Northpoint Church-New Braunfels, Texas: Recent Episodes
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1. He is ‘Ever-Present’.He is near. With Us. Among Us. In Us. Through Us. Is this in our sight - Vision? ‘the Lord is with us.’ Do you know the I am’s? I am means NOW. John 6:35: Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. The one who comes to me will never go hungry, and the one who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 8:12: Then Jesus spoke out again, "I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 10:9: I am the door. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will come in and go out, and find pasture. John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 11:25: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, John 14:6: Jesus replied, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me - and I in him - bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. John 8:57-59: 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.The God who is with us is with us. Matt. 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”John 14:15-18 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.2. God is.Psalm 46:1-31 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,Though the mountains shake with its swelling. SelahHeb. 13:5-6NKJV 5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (x3) 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”3. “Why?” A better question is “Now What?”This I know:Matt. 16:15-18 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.Jesus builds His church. I do understand that Jesus is not talking about buildings here. Jesus builds His church (people). Buildings are tools used by people. 1 Thess. 5:16-1816 Rejoice always,17 pray without ceasing,18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What’s your story today? What’s your story for 2017?Many of us have had great opportunity this year to overcome or to be overcome.The tendency of most humans is to, at one time or another, ‘get stuck’ – to get into a rut. To settle into a place of being passive, to be absorbed, to be carried away by life.In other words: ‘not challenging life’ but instead allowing our lives to be dictated and controlled by the outward circumstances and inward emotions that come to all of us.Today my goal is this: I want to stir us up.2 Peter 1:12-1412 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.Foundation Scriptures: Let’s encourage and challenge ourselves with the scripturesI Cor. 15:57-58Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.II Cor. 2:14Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.I John 5:4-5For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?Our victory is tied to what we believe about Jesus Christ.Overcome: nikao – mightiest prevailConqueror – hupernikao: to gain a surpassing victory/we are pre-eminently victorious* of God – over darkness * of Christ – over death, hell and the grave – the power of sin * of His followers * of Faith
The Bible is filled with stories of men and women who overcame great opposition – one of my favorites is the story of Gideon:Change, Growth, Overcoming can happen. ‘The story your living today doesn’t have to be the story you live tomorrow.’ Big Thought: Just ‘One Word’ from God has the power to change our lives. Gideon: We find the story of Gideon during the period of Judges. Why is Judges so important?The time of the judges brought about great apostasy in Israel. ‘Apostasy in Christianity is the rejection of Christianity by someone who formerly was a Christian. The term apostasy comes from the Greek word apostasia ("ἀποστασία") meaning defection, departure, revolt or rebellion. It has been described as "a willful falling away from, or rebellion against, Christianity.’ The nation underwent political and religious turmoil as the people tried to possess those parts of the land that had not yet been fully conquered. The tribes fought among themselves, as well, nearly wiping out the tribes of Manasseh (Judges 12) and Benjamin (20–21). The pattern of behavior in the book of Judges is clear: the people rebelled through idolatry and disbelief, God brought judgment through foreign oppression, God raised up a deliverer—or judge, and the people repented and turned back to God. When the people fell back into sin, the cycle started over again.Ironically, in this book we meet many heroes of faith: Gideon, Samson, Deborah, Jephthah, Ehud . . . flawed individuals who answered God’s call to deliver the Israelites in sometimes dramatic form. The book includes many of the most graphic, violent, and disturbing scenes in all Scripture—some in the name of righteousness, others in the name of evil.What's the big idea?As Exodus established, Israel was God’s people—He was their King. They had forsaken the covenant established at Mount Sinai. In Judges, He disciplined them for following other gods, disobeying His sacrificial laws, engaging in blatant immorality, and descending into anarchy at times. Yet because they were His people, He listened to their cries for mercy and raised up leaders to deliver them.The story of Gideon: during the time of Gideon the children of Israel were stuck in a nasty pattern: over and over again the word says: * The children of Israel complained * The children of Israel murmured against * The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord * The children of Israel did not believe
Judges 6:1-16 NKJV1 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, 2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains. 3 So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 4 Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey. 5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were without number; and they would enter the land to destroy it. 6 So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord.7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of the Midianites, 8 that the Lord sent a prophet to the children of Israel, who said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘I brought you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of bondage; 9 and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. 10 Also I said to you, “I am the Lord your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not obeyed My voice.’”What is the significance of this for us as N.T. believers? 1 Cor. 10:6-11Judges 6:11-12 11 Now the Angel of the Lord came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. It is possible that appearances of the angel of the Lord were manifestations of Jesus before His incarnation. Jesus declared Himself to be existent “before Abraham” (John 8:58), so it is logical that He would be active and manifest in the world. Whatever the case, whether the angel of the Lord was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ (Christophany) or an appearance of God the Father (theophany), it is highly likely that the phrase “the angel of the Lord” usually identifies a physical appearance of God.Notice that the Angel of the Lord came and sat down. He walked right into Gideon’s stuff. He is with us. To HELP us. To bring us UP. Gideon is hiding. Threshing wheat normally takes place in a large, open space. The thresher tosses the grain in the air, letting the wind blow away the chaff. The picture of Gideon threshing out the wheat in a small, enclosed winepress conveys his fear of the Midianites.Gideon is full of fear. Hunger. Desperation. What do people do when they’re afraid? They do things they’re not supposed to do. Like thresh wheat in a winepress. Winepresses are for crushing grapes. Threshing floors are for threshing wheat. But Gideon is so afraid, he’s doing things he’s not supposed to do. God never wanted it to be this way. Gideon is not supposed to be afraid of the Midianites; he and his people are supposed to drive them out. But his fear has taken hold of him. Maybe you can relate to that.Are there things in your life that have taken hold of you, things that God never intended for you to be connected to or afraid of? If so, then I think you’ll relate to Gideon.If anybody else were to walk up to Gideon in this moment, they’d see a scared little man trying not to draw attention to himself. Yet, the angel of the Lord addresses Gideon with a different title: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior,” (6:12).When others look at Gideon they see a fearful man, trembling in the winepress. But God….12 And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you might man of valor (fearless courage) vs. 13 And Gideon said to him, O sir (But God), if the Lord is with us, why is all this befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works of which our fathers told us, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian. What’s Gideon’s reply? But God*!!?? Why….. * Gideon didn’t talk like a mighty man of valor * Gideon didn’t think like a mighty man of valor * Gideon didn’t act like a mighty man of valor * Gideon didn’t look like a mighty man of valor
What’s is the Lord’s response to Gideon? Example: Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who was dead wrong in what was being said? You turn your head, your body language; maybe shake your head – no! - I can see the Lord doing this with Gideon….vs. 14 The Lord turned to him and said, Go in this your might, and you shall save Israel from the hand of Midian, Have I not sent you?* The Lord once again – points back to what He said in vs. 12 the Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor…
vs. 15 Gideon said to Him, Oh Lord, (But God!!!) how can I deliever Israel? Behold, my clan is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.Once again – Gideon points back to His circumstances: I don’t have any money / I’m the youngest in my family – my older brothers would do better* Again, the Lord points back to what’s said in vs. 12 the Lord is with you, might man of valor!!!
vs. 16 And the Lord said to Him, Surely, I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midanites as on man.Remember Gideon: What did God say about Him? The Lord is with you, mighty man of valor – Gideon got it – and God used He and 300 men to deliver Israel….God told Gideon – the Lord is with you, mighty man of valor….What does God say to us today about who we are?2 Cor. 5:17 If any man be in Christ…..a new creation…Isn’t it interesting that Paul told Timothy – therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God that is in you….It’s our tendency to forget what kind of man or woman we really are….Remember….The def. of insanity? To expect my life, circumstances and condition to change without doing anything differently…..Example: remember the name: the man who was hiking and climbing through a canyon? As he was negotiating over and around a rock – His arm got stuck? What did He do? I can either die here or I can do something and get out of here – He choose to do something instead of staying stuck and dying….Jesus has done everything we need to get us unstuck – we don’t have to die stuck!!!!“We don’t have to Live stuck.”May I encourage the believer in Jesus today….We come to Him believing that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of Heaviness.Matt. 11:28-31 Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and find RESTPsalm 100:1Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!2 Serve the Lord with gladness;Come before His presence with singing.3 Know that the Lord, He is God;It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;[a]We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,And into His courts with praise.Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.5 For the Lord is good;His mercy is everlasting,And His truth endures to all generations.
When something is described as great, the meaning is amplified.Like this:I have a wife. vs. I have a great wife.2 of my daughters have husbands. vs. 2 of my daughters have great husbands.Adding ‘great’ is a game changer. It gives Focus. Clarity. Value. Understanding. It changes the story. Great defined: Greek / Megas - great, large, vast, big, high, tall; mighty, importantReveals: great mass and weightMakes it: large, spacious Adds: measure and height and lengthGives: statureLarge in: number and quantity: numerous, large, abundantCreates: intensity and increased degree: violent, mighty, strongIn scientific language - Mega: times 1 million - megaton, megawatt, megahit Luke 2:8-12 8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. The word suggests the thought of the Shechinah, or cloud of intolerable brightness, which was the token of the divine presence in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Never before had there been such a manifestation to such men as these. What had been the privilege of patriarchs and priests was now granted to shepherds, and the first proclamation of the glad tidings was to these shepherds.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. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”And suddenly there was with the angel,....That brought the tidings of Christ's birth to the shepherds: a multitude of the heavenly host: who being caused to fly swiftly, were at once with him, by his side, and about him; and which was a further confirmation of thetruth of his message to them: these were angels who were called an host, or army, the militia of heaven, the ministers of God, that wait upon him, and do his pleasure; and are sent forth to minister to his people, and encamp about them, preserve, and defend them;15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.1. On this day, Great Joy Came.Great Joy Came by, with & through Jesus. 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.Joy - What comes to mind? Jesus, The word of God, The Spirit of God, the Mercy of God, the Love of God, the Grace of God, My wife, My children, My family in heaven and on earth, His church. Strength. Heaven. Family & Friends who have surrendered to the Love & Grace of God. 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. This is so true. Joy defined: joy, gladness, cheerfulness - the joy received from you; the cause or occasion of joy - of persons who are one's joyJoy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, strength, confidence and hope in/from Him. It is something or someone that provides a source of strength, gladness & gratitude. It appears 88 times in the Old Testament in 22 books; 57 times in the New Testament in 18 books.Matt. 2:9-11 - The Wise Men9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.Mega-Joy came by, with & through Jesus. But that’s not all….2. Great Joy still Comes. a. When we remember again that He Came. Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!b. When we choose to rejoice in the Lord. Rom. 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.1 Peter 1:8-98 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.c. In believing in Him. Acts 8:5-85 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.d. Engaged in His ministry.Acts 15:3 Paul & Barnabas sent to Jerusalem - 3 ‘So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.’e. In seeing His redemptive work in people. Mega-Joy came by, with & through Jesus. Great Joy still Comes. But that’s not all….3. Great Joy is coming. Heb. 12:1-3 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.There is Joy that is set before us. He came. He comes. He is coming again. We celebrate His first advent during this season - but there is another advent to come. Something incredibly significant is in front of us. 1 Thess. 4:13-1813 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.2 Cor. 5:4-8 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.One way or another all of us who are in Christ will be present with Him. 1 Cor. 15:57-58 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.These are some of my favorite verses in the N.T. They were written in light of the resurrection that is to come. We were made for great joy. To rejoice exceedingly. To rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. Jesus is our Great Joy. His joy came. It comes. It’s coming. Do you know His joy? Do you know His Name? Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”So we call on His name. We believe on His name. We need Him. He’s ready to forgive. He’s ready to begin His work in Us. Call on His name. Believe on His Name. Why? All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He has not sinned and He is worthy of the Glory of God. He has made our way. He is savior, He is the only Lord. He is King of all Kings.
He is the way the truth and the life. They only way. Call on His name!
What kind of church am I? Is the church perfect? Col. 1:9-10 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Let us be a ___________________________ Church.1. What kind of church ___________________I? Matt. 16:18Cooperate with the builder.2. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to make ___________. Matt. 28:16-203. What is discipleship? The process of learning how to think, talk, stand, step, walk & live in the newness of life in Christ. To learn how to live life “Inside Out”. Matt. 5:27-28 27/Prov. 4:23 4. What is the ___________________ of my heart?Who sets this temperature? Matt. 6:21/Gal. 6:7-9What’s our Church __________________ set on?a. Spirit of the Church:b. Commitment of the Church:c. Growth of the Church:5. Am I _________________________? Col. 1:27/1 John 4:4/Rom. 12:11Enthusiasm - “energy that boils over and runs down the side of the pot.”
Enthusiasm is _____________. It drives out indifference, overcomes apathy, changes the atmosphere of any room or church.
What kind of church am I? Is the church perfect? Col. 1:9-10 9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Let us be a ___________________________ Church.1. What kind of church ___________________I? Matt. 16:18Cooperate with the builder.2. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to make ___________. Matt. 28:16-203. What is discipleship? The process of learning how to think, talk, stand, step, walk & live in the newness of life in Christ. To learn how to live life “Inside Out”. Matt. 5:27-28 27/Prov. 4:23 4. What is the ___________________ of my heart?Who sets this temperature? Matt. 6:21/Gal. 6:7-9What’s our Church __________________ set on?a. Spirit of the Church:b. Commitment of the Church:c. Growth of the Church:5. Am I _________________________? Col. 1:27/1 John 4:4/Rom. 12:11Enthusiasm - “energy that boils over and runs down the side of the pot.”
