Messages - Radiant Church Jackson: Recent Episodes

Radiant Church Jackson

Welcome to Radiant Church's weekly podcast. Radiant Church is located in Jackson, MI and our desire is to reach people with the love and life-giving message of Jesus. We hope this podcast encourages you in your relationship with God. Visit us online at radiantjxn.com.

The narrow road is a daily choice to follow Jesus.

Luke 9:23-26 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. NIV

The narrow way means submitting to God and His word.

Hebrews 5:7-9 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. NIV

The narrow way is being willing to suffer for Jesus.

Acts 5:40-41 They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. NIV

The narrow way is a sacrifice.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV

The narrow road is devotion to right living.

Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. NIV

Matthew 7:12 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. NIV

How To Practice The Golden Rule

Be genuine, even when others are not.

Romans 12:3,9 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you… 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. NIV

Be trustworthy, even when it is difficult.

Colossians 3:9 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. NLT

Be gracious, even when others have wronged you.

Colossians 3:13 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. NLT

Be kind, even when others are not.

Philippians 4:5 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. NIV

Be generous, even when you have little to offer.

2 Corinthians 8:2-3 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own… NIV

Opening Text: Matthew 7:9-11 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! NIV

2 Observations

God is a loving Father, yet of a different nature.
The “good gifts” are the Holy Spirit, Himself.

Luke 11:11-13 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” NIV

“More” Does Not Mean

Does not mean are not truly converted.
Does not mean you have less of the Holy Spirit.

Purpose of “More” of Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit saves and renews us.

Titus 3:5-6 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. NIV

Holy Spirit empowers us for Christian living.

Galatians 5:1-21 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. NIV

Holy Spirit gives power to serve others.

Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” NIV

Holy Spirit guides and leads us.

John 16:13-14 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. NIV

Holy Spirt brings encouragement and comfort.

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. NIV

Anxiety will reinterpret the past, steal your present, and cost you your future.

Anxiety will reinterpret the past, steal your present, and cost you your future.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Matthew 14:14-16
Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

God invites us to do the impossible.

Matthew 14:17
17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

Let’s not allow our lack blind us to God’s power. (Slide 4)

Matthew 14:18-21
18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

God takes the little we offer and turns it into something great.

Key Dates:

May 12 | Leadership Commitment
May 14-21 | 7 Day Prayer Focus
May 17 | Pastor Lee Cummings
May 21 | Commitment Sunday
May 21 | Night of Worship

Radiant Is Committed To:1. Being a praying and worshiping church.

Isaiah 56:6-7
6 “I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord, who serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who hold fast to my covenant. 7 I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Preaching sound doctrine in spirit and truth.

2 Timothy 4:1-5
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Helping people live free through encountering Jesus.

Galatians 5:1
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Passing on the faith to the next generation.

Joel 1:2-3
Hear this, you leaders of the people. Listen, all who live in the land. In all your history, has anything like this happened before? 3 Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.

Doing whatever it takes to fulfill the vision God has given us.

Isaiah 54:2-3
2 “Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! 3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.

To engage with God first.

Jeremiah 29:7 NLT
And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

New levels of generosity and sacrifice.

1 Chronicles 29:2-3
With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold for the gold work, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, and all kinds of fine stone and marble—all of these in large quantities. 3 Besides, in my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided for this holy temple… 5 Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?”

A total surrender to God’s leading.

Haggai 1:2-14
This is what the Lord Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s house.’ ” 3 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” 5 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” 7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. 12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. 13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord. 14 So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God.

Matthew 9:35-36
Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Feel the need to reach people for Jesus.

Matthew 9:37 37
He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.

See the vision with us.

Matthew 9:38 38
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Pray this becomes a reality.

What Unhappy Couples Do Wrong:1. Attacking the character of your spouse.
2. Showing contempt or disgust for each other.
3. Being defensive and not owning up to your part.
4. Shutting down or tuning out your spouse.

How To Fight Fair:1. Overlook minor infractions.

Proverbs 21:23
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

Know when not to fight and what not to say.

Proverbs 17:28
Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

Do not avoid needed conflict.

Ephesians 4:26-27 26
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

Pause to listen carefully.

Proverbs 18:2
Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.

Understand your motives and manage your emotions.

Proverbs 17:28
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Healthy Guidelines For Marriage:1. Keep God at the center of your home and guard the sabbath.

