a hallmark of today’s church as well.

Hebrews 1:14 “Are they not all ministering spirits (angels) sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Angels served Jesus, the Apostles, the early church and YOU!!!

Matthew 26:53 “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (72,000)

3 Ways To Activate Open Heaven

1. Door Of Your Feet

Joshua 1:3 “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you,”

Romans 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Shadow … you are contagious!!!

2. Door Of Your Hands

Acts 19:11 “Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,”

Mark 16:18 “…they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

3. Door Of Your Mouth

Mark 11:23 “…does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

Acts 3:6 “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Kenneth Hagin “When you believe and speak you open the door to the supernatural.”

Faith Confessions Create Reality

Psalm 103:20-21 “Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.”

Matthew 16:19 (AMP) “I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”

Acts 2:18-19 “I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show”

Isaiah 48:6-7 “…I show you specified new things from this time forth, even hidden things [kept in reserve] which you have not known. They are created now [called into being by the prophetic word]”

How To Activate Your Open Heaven:

Start 2. Keep Going. 3. Don’t Stop

John 20:21 “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’”

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #6 “Jesus Is Getting Baptized”

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Mark 1:8 “I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

“Baptize”:– to immerse, to submerge, to bathe, to overwhelm, to pickle, to produce a permanent change.

Not just getting wet.

An identification and a union with Christ that results in a genuine change.

“Dam up the Detroit River, and baptize the entire city.” Henry Ford

Luke 3:21-22 “When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. …

… And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’”

Three Baptisms:

Spirit baptizes the believer into Christ / Body
Disciple baptizes a believer in water.
Jesus baptizes believer in the Holy Spirit

Jesus Himself followed this process.
1. He was born from above.

He was baptized in water.
He was baptized in the Holy Ghost.
John 1:33 “Spirit descending, and remaining on Him,”

John 6:38, 40 “For I have come … not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

The first command to the church is not “GO” but “WAIT”.
Luke 24:49 (NLT) “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

Baptism is not a ritual to be performed but a dynamic that must be a present day and continuous reality.

Matthew 28:19-20 “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…”

1 Peter 3:21 (MSG) “The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus’ resurrection before God with a clear conscience.”

Five Imperatives Of Water Baptism

1. A Call To Follow Jesus

Matthew 3:15 “Permit it to be so now, it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”

2. A Promise To Receive The Holy Spirit

Acts 2:38 “…and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The way to the fullness of the Holy Spirit is opened up to the believer.

3. A Call To Identify With Jesus Christ

Romans 6:3-7 “old man was crucified with Him,… he who has died has been freed from sin.”

Joshua 3:14-17 “…the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water … the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam.”

4. A Circumcision To Be Performed

Colossians 2:11-15 “… spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized.”

Opens The Way To Promise!!! GRACE

Genesis 17:5, 11. “No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; … You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you”

5. A Freedom To Be Appropriated

1Cor10:1-2 / Ex 14:23-31

Free from bondage

Free from accusation

Free from oppression

Jesus caused an exodus and brought you into FREEDOM.

Exodus 14:28 “Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.”

Colossians 2:10, 12 “So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority … For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized … In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities.”

Paul Harvey

said, “To my surprise, I found myself going forward. The preacher had said there was nothing magic in the water. Yet as I descended into the depths & rose again I knew something life changing had happened – a cleansing inside out. No longer did there seem to be two uncertain contradictory Paul Harvey’s, just one immensely happy one. I felt the fulfilling surge of the Holy Spirit in my life.”

went on, “The change this simple act made in my life is so immense as to be indescribable. Since totally yielding to Him in baptism, my heart can’t stop singing. Also, perhaps because baptism is such a public act & because one’s dignity gets as drenched as one’s body, I discovered a new unself-consciousness in talking about my beliefs.”

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #5 “Jesus Is Releasing The Power Of Thanksgiving”

Romans 1:21 (NLT) “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.”

Being unthankful is the cornerstone, the launching point, for every corrupting influence.

Grumbling sustains offences.

Philippians 2:14 “Do all things without complaining and disputing”

1 Corinthians 10:10-11 “And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” Make this a way of life.

Acts 16:23-26 “And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, … he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, … all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”

Daniel 6:10 “But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.”

John 6:11 “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.”

John 11:41 “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.’”

Cicero who lived in Rome between 106 – 43 BC said that, “gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others”.

What you appreciate, appreciates! What you don’t appreciate … depreciates!Appreciate:— to be grateful or thankful for. OR to raise or increase in value.

Spouse – Job – Pastor – Kids

Psalm 100:4-5 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.”

Psalm 69:30 “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

Ephesians 5:19 “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything.”

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Thanks (eucharistia):–gratitude; expressions of grateful language to God as an act of worship, thankfulness, giving of thanks, thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving (towdah):– to express visible thanks or adoration to God by extending the hands to God in reverence, coupled with offering a sacrifice of praise to God through audible confessions of thanks.

Sonja Lyubomirsky Professor of Psychology at the University of California Author of “The How of Happiness,” a book of strategies backed by scientific research that can be used to increase happiness.

“One characteristic of the happiest people is that they are comfortable expressing gratitude for all they have.”

Sonja Lyubomirsky

Dr. Robert Emmons (Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier) “I soon discovered that gratitude is a deeper, more complex phenomenon that plays a critical role in human happiness. Gratitude is literally one of the few things that can measurably change peoples’ lives. …

… We have discovered that a person who experiences gratitude is able to cope more effectively with everyday stress, may show increased resilience in the face of trauma-induced stress, and may recover more quickly from illness and benefit from greater physical health”

Dr. Robert Emmons “A practice of gratitude raises your ‘happiness set-point’ so you can remain at a higher level of happiness regardless of outside circumstances.”

Dan Baker — (What Happy People Know). “During active appreciation, the threatening messages from your amygdala [fear center of the brain] and the anxious instincts of your brainstem are cut off, suddenly and surely, from access to your brain’s neocortex, where they can fester,..

… replicate themselves, and turn your stream of thoughts into a cold river of dread. It is a fact of neurology that the brain cannot be in a state of appreciation and a state of fear at the same time. The two states may alternate, but are mutually exclusive.”

Luke 5:12-15 “‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately the leprosy left him. …’show yourself to the priest’”

Leviticus 13 Law Concerning Leprosy “…then the priest shall isolate the one who has the sore seven days … has indeed spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy. … All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.”

Luke 17:11-19 “Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. …

“…So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? (katharezo:— to cleanse) But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well. (sozo:— save, to keep safe, rescue, restore health).”

Psalm 136:1 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #4 “Jesus Is Imparting Spiritual Life”

“It is abnormal for a Christian not to have an appetite for the impossible. It has been written into our spiritual DNA to hunger for the impossibilities around us to bow at the name of Jesus.” Bill Johnson

Matthew 14:22-35 “But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ “Come,” he said. …

… Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”

If you don’t really believe the conclusion the outcome will always be out of reach or a struggle.

Peter thought about his actions and there was no belief system to support this activity in his subconscious mind for his conscious mind to connect.

“More doesn’t come through suddenlies. It comes through stewardship.” Bill Johnson

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.”

Romans 8:5 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”

Walking in the Spirit isn’t trying to be a good person — It’s walking in the Spirit.

“If the believer does not discern his own spirit he invariably is ignorant of how to commune with God in the Spirit. He easily substitutes his own thought or emotions of the soul for the work of the Spirit. Thus he confines himself to the outer realm unable ever to reach the Spiritual realm.” Watchman Nee

Luke 1:80 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts … ”

Luke 2:40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

2 Corinthians 7:1 “THEREFORE, SINCE these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God.”

Ephesians 3:16 “…according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;”

Proverbs 20:27 “The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.”

There are two sources of strength for any believer. 1. Born Again Spirit 2. The Holy Spirit

Great men and women do not fall because of the lack of anointing they fall because of an untrained spirit.

Daniel 6:3 “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.”

Numbers 14:24 “…Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land…”

Luke 22:43 {AMP} “And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him in spirit.”

John 3:6 “…and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

4 Basic Spiritual Conditions

1. Broken Spirit

Proverbs 18:14“The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit?”

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

2. Haughty Spirit

Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”

3. Undisciplined Spirit

Proverbs 25:28 “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.”

Psalm 32:2 “Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

Psalm 78:8 “And may not be like their fathers A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not set its heart aright, And whose spirit was not faithful to God.”

4. Trained Spirit

1 Corinthians 14:32 “And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.”

Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Ephesians 4:23-24 “…be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

The subconscious mind is a like a big memory bank that stores all of your previous life experiences, your beliefs, your memories, you skills, all situations you’ve been through and all images you’ve ever seen. This informs all behaviour and actions.

Focus on your breathing. Take several deep breaths.

That is your conscious mind taking over from your subconscious mind.

Your subconscious is said to be a million times stronger in your life than you conscious mind or will.

1 Peter 1:22 “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,…”

Soul “Psuche”:— the soul, the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)

James 1:21 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

“Kakia” :— malignity, malice, ill-will, desire to injure, wickedness, depravity

5 Ways To Confront Toxic Clusters

1. Action

I can’t run … I can’t lift … I can’t do math … I can’t speak …

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

2. Mentoring

A trusted source. That person has unfiltered access to your subconscious mind.

For better, for worse. Good person!

Philppians 3:17 “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”

3. Belief System

This information will go directly to your subconscious mind, program it and turn to solid beliefs.

Romans 6:17 “…yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.”

“standard of teaching” (AMP) “Pattern of teaching” (NIV) “Paul’s system of truth.” (Weymouth)

“So many of us cavalierly gloss over what he has done and zero in on what we’re to do, and that shift, though it might seem slight, makes all the difference in the world. Our obedience has its origin in God’s prior action, and

…. forgetting that truth results in self-righteousness, pride, and despair. As you study Scripture, remember that the imperatives are always rooted in the indicatives. God calls you to become who you already are in Christ.” E. M. Fitzpatrick

“God has not given us power to imitate Him. He has made us partakers of His nature so that we can actually be like Him. You don’t become a Christian by acting like one. We are not on a performance basis with God.” Neil T Anderson

“Your mind trying is catching up with what your spirit already knows.” C. Leaf (Switching On Your Brain)

4. Meditation

The subconscious mind learns by repetition and not by logic. Adding strong belief to what you focus on and it will have more impact. Mindset

5. Love

“Love literally wipes out fear.” C. Leaf

1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. It (GRACE) has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world,…”

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #3 “Jesus Is Walking On Water”

Matthew 14:22-35 “Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

… and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. …

But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’ And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God.’

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.”

Peter did’t have the internal belief system to support that activity.

If you don’t really believe the conclusion the outcome will always be out of reach or a struggle.

Peter thought about his actions and there was no belief system in his subconscious mind for his conscious mind to connect.

Mark 9:22-23 “‘Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.’ ‘What do you mean, ‘If I can’?’ Jesus asked. ‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’”

The miraculous life should typify every ordinary Christian life. We must discover that the trans-earthly Kingdom of God is a spiritual dimension that comes from that other realm and seeks to impact us in this earth-zone. When we fail to recognize this, we fail to apprehend the fullness of Kingdom power that Jesus provided for us and intended that we use. Charles Carrin

Romans 8:5 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”

Walking in the Spirit isn’t trying to be a good person — It’s walking in the Spirit.

It’s living every moment of your life out of and vitally aware of the supernatural, powerful, realm that God has granted you access to by new birth.

2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.”

Galatians 5:9 “A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church].”

Caroline Leaf

“All this thinking activity is real”. “Recent research has shown that there is an “optimism bias” wired into our brains. We seem to be “wired for love”, in other words, we are wired to expect good things for ourselves; we are wired for the positive.”

“And science is showing that meditating on the elements of Jesus’s teachings rewires healthy new circuits in the brain.” “Because we are made in God’s image (Gen 1:26) and have the ‘mind of christ’ (1 Cor 2:16), our normal state is one of perfection.”

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”

Any thought not taken captive can take you captive.

Thoughts not taken captive have you captive now.

Captivity (Aichmalotizo) :— To lead away at spear point

Obedience (Hupakoe):— Listen and under, subject to, compliance

Any bondage is a house of thoughts. Fear – Anger – Addiction – Lust

The circumstance, behaviour or substance is not your problem. The way you think is the problem.

You decide what you think and what you think shapes your world.

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”

James 1:21 “So get rid of all the filth (kakia) and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word (logus) God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls (psychē).”

Ephesians 5:18-19 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,…”

Hebrews 4:3 (TPT) “For those of us who believe, faith activates the promise and we experience the realm of confident rest!” It’s Done!!!

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #2 “Jesus Is Serving Drinks”

“I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires.But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love, and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” — Napoleon Bonaparte

Hebrews 4:3 (TPT) “For those of us who believe, faith activates the promise and we experience the realm of confident rest!” It’s Done!!!

Hebrews 4:11 (TPT) “So then we must be eager to experience this faith-rest life, so that no one falls short by following the same pattern of doubt and unbelief.”

INCREDIBLE CONTRAST OF TWO INDIVIDUAL LIVES:

John 3. Jesus meets at night with a religious leader. Thirsty individual but too proud and stuck in his religious constricts too meet with Jesus openly. Desperately empty and in need of life.

John 4. Samaritan Woman. Heat of the day. Alone. Broken life. Desperately empty and in need of a drink. Comes in the middles of the day so she doesn’t have to encounter people. Real tragic life. Once a little girl with hopes and dreams but life and culture have been cruel to her.

Religious leaders of Jesus day did not go through Samaria. MAP
John 4:4 “But He needed to go through Samaria.”

BACKGROUND TO JOHN 4
People of God sent back by Babylon to set up temple … samaritans wanted to help … get out Half breeds
SO – the Samaritans went back home and built their own Temple on Mt Gerizim. AND – created their own version of the Abrahamic faith… They edited the bible… kept created their own worship center on Mount Gerizim…

The hatred between continue to grow over the years… AND – in the year 128 B.C… when the Jews had gained enough power they stormed Mt Gerizim and destroyed the alternate temple that had been built there. AGAIN – the relationship between Jews and Samaritans at the time of Christ was one of deep running hatred.

UNDERSTAND – the women of Jesus’ day and time – whether Jewish, Samaritan, or full-fledged Gentile – were for the most part deemed unworthy of respect, education, and religious training.

W. Wiersbe — Commentary: “So intense was their dislike of the Samaritans that some of the Pharisees prayed that no Samaritan would be raised in the resurrection!”

Jesus took these Jewish young men down a road they had never traveled before. This Divine detour was designed to confront their learned culture of generational bigotry.

3 Results Of Following Jesus:

We find ourselves moveing toward things we usually avoid. 2. We have our world view challenged. 3. We will gain a greater capacity to express His unconditional LOVE!

John 4:4-30, 39-42
4 But He needed to go through Samaria.
5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. (NOON)
7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water.She was once a little girl … played dreamed hoped … now she was waiting until the worst part of the day to draw water because she beaten down by life.

She sees the well … a man sitting on it … a jewish man … a rabbi … I have to get water … I’ll face the abuse.

Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.

He speaks to the woman and then asks her a very intimate question … WHAT!!!!!

9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

If you only knew who I AM!!!

11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”

13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

sounds good … I’ll have some … this is the best news I’ve heard … HOPE RISING

JESUS THEN MEDDLES A BIT WHY??? lets not just give you a future lets heal you of all your hurtful past

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’ 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”

OUCH … I better change the subject … lets just say I attend a different church …ideology … beliefs

19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”

WHERE IS GOD?

Jesus … yes … I have found a thirsty one … His countenance brightens!!!

21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Its not about what you believe but who you believe in … its about a relationship with the living God

25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”

This could be the hope we have all been waiting for!!!

26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”

28 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, 29 “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

Turned her tragedy into triumph … MY PAST IS NOT A PROBLEM … I DON’T HAVE TO HIDE ANY MORE … MY STORY IS A VEHICLE TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS …
MY PAIN AND SHAME IS GONE … I’M HEALED!!!

30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him. So powerfully set free that those who despised her were made thirsty as well … I want what she has!!!

IF YOU ONLY KNEW … WHO WAS SPEAKING TO YOU!!!!!

39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His own word.
42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ,[a] the Savior of the world.”

Your freedom is a platform for manifesting the city-transforming power of the Grace of God. Jesus encounter with this broken woman pain results in a city-wide revival. Power of your testimony!!

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses (Martus) to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

W.I.J.D. — We are dispensers of living water. Spring up o well within my soul!!

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Series: “WIJD” — Sermon #1 “The Realm Of Confident Rest”

“I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love, and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.” — Napoleon Bonaparte

Hebrews 4:3 (TPT). “For those of us who believe, faith activates the promise and we experience the realm of confident rest!” It’s Done!!!

PICTURE OF BOAT IN STORM

Mark 4:11 “He said to them, ‘The privilege of intimately knowing the mystery of God’s kingdom realm has been granted to you, but not to the others, where everything is revealed in parables.’”

Mark 4:35-41. “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. …

And a great (Mega) windstorm (Violent, furious gusts with flood rains) arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’

“Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”

I’m here because of obedience.

I have been faithful. Why This!!!

He didn’t say let’s go die in the lake.

He said let’s crossover. HIS WORD

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace (HUSH involuntary command), be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great (Mega) calm. (All at once.) But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Not a gradual settling down. “Dead calm” (RSV)

“Winds and waves synchronise in the sublime symphony of a solemn silence”

Hendricks Bible Commentary

And they feared exceedingly, (Mega Fear Terror) and said to one another, “Who can this be, (What kind of man is this.) that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Jesus calmed the natural storm but now He stirred up a spiritual storm within His followers.

They took Him in the boat “as He was” but now “Who can this be?”

Mark 5:1-3 “Then they came to the other side of the sea, … And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, …”

Lesson is not he can calm your storm. Though He can.

The lesson is that he is majestic, he is king, he is ruler of elemental nature.

Now, what does that demand of you!

Romans 4:17-18 (The Message) “We call Abraham ‘father’ not because he got God’s attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do.”

Romans 4:19-21 “And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Promise is a gift not an assignment or a challenge to do something to realise it!

Gods promise is initiated by Him and fulfilled by Him.

Your part is to REST!!!

Genesis 17:17 “Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, ‘Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?’”

Abraham and Sarah laughed at the promise of God.

God uses people who laugh at the impossibility of the situation.

Are you in a laughable place?

WIJD

Ephesians 2:5-6 “…made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,…”

Hebrews 4:1 (NLT) “God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.”

Hebrews 4:11 (TPT) “So then we must be eager to experience this faith-rest life, so that no one falls short by following the same pattern of doubt and unbelief.”

You are never the starting point.

We will manifest WIJD everyday as we live and operate out of the finished work of Christ. REST

It’s your turn – speak to the storm!

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Put God First!

People have embraces phrases that become slogans for the way the approach life:

YOLO — Carpe Diem — Keep On Trucking — One Day At A Time — Just Win Baby

Just Do It — It is what It Is — It’s All Good — PUT GOD FIRST — WIJD

Matthew 6:33

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

What an amazing verse. Put God First and he will be sure that things will be provided.

What would you ask for if you found a lamp with a Genie inside: What would you ask?

His Righteousness:— You have entered into a realm where God is dealing with you based on Jesus behaviour and not your own behaviour. “Dressed in His righteousness alone …”

You can and should pursue many things — but not FIRST!

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.”

Luke 14:26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.”

Mark 10:29-30 “So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Philippians 3:12-13 “but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. … but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith …the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,…”

Psalm 27:4 “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

You Put God First By Honouring Him With Your:

Time. 2. Talent. 3. Treasure

Ephesians 5:11 (The Message) “Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are….Wake up from your sleep,… So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get.”

1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honor the Lord with your capital and sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income; So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine.”

Please don’t give to God to get.

But know this, when you give to God you get.

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Series “Summer Playlist” Sermon #6 “Dancing In The Streets”

Dancing In The Streets — Martha and the Vandellas

“Callin’ out around the world. Are you ready for a brand new beat. Summer’s here and the time is right For dancing in the street.”

1 Thessalonians 1:10 “When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.”

2 Timothy 4:8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Revelation 19:7 “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

When we meet Christ at his second coming we will enter into his indestructible joy.

Matthew 25:23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. . . . Enter into the joy of your master.’”

Jesus is coming. We must be ready. Our readiness hastens His return.

He is returning for a bride, a wedding feast, to consummate a marriage.

He is returning to fulfil His eternal purpose of a redeemed community in complete union with Himself!

This We Are Convinced Of: JESUS IS COMING AGAIN!!!

Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Acts 3:19-21 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ,…

… who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

Prophecies of the second coming out number those of the incarnation 8-1. 1845

260 chapters in the New Testament and the second coming is mentioned 318x’s. 1 in 30 verses.

Before the King of Glory comes the manifest Glory of the King will fill all the earth.

Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.”

Isaiah 40:5 “The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

I want to answer these three questions.

When Will He Come? How Will He Come? What Should I Do Now?

How Will He Come?

A. In Person Acts 1:11 “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

B. Publicly Luke 17:24 “For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.”

C. Unexpected Suddenly Matthew 24:44 “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Luke 17:26-27 “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

When Will He Come?

A. No One Knows. Matthew 24:36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.”

Acts 1:7-8 “He replied, ‘The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’”

B. A Long Time Matthew 25:19 “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”

C. Not Until: 1. Decay Of World Systems 2. His Kingdom Has Influence

Haggai 2:6-9 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, …

… and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory, … ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,…”

Prophetic of the Church!!!

What Should I Do Now?

A. Accept The Good News John 3:3 “Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’”

B. Preach The Good News Mark 16:15 “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.’”

C. Extend His Kingdom Luke 19:13 (KJV) “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.”

D. Demonstrate His Life

1 John 3:1-3 “…when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 “…when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.”

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

Romans 10:9-10 “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

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IS GOD OPPOSED TO PLEASURE/ENJOYMENT/FUN

Todays Best Hit. Sly and The Family Stone

That’s when I had Most of my fun, back Hi, hi, hi, hi there Them summer days Those summer days

Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime Hot fun in the summertime

Summertime especially for Canadians is the season for having fun:

Holidays, camping, beach time, BBQ’s, golfing, late night campfires, windows down in the car and the wind blowing through your hair, late night treks to Dairy Queen for Hot Fudge Sundaes.

Nina Dobrev-“Even though you’re growing up, you should never stop having fun.”
Will Thomas- “There’s no fear when you’re having fun.” My favourite character to quote Dr. Seuss:
“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”
“When he worked, he really worked. But when he played, he really PLAYED.”I am really serious about work, but I am really serious about FUN.In fact we are so serious about fun it is one of our values in our “Welcome Home” book page 85, “we make fun and enjoyment a massive priority in all our ministries and activities”.However fun/play are important to our well being.
Brown of the National Institute for Play, there is a whole national org dedicated to play, so I checked out their website and guess what they had a quiz to determine your play style… Mine came up JokerANYWAY
He says, we are suffering from a national “play deficit… it is a public health problem. Brown says, depression, anxiety, irritability are all symptoms of a lack of play.

| If you haven’t guessed by now today’s message is about pleasure/enjoyment…HAVING FUN, | | which the Cambridge dictionary defines as enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure. |

“ Most non Christians view Christianity as a religion consisting of a bunch of enjoyable actions to avoid.”

Jeremy Jernigan

But having fun, is an experience of liberating engagement- because it requires two things active involvement (immersion into an activity) and a sense of liberation (a release from internal and external restrictions)

What are the benefits of fun?

Stress Reduction: Fun activities serve as a natural stress reliever.
Reduce stress hormones and promote relaxation.
Enhanced Mood: Fun triggers the release of “feel-good” neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, leading to improved mood and a sense of happiness and contentment.
Improved Mental Health: Regularly participating in fun activities can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve cognitive function
Increased Creativity: Fun often involves exploring new activities or experiences, which stimulates creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Enhanced Social Connections: fun activities foster connections with friends, family, and peers, reducing feelings of isolation.
Better Relationships: Sharing fun experiences with loved ones can strengthen relationships, create lasting memories, and improve communication.
Strengthened Immune System: Positive emotions associated with fun activities have been linked to a stronger immune system.
Increased Resilience: Having fun can serve as a buffer against stress and adversity, enhancing psychological resilience and coping abilities.
Balanced Lifestyle: Incorporating fun into your routine helps maintain a balanced life by providing moments of relaxation and enjoyment amidst work and responsibilities..
Physical Health: Activities, like dancing, playing sports, or hiking, promote physical fitness, cardiovascular health, and overall well-being.
Quality of Life: Contributes to an overall higher quality of life, characterized by happiness, satisfaction, and a sense of fulfillment.
Longevity: Studies have suggested that a positive and joyful approach to life, which often includes having fun, may be associated with increased longevity.

FUN IS IMPORTANT
Having fun is an essential part of our lives, it makes us feel good and keeps us psychologically balanced.

What I know today is that God created pleasure/fun not Satan, that our having fun is not a threat to God, and it doesn’t disgust God.

I propose if Christianity is not fun it is not pleasing to God nor man.

SO Today I want to answer three questions: 1. Is God opposed to Fun?

| Incorporating fun into your life isn’t just about short-lived enjoyment; it’s a pathway to improved | | physical and mental health, stronger relationships, and a more vibrant and fulfilling life overall. |

So, why would we consider God to be against something that is good for us? We are His children, and He

wants the best for us.

How do we know God created us for fun?
How do we do fun as believers?

Is God opposed to pleasure/enjoyment/fun,

Some people imagine God as a cruel task master opposed to all fun or pleasure, he serious or he is the God of rules, but this is not an accurate picture of God.
“taste and see that the Lord is Good.

Think about God’s Design for Joy:

He put us in a garden called “pleasure.”

The name Eden means “place of pleasure and delight.” According to the bible, the Garden of Eden was God’s gift to the first humans.

Jesus didn’t mind a good party he often made reference to parties and celebrations as a means of teaching spiritual truths. In fact, Jesus launched His earthly ministry at a party.Jesus declares, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). Life “to the full” sounds like a pleasurable experience.
Then He gives us the Holy Spirit so that His joy might be in us. John 15:11
The fruit of His indwelling is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, 2gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Then there is the witness of Scripture
In the Bible, we see God Himself take pleasure in things. Zephaniah 3:17, for example, says that God delights in us and sings over us.
Proverbs 8:30-31 Wisdom a metaphor for Jesus… I was there, close to the Creator’s side as his master artist.TPT
“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).
One theme that is developed is the idea of “enjoying life while we can.” This theme actually is found throughout the Scriptures both Old and New. When God called Israel and lead them to the Promised Land He expected the people to enjoy the land and prosper. In Deut.8:6ff;

Daily he was filled with delight in me as I playfully rejoiced before him. I laughed

and played, so happy with what he had made, while finding my delight in the children of men.”

• “Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.

The call for Israel was to live ‘large’ in the land and enjoy the land and all it produced, it was a sign of God’s Covenant blessing and to be a sign to the surrounding nations of God’s favor.

Here more scriptures that highlight the enjoyment of God and life:

1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV):
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

James 1:17 (NIV):
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Psalm 104:14-15 (NIV):
“He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV):
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (NIV):
“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?”

God gives us life as a gift the desire of God’s heart is for us to enjoy the gift of life.

SELAH PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT THAT!

“Now God may have created boundaries around pleasure not to keep us from enjoying life but to show us how to get the fullest experience.” JJ

To answer our initial question. God is not anti-fun. He is the complete opposite.

How do we know God created us for enjoyment?

God created us with the ability to experience pleasure. The beauty of creation and the diversity of humanity show us God’s creative palette.

Our physical being provides several indications that God designed us to enjoy life:

When you have

eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

Senses and Pleasure: Our bodies are equipped with senses that allow us to experience the world around us, the ability to

• See
• Hear • Taste • Smell • Touch

These senses are not just functional but are designed for experiencing pleasure.

Neurobiology of Pleasure:

• Our brains are wired to respond to pleasurable stimuli. Endorphins and Well-being:

• Physical activities, such as exercise, dancing, and sports, release endorphins—natural chemicals that promote feelings of happiness and reduce pain.

Sensual Experiences:

The design of our bodies allows us to engage in intimate and relational experiences, and marital intimacy.
These experiences are not only functional for reproduction but also contribute to the enjoyment and deep connection between individuals.Beauty and Aesthetics:
Our capacity to appreciate beauty, whether in nature, art, music, or other forms, suggests that our senses are attuned to the aesthetic aspects of creation.
The fact that we find beauty pleasurable points to a Creator who designed a world that could elicit wonder and enjoyment.Laughter and Social Bonds:
The ability to laugh and experience humor is a unique aspect of our human nature.
Laughter not only brings personal joy but also strengthens social bonds, fostering connections andrelationships.Recognizing that our physical design supports our capacity for enjoyment reinforces the concept thatGod created us to experience a multifaceted and fulfilling life.So how should we do fun?

Sagely advice from a wise King

The book of Ecclesiastes, which roughly translated means, The Preacher, was most probably written by King Solomon the wise. he ruled the ancient Kingdom of Israel from approximately 970 to 931 BCE. The variety of tastes, colors, sounds, and textures in the world point to a Creator who designed our

sensory experiences to bring delight and enjoyment.

King Solomon was known for his wisdom, wealth, prosperity, cultural advancement, and his literary contributions. (Proverbs, Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes.)

He is also known for his challenges and downfalls, lavish lifestyle led to high taxes and labor burdens on the people, which contributed to discontent.

Failed Succession and Divided Kingdom: After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam became king, the kingdom was divided into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in Israel’s history.

The book of ECC was written later in Solomon’s life as he looked back to apply wisdom to the human experience.