Enthusiasm is _____________. It drives out indifference, overcomes apathy, changes the atmosphere of any room or church.
Me and the Church.I love the church. I love the power of the gospel unleashed. I love what Jesus does in and through the church. The unlimited potential of a people together who love Jesus. I love the gathering of the church. Is the church perfect?What kind of church am I? 2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.1. What kind of church am I? Matt. 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 2. The church has been commissioned by Jesus to _______________. Matt. 28:16-203. What is ______________________?4. Inside out. What happens _______________ is seen on the outside. Prov. 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Matt. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.5. You and I are the_____________________ of our own lives.a. ____________________of the Church.b. ____________________ of the Church.c. _____________________ of the Church.6. We can _________________ in helping people along the process.7. We (the church) needs _______________________. Col. 1:27 / 1 John 4:4
Enthusiasm is _____________. It drives out indifference, overcomes apathy, changes the atmosphere of any room or church. Rom 12:9-12
Isa. 61:1-3The truth is that there has been and will be, no one like Jesus Christ. From His birth to His life, to His death, to His resurrection... there is none like Jesus.1. I’m thankful for The God of _________________. Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,Now we can begin to see what He is like... and He is, far better and amazing than we could have ever imagined or thought. I am thankful!2. I’m thankful for The God of ________________.Isaiah 61:2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn...3. I’m thankful for The God of the _______________________.Isaiah 61:3 / 2 Corinthians 5:21Psalms 40:1-3 A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. (2) He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. (3) He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; 4. I’m thankful for The God of __________________________. Isa. 61:4-5He makes all things new from the Inside Out. 2 Cor. 5:17 / John 3:3 / Tit. 3:5 5. I’m thankful for The God of everlasting _________________. Isa. 61:6-7
Our Response: ___________________________________________
The Church in Crisis. When Crisis comes to the church/world how do we _______________? It’s vital for us not just to look at this from just a mental or natural vantage point. There is another side. The _________________________ side. There a _____________________ among us. There is a light and darkness, life and death, love and hate, freedom and captivity, truth and deception, faith & fear, heaven & hell.Eph. 6:10-20When Crisis comes to the church what do we do? 1. We Pray. Psalm 61:1-4/Prov. 15:8/Matt. 21:12-14/Acts 2:42/Acts 3:1/Acts 4:23-24/ Acts 6:3-4/Acts 12:4-17/Rev. 5:8 /Neh. 1:1-4________________ the value and place of prayer individually and corporately. 2. We _____________________. Rom. 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.3. We _____________________.1 Thess. 4:13-18/John 14:1-6/Phil. 1:21-23/Heb. 11:15-16/2 Cor. 5:6-8Even in death we win. 4. We _____________________. 2 Samuel 12:19-235. We _____________________. Acts 7:54-60
When we stand for Him. Jesus stands with us.
To every generation - Jesus speaks. What is He saying today?Mark 1:14-1514 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”Mark 2:16-17 / Luke 15:6-7What is Jesus saying today? _______________________. 1. What is ‘to repent’?Repentance looks ahead in hope and anticipation while remorse “looks backward in shame and forward in fear.”a. Jesus ___________________________ Repentance.b. Do __________________________ Have to Repent? Rev. 3:19 AMP_______________ does not eradicate or make unnecessary any New Testament teaching or discipline.2. Biblical repentance is a response to Jesus’s call. Jesus calls us to ‘Repent & Believe.’ Mark 1:14-15
My ultimate goal as a believer is __________________________.
To every generation - Jesus speaks. Mark 1:16-20 / Mark 2:14 / Mark 8:34-381. Follow ________. Words that resonate to every generation. 2. What will we do with these words? Deut. 30:19Rom. 14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.3. Have you ______________________? Mark 1:16-1816 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.Matt. 28:18-20Follow Me means….a. I __________________________ differently. b. I __________________________ differently. Rom. 12:1-2 / Col. 3:1-2c. I __________________ differently. Mark 9:23 - To him who believes what? Heb. 11:6 / John 14:6 / John 8:31-32 / John 17:17Truth. Objective Truth - without biases caused by feelings, ideas, & opinionsThat which is for all times, places & people - not subject to the culture, how we feel or our opinion.
Have you decided?
Life is to be lived with a faith that is awake & alive.Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.”My faith has a purpose. Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.1. Big Audacious Un-Belief.a) Unbelief is doubt accompanied by a desire to believe. Mark 9:23-24 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” b) Unbelief is an obstinate, hard-hearted refusal to believe. Heb. 3:12 ESV Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.This kind of unbelief hinders the work of God in our own lives.Faith & Unbelief are both powerful. Matt. 10:32-33 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.There is power in belief. Rom. 10:8-13 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Heb. 4:14 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.Heb. 10:23 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 2. The day Jesus marveled.Mark 6:1-6 1Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.Why? Faith comes by…..Rom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Life is to be lived with a faith that is awake.Jesus says to us, “Have faith in God.” Mark 11:22 Faith speaks to the mountain. Faith does not doubt in our heart. Faith believes.My faith has a _________________________: Faith is God pleasing. Heb. 11:6 Faith is our victory. 1 John 5:4-51. ’Your Faith matters to ___________________.’ a. Through Action - Matt. 5:16 b. Through _____________________ - Eph. 4:29 / Prov. 18:21 c. Through that which we in ______________ can’t give - John 7:37-39 d. Through sacrificial giving. 2. The ‘______________________’ kind of faith. Mark 2:1-12 5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”Our faith matters to others. All of us will probably have the opportunity to be a participant in a story that is similar. a. ___________________ to be carried. James 5:13-16 b. Having the opportunity to help ________________ someone’s burden.Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the
man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Today - we continue our series on ‘big audacious faith’ - stories found in the scriptures revealed through the lives of men and women who believed God inspite of their circumstances. These are men and women who cried out instead of shutting up. These are those who moved when others said you can’t go there. These are those who got back up when life pushed them down. These are those sacred ‘God’ moments in the lives of people who believed God. People just like us. These stories are found in moments and seasons of crisis, stress, great need, desperation, storms that are within and without. Audacious faith: showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks, bold, daring, fearless, brave, courageous, valiant, heroic….based on faith in Him, his word.Life is to be lived with a faith that is awake/alive….. Jesus said these statements about people and their Faith: Have Faith in God. How is that you have no faith. I have not found such great faith. Oh you of little faith. Where is your faith? O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Do not be unbelieving but believing. John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.1. Have faith in God.a. Jesus calls us to faith. Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.”b. Jesus gives us a working description of a faith that is active. Mark 11:23-24 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.Faith speaks to the mountain. Faith does not doubt in his heart. Faith believes. Faith receives before physical having. These are signposts of faith. 1 Peter 1:8-98 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.2. Faith comes.Rom. 10:17 NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.If Faith comes this way: Then we should Stay Close. Keep yourself around Jesus. Keep yourself around God’s word. His presence. His people. His church.Keep yourself in a posture of hearing. Keep yours eyes open to the truth. Keep your heart free from clutter. Ask the Holy Spirit to Help.3. Peter & Audacious Faith.Let’s take a few minutes and look at a snap shot from the life of a man named Peter.A very normal guy, A very common guy, Rough around the edges, A fisherman by trade, One who answered the call to follow Jesus Christ.Matt. 14: Background - John the Baptist Jesus’s cousin has been killed. Jesus heads out to spend some time in a deserted place…..Matt. 14:13-33 Jesus departs to be by HimselfPeople find out and follow HimJesus saw the multitude and was moved with compassion & healed their sick5 Loaves and 2 Fishes miracle - 5000+ are fed vs. 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.vs. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when the evening came, He was alone there.Jesus went to pray.vs. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.a. Jesus has put them in the boat to go somewhere - there on a mission and can’t seem to get anywhere. Just because Jesus sends us somewhere or gives us a vision doesn’t mean it’s a cake walk, without resistance or trouble.vs. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.b. In the middle of our storms - look for Jesus. vs. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear.to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mindto disquiet, make restlessto stir upto troubleto strike one's spirit with fear and dreadto render anxious or distressedto perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubtsc. To get to the somewhere Jesus is sending us too requires faith.vs. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.vs. 28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.vs. 29 So He said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.vs. 30 but when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me!vs. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught Him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?vs. 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.vs. 33 They those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him saying, Truly You are the Son of God.There’s 2 groups of people in this story: Those in the Boat.Those who walked on the water.4. Life in boats.Boatsitters: In life it’s not always easy in the boat – These men had toiled all night to move forward and we’re stuck in the middle of an untamed sea. They had direction. Jesus had given them instructions. Go to the other side. * there’s at least 3 groups of people that are in the boat * people that have yet to see what’s going on * people that watch what’s going on – make observations, make judgements + ‘you can’t do that’ / ‘who do you think ur’
- people right in the middle of what’s going on
- Fear came. In the face of fear. Faith is ALWAYS required.
- Don’t be content to just sit in a boat! Believe God.
Waterwalkers: In the boat, Peter had the gall and audacity to ask the question – * Can I walk to you on the water? * Can I stand up and rock this boat? Faith can surely rock our boat. * Nothing’s ever been done of significance in God’s kingdom without Faith.
Boatsitters:Tend to be governed by their emotions / circumstances / fear – vs. 26* It’s a ghost? * We can’t do that. * What are you doing?
1 Chron. 16:34 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.I'm reminded rascism is a spiritual battle first, we can’t debate it away, we can’t fix it - only Jesus. Take a few moments to pray for. Today - we continue our series on ‘big audacious faith’ - stories found in the scriptures revealed through the lives of men and women who believed God inspite of their circumstances. These are men and women who cried out instead of shutting up. These are those who moved when others said you can’t go there. These are those who got back up when life pushed them down. These are those sacred ‘God’ moments in the lives of people who believed God. People just like us. These are found in moments and seasons of crisis, stress, great need, desperation, storms that are within and without. Big Audacious faith defined: showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks, bold, daring, fearless, brave, courageous, valiant, heroic….based on faith in Him, his word.Jesus invites us to follow him into the complexity of life, relationships, and all the crazy stuff and challenge the tensions between what looks good and feels good ... with that which is truth and of the faith.Illustration: Have you heard the statement: To thine own self be true? it’s from Hamlet Have you heard this statement: Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.My goal is to be true to the King of Kings rather than true to myself. I can’t trust the voice of my flesh or an unrenewed mind. These voices, if followed, will take me places contrary to where Jesus calls me to follow Him too. They will lead me from true freedom to lawlessness.Prayer…..Our Father in heaven,Hallowed be Your name.Your kingdom come.Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.Life is to be lived with a faith that is awake/alive…..By Faith. With Faith. Through Faith. 1. Have faith in God.Heb. 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.”John 20:27-29 27 Then said he to Thomas, Reach here your finger, and behold my hands; and reach here your hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said to him, My LORD and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.1 Peter 1:6-96 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.Faith: conviction of the truth, belief; persuaded fully; trust; confidence; When we look at the Healings of Jesus. There are at least 19 different healings recorded in the gospels. In 12 of these Jesus said…Your faith has made you well/whole/healed you. When we look at Heb. 11 - the Hero’s of faith chapter we see this phrase: “by faith”… -18 times: What’s it there for? to encourage us to faith / to believe God Heb. 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 2. My faith has a purpose. Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.In this life of faith. We must believe that He is (who He said He is/who He revealed Himself to be) and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. a. Faith is God pleasing. Faith is about Honor. I think about the words perseverance, continue, faithfulness - words that describe our faith. 1 John 5:4-54 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our[your] faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?b. Faith is our victory. Last week in looking at David with Goliath. His Faith - was about the honor of God. About His Name. About His Fame. Faith honors God.c. Faith receives the promises of God.3. Faith awakens. 1 Peter 1:23-25 23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, 24 because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, 25 But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.Corruptible seed: that whichperishesIncorruptible seed: not liable to corruption or decay - imperishablePeter calls this seed: incorruptible - What is it? God’s wordHeb. 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.May I submit to you: ‘Big Audacious Faith’ begins with an incorruptible Seed received.A Woman 12 years sick:Mark 5:27-28 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”Blind Bartimaeus: Mark 10:47-48 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”Stay Close. Keep yourself around Jesus. He is near.Keep yourself around God’s word. His presence. His people. His church.Keep yourself in a posture of hearing. Keep yours eyes open to the truth. Keep your heart free from clutter. Ask the Holy Spirit to Help. Why? Rom. 10:17NKJV So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.NLV So then, faith comes to us by hearing the Good News. And the Good News comes by someone preaching it.Word: Rhema-that which is or has been uttered by the living voice, thing spokenPlanting is required if a harvest is desired! Plant the Word in your heart. Read it. Receive it. Obey it. Say it. Be steady. Be consistent.Feed your spirit daily. Jesus is the author and the finisher of faith. Talk with him. Commune with him. Let faith grow. The seed plus time equals a harvest.Keep sowing. Keep watering. The seed is alive and full of power. Let it grow.
Who/What have you allowed to poison your faith?
