Impact Christian Church: Recent Episodes
Impact Christian Church of Johnson County
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“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. Greetings!” James 1:1
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing ofyour faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blownand tossed by the wind. James 1:2-6
Remember this when life isn’t working:Problems are inevitable:“WHEN all kinds of trials crowd into your lives…” James 1:2 Problems are variable:“When MANY KINDS of trials crowd into your lives…” James 1:2 Problems are purposefulBecause you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:4 3 Purposes of Problems:PROBLEMS TEST MY FAITH“Realize they come to test your faith…” James 1:3 PROBLEMS DEVELOP MY ENDURANCE“…and to produce in you the quality of endurance.” James 1:3b PROBLEMS MATURE MY CHARACTER4 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ” James 1:4 How to react to problems:Rejoice in the problem.We don’t rejoice FOR the problem, but IN the problem. We know God can bring good out of bad! “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials…” James 1:1 Request: Ask God for wisdom:“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Rely on and trust God.6” But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” Remember God’s promise.Blessed is the PERSON who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 Will you turn to God for help?Will you let God teach you some things and learn from it?The post Rock Solid Faith: A Faith That Works When Life Doesn’t appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Would you rather?Would you rather find a million dollars or find true love?Would you rather have legs as long as fingers or fingers as long as legs?Would you rather win a million dollars or have your best friend win ten million dollars?Would you rather use sandpaper as toilet paper or hot sauce as eye drops? But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance andgentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Timothy 6:11
“But you”“Man of God”Remember who you are. You are a man or woman of God. For better or worse, how other people label us is often how we identify ourselves Important factorsEarly information factorInformation factor.SpouseFriendCoachTeacher “Flee from all (of) this.”Paul is saying: the very thing that everyone else is running towards—that’s what you need to run from.Question: How do you flee from something that surrounds you? “…and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” Lesson to Paul and Timothy, and us:We are not just called to flee but we are called to pursue!Timothy, takes off running.” Okay, what am I doing? “Well, you’re running away from something, but you’re chasing after something.It’s both.“ Take Home:Don’t define Christian life by the restrictions; define it by what you’re chasing after, by what you’re working towards.
Why? Because, what you chase after, becomes what you desire .
Understand, it is more about who you are than what you do.
Understand, choosing a path of wisdom is not just running away; it’s more about what you’re chasing after. It’s more about what you’re pursuing, than what you’re fleeing from.
Luke 9: “If you want to come after Me, then you deny yourself…” You say no to yourself. “…and you follow…take up a cross and you follow Me”
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God designed us to enjoy people and to use things.But, we live in a society that uses people and enjoys things6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we wrought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” Timothy. 6:-6-8
God wants us to move toward contentment1.) Trust God completely“ But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Contentment. “Money can’t buy it and poverty can’t provide it.”
“Be content with what you have, for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear.” Hebrews 13:5,6
“Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:8-9
Remember, this life is temporary.“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.”. Job said, “Naked I came into this worldand naked I will leave.” 1 Timothy 6:7
“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19
Be grateful for what you havevs 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether livingin plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12-13
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Get over yourself, and find contentmentGive up what you can’t keep to gain what you can’t loseThe post Getting over You: Giving Up What You Can’t Keep to Gain What You Can’t Lose appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Proverbs 16:25
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant frictionbetween people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
Three Realities of TruthReality Number One: Truth is found in Scripture.Vs 3b.” And sound instruction is always based on Jesus, and it always produces godly teaching Reality Number Two: Truth unites a church.Vs 3a: “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction f our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited.Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” Reality Number Three: Truth Glorifies GodThe goal of any ministry or minister should be to spread the truth and to glorify God. And the goal of every Christian should be to properly steward whatever it is that God entrusts to you and to have pure motives as you serve Him. Whether that’s as a volunteer, whether that’s as a full-time ministry person—whatever it might be. “Now to him who is able to doimmeasurably more than all weask or imagine, according to hispower that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church andin Christ Jesus throughout allgenerations, for ever and ever!” Ephesians 3:20
Will you join our team?It’s time to get over yourself.“We play for the name on the front. We don’t play for the name on the back.”
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This must be deleted from our thought process:Our problem is not a scale problem, our problem is a sin problem.Question
If you were to die today and find yourself in front of God, and God said, “Why should I let you into heaven”? How would you respond to that?Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of God’s standard.”Romans 6:23“The wages of sin is death.” Can we have peace with Jesus?Yes, we can.Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we nowstand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since ourfriendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” Romans 5:6-11
Romans 5:1We have been justified though our faith (and can have peace, its possible) It’s not the scales, it’s the cross that answers this question:
So, when someone is asked, Why should I be allowed into heaven?
The answer is, “because I have put my faith in Jesus and what he’s donefor me.”
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for arighteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:6-9
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died tosin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized intohis death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:1-4
Questions about baptismWho should be baptized?Do I have to be baptized?When should I be baptized ? If you died tonight and God asked you, “Why should I let you into heaven?”How would you respond?You can be at peace today!The post Easter Questions: Can I find Peace With God? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[a] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. 18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”[b] Romans 4:16
3 pictures of a faithful man’s life1.) Abraham had faith that God wanted to use Him (Gen 12:1-3)The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
2. Abraham believed that God kept His Promises (Gen. 18)19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
3.) Abraham believed that God was more powerful than death. (Gen. 22)This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:22
More Good news of Easter:Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful
What does God want from you? He wants your faith in him. Give him your trust.
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If God accepts me, then I’m not haunted by my past, because He knows everything there is to know about me.If God accepts me, then I can stop comparing myself to other people as a way to feel better and more acceptableIf God accepts me, then the pressure’s off and I don’t have to spend my life trying to prove myself.If God accepts me, I don’t have to chase success and accomplishments, always wondering—Am I enough?If God accepts me, then I don’t have to keep people at a distance, because I’m afraid of being hurt.If God accepts me, then shame doesn’t have to define me.If God accepts me, that I don’t have to pretend or perform in hopes of other people liking me.If God accepts me, then I’m free to accept others, which is a beautiful thing “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7
Justification: Being made right with God. 1.We are made right by faith, not by what we do.What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3
What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Romans 4:1-3
2. We are not made right by our best effort Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness…” Romans 4:4-5 * not “they tried hard*
Example Romans vs 4: :7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.8 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
•vs9 Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness.
•10 Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! 11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.
Promises in Romans worth saying “yes” to:Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I believe it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” If you believe it, say Amen.Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Amen!)Romans 5:8, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Amen!)Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Amen!)Romans 8:1, “Therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”. (Amen!)Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose. (Amen!)Romans 8:38, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Amen)Romans 16:20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” And it is credited to you, to me as righteousness, not because of what we’ve done, but because we believe what God has said.( AMEN ) The post EASTER QUESTIONS: Does God Accept Me? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 here, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law
Romans 3:23-28Why Did Jesus Have to Die?John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he signed apardon for all humanity?
NOT TRUE ^^^^^^^^“Your faith is not in your faith… Your faith is in the rock. Jesus”Vs 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice. Or atonement = Jesus paid the cost.Somebody had to pay the penalty. That’s what Jesus did!Why? Because forgiveness always has a cost. (Jesus paid that cost for us)Forgiveness has a name, and that name is JesusWhy is Jesus the only way?Because no one else is coming for you. A lie that is hurting ChristianWhy am I having trouble forgiving me?Answer: Because God forgives me, I don’t have to—better than that—I can’t ever forgive myself. Jesus wants to carry your guilt and Shame / He doesn’t want you to carry it.
Grace means it’s impossible for me to forgive myselfWhy did Jesus Have to die?What we need was someone greater than you to forgive us. His name is Jesus
Forgiveness has a cost and Jesus paid that for us
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13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:13-185 REMINDERS AS YOU DRESSThere is an invisible world that is as real as the visible world.All of us are involved in a spiritual warfare against good and evilOur foe is formidable, powerful, and his goal is to destroy us and deceive us and to ruin the cause of Christ.We must respect our foe but not fear him, be acutely aware of his schemes and tactics activity.As believers, we do not fight for victory; we fight from victory Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. – Ephesians 6:10
How Do we Do that?14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:14-17
Step 1 – Having belted your waist with truth
Step 2 – By putting on the breastplate of righteousness,
Step 3 – Having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Step 4 – Take up shield of faith , with which you are able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Step 4 – Take the helmet of salvation
Step 5 – Take sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
1.) The belt of truth is to combat his number one means of devil messing with your lifeProverbs 10:9 says, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his way will be found out.”“The belt of truth is having no disguise before God or man.” = No denial Psalms 139:23-34 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me, and then lead me in the everlasting way”
2.) Having the breastplate of righteousness“He who knows what’s right to do and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17
3.) Having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. When in fear put on those shoes of peace to stand.” 1 John 5:12
4.) taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.5.) Receive the helmet of salvation.In John 8 .“If you will abide in my Word…” And the word abide is “take it in and put it into practice.” “If you abide in my Word, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you…” FREE
6.) And take the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God”2 words for Word here :Logos – Word of God Rhema – spoken word Most of You Can Do ThisVs 18 “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests”
Final Word to you is this:
Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God. It is God’s armor, not ours. He does not say, “Put on your own armor” because that’s a good way to get clobbered. Everything we need, we already have in Jesus Christ.
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“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” – Ephesian 5:14 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. “ Schemes” there is agenda to hurt steal and destroy your joy peace patience and longsuffering… from the enemy 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.-
Ephesians 6:10-12Battle is raging , its not flesh and blood…..
Who then? Powers of dark devil “slanderer or accuser.” “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mightyweapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of humanreasoning and to destroy false arguments.”- 2 Corinthians 10:3-4
Therefore put on the full armor of God,so that when the day of evil comes,you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, tostand.- Ephesians 6:13
What are the Schemes of Devil?Scheme 1 of the enemy….. attack where you are vulnerable.Where are you vulnerable? Anger and Pride Scheme 2 of the enemy…..would be to use distractions.Scheme 3 of the enemy….. is division.Scheme 4 of the enemy… is isolation The post Unseen Battle: Playground or BattleGround appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
ENCOURAGING FACTSIn the Quran, the prophet Muhammed is only mentioned 4 times. Jesus is mentioned 25 times!In the Quran, only one woman is ever mentioned by name. And that is Mary, the mother of Jesus.The Quran gives Jesus the following names: Word of God, Spirit of God, and Christ of God.The Quran lists many miracles of Jesus and states that Jesus went to Heaven, is alive, and will come again.By comparison, the Quran makes no mention that Muhammed is alive, that he did any miracles, or that he is coming back. COLOSSIANS 3:2“Set your mind on things above, not earthly things.”
2 KINGS CHAPTER 6The Story of the Prophet Elisha and His Servant
LUKE 18:27“Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man, is possible with God.”
PSALM 34:18“God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed inspirit.”
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SANDOne night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints. This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.So I said to the Lord, “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The timeswhen you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you.”
ROMANS 8:18“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
ROMANS 8:31“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
ROMANS 8:32-39“He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all – how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charges against those God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
ROMANS 8:32-39As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither life nor death, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 TIMOTHY 1:13“Keep all the things I taught you. They were given to you in the faith and love of Jesus Christ.”
2 TIMOTHY 2:2“And the things you have heard me say, in the presence of many witnesses, entrust unto reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11“Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy completed by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships withone another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped; rather, Hemade Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross!
PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
HAVE A GREAT DAY!Be both encouraged and an encourager as you go out into the world this week! –Mr. Brightside
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Sermon highlights to be added soon.
