Latitude Church: Recent Episodes
Jason Smith
Title: Are you in good hands?
Bottom Line: Our relationship with God can be summed up by three things: TRUST, INTIMACY, SURRENDER.
Luke 23:46- And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last. NKJV
1- Moment of TRUST
Once trust is broken it takes time to reestablish, but the great news is-you can trust again!
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge(trust) Him, and He will direct your paths. NKJV
The key is trusting so that we can understand, in order that we don’t rely on ourselves, but we fully depend on Him, and the outcome is the assurance of being in the will of God.
Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name trust in you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
2-Moment of INTIMACY
“Father, into your hands, I commit My spirit.”
Jesus proved to us that we can and are allowed to have an intimate relationship with the Father.
There was a moment of INTIMACY because there was a lifetime of TRUST.
Intimate- to be personal. A devotion to someone.
He wasn’t rebelling, he was just obeying.
3-Moment of SURRENDER
“He gave up His Spirit”
Jesus had to give up His Spirit so He could be present with the Father.
Not a sign of giving up, but a sign of leaning in.
A life of surrender is the ultimate sign of trust and intimacy.
The greatest control is when you’ve let it go and you’ve surrendered it to God.
When life seems to be out of control, God’s hands are strong enough and big enough and gentle enough to give you that assuring touch that He is in control.
Exodus 15:6 “Your right hand oh Lord is majestic power, your right hand oh Lord shatters the enemy.”
Psalm 31:8 “and you have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a large place. “
Genesis 14:20 “God has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
“Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty.”” John 19:28 NLT
“A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.” John 19:29 NLT
“When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30 NLT
THE FIGHT IS FIXED
- The Arrangement
THEN GOD SAID... Genesis 1:26
When you’re re living a holy & righteous life it doesn’t matter what people SAY ABOUT YOU, the only thing that matters is what God SAID ABOUT YOU!
STOP CHASING DOWN WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU and START CHASING DOWN WHAT GOD’S WORD has already said about you!
“How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” Psalm 139:17 NLT
“I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!” Psalm 139:18 NLT
“Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness... Genesis 1:26 NKJV
Let them have DOMINION OVER the fish of the sea, OVER the birds of the air, and OVER the cattle, OVER all the earth and OVER every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”” Genesis 1:26 NKJV
The arrangement from day one was for us to live our lives OVER THE ATTACK never UNDER IT.
Frustrations are the breeding grounds for new opportunities.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, BUT YOU LACKED OPPORTUNITY.” Philippians 4:10 NKJV
“As an eagle stirs up its nest, Hovers over its young, Spreading out its wings, taking them up, Carrying them on its wings,” Deuteronomy 32:11 NKJV
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; HE WILL CRUSH YOUR HEAD...”” Genesis 3:15 NIV
Satan came to interrupt the arrangement, Christ came to restore it.
But when the right time finally came, God sent his own Son. He came as the son of a human mother... Galatians 4:4
Satan can’t REARRANGE what God has already ARRANGED to win!
Christ made an arrangement to DIE ON EARTH so that we could LIVE WITH HIM IN HEAVEN.
"It is finished.” John 19:30
Jesus paid in FULL the debt that our EMPTY sins accumulated.
“THEN JESUS SHOUTED OUT AGAIN, and he released his spirit.” Matthew 27:50 NLT
We fight FROM victory not FOR victory!!!
Death couldn’t take Jesus OUT, so Jesus had to let death IN.
“AT THAT MOMENT the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart,” Matthew 27:51 NLT
- Access Has Been Granted
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Matthew 6:9 KJV
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 KJV
- All Authority Has Been Released
“When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!” Matthew 28:17 NLT
“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I HAVE BEEN GIVEN ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth.” Matthew 28:18 NLT
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19 NLT
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” Matthew 28:20 NLT
The reservations that you have about yourself, doesn’t change the reservations that God has made for you.
Your INPUT doesn’t change God’s OUTPUT.
“And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” Luke 10:18 NKJV
“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.” Luke 10:19 NKJV
You can be in a storm but the storm doesn’t have to be in you.
You’ve been assigned this storm to show the world that the waves and the wind still obey His NAME.
Have you accepted this arrangement?
What storm are you facing this morning?
What’s your fight?
Title: What would YOU do? (Father forgive them for they know not what they do)
Luke 23:32-34 "Two others—criminals—were also led away to be executed with Him. 33 Whenthey arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. [34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgivethem, because they do not know what they are doing.”][a] And they divided His clothes and cast lots." HCSB
*Instead of retaliation, Jesus offers intercession
Point #1: Forgiveness is the KEY to freedom
Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
Unforgiveness LOCKS us up.
Colossians 3:13 "bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must forgive."NKJV
**I'm tired of being oppressed, depressed and possessed with unforgiveness. I forgive because I want my freedom!
Point #2: the MAN in the Middle
Luke 23:33- "And they hung him BETWEEN two criminals."
What's standing in BETWEEN you and your freedom? -your ex -your boss -your mother or father -church hurt, a pastor, a leader in the church -yourself or a decision you have made -selfishness -pride -anger -fear -disappointment -shame and guilt
John 20:19-20-"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
John 14:12- "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
v.20- "Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord."
**Unforgiveness is the criminal that can cripple us from walking upright in forgiveness.
Mark 11:25- "And whenever you stand praying, FORGIVE, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
Jesus is the one God used as a direct access to himself
He used him as a detour that leads us away from unforgiveness and into our freedom.
Point #3: Forgiveness is a BREATH of fresh air
John 20:21-23 "Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
What would you do?
Title: WHAT UP FAM??
Family- Defined as a group of, usually of the same blood(but do not have to be), who genuinely, trust, care about and look out for each other. Not to be mistaken with relatives sharing the same household who hate each other. REAL family is a family that cannot be broken by any means. (urban dictionary)
LUKE 8:19-21 Then Jesus' mother and brothers came to see him, but they couldn't get to him because of the crowd. Someone told Jesus, "your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to see you." Jesus replied, "My mother and my brothers are ALL those who hear God's word and obey it."
TRUE FAMILY
Point #1- Are in TUNE with your situation
Matthew 10:38- "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." NKJV
Psalm 139:2-4- "For you know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. v.3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. v.4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord." NLT
Jeremiah 1:5- "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." NIV
A spiritual family:
-they do life with us
-they speak life into us
-they hold us accountable
Point #2- Are on TOP of your situation
John 19:25-27- "Standing near the cross where Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son. And he said to his disciple, here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home."
Isaiah 41:10- "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." NIV
True family expects nothing in return, want hold it over your head, and does things without wanting recognition.
Point #3: Are on TARGET with His plan
Luke 8:21- Jesus replied, "My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God's word and obey it." NIV
"If you love me, obey what my Word says."
Acts 13:36- "For David served his own generation, by the WILL of God."
2 Peter 3:9- "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
Proverbs 11:30- "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."
John 14:15- "If you love me, keep my commandments."
True family is NOT about-
-our skin tone
-our dialect
-our culture
-our traditions
BUT it's our TARGET!
Matthew 12:48-50 "Jesus asked, who is my mother? Who are my brothers? Then he pointed to his disciples and said, Good, these are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brothers and sister and mother."
Luke 2:49- "I MUST be about my Father's business."
Matthew 7:21-"Not everyone who calls out to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven. ONLY those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter."
John 1:11-12- "He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. v.12-But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."
Title: My God My God why have you forsaken me?
Matthew 27: 45-46 "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice; Eloi Eloi lama sabachthani? which means; My God My God, why have you forsaken me?
Point #1: Jesus wasn't making a declaration of ABANDONMENT, but a declaration of ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Matthew 26:53- "Do you think I cannot call on My Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
"I am here and I'm not going anywhere."
Hebrews 13:8- "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Psalm 22-1- "My God my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Point #2: Jesus was making a declaration of your EMANCIPATION
2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM."
The cross is a portrait of freedom. The cross emancipated us into right standing with the Father.
Matthew 28:20- "Behold, For I am with you to the end of the age."
Joshua 1:9- "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."NIV
Harriet Tubman: "I would have freed more slaves, but they didn't know they were slaves."
Point #3: Jesus was making a declaration of your RECONCILIATION
Psalm 13:5-6 "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise, for he has been good to me."
Romans 5:10- "For while we were enemies we were reconciled to God...
The cross that was to bring a dead end, was a means to bridge the gap between us and our creator.
John 14:18- "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." NIV
Title: "The Gatekeeper"
Gatekeeper: A person that controls access to something.
When we ignore our gate, we put ourselves and those we love in jeopardy.
Song Solomon 2:15- "Catch the foxes for us-the little foxes that ruin the vineyards-for our vineyards are in full bloom."
Every marriage has a gate that protects, that prevents, and that provides opportunities for the "gatekeeper", which is the husband and the wife, to "catch the foxes" that are destroying our vineyard.
Ephesians 5:31-"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
What reason? The FULLNESS of the vineyard.
v.22-Wives: "submit to your husbands."
v.25-Husbands: "love your wife as Christ loved the church."
Genesis 3:1-7
"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves."
Point #1: REESTABLISH your position at the gate of your vineyard
"PROTECT THIS HOUSE"
Point #2: REFUSE to abandon your position at the gate
Point #3: REMEMBER your commitment that you first had to your gate
Ephesians 5:21-"Submit yourselves one to another, in the fear of the Lord."
Proverbs 25:14- "Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give."
1 Corinthians 15:58- "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord."
We need to be reminded of that first commitment we made, before we celebrate an anniversary or we are faced with adversity.
Romans 13:11- "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed."
Isaiah 52:1- Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean."
Title: THE DEMONSTRATION
Romans 5:6-8 "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." NIV
Point #1: We love: WITHOUT HESITATION
"at just the right time, when we were still powerless."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." NIV
He is not waiting for you to get your act right before He will love you. He knows your act ain't right and yet doesn't hesitate to love you.
Point #2: We love: WITHOUT EXPECTATION
v.7 "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die."NIV
Christ died to save us not IN our sins, but FROM our sins.
Point #3: We love: WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION
V.8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Sin don't discriminate and neither does the love of God
When others are turning their backs on you, know that God is turning his heart toward you.
When other people's love is running out, God's love is running over
God's love isn't concerned with what you've done or where you've been. His love is concerned with how you are and where you're going.
1 John 4:7-11 " Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. NIV
Title: The Chase
What are you chasing today?
-your next high/next buzz
-your next companion/or that relationship that only provides a temporary fix
-unrealistic expectations that no one can meet
-your fulfillment, your peace, your desires, your goals, your objectives
-approval, acceptance, and affirmation from someone or something that really can't provide those things
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 4 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.
6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. 7 Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. NLT
Why do we continue to chase?
POINT 1: We want WHAT the relationship can give us instead of the relationship itself
Where has IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH gone to? How has TILL DEATH DO US PART turned into- until my needs aren't being met?
Some of us need to stop chasing after the BENEFITS of the relationship and focus on the human BEINGS of the relationship.
v.1-"O God, YOU are my God; I earnestly "chase" for YOU; My soul thirsts for YOU; my whole body longs for YOU in this parched and weary land where there is no water."
Hosea 4:6- "My people are being destroyed because they don't know ME."
They are more focused on what they can get from me instead of getting to know ME.
We are chasing after wrong things, with wrong motives. When this happens it's all about me and my needs, my desires, myself and I.
So...how do we change the course of our CHASE?
1-Desire more of the person and less of your prerogative
Psalm 42:1-"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?" NLT
Psalm 73:25- "Whom do I have in heaven but YOU? And I desire nothing on earth but YOU."
Desiring the person over our prerogative changes our perspective.
2-Stop comparing and start complementing
"comparison can sabotage a relationship commitment"
Galatians 6:4-5 "Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others. Assume your own responsibility."
James 3:16- "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
When we are comparing more than complementing, it becomes easier to focus on the benefits instead of the person.
Don't compare yourself or the person in your relationship to others or you will find yourself or them becoming someone you may not like.
Proverbs 14:30- "A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."
This is what comparison does: it replaces our complements with complaints which in turn creates comparisons.
3 - Remember WHY you fell in love in the FIRST place
Title: Let It Sleep
Song of Solomon 2:7, 3:5, 8:4-“Promise me, oh women of Jerusalem, by the gazelles and wild deer, not to awaken love until the time is right.” HCSB
Genesis 1:28- “Be fruitful and multiply”
Psalm 127: “Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of children.”
“Both men and women must let love arise in its on and not rush into it or force it to happen. When it’s time, self-sacrificial Love will arose naturally. It is not forcible.”
Point 1: The UN-EFFECT
a-Un-bridled passion
1 Corinthians 7:9 “But if they cannot exercise self control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”NIV
James 1:14 “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.” NIV
b-Un-desired results
Romans 7:15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” NIV
C-Un-needed problems
We create 100% of our problems and we also can create 100% of the results.
2 Timothy 1:7- “For God has given us a Spirit of a sound mind.”
James 1:5- “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” NIV
d-Un-wanted debt
“You can lust over things just like you can lust over people.” AB
Luke 14:28- “First, sit down and count the cost.”
“Not yet doesn’t mean not ever” AB
Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” KJV
Point 2-You’re selling yourself short
“Do not awaken love until the time is right.”
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” HCSB
1-Have reasons more than rules
2-Don’t settle for anything less than God’s best
3-Know that you were made for more
Title: Ghost Town
Matthew 23:37-39 ““Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Murderer of prophets! Killer of the ones who brought you God’s news! How often I’ve ached to embrace your children, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you wouldn’t let me. And now you’re so desolate, nothing but a ghost town. MSG
Ghost Town- A deserted town with few or no remaining inhabitants. A permanently abandoned place by its inhabitants, as because of a business decline or because a near mine has been worked out.
Point 1: Do away with PERSONAL PREFERENCES
-“Murderer of prophets! Killer of the ones who brought you God’s news.”
“It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.” “You won’t discover your life’s meaning by looking within you. You were made for God, not vice versa.” Rick Warren
Point 2- EMBRACE the person BEHIND the sin
Embrace the person behind the sin and the sinner will soon be saved!
Matthew 25:35-36 “For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.’” V.40 “assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”
Jude 1:23- “Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”
Romans 5:8- “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
-Embrace the person with compassion not hatred -Embrace the person with empathy not with apathy -Embrace the person like Jesus embraced you and still is embracing you
Point 3- CHANGE our AGENDAS
Luke 7:30 “But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God’s “agenda” for them, for they had refused John’s baptism.” Luke 7:30 NLT
Philippians 2:5-11 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” -We have to be Christ-centered and not self-centered. Others focused and not inwardly focused.
Nehemiah 9:16-17 “They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,” Nehemiah 9:17 NIV
Title: Breaking Protocol
Religion turns away sinners-Jesus befriends then Religion says look like us-Jesus says come as you are Religion says it’s a long way to God-Jesus says I’ve come to you. Religion says meet our criteria, Jesus says salvation is for everyone Religion weighs you down, Jesus’ burden is light and easy Religion is proper protocol, Jesus says, “I am the protocol
Acts 5:28-29 ““Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man’s blood on us! ” But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.” 6:1- “In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying...”
Point #1: By NOT breaking protocol, we become a PREVENTER instead of a PROMOTER.
V. 28- “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name?”
Gandhi said, “If it weren’t for Christians, I’d be one.”
Matthew 23:13 ““But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You lock up the kingdom of heaven from people. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in.” Point #2: By Breaking protocol, we can expect GREATER RESULTS.
v.29-But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.”
V.42- “Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.” 6:1- “And the number of disciples was multiplying!!!”
Title: FRAUDULENT
Matthew 23:1-7 “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. They do everything to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.” v.11-12 “The greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Fraud- To have wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. Fake, look alike, in disguise, sounds like, talks like, and tastes like
“There are a lot of FRAUDS in our churches and a lot of churches that are FRAUDS”
Point # 1: PROTECT OUR IDENTITY
V.3-5 “Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them. They do everything to be observed by others: They enlarge their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.”
Religion gives you a new set of rules whereas a relationship with Jesus gives you a new identity.
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!” John 1:12 “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”
1 Corinthians 6:17 “But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.”
1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 “We are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.”
“Jesus is quick to remind us of our forgiveness, our deliverance, and our holiness based on our relationship with Him, not on what we can do for Him”
God’s holiness + Jesus’s sacrifice = a new identity based on grace and holiness. It’s not based on my performance or lack of, but on my forgiveness.
Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Religion- reminds us of our sins
Jesus- removes our sins
3 Practical ways to protect your identity in Christ:
A: Get serious
B: Constantly Monitor
C: Stop unsolicited offers
Point # 2. CHANGE OUR GARMENTS
V.5 ““Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;”
The religious love to show off their religious piety, instead of their humility.
We hide behind: -our titles -our accomplishments -our spouses -our influence -our hobbies
Genesis 35:2 “And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.” Matthew 23:25-27 ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so the outside of it may also become clean. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and every impurity.”
CHANGE YOUR GARMENTS
OFF WITH HYPOCRISY
EXCHANGE YOUR RELIGIOUS ROBE FOR A SERVANTS APRON.
Title: Shatter the Stained Glass: “The Demise"
Religion is an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a god.
Religion has become whatever one wants to make it because of the “gods” people choose to worship.
People make religions out of: -their careers -sporting events -relationships -material possessions -working out -and sometimes even god
Religion=number one killer of churches Religion=number one cause for pastors getting out of the ministry Religion=why unchurched people won’t come to church Religion=cause of church hurt, division among churches
Religion cares more about what denomination a person belongs to than belonging to the Kingdom of God!
Being religious- is a belief that says your performance, your devotion, your practices, or your morals makes you right with God.
The idea that righteousness is ACHIEVED rather than RECEIVED.
Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
Matthew 23:1-3 “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”
Point # 1- CHANGING SEATS
v. 2- “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.”
Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Point # 2- IMITATE what you SEE, NOT so much what you hear
V. 3- Jesus said, “Do what they tell you to do, but do NOT do what they do.”
Religion is spelled DO whereas a Relationship with Jesus is spelled DONE.
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”
1 John 2:6 “Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
1 Peter 2:21 “For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps.”
Title: The Object Of Our Wonder
Luke 2:20-“And the shepherds RETURNED, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” Luke 2:20 KJV
Point 1: Their WONDER compelled them to RECEIVE
Point 2: Their WONDER compelled them to RETURN
Point 3: Their WONDER compelled them to REJOICE
Point 4: Their WONDER should compel us to REPEAT
Jesus-the Messiah is the object of our WONDER.
He is here, He is Immanuel, He is God with us!
Deuteronomy 10:20-21 “You are to fear Yahweh your God and worship Him. Remain faithful to Him and take oaths in His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome works your eyes have seen.” The object of our WONDER is here for you.
Title: Signs and Wonders
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
Isaiah 7:10-14. “Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead. ” But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.” Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” Point #1- Just Pay Attention
Doubting/Depending
Don’t have faith/Increase your faith
“We want big directional signs from God. He just wants us to pay attention.” Lisa Teurkist
Point #2- Just OPEN your eyes
God operates in the “already happened”
2 Kings 6:13-17 “So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send men to capture him.” When he was told, “Elisha is in Dothan,” he sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do? ” Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed, “ Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the Lord opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
V.14- “This will be a sign to you...the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.”
Point #3- He shows us anyway
John 13:7 Jesus tells Peter, “What I’m showing you now, you don’t understand, but afterwards you will know.”
Matthew 2:1-2 Wise Men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and we have come to worship Him.”
Title: All About Us
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” The prophecy promised was ALL ABOUT US
The Person promised was ALL ABOUT US
The Purpose of the person promised was ALL ABOUT US
Luke 2:10- ““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.”
WHO ARE US?(I will explain who are the us’s and then lead into my points)
Point #1: We become Agents of Conversion.
Romans 15:1-3 MSG. “Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”
That’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we’ll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!”
Proverbs 24:17 “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;”
John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.””
Isaiah 11:10 “The root of Jesse will spring up...for us, as a servant to us.”
Ask: Are you an agent of CONVERSION or an agent of CONVENIENCE?
“It’s not about convenient Christianity, but about contagious Christianity.”
Point #2: For those Wandering, God uses us to help them REDISCOVER their wonder
Isaiah 9:1-5 “Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.” Luke 1:79 “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.”” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing!”
Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.” James 5:19-20 “My brothers, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his life from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
Title: The Promise
Wonder- To have a curiosity to know something. Even if there is a hint of doubt.
Genesis 3:14-15 “So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Point #1: The Wonder revealed a PROMISE
Genesis 3- The (Protoevangelium)- “the first glimmer of the Gospel”
Her seed- offspring, first born, referred to as “he”
Luke 10:18-20 “He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”” God capitalized on their “wonder” and through that came a PROMISE!
That enmity, that hostility, that extreme dislike, enemy; would be destroyed by the PROMISE of the Messiah.
“God had a PLAN whereas Satan had a scheme”
Point #2: The Promise revealed a PERSON
Matthew 1:21- “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus...”
Jesus- SAVIOR
John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that He gave(there’s the promise) His only Son(there’s the person)...
Isaiah 7:14- “The Lord himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel, which means God is with us.”
Point #3: The Person revealed a PURPOSE
-He carried our pain, our guilt, our shame -He carried our failures -He would be falsely accused -He took away our sins -He took our punishment that our sins had caused -He was bruised so we could be healed -He was beaten and tortured for us -He shed His innocent blood because of our guilty hands -He took on His shoulders the sin of many -He was God’s plan and God’s purpose all along
If God took the time to foretell the promise, reveal the person and uncover His purpose, you can rest assure that He will keep His word concerning your life.
There are no prophecies foretelling details about the birth of other “religious” leaders. No prophecies alerting the world to the coming of Muhammad(Islam), Joseph Smith(Mormonism), Charles Taze Russel(Jehovah’s Witnesses), Siddhartha Gautama(Buddhism), or any other. Yet the Old Testament pinpointed numerous details about the life and the Son of God, the Savior of the world!
When you decide to go after God with everything, Satan will come after you with everything.
The one that you are chasing after, is greater than the one that is chasing after you.
Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
There is no less than situation that is greater than your God!
I WILL PRAISE YOU, for I am FEARFULLY and WONDERFULLY made... -Psalms 139:14
You have been perfectly created by the perfect one.
You don't have to live in fear because you were created to be feared.
Armed & Dangerous
You are ARMED & DANGEROUS with a secret weapon by the name of PRAISE & Worship!!!
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to their God... Acts 16:25
• Lean Into Worship At Your Darkest Hour.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalms 20:7
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to their God, AND THE OTHER PRISONERS WERE LISTENING TO THEM. Acts 16:25
• Choose To Be A Worshipper Instead Of A Spectator.
AND THE OTHER PRISONERS WERE LISTENING TO THEM. Acts 16:25 NIV
• Abandon Your Reputation.
But Jesus MADE HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2:7
And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. 2 Samuel 6:14
David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the Lord , who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord , so I celebrate before the Lord. 2 Samuel 6:21 NLT
Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! 2 Samuel 6:22 NLT
Live your life with nothing to prove, knowing that you have been pre-approved by God!
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Acts 16:26 NIV
At once ALL the prison doors flew open, AND EVERYONE'S ’S CHAINS CAME LOOSE. Acts 16:26 NIV
• Your Worship Isn't Just For You.
The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. Acts 16:27 NIV
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” Acts 16:28 NIV
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. Acts 16:29 NIV
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Acts 16:30 NIV
HE THEN BROUGHT THEM OUT...
• Your Worship Has The Power To Bring You Out.
Satan wants your worship to STAY IN because he knows that your worship has the power to BRING YOU OUT.
Satan knows that when you OPEN your mouth to worship your God, that you CLOSE your ears to his lies.
Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36 NKJV
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31 NIV
For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 NKJV
Refuse to allow your predicament to determine your praise.
How long will you keep your weapon concealed?
Title: Praise Is The Cure
Psalm 42
1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, “Will I ever make it— arrive and drink in God’s presence?” I’m on a diet of tears— tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, “Where is this God of yours?”
4 These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving— celebrating, all of us, God’s feast!
5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of you, From Jordan depths to Hermon heights, including Mount Mizar. Chaos calls to chaos, to the tune of whitewater rapids. Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers crash and crush me. Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God’s prayer.
9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God, “Why did you let me down? Why am I walking around in tears, harassed by enemies?” They’re out for the kill, these tormentors with their obscenities, Taunting day after day, “Where is this God of yours?”
11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
Praise- The expression of approval or admiration for someone or something.
When we praise, our focus shifts from our predicaments and it refocuses us on God's solutions.
Depression effects over 15 million people. About 7% of the US population.
Our depression suppresses our praise and our praise cures our depression
*Where laughter may be good medicine, praise is the complete cure.
Yet- even still, despite my situation, regardless of my happenings...I WILL STILL PRAISE HIM
Praise shouldn't be a temporary FIX. It should be a permanent FIXTURE in the believer's life.
Praise is an AFFRONT to depression!
-praise is an insult to depression
-praise is offensive to depression
-praise is outrage to depression
-praise brings injury and defeat to depression
-praise is a slap in the face and a kick in the teeth to depression
*Your praise reaches the root of your depression and it destroys its poison.
How do we continue making praise the CURE?
Point #1: LONG FOR MORE OF GOD
Psalm 42:1- "As the deer pants for the satisfying, thirst quenching last of water...so my soul longs after thee."
2 Corinthians 10:5- "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Proverbs 23:7- "As a man thinks, so he is."
POINT #2: STOP Rehearsing and START Participating
Psalm 42:4- "These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life."
-I was always the head of the worshipping crowd, right in front, leading all of them.
-I was eager to arrive and worship, shouting praises, singing thanksgiving-celebrating.
**Stop revisiting yesteryear and start praising without fear.
PRAISE IS THE CURE!!!
Title: Praising Despite the Predicament
"It's not the predicament that determines our praise, or the lack of, but how we respond to the predicament that will determine our praise"
1 Samuel 2:1-10
Then Hannah prayed and said:
“My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn[a] is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance.
2 “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
3 “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.
4 “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. 5 Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away.
6 “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. 7 The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 8 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.
“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s; on them he has set the world. 9 He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness.
“It is not by strength that one prevails; 10 those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth.
“He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
1 Samuel 1:1-10 There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”
9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house.10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.
How do we continue praising despite the predicaments? POINT #1: Remember the Source Revelation 22:13- "I am the Alpha and the Omega, First and the Last, the beginning and the End." John 1:1-2- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. 1 Samuel 2- "My heart rejoices in the Lord. My mouth will boast of the Lord. The Lord has given me life." "When society looked at her one way, God saw her a different way." "She was able to Praise in what God HAD given her, and not wait for what He COULD give her." When the enemy tries to serve you the knock-off, remind him that you serve the real-thing! Romans 8:31- "What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us who can be against us?" POINT #2: Disregard our Rival 1 Samuel 1:7b- "Her rival provoked her until she wept and would not eat." *Hannah had to disregard her rival in order to receive what God had for her. Proverbs 3:5-6- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." "Our rivals don't measure up with God's royalty "When we trust God through our praise, we are turning our rival's TAUNTS into God's TRIUMPHS." Romans 11:33-"Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise!" Yes. Yes. Yes.
"Hannah's rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. But, instead of irritating her, it compelled her to remain obedient"
POINT #3: Remain in Obedience
1 Samuel 1:11- "And she made a vow, saying, "Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."
v.21- "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always."
v.28- "So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord."
Hannah recognized God's faithfulness to her and in return she remained obedient to Him. She made a vow and kept it.
"We walk despite of what we are stepping in"
1 Samuel 15:22- "To obey is better than sacrifice"
Genesis 12:1- "Go where I will show you."
Job 1:21- "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
"Let the enemy taunt you WHILE YOU'RE STILL PRAISING!!!"
TITLE: Worship Creates Results
IF worship is our lifestyle...
THEN our life of worship should be producing results.
1-We Present ourselves as an offering to God 2-We Present ourselves HOLY to God 3-Our HOLY Presentation to God should PLEASE HIM
POINT #1: Worship creates a picture of the Gospel in MOTION
Psalm 40:3- "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord."
Psalm 40:1-2- "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand."
"I waited patiently for the Lord"= an ACT of worship It means that he was expressing confident trust in God BEFORE anything was in his favor.
"Our worship will either PROMOTE the Gospel or it will PREVENT the Gospel"
POINT #2: Worship creates BREAKTHROUGH POWER of God
Acts 2:46, 42-43 "They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles."
(I will ask a series of questions about are you in need of some things,..after I do, put on the screen:) THEN WORSHIP!!
"It is not effective to simply tell someone to STOP worrying, STOP being proud, STOP being self-consumed, STOP being distracted, STOP being insecure, STOP being bound up, STOP being materialistic. But it is effective to tell them to START worshiping!"
"But our worship results in momentum"
"The more momentum the more results"
"If what we are doing is not producing the desired results, then we will either do something different or do nothing at all."
We should EXPECT RESULTS through our worship!
POINT #3: Worship creates results that we JUST CAN'T STOP!!
Psalm 40:7-10 Then I said, “See, I have come; it is written about me in the volume of the scroll. 8 I delight to do Your will, my God; Your instruction lives within me.” 9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; see, I do not keep my mouth closed— as You know, Lord. 10 I did not hide Your righteousness in my heart; I spoke about Your faithfulness and salvation; I did not conceal Your constant love and truth from the great assembly."
"The results from my worship are contagious and the effects of the breakthrough power of worship allows us to walk in the truth, experience breakthroughs and God draws the lost to Him."
"Worship is the declaration of our weakness and God's strength"
Title: How to become THAT worshiper.
POINT #1: Where your life of worship is NOW, is not where you want it to BE.
Matthew 6:33- "But seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you as well."
Seeking first take discipline!
"Since worship is a lifestyle, then our life must produce a worship - style."
How this happens:
A-The First Step- This step is the hardest step, and it is the bravest step.
B-It takes Humility- 1 Peter 5:6-"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."
POINT #2: Draw a line in the sand.
1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. V.16- For everything that belongs to the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in ones lifestyle-is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
"There is no MY way and God's way."
"Our approach to God will determine the outcome of who we are becoming as a worshiper." We approach Him with reverence, respect, with praise, with godly fear, in repentance, and with an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving." POINT #3: Embrace the Process
John 3:17- "For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world would be saved through Him."
After salvation, what you establish, IN your worship, is who you will be in the future AS you worship. Philippians 1:6- "Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
"Don't overlook or short change the process. The prices is in place for a purpose."
"The work HE BEGAN may take a lifetime to complete, but it BEGINS WITH our daily choice to worship."
POINT #4: Choose to make the Switch
Joshua 24:15- "Choose today whom you will serve." Serving is an act of worship. (choose this day whom you will worship) "For who or what you worship, is who or what you will serve."
Colossians 3:17- "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you worship, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Title: Clear the Stage (the measure we must take to worship)
Luke 10:38-42 “While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”” Point #1: Disregard the Distractions
John 10:10- "The thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy."
The thing that has our greatest devotion is the thing that we will worship the most.
"Show me your checkbook or debit card registry and I will show you the object of your worship"
"Show me where and how you spend the majority of your time and I will show you the object of your worship"
Martha was busy doing what she thought had to be done but what she almost missed was what she was created to do.
If your heart isn't in a constant mode of worship, your hands are just for show.
Exodus 20:3-4. "Do not have other gods besides me. Do not make an idol for yourself."
Idol- Anything that is put before God.
Worship, for the follower of Jesus, is WHO you are. It's not what you do. It's your lifestyle not something you add to your daily activities as a follower of Jesus.
Worship is a presentation of our entirety to the one who gives us new life.
Romans 12:1 “Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.” Romans 1:23-25 “and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles. Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.” Idols of: success, image, money, materialism, position, popularity, ministry, religion.
Point 2: Stop worrying about every body else!
Luke 10:41-42 “The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.””
Matthew 7:3-5 “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” "Mary has chosen what is RIGHT"
Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me oh God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting."
Worship is a Verb: Worship is an action, just as much as its a lifestyle.
Worship means: To bow down or lay prostrate before God.
Its not just a Sound, ITS A SUBSTANCE!!!
Worship is our response to who God is in your life not what He does! Worship is a response to a love revelation. You see worship is a celebration not a performance.
Worship is the posture of your heart, where you lay down everything in your life before Him. All your ups and all your downs. Its your alignment with God.
Worship is a continuation NOT a preparation.