Truth is timeless. What we will look at this morning is relevant for all the seasons of our lives.Rom. 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.1 John 3:1-33 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.1. How many times are we to Look?It’s a standing invitation - So let’s look again, and again, and again……YOU are the object of ALL of God’s love.Can I twist your arm today? - Go ahead and look again and again and again….It will only do you good.Big: His love reaches down into our life AND His love brings us up and out. Illustration: ‘Walk around the room. Love on people with the Word.’ 2. The more we look the more we see. Of His great love and we realize & see how He has changed us.His love received has the power to Change EVERYTHING about our lives. The Love of God is amazing. It’s Bigger than we realize. It’s deeper than we thought possible. It’s scope has yet to be fully seen. It’s big. It’s bigger and it’s greater still. 3. God made us to overflow with His love. He gave it to us at New Birth. Rom. 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Now, may we grasp it & know it. Phil. 1:9-11 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ) 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—Goto the glory and praise of God.Eph. 3:14-19 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.4. The so that. So that we may love well. John 15:12-13 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Thought: ”We sing the (beautiful) praise chorus, 'It's all about you, Jesus.' Who are we kidding? It's all about Jesus—as long as it's in a service I like, in a building I like, with people I like, with music I like, for a length of time I like. At some point, 'Take up your cross and follow me' changed into, 'Come to Jesus and he'll make your life better.'"Eph. 5:1-2 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love (live the life of love), as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.Here is the measuring stick for love: that we lay down our lives for others, for our neighbor, for our friends, for our family, for my wife, husband….. that we don’t have to be first, that if I help someone else succeed – then I am a success. If I reach out, If i’m a connection point, If I build up, If I encourage, If I pray with and for. If we obey - we are a success. Let’s think about this in the context of our Local Church. What reveals our Health & Strength as His people? How well we love one another. People are hungry & thirsty for Jesus relationships.Example: I remember when we had the opportunity to bring Justus into our home. The Lord asked me - do you have room in your heart for Him?When you add children to the mix of marriage and family what’s it do? it changes things - it makes your life a bit more messy - it effects your money - it effects your time - it effects your spaceNPC, Friends & Family, Do we have room in our heart for more people? 1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.This: - it makes your life a bit more messy - it effects your money - it effects your timePaul taught us that Lord’s Table is also very much about How we love one another.1 Cor. 11:29 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. We are to “Be Discerning.”Discerning - “To recognize or understand as being distinct”; “ to recognize or perceive clearly”To not be discerning is: Not recognizing or understanding as being distinct. * Not recognizing or perceiving clearly.*
Counting something as common. -His body broken for us/His blood poured out for us. -The body of Christ - His church.One way we can miss it ‘discerning the Lord’s body’ is in our relationships or our ‘one another’s’- the weight of the ‘one another’s - the Lord’s body - How we value the church - local & global. The way we treat one another. This is such a vital part of the Faith that we possess. And such a big deal in touching people with the gospel. It’s huge in connecting with People and helping people connect. Jesus said it this way:John 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”The church isn’t perfect because WE are here. Yet He still has a plan. Heb. 10:24-25 24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.Think of ways to encourage one another to outburst of love and good deeds…… - Look around: meet a family or someone you don’t know - Be aware of people - Be Kind, Be friendly - Need a friend? Be a friend - Ask them to lunch or dinner - Make the first move - when we have smaller events: Come - first wednesday meal & n.o.w.: Come - if you came once - come again - put yourself in a position to grow - connect to people, be here, serve, stretch… - serve on a team: greeters, ushers, etc.The church family is a redemptive family. We reach out, We forgive, we repent, we encourage, we speak words of grace, we help one another. This is church.Be quick to forgive. Be quick to repent. We are loved by God. He loves us extravagantly.We have this extravagant love to give. Agapomen Allelus Saint Jerome recounts that Saint John the Evangelist, living in Ephesus in his extreme old age, would be carried with difficulty into the church by his disciples. He had no strength for lengthy exhortation, but could only say, “agapomen allelus" ("let us love one another"). At length, the disciples and church members who were there, wearied by the repetition, asked, “Master, why do you always say this?” He replied “Because it is the Lord’s command and if that alone is done, it suffices.”“John, why do you say?” "Agapomen Allelus” 1 Cor. 13:13 No abides faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love 1 Cor. 14:1 Make love your great aim and quest in life….
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you that you love one another
Is there not a cause?Rom. 15:4 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.1 Cor. 10:11 amp. Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.The story of David & Goliath is the story of 2 kings. The king of fear.The king of faith.1. The king of fear. Saul.1 Sam. 15:24 24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.1 Sam. 17:8-118 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.1 Sam. 17:1616 And the Philistine drew near and presented himself forty days, morning and evening.40 days of fear.1 Sam. 17:23-2423 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. Same Words. Same Result. Saul and His Army misrepresented God for 40 days. 2. The king of faith. David.1 Sam. 17:2626 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”a. When David showed up. Faith showed up. ‘Is there not a cause?’Jude 1:3-4 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed… David’s fight was really a fight of faith.There was no faith in the camp.Faith is a big deal. Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.1 John 5:4-54 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our[your] faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?b. David’s confidence. 1 Sam. 17:32-3732 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”c. You can’t be someone else. 1 Sam. 17:38-3938 So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. 39 David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.Eph. 2:10 You are His workmanship. David was a Shepherd.d. Fear is ruthless.1 Sam. 17:42-4442 And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. 43 So the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”3. Real Faith. 1 Sam. 17:45-4745 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”a. Faith promotes the King.b. Faith Runs to the battle.c. Faith is prepared.d. Faith has influence. 1 John 5:4-5 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our[your] faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 3:1-33 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.1. How many times are we to Look?It’s a standing invitation - Behold. Look. See. Turn our eyes toward Him again. Let’s look again, and again, and again……YOU are the object of ALL of God’s love.Can I twist your arm today? - Go ahead and look again and again and again….It will only do you good.2. The more we look the more we see. Rom. 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.His love received has the power to Change EVERYTHING about our lives. The Love of God is amazing. It’s Bigger than we realize. It’s deeper than we thought possible. It’s scope has yet to be fully seen. It’s big. It’s bigger and it’s greater still. 3. The Father desires us walking in the fullness of this Great, Extravagant, Powerful, Love. He gave it to us at New Birth. Rom. 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Now, may we grasp it & know it. Phil. 1:9-11 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, (that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ) 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.Eph. 3:14-19 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.4. The so that. So that we may love well. John 15:12-13 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. Eph. 5:1-2 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love (live the life of love), as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Eph. 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Col. 3:9-15
9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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 do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
1 John 3:1-3 3 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.a. The Love of God is __________________________.His love is……b. God’s faithful love never comes to an __________________. 1. God’s Love Is _______________________________________.Psalm 89:2 “I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself.” Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever.2. God’s Love Is ________________________. - Jeremiah 31:3-4 / Isaiah 43:13. God’s Love Is __________________________. - Romans 8:31-324. God’s Love Is __________________________. 5. God’s Love Is Unbreakable - Romans 8:37-396. God’s Love Is _____________________________. 1 John 4:19 / John 3:167. God’s Love Is Forgiving. Isaiah 38:17/ Revelation 1:5
8. God’s Love Is ____________________________. Ephesians 3:17-19
The Kings choice. Part 2Acts 13:22-23And when He had removed Saul, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior--Jesus—1. Man’s choice. We want a king.Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.The people were rejecting God as their King – God has always desired a people to know Him – to Love Him – to seek Him - to be led by HimThey ask for King - that we also may be like all the nations. 1 Sam. 8:1-21God has given us the ability to choose. Everything we choose is not God’s will.What was God’s choice? He wants to be their King. The people had rejected God as their King – God has always desired for a people to know Him – to Love Him – to be led by Him2. The first King’s choice - Saul did it His way. 1 Sam. 13:13-14 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. (The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people,) because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”His way cost Him everything. King Saul lost it all. 1 Sam. 16:14 …the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul.Why? The why is the easiest to answer. The Spirit of God departed from Saul because of his deliberate disobedience to God. Saul’s deliberate disobedience (rebellion) opened the floodgates. The word itself means “to startle, to terrify, to fall upon suddenly.”This is not God’s will for us. He calls us to finish.Heb. 12:1-3 12 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,[b] so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.2 Tim. 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.3. Every course contains challenges and difficult potholes.God forewarns us of challenging times:Josh 1:5No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Mark 4:17and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.John 16:33These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”2 Tim.3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!Potholes to avoid:a. Deception potholes - LuciferThe first leader to fall/fail due to an unmaintained thought life. It was a perfect environment. The Father was in charge. Isa. 14:12-15“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer,[b] son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north;14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.James 1:22 Be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving yourselves. b. Everybody’s doing it potholes - Lucifer’s angels - they followed the rebel. In a perfect leadership environment. c. Potholes: Division, Seperation, Offense, Pride….4. The answer for Potholes.Eph. 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.How do we resist the Devil? Submit to God How do we get back on the right track? Submit to GodIf we submit to God we can finish well.
The Kings choice.Acts 13:22-23And when He had removed Saul, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior--Jesus—David is in Sixty-two chapters. His name is mentioned over 1,000 times. David, King of Israel. A man after God’s own heart. 1. Man’s choice. We want a king.Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.The people were rejecting God as their King – God has always desired a people to know Him – to Love Him – to seek Him - to be led by HimThey ask for King - that we also may be like all the nations. NLT 1 Sam. 8:1-22God has given us the ability to choose. Everything we choose is not God’s will.Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.Everyone was a law unto themselves. Sounds similar to our day. If I think it’s right - it must be right. This is a downward cycle - with really no end in sight except by the transformation of a life by Jesus Christ. 2. The first King’s choice - His way. 1 Sam. 13:13-14 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”His way cost Him everything. King Saul lost it all. 1 Sam. 16:14 …the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul.3. God’s choice x 2. Why? The why is the easiest to answer. The Spirit of God departed from Saul because of his deliberate disobedience to God. It was a judgment from God on his life. No longer would God’s Spirit be with him. But how could it happen? The answer seems to be that in the Old Testament God often sent his Spirit to certain men (prophet, priest and king) for certain special tasks or occasions.Saul’s deliberate disobedience (rebellion) opened the floodgates. The word itself means “to startle, to terrify, to fall upon suddenly.”22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.
The spirit of God is great than any tormenting spirit.
Got Love?1. We have _________________________.Psalms 27:10 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD will take care of me.Psalms 68:5-6 5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,Is God in His holy habitation. 6 God sets the solitary in families…Isa. 64:8 But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.Whether or not we had an earthly father that was seeking us and seeking our spiritual well-being, we do have a Heavenly Father who loves us.Eph. 3:14-19 (New Century Version) 14 So I bow in prayer before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name. 16 I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. 17 I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 18 And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. 19 Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.2. Paul’s Heart & Purpose revealed in one verse. __________________________Gal. 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,How many times does the Father’s love reach out to us. How many times does He call our name? 3. We Labor for a Greater __________________.We Labor to _________________. We Labor to _________________.We Labor to _________________. We labor in _________________ . 1 Cor. 15:57-58
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Got Lift?Psalm 40:1-31 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.1. The Lord ________________________ us up.Eph. 2:5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.a. He _____________________________ us up. Psalm 145:14 / Psalm 113:6-8b. He ____________________________ us up. 2. _______________________________ will this be? John 14:15-17 / John 15:26 / Luke 24:49 / Acts 2:17 / Acts 3:19-21What we hunger and thirst for is what will fill our lives. John 7:37-393. Jesus fills the ________________________ one.The Upper room takes us Higher.
Are you thirsty?
Got Power? Pentecost in the 1st PersonActs 2:1-8, 12-21Here is God’s answer for the ‘famine’ of the Spirit and the Word.Pentecost promotes Jesus & His church.1. The Why of Pentecost?Matt. 28:18-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations….Go ________________ something.Mark 16:15-2015 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature….Go ________________ something.John 14:12 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.Go ________________ something.How can this be? Zech. 4:6-72. What is Pentecost? Luke 24:49 / Acts 1:4-8 / John 7:37-39There is refreshing ______________________ at Pentecost. Acts 3:19-213. We, The Church was created to __________________________. 2 Tim. 1:6-8a. Jesus said we must be ‘______________’ - Born Again. John 3:3-6 / Titus 3:5-6 b. There’s more. Jesus said be ‘_________________ with the Spirit.’ Acts 1:4-8The new birth is about -____________ invading us. Pentecost is about us _________________ the World.
Acts 4:23,29-31
Got Purpose?Eph. 3:20-2120 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, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.How Big Is God?Acts 2:1717 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.1 Cor. 2:9-129 But as it is written:“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.Question: Got purpose?One distinctive of God’s purpose for our lives is this, ______________________.1. We are _______________________ of Purpose. Eph. 2:102. God’s Purpose ________________________ Labor & Work.Matt. 9:37-38 / 1 Cor. 15:57-58 / Eph. 4:28 / 1 Thess. 1:2-43. His purpose is a _________________________. Eph. 2:10 Jesus is a big deal. He is the big deal. He’s made you a big deal. And your part in His purpose is a big deal. Keep Jesus the big deal (the main thing) of your life and His purpose will always rise to the top in your heart.
4. ___________________________________ is essential. Col. 2:8-10
David Ran.1 Sam. 17:48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.David ran toward Goliath in public after He ran toward a Lion & Bear in private.What did He run toward? Goliath / Lion / Bear - battles/a fight Private Victory seems to precede Public VictoryWhat do we run toward? the Battle - fight the good fight of faith - Everything thing that God says do - Acts 13:22-23What battles do we need to be engaged in? - Personally: Be Strong in the Lord - Eph. 6:10-18 - Personally: Growth Faith is both Private and Public. Leadership is first private then public.