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Most of life’s battles are won or lost in your mindFor though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5Winning the daily rumbleOur lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. … – Proverbs 23:7
The life we have is a reflection of the thoughts we think.Thought Process:
WorriedNegativeWorldly You cannot have a positive day when you have a negative mindIdentify the biggest stronghold holding you back.Name the truth that demolishes that stronghold. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:5
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life … – 2 Peter 1:3
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“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
John14:13-14The purpose of prayer is to know God so we can do His will.I PRAYED, WHERE’S THE ANSWER?Maybe there is a broken relationship“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, sothat your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark11:24-25
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and thereremember that your brother or sister has something againstyou, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and bereconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew5:23-24
Maybe you don’t believe God will do it.“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if youcan do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23“‘If you can’?”said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” – Mark 9:22-24
… “Your faith has healed you.” … – Matthew 9:22
… “Your faith has saved you …” – Luke 7:50
… “According to your faith let it be done to you”; 30and their sight was restored.… – Matthew 9:29-30
Maybe God has something differentThis is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we now that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15
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“For just as each of us has one body with many members,and these members do not all have the same function, soin Christ we, though many, form one body, and eachmember belongs to all the others. We have differentgifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your\gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance withyour faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, thenteach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if itis giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently;if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
ROMANS 12:4-8“The wicked borrow anddo not repay, but therighteous give generally.” PSALM 37:21
\ACTS 20:35“In everything I did, I showed youthat by this kind of hard work wemust help the weak, rememberingthe words the Lord Jesus himselfsaid: “It is more blessed to give thanto receive.”
Give our TimeGive our TalentGive our Money HOSEA 10:12“Sow righteousness for yourselves,reap the fruit of unfailing love, andbreak up your unplowed ground;for it is time to seek the Lord until hecomes and showers hisrighteousness on you.”
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-8“Each of you should give what you havedecided in your heart to give, notreluctantly or under compulsion, for Godloves a cheerful giver. And God is able tobless you abundantly, so that in all thingsat all times, having all that you need, youwill abound in every good work.”
MALACHI 3:10“Bring all the tithes into the storehouseso there will be enough food in myTemple. If you do,” said the Lord ofHeaven’s Armies, “I will open thewindows of heaven for you. I will pourout a blessing so great you won’t haveenough room to take it in. Try it! Putme to the test!
Give, Give, GiveGive your TimeGive your TalentGive your Money Remember: You Cannot Out Give God!!
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1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3 They have no speech; they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can discern their own errors? (No One!!) Forgive my hidden faults. \13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer
Psalms 19Vs 7-9Law – If you’re walking through life, and you’re just exhausted, the Scriptures will lead you into God’s framework and redemptive story of creation that culminates in Jesus.Statue – If the enemy has fed you so many lies that you don’t even know what’s true or untrue anymore, the Scriptures will lead you into God’s testimony of himself and his worldPrecepts -If you’ve lived your life in pursuit of what’s just the next best thing, what’s going to fill the hole in my heart…! The Scriptures will lead you into God’s way of living and experiencing truly abundant life where your heart can be full of joy.Commands- If life just feels so dark and meaningless and unclear. Like, what’s my purpose even? The Scriptures will lead you into God’s commands that are radiating light out into a lost and broken world, providing a way to see clearly purpose and value and a way forwardFear – If you’re gripped with fear The Scriptures will lead you into a fear and reverence toward God that reminds you that he is the one who is in control and reigning over it all. The world doesn’t rest on my shoulders; and he is carrying me every day, more and more towards eternity.Decrees and justice – If life just seems so unfair, if it’s ripped away— your goals and your dreams and your aspirations, there is coming a day where there is no more death, and no more mourning, and no suffering, and no more pain, and no more sin, and no more evil A PLAN TO MEDITATE spiritual reading.We move through it by following five simple words:Spiritual reading:Silence…Read…Meditate…Pray…Contemplate… Practice the 5 Disciplines together:
Matthew 5Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainsideand sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teachthem the Beatitudes
He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light 13“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
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1st sign-2 Timothy 3:1-5But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves,lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love,u nforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash,conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying itspower. Have nothing to do with such people.
2 Timothy 3:1-52nd Sign-2 Peter 3:33 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
2 Peter 3:33rd Sign- Jude 1:17-2217 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt;
Jude 1:17-224th Sign-1 Timothy 4:1-8The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences havebeen seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know thetruth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.6 If you point thesethings out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godlessmyths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:1-85th Sign -1 John 2:18-2218 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. 20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit,[a] and all of you know the truth. 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’tknow the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. 22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.[b] Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.[c] 23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
1 John 2:18-22Questions:Do you believe?Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God? Do you believe He can save you?Do you believe he died on the cross for the sin of the world? Questions:Do you believe that he can give you a peace that supersedes your circumstance?Do you believe that confession is the path to healing?Do you believe that church,( though it’s made-up of sinners) is the community that God wants you to be a part of?Do you believe you are covered by grace? Let’s keep watch!The post Getting Ready: Here Are Your Signs appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to itsbuildings. 2 “Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars andrumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines andearthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
Matt 24:1-8 2 questions Jesus disciples ask from Verse 3They’re asking about the fall ofJerusalem.They’re asking about the return ofChrist. Here’s what we know:Vs. 8-Going to be birth pains.Vs. 26-No one knows day or hour.Vs. 42-Keep watch (get ready).Vs. 44-Be ready “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only theFather. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Matthew 24:36-37,42-44
Central message of Eschatology:Watch and be ready!
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following theirown evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died,everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long agoby God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 2 PETER 33:3-7
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.[a] 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holyand godly lives. 2 PETER 33: 8-11
The point of being ready:Live Godly and Holy lives
Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wroteyou with the wisdom that God gave him. 2 Peter 33:15
3 responses to this message:Joyful anticipation.Fearful trepidation.Apathetic indifference. The post Getting Ready: Jesus is Coming Back appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
QUESTION: Do you have anyone in your life you are having trouble forgiving?“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4: 32But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8:1-11
Jesus chose forgiveness over judgement
1: Forgiveness is amazing!Forgiveness—believe it1 John 1: 9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to purify us from all unrighteousness.”Psalm 51:1-4. He says, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight.”II Corinthians 7:10, it says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
2: Forgiveness- apply itMatt 6:14-15. Jesus said,“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, ‘It is mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord.’”
3: Forgiveness—accept it“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my confess my transgressions to the LORD.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5.Your vertical relationship with God will be weakened when your horizontal relationships with others are strained.
CHALLENGE:Today is your time to drop you rock(s). If you don’t want to drop it today, keep it with you until God convicts you.
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SERVING OUR SAVIOR HEY JOE! CAN YOU HELP ME OUT?
A BIOGRAPHY IN 5 CHAPTERS“15 I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I DO. FOR WHAT I WANT TO DO, I DO NOT DO, BUT WHAT I HATE, I DO. 16 AND IF I DO WHAT I DO NOT WANT TO DO, I AGREE THAT THE LAW IS GOOD. 17 AS IT IS, IT IS NO LONGER I MYSELF WHO DO IT, BUT IT IS SIN LIVING IN ME. 18 FOR I KNOWTHAT GOOD ITSELF DOES NOT DWELL IN ME, THAT IS, IN MY SINFUL NATURE. FOR I HAVE THE DESIRE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD, BUT I CANNOT CARRY IT OUT. 19 FOR I DO NOT DO THE GOOD I WANT TO DO, BUT THE EVIL I DO NOT WANT TO DO—THIS I KEEP ON DOING. 20 NOW IF I DO WHAT I DO NOT WANT TO DO, IT IS NO LONGER I WHO DO IT, BUT IT IS SIN LIVING IN ME THAT DOES IT.”
ROMANS 7:15-20CHAPTER 1HEBREWS THE 12TH CHAPTER — “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 ENTANGLES US….” CHAPTER 2ROMANS 5: 18-21 – “18 SO AS ONE SIN OF ADAM BROUGHT THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH TO ALL PEOPLE, ONE GOOD ACT THAT CHRIST DID MAKES ALL PEOPLE RIGHT WITH GOD. AND THAT BRINGS TRUE LIFE FOR ALL. 19 ONE MAN DISOBEYED GOD, AND MANY BECAME SINNERS. IN THE SAME WAY, ONE MAN OBEYED GOD, AND MANY WILL BE MADE RIGHT. 20 THE LAW CAME TO MAKE SIN WORSE. BUT WHEN SIN GREW WORSE, GOD’S GRACE INCREASED. 21 SIN ONCE USED DEATH TO RULE US, BUT GOD GAVE PEOPLE MORE OF HIS GRACE SO THAT GRACE COULD RULE BY MAKING PEOPLE RIGHT WITH HIM. AND THIS BRINGS LIFE FOREVER THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.” CHAPTER 3THE STORY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT – GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE CONTINUALLY DO THE THINGS THEY KNOW THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO, EVEN AS GOD REGULARLY SHOWS UP IN THEIR LIVES.TWO TRUTHS FROM ROMANS – WE ARE ALL SINNERS AND FALL SHORT OF GOD’S GLORY AND THE COST OF SIN IS DEATH. CHAPTER 4PHILIPPIANS 4:13 –“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.”ROMANS 5 – “ THEREFORE, HAVING BEEN JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, 2 THROUGH WHOM WE ALSO HAVE OBTAINED OUR INTRODUCTION BY FAITH INTO THIS GRACE IN WHICH WE STAND; AND WE CELEBRATE IN THE HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. 3 AND NOT ONLY THIS, BUT WE ALSO CELEBRATE IN OUR TRIBULATIONS, KNOWING THAT TRIBULATION BRINGS ABOUT PERSEVERANCE; 4 AND PERSEVERANCE, PROVEN CHARACTER; AND PROVEN CHARACTER, HOPE; 5 AND HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT, BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD HAS BEEN POURED OUT WITHIN OUR HEARTS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO WAS GIVEN TO US.” 6 FOR WHILE WE WERE STILL HELPLESS, AT THE RIGHT TIME CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. 7 FOR ONE WILL HARDLY DIE FOR A RIGHTEOUS PERSON; THOUGH PERHAPS FOR THE GOOD PERSON 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. 9 MUCH MORE THEN, HAVING NOW BEEN JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, WE SHALL BE SAVED FROM THE WRATH OF GOD THROUGH HIM. 10 FOR IF WHILE WE WERE ENEMIES WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD THROUGH THE DEATH OF HIS SON, MUCH MORE, HAVING BEEN ECONCILED, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE. 11 AND NOT ONLY THIS, BUT WE ALSO CELEBRATE IN GOD HROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THROUGH WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE RECONCILIATION.”JOHN 1:9 – “9 IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST AND WILL FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND PURIFY US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.” CHAPTER 5I WALKED DOWN A DIFFERENT SIDEWALK TODAY!HEBREWS 4:15 – “FOR WE DO NOT HAVE A HIGH PRIEST WHO IS UNABLE TO EMPATHIZE WITH OUR WEAKNESSES, BUT WE HAVE ONE WHO HAS BEEN TEMPTED IN EVERY WAY, JUST AS WE ARE – YET HE DID NOT SIN.” HAVE A GREAT DAY! SHARE JESUS WITH PEOPLE GOD PUTS ON YOUR PATH THIS WEEK.
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DisciplesWithout discipleship, Christianity doesn’t survive
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:25-31
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
DisciplesJesus called everyone to be disciples, regular folks like you and me.
Examples of Ways to ServeCommunity meals for people in need. We need more people willing to do this.The Hub always needs people to help sort through our donations.Team of helpers who are always ready when a need pops up.Kids’ helpers/teachers for Sunday morningsHelpers with the teens on Sunday eveningsOur Internet streaming team needs two more peopleWe need to train one more sound personWe need greeters for Sunday morning and one more donut/coffee ministry teamWe need camp helpers three times a yearWe need a person who can do website data information entryRegularly we are presented with needs for short, two to three day regional missiontripsWe can always use help maintaining the grounds here at the churchLikewise, the inside of our church building regularly needs maintenanceWe need someone who can manage and oversee the maintenance of our threevehicles. May you find where God wants you to plug into the discipleship pipeline and may you, forever and always, be covered in the dust of the Rabbi, Jesus!
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“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
Hebrews 10:24Spur: irritating in order to bring about change or to move something forward.“Let’s irritate one another on to love and good deeds.”Question: Are my thoughts and actions helping this person that I’m connected withbecome more like Jesus? “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we havea great priest over the house of God” Hebrews 10:19
What does it look like then for us to spur one another on in a healthy way?3 invitations we find in Hebrews to help us spur one another on.1. Invitation to spur one another on towards intimacy with GodVs 22 “let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”Question: Are we spurring one another on to continually draw near to the heart of God? 2. Invitation that we have to spur one to fix our eyes on eternity.Vs: 23“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Invitation that we would spur one another live a fruitful life.Hebrews 10:24, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and go od deeds,” …here we go… “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25.
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“Admonish“ from Latin “ad” (to) + “moneo/monere” (urge, warn, remind).