As he does, he realizes that many of life’s situations just defy explanation and therefore he the repeated words, “Vanity, Vanity” or “Meaningless, Meaningless.”

It is a book that doesn’t pull any punches, yet it weighs both good and bad… It starts off kind of despondent and hopeless but ends with sage advice reverence God.

…It is a book of ‘difficult questions’ much like the ones we will be deal with every day.
But for today let’s consider the phrase “eat, drink and be merry” which is found several times in

the book of Ecclesiastes.

He said, “So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat, drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.” Ecc.8:15

So back to the question, How do we do fun?

Embracing the Moment:

Life is comprised of moments, in Ecc 3:1-13 the Solomon gives us a list of moments

Solomon concludes, embrace life and enjoy.

Additionally, his accumulation of wealth led to alliances through marriages with foreign wives, which

introduced foreign religious practices into the kingdom

It may appear the Solomon is advocating hedonism, or license but if you consider the phrase

against the backdrop of his collective writings one can find profound lesson about the balance

between enjoying life and seeking a meaningful existence.

So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can.

And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

Contentment Ecc 5:10-

Eat, drink and be merry isn’t contingent upon money…

While we know that every good thing is from God and that he gives us all things for our enjoyment… enjoyment doesn’t solely come from accumulating and consuming material pursuits. True happiness/ pleasure/ fun is not found in the quantity of our possessions but in the quality of our experiences.

Finding Joy in Relationships:

Ecc 9:7-9 MSG Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don’t skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one!

“Eat, drink, and be merry” is an invitation to cultivate relationships and community. In Ecclesiastes 9:7-9, we’re encouraged to enjoy the company of our loved ones. Sharing a meal, laughter, and conversation are acts of connection that enrich our lives and remind us of the importance of relationships.

A Balanced Approach:

While “eat, drink, and be merry” encourages us to relish life’s pleasures, Ecclesiastes also calls for balance.

Ecc. 7:16-18 So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? 17 On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? 18 Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.

Plenty of scriptures about self- control
Gal 5:22-23, 2Tim 1:7, 1 Peter 4:7-8 (be self controlled and sober minded)

Eternity in Perspective:

Even as we revel in life’s moments, Ecclesiastes reminds us of life’s transience. While “eat, drink, and be merry” speaks of the present, we must also consider our eternal perspective.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his

income; this also is vanity.

In Ecclesiastes 2:24-25, we learn that enjoyment comes from the hand of God. Balancing

our pursuit of joy with responsibility and mindfulness enables us to live purposefully.

1 Corinthians 3:12-14 NIV
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.

Our actions should reflect our reverence for God and His commandments, as emphasized in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

Use the good china.
Savor the beauty of a sunset or mountain vista.
Hold tightly that sleeping baby and listen to his gentle breathing.
Let the warm sun or breeze kiss your face.
Eat that chocolate slowly and the lasagna with joy.
Savor that sip of wine or that morning coffee.
take that vacation before it’s too late.
take time for friends. For Those who have faith in Christ, we know our final destination. We havereservations in glory. But friends and family make the journey interesting.
Laugh out loud… laugh with your friends
Sit by the campfire and allow the warmth of fire and friends warm your heart
Stop and smell the roses- or the lily of the valley
Go to an art museum
Swim in the ocean
Go snowboarding
Dance at a wedding
Eat the lobster Mac & Cheese
Go to a concert
Learn to play an instrument
Go back to school if learning is fun for you
Get a dog… pet a dog, kiss your dog
Laugh… laugh allot
Have a glass of wine but not three bottles
If substances are a problem there are a multitude of ways to activate the pleasure centre of yourbrain without getting high… take a walk
Enjoy your tub of cherry Garcia but not three
Go body surfing in the waves
Take a walk and enjoy natures bounty
If you love to work than work but remember to playIn conclusion when Solomon counsels to, “enjoy life and eat, drink and be glad” it is in the full realization that what we have, whether much or little, comes from God and it is to be enjoyed with a spirit of gratitude.2nd LAST SLIDE- “Eat, drink, and be merry” is more than a license to indulge; it’s an invitation to find joy, meaning, and

balance in the tapestry of life.

Live fully, embracing the present moment while keeping our eyes fixed on eternity. So, let us go

forth with gratitude, sharing life’s simple pleasures with a heart full of joy.

When we have the right focus about pleasure, it compels us to not only enjoy the

moment, but to praise the provider of that moment.

That perspective makes all the difference in lifting the eating and drinking and merriment from sin to

blessing, so that we enjoy both the gift and the Giver.

A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see,

is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

LAST SLIDE

“Religion should never be used as an excuse to exclude joy and laughter from our lives. True spirituality

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Series “Summer Playlist” Sermon #5 “The Power Of Prayer”

“The Power Of Prayer” — Bruce Springsteen

Summer nights, summer’s in the air … They say that love of comes and goes

But darling what, what do they know I’m reaching for heaven, we’ll make it there Darling,

it’s just the power of prayer.

If we don’t pray, we serve no purpose in God’s framework of eternity. Charles Stanley

God has no greater controversy with His people today than this, that with boundless promises to believing prayer, there are so few who actually give themselves unto intercession A.T. Pierson

The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but un-offered prayer. F. B. Meyer

The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history. Andrew Murray

The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing form our prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray. Samuel Chadwick

God does nothing on earth save in answer to believing prayer. John Wesley

Luke 18:1-8 TPT

“One day Jesus taught the apostles to keep praying and never stop or lose hope. He shared with them this illustration: “In a certain town there was a judge, a thick-skinned and godless man who had no fearof others’ opinions.

And in the same town there was a poor widow who kept pleading with the judge, ‘Grant me justice and protect me from my oppressor!’ “He ignored her pleas for quite some time, but she kept asking. Eventually he said to himself,

‘This widow keeps annoying me, demanding her rights, and I’m tired of listening to her. Even though I’m not a religious man, and I don’t care about the opinions of others, I’ll get her off my back by answering her claims for justice and I’ll rule in her favor. Then she’ll leave me alone.

Jesus continued, ‘Did you hear what the godless judge said—that he would answer her persistent request? Don’t you know that God, the true judge, will grant justice to all his chosen ones who cry out to him night and day?

He will pour out his Spirit upon them. He will not delay to answer you and give you what you ask for. God will give swift justice to those who don’t give up. So be ever praying, ever expecting, in the same way as the widow.

Even so, when the Son of Man comes back, will he find this kind of undying faith on earth?’”

ara:— an interrogative particle [“implying anxiety or impatience on the part of the questioner.”]

The Lesson Is Not: We have to wear God out to get results.

The lesson Is: When you need justice don’t lose hope. Engage God! He will without delay give you swift justice!

Pray (merriam-webster)

: to speak to God especially in order to give thanks or to ask for something

: to hope or wish very much for something to happen

: to seriously ask (someone) to do something

Pray:— 4336 proseúxomai (from 4314 /prós, “towards, exchange” and 2172/euxomai, “to wish, pray”) – properly, to exchange wishes. literally, to interact with the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His wishes as He imparts faith (“divine persuasion”).

John 15:7. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

John 15:7. (TPT) “But if you live in life-union with me and if my words (Rhema) live powerfully within you—then you can ask (Demand or Insist) whatever you desire and it will be done.”

My Definition Of Prayer:

Prayer is constantly ABIDING in Him and ASKING for the things He reveals to come into manifestation with great ASSURANCE that it will come to pass because you have AUTHORITY in His Name to execute each of His ASSIGNMENTS.

1. Abide

1st Condition “IF” — Recognize your place in God is secure. He put you in Christ!

In the Greek, the “if” indicates an assumption of truth.

“Since you abide in Him.”

2. Ask

Whatever you will. The Creator willingly limits himself to your requests.

John 14:13-14 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

3. Assurance

1John 5:14-15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

4. Authority

Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

When you listen to people pray you quickly find out who they believe is in charge.

Beggars don’t know who they are.

Commanders have revelation and they call His will into manifestation.

5. Assignments

Peter was in prayer — got assignment:

Acts 10:9-19 “Peter went up on the housetop to pray, …While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you.’”

“Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child with God. Working hand in hand with God towards the realization of His redemptive purposes in the earth.” Jack Hayford

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Series: “Summer Playlist” Sermon: “Greater Glory”

“Summer Of 69”. Oh, when I look back now That summer seemed to last forever And if I had the choice Yeah, I’d always wanna be there Those were the best days of my life

Events in 69:

Apollo11 Moon Landing July 20

Woodstock Festival August 15-18

Charles Manson Murders August 9-10

Canada Official Languages Act July 9

Winnipeg Jest join NHL

Mike Wier – Jenifer Aniston – Jay Z

Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.”

Zechariah 9:11-12 “As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit. Return to the stronghold, You prisoners of hope. Even today I declare That I will restore double to you.”

Romans 15:13 (Message) “Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Hope:– To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.

(elpis) :– joyful and confident expectation of good.

Romans 4:17-18 “… in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”

Romans 4:17-18 (The Message) “We call Abraham “father” not because he got God’s attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody … When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he would do.”

Abraham crossed over into a realm where no man had gone before. Creative Glory Realm

A less than perfect man began to operate out of the same life force as God. A man lifted up in the sight of God doing the God sort of stuff.

Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Heart is your believing mechanism.
Must have a liberated spirit of faith operating on the inside of you.

2 Corinthians 4:13 “Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak,…”

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Climate Of A Heart Of Faith … You determine your climate

1. Heart That Is Always DelightfulIsaiah 64:5 “You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways.”
God loves to get around a joyful crowd.

1 Peter 1:8-9

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”

2. Heart That Is Always Dreaming
Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”You are moving in the direction of your dominant thoughts. Your imagination is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

3. Heart That Is Always DeterminedPhilippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

God is good! God has only good plans for me! God wants to give me good things! God wants me to enjoy life!

4. Heart That Is DecisivePsalm 37:23 NLT “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Make up your mind. Get yourself in gear. Get your foot in the air and God will bring it down.

5. Heart That Is Always Demanding

Luke 11:8 “…he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

Isaiah 45:11 “…and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.”

God wants you to ask and keep on asking!

6. Heart That Is Always Declaring

1 Samuel 16:36 “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them,…”

Job 22:28 “You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on you ways.”

7. Heart That Is Always Daring

2 Samuel 23:11“But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.”

Take a risk … stand in your field!

Donkey fell in the well … can’t get Him out … have to bury him

Donkey … great Idea

He shook it off and stamped it down … until he stepped right out of the well

Use you difficulties as a platform to manifest freedom!!!

Shake it off … step up!!!

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Series: “Summer Play List” Sermon#2: “Cure For The Summertime Blues”

Sometimes I wonder what I’m gonna do Cause there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues.

Eddie Cochran

Reason for the BLUES:

No Money To Date My Girl / Boss Makes Me Work Too Late /. Parents Won’t Give Me Car / Too Young To Vote

Reasons For Summertime Blues Now:

People take less vacation time today. In 20 Years down from 20 Days to 15.

Vacations too expensive — Average $3000. People experience FOMO

SAD – Too hot! Too much rain! Unrealistic Expectations

Book Of James:

Brother of Jesus — Pastor of 1st Church Of Jerusalem

Believers experiencing incredible persecution by authorities. — Wants to encourage the church.

James 1:2-4 (NKJV) “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

James 1:24 (TPT) “My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested …

… it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.”

“… you fall into various trials,”

Unavoidable — Encounter. Trails come to everyone.

Unpredictable — Various. Often sudden and random.

Uncomfortable — Trials. Testing or proving of your faith.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NRSV). “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”

“… count it all joy…”

Count It (hēgeomai) :— Rule, Command, Govern, Engage in leadership, Take charge.

2 Timothy 1:11-12 “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

Colossians 1:11 (MSG). “We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy,”

Hebrews 12:1-2 “…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,…”

Joy is more relational than it is emotional.

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Nehemiah 8:10 “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Trials Don’t take something from you, they manifest the richness of God’s provision in you!!!

“…it stirs up in you the power of endurance…”. Trials PROVE your FAITH!

Philippians 4:13 (AMPC) “I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”

Romans 8:37 (NLT) “No, despite (IN) all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

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Series: “Summer Playlist” Sermon: “Soak Up The Son”

“I’m gonna soak up the SON, Gonna tell every one to lighten up.” Sheryl Crow

“Preaching grace is dangerous. It is dangerous because unlike overqualified human-centred preaching, it might actually stir a heart to be captivated by the abundant grace of God and lead to radical transformation!” Peter Mead

“The church, or I should say, church people, must quit adding the word “but” to the end of our sentences about grace. Grace plus is no longer grace. Grace minus is no longer grace. We are afraid people will abuse grace if presented in its purest form. We need not fear that, we should assume that.

“Religious people crucified grace personified. Of course grace will be abused. But grace is a powerful dynamic. Grace wins out in the end. It is not our responsibility to qualify it. It is our responsibility to proclaim it and model it.” Andy Stanley

Jude 2 (MSG). “Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!”

Jude 24 “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,”

Jesus teachings are __________.

Jesus teachings are EASY.

Matthew 11:28 (NKJV) “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28 (MSG) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. …

… Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Matthew 5:43-44, 48 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you,…

… Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

That’s easy!!!

The Response Jesus Expects:

That’s Impossible. 2. I Surrender
I Trust You. 4. I Rest In Your Abiding Presence

Romans 4:1b-3 “What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’”

Romans 4:4 “When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.”

Stay Free From The Yoke Of Religious Performance!

Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” “… don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (NLT)

Acts 15:10 (NLT) “So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear?:”

Acts 15:10 (MSG) “So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too?”

Stay Free From The Yoke Of Humanistic Philosophies!

2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?”

Rest is Grace personified.

Rest comes by Faith.

Rest says the work is finished.

Rest says put the tools down.

Rest says come away with me.

Titus 2:11-12 (ESV) “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,”

You can’t resist the will of God and receive the grace of God at the same time. Andy Stanley

Jude 2. (MSG) “Relax, everything’s going to be all right; rest, everything’s coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!”

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Series: “The Kingdom” Sermon #12 “Kingdom And Government”

The Bible is about a King, a Kingdom, and a royal family of children.

A message about the desire of a King to extend His Kingdom through His royal family.

Matthew 13:33 (NLT) “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, (60lbs) it permeated every part of the dough.”

Quietly — Progressively — Inevitably His Kingdom fills every thing every way!

Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Genesis 1:28 “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”

Observations:

Government Is God’s Idea
Wrong Governing Brings Chaos
God’s Remedy For Chaos And Disorder Is Correct Government.

Man rejected heaven’s government, when he chose independence.

The result was manmade attempts to govern God’s creation.

The root of the problems that plague mankind are fallen government and religion.

Feudalism — power of ownership. Landlord

Dictatorship — The concept of “divine authority”

Communism — Authoritarian control of land and people

Socialism — State control to benefit society.

Democracy — “Mob Rules” The fundamental problem is at its very foundation, power, and authority by majority vote.

Types Of Church Government:

Congregational – The people

Presbytery – The elders

Episcopacy – The bishopric

Autocracy – Self appointed

Theocracy – Divine Government

Acts 3:19-21 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

RESTORATION:— (apokatastasis) the restoration not only of the true theocracy but also of that more perfect state of (even physical) things which existed before the fall,

Romans 8:19-21 “The entire universe is standing on tiptoe, yearning to see the unveiling of God’s glorious sons and daughters! For against its will the universe itself has had to endure the empty futility resulting from the consequences of human sin.

…But now, with eager expectation, all creation longs for freedom from its slavery to decay and to experience with us the wonderful freedom coming to God’s children.”

Colossians 1:15-18 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. …

… All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”

Ephesians 2:19-21 “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on …

… the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,”

Ephesians 4:11-13 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, …

…till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;”

Government by corporate leadership! The theocratic order of a King over kings as partners in governing! Dr. Myles Munroe

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

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Series: “Kingdom” Sermon #11 “Kingdom Citizenship”

The Bible is about a King, a Kingdom, and a royal family of children.

A message about the desire of a King to extend His Kingdom through His royal family.

Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Ephesians 1:3 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”

“pneumatikos eulogeō”:— Spiritual Empowered Speaking

Matthew 16:19 (TPT) “I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.”

Operates through firsthand revelation!

Luke 16:16 TPT “The law of Moses and the revelation of the prophets have prepared you for the arrival of the kingdom realm announced by John. And now, when this wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm is preached, people’s hearts burn with extreme passion to press in and receive it.”

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 “And you know how affectionately we treated each one of you, like a loving father cares for his own children. We comforted and encouraged you and challenged you to adopt a lifestyle worthy of God, who invites you into his kingdom and glory.”

Apostle Paul develops on theme of CITIZENSHIP!!!

Philippians 3:20 (AMP) “But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven.”

(TPT) “But we are a colony of heaven on earth…” From another realm colonizing earth!!!

(Message) “But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven!” HEAVENLY BENEFITS

Ephesians 2:19 “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,” The Royal Family

Colossians 1:12-13 “…giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,…”

Paul Knew His Rights Acts 16:37 “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.’”

I’m not going quietly … you illegally beat a citizen … I have rights I can put a demand on … you touched one of the Kings called out ones … I have unique privileges!!!

Acts 22:25-29 “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman … And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” 29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

Citizen:– a native or naturalized individual who owes allegiance to a government (as of a state or nation) and is entitled to the enjoyment of governmental protection and to the exercise of civil rights.

Citizenship is power-sharing. The conferring of a nation on an individual. Walk in with nothing and you leave with everything. A citizen shares the power of the government, and essentially becomes one with the government.

Becoming a citizen of the Kingdom of God means: • You become powerful. • You gain a source of personal authority. • You can call constitutional privileges and promises. • You have access to the full protection and advantage of the law

Matthew 28:18-19 (TPT) “All the authority of the universe has been given to me. Now go in my authority and make disciples of all nations,…” Build My Church (EKKLEISIA) Authority – Power – Keys – Principles

Hebrews 1:14 (The Message) “Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?”

Every Kingdom has an army … God’s Kingdom has a military of powerful spiritual beings

Psalm 89:8 (TPT) “So awesome are you, O Yahweh, Lord God of Angel Armies! (Lord Of Hosts 290) Where could we find anyone as glorious as you? Your faithfulness shines all around you!”

Matthew 18:10 “Be careful that you not corrupt one of these little ones. For I can assure you that in heaven each of their angelic guardians have instant access to my heavenly Father.”

Acts 12:15 “But they said to her, ‘You are beside yourself!’ Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, ‘It is his angel.'”

PICTURE … Volkswagen Rabbit

Matthew 26:53 “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” (72,000)

John 1:51 “And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” Privilege of mankind!!!

Psalm 103:20-21 “Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.”

USING THE KEYS … Ephesisans 1:3 “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” pneumatikos:— divinely inspired supernatural eulogia:— to speak well … blessed speech

2 Kings 19:35 “And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand;”

One angel took out 185000 warriors.

2 Kings 6:16-17 “… those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Elisha prayed, ‘Then the Lord opened the servants eyes and he looked and saw the hills full of horses & chariots of fire all around Elisha.’”

PICTURE — DYLAN WITH HIS ARMY

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Series: “The Kingdom” Sermon #10 “Kingdom Keys 2”

Luke 12:32 “Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” A gift of His rule, ability, glory, influence – HOLY SPIRIT!

Where the Kingdom is embraced there is a community being built (Church) for the advancing of His eternal purpose in the earth.

Ephesians 3:21 “… to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Aligning yourself with the revelation of Jesus as King puts you in a place of privilege, trust, and authority and provides keys to ignite, lock, and loose, resulting in the manifestation of His Kingdom.

Matthew 16:15-19 “He pressed them, ‘And how about you? Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter said, ‘You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus came back, ‘God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers.

My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock (Petros). This is the rock (Petra) on which will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, (keys of NKJV) keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”

Matthew 16:19 (TPT) “I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.”

Operates through firsthand revelation!

I am a Divinely equipped administrator.

This revelation changes the order of things.

I don’t bind something demonic here on earth and then it becomes bound in heaven.

No, I bind on earth what has already been bound in heaven.

I establish on earth what Jesus has already accomplished for us on the cross.

1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Matthew 23:13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in”

Luke 11:52 “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered.”

PARABLE — SEED AND SOWER
Matthew 13:11-12 “He replied, ‘You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom. You know how it works. Not everybody has this gift, this insight; it hasn’t been given to them. Whenever someone has a ready heart for this, the insights and understandings flow freely.’”

Mysteries (mustérion) Thayers Greek lexicon :— “a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding”

Revelation (apokálypsis) Thayers :— “uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up; to disclose, make bare.

Matthew 13:23 (Message). “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, (heart hears and understands) and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 “But as it is written:’Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge“

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (TPT) “I am always thanking my God for you because he has given you such free and open access to his grace through your union with Jesus, the Messiah. In him you have been made extravagantly rich in every way. You have been endowed with a wealth of inspired utterance and the riches that come from your intimate knowledge of him.”

Ephesians 1:3 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”

“pneumatikos eulogeō”:— Spiritual Empowered Speaking

Ephesians 1:17-18 “… Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,…”

Matthew 11:29-30 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, (the unforced rhythms of grace) for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Government is on His shoulders. It’s well fitting, easy and designed for you to naturally flow with!!!!

Romans 10:8-10 “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Romans 6:10-12 “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”

Luke 1:37-38 “‘For the word of God will never fail.’ Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.’ And then the angel left her.”

I speak agreement with your word!

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Series: “The Kingdom” Sermon #8 “Kingdom Keys”

The good news is not Jesus and it is not that you get to go to heaven.

The good news (GOSPEL) is that God became a man to establish His kingdom on earth.

Where the Kingdom is embraced there is a community being built (Church) for the advancing of His eternal purpose in the earth.

Ephesians 1:22 “He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],”

Ephesians 3:21 “… to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

There are benefits to the revelation of His Kingdom!
1. Blessing — “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah!”Holy Spirit baptism is the blessing of the father. Birth of His Church!

Identity — “…tell you who you are, really are.”

1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now we are children of God;”

Power — “…not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.” You are powerful!
Daniel 11:32 “…the people who know there God shall be strong and do exploits.”
Trust — “…access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door:”
You only give your keys to people you really know and trust.

Matthew 16:19 (TPT) “I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.”

Operates through firsthand revelation!

Matthew 18:18-20 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven … if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Kevin and Julie were given full responsibility and control of our household. (PICTURE)

I am a Divinely equipped administrator.

This revelation changes the order of things.

I don’t bind something demonic here on earth and then it becomes bound in heaven.

No, I bind on earth what has already been bound in heaven.

I establish on earth what Jesus has already accomplished for us on the cross.

When you listen to people pray you quickly find out who they believe is in charge.

Beggars don’t know who they are.

Commanders have revelation and they call His will into manifestation.

1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 “…whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

1 Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

I don’t have to go to King school. I am an adult son of the King of Glory and he has made my a King.

Daniel 2:35,44 “And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. … And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”

God has called His church to rise in these days and take responsibility.

1 Timothy 3:15 “I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Isaiah 60:1-3 “Arise, my people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you. Darkness as black as night shall cover all the peoples of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine from you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see the glory of the Lord upon you.”

Authority — Keys are for authorized people. Not waiting outside for the blessing to be opened.

Keys are only useful if you know what they correspond to!!!

Access — Keys Of The Kingdom Enjoy all the benefits of the Fathers house. Fridge privileges!

Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

Ownership — It’s mine!!! I never beg for what I own.

Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Aligning yourself with the revelation of Jesus as King puts you in a place of privilege, trust, and authority and provides keys to ignite, lock, and loose, resulting in the manifestation of His Kingdom.

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Series: “The Kingdom” Sermon #8 “Kingdom Sacraments”

The good news is not Jesus and it is not that you get to go to heaven.

The good news (GOSPEL) is that God became a man to establish His kingdom on earth.

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

The Kingdom of God isn’t a teaching it’s receiving a Person; Holy Spirit.

Where the Kingdom is embraced there is a community being built (Church) for the advancing of His eternal purpose in the earth.

Acts 2:1,4 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place … And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit”

The Church – Body Of Christ – Royal Priesthood Holy Nation

Sacrament:– from Latin, oath of allegiance; A rite believed to be a means of or visible form of grace.

A deposit by two parties seeking to secure justice. God – Grace Man – Faith

1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV) “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”

1 Corinthians 10:1-3 “For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, … same spiritual drink.”

Baptism is not a ritual to be performed but a dynamic that must be a present day and continuous reality.

Matthew 28:19-20 “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…”

“Baptize”:– to immerse, to submerge, to bathe, to overwhelm, to pickle, to produce a permanent change.

Not just getting wet. An identification and a union with Christ that results in a genuine change.

Exodus 14:22-23 “So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

Jesus on the inside and His blood covers me. Baptized into Christ. I am in union with Him.

Free from bondage Free from accusation Free from oppression

Jesus caused an exodus and brings you into FREEDOM.

Exodus 12:7-8 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.”

The Passover:

The Lamb On The Inside.

Colossians 1:27 “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

The Blood Covering.

Revelation 1:5 “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,…”

Luke 22:19-20 “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’”

Covenant – a solemn agreement between two parties for the purposes of creating and maintaining a successful relationship.

You don’t take communion, you receive communion.

Embrace Restored Benefits: Health and Prosperity

Psalm 105:37 “He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes.” First Passover … Shadow

Lords Table – Remember Me! Not a call to commiserate his suffering or our sin, but a call to commemorate His triumph. “It is finished!”

Eucharist:– gratitude, thanks/grace

Hebrews 2:14 “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,…”

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Series: “The Kingdom” Sermon #7 “Kingdom And Holy Spirit”

The good news is not Jesus and it is not that you get to go to heaven.

The good news (GOSPEL) is that God became a man to establish His kingdom on earth.

Where the Kingdom is embraced there is a community being built (Church) for the advancing of His eternal purpose in the earth.

Acts 2:1,4 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place … And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” The Church – Body Of Christ – Royal Priesthood Holy Nation

Church:– EKKLEISIA two words — Called / Out — My called out ones. (Gathering)

Jesus cabinet, His governing body, His partners in the global plan of reconciling all thing to Himself!!!

Caesar Had a cabinet … people he chose to govern with and operate in his authority.

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is …. in the Holy Spirit.”

John 16:7, 13 “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. … However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth;…”

John 16:7 (AMPC) “However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].”

Jesus didn’t do any supernatural acts without Holy Spirit. The Spirit: “came upon Him” Luke 3:21-22

“led (drove) Him” Luke 4:1. “empowered Him” Luke 4:14. “anointed Him” Luke 4:18-21

Any experience you have ever had with God is by the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:18 “Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.”

A. W. Tozer. “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

“The idea of the Spirit held by the average church member is so vague as to be nearly non-existent.”

Baptised In Holy Spirit: A. He Is God. B. He Is A Person C. He Is Our Helper

The Godhead:— Father, Son and Holy Spirit

TRINITY:— God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God.

Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three Persons are co-equal, coessential and co-eternal. They are also distinguishable or distinct from one another. These three distinct Persons are the one God. Everything that is true about God is true about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Nicene Creed “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glori ed, who has spoken through the prophets.”

Westminster Confession of Faith. “The Holy Spirit, the third person in the Trinity, proceeding from the Father and the Son, of the same substance and equal in power and glory, is, together with the Father and the Son, to be believed in, loved, obeyed, and worshiped throughout all ages.”

B. He Is A Person. What constitutes a person?

Person:– A living being. The composite of characteristics that make up an individual personality; the self.

Personality:– The pattern of collective character, behavioral, temperamental, emotional, and mental traits of a person. (A Soul) What Is A Living Soul? Mind:— thinking Will:— desires Emotions:—feelings

Divine Attributes: Omniscience:- All Knowledge Thinking Mind Omnipotence:- All Power Exert His influence, Will

Omnipresence:- All Present He is felt and He Feels. Emotion

C. He Is Our Helper He Work In Us — His Work Described By Jesus

Romans 8:26-27 “…Spirit also helps in our weaknesses …. but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Helps (Sunantilambanomai):– to lay hold along with, to strive to obtain with others, help in obtaining to take hold with another. {compound word}

sun:– partnership, joint effort anti:– against, filled with rage. lambano:— to take to oneself, remove

His Work Defined By Jesus

John 16:8 “When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:” (NLT)

“And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment:” (NRSV)

“And having come, he will bring demonstration to the world, of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” (Darby)

“When the Helper comes, he will show the people of the world how wrong they are about sin, about being right with God, and about judgment.” (ERV)

“The Holy Spirit never brings condemnation He always reveals the blood.” Smith Wigglesworth

John 16:9 “…of sin, because they do not believe in Me;…” Jesus is the cure to sin.
Romans 5:15 (NLT) “…But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.”

John 16:10 “…of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; …” Jesus did it right.

Romans 5:17 “… those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life…”

John 16:11 “…of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” Satan is defeated.Hebrews 2:14. “…that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,…”

Holy Spirit proves GOOD NEWS!!!
1. Jesus is the only cure to sin. 2. He declares you righteous. 3. Your accuser is destroyed.

Katherine Kuhlman’s favourite verse. 2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion (koinōnia) of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.”

Charles Finney “But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Spirit … The Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul. I could feel the impression like a wave of electricity, going through … through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love; for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God.”

(Memoirs of Reverend Charles G. Finney Written By Himself)

Ruwach:– wind, breath

Pneuma:– to breathe, to blow, wind

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Series: “The Kingdom” Sermon #6“Kingdom And The Church”

The good news is not Jesus and it is not that you get to go to heaven. The good news (GOSPEL) is that God became a man to establish His kingdom on earth … Jesus came to become Lord and Christ (KING MAKER) and now He is building a redeemed community to partner in bringing heaven to earth!!!

