VictoryGP: Recent Episodes
Victory Church on the Rock
Our growing congregation is part of a passionate church planting movement, with dynamic ministries designed to help you know God in a real way. Come discover who Jesus says you really are and the purpose He has set for you!
Christians are called to be salt in a bitter world, but many have become contaminated, diluted, or divided, losing their effectiveness. True salt brings flavor, preservation, cleansing, and healing rather than the bitter saltiness that dominates today's culture. We lose our saltiness through syncretism (mixing worldly views with biblical truth), watering down the gospel to avoid offense, and allowing division within the church. Romans 12:9-21 shows us what pure salt looks like: genuine love, clear moral boundaries, patience, prayer, blessing those who persecute us, and overcoming evil with good. The key question is not what's happening to you, but what's happening because of you when people encounter your life.
The condition of your heart serves as spiritual soil that determines whether God's word takes root and produces fruit in your life. Just as farmers test soil conditions to maximize their harvest, we need to examine our hearts to understand what prevents us from experiencing God's fullness. Your words and actions are like fruit that reveals your true heart condition - what comes out when you're under pressure shows what's really inside.
Jesus taught about four types of spiritual soil through the parable of the sower. The wayside represents a hard heart that cannot receive God's word due to consistent resistance to His conviction. The stony places represent a shallow heart that receives the word with joy but lacks depth because stones of unforgiveness, bitterness, and offense prevent deep roots. The thorny places represent a distracted heart where worldly concerns, career obsession, constant worry, and pursuit of wealth choke out spiritual growth. Finally, good ground represents a healthy heart that hears, understands, and produces abundant spiritual fruit.
The encouraging truth is that soil conditions aren't permanent. You can move from one type to another based on your choices. To maintain healthy spiritual soil, you must deal with hardness through repentance, remove stones of bitterness and unforgiveness, and pull weeds of distraction and worldly cares. This requires intentional heart maintenance - giving attention to God's words, guarding your speech, keeping your focus on His path, and removing yourself from evil influences.
Beginning a new year often brings a desire for direction and stability, but instead of looking to external sources for prophetic words or guidance, we need to learn how to hear from God ourselves and secure our spiritual anchor. An anchor provides the stable foundation that holds everything else steady, and Jesus serves as our ultimate anchor of hope - not wishful thinking, but an earnest expectation of good based on God's character and faithfulness.We need our spiritual anchor in various seasons of life. During storms and difficulties, when we face low visibility and can't see God's plan clearly, while waiting on His perfect timing, during busy and fruitful periods when our guard might be down, and even when we need rest and restoration. The key is securing this anchor before we need it, not discovering its absence during a crisis.To properly secure our anchor, we must know God's Word deeply, understanding what Scripture says about every area of life including marriage, parenting, finances, health, and relationships. We also need to engage God's presence regularly, following Jesus who has gone before us as our forerunner into the holy place. The ultimate goal is to be so anchored in Christ that we become a source of stability for others, helping them find their own secure foundation in an uncertain world.
Beginning a new year often brings a desire for direction and stability, but instead of looking to external sources for prophetic words or guidance, we need to learn how to hear from God ourselves and secure our spiritual anchor. An anchor provides the stable foundation that holds everything else steady, and Jesus serves as our ultimate anchor of hope - not wishful thinking, but an earnest expectation of good based on God's character and faithfulness. We need our spiritual anchor in various seasons of life. During storms and difficulties, when we face low visibility and can't see God's plan clearly, while waiting on His perfect timing, during busy and fruitful periods when our guard might be down, and even when we need rest and restoration. The key is securing this anchor before we need it, not discovering its absence during a crisis. To properly secure our anchor, we must know God's Word deeply, understanding what Scripture says about every area of life including marriage, parenting, finances, health, and relationships. We also need to engage God's presence regularly, following Jesus who has gone before us as our forerunner into the holy place. The ultimate goal is to be so anchored in Christ that we become a source of stability for others, helping them find their own secure foundation in an uncertain world.
As Christmas approaches, it's easy to get caught up in preparations, family gatherings, and the stress of making everything perfect. However, Christmas is fundamentally about Jesus - God becoming man, dwelling among us, and creating a way for relationship with Him. The foundation begins with believing and receiving Christ, as described in John 3:16-17, where God demonstrates His love by giving His Son for our salvation. This transaction has already been completed; we simply need to believe and receive what God has freely offered. While salvation is a one-time decision, our relationship with Jesus is ongoing and requires daily cultivation. The question becomes whether we're making Jesus feel welcome in our daily lives. The hymn Joy to the World, written by Isaac Watts in 1719, captures this beautifully with the line Let every heart prepare Him room. This isn't about earning God's presence, but about creating a welcoming atmosphere where He can move freely in our lives. There are ten practical ways to welcome God's presence: receiving Him daily with gratitude, spending quality time in His presence, loving Him completely with heart, soul, and mind, loving others as ourselves, serving with humility, choosing forgiveness, going the extra mile even when tired, loving our enemies, following His daily guidance, and living our faith openly. This Christmas season offers an opportunity to move beyond just celebrating Jesus to actually making Him feel at home in our hearts and lives.
This sermon focuses on the profound truth of God's love as expressed in the simple children's song 'Jesus Loves Me.' Pastor Charlotte explores how this seemingly basic truth is actually the foundation of our faith and the source of hope, peace, and joy. She emphasizes that God's love is not just an intellectual concept but a personal, transformative reality that changes how we live. The message traces the history of the song 'Jesus Loves Me' and connects it to the Christmas story, showing how God's love motivated Him to send Jesus. Pastor Charlotte challenges listeners to move beyond just knowing about God's love to actually believing and receiving it personally, allowing it to transform their lives from selfishness to selfless service.
The Advent season invites us into a journey of hope, beginning with understanding what biblical hope truly means. Unlike cultural definitions that suggest wishful thinking, biblical hope represents earnest expectation of good based on God's character and faithfulness. Simeon's story from Luke 2 demonstrates this perfectly - he had received a promise from the Holy Spirit that he wouldn't die before seeing the Messiah, and he waited with confident anticipation rather than passive resignation. Waiting is inherently difficult for humans, especially in our fast-paced world where multitasking has become the norm. However, our brains aren't designed for multitasking - they rapidly switch between tasks, causing mental fatigue and making stillness feel uncomfortable. Yet waiting is the very thing that transforms us when we approach it correctly. Simeon wasn't passive in his waiting; he was actively led by the Holy Spirit and positioned to recognize God's movement. Three essential truths emerge about hope: it's a choice we make rather than a feeling, it must be anchored on something unchanging (Jesus rather than circumstances), and it's fundamentally a relationship with the faithful God who keeps His promises. Like Abraham, who didn't consider his physical limitations but trusted God's supernatural ability to fulfill promises, we must shift our focus from natural circumstances to our supernatural God. This Advent season challenges us to choose the one thing that matters most - Jesus Himself - making this Christmas centered on Him rather than the busyness and distractions that typically consume December.
In our comfortable world, many believers find themselves drifting into spiritual lukewarmness despite witnessing God's powerful movement through healings, salvations, and miracles. Studies reveal that younger generations now attend church more frequently than older believers, raising the question of why passion for God often diminishes over time rather than grows stronger. The answer lies in what we sow into our lives—whether we feed our flesh or our spirit.Jesus warned the Laodicean church about the danger of being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. Their problem wasn't being bad people, but rather their self-sufficient attitude of needing nothing while being spiritually wretched and poor. Several factors can block our spiritual hunger: physical comforts and rigid patterns that prevent availability for God's work, possessions that possess us rather than serve us, religious activity without genuine relationship, and worry-driven distractions that keep us busy instead of sitting at Jesus' feet.To cultivate spiritual hunger, we must choose the one thing needed—intimate time with Jesus—and be willing to taste and see that the Lord is good. This requires breaking comfortable patterns and stepping outside our comfort zones for spiritual growth. Rather than being merely a spark, we're called to be a burning blaze, especially as we witness young people coming to faith in large numbers. The goal isn't to pray for hardship but to cultivate hunger amid abundance, becoming passionate pursuers of God despite having comfort and plenty.
The enemy whispers: You're too ordinary, too old, too flawed for God to use you. But what if the real target isn't limiting you - it's limiting God? Warriors arise when they stop asking Who am I? and start declaring Here am I, God. What lie has been keeping you from stepping into your calling?
Many believers find themselves cycling through the same challenges because they have knowledge about God but lack true understanding of His ways. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 illustrates this gap between information and illumination. While knowledge provides information and wisdom builds things in our lives, understanding establishes and sustains what God has given us. We can bridge this understanding gap through God's Word, the Holy Spirit, prayer, support from other believers, and patience. When we humble ourselves to receive spiritual understanding, we move from religious routine to genuine relationship with Jesus, experiencing transformation that impacts not only our lives but also advances God's kingdom.
Prayer transforms when we understand the true power behind praying in Jesus' name. This isn't simply a religious phrase to end our prayers, but access to the full authority and character of God Himself. When Jesus introduced this concept to His disciples in John 16, He was revealing a revolutionary new way to connect with the Father - not through personal sacrifice and law-keeping, but through His name that carries authority over every situation. The key difference lies in knowing God's ways versus just His acts. Moses understood God's character as a provider before seeing the provision, while the Israelites needed to witness miracles before believing. This distinction changes how we approach prayer and faith. When we understand the covenant names of God - Jehovah Jireh (Provider), Jehovah Rapha (Healer), Jehovah Nissi (Banner of Victory), Jehovah Shalom (Peace), and others - we can pray specifically according to His revealed character rather than hoping He might act. Each situation in life has a name, but Jesus has been given a name above every name. Medical diagnoses, financial struggles, and family problems all have names, but God's name supersedes them all. The practical application involves identifying specific areas where we need God's intervention, researching the corresponding name of God, and praying with understanding rather than just familiar words. This approach moves us from fear-based prayers asking 'what if' to faith-filled declarations of 'even if,' knowing that God's character remains constant regardless of circumstances.
In a world filled with uncertainty and spiritual darkness, believers often struggle with feeling powerless despite knowing that God is all-powerful. The key to accessing divine authority lies not in simply knowing about Jesus, but in truly understanding what it means to live under His supreme authority. The name of Jesus is the name above every name - at His name, every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. This isn't a future reality but a present truth that believers can walk in today. However, using Jesus' name without genuine relationship is powerless, as demonstrated by the sons of Sceva in Acts 19 who attempted to use His name without knowing Him personally. True authority comes through four essential principles: understanding the supreme power of His name, recognizing our citizenship in heaven rather than earth, practicing submission to His authority, and praying in alignment with His will rather than our own desires. Living under Jesus' authority means we don't make decisions about careers, relationships, or daily situations independently. Instead, we partner with God first, asking for His perspective and aligning our actions with His purposes. This transforms us from passive believers into active ambassadors of His kingdom, capable of shifting spiritual atmospheres and accessing His power to transform both our lives and the lives of those around us. The challenge is to surrender our own authority and truly live as citizens of heaven, operating under the ultimate authority of the name above every name.
This sermon explores the power and authority found in the name of Jesus, emphasizing that being baptized into Christ means having access to all that He is. Pastor Charlotte teaches that calling on the name of the Lord is not merely asking for help, but rather appealing to the supreme authority of the universe and submitting to His lordship. The message highlights that Jesus is not just Savior but Lord - meaning supreme authority and master - and that true faith requires complete submission to His authority. Using the example of the centurion who recognized Jesus's authority, the pastor explains that we cannot access God's power without submission, and that many struggles in life stem from trying to maintain control rather than surrendering fully to God's Lordship.
In our fast-paced society, we're trapped in an endless cycle of tasks, worries, and responsibilities that keep our minds in perpetual fight-or-flight mode. Our brains are naturally designed to scan for danger - a survival mechanism that once protected us from real threats but now registers everything from difficult emails to traffic jams as danger, creating constant stress and anxiety. Medical research reveals that gratitude isn't just a pleasant sentiment but actual therapeutic medicine for our minds and bodies. Studies show that practicing gratitude enhances emotional regulation, builds stress resilience, improves social connections, boosts immunity, reduces chronic pain, and improves sleep quality. It's remarkable that when God commands us over 200 times in Scripture to be grateful, He's not just seeking what He deserves but giving us instructions for optimal functioning since He designed our bodies and minds. The danger comes when we forget God's goodness and begin worshiping created things instead of the Creator - whether through workaholism, materialism, or self-reliance. These become hard taskmasters that are never satisfied and ultimately harmful to our wellbeing. The solution lies in the four A's of gratitude: Attention (deliberately focusing on daily blessings), Acknowledgment (recognizing that blessings come from God and others), Appreciation (truly feeling grateful rather than just thinking about it), and Action (expressing gratitude relationally through prayer, worship, or service). When we practice these steps daily, we break free from life's exhausting race and find genuine peace grounded in the reality of God's faithfulness.
The name of Jesus represents far more than just a word we say during prayer or baptism—it embodies His complete character, authority, and nature as the supreme Lord of all creation. When we are baptized in Jesus' name, we aren't merely joining a church or denomination; we're dying to our old selves and rising to new life in Christ. Calling on the name of the Lord means entering a relationship with Jesus through repentance and baptism. Understanding the true power in Jesus' name transforms how we approach spiritual warfare, prayer, and daily living. As believers baptized into Christ, we have access to the authority of the King of Kings, enabling us to live in victory rather than defeat.
Baptism represents a profound spiritual transformation where believers symbolically die to their old selves and rise to new life in Christ. Through full immersion, we physically enact the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. While not required for salvation, baptism follows a consistent biblical pattern where people first believe in Jesus and then are baptized as an act of obedience. This ordinance marks a significant shift in identity, empowering Christians to reckon themselves dead to sin and alive to God. Though challenges remain after baptism, believers now possess the spiritual authority to resist sin and live in their new identity.
Who is Jesus to You?
The Simple Gospel: What Christianity Is Really AboutIn today's world of information overload and constant distractions, it's easy to lose sight of what Christianity is truly about. With so many churches, denominations, and varying expressions of faith, people often wonder what makes one church different from another or what Christianity actually stands for at its core.
The truth is, beneath all the different expressions and styles of worship, there is a simple, pure gospel that unites all true believers.
Devoted: A Life of Significance and SurrenderIn a world that seems increasingly chaotic and divided, there's a call rising for believers to move beyond casual Christianity. This call isn't just about attending church or identifying as Christian—it's about living a life fully surrendered and devoted to God.
What Does It Mean to Be Devoted?Devotion means steadfast perseverance, total commitment, being set apart, consecrated, and constantly diligent. It means adhering closely to something or someone. It's an all-in kind of word.
The opposite of devotion includes being disengaged, detached, disconnected, withdrawn, disentangled, neglectful, and disregarding. These are the things we want to avoid in our spiritual lives.
Set Up for Success: Embracing God's Path for Your LifeAs we enter this season of new beginnings, there's a natural pull toward fresh starts. Whether you're starting school, a new job, or simply feeling the need for change, September often feels like a second New Year—a chance to reset and begin again.
But how do we ensure these new beginnings lead to success? How do we position ourselves to experience the fullness of what God has for us?
Esau sold his birthright as the firstborn of Isaac to his brother Jacob for a bowl of stew.
This story helps us see the difference between someone who COVETS the inheritance so much they would risk anything to have and keep it, and someone who disregards the value of that inheritance when faced with pressure.
In Jacob we see someone who was willing to risk it all to have the inheritance of the first born, and while he went about obtaining his brother's blessing in underhanded ways, he was finally confronted by God Himself, Who commended him for wrestling with God and with man, and for being so tenacious about the promise of God to his father and grandfather, Isaac and Abraham.
On the other hand we see Esau. When faced with hunger and pressure from the outside, he lost sight of the unmatched value of his birthright in the lineage and the promise of God. The promised Messiah came through Jacob rather than Esau, and it was JACOB who now bears the name of Israel forever because he persevered in his wrestle with God and man.
We can learn so much about our inheritance in Christ Jesus from this story and example in scripture, and we learn from THE WAY OF ESAU what we should NOT DO and how we can guard our hearts against the things that come to steal that glorious inheritance as we are united with Christ Jesus, the First Born from heaven.
Family is designed by God to reflect His love and security. There is no greater legacy and inversely no greater failure than what is established or neglected in our homes. When children have the security of a healthy family the statistics prove unequivocally that they are afforded high likelihood of reproducing stability and living an effectual life in society. When the security of a healthy home is not given to children, they often reproduce instability and brokenness in their own lives and in society. We have FAMILY set before us and modeled for us through Jesus Christ, who embodied God and exercised His great love.
Ex 3:14-15
Intention
Prov 22:6 amp
Judges 13:8 and 13:12
Inheritance
Bold for battle 1) We can’t lead others if we don’t lead ourselves well - Others are depending on us! “A great danger to good leadership is the temptation to try to change others without first making changes to yourself” John C. Maxwell Joshua 1:1-5 Acts 16:25-35 2) We can’t lead ourselves well if we aren’t being led Joshua 1:5 Judges 6:16 Mt 28:18-20 3) There will be resistance Heb 13:5&6 Acts 4:18-20 Acts 4:23&29 4) There is victory in Jesus Eph 6:10-13 2Cor 2:14
The Lord called Joshua to lead Israel after the death of Moses, exhorting him over and over "be strong and very courageous."
Our calling in Christ is a mirror image of this transition, where the deliverer sent to us by God is "taken away" and the SPIRIT that empowered the ministry given to Moses/Jesus has now come to empower Joshua/us to walk in the way God has prepared for us, to INHERIT the promise.
Come Boldly
“Our beliefs about God - about His character, His attitude toward us, His value system, His desires - shape the premises for our prayers. In other words, the way we see God determines the way we approach Him?” Chad Veach
James 1:17
Matt 7:7-11
Heb 4:15-16
1) Jesus prayed as a discipline
Mark 1:35
Luke 5:15-16
2) Jesus prayed before He made decisions
Luke 6:12
3) Jesus prayed for direction
Jn 12:49
4) Jesus prayed for others
Luke 23:31-32
Heb 4:16
Psalm 91
In Him - From Him - For Him ~Our revelation of our position IN Him - affects our experienced relationship WITH Him~ Mt 6:25-33 Joshua 21:43-45 Judges 2: 7-13 Jn 4:20-21 Rom 8:14-16 “Our beliefs about God - about His character, His attitude toward us, His value system, His desires - shape the premises for our prayers. In other words, the way we see God determines the way we approach Him” Chad Veach “Prayer reminds us of the sufficiency of Christ. It helps us realize who we are in Him. It assures us that the blessings of Heaven are ours. It reaffirms that God has brought us this far and isn’t giving up on us” Chad Veach Truth to pray from: 1) I am a child of God 2) I am loved 3) I am redeemed and forgiven 4) I am accepted 5) I have full access to help from God 6) I live by faith and I live in Christ 7) I am blessed 8) I am at peace 9) I can hear God’s voice 10) I am more than a conqueror
Citizens and Sons Luke 15:11-32 Phil 3:20 Jn 1:12-13 Rom 8:14-17 Orphan Spirit says: DO something > HAVE something > BE something “You are an image bearer with work to do, not a work doer with an image to maintain” Ian Simkins Who you ARE and what you DO are not the same thing We can live FOR God or FROM God 2Cor 5:17 Spirit of Adoption says: I AM > I HAVE > I DO Eph 3:14-15 “Orphans live in an atmosphere of fear - but sons learn to find their place at the family table” Leif Hetland
Heart Smart Pr 4:23 Prov 16:1-9 1) Preparing the heart is man’s job Preparations: the arrangement, disposition, to array, to set in a row “Suddenly happens one day at a time on repeat…day after day” Al Purvis “You haven’t failed if you haven’t failed in your heart” Al Purvis Suddenlies land on a heart that is prepared to handle them 2) The heart plans the way Pr 16:9 NKJV & MSG Pr16:3 MY Heart is MY responsibility! Ps 27:8 “Wherever you go - there you are” Confucius 3) When the way pleases God - there is peace Pr 16:7 NKJV & TPT PR 16:2 4) A prepared heart can be directed by God Vs 9 again Pr 19:21 Ps 90:12
Drawing on the story of David and Goliath, Sheldon Oakes shares how faithful stewardship of the small things entrusted, and incredible discipline had much more to do with God's preparation of His chosen King in SECRET than we often give credit and recognition for. When reflecting on the young anointed one and his destined battle with the giant, we sometimes fall into the erroneous thinking that David's preparation was an instantaneous deposit of faith and display of miraculous power, when in reality this climactic fight between David and Goliath only served to reveal what God had formed in the young man over the course of years of faithfulness. What a revelation and exhortation! Faithfulness and anointing begins NOW, not Infront of the masses, but in the secret place with God.
Follow Me?
Our Mouth - luke 6:45
Our Money - Mt 6:21
Our Time - Eph 5:15-17
1) What is the greatest love in my life?
“Show me where you spend your time, money, and energy, and I will show you what you worship” John Wimber
2) What is the greatest message of my life?