Joshua 24:15 15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Do not meet alone with the opposite sex.

Proverbs 6:32
But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself.

Keep your parents and family out of your fights.

Matthew 19:5-6
‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Be in agreement in how you parent.

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Have a plan for your finances.

Proverbs 22:7,26-27
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender…Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.

Jewish Antiquities, 18.3.3
About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared.

We were created by God to do life with Him.

Genesis 1:1,27 NLT
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Our sin separates us from God and good deeds can’t fix this.

Romans 3:10-12,19-20 NLT
No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” …the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Jesus died and rose again to pay the price for our sin.

1 Peter 3:18
Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. NLT

Everyone who believes in and follows Jesus has eternal life.

Romans 10:8-11 NLT
The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

God is our source to love our spouse well.
Mutual submission is a gift to marriage.

Ephesians 5:22-33
22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Honoring Each Others Needs:1. Her greatest need is security.
His greatest need is honor and respect.

Pursue her with non-sexual affection.
Pursue him with sexual affection.
She needs open and honest communication.
He needs a recreational companion.
She desires Godly leadership.
He desires domestic support.

Dreams energize us, motivate us, and clarify our behaviors with noble purpose
Dreams transform us into better versions of ourselves for God’s glory
Dreams heal the world

Psalm 37.4 ESV:
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Desire comes from God (Psalm 37.4), is rewarded by God (Proverbs 10.24), and keeps us healthy. Lack of desire, on the other hand, is symptomatic of depression.

St. Augustine said, “Love God and do what you want.” Which means Our desires teach us what to do…provided those desires have been refined by God.

God gives you your desires.
These desires are like breadcrumbs, showing us the way forward.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV
“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

These desires, when achieved, will heal the world.

Matthew 10:1 NIV
“And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.”

These desires, when achieved, testify to others.

1 Peter 2:12 NIV
“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”

These desires are the mechanism through which God is growing you in to the person God desires for you to become

Colossians 3:10 NIV
”…have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

What you need to understand is this: while you’re focused on God, God is focused on YOU

What are you supposed to do with your dreams?

Pay attention to them
If you’re not yet free to pursue your dream, or you’re unclear about what dreams you truly have, serve the dreams of another.
Stick to your core convictions, no matter what.
Refuse to accept the world the way it is.
Thank God that there’s more to life than what you’ve already lived…and joyfully embrace it

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Ephesians 5:21-33
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Great Marriages Know:1. God is our source to love our spouse well.

Mutual submission is a gift to marriage.

Honoring Each Others Needs:1. Her greatest need is security.

His greatest need is honor and respect.

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

What Radiant Church Desires For People:1. Living Free: We live in freedom by understanding our true identity in Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:17
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Living Empowered: We live out our faith by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14-15 14
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.

Living Connected: We connect with other believers who can help us grow spiritually.

Ephesians 2:19-20 NLT
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Living Generous: We generously steward our time, gifting and resources for God.

2 Corinthians 8:7
But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Living Loving Others: Reaching our neighbor, our city, and world.

John 13:34-35
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

How To Partner With Radiant Church: 1. Decide you belong here.

Pray for the vision of your church.
Give to the vision of the church.
Serve the vision of the church.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Text 97000 Team Radiant

First Impressions: Greeters, parking lot, Ushering, Maintenance, Coffee
Generational: Radiant Kids, Radiant Youth, Radiant Friends
Create Arts: Worship Team, Video production, Lights, Graphics, Camera
Support Ministry: Prayer Team, Reset Team, Cleaning Team

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

What Is Revival1. Revival is an unexpected visitation from God.
2. Revival brings back to life that which appears to be dead.

Marks of Revival1. An out pouring of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:17
“ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

Conviction that brings true repentance.

Ezra 10: 1-3
While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and lying face down on the ground in front of the Temple of God, a very large crowd of people from Israel—men, women, and children—gathered and wept bitterly with him. “We have been unfaithful to our God... Let us now make a covenant with our God.

Authentic prayer and worship.

Acts 1:14
They all joined together constantly in prayer...

Moves people to be missional.

How To Respond To A Movement1. Be aware God is moving again.

Isaiah 43:18-21
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland....to give drink to my people, my chosen, 21the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Pray this continues to spread.

Zechariah 10:1
Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people..

Pray you are personally impacted.