JESUS WHOLE MESSAGE WAS KINGDOM … Seek It … Pray It … Teach It … Express It

Kingdom (King – Domain) Three Things: 1. Ruler –Jesus 2. Realm – Where He Is Lord 3. Rules His Commandment

I John 3:23 “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.”
Two Core Aspects to His Commandment:
1. Believe on the Name of Jesus Christ. 2. Love one another as I have loved you.

Be public without being political, testify without being tribal, serve outside the sectarian boundaries, love without limitations, confess without seeking conflict.

Love is demonstrable and free. It has practical application in all areas.
Love is the rule of the kingdom and it must be a full 360.

We are here to support the heavenly invasion of earth by the Kingdom of God.
We are to introduce a new heavenly society rearranged under the Lordship of Jesus Christ!
LOVE trumps everything! Forgiveness healing and restoration are now within reach.

The Kingdom is not the Church — The Church is not the Kingdom
The Church is The Body of Christ, Bride Of Christ, A Royal Priesthood a Holy Nation.

Where the Kingdom is embraced there is a community being built (Church) for the advancing of His eternal purpose in the earth.

Church:– EKKLEISIA two words – Called / Out – My called out ones. (Gathering) His cabinet, His governing body, His partners in the global plan of reconciling all thing to Himself!!!

Caesar Had a cabinet … people he chose to govern with and operate in his authority.

Acts 2:1,4 “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place … And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” The Church – Body Of Christ – Royal Priesthood Holy Nation

Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Ephesians 1:22 “He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],”
Ephesians 3:21 “… to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Jesus had spent his whole ministry teaching on and manifesting the Kingdom of God. Now he is about to turn toward Jerusalem for His final mission and he introduces His followers to His Church.

Matthew 16:15-19 He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers.

My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.

There are benefits to the revelation of His Kingdom!
1. Blessing — “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah!”
Holy Spirit baptism is the blessing of the father. Birth of His Church!

Identity — “…tell you who you are, really are.” 1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now we are children of God;”
Power — “…not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.” You are powerful!
Daniel 11:32 “…the people who know there God shall be strong and do exploits.”
Authority — “…access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door:”
You only give your keys to people you really know and trust.

Genesis 22:17-18 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.

Acts 3: 1-10 … the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, … what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

As an empowered and authorized cabinet minister of The Kingdom of God I loose you from your affliction and command you to rise up and walk!!!

Acts 12:5-17 “Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. … “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. … they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out.”
When the kingdom of darkness tries to flex its muscle against the Purpose of God – the church must rise up and command that they be cast down and shattered.
IRON GATES CANNOT WITHHOLD GODS PURPOSE!!!

Luke 7:12-17 “And when He came near the gate of the city, … large crowd from the city… He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” … “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.”
Collision of two crowds … one a march of death and hopelessness … Is interrupted by a march of HOPE miraculous power and authority.
WHEN WEDDING MARCH COLLIDES WITH A FUNERAL … THE FUNERAL HAS TO PULL OVER!!!

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Series: “The Kingdom” Sermon #5 “Kingdom Rules Applied”

Jesus is not the Gospel.

Jesus preached the gospel and he is the means to the gospel (DOOR).

The good news (Gospel) is that He has brought the Kingdom of God to earth!!!

Every Kingdom has a Ruler, Realm, and Rules.

A Kingdom is the governing influence of a King over his territory, impacting it with his will, his purpose and his intent. producing a citizenry of people who reflect his culture and manifest his nature and glory.

The Rules: The Kingdom Culture

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

I John 3:23 “And this is His commandment: that we should (1) believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and (2) love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

“The measure of God’s love is that He loves without measure”. J.I. Packer (Knowing God, p. 111)

“The essence of the Christian faith is not knowledge, but love.” Martin Luther

Notes from kids to mom.

“Let France have good mothers and she will have good sons.” Napoleon

Mothers Are the Main Spiritual Coaches for Teens. BARNA
Practicing Christians in their teen years consistently identify mothers as the ones who provide spiritual guidance and instruction and instill the values and disciplines of their faith in the household. Moms are their foremost partners in prayer (63%) and conversations about God (70%), the Bible (71%) or other faith questions (72%). This is consistent with Barna data through the years that show mothers to be the managers of faith formation (among other household routines and structures). Mothers are also the ones encouraging church attendance (79%) or teaching kids about the Bible (66%), God’s forgiveness (66%) and religious traditions (72%). Barna May 2019

The Powerful Influence of Moms in Christians’ Households

Many people think that Christianity is a belief system, but it’s really a belong system.

John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

A 2020 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that 47% of adults in the United States reported experiencing feelings of loneliness, up from 27% in 2018.

Research conducted by Holt-Lunstad and published in Perspectives on Psychological Science in 2015 found that loneliness and social isolation can be as harmful to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

John T. Cacioppo “Chronic loneliness needs to be taken seriously as a threat to our physical health. It deserves the same level of attention, resources, and public health campaigns as smoking and obesity.” (Cacioppo & Patrick, 2008)

Dr Dean Ornish – Ornish Lifestyle Medicine. “Love and intimacy — our ability to connect with ourselves and others, is at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, … People who feel lonely and isolated have a 300-500 percent greater risk of premature death due to physical illness.”

Ephesians 3:14- 4:3 Message “My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.”

And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.

Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands.

I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

3 Essentials For Kingdom Culture

1. Embrace Your Value

“… extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love…”

A working revelation of God’s love enables you to express love.

2. Be Yourself

“…road God called you to travel…”

You are unique. There is no one like you. Don’t be a copy

3. Express Selfless Love

“…steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love,…”

You walk into a room and everyone else is of great value to you.

John 1:12 “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.”

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Series: “The Kingdom” Sermon #4 “Kingdom Rules”

Psalm 2:6, 8 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion. … Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.”

The Kingdom of God is eternal but DOMINION is generational.

Acts 13:36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; …”

Psalm 115:16 “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given

to the children of men.”

Mark 1:15 (NIV) “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Think again. Take a fresh look at this good news!!!

One of the greatest difference between the old and new covenant is the location of GOD!!!

Picture of Cheryl’s with tattoo of KINGDOM

Jesus is not the Gospel. Jesus preached the gospel and he is the means to the gospel (DOOR).

The good news (Gospel) is that He has brought the Kingdom of God to earth!!!

Acts 1:2-3 “He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles … during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Jesus last instructions before ascending.

Acts 28:30-31 “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”

Every Kingdom has a Ruler, Realm, and Rules.

The Ruler: Jesus is King!

A King who is empowering, serving, loving, uplifting, king-making.

Not a religious call to serve with self-abasing religious activity, but to let his reign of self-giving love influence every sphere of our lives.

Revelation 1:5-6 “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen”

Jesus is a King Maker!!!

Psalm 8:4-6 “What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, (Elohim) And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,” God highly values man and His creation!!!

The Realm: Engaging The King

1 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV) “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

(TPT) “Now, the ‘Lord’ I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom.”

Matthew 13:33 (NLT) “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, (60lbs) it permeated every part of the dough.”

Quietly — Progressively — Inevitably His Kingdom fills every thing every way!

The Rules:

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Galatians 5:6 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”

“The essence of the Christian faith is not knowledge, but love.” Martin Luther

Love :– Sacrificially ascribing infinite worth to another.

I John 3:23 “And this is His commandment: that we should (1) believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and (2) love one another, as He gave us commandment.”

Orthodoxy:– (orthos) right (doxeia) belief.

Orthopraxy:– (orthos) right (praxis) action or practice

We have been more concerned with right belief than right action.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 “Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.”

1 John 4:7-21 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

Four Things About God’s Love

Personal Love “We know…”. 2. Proven Love “…the propitiation for our sins.”
Perfecting Love “His perfect love perfecting us” 4. Preserving Love “God is love.”

Four Results Of God’s Love

Born In Love “…loves is born of God.” 2. Baptized In Love “…we abide in Him, He in us,”
Bold In Love “…that we may have boldness…”. 4. Bent In Love “…loves God must love brother.”

“The measure of God’s love is that He loves without measure” J.I. Packer (Knowing God, p. 111)

Charles R. Swindoll (The Quest for Character)

“Marbles or grapes, which will it be? Every congregation has a choice. You can choose to be a bag of marbles … independent, hard, loud, unmarked and unaffected by others…

…Or you can be a bag of grapes … fragrant, soft, blending, mingling, flowing into one another’s lives. Marbles are made to be counted and kept. Grapes are made to be bruised and used. Marbles scar and clank. Grapes yield and cling.”

Marbles need external structure. Grapes have in internal structure.

Marbles are independent. Grapes are interdependent.

Marbles Bounce off each other. Grapes mingle with each other

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Series: “Scandalous” Sermon #6 “The FOR US Of Resurrection”

1 Corinthians 15:17,19 (NLT) “And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. … we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.”

Acts 4:33 “And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.”

Romans 4:25 (NLT) “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” He is risen! I am Righteous!

Romans 4:25 (TPT) “Jesus was handed over to be crucified for the forgiveness of our sins and was raised back to life to prove that he had made us right with God!”

Romans 6:18 “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

Romans 3:23-24 “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,…”

Romans 5:17 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

The FOR US Of Resurrection

Romans 8:31-39 (NLT) “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If (SINCE) God is for us, who can ever be against us?:”

Vs 32 “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

Rhetorical Question. Make a statement rather than to elicit information.

Argues from greater to lesser.

Vs. 33 “Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.”

Vs. 34 “Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.”

Vs 35 “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?”

Vs 36, 37 “As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’ No, despite (IN) all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

This word is used only once in Scripture.

hypernikaō :– overwhelming victory, super conquerors, to vanquish beyond. hoop airrrr ni kah ō

Vs 38 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, …”

Vs 39 “…nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God Is FOR US!

John 11:25-26 (Message) “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”

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Series: “Scandalous” Sermon #6 “Bloodline Of A Champion”

1 Peter 1:18-20 “…redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

“The Holy Spirit never brings condemnation He always reveals the blood.” Smith Wigglesworth

“His blood is so powerful that to mention it in prayer is the equivalent of placing dynamite under Satan’s fortifications and blasting them to pieces.” Dick Mills

Isaiah 43:25-26 KJV “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.”

Isaiah 43:25-26 (LB) “ I, yes, I alone am he who blots away your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. Oh, remind me of this promise of forgiveness, for we must talk about your sins. Plead your case for my forgiving you.”

Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin (NOUN The Condition) entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (VERB The Conduct)—“

Sunny day … condition. Sunny day … conduct

Rainy day … condition Rainy day … conduct

Adam changed the conditions Jesus came and restored SUNSHINE

2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

The master version was flawed so God remastered mankind through Christ.

Romans 6:10-11 “For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 5:20-21 “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

1 John 3:9 (NKJV) “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

You want a great blood line when you want to breed a race horse.

Andalusian Stallion Columbia Falls, Montana, 59912 Stud Fee: $1,800

Name:BANDOLERO Breed: Andalusian

You want to be sure you have a healthy breed of dog.

SUPERIOR LITTER SIRED BY OUR IMPORT CHAMPION: $1500.00

ENZO VON IVAN HAUSE

1 Peter 1:23 “…been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible…”

1 John 5:1 “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”

1 John 4:17 “In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

Revelation 12:10-11

“…who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

Lords Table – Remember Me!

Not a call to commiserate his suffering or our sin, but a call to commemorate His triumph.

“It is finished!” Eucharist:– gratitude, thanks/grace

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Series: “Scandalous”. Sermon #4 “Rock The Block Jesus Style”

“The Holy Spirit never brings condemnation He always reveals the blood.” Smith Wigglesworth

“Morality may keep you out of jail, but it takes the blood of Christ to keep you out of Hell.” C. H. Spurgeon

1 Peter 1:18-20 “…redeemed … with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.”

The feast of Passover:

Today bring sacrifice for inspection. Today they got rid of the leaven. This day Jesus came for inspection. This day He cleansed His temple. Begins His final assult to secure JUSTICE FOR ALL!

The Father does not inspect you He inspects His Son. “The Lamb of God”. He is PERFECT! You are PERFECT!

Pictures — Donkey with cross on its back!

Matthew 21:10 “And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’”

Moved:— (Seio) to shake, agitate, cause to tremble

Luke19:41-44 “He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes’ … because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Why was Jesus so upset? Crowd was with Him.

We’ve got momentum here … don’t mess it up!!!

Visitation:– (Episkope) investigation, inspection, oversight.

God came to exercise care and they missed the moment. Did not embrace His purpose.

Matthew 21:12-13 “Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text: My house was designated a house of prayer;”

Psalm 89:13-15 “Your arm is powerful, your hand strong, your right hand victorious.

Equity and justice are the foundation of your throne…

“… Loyal love and faithfulness characterize your rule.

How blessed are the people who worship you! O Lord, they experience your favor.”

When Jesus Rocks The Block:

1. Hindrances Are Removed

“…threw out… kicked over” vs12

Unwelcomed Additions Barriers and Limitations

Injustice:— the quality or fact of being unjust; inequity. violation of the rights of others; unjust or unfair action or treatment. Discrimination

2. Proper Purpose Restored

“…a house of prayer.” vs13

Place where prophetic songs invite the nations to come and be reconciled to God!

Isaiah 56:7 “Make them joyful in my house of prayer… for all nations.”

Prayer:— (tef-il-law’) Intense prophetic prayer, accompanied by music

3. Power Is Demonstrated

“…blind and lame came …and He healed them.” vs14

John Wimber “In what meeting do you do the stuff?”

4. Religious Spirit Manifests

vs15 “…they became indignant”

When liberty and freedom are in expression, religion goes into full manifestation.

5. Atmosphere Of Triumph vs16

“Out of the mouth of babes …You have ordained strength, (PRAISE) Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2

Hosanna:– from two words, (save or liberate) and (now or beseech): we beseech you save us, liberate us, now!

The Spirit of God is crying out to the CHURCH: Demand justice!

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Series: “Scandalous”. Sermon #3 “Lets’s Talk About Blood”

Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Colossians 1:20-22 “…having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight…”

“The Holy Spirit never brings condemnation He always reveals the blood.”

Smith Wigglesworth

“ Jesus was cursed on the tree in our place and bore our sin in His own body. He did not bear our sin in His blood. It was just as holy on the cross as it ever was. As He offered the sin sacrifice to God, He was covered with pure, innocent, justifying, redeeming, sanctifying blood so that He was able to dismiss His spirit to His Father at death.” David Alsobrook

“The blood and the Spirit always bear testimony together. Where the blood is honored in faith or preaching, there the Spirit works; … He always leads souls to the blood. The Holy Spirit could not be given until the blood was shed. The living bond between the Spirit and the blood cannot be broken.”

Andrew Murray

True redemption is found exclusively through the blood of Jesus.

A working revelation of the blood of Jesus will give you ongoing access to the glory of God.

Where the blood of Jesus flows the Holy Spirit goes.

“Scripture teaches … that life lies in the blood. Blood, therefore , is the mysterious link between matter and spirit. …certain it is that this is the mysterious link which unite these apparently dissimilar things together, so that the soul can inhabit the body, and the life can rest in the blood” C.H. Spurgeon

Jesus is the lamb slain from before the foundation of the world.

Redemption through His Blood was always His eternal plan!

1Peter 1:20 “… he was chosen and destined for this before the foundation of the earth was laid, but he has been made manifest in these last days for you.”

“O happy fault that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer.” Ambrose of Milan

felix culpa (Happy Fault)

The covenant that the Father made with His Son took me from from sinful to SONFUL!!!

4 Truths Regarding The Blood

1. It Has To Be Blood — Why?

Life is in the blood. Lev. 17:11 “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’” No blood No freedom

Hebrews. 9:22 “… without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

“aphesis”:— Release From Bondage

Remission is a legal term.

Remission is the pardon of offence.

Remission is a once-and-for-all event.

Remission brings freedom.

Remission involves a sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:14, 18. (TPT) “And by his one perfect sacrifice he made us perfectly holy and complete for all time!” — “So if our sins have been forgiven and forgotten (remitted), why would we ever need to offer another sacrifice for sin?”

2. It Had To Be Jesus Blood —Why?

Precious Blood 1 Peter 1:18-19 “…but with the precious blood of Christ, …without blemish and without spot.”

Blood of God Acts 20:28 “…church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

3. Jesus’ Blood Had To Be Shed

His Body Was Pierced In 7 Places

A. Sweat Drops Of Blood

Jesus fulfilled all righteousness on my behalf. He was fully obedient to the will of the Father. Not My will but Yours! I have fulfilled all righteousness. I plead the blood!!!

B. Stripes He Received 39 Lashes

Isaiah 53:4 “And by His stripes we are healed.”

Unexpected Genetic Roots

“When we ranked mutations using our method, striking patterns emerged, revealing 39 novel genes having a potential role…” Brenden Frey (UofT News Dec.14 2014)

The Gene Myth: Our DNA is NOT Our Destiny (Dr. Caroline Leaf)

“…it’s principally our thoughts that influence those genes which are active … So, when all is said and done, we are very much in control, and not victims of our biology.”

http://drleaf.com/blog/single-entry/print/the-gene-myth-our-dna-is-not-our-destiny/

C. Beaten and Bruised

Inner bleeding. Hidden wounds. Unresolved issues from your past. Words that torment. Past failures.

Jesus blood deals with all the unseen issues of the heart.

D. Crown Of Thorns

Galatians 3:13-14 “…having become a curse for us …that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” “…make His blessings know far as the curse is found.” Joy To The World

E. Spikes In His Hands

Priests. Hand are for blessing … restore our authority to BLESS – Gate of heaven

F. Spike In His Feet

Kings. Restored Dominion … Every place my foot treads brings Kingdom!

His blood positions you in His Glory. Open Heaven! In-Christed Forver. YOU REIGN AND RULE!!!

G. Sword In His Side

His heart was broken so mine can be restored … betrayal wounds to heart.

Psalm 69:20 “Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness.”

Luke 4:18“He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,…”

4. The Blood Must Be Applied

Two Ways Blood Applied In O.T.:

1. Diffuse Hyssop – It gets everywhere.

Hebrews 9:19 “… of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all …”

2. Directional Finger – Very specific.

Leviticus 16:14 “…with his finger sprinkle it …”

Luke 11:20 “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.”

Matthew 12:28 “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.”

You have a legal right to the throne room by the blood.

Holy Spirit has a legal right to invade you by the blood.

The Blood speaks … It is voice activated.

How do you apply the blood?

Word of your Testimony!!! I plead the blood!!!

HOW DOES IT WORK????

Isaiah 43:25-26 KJV

“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.”

The blood will speak by the power of the Spirit to every circumstance in your life!!!

You just have to agree with the proceeding word by getting it on your mouth.

Heaven’s GPS The blood will position you for constant victory!

View Details

Series: “Scandalous”. Sermon #2 “I CANNOT Sin”

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) “He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”

Our Place As Rulers Was Surrendered

Simply put: Sin (NOUN) is the problem. Jesus is the solution.

What is sin? A tyrant. Selfishness. Choosing independence from God.

What you misdiagnose, you mistreat.

If sin is defined as bad behaviour we gather weekly for sin management courses.

If it is rule breaking we have to make you a better rule keeper.

PICTURE: Two Trees … Adam and the results of the fall. In Adam or In Christ

“The eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was not only an act of disobedience; it was an attempt to gain autonomy, to decide for oneself what is right and wrong.” Millard Erickson

“The eating of the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil represents humanity’s choice to be their own gods, to define morality and determine their own destiny. This act of rebellion led to a broken relationship with God and the need for salvation.” A.W. Tozer

Ravi Zacharius “Jesus didn’t come into the world to make bad people good. He came into the world to make dead people live.”

Religion teaches moralism. Religion is self help.

Moralism:— the belief that the Gospel can be reduced to improvements in behaviour.

Galatians 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

“Adam’s sin caused a rupture in the cosmic order, allowing Satan to gain a foothold in the world and become the prince of this world. This gave him a measure of authority over the world that he did not have before.” Augustine of Hippo

“O happy fault that earned for us so great, so glorious a Redeemer.” Ambrose of Milan

felix culpa (Happy Fault)

GOOD NEWS:

God forgives sinners – God Is Love

God conquers sin – Sent His Son to deliver us from power of sin, satan and death. LIFE

Colossians 2:13-14 “He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements (LAW) that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

1Corinthians 15:56-57 (Message) “It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!”

Hebrews 2:14 “Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.”

Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

John 3:17-18 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Are you going to partner with Moses or Jesus as you confront sin?

Religion attempts to cancel people, we are here to reconcile.

Religion looks to disqualify people, we are here to qualify.

Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Romans 5:18-19 (Message) “Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.”

1 John 2:1-2 “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

When you act outside of the nature of God you are not behaving like your regenerated self.

That’s when your faith has to be activated. I am a child of God!!!

Jesus as your advocate completely backs you up.

1 John 3:9 “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

Two basic views of verse 9

1. Habitual — random acts of sin is okay, its habitual sin that is bad. NO NO NO!!!

2. Absolute — You are free from sin absolutely. Power over sin. Still It is never okay. Don’t do it. It is destructive.

“The provision for our salvation originated in the love of God. And since we have experienced the love of the Father, we have no desire to live in sin.” Warren Wiersbe

“He could have hardly meant that Christ sins not at all and those who abide in Him sin but not a lot.” Bob Wilkin (Do Born Again People Sin)

“The fact that he has been begotten of God excludes the possibility of his committing sin as an expression of his true character, though actual sins may, and do, occur so far as he fails from weakness to realize his true character.” A.E. Brooke

Hebrews 10:2 “For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.” Freedom comes from your focus on His finished work and not on trying not to fail.

“All he thought about for three straight month prior was falling. It was the first time he ever thought about falling, alway before he thought about nothing but walking the tightrope.”

Helen Wallenda — Wife of Karl Wallenda

John 8:2-11 (NET)“Early in the morning he came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The experts in the law and the Pharisees (Team Moses) brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them …

… and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. …

…When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground Now when they heard this, (being convicted by their conscience NKJV) they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones

… until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. (until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. NLT) Jesus stood up straight and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’

She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

“Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.” TPT

There are consequences for bad decisions but there is no condemnation or judgement from your Saviour JESUS!

GOOD NEWS

God forgives sinners – God Is Love

God conquers sin – Sent His Son to deliver us from power of sin, satan and death. LIFE

View Details

Sermon Series: “Scandalous” Sermon: “What Is Sin?”

1 Peter 2:24 (TPT) “He himself carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we would be dead to sin and live for righteousness. Our instant healing flowed from his wounding.”

Ephesians 2:1-2 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,”

Until we come to Christ and receive by faith the gracious gift of his life, we remain spiritually dead and dominated.

Faith in the finished work of the cross makes us alive, raises us up and seats us with Him. Reigning!

John Piper “Sinning is any feeling or thought or speech or action that comes from a heart that does not treasure God over all other things. A heart that prefers anything above God, a heart that does not treasure God over all ot

Karl Barth – (Christian Dogmatics). “It is true enough that unbelief is the sin, the original form and source of all sins, and in the last analysis the only sin because it is the sin which produces and embraces all other sins.”

Augustine “Sin is believing the lie that you are self-created, self-dependent, and self-sustained.”

Paul Ellis “What is the definition of sin? It is not rule breaking or acting immorally as much as it is walking by sight and leaning on your own abilities and understanding. It is trusting in yourself and living without regard for the things of God.”

Darrell Johnson “Sin is not believing that God is as good as He says He is.”

Sin and disobedience are the fruit of distrust.

Our Place As Rulers Was Surrendered

Simply put: Sin is the problem. Jesus is the solution.

What is sin? Selfishness. Independence from God.

her person and all other things.”

What you misdiagnose, you mistreat.

If sin is defined as bad behaviour we gather weekly for sin management courses.

If it is rule breaking we have to make you a good rule keeper.

Ravi Zacharius “Jesus didn’t come into the world to make bad people good. He came into the world to make dead people live.”

Religion teaches moralism. Religion is self help.

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life (Not Bios but Zoe), and that they may have it more abundantly.”

You are under new management! Devil’s grip has been broken.

In Christ, you have been freed from sin the noun, the tyrant sin.

There has been a change of government, sin has no dominion over you.

You don’t have to obey your former master.

Romans 3:21-24 “But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.

….. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

Paul talks about sin 48x’s in the book of Romans.

Noun 46x’s and Verb 2x’s Harmatia :—(noun) to be without a share in, to miss the mark to err, be mistaken.

First time sin appears in Scripture.

Genesis 4:7 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin (Noun khata:— fail miss goal) lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

What mark do we fall short of? “The Glory of God,”

Glory dóksa :— from dokeō, exercising personal opinion which determines value. that something has inherent, intrinsic worth. We sin when we do not embrace God’s values.

Romans 1:18-19 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.”

Ungodliness (asebeia):— want of reverence towards God, the opposite of the word for revere or adore, disregard for God’s person.

Ungodliness is not bad behavior. Ungodliness is unbelief in the grace of a good God. It’s saying, “God, who needs you? I’m fine without you.”

PICTURE OF TWO TREES

Genesis 3:7-8

“Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,…”

“…and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

God is going to kill us!???

They instead became accusers of God, themselves and each other.

Wages of sin death.

Man departed from God’s purpose for him. Became An INDIVIDUAL.

Man now had the capacity to make his own determination of what was right and wrong.

Man developed his own systems of scales and balance. He became the system maker and judge.

Adam lost sight of his own value.

When he ate he fell short.

Darkness descended on His mind and he ran and his from God.

But God came looking for Him.

To restore His value.

Hebrews 9:26 “But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin (NOUN) by the sacrifice of himself.”

There only two types of people:

In Christ — Reigning in Life!
In Adam — Subject to fallen world.

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Series: David “King Of Hearts” — Sermon: “Heart For The Glory”

1 Chronicles 13:3 “…let us bring the ark of our God back to us…”

David desired what Jesus provided.

John 17:21 “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

2 Samuel 5:7 “Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.”

The Jebusites had held Zion until David took possession of it.

Psalm 110:2 “The Lord will send forth from Zion (CHURCH) the sceptre of Your strength; rule, then, in the midst of Your foes.”

Hebrews 12:18-24 “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven,…”

1 Samuel 7:1 “…men of Kirjath Jearim came and took the ark of the Lord, and brought it into the house of Abinadab on the hill, and consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the Lord.”

For Decades God’s presence wasn’t pursued.

The journey of the Ark of God

Eli:— to exalt. A fat fleshly system. / Hophni:— cantankerous, fist fight. / Phinehas:— mouth of a serpent.

Ichabod:— No glory, departed

Dagon:— No God’s before me. Haemorrhoids:— A pain in the bottom

Abinadab:— Decades of doing life with no presence of God!!!

Luke 7:16-17 “They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country.”

Glory disturbs the status quo: People Climb Trees / People Crash Parties / People Break Through Roofs / People Ignore Barriers / People Get Set Free / Religious People Throw A Fit

2 Sa. 6:6-16, / 1 Ch. 13:5-14

Ark stumbled at Nachon, Chidon. “Nachon”:– preparation. “Chidon”:– javelin, ruin

Failure to prepare becomes ruin.

VS.12 “David was afraid of God that day, saying, ‘How can I bring the ark of God to me?’”

David thought he would bring the presence of God to town with strength and might, driving an ox cart, just like the philistines did.

“Uzzah” :— strength, might. “Ahio” :— resembling, just like. Boards and Big Wheels

2 Samuel 6:10 “So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obededom (servant / blood) the Gittite.” Gittite:— inhabitant of Gath, gentile.

1 Chronicles 13:14 “The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house three months. And the Lord blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that he had.”

The presence of God was housed by a gentile and it was GLORY all around!!!

1 Chronicles 15:13-14 “For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order. … bore the ark of God on their shoulders, by its poles, … they offered seven bulls and seven rams.” (BLOOD)

Access to the Glory is found exclusively by the blood of Jesus.

Hebrews 9:7 “But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood,”

The Tabernacle Of David

The Tabernacle of Moses: It showed the perfection needed to come before the Presence of God. No sin. No illegitimacy.

The Tabernacle of David: It showed the grace of God. Faith in God’s promise and His Character. Makes a way so all would have equal access to God’s Presence.

Acts 15:16 “After this I WILL RETURN, and will BUILD AGAIN the TABERNACLE OF DAVID, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.”

Obed Edom opened his door to allow God’s presence in His house. When You Experience HIM:

1. You Leave Familiar Things

1 Chronicles 15:21 “Obed-Edom”

Galatians 5:25 “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

2. You Become A Servant

1 Chronicles 15:24, 26:8 “…Obed-Edom and Jehiah, doorkeepers for the ark.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

3. You Are Given Authority

1 Chronicles 26:15 “…to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse.”

Luke 10:19 “I have given you authority … to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

4. You Are Given Provision

1 Chronicles 26:15 “…to his sons the storehouse.”

Philippians 4:19 “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

5. You Are Given His Trust

2 Chronicles 25:24 “And he took all the gold and silver, all the articles that were found in the house of God with Obed-Edom”

Colossians 1:27 “… glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Access to the Glory is found exclusively through the blood of Jesus.

His gracious act of redemption has granted you access to His presence!!!

His Glory Is Gushing Through You!!!

David sent the presence of God to the home of a gentile farmer.

All he did was open the door!

Open the door of your heart.

Change your life FOREVER!!!

Galatians 3:26 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Someone is knocking at the door!

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Series “David – King of Hearts”. Sermon. “A Heart For Redemption”

February 8, 2023. “Latest stinker. I’ll be home soon,” Zach Meerkreebs

“Stop striving. Stop wearing this heavy burden of ‘I gotta love, because I’m a Christian,’ No, you gotta love because you’ve tasted and seen the goodness of God…You have been loved. You have to continue to put yourself before Jesus so you can be loved by him so you can love others.”