A King's HeartThere is a divine viewpoint and the human viewpoint. As Humans, We are mostly focused on the physical appearance.Don't misunderstand me, I am for being healthy. But God has another standard. When Samuel was looking for a man to succeed Saul as King of Israel, God said to Samuel… "Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him (Eliab). For the Lord does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7). Man places a high value on the externals God examines deep within that man for something more. Man judges one on the basis of one's appearance, but God examines the heart.In Biblical thought, the heart was the central organ that controlled all activities thus determining one's character of living. The heart housed the place where qualities worth having in our lives were first formed. The heart embodied the womb of character.There is a divine viewpoint and the human viewpoint. ‘we walk by faith not by sight.’When we look to and study the scriptures we can begin to see this throughout.
And again - we can learn much from looking at the Life of David.
Why David?Acts 13:22-23And when He had removed Saul, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—There are tools, keys, nuggets that we can pick up as we study and look at His life. For what purpose? for the sake of our KING. For His Kingdom. Since the time of Joshua leading up to the time of David there has been very limited divine viewpoint in the land…I Sam. 3:1
Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.
Mary's sermon.
John 2:1-5 1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”1. Whatever......2. He says to you.....3. Do it.....
Got Peace? The Lord is near.Isa. 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.He won. He wins. We ____________. We _____________.Rom. 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. We find our victory in His victory. We find our strength in His strength. We find our peace in His peace. Rom. 5:1-2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have[a] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice/boast in hope of the glory of God.Isa. 26:3 / John 16:33 / John 14:27 / Rom. 15:13 / Col. 3:15 / Phil. 4:4-9.Matt. 8:23-27 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples.1. Jesus is in my __________________ and it’s all good.Matt. 8:24-2724 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 2. The suddenly Storms, Test, Trials, Temptations have ________________. 3. Jesus sometimes _____________ in our boat. What do we do with sleeping Jesus?Matt. 8:24-2725 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 4. ________________ Jesus in the boat. a. ________________ who He is.Luke 8:26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. 27 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”b. Pray ____________________ prayers.c. Hold on - ___________________ yourself and walk on.
Are there things that we’ve let go of because of being ‘anxious’. Has fear paralyzed us on the way to the ‘other side’?
Got Joy?
Phil. 4:4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice
Where does Joy come from?
What does Joy do in our lives?
Are you choosing Joy?
We're stronger when we gather. What happens at the gathering can't stay here. It's always been 'we breathe in, we breathe out.' 'Freely we have received, freely give - Jesus.'
Our Hearts were made to BurnLuke 24:13-32 32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" Question: Does my heart Burn? The Burn Series: #2 - ’The church that Jesus loves.’1. What is the _______________________ of our hearts?Romans 12:11 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame.Burn defined: a : to consume fuel and give off heat, light, and gasesb : to be combustablec : to contain a fired : to give off light : shine, glowe : to be hot 2. Your temperature ___________________. What do I bring with me when we gather?3. The Church @ Philadelphia - Revelation 3:7–13a. WHAT Does Jesus pay _________________________ too?b. JESUS’ ___________________________ to the church @ Philadelphia. _______________________________ is a powerful force.c. OUR KING IS JESUS - Think bigger. d. THE CHURCH IS _____________________________________________. 1. He deceives 2. He divides 3. He diverts 4. He discouragese. THE CHURCH IS __________________________________________ BY JESUS.f. THE CHURCH MUST ________________________________________________.g. A DOOR OF ____________________________________ IN PHILADELPHIA.Revelation 3:8 “I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.”Jesus says that he’s opened a door that no one can shut. It’s a door of opportunity.
It’s the door between the culture and the kingdom.
#1 - My Heart was made to Burn Luke 24:13-32 32 And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" Question: Does my heart Burn? 1. It’s personal? What is the ____________________________ of my heart?2 Tim. 1:6-7 (NIV) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.There is always the need to Fan. Stir. Rekindle. To Burn.Burn defined: 2. Your ____________________________________ matters.Col. 3:1-2 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds/affection on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.Today there is no shortage of _________________________ in our land. Col. 2:8 (BBE) Take care that no one takes you away by force, through man's wisdom and deceit, going after the beliefs of men and the theories of the world, and not after Christ:There is a __________________________ for Truth. John 14:6 / John 17:17 / John 8:31-32The Church in Sardis. Rev. 3:1-63. I’m gonna stay near the _______________________. There are many _______________________ but no substitutes. _____________ is enough.Psalm 18:28-36 28 For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.Rev. 3:2 Wake up and strengthen whatever you have left….Isa. 40:28-3128 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, 31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Revival of Thanksgiving. Why a series on Revival? 1. We are thermostats.Col. 3:1-2 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds/affection on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.What is the temperature of our church? our hearts? my heart?2 Tim. 1:6-7 (NIV) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.There is ____________________ the need to Fan. Stir. Rekindle. 2. What is _______________? The Lord says this: Acts 2:17 / Acts 3:19-213. Jesus ___________ His church. Thytira: A revival of the _________________.Rev. 2:20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. We hunger for what we have tasted. What we taste is what we hunger for. Be careful of what you taste, what you consume. Thytira continued. Rev. 2:21-25 25 But hold fast what you have till I come.4. Hold fast to what _________________________. What do we have?Rev. 2:19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.a. Hold fast to that which is ______________________. Romans 1:1-25 (ESV)vs. 21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.b. Be careful, cautious & discerning with the _____________ of men. Col. 2:85. How do I hold fast?a. Jesus is ________________________.b. Give ___________________________..
A Revival of Thanksgiving.
Revival of the PureWhat is Revival? Isa. 57:15(NLT) The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.Revival influences_____________________________ .Revival is Obedience ____________________. Why a series on Revival? 1. We are ___________________________. Col. 3:1-2 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds/affection on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.2. To the Church in Thyatira Rev. 2:18-29 a. These are the words of the Son of God. Jer 16:17 / Heb 4:13b. I know _________________________. Rev. 2:19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.c. What do we ______________________? vs. 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 1. Sexual immorality: Sex outside of the Word of God. Heb. 13:4 2. Eating things offered to idols. Consuming things that corrupt our hearts. James 1:27 / Matt. 5:8 / Psalm 119:9-11
A Revival of the _____________________.
A Revival of Truth - The Church at PergamumIsa. 57:15 (NLT) The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.Why a series on Revival? 1. As the church goes so goes the nation. As the individual believer goes - so goes the church.Revival is Obedience ___________________. 2. What Jesus says to the church at Pergamum. Rev. 2:12-17a. The City of Pergamum.b. Jesus said, it’s the throne & dwelling place of ____________________.c. The Healing Center - Asklepiond. Pergamum pagan __________________ meets Jesus.e. Remember Antipas - ‘my faithful martyr.’ Rev. 2:13f. This is the___________________________ for the church at Pergamum. 3. Jesus doesn’t ___________ what’s happening outside the church but rather what’s happening inside the church. Rev. 2:14-15 / Acts 20:28-30 A.W. Tozer wrote, “The most important thing about you is what you believe about God.”a. The doctrine of Balaam - Who is Balaam?a prophet whose donkey talked to Him - Numbers 22-24 / 2 Peter 2:1-19 / Jude 11 / Rev. 2:14b. Doctrine of the Nicolatians - The thing that Jesus hates. Rev. 2:15Who were the Nicolaitans?c. How does Jesus confront this ‘doctrine in the church?’He confronts the ____________________. He calls the _____________ to repentance. If we hear we must obey. Rev. 2:16-17
What is Jesus saying to us?
2 Corinthians 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
In this study we examine the change brought about by the sacrifice of Jesus. In the Old Testament we see the ark of the covenant kept in the Holy of Holies. The thick veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the tabernacle was a “line of demarcation” between the priest and the layman. The layman had no access to this Holiest of places where the presence of God dwelt. Now, in the New Covenant, we all have access to the presence of God. As Jesus “breathed his last,” the dividing veil was torn from top to bottom. No longer does the Spirit of God dwell in a temple made with hands, but resides in every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can now have true fellowship, communion and partnership with the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. We can expect him to lead us and to teach us.
Romans 8:14“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”Proverbs 20:27“The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the innermost parts of his being”
In this lesson we begin to see how the Holy Spirit leads his people. He is within us and we can expect him to lead us from where he is. He does not lead us through outward signs, but rather from the inside, where he dwells.
the Courageous churchIsa. 57:15 For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.Why a series on Revival? 1. As the church goes so goes the nation. As the _________________________ goes, so goes the church.Last week: Ephesus - the church that left something. Rev. 2:1-8Today, let’s look to see what Jesus says to the church Smyrna: Rev. 2:8-12How does Jesus measure His church? Do we measure as He does? 2. Jesus _____________________ His church. a. Be ____________________________ - Revelation 2:10 / 2 Tim. 1:5-8 b. Be ____________________________ - Revelation 2:103. The context of Smyrna’s suffering is the ____________________________. vs. 11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes – will not be hurt by the second death.” What do we mean by overcomer? 1 John 5:4-54. Here we meet ________________________________, a church poor – crushed, persecuted, yet, fragrant, victorious. In the end, _____________, imprisoned, but __________________________ victorios________________ triumphant, willing to die once, but never to die twice.
How are ________________ doing today? How am _______ doing today?
"Revival is not churches filled with people but rather the church filled with God”Isa. 57:15 For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.Why a series on Revival? 1. As the _________________ goes so goes the ____________________________. Ephesians 1:22,23“He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”The church is the body of Christ. Christ is the head; the church is the body.He has plans, desires and directives, but He cannot carry them out unless each member of the body cooperates.2. What God will do in America _________________ on what the church will do. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.“Bend the church and bow the world.” “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without wind. We are useless.” – Charles SpurgeonDefinition of Revival: When a Community of the Faithful ___________to God’s Message. An Extraordinary Movement of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:17A Time of __________________________ With God & His church. A Re-Encounter With God’s Word, Work, and Mercy that again ________________ our passions, our heart, our priorities.3. Jesus and His church - ‘The church who ___________________________.’ Rev. 2:1-7 Jesus says: 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent.
He who has an ear, let him hear……What is He saying to us?
1 Cor. 12:31 But earnestly desire/covet the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Cor. 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.What is Paul saying here?Earnestly Desire/Covet: Strong Hunger - something you strongly desire you dwell on - we are to do this. Stir up your hunger. Who & What? The Holy Spirit / His presence / His gifts / What He is doing.The Holy Spirit and His gifts are spiritual. Not natural / carnal. 1 Cor. 2:9-14 9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.I used to stand in the front of this line….for they are foolishness to him: I made fun of or mocked people being ‘born again’ or ‘people who speak in tongues’. vs. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.So what’s the answer: People need to hear the gospel - you must be born again - born of the Spirit People need to hear the word of God about being filled with the Holy Ghost - be filled with the SpiritRom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Spiritual things are received by faith.
All of the manifestations/gifts of the Spirit are spiritual not carnal. Heb. 6:1-3 1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. Laying on of hands* is one of the half dozen fundamental principles of the doctrine of Christ. The basics….
In the Old Testament the anointing (the Holy Spirit) was reserved for those serving as Priest, Prophet or King. The anointing was not for the layman.In the New Testament Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would come to us to be in close fellowship with us.However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7In this New Covenant that we are in, a close walk, partnership and fellowship with the Holy Spirit is available to all believers in Jesus. “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen,And everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’For all will know Me,From the least to the greatest of them.” Hebrews 8:11The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know. 1 John 2:20In this introduction of our study on the Holy Spirit we establish how vital it is for all believers to walk hand in hand with our Helper. We can all have the benefit of a close relationship with Him.
John 16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.At the same time that we experience tribulation we can have________________.Peace in the midst of tribulation comes from _______________________________________________________________________.Faith is being confident that God tells _________________________ and that He can be counted on to do what He says.Revelation 19:11And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called _________________________________________________, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.Romans 8:3232 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?Faith is an assurance of _________________________________________________.Faith rests.1 Pet 5:5-7
In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 6 And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand 7 by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.
What we just did together paints an incredible picture of what we are looking at this morning….Col. 3:1 If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.1. He ______________ us. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.2. ____________________________ did He first love us?Rom. 5:6-8 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time (at just the right time) Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.A stunning picture of the Grace of God. When? & How?Phil. 2:7-11 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.a. His love ____________________ a response. Psalm 63:3-5b. What does His love __________________________? 1 John 3:1-3c. The many facets of the God’s love. Eph. 3:14-193. What’s our love ___________________________ say? Luke 7:36-50 Jesus paid for our ____________________________ - Jesus paid it all.No longer can we use an _____________________ for our lack of gratitude, our praise, our worship & our witness. What excuse? _____________________________________________________
Psalm 63:3-5 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
‘For such a time as this’ - #71. Do we __________Him faithful? He does not fail, forget, falter, or vacillate.Lam. 3:21-23 21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 2. _______________yourself & call it to mind: Great is His faithfulness!3. It’s our _____________________________ something good for America.4. So what do we do about it?James 3:9-109 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.God is _________________ - because He is faithful and true. Isn’t it time for His church to rise to the occasion “for such as time as this.”1 Tim. 2:1-41 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.What does this mean for us as the church? 5. For such a time as this: ‘_____________________ continually.’6. Does ____________________________________ to pray?Matt. 7:7-11
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 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!
‘Me and the Weather.’Max Lucado said: ‘Lower your expectations of earth. This isn’t heaven, so don’t expect it to be. ‘Matt. 7:24-2724 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." He’s faithful and true _______. So let’s be Faithful in the _______ & the doing. Matt. 8:24-2723 Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. 1. Jesus is in my boat and it’s all ____________________.24 Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 2. The ____________________ Storms, Hurricanes, Tornado’s, and such? This particular storm was on the journey ‘________________________’.3. Jesus sometimes ________ in our boat. What do we do? 25 The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 4. _________________________Jesus in the boat. a. ________________________who He is.. 26 Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. 27 The disciples were amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked. “Even the winds and waves obey him!”b. Pray _____________________________.c. ___________________ on to & _____________________ His words.