Phil 4:9
3) Who am I influencing with my life?
1 Cor 10:32 - 11:1
4) Who is influencing my life?
Jn 15:25-26
Isa 40:28-31
Made For Mission “Acts of true compassion are more than just good deeds - they are expressions of love to God”
Passion and compassion come from the place where the heart has been impacted
Mk 16:15-18
Matt 28:19-20
RELATIONSHIP gives birth to ACTION!
Mt 10:7-8
Family Fruit
Ps 1:1-3
Jer: 17:7-8
Eph 2:19
Gal 4:4-7
1) Embrace the process
2 Cor 3:18
2) Choose you conditions
Jn 15:5
“ There are periods we forget that in the the pursuit of fruit, that if we just abide in Him, then fruitfulness is a guarantee”
Francis Chan
3) Live by the Spirit
Mt 7:20
Gal 5:22-25
“All fruitfulness flows from intimacy” Heidi Baker
Rom 12:15
Eph 2:19 NKJV & NLT
Gal 4:4-7
1) Family is God’s idea
4 Key aspects of God’s design for family
1- Marriage as a sacred union
2- Procreation and raising children
3- Learning and spiritual development
4-Foundation for society
“Strong families are the building blocks of strong communities, nations, governments, and churches. All these other institutions flourish and prosper when the family unit is strong and healthy” Audrey McCracken
2) The family of God applies everywhere & all the time
Ps 67:4-6
3) The family of God mist be anchored on God
Psalm 145:1-4
“Legacy is not about what you have achieved - but what you set in motion” Bishop Bronner
Rom 8:14-15
Victory Within: The Pathway to an Overcoming Life
Victorious Christian Living is meant to be the norm for every true believer in Christ.
Revelation 2:7
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."
Revelation 2:11
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."
Revelation 2:17
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."
Revelation 2:26
"And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—"
Revelation 3:5
"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."
Revelation 3:12
"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name."
Revelation 3:21
"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."
God actually expects us to overcome. To live victoriously.
1 It starts with Intimacy.
THIS is eternal life that they might KNOWHim! (John 17:3)
Philippians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resur- rection, & the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,”
John 15:5 “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.”
If you will get this part of the Christian life right. if you will prioritize this above all, then will be well on your way to victorious Christian living!
Christians who prioritize their relationship w/ Christ through a consistent devotional life tend to live victoriously.
2 Peter 1:2-4 says “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of Godand of Jesus our Lord. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
As you spend time with Him you will become like Him.
The law, legalism, is contrary to faith.
The Righteous live by faith
I Jn 5:4 - “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
And without faith it is impossible to please God!
This is the victory that overcomes the world even our faith.
3 Simple Steps to the Victorious Christian Life -
1 Intimacy with Christ.
2 Christlike character
3 Faith in the Word
Eph 2:8-9
Salvation
1 Jn 1:12-13
Adoption
1Jn 4:16-17
Perfect Love
God in me
Boldness
Phil 1:6
Seven Mountains of Influence: Religion Family Education Government Media Arts & Entertainment Business
1) Our Confidence
2) Our Peace
Rom 5:1-5
3) Our Joy
“One day in God’s presence is equivalent to a thousand days striving by your own efforts” Joseph Prince
4) Our Tenacity
James 1:2-4
5) Our Character
Phil 2:22
6) Our Hope
Ps 42:5
Heb 11:1
Join us in celebrating the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and His triumph over sin and death, once and for all!
Jesus enters Jerusalem as the long awaited Messiah the Saviour King of Israel, but His plan for redeeming Israel looks nothing like what the people have in mind and maybe nothing like what they actually want. He is on His way to the cross to suffer and die for sin, and His plan for redemption transcends all the Kingdoms of this world. Jesus is ushering in the reign of an everlasting Kingdom who's King has triumphed not just over Israel's natural enemys, but over sin and death itself.
Celebrating 30 Years of Ministry - Founding Pastors Paul and Jan Juss
Pastor Paul, founding Pastor of Victory Church Grande Prairie, delivers a powerful message on identity and the calling of God for you, who are made in His image to be exactly who you are, unlike anyone else.
World Changers - The Way I See It Rom 12:2 Mt 22:19-21 Image of the worldview circle Success on earth is best understood as consistent obedience to God - in thoughts, words, and actions “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever” Jn 17:3-6 Gen 1:28Gen 2:2Gen 2:15Gen 3:17-19 Gal 3:13 Eph 2:10 2Thess 3:10 Harold Moody picture “As one of Christ’s followers, I must impact to each man, no matter how degraded he may be at the moment… the fact that he was created in the image of God” Harold Moody “Money is an excellent gift of God, answering the noblest ends. In the hands of His children it is food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, raiment for the naked” John Wesley
Recession Proof – Faithfulness, Focus, & Financial Freedom
Pr 3:9-10
Mal 3:10-11
Tithing:
1)God opens the windows of Heaven
2)Pours blessing out on us
3)Rebukes the devourer
4)Brings increase
2 Cor 9:5-13
1) Faithfulness
Luke 16:13
Mt 6:21
“The only way you can replace the love of money is with a higher love” Ian Harper
“What a serene and quiet life might you lead if you would leave providing to the god of providence! With a little oil in the cruse, and a handful of meal in the barrel, Elijah outlived the famine, and you will do the same. If God cares for you, why need you care to? Can you trust Him for your soul and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, He has never fainted under their weight. Come, Then, soul! Have done with fretful care, and leave all thy concerns in the hands of a gracious God”
Charles Spurgeon
2)Focus
1 Kings17:8-16
Gal 6:7
Mt 13:7
Gen 8:22
Pr 19:17
3) Financial Freedom
Duet 8:18
2 Cor 9:10-11
-Seed for sowing
-Bread for eating
-Enough to give
1) Worry
Mt 24:7-8
Jn 14:27
Jn 16:33
Mt 6:31-34
Ps 37:25
Pr 3:9-10
2) Worship
Mt 23:23
Gen 14:18-24
Gen28:22
Gen 4:4
3) Wealth
Deut 8:17-18
Mt 6:21
4) Warfare
Malachi 3:8-12
Luke 16:13
Gen 11:3&4
2Cor 9:7-8
Living Love Pt. 2 (The Way I See It series)
7 Cornerstones of restoring a Biblical worldview:
5 - What is right and good is what is right and good in the eyes of God
6 - We are designed by God and for God #7 - When we live in obedience to God we experience success
Rom 14:10-12
Mt 22:36-39
Jn 13:34
1) Sin
( lack of love) separates
Gen 4:1-11
2) Sin ( lack of love) plugs the pipe
Eph 5:30-33
1 Pet 3:1&7
Mt 5:23-24
“Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than they love the Christian community itself, become destroyers of that Christian community, even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest, earnest, and sacrificial” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Jn14: 34-35
3) Sin ( lack of love) causes hardening of the heart
Ezek 36: 26-27
Heb 12:24
“Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour” John Newton
Rom 12:2
Cornerstones of a Biblical worldview: An orthodox, biblical understanding of God. All human beings are sinful by nature; every choice we make has moral considerations and consequences. Knowing Jesus Christ is the only means to salvation, through our confession of sin and reliance on His forgiveness. The entire Bible is true, reliable, and relevant, making it the best moral guide for every person, in all situations. Absolute moral truth exists—and those truths are defined by God, described in the Bible, and are unchanging across time and cultures. The ultimate purpose of human life is to know, love, and serve God with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul. Success on earth is best understood as consistent obedience to God—in thoughts, words, and actions.
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever” Westminster shorter Catechism
1) From the heart Pr 4:23 Mt 22:36-39 Jn 13:34
2) Loving God means loving others 1 Jn 4:19-21
3) Relationship is our natural state Gen 2:15-25
4) Fallen man fails at love
SIN - separates/divides/damages Mt 19:4-8 5
Salvation secured a solution
Romans 5:17-21
Origins and Outcomes
Isa 44:6
(Circle image here)
Theism: God is the infinite and absolute creator and ground of everything and everyone: the source and destination of all life, being, knowledge, and action
Rom 12:2
1Pet2:11
Heb 13:14 NLT
“Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all” Hudson Taylor
Key elements of any world view:
1) Origin - Where do we cone from?
2) Meaning - Is there meaning or value to life?
3) Morality - Is there such a thing as absolute moral truth?
4) Destiny - Where is this going?
Questions answered by worldview:
1) Origin - Identity. Who am I?
2) Meaning - What is my purpose?
3) Morality - How should I live?
4) Destiny - What happens when I die?
1) Origin
Jn 1:1-3
2) Meaning
Isa 43:7
Col3:17
“It’s not so much about God’s wonderful plan for our lives - it’s about our lives for God’s wonderful plan” Greg Koukl
3) Morality
2 Tim 3:16
Jn 10:10
4) Destiny
2 Cor 5:10
Rom 6:23
Jn 3:16
The Way I See It (Developing a stable, Biblical worldview) Today will be our introduction week - so lots of scripture. Genesis 1 all John 1:1-5 Rev 22:12-14, 17, 20 “Biblical principles require more than casual assent. The Worldview research indicates that an individual must have both an understanding of the principles and a passionate, thoughtful ownership of them in order to build a Biblical worldview” Barna Group “When one creates truth, truth becomes a fabrication and ceases to be truth” Jonathan Cahn “Since worldview is our decision-making filter, a person who has a weak foundation will be characterized by a life that is a constant struggle” Barna Group. 7 Core Worldviews Materialism Pantheism Deism Existentialism Nihilism Postmodernism Theism DRIFT D - disappointment & disillusionment R - relationships I - information F - faith T - time Rom 12:2
Pastor Paul and the team of men who served on the missions trip to Kenya, Africa share about how God did the impossible as they committed to helping the community there and partnering with the heart of God to bless them. They share their personal experiences of how true Jesus' words are when He said, "it is more blessed to give then to receive."
Ps 139:16 Ps 23:1-3 Ps 57:2 Acts 2:14-16,38-47 1) Peter’s first encounter with Jesus Jn 1:35-37, 40-42 Purpose and destiny do not start with “What am I supposed to DO?” - They start with “Who do you say I AM?” 2) Peter’s second encounter with Jesus Mt 4:18-20 “Peter was not called to be an evangelist before he was called to be a follower….You must first be called yourselves into Christ before you may dare to even so much think about being called into ministry or into the service of Christ. You cannot serve Him until first of all you have learned to sit at His feet. Before you serve God you must have a new heart and a right spirit” Charles Spurgeon 3) Peter’s third encounter with Jesus Luke 5:1-11 4) Peter’s BIG encounter with Jesus Mt 16:13-19 5) Peter’s big learning curve Mt 16:21-23 Luke 22:31-32 Acts 4:13
Prophetic Word 2025: STEWARDING Heaven's Resources | Pastor George Sarkodie Jesus tells a parable to teach us about STEWARDING what GOD put in us and the accountability that comes with what heaven has entrusted to us in this life. In this prophetic message from Pastor George Sarkodie, and exhortation starting into 2025, God is calling us to faithful stewardship of heaven's resources, of faith, hope, love, forgiveness, and even how to be a master of mammon, an not be mastered BY mammon. Jesus instructed us to USE our mammon to "make friends for ourselves," for eternity. When we are faithful or Unfaithful with the things of THIS WORLD which will all be taken away from us at the end of our stewardship, and at the end of our natural lives, we will stand before God and give account either way. God wants to EMPOWER us through this prophetic word for 2025 to grow in our capacity as stewards of heavenly resources, and to multiply the talent that has been entrusted to us to bring glory to the name of God and the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.
2025 - ADVANCE Pr 24:3-4 Isa 54:2-4 Advancement requires/describes MOVEMENT Advancement serves a GREATER PURPOSE Phil 1:12-13 AMP Advancement is WARFARE 2Tim 2:4 Ps 18:1,2,29,30 NIV Advancement is STRATEGIC TIMING 2 Sam 5:24-25 Advancement requires ALL-IN COMMITMENT 1Kings 19:16-18 1Kings 19:19-2
Prepare The Vessel Ps 31:14-16 WE are Vessels 2 Cor 4:5-7 Col 1:27 A Revelation of vessels helps ORDER our lives Rom 9:20-21 Vessels are created uniquely for PURPOSE 2 Tim 2:20 2 Tim2:21 Vessels must be MAINTAINED DIRTY 1 Thess 4:4,5&7 TARNISHED 2 Tim 2:22-23 James 1:27 DRY Eccl 9:8 Ps 23:5
Waiting For You - LOVE “Love looks like something” Heidi Baker The birth of Christ is an act of love Jn 3:16-17 Love is not always fair or easy Love is costly Jn 3:16-17 again Phil 2:7-8 Love requires giving “He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose” Jim Elliot 1Jn 3:16-18 Love is optional 1Jn 4:7-11
Waiting for You - The Joy of Presence Joy is a product of presence - His and ours!
1) The Arrival
Jn 1:14
Simeon
- Luke 2:25-32
Anna
- Luke 2:36-38
2) The First Encounters
Mary - Luke 1:46-47 J
ohn - Luke 1:43-44
Isa 7:14
3) The Activation of Joy
Luke 2:10-11
Ps 16:11
4) The Pursuit of Presence Pursuing His presence requires us to BE PRESENT
Psalm 100
1) Make a joyful shout
2) Serve the Lord
3) Sing
4) Position yourself in Him
5) Choose thanksgiving
6) Choose Praise
7) Meditate
Waiting For You - HOPE
ADVENT: adventus - the coming or the arrival
Jn 1:14
1Thess 4:16-17
Advent:
a) Jesus came
b) He dwell among us by the Holy Spirit
c) He is returning and we will see Him face to face
1) Anticipation
Isa 9:2&6
Micah 5:2
Jn 3:16&17
Luke 2:30-31
2) Assessment
“You look forward by looking backward, trusting nothing but God’s character” The Bible Project
Ps 42:5
3) Acceptance
Jn 1:10-12
Rom 15:13
Rom 4:17-21
4) Action
Heb 11:1
1Pet 1;13
Matters of the Heart Mt 5:44 “You will never really love until you love someone who hates you” Jack Hyles Rom 5:8&10 The Jesus Way is LOVE MODELLED - it is an outward expression of the heart of God Pr 4:23Pr 12:25Pr 27:19Ps 103:7Mt 5:8 1) Habits without heart miss the point Mt 5:27-30 Ex 20:17 Mt 6:33 Mt 7:7-8 2) God is after our heart Mt 22:36-40 Mt 5:31-32 Mt 19:3-8 Mt 16:24
People Problems - The Jesus Way
Jn 3:16
Eph 5:1-2
Jn 15: 12-13
Gal 2:20
“Walking the narrow path - by an empowered stride” Tyler Staton
1) Sort it Out
Mt 5:21-26
Gal 5:15
2) Love your enemies
Mt 5:43-48 NKJV
Mt 5:43-48 MSG
3) Don’t Judge
Mt 7:1-5
2Cor 5:10
It Is Well | The Jesus Way
Jer 17:7
Rom 10:9-11
Oxford University dimensions of Inner Peace:
1) Acceptance
2) Transcendence
3) Inner Balance
Phil 4:13
Matthew 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer ( The Model Prayer)
Diagram of Prayer Hexagon
1) The Father’s Character
2) The Father’s Rulership
3) The Father’s Heart to Provide
4) The Father’s Heart to Forgive
Mt 6:14-15
5) The Father’s Guidance
James 1:13-14
6) The Father’s Protection
Jn 14:27
No Worries! “A day of worry is more exhausting than a day of work” John Lubbock 1) Worry is a choice Mt 6:25 Ps 42:5 NKJV & AMP Mr6: 25-33 2) Worry is a spiritual weapon Heb 11:1 Mt 8:25-27 Mt 6:31 Pr 18:21 Our language is a creative force - and therefore a weapon 3) Worry requires a countermeasure “We don’t need to eliminate fear. We just need something bigger than fear. We need true peace…I’d like to suggest an under-recognized but highly effective source of peace: PRAYER” Chad Veach Mt 8: 9,10,13 Ps 62:8 4) Jesus’ worry-free strategy Mt 6:31-33 NKJV & TPT Mt 6:8-13
The Jesus Way - Sacred Solitude
Ps 42:1
Ps 91:1-2
Mt 6:5-8 ( main text)
Mt 11:29
1) Jesus lived FROM the secret place
Mk 1:35
Mt 14:22-23
Luke 5:15-16
2) What the Secret Place is NOT
Ps 45:10
3) What the Secret Place IS
Jer 29:13
“Prayer, in the broader scope of the word, is the medium through which we commune with God” John Mark Comer
4 Basic Levels/Dimensions of prayer
A) Talking TO God
B) Talking WITH God
C) LISTENING to God
D) BEING WITH God
“The purpose of stillness is CONSENT. It is the daily practice of consenting to the work of God’s Spirit, which is deeper than understanding or words. It’s deep calling to deep, from our soul to His” Tyler Staton
Gen 3:7-11
“Every move of God - begins with people who seek the face of God” Jono Hall
Eternal Investment
1 Thess 5:18
Wealth: Treasure - Time - Talent
1) Jesus Way Investment
Mt 6:19-21
2) The Jesus Way is About Increase
Luke 2:52
Gen 1:28
Mt 6:24
Luke 12:15-21
3) The Jesus Way is a currency exchange
2 Tim 4:6-8
Col 3:23-25
“One of the greatest tragedies of life is we keep forgetting who we are” Henri Nouwen
Mt 5:17-20
1) The Commandments of God are hard
James 1:10
“Humanly speaking, it is possible to understand the sermon on the mount in a thousand different ways. But Jesus knows only one possibility: simple surrender and obedience. Not interpreting or applying it but doing and obeying it. That is the only way to gear His words. He does not mean for us to discuss it as an ideal. He really means for us to get on with it” Dietrich Bonhoeffer
2) Jesus came to FULFILL the law
Matt 5:17
Gal 3:24-26
Col 2:13-15
3) The WAY is NARROW and NON-NEGOTIABLE
Mt 7:13-14
Jn 14:6
Jn 10:9
4) The WAY is a guided tour
Jn 10:14
Jn 10:27-28
King’s Kids Romans 8:14-17Mt 4:17Mt 4:23-25 “The beatitudes are like laser guided bombs in the culture Jesus was talking to - it turns culture on it’s ear” Pastor Byron Yawn Mt 18:3-4 Mt 5:1-12 Group 1 - The conditions of life 1) Poor in spirit Rom 14:17 2) Those who mourn 2 Cor 1:3-4 3) The meek Ps 24:1 Group 2 - The state of the heart 1) Hungry and thirsty for righteousness 2) Merciful 3) Pure in heart Ps 24:3-4 Group 3 - The actions and reactions 1) The peacemakers James 3:18 2) The persecuted 3) The accused and misunderstood Luke 6:26
The Jesus Way - Built On The Rock
Pr 24:3-4 in NKJV and AMP Ps 92:1-2
The world is ESTABLISHED because God is on the throne!
WE are ESTABLISHED when we ENTHRONE HIM in our lives! ENTHRONING is a conscious choice to ENGAGE HIS LORDSHIP!
Rom 12:2
1) Don’t be conformed to the world
2) Have your mind transformed
3) Know deep inside that God’s will is FOR you Being established means doing things
The Jesus Way
Jn 14:6
“Early Christians were called followers of The Way. They were a movement of transformed people who believed Jesus and followed His teachings. They are described by history as a movement that emphasized Jesus’ teachings, His life, death, and resurrection as a path to transformation”
Mt 7:24-29
Acts 4:11
Luke 6:46-47
The Jesus Way:
1) Come to Me
2) Hear what I’m saying
3) Do it
“Biblically, faith is a power or skill to act in accordance with the nature of the Kingdom of God, a trust in what we have reason to believe is true” J.P.Moreland
“Procrastination is disobedience in slow motion” Jerry Flowers Jr.
ESTABLISHED
Ps 92:1-2
The world is ESTABLISHED because God is on the throne!
We are ESTABLISHED when we ENTHRONE HIM in our lives!
Establish - Bible definition - to make firm or stable; to cause to grow and multiply; to confirm; make fast; to strengthen
1) My Heart
Mt 13:5-6
Eph 3:17-19
2) My House
Pr 24:3-4
Pr 25:3-4 amp
Pr 4:7
Souls on Board “
The gospel is not and alternative - it’s an ultimatum” Reinhard Bonnke
“Evangelism and the local church are inseparable. It’s like the Good Samaritan seeking an inn for the one he rescued” Reinhard Bonnke
1)Souls not Seats
Acts 27
Acts 27:37 KJV
- Stay together
-Eat and prepare yourself
-Give thanks
-Get rid of the excess
2) Matters of life and death
Jn 3:16-19
Rom 3:23
Rom 6:23
2Pet 3:9
Rom 10:9, 10,13
3) A move of God should move me “We can make an impression on this world if the world doesn’t make too much of an impression on us” Reinhard Bonnke
Col 3:1-2
1-Set your mind
2-Seek those things
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are chosen by God for His glory. ALL creation is revealing the glory of God, but sometimes as people who have fallen, living in a fallen world, we fail to glorify the creator of all these things, and want to worship the created thing itself, rather than the designer. Walking in humility is not accomplished by not shining the light God has given you in the way you were designed to shine it, but by walking in knowledge and understanding that it is GOD who deserves the praise for all He has created in His goodness. You were CHOSEN for glory, and we are called to submit to the way of Jesus, to love with the love we received from God, not in words only but in deed and in truth, and so LET OUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE MEN, that they man GLORIFY YOUR FATHER who is in heaven.