Worship is the one thing God cant give Himself. Out of all the things God made we are the only thing that took His breath away!!!!
There are 2 types of Worship:
Inner Worship & Outer Worship
Inner Worship is other wise known as Spiritual Worship…
Matthew 15:8-9 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. There worship is a farce (or in vain) for they teach man made ideas as commands from God.
These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn't in it. They act like they’re worshiping me, but they don't mean it. They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy. Matthew 15:8-9 MSG
We value God’s public presence more than His Private Presence.
So what is true inner worship?
John 4:23-24 “But the time is coming indeed its here now when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth”
Deuteronomy 6:4, Moses is talking the the Israelites and says: “You shall love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” When we treasure God more than anything else in our lives our worship will come out as Loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul.
The power of an example is greater than the power of an explanation
Outer Worship
Outer Worship comes when your inner worship cannot be contained.
Psalm 150:6 in the passion version: Let everyone everywhere join in the crescendo of ecstatic praise to yahweh! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
David Worshipped through:
The field by himself When he faced a giant The he was destined for a kingdom when his son died because of his sin when he won and lost battles
Exodus 20:3-5a;
“You must not have any other gods but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.
Psalm 115:4-8: The unbelievers worship what they make- their wealth and their work. They idolize what they own and what they make with their hands, but their things can't talk to them or answer their prayers. Their possessions will never satisfy. Their futile Faith in dead idols and dead works can never bring life or meaning to their souls. Blind men can only create blind things. Those deaf to God can only make a deaf image. Dead men can only create dead idols, and everyone who trusts in these powerless dead things will be just like what they worship- powerless and dead!
Psalm 115: 17: Dead people cannot praise the Lord, but we (the believers, the worshippers) can! Those who sink to the silence of the grave no longer give glory to God, but we can!
Romans 12:1: and so brothers and sisters I plead with you to give your bodies (or your lives) to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him.
Don't Be Hard to Find
Title: GIVING UP TO GAIN: how fasting and praying helps us to maintain contact
Praying and Fasting defined: Voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God. When Praying and Fasting are combined and dedicated to God's glory then they reach their full effectiveness. Praying and Fasting simply forces you to focus and rely on God for the strength, provision, and wisdom you need.
Matthew 6:16-18- "And WHEN you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But WHEN you fast, anoint your head and wash your face."
In other words: It's not more spiritual to look like you're homeless!!
How does combining praying and fasting affect us?
-Gives us clarity of God's will
-Gives us guidance
-helps us mourn and weep over our sin
-it intensifies our prayers
-teaches us humility
-declares our dependence
-increases our worship
-increases our spiritual strength
-gives us deliverance from repetitive sins
-gives us freedom from constant bondage
Praying and fasting does things when just praying won't and when fasting can't.
"If you are fasting without praying, you're just dieting."
"If you're praying without fasting, it's time to go deeper."
Mark 9:28-29 "And He told them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."
Point #1: MAINTAIN OUR CHARGE
"When we give up something through fasting, we begin praying to gain something"
-Wisdom, direction, deliverance, healing, self awareness, strength
Fasting and Praying realigns our position with the purpose in which God created us.
Ephesians 1:3- "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ."
Point #2: REGAIN OUR PASSION
Matthew 5:13- Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men."
AMUSE-BOUCHE- "mouth amuser"
Luke 5:35- Jesus said, "The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and they will fast in those days."
In other words: Your passion is potent while I'm present, but when I'm gone, fasting will help refuel your passion and help you remain charged for the work of the Kingdom.
Point #3: REDIRECTS OUR FOCUS
Fasting and Praying is like a "sticky note" that can redirect our focus, help us to maintain our charge and regain our passion for Jesus.
Esther 4:15-16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish."
Sticky Notes help redirect our focus...
Title: "INCONVENIENT DETOURS"
Inconvenience: something that causes trouble, difficulties, or discomfort, they are awkward, inopportune, untimely, and unfortunate.
"What we see as an inconvenience, God sees as an opportunity"
Detours: Long, or roundabout routes taken to avoid something or to visit along the way.
"Detours may take more time than planned and may take more planning than we have time, but God uses them for our good and for His glory"
"Sometimes God has to allow inconvenient detours so that we can see more clearly the path He has already laid out before us."
Exodus 14:5-14
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about the people and said: “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” 6 So he got his chariot ready and took his troops[a] with him; 7 he took 600 of the best chariots and all the rest of the chariots of Egypt, with officers in each one. 8 The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out triumphantly.[b] 9 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, his horsemen,[c] and his army—chased after them and caught up with them as they camped by the sea beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians coming after them. Then the Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help. 11 They said to Moses: “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
13 But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.”
v. 21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back with a powerful east wind all that night and turned the sea into dry land. So the waters were divided, 22 and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with the waters like a wall to them on their right and their left.
POINT #1: Don't allow the DETOURS to INTIMIDATE
v. 10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians coming after them. Then the Israelites were terrified and cried out to the Lord for help.
"The enemy always works from behind. He doesn't have the power to go before you."
"God determines your steps, He maps out your path, and I can assure you that He doesn't share the directions with Satan."
POINT #2: STOP dwelling on the Detours
v. 11-12 They said to Moses: “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you took us to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this what we told you in Egypt: Leave us alone so that we may serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
"They would have rather died serving as slaves, than to follow the detour to their freedom"
Genesis 45:5 And now don’t be worried or angry with yourselves for selling me here, because God sent me ahead of you to preserve life.
"Inconvenient detours create a clear path into our destiny"
"Stop dwelling on the detours as a derailment, but look at them as God's way of redirecting you for something better than you could have ever imagined."
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or imagine-according to the power that works in you...
POINT #3: The Detour could TURN out to be your SALVATION
"What you presume to be as an "inconvenient detour", God assures you that He is redirecting:
-Your WORRY and turning them into WORSHIP
-Your TRIALS and turning them into TRIUMPHS
-Your PROBLEMS and turning them into PEACE
-Your DISCOURAGEMENT and turning them into DETERMINATION
-Your POUTING and turning them into PRAISE
"God is still in the business of parting your RED SEA"
"God's detour is directing you to your Promise Land"
"It’s time that you take the detour and start walking on dry ground"
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Psalm 37:5 "Surrender your way to the Lord; and He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn."
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
Title: Tongues of fire and Misinterpretation
Acts 1:5- "For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. "
"By being immersed(baptized in the Holy Spirit) is when you will see the works(supernatural) of the Holy Spirit."
"You cannot expect the Holy Spirit to manifest any of the gifts through you if the Holy Spirit is not consistently living inside of you"
1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7, 11 V. 1-“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:” V. 4-7- “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:” v. 11- “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” Point # 1: Speaking in tongues is Holy Spirit ENABLED.
Acts 2:4- “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” So if the Spirit enables, the Spirit decides.
Acts 1:8- But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses.
Point #2: Tongues are REAL languages
1 Corinthians 14:9-11 “So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.” "Speaking in tongues is a gift FROM God, directly TO God, for the glory OF God."
V. 18-19 “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” POINT #3: Tongues are for understanding not confusion
V. 16- “Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?” 1 Corinthians 14:2-4 “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. But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”
POINT #4 Tongues are for EDIFICATION and MULTIPLICATION of God's kingdom
Acts 2:3-4 “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” V. 11- “we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
V. 41-42. “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.”
v. 47 “praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” 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.”
TITLE: 100% GUARANTEED
“If we treat the Holy Spirit as if He is a super hero, the truth about the Holy Spirit will only seem like a fairy tale and the reality of the Holy Spirit will be suppressed by our limitations.”
“The Holy Spirit’s presence is not based on our feelings, but on the faith that gives us assurance.”
“The assurance of the Holy Spirit is an inference due to the DEPOSIT, the SEAL, and the EARNEST that God has given us.”
How can we have certainty that the Holy Spirit abides in the believer?
POINT #1: By the WORD of God
2 Timothy 3:16- "All Scripture is inspired by God[a] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
1 John 5:11-13 “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in HIs Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who doesn’t have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.”
POINT #2: By the PROMISES of God
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For everyone of God’s promises are yes and amen!
Romans 10:19 “That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
John 5:24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgement but has passed from death to life.”
“But a Promise is only as good as the PROMISOR!!!!
POINT #3: By the CHARACTER of God
1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is FAITHFUL; you were called by Him into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24 “The one who calls you is FAITHFUL and He will do it.”
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we possess for He who promised is FAITHFUL.”
“If God said it, you can trust it.”
POINT #4: By the SPIRIT of God
Ephesians 1:13-14 “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believe in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory. The Holy Spirit has been given to us as a SEAL, as a guarantee of His promise.”
A SEAL indicates ownership and security.
1 Corinthians 6:19 “Don’t you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body.”
The Holy Spirit s our EARNEST- the guarantee of our inheritance.
“As the seal, He guarantees that we ourselves will be kept safely for the inheritance. As the Earnest, he guarantees the inheritance will be kept securely for us. The guarantee looks forward to the full redemption, just as the first fruits look forward to the completed harvest."
Title: Who Is He and How do I get Him?
Supernatural- attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature.
John 16:7-15 Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you. 8 When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: 9 About sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me;11 and about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is Mine. This is why I told you that He takes from what is Mine and will declare it to you. HCSB
Question #1: Who is the Holy Spirit?
Who He is NOT: -Some mystical force, -He doesn’t come in doses, -He is not a distant, impersonal characteristic of God, -He isn’t freakish, loud, obnoxious, -He is not a hovering spirit who goes around possessing people with uncontrolled whaling or tongues, -He doesn’t act arrogantly, prideful, or force himself on anyone. -He is not a manipulator -He is not a control freak -He doesn’t cause us to do anything outside of the will of God
Who He IS: -He is a person, not an IT -He is divine, with a mind, with reasoning, emotion and a will -He is a gentleman
“He will not force himself on anyone, but waits for anyone to openly invite Him in.”
The Bible describes the Holy Spirit as: -God -Helper -Comforter -Third person in the trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) -Paraklete (Our Advocate) -Guide -Convicter of sin -Fire, Wind, Water -Omniscience (all-knowing) -Omnipresent(ever-present) -Omnipotent(all-powerful) -Deposit, Seal, Earnest -Peace -Indwells Believers -Intercessor -Reveals Truth -Spirit of Almighty God -Teacher -Witness
Genesis 1:2 “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.”
John 16:7b- “It is for your benefit that I go away…”
The Holy Spirit is a BENEFICIAL GIFT.
Question #2: How does a person GET the Holy Spirit?
Acts 2:38-41 “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off,[a] as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt[b]generation!” A- “The Holy Spirit is not something that you GET. The Holy Spirit is a person that you RECEIVE.”
“A person either has ALL of the Holy Spirit or NONE of the Holy Spirit.”
1 John 1:12- “The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
The Reality: “You are either living for you, or the Holy Spirit is living through you.”
How does a person Receive the Holy Spirit?
A- By the Word of God being proclaimed. Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.”
Through: preaching, teaching, worship, reading, listening: however the message is proclaimed.
B- By God calling men and women to himself, or they will never come. John 6:44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…
Jesus said, “If I be lifted up, then I will draw all people to myself.”
“We use all of our talents and all or our tools to exalt Jesus because we desire for Jesus to draw people to Him”
C- We must RECEIVE the message of Jesus
Receiving the message of Jesus means: -it becomes who you are so that you trust the Christ it presents. -You trust His provision for your forgiveness -You trust His direction for your life -You trust His power to help you obey -You trust His promises for your future
Title: It's Not Optional...pray
"Prayer should be a natural conversation with a supernatural God"
The reasons Christians don't pray- They don't know how to, they don't understand the power, they have unconfessed sin, they are too busy, they don't see the fruit, we fall out of love with Jesus, we don't believe, afraid of what God may say.
John 17:1-5 “Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it’s time. Display the bright splendor of your Son So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. You put him in charge of everything human So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge. And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, The one and only true God, And Jesus Christ, whom you sent. I glorified you on earth By completing down to the last detail What you assigned me to do. And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor, The very splendor I had in your presence Before there was a world.” John 17:1-5 MSG http://bible.com/97/jhn.17.1-5.msg
3 Reasons why we should pray
1- Prayer is Commanded
1 Thessalonians 5:18- Pray without ceasing. Matthew 26:41- "stay awake and pray, so that you won't enter into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Luke 18:1- The need to pray always and not become discouraged. Romans 12:12- Be persistent in prayer.
2- Prayer is Communication
John 10:27- "My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow Me."
How do we communicate with God through prayer? A-Set aside time to talk with God. B-Be persistent when you pray C-Just talk to Him
3- Prayer is Conventional
Ephesians 6:18 “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”
WHAT DO YOU SEE?
GIVE- freely transfer the possession of something to someone
RETURN- to put, or send something back to a place or person
When we return a gift to God, we are transferring something back to what already belongs to Him.
Luke 21:1-4 He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.[a] 3 “I tell you the truth,” He said. “This poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
What Do You See? Do You see...
An OBLIGATION or an OPPORTUNITY
v.1- He looked up and saw... Jesus looked up and saw their hearts and their attitudes.
Obligation means that you are morally and legally bound to do something.
Luke 20:45-47 While all the people were listening, He said to His disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the front seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. 47 They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive greater punishment.”
The rich were giving out of obligation and their hears where full of deception.
It's time we change our attitude so that we get the Master's attention.
The rich saw it as an OBLIGATION, whereas the widow saw it as an OPPORTUNITY.
V.2-3 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.[a] 3 “I tell you the truth,” He said. “This poor widow has put in more than all of them.
Opportunity- a set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
God may be asking you to change your perspective so that you can get the Master's attention! When you do something because you have been given the opportunity, then the Master takes notice.
What do you See? Do you see...
A SACRIFICE or a SMIDGEN
v. 4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
She was willing to RETURN IT ALL, and not settle with just giving a portion.
Does Jesus have all of your- -time -effort -marriage -family -finances -future -failures -triumphs
The widow had nothing, but was willing to return it all.
A sacrifice is when you see more of a need in an opportunity than taking the opportunity to meet your own need.
The widows gift was not for her. She gave all and then planned on dying. her sacrificial gift was actually for others in an act of obedience. And that is what made Jesus look up.
"Sacrificial giving is parting with what we'd rather keep. It's keeping the old and giving away the new or giving away both. The giving of the first Christians was spontaneous, unguarded, and uncalculated. Sacrificial giving appears to be unreasonable. In reality, though, it's perfectly reasonable. It brings God glory, meets other's needs, and ensures us eternal rewards. And all the while God takes care of our immediate needs. Sacrificial giving makes no human sense. But we are to think like Christ, not the world." Randy Alcorn
"When she gave that one, insignificant mite, she gave her next meal, her next wardrobe, her next gift for a friend, her next boat, her next manicure and pedicure, her next whatever. Yes, she gave more than a simple monetary item; she gave all she had! Now she had nothing left. No more resources. No more savings. She had given it away to the blessed Savior, a sacrifice that prompted the Almighty God of the universe to sit up and take notice." So that proves that giving everything isn't a number; it's not an amount. It's an attitude of sacrifice! That's what tells the story of your heart."
Some of us are giving God a SMIDGEN, instead of a SACRIFICE out of a heart of obedience.
When you give and when you serve, you are making the greatest investment into someone else's life.
Title: ENOUGH with the EXCUSES
Luke 9:57-58 As they were traveling on the road someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go!" Jesus told him, "Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head."
1: willing BUT unable (The excuse of Comfort)
willing- ready, eager, or prepared to do something. unable-lacking the skill, means, or opportunity to do something
Matthew 16:24-27 Then Jesus said to HIs disciples, "If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will reward each according to what he has done.
Excuses will always give us permission to settle for less than God's best
2: able BUT unwilling (The excuse of Convenience)
v. 59-60 Then He said to another, "Follow Me." "Lord," he said, "first let me go bury my father." But He told him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God."
You are listening more to the voice of failure than listening to the voice of victory.
He says, "Lord." He is saying: you are master, you are ruler, you have authority over me, you have influenced me to follow you, you are sovereign and you are king. and then he says........"FIRST ME."
Lord, and me first, can never be in the same sentence.
Choose who is going to be Lord of your life.
If Jesus is Lord enough to save us, He is Lord enough to lead us.