I John 4:4 / Psalm 18:28-29 / Mark 11:22-24
'Be Faithful.'Matt. 16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. What are we known for? The church that is? That’s a probing question. What kind of church am I?I think there’s a particular passage in Acts that gives some light on this question.Acts 4:13 (ESV) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. (were without fear, confidence, were not afraid, courage, constancy, fearlessly outspoken, steadfastness)‘Fearless love.’ Aren’t we called to be like Him? Like Jesus. ‘You have to be with Him to be Like Him.’ Compassion. - Cares & is Concerned about the eternal well being of humanity - Cares & is Concerned about the spiritual health & growth of our church family - Protects the weak & vulnerable - Carries the presence of God and has Divine ability to do what we can’t do. Jesus _____________ His church. He’s not done with us. With me. With you. Stay with it. Don’t quit. Don’t give up.2 Corinthians 4:8-9,16–188 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.1. God is __________________________. Rev. 3:14 / Rev. 19:11-162. Question: How then ___________________________? 1 Cor. 15:57-583. Be _____________________________. Matt. 23:11-12Little things are a big deal. That means: Obedience in _____________________________ things is a big deal. Faithfulness is _______________________ in the ‘little things.’ There are many test of our faithfulness. There are many servant tests.
To serve tables with _____________________ is necessary. Acts 6:3
His Faithful Presence.Isa. 41:10 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. John 14:15-18 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. His name speaks of His faithfulness:Comforter -* God with us.Emmanuel - God is with us.Jehovah Shamma - The Lord is present. Today - I just want to touch on ‘His Faithful Presence.’Looking at these scriptures and His descriptive names - we are assured of His faithfulness.God is faithful. - His faithfulness comes through family & friends - His church - through Kind words, prayers & just being there - His whisper - His presence - talk about being at David’s bedside - His wordFor the believer. God is faithful. In Life & in Death. Faithful in Life. Faithful unto Death. His faithful presence is with us.
Today: And now we prepare ourselves to participate in Water Baptism - for most of us, as one who witnesses and for some as they follow the Lord in Water Baptism.**
Faithful in the Fight.Isa. 41:10 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. John 14:16-18 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you foreverLet’s look today at an old story…. Why the O.T.? 1 Cor. 10:1-12 Who is Jehosophat?1. Battles are not for _______________________. 2 Chron. 20:1-302. What did they do? He set himself _________________________. 3. Jehoshaphat prays ______________________________________.4. They __________________________________________________. 5. Not only did they pray - They _____________________ the Lord.They lifted up their voices in praise - Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever.6. The Limitless God is ___________________ in the midst of battle.Question: Do you feel the squeeze of life & its circumstances? The Hot breath of Worry, doubt and unbelief? The torment of Fear?
_______ - God is faithful. His faithfulness is in every book of the Bible.
For with God nothing shall be impossible. #2John 16:33 (NKJV) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”1. Take _________________________ - because He is faithful.Take heart to the words of God… Ex. 34:5-6 / Deut. 7:9 / Lam. 3:21-23 / Heb.10:23 / Heb. 11:11 2. Do we ____________ Him faithful? He does not fail, forget, falter, or vacillate. a. Every ______________________ He speaks is True. b. Every _________________________ will be Kept.Joshua 21:43-45.3. Don’t __________ God. Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing will be impossible.” How can we limit God? 1. Our own ______________________- Prov. 3:5-8 / Rom. 8:5-7 2. ___________________________ - Mark 6:1-6 / Mark 9:23-24 3. Focusing on ________________________ rather than on God. a. Do you remember what Mary said? Luke 1:34-38 b. Abraham did not consider his body but rather the _____________. Rom. 4:19-21 c. Jehosophat - ___________ a vast army, an overwhelming army…. 2 Chron. 20:1-304. The ________________________ God is Faithful.
Do you feel the squeeze of life & it’s circumstances? The Hot breath of Worry, doubt and unbelief? The torment of Fear?
From the O.T. through the N.T. we find Him _____________.We can see His faithfulness from cover to cover. Exodus 34:5-6 5 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. "And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.’”Deut. 7:9 / Lam. 3:21-23 / I Thess. 5:24 / Heb. 10:23 / Heb. 11:111. Do we consider Him _____________________?2. Always faithful. Mal. 3:6 I am the Lord and I change not.Heb. 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.3. A World of ____________________________ Promises.Question: “Is there anyone out there who is what he claims to be?”Numbers 23:19—"God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind; does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”4. Because He is _________________________.a. Every __________________ He Says is True.God says “Amen” over every word he speaks.b. Every Promise will be __________________.Joshua 21:43-45.So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.5. Do you feel squeezed by your circumstances?
Heb. 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
When Fear seems > …….Some days this seems so true.1. Fear _______________.2. Fear is ________________ concern – worry, dread.3. Fear doesn’t play _________________…it’s wicked, mean & deceptive.4. Fear interferes with __________________. Fear Controls. Fear _____________. Fear lies. Fear keeps us from trust.5. Fear is more than happy to make life _______________ for us if we allow it. 6. But God wants so much more for us than to walk through life _______________ of fear, worry and anxiety.1 Peter 5:7 Throw all your anxiety onto him, because he cares about you. / Phil. 4:6-97. When Fear seems > …… - What do we do? ______________________ a. Who ________________. Psalm 27:1-3/14 / Psalm 18:1-3/28-29 / Judges 6:11-12/14 b. His ________________________. c. His power. Mark 10:27 d. _______________ faith. Mark 9:238. We must ___________________________________ & Walk on. 9. _____________________ your faith. _______________ your fears. Psalm 36:9 10. Fear _________________ Fear. Faith ___________________ Faith. We reproduce after our own kind.
2 Tim. 1:6-8 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
Making the wrong right.1. What’s _____________________ with Humanity? Mark 7:21-23 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man." a. The heart is the _____________________________ of who we are.b. The heart is the __________________________. Heb. 3:12-13 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. “Drifting takes no _____________________, paying attention does.“c. Question: Have you ever heard the statement….Just ___________ your heart?2. What makes Humanity ______________________? Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.How can our hearts change? How can purity enter our hearts? Rom. 10:8-12Humanity must be ‘________________________.’John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him,Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 1 Peter 1:22-23 / Titus 3:4-6Who’s this all about? _______________________What’s the result? __________________________ . This is ______________. I believe the _____________________ for what plagues humanity is the broken body, the blood shed and the empty tomb of Jesus Christ. 3. A new heart of faith _________________________. 1 John 5:4-5Faith* causes us to ___________. We ___________ rise above. Heb. 11:1-12:3
We will rise ___________________________ to our faith.**
The 3rd of July.Question: Are we free to do what we want? Are we free to do what we ought? True Freedom has ________________________. John 8:31-32 31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide/continue in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Within the boundaries of Truth we find ___________________. Prov. 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.1. Question: What are we ___________________ from?One thing common to all of us is our NEED.2. What’s __________________ 3rd of July look like? It’s the day before the 4th - it’s the day before our freedom, our independence.Rom. 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.What Is Sin?Sin, as defined in the Bible, means “__________________________________.” The mark is the standard of perfection established by God and evidenced by Jesus.3. Freedom is a __________________________.John 8:36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. Mark 5:1-21 We find a man who is a picture of sin, a picture of what sin will ultimately do in our lives.
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay and cost you more than you want to pay.”
Phil. 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (a command)Rejoice:1. Why Joy? Why rejoicing? Why gratitude? _______________________ Neh. 8:10 Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”2. The joy of the Lord is _______________________.Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 3. Joy comes from being in His ________________.Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! 4. Shout for joy all you _________________ in heart._________________________________ what the Lord has done in You! Shout for joy. I was dead but now I’m alive.Eph. 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,5. I’m not the __________________.Psalm 33:1-8 / Psalm 51:12 / Jer. 15:16 / Matt. 2:10 / Matt. 28:8 / Luke 2:10 / Luke 10:17-20 / Luke 15:7,10 / John 15:11 / Acts 8:3-8 / Acts 20:24 / Rom. 15:13 / James 1:2 / 1 Peter 1:8 / 1 John 1:4 / 3 John 1:4 / Jude 1:24
6. How do we tap into Joy? __________________ / Phil. 4:4
Dennis Steeger captures the heart of a faithful father in this study of Luke 15 - the prodigal son.
Acts 2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come…..1. The Why of Pentecost?Matt. 28:18-20 He said….Go _________________ something.Mark 16:15-20 He said….Go _________________ something.Luke 24:46-53 He said….Go _________________ something.John 20:19-23Why Pentecost? Because we can’t possibly do any of this in our own power or ability.2. What is Pentecost? ____________________ said. Luke 24:49/Acts 1:4-8Jesus said….The Holy Spirit is coming __________________________ to be something, to do something. 3. Diversities, Administrations, & Operations of the Holy Spirit - 1 Cor. 12a. We must be _____________ of the Spirit. John 3:3-6b. At the New Birth - the Holy Spirit __________ believers. John 14:16-18c. The depths of all He is in us has yet to be _______________________ and realized. He is greater and He lives in ME! Titus 3:5-6 d. As amazing as these are…there’s _____________. So today is Pentecost Sunday. The new birth is about Heaven ____________ us. Pentecost is about _______________________ the World. 4. ______________ the Father. Luke 11:9-13 NLT “..how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” The fruit of Pentecost. Acts 2:17-21 Getting the church to places of Harvest.5. Even _________ Pentecost - a young church experienced persecution.
What did they do? Acts 4:23-31
Getting a grip on Honor.Eph. 6:2-32 "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with promise: 3 "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”Do we grasp honor in our day?Honor defined - value, worth or weight; to esteem, to place high value upon Honor elevates / Dishonor ____________________5 things about honor. 1. The devil is in the ___________________________________________. 2. Honor is a __________________________________________________. Honor has __________________________________________________.3. True honor is _________________________ to get something in return.Isa. 29:134. We don’t have to wait until ____________________________ to honor.5. Faith is an ______________________________________________to live.2 Timothy 1:5-75 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.Matt. 15:21-28
God ________________ Faith. Honor is to value, worth, weight. Faith has __________________________________________in God’s Kingdom.
Marriage is partnership: a working relationship. a together relationship. a love relationship.Today: Love & Respect - Marriage is as Love does. Husbands.“Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.” Col. 3:19#1: Be a _______________________. Ephesians 5:22-30 "Head" - ____________________________________________________. Gen. 2:23 At last! The man exclaimed. This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called woman, because she was taken from man.#2: ______________________ your wife. Ephesians 5:25 Words ___________________, but……1 John 3:18 #3: ______________________ your wife. Learn your wife’s love language. How & When does she feel _________________________? Words of affirmation Acts of service Receiving gifts Quality time* Physical touch
Wives. #1: Be a ___________________ to your husband. #2: ____________________________ your husband. Ephesians 5:33 #3: ______________________________ your husband. Titus 2:4
Learn your husbands love language. How does He feel most loved?
Getting a grip on Marriage.Life is _________________________. True riches come through relationships.What is Biblical Marriage? Definition: An intimate and complementing union between a man and a woman in which the two become one physically and in the whole of life. The purpose of marriage is to serve God and reflect the relationship of Christ and His Church. Eph. 5:31-32“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Matthew 1:18-20 / John 4:15-19 / Mal. 2:13-16 So, what’s the big deal about ceremony? _______________________________A _____________________ is the most solemn, the most sacred of all contracts.1. Take off coat or robe. 2. Take off belt. 3. _____________ the covenant. 4. Exchange ________________. 5. Make a __________________. 6. Give covenant ____________. 7. Eat memorial _____________. 8. Plant a memorial.
Appetite defined: a desire for food or drink: desire to satisfy any need or craving.All of us have an appetite for something. Man craves, man desires, man hungers, man thirsts.The question for us is: what does our appetite look like - what is the focus of our appetite Is it power, recognition, fame, fulfillment? What we feed on is where our appetite will be found. 1 Peter 2:1-31 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.Eph. 5:1818 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,Eph. 3:16-2016 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly * above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us, To foster your spiritual hunger, you need to feed your spiritual hunger. By engaging in the things of God, you soon find yourself enjoying those things, wanting more, and wondering why you ever neglected them. Scriptures on Hunger & Thirst.Psalm 107:1-98 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. Matt. 5:6 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.Hunger: to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire Thirst: those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened
Principle: What we hunger and thirst for is what we’ll be filled with.
Heb. 11:66 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.Big Idea’s: My faith in God is tocover my life. Faith continually comes to Him believing. Faith continually comes to Him seeking. Faith finds it’s origins in and is always based and focused on truth. Living a life of faith is the __________________ way to PLEASE God. Love, Marriage & relationships in light of the Truth.Love is…1. Storge - is _____________ the bond among mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers.2. Phileo - close friendship or brotherly love. Phileo is a significant part of the of_______________________________ that lead to marriage.3. Eros - is the physical, sensual love between a husband and wife. Sex in marriage is ___________________.Hebrews 13:4 (CJB) Marriage is honorable in every respect; and, in particular, sex within marriage is pure. But God will indeed punish fornicators and adulterers.1 Cor. 6:18 / Matt. 5:27-28Foundation: - ‘Eros’ is not to be the ______________________________________ but rather the _________of Phileo and Agape love between a husband and a wife. 4. Agape - the sacrificial love that voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort, willingly sacrifices for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return. Eph. 5:1-2 / John 13:34-35 / 1 Cor. 13:1-13
Agape Love _______________________ everything. This is the love that must _________________________ above all others.