John 4:10 10
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT
33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.

Godly friends are authentic and vulnerable with each other.

James 5:16 ESV
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Godly Friends love each other when they are at their worst.

Proverbs 17:17
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Godly Friends speak truth into Each others lives even if it’s uncomfortable to hear.

Godly Friends speak truth into each others lives even if it’s uncomfortable to hear.

Proverbs 27:6
6 Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.

Proverbs 27:17 NLT
17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend

Mt 28:18–20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

A disciple: Is someone fully believes in, follows and is transformed by Jesus.

Reaching Others For Jesus:1. Pray first.

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Build a bridge through friendship.

Luke 10:1-6
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. 3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. 4 Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. 5 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. (Slide 5)

Know your story has power.

1 John 1:1-4
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.

Be bold and take risks.

Romans 10:14-15 14
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

A disciple is someone fully believes in, follows and is transformed by Jesus.

3 Marks of A Disciple:Matthew 28:16-17
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Worshiping Jesus should fuels our spiritual disciplines.

Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 1 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

There is a willingness to live God’s way.

Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The Holy Spirit enables us to live out our faith.

John 14:25-26
“All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Mark 8:34-38
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

What Following Jesus Is Not:1. Following Jesus is NOT content driven.

Following Jesus is NOT behavior modification.
Following Jesus is NOT easy or fast.

A disciple is someone who fully believes in, follows and is transformed by Jesus.

3 Truths About Discipleship:1. Discipleship begins with encountering Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:16-18
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Discipleship continues & is strengthen within community.

Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Discipleship is replicated through evangelism.

Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 6:16-18
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Fasting is: Denying yourself of food or comfort for a set amount of time for the purpose of experiencing God's power and love through prayer.

Results of Fasting:1. Fasting quiets the noise of the world, while amplifying God’s voice.

Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Fasting releases breakthrough and strengthens faith.

Matthew 17:19-20
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Fasting awakens the body of believers to God’s greater cause.

Joel 2:15-16,28-32 28
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions…29 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. 30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 32 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, even among the survivors whom the Lord calls.

How To Participate In Seek:1. Ask Holy Spirit how you are to participate.

Attend the Seek gatherings.

Sunday: January 1 Kick off service.

Wednesday: January 4, Guest Speaker Cliff Graham.

Sunday: January 8 night of worship with Jared Anderson.

Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday prayer gatherings.

(All events are 6 PM)

Make use of the prayer guide.

Bold DEFINITION: not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff- courage or daring
Beyond the usual limits of conventional thought or action

I got a call from a pastor friend one morning, to share what God had told him: “Who do I Love?’ he responded, You know Lord: He responded: Who did I take with me to the mount of Transfiguration? Peter, James and John Matt 17:1-9, Luke 9:27-36, Mark 9:2-13 THE BOLD ONES

Sure open mouth insert foot...
Peter: You are the Christ Mark 9:29, but then Peter corrects Jesus, not so Lord! get behind me Satan!
Cuts off the ear of the high priests servant in the Garden of Gethsemane, AND JESUS HAS TO GLUE IT BACK ON!
James and John: they ask Jesus if they can call down fire on those who didn’t receive Jesus. Jesus REBUKES them. “You don’t know what spirit you are of!” Then their mother asks Jesus if the boys can sit on the right hand of Jesus in the resurrection., so they did come by it honestly. Even Jesus nicknames them the sons of thunder.. Matt 20:20, Mark 10:37

BOLD ONES, SOMETIMES INAPPROPRIATE, but then isn’t it like the little boy on the school yard, “My Dad can whip your dad!”
BUT I’M TELLING YOU MY FATHER CREATED EVERYTHING THROUGH JESUS! Col 1:16

I was taught: The bolder the declaration, the greater the manifestation of His Glory. “WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE” Luke 1:37, Matt 19:26, Mark 10:27

IMPETUS Impetus: A moving force, impulse, stimulus [we can just say the Reason!]

Prov 29:18 NLB When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild.- it does not mean that those without vision were “Screaming Mimi’s” running around tearing their hair out or something of that nature, it simply means that those without the revelation of God- THOSE WITHOUT GOD VISION LIVE PURPOSELESS LIVES!

without vision My people run amok, my people perish

www.worldometer.com: Oct 31,2022 the earth reached it’s 8,000,000,000 population mark

There are a lot of people without vision, running amok on planet earth today. Therefore i want to give you “a vision of People Perishing.”