In this message, Staying On Purpose, Jordan Fuller uses the Apostle Paul's story and the example of BARNABAS the "son of encouragement" in the book of acts to illustrate how we can stay anchored in our purpose to love God and love one another in THIS LIFE even in the midst of the challenges and the accusations the devil brings to every believer.
In this message, Love: The Most Excellent Way, Jonathan Baldwin shares the journey the Lord has had Him on for the last few years, leading him away from the snares of idolatry that sneaks into our christianity and robs us of the simplicity we are called to in the gospel. He shares a powerful testimony of a dream the Lord gave him to show him that the PRICE that Jesus, the precious lamb of God, paid for us to redeem us was still sufficient even for this part of his journey and the shortcomings of this new season. We are walking out our salvation and the Lord is leading us in His love and grace.
Sound biblical teaching from Pastor George Sarkodie on the HOLY SPIRIT.
We often misunderstand key aspects of the nature of the Holy Spirit and the misunderstanding can hinder how we relate to Him and submit to Him as the PERSON of God sent to seal us for the day of redemption. He is the One Jesus sent to lead us into all truth, to bear witness of all that Jesus is and has done for us, and to make our adoption complete by God. He is the One who pours the love of God abroad in our hearts and gives us a NEW BIRTH in perfect unity with The Lord. He is our comforter, our guide, and the one who empowers us to witness to the world who JESUS IS as the LORD OF LIFE, the saviour of the world, the risen Son of God.
Kayden and Jessica are a young newly wed couple passionate about Jesus Christ and preparing to go together to YWAM as they rebuild their lives around The Lord and His Word. Kayden grew up in a secular home and says he only heard the name of Jesus used as a curse word, and had no idea who Jesus was until he happened upon a tiktok about hell that launched him into a season of research and digging for truth. He concluded that Jesus Christ is the only one who makes a reasonable claim to being the WAY, The TRUTH, and THE LIFE! Jessica grew up christian but fell into the same addictions and party scene that Kayden had prior to discovering Jesus. It was actually Kayden's hunger for truth and desire to understand Jesus that brought them BOTH back to church to begin what would be the most radical transformation in their lives, leaving the vanity and dissipation of the past and coming alive to the truth of who Jesus is and who He has called them to be in Him.
The Story Of Jesus
We are caught up in His story and that is our testimony
Rev 19:10Acts 1:81) You shall receive power2) You shall be witnesses to Me Mark 16:14-18 Jn 14:12 Hope:Earnest expectation of good -1) Knowing God2) Knowing His track record3) Knowing what He has promised Heb 11:1 Acts 3:1-10 What I have is: - POWER in the name of Jesus-AUTHORITY in the name of Jesus-CONFIDENCE in the name of Jesus Our Mission - author unknown For me, twas not the truth you taught,To you so clear, to me so dim. But when you came to me you brought, a deeper sense of Him.And from your eyes He beckoned me,And from your heart His love was shed.Till I lost sight of you,And saw the Christ instead.
Authentic FAITH Godly authenticity is based on FAITH not FEELINGS. It is based on God’s FAITHFULNESS not our FICKLENESS. Ps 139:11-12 Heb 11:1 Phil 4:11-13 ESV Rom 5:2-5 ESV Living our FAITH is not denying the FACTS - it’s preferring the TRUTH James 1:2-4 ESV Standing in faith looks fake … until it doesn’t! Rom 4:16-21 ESV 1) In the presence of God 2) In HOPE he believed 3) Faith expects the impossible and is not moved by the facts 4) Unbelief is silenced by praise 5) Developed faith is FULLY CONVINCED
All For You | Women's Conference Session 2 with a testimony from Worship Pastor Melody on God's incredible power to redeem and restore even in impossible situations.
The opening session of the Northern Victory Women's Conference 2024 Themed around Psalm 139, God is the author of YOUR STORY
Tend the lampMt 5:14-16 Lamp:ContainerWickOil 1) The container is made on purpose Eph 2:10 Rom 12:2 2) The body goes where the eye looks Mt 6:22-24 Mt 6:23 AMP Col 3:2 We cannot separate a successful walk with God from a love of His word Ps 119:105Ps 119:130Pr 6:23 3) The lamp is only as good as it’s oil The oil is the fuel that flows from the presence of God Mt 25:1-13
THE HIDDEN LIGHT | Uncovering Your God Given Purpose To SHARE JESUS
Jesus IS the light of the world, and Christ put His Spirit in us to SHINE His light in the darkness, and to share the love of God with the world around us.
From The Way Of The Shaman To The WAY of Jesus Christ | Testimony | The Light Show Pat shares her transformative journey from a life as a Shaman to full surrender to God through Jesus Christ. Everyone is looking for love, meaning and affirmation, and while the way of the Shaman is INTENDED to fill that void, she explains that all the rituals and practices left her wanting and empty. It wasn't util she finally cried out to God as she came to the very end of herself and was instantly met with His presence and love, that she realized the vanity of the way she had been pursuing spirituality, and that Jesus was the one who gives us the love, meaning, and affirmation we are all so desperate to find because we were MADE for Him.
Resurrection Light | Easter Sunday 2024
Resurrection Light1 Cor 15:14-20 1Cor 15:3-8 Rom 6:6-11 MSG 1) Mary Magdalene Jn 20:13-16 Mary found in the resurrected Lord - IDENTITY 2) The Disciples Jn 20:19-20 The Disciples found in the resurrected Lord - PEACE 3) Peter Jn 21:19 Peter found in the resurrected Lord - REDEMPTION 4) Paul 1Cor 15:8-10 Paul found in the resurrected Lord - PURPOSE We have found in the Resurrected Lord - a LIVING HOPE 1 Peter 1:3-5
The Right Fight | Guest Speakers Dr Al & Becky Purvis | Victory Asia
Christians can spend a lot of energy in fruitless things when we don't know how to focus on the things that matter most to the Kingdom of God. When we know what God has called us to and respond to the calling of God on our lives, we are able to fight the RIGHT fight, stop running form the battle we are actually called to.
Benefit Package (Living in the Light series) Why The High Cost Of Following Jesus Is WORTH IT
A cost-benefit analysis is the process used to measure the benefits of a decision or taking action minus the costs associated with that action.
Mt 18:24-26
Ps 103:1-5
Isa 50:10-11 NLT
1) They walked away from God
2) They built their own fires
Jer 2:11-13NLT
1) They abandoned God
2) They built their own cisterns Benefits of walking with God - Romans 8
1) God is for us Rom 8: 31
2) We receive everything Jesus paid for
Rom 8:32
3) Jesus is our defence
Rom 8:33-34
4) We are always in His love
Rom 8:35-36
5) We win!
Rom 8:37
Rom 8:38-39
1 Cor 15:57
THE COST OF SHINING
“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”
Lk 8:16 NIV
Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14 NKJV
GREEK - 1588 /eklektós: ("select, chosen") describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God's choice by freely receiving faith.
My yoke is easy…my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
"Cheap grace," "is the grace we bestow on ourselves...grace without discipleship....Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again....It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life."
“IF THE GOSPEL HAS NOT COST YOU ANYTHING, YOU SERVE GOD ANYHOW”
4 Practical Stages of Shining
- The Stage of NEW BIRTH
1 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Luke 15:7,
Isaiah 64:6 NKJV
COST: READINESS TO BE DISCIPLED !!
- The stage of SERVICE “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…”
Eccl 9:10 NKJV
COST: READINESS TO SERVE IN ANY PLACE AVAILABLE
- The Stage of IDENTIFYING YOUR AREA OF EFFECTIVENESS
Acts 6:1-4 NKJV
COST: COMMITMENT TO GROW IN THAT FIELD/AREA
- The stage of “OWNING YOUR CALLING”
2 Corinthians 11:25 - 27 (NKJV) John 12:24-26 (NKJV)
COST: DYING FOR THE ONE THING
John 3:1-2
John 3:3-8
John 3:9-16
John 14:16-17 & 26
John 17:1-3
Jeremiah 9:23-24
ACTS 1:8
John 4:28-30
John 5:9-11
John 6:14-15
Steps to Experiencing Eternal Life:
1.Salvation
2.Commitment
3.Empowerment
Colossians 3:1-3
Todays takeaway There is so much more to know and understand because there is so much more to share.
In the Light of Eternity “Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God” Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Salvation is free. But discipleship will cost you your life” Dietrich Bonhoeffer “Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God’s will” Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1) The Light of Eternity - PERSPECTIVE James 4:13-14 Col 3:2-4 2Cor 5:9-10 2) The Light of Eternity - PURPOSE “The PUSH of design and the PULL of calling = PURPOSE” Erwin McManus Heb 11:23-27 3) The Light of Eternity - PERSON Rev 21:22-23 “Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last” C.T.Studd Jn 8:12
Dive into the depths of spiritual transformation with this enlightening message, from the Living In The Light Series. This sermon provides a richer understanding of the profound transformation realized from walking in the light of Christ. Explore how this radical consciousness in Christ shapes our thoughts, lifestyles, and approaches to life’s challenges.
This episode delves into the significance of embracing faith by living in the light and understanding its impact on our identity and existence. Based extensively on an inspiring metaphor of a guiding lighthouse, it urges listeners to fuel their divine fire and begin their lifelong journey with Christ. Covering scriptures like John 1:5 and Ephesians 5:8, it guides listeners to comprehend the light of Christ and transform their spiritual lives.
Further, the discussion moves into the arena of our spiritual growth. This episode correlates our increasing faith to the function of a lighthouse, challenging you to push boundaries, explore spiritual complexities, and chart the growth in the faith journey, answering the call of God to shine the light of Christ that others could see, and be drawn to salvation. With scriptural references from Hebrews 5:12-14, we underline the importance of spiritual maturity and the essential transition from 'milk' to 'solid food' in our faith.
Lastly, the episode delves into nurturing our relationship with God from infancy to maturity, emphasizing the importance of reading and understanding His word. Reverberating Romans 10:17, "Faith comes through hearing and hearing by the word of God", we encourage listeners to engage deeply with the word of God and understand his wisdom.
Journey with us in this enlightening exploration and ask yourself important introspective questions about your spiritual journey. Are you in sync with your spiritual senses to discern God’s guidance in your life? Is your spiritual life yielding fruits reflective of a robust relationship with God?
Whether you're a spiritual novice or pursuing a deeper relationship with Jesus, this episode fuels your spiritual journey with transformative truths. Ignite your spiritual growth and live more fully as a child of light.
In this inspiring episode of Living In The Light, we thoroughly explore the profound significance of holy communion and consecration. It serves as a clarion call to a life that is entirely dedicated to God's divine purposes, living as His chosen ones. This is about living a consecrated life that mirrors His glory and presence in every word, decision, and pursuit we embark upon.
We delve into the reality of Jesus as the 'bread of life' which meets our spiritual needs and sustains us throughout our journey with Him. We draw comparisons between our physical and spiritual requirements, highlighting the invitation to experience the goodness of God, encouraging you to rely on Him as your unending source of supply.
The episode uncovers themes from the book of Daniel, emphasizing the calling to strive for exceptionalism instead of settling for the ordinary. We examine our holy identity in Christ and how it forms our relationships, governs our actions, and determines our purpose. This episode ignites a call for a holy awakening, calling upon every believer to dedicate every facet of their life to God's glory.
The transcript delves into the lessons we can glean from various biblical stories and their relevance today. We cast a spotlight on the righteous decisions of characters such as Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and draw parallels between their experiences and our lives.
The communion in this context goes beyond partaking of bread and wine in passive remembrance of Christ... It is about a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father, choosing to feast on His eternal word, and basking in His glorious presence instead of consuming the deceptive enticements of the world.
Through an amplified understanding and experience of holy communion, we can rediscover our divine purpose, overcome secular challenges, and walk in the fullness of God's blessings. This episode also explores our grasp and regard of God, urging us to revere Him as sacred and to unquestionably heed his words above our worldly desires.
In conclusion, this episode is a wake-up call to examine our relationship with God, to earnestly invite Him deeper into our lives and witness His immense goodness.
The bible defines fasting differently than the world does, and even defines fasting & prayer differently than much of the church does in this generation. Fasting in the bible ALWAYS involves food, and always involves pursuing God in prayer. God promises to draw near to us when we seek Him in prayer and fasting, and Jesus Himself said certain demonic influences or bondages would not move or break without prayer and fasting. This teaching on biblical fasting and prayer will help you discover the many different ways you CAN approach BIBLICAL fasting and to use this discipline the way Jesus did in His obedience and surrender to God and to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
God's Provision & Protection Through The Unthinkable | Zecharia & Dunessa's Testimony | The Light Show
God's Miraculous Protection & Provision Through The Unthinkable | The Light Show | Jesus Testimony “Comfort doesn’t bring you to the places God wants you to go.” Zechariah and Dunessa shared their remarkable stories with us during the first Light Show of 2024, with powerful testimonies of God’s miraculous provision and protection. Zechariah was only 7 years old when the civil war in Sudan closed in on the place where he and his family were living. With tears he recounts how without the protection of God they would not have escaped, and without the provision of God they would not have survived. We can’t wait to share some highlights from their testimonies of Jesus Christ throughout the week. One thing Zechariah has said in his household is “comfort doesn’t take you to the places God wants you to go.” Both Zechariah and Dunessa have lived the reality of that statement bearing witness to Romans 5:3-5 “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” . . . . . #testimony #god #jesus #christian #bibleverses
Thank You Deut 8:16-18 1) Heart of gratitude 1 Thess 5:16-18 Eph 5:19-20 FOR: Gk - huper - meaning: over, above all, beyond, more than 2) Choice of gratitude Eph 5:20 Col 3:15 ( please put up picture while I read the story of Corrie ten Boom) 3) Practiced Gratitude Phil 4:11 1) Notice what you are grateful for2) Savour it/ absorb it/ meditate on it 3) Express it “There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude” Robert Brault 4) Expressed Gratitude Luke 17: 11-19
Let There Be LIGHT! Gen 1:1-5 Gen 1:26 Gen 2:16-17 1 Pet 1:20 Isa 9:2 AMP RUN Video Jn 1:1-9 Jn 1:29 Jn 3:16-17 “A story is about how the things that happen affect someone in pursuit of a difficult goal, and how that person changed internally as a result” Lisa Cron ( author of Story Genius) Jn 1:10-12
The Light of JOY Luke 2:8-10 NLT 1) Christmas is - Good news of GREAT JOY “The founders of every major religion said ‘I’ll show you how to find God’. Jesus said, ‘I am God who has come to find you.’” Timothy Keller Eph 2:1-2 Rom 5:8 Rom 5:1-2 2) Happiness and Joy are not the same thing Joy: Charis - calm delight, an adopted attitude of internal cheerfulness. Rejoice: Chairo - calmly happy, well-off, full of joy JOY - is a state of the HEART Heb 12:2 1 Pet 1:3-8 JOY - is an internal delight - a CELEBRATION OF THE SOUL “I sometimes wonder whether all the pleasures of life are not simply substitutes for joy” C.S.Lewis 3) Joy is an expression of God’s presence in us “Joy is the birthmark of the child of God. Every Christian ought to have conscious joy. And if you’re not living a life of joy, you are living beneath your privileges” Adrian Rogers Rom 14:17 Acts 2:46,47 JOY - is a product of PRESENCE!
From Witchcraft and Rebellion To Lover of Jesus | Tamara’s Testimony | The Light Show
Tamara shares her testimony of how offence with Christians and the Church drove her away from faith in Jesus and into the world. After becoming pregnant at 16 years old and entering into a very abusive relationship, she finally left her abuser after his abuse extended beyond hurting Tamara but to hurting her children. Raising her children as a single mom of only 19 years old, she went back to the church but only had her fears and offences reaffirmed by the judgements and carelessness of the people she encountered there, the Pastor himself asking if he even knew here when she requested a reference from him after being involved with the kids ministry a long time. She finally went to work long isolated hours in the field and that is where she turned away completely from christianity and discovered crystals and witchcraft, where she began to have a sense of self empowerment, but was inwardly growing angrier and angrier. Tamara talks about how witchcraft is not just something we imagine, but spell casting and manifestations are real, and christians shouldn’t be ignorant of the reality of those spiritual practices that are the devil’s counterfeits of the heavenly and of the Kingdom of God. It was when Tamara had met a christian by happenstance and they became good friends that she was reintroduced to the bible and her heart began to soften toward the idea of God again. Tamara says it was during the first year of the Covid lock downs that her business plummeted and she was left feeling forsaken and helpless again. She was on a walk and cried out, “universe, God, whoever, you need to fix this” speaking of herself because she was done with the overwhelming “relentless anger” that gripped her heart. She was at home and she said, “God if You are real, I need to hear Your voice.” She recounts how she IMMEDIATELY heard Proverbs 2:3 And upon reading it she discovered the words,”cry out for wisdom and beg for insight.” She says she knew at that moment that The Lord not only heard her cry, but was answering her personally. Tamara goes on to describe how The Lord not only lead her away from witchcraft and rebellion and back into His Presence, but BACK TO THE CHURCH and to a healing of the offences and hurts she experienced as a youth, explaining how the Spirit of God moved in different members of the Church Community she discovered at Victory Church Grande Prairie to affirm and speak to her directly, and to help her move passed her fears and INTO the community God has called us to as His children in Christ.
The Kingdom Of God & Missions | Founding Pastor Paul Juss | Victory North Association The Kingdom of God and evangelism are inseparable, and missions are part of not just growing and expanding the reach of the Kingdom of God on earth, but transforming our own hearts and lives into a reflection of Jesus' heart and life.
Light it UP pt.2 My 5:14-15 “The mark of the gospel impacting a person’s life is literally - not conforming” Bill Johnson 1) How do we purposely shine? - We live in the light “In order to change a culture, we need to have a different culture in us” Leif Hetland Isa 69:1-2 2) How do we live in the light? - We choose to walk in bold relationship with Him Eph 5:8-11 Mt 16:24-25 3) How do we walk in bold relationship with Him? - We come up higher Isa 55:9Ps 121:1-2Col 3:1-3Eph 1:20-21 4) How do we come up higher? - We live a life that is hidden in Him Col 3:3 Eph 2:1-9 COMPROMISE kills the fire - COMMUNION stokes it! Set your mind on things above - Col 3:2 Call upon the Lord - Jer 33:3 Seek the Lord - Jer 29:13 Praise Him. Live in gratitude and worship - Ps 100:4 Live Righteously - Eph 5:8-11 Choose your attitude - Phil 2:14-15
LIGHT IT UP Jn 1:1-5 NIVJn1:12-14 NKJV Back to Jn 1:5 The darkness cannot shut out the light of Christ - but it tries! Mt 5:14 1) How do we purposely shine? We live in the light Isa 60:1-2 2) How do we live in the light? We choose to walk in bold relationship with Him Eph 5:8-11 3) How do we walk in bold relationship with Him? We come up higher Isa 55:9 Ps 121:1-2 Col 3:1-3 4) How do we come up higher? We live the life that is hidden with Him Col 3;3 Call upon the Lord Jer 33:3 Seek the Lord Jer 29:13 Praise Him Isa 61:3, Ps 100:4 Live Righteously Ps 24:3-4 Choose our attitudePhil 2:13-15 Fear the LordPs 25:14
To launch The LIGHT SHOW, Derrick & Laura Casey share their testimonies of God's miraculous power and presence in their lives and how He has lead them in Godly parenting. Your faith and heart will be edified and touched by the incredible testimonies of these two people, telling of how God still does miracles and answers prayers, and there is so much wisdom on following the leading of God's Word and Spirit in raising a family with an awareness of their IDENTITY in Christ and their purpose in the earth. We know you will be blessed by these testimonies of the goodness and faithfulness of God, and be encouraged in your walk with the Lord. Thank you for joining us for this first ever episode of THE LIGHT SHOW live at Victory Church Grande Prairie.
Pursuing Purpose “The only way a shadow leaves is when the light shines” Jn 8:12 1) You have a purpose Rom 14:7-8Mt 25:21 “If you live for yourself you can settle for less. If you live for others, it requires all of who you are” Erwin mcManus 2) The Church has a purpose Mt 6:14-16 REACH - TEACH -MOBILIZE 3) It CAN be done 1 Cor 16:9
We were never intended to make a tent in the place where we encounter God's glory and light through Jesus Christ, but we were made to carry His light back with us out into the darkness and to answer the call and cry of those who need a touch or encounter with God's love and healing.