He was allowing something else or someone else to take precedence over Christ's call and invitation to follow Him.
We either surrender our lives to Him, or risk eternity without Him
Do YOU Commit??
3: Would've been...BUT (The excuse of Distractions)
v. 61-62 Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house." But Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
We are only to do what Jesus says and not tell Him what we are to do
Don't make deals or bargain with Jesus.
Trade in your COMFORT, trade in your CONVENIENCE, and trade in your DISTRACTIONS so that you can become a COMMITTED follower of Jesus.
ENOUGH WITH THE EXCUSES!!!
Title: The Relationship PLAGUE
Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Category 1: Staggering Statistics
90% of children ages 8-16 have viewed pornography 40 million Americans regularly visit porn sites Porn sites get more visitors each month than Netflix, Twitter, and Amazon COMBINED The average age of first viewing of porn is 11 years old Pornography has the same affects on the brain as do drugs Pornography is the most dangerous enemy to marriages Pornography is a $160 Billion dollar industry. It makes more money than the NFL, NBA, and the MLB combined. Pornography reaches across all demographics. Men, women, teens, and senior adults 50% of pastors struggle with porn 64% of Christian men and 15% of Christian women look at porn at least once a month *68% of divorce cases involve pornography
Category 2: 7 Reasons why Porn isn't healthy
1-It changes the Brain
2-A porn habit can become worse and worse
3-Porn can get addictive
4-Porn can RUIN your sex life
5-Porn is just one big LIE
6-Porn is INSEPARABLY linked to prostitution and sex trafficking
7-Porn will SERIOUSLY affect your personal life
Category 3: The HOPE and the HEALING
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.” How to receive the Hope and Healing
A-Recognize IT IS A PROBLEM
B-Take ACTION. "Go to the EXTREME"
show this video
https://youtu.be/5QZMRR7nZZs. (3:26) minutes
1-Renew your mind. Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will 2-Set up BOUNDARIES 3-Be ACCOUNTABLE to someone James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” Ephesians 4:17-24 “Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more. But that is not how you learned about the Messiah, assuming you heard about Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus. You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. "
4-REPEAT DAILY
the KEY INGREDIENT
When a person is filled with the Spirit of God, everything in life has a new quality!
A person's relationship with Jesus cannot be fulfilled apart from the filling of the Holy Spirit.
For those who are not a follower of Jesus: It's time you make a decision. It's time you begin walking WITH God and stop walking AWAY from God!
John 16: 7-11 “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; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 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 Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” The Holy Spirit serves as: -Our Constant Presence -Our Comforter -Our Counselor
Ephesians 5:18 Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be FILLED with the Holy Spirit.
You cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit, on a daily basis, unless you empty yourself of you, on a daily basis.
What are the results of being filled with the Key Ingredient and how does it help us to have successful relationships?
Galatians 5:22-25 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are in Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
Being filled with the Holy Spirit takes the effort off of you and puts it on the Holy Spirit.
"The same attitude that brings you to Jesus(repentance and surrender) is the same attitude that keeps you walking with Jesus! And that has to be a daily decision you make.
Title: UNCONVENTIONAL FRIEND
JOHN 15:15 “I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father.”
Mark 2:1-12 “When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and He was speaking the message to them. Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there, thinking to themselves: “Why does He speak like this? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? ” Right away Jesus understood in His spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, pick up your mat, and walk’? But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” He told the paralytic, “I tell you: get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” Immediately he got up, picked up the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this! ”” SYMPATHY EMPATHY DARING DETERMINED
How do we become an unconventional friend?
1: We have to have an INNOVATIVE FAITH
"Faith unaccompanied by action was never alive." (David Jeremiah)
A workless faith is a WORTHLESS faith.
James 1:22-25 “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works — this person will be blessed in what he does.” If your walk does not match your talk, then stop talking!
1 John 3:16-18 “This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.”
2: UNCONVENTIONAL MANEUVER
Mark 2:4 “Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying.” "A faith that does not demonstrate itself in action is not genuine"
Title: UNCONVENTIONAL CHOICE
"God uses unlikely people, to accomplish unlikely tasks, in unconventional ways!"
Are YOU His next UNCONVENTIONAL CHOICE?
John 15:16. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.”
2 Timothy 2:20-23 “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.”
Is there such a thing as an almost Christian? -Someone who is almost saved -almost living for Christ
Almost will- not put you in right standing with God. Almost will- allow you to miss the greatest transformation of your life. Almost will-prevent you from being the Unconventional Choice that God desires to use.
How to become an UNCONVENTIONAL CHOICE for God to use:
1: We SEPARATE ourselves.
V. 21- “So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.”
Romans 16:17- “Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them,” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. "But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!” Ephesians 5:11 “Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.” How will the world know we are an unconventional choice for God, if we are no different than the world?
2: We GROW up
V. 22 “Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.”
3: IGNORE Ignorance
V. 23 “But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.” "Ignore the stuff and ignore the people that does not benefit your qualifications."
Title: The "UN" factor
Unconventional: not conforming to what is generally done. Unorthodox, irregular, uncommon
Conventional: based on what is generally done or accepted. Normal, typical, tradition and common
"UN" means NOT.
What makes up an "UN" conventional follower of Jesus?
1: Someone who is UNABLE
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness because they will be filled.
They recognize their inability to satisfy the spiritual hunger that God has placed inside of them, in and of their own doings.
Romans 3:10 As it is written, there is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who seeks God.
2: Someone who is an UNHINDERED worshiper
John 4:23-24 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
An UNHINDERED worshiper enters the presence of God, by faith, and there praises and worships Him.
1 Timothy 2:8 "I want every man in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument."
When a holy heart tells your holy hands to lift during UNHINDERED worship, it means that you are surrendering your will to God's ways. You are declaring that you are UNABLE!!
Holy hands lifted means that you are embracing the assistance in which you are requesting.
What hinders our worship? -unconfessed sin -having a problem with another brother or sister -worrying about who is watching you or what others might say
3: Someone who has an UNDEFILED heart
How do you have an undefiled heart? -Repent of your sins -Ask God to change your heart, soften your heart, cleanse your heart
Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your Word.
Romans 12:2- Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
John 15- Jesus says to remain in Me....
4: Someone who is UNWAVERING in their walk.
1 Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Galatians 5:1 "Christ has liberated us into Freedom. Therefore, stand firm and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”
1: A quick GLIMPSE of 2016
Verse 3- Boast in Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh.
Verse 10- My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.
"Goals are always ahead of you, not what has been left behind you. "
In other words- Your past holds no goals for you.
Our goal is NOT: -in what used to be -or in how we did it last year -or having a sense of being arrived -or a sense of perfection -or getting used to the way things are
Verse 13: Paul says, "forgetting what's behind and REACHING forward to what is ahead."
Ask: What do you need to forget about from 2016?
"Your past is your greatest HINDRANCE for you to rewrite HISTORY!"
Stop letting your past play the lead role for your future. It's time you replace the star!!!!
Psalm 150 “Hallelujah! Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His powerful acts; praise Him for His abundant greatness. Praise Him with trumpet blast; praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dance; praise Him with flute and strings. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals. Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!” When you only take a GLIMPSE of your past, it will propel you to praise God for your future.
2: Take a GAZE into 2017
Our goal as a church and for your life, lies: -in front of us -in what will be -in the expectancy of a move of God -in the continued begging, and seeking and asking and remaining in a position of unable on our own strength -in recognizing that tons of lives are at stake -time is running out
Verse 14- "I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus."
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Philippians 3:12-16. "I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.”
The KEEPER of the Inn
Luke 2:1-12 NKJV “And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 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. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.””
1: STOP giving God your left-overs
"Left overs seem to be what we serve God on a regular basis!"
Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” God wants: -Love that lasts, not more religion!-
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” If you are constantly giving God your left overs, soon there will be none LEFT OVER to give!
2: Make Room
How do we make room in our INNS for Jesus?
A-Kill the Excuses too busy? too prideful? too comfortable/complacent? too miserable? *too down on yourself?
B-Regain control of the gate
C-Make OURSELVES smaller John 3:30 I must decrease and He must INCREASE.
3: No More left overs plus Making Room=
NEW BIRTH
"Because of one person's obedience, it changed the entire course of history for everyone else."
Title: YOU'VE SLEPT LONG ENOUGH
Matthew 1:18-25 “The birth of Jesus Christ came about this way: After His mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, it was discovered before they came together that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name Him Immanuel, which is translated “God is with us.” When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.”
1- Joseph didn't Compromise his Character (He did the right thing)
V. 19-21 “So her husband Joseph, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace her publicly, decided to divorce her secretly. But after he had considered these things, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because what has been conceived in her is by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”” Joseph was full of God and he was full of Grace
When you do the right thing, even when you're all alone, truth needs not to be defended. Just like a lion needs no defender.
2: Joseph Remained Obedient
V. 24-25 "When Joseph got up from sleeping, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her but did not know her intimately until she gave birth to a son. And he named Him Jesus.”
"He RSVP'd to God's invitation!"
John 14:23 “Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” "Our obedience to Jesus is not optional"
3: Joseph Trusted the Messenger
V. 24- When Joseph "got up", awakened, from sleeping, he did as the Lord angel had commanded him.
V. 20- the Message: "But as he was trying to figure a way out".
God will never ask anything of you, unless He has already prepared the way for you!!! You can trust the messenger.
Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you...
"God used a step dad, who decided to step up, and to step in, so that the message of the Good News could continue stepping forward!!! It's time you trust the messenger.
Title: Let It Be
Distressed- To suffer from anxiety.
Anxiety-A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
"Anxiety creates Distress"
Luke 1:26-38 “In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end. Mary asked the angel, “How can this be, since I have not been intimate with a man? ” The angel replied to her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God. And consider your relative Elizabeth — even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called childless. For nothing will be impossible with God.” “I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.”
1-She was in Agreement with her inabilities
2 Corinthians 4:7 “Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” When we are in agreement with our inabilities, then God is able to remove our distress and replace it with peace and purpose.
Matthew 11:28-30 ““Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
2-She Increased her Intimacy with God
Luke 1:46-47 “And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,”
She went from DENYING intimacy with God, to DESIRING intimacy with God.
How do we increase our intimacy with God? A-Love Him Affectionately B-Remain Consistent C-Join Him in His work
3-She Embraced her assignment
Luke 1:28b-“And the angel came to her and said, “Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.” But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be. Then the angel told her: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name Jesus.” Luke 1:38 ““I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her."
"LET IT BE done according to your word"
The Power of Praise
"Praise is a powerful weapon, more so than you may ever realize. It has the uncanny ability to bring ENCOURAGEMENT, BREAKTHROUGH, and ENCOUNTERS with the Holy Spirit, simultaneously strengthening us to overcome fear and doubt. "
God is NOT expecting perfection in our praise. God is NOT impressed with well rehearsed lines God is NOT worried with our imperfect character
God DESIRES raw, honest, vulnerable and open praise!!
God uses PRAISE as an unconventional weapon!
Judges 6: 11-16 "The Angel of the Lord came, and He sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the wine vat in order to hide it from the Midianites. Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Gideon said to Him, “Please Sir, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all His wonders that our fathers told us about? They said, ‘Hasn’t the Lord brought us out of Egypt? ’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the power of Midian. Am I not sending you? ” He said to Him, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” “But I will be with you,” the Lord said to him. “You will strike Midian down as if it were one man.”
2 Chronicles 20:1-3. "After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to fight against Jehoshaphat. People came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast number from beyond the Dead Sea and from Edom has come to fight against you; they are already in Hazazon-tamar” (that is, En-gedi). Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the Lord. Then he proclaimed a fast for all Judah,”
Verse 15- “and he said, “Listen carefully, all Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat. This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Joshua 6:1-5 "Now Jericho was strongly fortified because of the Israelites — no one leaving or entering. The Lord said to Joshua, “Look, I have handed Jericho, its king, and its fighting men over to you. March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven ram’s-horn trumpets in front of the ark. But on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the trumpets. When there is a prolonged blast of the horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the city wall will collapse, and the people will advance, each man straight ahead.”
Judges 6:22 “When Gideon’s men blew their 300 trumpets, the Lord set the swords of each man in the army against each other."
2 Chronicles 20:18 “Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him. Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting with a loud voice.” Joshua 6:15 “Early on the seventh day, they started at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same way. That was the only day they marched around the city seven times. After the seventh time, the priests blew the trumpets, and Joshua said to the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city.” God has somebody marching around a wall of: 1-Doubt.... shout and praise Him 2-Discouragement....shout and praise Him 3-Guilt and Shame....shout and praise Him 4-Hurt and Pain....shout and praise Him 5-Difficulty and sadness..shout and praise Him 6-Cancer and sickness..shout and praise Him 7-Addiction and bondage...shout and praise Him
Title: Praise Despite your Pain
How we deal with Pain: -ignore it -retreat from it -suppress it -despise it -learn from it -question it -hide from it -embrace it
HOW do we PRAISE despite our PAIN?
1 Peter 1:6-9 “You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith — more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire — may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1: Expect a Lesson the Be Learned
We have to remember that when pain comes on us or when we are being tested, that the instructor is always the one administering the test.
We have to praise despite our pain, because through our praise, God reveals the lesson to be learned.
Job 6:10- "At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One. "
My instructor knows how to test me because He knows how He has instructed me!
2: God exchanges our Sorrow for a Celebration
V. 7b May be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.
Genesis 50:19-20 “You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result — the survival of many people.”
2 Corinthians 6:10 "as sorrowful or painful, yet always giving praise. "
Psalm 30:11-12 “You turned my lament into dancing; You removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, so that I can sing to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise You forever.”
3: You Receive the Promises if you just Endure the Pain
V.9. You are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
V. 3-4 “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” What are the promises God gives us?
A- New Birth(John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
B- An Abundant Inheritance (Revelation 21:4)
C- Eternal Security (Romans 8:38-39)
THE POTENTIAL OF PRAISE
Potential- Having the capacity to become or develop into something in the future. The possibilities, the prospective.
Psalm 40:1-3 “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help. He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”
1: The Potential of your praise should compel you to KEEP Praising.
"Our praise has the potential to produce an innumerable multitude that will see the sufferings of the Lord, the atonement which He provided for them, their shameful condition, and through grace shall trust in the Lord for salvation."
2: The Potential of your Praise Produces a Fulfilled Future
Daniel 3: 17-25 “If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and He can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if He does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times more than was customary, and he commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. So these men, in their trousers, robes, head coverings, and other clothes, were tied up and thrown into the furnace of blazing fire. Since the king’s command was so urgent and the furnace extremely hot, the raging flames killed those men who carried Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego up. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego fell, bound, into the furnace of blazing fire. Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in alarm. He said to his advisers, “Didn’t we throw three men, bound, into the fire? ” “Yes, of course, Your Majesty,” they replied to the king. He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.””
"I believe that God uses our praise to change even the commandments of kings that are contrary to the gospel"
3: The Potential of your Praise Breaks you out of your Bondage
Acts 16:25-35 “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose. When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because all of us are here! ” Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household. When daylight came, the chief magistrates sent the police to say, “Release those men! ”” "Praise does not minimize our struggle, it acknowledges His love, His power and His grace."
4: The Potential of your Praise Releases Resentment
Luke 15
Title: The PLACE of PRAISE
Psalm 118:1-5, 15 “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let Israel now say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron now say, “His mercy endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD now say, “His mercy endures forever.” I called on the LORD in distress; The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.” 15-"The voice of rejoicing and salvation Is in the tents of the righteous; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.” Where is your Place of Praise?
Job 1:21- "The Lord gives; and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord!"
"ENDURE"
1: Your place of praise should be engulfed with ENDURANCE
to remain in existence, to continue, and to persist.
Isaiah 53:5-12 “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. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.” "They were enduring in their places of praise because of a promise that had yet to be fulfilled"
2: Our places of Praise must echo the reasons for our praise. (His mercy, His mercy, His mercy, His mercy)
We can endure the place of our praise because of His mercy.
What is God's mercy? -His Compassion -His love -His lovingkindness
V. 5- I called on the Lord in distress: The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
(Removed him from a defile of disaster to the basin of blessing)
What if God is waiting for your praise before He answers your prayers?
V. 15- The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the TENTS of the righteous!!
Your Place of Praise should be the tent in which you are dwelling.