Lester Sumrall’s testimony farmhouse church in the midwest Brad Lewis surfing Zuma beach
Bible College “Go to Pricemart and buy some chips”
Carol @ Mark Foo’s hostel, come out of my room...

Brother, first day I moved to Bible College

John 10:10 I recognized there was a thief stealing young people’s lives, futures. IT DEVELOPED IN ME AN IMPETUS TO GO!
Someone has to tell them about our Jesus!

Testimony I was a surfer in Hawaii, 54 Kaimao St, Paia. Every morning I would check the surf indicator out my window. Most every night I did 500 push-ups and 300 sit ups. Every evening I was preparing, always looking for waves.
Always on my mind, knew all the surf spots, checked the weather, storms, Kona winds or tradewinds. ALWAYS ready. DID I ALWAYS SURF? No! But I was prepared or prepping to be ready...

Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost. (CSB seek and save the lost!) Jesus came from the perfect place, heaven if you will, to a dark, dark world to bring the ultimate light, salvation.

TO SEEK AND SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST, not just seek...but SAVE. HE WAS A CLOSER to borrow a sales term.

Bible College- so full of Jesus that I had to get some of Jesus out. To go and tell someone... He gave me direction, two hours on Wednesday between prayer school and church. Oh, I can tell you stories, but I would clock in at 2:30 to 4:30 go home and get ready for church.

then, two weeks after moving from Bible to the south of France. The pastors mother asked me. What did you help out with at Bible college? I said this and that, she said, “no, no where did you tell people about ourJesus?”
I said I went out every Wednesday 2:30 to 4:30 and sometimes even brought people to church.

She said, “Oh that’s fantastic, because I go out 2:30 to 4:30 on the Promenade des Anglais and talk to people and hand out tracts and invite them to church... Clock out from America, clock right in to the south of France!

Youth camp in Greece, I taught on this same principle. And I challenged all the youth once the camp is over to at least call one of their friends and invite them to the next service. I said if you can’t just call somebody, you must come early and go to the streets and tell people about our Jesus. Many did just that and they brought one man to the church. An Iraqi man in his 30’s. i’ve been reading a Book ‘Kiss, Bow, or Shake hands’ that said in the Middle East somebody comes to your home, you give them a gift.

I just seemed impressed to give him my watch in front of everyone. then I did an altar call after the service, and he gave his heart to the Lord. Oh, you might say, it was because you gave him a watch. But then the Lord says, get him filled with the Spirit he’ll need it. He does. eight months later I’m back in Athens. I ask,

“Whatever happened to that Iraqi refugee”, and the youth tell me he got so fired up he brought 14 more people back, Iraqi refugees; who got saved and filled with the Holy Spirit and then they all received asylum in Sweden.

every one of us has a story, testimony, even if your testimony is that God kept you to never get involved with any of the junk...

From Dutch Sheets “Give Him 15”
After teaching on the power of history recently, I was asked by a Messianic Jewish
rabbi if I knew the meaning of the Hebrew word for “testimony”. I did not.

“The word doesn’t mean simply to convey something from the past,” he informed me.
“Its true meaning is ‘to repeat an action or do it again.’
We Hebrews believe,” he continued, “that when you share about what God did in the past, it releases the same power into the present...

In other words, power is released to ‘do it again.’”

‘Gift of an Evangelist’ A "publisher of glad tidings;" a missionary preacher of the gospel (Ephesians 4:11). This title is applied to Philip (Acts 21:8), who appears to have gone from city to city preaching the word (8:4, 40).

Judging from the case of Philip, evangelists had neither the authority of an apostle, nor the gift of prophecy, nor the responsibility of pastoral supervision over a portion of the flock. They were itinerant preachers, having it as their special function to carry the gospel to places where it was previously unknown. The writers of the four Gospels are known as the Evangelists.

This is a form of the word ordinarily translated "gospel" (euaggelion), except that here it designates one who announces that gospel to others (euaggelistes, "a bringer of good tidings"), literally, God Himself is an evangelist, for He "preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham" (Galatians 3:8); Jesus Christ was an evangelist, for He also "preached the gospel" (Luke 20:1); Paul was an evangelist as well as an apostle (Romans 1:15); Philip the deacon was an evangelist (Acts 21:8); and Timothy, the pastor (2 Timothy 4:5); and indeed all the early disciples who, on being driven out of Jerusalem, "went everywhere preaching the word" (Acts 8:4 the King James Version).