PICTURE — Asbury College Chapel

2 Samuel 3:1 “There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.”

David is anointed as King of Israel

2 Samuel 5:10 “And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts (was) with him.”

David took God to Zion! David took God to His eternal purpose!

2 Samuel 9:1 “Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

Jonathan’s Son:

“Mephibosheth”:– exterminate the idol, to shatter the shameful thing.

“Merib Baal” :– contend against baal.

“Machir” :– to sell yourself, sold out.

“Lo-debar” :– no communication barren place, not a pasture.

In silence, in shame, sold out, and surrendered to a life of barrenness.

5 Grace Observations

1. The Fall Caused Crippling

2 Samuel 4:4 “his nurse took him up and fled…he fell, and became lame”

In Adam humanity fell and has lost any ability to help itself. Who dropped you?

Romans 5:17 “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

2. A Word To Keep

1Samuel 20:15-16 “…thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever:”

He has a covenant to fulfill.

3. Love Is Expressed

1 Samuel 9:5 “Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.” The barren place. The silent scream!!!

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world He SENT…”

“Grace is God’s Holy love on the move.” J H Jowett

Romans 5:20-21 (MSG) “All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. …

All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.”

4. Qualified By The Love of Another

2 Samuel 9:7 “… shew thee kindness for Jonathan…”

Ephesians 1:4-5 “…that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.”

5. Restoration Is The Purpose

2 Samuel 9:7 “for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”

Ephesians 2:6 “…made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”

2 Samuel 9:13 “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king’s table. And he was lame in both his feet.”

The chapter ends with, “his feet both lame.” — His “walk” didn’t get him into the Kings palace. His “walk” will not keep him in the Kings palace. He is there because of the covenant that was drawn up between David and Jonathan.

Come and put your broken feet under my table!!!

Restored Position – A Son

Restored Property – Heir of All Things

Restored Power – Ability to Rule

Romans 5:1-2 (MSG)

“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: …

… We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise.”

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Annie Johnson Flint

I’m still here!

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Series: “David: King of Hearts” Sermon: “A Heart for Family”

We have been talking about a guy in the Bible name David.

I think Hollywood would have loved David. He was handsome, charming, a political genius, a great warrior, yet he was poetic and wrote a bunch of songs. He didn’t shy away from how he felt at all.

Because despite all of the good qualities I mentioned above, he was wounded and made decisions out of those wounds that hurt a lot of people. And he also had an eye for the ladies. You’ll see. We have family favouritism, a broken engagement, a forced marriage separation, an affair, a horrific violation that was ignored, a death of a child, lack of discipline, backstabbing, murder, – we have it all today.

Now, if you are wondering why in the world are we looking at this guy to talk about family? I would say you ask good questions! I’m actually going to let Sally Lloyd-Jones, author of the Jesus Storybook Bible answer that for us.

“Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn’t do…But the Bible isn’t mainly about you and what you should be doing. It’s about God and what he has done.”

“Other people think the Bible is a book of heroes, showing you people you should copy. The Bible does have some heroes in it, but (as you’ll soon find out) most of the people in the Bible aren’t heroes at all. They make some big mistakes (sometimes on purpose). They get afraid and run away. At other times they are downright mean.”

“No, the Bible isn’t a book of rules, or a book of heroes. The Bible is most of all a Story. It’s an adventure story about a young Hero who comes from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It’s a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne – everything – to rescue the one he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life! You see, the best thing about this Story is – it’s true. There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.”

So, David isn’t a hero for us to copy, but he is part of larger story that points to Jesus, and that larger story will show us that there is hope for families. So, like I said, I read all 66 chapters on David, so I am going to jump in and give you the tea. His life is juicy!

David’s beginning with his father and King Saul.

David and the events surrounding Goliath.

David and all of his wives.

David and Bathsheba.

David’s daughter Tamar.

David and Absalom.

Now you may be asking, I didn’t see a lot of happy endings here, why are you so sure that there is hope for my family? Remember, the Bible isn’t a book of heroes for us to copy.

There is something else that happened in David’s life that you should know about. A promise was made to him; from God to David. David didn’t ask for it; the promise came to him. Here’s the promise:

1 Chronicles 17:10-14 (NASB)
“I declare to you that the Lord will build a house for you: When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.”

With a flat reading of these verses, it sounds like when David passes away that Solomon will build a great temple for God, be favoured, and be remembered forever. But, remember, the Bible is telling one Big Story. The story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them. Remember, David is part of this larger story.

Here is what I suggest this promise means. David did have a son succeed him and through that blood line came Jesus. And all through the New Testament, Jesus is called Son of David. Jesus is who the verses are talking about. Jesus is who will establish a kingdom forever.

The other beautiful thing I see in this promise is “I will be his Father and he will be my son.” In those ancient near east times, this was the language of adoption, so what these verses imply is that we are adopted into the beautiful, perfect, unbroken relationship our Heavenly Father shares with His Son Jesus with the Holy Spirit. We are part of God’s family. We are part of God’s family.

And we are part of God’s family, not because of ourselves, but fully because of God.

Ten times, ten times in these verses I see God say that this is something He does. And in my red Bible at home there’s a note saying that the original language in this passage “stresses divine loyalty to such an extent that the guarantee of succession is not predicated upon the loyalty of the son”. Like we read earlier, this is about God and what he has done. And what he has done is he has brought us into his family – forever.

So, God took a wreck of a family and promised to forever establish them into the kingdom of God and line which the great rescuer – Jesus – came. This promise is also for us. We too have been engrafted into the family of God.

David had to look forward to the promise.
We get to look back on the promise.

David had to anticipate the promise.
We get to remember the promise.

We too are officially and forever part of God’s family. You are part of God’s family.

If you aren’t the family favourite – there is hope, you are part of God’s family and you are his favourite. Look back to last week’s sermon and learn how to strengthen yourself in the Lord.

If you are lonely for family – there is hope, you are part of God’s family and have never lived an unloved moment in your life. Go back to the beginning and see how God is looking for lovers.

If you have undealt with wounds, dysfunction, or unhealthiness – there is hope, you are part of God’s family and He functions in the most healthy way and you walk with him, work with him, and watch how he does it. Go back to a Heart of Resilience and hear how to heal your heart.

If your family doesn’t believe in you and you don’t feel seen by them. If there is jealously and comparison – there is hope, you are part of God’s family and He believes in you and is always with you. Submerse yourself in the message, God looks on the heart and David the Giant Slayer.

If you had an engagement or marriage go sideways – there is hope,
you are part of God’s family and there is only perfect union there.
Put a heart of patience on repeat.

If you are the one who has made a mistake or is responsible for the hurt in your family, there is hope, you are part of God’s family, and He offers unlimited forgiveness and complete access to His Presence. Keep listening to a heart of worship.

If you have experienced great tragedy or abuse – there is hope for your family, you are part of God’s family and His grace reaches further than your pain. He won’t leave you where you are. He will bring you to a safe place of healing. Soak in the past two messages.

There is hope. There is hope for you family. There is hope for your family because you are part of God’s family and He is with You. He has fully equipped you. God is in it for the long haul. God will never give up on you. He will never give up on your family. He is for you. He is for you. He is for you. For a thousand generations. God is always faithful. Always. When you fail, God is faithful. When others fail, God is always faithful. God never fails. And He will meet you where you are – even if it is not where you planned to be. Even if it is not where you want to be. There is hope. There is hope for your family.

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Series “David – King of Hearts”. Sermon. “A Heart Of Resilience”

David is now 29 years old. He is still on the run, staying alive. Turned a broken community into an army. He’s in the space between.

Luke 8:15 (NIV) “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

resilience:—the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas Edison

“There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.”

Thomas Edison

Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.

The inventor’s 24-year old son, Charles, searched frantically for his father. He finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, his white hair blowing in the wind. “My heart ached for him,” said Charles. “He was 67—no longer a young man—and everything was going up in flames. When he saw me, he shouted, ‘Charles, where’s your mother?’ When I told him I didn’t know, he said, ‘Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives.’”

The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.” Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Winston Churchill

1 Samuel 30:1 “Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire,…”

Ziklag:— winding, applying pressure to expose what is contained inside, to smelt, to squeeze

The place between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Between the promise and manifestation

1 Samuel 30:4 “Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.”

1 Samuel 30:6 “Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

You will get through your worst day.

1. Weep

John 11:35 “Jesus wept.”

Psalm 56:8 (LB) “You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book.”

2 Corinthians 2:4 “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.”

Psalm 30:5 “Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”

There is sadness but grief will not conquer me because Joy Comes!!!

2. Be Still

“But David …” vs. 6. Don’t run, hide, argue, or blame. Don’t let your anger turn into bitterness.

STOP! Get a hold of yourself.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Exodus 14:13 “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”

3. Strengthen Yourself In God

“But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” vs. 6

In the middle of this tragedy David was drawing on the resources of God.

“ But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,” Jude 20

Psalm 84:5-7“Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca,They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; …”

4. Ask God What To Do

Vs 8 “So David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.’”

God is ready to give you a living word.

Psalm 138:3 “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.”

5. Act On His Word

“So David went,…” Vs 9

Obedience is the acid test of faith. Only the word you do is active in your life.

6. Stay Sweet

“Then they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water.” Vs 11-15

“They shall share alike.” Vs. 24

Feed the hungry and broken.

Inspire the discouraged.

7. Be Thankful

Vs, 19 “Nothing was missing, small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken; David recovered all.”

“He has preserved us and has delivered into our hands the troop that came against us.” Vs 24

Always give glory to God as your source.

8. Share With Others

“Here is a gift for you of the spoil of the enemies of the Lord:” Vs. 26

Bless others as a testimony of God’s goodness in your life.

God always gives you more than enough so that you have seed to sow.

2 Samuel 2:4 “And the men of Judah came and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.”

You Can Persevere Recover All And Realize Your Destiny!

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Series “David – King of Hearts”. Sermon. “A Heart Of Patience”

Ephesians 2:4-6 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,”

Romans 5:17“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Hebrews 6:11-12 “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Space between anointing and appointing.

DON’T QUIT!!! DETERMINATION …MY HEART IS FIXED!!!!

1 Samuel 18:1-7 “Now … Saul took him that day, and would not let him go home to his father’s house anymore. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, …And Saul set him over the men of war, …when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, …

… that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. So the women sang as they danced, and said: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.’”

1 Samuel 18:8 “Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him;”

1 Samuel 19:1 “Now Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David;”

1 Samuel 21:10-15 “Then David arose and fled that day from before Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. …scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Have I need of madmen, …”

1 Samuel 22:1-4 “David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. So when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. …

…And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him.”

… and he said to the king of Moab, ‘Please let my father and mother come here with you, till I know what God will do for me.’ So he brought them before the king of Moab, and they dwelt with him all the time that David was in the stronghold.”

David lost everything overnight:

His Career His Wife. His Closest Friend. His Mentor. His Personal Safety

Adullam:— “Justice to the people.” A hiding place, a hold, from the Hebrew word “dallah” to dangle.

David was in the stronghold, at the end of his rope, holding on. The Cave That Formed A King!

Wouldn’t it be great if we had a copy of his personal journals.

I would love to see what was going on in his inner world during this season of his life.

How did he process this intense level of hardship and pain.

Psalm 142:1-2 A Plea for Relief from Persecutors. A Contemplation of David. A Prayer when he was in the cave.

“I cry out to the Lord with my voice; With my voice to the Lord I make my supplication. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.”

Psalm 57:1(NKJV) – Prayer for Safety from Enemies – To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam (a psalm as precious as stamped gold) of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You;…”

1. Pour Out Your Heart To God

Psalm 22:1 “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me,”

Psalm 25:16 “Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.”

Psalm 31:9-10 “Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief;”

Psalm 42:5 “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!”

To get where you’re going you have to start where you are.

Real Intimacy Demands Honesty

2. Open Heart Gains Fresh Vision

Psalm 142:3 “When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.”

Psalm 57:2-3 “… to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. He will send help from heaven to rescue me,”

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones “Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?”

Psalm 103:1“Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

God alone gets to frame my way forward. Not Saul! Not the enemy!

He is God Most High and He will fulfil His purpose for me.

When you process with God you invite God into the process.

Honestly Engages Divine Perspective

3. Vision Results In Divine Action

Psalm 57: 8-9, 11 “Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp! I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations. … May your glory shine over all the earth.”

Psalm 57:7 (TPT) “My heart, O God, is quiet and confident. Now I can sing with passion your wonderful praises!”

(KJV) “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”

(Message) “I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe, Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:”

Babe Ruth (Yankee Stadium “House That Ruth Built”) said,“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”

Ludwig van Beethoven “I will seize fate by the throat; it shall certainly never wholly overcome me.”

Virtuoso violin by 5 … began to write music mentored by Mozart … losing hearing in his 20’s

stone deaf by 50 … Wrote his 9th symphony … cut legs of piano and laid on the floors he could feel the music … conducted the symphony … never heard it with His ears … crowd behind him erupting

Take it by the throat … “I’m ready!!! Bring it on!” Take the challenge by the throat!!

God Is For Me!!!! Take sickness by the throat … Attack on your Family by the throat … Attack on your finances by the throat … Attack on your future by the throat.

DETERMINATION!!! I’m ready … I’m fixed … I’m prepared

Acts 20:22-24 “And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. …

… But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

James 1:3-4 (MSG) “You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

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David King of Hearts/ David the Giant Slayer

Review
No one else had the title: “Man after God’s own heart.”
After Jesus no one else is mentioned more in the Scriptures.
66 Chapters outlining his life.
Named 59 x’s in the New Testament
What exactly was it that qualified him as a man after “God’s own heart.”
David knew that God wants to dwell without filters among His people.
David provided ALL PEOPLE unfiltered access to the glorious presence of God.
David knew what it was to worship God in the field and in the temple
Other Facts about David
David lived around 1000 BC
Great grandson Ruth and Boaz
He wrote approximately half the Book of Psalms- poet/musician
David had 8 wives
First he was the King Hebron, then Jerusalem
30 years old before he was king over all Israel
Reigned 40 years (7 years in Hebron, 33 over all Israel and Judah)

However, the most Iconic pictures of David’s life was that he was known as The Giant Slayer, found in 1 Samuel 17.

This story has been told and taught so many times through literature, and art that David and Goliath and their confrontation have all become cliched symbols for underdogs, antagonist.

Iconic
The odds are seemingly overwhelming
Defeat seems inescapable
And the opposition is full on terrifying.

But the story of David and Goliath is so much more than a cliché. It is an account of David’s trust and faith in God which would become one of the defining characteristics.

So let’s Set the Stage for this Epic Confrontation, by taking a look at the scene, the challenger, the challenge, the shepherd boy, the battle and how this reveals David a man after God’s own heart.

The Scene Verses 1-3

Now the Philistines gathered their armies for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah… Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. 3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

The valley of Elah is located on the western edge of the Judean low hills.
The Valley of Elah was strategically important as a corridor
The Israelites believed they must hold this potential attack route in order to protect the rest of Judah
Neither army is moving from its position.

Who Were the Philistines?

In Canaan before Moses and the Israelites claimed it as their Promised Land from God.
The Philistines were by nature an aggressive and expansionist people
They were constant thorn in Israel’s side.
Constant conflict over land, religion and culture
The battles between Israel and the Philistines continued in the days of Eli and later erupted in the conflict between David and Goliath.

What of The Israelites?

Should be confident had several conquests in Canaan before this, escape from Egypt, Jericho, AI other Philistines
Not to mention they were God’s people… His covenant peoples
A COVENANT THAT DATED BACK TO ABRAHAM

Genesis 12:2-3- PROMISE OF DESCENDANTS & BLESSING

I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 15:18-21- PROMISE OF A LAND

“To your offspring I give3 this land, from zthe river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.”

GENESIS 17:4-11- PROMISE MARKED BY CIRCUMCISION

“This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.

These men bore in their bodies the sign of that covenant.

The Challenger- verses 4-7

Goliath from Gath which was from one of the chief cities in Philistine territory…

Champion- the superior one, the title holder, the winner.

In the Herbrew this word used only two times in bible and both times in this chapter

bay-nah’-yim-, middle man… the space between armies where single combats took place, where that single combat would decide the fate of the armies.

His appearance vs 4-7 (three verses to describe in detail his stature and equipment)

Height- six cubits
Armor reflected different items from different armies which was further designed to incite fear and intimidation… It was like displaying his trophies from previous battles
Bronze helmet
Coat of mail – 125 lbs
Greaves of bronze- shin pads
Javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders
The shaft of his spear like a weavers beam
Spear head weighed 15lbs alone
These weapons appeared almost superhuman as ordinary men would not have strength to even pick them up much less use them. Thus, Goliath was “armed to the teeth”, large, strong, frightening, well trained, impregnable…He was technologically superior
Not only does he look scary but he TALKS scary as well.

His insults Vs 8

“Why do you come out and line up for battle”
“Am I not a Philistine and are you not the servants of Saul”
Are we not enemies, I heard you all were something special… By this time both Israel and Saul had a reputation…
He is mocking Israel, he is mocking Saul, he is mocking their God.
Vs 10 “I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight”
DEFY- taunt, defame, scorn, count as little worth, blaspheme
Vs16 – for forty days the Philistine came forward every morning every night and took his stand.
This is a great illustration that violence isn’t just physical but it can be psychological.
40 days of psychological harassment, verbal abuse, aimed to humiliate and weaken the morale of the group.
He was annihilating their concept of self
Vs 11 “on hearing the Philistine Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.” They were broken, shattered and vehemently afraid.
No Israelite could see himself beating this monster. Probably saying amongst themselves he looks like descendant of a clan of giants.
He was both physically and psychologically terrifying
They have gone from HEIRS TO SCARES

The Challenge- This is where the concept of champion middle/ in between comes into play… Goliath invoked this strategy of a single combat to decide the fate of the war.

Great illustration of this in the Movie Troy

Where Agamemnon meeting the Greek army in a valley…
Each side drawn up battle lines
Two leaders agree to send out their best man
Greeks have a giant but Agamemnon has Achillies
Giant-physically intimidating beats chest, roars, at troops commandeering loud cheers
“Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” (17:8b-9)

The Shepherd Boy Verses 12-40

vs 12 “now David the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse.”

Why this reference to the female side of Jesse’s lineage?

Ephrah not Jesse’s mom… but probably great great great grandmother…

Great matriarch married to Caleb, mother of Hur the founder of Bethlehem.

The author is linking Jesse David’s Father to Caleb… Why is this important for us today?

Joshua 14:10-12 (the people of God are on the other side of the Jordan…)

“So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

Numbers 14:24… God said, “because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.

David may look small:

Perhaps the young shepherd boy has something of his grandparents in him…
Perhaps he possesses a different spirit.
Caleb a mountain taker, David a Giant Slayer

Ok Back to the Story, why was David there?

Vs 15 David went back and forth from Saul to attend the sheep…

Vs 17-18 Jesse sends David on a cheese and crackers run…He is the Uber Eats Delivery boy.

So, he is delivering the cheese and crackers and out comes Goliath ranting and raving provoking Israel’s troops

Verse 26 David asked: What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” He is a man without a promise/covenant

His brothers heard David and they were furious with him… why are you here and who is watching your few sheep in the desert…they accuse of conceit; wickedness and you just came down to watch the battle.

However, what David said was overheard and he was taken to Saul, (we found a guy)

Saul said you can’t fight him you are just a boy, and this man has been a warrior since his youth.

So, David tries to convince Saul:

I have been keeping my father’s sheep…I take care of fluffy animals.
Ok moving on…When a lion or bear came and carried off the sheep I went after it and rescued the sheep from their mouths and when the beasts turn on me, I seized it by its hair struck it and killed it.

David Continues: “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

David was not militarily tested on the field, but in the field, he was tested by lion and bear and lived to tell about it.

Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”

Saul dressed David in his armour but David said “I cant go in these.”

So he took his shepherds staff and five smooth stones and put them in his bag with his sling in his hand.

The Battle Vs 41-51-

Goliath looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. Sorry to reference Troy again… but this reminds me of Menelaus and Paris at the walls of Troy.

Mark Twain “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight it is the size of the fight in the dog”

He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied…this very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals…All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

Vesrse 51 “As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground…David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the sheath. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword.”

When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.

Verse 52 “And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted,and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley,and to the gates of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron”

So you may be asking what in this story constitutes David being a man after God’s own heart… It was his unreserved, complete trust and faith in God.

David had a different Spirit; it was a Spirit of faith and trust… not in himself but in the God…

SPIRIT OF FAITH UNDERSTANDS COVENANT

“…is there not a cause?” vs. 29

(davar – rhema in septuigent) Do we not have a promise to appropriate.

Every Jew would be well acquainted with the Abrahamic covenant

IT WAS THEIR NATIONAL IDENTITY (REALLY THEY WERE PHYSICALLY DIFFERENT – AND WITH THAT NATIONAL IDENTITY CAME THE PRIVILEGE OF, LAND, DESCENDANTS AND BLESSING

I MAY NOT BE A JEW BY ETHNICITY BUT I AM BY RIGHT OF ADOPTION

Galatians 3:29 ESV And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

Colossians 2:11-13 “In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands…”

Rom 8 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…”

Romans 8:14 ESV

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,.

WE HAVE A COVNENANT KEEPING GOD AND HE PROVED IN CHRIST JESUS… AND I KNOW THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL AND WILL KEEP ALL OF HIS PROMISES.

THAT SPIRIT OF FAITH WONT BE INTIMIDATED

By Brothers – “Why do you come here?”

By Saul – “You are just a boy you are not able.”

Goliath – “Cursed David mocked him…dog”

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

Romans 8:31-32

If God is for us, who can be against us?

Philippians 1:28“Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

I will not be intimidated by kin, or the fears and doubts of those I serve… and I will not be intimidated by the devil.

THAT SPIRIT OF FAITH COMES FROM RECALLING PAST VICTORIES

“Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.” vs. 36

“I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” vs 39

Weapons of our warfare are not carnal.

THAT SPIRT OF FAITH AWAKENS BOLD ACTION

“…and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee …David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.” vs. 46-48

A Bold Decree a Bold Act

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

THAT SPIRIT OF FAITH COMES FROM KNOWING GOD OWNS THE BATTLE

“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.” vs. 47

All I should expect is victory, BECAUSE YOU AND I HAVE A DIFFERENT SPIRIT.

2 Cor. 4:13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak;

Galatians 4:6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”

1Corinthians 2:12Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God

Peter 1:3His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, sothatthroughthemyoumayparticipate inthedivine nature

I am a child of God that is who I really am… and I have the faith and spirit of a Giant Slayer, because Jesus my Giant Slayer lives in me…

Whatever Giants are you facing God is your answer … the enemy comes to kill steal and destroy but God has come to give you life,

David Said to that Giant I come to you in the Name of the Lord.

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
Jehovah Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)
EL ROI [el-roh-ee]: “God of Seeing” (the name ascribed to God by Hagar)

Facing a Giant of Sickness

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my healer

Facing a Giant of Debt and Scarcity

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my provider

Facing a Giant of Anxiety

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my peace

Facing a Giant of overwhelming loneliness

I come at you in the name of the Lord who Sees

Facing a Giant of Addiction

I come at you in the name of the Lord who Sanctifies

Facing a Giant of feeling orphaned or without family

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my Shepherd

Facing a Giant of condemnation and guilt

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my Righteousness

Feeling surrounded by not one but many Giants

I come at you in the name of the Lord who is my Banner- He is my confidence in battle, He is my rallying point and my identity is found in Him.

There is no Giant we can’t face with God… Like David we are Giant Slayers

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Series “David – King of Hearts”. Sermon. “A Heart For Worship”

D. Karl Thomas January 22, 2023

No one else had the title: “Man after God’s own heart.”

After Jesus no one else is mentioned more in the Scriptures.

66 Chapters outlining his life.

Named 59 x’s in the New Testament

God wants to teach from Davids life.

1 Samuel 13:8-9 “Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.’ And he offered the burnt offering.”

1 Samuel 13:14 “But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Saul was the choice of man.

Saul represented the flesh life.

God Provided for Himself a King.

God Himself sought David out.

God was looking for certain qualities.

God produced these qualities in David.

God presented David to his destiny.

1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

David (daw-veed‘) :– beloved, loved one, loving, from the root to boil.

God is looking for lovers.

Bill Johnson: Intimate lovers make the best warrior.

Acts 13:22-23 “And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior Jesus.”

Psalm 36:7 (NLT) “How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.”

Amos 9:11 “IN THAT DAY will I raise up the TABERNACLE OF DAVID that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will BUILD it as in the days of old.”

Acts 15:16-17 “After this I WILL RETURN, and will BUILD AGAIN the TABERNACLE OF DAVID, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up. So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’”

Hebrews 9:8 (AMP)

“By this the Holy Spirit points out that the way into the [true Holy of] Holies is not yet thrown open as long as the former [the outer portion of the] tabernacle remains a recognized institution and is still standing,”

David wanted the Ark of God to be in it’s resting place on Mt. Zion.

David knew that God wants to dwell without filters among His people.

David provided ALL PEOPLE unfiltered access to the Glorious presence of God.

Your private worship is preparation for public influence.

Matthew 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who in the secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

1 Samuel 16:18 “Then one of the servants answered and said, ‘Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.’”

1 Samuel 16:14. “But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him.”

James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

1 Samuel 16:21 “So David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armorbearer.”

Psalm 57 Triumphant Faith To the Pure and Shining One. King David’s golden song of instruction composed when he hid from Saul in a cave To the tune of “Do Not Destroy”

“Please, God, show me mercy! Open your grace-fountain for me, for you are my soul’s true shelter. ….

Psalm 57:7 (KJV) “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”

“fixed” (kûwn) :– to be firm, be stable, be established, to be ready, prepared.

Psalm 57:7 (MSG) “I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe. Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:”

“I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music.” Albert Einstein

“Between the stimulus and response, there is a space. And in that space lies our freedom and power to choose our responses. In our response lies our growth and our freedom” Victor Frankl

Isaiah 40:31 “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Psalm 62:5 “God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I hope for comes from him, so why not?” (Message)

“My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.” (AMP)

Your private worship is preparation for public influence.

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Series “David – King of Hearts” Sermon “God Looks On The Heart

D. Karl Thomas January 15, 2023

No one else had the title: “Man after God’s own heart.”

After Jesus no one else is mentioned more in the Scriptures. 66 Chapters outlining his life.

Named 59 x’s in the New Testament God wants to teach from Davids life.

No one is more in History has inspired so much art. David million visitors a year and brings in $7 million annually. Son of David

1 Samuel 16:1-12

Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.”

Samuel is still grieving. God has moved on …. SEEING :— God sees the bright future and He is already at work to secure His purpose. — The best is in front of you … move on!!!

2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”

When Insecurity gets power the people tremble.

But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”

Go out and have a BBQ and invite these folks and I’ll show you what to do

4 So Samuel did what the Lord said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”

5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify[b] yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [c]refused him. For[d] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

“You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15, NLT).

8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.”

God Passed By David’s 7 Brothers.

Eliab:— strongman, human ability. Not looking for ability.

Abinadab:— incite, moral pressure. Not looking for hype.

Shammah:— desolation, waste. Not looking for open wounds.

Nethaneel:— to employ, to put on. Not looking for a hireling.

Raddai:— trampling, subjugate. Not looking for a ruler.

Ozem:— to drive, I’ll hasten them Not looking for a pusher.

1 Samuel13:11-13

11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest,(Small, insignificant, unimportant) and there he is, keeping the sheep.”

You can be rejected by your earthy Father and still have the selection of your Heavenly Father, (Cinderella)

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”

12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with [f]bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Psalm 78:71-72 “…from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”

David (daw-veed‘) :– beloved, loved one, loving, from the root to boil.

God is looking for lovers. Bill Johnson: Intimate lovers make the best warrior.

This is the song David wrote after his anointing:

Psalm 139

(14) “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”

Matthew 3:16-17 “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

Baptismal service: God chose you before the foundation of the world. He has plans for you. He is delighted with you. He wants to possess and animate you by His Spirit to fulfil your destiny.

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Christmas Series “Home Alone” — Sermon “Put A Demand On Restoration”

Isolation Invasion Restoration

Impact people are committed to living in authentic community.

Isolation Was Never The Plan 2. Isolation is rooted in selfishness 3. Isolation Fosters Deception 4. Isolation Is Resolved In Jesus

Kevin, in Home Alone, was ready for the robbers invasion. He made a battle plan. Didn’t show any fear.

Ephesians 6:11 “…take your stand against the devil’s schemes”. “Methodeia”:— to journey behind, to study, craft.

Philippians 1:29 “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

The Incarnation is the introduction of a cosmic collision of Kingdoms. 1 John 3:8 “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Kevin is believing for restoration. He tells Marley to not settle for a broken relationship with his son. His Mom is working behind the scenes to restore his connection with family.

Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus (The Lord Saves), for He will save His people from their sins.” Jesus

Habakkuk 1:2, 2:1 “How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint.”

Habakkuk 2:14 “For as the waters fill the sea, the earth will be filled with an awareness of the glory of the Lord.”

We don’t like broken things. Scratch and dent stuff is cheaper because people don’t like broken things.

If people do buy broken things it’s for the purpose of restoring them. We love restoration shows. Celebrate things that get put back together.

We are prewired to expect wholeness.

We don’t like broken things.

We long for things to be right.

We will not settle for less than what God has promised!

As it is in Heaven is our standard!