Today The LORD IS CALLING US INTO THE CLOUD He has been TEACHING us what it means to LIVE IN THE LIGHT BUT TO MEET HIM IN THE LIGHT, YOU have to come through the cloud. Coming through the cloud is the place where we learn the fear of God so that we might not sin against Him. GOD IS terrifying because of WHAT He is. But if you SEE HIM FOR WHO He is, and hear HIS CALL TO DRAW NEAR, you will venture through the cloud and into the light. POINT OF MESSAGE: People where assembled at the base of the mountain and the Lord was at the top, wanting so much for us to come. The people celebrated at the base of the mountain, but God was calling them to come speak with Him face to face. It was like they still responded to God as Israel did when only Moses went, the rest were terrified and said, “if the Lord speaks to us we will surely die.” The Lord was grieved that the people would not come up the mountain. They didn’t understand “whoever seeks to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for MY sake will find it and keep it for eternal life.” That He was there to bring them into His transfiguration, to be seen for who HE IS and give them the light of life. Matthew 16:25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” When the Lord calls us to to the cloud of His glory, it IS terrifying, because He is HOLY and HE IS GOING TO CONFRONT OUR IDOLS Exodus 20:18-21 And all the people were watching and hearing the [j]thunder and the lightning flashes, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it all, they trembled and stood at a distance. 19Then they said to Moses, “Speak [k]to us yourself and we will listen; but do not have God speak [l]to us, or we will die!” 20However, Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may [m]remain with you, so that you will not sin.” 21So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. The people were meant to LEARN THE FEAR OF GOD in this encounter, in being brought near to HIS HOLINESS, so that they would be delivered from idolatry by VIRTUE of the AWE and REVERENCE of GOD. But they kept their distance not just physically, but spiritually. But not MOSES Exodus 24: 15-18 Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16The glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. 17And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. 18Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. MOSES went into the cloud, and the end result is that he came out with a face reflecting the light of God. THE PEOPLE kept their physical, emotional, and spiritual distance from GOD and IMMEDIATELY went back to Egypt in their hearts, and to worshipping a golden calf made by their own hands. God IS terrifying not because he DESIRES to be, but because He is SO SO HOLY and we are SO SO NOT God is doing EVERYTHING HE CAN to be as close as He can to the PEOPLE HE LOVES But what fellowship does LIGHT have with darkness? 1 Timothy 6:16 “HE alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see.” But he doesn’t just DWELL in unapproachable light, HE IS LIGHT 1 John 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” God is not the dark cloud of chaos and confusion, He is the LIGHT on the other side of it
Embodied Gratitude Acts 26:18Col 1:13-16 I was BLIND but now I SEE! 1) Expressed Gratitude Ps 107:1-2 1Thes 5:16-18 Rom 1:20-21 2) Embodied Gratitude Ps 103:1-5 The action of a grateful heart is a life that brings Him praise. Deut 8:11-19 A) Remember B) Follow C) Serve D) Worship Col 1:17-18 Remember Him, Follow Him, Serve Him, Worship Him - Thanksgiving is a way of life!
Citizens of light Luke 22:15-20 In remembrance of Me: Take to yourself all that I am and all that I have done for you, and all that I am presently doing and will do for all time
1 Cor 5:7 Rom 8:2-4 Col 1:13 1) What is a kingdom? “A kingdom is: a governing influence of a king over His territory; impacting it with His will, His purpose, and His intentions - producing a citizenry of people who express His culture and reflect His nature” Dr Myles Munroe 2) What is the Kingdom of God? Col 1:13-18Jn 18:36 3) What is His Kingdom culture? Christianity is not a series of sacraments - it’s a cultural exchange Acts 26:18
1) Jesus is the light2) Darkness is an effect not a cause3) We’ve been invited to live in the light “Eyes that LOOK are common - eyes that SEE are rare” J.Oswald Sanders “Throughout our lives, we form narratives and biases based on how we perceive others through our lens - then we interact with people based on that perspective, regardless of whether it’s true or not” Victoria Wilson 1) Living in darkness creates a lens Darkness: look out for yourself, superiority, blame, justice, cancel culture Light: lay down your life, humility, forgiveness, love cover, grace Gen 2:15-17 Gen 3:1,4,5 Gen 3:11-14 Col 1:13-14 2) Living in light requires a new lens Jn 7:4 Jn 8:1-12 3) Jesus is the lens Jn 8:12 Jn 3:16-17 “Accusation will use truth as a weapon to destroy you and others. It will misrepresent God and His word to abuse and lay a burden of guilt” Dr Henry Wright Mt 7:1-2
Living in the LIGHT Gen 1:1-5 1) Jesus is the Light Of The World Light is not a WHAT but a WHO Jn 1:1-5 1Jn 1:5 AMP1 Jn 1:5 MSG Jn 9:5James 1:17 2) Darkness is an EFFECT not a CAUSE Isa 9:2 Darkness = Shadow of death = Fear 3) We’ve been invited to LIVE in the Light 1Jn 1:5-7 “Denunciating rhetoric is so much easier and cheaper than good works, and proves a popular temptation. Yet it is far better to light a candle than to curse the darkness” W.L.Watkinson 1907 Mic 7:8 Ps 27:1
RESOLVED! Rom 8:35-39 Psalm 25 ( this is our core and we’re going through it in chunks so you’ll want to keep it close) Ps 25:16-19 1) Look up and Trust Vs 1-2 2) Wait on God Vs 3 3) Look to Learn Vs 4&5 Show me - Teach me - Lead me Vs 9&10 4) Clean the Slate Vs 6, 7, 11 Sin: the offence Iniquity: moral evil, perversity 5) Choose Humility Vs 9 Vs 12 6) Live in the Promise Vs 13-15
Prayer Worth Praying Phil 4:6-7 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 1) Your history does not define your destiny 2) God is the one who re-writes history a) Bless Me - Indeed Pr 10:22 “Personal change begins when you cry out to God for WHAT HE WANTS FOR YOU, with hands open and heart expectant” Bruce Wilkinson b) Enlarge My Territory Ps 16:5-6 Reasons/Excuses for not asking for more 1) Shy - Heb 13:6 2) Ungifted - Rom 12:5-6 3) Afraid to fail - Ps 18:31-33 4) Reluctant to surrender control - Rom 12:1 5) Overextended - Phil 4:9 c) Let Your Hand be Upon Me Acts 11:21 Ex 33:14-15 1Peter 5:6-7 d) Keep Me From Evil James 4:6-7
People Of Praise | Worship Pastor Melody Lesmeister
No matter your vocation or calling, we are all called to be people of PRAISE.
The Last Call | Pastor George Sarkodie When we encounter hardships and obstacles in our walk with God that take us by surprise it can be very disillusioning and derailing. Pastor George talks about how we can strengthen ourselves in The Lord and persevere rather than being pulled under by the troubles of this life, and how to bounce back from situations that the enemy would love to use to keep us from staying anchored in God and finding our strength in THE JOY OF THE LORD.
Pursue, Overtake, Recover All “Your view of Jesus will frame your relationship with Him - which will frame the way you build” Michael Koulianos Gal 1:15-16 Separated me Called me To reveal His Son in me Phil 1:21 1) Should God’s plan be easy? Acts 9:15-16 Acts 14: 2, 5&6, 19&20, 21&22, 2) What part of your story has your focus? Acts 14: 27 Mark 16:20 Acts 20: 23&24 Mt 16:18&19 3) What needs to be retaken in your life? 1Sam 30:6 1Sam 30:8 Pursue: What’s gone missing? Overtake: Re-engage Recover All: What is/was the dream?
SEND ME acting Up pt.9 “Clearly the apostles faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus produced a noticeable change in their hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit…Too often, our own lives do not reflect that sort of change. We struggle with focus over how others will react to our faith, or with breaking out of our own routine ling enough to invest in the life of someone else who needs the gospel” Chuck Swindoll Isa 6:8 Acts 9:15-16 In our surrender to the GENERAL instructions of God, we often stumble into the SPECIFIC instructions of God Acts 13:1-5 1) Ministered to the Lord 2) Humbled themselves 3) Listened for instructions Gal 1:13-17 4) Fasted and Prayed 5) They went
Here & Now | Acting Up Part 8 “It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they became so ineffective in this” C.S.Lewis Pr 16:9 Pr 19:21 Ps 33:11,19,20 What kind of responsibility do you feel for your generation? Acts 13:36 “Expect great things from God - attempt great things for God” William Carey Acts 13:1-5 1) Ministered to the Lord 2) Humbled themselves 3) Listened for instruction 4) Fasted and Prayed 5) They Sent 6) They Went Eph 3: 20-21
1) He is GOD - we don’t define Him Acts 17:22-28 Acts 5: 4,9,11,12 The FEAR of God makes room for the MOVE of God 2) I owe Him my life I owe Him my life - and I exchange it for His Acts 17:28 Gal 2:20 1) Where does this belief come from? 2) Who is benefiting? 3) Who does it harm? Mark 7:6-8 Acts 9:1-6 How we treat God’s people is how we are treating God Acts 9:15-16 Acts 9:20 Mt 22:37-39
SHOW US THE FATHER Father’s Day Message 2023
“BRING YOUR DAD TO SCHOOL DAY”
THIS☝🏻 is My Dad...
He has a lot of names cause He is SUPER OLD, He’s been around FOREVER Some people call Him “THE ANCIENT OF DAYS” But If you want to get technical, He’s without beginning or end So some people call Him the ALPHA and the OMEGA He once sent a guy on a mission to deliver a whole nation of people... Tell them “I AM” sent you. I think thats technically the most accurate Because HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN and HE ALWAYS WILL BE And we’ll come back to this one cause there is quite a bit more to it But Those people He saved had TONS of names for Him
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ADONAI which means LORD, and HE IS
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ELOHIM: Creator, mighty and strong, and HE IS
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EL SHADDAI [el-shah-dahy]: “God Almighty,” “The Mighty One of Jacob
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El ROI - The God who sees me, was what one woman called Him (TELL HAGAR’s Story)
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Jehovah-Jireh: Provider
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Jehovah-Rapha: Healer
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Jehova-Nissi: The Lord our Banner because He is a MIGHTY WARRIOR, He is MIGHTY in battle.
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Jehovah-SHALOM which is the Lord our peace
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SO JEHOVAH is just another way of saying YAHWeh...
YAWWEH is God's only “PROPER” name
JESUS came out FROM YAHWEH He said that when we talk to Him we should say, “OUR FATHER.”
And this is my FAVOURITE THING about MY DAD HE WANTS TO BE DAD to everybody He wants US TO BE A FAMILY HE WANTS TO EVERYONE To know Him as ABBA FATHER
I remember My first time reading Romans 8:15
“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the SPIRIT OF ADOPTION by whom we cry out, “ABBA FATHER”
HE WANTS US TO KNOW HIM AS FATHER So why not just be Father from the beginning? Why The SPIRIT OF ADOPTION? Why not just children from the onset? Why all this trouble, while all this suffering did GOD DO IT? Or did God sow Good seed (Parable) God WAS FATHER in the beginning, He did’t do this, He didn’t want to change the relationship, WE DID
Let’s prove it: Luke 3:23-38 The genealogy goes back to Adam who is called “The son of God”
Because of the fall we have come to see expressions of Him that were not originally intended FOR US
Matthew 25:41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;'
not prepared for man but for the devil and his angels.
GODS NATURE NEVER CHANGED OUR NATURE CHANGED WE DIED SPIRITUALLY and took on the nature of a different spirit A VEIL DARKENED OUR UNDERSTANDING But HIS TRUE NATURE and will for us all was still shining through the veil EVEN IN THE PROPER NAMES given And this brings us back to MOSES, the guy sent on that mission People says Yahweh(and there is nothing wrong with that) but there is something AMAZING about the original language that is easily lost in the various transliterations (THE NAME WORKSHEET) PRAY “OUR FATHER” We can become so offended by unmet expectations and what we perceive as shortcomings in how God ministers His provision that we harden our hearts against how He is ministering His PRESENCE. JESUS, God WITH US, IMMANUEL, WAS PRESENT with BOTH of The THIEVES on the cross
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One took offence because of misguided expectation
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The other was not so presumptuous, and perceived HIS PRESENCE, and became in inheritor of eternal life. DO YO SEE THE DIFFERENCE? BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT... HE OWES US NOTHING, BUT GOD MET US HERE IF WE HAVE EYES TO SEE AND EARS TO HEAR HIM PHILLIP says what THE WHOLE WORLD is saying, “SHOW US THE FATHER AND THAT IS ENOGH FOR US” JESUS says, “Have I been with you so long, and you don’t yet know Me?” “FROM NOW ON YOU DO KNOW HIM, YOU HAVE SEEN HIM” Jesus had SHOWN the provision, the healing, the mercy and the LOVE AND NATURE of the FATHER all that time... but HE HAD ONE LAST TASK as a SON being PERFECTED IN THE LIKENESS OF HIS FATHER BLASPHEMY? Wasn’t Jesus perfect? Yes He was perfect and sinless, but HE IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, and HAVING HUMBLED HIMSELF AND TAKEN ON THE LIKENESS OF SINFUL FLESH,
THE BIBLE SAYS THIS: Hebrew 5:8-9
John 17:5 HE WAS BEING ABOUT TO BE GLORIFIED WITH THE GLORY HE HAD WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING, and WAS NOW BEING PERFECTED ONCE AGAIN. HE WAS ABOUT TO SHOW THE WORLD EXACTLY WHO THE FATHER IS AND WHAT HE IS LIKE.
John 12:32 If I am lifted up... The Father was PERFECTLY REVEALED IN THE SON FOR ALL OF US THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN STAND IN THE WAY OF KNOWING HIM AS FATHER that He wants to address Jilliana’s testimony: Dad in dream, pastor asking for forgiveness
MY TESTIMONY: FATHER IN THE ROOM - VISION OF JESUS COVERING THE CONTINENTS
Joy Bomb - Acting Up pt.5 1)
JOY - is an Internal Delight
2) JOY - is rooted in trust Ps 33:20-21
“I sometimes wonder whether all the pleasures of life are not simply substitutes for joy”
C.S.Lewis
Our measure of experienced joy is dependent on who or what we trust
3) JOY - is normal in the Kingdom of God
Rom 14:17 MSG
4) JOY - is an indicator of a life marked by God
Acts 2: 46-47
Acts 20: 23-24
5) JOY - is a fruit of the Spirit
6) JOY - is not dependent on circumstances
Acts 5:40-41
7) JOY - produces strength
Neh 8:10
James 1:2-4
8) JOY - can change an atmosphere
Acts 8:4-8
9) JOY - is a product of presence
Acts 8:26-40
10) JOY - is a choice
Heb 12:1-2
Rom 15:13
EMPOWERED and ENGAGED Acting UP pt 4 x 19:18-19 Acts 1:8 1) Salvation - We become a new person 2) Water Baptism - When we get water baptized, the old person is cut off 3) Spirit Baptism - When you get spirit baptized, you get POWER to walk in the new 1) Empowered for RELATIONSHIP Jn 16:7Jn 14:12,15-17Jn 14:25-26 2) Empowered for EVANGELISM Mk 16:15-16Acts 2:38,41,47,33Acts 5:14-16 3) Empowered for ACTION Acts 8:5-8Acts 10:38Eph 3:20-21
BOLD MOVE - Acting Up pt 3 Isa 40:11 Jn 14:6 Acts 4:7-13 There is no other name! Acts 4:13 You can be brave without ever being bold - You can be bold without ever feeling brave “ Bravery provides the opportunity to be sitting at the table. Boldness determines what happens at that table” Brad Cooper 1) Pray for boldness “Faith is the powerline - but prayer switches it on”Reinhard Bonnke Acts 4:29-31 2) Boldness is based on a power source Mk 16:20 Heb 4:16 Pr 28:1 3) Boldness is for action Acts 4;29-30 ( again 😉) “In my experience, God is in the habit of employing us in response to our own prayers” Tyler Staton Acts 5:42 Daniel 11:32 Jn 1:12
In Jesus Name - ( Acting UP series) Acts 3:1-9 1) What’s in His name? “To act in His name is to act for His fame. To take aim to make Him known and admired and enjoyed, as He ought to be” David Mathis A) Salvation Acts 4:12Rom 10:13 B) Identity Jn 1:12 C) Access Mt 18:20Jn 14:13-14 D) Authority Phil 2:9-11 The authority of Jesus imparted to a person where that person performs an action as if it were Jesus actually there in the flesh doing it. The power or right to accomplish it is mot one’s own 1 John 5:14-15 “Praying ‘in Jesus name’ is less about including a phrase at the end of your prayer, and more about positioning your heart properly when you pray” Aaron Berry
2) The Pushback Acts 4;5-12 Acts 4:17-20 Acts 4:29-31 Acts 4:40-41 3) Take My name Romans 10:13
The God Of Restoration - When God Comes Close
A prophetic and encouraging message from guest speaker Pastor Daren Werk
Work the WAIT Luke
24:45-52
Acts 1:1-5
Acts 1:8
Acts 1:9-13
Jn 16:8
Jn 14:16-17
Jn 14:26
1) Wait
Acts 1:14
Heb 12:28
Mt 7:24-25
2) Will
Rom 12:1-2
3) Witness
“The sermon of your life in tough times ministers to people more powerfully than the most eloquent speaker” Bill Bright
4) Work
Mk 16:20
Positioning for Promotion Roman’s 12:2AMPC Roman’s 8:15-16 AMPC John 1:12 NKJ John 15:15 NKJ Colossians 1:12-14 AMPC John 17:20-23 NKJ Roman’s 8:1 NKJ Roman’s 8:33-34 AMPC Roman’s 8:35 AMPC ELOHEI CHESED GOD of Lovingkindness 1John 4:15-16 NKJ Psalm 36:7 NKJ Precious Lovingkindness Psalm 17:7 NkJ Marvellous Lovingkindness Psalm 63:3 NKJ Lovingkindness is better than life Isaiah 54:10 NASBLovingkindness will not be removed Romans 11:29 TPT Romans 11:29 AMPC Romans 8:37 AMPC Ephesians 2:10 AMPC
Superpower 1 Cor 15:14-171 Cor15:5-8 “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept ALL of what He said; if He didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of it?” Timothy Keller Phil 3:8&9 Phil 3: 10&11 1) Know Him Rom 5:81Jn 5:20 2) Know the power of the Resurrection Rom 8:11 Eph 3:20-21 3) Know the fellowship of His sufferings Eph 3:17-19 4) Be conformed to His death Gal 2:20 2 Cor 5:17 5) Attain the Resurrection Jn 11:25-26
Strategy In Breakthrough Luke: 19:28-40 1Chron 14:8-17 “The anointing is literally God on flesh doing what flesh can’t do” Murray Ledger Strategy in BREAKTHROUGH:1) Inquire2) Listen3) Acknowledge4) Obey 1) Inquire Vs 14 2) Listen 3) Acknowledge Vs 15 2 Kings 6:15-17 “When we see some sign of God’s Holy Spirit being in motion or some other signs, these are the seasons when we ought to be more than ever active, and more than ever earnest in the service of our Master” Charles Spurgeon “ When we see God working, we must stir ourselves and advance quickly to follow in His victory. When we find the flow in the Spirit of God we should jump in” David Guzik 4) Obey Vs 17 This is NOT AN END - it is a NEW BEGINNING!
Look Up - Live Out Mt 24:42-44 Watch - Be Ready Luke 21: 25-28 Look Up - Lift Your Head Col 3:1-4 2Cor 4:16-18 Psalm 27:1-4 “There is no person so dangerous to satan’s kingdom as one who is intimate with God” Daniel Kolenda 1)Sovereign Decretive Will2)Preceptive Will3)Will of Disposition The rest of Psalm 27 - verse by verse Isa 40:31 Psalm 40:1-2 We must develop the practice of being positioned IN presence - so we can be positioned BY presence
God’s Secrets Heb 11:1 Prov 18:24 We not only build our trust OF God - we build trust WITH God 1) What builds trust with God? Unconditional Obedience Absolute Integrity Unwavering PriorityKnowing His Heart(John Bevere) Jn 15:13-15 “Friendship with God is on offer - upon a condition: that we fear Him” RT Kendall 2) What is the fear of the Lord? 3) Who is a friend of God? Psalm 25:14 ( NKJV, ESV, TPT please) Prov 3:32 4) What is God’s will? A) Sovereign Decretive Will Amos 3:7Jer 33:3 B) Perceptive Will Deut 17:18-19 C) Will of Disposition James 2:21-23Ex33:11
First Love - NOW WHAT? Acts 16:30-31Prov 3:5-6 The heart decides who or what it trusts - and that trust will direct the course of life 1) Relationship - Willingness to TRUST Num 23:19Heb 13:82Tim 2:13 2) Trust - Willingness to KNOW The thing that calms fear isn’t faith; It’s trust. Faith is the assurance of what we hope for. Trust is confidence in the character of God ~ Tyler Staton Mat 6:31-33 3) Knowing - Willingness to STAY Jn 15: 4,5,7,9Jn 15:5 TPT 4) Staying - Willingness to RESPOND Psalm 143:8Jn 15:16
First Love Pt.2 Jn 3:16-171Jn 4:7-101Jn 4:18-19Rom 5:8 “A deep sense of love and belonging is an irresistible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs aren’t met, we don’t function as we were meant to” Brene Brown 1) HEART CHECK Song OF Solomon 3:4 Rev 2:4Ps 139:23 2) COME BACK Joel 2:12-13James 4:8 Jesus - I choose YOU!