But Ephesians 4:11 teaches that one particular order of the ministry, distinguished from every other, is singled out by the Head of the church for this work in a distinctive sense. All may possess the gift of an evangelist in a measure, and be obligated to exercise its privilege and duty, but some are specially endued with it. "He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." It will be seen that as an order in the ministry, the evangelist precedes that of the pastor and teacher, a fact which harmonizes with the character of the work each is still recognized as doing. The evangelist has no fixed place of residence, but moves about in different localities, preaching the gospel to those ignorant of it before. As these are converted and united to Jesus Christ by faith, the work of the pastor and teacher begins, to instruct them further in the things of Christ and build them up in the faith.

At a later time, the name of "evangelist" was given the writers of the four Gospels because they tell the story of the gospel and because the effect of their promulgation at the beginning was very much like the work of the preaching evangelist. In character, the Gospels bear something of the same relation to the Epistles as evangelists bear to pastors and teachers.

Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

Matthew 1:18-25
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. (Slide 4)

What Joseph & Mary’s Story Teach Us:1. The strength of what we believe is measured by our willingness to suffer for those beliefs.

God honors honors obedience.

Luke 1:1-4 NIV
Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke 16:16 TPT
The law of Moses and the revelation of the prophets have prepared you for the arrival of the kingdom realm announced by John.

God guides the events of history to prepare the way of Jesus.

Luke 16:16 TPT
The law of Moses and the revelation of the prophets have prepared you for the arrival of the kingdom realm announced by John. And now, when this wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm is preached, people’s hearts burn with extreme passion to press in and receive it.

Everyone who desires God’s Kingdom can enter it.

Matthew 5:6 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled’*

Matthew 5:6 {Amplified} ‘Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied’

2023 Resolution: Hunger for JesusMatthew 14:13-21 [ESV]
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The Hunger of a few can lead to an entire multitude being filled
The Hunger of a few can lead to an entire city being taken
The Hunger of a few can lead to an entire region being revived
The Hunger of few can lead to an entire city being watered

The power of a few hungry people can lead to a great multitude of people being filled

Anxiety will reinterpret the past, steal your present, and cost you your future.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

Our attitude is often the only difference between success and failure.

Matthew 6:14 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.

Prayer is intentionally communicating with God.

Our faith takes practice.

Jesus takes seriously how we treat children.

Love opens the door toward reconciliation.

When insulted waive your right to retaliate. Respond with grace.

Inner vows are self-focused commitments that exclude God’s intervention.

Matthew 5:31-32 (ESV) “It was also said,‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Matthew 5:17-20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Matthew 9:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:9 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:8 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Mercy will unlock our hearts.

Meekness is power surrendered to God’s control.

To “mourn”: Grief or sorrow of the heart usually expressed by tears.

Matthew 5:1-3 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Proverbs 22:6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. (NLT)

Colossians 3:21 "Fathers, do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged."

Remain confident in God’s timing to release your investment.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, don’t exasperate your children, but raise them up with loving discipline and counsel that brings the revelation of our Lord.

Genesis 1:27-28 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Luke 24:9-11 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

“I’m no longer a slave and you don’t have to be either.” - Nate Meek

Romans 8:28 NLT 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Luke 16:10-12 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

The tithe brings supernatural protection over our life.

Gratitude is the key to experiencing joy in our finances.

Gratitude is the key to experiencing joy in our finances.

Foster safe places for young people to be seen and heard.

Faith expects the unexpected and embraces uncertainty.

Faith has a settled expectation of the unseen.

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.

Faith believes all things are possible with God.

Our faith is livable.

Worship God weekly in church, Encounter God daily through reading His word, Spend time with God everyday through prayer.

Matthew 2:14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod.

Allow Holy Spirit to tell you a different story.

Be strong and courageous in your faith.

The resurrection has power to change our life now.

Luke 11:13 “… how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

“Your level of understanding the Holy Spirit will determine how you walk out your Christian faith” - Mike Popenhagen

Love should permeate our attitudes, motives, words and action.

God’s goal for the church is unity and mutual care.

Remember all people are people to be loved.