Title: HERE to THERE
Matthew 9:37-38 “Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”” WHAT MUST I DO TO REAP SUCH A HARVEST?
(A picture of the Living Room). Put on screen as I talk about them.
(A picture of Cotten funeral home)
(A picture of Grover C Fields)
(A current picture of Latitude Church)
How do we prepare for THERE as Latitude Church? Jesus is telling us:
1-Here is no longer acceptable.
2-Here prevents us from There
3-Here is just a catalyst to There
4-Here is only a part of the process to There
"THERE is an abundant harvest of people that are far from Me. Ask Me what you should do to reap such a harvest?"
We REACH We SERVE We GATHER We GIVE We CHANGE
If we remain HERE, our Complacency will lead us to Catastrophe!! I want an ALIVE church instead of an ARRIVED church.
So, what's Latitude's THERE?
1-A Third service.
2-100% of people in small groups.
3-Empower and Engage
4-Develop and Expand our teams
5-Multi-site church
Now that we know our THERE, how do we get THERE??
Acts 1:8- “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” Matthew 28:19- “Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Title: It's Worth the Gamble
Gamble- Take risky actions in hope of a desired result.
Matthew 6:24- ““No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.” NOW THEM ARE FIGHTING WORDS!!!!
Tithe- One tenth of annual produce or earnings, formerly taken as a tax for the support of the church and clergy.
Biblical definition: A tenth of the produce or someone's earnings, set apart for a specific purpose in multiplying the Kingdom of God.
Why people don't tithe: 1-It's all mine. 2-I give elsewhere. 3-God will provide through others. 4-My gift don't really count. 5-I only give to what I like. (Control freak giver) 6-My husband controls the money. 7-I will tithe when I can afford it. 8-I'm afraid to tithe. 9-We have forgotten that Jesus gave His ALL. 10-Deep down, do I really care about people's eternity?
How your tithe is used at Latitude Church. 1-Outreach 2-Ministries 3-Missions 4-Utilities 5-Maintenance 6-Special Events 7-Salaries of staff 8-Everyday Operations
IT'S WORTH THE GAMBLE!!!
Show video of Drew and Meredith***
"To have to think about tithing was terrifying. " "We are not owners, but stewards. "
Psalm 50:10-12 “for every animal of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and everything in it is Mine.”
**When our full allegiance is to God, including our MONEY, -He always provides.
Exodus 20:4-5 “Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God...
God always provides to those who are His faithful servants.
Video of Sabrina Ogelsby "It's all His anyway, He just moves it around!"
Philippians 4:11-13 “I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content — whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
The Result with Trusting God with the Gamble
If gamble means to take risky actions in hope of a desired result, then Trusting God with the Gamble means to have full reliability and confidence in the God that owns it all and provides it all.
Bring Chad Smith on the stage!!!!!!
Malachi 3:10-“Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this way,” says the Lord of Hosts. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.” Luke 6:38- “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over — will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”” Psalm 4:5- “Offer sacrifices in righteousness and trust in the Lord.” It's Worth the Gamble!!!
Title: Would You Rather?
1) They must Love Jesus
2) They must love the church
3) They must love me
Proverbs 27:6 “The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.” The Message: “The wounds from a lover are worth it; kisses from an enemy do you in.” The Amplified Version: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].” 1-It's more about the HELPING than it is the HURTING.
Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be committed and repent.” Solomon said, "Open rebuke is better than secret love. "
"It is better to hear rebuke when it is warranted than to hear of a secret profession of love that never issues in acts of kindness. ". "The reproof of a friend is a valuable adjunct of friendship. The usefulness of friendship is dissipated when loving and faithful reproof is divorced from the relationship. "
Leviticus 19:17 ““You must not harbor hatred against your brother. Rebuke your neighbor directly, and you will not incur guilt because of him.” If you speak words that inflict pain on purpose, to attempt to prove your point, it's like sewing poison.
Ephesians 4:29 “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” 2- A FILTER prevents FOLLY
Colossians 4:6 “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person."
A TWO-FACED FAKE!!!!
Proverbs 16:23 “A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.” Proverbs 12:18 “There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.” How should we FILTER? -Speak up to people not down to them -What would Jesus say -Will what I say bring life or death -Am I building them up or tearing them down -Is my heart deceptive or is it healed -Am I filtering my words -Am I patiently administering or hastily hurting
FILTERING PREVENT FOLLY!!
Title: ACT LIKE IT THEN
Them Re Fighting Words
SCRIPTURE- Colossians 3:1-15 “So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.” Number 1: SEEK V. 1-So, if you have been raised with the Messiah, SEEK what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:33- But SEEK first, the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you as well.
When is the last time you sought after God?
Second: SET V. 2- SET your minds.....
Focus one's will and emotions on the spiritual reality of heaven, and letting that control one's motivations, rather than getting caught up in the earthly concerns.
Psalm 73:25- Whom do I have in heaven but you? And I desire nothing on earth but you.
How do we SET our minds on Jesus?
1-Do away with the competition.
2- Make an appointment and keep it.
3-Repeat every day!
Number 3: SLAY
Constantly put to death our sinful nature.
Number 4: SAME V. 11- Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.
"All earthly distinctions begin to fade when a person is joined with Christ. Believers increasingly take on the image of God rather than the likeness of man. "
Remain focused on what lies ahead, not on what prevents us from the mission God has called us to.
SEEK, SET, SLAY, BE THE SAME.
"ACT LIKE IT THEN"
The NOW GENERATION The UNASHAMED generation
Why are teenagers NOT going to church?
1-Sunday only Christians
2-Do as I say, Not as I do
3-Unrelatable
4-One foot in- One foot Out
5-Perfect Christian Syndrone
How do we help the Now generation in becoming the UNASHAMED generation?
1: We have to know that IT IS DIFFERENT
(Interview Albert after this point)
2: Raise our expectations
1 Timothy 4:12 No one should despise your youth; instead you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
"When we set the bar too low, they will reach it every time. "
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.
-Today we check in -Today we raise our expectations -Today can determine if they will live their lives for Jesus
-By the age of 9, moral foundations of children are generally determined.
-By the age of 13, their spiritual identities will be set.
-9 out of 10 churched young adults are leaving the church.
Those who are being saved: 32% for children between 5 and 13 years old 4% for children between 14 and 18 *6% for people 19 years and older
61% of adults who attended church as children still attend regularly, while 22% of those who were not churchgoers as children attend church today.
63% of parents who were churched as children take their children to church. 33% who were not churched do not bring their children to church.
Only 6% of middle schoolers will have accepted Jesus as Savior if they do not do so by the age of 9.
"The greatest evangelical window currently available is among young children" Barna
Proverbs 22:6. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. "
1: We train with the right M & Ms: (Methods and Materials.).
According to Barna research group: People Remember; -10 percent of what they READ -20 percent of what they HEAR -30 percent of what they SEE -50 percent of what they SEE and HEAR -70 percent of what they SAY and WRITE -90 percent of what they DO
2: We train at the right LEVEL
( interview Jen here)
3: We train in the right PLACES
The right place starts at:
YOUR HOUSE!!!!
You get 2,912 hours per year with your children to train them. COMPARED TO about 52 hours per year at church, if you come every week.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21 ““Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the heavens are above the earth, your days and those of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your fathers.” Joshua said in Joshua 24:15 As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Title: The NOW generation - The Greatest Investment
"70% of all high school graduates have walked away from the church!!"
What does this mean? It means that the church has created a culture where children and students are really not that important. That training them to know Jesus and to make Him known is for them to figure out instead of us being intentional.
"If we don't empower our children and teenagers, there will not be a church in 20 years!"
Luke 2:39-52. "When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him. Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival. When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it. Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.” “Why were you searching for Me? ” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house? ””
1: WE TAP INTO THEIR POTENTIAL
As the church, we have to treat our children and teenagers as the church, not the future of the church.
The moment a child or teenager gives their life to Jesus, they become a disciple of Jesus. They have the same potential in becoming equipped and called just like you and I.
We have to stop saying-they are our future. If we wait around for their future, and treat them as the future, there won't be a future for them inside the church.
2: We cannot confuse their curiosity with being annoying.
How will our children and teenagers know how to act as a follower of Jesus and continue to do the work of an evangelist, a preacher, a teacher, a prophet and missionary, unless we allow them to be curious?
3: We have to take it SERIOUS
If we don't teach them inside of the church, you better believe that the world will teach them outside of the church.
4: We FUND what we are FOR
We have to make the investment!
"Growth begins because somebody chose to give"
Some of the wealthiest people in the world became wealthy because somebody saw their potential, they embraced their curiosity, they took them serious and the invested in them.
We fund our children and teens, not for what they might bring to the table, but what they are already bringing to the table.
God calls us to MULTIPLY His kingdom, not to maintain it!
Title: When God throws a "BUT" in your plans. (God does not apologize for the interruptions)
Proverbs 16:9- "The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
If your plans have not yet been interrupted with a "but" from God, the closer you walk with Jesus the more you are guaranteed that an interruption will come.
Jonah 1:1-3 “Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord."
1: REBELLION
To deliberately, go against authority.
God will never ask us to do anything that He doesn't prepare us before hand!
BUT!!!!- an objection
You might not rebel, but you do try and:
2: REDIRECT
We can be so focused on trying to redirect God, that we totally miss out on what He has for us!
Jonah 1:4- The. The Lord hurled a violent wind on the sea and a raging storm came against the boat Jonah was in. V. 15- They picked up Jonah and three him into the sea. V. 17- Then the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the great fish three days and three nights.
We can "REBEL" against the but of God's plans. We can REDIRECT our plans so that God will hopefully forget about what He has asked us to do, or we can:
3: RECONSIDER
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 shall direct your paths.”
THE BIG SHOW
Why do we do what we do at Latitude Church?
1: We have an audience of One!!
Acts 5:29- "“But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:30-32 “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had murdered by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”” In other words: JESUS IS THE ONE!! HE IS THE BIG SHOW!!
2: We can't contain our praise!
Psalm 149: 1-6a “Hallelujah! Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly. Let Israel celebrate its Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and lyre. For Yahweh takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly celebrate in triumphal glory; let them shout for joy on their beds. Let the exaltation of God be in their mouths..."
Psalm 150: "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord"
"So that when your time of testing is over, you don't have to manufacture your praise. You just pick up where you left off with your praise!"
SOMEBODY PRAISE HIM!!!!
3: We have been tasked with a Responsibility.
Philippians 1:6 “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:1. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins....
Verse 4- BUT GOD, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!!
KNOW HIM AND TO MAKE HIM KNOWN!!
JESUS is THE BIG SHOW!! It's ALL about JESUS.
Title: God's buts come with BENEFITS
Benefit- an advantage or profit gained from something.
Romans 4:24-25 “but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”
Romans 5:1-8 “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. For rarely will someone die for a just person — though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. BUT GOD- proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!”
Hebrews 11:1- Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do NOT see.
Ephesians 2:8-9 “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift — not from works, so that no one can boast.” "It's the grace of God that cost Jesus His peace with God, so that we can enjoy the goodness of God"
BENEFIT #1: Justification(to be made right, to be in right standing with God) "We can be so busy working to obtain God's favor that we miss the benefits of His forgiveness"
Our justification is credited to us because of the faith in which we exercise.
BENEFIT #2: Peace
BENEFIT #3: Access (a means of entrance into somewhere or something)
BENEFIT #4: Boasting (jubilation, exultant rejoicing-to SHOUT ABOUT IT)
Luke 15:10- “I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.””
BENEFIT #5: Glory "Tried Integrity"
BENEFIT #6: God's Love (agape)
You don't have the ability to love others in the way God desires for you to love others until you have placed your faith in the God who first loved you!
BENEFIT #7: Demonstration (We see the benefit)
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. Genesis 32:22-23
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was out of place as he wrestled with the man. Genesis 32:24-25
Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Genesis 32:26-27
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:28
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. Genesis 32:29
I know That I'm Israel BUT Jacob Won't Let Me Go
Your PAST doesn't disqualify you from your FUTURE in Christ Jesus!!!
Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. Genesis 25:21
When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. Genesis 25:24-25
After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping (clutching) Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Genesis 25:26
Don't forget where you came from.
The same grace that God extended to you is the same grace and compassion that God expects you to extend to others.
That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. SO JACOB WAS LEFT ALONE... Genesis 32:22-24
Jacob was UNPLUGGED.
• UNPLUG
When was the last time you were unplugged?
Be still (UNPLUG) and know that I am God. -Psalm 46:10
When you unplug and get into the presence of God, God shows you--YOU!!!
So I said: “Woe is me, FOR I AM UNDONE! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. -Mark 1:35
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. -Luke 5:16
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. -Luke 6:12
After he had DISMISSED THEM, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone... -Matthew 14:23
Who or what do you need to dismiss out of your life so that you can plug in with God?
So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was out of place as he wrestled with the man. Genesis 32:24-25
• Pick the right fight.
What are you wrestling with today?
Wrestling with God is the wrong fight.
Wrestling with your spouse or your significant other is the wrong fight.
Wrestling with your child or your co-worker is the wrong fight.
Wrestling with the adversary THROUGH God's power is the right fight.
Finally, be strong IN THE LORD and in HIS MIGHTY POWER. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:10-11
FOR OUR STRUGGLE IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a BROKEN spirit, A BROKEN and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. Psalms 51:16-17
It's not until you BREAK a hundred dollar bill that you get CHANGE back.
Jesus then commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He BLESSED and BROKE and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. Matthew 14:19
God BLESSES what HE BREAKS, but He never takes His hands off of it while breaking it.
Then the man said, “Let me go, FOR IT IS DAYBREAK.” -Genesis 32:26
• It's a new season.
Dont be so busy crying over the brook that has dried up, that you miss the ocean that God currently has flowing for you!
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Genesis 32:26
The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Genesis 32:27
• God sees more inside of you than you see inside of yourself.
The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Genesis 32:27
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel (God's chosen people), because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:28
• The struggle is over.
Your past doesn't have the power to keep you unless you want to be kept.
Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. Genesis 32:29
• It was nobody BUT GOD.
And God appeared unto Jacob AGAIN, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. -Genesis 35:9
And God said unto him, your name is Jacob: your name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be your name: and he called his name Israel. Genesis 35:10
And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. Genesis 35:19
And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day. Genesis 35:20
AND ISRAEL journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar... -Genesis 35:21
What's your Rachel?
Title: GOT YOU COVERED
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
1: GUARD AGAINST SELF CONFIDENCE
verse 12 “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” "If we continue to rely on self to defeat temptation, self will ultimately let us down!"
-Standing represents our position in Christ's righteousness.
Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
-Standing symbolizes our preparation for battle.
Ephesians 6:13-14a. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then...."
-Standing shows a readiness to serve.
-Standing is the proper posture!!
"CHANGE YOUR POSITION"
It's time for us to STAND again!!!
2: Every temptation is an invitation to trust in Jesus.
Verse 13- “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” "Are you in the fetal position under God's covering or are you Standing under His authority?"
What is YOUR way out today?
THE CROSS!!!! (Light up the cross)
Jesus says, "GOT YOU COVERED"
Title: TURNING TEMPTATION INTO TRIUMPH
We can succeed, we can triumph, we can have victory over our temptation!!!!
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11 “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil. After He had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, He was hungry. Then the tempter approached Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” But He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the Devil took Him to the holy city, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: He will give His angels orders concerning you, and they will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus told him, “It is also written: Do not test the Lord your God.” Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Then the Devil left Him, and immediately angels came and began to serve Him.”
1: START with being PREPARED
Matthew 3:16-17 “After Jesus was baptized, He went up immediately from the water. The heavens suddenly opened for Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming down on Him. And there came a voice from heaven: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him!” Ephesians 5:18 "Do not get drunk with wine which leads to reckless living, BUT be FILLED with the Holy Spirit. " A "continual filling". There is one baptism of the Holy Spirit but many fillings.
Dwell, soak in, pickled in the Lord's presence!!
2 Chronicles 12:14 "And he did evil, because he did not PREPARE his heart to seek the Lord. "
Luke 2:52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people. "
2: STOP using the wrong APPROACH
verse 3: "Then the tempter APPROACHED Him and said (IF YOU...)
A-We don't entertain them. B-We don't depend on our own ability. Ephesians 5:18. "Do not get drunk on wine which leads to reckless living...