Giving guidance or direction
1.What admonishment is:“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things, grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:15
3 types of people when it comes to sharing truth in love (John Maxwell)First you have the hiders. The hiders are the ones that don’t share the truth.Then you have the hurlers. They…they share the truth, but not in love.And then there are the healers, and they share the truth in love. ”Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach, and admonish one another with allwisdom.” Colossians 3:16
“The Lord disciplines those he loves.” Proverbs 3:12
- How do we admonish?Acts 18:24-25 “Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism ofJohn.”
Acts 18:26 “He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.”
How to receive admonishment?“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs 15:1
Biblical Admonishment=Loving counsel and correction.
Family: We don’t heal in isolation; we heal in community.
Our Assignment:Admonish one another with truth, with love, and with wisdom
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“Accept one another, then, just as Christ a accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
Romans 15:7Accepting and Abiding“Accept” Means to receive someone into your life and to see them as valuable
…the word that Jesus most used with his disciples is this word meno, it means “abide.”
Key Scriptures Supporting This: Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
Luke 5:29-31
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ Jesus accepted you, in order that you might bring praise to God.”
Romans 15:7
“God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
Romans 5:8
“This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: Christ Jesus came into the world to savesinners.”
1 Timothy 1:15
“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.”
John 8:37
You are accepted. Will you accept? (abide, come along side of)Look at people as a gift of GodIs there somebody right now, that God hasplanted in your life that is a gift from theFather? Will you receive them?Will you help them discover their value ? The post Becoming a One-Another Church: Accept One Another appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Benefits of Encouragement1. Encouragement is a good representation of Jesus Christ.“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18 :24 Encouragement” comes from two different Greek words{
First one is para which means “beside or near,”Kaleo which means “to call.” Literally means to pour confidence or to pour courage into them. En-courage
Encouragement can make a person less vulnerable to sinning“But encourage one another daily as long as it is called today so that none of you may be hardened bysin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13 Encouragement can help you finish the race“Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thess 4;18 (What words?)
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17Our hope is in heaven, not here!Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night…But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, whoare asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Let’s spend more time encouraging each other, and more time thinking about Eternity!
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“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,5 for each one should carry their own load.”
Galatians 6:1-5Hebrews “10:25 “Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing.”Galatians 5:14 “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”Matthew 22:37 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” Truth 1. When bearing one another’s burdens, our love for God fuels our love toward others
Truth 2. When bearing one another’s burdens, we honor others above ourselves
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we are ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” Galatians 6:4-5 Burden-bearing is when your pain lives in my heart; it’s the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see, because when you carry someone’s burden, you resemble Jesus.
Main Point:Let’s move toward becoming a “bearing one-anothers burden church”
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Jesus redirects the Disciples in John 14
They believed Him to be the King who would take over. He tells them Heis going to His death.
They believe His triumph would be seen by the world. He tells them thatthe world will no longer see Him. That rules out public triumph.
They believe He will be King, and He tells them theruler of this world is coming.
That means He will not be the King they thoughtHe would be.
Observations by Bruce Wilkerson“Little children” – they are feeling small and weak.“I have loved you” – they are staring at Him in disbelief, mistrust, and fear.“Let not your heart be troubled.” – They’re sinking in anxiety and dread.“I will not leave you orphans” – they are slumping before Him like abandoned children, defenseless in a hostile world. John 15:1-4“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
John 15:5-65 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
John 15:7-8“7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done foryou. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
SummaryJesus is the vine. Most people think the vine is what you see at a vineyard, trailing along the trellis. But the vine is actually the trunk of the plant, growing out of the ground. What you see trailing along the trellis is the branches. Jesus says He is the vine.God the Father is the gardener. The King James uses the word “vinedresser.” The gardener is the one who tends to the vine and the branches. The gardener’s goal is to coax as much fruit as possible out of the plant. He focuses on the branches as they are what carry the fruit. In John 14 verse 12, Jesus says “and greater things will you do than I have done.” Jesus is the vine. There is no fruit on the vine; the fruit is on the branches.We are the branches. God is looking to us to produce the fruit of His Kingdom. Fruits of the SpiritWe are told the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Titus 3:14
“Let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not beunfruitful.”
Psalm 1:3“The righteous man shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit inits season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
John 15:16Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruitthat will last.”
God’s plan for us is to bear fruit. And that plan has four potential yields.
No fruitFruitMore fruitMuch fruit Greek: Airo translates to ”Taken up” or “Lifted up”
May the Gardener tend to each of us in such a way that we all bear much fruit for His KingdomThe post Secrets of the Vine appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 Hewho did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It isGod who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—morethan that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shallseparate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness ordanger or sword”
Romans 8:31-35How do we really rediscover God’s love?Words for Love:“I love sushi” to “I love my Kids”Eros = romantic lovePhileo= closeness, loyalty; it communicates familiarity.Agape= a selfless love. Stories for Love:Well Known, Prodigal sonHosea & Gomer Love in it’s purest form just is.GOD’S LOVE IS:“I just love you”How are we, broken people, to understand that? “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31Who can be against us?Romans 8:32 -To God “He who did not spare his own Son.”Genesis 22:16 -To Abraham “You did not spare even your own son.”Romans 8: 33 -“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.” “ Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised tolife—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Romans 8:34“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, orfamine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long;we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough him that loved us.38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, norprincipalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor anyother creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35-39“If you want a yardstick to measure the love of God, don’t look at your circumstances. You look at the cross.”The post Enormous Words: Loved appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Romans 8:17-2526 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to prayfor, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches ourhearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with thewill of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,who[b] have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he alsopredestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among manybrothers and sisters.
Romans 8:26-291. The Future TransformationJohn 16, “In this world you will have tribulations but take heart (be at peace), for I have overcome the world.”Romans 8:19-21. 19 “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” Who is doing the groaning?A. Creation groansRomans 8:22: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” B. We GroanRomans 8:23 “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him but also to suffer for Him.” C. The Spirit Himself groansRomans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans”. 2. The Transformation now:Romans 8:28-29 8” And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[b] have been called according to his purpose29. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His son.” God’s purpose has never changed. God wants to transform you and make you like JesusThe post Enormous Words: Transformed appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“..the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23 ” So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Galatians 5:16-18THE WAR INSIDE YOU“but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me”
Romans 7:23 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
James 4:1Truth about self-controlSelf-control is about who are you becoming as a soldier for Christ in the war against evil. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.”
Galatians 6:1-6The focus of the Fruit of Self control isn’t feelings, it’s faithfulness Self-Control *It’s not about performance. It’s not—try harder. It’s about patience as God does His work ” I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5The post Being Who God Made You To Be: Self-Control appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“..the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23Gentleness = prautés, and it could also be translated as ‘meekness,’Word picture for prautés,—a powerful, strong horse that is under the control of the rider. Gentleness:Biblical def. be ‘power and strength that is under control for the benefit of others.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Gal. 5:19-21For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal 5:17-18Galatians 5: It’s turning the reins of your anger and aggravation over to the Holy Spirit
Question who has your reins?
Each day
“Holy Spirit, you have the reins today”.
What happens when you turn over reigns?
Your gentleness will grow over time. It changes how we talk.
” Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building othersup according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32I Want to Sound Like Jesus!
I want to stop sounding like a mad selfish person.
Daily
“Here are the reigns to my mouth Jesus”
The post Being Who God Made You To Be: Gentleness appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“..the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23Faith is not a crutch. Faith is like a stretcher or a gurney.Faith carries us to the one who has everything that we needWhat faith does:1. Faith gives you sight.Hebrews chapter 11:1-2, This is what God’s Word said. It says, “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. 2 This is what the ancients were commended forVs 3 “For by this our ancestors were approved. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.”Vs 1 “Faith is a reality of what’s hoped for, the proof of what’s not seen…” FAITH GOD WANTS FOR ME:Is not calling for a completely blind faithIs not saying throw out science and throw out all ways to see and observe.Is not saying we will never wrestle with doubt. 2. Faith makes you righteousVs 2 “For by this our ancestors were commended.”Vs5 “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.”[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” 6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 3. Faith gives you a future13 “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth’ QuestionDoes your trust in God get eroded when he doesn’t keep his promises on your timetable? Much of our trouble comes from the fact we forget:
THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOMEThe post Being Who God Made You to Be: Faithfulness appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“..the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23,“Since we live by the Spirit, let’s keep in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:25Definitions:
Kindness has to do with your desire. It has to do with your motive. Goodness has to do with your intentionality and your action. Supporting Scriptures:
Matthew 19: 21“Go sell everything you have and come follow me”Matthew 23:33. “You brood of vipers”Revelation 3:16 “16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”Matthew 18:6 6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Application:
Pray every morning “God, give me the desire and give me the opportunity to be nice and kind”. Understand that how you spend your time and money is a test of your kindness and goodness. Don’t confuse being nice with being kind.Remember God’s kindness to you. “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this meannothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
Romans 2:4The post Being Who God Made You to Be: Kindness and Goodness appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“But the Holy Spirit produces…the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against thesethings!”
Galatians 5:22-23“Be patient with everyone.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14Definitions:
Greek patience= macrothumia,macro means ‘long.’Thumia….’ It’s a long heat. It takes you a long time to get hot. Question
When you can’t take any more how do you react? Think
The fruit of the spirit is evident in our actions, but it’s really impossible to ignore in our reactions. Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.
James 5:7“Don’t focus on resolving the conflict, you focus on accepting. You don’t focus on trying to change the person you…you focus on accepting the person”
Dr. John Gottman“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”
Ecclesiastes 7:8“In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice. In the morning, I lay my request before you, I waitexpectantly.”
Psalm 5:3David’s question is ours: How Long?
The post Being Who God Made You to Be: Patience appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You.” “My peace I leave with you.”
Isaiah 26:3 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:6-7 ”Don’t Worry about anything”!Worry=divided mindWorry is meditating on ‘what if’s’? “Instead”“Pray about everything!”1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”Romans 12:12 “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.Ephesians 6:18 “Pray at all times (on every occasion)” “Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”Psalm 59, “Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.”Psalm 92, “It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning.”Psalm 143, “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning.” “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceedsanything we can understand” Promises of peace
John 16:33 “You may have peace in me.”2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of Peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.”Colossians 3:15“let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.”Romans 8:6,” the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.John 14: 27” Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.“Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely,admirable”“…as you live in Christ Jesus.”It’s all about what He does if we live in Him ….. The post Being Who God Made You to Be: Peace appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Joy is an emotional state—of gratitude, pleasure, and genuine satisfaction that transcends our circumstances and overflows in worship.
Joy KillersDavid: Root yourself in the presence of God.Psalm 16:11 “In Your presence there is fullness of joy; At your right hand there’s pleasures forever more.”
Psalm 5.:3 .” In the morning lord you hear my voice In the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly “
Psalms 51;10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Isaiah: Root yourself in God’s promisesA promise is a reason to expect in the future
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will… Fully supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Jesus.”
Jesus: Root yourself in God’s purposeRomans 8:28 8 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.
Matthew 11, verse 28, he says, listen: “Come to me, like, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.” What do you mean learn from me? Like, look at the life of Jesus. Learn his pace, learn his Sabbath, learn his rest, learn how he depends on God, learn from him, “…for I am gentle and I’m humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
John 16:33 says this, it says, “In this world you actually will have trouble. But friend, take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose.”
Hebrews 12:2, he just says things like this, he just says, listen, “For the joy set before him, he endured the cross.”
3 John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Prayer“God, use My circumstances to bring Joy in the journey. Allow me to be rooted in Your presence”
The post Being Who God Made You to Be: Joy appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…
Galatians 5:22WHO ARE YOU BECOMING?Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6Are you going to be passive in the process or are you going to be purposeful?Are you going to be intentional, or is it just going to be accidental? Agape LoveLoving someone no matter who they are, no matter what they’ve done, and no matter how you feel. Nomatter who they are.
Worldly Love vs Agape LoveThe world’s love is based on a feeling, but this kind of love …is based on a decision.The world’s love is based on conditions, but this kind of love is committed.The world’s love is selfish, this kind of love is sacrificial.The world’s love—tribal, largely tribal and transactional. I’ll love you as long as we see these things the same way; as long as we’re on the same page over here. But if you’re different from me, if you have different perspectives or views, if you’re too different from me, then not only do I not love you, I…I don’t want to have anything to do with you.