Genesis 1:2-3 “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light”

Jeremiah 32:6-7 “But I will most surely heal the wounds of this city and restore it and its people to health. I will show them abundant peace and security. I will restore Judah and Israel and will rebuild them as they were in days of old.”

God comes to a hopeless, lifeless mess and He promises restoration. More than that, He keeps His word.

Jeremiah 33:15-16 “‘In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David A Branch of righteousness; He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. … And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’” Promise of the Messiah, JESUS.

Job 19:25-27 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

Job 42:10 “When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!”

Zechariah 9:11-12 “As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit. Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.”

Hebrews 6:17-18 “God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.”

Mark 5:27-28 “When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, ‘If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.’”

Mark 10:47 “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!’”

God visits you when areas of your life that feel under attack or silent and desolate. He comforts you with His promise to restore. Supernatural intervention! But He isn’t just the promise maker … He’s the promise keeper.

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Christmas Series “Home Alone” — Sermon “Be Prepared For Invasion”

Isolation Invasion Restoration

Impact people are committed to living in authentic community.

Isolation Was Never The Plan 2. Isolation is rooted in selfishness 3. Isolation Fosters Deception 4. Isolation Is Resolved In Jesus

Kevin, in Home Alone, was ready for the robbers invasion. He made a battle plan. Didn’t show any fear.

Ephesians 6:11 “…take your stand against the devil’s schemes”. “Methodeia”:— to journey behind, to study, craft.

Philippians 1:29 “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

The Incarnation is the introduction of a cosmic collision of Kingdoms. 1 John 3:8 “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

Acts 10:38 “… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 61x’s Gospels Jesus is dealing with devils.

We have a mandate: Mark 16:17 “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;”

Mark 5:1-20
Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.[a] 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him,[b] not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”
8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What is your name?”
And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” (6000 Soldiers)10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus[c] gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Mark 1:39 “And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.”
Luke 11:14 “And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.”

Matthew 8:16 “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,…”

Matthew 10:1, 8 “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. … Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

Let’s Cover These Four Things: 1.There are demons 2. They really can influence us 3. Jesus has set us free 4. Our most effective weapon

C.S. Lewis — Screwtape Letters
“There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about devils. One is too disbelieve in there existence. The other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

Jack Hayford “You can’t cast out the flesh and you can’t disciple a demon.”
We need both: Discipleship and Deliverance.

Matthew 12:22 “Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw.”
Daimonizomai:– to have or be vexed by a demon. Does not denote ownership.

Can light dwell with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:14 “And what communion has light with darkness?”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “…new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Ephesians 5:8 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
Ephesians 4:27 “…nor give place to the devil.”
topos:– place, any portion or space marked off, opportunity, power, occasion for acting.

Buick commercial … “Did you lock the car?” Locks car with app.
“Did you close the windows? Pigeons have filled the apartment. Pigeons don’t own the apartment but they have moved in and will influence things until removed.

3 Pronged Attack Of Enemy: Deception – lies vain imaginations. Temptation – follows deception. Accusation – rubs it in your face.
Ephesians 6:11 “…take your stand against the devil’s schemes”
“Methodeia”:— to journey behind, to study, craft. The evil studies you for weakness that can become bondage!!!

John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
It is not a power struggle. It is primarily a truth struggle.

Luke 13:10-13, 16 “But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, ‘Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.’ And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. … So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound …for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” LEGAL EXPERT … YOU OUGT TO BE FREE!!!

John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Galatians 5:1 “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

Good News!!! If you are experiencing any form of bondage … Jesus sets you completely free!!!

Luke 10:17-20 “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Best method of Deliverance Ministry!!!

1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”

1 Corinthians 12:31, 13:8 “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way … Love never fails.”
Our most powerful weapon against the enemy … LOVE!!!

Ephesians 4:15 “Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.”

Grandmother and granddaughter … Up on Grosvenor … Just hugged her and said Jesus!!!

Brothers embraced me … I went limp … disembodied voice … what happened?

Never minister without the motivation of love … not some power trip … PEOPLE who want dignity and freedom!!!

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Christmas Series “Home Alone” — Sermon “Isolation Is Not Good For You”

Three week outline of sermons: Isolation Invasion Restoration

Movies are a powerful medium to speak to the human condition … like parables “CRY”

Watch the movie … Some interesting observations … Notice the Neighbour! … PICTURES

Matthew 1:18-19 “Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.”

The first Christmas must have been awkward. Virgin girl pregnant by the Holy Ghost?!?!?!

Picture Of Christopher Knight

Christopher Knight “I became very introspective … without others I found no need to define my self … I became irrelevant.” He didn’t find himself he actually lost himself!!!

Christopher Thomas Knight (born 7 December 1965), also known as the North Pond Hermit, is a former hermit who lived almost without human contact for 27 years in the woods in Maine.[1] He survived by committing approximately 1,000 burglaries against houses in the area,[2] or approximately 40 per year. Apart from the fear and notoriety his many burglaries created in the local area, Knight’s unusual life also attracted widespread international media reports upon his capture.

Knight entered the woods in 1986, aged 20, without saying goodbye to anyone, and was captured during a burglary in 2013. His only human contact in that time was one exchange of a trivial greeting with a hiker. “Hi!”

Mother Teresa Loneliness is the leprosy of the modern world. I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience.

Dr Dean Ornish Ornish Lifestyle Medicine “Love and intimacy — our ability to connect with ourselves and others, is at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, … People who feel lonely and isolated have a 300-500 percent greater risk of premature death due to physical illness.”

Impact people are committed to living in authentic community.

You cannot fulfill the purpose for God outside of community.

You can know God without community and get to heaven without community, but you can’t manifest God’s

fullness.

1. Isolation Was Never The Plan

Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone;”

Hebrews 10:21-25 NLT “…And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water…”

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Connecting Is Mandatory!

A. Together We Approach

“…let us go right in to the presence of God…” vs.22

Revelation 5:9 “…your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

B. Together We Stand

vs. 23 “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm,”

Holding on is a group activity!!! Hold on to each other as we hold on to the promises. He is FAITHFUL!!!

C. Together We Act

vs 24 “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”

Join me in…. Help me with…. This has worked for me…

59 One Another Commands In New Testament. 21 Involve “Love.”
John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

D. Together We Remain

vs.25 “…let us not neglect our meeting together…”

Social media is NOT real human interaction. It’s edited!!! How many of you have secretly unfollowed me?

2. Isolation is rooted in selfishness

Proverbs 18:1 “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.”

3. Isolation Fosters Deception

Genesis 3:8 “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.”

4. Isolation Is Resolved In Jesus

1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”

Romans 5:10 “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

Colossians 3:13 “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

BECAUSE WE ARE COMMITTED TO AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY:

Everyone is welcome. Your background doesn’t matter.
Nobody is perfect. Bring a Bible and your problems.
Anything is possible. Simon can become Peter.

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All Out Sunday — “God Is Good”

1 Chronicles 16:34 “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

Psalm 86:5 “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”

Who am I? I googled myself to see, who is D Karl Thomas. It was interesting.

Any Concept of God that is built through a preconceived filter will limit your ability to connect with God.

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A.W. Tozer (The Knowledge of the Holy)

So many things in our world contribute to hoe we see God. Media – Education – Parents – Friends

On Good Friday in April 8, 1966, Time magazine published its famously controversial cover story, “Is God Dead?

Moses was called by God to lead a people out of 400 years of slavery. Generations of defeat and mistreatment. Authority figure a brutal ruler. Pharaoh.

Even when they we released they had difficulty connecting with their God. Moses you talk with him for us.

“He’s trying to kill us!”

Moses and the people of Israel spent their whole lives seeing God through this Pharaoh filter.

Exodus 33:18 “And he said, ‘Please, show me Your glory.’”

Exodus 34:6-7 (NET) “The Lord passed by before him and proclaimed: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, keeping loyal love for thousands,

forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But he by no means leaves the guilty unpunished, responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children and children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.”

Hebrews 1:1-3 “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son …. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God,…”

It’s much better if we allow God to define Himself for us.

The Lord

Yahweh:— Self Existent One, whatever I am, I will be. In other words, whatever this God is like, he’s that way consistently…24/7.” Whatever he is, he always is.

Compassionate

Realated to the word “Womb” A strong, deep emotional bond between a parent and child.

Luke 7:13 “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’”

Gracious

Mercy is not getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.

John 1:14, 16 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us …And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”

Grace (charis):– good will, loving-kindness, favour. The merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles virtues.

Ephesians 1:6-7 “…to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…”

Galatians 2:21 “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

John 8:10-11 “Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Slow To Anger

Hebrew word picture long nosed. Long suffering or Patient.

Luke 24:14, 30 “Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. … He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him;…”

Loyal Love

“ḥeseḏ” :— combining the ideas of love, loyalty, and generosity.

An unconditional expression of enduring character, Inner conviction. God loves for His own sake. He is!

Hebrew Dictionary (Hesed) God’s commitment to do a generous and surprising amount of good in another person’s life over the long term, not based on their performance but based on his own promise.

Faithfulness

Fixed, True, Stable, Reliable. Related to another common untranslated Hebrew word “Amen”

:— That’s Truth! He is not fickle. He is my ROCK!

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.

Accepting what Jesus did at the cross removes the filter so that you can know God as He really is!

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:”

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Sermon Notes – The Mandate
Nov. 13th, 2022
Impact Church London

Recap: The Method — Tree climbers are all around you! Be Aware – Share – Prayer – Care. Tree climbers are looking to see Jesus!

Intro : The Mandate

“An official order or Commission to do something.”

Matthew 28:18-19 (NIV)
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This Great Commission is the restoration of the original Commission given to humanity.

Genesis 1:26-28 (NIV)
“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

They failed! But “when they fell they didn’t loose a religion, they lost their place as rulers “ (Ps. Karl).

Now instead of ruling and reigning, because of the guilt, shame, and destruction of sin humanity became subservient to the very things we were supposed to rule.

The authority humanity had, by coming under the lie of the devil and exchanging God’s truths for his lies, that authority was lost and given to the devil.

Luke 4:6-8 (NIV)
“And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. If you worship me, it will all be yours.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”

Adam and Eve lost dominion because the image of God in them was marred, they lost authority to rule because they gave it away, and they lost their confidence and standing before God because of their sin. They didn’t lose his love. He set about to restore them, but they did lose their spiritual and eventually their physical lives as well. Death came by sin!

Jesus came as a human to restore what humanity had lost.

Matthew 9:6-8
“‘But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ …’Get up, take your mat and go home.’ …When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.”

John 5:27
“And He has given Him authority and granted Him power to execute (exercise, practice) judgment because He is a Son of man [very man].”

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NKJV)
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

This is where the great commission comes back into play. Because Jesus freed us from being dominated by devil and death, sin and curse, and has restored to humanity that authority we gave away, that is now the basis for the new commission, reconnecting us to the original commission.

Matthew 28:18-19
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This commission to teach people to obey all that he has commanded is not a call to institute a religion but to align ourselves with the wisdom and values, and light and life of God in Christ Jesus in all its manifold expressions.

Ephesians 3:10-11 (NKJV)
“…that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”

Habakkuk 2:14
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

That’s not just filled in terms of geography, that’s filled in terms of there is no place or space, area or department where your life and being does not know the glory of God.

Dominion, rule, and the wisdom of God is not contained and expressed through rules, regulations, and a new religion. It is expressed in a new life. Fallen humanity doesn’t have the capacity to rule, only Christ does. Fallen humanity is still enslaved to evil, dominated by its power, captive to the devil, bound by curse and sin.

Ephesians 2:1-3
“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

To be free from trespasses and sin, the course of this world, the power of the prince of the air, to begin to be able to manifest the wisdom of God in our lives and release his glory in every area of who we are and what we do, we must first be made alive.

We must, through the realities presented in baptism, understand ourselves to have died with Christ, our old selves buried, and be raised up into new life with Christ. Only that resurrected life is capable of manifesting the wisdom of God, and walking in the authority of God to make his rule known again in all the earth. You must be born again!

Luke 14:26-27 (NIV)
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”

Hate your own life? Hate = miseó: (μισέω) It is a measurement word and a comparison word. It means “to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favour of another.”

Why hate your own life (psuché) in favour of embracing his (zóé) divine life?

There is no way to be a disciple, and no other way to make disciples.

That is why the mandate goes beyond the power of positive thinking and psychology and it is engaged in the realm of spiritual power.

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Brian Simmons on Metanoia:
The Greek word for “repent” is metanoia and means more than simply changing one’s mind. It means “to take another mind.” Every believer needs to turn from his or her error and take “another mind,” the mind of Christ.

This is why education and a better way of doing things is not the answer, and why politics and religion are both so inadequate. The mandate is not to educate or create legislation.

One of the greatest delusions in the world is the hope that the evils in this world are to be cured by legislation. Thomas Brackett Reid

Our mandate is teach people to observe all that God commanded, to bring lives back to the obedience of faith that by living again in ways that express God’s nature and wisdom in every area of human experience, we might fill this earth and our lives with the knowledge of his glory and make his manifold wisdom known.

How does this relate to GOVEMBER?

GOVEMBER – The Mandate

Two fold mandate as seen in Genesis 1 and Matthew 28

To have domain and to rule. Religious humanity can’t do that, but neither can humanity disconnected from the Life and Wisdom of God in Christ. This is about Christ’s domain, life, and wisdom working in you and making you a witness.

Acts 1:8 (NKJV)
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

To multiply and fill the earth…. To reproduce according to kind. Not religious people obsessed with rules, but people who happily embrace the wisdom of God for our lives, who willing embrace the king’s domain, people who have embraced his authority and life and can lead others to that same experience, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost… and all that means.

GOVEMBER… go into all the world and make disciples of all people!

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Series “GOvember” — Sermon “The Method ”

Vision Statement: “Transforming Lives To Impact Their World.” GLOBAL GLORY

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth.”

See As Jesus – Value. Accept As Jesus – Where they are

Love As Jesus – Unconditional. Touch As Jesus – Transformational

Matthew 4:19 “Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you ______________.’”

Circle the right answer below:

Spiritual Kinder Richer Smarter Stronger Generous Religious Fishers Of Men

Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be____________” NOT my prosecutors. NOT my defence. MY WITNESSES – tell people your story.

Followers Fish!!! — Worshippers Witness!!!

Mark 16:15 “Jesus said to his followers, “Go everywhere in the world, and tell the Good News to everyone.’”

John 4:39 “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’” A Whole Town Comes To Jesus.

Called to IMPACT your world!

The Method: 1. Aware. 2. Share. 3. Prayer. 4. Care

2 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) “We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.”

2 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) “…the area of influence God assigned to us is to reach you…”

Rule (kanon):— a definitely bounded or fixed space within the limits of which one’s power of influence is confined. You have a sphere of influence.

Acts 16:31 “So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”

Household (oikos):— the place where one has fixed his residence, family, descendants of one.

Identify My Sphere: My People, Place and Passion

Impact My Sphere: My Manner, Moments and Message

1 AWARE

Identify My Sphere:

A. My People

Mark 5:19 “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

B. My Place

Acts 17:26-27 “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him…”

C. My Passion

Acts 9:39 “And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.” The things you love to do place you in community.

Impact My Sphere

A. My Manner

Colossians 4:5-6 “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

B. My Moments

Psalm 37:23 (NLT) “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Acts 8:27 “So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia,…”

C. My Message

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,…”

2. SHARE

Romans 10:13-14 “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?”

1 Corinthians 3:5-8

“Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.”

Sam Williams: “Evangelism is helping people discover how God is already at work in their lives.”

3. PRAYER — Pray The WORD!

Father Draw Them John 6:44. Blindness Must Go 2 Cor. 4:4 Encounter Believers Eph. 6:19.

Give Understanding Eph. 1:17. Personal encounter Rom. 8:15

4. CARE

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT)

“I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. … Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.”

Luke 19:5 (NCV) “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.”

Tree climbers are all around you! Be Aware – Share – Prayer – Care

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Series “Welcome Home” — Sermon “True Worship Is Rooted In Mercy”

Worship is not a Christian thing it is a human thing.

You are designed for it and you are world class.

The question is, “what do you worship?”

John 4:21-24 “Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.’”

Who was in charge of first worship experience?

Lucifer: archangel of worship

Isaiah 14:11 “Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, And the sound of your stringed instruments;”

Ezekiel 28:13 “The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes…”

3 essentials for every orchestra: Wind, Precussion, and Stringed Instruments.

Lucifer: a beautiful creation; A musical instrument covered with precious stones.

Led 1/3 of angels in revolt.

Luke 10:18 “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”

Three Arch Angels:

Gabriel — Announcing Word Michael — Engaging Prayer Lucifer — Expressing Worship

3 Basic elements of our gatherings,

of our communion with God.

1. Devil Wanted Worship. Isaiah 14:13-15

“I will ascend into heaven…. I will exalt my throne… I will also sit on the mount…

I will ascend above the heights…. I will be like the Most High… shall be brought down to Sheol,…”

Author of all selfishness.

Ezekiel 28:12-16 “You were the seal of perfection,… You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: … The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. … By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within.”

“Trading” :— merchandising, I get a cut off of a transaction, middleman, it didn’t all get through right place.

Devil began to take some of the glory that was only to God.

He became proud and God cast him out of His presence.

2. Devil Still Wants Worship.

Matthew 4:9-10 “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

3. We’re The New Worship Program

Romans 12:1 (ESV) “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

God created some things and some things he made.

Create:— to form out of nothing.

Genesis 1:3 “God said,‘Let there be light’; and there was light.”

Make:— to form out of something.

Genesis 1:11 “Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass,’”

We were created a beautiful musical instruments:

Vocal Chords — Strings. Lungs — Breath (Wind). Hands and Feet — Percussion

Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

When God wanted to make something He spoke to where or what he wanted it to come from and be sustained by and to return to. Earth, do this, and the earth did what it was told.

Genesis 1:11 “Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”

Tree comes from dirt, sustained by dirt and returns to dirt.

Genesis 1:20 “Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures,…”

Fish come from water , sustained by water, returns to water.

Genesis 1:24 “Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind:’”

Cow came from earth, sustained by earth, returns to earth.

We Come From God

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;”

Man is spirit. He came from God, sustained by God, return back to God.

Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

My body was made from the earth, is sustained by the earth and will return to the earth.

If anything that was made from something, tries to remove itself from what it comes from, it will die.

Genesis 1:17 “…for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Live independent of God. I am my own source. SELF PURPOSE IS RELATIONSHIP!!!

Spiritual death. Man died to his created purpose of relationship with God and reigning and ruling with God.

Ephesians 2:1 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,…”

John 10:10 “…I have come that they may have life (zoe) ,…”

Worship: Absolutely Yielding To God

Romans 12:1 (ESV) “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Romans 11:28-32 (NLT) “Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn. Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead.

Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy. For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.”

By the mercy of God we have all been given access to the New Covenant worship program.

God’s eternal purpose is realized!

Ephesians 2:19.22 “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, … in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Philippians 3:3 (NLT) “For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,”

We don’t gather for worship. We are a gathering of worshipers. Worship is every day life.

Our gatherings are for edification … that does include word, singing, and encouragement.

1 Corinthians 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.”

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

Romans 12:1 (Message) “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”

We are the new worship program.

1 John 4:19 “We love Him because He first loved us.”

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Series “Welcome Home” — Sermon “Worship Is A Big Deal”

Wayne Gretzky — From a small child he manifest extraordinary skill

Mozart — composed songs at age of 5 … first orchestra when he was 8 … Prodigy

Prodigy:— a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability.

Matthew 21:16 “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise”

(AMP) “Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies You have prepared and provided praise for Yourself”

Worship is not a Christian thing it is a human thing.
You are designed for it and you are world class.
The question today is, “what do you worship?”
Follow your time and your treasure and you will find out.

Matthew 4:10 “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

You will become a servant to what you worship.

Worship :— (Proskuneo) compound word — towards and to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand.

Worship :—to be devoted to and full of admiration for, to have or express feelings of profound adoration

Worship :— a response to what we value most.

John 4:23-24 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

God is after your heart!

Matthew 15:8-9 “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,…”

Ephesians 5:18-19 (AMP) “…but ever be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit. Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices and instruments and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,”

Psalm 81:1 “[To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of Asaph.] Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.”

Gittith:– a stringed instrument that David got from Gath.

Habakkuk 3:1 “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth .” (NKJV)

“A PRAYER of Habakkuk the prophet, set to wild, enthusiastic, and triumphal music.” (AMP)

Title of Psalm 7 a shigionoth:-wild, irregular, enthusiastic strain.

Seven Elements of Music
1. Melody: Series of tones…

Harmony: Two or more tones
Rhythm: Measures, beats….
Dynamics: Volume / properties
Form: Arrangement effect…
Text: The words / message
Performance: singing / playing

Top schools in America all place a great emphasis on music and the arts.

Hungary, Japan, and the Netherlands, the top three academic countries all place a great emphasis on music education and participation in music.

Napoleon “Give me control over he who shapes the music of a nation, and I care not who makes the laws.”

“Pentagon’s School of Music” it takes 15 months of instruction to produce one bandleader. By contrast the Air Force takes 13 months to train a jet pilot.

Albert Einstien — His parents were told he was too stupid to learn in Grade school.

His parents got him a violin.

G.J. Withrow “The way Einstein figured out his problems and equations was by improvising on the violin.”

Martin Luther “The devil takes flight at the sound of music, just as he does at the words of theology…After theology I give the highest place and greatest honor to music.”

How Do I Praise The Lord?

“Halel” – to rave, boast, celebrate.

Psalm 22:26 “…they who seek the LORD will praise him.”

“Yadah” – acknowledge in public.

Psalm 138:1 “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart.”

“Barak” – to bless by kneeling, bowing.

Psalm 103:1“Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.”

“Tehilah” – exuberant singing.

Psalm 34:1“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

Psalm 98:4 “Shout joyfully {roo’ah} to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth in song, rejoice, and sing {zaw mar’} praises.” “Ruwa” :–to shout, give a blast a war-cry, joy, triumph

“Zamar” :– to sing, make music

“Shabach” – to address in a loud tone, to shout.

“Towdah” – to lift hands in adoration.

Psalm 63:3-4 “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”

“Giyl” – to spin around, under the influence of any violent emotion

Psalm 32:11 “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!”

Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Why Should I Praise The Lord?

Psalm 106:1 “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”

Praise Him for all the good thing he has done. Praise Him for His faithfulness and mercy.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 “…those who should sing to the LORD, …they went out before the army … when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, …and they were defeated.”

When we SURROUND OURSELVES with praise that glorifies God we are actively putting ourselves into the very manifest presence of God. And God literally lifts us up and changes both US, OTHERS and OUR CIRCUMSTANCES.

Changes You:

Physically … heal your body.

Mentally … make you smart.

Emotionally … shift attitude

Music can rearrange your whole inner world. Who designed it that way?

1 Samuel 16:23 “… David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him.”

Changes Others:

Colossians 3:16 “…teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing…”

Your song impacts others

Changes Circumstances

Acts 16:25-26 “…midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,… prisoners were listening … Suddenly there was a great earthquake … immediately doors were opened… everyone’s chains were loosed.”

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms;

What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning,

Safe and secure from all alarms;

Leaning, leaning,

Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Praise Overcomes Your Preference

…. I don’t feel like it right now

…. I prefer to complain and whine

Don’t declare the problem introduce it to our great God. Suddenlies will happen!!!

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Series — Welcome Home Sermon — I Gather On Our!

Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

Ephesians 1:22-23 “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Ephesians 3:10-11 “…to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”

Romans 16:3-5 “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house”

Church (Ekklesia):— an assembly of people called out.

Two ways churches used:

Universal Church
Local Church

1 Corinthians 12:18, 20 “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased … But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.”

Acts 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

Hebrews 10:25 (Message) “Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”.

MASLOW”S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS — Chart in PPT

PICTURE OF SHIRT LABEL — Mom was an avon lady … got these personalized iron on labels

My Luggage bags have tags … Belongs to and belong where and has purposeful stuff to unpack!!

I Gather For Three Reasons:

1. I Belong To God 2. I Belong At Impact Church 3. I Belong On Purpose

1.I Belong To God — Careful how you treat other folks stuff … right!!!

John 15:16-19 (NIV) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

Isaiah 56:2-5 (Message)

Make sure no outsider who now follows God ever has occasion to say, ‘God put me in second-class.

I don’t really belong. And make sure no physically mutilated person

is ever made to think, ‘I’m damaged goods.I don’t really belong.’”

For God says: “To the mutilated who keep my Sabbaths

and choose what delights me and keep a firm grip on my covenant,

I’ll provide them an honored place in my family and within my city,

even more honored than that of sons and daughters.

I’ll confer permanent honors on them that will never be revoked.

2. I Belong At Impact — No Perfect Church … But Perfect Father

Psalm 92:13-14 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,”

Floating around it is hard to grow and belong. God plants you … its okay

Ephesians 2:19-20 (Message) “That’s plain enough, isn’t it? You’re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You’re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building.”

1 Corinthians 12:18, 20 “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased … But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.”

We waste when we wander, what could have been built through belonging.

If you’re wandering you are wasting. Withering

If you’re belonging you are building. Blossoming

3. I Belong On Purpose

1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Romans 12:6 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:…”

Belonging On Purpose Means:

I’m Known 2. I’m Unpacked 3. I Contribute 4. I’m Responsible 5. I Speak The Language

Acts 20:28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.”

Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

The House of God where you belong is not to contain you or constrict you but it is to strengthen you protect you and to give you value.

To bring out the best in you and serve your specific purpose.

To support your success.

Put yourself in the middle of God’s house.