C-We DO have to stop DOUBTING.
"The way we approach the tempter will determine our triumph"
"IT IS"....
Verse 11- "Then the devil left Him....."
Title: DON'T YOU TEMP ME
Temptation: A desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. The act of enticing to evil by arguments, by flattery, or by the offer of some real or apparent good.
In other words: My own pleasures, My own desires, My own will.
James 1:13-14 "No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14-But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.”
1: STOP SHIFTING THE BLAME
Verse 13: “No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.” Why we can't blame God for our temptations.
Romans 3:23-For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Matthew 4:1-“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil.”
Romans 13:14- “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires.” Galatians 13:14- For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” "God came to destroy evil, not to promote it. "
2: KILL THE "I" IN US
V. 14- “But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.” Temptation comes from within us. From our old, evil, fallen, unregenerate nature.
Matthew 15:19- “For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, blasphemies.” How to kill the "I" in us.
A. Deny ME, MYSELF and I
B. Make it about THEM not ME
Philippians 2:3-4 “Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. "
C. Instead of being "DRAWN AWAY AND ENTICED," let us "RUN TO AND REPEL.
Proverbs 18:10- "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe. "
Repel- To be repulsed by, to be sickened by, to be disgusted with.
"The less you give into temptation, the less you will be tempted. The more you run to Jesus, the more repulsive your temptations will become. "
Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions given to him by his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places. 1 Kings 3:3
The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 1 Kings 3:4
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 1 Kings 3:5
DREAMS STILL COME TRUE
Solomon SHOWED HIS LOVE FOR THE LORD by walking according to the instructions... 1 Kings 3:3
Be a night light.
Solomon showed his love for the Lord by walking according to the instructions GIVEN TO HIM BY HIS FATHER DAVID... 1 Kings 3:3
Father's take time to give your children instructions.
Listen to the Teacher, allow HIM to teach you, how to teach your children.
At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” 1 Kings 3:5
Solomon answered, “You have shown GREAT KINDNESS to your servant, my father David, because he was FAITHFUL TO YOU and RIGHTEOUS AND UPRIGHT IN HEART... 1 Kings 3:6
Faithfulness, Righteousness, and living Upright in heart produces Great Kindness (Favor) from the Lord.
You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 1 Kings 3:6
When you treat God right, in return God treats your children right.
“Now, Lord my God, YOU HAVE MADE YOUR SERVANT KING in place of my father David... 1 Kings 3:7
You made me. I didn't get here on my own. I'm your servant.
“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. BUT I AM ONLY A LITTLE CHILD AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CARRY OUT MY DUTIES. 1 Kings 3:7
1) Acknowledge that you DON'T have it from here.
Instead of telling God I GOT IT FROM HERE humble yourself and give God permission TO TAKE IT FROM HERE!
TRUST in the Lord with all your heart, And LEAN not to your own understanding; IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Your servant is here among THE PEOPLE you have chosen, A GREAT PEOPLE, too numerous to count or number. 1 Kings 3:8
So give your servant a discerning heart to govern YOUR PEOPLE and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this GREAT PEOPLE OF YOURS?” 1 Kings 3:9
2) Dream outside of yourself.
If you're waiting for the perfect circumstances to begin serving others, or to move on the dream that God has given you for others, then you're going to be waiting a long time.
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1
So give your servant a discerning heart (WISDOM) to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:9
3) Dream With Wisdom
Wisdom happens when God takes HIS mind and places it in your mind to help turn your problem into a solution.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. Proverbs 8:17
The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice (Wisdom) , 1 Kings 3:10-11
I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 1 Kings 3:12
Moreover, I WILL GIVE YOU WHAT YOU HAVE NOT ASKED FOR—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. 1 Kings 3:13
God gave Solomon what he did not ask for because God could trust Solomon because of what Solomon DID ask for.
Wisdom gives you the ability to handle the blessing instead of the blessing handling you.
4) Dream BIG but Dream with God.
Dreams without God quickly turn into nightmares. Dreams with God quickly turn into the impossible!
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, Ephesians 3:20
For WITH God nothing shall be impossible! -Luke 1:37
• He will introduce you to HIS Dreams.
• He will sustain HIS dreams.
Where God guides He provides. When it's His will it's His bill. When it's His vision there will be provision.
• He will resurrect HIS dreams.
Jesus said to her, “I AM THE RESURRECTION and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. John 11:25
And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?” John 11:26
Then Solomon awoke—and he realized it had been a dream... 1 Kings 3:15
Title: GOD IS STILL SPEAKING
Myth #1: God only speaks to those who are already in a relationship with Jesus.
Myth #2: With all of the catastrophic things happening today, God must be silent.
Myth #3: You have to be a seasoned veteran Christian for God to speak to you.
Joel 2:28 "“After this I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your old men will have dreams, and your young men will see visions.” Acts 2:17 "“And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”
IF GOD IS STILL SPEAKING, then WHY CAN'T YOU HEAR FROM HIM?
1- You don't know His voice.
John 10:27 "“My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.” 2-You have selective hearing. James 1:19 "“My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” 3-Your faith is smaller than your ears.
4-It boils down to: You don't want to hear from God.
HOW DOES GOD STILL SPEAK TODAY? 1-Through His Word. The Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,” 2-The Holy Spirit. John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.” 3-Other godly people.
4-Through dreams and visions.
How to deal with dreams??
1-Pray about the dream 2-Write it down 3-Listen to God 4-Seek godly counsel 5-Don't ponder upon it
Title: NO SEPARATION (Let me try and persuade you)
ROMANS 8:35-39 “Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!” 1: BECAUSE GOD'S LOVE IS INESCAPABLE
2: BECAUSE GOD'S LOVE IS UNSHAKABLE
1 John 4:19- “We love because He first loved us.” 3: BECAUSE GOD'S LOVE IS INSEPARABLE
AFFLICTION?
ANGUISH?
PERSECUTION?
FAMINE?
NAKEDNESS?
James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” DANGER?
SWORD?
Philippians 1:21 “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain.” Our response to NO SEPARATION.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 “For Christ’s love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died. And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.” -WE LIVE WITH A GREATER PURPOSE -WE LIVE WITH A GREATER HOPE -WE LIVE WITH KNOWING WE HAVE A SECURED FUTURE
Title: IT'S JUST AN ACCUSATION
Romans 8:31-34. “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.”
1: THE ENEMY IS WORKING WITH FAILED PLANS
"If omnipotence (all power) is working on our behalf, no lesser power can defeat His purpose"
Revelation 12:10-11a "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Messiah have now come, because the accuser of our brothers has been thrown out: the one who accuses them before our God day and night. They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony," Ephesians 6:4- "Stand therefore, with the belt of truth around your waist"
Isaiah 54:17- "No weapon formed against you will succeed, and you will refute any accusation raised against you!"
2: THE GREATEST HAS ALREADY BEEN GIVEN
V. 32- "He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?"
Hebrews 10:17 “He adds: I will never again remember their sins and their lawless acts.” Psalm 103:12 “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Micah 7:19 “He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
3: TRUTH NEEDS NO DEFENSE
"Just like a lion needs no defender, God's truth needs no defending!"
Philippians 4:8 "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise — dwell on these things.”
4 YOU CONTROL THE GATE
Song of Solomon 2:15 “Catch the foxes for us — the little foxes that ruin the vineyards — for our vineyards are in bloom.”
Title: THERE'S NO COMPARISON
Romans 8:18 “For I consider that the sufferings (groans) of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.” Number # 1: REFUSE TO LET THIS LIFE BE THE ONLY ONE YOU LIVE.
1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind — God prepared this for those who love Him.” John 14:1-3 ““Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”
"AN ALREADY PLACE"
Colossians 3:1-3 “So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God."
"If your focus is solely on the groans of the temporal, there is no wonder why you cannot comprehend the glory of your ALREADY ETERNAL"
Number 2: IF YOU CHOOSE TO "YOLO" YOU WILL SPEND YOUR ETERNITY SAYING "OH NO!"
Matthew 10:31-33 “So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows. “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven."
2 Timothy 2:11-12 "“This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;”
Luke 9:25. "“What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself?”
Revelation 21:4-5 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away. Then the One seated on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
"Go Ask Your Mama"
Scripture: Luke 15:11-24. “He also said: “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! ’ So they began to celebrate.” HOW TO BE A PRODIGAL'S MOM
POINT #1: EXPLAINS
Deuteronomy 11: 18-22. ““Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a symbol on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that as long as the heavens are above the earth, your days and those of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your fathers. For if you carefully observe every one of these commands I am giving you to follow — to love the Lord your God, walk in all His ways, and remain faithful to Him."
Proverbs 7:1-3. “My son, obey my words, and treasure my commands. Keep my commands and live; protect my teachings as the pupil of your eye. Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 22:6 “Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
POINT #2: EMBODIES
Habakkuk 2:1 “I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what He will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint.”
POINT # 3: EMPOWERS
Romans 2:4. “Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
Proverbs 31:26. “She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue.”
Scripture: Romans 8:1-4 "Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:1-3. “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler who exercises authority over the lower heavens, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.”
"The most rebellious person to ever walk the planet until he met Jesus of Nazareth and then He turned his rebellion into a rescue mission!
John 8. The story of the woman caught in adultery. (. Just put on the screen John 8)
No condemnation empowers us to sin no more. Whereas, religion says, "sin no more and there will be no condemnation!"
Condemnation is a nagging guilt that tries to disqualify you.
The one who justifies is also the one who judges!!
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. John 2:1-2
And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” John 2:3
Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” John 2:4
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He tells you to do, DO IT." John 2:5
God will open the door, but only you can walk through the door!!!
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS. James 1:22
The WORD works when you work the WORD.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror... -James 1:23
and, after looking at himself, GOES AWAY and immediately forgets what he looks like. -James 1:24
What happens when you go away?
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law (The Word of God) that gives freedom, AND CONTINUES IN IT—not forgetting what they have heard, BUT DOING IT—THEY WILL BE BLESSED IN WHAT THEY DO. James 1:25
Whatever YOUR hand finds to do, DO IT with all your might... Ecclesiastes 9:10
Do what you can do then look to God to do what only HE can do.
Faith without works is dead. -James 2:22
It's not about trying to work your way into Heaven, it's about being obedient to the God in Heaven.
There comes a time in your life when you have to STOP praying about it and START being about it!
How do you conceive what you receive?
- PRIORITIZE IT
You must have a WHY behind what you do.
• Your WHY drives you when you don't want to be driven.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. -Mark 1:35
Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” -Mark 1:36-37
Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. THAT IS WHY I HAVE COME.” Mark 1:38
Jesus knew his why, lived by his why, and died because of his why.
- Visualize It
Where there is no vision, the people perish... Proverbs 29:18
Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. -Habakkuk 2:2
FOR THE VISION IS YET FOR AN APPOINTED TIME; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3
- Strategize It
A plan is more powerful than an idea.
A good idea, is just a good idea, until you come up with a good idea (a plan) to implement that good idea.
Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 1 Corinthians 9:26
Get the strategy from the Word of God.
Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord... Psalms 37:23
- Capitalize On It
Get the strength to Capitalize on It from the grace of God.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. I Corinthians 15:10
What's holding you back from just doing it?
Title: YOU HAVE no IDEA
SCRIPTURE:
Mark 10:35-45 “Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Him and said, “Teacher, we want You to do something for us if we ask You.” “What do you want Me to do for you? ” He asked them. They answered Him, “Allow us to sit at Your right and at Your left in Your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup I drink or to be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? ” “We are able,” they told Him. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. But to sit at My right or left is not Mine to give; instead, it is for those it has been prepared for.” When the other 10 disciples heard this, they began to be indignant with James and John. Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life — a ransom for many.””
1: BE MINDFUL OF MANIPULATION
"Manufactured manipulation never manifests"
2: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR
Romans 8:28-31 “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”
3: BE WILLING TO SURRENDER YOUR GIFT
Mark 10: 43-45. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life — a ransom for many.””
What do you need to give up in order to gain much more?
Series: God's will is Whatever.
Title: FIGURING IT OUT AMIDST THE FRUSTRATION
Ask: How do we figure out God's will amidst the frustration?
Scripture reference: 1 Kings 18 and 19. (Just show reference not verses)
NUMBER 1- Let Your Frustration Be Known
"The more likes you get on your frustrated status, will not speed up or even clarify God's will for you!"
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know.......
NUMBER 2: Be Determined NOT To Move Until He Says To
Isaiah 40:31- Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not grow faint.
"We are better off waiting and trusting than hurrying and failing"
"Don't let your A.D.D. keep you from His W.I.L.L."
NUMBER 3: Is It God's Will or My Want
"We can confuse God's will with our wants. Our desires and selfishnesses tend to override the greater God has for us"
"My way might have worked out for a little while, but praise God that His will works out for a lifetime"
NUMBER 4: Don't Allow Fear to Make You Frantic
"The same spirit of Jezebel wants to keep you running, to keep you guessing, to keep you in hiding, to keep you from knowing, to keep you frustrated and to ultimately keep you out of the will of God"
NUMBER 5: Confirmation is NOT Confusing
God uses HIS Word, HIS Spirit, HIS People, and HIS Fruit to determine HIS perfect will for us.
Luke 11:9. "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you."
"God has a bigger plan, a higher calling, and a greater destiny for you. Just don't allow your frustration to keep you from your fulfillment.
SERIES: GOD'S WIL IS WHATEVER
Title: You can stop asking!!!
God's will defined: What God wishes or has determined what shall be done of the purpose of God to bless mankind through a relationship with Jesus Christ. His commands, precepts, desires, and His pleasure. His will includes HIS commandments and OUR obedience.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 "For this is God's will, YOUR sanctification"
Sanctify: To make holy, set apart as sacred, to be consecrated, to purify and to make free FROM sin. A condition of growing in divine grace. The act of becoming less like me and more like Jesus.
1Corinthians 1:30 "But from HIM you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. "
1 Corinthians 6:11 "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."
"It doesn't matter if you can quote the New Testament if you're not living by the New Testament!"
Point # 1: To know the will of God you first have to know the God of the will. (You have to be related to Jesus)
2 Peter 3:9 "“The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” "God has no reason to reveal to you anything particular about your life because you have not met qualification number 1- Salvation!
Acts 17:28 "In Him we live, and move, and have our being."
Point # 2: To know the will of God you have to put in the work.
Philippians 2:12-13 “So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.” "God will not show you the next step in His plan for you, until you are obedient in where He has you." "Prosper where you are planted"
How do we PUT IN THE WORK?
1-Actively pursue Obedience.
"The failure of our disobedience should compel us to remain obedient"
2-We go to the very source of our salvation-The Word of God.
3-Stay in close Proximity.
Title- IF WE LOVE, THEN HE WILL REVEAL
"The Big Reveal"
Matthew 22:35-40. “And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest? ” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”” "The way we demonstrate love may be the only thing that prevents someone from spending eternity apart from Jesus"
First Big Reveal- HIMSELF
Matthew 16:13-20. “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? ” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am? ” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God! ” And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.” And He gave the disciples orders to tell no one that He was the Messiah.”
1 John 4:19- We love because He first loved us.
"If you have never experienced the love of Jesus, you will never be able to demonstrate the love of Jesus"
Second Big Reveal: HIS QUALITIES
Third Big Reveal: TO OTHERS
John 13:35. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Title: IF WE ABIDE, THEN HE WILL BRING THE HARVEST.
Galatians 5: 22-23, 25- "“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
V. 25 "Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. "
John 15:1-5. "““I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.”
1: CONNECTION to the VINE
The production of your fruit depends upon the strength of your connection to the vine.
The tell tell sign to know if you are abiding in CHRIST is to inspect your fruit.
Psalm 62:6 "“He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "“We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” How to stay connected to the VINE? 1-Know who Jesus is 2-Know what Jesus says 3-Know what Jesus would do 4-Apply it, live by it, desire it, and ask God for more of it
2: GO THROUGH SOME PRUNING
John 15b- “Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me.” John 15:2b- "“He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit.”
Galatians 5:19-21. "“Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance — as I told you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Title: IF WE REPENT THEN HE WILL RELENT
If, then: A conditional clause that reaps a promised consequence.