The world’s love says, If you love me, you’ll tell me I’m right, Agape love says, I will love you enough to tell you the truth.World’s love says, If you love me, you’ll agree with me. Agape love says, I will do something harder: I will love you even when we disagree. I’ll love you enough to disagree with you. And so, it’s a different kind of love TRUTH to take HomeIt’s not a List of self-improvement, it’s a list of Spirit-empowerment.
Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of theflesh…Don’t be foolish.
Galatians 3:3Two lanes you can go on the path to being who God made youSelf-Improvement path Self-improvement, of course, focuses on self.Spirit-Empowerment path The Spirit-empowerment approach, keyword is Spirit, it’s just recognition that these things do matter. KEYIt all comes from the Holy Spirit not what I do ,comes with relationship as I walk with the spirit
“Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.”
Galatians 5:25The post Being Who God Made You To Be: Love appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:”
Luke 24: 1-6Simon PeterFisher of fish After Jesus Fisher of MenInfluence as many people for Christ as possibleDenied that he knew Jesus 3 times The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”
Luke 22:61This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after He was raised from the dead. When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.”Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”esus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.”Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
John 21:14-16”Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had sked him a third time, “Do you love Me?”“Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You. ”Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.”
John 21:17-19Have you answered His call on your life?If so, what’s the next step God is calling you to? The post Easter Service 2024: The Gift Card appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Joseph threw himself on his father and wept over him and kissed him. 2 Then Joseph directed the physicians in his service to embalm his father Israel. So the physiciansembalmed him, 3 taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days.
Genesis 50:1-2115 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Genesis 50:15-21Lessons about our future we learn from Joseph1. Understand Christian hope is not a wish.Greek Word is Elpis =confident expectation
- Most of the time, the future doesn’t feel like futureGenesis 50 :20 “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good” Joseph “God did this so I could save the lives of many people.” He served so that others could be saved
- You are destined to use your pain for God’s purpose. (That’s Your future )Take HomeWhen you use your pain for God’s purpose, a hurting world takes note.
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Timothy 2:3 Where are you serving Jesus? (a place you get nothing back you just serve!)There is purpose in your pain (like Joseph I serve so others can be saved) The post This is Connected to That: God is Always Weaving Your Future Together appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Flashlight Will vs. Floodlight Will
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Heb 12:15PointA seed of offense gets planted, and unless we deal with it, it grows.
When Jacob learned that there was grain in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you just keep looking at each other?” 2 He continued, “I have heard that there is grain in Egypt. Go down there and buy some for us, so that we may live and not die.” 3 Then ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain from Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he was afraid that harm might come to him. 5 So Israel’s sons were among those who went to buy grain, for there was famine inthe land of Canaan also.
Gen 42:1-3Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. 9 Then he remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see where our land is unprotected.” 17 And he put them all in custody for three days. 21 They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.” 24 He turned away from them and began to weep, but then came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound beforetheir eyes.
Gen 42:8,9,17,21,241Now the famine was still severe in the land. 2 So when they had eaten all the grain they had broughtfrom Egypt, their father said to them, “Go back and buy us a little more food.”3 But Judah said to him,“The man warned us solemnly, ‘You will not see my face again unless your brother is with you.’
Gen 43:1-326 When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. 30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.
Gen 43:26,30Now Joseph gave these instructions to the steward of his house: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack. 2 Then put my cup, the silver one, in the mouth of the youngest one’s sack, along with the silver for his grain.” And he did as Joseph said.3 As morning dawned, the men were sent on their way with their donkeys. 4 They had not gone far from the city when Joseph said to his steward, “Go after those men at once, and when you catch up with them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil? 5 Isn’t this the cup my master drinks from and also uses for divination? This is a wicked thing you have done.’”
Gen 44:1-5“Now then, please let your servant remain here as my lord’s slave in place of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34 How can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? No! Do not let mesee the misery that would come on my father.”
Gen 44:33Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.
Gen 45:1-3ForgivenessRelease freely, to let go of what someone owes you.
What makes this story so powerful in Genesis, is not just that Joseph experiences deliverance, but hisbrothers do, too. He forgives them, and they can forgive themselves.
The post This is connected to that: Deliverance appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
What does God want of me?Gen. 41:1
When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream:
He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came upseven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 Afterthem, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile andstood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were uglyand gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh wokeup.5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads ofgrain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them,seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the eastwind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, fullheads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream.
12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain ofthe guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us,giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turnedout exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to myposition, and the other man was impaled.”
14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from thedungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he camebefore Pharaoh.15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no onecan interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear adream you can interpret it.”16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied toPharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”
25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one andthe same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 Theseven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grainare seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean,ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are theseven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They areseven years of famine.
28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he isabout to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are comingthroughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine willfollow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, andthe famine will ravage the land.
31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because thefamine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream wasgiven to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmlydecided by God, and God will do it soon.
33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and puthim in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appointcommissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egyptduring the seven years of abundance.
.39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known toyou, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be incharge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to yourorders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Joseph in Charge of Egypt.41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole landof Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it onJoseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chainaround his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as hissecond-in-command,[b] and people shouted before him, “Make way[c]!” Thushe put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.
44 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word noone will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” 45 Pharaoh gave Joseph the nameZaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest ofOn,[d] to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaohking of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence andtraveled throughout Egypt.
What we learn from Joseph’s life:Dedication means that you diligently address thechallenges (cut thru culture and society).Dedication means intentionally focusing on a visionfor the future.Dedication means consistently showing up and doingthe daily work (prayer, Bible study, seeking, go live itout) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9The post This is connected to that: Dedication appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Gen 39 6 So Potiphar left everything he had inJoseph’s care; with Joseph in charge, he did notconcern himself with anything except the food heate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 andafter a while his master’s wife took notice of Josephand said, “Come to bed with me!”8 But herefused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “mymaster does not concern himself with anything in thehouse; everything he owns he has entrusted to mycare.
9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My masterhas withheld nothing from me except you, because youare his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thingand sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke toJoseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with heror even be with her.11 One day he went into the houseto attend to his duties, and none of the householdservants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak andsaid, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak inher hand and ran out of the house.
13 When she saw that he had left his cloak in her hand and hadrun out of the house, 14 she called her householdservants. “Look,” she said to them, “this Hebrew has beenbrought to us to make sport of us! He came in here to sleepwith me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream for help,he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.”
16 She kept his cloak beside her until his master camehome. 17 Then she told him this story: “That Hebrew slave youbrought us came to me to make sport of me. 18 But as soon as Iscreamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of thehouse.”
19 When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying,“This is how your slave treated me,” he burned withanger. 20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, theplace where the king’s prisoners were confined.
But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was withhim; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyesof the prison warden. 22 So the warden put Joseph in charge ofall those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for allthat was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anythingunder Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph andgave him success in whatever he did.
Pit Moments of LifeDisappointmentUnmet expectations & False assumptions: God’s the one who’s supposed to take care of meExpectations and assumptions of others: relationships Idolatry: something or someone in your life has taken the place of God on the throne of your heart. Question:
What’s ultimately bringing on that feeling of disappointment?
Emptiness & BrokennessWhat to do? Vs 21 “ The lord was with Joseph “
*Scripture does not teach that everything that happensin life happens because God has directly caused it orwilled it to happen. God does not will sin, and He doesnot will evil.
Question:If we truly believed that God wasalways with us, how much more wouldwe live and walk as people of trusttowards the one who is in control and iswith us in the pit?
How can your prayer life change this week?The post This is Connected to That: Disappointment appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“ First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give mejust enough to satisfy my needs.9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.
Proverbs 30:8-9( JUST WHAT I NEED )
“When Joseph was taken to Egypt by the Ishmaelitetraders, he was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptianofficer. Potiphar was captain of the guard for Pharaoh, theking of Egypt.2 The LORD was with Joseph, so hesucceeded in everything he did as he served in the home ofhis Egyptian master. 3 Potiphar noticed this and realizedthat the LORD was with Joseph, giving him success ineverything he did. 4 This pleased Potiphar, so he soonmade Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in chargeof his entire household and everything he owned. Gen39-1-6 39
5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of hismaster’s household and property, the LORD began tobless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. Allhis household affairs ran smoothly, and his cropsand livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Josephcomplete administrative responsibility overeverything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’tworry about a thing—except what kind of food toeat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-builtyoung man,”
PointBlessings can become distractions, and if we’re not careful, we can miss the bigger thing that God has for us.
America has been blessed and is distracted from God’s will.Blessings can become distractions.When they feel spiritual “The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master” When they feed our ego.When it fuels disbelief Vs 3“Potiphar realized that the LORD was with Joseph.” Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘Youhave seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you fromheaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do notmake for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.24 “‘Makean altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burntofferings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats andyour cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I willcome to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stonesfor me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defileit if you use a tool on it. Genesis 20:22-25
What do you do when distracted?Remember how God has worked in the pastPsalm 77
1 I cried out to God for help;I cried out to God to hear me.2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;at night I stretched out untiring hands,and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.[b]4 You kept my eyes from closing;I was too troubled to speak.5 I thought about the former days,the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?Will he never show his favor again?8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?Has his promise failed for all time?9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.12 I will consider all your worksand meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.What god is as great as our God?14 You are the God who performs miracles;you display your power among the peoples.15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God,the waters saw you and writhed;the very depths were convulsed.17 The clouds poured down water,the heavens resounded with thunder;your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,your lightning lit up the world;the earth trembled and quaked.19 Your path led through the sea,your way through the mighty waters,though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flockby the hand of Moses and Aaron.
The post This is connected to that: Distractions appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Gen. 37:12-28
12 Now his brothers had gone to graze their father’s flocks nearShechem, 13 and Israel said to Joseph, “As you know, your brothers aregrazing the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.”“Very well,” he replied.14 So he said to him, “Go and see if all is well with yourbrothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.” Then he sent him offfrom the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph arrived at Shechem, 15 a man found himwandering around in the fields and asked him, “What are you looking for?”16 Hereplied, “I’m looking for my brothers. Can you tell me where they are grazingtheir flocks?” “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard themsay, ‘Let’s go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them nearDothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, theyplotted to kill him.19 “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to eachother. 20 “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns andsay that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of hisdreams.”
21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let’s nottake his life,” he said. 22 “Don’t shed any blood. Throw him into thiscistern here in the wilderness, but don’t lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this torescue him from them and take him back to his father. 23 So when Joseph cameto his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he waswearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cisternwas empty; there was no water in it.25 As they sat down to eat their meal, theylooked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camelswere loaded with spices, balm and myrrh, and they were on their way to takethem down to Egypt. 26 Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain if we killour brother and cover up his blood? 27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelitesand not lay our hands on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh andblood.” His brothers agreed.28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, hisbrothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twentyshekels[a] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt
Alternative Route
Vs 36 Meanwhile, the Midianites[a] soldJoseph in Egypt to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’sofficials, the captain of the guard.
Gen 39 :2 The LORD was with Joseph so that heprospered, and he lived in the house of hisEgyptian master.
Lesson: don’t mistake God’s silence for God’s absence.
Just because God doesn’t show up inGenesis 37 doesn’t mean Godisn’t in Genesis 37.
We learn from Joseph alternativeroutes that they come unexpectedly.
How God uses alternative routes in your life
He uses detours to develop you.God uses detours is to protect us from dangerAlternative routes sometimes end up becomingshortcuts Genesis 50:20
“Joseph says, ‘God brought meto this position so I could savethe lives of many people.’”
The post This is connected to that: Alternative Routes appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
God’s Specific WillVery specifically laid out in the Bible
Treatment of peopleForgiveness God’s Revealed WillWe want to know…
Who to marry?What car to buy?What job to take? “This is the account of Jacob’s family line. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.
4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him. 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”
What we can learn through Joseph’s life
GENESIS 37:2-7#1 What we can learn through Joseph’s lifeGod’s Will can overcome your messy reality“God’s will, will make a way.”
2 God’s Will never seems to be in a hurry.Genesis 15 :5,“Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, ‘Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have.’”
3-Understanding God’s Will may upset the people in your lifeHow do we respond to the Will of God ?