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Sermon Notes: The Way Sunday March 6th, 2022 Impact Church London Recap: Where is There? “There” is arrived at by us being his witnesses. Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to […]

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Sermon: Witnesses Feb. 27th, 2022 Impact Church London Recap: Have to know where there is. Hab. 2:14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea. Isaiah 40:5 The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together; […]

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Happy Family Day Ephesians 3:14-15 “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,…” John 13:3-5 “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, … He poured water into a basin and began to […]

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Series “Are We There Yet?” — Sermon #2 “Wait” THERE WHERE Habakkuk 2:14 “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.” Ephesians 3:9-10 “…and to make all see …fellowship of the mystery, to the intent that now the manifold wisdom […]

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Series “Are We There Yet?” — Sermon #1 “Where” Can’t clearly know if your are THERE if don’t first know WHERE it is. I drove the family to Disney. Saw the sign … We made it!!! Went to Las Vegas … went all the way through death valley to get there. If you don’t […]

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Sermon: Bootcamp Sermon Series: Destiny Sunday Jan. 30th, 2022 Impact Church London Recap: On a journey of preparing to possess the promise, fundamentally looking to answer this question, “Are there things we can do now to prepare for the future?” (We have a future and a hope!) Intro: Near the end of book of […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #12 “Deliver” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. You don’t achieve victory you receive victory. HIS REST:— I enter into the finished work of the cross. All the promises are YES in Christ and we say AMEN!!! 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT) […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #11 “Debacle” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. Hebrews 11:30 “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” Prayer is receiving the victory. Worship is celebrating the victory! Matthew 4:4 (Message) […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #9 “Debut” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. Debut:— First expression of our promise taking FAITH!!! PICTURE OF JERICHO: Jericho the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The retaining wall was some 12–15 ft high. Then a mud brick wall 6 […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #9 “Descry” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. Descry: to see by looking carefully, to discern Joshua 5:13-15 “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now […]

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Sermon – T’is the Season to be “GENEROUS” Impact Church London Dec. 19th, 2021 Recap: T’is the Season to be “Joyful” Luke 2:10-11 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born […]

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Series – “Christmas 2021” Sermon – “Tis The Season To Be Joyful” JOKE: How did Mary and Joseph know Jesus’ weight when he was born? They had a weigh in a manger… Dear Santa, How are you? Well, enough chit-chat. Let’s get down to business. This year I want… 1) A big Space […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #8 “Distinguish” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. Joshua 5:10 “Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover.” Two Sacraments: Circumcision — Baptism Passover — Communion Colossians 2:11-12 “…by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism…” […]

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Sermon: Bootcamp – Preparing to Possess the Promise: “Discern” Nov. 28, 2021, Impact Church London Recap: Declare — In Jesus God has taken us across the river. Jesus has stepped down into our impassible, impossible Jordan of death, poverty, sickness, and curse. He has pushed back the currents of these forces and we are […]

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Sermon – Bootcamp- Preparing to Possess the Promise “Declare” Nov. 21st, 2021 Impact Church London Recap: God is taking us through the impassable, impossible crossing, into what he has promised. Joshua 3:11, 14-16 “Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into the Jordan… […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #5 “Disembark” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. DECLUTTER Moses Is Dead. DETERMINE One act of COURAGE can open the door to SIGNIFICANT TRANSFORMATION DERIVE – to take or obtain from a particular source, to find origin in a particular […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #4 “Discover” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. DECLUTTER Moses Is Dead. DETERMINE One act of COURAGE can open the door to SIGNIFICANT TRANSFORMATION Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities…because it is the quality which guarantees all […]

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Sermon – Derive: 3rd Day Power Impact Church London Oct. 31, 2021 Recap: Bootcamp Possess the Promise. Declutter: If we don’t spend some time to be intentional about forgetting what is behind and pressing into what’s ahead, we could inadvertently bring an attitude, a mindset, a behaviour or habit into our new situation that […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #2 “Determine” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. Two things to consider: 1. No matter where you go There YOU ARE New view doesn’t mean new you. 2. Knowing what is NEXT doesn’t mean you’re READY. “I Do” – Not the […]

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Series: “Preparing To Posses The Promises” Sermon #1 “Declutter” Are there things we can do NOW to prepare for what’s NEXT. Two things to consider: 1. No matter where you go There YOU ARE New view doesn’t mean new you. 2. Knowing what is NEXT doesn’t mean you’re READY. “I Do” – Not the […]

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Thanksgiving 2021 Romans 1:21 (NLT) “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused.” Being unthankful is the cornerstone, the launching point, for every corrupting […]

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You Serve What You Worship Exodus 31:2-3 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,…” Bezelel:— three Hebrew syllables: be […]

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Sermon : “Better Together” Impact Church London Sept. 19, 2021 Recap & Intro: “Better Together” The what, where, when and how of groups, but also the why. I wholeheartedly believe that the power of what is about to happen is going to be released through relational networks and connections, not just from the pulpit or […]

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Two Trees — A Revelation Of Divine Life BY: D. Karl Thomas The Bible was not given to man so that he could fix his story. The Bible is His story and how you can find your place in it. You don’t find 10 steps to a better life in the Bible. You […]

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1 Peter Series #5 – Lessons From My Own Experience I believe that if we introduce Grace to Suffering it will result in GLORY! Our testimony of the Gospel of Grace in this broken world will cause transformation. 1 Peter 5:12-14 “… I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this […]

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Sermon: Suffering and Smiling Impact Church London, Aug. 29, 2021 RECAP & INTRO: Suffering and Smiling It will happen to you, but you can get through it happy and well. Philippians 1:29 “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for […]

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Series – “True Grace” 1 Peter Sermon #6 “Subversive And Submitted 2” Instructions for driving in the snow Bible is “Good News” and “Good Advice” — You have to understand this!!! Context is so important — We must be clear on how to interpret our guiding document 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are God’s chosen […]

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Be Baptized Everyone Of You! Acts 2:37-41 “Repent and be baptized everyone of you…” Mark 16:16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved;…” Baptism is not a ritual to be performed but a dynamic that must be a present day and continuous reality. “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…” Matthew […]

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Series – “True Grace” 1 Peter Sermon #5 “Subversive And Submitted” 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are God’s chosen treasure – priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” … broadcast his glorious wonders throughout the world. 1 Peter 2:13 (TPT) “In order to honor the Lord, you must respect and defer to the authority […]

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Sermon: “Building God’s House” Impact Church London July 25th 2021 Recap: 1 Peter 1:1 — “From Peter, an apostle of Jesus the Anointed One, to the chosen ones who have been scattered like “seed” into the nations In the midst of a hostile culture that sometimes brought suffering, Peter encourages them to find hope in […]

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Series 1Peter “True Grace” Sermon #3 “Be Wholly As I Am Wholly” 1 Peter 5:12 “I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.” Three Key Words: Suffering – Grace – Glory Believers stand firm because they are God’s chosen pilgrims, begotten […]

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Sermon: Hope and Glory (1 Peter 1:3-12) Impact Church London July 11, 2021 Recap: Context, if you don’t have context you get “con(ned).” 1. Author — Peter, An Apostle 2. Audience — Scattered Believers (parepidémos – people who are passing through, but still have a relationship with those who are local). We are that: […]

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Series: 1 Peter Sermon #1 Grace For Glory 1 Peter is considered the “Job” of the New Testament. This is a letter designed to give people living hope in a time of struggle. Turn trails into triumph. Key Words: Suffering, Grace, Glory Our Identification with God’s family, empowers us to overcome difficulties and trials, because […]

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Series: “NOT” Sermon #6: “Grace NOT Law” 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Romans 4:20 KJV “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;” Stay in faith! Don’t quit on your belief! 1 Corinthians 1:13 NLT “Has […]

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Series: “NOT” Sermon #5: “NOT Orphans” John 14:18 “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Orphans:— (orphanos) fatherless bereft of parents, comfortless Acts 2:33 “Being therefore lifted high by and to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit, He […]

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Series -“NOT” Sermon #4 – “Do Not Fear” Bumble bee … flew in the car … they really annoy me … been stung a few times … I got so preoccupied with the bee that I took my foot off the brake and hit the car in front of me. Fear is destructive. Fear hinders […]

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“NOT” Series — #3 “I CanNOT Sin” John 3:17-18 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in […]

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Sermon – “Not Guilty” Impact Church London, May 30th, 2021 Recap: New Sermon Series “Not.” Started with: “The Fire Must Not Go Out.” We can bring clarity and precision to what “is,” by eliminating what is “not.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit.” (NKJV) Strange fire: We can be very subtly persuaded to […]

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Series – “NOT” Sermon #1 – “The Fire Must Not Go Out.” Picture of the “Fire Fall,” Began inadvertently in 1872 James McCailey pushed remnants of campfire over the hill … 3200 feet … waterfall of fire. People began to ask for it nightly. Developed a whole program for people to engage: Camp Curry would […]

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Series — “I’m Ready” Sermon #6 — “Vision Of Glory” Tommy Barnett being interviewed: “Looking back over all your years ofr ministry what would you do different?” “I would dream bigger and I would risk more!” Pictures of our new location and video of quick visit — See youtube channel. Vs7 (MSG) “I’m […]

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Series — “I’m Ready” Sermon — “TheSpirit Of Faith” Romans 16:13 “Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.” Some friends I don’t just remember them … I remember their mother. Mrs Little — Mrs Morris Psalm 57:7 […]

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Sermon: I’m Ready – “Ready to Run” Impact Church London May 2nd, 2021 Recap: Psalms 57, a Golden Psalm of David in a cave. In that cave he fixed his heart, became steadfast and determined that nothing would move him. In the cave he learned the power of community. He embraced community, he got involved, […]

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Series — “I’m Ready!” Sermon — Pick Your Playlist Ephesians 5:18b-19 “…be filled continually with the Holy Spirit. And your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord. Keep speaking to each other with words of Scripture, singing the Psalms with praises and spontaneous songs given by the Spirit! Psalm 69:30 “I will praise […]

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I’m Ready Series #2, The Power Of Community By: D. Karl Thomas Psalm 57 (NKJV) – Prayer for Safety from Enemies – To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam (a psalm as precious as stamped gold) of David when he fled from Saul into the cave. Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful to me, […]

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I’m Ready, Series# 1, None Of These Things Move Me By: D. Karl Thomas Not this I’m Ready This I’m Ready Philippians 4:13 “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am readyfor anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength […]

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Resurrection Series# 5, The Force Of Resurrection By: D. Karl Thomas Covid -19 The virus that changed the world … Na! God’s purpose of redemption can not be tampered with!!! Hab 2:14 “Gods glory will fill all the earth!! The Fact Of Resurrection Romans 4:25 “Jesus was handed over to be crucified for the forgiveness […]

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Resurrection Series# 4, The Friday Before The Resurrection (for Good Friday Service) By: Stefan Nichol In many ways it’s been a terrible year, eh? This pandemic has resulted in multiple lockdowns, changing the way we do everything. It’s disrupted the economy, changing the way we work and shop, disrupted school changing kids’ routines. It’s disconnected […]

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Resurrection Series# 3, The Focus of Resurrection By: Zach Sloane Recap: The fact of the resurrection: a historical reality, attested to in the natural and supernatural, by both God and man, and stands as eternal evidence that we are righteous before God. The Face of the resurrection: Jesus was the first-fruits of a great harvest […]

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Resurrection Series# 2, The Face Of Resurrection By: D. Karl Thomas The wright brothers father. Bishop Milton Wright … “That is heresy, absolute heresy, the Bible says that flight is reserved for the angels. We will have no such talk at this conference. If God wanted us to fly He would have given us wings.” […]

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Resurrection Series# 1, This Changes Everything, The Fact Of Resurrection By: D. Karl Thomas Matthew 28:6-7 “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead,…” Matthew 27:62-63 […]

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Uncomplicated Series# 4, Cancel Culture By: D. Karl Thomas Restaurant Reviews – 2018 Eater.com “There’s V for Vegan. There’s GF for Gluten Free. There’s DF for Dairy Free. I think they’re missing a few. There should be TF for Taste Free and JF for Joy Free and AAHYWEH for Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter […]

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Uncomplicated Series# 3, Preacher And The Prostitute By: D. Karl Thomas For beauty and clarity to be revealed you need context. Example: Diamond in setting. The Family of God is the context where the Nature and Kingdom of God are best displayed. Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Ephesians 3:1 “For […]

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Uncomplicated Series# 2, Family Matters By: Zach Sloane Recap: Relationships Series: “Uncomplicated: Bringing Godly Clarity to Relational Complexity.” Relationships are vital. God made us to function best only in relationship with Him and with others. God exists in a relationship of three equal persons, Father Son and Holy Spirit. Christian identity is settled by who […]

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Uncomplicated Series# 1, Ready For Relationships By: D. Karl Thomas For beauty and clarity to be revealed you need context. Example: Diamond in setting. The Family of God is the context where the Nature and Kingdom of God are best displayed. Matthew 6:9 “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” Ephesians 3:1 “For this […]

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Pivot Series# 6, Go To The Other Side! By: D. Karl & Cheryl Thomas Nelson Mandella “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for […]

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PIVOT Series# 5, All About That Grace By: D. Karl Thomas Pivot:— fixed point supporting something which turns or balances. The Unchangeable in relationship to the Changeable. “You are making a capital investment so that you can increase your market share.” Evan Kristensen John 1:16-17 (NLT) “From his abundance we have all received one gracious […]

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Pivot Series# 4, Faith Leads the Way By: Zach Sloane Intro: All about Faith: A context An object A Result (purpose, telos, or an end that it seeks to produce or bring about) Recap & Intro: Context: ours is our Pivot and what God is doing and saying to us as a people. Pivot: a […]

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Pivot Series# 3, What Now! By: D. Karl Thomas “When opportunity comes it’s too late to prepare.” John Wooden Pivot:— fixed point supporting something which turns or balances. The Unchangeable in relationship to the Changeable. 1 Corinthians 16:9 “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” “Everything can […]

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PIVOT Series# 2, Celebrating Foundations 2 By: D. Karl Thomas “When opportunity comes it’s too late to prepare.” John Wooden Pivot:— fixed point supporting something which turns or balances. The Unchangeable in relationship to the Changeable. Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I […]

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PIVOT Series# 1, Celebrate Foundations By: D. Karl Thomas Ezra 1:1-8 “He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah … with all those whose spirits God had stirred up, to go up to re build the house of the Lord…” uwr :– to move by force, to rouse, […]

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Surviving The Last Days By: D. Karl Thomas It’s interesting how people prepare for the end of the world. www.terravivos.com Picture of bunkers for sale There is a one-time upfront payment of $35,000, plus an ongoing annual ground rent of $1,000 per bunker. Bunkers are provided in their as-is condition, without interior improvements, equipment or […]

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Home For Christmas Series# 3, He Has Planned For You By: D. Karl Thomas Christmas 2020 — We need to embrace this lesson from the first Christmas. God’s plan is breaking through!!! Just when it seems all your plans are breaking down. Mary is planning her wedding and: Luke 1:35 “The Holy Spirit will come […]

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Home for Christmas Series# 2, The Humanity of God By: Zach Sloane Recap: The lie of separation: the idea that God is somewhere up/over there and we are separated, distant and far apart is a Greek philosophical idea and not biblical truth. The incarnation is a sign that God is with us, has united himself […]

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Home for Christmas Series# 1, Look Who’s Home! By Zach Sloane Home for Christmas Lots of us are home for Christmas… whether we like it or not. What do you think about when you think of Christmas? Incarnation? John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, […]

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It’s Not Fair – Grace Series# 4, Divine Deliverance By Zach Soane, Nov. 29-20 Recap: “It’s Not Fair – Grace” Week #1 – Divine Detours. Following Jesus see us walking towards things we would rather avoid and into situations we don’t understand. Week #2 – Divine Interruptions. God’s mercy interrupts our religion and what we […]

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485 It’s Not Fair – Grace Series# 3, Divine Paradox By: D. Karl Thomas Paradox:— a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true. Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if […]

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It’s Not Fair – Grace Series# 2, Divine Interruptions By: D. Karl Thomas Luke 19:5-9 “He looked up and saw him, and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.’” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, […]

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It’s Not Fair – Grace Series, Divine Detours By: D. Karl Thomas The Bible is full of stories of people who experience God’s GRACE in their “It’s Not Fair!” circumstances. David / Jepthah / Jabez 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 “Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I […]

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MOVE Series# 10, The Gospel of Jesus Christ By: Zach Sloane Recap: Series Recap – Move. We are moving. Jesus was moving on mission and with purpose, culminating at the cross. That was not the end of the story. God had something else in mind, even death itself could not stop him as he moved. […]

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MOVE Series# 9, What Do You Want Me To Do With Him? By: D. Karl Thomas “Some people are worth melting for.” Olaf The Cross. It rests on the time line of history like a compelling diamond. It’s tragedy summons all suffers. It’s Absurdity attracts all critics. It’s hope lures all searchers. My what a […]

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MOVE Series# 8, You Don’t Have To Struggle To Snuggle By: D. Karl Thomas Public touch invites the Private Kiss … corporate meeting … corporate anointing open heaven Still in the passion week – A lot happens in this chapter. Last Supper / New Covenant — Gethsemane — Betrayal of Jesus / Arrest — Trial […]

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479 MOVE Series# 7, The Not so “Great Tribulation” By: Zach Sloane, Oct. 11/20 Recap: Mark 11-12 “When they were approaching Jerusalem…” Jesus and disciples about to enter passion week. Triumphal Entry Cursed the fig tree Drove people out of the temple Fig tree discovered as withered Questioning, testing, harassing by the religious leaders – […]

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Move Series# 6, Moving Mountains By: D. Karl Thomas Mark 11-12 “Now when they drew near Jerusalem, …” The beginning of Jesus passion week. Passover feast … Triumphal entry … Lamb of God coming for inspection … time to take away the sins of the whole world. Luke 19:41-44 “Now as He drew near, […]

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477 MOVE Series# 5, You Must See This By: D. Karl Thomas Coming to this building was a challenge. Joe Bowes a leader form Australia who I had know former knowledge of came out of no where to encourage us to go ahead. After 2 1/2 years of ministry in Galilee, Jesus is now transitioning […]

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476 MOVE Series# 4, Unstoppable By: Zach Sloane, Sept. 20, 2020 Recap: Following Jesus changes everything: He came out of the water as an accepted and empowered Son. He went into the wild, overcoming the wilderness and all temptations. We saw that Jesus on the MOVE, He changed the world. Intro: Being on the move […]

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475 MOVE Series# 3, Power Portals Guest Speaker: Joshua Mills International Glory Ministries

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474 MOVE Series# 2, Awkward Day At Church By D. Karl Thomas Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:27 (Messasge) “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? Jesus begins to demonstrate His Kingdom. There’s […]

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MOVE Series# 1, All Systems Go! By: D. Karl Thomas Trip through Chennai India … Tucked in behind an ambulance … speeding through a mess of traffic and humanity … This is like that Mark 1:1-ff “This is the beginning of the wonderful news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It starts with […]

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The New Normal Series# 11, Kingdom Parables By: Zach Sloane Recap: Isaiah 45:18 “For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: ‘I am the Lord, and there […]

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471 The New Normal Series# 10, KINGDOM REFORM By: D. Karl Thomas Isaiah 45:18 “For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: ‘I am the Lord, […]

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470 The New Normal Series 9, Kingdom Citizenship By: D. Karl Thomas Mark 1:15 “His message was this: ‘At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled […]

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The New Normal Series# 8, Kingdom Revelation By: Zach Sloane Recap: Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 “There is an evil I have seen under the sun, As an error proceeding from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, While the rich sit in a lowly place. I have seen servants on horses, While Princes walk on the […]

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468 The New Normal Series# 7, Using The Kingdom Keys By: D. Karl Thomas Where the Kingdom is embraced there is a community being built (Church) for the advancing of His eternal purpose in the earth. Church:– EKKLEISIA two words – Called / Out – My called out ones. (Gathering) His cabinet, His governing body, His […]

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466 The New Normal Series# 5, The Rule in Action By: Zach Sloane Recap: Every Kingdom has: A Ruler, A Realm, and Rule 1 John 3:23 “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” Galatians 5:6 “For […]

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465 The New Normal Series# 4, His Rule Of Love With D. Karl Thomas & Zach Sloane JOKE.- A man jumps out of an airplane with a parachute on his back. As he’s falling, he realizes his chute is broken. He doesn’t know anything about parachutes, but as the earth rapidly approaches, he realizes his […]

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464 The New Normal Series# 3, His Domain By: D. Karl & Cheryl Thomas A place where Gods ways are welcomed and experienced. REALM We introduced the Kingdom —Week 1 Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” The message of Jesus … […]

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463 The New Normal Series# 2, Jesus is King By: Zach Sloane Recap: Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes […]

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The New Normal Series #1 The Kingdom By: D. Karl Thomas Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as […]

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461 Communion Sunday, Following Jesus With Pastors & Speakers If you read the Gospels (History Books) about Jesus life. You can only come to one conclusion. Jesus is highly relational. Tell you about your FATHER in HEAVEN … relational based stories Following Jesus: John 4 “But He needed to go through Samaria. So He came […]

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460 Ghost Stories Series# 6, The Powerful Ghost! By: D. Karl Thomas Baptism In The Holy Ghost Is not Optional! Ezekiel 36: 25-27 “I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart […]

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Ghost Stories Series# 5 Gracious Ghost With: D. Karl & Cheryl Thomas “Sense knowledge has gained supremacy over Christianity and dominates it. Civilization has failed because the type of Christianity we have given it has failed. It was a sense-ruled type that was stripped of miracles.” E. W. Kenyon 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Now concerning spiritual […]

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Ghost Stories Series# 4, Fruitful Ghost With: Zach Sloane & Henry Redecop Recap: Glorious Ghost: John 16:8-11 “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see […]

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457 Ghost Stories Series# 3, Glorious Ghost With: Cheryl Thomas & Madeline Desousa 2 Corinthians 3:8-9 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! Verse 18- “And we all, with unveiled face, […]

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Ghost Stories Series# 2, Helpful Ghost With: D. Karl Thomas & Zach Sloane We are MOVING!!! Imagination + Articulation = Manifestation 2 Corinthians 13:14 (Message) “The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.” Holy Spirit My Best Friend […]

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Ghost Stories Series# 1, Friendly Ghost By: D. Karl Thomas & Wayne Zimmer John declares the Mission of Jesus Luke 3:16 “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Jesus Declares The Mission Finished John 19:30 “‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 (Message) […]

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The Great Divide Series# 5, Fear To Faith By: D. Karl & Cheryl Thomas John 20:19-22 (ESV) “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with […]

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The Great Divide Series# 4, From Death to Life With: Zach Sloane & Kelly Michalczyk Click on the link below to watch the Sermon: https://youtu.be/fJ_4YVUHaNU Recap: Week One: The New Covenant… There is a new covenant! Jesus’ Life and Ministry was one of transition. New Covenant in His Blood had its own new commandment: John […]

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The Great Divide Series #3 “In Remembrance Of Him” By: D. Karl & Cheryl Thomas Luke 22:19-20 “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.ʼ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, […]

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451 The Great Divide Series# 2, The End Of Injustice By: D. Karl & Cheryl Thomas Click the link below to watch the Service https://youtu.be/Ia1b5ExLzP4 The Sunday School teacher was extremely enthusiastic. She looked at the class of four-years old’s and asked this question: “Does anyone know what today is?” A little girl held up […]

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450 The Great Divide Series# 1, The New Covenant By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint Slide links at the bottom of the page) Imagination + Articulation = Manifestation John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” The Great Divide — PICTURE OF THE CONTINENTAL […]

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449 REALationships Series# 6, Embrace Mentoring By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint Slide links at the bottom of the page) Imagination + Articulation = Manifestation WE ARE MOVING!!! Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Wrote that while he was in jail chained between two soldiers. Sir Isaac […]

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448 REALationships Series# 5, LIVE Therapy Session Pastors Karl & Cheryl Thomas with Therapist, Dr. Nancy VanderSchaaf Dr. Nancy VanderSchaaf, Contact information & Resource Links: REALationships Series# 5, LIVE Therapy No Sermon notes or Sermon PowerPoint today.

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447 REALationships Sermon #4, Factions To Function By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page) PICTURES — Jamaica Trip!!! Philippians 4:2-7 “I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored […]

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REALationships Series 3, PAVE the Way By: Zach Sloane (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page) Recap: Philippians 2:5 (NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Healthy Relationships Happen: When You Let Go When You Go Low When You Do More When You Say […]

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445 REALationships Series# 2, They’re Worth It! By: Zach Sloane (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page) REAL-ationships: They’re Worth It! (Philippians) Recap: Philippians 2:5 (NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Intro: Let’s be REAL! Although relationships can be tough and the temptation […]

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REALationships Series 1, The Jesus Mindset By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint Slide links at the bottom of the page) Building the walls in Montego Bay!!! Funny Valentines Cards Paul writes to church he has great affection. Thank You!! Continue to express His life. Philippians 1:8 “For God is my witness, how greatly […]

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443 See Yourself Here Series 6, You Have An Open Heaven By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page) John 1:47-51 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know […]

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442 See Yourself Here Series 5, Come and See By: Zach Sloane (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page) Recap: See Yourself Here – John 1:23:51 See. See Yourself. See Yourself Here. We’ve looked at vision and obstacles to it. The necessity of seeing Jesus and what we do see […]

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See Yourself Here Sermon #4, Jesus Is Highly Relational By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page) John 1:38-39 “Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” … “where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come and […]

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440 See Yourself Here Series# 3, Jesus Sees You! By: Zach Sloane (Sermon notes & PowerPoint slide links at the bottom of the page) Recap: John 1:23-51 the sponsoring text for the whole of the series. See. See yourself. See yourself Here! Luke 3:5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought […]

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See Yourself Here, Series# 2, Jesus Reveals God By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page) ++++++++++++++++ Picture Of Dress +++++++++++ What you see is a complex mental construction of your own making, but you experience it passively as a direct representation of the world around you. You create your […]

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438 See Yourself Here, Series# 1, Ready To See By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slide links at the bottom of the page) Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in […]

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The Jesus Trip, Jesus Is Coming Back By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & Extra notes, plus PowerPoint Slide links at the bottom of the page) We Begin with Two Trees …. We Finish With One Tree — Banished form the Tree of Life … Given access to the tree of life. Genesis 3:4 “Then […]

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436 The Jesus Trip, Jesus Is Better By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes and PowerPoint Slides links at the bottom of the page) Hebrews 8:6 “But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far […]

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435 The Jesus Trip, Behave Yourself By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links at the bottom of the page) John 1:12-14, 17-18 “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but […]

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434 The Jesus Trip, Ephesians: A Book on Purpose By: Zach Sloane (Sermon notes & PowerPoint links are at the bottom of the page) Recap: The Gospel Paul received from Jesus, both the revelation and its application in our lives, brilliantly weaves together how our broken identities and fallen living is healed, hearts are mended, […]

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The Jesus Trip, I Am One With Jesus By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint Slide links at the bottom of the page) Romans 6:17 “…yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.” “standard of teaching” (AMP) “Pattern of teaching” (NIV) “Paul’s system of truth.” (Weymouth) Romans […]

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432 The Jesus Trip, Paul’s System Of Truth By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Question links at the bottom of the page) Romans 6:17 “…yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.” “standard of teaching” (AMP) “Pattern of teaching” (NIV) “Paul’s system of […]

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431 The Jesus Trip, Clash of Civilizations By: Cheryl Thomas (Sermon notes, Image & Group Discussion Questions at the bottom of the page) Last week we were in the book of Acts and Zach talked about Pentecost I love the book of Acts as it is the only document from the earliest Christian period to […]

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430 The Jesus Trip, Pentecost and You! By: Zach Sloane (Sermon notes, PowerPoint & Group Discussion Question links at the bottom of the page) Re-cap: Easter in Nov. Not a cat-scan of cross, practical applications of Jesus’ approach to the cross and what that means for us. This sets us up to help us understand […]

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429 The Jesus Trip, Good Times, Bad Times By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions at the bottom of the page) Gospels: Jesus like photo graph. Matthew 9:35 “Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages,…” Pauls Letters: CT Scan inner workings of the Gospel of Grace 2 Corinthians […]

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428 The Jesus Trip, By The Way…..One Last Thing By: Zach Sloane Click on the link below to watch the Sermon Video: http://www.truthcasting.com/player.aspx#showSermon=196042 (Sermon notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions at the bottom of the page) Jesus wants to have one last dinner and share his heart with his disciples. Just spent days being […]

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The Jesus Trip, Something To Think About By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes, PowerPoint and Group Discussion Questions at the bottom of the page) Click on the link below to watch this week’s message: http://www.truthcasting.com/player.aspx#showSermon=195895 Mark 1:14-15 (NKJV) “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom […]

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426 The Jesus Trip, Stories Are Great By: D. Karl Thomas (Links, Sermon notes, PowerPoint Slides and Group Discussion Questions at the bottom of the page) Mark 3:34 “In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.” Parable:— […]

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425 The Jesus Trip, The Miracles, Signs and Wonders of Jesus (9 am Service) By: Zach Sloane (9 am Service) (Sermon notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions at the bottom of the page) “It is abnormal for a Christian not to have an appetite for the impossible. It has been written into our spiritual […]

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425 The Jesus Trip, Miracles (10:45 am Service) By: Pastor Vincent James from Jamaica No notes or PowerPoint for the video message.

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424 The Jesus Trip, Adopted Into The Coolest Family By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes, PowerPoint slides and Group Discussion Questions at the bottom of the page) The Bible: 2 Testaments – Old and New 66 Books 31,102 Verses 1663 Commands 240 Different authors 3237 Different characters. 31 guys named “Zechariah.” 1 STORY Jesus is […]

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Jesus Trip — “Kissing Frogs” By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions at the bottom of the page) What do princesses kissing frogs, Cinderella, and ugly ducklings have in common? They all describe a transformation from ugliness to beauty. Everyone likes a happy ending! Malachi 4:4-6 “Remember to obey the […]

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The Jesus Trip, Moralism Rides Again By: D. Karl Thomas (Scroll to the bottom of the page for links to Sermon Notes to print, Group Questions to print, PowerPoint for Sermon) Ezra 1:1-8“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be […]

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The Jesus Trip, King of Kings and the End of Time By: Zach Sloane Recap: Last week we looked at River in Ezekiel – not just a metaphor! Ezekiel 47:12 “trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river… they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit […]

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420 The Jesus Trip, There Is A River By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint Slides links are at the bottom of the page to print or review) Ezekiel 47 1-12 “In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath […]

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Family Business Series 8, Our Ministries By: Pastors Karl and Cheryl Thomas (Notes to print and PowerPoint slides at the bottom of the page) 1 Corinthians 12:1-6 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, (Pneumatikos:— spirituals)brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb[b] idols, however you […]

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419 The Jesus Trip, The Spirit of Prophecy By: Zach Sloane (Sermon Notes to print & PowerPoint Slide links at the bottom of the page) Recap: Last week: “The Face of Glory, we saw that the glory of God had departed the Temple (Ezekiel 10:18), and the glory left Jerusalem (Ez. 11:23), but even in […]

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Family Business Series 7, Our Means By: Pastors Karl & Cheryl Thomas No notes for this Video.