"God may be waiting on your response before He acts on your behalf"
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 "If My people, who are called by My name, humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways then I will hear from Heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. My eyes will now be open and My ears attentive to prayer from this place. "
POINT #1: WE HAVE TO START INWARD, before WE CAN LOOK OUTWARD
Matthew 7- Do not judge...
John 8- You without sin, you cast the first stone
Luke 6- Remove the plank from your own eye
1Peter 5:8- "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at your proper time"
POINT # 2: WE MIGHT HAVE TO FALL DOWN BEFORE WE CAN STAND BACK UP
"If the church is to advance, it will advance on its knees". Author unknown.
POINT #3: GOD IS OUR SOLUTION. SOLUTIONS ARE NOT OUR SOLUTION
"Seek more of His face and less of His hand"
Psalm 27:8- "When you said, "Seek My face" my heart said to You, "Your face Lord will I seek"
"Our goal is to make MOST of Jesus, so that He can make MUCH of us"
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 3:3-6. “Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes. Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and are not frightened by anything alarming.” "Do you need a little peace and quiet?"
1-Learn to be quiet (still) Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God. "
You can't know God if you are so busy KNOWING everything else and you can't know your husband if you are so busy WITH everyone else.
Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. "
2-Learn to be gentle in our responses Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away anger but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
James 3:17 "But the wisdom from above is first pure, peace loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits without favoritism and hypocrisy. "
We are able to submit to our Husbands not because our trust is placed in our husbands, but because our hope is in God.
How to show respect: A-Build him up don't year him down B-Trust his judgment C-Have his back D-Desire him sexually
THE SUREST WAY TO SUCCEED (for men)
1 Peter 3:7 “Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.”
1: MORE OF A DEMONSTRATION THAN A VERBALIZATION
2: PRAYERS NOT GETTING ANSWERED? Revert to point #1!!
A-Dwell with her- settle with, reside together, abide with.
B-Give honor to her- sensitive to her needs, speak with your actions, give her your undivided attention, speak kind words to her.
Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to one another with Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, making music in your heart to the Lord.
Extra/no charge: 1-Mutual trust and confidence 2-Have a constant readiness to communicate 3-Stop demanding perfection when you ain't even close 4-Don't overextend financially 5-Love as it's commanded not when you feel like it.
Title: FROM SINGLE TO SATISFIED
Scripture: Matthew 7:11 “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
1- BE CAREFUL THAT YOUR EYES ARE NOT BIGGER THAN YOUR HEART
2- IT'S WORTH THE WAIT
Matthew 7:11b- HOW MUCH MORE....
"The one God has for you is better than you could have ever chosen"
Wait on your BOAZ!!!!! (Show different names of Boaz's relatives)
3- GOD WANTS ALL OF YOU BEFORE HE CAN SHARE YOU WITH SOMEONE ELSE
Revelation 2:4- "But I have this against you; you have abandoned the love you had at first."
Deuteronomy 6:5- "We are to love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, with ALL your soul, and with ALL your strength."
"WILL YOU ACCEPT THIS ROSE?"
Scripture: Song of Solomon 2:15- “Catch the foxes for us — the little foxes that ruin the vineyards — for our vineyards are in bloom.” 1st way of fail proofing: STOP WITH THE EXPECTATIONS
"Stop Expecting and start desiring"
2nd way of fail proofing: FIGHT FAIR
"Conflict can actually help you come to an agreement"
1-We Negotiate
James 1:19-20 "“My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”
2-We Compromise
Ephesians 4:26-27 "“Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity.” 3rd way of fail proofing: STAY PURE
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers.”
4th way of fail proofing: HAVE FUN
Ecclesiastes 8:15 “So I commended enjoyment because there is nothing better for man under the sun than to eat, drink, and enjoy himself, for this will accompany him in his labor during the days of his life that God gives him under the sun.” How to have fun: A-Date again! B-Serve together at church! C-Do things your spouse wants to do!
Series: JUST MARRIED?
Title: HOW DEEP IS YOUR ONENESS
GENESIS 2:21-24 “So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the Lord God made the rib He had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man. And the man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,” for she was taken from man. This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.” How to deepen your oneness...in marriage
1- Just be YOU, PLEASE!
Psalm 139:13-14 "“For it was You who created my inward parts; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.” "True oneness is distinguished less by its sameness than by its differences. "
2- It's going to take a while.
Philippians 1:6 "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of CHRIST Jesus."
3- Don't fill in the cracks
"Vulnerability helps to create oneness"
Proverbs 24:3-4 "“A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding; by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.” In other words: the wisdom of God that seeps into the oneness of marriage, creates a foundation for how the future will be in your marriage.
"The joy in your marriage is the measure of the depth of your oneness"
"Marriage is a living demonstration of the extravagant intimacy into which God wishes to draw all people"
"FREEDOM" Title: FREE AT LAST
Galatians 5:1,13- “Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” 13- “For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.” Slave #1- In bondage (does not have a relationship with Jesus) Slave #2- Out of bondage (does have a relationship with Jesus)
How do we live in Freedom?
POINT #1- KNOW ITS ORIGINATOR
How did Jesus make us free? A-He settled our account forever (John 19:30) B-Through His own blood (Hebrews 9:12, Ephesians 1:7
"Freedom IN CHRIST comes from the Freedom OF CHRIST"
POINT #2- DON'T OVERSTEP FREEDOM'S BOUNDARIES
JOHN 8:31- "If you continue in My Word, you really are My disciples."
"Freedom IN CHRIST does not make us free to do certain things, this freedom helps to keep us from doing certain things!"
1 Peter 2:16- "As God's slaves (out of bondage) live as free people, but don't use your freedom as a way to conceal evil."
Galatians 5:13- "For you were called to freedom, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh!"
POINT #3- DON'T BE ENTICED WITH FALSE FREEDOM.
Galatians 5:1b- "Therefore stand firm and don't submit again to a yoke of slavery"
Stand firm: NAIL YOUR EAR TO THE DOORPOST
Quote: "Forgiveness does not excuse a person's behavior! Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying your heart."
Title: THE NEW "F" WORD
Matthew 6:14-15. "Jesus said, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
"We seek forgiveness AS WE FORGIVE, not because we forgive."
In other words: Forgiveness comes through the process of forgiving others.
"Our expression of forgiveness does not gain salvation for us. We are to seek forgiveness in the same manner as we forgive others."
PRINCIPLE # 1- IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FORGIVE IN THE PHYSICAL REALM
Matthew 26:41- "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
"Human desires are often noble and right, yet our fallen state often overpowers our finest impulses by our fleshly nature." David Jeremiah
Colossians 3:1- "If then you have been raised with CHRIST, seek the things that are above, where CHRIST is.."
PRINCIPLE # 2: DON'T ALLOW YOUR LACK OF FORGIVENESS TO PREVENT YOU FROM YOUR ABUNDANCE OF FREEDOM.
MATTHEW 6:16- But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
I HAVE A NEW "F" WORD FOR YOU- I FORGIVE YOU!!!!!
"Forgiveness is the evidence of a regenerate heart"
Title: How to Generate Generosity with your FINANCES! "F" word- FINANCES
POINT #1: START WITH TRADING SEATS Genesis chapter 1
1 John 2:15- "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."
World- false values, false standard and the false gods of society.
Steward: to manage, oversee, rule over, have dominion over.
Psalm 50:10- “for every animal of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine.” POINT # 2: GIVE PORTIONS THE SAME AS YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE.
Luke 6:38- “Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure — pressed down, shaken together, and running over — will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”” 2 Corinthians 9:6- “Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.”
POINT # 3: STOP BEING A SLAVE TO YOUR DEBTORS
Proverbs 22:7- "The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is a slave to the lender."
"Those that we are in debt to, have authority over us"
Close: 1-Trade seats 2-Give like you want to get 3-Stop being a slave to your debtors
Add at end:
Drew and Meridith Wessels. Email: drew.wessels@gmail.com
Title: FROM WEAK TO A WEAPON
F word- FITNESS
"You can be in the best physical shape of your life and still need heart surgery"
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27- “Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown that will fade away, but we a crown that will never fade away. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
Point #1: BE PICKY WHEN CHOOSING YOUR PARTNER
PARTNERS LIKE: Aaron and Hur. Exodus 17:11-12 Elijah and Elisha. 2 Kings 2:2-6 David and Jonathan. 1 Samuel 20 Paul and Silas. Acts 16
Point # 2: INCREASE YOUR INTENSITY (How?) 1-Stretch yourself 2-Involve yourself 3-Give up yourself
Point #3: BE DISCIPLINED IN YOUR DIET
2 Corinthians 4:4- the god of this age has blinded he minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
4 Spiritual Food groups:
1-Relationship with God 2-Relationship with Family 3-Relationship with my church 4-Relationship with the lost
Title: "The strength of yours depends on the depth of yours". FOUNDATION
Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29- ““Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great! ” When Jesus had finished this sermon, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He was teaching them like one who had authority, and not like their scribes.” "The FOUNDATION is key to providing a permanent fixture"
POINT #1- We have to level the landscape "You can't dig your footings until you level the ground. You have to level the ground before you begin breaking the ground. "
John 15:16- “You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.” POINT #2: We start with the right materials
"The right foundation is fundamental to having an unshakable faith"
Verse. 26-27: "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great! ”” "Jesus might recognize your face, but will He know your name?" AB
The RIGHT materials- 1-The God of the Word. (John 1:1-5) 2-The Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16) 3-The Holy Spirit. (John 16:7)(Acts 1:8) 4-Prayer and Fasting. (Matthew 6:16) 5-The Full Armor of God. (Ephesians 6) 6-Other Followers of Jesus. (Mark 2)
"Without the proper foundation you will build an improper structure"
POINT #3: You have to have the right DEPTH
"The deeper the foundation the sturdier the structure"
"If we are going to experience an INCREASE in 2016, we have to have the foundation to handle it!"
Psalm 46. (Don't put on screen)
"Your structure is only as strong as the foundation on which it sits. "
"You skimp on the foundation and you will soon see cracks and misalignments when it settles"
"As you grow and mature and your faith increases, make sure your foundation can sustain the increase that you will experience!"
Which means...."don't shortchange your growth with a shabby foundation"
Title: Identify the Gift
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they told him, “because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.” Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and asked them the exact time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” After hearing the king, they went on their way. And there it was — the star they had seen in the east! It led them until it came and stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.” Point #1: Identify the gift through HIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
Point #2: Identify the gift through HIS ANCESTRY.
Isaiah 11:1-2. “Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him — a Spirit of wisdom and understanding, a Spirit of counsel and strength, a Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.” Point #3: Identify the gift through HIS ARRIVAL.
Point #4: Identify the gift through HIS ATTIRE.
Luke 2:12- This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes.
Title: Unwrapped...Discover the Gift
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 "“In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.” Discover- to find something or someone unexpectedly or in the course of a search.
The gift is: LOVE, PEACE, HOPE and JOY
ISAIAH 6:1-4 “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and His robe filled the temple. Seraphim were standing above Him; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth. The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke.” John 14:27-““Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
Romans 8:37-39-“No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”
Title: We Change...BUT We Won't...
Put these quotes on screen as I read them. Quotes: "Change is inevitable. Growing is optional."
"A year from now you will wish you had started today."
"Change before you have to!"
"When you're finished changing, you're finished"
"The secret to change is not fighting the old but embracing the new!"
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. "“Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law — though I myself am not under the law — to win those under the law. To those who are without that law, like one without the law — not being without God’s law but within Christ’s law — to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits.”
Quite: "When a church refuses to change, we are in essence embracing mediocrity."
Point #1: We Won't Compromise. (V19-22)
Romans 1:25- "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen
Revelation 14:12- "This demands the perseverance of the saints, who keep Gods commands and their faith in Jesus. "
Point #2: We Won't Concede. (V.22b). "So that, I may by all means save some!"
Matthew 4:8-10- "“Again, the Devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. And he said to Him, “I will give You all these things if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.”
1 Corinthians 16:13-14. "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. NLT
Point # 3: We Won't take the Credit. (V. 23). “Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits."
John 3:30- "I must become less and less. He must become greater and greater!!
"The entirety of the Bible was written about one man, who was on one mission, who had one purpose and has a desire to save all people"
Title: No Such Thing As a Stingy Giver
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 “Remember this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart — not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. As it is written: He scattered; He gave to the poor; His righteousness endures forever. Now the One who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us.” Consider This: Point #1- Either Jesus is first with your money or not first in your life.
Matthew 6:21- "And where your treasure is, there your heart will be also..."
A. Can I afford to give? B. If I give will I have enough left over to pay my bills?
"If we are giving God what's left, then we are not trusting Him with what should be first!"
C. How will my lifestyle have to change if I begin giving consistently?
"Show me your checkbook register and I will tell you where your treasure is"
D. I already give to charities. Why the church?
Malachi 3:10- Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in My house. Test me in this way, says the Lord of Hosts. "See if I won't open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure. "
"Until your wallet is fully surrendered to God your walk with Him will always have a limp" Perry Noble
Consider This: Point #2- The proportion in which we reap depends on the proportion in which we sow!!!
Galatians 6:7 "Don't be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap...
"As God increased their ability to give, and they increased in generosity, the rewards would increase accordingly"
"Giving is a grace that has reciprocal benefits"
John 2:1-10: "On the third day a wedding took place in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They don’t have any wine.” “What has this concern of yours to do with Me, woman? ” Jesus asked. “My hour has not yet come.” “Do whatever He tells you,” His mother told the servants. Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification. Each contained 20 or 30 gallons. “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. Then He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the chief servant.” And they did. When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from — though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people have drunk freely, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.””
Mark 10:42-45: “Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life — a ransom for many.”” POINT # 1: The Natural Response to a Supernatural Invitation
1 John 5:16-17: “Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus responded to them, “My Father is still working, and I am working also.”” "SERVING SHOULD BE THE OUTFLOW FROM THE OVERFLOW" POINT # 2: In Our D.N.A.
"Too busy to serve at your local church? FYI: Every Sunday you attend your local church you are served by very busy people. Get involved!"
POINT # 3: Extremely Rewarding
"The Servants See the Miracle"
Title: "WE"...REACH
Reach- Stretch out an arm in a specific direction in order to touch or grasp something or someone.
Evangelism- Zealous advocacy of a cause.
"We cannot possibly be an evangelical Christian or a church if we are not evangelizing. "
Matthew 28:19-20- Jesus said, "Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to be end of the age."
Matthew 28:18- Then Jesus came near and said to the disciples, "ALL authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth...verse 19- THEREFORE GO!!!
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11, 16-21 11- "Knowing then, the fear of the Lord, we persuade people."
16-21: 16 From now on, then, we do not know[a] anyone in a purely human way.[b] Even if we have known[c] Christ in a purely human way,[d] yet now we no longer know[e] Him in this way. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things[f] have come. 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin[g] for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Point #1: WE ARE COMMISSIONED WITH A PURPOSEFUL PERSUASION.
Quote: William Temple said, "The church is the only cooperative society in the world that exists for the benefit of its nonmembers."
POINT #2: WE PRACTICE THE WAY THAT CORRESPONDS WITH OUR POSITION.
V.17- Therefore if anyone is IN CHRIST, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come."
Point #3: WE RECOGNIZE EVERYONES VALUE AND IMPORTANCE.
"We reach because people matter to us and they matter to God!"
God has commissioned Latitude Church and every born again follower of Jesus, TO BE HIS HANDS AND HIS FEET AND TO PROCLAIM THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION!!!!
● For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6
● The Peace Maker
Today's hashtag is #thepeacemaker.
● The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. - John 10:10
● Peace is your portion! Peace is your promise! Peace is your prize #thepeacemaker
● AND THERE WAS WAR IN HEAVEN. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. -Revelations 12:7
● If Satan had the audacity to disturb the peace in heaven, find it not strange that he is out to disturb the peace in your home! #thepeacemaker
● But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. Revelations 12:8
● Satan wasn't strong enough back then and Satan isn't strong enough now!
● Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.” -Revelations 12:12
● Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus. -Revelations 12:17
● Don't allow Satan to steal your sunshine!!!