No way-WayHalfwayMy WayGod’s Way REMEMBERThe thing your going through is connected to Gods will for you.
The post This is Connected to That: Knowing God’s Will appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
• Can you think of one regret you had last year?
• Regret can be identified as opportunities not seized!
.2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
Luke 5:2-10 GAME CHANGER “ BUT BECAUSE YOU SAY SO “ 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
LessonUnless they had gone through a night of disappointment, the deliverance that Jesus brought wouldn’t have really meant that much.
PointWe could be one time away from experiencing God’s blessing in a way that we never knew was even possible, but we let what happened last time keep us from moving forward this time.
Motto for 2024: “Because you say so” 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
LESSONRepentance and confession is what unlocks a new future as you turnaround.
9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
•
The post Time for a Turn-Around on God’s Highway appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:10-12Point of Today:God gave us what we need, a savior.
ISIAIAH 1:18 “Come now, let us settle the matter, “says the LORD.“ Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.……….. THE WHITE OF CHRISTMAS
MATTHEW 1:1-14
1 This is the genealogy[a] of Jesus the Messiah[b] the son of David, the son of Abraham:2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,3 Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram,4 Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon,5 Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,6 and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uriah’s wife,7 Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, Abijah the father of Asa,8 Asa the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Jehoram, Jehoram the father of Uzziah,9 Uzziah the father of Jotham, Jotham the father of Ahaz, Ahaz the father of Hezekiah,10 Hezekiah thefather of Manasseh, Manasseh the father of Amon, Amon the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah[c] and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.12 After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,13 Zerubbabel the father of Abihud, Abihud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor,14 Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Elihud,15 Elihud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob,16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah]
Matthew 1:1-14MATTHEW 1:1-14To show us 14 generations of broken people who needed a Savior.
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Praise the Lord, it’s a free gift!The post Colors of Christmas: White appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Intertestamental period:Between the last book of the Old Testament (Malachi) and the first book of the New Testament (Matthew) is this period of around 400 years known as the intertestamental period.
GOD WAS QUIET!
Israel was waiting on a Promised Messiah.During those 400 years God was silent. Spiritually, it was like Winter, white and barren no specificcolor.When’s the green of Spring coming?Where is God in Winter?Point: God was working to bring the green While His people grow through the White.Galatians 4:4 “ it was the fullness of time. God sent His Son to be born into this world.“ GREEN. “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.”
Luke chapter 2:1-3“The seed of the woman will crush your head. The seed of the woman will save you from this serpent, from Satan.”
Gen. 3:15 1. In the winter I can trust God’s timing (Green is coming!)2 Peter 3:4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”2 Peter 3:9 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” 2. In the winter I can be confident that God is at work. (Green is coming)Psalms 121 :4 “ indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”.Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. “ (740 BC)Hosea 11:1 When Israel was a youth I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.(760 BC)Matt. 2:14 “ So [a]Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. (60’s)2 Peter 3:9 says, “God is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.” And then itsays, “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The post Colors of Christmas: Green appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Being lost doesn’t have to be permanent “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John, 3:16:Being found gives us a missionWhere he says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
1 Corinthians 5:20Luke Chapter 15: 3 Strong Stories1st story: Lost Sheep (1-100 sheep) -vs 42nd story: Lost Coin (0 coins , lost 1)-vs 83rd story: Lost Son (1 son, a family member)-vs 11 Luke Chapter 15 3 Strong StoriesLuke 15: 17-19 Boy comes to his senses”Luke 15:20 “He went to his father”Luke 15:18 “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your servants.” We’re not called to save the world…but we’re called to be a positive influence in our sphere of influence, & the whole world is full of only two groups of people:
You’re either saved by the blood of the LambYou’re lost. The post 4 Letter Words: Lost appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted? ”The first,” they answered.Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe im, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believehim.”
Matt. 28 :28-3228 4 Why’s of ObedienceObedience empowers your witness for ChristJames 1:22-2422 “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 someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” Obedience demonstrates your trust in GodLuke 5:3-83” And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and began teaching the [a]people from the boat. 4 When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered and said, Obedience demonstrates your trust in God“Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but [b]I will do as You say and let down the nets.” 6 When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; 7 so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ [c]feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man” Obedience shows our love for the Lord1 John 2:3-53 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; 5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:1 Samuel 15:22, “: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord?John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” The post 4 Letter Words: Obey appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
1.Truth: It’s a literal place“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body butcannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the Onewho can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28Hades or GehennaMatthew 25:4 “They will go away to eternal punishment but the righteous to eternal life.”Revelation 14:11 when he says, “The smoke of their torment goes up and they have no rest.” 2.Truth: The Gospel is necessary because of a place called hell.3.Truth: This place called hell is a place of separation“They will be punished with everlasting destruction and…shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.” 2 Thessalonians 1:9 “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life’. Romans 6:23 4. Truth: Thanks to Jesus you don’t have to go to hellJude 1:23 “Save others by snatching them from the fire.”
“If sinners be condemned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go to hell unwarned and un-prayed for.” Charles Spurgeon“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but rather to save the world through him.” John 3:17 The post 4 letter words: Hell appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
PSALM 46:13” I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from?2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.5 The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.7 The Lord will keep you from all harm ,he will watch over your life;8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
PSALM 121:1-8Ways we respond to fearFightFlightFreeze In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:11“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10Why faith is important:Our fears stand between us and God, but faith puts God between us and our fears.
” I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my lips.2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.4 I sought the Lord, and He heard …..And delivered me from all my fears.”
PSALMS 34:1-4The post 4 letter words: Fear appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
- WHERE AM I?“Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road.”
Mark 10:46“Sitting beside the road.”
Mark 10:46: “Following Jesus on the road!”
Mark 10:52: “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees. Then the LORD God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He replied, ‘I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.’”
Genesis 3:8-105 AREAS:PhysicallyEmotionallyRelationallyVocationallySpiritually 2. WHO AM I LISTENING TO?“When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ ‘Be quiet!’ many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’”
Mark10:47-48“When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, ‘Tell him to come here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Cheer up,’ they said. ‘Come on, he’s calling you!’ Bartimaeus threw aside his coat,jumped up, and came to Jesus.”
Mark 10:49-50THE CROWD SHOUTS/ JESUS WHISPERSTHE CROWD INTERRUPTS/ JESUS INVITESTHE CROWD WAFFLES/ JESUS NEVER WAVERSTHE CROWD CARES ABOUT ITSELF/JESUS CARES ABOUT YOU 3. WHAT DO I WANT?“‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked. ‘My rabbi,’ the blind man said, ‘I want to see!’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Go, for your faith has healed you.’ Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”
Mark 10:51-52“‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked. They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’ ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?’”
Mark 10 :36-38“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:10“Everything that we have — right thinking, right living, a clean slate, and a fresh start — comes from God by way of Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:30The post Reboot: Part 4 appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Why are some things in me so hard to change?Because I have had them for so long.Because I identify with them.Because they have a payoff.Because Satan discourages me. “Since you have heard all about Jesus and have learned the truth that is in him, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must put on your new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness — righteous, holy, and true. So put away all falsehood and tell your neighbor the truth because we belong to each other. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil.”
Ephesians 4:21-27Reboots that bring lasting, personal change1. Change requires learning and facing the truth.“Learn the truth and never reject it!” Proverbs 23:23Behind every self-defeating behavior is a lie I believe.“Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ. 2. Change requires new thinking“Instead let the spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes “Ephesians 4:23“Let the same mind and attitude be in you which was in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5MY SO-CALLED “DEFECTS” ARE OFTEN … strengths being misused. strengths being misused.
Change requires the Holy Spirit“This is the word of the Lord: ‘You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by mySpirit,’ says the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him.” 2 Corinthians3:18 The post Reboot: Part 3 appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
Romans 12:2REBOOTS BEGIN WITH CHANGING MY MINDSET1. Because my thoughts direct my life.”Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.”
Proverbs 4:232. Because my struggles happen in my mind“I love to do God’s will so far as my new nature is concerned; but there’s something else deep within methat is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin within me. In my mind I want to be God’s servant, but instead I find myself still enslaved to sin.”
Romans 7:22-23Because it’s where God’s spirit works in me!“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be likeGod…”
Ephesians 4:23-24RECIPE FOR A DAILY REBOOT1. Everyday I must choose to feed my mind with the best thoughts“Brothers and sisters, fill your minds with thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, beautiful, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worth praising.”
Philippians 4:8“People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every WORD OF GOD.”
Matthew 4:4Q. Am I feeding my soul every day with God’s Word?
Everyday I must choose to free my mind from destructive thoughts“Those who are dominated by their sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who arecontrolled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”
Romans 8:5How temptation works:“Temptation comes from the lure of OUR OWN evil desires. These evil desires lead to evil actions, and then the evil actions lead to death.”
James 1:14-15Step 1: DesireStep 2: Doubt “Did God really say …?”Step 3: Deception – Believing a lie of SatanStep 4: Disobedience and Defeat 3. Everyday I must choose to focus my mind on what matters mostTHINK ABOUT JESUS“Keep your mind on Jesus Christ…”
2 Timothy 2:8THINK ABOUT OTHERS“Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.”
Philippians 2:4“Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.”
Hebrews 10:24THINK ABOUT ETERNITY“Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.”
Colossians 3:2The post Reboot: Part 2 appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“You’ve learned the truth that is in Jesus…so in regard to your former way of life, PUT OFF your oldself…and be made NEW in the attitudes of your mind. And PUT ON your NEW self, created to be like God, truly good and holy!”
Ephesians4:22-244 Steps To A RebootStart asking God to do something new in you“I am making everything new!” Revelation 21:5“God, make a fresh start in me! Shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life!” Psalm 51:10 (MSG)“The Lord says, ‘Forget the former things, and do not dwell on the past. Instead, look at the NEW things I am going to do. They are already starting to happen. Can you SEE what I’ve begun to do?’” Isaiah 43:18–19 2. Pinpoint specifically what you want to changeQuestion: Has there ever been a time in your life when you felt closer to God than you do right now? 3. Find some people to walk through your reboot with you“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back andconquer. And three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12Community is God’s antidote to discouragement, defeat and failure.“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” Romans 12:5“So let us not give up the habit of meeting together… Instead, let us encourage one another.” Hebrews 10:25 (GN) 4. Eliminate anything unhelpful or unhealthy“We must GET RID of everything that slows down our progress, especially the sin that just won’t let go. We must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us. And we must keep our eyes on Jesus who leads us.”
Hebrews 12:1-2Question: What do I need to get rid of in order to prepare for the “new me”?
“You used to live according to selfish desires, when your life was dominated by them. But nowyou must GET RID of all these things: anger, hot temper, and hating others. No insults orfilthy talk must ever come from your lips. And stop lying to each other, for you have PUT OFFyour old self with its HABITS and you’ve PUT ON your new self.”
Colossians 3:7-10)“‘The mountains may shake, and the hills may crumble, but my unfailing love for you willnever be shaken. And my promise of peace will never change,’ says the Lord, who hascompassion on you. ‘Oh Jerusalem, you suffering, storm-ravaged city needing comfort! Iwill rebuild you with priceless jewels and I will RESET your foundations with sapphires!’”
Isaiah 54:10-11Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17The post Reboot: Part 1 appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
The post Sermon: 9/24 Guest Preacher Jon Ashbaugh! appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
2 kings 4:1-7 Introduced to Elisha, a widow an olive flask and a lot of empty jars.Lesson we learn from this Story : God loves to fill up empty things and peopleRole of the Jar: to be filled upQuestion : What’s the only thing that must be true of the jar in order for it to be filled? It must be empty Luke 14: 15-23THE GREAT BANQUET: Metaphor for a place Jesus meets the deepest needs of His people.Vs. 16 “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.”Vs. 18 “ but they all began to make excuses” HERE’S WHY I CAN’T COME TO YOUR BANQUET:Excuse #1 “One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it” excuse meExcuse #2 vs. 19 “’ Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. please excuse me. ‘So I can’t come.’”Excuse #3 vs. 20 Still another said “ I just got married “ So I can’t come. vs 21 “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”
Luke 14: vs 21Ephesians 5:18 “Do not get drunk on wine which leads to debauchery, instead be filled with the spirit,”
This Week: So before we pray that God will fill us, I believe we ought to pray that He would empty us. When the heart is turned upside-down and everything that is contrary to God is turned out, then the Spirit will come. The post Upside Down Living with Jesus: Emptied to Be Filled appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”
Matthew 23:27There is no substitute for humbling yourself before God2 Characters: Luke 18PhariseeTax collector “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Luke 18:14” To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
Luke 18 :9-12 9Pharisee talk today: Things we say or think:“You’re not talking to me that way”.“I’m not going to be the one to apologize. If they want to apologize to me, fine. I’m not going to be the one to apologize.”It’s not me; it’s you. It’s not my problem; it’s their problem”.Um, I don’t need help. I don’t need help.” All = prideHe focuses faith on outside.Started comparing himself to others.He put confidence in accomplishments instead of in Jesus Christ. ( What He does) Tax collector: Shows us the wayStands at a distance.Doesn’t look to heaven.Beats chest, “have mercy on me a sinner “. 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Today’s TruthThere is no substitute for humbling yourself before God.