“If you want to be free from temptation, allow God’s word to be what shapes you.”

Have compassion for those who are far from Christ.

Make love the highest aim.

God gives us christian standards to protect us.

God gives us christian standards to protect us.

The Church as a building, designed for spiritual foundation.

When the presence of Christ shows up, freedom becomes the reality.

The Kingdom of God is within us and we carry the culture of Heaven everywhere we go.

Acts 6:1-2 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

The Presence of God was intended to be carried on the shoulders of Man

Jesus ultimately went willing to the cross to save each of us and give us eternal life with the Father.

God’s reality is always available to you.

Four Assignments to Maximize your KINGDOM IMPACT:

When our prayers and actions align with His will, there is nothing He can’t do.

The Lord isn’t afraid of your failure. He wants to re-establish relationship with us and point us to the future.

Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Sitting with Jesus will empower us to lead our families well.

The tithe opens the floodgates of God’s blessing in our lives!

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Deuteronomy 6:20-24 “In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ 21 “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand. 22 The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. 23 He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had sworn to give our ancestors. 24 And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day.

“The more you love God, the more capacity you will have to love each other” - Pastor Mike

1 Peter 1:-4 In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hagai 1:7-9 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.

John 10:4 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well.

Crossing over will require a new mentality and perspective.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

How To Cultivate Intimacy With God

Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Shine in the place God has you.

John 20:31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus will restore all things as it should be.

Matthew 25:44-46 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

Jesus is not interested in your labels, He’s more interested in your heart.

1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Fear enslaves us and becomes a controlling force in our life.

Galatians 5:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

We must live in both grace and truth.

Intentionally pursue unity in the body of Christ.

Honor God by having predetermined resolutions in your faith.

2 Corinthians 5:16 16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

We cannot allow peripheral issues to sidetrack us from God’s plan for the church.

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” 10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

2 Timothy 2:22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

Forgiveness is freedom from the past.

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

We are acknowledging God as our sustainer and provider.

We are asking for God’s power, presence and authority to move in a present reality.

Accurately understanding our relationship with God, as Father, is the starting point.

Pray with out hesitation or reservation.

Prayer must have a Kingdom mindset and not selfish motives.

Prayer is an invitation to partner with God.

Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.

Recall all of God’s goodness, and remember His past faithfulness.

Philippians 4:4-5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Name your concern, but don’t fuel worry by seeking your own solutions.

Don’t allow resistance to Jesus keep us from inviting people to experience Jesus.

Jesus resets our identity.

We need to see from God’s perspective.

God honors bold actions of faith!

Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Gen 1:3 - 6 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Psalms 90:10, 12 Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures… Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalms 39:4 (NIV) Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

Romans 6:6-7, 18 NLT 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin…18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Purpose of Seek: To draw closer to God through 21 days of prayer, worship and fasting.

The Kingdom is God’s power breaking into our reality.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

The Kingdom comes and overwhelms what is overwhelming you.

Luke 1:26-33
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

What is the Kingdom? The Kingdom is God’s authority and power to rule & reign over His creation

The Kingdom of God is the gospel Jesus preached

Luke 4:43-44
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

The Kingdom of God is the realm in which we experience God

Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…

Luke 11:20
But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

The Kingdom of God is both a future and a present reality

Luke 17:21-22
Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” 22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it.

The Kingdom means: God’s saving activity working in people’s hearts and the realm in which we experience HimPermalink

Malachi 3:6-12
6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

What Is Tithing?Tithing is the spiritual principle of giving a tenth our income to God.

The Power of the Tithe:1. Tithing opens God’s supernatural blessings and increase in our lives.

Tithing builds a hedge of protection around our lives.
Tithing demonstrates and increases our faith to trust and obey God.
Tithing demonstrates God’s goodness to others through you.

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Songs of Songs 2:10-15 (The Passion Translation)
The one I love calls to me: Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling. Come away with me! I have come as you have asked to draw you to my heart and lead you out. For now is the time, my beautiful one.

Know God is pursuing you

The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone. The rains have soaked the earth and left it bright with blossoming flowers.

Remove the masks you are hiding behind

The season for singing and pruning the vines has arrived. I hear the cooing of doves in our land, filling the air with songs to awaken you and guide you forth.