Appetite defined: a desire for food or drink: desire to satisfy any need or craving.All of us have an appetite for something. Man craves, man desires, man hungers, man thirsts.The question for us is: what does our appetite look like - what is the focus of our appetite Is it power, recognition, fame, fulfillment? What we feed on is where our appetite will be found. 1 Peter 2:1-31 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.Eph. 5:1818 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,Eph. 3:16-2016 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly * above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us, To foster your spiritual hunger, you need to feed your spiritual hunger. By engaging in the things of God, you soon find yourself enjoying those things, wanting more, and wondering why you ever neglected them. Scriptures on Hunger & Thirst.Psalm 107:8-98 Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. Matt. 5:6 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.Hunger: to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire Thirst: those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened
Principle: What we hunger and thirst for is what we’ll be filled with.
Baptism is for Believers. 1. Baptism is something _______________ calls us to.It is An Act of __________________ - It’s an act of ___________________.Water baptism is an act of faith and obedience to the commands of Christ.Matthew 28:19-20Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Mark 16:15-16He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”A ____________ Declaration: Baptism declares ______ a follower of Jesus Christ.2. What is the meaning and significance of baptism?
It speaks of our Move From ___________ to Life. Colossians 2:12-13 It speaks of our_____________________ Life. 2 Cor. 5:17 / Rom. 6:4
Baptism is a symbol. It’s meant to show the world that that you love, trust, and have put your hope in Christ. It’s like a ___________________…It shows that your heart belongs to someone - That your taken. Baptism ____________ make you a believer; it shows that you already are one!It speaks of our New ____________________.
Matthew 21:1-11Vs. 6-8 “The went and did just as Jesus had instructed them, and brought the donkey and the colt, and laid their coats on them; and He sat on the coats. Most of the crowd spread their coats in the road…”This was a token of ____________________________.Vs. 8 “and others were cutting branches from the trees and spreading them in the road.”Palms were an emblem of _________________and ________________.Revelation 7:9-145 things Jesus did for us in his death:
1. ____________________ The removal of our sin and guilt.
2. ____________________ The removal of God’s wrath.
3. ____________________ The removal of our alienation from God.
4. ____________________ The price that is paid to deliver someone from captivity.
5. He did all of this by dying as our ________________________.
My Heart flow.Prov. 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.What is the heart?The secret to guarding & keeping our heart is to daily surrender it to the Lord Jesus. As our hearts go - so goes our life: My Heart = My Life.1. Our hearts have the ability and capacity _____________________________ _____________________________________________________.Psalm 119:11/Matt. 6:21/Matt. 5:8/Luke 6:45/John 7:37-39/Eph. 4:29/Eph. 5:17-19/Col. 3:16/Rom. 12:1-22. How do things gain __________________________ into our heart?1. _______ – what we see – Solomon said: Let your eyes look straight ahead 2. _______ – what we allow – Jesus said: Take Heed what your hear…. 3. _______ – Just because I have a thought doesn’t mean: 1. It’s right. 2. It should be ________________. 3. It should be __________________. 4. _______ – who we spend time with - Prov. 18:21/1 Cor 15:33 5. _______ – places we go - Prov. 5:8
3. The outflows of the Heart.II Sam. 6: 16-2316 And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.David was ________________________________________________________.Michal was ________________________________________________________.4. The outflows are a direct result of the inflow.
Change the inflow and the outflow will __________________.
Heart check.Prov. 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.The ‘Issues’ of life refers to the border of territories or the boundaries of a city.The secret to guarding my heart is to _______________ it to the Lord Jesus. Psalm 19:14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.Psalm 26:2 Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;1. He ____________________ us.Matthew 9:35-38Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 2. He _____________________________ us to come again.The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. Col. 1:183. Let’s ___________________________ at His table again. 1 Cor 11:23-32Who’s at the table today? a. ___________________ is. Rom. 5:8b. __________ am. 1 Cor. 11:28c. _____________ are. Our forever family is. 1 Cor. 11:29d. Our _________________ is. 1 Cor. 11:264. Here’s my __________________. Psalm 19:14 / Psalm 26:2
If.Acts 2:17-21 / I Cor. 2:9-12If we have the Spirit of God living on the inside of us. If we have the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwelling in us.To dream we need:1. God’s _____________________.Prov. 29:18 Message: If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. a. Where does _______________________________?Time, fatigue, discouragement, disappointment, disapproval, and the circumstances of life have a away of dulling vision…._______________.b. We must catch sight of the _________________ picture.Matthew 5:13-16 / Mark 16:152. Facts about a ______________________of “Vision” vision requires _________________ * vision redefines success * vision demands _________________________ - 1 Cor. 15:58 * vision requires hard work * vision will _______________________ your comfort zone * will not always be easily ______________________ by others * vision requires ____________________ surrender* * a life of vision is an ________________________
Fight the good fight of faith.1. Life is _________________. James 4:13-15 2. ’We’re fighting for more than just _____________________________.’Matt. 6:19-21 / John 14:1-6 / Col. 3:1-4 / II Cor. 4:16-5:10a. We are ____________ of eternal things when we are _________________________________________________ by them. b. The _________________ is to embrace an ______________ mindset throughout our lives on earth. What is ‘an eternal mindset?’ ___________________________________________c. An eternal mindset causes us to ‘_______________’ differently.3. What on earth do we do? Col. 3:1-4How? ___________________________________ in things above.
Matt. 6:19-21
1 Tim. 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you what the Bible calls born again? Are you saved? Are your sins forgiven? Do you believe the gospel of Jesus Christ - His death, burial and resurrection? If so…..Then this _______ is not optional. Hab. 2:4/Rom. 1:17/Gal. 3:11/Heb. 10:381. This fight is not ________________________. 1 John 5:4-5
Believers overcome. 2. The fight is ___________________. Eph.. 6:10-20 16 (Above all) in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 3. Faith ___________________ the fight. 1 John 5:4-5 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.5 Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 4. Faith is not ____________________. Rev. 12:11/2 Cor. 5:13 *5. Faith is not _____________________. Hebrews 10:35-39Hebrews 11:8* By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Family Sunday @ NPC. Ashlei Moos shares a great word and illustration of what it means to bulk up the inner man by eating & lifting the Word of God.
‘God’s Armor is strong.’ - Eph. 6:10-21. This fight is real - ____________________ that it is.a. There was a fight ‘for us.’ ______________________. 1 Cor. 15:57-58As believers, we fight from a position of strength, not from a position of weakness. We fight from victory---not for victory. b. There’s a fight ‘___________________________.’ Most of the attacks the devil wages against us will occur in our minds.The Devil wants access into our lives. He fights for it. He works at it. He looks for access points. Our adversary is real. The greatest key to winning every battle the devil wages against you is to keep your mind ___________________ by the Word of God.Peter wrote: 1 Peter 1:13....gird up the loins of your mind....2. What are ______________________ to do?Eph. 6:10-11 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (the power of His might.). 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. The ______________________ was the most important of all.a. The Belt of Truth. vs. 14 - LogosPsalm 119:9-11 / Prov. 4:20-22b. Sword of the Spirit - vs. 17 - Rhema
Rom. 10:17
What’s at stake?2 Tim. 4:7-8 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.1. This fight is _____________________. ‘For each of us’: There is a fight to fight, a race to run and a faith to keep. a. There was a fight ‘for us.’ - Jesus won. Freedom was purchased that day. b. There is a fight ‘__________.’ To submit to God - A fight that defines us.Prov. 3:5-10 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.Fight Defined: to enter a contest: to contend with adversaries, to struggle, with difficulties and dangers: to strive: to obtain somethingJoshua 10:25 / Neh. 4:14 / Eph. 6:10-182. Get in the ________. Pick up your ___________________.a. It’s a fight that’s not fought by ____________ means. John 18:36b. It’s a fight that is primarily fought on the battlefield of _______. Col. 4:12Matt. 21:12-14 Jesus is ticked off. What happens when the church prays?The early church cleared there schedule in order to keep prayer as a priority.
3. What’s at ___________________?
#1 - The Fight is Real.2 Tim. 4:7-8 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.Paul said this. It was His epitaph for all to see, know and strive for. These words highlighted His fight, His race and His faith. They tell us the story of the life that He lived.They speak to us today. They give us focus. They give us aim. They give us clarity. They inspire and encourage us to press on. To be people who not only fight as mere humans, but rather as Men & Women of God…..we fight not dependent on our own abilities but rather we’re leaning into Him.1. ’For _________ of us’: There is a fight to fight, a race to run and a faith to keep. a. There was a fight ‘______________________.’ b. There is a fight ‘_______________________.’ c. There is a fight ‘around us.’ d. There is a fight for God’s purpose ‘___________________.’Fight Defined: to enter a contest: to contend with adversaries, fight: to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers: to endeavor with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain somethingJoshua 10:25 / 1 Sam. 17:32 / Neh. 4:14 / Eph. 6:10-12 / 1 Tim. 6:11-12 / Jude 3 2. ‘The fight is real.’a. It’s a fight that’s not fought by ____________________. John 18:36b. It’s a fight that ________ discipline and self-control. 1 Cor. 9:24-27/James 4:6c. It’s a fight that is often fought on the battlefield of ___________. Col. 4:12d. It’s a fight that requires _____ labor and God’s _______. Col. 1:29 / 2 Tim. 2:1-4
3. What’s at _____________________? Neh. 4:14 / Matt. 6:9-13
What is…. a promise that you make to yourself to start doing something good or stop doing something bad on the first day of the year?Phil. 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,1. Question: What is your ________________thing? Rom. 5:8 / Rom. 8:32 / Isa. 49:13-162. What is a “one thing” in the scriptures?John 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another .a. Jesus has ______________________ us to “Live the Life of Love”.1 Cor. 14:1 amp.* EAGERLY PURSUE {and} seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire {and} cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).b. Is that even _________________________?*Rom. 5:5* Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. c. He is the _________ of this love - we find it in Him, from Him and through Him.Phil. 1:9-11*3. Practically - what does it ___________________ like?* I Cor. 12:31-14:1amp.This kind of Love gives _________________ to everything.Agape is a sacrificial love that voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort, and even death for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return.
Homework this week: Read 1 Cor. 13:1-13 everyday this week.**
Give no place. Eph. 4:27 nor give place to the devil.Paul spoke this to believers - It is possible to give place - a door, an opening - he takes what we give him - it’s also just as possible to ______ give place to the devil.Jesus said…..John 8:12Paul wrote of it…Col. 1:13John wrote of it….1 John 2:8-11Peter wrote of it….1 Peter 2:9Jesus, Paul, John & Peter speak of ______________________________.The real message of ‘give no place’ is simply this: _________________________.Eph. 6:10-20 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. God calls us to _____________________________.Dan. 11:32/Isa. 40:28-31 - ___________________ comes from pressing into Him. Why ‘be strong’?2. The Devil is _______________________ in his approach toward believers.Eph. 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. What are his schemes? 3. There is a real ________________________.Eph. 6:12 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. What’s the Adversaries goal? Eph. 6:10-14To get us to “_______________________” - a suspension and relaxation from an alert state or a state of readiness - when we stand down we get pushed around.4. God’s Armor is to be put on - ___________________. Eph. 6:13-18
Put on - implies something _____________ do. Rom. 13:14
what language do you speak?Biblically - things are lost in people, in families, in generations and in the church through non use. Rev. 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent ….1. Languages are ______________________ passed down.Gen. 4:20-21 / II Kings 21:19-22 / I Cor. 4:15Psalm 145:4One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.2. Some God breathed languages ____________ in the church. This is not God’s doing but rather it is man’s.Judges 2: 6-14In the midst of a great vision, an incredible promise fulfilled before their eyes – something was missed… A generation was missed - a language was forgotten! Rom. 12:2 / II Tim. 1:5-83. “the language of ________________.” Heb. 13:15 / Psalm 34:1-31 Thess. 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.Psalm 47 Clap your hands all you people, shout unto God with a voice of Triumph. I Choose ____________. I choose to speak the language of _________!Acts. 16:12-34In our days we must be _____________ to:II Tim. 3:1-3 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good.Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my Cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth – even praise to our God.In the midst of our challenges, in the midst of our pit, in the midst of our pain,
in the midst of our battle - _________________ your voice - Psalm 47 Speak the language of Praise!
Psalm 27:1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked came against me To eat up my flesh, My enemies and foes, They stumbled and fell. 3 Though an army may encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise against me, In this I will be confident….What is fear? ___________________________________________ What's the word say? 2 Tim. 1:7 / Isa. 41:10 / Joshua 1:9We must _________________________ our faith & walk on. Numbers 13:1-3 / 13:30-14:10These 12 leaders: _____________ something. ____ Something. ___ SomethingPerseverance is a necessary ingredient in the life of faith. 1 Cor. 15:57-58Joshua 1:1-9, 16-18This people is gonna have the opportunity to be afraid.Be strong and courageous for the _________________ sake - Josh. 1:6Every step of obedience has purpose connected to it that we may or may not see.2. Be strong and courageous for _________________ sake. Josh 1:7-83. Be strong and courageous, Fear not for the __________ sake. Josh. 1:9 4. Be strong and courageous, Fear not for the _________________ sake.God calls us to overcome, that means we will ________ have many opportunities to overcome. 1 John 5:4-5Every step of obedience is a step of victory. God has called us to live a LIFE of faith.