The post Upside Down Living With Jesus: Humbled to Be Exalted appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Luke 7: 36-50 Jesus anointed by a Sinful womanVs. 37: A woman who lived a sinful life” = prostitute = brokenVs. 48: “Your sins are forgiven” = made sinlessVs. 50 : “Your faith has saved you, go in peace “ = beautifully broken = Whole Who would you rather be?Simon the perfectSinner who is lifted up Verses 44-46:SimonSinner“No Water”“She wet my feet with her tears”“No Kiss”“Can’t stop”“No Oil”“Poured bottle”Today’s PrayerWould You take our broken pieces and make us whole?
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Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God hadtold him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 He said to hisservants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we willcome back to you”. 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said,“but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together. 9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. 12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” 13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram[a] caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” 15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants willtake possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring[b] all nations on earth will be blessed,[c] because you have obeyed me.”
Gen. 22 3-18What Abraham did right:He quieted himself and listened. (How did you quiet go?) Psalm 46:10 “Be quiet and know that I am God …”Genesis 22:1 “Some years later God decided to test Abraham, so He spoke to him. Abraham answered, “Here I am, Lord.” He neglected what’s natural.He obeyed what’s Biblical.He prioritized the importance of God.Genesis 22:4 “On the third day of the journey, Abraham saw the place in the distance.”John 14:24 “He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching. These words you hear are not My own; they belong to the Father who sent Me.”Genesis 22:16-17 “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed Me and have not withheld even your beloved son, I swear by My own self that I will bless you richly.”He marveled and rejoiced. “At that moment the angel ofthe Lord shouted to him from heaven…’Laydown the knife. Do not hurt the boy in any way,for now I know that you truly fear God. Youhave not withheld even your beloved son fromMe.’”
Genesis 22:1-18Currently my Isaac is **_____________________________.What I need to lay at the alter________**___.I want to continue to be quiet. to Obey& Marvel…. The post Let’s Talk about Worship: Worship when it doesn’t make sense! appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Therefore, I urge you…in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Romans 12:13 WORDS TO PONDER HOW WAS I?
“ 2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.” 3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.”
Genesis 22. 2+3.“He saddled the donkey and took two of the servants with him along with his son Isaac. Then he chopped wood to build a fire for a burned offering and set out for the place God told them to go. On the third day of the journey Abraham saw the place in the distance. ‘Stay here with the donkey,’ Abraham told the young man, ‘The boy and I will travel a little farther.
Gen 22 4-18We will worship there and then we will come right back.’ Abraham placed the wood for the burned offering on Isaac’s while he himself carried the knife and the fire as the two of them went on together. Son gets wise …
Isaac said ‘Father Dad ,’ ‘Yes, my son,’ Abraham replied. ‘We have the wood and the fire,’ said the boy. ‘But where is the lamb for the sacrifice?’ ‘God will provide a lamb, my son,’ Abraham answered and they both went on together. When they arrived at the place God told Abraham to go, he built the altar and placed the wood on it.
QuestionWhat do you currently sacrifice to worship God?
Quiet yourself & listen“Be quiet and know that I am God …” Psalm 46:10
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
“Some years later God decided to test Abraham, so He spoke to him. Abraham answered, “Here I am, Lord.” Genesis 22:1
Your Assignment:•2 minutes quiet in morning (listen for God)
•1 minute at lunch
•2 minutes in evening sometime
•1 minute before Bed
=6 Minutes that can change your life
•
The post Let’s Talk About Worship: Worship When It Doesn’t Make Sense appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Hard times and trouble are God’s way of getting our attention! And at this very moment , God deeply desires to lead you from trouble and to spread your table with your favorite food. Job 36:15-17 GRIEVE: HONOR: Job … The post Let’s Talk about Worship: Worship while you’re wounded appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
In this sermon series (2 of 2), Senior Pastor Jeff Souders discusses ways of focusing on God when our problems seem overwhelming. Worship Him instead of the worry The post Let’s Talk about Worship Part II: Worship or Worry appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Don’t worry about anything.Instead pray about everything.Tell God what you need andthank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4 WHEN OVERWHELMED DO WHAT J PHAT DID! A – You Ask God for help. When I do this I worship … The post Let’s Talk About Worship appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“… agree with each other,loving one another, andworking together with oneheart and purpose.” Phil. 2:2 BEING A PART OF THE TEAM TRUST – HAPPENS BY BEING MISSION The post Let’s Talk About Helping Others appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Everyone who is seriously involved in thepursuit of science becomes convinced that aspirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe– a spirit vastly superior to that of man, andone in the face of which we, with ourmodest powers, must … The post Everything is Spiritual appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Sow a thought, reap anaction. Sow an action, reap ahabit. Sow a habit, reap acharacter. Sow a character,reap a destiny.”
3 BIBLICAL TRUTHS TO LIVE OUT1. MY MIND IS A MYSTERY & GIFTFact: I am what I think“As water reflects your face, so your mind shows what kind of person you are.” Proverbs 27:19“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.” Proverbs 4:23Fact : I DO what I thinkFact: “My thoughts are like train tracks and my actions are like the locomotive” 2. MY MIND IS THE BATTLEFIELD“We do live in the world, but we do not fight in the same way the world fights. We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places… we capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:3-5“We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead.” James 1:14-15 GOD HELPS ME CHANGE THE WAY I THINK“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2“Be still and know I am God“ Psalms 46:10 The post Real Problems: My Mind appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“God opposes theproud but gives graceto the humble.”
James 4:6Good pride: Self-respect, dignity, satisfaction with a job well done. Joy in seeing others succeed. (Gal. 6:4,)Bad pride: Conceit, egotism, selfishness. Attitude of superiority. (Prov. 16:5) THE “I”(pride) PROBLEM1. PRIDE STUNTS MY GROWTH“There is more hope for a fool than for a man who is wise in his own eyes.” Pr. 26:12“Anyone willing to be corrected is on the pathway to life. Anyone refusing has lost his chance.” Pr. 10:17 (LB) 2. PRIDE TAINTS MY RELATIONSHIPS“Pride only breeds quarrels.” Pr. 13:10“Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will be able to see and take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matt 7:5 3. PRIDE CAUSES ME TO WORRY“It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think ofyou …” Pr. 29:25)“The Lord gave us a mind and conscience. We cannothide from ourselves.” Pr. 20:27“Happy are the humble!” Mt. 5:5 HOW TO GET YOURSELF SOME HUMILITY!1. OWN UP TO YOUR WEAKNESS DAILY“A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” Pr. 28;13
- BE REAL WITH YOU ABOUT YOU“ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, Romans 12:3Each man should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself without comparing himself to somebody else.” Gal. 6:4
- SERVE OTHERS UNSELFISHLY“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves… Look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 2:3-5
- HUMBLE YOURSELF VOLUNTARILY“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10“Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” Proverbs 16:18 The post Real Problems: My “I” Problem appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Real thoughts on worryWORRY is UNHELPFUL, AlwaysWORRY never ACCOMPLISHES ANYTHING GOOD.WORRY never SOLVES ANYTHING. WORRY is like RACING our CAR ENGINE. We create a lot of smoke & NOISE but we don’t go anywhere.WORRY CANNOT CHANGE the PAST.WORRY CANNOT CHANGE the FUTURE.WORRY is UNREASONABLE.WORRY EXAGGERATES OUR PROBLEMS. Never MINIMIZES themWORRY makes MOUNTAINS out of MOLEHILLS.WORRY only makes us GROW WEAKER & WEARIER.WORRY is TOTALLY USELESS. TRUTH Worry only robs today of its peace. “Blessed are those whose strength is in You, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the valley of tears they dig a well and they go from strength to strength until each appears before God in Zion.”
Psalm 84WHY DIG A WELL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TEARS?1. God meets you in the middle of trouble “Therefore I tell you don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more important than food? And the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or store away in barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they are? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothed the grass of the field which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So don’t worry saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear. For the pagans run after all of these things and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own…..”
Matthew 6:25-34But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matt 6 v.332. Do I trust God?Trust =“To allow GOD to do something withoutfearing the outcome.”
“You, Lord, will keep in perfect peace Him whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You. You give perfect peace to the one who trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whateveris noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:5-7Practice what you knowDo you want just the peace of God or do you want the God of peace?
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The “What if’s” of fearFear of LossFear of FailureFear of RejectionFear of the Unknown Fear is placing fear in the “what-if’s”Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear toyou’?”
Exodus 4:1Why do your “what if’s” matter?What you fear reveals what you value the most.What you fear revels where you trust God the least Facing the“what if’s” of fearAcknowledge your fear and choose to trust God.My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. 3When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 4In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
Psalm 56:2-4Seek God until He takes away your fearsI sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3The post Real Problems: The What If’s of fear appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Let our lives lovingly expressthe truth in all things –speaking truly, dealing truly,living truly.”
Ephesians 4:15How fear messes up your relationships (Genesis 3:1-19)I. WHEN I’M AFRAID OF MY FAULTS, I BECOME DEFENSIVE“God asked, Did you eat... what I told you not to eat?' Adam answered,the woman you put here with me gave me the fruit and I ate it.’ … She replied, `The snake tricked me into eating it.” vs. 12-13“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth.” 1 John 1:8 II. WHEN I’M AFRAID OF MY FEELINGS, I BECOME DISTANT“God called to Adam, Why are you hiding?' Adam answered.…I was afraid and hid from you because I was naked.” vs. 9-10 Feelings That Frighten UsHurt FeelingsAnger Feelings III. WHEN I’M AFRAID OF LOSING MY FREEDOM, I BECOME DEMANDING.The result of their sin:”… Your yearning shall be for your husband, yet he will lord it over you… ” GEN 3: 16 THE ANSWERBe honest with yourself. “The Lord gave us a conscience; we cannot hide from ourselves.” Pr. 20:2 Be honest with God.”We have no need to fear someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread..” 1 John 4:18Be honest with your mate.“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you will be healed.” James 5:16…Fully-developed love expels every particle of fear, for fear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty.” 1 John 4:18 The post Real Problems: Fears in Relationships appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
- I can believe Jesus because he showed us his purpose“The chief priests were looking for false evidence against Jesus so they could put Him to death. But theydid not find anything. Then they said, Tell us if You are the Christ the Son of God.’Yes, it is as you say,’ said Jesus. Then they spit in His face and struck Him with their fists. Others slapped him…”
See Matt. 26:59-68“Jesus said, `I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.’”
John 12:472. I can believe because Jesus showed us His passion“God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
ROM. 5:8“By the death of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God which He gave to us in such large measure!”
Eph. 1:7I can believe that Jesus’ resurrection shows His power.“By being raised from the dead He proved He was the mighty Son of God, with the nature of God Himself.”
Rom. 1:4“I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him. It is that same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.”
Eph. 19-20I believe in EasterI believe in ScriptureI believe in Jesus Has your belief moved you to walk by faith?The post I Believe appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
A note that the weekend of 4/1 was the severe thunderstorm and tornadoes that touched down in Whiteland. Impact Christian Church was undamaged but we were without power during service. We thank the Lord for the safety he provided us. There was no loss of life in Whiteland to our knowledge.
‘For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled(REUNITED ), shall we be saved through his life!’
Rom. 5:10“I’m here inviting outsiders, not insiders – an invitation to a changed life, changed inside and out.”