God is stirring revival in the hearts of His people again. What does real revival look like, how does it begin?
Minister To Me “God’s responsibility is to provide the burning bush - Our responsibility is to turn aside” John Ortberg Heart’s Cry A Heart’s Cry - manifests in relentless pursuit of satisfaction or irrational expressions of self-sabotage Mt 6:33 Minister to Me Jer 29:14 Mt 5:6 Acts 13:2-3 ( possibly Ezek 44:10-16) “I feel as though the eyes of God are on me. And I want Him to see that when He speaks, I jump” Reinhard Bonkke
First Love Romans 10:9&10 “…one who has a true saving faith has moved from investigating Jesus’ claims to believing that these claims are true, and from believing these claims are true to personally trusting in Jesus for forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God. If I have a true saving faith, I no longer simply believe facts about Jesus; instead, I personally trust Jesus to save me.” Wayne A. Grudem 1) Deliberate Relationship Pr 3:5-8 Mk 10:17-22 2) Deliberate Affection Rev 2.2-5 3) Deliberate Partnership Ex 18: 13-23 a) Lean into the relationshipb) Get instructions for action
God inside minded God sent His Son Jesus to restore us to the original design He had for our lives and to restore our true identity as sons and daughters of God. God INSIDE minded is a message about the incredible reality that THE WORD OF GOD Who holds all things together in this unfathomably vast universe He created is WITHIN US. and the life changing truth of CHRIST IN US the hope of glory!
Scripture
John 14:12
Genesis 1:3
Psalm 33:6
Hebrews 1:1-3a ( amplified)
X structure at core of whirlpool galaxy
Psalm 139:13
Laminin
John 14:9-11
John 14:15-18
Psalm 78:40-42
1John 3:8
Restoration is the word that God spoke to Pastor George in prayer over 2023
Refresh yourself with God's promise to you that He the GOD who restores all things, and pays back to you double what the enemy has taken.
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Will I Find Faith? Luke 18:1-8 Acts 16:30-31 Believe: Gk pisteuo - To have faith in/upon, to entrust, to commit Luke 18:1 3 Faith Factors Heb 11:1-12 1) Faith is God-centred 2) Faith Obeys 3) Faith is a choice 4) Faith is a Relationship “Our Lord is also the sustainer of faith; for faith is never independent of Him upon whom it relies. The greatest believer would not believe for another moment unless grace were constantly given to him to keep the flame of faith burning” C.H. Spurgeon Heb 12:1-2
2023 State Of The Union Psalm 139:23-24 Search meCheck my heartCheck my mindEvaluate meLead me Amos 5:21-24 Psalm 89:14&15 Ditches: Legalism and Lawlessness 1Cor 1:27-29 Phil 3:7-10 Luke 9:23-24 “My responsibility is not to obey so that he will do something - My responsibility is to obey because He is Lord” Bill Johnson
The Divine Dance Jn 15:18-19Jn 17:14-15 Your Word - Your Way - My YES 1) Your Word Jn 2:51Sam 3:10 “Our practices enshrine our priorities” Glenn Packiam 2) Your Way Ps 86:11 3) My Yes Gen 1:27-28Gen 2:4-5 1) The Lord had not caused rain 2) There was no man to till the ground Isa 6:8 “In a civilization like ours, I feel that everyone has to come to terms with the claims of Jesus Christ upon his life, or be guilty of inattention or of evading the question” C.S.Lewis The Divine Dance Ex 2:23-24Ex 3:1-13Ps 105: 37-38
New Year's Day | Rachel's Testimony | God's Healing Love In The Face of Great Loss Jn 2:5 Luke 1:37-38 testimony from Rachel Walker Jn 10:27 1) Hear My voice 2) I know them 3) They follow Me 1 Kings 19:9-13
The Santa Clause Effect Luke2:8-10 Luke 7:11 James 1:17 Our view on Who God is, has everything to do with what we expect and what we experience What is my expectation of God? Isa 7:15 Isa 9:6 Romans 8:16-17 Inheritance is not earned - it is received 1 Jn 3:1 1) The Santa Clause Effect 2) The inheritance Ps 16:5&6 Lam 3:22-24
2 Peter 1:12-13 says:
"For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,"
Checking the foundation and remembering the fundamentals of what we believe is an essential part of walking our out faith and salvation.
Join Pastor Brad as we go back to the basics and establish/reaffirm the security we have in Christ Jesus.
Live to Give - His Way Pt. 4 Jn 10:11 Jn 10: 17-118 Mk 10:45 Jn 10:10 The enemy is a TAKER - The Saviour is a GIVER Job 1:21 “The best use of one’s life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. Life’s value is not it’s duration but it’s donation - not how long we lived but how fully and how well” William James Jn 14:6 Jn 15:12-14 Ps 86:1 1 Cor 6:19-20 His Way is LIFE!
The Way of LIFE - His Way Pt.3 Heb 10:19-20 Jn 14:6 2 Tim 4:1-5 “Truth is increasingly regarded as something felt, or relative, rather than something known or absolute” Barna Group Mt 5:13-15 Jn 8:31-32 Mt 7:13-14 It is not just a narrow GATE - it is also a narrow PATH MT 16:24-26 1) Deny himself 2) Take up his cross 3) Follow Jesus
Jn 14:16 Jn 5:23-24 Isa 55:8-9 James 1:5 Jer 33:3 The Counterfeit 1) Cost 2) Culture 3) Compromise Isa 14:13-14 Deut 8:3-10 Ex19:4&5 Ex 32:1-8
His Way Pt.1 Isa 53:4-6 Prov 14:12 Jer 6:16 1) The access to THE WAY Jn 14:6 Definition - The WAY: the mode of action, the means, the journey, course Isa 40:3 2) The Practices of HIS WAY The practice of HIS WAY is the product of RELATIONSHIP Isa 2:3 Heb 10:19-23 Ps 24:3-6 Isa 55:8-9
Lions or Sheep | The Fall and Restoration of Man
"RESTORE THE ROAR"
Pastor Paul Juss shares how mankind was originally cerated in God's image, and Jesus, The Word made flesh, is called THE LION of the tribe of Judah. The fall of man through sin turned man and woman into something more like sheep, easily frightened and somewhat foolish. Jesus came to and became like us, "the lamb slain from the foundation of the world," to restore us to our original design before God and IN the LIKENESS of the Lion. The church doesn't have to fear the roar for the enemy when she has a roar of her own birthed from the restoration Jesus paid for at the cross.
Feasting on FAITHFULNESS Ps 37:3 Ps23:1 Jn: 10:7-11 Heb 5:12-14 Heb 6:9-12 We mature in faith by USING faith Questions: 1) What would you say has gotten you to this point in your spiritual journey? What disciplines or practices have been important to you? 2) What does the next level look like to you when it cones to your faith? 3) What is something remarkable that you would like to see take place in your life or in the lives of those you care about? Psalm 37:3 1) TRUST in the Lord Pr 3:5 2) Do GOOD 3) DWELL in the land 4) Feed/FEAST on His FAITHFULNESS
Deepest Gratitude - Highest Praise Romans 1:20-21 1Thess 5:16-18 Lamentations 3:22-24 Lam 3:22 Psalm 139:7-10 2 Thess 3:3 2 Tim 2:13 Psalm 107: 8&9 Isa 43:2 Psalm23:4 Jn 15:15 Ps 18:24 Living in the GOODNESS of God is living IN HIM Ps 23:5&6
Just The Beginning 1) The Reconciling Rom 3:24-25 Rom5:7-10 2) The Relationship Rom 8:11 Heb 2:1&3 Heb 3:13 3) The Refreshing Heb 10:22 Video of water ( Wayne is bringing) Ps 63:1-7 “You should not begin to pray for all you want until you realize that in God you have all you need” St.Augustine Seek You Look for You Praise You Bless You Lift up my hands to You Remember You Meditate on You Rejoice
Greater Things
1) Identity
New Creation/Child of God
Jn 1:12-13
Rm 8:16-17
2 Cor 5:15-19
2) Assignment
Ambassador for Christ
2 Cor 5:20-21
Rom 8:19-21
Jn 14:12
Jn15:5
3) Action
Live active faith
Intellectual agreement + TRUST = FAITH (Michael Todd)
2 Peter 1:5-10
DO.THE.WORK
Faith+
Virtue
Knowledge
Self-Control
Perseverance
Godliness
Brotherly kindness
Love
“Healthy Things Grow” Rick Warren
The Ministry Gen 1:26-28
1) Growth is normal
Healthy things grow
“Healthy things grow - Growing things change Changing things challenge us - Challenge forces us to trust God Trust leads to obedience - Obedience makes us healthy And healthy things grow”
James Ryle
2) Ministry is normal
Eph 4:11-16
Ministry: Gk Diakonia - the work of bringing, service, acting as a go-between
Jn 13:35
Mt 5:16
2 Cor 5:17-21
“If health and growth don’t co-exist, toxicity is inevitable” Jim Burgen
2 Cor 5:15
Why are you here? “The church is not a building, but a body of believers with a specific nature and purpose” Robert Valande 1) Consumer Mentality “The human heart is a factory of idols. Every one of us is, from his mother’s womb, expert in inventing idols” John Calvin 2) Producer Mentality Luke 9:10-17 Mt 10:7-8 Acts 3:6 3) Ministry Mentality Eph 4: 11-16 Ministry: Gk Diakonia - the work of bringing, service, acting as a go between “Thou had made us for Thyself O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in Thee” St. Augustine 2 Cor 5:15 2 Cor 5:17-21
The Family Business
CULTURE - “This is how we do things here”
“Culture is a combination of what you CREATE and what you ALLOW”
Craig Groeschel
Victory Church Grande Prairie is a multi-generational, multi-cultural family – passionately pursuing God and His purposes on the earth.
- IN THIS FAMILY WE…. PUT GOD FIRST.
Prov 3:5-6
Jn 15:5
- IN THIS FAMILY WE…SHOW HOSPITALITY.
We welcome everyone, and we love well. We love because He first loved us.
1 Jn 4:19
1 Pet 4:8-9
- IN THIS FAMILY WE…SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.
God puts the solitary in families. No one is meant to do life alone. We grow and thrive best in community.
Ps 68:6
1 Cor 12:20-27
- IN THIS FAMILY WE… LOOK FOR OPORTUNITIES.
We look for opportunities to help, serve, give, and love. We are blessed to be a blessing.
Gal 6:9&10
2 Cor 9:8
- IN THIS FAMILY WE…SERVE WITH EXCELLENCE.
As we serve others – we serve God. He deserves our best.
1 Cor 10:31
Mt 20:20-28
While God is not the cause of or author of pain, He is able to redeem even the worst situations and grow us through the things that have hurt us. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,”
These momentary afflictions will pass, but the end result of our walk with The Lord is not even remotely comparable because of the glory that will be revealed on the day of The Lord, the resurrection of the dead, and the consummation of time, on which God’s ultimate purpose for Gos creation and for us as His children will be fully realized.
Pain can harden our hearts, or it can be a tool in the hands of God to shape us further into the image of Christ, who suffered more than any man to become the once and for all sacrifice for the sin of the whole world, and to draw mankind back to God through the forgiveness we receive through His on suffering in our place: “by His stripes, we are healed”
The question then is this: IS YOUR PAIN WORKING FOR YOU? Because with God all things are possible, and He can lead us through anything to make us better instead of bitter. . . . . .
godisgood #godislove #godislove❤️ #christianinfluencer #christian #christianreels #christianmotivation #christianinspiration #dailydevotions #godisfaithful #glorytogod #godlovesyou #godiswithyou #godiswithus #jesusisgod #hismercy #graceofgod #victorychurch #grandeprairie #gpab
YOU HAVE AN ANOINTING | Preaching Aug 21
INTRO
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
BUT what does that really mean. What is God’s standard for Fathering?
If you have my history or my wife’s history…
Psalm 68:5-6
“A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads the prisoners with singing.
We bear witness
EVEN IF YOU HAD A GOOD FATHER, GOD IS PERFECT
When I inquired about His heart for today He reminded me:
👁Vision of Jesus covering the continents
By the grace of God, by the power of His Spirit, no one is going to leave here before their heart cries out, “Abba, Father”
IM GOING TO TELL A LOT OF STORIES
I am a story teller
THEY ARE TO “BEAR WITNESS” hold them up against the WORD
PRAYER
The three witnesses (The Word, My own testimony, The Spirit of God)
Now matter how long we’ve been in the faith THIS IS THE ISSUE WE RUN INTO
THAT SAME SPIRIT, THE SPIRIT OF GOD is JUST as much PRESENT NOW as HE was in that Holy moment.
We are baited into believing something has CHANGED
Whether SUBCONSCIOUSLY or VERY CONSCIOUSLY Something shifts
WE think WE HAVE FAILED GOD and He has rejected us
Or we just made it all up to begin with.
BUT HE IS THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
HE ONLY SPEAKS IN TRUTH and He FELLOWSHIPS with truth.
He cannot fellowship with a lie.
So in whatever area we have believed or begin to believe a lie,
FELLOWSHIP with The Father (in that area) is broken.
OUR SIGNAL GETS CHOPPY, SOMETIMES IT CUTS OUT ALL TOGETHER
YOU CAN BE IN THE SAME ROOM WITH PEOPLE AND HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP
YOU CAN EVEN BE MARRIED AND HAVE NO INTIMACY
When there has been offence between Jilliana and I
My head knows she is right there but our hearts couldn’t be father from the connection and oneness we vowed to one another to have.
You might as well not be speaking the same language.
HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN WITH GOD?
The enemy comes, the cares of the world come, and try to strangle out the connection we have with OUR FATHER by making us question
- HIS CHARACTER
- Our Identity
- OR the devil just says “worship me”
And as much as we would all like to say we would never struggle with that last one, there is a reason 1 John concludes:
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”
1 John 5:21
WE ARE WORSHIPFUL CREATURES ONE WAY OR ANOTHER
And the switch can happen so fast
This is why I have had to stop posting to Youtube for now
(…explain)
*The Lords hand on the one testimony
*Next thing you know I am wrestling to “keep the momentum”
BUT WHY?
DOES GOD NEED ME TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING?
No, Jonny’s flesh wants to turn youtube into a badge of “SUCCESS”
I CAN’T SELL MY PRECIOUS JESUS FOR 30 Pieces of silver
Does it mean I can’t ever share anything on youtube, no, it means
IT WILL NEVER BE ABOUT ME, IT WILL ALWAYS BE ABOUT HIM
Jesus never thought “I better pop a miracle daily to keep the crowds coming”
What did Jesus do after the miracles?
“Don’t tell anyone”
But He couldn’t stop the word from spreading
So we don’t need to fight for influence, we need to fight to protect our intimacy with GOD
The OUTWARD Anointing is just the SPIRIT BEARING WITNESS TO AN AUTHENTIC INWARD RELATIONSHIP
“THIS IS MY SON, (OR DAUGHTER) IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED”
1 John 2:20 Says “YOU HAVE AN ANOINTING from the HOLY ONE”
When you steward the anointing WITHIN YOU well, the outward expression is automatic.
⚡️Mary Testimony
REMEMBER WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT GIFTS / MEASURES OF FAITH
The expression of Christ in me may look different then the expression of Christ in you, but intimacy always ends up with this witness
Acts 4:13 “they were astonished and took not that these men HAD BEEN WITH JESUS”
They are ABIDING IN HIM and bearing the kind of fruit Jesus designed them to bear
AND TODAY HE WANTS US ALL TO EMBRACE THE SPIRIT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN, THE ANOINTING WE HAVE RECEIVED, IT IS GOD HIMSELF AT WORK IN US, REVEALING HIS LOVE TO US AND THROUGH US
EPHESIANS 3:16-19
“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God.”
GUYS THIS IS THE THING that doesn’t get old like everything else
THIS IS THE PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS THAT GROWS BRIGHTER AND BRIGHTER
THIS LOVE IS WHAT WE WERE MADE FOR, everything else will pass away
EVEN FAITH AND HOPE will become obsolete when we finally see Him face to face,
BUT THIS LOVE WE HAVE BECOME PARTAKERS OF WILL NEVER FAIL
HE WANTS TO BE YOUR FATHER IN A WAY YOU MIGHT HAVE NO FRAMEWORK FOR
HE WANTS TO BE YOUR FATHER IN THE TRUEST SENSE, IN THE “PERFECT” SENSE
HE HAS SENT HIS SPIRIT, THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, TO SHOW YOU EVERYTHING
John 16:13-15
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15All things that the Father has are Mine.”
How do you receive THAT SPIRIT, or how do you know if you HAVE HIM ALREADY?
1 John 2:23
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
ACTS 2:38
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE SON, YOU RECEIVE THE FATHER, and YOU HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD EXACTLY THE SAME WAY JESUS DID:
BY HIS SPIRIT
IM GOING TO SAY THAT AGAIN ^
Since you believed in Jesus YOU HAVE RECEIVED NOT JUST “A” FATHER, but THE FATHER.
THE ONE WHO IS FULLY REVEALED IN THE SON
THE ONE WHO COMES OVER THE HILLS AND THROUGH THE VALLEYS TO FIND YOU
WHO SAYS
“I LOVE THESE 99 but I WILL NOT REST UNTIL I RETRIEVE MY ONE, MY PRECIOUS ONE WHO HAS GONE ASTRAY”
“IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT IT COSTS ME, IF IT KILLS ME, I WILL GET THEM BACK”
The ONE WHO SEES YOU FROM AFAR, GIRDS HIMSELF UP, and COMES RUNNING TO KISS YOU WITH JOYFUL TEARS
HE SINGS OVER YOU WITH GLADNESS
John 16:27
“for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.”
IF ITS NOT PERSONAL, ITS NOT WHAT HE DIED FOR:
RELIGION WILL ALWAYS TRY TO PUT BARRIERS BACK WHERE JESUS CAME TO TEAR DOWN EVERY WALL BETWEEN YOU AND THE FATHER
Jesus suffered IMMEASURABLY to become the only intermediate you will ever need.
HE IS THE ONLY DOOR, everything and everyone else who tries to stand between you and the Father is a thief and a robber.
THE SON DIED IN YOUR PLACE, FOR YOUR SIN, TO GIVE YOU HIS UNHINDERED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER. They sent their SPIRIT to make that REAL to us.
ROMANS 5:1-5
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance; 4 and perseverance, [c]character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
If you don’t know where to start with meeting Him, ask Him to MEET YOU HERE IN THE WORD, He is the one who inspired THIS
⚡️EW TREE
SO if you can’t figure out where to begin THIS (THE WORD) IS WHERE YOU START
THIS IS WHERE YOU STAY
“IF YOU REMAIN IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU…YOU WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT”
And GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS, what He has done for one He will do for another.
SO IF YOU DON’T KNOW IT YET GOD SAYS:
“DRAW NEAR TO ME AND I WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU… SEEK ME AND YOU WILL FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.”
And
“A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART I WILL NOT DESPISE”
I WAS ALWAYS BROKEN but NOT ALWAYS CONTRITE
I HAD SO MUCH PRIDE in the MIDDLE OF MY BROKENNESS as a teenager
God can work with brokenness, its actually a prerequisite
HE cannot work with PRIDE, all He can do is smash it
Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 16:5 “The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
It was a long painful humbling process for me:
There was a night my mom had to rush me to the ER because I had taken nearly a bottle of Advil
As I was throwing up the activated charcoal and writhing in pain I realized:
IT WASN’T THAT I WANTED TO DIE, I JUST DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO LIVE
I NEEDED A FATHER TO SHOW ME HOW TO LIVE
even then HE WAS RIGHT THERE
HIS SPIRIT WAS BROODING OVER MY DARKNESS saying,
“LET THERE BE LIGHT”
“I AM GOING TO BIRTH CHRIST IN YOU”
And I WAS writhing in birth pains, cause I had already received the SEED OF CHRIST
I had first encountered the Lord and received Jesus at CAMP CHRISTIAN at 17 years old
If we don’t let the seed put down deep roots, and let the love of God become our foundation, the idols in our lives will eventually kill us.
And it’s not the person you idolize that is the enemy, it’s not the career, not even the money, it’s the WORSHIP of those things that will destroy you.
So I was still on my knees before MY IDOL. I wanted the affirmation of a beautiful girl more than I wanted anything, and when I was rejected by my idol I was thrown into hopelessness and despair.