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418 The Jesus Trip, The Face of Glory By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes and PowerPoint at the bottom of the page) John 8:19“‘Where is your father?’ they asked. Jesus answered, ‘Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.’” […]

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417 The Jesus Trip, Restored Authority! By: D. Karl Thomas God Needs You To Pray!! 2 misunderstanding about God that hinder people’s prayers: His SovereigntyGod controls everything. His Immutability God never changes. God’s going to to do what he wants to do anyway. Why pray? Matthew 6:8 “For your Father knows the things you have […]

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Family Business Series 6, Our Methods By: D. Karl Thomas “Transforming lives to IMPACT their world.” Intentional Systems And Strategies Last Week Recap: Benefits: Opportunities: 1. […]

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416 The Jesus Trip, Worship Train-wreck By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides) Jeremiah served as one of God’s prophets through the rule of five kings of Judah (Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin and Zedekiah). He ministered during the destruction of Jerusalem and their captivity. […]

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Family Business Series 5, Our Members By: D. Karl Thomas “Transforming lives to IMPACT their world.” Benefits and Opportunities of Participation “Communion is strength; solitude is weakness. Alone, the fine old beech yields to the blast and lies prone on the meadow. In the forest, supporting each other, the trees laugh at the hurricane. The […]

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415 The Jesus Trip, Don’t Look Out Look Up!! By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides) The Bible: 2 Testaments – Old and New 66 Books 31,102 Verses 1663 Commands 240 Different authors 3237 Different characters. 31 guys named “Zechariah.” 1 STORY The Bible was […]

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Family Business Series 4, Our Values# 2 By: Zach Sloane “Transforming lives to IMPACT their world.” Impact Verbs We Value Recap: Luke 2:49 (NKJV) “And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” Jesus was engagedin His Father’s business. So are we! […]

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414 The Jesus Trip, I Have Seen The King By: Zach Sloane July 21, 2019 (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides) Isaiah: not just one vision. It’s a compilation of speeches, writings, poems, and covers lots of different subject matter. Isaiah 1:1 (NIV) “The vision concerningJudah and […]

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Family Business Series 3, Our Values# 1 By: D. Karl Thomas “Transforming lives to IMPACT their world.” Impact Verbs We Value Verb #1 “ENJOY” Psalm 16:11 “…in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 2:4 (NLT)“But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at […]

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413 The Jesus Trip, Power Of Praise By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides) There was a preacher that was trying to sell his horse. A potential buyer came to the church for a test ride. “before you start” the preacher said,” you should […]

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Family Business Series 2, Our Priorities By: D. Karl Thomas Quick Recap to our DNA!!! Cosmological Ephesians 1:9-10 God wants to restore all things to Himself. “He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration (oikonomia:– household management) suitable to the fullness […]

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412 The Jesus Trip, Worldchangers By: Zach Sloane (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides) Video: Bridgewater & PowerPoint, Toronto We have something great going on here at Impact Church London and we are expanding our footprint. Who we are and what we are all about is presently, […]

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Family Business Series 1, Our DNA By: D. Karl Thomas DNA … Where you came from, Who you are, Where you are going DNA is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. It is the blueprint of an organism. Human DNA […]

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411 The Jesus Trip, He Sends His Word By: Zach Sloane (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides) Recap: Elijah and Elisha. I’m a miracle worker. I have the anointing, the mantle of Jesus has passed on to me when he ascended. In my union with him in […]

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410 The Jesus Trip, I’m A Miracle Worker By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides) “…Canada and the Canadian church is going to rise up once again and go to the four corners of the world and bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to […]

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409 The Jesus Trip, Called to be a Troublemaker By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides) Psalm 72:8“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,And from the River to the ends of the earth.” Peace Tower Ottawa … Time stopped for first time […]

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Missions Weekend with Joshua & Janet Mills https://youtu.be/LKFO_YKFxJU

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408 The Jesus Trip, Extravagant Love By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) S Of S 1:1“This is Solomon’s song of songs, more wonderful than any other.” The very best of my songs! 1 Kings 4:32 “He composed some 3,000 […]

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407 The Jesus Trip, Dear Younger Self… By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) VIDEO …. Proverbs 1:1-7 One of the Wisdom Books with Ecc, and Job These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is […]

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406 The Jesus Trip, God’s Benefit Plan By: Gord Watson No Sermon Notes, please see the PowerPoint slides link below. The Jesus Trip, God’s Benefit Plan, PowerPoint Slides, PDF The Jesus Trip, The Bride of Christ, Group Discussion Questions – Week #7, PDF to print

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405 The Jesus Trip, The Proverbs 31 Woman By: Tim Godfrey No Sermon notes, please see the PowerPoint Slides below. The Jesus Trip, Proverbs 31 Woman, PowerPoint Slides, PDF

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404 The Jesus Trip, The Bride of Christ By: Zach Sloane May 11, 2019 (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Recap: There is a continual now moment, an invitation to transition from a life of struggle, sweat, blood and effort to see the […]

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403 The Jesus Trip, It’s Time to Transition By: Zach Sloane (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Recap: David was a man after God’s own heart. He knew he was loved by God and lived with an outrageous revelation of the goodness and […]

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402 The Jesus Trip, What Is God Looking For? By: D. Karl Thomas No Sermon Notes, please take a look at the PowerPoint slides. The Jesus Trip, What Is God Looking For?, PowerPoint Slides, PDF The Jesus Trip, What is God Looking For?, Group Discussion Questions – Week #4, to print, PDF

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401 The Jesus Trip, He Makes All Things New! Easter Sunday 2019 By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) “A dead Christ I must do everything for; a living Christ does everything for me.” Andrew Murray 2 Samuel 9:11,13 “As […]

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399 The Jesus Trip, You Can Hear His Voice By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) When God is ready to do something in the earth he begins with a person: Looking for partners now Important Names Of The Characters: Elkanah […]

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398 The Jesus Trip, It’s Settled! By: Zach Sloane (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) RECAP Ruth 1:1 “In the days when the judges ruled in Israel…” Cycle of Blessings:Serve God – sin and idolatry – enslavement – call out to God – […]

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397 The Jesus Trip, Breaking The Cycle of Brokenness By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slides) Deuteronomy 8:18-19“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He […]

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396 The Jesus Trip, Stepping Into Your Inheritance By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slides) Joshua 1:2-3 “Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what […]

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395 The Jesus Trip, Free From The Evil Eye! By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) John 5:45-46 “Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your […]

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394 The Jesus Trip, Where Do You Run To? By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Numbers16:46-48 “Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. […]

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393 The Jesus Trip, Enter His Rest By: Zach Sloane (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) 28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you […]

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392 The Jesus Trip, Wow, That Feels Amazing! By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Leviticus 9:24“Fire came out from the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, […]

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391 The Jesus Trip, His Dwelling Place By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) The Bible was not given to man so that he could fix his story. The Bible is His story and how you can find your place […]

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390 The Jesus Trip, Get Through What You’re Going Through By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Psalm 105:37, 39-41 “He also brought them out with silver and gold, And there was none feeble among His tribes … He spread a […]

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389 The Jesus Trip, Drawing Out Your Destiny By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Luke 23:5 (The Message) “But they were vehement. ‘He’s stirring up unrest among the people with his teaching, disturbing the peace everywhere, starting in Galilee and […]

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388 The Jesus Trip, Why All This Pain? By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Job 1:21 NKJV“And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has […]

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The Jesus Trip, He Pointed To Jesus By: Zach Sloane (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions) Questions from Readings Qst. 1 What’s the deal with Lot’s wife being turned into a pillar of salt? What is God like? To answer that question, […]

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386 The Jesus Trip, The Prophetic Journey By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slides) Genesis 22:18-19“‘In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.’ So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose […]

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385 The Jesus Trip, Two Trees By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slides) The Bible was not given to man so that he could fix his story. The Bible is His story and how you can find your place in it. You don’t […]

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384 The Jesus Trip Begins By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slides) A Year Of Living Biblically A.J. Jacob, (a Jewish agnostic.) Sept 9, 2008 Simon & Schuster The Bible was not given to man so that he could fix his story. The […]

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383 Christmas Playlist Series# 3, Mary’s Song (Luke 1:46-55) By: Zach Sloane Candlelight Service (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slides) Re-cap Zecheriah’s Song: God’s light would invade the darkness. Angel’s Song – God knows you, sees you, and to you and to the whole world, He […]

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382 Christmas Playlist Series# 2, Angels Song Peace On Earth By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slides) Zechariah’s Song “…the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide […]

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381 Christmas Playlist Series# 1, Zechariah’s Song of Hope By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon & PowerPoint) “Billie Jean” might be one of Michael Jackson’s most beloved songs, but the story behind it is terrifying. According to legend, Jackson had been receiving letters from a woman […]

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380 Advantage Series# 4, The Anointing By: Zach Sloane (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon & PowerPoint) RECAP John 16:7 NKJV “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; […]

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379 Advantage Series# 3, Gifts of the Spirit By: Zach Sloane (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon, PowerPoint & Group Discussion Questions) John 16:7 NKJV “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come […]

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378 Advantage Series# 2, Are Tongues Really Necessary? By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon, PowerPoint & Group Discussion Questions) John 16:7, 13 “It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, […]

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377 Advantage Series# 1, Embrace God The Holy Spirit By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon, PowerPoint & Group Discussion Questions) John 16:7,13“It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, […]

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376 But Wait There’s More Series# 6: Bear Much Fruit By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon, PowerPoint & Group Discussion Questions) John 10:10“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Romans 8:32 (AMP) “He who did not withhold or spare […]

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375 But Wait There’s More Series# 5: Capacity By: D. Karl Thomas John 10:10“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Romans 8:32 (AMP) “He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with […]

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374 But Wait, There’s More, Series# 4: Don’t Quit Now! By: Zach Sloane John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that the may have it more abundantly.” Romans 8:32 AMP “He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, will He not also […]

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373 But Wait, There’s More, Series# 3: Power By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Romans 8:32 (AMP)“He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also […]

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372 But Wait There’s More Series# 2: Thanksgiving By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas Thanksgiving Engages Promotion” John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Romans 8:32 (AMP) “He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, […]

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371 But Wait, There’s More, Series# 1: Peace By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas Peace – It’s An Inside Job John 10:10“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Romans 8:32 (AMP) “He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for […]

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370 IMAGINE Series# 2, Side By Side By: Pastor Karl Thomas Picture Of Billboard!!! Vision gives pain a purpose. Those without vision spend their lives taking the path of least resistance as they try to avoid discomfort. The level of sacrifice that a vision requires will determine the size of people who follow. Sacrifice separates […]

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Jesus-Looking God Conference, Behold, A New Creation Sun. Sep. 16/18, 10:30 am Session By: Greg Boyd Jesus-Looking God Conference, Behold A New Creation, PowerPoint Slides

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Jesus-Looking God Conference, Approaching the Bible, part 2 Sat. Sep. 15/18, 7 pm Session By: Bruxy Cavey

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Jesus-Looking God Conference, Approaching the Bible, part 1 Sat. Sep. 15/18, 1:30 pm Session By: Bruxy Cavey

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Jesus-Looking God Conference, Finding Jesus in the Genocide Sat. Sep. 15/18, 10 am Session By: Greg Boyd Review III. Saturday AM: Finding Jesus in the Genocide 1. The Revelation of God in Jesus culminates and supersedes all previous revelations. 2. The cross is the thematic center of everything Jesus was about, from the Incarnation to […]

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Jesus-Looking God Conference Fri. Sep. 14/18, 7 pm Session By: Greg Boyd The Supremacy of the Cross Intro: a) BethelStudent 7 mental pie of God all important b) passion for God will never outrun beauty of your pie ofGod c) kingdom quality of your life will never outrun beauty of pie ofGod d) neurological studies […]

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Jesus-Looking God Conference, Leadership Fri. Sep. 14/18, 3:30 pm Session By: Bruxy Cavey

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Jesus-Looking God Conference, Leadership Fri. Sep. 14/18, 1:30 pm. Session By: Greg Boyd

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369 IMAGINE Series# 1, Come With Us!! By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas The Call Of Moses Exodus 3:8 “So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey,…” […]

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368 1 John Series# 9, You Must Know This! By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas The Bible was not written to you but it was written for you. This was a personal letter written to very specific people 2000 years ago. Written by John the Apostle. Must be held in context. “This is not a prescription […]

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367 1 John Series# 8, Spirit, Water & Blood By: Zach Sloane 1 John 5:1-12 Recap: A book written for you but not to you. And when read with a lens of performance, you will read it wrong. Need to RIGHTLY divide word. Holy Spirit Himself who is in you and with you and will […]

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366 1 John Series# 7, The Actionable Love of God By: Pastor Cheryl Thomas We have learned that 1 John was a personal letter written 2000 years ago to a very specific group of people. Different audiences, different issues being addressed all in the same letter. That is was written for us but not to […]

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#365 1 John Series# 6, 3M Love

By: Zach Sloane

1 John 3:11-24

RECAP:1 John – a book written for you, but not to you.

Main thrust of the book is to help you to know, to be assured.

1 John 5:13 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may knowthat you have eternal life.”

Applying wrong filter when reading 1 John can do the opposite of assure you of eternal life in Christ and can actually cause some religious anxiety.

Interpretive Key: 1 John 5:13 where he says… “I am writing to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know.” The ones who get to know are the ones who believe.

Rev. Canon Dr. Lizette Larson-Miller writes that “it is often surprising to reflect on how much of our theology is based not only on philology but also specifically on etymology…”[1]Greek dictionaries cant make sense of it all. So much of the Bible only makes sense when read through lens of faith.

Hebrews 11:3 says that it is “by faith that we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, that visible things came from the invisible.” St Anselm said “theology is faith seeking understanding.”

By faith we understand John… when you believe. After you taste then you see that God is good. Psalms 34:8

From a secure position in faith and experience you can know and be sure. And then in faith… these things that he is writing to you, uncomfortable things like SIN, these aren’t to trip you up NOR ARE THEY TO encourage you to try harder to prove that you have life. Its to show you that because you have life, this is what will happen in you and through you.

Last week: “Who’s your Daddy.” Its a question of nature. You either are in Adam or in Christ. You don’t have two natures.

Your nature is who you are at your very core. The essence of you. If you are a believer, you have God’s nature inside you. You can live out of that nature or you can live contrary to that nature… but it doesn’t change the fact that you have a new nature.

Don’t confuse the confusion you experience when you successfully act contrary to your nature with the Holy Spirit condemning or convicting you. He convicts you of your true identity. Evangelical identity angst!

Two bad responses to fact of new nature: (1.) Take yourself too seriously and think you need to maintain the new nature by your best efforts. Sin-consciousness will rob you of the life you are meant to live. (Remember the tight rope walker)

You are righteous, you actually are even sanctified. The process you are on, is one of manifesting the real true you… of manifesting and revealing the union you already have with Jesus.

(2.) Think that sin doesn’t matter and is no big deal!

God is committed to not only possessing the divine nature, but to you expressing that nature, and that nature is love!

Sin is wrong… BUT… God’s life in you is strong. It will have a manifestation. The message itself has a prophetic, faith-imparting power to produce in you the very thing that it sets out to accomplish. Jesus said “the words I speak to you they are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63.

A lot of John’s writing is him believing in the power of the message.

1 John 3:11-24 (NKJV)11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain whowas of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [a]hisbrother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down ourlives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we [b]know that we are of the truth, and shall [c]assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave [d]us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

3M Love

(1.) The Message1 John 3:11 “that we should love one another.” If God’s seed is in you, when you act out of that nature you will not sin, but you will do something else: love.

Galatians 5:6 expresses itself through love. God is Love. His message is Love… and that what John is saying… and if you are united to Him, you too are love and you too will love… he is able to make you love.

Love AS I Have loved you! John 13:34. As he gave commandment.

Love as the Model.

1 John 3:12-16

“…not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [a]his brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Cain didn’t love at all. Cain… killed his brother, so whats that all about?

Genesis 4:1-10 (ESV)

“…4 Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground… 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell…8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother.[d] And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him….”

Clearly murder is not love!

When Cain brought his sacrifice he was effectively bring the fruit of his own work to God. Abel on the other hand brought something that was not the fruit of his own labour. Sounds a lot like religion?

The message is, love one another, but not like Cain, not with religious striving and false energy. Don’t love out of duty or out of religious obligation. Don’t let your love for one another be an extension of our religious duties to God, as if your best efforts to love is acceptable to HIm.

The possibility that exists is this that in our enlightenment towards the truth that God is love, that love is what he is after, that love is what we all need, we go hard after love in the way of Cain, as if its a religious duty, our obligation and our religious outworking.

When I give my best, perform my very best love, when I give my all but its under duty, obligation, or out of some sort of misplaced idealism its always with expectations attached. I did my duty, now this must happen. I loved you now you must perform for me God, or others. Then when what I think is supposed to happen as a result doesn’t happen… what do I have left? Anger! Bitterness! Hatred! Resentment!

The love you are to have… not like Cain who’s religious works were evil… but the kind of love that lays down its life for another.

Here’s the model of love that we need to see” 1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Life… we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers, its not the word bios, its not our physical lives. Its the word psuché, and it means:

5590 psyxḗ (from psyxō, “to breathe, blow” which is the root of the English words “psyche,” “psychology”) – soul(psyche); a person’s distinct identity(unique personhood), i.e. individual personality.

He is saying you ought to lay down our ability to manifest something of our own selves and manifest that in us that is divine in nature.

You may give up your rights, whats important to you personally. In all actuality, you did give up your up life, you died with Him. Now he is your life! Jesus is the model in that he lived out of His Father’s life and that looked like love… thats what took Him to the cross.

Manifestation

1 John 3:23-24:

23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

“as I have loved you.” That command is the difference between the law and grace, the old and new covenants. Love was the priority in both … but when he say “as I loved you,” he’s not saying copy my example with all your strength and might.” He is saying literally “Let me love fill your heart and your being and then literally share my love… not your best effort at love.”

Because its His love its real and will have a concrete manifestation.

1 John 3: 17- 24

17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we [b]know that we are of the truth, and shall [c]assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

When we love as he does with his love, he says its by this that we know we are of the truth.

1 John 3:19-22

19 And by this we [b]know that we are of the truth, and shall [c]assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Not a works based assurance program, as if you appease God and relieve your own guilt by loving. When you are established in loving ashe loves, you know that what you when you are loving is His love through you, so you can’t take credit and try to get God points for it. Its actually His love in and through you, its fruit of the Spirit.

1 John 3:20-22For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

If your heart still condemn you before God, God is greater than your heart, he knows about you what you don’t yet fully know and believe, and the truth of its doesn’t rest on your subjective feelings about it.

There is an experience in life where your work before God is none other than to believe in Him, and the expression of his life in you is love for others… and that simplifies your life and brings a rest to you and your heart like no other life orientation can. Faith gets answers to prayer, and real faith is manifested through love.

God is committed to you not just possessing His nature, but expressing it.. and it looks like love.

[1]Lizette Larson-Miller, Sacramentality Renewed: Contemporary Conversations in Sacramental Theology (Collegeville,Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2016), 3.

365 1 John Series# 6, 3M Love, PowerPoint Slides

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#364 1 John Series# 5, Who’s Your Daddy?

By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

1 John 2:28 – 3:10

The Bible was not written to you but it was written for you.This was a personal letter written to very specific people 2000 years ago.

Must be held in context.

Jesus totally manifest God. I have fully experienced Him. You can have the same intimacy.It will fill you with great JOY!!! Come on and join the family!!!

“This is not a prescription for Christian living, this is a description of what happens when you get placed in Christ.”

Zach Sloane

1 John 1:5“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”Two types of people: 1. In Light 2. In Darkness

Gnosticism:—the teaching that the spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil.

Two extremes of this dualism:1. Ascetic teaching. You escape the evil realm through harsh treatment of your body.

Licentious teaching. Matter doesn’t matter.

The Anointing1 John 2:27 (AMP)“But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you;”You are smeared, rubbed pickled in the person and power of Holy Ghost! That’s how you overcome!!!

Acts 10:38 “How God anointedJesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

1 John 2:1-2“My little children,these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

TEXT: 1 John 2:28 – 1 John 3:10And now, little children, abide in Him, that [h]when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of [a]God! Therefore the world does not know [b]us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

1 John 3:1 What We Are “Children of God”

1 John 3:2 What We Shall Be “we shall be like Him”

1 John 3:3 What We Should Be “purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

7Little children, let no one deceive you.He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. WHO’S YOUR DADDY!!!

Sin Is Wrong Devil is source of all sin.Jesus Conquers Devil and Sin Jesus is the source of your victory.God is my Father He won’t let me continue in sin.

Two types of people: 1. In Light 2. In Darkness

1 Corinthians 15:22“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”One Of Two Natures: 1. In Adam 2. In Christ

Genesis 5:3“And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.”Nature:— inner self determined by birth. Adamic Nature:— born spiritually dead. Fleshly

John 1:12-13“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh,nor of the will of man, but of God.”

2 Corinthians 5:17“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”Divine Nature:— God like, absolutely new, completely holy, free from sin.

2 Peter 1:3-4“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness … that through these you may bepartakers of the divine naturehaving escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

When you act outside of the nature of God you are notbehaving like your regenerated self.

That’s when your faithhas to be activated. I am a child of God!!!Jesus as your advocatecompletely backs you up.

1 Peter 3:18“For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit,”

2 Corinthians 5:21“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”Romans 6:23“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Hebrews 2:14“Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,”

Romans 6:14“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Romans 6:17-18“But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. “

Two basic views of verse 91. Habitual— problem, sin is okay, its habitual sin that is bad NO NO NO!!!

Absolute— You are free form sin absolutely. It is never okay. Don’t do it. It is destructive.

“The provision for our salvation originated in the love of God. And since we have experienced the love of the Father, we have no desire to live in sin.” Warren Wiersbe

“He could have hardly meant that Christ sins not at all and those who abide in Him sin but not a lot. John’s point is clearly that sin is never an expression of abiding in Christ. When we abide we do not sin at all.”

Bob Wilkin — (Do BornAgain People Sin)

“All he thought about for three straight month prior was falling. It was the first time he ever thought about falling, alway before he thought about nothing but walking the tightrope.” Helen Wallenda — wife of Karl Wallenda

Hebrews 10:2 (b) “For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.”Freedom comes from your focus on His finished work and not on trying not to fail.

Hebrews 12:7-8 “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.”

When you successfully behave outside your Divine Nature you don’t break your fellowship with the Father.The Father will manifest His love for you by having a personal conversation with you about who you are.

DO YOU HATE SIN … Things that encroach on the manifestation of Divine Nature

364 1 John Series 5, Who’s Your Daddy? PowerPoint Slides

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#363 1 John Series# 4, Surrounded and Free

By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

The Bible was not written to you but it was written for you.This was a personal letter written to very specific people 2000 years ago.

We must understand who wrote this letter, who it was written to and why it was written.

John was more poetic … Paul was more of a systematic straight line written … big run-on sentence

Jesus totally manifest God.I have fully experienced Him.You can have the same intimacy.It will fill you with great JOY!!!Come on and join the family!!!

“This is not a prescription for Christian living, this is a description of what happens when you get placed in Christ.” Zach Sloane

1 John 1:5“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.”Two types of people: 1. In Light 2. In Darkness

Ephesians 5:18 “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”Colossians 1:13 “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,”He put you in … act of God … secure … you didn’t put yourself in and you can’t take your self out.

1 John 2:18-27“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the[a] Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. 20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you[b] know all things. 21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. 26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to [c]deceive you. 27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you [d]will abide in Him.”

1 John3:24-4:6Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess [a]that Jesus [b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Gnosticism:—the teaching that the spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil.

Two extremes of this dualism:1. Ascetic teaching. You escape the evil realm through harsh treatment of your body. Secret Knowledge2. Licentious teaching. Matter doesn’t matter. Do what you want in the flesh realm … unrelated to Spirit

Antichrists and False prophets:1 John 2:22 “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist…”

1 John 4:4-6 “Many false prophets …and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist.

John 16:7Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

John 16:12-15“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He [c]will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-16But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the [d]Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

The Anointing1 John 2:27 (AMP)“But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you;”

Anointing:– The person and power of Holy Spirit working through humanity to accomplish the or a divine purpose. The unction to function.

Jesus didn’t do any supernatural acts without the anointing.Spirit “came upon Him” Lk 3:21-22 Spirit “led (drove) Him” Lk 4:1

Spirit “empowered Him” Lk 4:14 Spirit “anointed Him” Lk 4:18-21

Acts 10:38“How God anointed Jesus of Nazarethwith the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Acts 2:22“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth,a Man attested by God to youby miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—…”

John 14:12 “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.”What happens when He goes to the Father … send Holy Ghost!

Luke 24:49“Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Acts 1:8“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;…”

Power:– {dunamis} inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, explosive

Power to produce 5 things:1. Miracles 2. Morality 3. Money 4. Multiplication 5. Movement

Anointed are divinely advantaged.The anointing is tangible. The anointing flows. The anointing can be stored.

The anointing is to be released into the affairs of earth to manifest the rule of the Kingdom.

1 John 4:17“…because as he is, so are we in this world.”How is He right now?

He is reigning and ruling.

He is seated and victorious.

363 1 John Series# 4, Surrounded and Free, PowerPoint Slides

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#362 1 John Series# 3, Eyes Wide Open To Love

By: Zach Sloane

1 John 2:7-17

RECAP– A messy book, written to a messy community, so that they can know Jesus is God, he was fully experienced, they can have same fellowship, and they can have complete joy.

Written to different groups within the community with different issues. Some were denying the reality of Jesus’ humanity, of His Messiahship, and false teachers were splitting the church.

John recaps message. God is Light, and Jesus is that light. You are either in Him or out of Him. Cannot deny reality of Jesus, nor your need for Him and have fellowship with God. Fellowship with God and cleansing happen in Christ, but in Christ they are yours once and for all.

Says if not in Christ, easy fix. Say same thing God’s does about your sin and he will will forgive (send away) your sins, not by dying and shedding blood again, but by placing you in Christ

1 John 2:1-2:6 (NIV) 2 My dear children, [ those who have embraced Jesus, who do believe and are in the Light]I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Could read that to say “I’m writing you this, warning you, now that I’ve written you these instructions “do not sin.” And some read it this way like John is trying to appeal to people’s best human efforts.

I believe he is really saying that: The message that you are in Him, and in Him you have fellowship and forgiveness, the sending way of your sin, cleansing, that message is so powerful it has the re-creative power of God inherent with in it to make you a new creation and free from sin’s power.

Sanctified Over-comers!!!!See if you come to same conclusion.

1 John 2:7-17(NKJV)7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard [b]from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one. 15 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. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

What do you hear? Sounds too good?

James 1:23-25For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

When you look in the word, when you hear it.. its like looking in a mirror. You should see yourself in there.

John 5:39-40

39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.

Scriptures are about Jesus. So how do I see myself? In Christ!

1 John 4:17 “…as He is, so are we in this world.”

Not saying when you don’t do the word, or you do what the word says not to do, then you are a bad person, that who you are changes. NO! It says you have forgotten who you really are, what you really look like in Christ.

What did Paul say?

2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Transformation not progressive sanctification. Think of it as diverse …glory to meet every new occasion and moment… not one level of glory to the next.

1 John 2:7-8 (NKJV)Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.

Confusing language. Not new, old, but again a new one. “… the commandment is the word or the message you heard from the beginning.”

What message? 1 John 1 :5 “that message that he said he had heard and passed on to them.. that message that “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.”

The new command is a new message and here it is in the next verses:

1 John 2:9-11“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

Walking in the light is nothing more walking in Christ… and walking in darkness is being outside of Christ. When you are in the Light… in Christ. You do love your brother.

Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment:

John 13:34 (NKJV)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

As. The law told you that you needed to love… the law was supposed to move people along towards love.

Matthew 26:36-40“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Law said to love God and love others. So what was different about the New Commandment that Jesus gave? It was that it also empowered the fulfillment of the command.

Difference between OT and NT, law and grace, its not love verses legalism. According to Jesus, love is at the heart of both covenants.

The real difference is this: its the Spirit verses the letter. Its living in your own strength to comply with a written code verses living by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Living out of your unionwith Him.

You are empowered and John wants you to know that. You are empowered because you are in Christ and Christ is in you. You are in the light therefore, because the Light that He is is LOVE, You do love your brother.

Well how can that be. I am an unloving Christian or I know some.

You can get messed up, worried.. “uh oh… I didn’t love my brother perfectly… I must be in the darkness.”

Not meant to be a test, not a call to perform. He is saying You do love because God is in you and God is love.

So how do we know this? And what if your experience of yourself or other Christians doesn’t match this reality?

1 John 4:8 “… God is love.”

1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)

But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love…”

Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

John says you will love if you are in the light because you are in Christ, and Christ in you is Love. Not giving you a test, but making a statement of fact concerning who you are in Christ and what being in Christ does to you and in you.

The new command to love as He loves is not a call to progressive sanctification through love, but to help you realize because you are in the Light in Him, you can love, you do love…so love big and bold and confident.

BUT that’s not what my experience shows me.

If you are in a light room with eyes closed or blindfold on, you act like you’re in the dark but you’re not. You are in light. What you need is open eyes or take blindfold off. That’s what John is doing. Opening eyes and taking blindfold off by saying, you are in the light and it looks like love, embrace it!

This what I believe the next verses are all about.

1 John 2:12-14I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

He writes to them to help them see what is true of them in Christ… not commend their performance or call them to perform. He is prophesying to them. He is helping them take the blindfolds off.. helping them open their eyes to see who they are in Christ… sanctified overcomes who know God, have overcome the evil one in Christ, to help them know that they are strong in the lord and that Gods word does abide in them, and that they can be confident.. they do know Him who is from the beginning, and in that knowledge can be faithful re-producers of what they know.

1 John 2:15-17Do 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 lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Have to read that he is talking to you in your identity in Christ… writing to help you see who you are in Him and what the love that is at work in you looks like.

Cosmos although can refer to the people in the world, it can also mean 2889kósmos(literally, “something ordered“) – properly, an “orderedsystem” (like the universe, creation); the world.

And what John is saying is that this world system, this ordered system is all about the pride of life, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. It’s a system built on corruption and corrupting influences that perpetuate themselves in the system it creates.

John is saying, “you are in the light and the light is love., but that love, its not a love for the world, the system that is built and perpetuated by these corrupting forces.. its a love for people, a love for your brother and its a love that does not scandalize or trap and ensnare.

1 John 2:10“he who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him…” it can also read there is no cause for stumbling in it. In the light! Some translations, amplified Bible included translate him as it. It’s the Greek word autosand it means “he she it they them.” It’s all one word. So when they translate the Bible translators have a bunch of options to choose from and some chose “it”, or at the very least, make a footnote to show you that it’s a strong possibility.

skandalon: a stick for bait (of a trap), generally a snare, a stumbling block, an offense. Original Word: σκάνδαλον

When you read that its read like this: v10 “He who loves his brother is abides in the light, and there nothing dangerous like a snare or the trigger of a trap in the light that Jesus is.. it’s perfect love and a perfect light.

The light is a love that doesn’t trap and ensnare. It’s actually the opposite… it liberates and sets free. Where as love of the world will be a skandalonto you. It will trap you. That love he says is not of the father. He’s comparing the love that is God’s light in you and hey, it’s different that the love of the world… it doesn’t ensnare or trap you or others.

So when you put it all together…

John writes to reiterate the original message .. God is Light and in Him is no darkness. And as result of being in Him… there is a power at work in you to walk like he did. And the new commandment is true in Him, and in you, and it’s all about loving as God loves, empowered with His very love to love.

It’s a prophecy. Its telling you who you are in Christ, that you are in the light, and in the light you are an overcomer, you are strong, you do know Him, His word does abide in you, your sins are forgiven… see it, live in that light, in Christ, and you will love.

And that love.. it’s not like the love you see in the world, it does not consist of those corrupting influences like lust… it’s the kind of love that will set you free, never snare you, never trap you, and liberate all those who encounter it.