Luke 5:32EASTER IS AN INSIDE JOBI. OPEN YOUR MIND TO GOD’S POWER“Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Rom. 12:2“Many are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds against Him, so they can’t understand His ways.” Eph. 4:18“I pray that you’ll begin to understand how incredibly great His power is to help those who believe Him. It’s the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead.” Eph. 7:19-20 II. OPEN YOUR HEART TO GOD’S GRACE“God has showered upon us the richness of His grace, for He understands us and knows what is best for us at all times.” Eph. 1:8“God says He will accept and acquit us – declare us ‘not guilty’ – if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in the same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.” Rom 3:22“Saving is all His idea, and all His work. All we do is trust Him enough to let Him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish!” Eph. 2:8“God gives grace to the humble… So let God work His will in you. Say a quiet yes to God and He’ll be there in no time.” James 4:6-8 III. OPEN YOUR LIFE TO GOD’S LOVE“I pray that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite Him in… and that you will be able to feel and understand, how long, wide, deep, and high His love really is, and to experience this love for ourselves.” Eph. 316-19“We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that He has already thrown open His door to us!” Romans 5:1-2“Jesus has His arms wide open for you.” 1 Cor. 16:23 The post The Message of Easter appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Follow all the directions the Lord has given you. Then life will go well for you…”
Deut.5:33Promises of a surrendered life“God blesses those who obey Him.” Prov. 16:20“God saves those who obey Him.” Ps. 7:10“The Lord watches over those who obey Him.” Ps. 33:18“The Lord takes care of those who obey him.” Ps. 37:18“You help all those who obey You.” Ps. 7:9“God gives us what we ask for because we obey His commands.” 1 John 3:22“Keep God’s laws and you will live longer.” Prov. 19:16“Those who obey the Lord lack nothing good.” Ps. 34:10“Those who obey Him have all they need.” Ps. 34:9 Results of A Surrendered Life“… live in perfect freedom.” Ps. 119:45“… have greater wisdom.” Ps. 119:100“… dwell in security and peace.” Prov. 1:33“… be prosperous and successful.” Josh. 1:8“…be great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:19“…be rewarded.” Prov. 13:13 Adverbs of Surrender1. SURRENDER TO HIM QUICKLYPs. 119:32 Psalm 119:32 “I will quickly obey Your commands. …Without delay I hurry to obey Your commands.” 2. SURRENDER TO HIMTOTALLYPs. 119:4, “Lord, You gave Your orders to be obeyed completely.”Prov. 3:5 Trust God from The bottom of your heart. Don’t try to figure out everything on your own.” 3. SUBMIT TO HIM JOYFULLYPsalm 100:2 “Obey Him gladly.” Psalm 119:47 “I find pleasure in obeying Your commands.” 4. SURRENDER TO HIM DAILYPs. 119:112 “I am determined to obey You until I die.” “Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to Me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey My Father.”
Matt. 7:21The post Faith & Surrender appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“According to your faith will it be done to you.”
Matthew 9:29“Faith assures us of things we expect…”
Heb. 11:1 (G.W)Why expect the best ? 1 Samuel 17:1-52
(David faces Goliath)
When you expect the best, it honors God1 Samuel 17 “This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I’ll strike you down and the whole world will know that there is a God.” When I have faith and expect God for the best, it increases my ability in life. “David hurled a stone from his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face downward to the ground.” 1 Samuel 17:49 When you have faith it encourages others. “Then the Israelites gave a great shout of triumph and rushed after the Philistines, chasing them as far as Gath.” 1 Samuel 17:52 How to expect the best, even when facing the giantsTune in to God every morningDAVID: “In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” Psalm 5:3 Think on God’s promises throughout the day. “Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind upon your promises.” Ps. 119:95“I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart…” Psalm 119:11 Trust in God’s love even when things look bad. “O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do.” Psalm 42:11“While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best.” Hebrews 12:10 “Keep company with God, get in on the best.” Psalm 37:4 The post Expecting the Best: When Facing Giants appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
February 26th, 2023 Pastor Jeff Souders
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your ownunderstanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart“There is risk in each stroke of your ax!”
Ecclesiastes 10:8“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
Mark 12:30Faith is riskyExercise the 80/20 principle
Lean not on your own understanding.“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”
Proverbs 14:12“Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income…”
Proverbs 3:9Faith is relying on God for everything.Exercise the 90/10 principle
In all your ways acknowledge Him“And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself.”
James 1:22“Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.”
Colossians3:17Faith is obeyingExercise the 100% principle
And He will make your paths straight“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in Him!”
Psalm 34:8Faith is not a leap in the dark. It’s really a step into the light, God’s light
Jesus is inviting you to trust Him from the bottom of your heart.
The post Walking in Faith: Defined appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“To the angel at the church in Sardis write,‘These are the words of Him who holds theseven spirits of God and the seven stars. Iknow your reputation. I know your deeds,that you have a reputation of being alive. Butyou are dead. “
Revelation 3:1“Wake up. Strengthen what remains and isabout to die. For I have not found your deedscomplete in the sight of My God. Remembertherefore what you have received and heard.Obey it and repent. But if you do not wake up Iwill come like a thief and you will not know atwhat time I will come to you.’”
Revelation. 3:23 powerful prayers to pray when you’re not getting anywhereGOD, SHOW ME THE HOLES IN MY FAITH LIFE” “I know all the things you do, and that youhave a reputation for being alive—but you aredead”
Rev 3:1Reputation is what everybody thinks you are.Character is what you really are When no one islooking ( JESUS KNOWS )
“GOD, HELP ME CLOSE THE HOLES IN MY WALK”“Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, forI have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of myGod. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received andheard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, Iwill come like a thief, and you will not know at what time Iwill come to you.”
Revelation 3:2-35 ACTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS NOT GOING ANYWHEREWake upBe careful, at your weakest pointBe careful at your strongest point Strengthen what remainsRemember what you learned from God“LOOK UP” (“I am coming like a thief in the night”) 3. GOD, HELP ME TO OVERCOME“You have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with Me dressed in white for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like they are now in this world will like them in the next world be dressed in white.. I will never blot his name out of the book of life but will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels. He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Rev. 3:4Greek word for NIKE =OVERCOMER
Rev. 2:7 “To him who overcomes I’m going to give to eatfrom the tree of life.”Rev. 2:11 “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by thesecond death.”Rev. 2:26“He who overcomes and does My will to the endI will give authority over the nations.”Rev 3:12“He who overcomes I will make a pillar in thetemple of My God.”Rev 3:21 “He who overcomes I will give the right to sitwith Me on My thrown.” “For everyone born of Godovercomes the world. This is the victorythat has overcome the world even ourfaith. Who is it that overcomes the world?Only he who believes that Jesus is the Sonof God.”
1 John 5:4-5The post Walking in Faith: And Not Getting Anywhere appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,and no mind has imagined what Godhas prepared for those who loveHim.”
1 Cor. 2:9“With God’s power working inus, God can do much, much morethan anything we can ask orimagine.”
Eph. 3:20FIGURING IT OUT!1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west
. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong andcourageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.’”
DUMP YOUR DOUBT“Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind… They should not think they will receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:6-7 “Be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! Forremember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Josh. 1:9
DEPEND ON GOD’S PROMISES“I promises Moses I would give you this land, so I will give you every place you go in the land.” Josh. 1:3 “Now my time has come to die. Every one of you knows… that God has given you all the good things that He promised. Every promise He made has been kept; not one has failed.” Josh. 23:14
3 promises to those who live for GodStrength (Josh. 1:5)Success-God’s way (Josh. 1:7)Support (Josh. 1:9) “Always remember what is written in this Book… Study it day and night to be sure to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be wise and successful in everything.” Josh. 1:8
LEAN ON“No one will be able to defeat you all your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forget you. “ Josh. 1:5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him. And He will make your paths straight.” Prov. 3:5-6
LAUNCH OUT“Then Joshua issued instructions to the leaders to tell the people to get ready to cross the Jordan River.”Josh. 1:10-11
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done!” Eccl. 11:4
“God can do anything, you know –far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us.” Eph. 3:20 a
The post Keep on Walking While Waiting Continued appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“ …God does everything justright and on time, but people cannever completely understandwhat He is doing.”
Eccl. 3:11I. Understand seasons of faith by looking at Abraham’s storyPHASE 1: A DREAM (Age 75) (God) “I will make you into a great nation…” Gen. 12:1-3PHASE 2: DECISION “So Abraham left as the Lord had told him to…” Gen. 12:4PHASE 3: DELAY (Age 86) “But Sarah still had not borne any children…” Gen. 16:1PHASE 4: DIFFICULTY (Age 99) How can a son be born to a man my age?” Gen. 17-18PHASE 5: DEAD END “Take your only son, whom you love, and sacrifice him…” Gen. 21:1-6, 22:1-12PHASE 6: DELIVERANCE! (God) “Don’t hurt the boy…I’ve provided a lamb…” Gen. 22:12-14 II. REMEMBER: What God can do!“Abraham believed in God whogives life to the dead and whocreates something out of nothing.”Rom. 4:17 III> RELY: On God’s promises“When hope was dead within him, Abraham went on hoping in faith…He relied on the word of God…” Rom. 4:18 “While God was testing him, Abraham still trusted in God and his promises, so he offered his son Isaac…” Heb. 11:17 “Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death” Heb. 11;19“Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled… he did become the father of many nations, exactly as God had promised.” Rom. 4:18 IV. RECOGNIZE FACTS OF FAITH“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead…and Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he didn’t waver with unbelief…” Rom. 4:19-20 VI. REJOICE ITS COMING“Abraham never doubted. He believed God, for his faith and trust grew ever stronger, and he praised God for this blessing even before it happened. He was completely sure that God was well able to do anything He promised.” Rom. 4:20-21 3 Kinds of DeliveranceCircumstantialPersonalUltimate (Heaven) “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.”
Rom. 5:2“I pray that you may be active in sharing yourfaith…”
Philemon 1:6The post Keep on Walking While Waiting appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Follow all the directions the Lord has given you. Then life will go well for you…”
Deut. 5:33Why does it hurt sometimes after we obey God?To bring us to the end of ourselvesTo prevent prideTo remove idols from our livesTo deepen our understanding of His waysSo he can demonstrate His faithfulness “Obeying God’s principals is a demonstration of faith”
4 actions to walk in Faith1.IN FAITH, OBEY HIM QUICKLY Psalm 119:32 “I will quickly obey Your commands. … Without delay I hurry to obey Your commands
2.IN FAITH, OBEY HIM COMPLETELYPsalm 119 :4 says, “Lord, You gave Your orders to be obeyed completely.”
James 4:11“Your job is not to decide whether God’s law is right or wrong, but to act it out it.”
Proverbs 3:5 “Trust God from The bottom of your heart
3. IN FAITH, OBEY HIM JOYFULLY Psalm 100:2 “Obey Him gladly.”
Psalm 119:16 “I enjoy obeying Your commands.”
Psalm 119:47 “I find pleasure in obeying Your commands.”
4. IN FAITH OBEY HIM REGARDLESS Psalm 119:112 “I am determined to obey You until I die.”
Matt. 7:21 “Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to Me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey My Father.”
The post Walking by Faith: Keep on Walking Continued appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“We have around us manypeople whose lives tell us whatfaith means. So let us run therace that is before us and nevergive up…”
Hebrews 12:11. Don’t play with things that distract you“Let us run the race that is before us andnever give up. “We should remove from our lives anythingthat would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds usback.”Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead I strain to reach the end of the race.” Phil 3-13Hebrews 12:1 , “Let us run the race that is before us andnever give up. We should remove from our lives anythingthat would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds usback.” 2. Remember why you’re walking“To win the contest you must deny yourself many things that would keep you from doing your best We do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. A heavenly reward, personally rewarded by God.” 1 Corinthians 9 :25 & 26“Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.” Hebrews 6:12 3. Let Jesus really take your wheel“Let us not get tired of doing what is right for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.” Galatians 6:9“Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer.” This verse, Psalm 94:1“God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in His grace til His task within you is finally finished…” Phil. 1:6 TodayGet a plan to read some of bible everyday! -Bibleplan.org/ Zondervan Bible planPray everyday Share the Good news with your friend circle this year. (Invite someone to church) Commit to serve this body “Let us keep our eyes fixed onJesus, on whom our faithdepends from beginning toend. He did not give upbecause of the cross!”