But this is what the Lord said: Ezekiel 16:6
(AND EZEKIEL CHAPTER 16 IS PIVOTAL FOR US THIS MORNING SO WE WILL BE BACK HERE IN A BIT)
“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, ‘Live!’
AND THAT’S EVERYONE OF US
WE WERE BORN SLAVES TO SIN AND DEATH
👁THE FARM DUCK AND THE SHEPHERD DOG DREAM
AN ALLEGORY: DUMB DUCK AND LOYAL DOG
We aren’t God’s master, totally the opposite,
but WHEN CAME HE TOOK ON THE NATURE OF A SERVANT AND BECAME OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF DEATH
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH, That’s our SHEPHERD, OUR JESUS
“I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOUR SIDE”
And HE NEVER DID.
Right after all that I went back down to Columbus:
Young adults night,
baptism of the Holy Spirit
Weeks later woke up praying in tongues
TONGUES (FOR THE CHRISTIAN) cannot be of the devil
The word case scenario: a joyful noise
The best case: a perfect prayer
I believe it is perfect prayer
And I began to pray in tongues “more than you all”
I met a Pastor I LOVE in Oklahoma named ALAN TAYLOR, He said,
“If you pray in tongues a lot, God will give you a pretty wife.”
I took him seriously, for the young men out there, I’m not sure its even a joke
Some of you might know Alan Taylor, but we’ll get to that part.
We are talking about YIELDING to the anointing God has given you,
and I cannot think of a particular expression of the anointing that has been more transformative for me then this one
I BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE FATHER IN UNPRECEDENTED WAYS
And the ANOINTING isn’t just to prophecy and work signs and wonders, even though that is an expression of it
THE HOLY SPIRIT ABIDING WITH YOU AND IN YOU is so that GOD CAN BE YOUR FATHER IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH
I wish I could say that it was all manifestations of blessing for other people
IT HAS MORE OFTEN BEEN CORRECTION AND INSTRUCTION FOR ME PERSONALLY
And I wish I could say that once I started walking in this sonship I didn’t make any more mistakes
That would be a lie,
I’m going to tell you how God tried to stop me, and then redeemed one of the stupidest mistakes I ever made
AMANDA
👁Jesus in red robe “NO”
*Grandpa Jim
TWO YEARS and a broken heart later
I’m yelling at God like it was His fault
His PRESENCE manifests THICK in the living room
“Sit at my right hand” | THE WORLD BECOMES SMALL UNDER MY FEET
I couldn’t eat, maybe fasting?
👁Before I painted the heavens
The FATHER WAS TEACHING HIS SON ABOUT REAL LOVE
GOD KNOWS WHAT HE HAS PLANNED FOR YOU
HIS ANOINTING TEACHES YOU WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
FOR WHAT HE HAS CALLED YOU TOO.
“I will wait for you there, down on my knees where I a met you”
Pittsburgh
OKLAHOMA | ALAN TAYLOR | “GIVE GOD A YEAR”
Starve that root of need for affirmation to death
SO I DID IT
YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED?
I MET A GAL ON INSTAGRAM A YEAR LATER who happened to have given God a year off dating after going through something similar
She said she was from GRANDE PRAIRIE
I FELL IN LOVE WITH THAT GIRL, and when I came up to propose
MOM says “Your Father has a surprise for you on the way.”
I POSTED TO FACEBOOK | ALAN TAYLOR says Thats where he is from
Not only that but when I WENT into VMTC Pastor Paul and Rachel are talking about ALAN TAYLOR
I HAVE LISTENED TO a HUNDRED of this guys teachings, he has no idea I look at him like a spiritual father,
Come to find out I am plugged in with his family here in GP
GOD SAID THE WORLD WILL GET SMALL FOR YOU WHEN I REDEEM THIS, and it surely did
BUT WHY AM I SHARING ALL THIS?
BECAUSE THIS ANOINTING IS NOT JUST FOR YOUR ADOPTION, IT IS FOR YOUR CONSECRATION, TO GET YOU READY FOR MARRIAGE.
NOT JUST EARTHLY MARRIAGE, that too if that is what He has for you,
BUT FOR OUR MARRIAGE TO THE LAMB
BEFORE I CAME UP TO MEET JILLIANA FOR THE FIRST TIME I was scared
“God if this is the woman…”
…
CAN YOU LOVE HER LIKE I LOVE HER
❤️I knew in myself I could not, but with HIS ANOINTING I could I would have to learn to DIE TO MYSELF
This anointing is for YOUR BURIAL
Mark 14:8
“She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.”
This is not a stretch, its WHAT THE SPIRIT DOES
Romans 8:13 gives the further context to where we started, what the SPIRIT OF ADOPTION DOES in us
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,[e] Father.” 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
AS A HUSBAND In order TO LOVE MY BRIDE WELL, I HAVE TO DIE TO MYSELF DAILY AND EMBRACE THIS ANOINTING, THIS CONSECRATION,
AS AS BRIDE TO CHRIST IT IS THE SAME
THIS ANOINTING IS FOR MARRIAGE
ART LIFE CAMP
👁BONE OF MY BONE, FLESH OF MY FLESH
This relationship was anointed for marriage, I needed to treat it accordingly, not like the others
JESUS CONSECRATED HIMSELF FOR MARRIAGE TO US, and CALLS US TO THE SAME CONSECRATION THROUGH THE SAME ANOINTING
John 17:16-20
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17“Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 18“As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19“For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
20“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
We are anointed to become ONE FLESH WITH THE LORD if we will allow THE SPIRIT TO SANCTIFY US
The ENTIRE POINT of creation, the culmination of all things IS THIS MARRIAGE
Jesus came out from the Father to be joined to His bride
“For this reason a man will leave His father and mother and be joined to His wife and the two will become one flesh”
THIS IS THE MYSTERY UNVEILED IN CHRIST
WE Were taken out of HIM TO BECOME HIS SUITABLE HELPER
LOOK AT GENESIS 2:20-24
The man gave names to all the livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field, but for [q]Adam there was not found a helper [r]suitable for him. 21So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place. 22And the LORD God [s]fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23Then the man said,
“AT LAST (Emphasis mine) this is bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
[t]She shall be called [u]‘woman,’
Because [v]she was taken out of [w]man.” 24For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”
Look how God put the first Adam to sleep and did a surgery on his side to fashion a bride for His son.
WHEN GOD SENT THE SECOND ADAM, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
HE “PUT HIM TO SLEE”
After Jesus had suffered and died, they pierced His side, and water and blood poured out.
We become a new creation through that water and blood, we become the bride of Christ, of whom He says,”
GOD PRESENTS US TO HIS SON JUST LIKE HE DID WITH THE FIRST ADAM
And CHRIST SAYS
“AT LAST, THIS IS BONE OF MY BONES, and FLESH OF MY FLESH.”
AT LAST
ITS TIME TO EMBRACE THIS ANOINTING
God IS LOVE
Without love we are nothing
1 Corinthians 13: 1-2
1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I don’t have this love, I am nothing and I have nothing.
The reverse is also true If I have THIS LOVE, I have everything
I have not/ am not perfected but I press on to lat hold of what Christ Jesus died to lay hold of me
I WILL BE A SON OF LOVE,
I WILL LAY HOLD OF THIS BY WHATEVER VIOLENCE, BY WHATEVER FORCE NECESSARY:
IN PRAYER, IN FASTING, IN DAILY REPENTANCE
by the spiritual weapons of warfare that are mighty for pulling down strongholds: confession, community, humility, WORSHIP.
I WILL GO TO WAR WITH THIS OLD MAN AND BY THE POWER OF GOD HE WILL DIE AND CHRIST WILL LIVE IN THIS TEMPLE
The most powerful thing you can do is LOOK AT YOUR FATHER with the eyes of your heart and adore Him.
“I WANT TO BE LIKE YOU DAD! You are so strong, you are so powerful in love and patience. YOU know EXACTLY who You are all the time. You never doubt and you never waiver in your commitment. YOU ARE LOVE, burning, fiery, unquenchable love, a light in which there is no shadow of turning.”
WE always emulate what our hearts most admire.
It is in worship that we allow our hearts to BEHOLD HIM. When The Holy Spirit unveils Him, we always cry out HOLY HOLY
But HERE IS THE MYSTERY: He is not just unveiling Christ TOO YOU
HE IS UNVEILING CHRIST IN YOU
Listen Up Heb 1:1-2 Pr 3:5 Acts 9:1-25 ( this is our main text and we’ll be coming back to this a lot so you’ll want to keep it ready) 1) His voice carries PURPOSE 2) His voice can be PERSONAL 3) His voice is PROPHETIC “It is called forthtelling -explaining the present from God’s perspective and bringing strength to God’s people to overcome in the situation and move into His purposes” David Peters 1 Cor 14:3 4) His voice is PEACEFUL ( not to be confused with tranquil) Col 3:15 “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in You” Saint Augustine
The Voice of God Pr 3:5 Ps 119:105 2 pictures - one at a time please ( single sound wave first) “Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual” Scott Westerfeld 2 Tim 3:16-17 Heb 4:2 Jn 1:1-3 Jn 10:1-5 Jn 10: 11&14 Jn 10:27 Ps 23
Opportunity Knocks The state of your heart will shape the state of your future! Eccl 9:10-11 2 Tim 1:5-6 2Tim 1:7 1) Be FAITHFUL 2 Tim 1:13-14 1 Tim 1:18-19 2) Be IN THE WORD 2Tim 3:16-17 2 Tim 2:15 Heb 4:2 3) Be READY 2 Tim 4:2 4) Be WATCHFUL 2 Tim 4:5 2 Tim 2:4-5
How’s Your Heart Jer 17:9 “Don’t follow your heart - inform your heart” Todd Wagner Mk 7:20-23 Ps 139:23-24 Pr 4:23 Mt 13:1-9, 19-23 ( we’ll stay on this text for awhile) If that’s what’s coming out of me - what’s going on in me? 1) The Wayside Heb 3:13 2) Stony Places “The backslider in heart will always judge God by what He didn’t do. But those who run with tenderness for Who He is, will always define Him by what He said, what He has promised, by what He has done… I’ve seen too much of His kindness to think anything other than - He is absolutely God. Always, always good!” Bill Johnson Pr 13:12 Ps 147:3 3) Thorny Places Pr 16:1 Ps 51:10 4) Good Healthy Ground Pr 4:20-27
Jesus is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, and there is no other door to the Father and to new life but through HIM. Through Him we have become children of God, we have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
The mystery of the DIVINE GOD indwelling us as His vessels is great, and without properly understanding it we will never rightly identify ourselves and our calling in Him. God has chosen us to become His son's and daughters through faith in Jesus Christ, and to be filled with His own SPIRIT and person. Christ has revealed the mystery of God's will which is restored and accomplished through the work He finished on the cross.
Chris Lindberg shares a powerful message exhorting the body of Christ to allow The Holy Spirit to remove the veil and shine the light of Christ on us and through us.
Working It Out “Our enjoyment of spiritual blessings is strictly limited to our appropriation of them. We enjoy not what we long for, or hope for, or even ask for, but only what we receive.” J Oswald Sanders Phil 2:12-13 NKJV Phil 2:12 AMP Phil 2: NKJV reading in chunks 1-4 5-11 12-13 14-16 17-24 James 1:27 Mt 25:34-40
Love and Action “Love looks like something” Heidi Baker Jn 3:16-17 Jn 5:19 1) The Family of Man 2) The Family of God Jn 15:9 Jn 14:6 Jn 14:9-10 “Striving, fear, and anxiety only exist where there is an absence of tasting the Father’s love” Bill Johnson 3) The Reconciliation 1 Jn 3:16-18 2Cor 5:18-20
Money Talks Heb 13:5 AMP Money will become a witness of: a) The source of my life ( Where it comes from, Who I trust, where I run) b) the treasure of our life ( What I value, Where my life is spent, my direction A) Who os the SOURCE of my life? 1Tim 6:17-19 Deut 8:17&18 B) What is the TREASURE of my life Mat 6:19-21 VALUE determines FOCUS FOCUS determines ACTION ACTION determines OUTCOME Mt 6:24 Luke 16:10-12 Mt 6:25-33
The Divine Partnership Acts 2:8 Mk 16:19-20 1 Cor 1:26-29 1) Those whose heart is for Him 2 Chron 16:9 Dan 11:32 Acts 13:22 a) Those who see the cause Luke 19:10 b) Messengers Isa 6:8-9 c) Intercessors Ez 22:30 2) Those with a ready ‘YES’ Mark 10:17-22 1Kings 19:19-21
Special Seats Col3:1-2 msg 3 Reasons for empty seats 1) Knowledge 2) Identity 3) Self 3 Remedies 1) Perspective 2) Position 3) Purpose 1) Perspective Ps 37:12-13 1Sam 16:7 Eph 1:15-23 Eph 6:12 2) Position Eph 2:1-6 3) Purpose Eph 2:6-10 Mark 16:19-20
Where’s Wisdom? Come up higher! Isa55:8-9 James 3:13-17 1 Kings 19:1-18 1) How do we come up higher? Rev 1:10-11 Acts 10:9 Col 3:1-3 NKJV & Msg 2) What happens when we come up higher? Rev 4:1 Isa 2:2-3 Come let us go up > He will teach us His ways 3) Who can come up higher? Ps 24:3-6 Mark 9:2
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better” Maya Angelou The best way to affect change is to start with revelation! 1 Cor2:7-8 1) The RESURRECTION leads to TRANSFORMATION 1 Cor 15:30-34 MSG 2) TRANSFORMATION requires REVELATION The 5 Whys Technique 3) REVELATION leads to WORSHIP Mt 14:33 Mt 28:9 4) WORSHIP leads to ASSIGNMENT Mt 28:9-10 See > Worship > Go Eph 1:17-23 Gal 2:20
Proof of Life 1 Cor 15:54-57 Mk 9:32 The Reason 1 Cor 15:14-17 The Proof 1 Cor 15:5-8 The Experience 1) Distress Mk 16:9-10 Jn 20:14-16 2) Disappointment Mk 16:12-13 Luke 24:21 Luke 24:25 Luke24:30-32 3) Doubt Luke 24:36-38 Mk 16:14 Jn 20:27 4) Disgust Jn 21:4-7, 15 5) Deception Acts 9:3-6
The Cross of Jesus Christ draws up different responses from different people, but it DEMANDS a response of some kind. How do we confront the cross?
A Kings Entrance 1) Triumphal Entry Mt 21:1-5 Zech 9:9 Mt 21:6-9 “Hosanna to the Son of David - blessed os He who comes in the name of the Lord” Isa62:11 Mt 21:10-11 2) The Temple Mt 21:1-13 Isa 56:1-8 NLT MT 21:14-16 Jer 7:5,6,11
The sphere that God has placed you in is YOUR ministry. There is no sacred/secular divide in the Kingdom of God.
Kingdom Keys Pt.2 Mt 11:12 Mt 16:18-19 Keys are carried by those who have authority over something of value Mt 16:19 AMP KINGDOM KEYS open and close Kingdom Realities - they belong to the Kingdom - they are used by us - under delegated authority to serve Kingdom purposes Heb 4:16 1) Keys of ALIGNMENT Jn 12:49-50 Eph 3:10-12 Isa 58:6 2) Keys of ASSIGNMENT a) action 1 Cor 16:8-9 Mal 3:10 b) prayer Col 4:3 Acts 12:4 James 4:3 3) Keys of AGREEMENT Come into agreement with God and out of agreement with the enemy! Mt 12.30 James 5:16 James 4:7-8 What am I giving permission to operate in my life? Truth Encounter Deliverance - Neil Anderson 1) Renounce the enemy 2) Repent of all known sin 3) Affirm the truth 4) Submit to the lordship of Jesus
Kingdom Keys Jn 11:25-26 Mt 6:31-33 1) The Kingdom of God changes your life Mt 5:3-10 Mt 9:35 Mt 10:7-8 “Jesus didn’t heal the sick to prove that He could - He healed the sick to prove that you could” Daniel Kolenda 2) The Kingdom has KEYS MT 16:13-18 Church: G1577 Ekklesia - A gathering or assembly, a governing body Mt 16:19 Who do the keys belong to? What are the keys for? Who gets to use them? 3) The keys require KNOWLEDGE MT 23:13 Luke 11:52 Prov9:10 “Consistent success requires consistent relationship” Heb 8:11 Heb 4:16
Kingdom Experience ( pt 8) Luke 4:18-21 Express His CULTURE Reflect His NATURE Col 1:9-10, 13-14 - know His will - walk worthy - be fruitful - know Him 1) What is the Kingdom? Rom 14:17 2) What is the access point? Jn 3:3 Jn 3:16&17 Rom 10:9 Acts 16:30-31 Eph 2:8 3) Where is the Kingdom? Luke 17:20-21 NLT “I define the Kingdom of God as the manifest presence, power, and glory of God on earth, and all that goes with it.” Steve Holmstrom 4) What does the Kingdom and Kingdom culture look like in me? Heaven and the Kingdom of God are not the same thing Gal 5:16-25 NLT I Cor 6:9-11
Kingdom Culture ( Kingdom Come pt 7) 1) What is culture? CULTURE is: “this is how we do things here” 2) What is Kingdom Culture? Mt 4:17 Luke 4:18-21 “In order to change a culture, we need to have a different culture in us” Leif Hetland 3) What is Value? Value: relative worth, importance, worth assigned due to desire ability 3 pictures of paintings - museum of modern art ( red and black) - giraffe and balloons ( blue and brown) - lion of Judah 4) What does the Kingdom Value? Romans 5:8 Acrs 10:38 1 Jn 3:16-18 “Look for someone who needs what you have”
Governing INFLUENCE of a king over His territory to: 1) express His culture 2) reflect His nature 1) Who’s in charge? Mt 26:53-54 “We don’t work FOR God - we work WITH God” P. George Sarkodie “God is in charge but He’s not in control” Bill Johnson 2) How does it work? Mt 13:33 Mk 8:15 Leaven: to permeate and modify or transform 1 Cor 5:8 “In order to change a culture, we need to have a different culture in us” Leif Hetland Mt 5:15&16 3) Where is the source? Jn 15:4&5 Abide: to stay, continue, dwell, be present “The secret is Christ in me - not me in a different set of circumstances” Elizabeth Elliot
It is God's good pleasure to give us the keys to the kingdom
Different keys are for different doors and different kinds of prayers are our connection to the Kingdom
Kingdom Identity ( Kingdom Come pt.4 Rom 8:15-17 Religion vs Kingdom A) Motivation (why?) B) Source (who?) “If we are not careful, we can identify too strongly with their label and fall into the trap of trying to live up to THEIR expectations. We should stop trying so hard to live like CHRISTIANS … and instead work harder at living like SONS and DAUGHTERS of God.” Dr.Myles Munroe 3 chairs picture 1) Son ( chair 1) Mt 3:17 Luke 15:11-32 ( we’ll be spending a lot of time digging through this passage - so you’ll want to keep it handy) 2) Stranger (chair 3) Luke 15:14-16, 19-24 3) Servant ( chair 2) Luke 15:25-31 What chair are you sitting in?
Freedom of choice -Choice is not simply a function of PREFERENCE but also a necessity for LOVE- 1) The Beginning Gen 2:5-7 Gen 2:15-19 Gen 3:1-7 “If you have not chosen the Kingdom first, in the end it will make no difference what you have chosen second” William Law 2) The Alternative Col 1:13&14 Rom5:12 Gen 3:6 a) Good for food b) Pleasant to the eyes c) Desirable to make one wise 1Jn 2: 15-17 a) Lust of the flesh b) Lust of the eyes c) Pride of life 3) The Choice Matt 4:1-11 Test 1 - Bread Test 2 - Appearances Test 3 - Power Gen 6:10-16 Deut 8:1-3 “Humility is the ultimate standard of greatness in the Kingdom of God” Mike Bickle 1Jn 2:15 Our experience of FREEDOM is in direct correlation to our SUBMISSION to The King Mt 26:39
Discerning the sound Joshua 3:13-15 Joshua 6:3-5 Eph 2:1-3 Kingdom Alignment Citizenship has everything to do with who we serve, who we are aligned with, and who’s name we carry Jn 3:3 Jn 3:16 Col 1:13&14 Power: G1849 Exousia - magistrate, control, delegated influence, authority 1 Jn 5:19 1 Jn 2:15 Mt 4:23-24 Luke 18-21 “Going to church produces a group of people that reflect culture. Being the church produces a group of people that change culture” Carey Nieuhof Rom 12:2
Seek first God is not a democratic philosophy - He is the KING OF GLORY! Rom 11:36 Col 3:2-4 Mat 6:27-33 NLT LUKE 12:31-32 Don’t be anxious Seek first His Kingdom Seek His righteousness 1) What is a kingdom? “A kingdom is: A governing influence of a king over His territory - impacting it with his will, his purpose, and his intentions - producing a citizenry of people who express his culture and reflect his nature” Dr. Myles Munroe 2) What is the Kingdom of God? Jn 18:36 The Kingdom of Heaven has a King, a system of government, a code of ethics, a legal framework, an economy, a purpose, and a culture. 3) How does the Kingdom of God apply to me? Luke 17:20-21 “I’m not afraid of the devil. He can’t handle the One to Whom I’m joined” A.W.Tozer 2 Cor 5:15-17
ADVANCE & INCREASE 1) Identity Rom 8:37-39 Rom 8:31 “It isn’t what we do that determines who we are, but it is who we are that determines what we do” Leif Hetland I am who He says I am! 2) Identification Eph 1:18-19 Time Is Short! 3) Alignment 1 Cor 15:58 “In order to change a culture, we need to have a different culture in us” Leif Hetland 4) Activation Deut 30:19-20 “Any vision directly or indirectly inspired by God, always brings hope and benefits our world” Faisal Malick Mt 5:13-16
God has given us His Spirit, and if we will get to know Him, we will not miss His leadership and the specific direction of God for our lives.