Feed your faith. Starve your fears.
The ‘IT’ Message:This ‘it’ can transform our lives, give meaning to menial task, ignite spiritual passion again, put love at the forefront of our marriages, give us as the church greater influence. What _________________________ to ‘it’? - Gal. 5:13 Love does.Mark 10:32-45 Jesus shares His heart.What is ‘IT’?Mark 10:42 So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. 43 But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. 45 For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."3 ___________ words:__________________- one who executes the commands of another__________________ - one who gives himself up to another's will, devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests a servant, attendant__________________ – to serve, wait upon; to distribute the things necessary to sustain life; Servant defined: one who does what needs to be done until it is done – engaging his heart with enthusiasm, joy and perseverance that’s not based on the circumstance, convenience or needJohn 13:1-5 1. Jesus _________________________ from the meal.2. He _________________________ his outer clothing.Matt. 23:12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.Prov. 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger and not your own lips
3. He _______________________________ around his waist.
Church Basics - Who are we? Why do we do what we do?The purpose of the church is to gather, building up believers and then to scatter - reaching out to the lost.The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.Col. 1:17-18 Church Basics - Messy Church - 1 Cor 11:23-321. Be ______________________________.1 Cor. 11:29 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. Discerning - “To recognize or understand as being distinct”; “ to recognize or perceive clearly”2. __________________________One Another.John 13:34-35Who did He say this too? What is love? What does love do? 1 Peter 4:7-10Eph. 4:29No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear.3. Our mouths were __________________________ for this. Prov. 18:214. _______________________ - who can I build up, add too, impart grace too?
The church family is a _________________________________ family. We forgive, we repent, we encourage, we speak words of grace, we help one another. This is church.
Recharge defined: : to refill : to regain your energy and strength : to regain energy or spirit : to inspire or invigorate afresh : to refresh or restore; revitalize : to revive or restore energy, stamina, enthusiasm Matt. 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.The goal of our series to keep the real source the main thing - to __________________________________a bit more fuel and fire on a daily basisRomans 12:11 (MSG) Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master.. Big Idea: This isn’t always convenient. This isn’t always easy. Life isn’t always designed for this. When life __________________, what will we do? There’s a great picture given to us through the life of David as an example for “times like these.”1 Sam. 30:1-6How do you respond to ___________________________situations? Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. (I Samuel 30:4).2. What did David ________? 1 Sam. 30:6Psalm 20:7-9 David remembered the Lord.a. He said___________________________________________________. Psalm 27:1b. David __________________ His heart, His soul, by saying. Psalm 42:5
How did David encourage Himself in the Lord?
Recharge defined: to regain your energy and strength : to regain spirit : to inspire or invigorate afresh : to refresh or restore; revitalize : to revive stamina, enthusiasm : to put more power into a batteryMatt. 11:28-30 Jesus said, “Come to Me.”Paul said it this way…. Romans 12:11 (MSG) Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, (RSV) Never lag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord. (NIV) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.Big Idea: This isn’t always convenient. This isn’t always easy. Life isn’t always designed for this.Life happens to all of us. Life has a tendency to present us with these things.1. What’s a lid? _____________________________________________________________2. What kind of lids do we deal with? __________________________________________Question: What do these things do to us? through us?3. What are we to do with our lids? ___________________________________________James 4:5-10 / 1 Peter 5:5-7Be quick to _________________________.Be quick to _________________________. Question: What happens when we humble ourselves through repentance and extending forgiveness?Psalm 107:8 / Isa. 55:1-3 / John 4:13 / John 6:35 / John 7:37-39 / Isa. 12:1-6c. And ____________________________. 1. Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
2. Eph. 5:18 Be (being) filled with the Spirit.
1 John 4:1-54 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.Question: Have you ever been a part of a team or as an individual were considered the underdog? Have you felt less than, not enough, inadequate, insufficient, defective, deficient…1. Underdog defined: _______________________________________Question: What do people normally expect of one? _____________Underdogs: inspire us, challenge us, motivate us2. What does God ________________ of underdogs? God loves to ___________underdogs in _____________ situations.I Sam. 22:1-2 / II Sam. 23:8-22 / Acts 14:19-203. That’s awesome, but…..Prov. 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.Micah 7:8 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me. One of the greatest things we can do in life is _________________________.
Psalm 20:7-9 / 2 Cor. 4:7 / Col 1:27 / I John 4:4
Mark 1:16-20As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."Mark 2:14 / Mark 8:34-38 / Mark 10:21-22 / Mark 10:28-311. Follow Me - Words that _________________________. Follow Me - defined:Follow Me - Means I move in His _______________________. Follow Me - Means ___________________to His words - His instructions. Follow Me - Means I imitate His words and actions. Follow Me - Means I get as ___________________ as I can. Follow Me - Means I have counted the cost. Follow Me - Means It’s more about _____________________________________. Follow Me - Means I follow Him to the _______________________place. Follow Me - Means I follow Him to the public place. Follow Me - Means I have His heart for _________________. Follow Me - Means I walk into ___________________________ situations. Follow Me - Means I trust Him. Follow Me - Means I will __________ right into His plan & purpose. Follow Me - Means I will be made & ________________________ by Him. Follow Me - Means I have life abundantly. 2. What will we do with these words? “_____________ ______.”Duet. 30:19-2019 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.Our decisions are personal but also MORE than personal, they have far reaching implications. Rom. 14:7 For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. 3. Have you __________________________?
4. Water Baptism, a ____________________ in His journey.
In this podcast, Mona Neubig encourages us to:
- Be confident in Jesus Christ. In our message. In His work in Us.2. Take ownership in your local church.3. Share your story.
- Do it.Then challenges us to:1. Reach out.2. Pray for. 3. Expect God to work.
1. Every empty chair _________________. An opportunity. A mission. A cause. A life that Jesus came for. A Grandma, grandpa, uncle or aunt, brother or sister, a son or daughter, a friend or neighbor, a coach, an orphan, a child, a widow, the rich, the poor, the intellectual and the simple, the beauty, the beast, the young, the not so young, people you go to school with, people we work with…….Matt.16:13-18 Caesarea PhilippiJesus said…in the midst of all the ________,____________,_______________ & strongholds - I will build my church. 2. The Gospel is _________________ in posture. We are ______________ looking to score! To ______________________ the ball down the field.What about the empty chair? Jesus wants full chairs, full hearts, transformed lives. Jesus fills people. Jesus builds people. Jesus puts groups of people together. How? Exodus 3:7-10 / Mark 16:15-20 / Matt. 9:36-38 / Acts 13:1-53. There is as a Divine _____________________________________. Mark 5:19-20 Think about this:4. Why should we _______________________ about empty chairs? Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”1 John 3:8 / Romans 3:20-23 Luke 15:1-32 Jesus finds _____________ things. So _____ should find lost things.
I remember My chair. Do you remember yours?
He loves us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.Rom. 5:8/Eph. 2:4-5/Eph. 3:18-19/1 John 3:1Proverbs 3:12 “For whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.”Heb. 12:5 And have you entirely forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you, his children? He said, "My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. A. What does the Bible say about correction? Proverbs 12:1/Jeremiah 10:23-24/2 Timothy 3:16-17B. Why do we need correction?1. Correction can ____________________________ from our own ignorance and get us on the “___________________” side of life.Proverbs 15:5 A fool spurns (rejects) his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.2. Listening & Responding to Correction _________________________________.Proverbs 13:18 He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.3. Listening and responding to God’s correction __________________________.Proverbs 10:17 People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.C. How does God correct?The ____________________________.2. ________________________________.
3. ________________________________. 1 Cor. 11:27-32
Church defined: The word church in the Bible comes from the Greek word ecclesia, which means a called out company or assembly.The purpose of the church is two-fold. The church _______________________ (or assembles) for the purpose of bringing each member to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13)2. The church _______________________ (scatters) to spread the love of Christ and the gospel message to lost people. (Matthew 28:18-20). This is the Great Commission. _________________________________is to keep the main thing the main thing.Jesus is the main thing. Col. 1:13-18Church Basics - When a church prays…Luke 18:1 1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…Mark 11:15-17‘_____________________________ is not a substitute for prayer.’Eph. 1:15-2315 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power
When we pray: we can continue to stand - Luke 18:1
Church Basics - Who are we? Why do we do what we do?Church defined: a called out company or assembly. Wherever it is used in the scriptures it refers to _______________________.The purpose of the church is two-fold. The church comes together for the purpose of bringing each member to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13) Building up the body by making a Big deal about Jesus and His word.2. The church reaches out (scatters) to spread the love of Christ and the gospel message to lost people. (Matthew 28:18-20).The purpose of the church is to _____________ believers and* _________ the lost.Basics defined:* forming or relating to the most important part of something; principles from which other truths can be derived;The _________ is to keep the main thing the main thing. Jesus is the main thing. Col. 1:13-18 Today: Church Basics - What’s the big deal about Juice & Crackers? Matt. 26:17-30/1 Cor 11:23-32When we come to His table: He ask us to ‘Look again.’**1. At His ___________________. Isa. 53:3-122. At ______________________. 1 Cor. 11:283. To ______________________. 1 Cor. 11:29
4. At the ___________________. 1 Cor. 11:26
We all have our own opinion on who Jesus is but the Bible says that Jesus is the Son of God, who came to earth for a reason, to restore mankind to God. Some say Jesus is grace. Some say He's forgiveness. Who do you say Jesus is?
I want to take a few minutes this morning and talk a bit about our Vantage Point for entering a new year.Vantage Point defined: a place or position from which we have view of something.
How we see things is just as important as what we see. Matt. 5:6 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
A pure heart is blessed to be able to catch sight of God – what He is doing, what He desires to do….
The Story of David & Goliath offers us some intriguing Vantage Points to Life.
The scriptures call us to a place of quietness, stillness & rest. These are difficult in our day - we like busyness, activity, etc., etc., etc..... Let's dive in to BE QUIET.
Faith Perseveres under pressure.The background of James. James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.Focus of the Letter:James 1:2-32 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.Don’t forget your __________________. Just ____________ it.Let’s put our focus on - ___________________.James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.1. There is incredible ________________ in the “action” of faith. a. Jesus said….Matt. 7:24-27 ____________________ comes when we take action. b. Jesus said…John 14:21 ____________________ comes when we take action. c. James wrote…James 1:22-25 A ____________________________ heart comes when we take action. 2. Where do we start?
3. Faithworks - Faith ________________________. John 8:31-32
Faith is tested. Question: How do we respond to testing?James 1:1-41 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 1. My ______________________. 2. Count it all ________________. When I keep my joy - I keep my strength. What does this say? keep looking up, keep leaning in, keep reaching out. 3. When you fall into various _________________________. Trials & Test come.Various. various colors, shapes, sorts, manifold - many sided4. _________ this, that the trying (testing) of your faith works patience. (endurance)In the midst of the trial, in the midst of the test, & in the midst of the temptation, God is good and supplying what you need, giving the grace that is necessary to continue. The early church called patience the queen of all _______________. They believed that if they possessed this one virtue, they could _____________________________ that ever came against them. This Greek word for patience is ‘hupomeno’ - an attitude that never gives up! It holds out, holds on, outlasts and perseveres. 5. What __________________ when I ‘hupomeno’? James 1:4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
In the midst of the test & trial know THIS. Rom. 8:31-37
Faith Obeys.Obedient defined: willing to do what someone tells you to do or to follow a law, rule, etc.: willing to obey; submissive to the restraint or command of authority: willing to obeyJames 1:19-2719 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you(soul). 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does. 26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.Faith _________________. Faith takes action.Question: What does real religion look like?1. Real religion _____________________________________.2. Real Religion is revealed in…..How I treat those on the __________________. 3. Real religion _____________ my life. Keep oneself unpolluted from the world. Big Idea: All of these are directly influenced, shaped and kept alive by what I do with _________________________.When we look into the mirror of God’s word, what do we see?We see who ___________________ is.We see who ___________________ are.We see who He created us to be.
We see what we ___________________.
Faith SpeaksJames 3:1-12 1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.Be slow to speak! James 1:19 / Control that tongue! James 1:261. The tongue has the ability to _________________. James 3: 1-5a2. The tongue has the ability to _________________. James 3: 5-83. The tongue has the ability to _________________. James 3: 9-12 Life and death are in the power of the tongue * THINK: is it T , H , I , N , and K* ? * We need help making the right decisions with our tongue!
We are weak, but He is strong! 2 Cor 12:9-10
4. He will help us direct, tame and make the right decisions.
“Faith Submits”Submit – to give over or yield to the power or authority of another; to subject to some kind of treatment or influence.Spiritually Maturity – allowing your Bible formed beliefs to __________________ what you think, say and do.Question:What does it mean for faith to submit? It means ________________________Him to follow peaceably even when you ______________________.How does faith submit?1. It gives God a __________________________.James 4:5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: he jealously desires the Spirit, which he has made to dwell in us?Another translation, The spirit, which He has made to dwell in us jealously, desires us.Jeremiah 31:3 / John 3:162. Heart adjustment + _______________________________ = Life James 4:7-8 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hears you double minded.Resist – _______________________________________Proverbs 4:23 – Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.3. Faith becomes _________________________.James 4:10 – Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and he will exalt you.Phil. 2:5-8 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Submission is an _______________________ of the heart.