The Blindfold is coming off. Your eyes are open to love! See that you are in the light and therefore you can and do love. You’re not being tested but spoken over. He’s calling something out of you, he’s opening your eyes and imparting something to you, and it looks like love. You are an overcomer and you do abide forever.

362 1 John Series# 3, Eyes Wide Open to Love, PowerPoint Slides

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#361 1 John Series# 2, Really Good News

By: Zach Sloane

1 JOHN 1:5 – 2:6

RECAP: PURPOSE FOR WRITING

Jesus Was God Manifest- The Word of Life – The Full Picture of God.
We Experienced Him Fully – touched, tasted, handled, heard, seen!
Enjoy The Same Fellowship – with each other and with God.
Overwhelmed with Joy.

CONTEXT: To whom

Not written to you but is FOR you.

Written to a Christian community that was a mixed group. From the letter we know that it was a divided community, filled with all sorts of people.

1 John 2:19 talk about those who “went out from us, but who didn’t really belong to us.”

1 John 2:26 talks about those trying to “lead them astray.”

Different audiences, different issues being addressed, all in same letter.

Teachings that denied reality of Jesus and Incarnation, Docetism.

Denied reality of sin and that life in the body matters, Gnosticism.

1 John 1:5-10: a general recap of the overall message. Its written to non-believers and to believers who need to hear a re-cap of the basic message, so they don’t get caught up in the false teaching, and to those who have never heard the Gospel before.

1 John 1:5-10(NIV)5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.* 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in u*s. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.* 10* If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

John with all life experience with Jesus says: this is the message “God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges:

“No figure borrowed from the material world could give the idea of perfection so clearly and fully as light. It suggests ubiquity, brightness, happiness, intelligence, truth, purity, holiness. It suggests excellence without limit and without taint; an excellence whose nature it is to communicate itself and to pervade everything from which it is not of set purpose shut out. ‘Let there be light’ was the first fiat of the Creator; and on it all the rest depends. Light is the condition of beauty, and life, and growth, and activity.”[1]

Darkness is actually the absence of light – it’s not really a thing. Its where God is not.

All that is to say this… God is not a mixture of Light and dark, good and evil. He is Light and that Light was manifested in the person of Jesus Christ.

Not saying, “hey if you do wrong things, things associated with darkness, like secret sins etc. yet still claim to have fellowship with God you are a liar.

If you are in Christ you are in the light. God is light… and Jesus came as God… as the Light that God is in a human form.

John 12:46 (NIV)

46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

John 8:12 (NIV)

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 1:4-10 (NIV)In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcomeit. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.

Jesus is the light. You are in Him or out of Him. So, you too depending on whether you are in Christ or out of Christ are in darkness or light.

Ephesians 5:8 “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

I Thessalonians 5:5 “For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.”

Colossians 1:13 “God has rescued you, delivered you from the power of darkness, and transferred you into the kingdom of His Beloved Son.”

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NKJV)

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

Once in the light…these are the benefits:

1.) We have fellowship with one another.

Churchy word but really powerful.

koinōnía(a feminine noun) – properly, what is sharedin commonas the basis of fellowship(partnership, community).

1 Corinthians 1:9 “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son, is faithful.” YOU AND THE FATHER HAVE JESUS IN COMMON.

2.) The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

If already in Christ, blood cleanses you once and for all.

Hebrews 9:24-28 (NKJV)“…but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many….”

Puts away = athétēsis– properly, annulment (cancellation), i.e. what is rendered “no longer in effect” (literally, “no longer having a place”).

Sin is a noun… it’s not a verb in 1 John 1:9. Sin is a thing that almost has a life of its own. It is the combined power of an ignorance induced selfishness that comes from failing to see God, yourself or others correctly.

Not saying cleanses you from your sinning as often as you do it.

Lots of times when you read sin, your sin, etc. in the NT you need to read it as a noun. Not talking about things, you do as much as a thing called sin, out of which you do bad things.

| 266 [e] hamartias ἁμαρτίας . sin N-GFS |

Verse 8, is another give away that he is actually talking here to non-believers. Its says If we say, “we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truths not in us.”

Diatribe – where you parrot your opponent’s perspective. You say what they say, but you include in your writing.

People need to know sin is a problem.

Strategy: make everyone feel miserable. vs. H. Spirit and Jesus strategy: “convict of sin for not believing in Jesus.” e.g. Peter – Reveal God’s overwhelming goodness.

Luke 5:4-11

“…8 When Simon Peter saw it,he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken…they forsook all and followed Him.”

Sin is an issue. BUT…Good news: 1 John 1:9 “If you confess your sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Only couple times in Bible after the cross is forgiveness described as a verb, as something that God does. Usually, after the cross forgiveness is a noun, its a thing, its something that God gives.

Jesus said in Luke 24:47 “

“…that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Acts 5:31 (NKJV)

“Him [Jesus] God has exalted to His right hand to bePrince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Both cases forgiveness is a noun. It means áphesis(from 863/aphíēmi, “send away, forgive” ) – properly, “something sent away”

Your sins are forgiven, as in He doesn’t hold them against us (2Corinthians 5:19), but until you accept Jesus, they still remain on you and affect you. Sin still affects you even though God doesn’t hold it against you.

2 Words for forgiveness.

Two Greek words are used to translate the word “forgive.” The first is charizomai, from the word charis, which means “grace.” This word appears 27 times in New Testament. It means “to bestow a favor unconditionally; to show one’s self gracious, kind, benevolent; or to grant forgiveness, to pardon.

By contrast, our word, aphiemi, means “to send away.”

1 John 1:9 is the word aphiemi. Sends away. And he does this in your life through placing you in Christ and what he accomplished 2000 years ago.

So, do believers need to acquire forgiveness every time they sin? No!

It was accomplished at the cross.

Do believers need to come out from under the power of sin every time they sin? No!

To confess your sin its simply this: to you say the same thing about sin that God does, Say this : In christ you are forgiven, sin’s power is broken and put away, “I am free.”

1 John 2:1-2:6 (NIV)2 My dear children, [those who have embraced Jesus, who do believe and are in the Light]I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Not a warning to not sin, or invitation to stir up flesh… but a promise and impartation through the preaching of the cross. The Gospel brings with it its own power…

I write this to you that you may not sin. BUT… if anyone does sin. If you do..

The greek word advocate is παράκλητονparakletos, Strongs #3875. OR “comforter” or “helper.”

Greek word for “with” πρόςpros strong #4314, as “moving toward a destination.”

Jesus moves you towards the Father so you will see that even if you are in Christ, in the light, and you do a dark deed.. He is still your Father, the Father of lights (of you). You are still a child of THE Light.

And the one that does this, that moves us toward the Father, is none other than the one who is Himself “the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

SO heres the deal:

He is writing to help you know you are in Christ, what that means for you, how you can get in Him, and then to share a message that has enough power in it to make you not sin. BUT THEN, even if you do… Jesus, Him who’s very being screams our at-one-ment with God, is there to help redirect our focus to the Father and reassure you that you are still a child of the Light.

And if that’s not enough, he has more good news.

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.

1 John 3:23 “And this is his commandant, that we believe in His Son Jesus Christ, and the we love one another, just as he commanded us.”

4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. On the contrary:**

“5 …if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Read these statements as tests and apply them to yourself, you are ignoring the reality of the Good News he just shared.

And that’s this: God is Light and that Light is Jesus. If you are in Him, you do have fellowship with Him and His blood cleanses you once or all. If you are not in Him, don’t lie and say you have no sin and you are ok. Instead, just say the same thing about your sins that God does, that they are done, put away, destroyed in and by Christ and His blood, and he will release you from sins power in your life by placing you in Christ.

And then, what’s even better is that the power of this Good News, that God is Light, and you are in Him, is powerful enough to make you free, and if embraced and believed, it has the power inherent within it to make you walk like Jesus did, and manifest the complete love of God everywhere you go.

THATS ALL REALLY GOOD NEWS!

[1]http://biblehub.com/commentaries/1_john/1-5.htm. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges.

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#360 1 John Series# 1, Experience Divine Union

By: Pastor Karl Thomas

Experience Divine Union, 1 John 1:1-4

The Bible was not written to you but it was written for you.This was a personal letter written to very specific people 2000 years ago.

We must understand who wrote this letter, who it was written to and why it was written.

The Author — JohnMatthew 4:21-22“He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.”Mark 3:17“James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder’”

Luke 9:54 “James and John saw this, they said, ‘Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did’”John was thought to be the youngest disciple. Probably late teens.

1 John 4:8“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”John 13:23“Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.”Jesus loves ME!!! Not sharing a theological paper but telling you about God my greatest friend!!!

John 19:26-27“When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, ‘Woman, behold your son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’ And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John take care of my Mom!!!

Tertullian in his writing “The Prescription of Heretics”spoke of John being publicly boiled in oil by Emperor Domitian at Rome and suffering nothing from it. It is said that all in the audience of Colosseum were converted to Christianity upon witnessing this miracle.

He was older when he did his writings … reflecting back on his experience with Jesus and with CHURCH … wants to be sure they don’t get led astray!!!

1 John 4:15 “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”Matthew 16:16-17 “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God … flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” Salvation comes as an act of God … Faith alone!!!

These are not conditions or tests to determine if your a child of God.2:9“He who hates his brother is in darkness.”3:8“He who sins is of the devil.”3:14 “He who does not love his brother abides in death.”These are calls to express your fellowship. God’s word brings life not fear and insecurity … know you have life

I John 1:1-4“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that [a]your joy may be full.”

1. Jesus Was God ManifestJohn 1:14 (NLT) “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

John 1:18 (NLT)“No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.”Jesus is the clear revelation of God! He was personally revealed to me.

2. We Experienced Him Fully“we have heard”(akouō):— to attend to, consider what is or has been said, to understand, perceive the sense of what is said.

He didn’t talk like anyone else. Had authority … But people would follow him and listen for days

He turned things around. Not you must serve God but God came to serve you. He loves you accepts you!!!

He was gracious and kind. You enjoyed listening to him. He got invited to all the parties. Never rude!

He prayed to His Father. When he pray he talked to His father … told us to do it to. He fulfilled law … He was the way

“we have seen”(horaō) :— to stare at, to discern clearly, to see with the mind, to perceive, know.

He did some amazing things. / Turned water into wine. / Walked water and calmed storms.

Miraculous catch of fish. / Fed thousands!!! / Walked through walls.

“we have looked upon”(theaomai):—to behold, look upon, view attentively, contemplate, look with admiration.

Gave widow back her son. / Restored Samaritan woman. / Touched lepers.

Loved sinners. Zacheaus / Healed all comers!

“hands have handles” (psēlaphaō) :— to handle, touch and feel.

I used to lean on Him to eat. / His hand fed me breakfast. / We jumped around together.

He washed my feet! / Thomas touched his nail scared hand!

3. Enjoy The Same Fellowship(koinōnia):—intimacy, communion, joint participation, intercourse

Be a part of the family of God

Enter complete union with the greatest community ever!

Forever experiencing

UNION with CHRIST!!!

4. Be Overwhelmed With Joy(chara):— gladness, cheerfulness to experience exceeding great joy.

A living abiding relationship with Jesus will give you JOY on the inside that will never fail no matter what is happening in your life!!!

Jesus totally manifest God.I have fully experienced Him.You can have the same intimacy.It will fill you with great JOY!!!Come on and join the family!!!

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#359 Let It Rain

By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

Psalm 72:8“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,And from the River to the ends of the earth.”

Dominion:– dominance or power through legal authority; Sovereign or supreme authority. “He shall have dominion…”

“…Canada and the Canadian church is going to rise up once again and go to the four corners of the world and bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to pave the way for His second coming.” CHO

Challenges To God’s Glory

The Ways Of Jeroboam Substituting reason for revelation.
The Spirit Of Jezebel Jezebel:– without cohabitation.
The Rebuilding Substituting flesh for grace.

Malachi 4:5“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.” We have a responsibility in our day to the ability of God.

Mark 9:12“Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things.”

God…Use Me!

1 Kings 17:1“And (Now) Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

TEXT: 1Kings 17:2-7“Go from here and turn east and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, east of the Jordan. You shall drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there … he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith”

A Working Revelation Of The New Covenant Is A Must!Cherith:– cutting. (Root) to cut a covenant

There:– A place in God where we learn His ways.

Dwelt:– to remain, to set, to be inhabited

Luke 22:20“This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”

The provisions of Old Covenant:Obey God resulted in blessing. Disobey Him brought curses.

Deuteronomy 30:15-18“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,…”

Jeremiah 31:31-34“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant … I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Hebrews 7:22“Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.”

Hebrews 8:6 “…He is also Mediator of a better covenant.”

Better Priest —Jesus

Better Hope—Now and forever

Better Promises— He will…

Better Sacrifice— His Blood

The Old covenant do do do

The New covenant done done done

You can’t confront Ahab, the prophets of baal, and call down fire from heaven if you don’t have a working revelation of the New Covenant! You must have peace in you heart before you confront the chaos without!

Pass the testing of: Zarephath Manifesting New Covenant truth in community.

1Kings 17:7-24Zarephath:– refinery, to smelt, to refine, to test and prove true. A place where what you have developed in private gets worked out in public.

The Test Of ObedienceVs 7-10 “the brook dried up”

Brook dried up – God knows

Word of Lord – God speaks

Zarephath – God leads

God hasn’t lost track of you and has not misplaced you.

1. The Test Of Relationship vs. 10-15

Others:– the vehicle God uses to work out what He has worked in.

James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visitthe fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

See with your heart and not your eyes.

III. Test Of Physical Impossibilities

1. Flour and OilDon’t be afraid – build faith

Make me cake first – God first

To live in the supernatural you must exhaust all of your resources.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

2. Her SonOften people you help turn on you.

Trials expose the heart.

Learn the tender response.

Take your impossibilities to His Presence.

1 Kings 17:24 “By this I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”

Know covenant keeping God.

Knowhow to minister life and release to souls caught in a death grip.

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#358 Influencing Your Sphere

By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

boyslife.org What to do if your lost in the woods. STOP!S. Stay calm: You can’t use your brain well if you’re in a panic.

T. Think: How did you get here? Get out your map and see what you can figure out.

O. Observe: Look for your footprints. What about landmarks? Find the clues and maybe you can solve mystery of where you are.

P. Plan:If you’re pretty sure of the way back, move carefully. But what if you’re wrong? Mark your trail as you move.

John 4:3-4 “He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed togo through Samaria.”Jesus had a Divine appointment for one individual.Jesus on purpose put His disciples in a very awkward situation.

John 4:39“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all that I ever did.’” A Whole Town Comes To Jesus. Notice the PERSON Notice The PASSION

Vision Statement: “Transforming Lives To Impact Their World.”Their: pronoun a form of the possessive case of they used as an attributive adjective, before a noun: their home; their rights as citizens

Sam Williams— “Evangelism is helping people discover how God is already at work in their lives.”

2 Corinthians 10:13-16 (ESV) “…the area of influence God assigned to usis to reach you… But our hope is that as your faith increases, our area of influence may be greatly enlarged, so that we may preach the gospel in lands beyond you.”

2 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) “We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the spherewhich God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you.”

2 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) “But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rulewhich God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.”

Rule(kanon):— a definitely bounded or fixed space within the limits of which one’s power of influence is confined

You have a sphere of influence.

Acts 16:31 “So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’”Household(oikos):— the place where one has fixed his residence, family, descendants of one.

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth.” SALTSee As Jesus – Value Accept As Jesus – Where they are

Love As Jesus – Unconditional Touch As Jesus – Transformational

Identify My Sphere:

1. My PeopleMark 5:19 “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”Who do you spend your time with each week? That’s your PEOPLE.Average person has 12 people they spend at least an hour of intimate time. Track your time one week.

2. My Place

Acts 17:26-27“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him…”

3. My PassionPsalm 37:4“Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.”

Impact My Sphere1. My Mannor

Colossians 4:5-6“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live,…”

2. My Moments

Psalm 37:23 (NLT) “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.”

3. My Message

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,…”

2 Corinthians 5:18-19“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

Matthew 5:14-16You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Luke 19:5 (NCV) “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today.”

Tree climbers are all around you! Be Aware – Share – Prayer – Care

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#357 Health Hacks Series# 4, Healing Mandate

By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

Luke 2:49“And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?’”Healing is the Father’s business and we as His children should express His business well!

Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”We have been given the same mandate. GO!!!

TWO BASIC WAYS JESUS MINISTERED HEALING!“Heal”:—(Therapeuo)is the wisdom of God which releases cures and provides healing … a number of approaches for curing a sickness, which include miraculous healing and casting out demons.

Matthew 8:7 “Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and healhim.’”

“Healed”:—(Iaomai)the power of God which releases miraculous healing and casting out of demons.

Matthew 8:13 “And Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed that very moment.”

John 9:1-7 (NKJV)Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying,“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I[a] must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”(which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.

Original Greek TextTransition to new thought. Totally unrelated to previous test of thought. Stands alone.

(NIV) John 9:2-3“Rabbi, who sinned, (Gets the blame) this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,”said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”John 9:2-3“But in order that the works of God might be revealed in him, it is necessary for us to work the works of the one who sent me while it is day.”Don’t play the blame game! Release the Kingdom!

7 Basic ways healing is ministered1. Believers AnointingMk 16:17-18“And these signs will follow those who believe: … they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

2. Local ChurchJames 5:14-15“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

3. AnointingActs 19:11-12“Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.”

4. Spiritual Gift1Cor. 12:9-11“…to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, … But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

5. 5-fold GiftPeter (Apostle) Acts 9:34“And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately.”Philip (Evangelist) Acts 8:5-7 “Then Philip went down to the[a] city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. …and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.”

6. Corporate AnointingLuke 5:17“And the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”

7. The WordPsalm 107:20“He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.”Proverbs 4:20 22“My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.”

Acts 3:6-13 Peter and John ministered healing.“But what I do have that I give to you.”vs. 6 What did Peter have that he was willing to give away?

1. Peter Had Revelation“By His wounds you have been healed.”1 Peter 2:24We must get our doctrine right on healing.

2. Peter Had Authority.“Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.”Luke 9:1 He knew this by experience!

3. Peter Had The AnointingActs 1:8Dunamis:– POWER

1John 2:20,27{AMP}“…the anointing … which you received from Him abides [permanently]in you;…”

4. Peter Had The NameActs 3:6 “…in [the use of] the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!”Acts 8:12 “…he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,…”

5. Peter Had Active FaithActs 3:4“Look at us!”Look(Blepo):– steady, expectant, attentive, and all absorbing stare.

Expect to be used by God every day. The Holy Ghost in you wants to get out!!!

We Must Be About The Father’s Business

1. Start Ministering Healing2. Keep On Ministering Healing3. Don’t Stop Ministering Healing

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#356 Health Hacks Series# 3, Spirit of Faith

By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

Hebrews 11:1, 6 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Matthew 9:28-30“And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.”

Mark 9:19, 22-24 “Jesus said to them, ‘You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.’” — “‘The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.’ ‘What do you mean, ‘If I can’?’Jesus asked. ‘Anything is possible if a person believes.’ The father instantly cried out, ‘I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!’”

Hebrews 11:35, 39-40 “There were others… These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”

Let me just do everything I need to fill up my faith bucket and then I can trade for what I desire!

NO!!! Our faith is not in faith. The object of our faith is a Loving God who is the source of every good thing.

Luke 17:5-6 Message “The apostles came up and said to the Master, ‘Give us more faith.’ But the Master said, ‘You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it.”’”

4 Basics Of Faith:

1. Faith Is A LAW. Romans 3:27“…but by the law of faith.”2. Faith Is A Gift. Mark 11:22“Have (the) faith in (of)God.”Romans 12:3“God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

3. Faith Comes Hearing Word Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”Don’t lack the ability to believe but the knowledge of what to believe.Isaiah 5:13“…captivity, because they have no knowledge.”

4. Faith Works By Believing And Confessing Mark 11:23-24“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Romans 4:16NLT“So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it,”

(AMP) “Therefore, [inheriting] the promise is the outcome of faith and depends [entirely] on faith, in order that it might be given as an act of grace (unmerited favor), to make it stable and valid and guaranteed to all his descendants”

Romans 4:17 {MSG} “We call Abraham “father” not because he got God’s attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody … because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do…”

Romans 4:17 {AMP} “…in the sight of Godin Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and speaksof the nonexistent things that [He has foretold and promised] as if they [already] existed.”

Abraham got eye to eye with God!!

Romans 4:20 KJV“He staggered notat the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; STAY IN FAITH … DON’T QUIT ON YOUR BELIEF …

Abraham crossed over into a realm where no man had gone before.A less than perfect man began to operate out of the same life force as God.A man expressing the DNA of God. A man lifted up in the sight of God doing the God sort of stuff.Declares things that are not as though they were.

David operated in the Spirit of Faith!2 Corinthians 4:13 “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak,” That was David in Psalm 116:10.

Principles of faith are taught. — The Spirit Of Faith is caught!!! Heart after God! A contagious Spirit of Faith!2 Samuel 21:22 “These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.” Now everyone is killing giants!

Acts 13:22“I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart,which shall fulfil all my will.”Your heart (your spirit, inner man) is your believing mechanism.Provide God with a heart that is fertile soil for His supernatural expression.

7 Attitudes Of A Heart That Manifests The Spirit Of Faith1. Heart That Is DelightfulRomans 15:13“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

2. Heart That Is DreamingProverbs 29:18 (ESV)“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, (They are discouraged, Quit)”Your imagination is a self-fulfilling prophecy.Your dominant thoughts are directing you.

3. Heart That Is DeterminedRomans 8:31“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”God has only good plans for me! God wants to give me good things! God wants me to enjoy life!

4. Heart That Is DecisivePsalm 37:23 NLT“The Lord directs the stepsof the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”Make up your mind. Get in gear. Get your foot in the air and God will bring it down.

5. Heart That Is DemandingIsaiah 45:11“…and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.” God wants you to ask and keep on asking! Be Bold with the promises!!!

6. Heart That Is Declaring1 Samuel 16:36 “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them,…” Job 22:28 “You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.”

7. Heart That Is Daring2 Samuel 23:11“But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.”

2 Corinthians 4:13 “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak,” Keep your believer and your speaker connected!

356 Health Hacks Series# 3, Spirit of Faith, PowerPoint Slides

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#355 Health Hacks Series# 2, Healing Communion

By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

Luke 22:19-20“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.ʼ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.ʼ”

“The Holy Spirit never brings condemnation He always reveals the blood.”Smith Wigglesworth

Oct. 14, 2014 ABC NEWS“Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly has donated the plasma in his blood to three patients in the last month, echoing what one of his former patients did for him before he left Liberia.”

Dr. Brantley went over with the organization “Samaritans Purse” and was working with those who had been quarantined with the virus. He became ill with the virus … was given a transfusion from a 14 year old boy who had overcome the virus before he was shipped back to the states. He overcame the virus as well!

Dr. William Schaffner“…an Ebola survivor’s blood can be imported into struggling Ebola patient’s body, those antibodies can theoretically help the patient’s immune system fight off the deadly virus. What those antibodies do is bind to the virus. They find the virus and bind to it and prevent it from multiplying further.”

“Here’s how it works: When confronted with a virus, the immune system creates antibodies to specifically target that virus, kill it and keep it from coming back, he said. Once a person has antibodies,they stay in their blood for life.”

Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist:“Towards the end of each battle to stop an infection, some T-cells and B-cells turn into Memory T-cells and Memory B-cells. As you would expect from their name, these cells remember the virus or bacteria they just fought.

These cells live in the body for a long time, even after all the viruses from the first infection have been destroyed. They stay in the ready-mode to quickly recognize and attack any returning virus or bacteria.”

Hebrews 13:20-21“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, … , through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you completein every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Colossians 1:20-22 “…having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mindby wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight…”

Hebrews 10:2, 10, 18 “For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins… For by one offering He has perfected foreverthose who are being sanctified … Now where there is remissionof these, there is no longer an offering for sin.”

Cheryl Thomas“I love that the word says that the blood speaks. It says, ‘…the sprinkled blood of Jesus speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.’(Hebrews 12:24)It always speaks. The word doesn’t say it spoke and done, but it speaks. It remains a plea on the mercy…”

“…seat in heaven with God and it’s a testimony to us. The blood has a voice. It is the voice of a new system, a new covenant, a new dispensation. Abels blood cries out for vengeance and Christ’s blood speaks of pardon.”

Isaiah 43:26“Put Me in remembrance; Let us contend together; State your case, that you may be acquitted.”

Isaiah 43 25-26 (LB) “ I, yes, I alone am he who blots away your sins for my own sakeand will never think of them again. Oh, remind me of this promise of forgiveness, for we must talk about your sins. Plead your case for my forgiving you.”

The blood will speak by the power of the Spirit to every circumstance in your life!!!

You just have to agree with the proceeding word by getting it on your mouth.

The blood will position you for constant victory!

Revelation 12:10-11 “…who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamband by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”

I Plead The Blood!His Blood Remembers His: Surrender Obedience Righteousness VictoryWhen sin or sickness try to encroach the Blood of Jesus is activated by your voice to bind and eliminate the attack.

Covenant – a solemn agreement between two parties for the purposes of creating and maintaining a successful relationship.

You donʼt take communion, you receivecommunion.

Lords Table – Remember Me!Not a call to commiserate his suffering or our sin, but a call to commemorate His triumph.“It is finished!”Eucharist:– gratitude, thanks/grace

355 Health Hacks Series# 2, Healing Communion, PowerPoint Slides

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#354 Health Hacks Series# 1, Healing Encounters

By: Pastor D. Karl Thomas

Jesus didn’t come to just give us eternal life He came to give us victorious life.1 Thessalonians 5:23“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

3 John 1:2“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Exodus 15:26 “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians.For I am the Lord who heals you.”

Exodus 23:25“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness awayfrom the midst of you.”Deuteronomy 7:15“And the Lord will take away from you all sickness,”

Psalm 103:3“Who forgivesall your iniquities, Who healsall your diseases,”These are linked together in the Bible. They go together.

Luke 4:16-21 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, … anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; …to heal the brokenhearted, …liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; …Todaythis Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Matthew 4:23-24“…preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of diseaseamong the people … they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.”

Isaiah 53:4-5 (AMP)“Surely He has borne our griefs(sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].”

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.”

Matthew 8:16-17“When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilledwhich was spoken by Isaiahthe prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.’”

1 Peter 2:24“…who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.”Hebrews 13:8“Jesus Christ is the sameyesterday, today, and forever.”

Luke 4:40“When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.”

Of the 1,257 narrative verses in the Gospels 484 (38.5 percent) are devoted to describing healing miracles.

Acts 9:33-35 “…had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.”

How do you get healed? Same way you got forgiveness.He graciously provided it and you by believing Him received it.

Ephesians 2:8“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”sode’-zo:— rescue, save from destruction, heal, restore health

Matthew 10:8“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” We have been given the same mandate. GO!!!

Mark 16:17-18“And these signs will follow those who believe: …they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

2 Healing Encounters Of Jesus: 1. Jesus Initiates John 5:1-15He was qualified. — He was waiting. — He was distracted. — He was confronted. — He was healed.He was attacked. — He was telling everyone.

John 5:1-15“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem (Teaching of PEACE double peace)by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda,(House of olives House Of Mercy){HE WAS QUALIFIED —HE WAS IN THE PLACE OCE OF BLESSING}having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, [b]paralyzed, [c]waiting for the moving of the water.4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmitythirty-eight years. {HE WAS WAITING — WHERE WERE YOU 38 YEARS AGO}6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

{HE WAS CONFRONTED}7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man{HE WAS DISTRACTED}to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” DECEIVED ABOUT THE SOURCE AND AVAILABILITY OF HIS HEALING8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. {HE WAS HEALED — JESUS WORDS HAVE POWER}And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” {HE WAS ATTACKED — RELIGIOUS CAN’T SEE STRAIGHT}11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” (UNBELIEF — SIN HAS PUNISHMENT ALL OF ITS OWN)15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.” {HE AS TELLING EVERYONE — JESUS MADE ME WELL}

2. We Initiate John 4:49-51“The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” 50 Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. 51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!”

YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT — YOUR IN THE PLACE OF SHALOM, OLIVES, MERCY — DO YOU WANT TO BE MADE WELL

“__________, Jesus the Christ heals you.”

354 Healing Hacks Series# 1, Healing Encounters, PowerPoint Slides

Impact Church London Podcast: Recent Episodes

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425 The Jesus Trip, Miracles (10:45 am Service) By: Pastor Vincent James from Jamaica No notes or PowerPoint for the video message.

420 The Jesus Trip, There Is A River By: D. Karl Thomas (Sermon notes & PowerPoint Slides links are at the bottom of the page to print or review) Ezekiel 47 1-12 “In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath […]

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405 The Jesus Trip, The Proverbs 31 Woman By: Tim Godfrey No Sermon notes, please see the PowerPoint Slides below. The Jesus Trip, Proverbs 31 Woman, PowerPoint Slides, PDF

402 The Jesus Trip, What Is God Looking For? By: D. Karl Thomas No Sermon Notes, please take a look at the PowerPoint slides. The Jesus Trip, What Is God Looking For?, PowerPoint Slides, PDF The Jesus Trip, What is God Looking For?, Group Discussion Questions – Week #4, to print, PDF

385 The Jesus Trip, Two Trees By: D. Karl Thomas (See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes & PowerPoint Slides) The Bible was not given to man so that he could fix his story. The Bible is His story and how you can find your place in it. You don’t […]

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