Advent Week 4 - Lessons in LOVE
Jn 3:16&17 1 Jn 3:1 1 Jn4:7-11 1) God Loves us Unconditional love required us to know and accept a person’s flaws and love them just the same. 1 Jn 4:18 2) The Flaw is Fatal Rom 5:6-8 1 Jn 4:19 3) God’s AGAPE moves through us 1 Jn 3:16 “Unconditional love, extended to others without exception, is considered to be one of the highest expressions of spirituality” Professor Mario Beauregard Rom 5:5
The Mystery of JOY - Advent Week Three Luke 2:8-11 NLT 1) Happiness and Joy are not the same Heb 12:2 Psalm 126:5&6 2) Joy and Trust are inseparable Ps 33:20-21 Ps 5:11-12 Ps 20: 7&8 Who or what we TRUST will determine our measure of experienced JOY 1 Pet 1:3-8 1 pet 1:8&9 NLT “Disillusionment and disappointment will always strike where genuine trust in God grows thin. And that’s why when TRUST is missing - JOY will also go missing” Tony Reinke 3) Joy is strength James 1:2-4 NLT Neh 8:10
The Supernatural Power of PEACE Luke 2:13-14 Isa 9:6-7 Isa 53:5 1) This Peace is NOT OF THIS WORLD Jn 24:27 “A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we do is enter into it” D.L.Moody 2) This Peace is GOVERNMENTAL Isa 9: 6-7 Rom 14:17 Mt 5:9 3) This Peace HAS A RULER Eph 2:14 Col 3:15 Judges 6:23-24 Jn 24:27 Mk 4:39-40 Fear makes us fight to gain control - but Peace let’s us rest, knowing God is in control 4) This Peace is INSIDE OUT Jn 16:33 “Peace is the smile of God reflected in the soul of a believer” William Hendrikson Phil 4:6-7
“You look forward by looking backward, trusting nothing but God’s character” The Bible Project Look back in CELEBRATION > forward in EXPECTATION Look back in REMEMBRANCE > forward in ANTICIPATION John 1:1-14 1) Advent - Arrival Isa 9:2&6 Jn 3:16&17 Luke 2:25-33 2) Advent - Acceptance Just because the promise came - does not mean that we suddenly partake of that gift. There must be a conscious choice to receive. Jn 1:10-12 Rom 15:13 Rom 4:17-21 3) Advent - Anticipation 1 Peter 1:13 Hope RESTS somewhere Rev 21:3-5
The Word of God is like a seed that is activated by the PRESENCE of God in and with our hearts.
The Bible is full of the Word of God and the revelation of who God is. People gave their lives to preserve, translate, and distribute these sacred scrolls
ROAR: A full, deep, prolonged cry. Great in intensity
1) We are Victorious
2 Cor 2:14
1 Cor 15:57
Romans 8:35&37
Romans 8:31
Rom 8:18 2
Cor 4:16-18
Eph 6:11-13
2) The victory is claimed through relationship What we access had everything to do with how much we want to walk in relationship
1 Sam 17
3) The victory is spiritual with natural benefits The roar you feel on the inside is meant to be directed and released
3 Key Elements to the ROAR
a) Prayer and intercession
b) Declaring and enforcing the Word
c) Praise and Worship
Ps 34:15&17
2Tim3:16
Isa 55:11
Ps 43:5
Acts 2:1-2
"Do NOT approach prayer from the basis of TRIAL AND ERROR.
You come to God in prayer with full assurance in your heart."
The Higher Rock Ps 34:1 Col 3:1-2 Phil 4:4-7 1 Thess 5:16-18 Psalm 61 ( we will do this 1 verse at a time) Verse 1 - Cry Out Verse 2 - Be Honest Verse 3 - Remember Verse 4 - Determine Verse 5 - Re-centre Verse 6 - Speak Life Verse 7 - Stay Humble Verse 8 - Walk it out Eph 1:11-12
Setting the Stone 1) Control - Rom 10:9 - Col 2:6-8 - Gal 2:20 - Rom 12:1-2 Having Christ as the Cornerstone in my life means - there is no sacred secular divide! “When your will is God’s will, you will have your will” Charles Spurgeon 2) Communication Jn 5:19&30 “I don’t often spend more than half an hour in prayer at one time, but I never go more than half an hour without praying” Smith Wigglesworth “ I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer” Martin Luther “The man who does mot learn to wait upon the Lord and have his thoughts molded by Him will never possess that steady purpose and calm trust, which are essential to the exercise of wise influence upon others, in times of crisis and difficulty” Dixon Edward Hoste 3) Confidence - Phil 4:6-7 - Phil 4:13 -Heb 13:5-6 - Rom 8:28-31
Bill Prankard speaks at VictoryGP, exhorting the Canadian Church to stand on guard, to pray, and to rise up in the Spirit and nature of Christ to be a light in these dark hours. (Healing Evangelist session)
Bill Prankard speaks at VictoryGP, exhorting the Canadian Church to stand on guard, to pray, and to rise up in the Spirit and nature of Christ to be a light in these dark hours.
CORNERSTONE “Perhaps the reason that we never develop a family altar is that we have not truly developed a personal one. The place God has in our homes simply reveals the place He holds in our hearts” Scott Pauley
1 Peter 2:4-5 Acts 4:11-12 Isaiah 28:16 What/Who is your cornerstone…REALLY? 4 Main roles of a cornerstone 1) To be the starting place “How can my life and actions fit in with what God has already started doing in the world through Jesus?” Christopher R Smith 2) To provide measure and reference 3) To form the base where 2 walls join 4) To provide stability Matt7:24-27 James 1:22-25 Jn 1:1-4
Selecting Stones ( Building the Family Altar pt.2)
Joshua 4:20-24
1) Let your children know
2) Let the world around you know Psalm 145:4-6
1) Personal Experience
2) Revealed Truth
Genesis 28:10-22
Genesis 31:11-13
Genesis 35:1-7
“Perhaps the reason that we never develop a family altar is that we have not truly developed a personal one. The place God has in our homes simply reveals the place He holds in our hearts” Scott Pauley
Key ingredients:
1) Who I am
2) Who God is
3) What to expect
Genesis 35:10-12
Building the Family Altar What Are These Stones? “Wherever man has a tent, God should have an altar” Matthew Henry 1) Let your children know 2) Let the world around you know Deut 11:18-21 What is spoken in and from your house? Joshua 4:6 What do these stones mean … TO YOU? Mt 21:42 Mt 7:24-25 Ps 18:2
We need humility to walk out our calling, suddenly comes after we have humbled ourselves beneath the mighty hand of God
1 Cor2:9-10
James 4:7
An awakening takes place when God sovereignly pours out His Spirit and it impacts a region and changes a culture. A revival, on the other hand, is when the church comes back to life, when the church becomes what it was always meant to be.
Brian Taylor
Prov 14:34 2
Chron 29:1-5
1) Consecration
2 Chron 29:5-11, 27-31
2) Sanctification Vs 32-35
3) Activation
a) unity
2 Chron 30:8-12
b) salvation
2 Chron 30:18-20
c) passionate worship
2 Chron 30: 21-23
d) cultural change
2 Chron 31:1
e) abundance
2 Chron 31:10
1 Cor 2:9-10 Acts 16:26 Acts 16:25 Acts 1:4-5,7-8 Acts 2:1-2 1) Expectation 2) Preparation 2 Kings 18:5-7 2 Chron 29:2-10
1 Cor 15:9&10 Mk 5:25-34 1) Believe Mk 5:27-28 2) Receive 3) Acknowledge Mk 5:28-31 “Testimony shuts up the accuser - Truth wrapped in grace makes us free” Luke 8:45-47 4) Activate Luke 8:48 Ps 40:2-3 Gal 2:20 Rom7:6-8 “Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour” John Newton
What are we?
Our identity
1) Salt 2)
Light
Why did Jesus come?
1) To heal, save, deliver
2) To glorify His Father How does He do that?
1) Saves, heals, delivers us
2) Sends us out to others
Scripture References
Matthew 5:1-16, focus on verses 13-16
Colossians 4:6
John 1:1-9
Luke 4:18
John 10:10
Matthew 28:18-20
John 15:5, 14-16
Shut Up Shame Jn 10:10 Rom 8:15-16 1) Shame in the nation “People enslaved to shame are constantly apologizing to others for who they are” Crosswalk Ministries SHAME locks us in our past - LOVE leads us to our future 2) Shame in society Pr 14:34 2 Cor 5:14-15 3) Shame in the church 2 Cor 5:17 Shame says ERASE IT - love says confess it 2 Cor 5:17 Shame says it’s UNFORGIVABLE - love says it’s forgiven Jn 3:16-17 Shame says I’LL FIX IT - love says it’s done 1 Jn 1:9
“Shame leads to feelings of being not just UNQUALIFIED but DISQUALIFIED from anything meaningful or of having a significant role in the body of Christ” Sam Storms “Failing is not a disgrace unless you make it the last chapter of your book” Jack Hyles
Knowing God as Father transforms us from being spiritual orphans, full of striving and fear, to being sons and daughters of God, full of peace and love. In the story of the Prodigal Son, we see more than just the abundant mercy and love of The Father who was ready to receive His rebellious son back into is arms and home. We ALSO see that the wayward son wasn't the only one who was estranged from the Father, the son who lived at home in proximity to his Father ALSO had an orphan spirit and mentality. He couldn't celebrate the return of his brother, he didn't even call him brother, he said to The Father, "this son of YOURS..." He was bitter and angry because He saw the celebration of the brother who had returned, and never realized that all The Father had also belonged to him all that time. He had never believed that he was accepted as a son in his own house or that he had the right to ask his Father for the things the Father would have been glad to give him. He referred only to his work and obedience as what he thought should have been qualifications for love and celebration. The Father pleads with the older brother to come in and celebrate but he refuses, and we see that even though the Father has loved both of his sons all the while, the restored son is the only one who receives the Father's love by grace, by the spirit of adoption and sonship, rather than trying to become qualified for something that the Father gives freely because of His own goodness and love.
Sermon Notes:
“He’s better than we think – so we need to change how we think” Bill Johnson
Jesus Modelled His Dad
Jn 14:9-10
Jn 5:19
Jn 15:9
Orphans Crave a Dad
DO Something . HAVE something. BE something
Jn 14:6
Jn 3:16-17
Jn 1:12-13
Eph 3:14-15
Rom 8:14-17
Luke 12:22-32
Sons live from their Dad
“Orphans live in an atmosphere of fear – but sons learn to find their place at the family table” Leif Hetland
"DO Something . HAVE something. BE something" becomes:
"I AM. I HAVE. I DO"
Luke 15: 26-32
“Striving, fear, and anxiety only exist where there is an absence of tasting the Father’s love” Bill Johnson
Escaping The In-between
1) Anchor in HOPE
Heb 11:1
Ps 27:13&14
2) Embrace the ABSOLUTE
Ps 42:5
Heb 10:23
James 1:17
Signs fear is active in your life:
- you settle for less than your dreams
*you numb yourself
*you struggle to make decisions
*you procrastinate - a lot
There is NO UNCERTAINTY in God!
Isa 61:1&2
Jn 5:6-8
3) Be STRONG and COURAGEOUS
Joshua 1:6-11
Num 14:7-9
4) Prepare to POSSESS
Josh 1:11
Deut 29:5
Josh 5:11&12
“Hard work comes when the manna stops, but so do sweeter experiences, greater freedom, and all the fruit of the land that we could possibly eat” Cathleen Catheart
Heb 10:23-24
Jude 1:20-21
2 Tim 1:6&7
The Original 12-step Plan (Part2)
Prov 3:5
Ps 37:5&6
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God” Corrie Ten Boom
8) Rest in the Lord Ps 46:10 Isa 30:15
9) Wait Patiently
The WAIT: reveals the WHY, determines the WHEN, establishes the WHO
PS 105:17-19
10) Do not fret Gen 50:20
11) Cease from anger and forsake wrath
12) Do not fret
Pr 4:23 NIV
PS 73:17
The Original 12 Step Plan Isa 40:29-31 Ps 31:14-15 “To be entirely at the disposal of God is life and liberty for us” Charles Spurgeon Psalm 37: 3-8 1) Trust in the Lord 2) Do good - James2:14-17 “There is a joy in holy activity which drives away the rust of discontent” Spurgeon 3) Dwell in the land James 3:1 4) Feed on His faithfulness 5) Delight yourself in the Lord 1 Tim 6:7 6) Commit your way to the Lord
Pr 16:3 Ps 37:23-24
Pulling on the story of Jacob's encounter with God, Pastor George encourages us to see the example of a man who embraced the discomfort of the changing season and ended up seeing God right in the middle of the struggle. As God shows himself faithful during this "sunset season," we will say along with Jacob, "surely the Lord is in this place and I didn't perceive it!"
Rizpah Rising
Rizpah is a woman of the old testament covenant who illustrates incredible sacrifice and intercession to see the nation restored to God. Pastor Charlotte Quist uses the story of Rizpah to exhort us in prayer and fasting for our nation as we continue in this present famine and plague, the global pandemic. Our attention has been increasingly directed at what we are against, but the answer to the problem is found in what we are FOR. Instead of catering to the divisive conversations and rhetoric that is tearing communities apart, Pastor Charlotte calls us all to prayer and fasting, to intercession before God, to repentance, and to vigilance in the spirit.
Rizpah is an easily overlooked woman in 2 Samuel who loses 2 sons and several grandsons in the process of making Israel right before God after the injustice of king Saul's reign. She defends the bodies of her deceased from vultures and wild animals for six months until God sends rain on the land and delivers Israel from years of famine. The spirit of Rizpah is a heart that stops at nothing to defend that sacrifice and to make intercession on behalf of a nation who needs to be restored to God.
Love Wins! | Why we need to abide in God's love
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” Acts 2:1 NKJV
“I never knew how hard or would be to be in one accord in one place.It demanded a group of people who would lay down their own lives in pursuit of Him” -Pastor Charlotte-
1 heart
1 mind
1 focus
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:2-4 NKJV
In John Jesus is summarizing his ministry and message to His disciples as He is nearing the end of His earthly life
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:9-17 NKJV
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Abide in My love (remain and be present in) “Your number one focus is not to bear fruit, your number one focus is to abide in His love”
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Love one another “If you love God and love His body, you will bear fruit.”
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14 NKJV
“But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”
Galatians 5:15
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16
4 major Kinds of Bait
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Distraction: “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. II Timothy 2:3
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Disconnection: “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21 “If you are not feeling the love of God anymore, it hasn’t changed, you need to connect to it” “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24 NKJV “There is growth that happens when we are connected to a body.
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Discouragement Unmet expectations causes us to lose hope.
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Dread: “to anticipate something with apprehension or fear”
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” I John 4:18-19 NKJV
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:1-5, 7-13 NKJV
“Might be a good arm, might be a good foot, but if it’s not connected to the body, it can’t do what it’s meant to do”
- Learn to wait
Acts 1:4, 6-8
- Trust the Process
James 1:2-4
- Choose Your Attitude
Romans 5:1-5
a. Stand in GRACE b. Rejoice in HOPE c. Glory in TRIBULATION
TRIBULATION produces PERSEVERANCE PERSEVERANCE produces CHARACTER CHARACTER produces HOPE
Eph 3:17-21
4) Love the Long Game
2 Cor 4:17-18
Jude 21
Pastor Les Bourassa shares how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the coming Christ, the Messiah of Israel, and the saviour of the world. There are prophetic scriptures pointing to Christ all throughout the old testament, from Genesis to Malachi, but they all refer to specific parts of the Messiah's life and purpose, from His being born of a virgin, being called out of Egypt, being the sacrifice for sin to redeem all of mankind to God, being raised from the dead after paying the price for our peace with God, and finally His final day of judgement and the establishment of His everlasting rule over all creation.
Jn 11:25-26
- Where is Jesus?
- Jesus came from Heaven
Jn 1:1-2
Jn 8:58
- Jesus lived upon the earth
Jn 16:28
Jn 3:17
Jn 18:36-37
- Jesus returned to Heaven
JN 14:2
Mk 16:19
Acts 7:56
- What happens when we die?
2 Cor 5:7-8
Luke 23:43
Phil 1:21-23
1 Cor 15:17-19
- How should my eternal reality change my earthly life?
“Think globally, act locally” Patrick Geddes 1915
If we don’t keep an eye on eternity – we end up making temporal decisions that bear eternal consequences
1 Cor 15:56-57
2 Cor 4:16-18
Rom 6:6-8
He died for me – I will live for Him!
Who Is Jesus | Full Message (Part 2) Jesus claimed in, no uncertain terms, that He was the Son of the Living God. He even made it clear that He thought Himself to BE GOD incarnate when He responded to His accusers saying, "before Abraham was, I AM." We can respond to the question, "who is Jesus," in several different ways. Jesus declared who He is and was and will always do we believe and accept that claim? Our response to Jesus and our response to who He is determines how we will live our lives, and determines what will happen with us when we die. Scripture references: Zech 9:9-10 Luke 19:41-44 2 Cor 6:2 Heb 3:15 Worldview 1) How did we get here? 2) Why is everything so messed up? 3) How can we fix it? Who is Jesus? Theologically Jn 1:1,2, 10-14 Jn 3:14-17 Contempt Luke23: 8-11 Sorrowful Luke 18:18-23 Blessed Mt 16:13-17 Transformed Acts 9:1-6
Who is Jesus? Part 1
Ps 20:7 NKJV (TPT) Some find their strength in their weapons and wisdom, but my miracle-deliverance can never be won by men. Our boast is in Yahweh our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory! Our enemies will not prevail; they will only collapse and perish in defeat while we will rise up, full of courage. Give victory to our king, O Yahweh! The day we call on you, give us your answer!
Assign Accurately (Who is Jesus?)
-Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [a]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
-Jn 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
"The presence of struggle does not indicate the absence of God"
1 Sam 30:1-31
Live the Testimony (Who is Jesus?)
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Ps 103: 1-5
Your destiny in God is unique, it is not worthy to be compared to the calling and ministry of others. Marc Brisebois exhorts us to fixate ourselves on the unique calling and purpose of God on our lives, and not to "compare ourselves amongst ourselves." God's purpose and destiny for you is unique to you and it's not comparable to anyone or anything else. We can often look at the fruitfulness of another person's unique destiny or ministry, and it seems unfair to us when we calculate and compare what we think the cost of their ministry must be compared to what the cost of our individual, God given destiny, calling and ministry is. For some of us we may not have even stepped into that unique destiny in God yet, but we are being groomed for it daily, and the cost of what God is asking us to lay down as we journey toward our unique destiny in God is not worthy to be compared to the glory of the finished product. Just like paul says, "the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us." God's unique destiny for you is so custom tailored an individual/ special, and the process it will require to get you there is just as unique. Your personal cost in following Jesus to your unique God given destiny is not worthy to be compared to the glory of His unique and exquisite expression in you. Peter struggled with this when Jesus told Him that at the end of His unique destiny in God in THIS life, he would be lead where he did not want to go (alluding to his persecution for Jesus' sake). He wanted to know what John's unique destiny in God would conclude with, but Jesus asked Peter, "what is it to you if He lives until I return? You follow Me." So we cannot compare either the cost of our journey toward God's unique calling and destiny on our lives, nor can we compare the glory of that destiny to those costs.
Available on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/SoCdc1GmJYo
Grow Your Faith Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Faith doesn't necessarily come by "having heard," but by hearing. Its time to grow your faith. In this tumultuous and emotional season, it is vital for us to be anchored to God through faith, and our faith is the thing that Satan hates most and wants to destroy. The enemy knows "the just (justified) will live by faith," and that "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Protect the faith that God has sown into your heart through His word, and allow more of His word to enter into your heart daily.
The Honour Key is a message from Pastor Charlotte Quist the explores how our honour or dishonour toward people will either open up or shut out what God has for us.