PLAY THE FRESH PRINCE CLIP HERE
● He'll make peace with your troubles. #thepeacemaker
● “I have told you these things, so that IN ME YOU MAY HAVE PEACE. In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer! I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33
● Satan is the creator of false advertising!!! #thepeacemaker
● Peace I leave with you; MY PEACE I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. -John 14:27
● The world offers you COUNTERFEIT temporary peace while Jesus offers AUTHENTIC eternal peace!!! #thepeacemaker
● Do not be anxious about anything, BUT IN EVERY SITUATION, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God . -Philippians 4:6
● Its time to replace your old addiction of worrying with a new addiction to prayer!!! #thepeacemaker
● It's time to replace your old addiction of stressing & micro managing God with a new addiction of Praising Him!!! #thepeacemaker
● And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:7
● Above all else guard your heart; because everything you do flows from it. -Proverbs 4:23
● He'll make peace with your storms!!!
● Mark 4:35) As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.”
●Mark 4:36) So they took Jesus in the boat and STARTED OUT, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed).
● Mark 4:37) But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.
● Mark 4:38) Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?”
● Mark 4:39) When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace, Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
● Mark 4:40) Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
● Mark 4:41) The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”
● He'll make peace with the locked areas of your mind.
● On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” -John 20:19
● What do you need to allow Jesus Christ to make peace with?
Title: Home Improvement / A New Wine Skin
Mark 2:22- "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost as well as the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins. "
POINT #1- It's not about WHAT the house is constructed of, but it's about WHO is doing the construction"
Revelation 3:20- "Listen, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him and he with me. "
Philippians 1:6- "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you (a home improvement) will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. "
1Corinthians 6:19-20- "Do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body."
POINT #2: Before you can re-construct, you have to de-construct!
Mark 2:21- "No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise the new patch pulls away from the old cloth, and a worse tear is made. "
POINT #3- Jesus is looking to inhabit new wine skins.
Mark 2:22
Jesus is looking for an inhabitable people that are not satisfied with their current spiritual capacity.
Jeremiah 29:9-10. "Then the Lord reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have appointed you today over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and demolish, to build and plant. "
Title: Family Matters / If the Walls could talk!
1 Corinthians 13:1-8 "If I speak human or angelic languages but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in order to boast[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not conceited, 5 does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. 6 Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for languages, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end.
If Family Matters, then "How" do we make it matter?
Point #1: It's all in the "how" we do it..."LOVE"
John 3:16- "For God so loved....that He GAVE.."
Love defined: To Provide and Protect
Point #2: Stop Over-Reacting!
Show video clip: Family Matters The Crash Course
1 Corinthians 16:14- "Your very action must be done with love."(provide and protect)
2 Timothy 1:7- "For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love and sound judgment."
Title: Saved By the Bell: Rapture Ready
Quote: "When Jesus first came to earth, He came as a quiet baby. When Jesus comes back to earth, He will come back as a conquering King!"
The rapture will either: 1-get you excited about meeting Jesus or 2-help you get ready to meet Jesus.
1 Corinthians 15:54b-57 Isaiah 53:4 Isaiah 53:12
Point #1- Stop Relying on the Forecast. Matthew 24:3-8, 36, 44
"The forecast for the rapture is not in your favor!"
Point #2- Expect the Unexpected Matthew 24:44 1 Thessalonians 5:6-9
Show video clip here(Jason will give cue)
Point #3- Listen for the Right Bell 1Corinthians 15:51-52
John 10:27
"The trumpet call of God is the sound of purpose, of hope, of deliverance, of inheritance and of promise ...listen for the right bell."
"If you are not excited about the rapture, it may be because you are not ready for the rapture"
Albert's Message
Jonah 1:1) The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai:
Jonah 1:2) “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because their wickedness has confronted Me.”
Jonah 1:3) However, Jonah got up to flee to Tarshish from the Lord ’s presence. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. He paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish, from the Lord ’s presence.
Jonah1:4) Then the Lord hurled a violent wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart.
Jonah 1:5) The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god. They threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel and had stretched out and fallen into a deep sleep.
Breaking Free To Freely Pursue
anytime you are disobedient to the voice of God one way or another you will end up paying for it!
4) Then the Lord hurled a violent wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose on the sea that the ship threatened to break apart.
● Pay attention to your storm.
● Every storm that arises isn't the devil...It could very well be God trying to get your attention!!!
5) The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his god.
● In the midst of the storm, make sure you're crying out to the correct god!
(5) Meanwhile, Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel and had stretched out and fallen into a deep sleep.
● Jonah was exhausted because he was running from God.
9) He answered them, “I’m a Hebrew. I worship Yahweh, the God of the heavens, who made the sea and the dry land.”
● GOD IS THE GOD OF YOUR STORM!!!
11) So they said to him, “What should we do to you to calm this sea that’s against us? ” For the sea was getting worse and worse.
● When you connect with the wrong people you take on their storm.
● When you connect with the wrong people they will disconnect you from your destiny.
13) Nevertheless, the men rowed hard to get back to dry land, but they couldn’t because the sea was raging against them more and more.
● Trying to save some people you will end up losing yourself. But once you lose them, you will gain you back!!!
15) Then they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea stopped its raging.
● This is the season to throw some people overboard! Not to give up on them...but to give them up to God!!!
● Its time break free, so you can freely pursue yourself and the call of God that is on your life!
Jason's message
Jonah chapter 1- Instead of fulfilling his calling, he fled from his calling.
Jonah chapter 2- The very same God that showed you grace is the very same God that gives you the ability to show others grace.
Jonah chapter 3- The message Jonah preached to destroy Nineveh was the very message that broke Nineveh free!!
Jonah 3:10- So God relented from the disaster He had threatened to do to them. And He did not do it. (This is GRACE)
Romans 3:23-26 Romans 5:6, 8-9, 18-21
"Breaking free from withholding grace...to freely pursue others to extend grace!!"
Close: What is it? Who is it? That you need to break free from so that you can freely pursue others with the same grace that pursued you?
Quote: "Depression robs people of vitality"
7 Practical ways to Break Free from Depression
1- Seek Him until you find Him
Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 6:33
2- Everything you put in your mind matters
2 Corinthians 10:5
3- Sometimes by revisiting the past, God reminds us of why we left it in the first place.
Philippians 3:12-14
4- Substitute your circumstances with Celebration.
Psalm 145:7, 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 Psalm 30.(the entire Psalm)
5- Make a permanent Exchange
Isaiah 61:1-3
6- Staying down only prevents you from getting up
2 Corinthians 4:16
7- A summons to Surrender
Exodus 14:13-14, Matthew 11:28-30
Title: BREAKING FREE...FROM TOXICITY!
Define toxicity- The degree to which a substance can damage an organism.
Quote: "When God wants to bless you, He sends people into your life. When the devil wants to destroy you, he sends people into your life!"
"Their appearance can be a camouflage to what's really underneath!"
How do we break free from Toxicity?
Scripture Amos 3:3
Are you a LIABILITY or an ASSET?
Scripture 2 Timothy 2:15
Point # 1- "You don't have to be ugly, you just have to be done!"
2 Timothy 2:16-17, 23
AVOID and REJECT
Matthew 16:23
"Instead of repaying with toxicity, we pray against toxicity. "
Matthew 6:6
2 Timothy 2:24-26
Scripture. Genesis 37:1-11
POINT #1- GOD USES OUR PITS AS A TIME FOR TRAINING, A TIME FOR TESTING, AND A TIME FOR TRUSTING.
"The palace that someone else is in may not reflect the pit in which they came out of"
Genesis 37:13- Get ready, I am sending you to your brothers. Joseph said, "I'm ready. "
POINT #2: GOD USES OUR PITS TO HELP PROMOTE US INTO THE PLACE THAT HE HAS ALREADY PROMISED.
"God may be trying to change your perception, so that you may see clearly when He decides to break you free!"
Deuteronomy 7:1
Deuteronomy 7:6-9
Romans 8:28-30
Romans 8:18
"Your pit may be on purpose, so that the purpose will break you free into your palace!"
Complacency: a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements.
"What the world doesn't need is Christians who tolerate the complacency of their own lives." Frances Chan
Title: The Prison of complacency/A spiritual epidemic
Scripture reading: Revelation 3:14-19
"It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But, it is absolutely vital to grasp that He didn't call you there so you can settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace." Frances Chan
Point #1: HEED THE WARNING!!!
"People in the warning area need to take action immediately"
Proverbs 1:32b- Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
Point #2: RECEIVE YOUR REBUKE
"Our dreams will either hinder our destiny or they will catapult us into it!!"
1 Timothy 6:17-19
"Your dreams will never become a reality unless your fear compels you to pursue them."
Point #3: Keep a close eye on your spiritual thermometer.
"Those who do not move do not notice their chains!"
"YOU CONTROL THE THERMOSTAT
Quote: "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Dr. Seuss
Scripture: John 12:1-7, Luke 10:38-42
Point #1: Is The Attraction not the distraction
Point #2: Is the Standard On which We stand
Scripture. John 5:39-40
Point #3: Is HIS reality
Scripture: Mark 14:3-9
Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17, and chapter 3:1-7
Preparation #1: Know the the Battle is real 1 Peter 5:8
Preparation #2: Appropriate God's ongoing Protection Genesis 3:14. Then the Lord God said to the serpent; you are cursed!
Psalm 18:1-3 Malachi 3:6
Preparation #3: Remain Fixated Hebrews 12:2
Scripture: Philippians 4:13
Point #1: Know that we are limited...in and of ourselves.
Philippians 4:13. I can do all things.....
Point #2: Knowing the secret
Philippians 4:11-12
Philippians 1:21 Ephesians 6:10
Luke 1:1-20 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed. There was in the days of Herod,
the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
Luke 1:26-38 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
How To Act Until It Happens
You have to be living something to endorse something!
Righteous blameless people go through tough times too!
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
When you're going through something, that's not the time to disconnect from the church; it's the time to connect to the church like never before!
It comes to pass in the midst of your willingness to still serve in the face of adversity!
In barren seasons remain faithful in prayer.
Never allow barren seasons to cause you to have a barren prayer life!
Joy and gladness is coming out of this!!!
True friends that will rejoice with you are coming out of this!!!
Something great is coming out of this!!!
The only detail you need is faith and the correct confession life to match it.
In the presence of God it's a done deal...it's just a matter of time!!!
Sometimes you have to play dumb while God is working things out in your life; so you want cancel out your own blessing!
For with God nothing shall be impossible! -Luke 1:37
Get out of the details and get into your faith.
When you allow your faith to kick in, by default you are kicking doubt and unbelief out!
Just let it be.
Scripture. Revelation 7:9-10
THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE HEART!!
John 3:16 Matthew 9:35-36
It's about Having Compassion
"The reason why some of us still have problems with racism is because: We are too busy looking with our eyes rather than seeing with our hearts!!!
1 Samuel 16:7
So How do we get over racism?
Psalm 51:1-10 1-Ask God to let you see with His eyes and to purify your heart.
Proverbs 10:12 2-Ask God to help you love in the same manner in which He loves you.
Tag- If homosexuality is your struggle:
Point #1: You were born this way
Scripture: Genesis 3:13, Romans 3:23, Romans 3:9-10.
Point#2: Your desires cannot contradict your new nature
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:11-20.(just put the reference)
Point#3: Your feelings will fail you
Scripture: John 8:30-32
Point #4: You were created for so much more
Scripture: Psalm 139:14
Point #5: Temptations will not cease, but our giving into them can
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
A New Name
Scripture- Genesis 17:5-8 Point #1- Abraham was given a "New Reason"
Scripture-John 1:41-42 Point #2- Peter was given a "New Responsibility"
Scripture- Acts 13:9 Point #3- Paul was given a "New Reliability"
Your new identity begins with A New Name and with a New Name you are given A New Reason, a New Responsibility and a New Reliability.
Scripture: John 16:7-15
POINT #1- We have the power to produce. (The right kinds of fruit) Galatians 5:22-25 Quote: "Though the Holy Spirit doesn't have a face, but it is through the Holy Spirit that we see the face of the SON-Jesus, and in the face of the SON-Jesus, we see the face of the FATHER. "
POINT #2- We have the provision to testify. Acts 1:8
Quote: "When I decided to allow the Holy Spirit to steal my show...all Heaven broke loose!!!"
POINT #3- We have the authority to overcome. John 16:15 Matthew 10:1 Matthew 10:8
Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-25
How to Prevent Identity Crisis POINT 1- You don't have to measure up
POINT 2- Stop Putting on A Front
POINT 3- Let God's purpose decide your identity
Quite: "You were made by God and for God-and until you understand that, life will never make sense."
Scripture: Joshua 13:1, Joshua 14:10-13
Pre-point: There's always more than our mountain allows us to see. (Joshua 13:1)
Points: 1- OUR CONFIDENCE MUST NOT BE COMPROMISED! (Joshua 14:10)
2-OUR STRENGTH MUST BE SUSTAINED BY OUR SAVIOR! (Joshua 14:11)
3-OUR WILLINGNESS TO WIN MUST NOT WAIVER! (Joshua 14:12)
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” 3 So at the Lord’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites.
26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.
27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.”
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
31 BUT the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
Get Your But's Out The Way...It's Just A Test
The word But is used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated.
The word but is a CONJUNCTION word that often cancels out everything that was previously stated.
If what you see and what you hear isn't in conjunction with God, then it's time to get your but's out of the way!
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." -Romans 1:17
"But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back." -Hebrews 10:38
So how do we get our but's out of the way and pass this test?
1) Remember What God Said
Never allow what you see to speak louder than what you hear from God!
In dark seasons, remember what God said to you in the light!
2) Remember Where God Has Bought You From.
When you remember where God has bought you from, you will have no doubt with where God is taking you to!
Allow your past victories to give you strength for your future battles!
3) Remember That The Battle Is Not Yours.
Be still and know that I AM God. -Psalm 46:10
And Moses said to the people, Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians who you have seen to day, you shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace. -Exodus 14:13-14
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, FOR HE ALREADY HAD IN MIND WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO. -John 6:5-6
Scripture: Proverbs 31:25-29
Point 1: Know that your start is as important as your finish!
Point 2: You know where to shop!
Point 3: Know that you're worthy of your praise!
Numbers 13:1 The Lord said to Moses, 2) “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, WHICH I AM GIVING TO THE ISRAELITES. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.”
3)So at the Lord ’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites.
It's Our Time!!!
Intentional-done on purpose; deliberate, calculated, conscious, intended, planned, meant, studied, knowing, willful, purposeful, done on purpose, premeditated, preplanned, preconceived.
Intentional leaders produce, an intentional congregation, that provokes an intentional God to release an intentional blessing!!!
Never allow Satan to repossess what God has favored you to possess!
How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Is there any wood there or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land." (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.) Numbers 13:20
How is the soil?
1) Intentionally Keep Sowing.
"While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest...Shall not cease." -Genesis 8:22
Moses asked about the soil because he didn't want his harvest to cease!
2 Corinthians 9:6 -The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. -Philippians 4:17
Is there any wood there or not?
2) Intentionally Keep Sacrificing.
The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire...The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out. Leviticus 6:12-13
It was the season for the first ripe grapes.
3) Intentionally Seize The Moment
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap a harvest, if we faint not. -Galatians 6:9
Scripture: Nehemiah 6:15-16
Point #1-Let your frustration lead you into your destination. Nehemiah 1:1-4
Point #2-Don't let your fear rob you of God's favor. Nehemiah 2:2-3
Point #3- Let your opposition help place you in your new position. Nehemiah 6:3-5
Point #4- When God gives you an invitation we should respond without hesitation. Nehemiah 6:15a-16b. Nehemiah 7:70
Scripture: Romans 6:1-12, 18-19 4 Ways to be discipled
1-Wear something that fits
Genesis 35:2, Zechariah 3:4, Romans 5:9-11
2-Change your cravings
Matthew 5:6
3-Make it a priority
Matthew 6:33
4-Throw a purge party
Hebrews 12:1-2
These are just a few of the transformed lives that God is changing on a weekly basis!!! Awesome to see the GROWTH of each of these!! Let this encourage you to allow your IT to be finished!!
SCRIPTURE- EXODUS 17:8-13 HCSB POINTS- The Hands represent: 1-Power & Authority 2-Surrender & Desperation 3-A Constant
Romans 10:14-17Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
14 But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! 16 But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message? 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.
Song of Solomon 2:15 (HCSB)
15 Catch the foxes for us— the little foxes that ruin the vineyards— for our vineyards are in bloom.