Realize the journey to true identity is a process not one moment

Can you not discern this new day of destiny breaking forth around you? The early signs of my purposes and plans are bursting forth. The budding vines of new life are now blooming everywhere. The fragrance of their flowers whispers, “There is change in the air.” Arise, my love, my beautiful companion, and run with me to the higher place. For now is the time to arise and come away with me. 14 For you are my dove, hidden in the split-open rock. It was I who took you and hid you up high in the secret stairway of the sky. Let me see your radiant face and hear your sweet voice. How beautiful your eyes of worship and lovely your voice in prayer.

Embrace how God see you and live in that reality

15 You must catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship. For they raid our budding vineyard of love to ruin what I’ve planted within you. Will you catch them and remove them for me? We will do it together.

Remove any lies, wounds or fear that gets in the way of you and God

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5 Major Areas In Need of Healing:1. Hurts & Trauma 2. Generational Inheritance 3. Lies We Believe 4. Inner Vows 5. Pride & Rebellion

The Healing Journey to Restoration

John 4:4-10
Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Know Jesus is inviting us into some level restoration.

John 4:11-15
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

We must respond to His invitation of healing.

John 4:16-21
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

We must cooperate with the Spirit of God and resist avoiding true transformation.

John 4:25-26, 28-30
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.

”28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

We must choose to leave our sin and all our brokenness with Jesus.

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4 Settings to cultivate a heart fully alive to the Glory of God:1. Intimacy with God. 2. Restoration from God. 3. Christian fellowship. 4. Spiritual warfare.

John 4:23-24
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

3 Effects of the Environment of Worship:1 Samuel 10:5-6
5 “After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, timbrels, pipes and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying.

We encounter God’s presence and voice as we worship Him.

1 Samuel 10:6
6 The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them;

Worship invokes the power of God in our lives.

1 Samuel 10:6
and you will be changed into a different person.

Worship transforms us on the inside.

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John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

How To Discern God’s voice:1. Ask him to speak and reveal Himself to you.

It takes time to learn to hear and discern His voice.
Does it agree with Scripture?
Do mature believers confirm it?
Does it produce peace?

Different Ways God Still Speaks:1. God speaks through His written word.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

God speaks through peace He gives us.

Col. 3:15 & Phil. 4:7
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God speaks through other believers.

Acts 21:4
We sought out the disciples there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

God can speak through dreams and visions.

Acts 2:17
I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

God speaks through our thoughts.

John 16:13-14
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

God speaks in unconventional ways.

Hebrews 1:1
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways…

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Genesis 1:27
God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

3 Powerful truths about our hearts we MUST comprehend:1. Comprehend there is a battle for your heart.

John 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

1 Peter 5:8
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

We must learn to live from a healed heart.

Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Believe your heart is good because of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Hebrews 10:14, 22
For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy…

Therefore… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Ezekiel 36:25-26
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

4 settings to cultivate a heart fully alive to the Glory of God:1. Intimacy with God 2. Restoration from God 3. Christian fellowship 4. Spiritual warfare

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Luke 11:1
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.

6 Ways to Pray:1. Pray what’s on your heart and mind

1 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

2. Use the Lord’s Pray as template

Luke 11:2-4So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
5 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

3. Pray through a Psalm, making it your own prayer

Psalms to pray:
Ps 23, 46, 51, 91, 139

4. Practice silence and meditation

Psalms 1:1-3
Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. 3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

5. Attempt praying short prayers every 60 minutes

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

6. Pray with others

Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

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Our Vision: Radiant Church exists to reach people with the love and life-giving message of Jesus so they may become fully engaged followers of Jesus.

Our 5 Core Values:1. Live Loving Others: We invest into the lives of others.John 13:34
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Live Free: We live in freedom by understanding our true identity in Christ.Galatians 5:6-7
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.
Live Empowered: We live out our faith by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.Acts 1:8
You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Live Connected: We connect with other believers who can help us grow spiritually.Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Live Generous: We generously steward our time, gifting and resources.2 Corinthians 8:7
But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

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5 Principles We Can Learn About Loving Others:Luke 10:25-29
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

It is easy to justify our lack of helping others, though it is not right.Luke 10:30
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
Our neighbor is anyone in need. Luke 10:31-32
31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
We should not ignore the needs of others if we are in a position to help.Luke 10:33-35
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
Our simple acts of kindness can be a HUGE blessing to others.Luke 10:36
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Do for the one what you wish you could do for the many.Permalink