Faith is active. Faith is alive. Faith has substance. Faith gives substance. Faith pleases God. Faith Perseveres under pressure.Faith is Tested.Faith Obeys.Faith Speaks.Faith Submits. Jesus wants all of who we are. All in. All for Him.
James was written to a group of believers from Jerusalem that had been scattered because of a great persecution against the church in their city. My Faith. My Strength. 1 John 5:4-5 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?Our faith is kind of a big deal.Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.1. Biblical Faith is all about ___________________________. Who is Jesus?
A Man & Woman’s example.A Big Truth: They heard something – they ___________________ something. So it is with us, when we _______________ something do something. 1. Jesus ___________________________ faith. 2. Faith in __________________________ pleases God. James 5:7-20 3. My Faith. My Strength. Our faith is revealed & strengthened by our acts of __________________________.
You + Me = We. The power of partnership.Without ____________________ - we’re in trouble. Gen. 2:18-2518 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." 19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.Marriage: ____________________________ - Matt. 19:3-6/1 Cor. 7:2/1 Peter. 3:7Partnership - _______________________ is Better. Gen. 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.Question: What does Partnership look like? John 13:34-35Walk in love. Eph. 5:1-2 1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.It speaks of being ________________. Eph. 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.Matt. 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.The more we ____________ in one another. The more our heart will be engaged.
This week I will invest in my marriage/friendship by…
You + Me = We. The husband has some big shoes.Without Action, we’re in trouble. Eph. 5:21-3325 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 1. “the husband has some _________________________ to fill”John 13:34-35 A new command I give to you that you love one another, As I have loved you that you should love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 2. Husband’s - “Love _____________________.” Leadership is defined as ______________________. a. What is influence? the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.b. _______________________ do we influence? John 13 / Gal. 5:13Love Leads. With Humility. With Transparency. With Serving. With Prayer. With Truth. With Wisdom. With Vision. With Patience. With Kindness. With building up. 3. Love leads by ________________________________.I Cor. 13:4-8 NIV 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, 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. 8 Love never fails.
I will protect ___________________________. Prov. 4:23 / I Thess. 4:3-5
Marriage is a life long journey. God designed marriage for our good. For our growth. After the wedding the Realness of marriage begins to work in our relationship.We learn how to live together….We learn what love is….We learn how to love….We learn how to serve….We learn how to be about the other…..The scriptures tell us - to work out our salvation with fear and trembling - we are continually learning how to put Jesus first in all things.We must choose to be about GROWTH in our marriage / relationships.
In marriage - we choose one another continually.
Trust Me, I’m A….1. What is ___________________?
a. Value exchange: b. Delayed Reciprocity:c. Predictability:d. Exposed Vulnerability:2. Where does trust come from?Trust comes from ______________.What is Intimacy?_____________________________.Rom. 12:9-16 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Rejoice with those who rejoice - Mourn with those who mourn. Go to the Limits with others. 3. Why is closeness _______________? My story.Ex. 33:7-11Jer. 17:5-8
In time of need, God is every answer.Trust me, I'm a ______
C.S. Lewis gives this definition, “A miracle is an interference with nature by supernatural power.” One of the greatest miracles to have ever taken place was in Bethlehem a little over 2,000 years ago, when God interfered with the natural way of bringing children into this world through a virgin who gave birth to a child. The Story of Jesus' birth was marked by angelic visitations, prophecies, dreams and miraculous signs. As we celebrate Christmas, remember God's power is still at work in the earth today - still at work, still able, still active….God with us.Because He is with us we can....Pray bold prayers. Walk in Humility. Trust Him. Love fiercely. Be Faithful. Believe.
John 16:33 CEB I've said these things to you so that you will have peace in me. In the world you have distress. But be encouraged! I have conquered the world.”What things? - If you want to live a happy life - wash peoples feet - If you want to Make a real difference - love one another - I’m sending you another helper to live in You. - Abide in Me - Stay close
- Know this: It’s to your advantage that I go away - I will send the Holy Spirit
Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His role on earth? In us? In the gathering of believers? Jesus gives us a glimpse of one of His functions in John 14. John 14:15-18If you love me, keep my commandments.And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another comforter that He may abide with you forever-The spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him but you know Him for He dwells with you and will be in you.I will not leave you orphans I will come to you.
Your story Matters. Jesus wants you to tell your story. Mark 5:19 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”Inn this message, we venture into the world of “Forgiveness Stories”. Forgiveness Defined: to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit.Listen to what the Lord said:Psalm 86:5 For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." And they divided His garments and cast lots. Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.We are grateful for God’s forgiveness story at work in our Lives. But, there’s another side to this story. Eph. 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Col. 3:12-13 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 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 do.
Life is Relationships. They encourage us. They fill us. They stretch us. They grow us. They also: discourage us, they drain us, they can break us, they can embitter us. Both sides are true. Relationships can be messy. Yet, God created relationships/partnerships because we NEED them. Listen to God’s word on it….Gen. 2:18 God said, "It's not good for the Man to be alone; I'll make him a helper, a companion."Eccles. 4:9-129 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.John 13:34-3534 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."God created relationships/partnerships because we NEED them.
I’m a Dad. Being a Jesus loving Father is one of the highest callings any man can ever achieve in his life.”All of us have had different family experiences. With our Moms, With our Dads - whatever our experience has been - be it good or bad, healthy or sick, functional or dysfunctional. In Christ - We have a Faithful Heavenly Father.Psalms 27:10 10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the LORD will take care of me.Psalms 68:5-6 5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
6 God sets the solitary in families…Isa. 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.Isa. 64:8But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.Luke 11:13
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
Life is Relationships. They encourage us. They fill us. They stretch us. They grow us. They also: discourage us, the drain us, they can break us, they can embitter us. Both sides are true. Relationships can be messy. Yet, God created relationships/partnerships because we NEED one another. Big Thought: There’s something about together. Together defined: with each other, connected, agreement, harmony1. Together there is unlimited potential and possibilities.
Gen. 11:4-6 And they said, Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth. But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
One of the biggest enemies we face is that of fear. God has countered fear by making courage available to us.Fear has the ability to effect all of our relationships on earth.- keeps us from trusting- hinders intimacy- can cause us to isolate ourselves* paints an inaccurate perceived reality: no one likes me, everyone is talking about me, etc…
- keeps us from giving- hinders us from demonstrating care- causes us to pause in praying for one anotherFear desires to control our livesHow do we fight fear?With The wordBy The spiritWalking in obedienceBeing connectedWhat's the word say?2 Tim. 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” We must push through fear. Walk on. Courage is ours for the having. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather it is the ability to move forward with wisdom, strength and perseverance in spite of fear.
One of the greatest stories in the scriptures of vision, failure, patience, perseverance, overcoming fear and courage is found in Joshua 1.
Relationships are messy. Just read the first few chapters of Gen. and we see the story of the first family - that began in a perfect environment yet: apparently there was a lack of communication; out of order; they lost their lease and were kicked out of their home; they were blessed with 2 children - boys; one brother murdered by the other brother; it’s not good, it was a mess - yet God still has a plan. Today - I want to do my best to answer this question:“Won’t you be my neighbor?” Many of us have heard story that we will look at today - my prayer is that we can hear it, see it and begin to live it out in a fresh, passionate, way.The good Samaritan…..Luke 10:25-37This story has been repeated over and over – in Bible times, & in our time….
Brian & Sallie Leifeste share on the power of "remembering".
What is a reminder? something or someone which causes one to remember.
Why? We need reminders because we tend to forget things.The scriptures call us to remember. Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ‘A Kingdom principle’ for us. Remember God’s ways are higher, greater, better, more needful, fruitful. 2 Tim. 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, Paul draws us again to ‘the core of the Gospel’. Jesus Christ rose from the dead. Heb. 13:3 Remember (continue to) the prisoners as if chained with them--those who are mistreated--since you yourselves are in the body also. (Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.) The writer of Hebrews paints a picture of the body of Christ. Those who are persecuted, in prison, suffering for their faith. Remember them as if we were with them….“If people are living it - I can look at it.” We need to look, remember, pray & act.
A Heaven Story.
In Jesus, Heaven is a reality.
John 14:1-6
1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know." 5 Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Phil. 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
2 Cor. 5:7-8
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
1 Cor. 15:50-58
50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
In this message, guest Roy Coggeshall shares the story of their son Dillon, who went to heaven at the age of 21.
What comes to mind when you think of a miracle?
Miracles: that which cannot be produced by natural agents and means / a sign, mark, signs, an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.All of us have a story – sometimes they involve big battles, great needs, impossible situations, difficulty – during these times of life.We need one another – We need the faith, strength, encouragement and love that comes from God through people…We need the church. We need a family.We need one another’s prayers. We need one another’s faith. We need one another’s presence.John 7:37-3937 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing[a] in Him would receive; for the Holy[b] Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
What’s your story? That's a big question. This is the first in a series called "Our Story".There’s more to Our Story than the just the facts.When we look at the scriptures - we see men, women, young & old in many different seasons and life moments - most of which find their context either in dealing with the consequences of disobedience or in overcoming through obeying the Word of God. Or a mixture of both.One thing common to all of us is our NEED. Paul describes mankinds primary need in Rom. 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We are needy people. We need forgiveness. We need Savior.
'The Gap' - Learning to dominate the gap between who I am today, and who I am meant to be.
Outreach Director Mona Nuebig delivers an amazing message on how Love is active and it points people to the cross.
- Together there is unlimited potential and possibilities.
Gen. 11:4-6 And they said, Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth. But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the Lord said, Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.This is a man centered/focused vision/purpose - let us make a name for ourselves: very common in our day - God recognizes unity - they all said the same thing - they had a common focus - they worked together - for a common purpose - nothing shall be restrained from themWhat about a people who come together to make His name famous - when we gather around the Person of Christ, His purposes, His cause, and serve. Matt. 18:19-20 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Acts 4:23-24, 29-31And being let go, they went to their own company and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them…..Now, Lord look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.Psalm 133:1-3Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.
It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing - Life forevermore.
Brian Leifeste teaches from Eph. 6:10-20
vs. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Righteousness is a gift. It is a legal term based on what Jesus provided for us.2 Cor. 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The righteousness of the believer is a righteousness of faith
It has nothing to do with our works, but with the perfect sinless life of Christ that Is imparted to us through faith.
Brian & Sallie Leifeste share on the Purpose of Communion.
1 Cor 11:23-3223 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. (NIV)1 Cor 10:16-1716 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. Today we join 100’s of millions of believers around the globe. We look again at the table of our Lord. His body broken. His sufferings. His blood shed. His cross. His work in our lives. His Victory over death, hell and the grave. 1. We look ___________________. 1 Cor. 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.2. We look ___________________. 1 Cor. 11:28 “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”3. We look ___________________. 1 Cor. 10:17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. The church family is a redemptive family.4. We look ___________________. 1 Cor. 11:26 26 For whenever you eat this
bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Brian Leifeste teaches from Rom. 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Rom. 12:10-18 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.Have you had weeks, months and days that swing from extreme to extreme?What do we do with the weight we pick up along the way?Psalm 61:1-41 To the Chief Musician. On a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer. 2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy. 4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah1. When not “If” my heart is overwhelmed. 2. What do we do when we’re overwhelmed? 3. Ask for ________________. 4. ___________________________ who God is. 5. Trust Him.
Phil. 4:6-7 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.1 Peter 5:6-76 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.How can we help when people get stuck? Gal. 6:1-21 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 1. ________________________ in the Lord 2. Restore - 3. Bear - 4. Listen & __________________. James 5:16
The Best one-line Mother’s day sermon ever given. John 2:1-81 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. 3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, "They have no wine." 4 Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come." 5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatever He says to you, do it." 6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it.The situation: there was a problem - they ran out of wedding punch - Mary was close enough to the wedding family to “be involved”. 1. Mother’s are _________________________ solvers. They know how to juggle things and make families work. Thank God for Mom’s. 2. 7 words that can ______________________ our world.John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, "Whatsoever He says to you, do it."1. _______________________________….who is this said too? servants.
b. Whatsoever ‘He ____________________ to you…..’Heb. 4:12 NLT For the word of God is full of living power. Christ’s Words carry immeasurable significance: the universe was created with His word, Jesus healed and cast out demons with a word. c.”_________________ it.” John 14:21 He says, “He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me.” We love Jesus by obeying Jesus.Obedience to His word ___________________________ this miracle.
Brian Leifeste teaches from Eph. 6:10-20
vs. 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
When I look at the heroes of faith I see men and women - who overcame, who stood, who believed inspite of being surrounded by doubt and unbelief, men and women who crossed the line of the unknown, who crossed the line of lack of human affirmation, who stood against the powers of the unseen, who stood faithful to the one who calls us to FAITH.
Faith wins - overcomes obstacles/temptations. 1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, And this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?Faith see’s the impossible. Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.Faith see’s past the pain.2 Cor. 4:14-16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. Faith moves mountains. Mark 11:22-24 Jesus answered and said to them, Have faith in God. For assuredly , I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into the sea and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that hose things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Faith pleases God. Heb. 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him..Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Rom. 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.Faith has a voice. 2 Cor. 4:13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed and therefore I spoke, we also believe and therefore speak,Faith is lived.
Rom. 1:17/Heb. 10:38 The Just shall live by faith.
Brian Leifeste teaches from Eph. 6:10-20
vs. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
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Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
We will never rise above what and how we think. Our thought life is either a lid or fuel.