Honour Acknowledges
Jn 8:53-55 "You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died, are You? The prophets died too. Whom do You make Yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him. And if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you; but I do know Him, and I follow His word.
Mk 9:7 "Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud: “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!”
Mk 6:4-5 "Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not dishonored except in his hometown and among his own relatives, and in his own household.” And He could not do any miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
Mt 10:41 "Hearing this, the other ten began to feel indignant with James and John."
Quotes: “Many times God will give you what you need in a package you don’t want”
John Bevere
“Dishonour shuts down what God has put in people – FOR YOU”
Jentezen Franklin
"Honour is a seed that births favour”
Joshua Selman
Honour Unlocks
2 Kings 5:1-15
"Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in the view of his master, and eminent, because by him the Lord had given victory to Aram. The man was also a valiant warrior, but afflicted with leprosy. Now the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken captive a little girl from the land of Israel; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. And she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would cure him of his leprosy.” And Naaman went in and told his master, saying, “The girl who is from the land of Israel spoke such and such.” Then the king of Aram said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he departed and took with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothes. And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which said, “And now as this letter comes to you, behold, I have sent Naaman my servant to you, so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” But when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to keep alive, that this man is sending word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? But consider now, and see how he is seeking a quarrel against me.” Now it happened, when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, that he sent word to the king, saying, “Why did you tear your clothes? Just have him come to me, and he shall learn that there is a prophet in Israel.” So Naaman came with his horses and his chariots, and stood at the doorway of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh will be restored to you and you will be clean.” But Naaman was furious and went away, and he said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will certainly come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the site and cure the leprosy.’ Are Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, not better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage.Then his servants approached and spoke to him, saying, “My father, had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, in accordance with the word of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. Then he returned to the man of God with all his company, and came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; so please accept a gift from your servant now.”
Where Do You Stand? | How to decide what is worth fighting for as a believer
It is easy to stand on the sidelines and accuse people of "doing it wrong," but much harder to decide where YOU yourself would stand in any given conflict. As believers, how do we decide what is worth fighting for? Where do we draw the line in this present circumstance and with the restrictions in place because of the Covid-19 Pandemic? Pastor Charlotte draws on the examples in the bible where the there are displays of faithful people who honored God above all while seeking to continue honor everyone around them. We need to know where we stand before we enter the conflict, and we need to decide what is worth fighting for before the fight comes knocking. When we seek to honor God first, there WILL be times when the systems of the world contradict our deepest convictions, and in this message we find examples and exhortation on how to make a stand in the right way for the right things.
Pr 22:6
Pr 4:3-5
Battle time is not the time to decide how to fight – it is time to walk out your training Honour is revealed by that which makes us stand “Freedom is one generation from extinction” Ronald Regan
“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right” Peter Marshall
Rom 13:1-7
Acts 4:19-20
Dan 6:1-23
Ps 41:1-3
1) Honour and Me
“When we believe that we ought to be satisfied, rather than God glorified, we set God below ourselves. Imagine that He should submit His own honour to our advantage. We make ourselves more glorious than God, as though we were not made for Him, but He made for us.” Charles Spurgeon
Ps 139:13-17
2Cor 3:17-18
It is only in acknowledging His value, and in honouring Him, that I begin to see how He values me - which is my only true hope of authentically valuing others
2) Honour and We
When GOD is removed from society - HONOUR is removed from society - IDENTITY is removed from society
Romans 1:20-24,25-32
Glorify: to render or esteem glorious or full of honour
3) Honour and He
1 pet 2:17
Rom 12:10 2
Tim 2:21 Amp
The ART of Honour
Ex 33:15-16
We’re OK to be different if that difference is YOU!
1 Pet 2:9
Rev 1:5b-6
Rev 4:11
Ps 29:1-2
ART of Honour
A - Acknowledge
Mt 13:44-45
R – Receive
Mt 10:41
Mt 13:57-58
T – Take Action Isa 29:13
Gen 12:1-3
Gen 15 Will be our main text and we’ll keep coming back to it:
After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, [a]your exceedingly great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I [b]go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one[c] born in my house is my heir!” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. 7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.” 8 And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” 9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” 10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two. 11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions. 15 Now as for you, you shall [d]go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” 17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. 18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates— 19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, 20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, 21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”
5 Key elements of navigating in a new era
1) Perspective - Gen 15:1 - Ps 73:25-26
2) Belief -Gen 15:2-7 -Heb 11:1&6 -Heb 11:8
3) Sacrifice -Gen 15:8-10 - Rom 12:1 - Heb 13:15-16 SACRIFICE is all about RELATIONSHIP
4) Faithfulness
5) Rest - Gen 15:12&17
“God is too good to be unkind. He is too wise to be confused. So if I can’t always trace His hand - I can always trust His heart” Charles Spurgeon
“If you want the fire of God, you must become the fuel of God” Tommy Tenney
Prov 17:3
Identity
-Ps 17:3-5
-Ps 139:23-24
-Ps 139:15-17
“The fire doesn’t make you what you are; it reveals what you were” Jack Hyles Integrity
1 Cor 3:9-15 “The soul’s safety is in it’s heat.
Truth without enthusiasm, morality without emotion, ritual without soul, make for a church without power. Destitute of the fire of God, nothing else counts; possessing fire, nothing else matters.” Sammuel Chadwick
Innocence
Ps 24:3-5
Rom 16:19-20
What is the motivation of my life? What moves me? Does the fire of God excite me or scare me? What am I actively doing to pursue God and His purposes in my life? Does the fire of God excite me or scare me? What is the Fire of God? The Fire of God is an expression of His love.
Heb 12:6
Deut 4:23-24
Heb 12:26-29
Why is there fire?
Ex 3:2-4 Acts 2:2-4
“Fire always falls on sacrifice” Bill Johnson
“The Church, for too long, has followed Casper the friendly ghost instead of seeking the fire of the Holy Spirit. We have turned limp at the thought of our own cross; we faint when we think of suffering or sacrifice. Beloved, it is time to embrace the fire of God’s presence. It is the fire that purifies our sacrifice” Pastor Francis Frangipane
1 Kings 18:20-40
The time's have changed and there is no going back. It's not a new year, it's a new era. In the wake of large scale exposure and the shaking the church has experienced in this past season, God is inviting us to partner with His prophetic plan, and to see those things that have been promised for decades finally come to fruition.
1) Hope requires an anchor Psalm 42:5 “You look forward by looking backward, trusting nothing but God’s character” The Bible Project 2) Hope acts today Heb 11:1 “If the enemy wants to steal my TODAY - he’ll throw doubt on my TOMORROW” AMP Heb 6:9-12, 19-20 3) Hope has gatekeepers Luke 7:20 Luke 7:21-23 “A tiny ripple of HOPE you set in motion can change the path of someone’s life” Dr Shane Lopez Zech 9:12
How can we have peace on earth when its so full of unrest by nature? When Jesus showed up in Israel over 2000 years ago it might come as a surprise to find out someone else was vying for the title, "Prince of Peace." Who was the prince of peace, and what can we learn from the seeing how there is always a counterfeit to the things God does and the fruit He produces authentically through The Holy Spirit.
“Real PEACE is not situational - it’s internal”
1) The Arrival of the Prince of Peace
Isa 9:6-7
Luke 2:6-7,13-14
Jn 1:12-13
2) Live in Peace
Rom 8:5-6
3) Make Peace
Mt 10:34
Ps 34:14
Mt 5:9
James 3:16-18
Why Persecution is Important for Refinement and to Open Opportunities. Pastor Darren Werk explains from the Word of God why we MUST endure persecution, and why persecution is an essential part of our refinement in faith, and how it is the key to open doors and opportunities that would otherwise never be opened to speak the truth of Jesus Christ and the saving message of the gospel to hearts and minds that would otherwise never hear it it.
Thomas Aquinas was said to have come in before Pope Innocent II in the 11th century:
Entering the presence of Innocent II., before whom a large sum of money was spread out, the Pope observed, “You see, the Church is no longer in that age in which she said, ‘Silver and gold have I none.’”
—“True, holy father,” replied Aquinas; “neither can she any longer say to the lame, ‘Rise up and walk.’” Vide Acts iii. 2–8.
Our hearts are so easily seduced into love and pursuit of the world and its "stuff," and the cost of falling in love with the world is having lost the Kingdom of God and having love for The King of Heaven.
“A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to “accept” Christ without forsaking the world” A.W. Tozer
Matt 6:9-13
1 Chron 29:10-11
Col3:2-4
Rom11:36
1) Yours is the KINGDOM (in Him)
Jn 18:36 Lk 17:20-21
The Kingdom is not FROM here but it IS here!
Ps 89:14
2) Yours is the POWER ( Through Him)
Mk 16:19-20
Acts 1:8
Eph 3:20-21
3) Yours is the GLORY ( For Him)
Unusual Escape ( Prayer of Prayer Pt 5) God promises that in every situation that tempts us He has arranged a means of escape. Isaiah 43:1-3 God has: 1) Created us 2) Formed us 3) Redeemed us 4)Called us Matt 6:9-13 James 1:12:17 1) Drawn away by his own desires 2) Desire conceives 3) Gives birth to sin 1 Cor 10:12-13 Dan 3:8-30 Ps 124
My Redeemer lives , Prayer of Prayers Pt 4
“When I know my Redeemer lives – I LIVE FREE!”
“We cannot be so afraid of dying that we stop living”
-Jn 11:25-26 -1 Pet 1:3-5 -1 Cor 15:21-22
1 Instruction
2 Praise
3 Repentance
“If anyone insists on his own goodness and despises others…let him look into himself when this petition confronts him. He will find he is no better than others and that in the presence of God everyone must duck his head and come into the joy of forgiveness only through the low door of humility” Martin Luther
-Matt 6:14-15
-Mark 11:24-26
-Phil 2:3-
4 Prayer
"Man does not live on bread alone, but every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Our Greatest Need Is Always Met When We Seek God First Jesus promised that we would never go without His presence. He said He was the true bread that came down from heaven. “No one can pray and worry at the same time. When we worry, we aren't praying. When we pray, we aren’t worrying.” Max Lucado Matt 6:25-27 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them." Matt 6:33-34 "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." “ To fail to pray is to not merely Break some religious rule - it is failure to treat God as God. It is a sin against His glory” -Timothy Keller- Matt 6:9-13 "“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’ Matt 4:2-4 "After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Deut 8:2-18 "2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in obedience to him and revering him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Jn 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Jn 1:14 "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jn 6:30-35 "So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." 4 - Part Meditation 1) Instruction 2) Praise 3) Repentance 4) Prayer
If Jesus’ whole life and ministry was saturated in prayer, we cannot expect our own lives or ministries to reflect His without it. Head over to our YouTube to catch Pastor Pauls entire message on the great necessity of prayer, hilariously titled, “Audrey The Chicken.”
In order to Live Loved By God, we need to understand how He loves us, and what He has done historically to make His love plain to the whole world. Be encouraged in how you can live loved by God and meditate on these scriptures to grow your understanding of how to walk in the grace of God. 2 Chron 7:14-15 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place. Rom 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Jn 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. ACTION STEPS 1) We pray to the Father Mt 6:9-15 9“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’] 14“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15“But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. We pray: TO the Father THROUGH Jesus Empowered BY the Holy Spirit Jn 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. Jn 16:23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 2) We are unconditionally LOVED by the Father “Cultivate a right view of God. A right view of God causes you to want to pray” Mike Bickle Jn 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 3) We are ADOPTED by the Father Rom 8:15-17 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. 2 Cor 6:18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.” 4) He’s a GOOD Father Luke 16:28-31 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ “But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Mat 3:16-17 After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. James 1:17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
During an undeniably unique dining experience at a restaurant called, "The Dark Table," Pastor Jordan Fuller recalls the feeling of being OUT OF CONTROL, and UNABLE TO SEE, as the whole premise of the place is to feed you surprise food in a pitch black environment. He remembers getting to a point where he needed to "find a way to see." Be encouraged as Pastor Jordan explains from the bible and from personal experience how God can give us vision that transcends our natural perception, and guide us through darkness by the light of the word and the Holy Spirit He has given us.
Everyone is called to pray. The Holy Spirit is drawing the church into a revelation of the necessity of prayer. Serving the Lord begins with prayer. Jesus' only time becoming outwardly aggressive was in correction of the people around Him was when He saw the money changers selling in the temple. He said, "is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer," but you have made it a den of thieves." He also made it clear that the temple would no longer be a place built by human hands, but would once again become the bodies of those who put their trust in God through the revelation of Jesus Christ. So now we are the house of God, we are the house of prayer. It is time for us to understand that prayer is not for a select few, but everyone is called to pray, and that no move of God comes into the earth now without the body of Christ interceding and thriving in communication with God through prayer. Some wonder, "why pray if God has already decided everything?" The reality is that God has decided to entrust MUCH to His people, His church, and He has delegated authority to the body of Christ which is empowered by prayer and co laboring with Him to SEE his perfect will done. If it weren't so, it never would have been written, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." Why pray if God has a plan? Because His plan to forgive, to heal, and to restore is released through His people when they pray.
Our assignment is with the Lord. If we are only looking at what is happening in the world we will quickly become overwhelmed, but if we keep ourselves fixed on why God has us hear in the first place, we can carry the answer to the problem.
When we operate on low power, we find ourselves overburdened with "urgent tasks" but missing what is important, and inevitably end up asking ourselves, "Why Can't I Dream Anymore?" This message, POWER UP | Pastor Charlotte Quist, targets the problem of being busy but not fruitful and the danger of losing our God given dream or dreams for the sake of what society considers urgent. Why can't we dream anymore? Because we are opperating in an emergency "power saving" mode with limited functionality which doesn't include being inspired, finding our anchor in God's presence, and allowing the dream giver to impart life to us. You can't dream when you are overwhelmed and in low power mode.
In a season that seems to have taken much from many, Pastor Charlotte reminds us that God has a history of using these kinds of situations to refine us in soul and spirit, and on the other side, His restoration and redemption leaves us better then when we started.
The Lord promises to guard our hearts and minds as we submit everything to Him with prayer and THANKSGIVING. It is incredible how much power is encapsulated in our expression of gratitude toward God.
What do we do when we are in the middle of where God brought us from, and where He promises to take us? Pastor Charlotte gives a powerful exhortation from the Word of God on how to navigate the in between.
No one can take responsibility for the gifts and calling of God, and for the vitality of your relationship together with Him, accept for you. He has already made Himself completely available to us through Jesus, but it is up to us to grow in relationship with the Holy Spirit, and to fan to flame the gift of God which is in us.
In a time of crisis and enflamed hatred, the solution is no different then it was 2000 years ago: Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to give us POWER to change, power to be free internally from presuppositions about ourselves and others, power to love with the love of God, power to overcome evil with good, power to bear witness of the death and resurrection of the One and Only Prince of Peace. There is no place for racism in the church. God does not condone prejudice or racism of any kind, but proves the complete opposite as Jesus' death and resurrection, and the ensuing release of the Holy Spirit is revealed to be a gift for every kind of person, male and female, young and old, gentile or jew, without discrimination regarding race or social class. Be empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT to love without prejudice. Be filled with the power of God to CHANGE from a nasty, self-righteous, judgmental, wretch, to a son or daughter of the Most High God, abounding in love and grace, effecting real change in yourself and in the world around you.
Right now the message is clear, "Don't Stop." There is a reason why you need to take courage while you are trusting God to make a way in 2020. Listen to this powerful message from Pastor Charlotte Quist detailing how God uses scary situations and seemingly unfavourable circumstances to deliver you from the enemy and bring you into all He has promised. Sometimes the biggest threat to your destiny in God is your own ability to stay attached to your old life, and to stay stuck in patterns of slavery to sin. Using the example of the Israelites in the old testament, Pastor Charlotte explains how God can use an impossible situation, being trapped between the walls of a mountain, with the enemy army behind, and an impassable sea before, to not only show Himself strong in your life, but destroy the ability of the enemy to continue to torment and imprison/enslave you when you come into the promise land. KEEP GOING in the direction God has told you and when it seems like all is lost, get ready to see a move of God that will transform your situation and lay a foundation for the new season, new promise, and all the inheritance He has predestined for you as His child.
The Pastors of Victory Church Grande Prairie answer questions sent in from the community like, "why do we tithe," "why does God allows suffering," and more.
Accessing our inheritance in God is never going to be something we can do outside of community, or more specifically, outside of the family of God. We need to learn what it means to honour our family is it is, "God's delivery system for divine blessing."
A Spirit filled message awakening us from the distractions and fixing our hearts back on God who promises all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. God is sending out specific assignments and love packages that we need to be opening our hearts to and undistracted enough to hear the, "INCOMING!" of the Holy Spirit.
When we allow God into our situations and learn to hear the Holy Spirit in the middle of trial, He can take a pit experience and turn it into a peak where we have new perspective and a new platform to share the goodness of God in the land of the living.
Jesus is coming back for a spotless bride, and the church is in a season of preparation for the return of the Bride-groom, the risen King Jesus Christ. There is a refining process that must take place to wash out every stain, and to iron out every wrinkle, but there is joy in the process as we anticipate the greatest wedding humanity will ever know.
There is an entire story that leads up to the cross and empty grave of Jesus Christ. Every part of the story has a sound and purpose that gives us context for OUR lives as we pattern ourselves after Christ.
Ecclesiastes says our lives pass quickly and we can hardly see a reason behind it all... BUT JESUS answers the question Ecclesiastes asks and revealed that we are here because we are meant to be stewards of all God has entrusted to us.
We have been empowered by the Government of Heaven to live as citizens of God's Kingdom while dwelling bodily in a strange land. It is critical to understand this isn't our home so that we are not confused by the hostility we experience as aliens in a foreign territory. We have His Word, presence and Spirit as our embassy and stronghold where we find the support we need from the authority that counts.
Friendship with God is a level of intimacy with The Lord that is rare in the bible, and it is clear that not everyone who "serves" God is in a place of friendship with Him. People who were friends of God saw massive change as a direct result of the fruit of their lives. JESUS MODELS it, He OFFERS it, and He expects us to LIVE in it.
John 15 reveals that any lasting fruitfulness ONLY comes from connectedness with Jesus. Those who have done mighty things in the Kingdom of God are those who have made Him their ultimate priority.
“To the degree that we are united to the heart of Jesus, God will bring fruit into our lives. To the degree that we are in love with Him, we will be fruitful. We cannot make revival happen. But we can become so hungry for God; we become a prisoner of love. And these prisoners of love, these harvesters, will so carry His glorious presence, the hungry can no longer resist anymore.” Heidi Baker
Giants of faith are never "SELF-FORMED." It is totally the opposite. It is those who recognize that they have desperate need of God's help and presence who are qualified for powerful service in the Kingdom. “When I sometimes feel like a zero, I flee to Jesus. He is the number ONE. And when we stand next to each other we make ten. Jesus puts value into every zero. But take Jesus away, and we are worthless once more” Reinhard Bonnke
When we are willing to be faithful with what God has entrusted to us, and to be obedient with the smaller things, we will see His strength exercised in the middle of our weakness, and we will see fruitfulness in the middle of famine.
The bible tells us that rivers of living water (eternal life) flowed from within Jesus, and that they flow within us now as believers. It is up to us to unstop the wellspring of the Holy Spirit within us and remove the "earth" from hindering the flow of living water.
As the heat gets turned up both in our personal lives and on a global scale, it is essential that we: 1) Acknowledge the season, 2) Resist the rut, 3) Get God's Word on it, 4) Come into agreement with God, 5) GO ALL IN.
"Perfect love casts out fear." Pastor Les provides four practical focus points from the Word of God that equip us to live without fear as we move into the future.
Joy is more than a feeling, it is a fruit of the spirit, and it is ESSENTIAL in sustaining us through the inevitable challenges of life. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and without it, we are already defeated.
Lots of Christians are good at "doing things for God." Its easy slip into doing things in the name of God that really have become ministries to ourselves. There is a richness of relationship with God to be found in doing everything unto Him, where He remains the central focus in how we do life and in how we serve.
"There is something that happens between when we come to connect with God and when God tells us what to do... and that place in the middle IS PRAYER." Acts 13:2 illustrates this "place in the middle," of PRAYER and FASTING.
Instead of waiting for the moment to FEEL right to minister praise to the Lord, recognizing His worthiness in every season, we are called to Praise Him at all times and in all circumstances. King David said to MAGNIFY THE LORD with him, to make Him bigger in our perspective, and in so doing we will find the moment is always right to bring praise to God.
It's wrong for us to try and partition our lives and duties into spiritual things and unspiritual things. Since Christ took up residence inside of us, everything we do is unto the Lord and nothing is secular. Everything has become sacred.
We've been invited to the table God set for us through Jesus. There is purpose, provision, and community waiting for any who will come to the table.
It takes a family to facilitate what God wants to do and to sustain that change. We must choose to be counter-cultural and press into what being a family is all about.
What if we actually engaged with people? When you can love and be loved there is a place for who you are on the inside and who God wants you to be where you can actually thrive!