Hewb. 12:2“ I have finished the race,(My Walk) I have kept thefaith.”
2 Tim. 4:7The post Walking in Faith: Keep on Walking appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“An intelligent person aimsat wise actions, but a foolstarts off in manydirections.”
Prov. 17:241. Assume Responsibility for My Life“Each person must be responsible for himself.” Gal 6:5 2. Believe with God’s Help I Can Change“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13CLARIFY WHAT IS IMPORTANT ANDWHAT ISN’T 3. Clarify what Is and Isn’t Important“We can choose the sounds we want to listen to; we can choose the taste want in food, and we should choose to follow what is right. But first of all we must define…what is good.” Job 34:3-4“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial.” 1 Cor. 10:23 DON’T WAIT TO BEGIN!“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Eccl. 11:4 4 QUESTIONS THAT CAN BRING GROWTHWisdom: What do I want to learn?Physical: What will improve my health?Spiritual: What will deepen myrelationship to God?Social: What will be my ministry toothers? “Jesus grew in wisdomand in stature, and in favorwith God and favor withmen.”
Luke 2:52“Your strength mustcome from the Lord’smighty power withinyou.”
Eph. 6:10
“When Christ died, He died todefeat the power of sin…[Now] see yourselves as beingdead to the power of sin andalive with God…”
Rom. 6:10-11New Year’s NotesGod is taking me through a process. I am notcomplete until I reach Glory.All other people in my life are also goingthrough God’s process.I cannot expect out of others what I’m capableof doing only at Glory. The post Aiming for Growth in Me: The Process appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
December 18th, 2022
Angels:
“You’ll find the baby… lying in amanger.”
Shepherds:
“Let’s go and see!”
Luke 2:12+25“Wise men came from the eastasking, `Where is the baby…?We have come to worshipHIM.”
Mattthew 2:1-2“Seek and YOUwill find”
Matthew 7:71.BECAUSE OF BABY JESUS WE CAN RECEIVE FORGIVENESS“Today your Savior was born… He is Christ, the Lord!” Luke 2:11“… All who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins through his name.” Acts 10:43 2.BECAUSE OF BABY JESUS WE CAN HAVE PEACE OF MIND“Those who love your teachings will find true peace…” Ps. 119:165(Jesus) “Learn from me… you will find rest for your lives.” Matt. 11:29 3.BECAUSE OF BABY JESUS WE CAN FIND ETERNAL LIFE“God makes us ready for heaven… when we put our faith in Christ to save us… The one who finds life sill find it through trusting God.” Rom. 1:17“Christ, God’s Son, has come to help us understand and find the true God.” 1 John 5:20“You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13 The post Surprised by a Baby appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
December 11th, 2022
“Always be joyful.”
I Thessalonians 5:163 Ways To Live Out The Surprise1. Listen and respond to the good news.“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all he people.”” Luke 2:10 “I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is God’s powerful method of bringing all who believe it to heaven … now everyone is invited to come to God in this same way.” Romans 1:16“Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3\“You even had joy when all that you owned was taken from you, because you knew you had something better and more lasting.”Hebrews 10:34 2. Do What God Says:“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’” Luke 2:15“The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight to life.” Psalm 19:8“Light shines on the godly, and joy on those who do right.” Psalm 97:11 3. Spread the Joy“When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child…” Luke 2:17“With joy they should tell what He has done.” Psalm 107:22“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.” Psalm 126:5“Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.” Philippians 4:4 The post Surprised By the Gift of Joy appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
November 27th, 2022
“But in your hearts honor Christ theLord as holy, always being preparedto make a defense to anyone whoasks you for a reason for the hopethat is in you; yet do it withgentleness and respect”
I Peter 3:154 Truths To Sharing What You HaveOur hope has to be laser focused “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. “Peter 3:15What we share: Hope is an optimistic outlook based on powerful promises. Our hope is to share Vs15 “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Our hope is to be naturally sharedvs15 “But do this with gentleness and respect keeping a clear conscious Our hope is steeped in God-Confidence“in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits inprison, because they formerly did not obey, whenGod’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while theark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eightpersons, were brought safely through water.” 1 Peter 3:19 120 years of sharing from Noah’s Zooproduced (0) convertsIf Noah had God with him, so do we.If Noah didn’t have to produce results, neither do we. Fixate on this: it’s my job to speak, it’s God’s job to saveIf Noah can handle the insults and the persecution, so can we.This Christmas Someone is reaching for you, are you noticing? The post Sharing Your Hope Should Come as No Surprise appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Developing Trust in any relationship The person you’re going to trust must tell you the truth. The person must be fair, they must do what’s right, just. The person must be reliable and dependable if you’re going to develop a … The post Experiencing God: You Can Trust Him appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything.” I Chronicles 29:11 Sovereignty: God is in control “GOD IS SO BIG” What does that mean … The post Experiencing God: God is So Big appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 God is immutable. He does not change. Take this to the bank: His love … The post Experiencing God: Unchangeable appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 Omni=“all” Potent=“having great power or influence” “The heavens are telling the glory of God; they … The post Experiencing God: His Power in Me appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Where can I go from Your spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to heaven, You’re there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of … The post Experiencing God: Where is He? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare to Him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:14 omniscience =GOD knows everything. WHAT GOD KNOWS: God knows all about Himself. God knows all … The post Experiencing God: God Knows and Loves Me appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Sermon notes not yet available. The post Loving God with all ya got: Strength appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one,” answered Jesus, is this… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your … The post Loving God with all Ya Got… Heart appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
When I commit, I don’t quit. … Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 6As for me, my life has already been … The post I am Decided: Committed to Not Quitting appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
ONE WORD THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE “Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.” Habakkuk 2:4 1. Every interaction is an opportunity to add … The post I am Decided: I am Faithful appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
The quality of your decisions determines the quality of your life. I am ready. I am consistent. I am devoted. I am generous. I am faithful. I am a finisher. When our values are clear, decisions are easier. Be on … The post I Have Decided: Fight That Feeling appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19See, I am doing a new thing! …” ” Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV The quality of your decisions determines the quality of your life. Why Do I Struggle to Make Good … The post I Have Decided: Get Your Life Back appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Sermon notes to be added soon. The post Stop, Drop, and Roll appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9 “With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we … The post What Does God Want To Do In My Life? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! … 1 John 3:1 NIV On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, … The post His Love is Big Enough for You appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light.” Matt. 6:22 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in … The post How God Sees Me: Getting a Glimpse of God appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if … The post He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. … The post Peace is Worth Fighting For appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
In this series, Pastor Jeff Souders talks about how look at situations differently and have trust in God vs. letting the enemy steal your peace. The post The Fight in My Head: Part II appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Most of life’s battles are won or lost in your mind For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On … The post The Fight in My Head: Part 1 appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let … The post Tend to Your Own Fire: Is Change Possible (Continued) appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
In this sermon, Pastor Jeff talks about maintaining discipline so that you can be a strong witness for others. The post Tend To Your Own Fire: Is Change Possible? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 18… I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19I want to do what … The post Tend to your own fire: Outta Control appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Pastor Bob McFadden Trust Tree God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit God’s Word — The Bible Church leaders, parents, family and friends — to the degree they follow God and the Bible For God so loved … The post Love Them and Pick up The Pieces appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV 2 Kinds of Love A love that loves because the object … The post Why Does God Love Me? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 9No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. … 11You will show me the way of life, granting me the … The post Why Does God Feel So Far Away? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
You’re focusing on the poison of religion, and forgetting the power of grace. Religion is our attempt to earn God’s approval by following all the rules. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. Titus … The post Why Can’t I Change? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:7 NIV How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2How … The post Why Trust God? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
In this sermon, Pastor Jeff Souders walks through why Hell exists and what lessons we can learn from the New Testament. The post Why? A Story from Hell appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
In this sermon, Pastor Jeff Souders continues to discuss being disappointed and why bad things and suffering happen in a fallen world. The post Why? Why did God let it happen? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure … The post The Greatest Disappointment appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3 Results of Relational Letdowns: HARD HEART PRIDEFUL … The post Let Down: When People Let You Down appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
When they [the wise men] saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave … The post Unwrapping Christmas: A King like no Other appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of … The post Unwrapping Christmas: The Gift of Myrrh appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 TRUTH God’s Kingdom IS WHEREVER JESUS IS KING SERIOUS QUESTIONS: Do you want what Jesus wants for you? Or, do you want Jesus … The post Living on a Prayer: I surrender appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
In this sermon, Pastor Jeff outlines the importance of praying as an everyday part of our lives. The post Are You Living a Distracted Life: Part 2? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us ... Hebrews: … The post Are You Living a Distracted Life: Part 1? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
… They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called … The post Your Best Days Are Now appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
As he [Jesus] walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. Mark 2:14 NIV The greatest enemy to the life you want … The post When You’re Too Busy for What Matters appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24 Two Ditches That Need Guardrails: Consuming Hoarding Greed is simply … The post Guardrails with Money appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Guardrail a personal standard of behavior that becomes a matter of Conscience Fact: ”I want others to have Guardrails” maybe not me? Fact: “Guardrails may keep me from something I want.” Fact: “Having guardrails is good but there is still … The post Guardrails: Enough is Enough appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“Marriage should be honored by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery.” Heb 13:4 Guardrail–a personal standard of behavior that becomes a matter of … The post Guardrails in Marriage appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Pastor Jeff provides Godly insight for living pure with tips for both single and married people. The post Run Run Run: Guardrails in Physical and Sexual Intimacy appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Guardrail a personal standard of behavior that becomes a matter of Conscience Intro Why are relationships important?-Friends can actually determine the direction and the quality of your life. Proverbs 13:20“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of … The post Guardrails in Relationships appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Pastor Jeff talks about lessons for living a Godly life based on Pauls teaching. The post Guardrails appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Pastor Jeff concludes the series on SHAPE in how we can serve God using not just our gifts but also our experiences both in pain and victory. The post Don’t Waste Your Pain or Victories appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
“God’s hand formed and shaped me.” Job 10:8 Shape Spiritual gifts Heart Abilities Personality= Personality refers to the way you think, the way you feel, the way you act. Experiences I. Why do others misunderstand me? 1 Corinthians 12:6 “God … The post You’ve Got Personality appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Pastor Jeff continues the message on how we have unique gifts to serve the Lord. In this sermon, Pastor Jeff focuses on our abilities that come from God and how they can glorify his Kingdom The post You Got Skills appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Pastor Jeff walks us through passion in our vocational and spiritual lives and how we can serve the Lord with our heart. The post Living Out Your Passion appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
SHAPE Spiritual gifts Heart Abilities Personality Experiences We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it … The post What are you doing with what God gave you? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
In this sermon, Pastor Bob walks us through how to listen to God with 10 ways we might be doing what we can to clearly hear His voice. The post Can you hear me now? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
6/13/2021 ” Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 GOD’S “IMMUTABILITY“I the Lord do not change“ Mal 3:6 How does God … The post He doesn’t change and that’s great for me appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
June 6th, 2021 “The greatest changes in our lives take place When we see ourselves as God sees us.” “Jesus was going through the city of Jericho. A man was there named Zacchaeus, who was the chief tax collector and … The post Seeing me as He does appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
May 23rd 2021-Pastor Jeff Souders Everything in the heavens and earth is Yours, O Lord…We adore You as being in control of everything.” 1 Chronicles. 26:11 1. Your plans have limits “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but … The post He is in Control appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Parenting is difficult 1. What Kids need: God confidence Godly character Godly conviction 2. What Parents need: Belief Belief, in the power of being a Godly parent Belief, that you are the greatest influence on your kid/not culture. “Children are … The post Hope Builds Godly Kids appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Pastor Jeff talks about the Grace that Heals The post Grace that Heals appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
ICC Sermon Notes 3-7-2021 It’s all about the GraceSaving Grace March 7th 2021-Pastor Jeff Souders “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” Ps. 145:8 (NIV) GRACE IS …. G=God’s Gift to me“All of us … The post All about the Grace appeared first on Impact Christian Church.
Pastor Jeff Souders walks us through the keys to maintaining our personal peace in uncertain times. The post Are you missing a Peace? appeared first on Impact Christian Church.