Rise Church with Greg Denham: Recent Episodes
Rise Church
1) God is working perseverance and maturity for you to experience His strength.
2) The Father draws us to Himself and answers prayer.
1) Jesus is the King of reclamation.
2) God uses adversity to test our faith which never fails.
3) God is maturing us so we're not "puppets" of feelings/circumstances.
BIG IDEA: There are many reasons to be troubled but there are greater reasons not to be!
POINT #1 You Can Trust God’s Word - His promises are True
POINT #2 Jesus has gone ahead of us and will receive us to Himself
POINT #1 God’s Word is not purposed to be an END IN ITSELF(of facts, experience, knowledge, ethical or moral principle) but rather of REVELATION of who God is, His PLAN, and to nurture intimate RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.
POINT #2 God’s Word reveals the TRUTH that God purposed our lives for intimate COMMUNION with the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14)
APPLICATION #1 When “STRUCK” (by the Sword of the Word of God): “ARISE!” and the chains will begin to fall!
APPLICATION #2 When READING THE BIBLE raise the expectancy to hear from the Lord (because you are in Communion with the Spirit)
With a REVERENTIAL attitude: "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)
With an EXPECTANT attitude: “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” (James 4:8)
With a WILLING attitude: "Whoever is willing to do what God wants will know whether it's true or not." (John 7:17)
POINT #1 Jesus is The Messiah - The Lord - who came to deliver & heal
POINT #2 The Lord stirs up the “want factor” (i.e. “Do you want to be made well?”)
POINT #3 Jesus’ calling is His enabling & our obeying is key to being set free and living the potential God purposed for our lives!
POINT #1 The Gospel sets you free from the illusion and the disillusionment of life.
POINT #2 Jesus came to make us right with God - but it is the Heavenly Father who TRAINS us in righteousness.
POINT #3 Repentance: the gift that remakes, restores, repairs, renews, & revives.
POINT #1 The truth sets us free.
POINT #2 Jesus paid the debt of sin and has provided the power over sin.
POINT #3 Experiencing POWER over sin (our POTENTIAL) requires believing and ACTING on the truth!
POINT #4 We have a Father who is present in our lives, trustworthy and only good!
POINT #1 The Truth is God: who has revealed Himself!
POINT #2 The Truth is that the purpose of our life is found in right relationship with Jesus the King and in His unfolding plan
POINT #3 “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17)
POINT #1 God has laid His “HANDS” on us
POINT #2 God has given us the Spirit ofPOWER,LOVEand aSOUND MIND
POINT #3 God has called us to beCOURAGEOUS!
POINT #1 Give EAR to the Spirit (receptive hearts to GOD’S WORD) (Rev. 2:7; 11; 17; 29; 3:6; 13; 22; John 8:31; Rom. 10:17; Matt. 4:4; John 6:68; John 17:17; Ps. 119:11)
POINT #2 Cut out ALL COMPROMISE! (Matt. 5:30; 2 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 2:19; 2 Tim. 2:21)
POINT #3 Return to first LOVE (it’s not lost-it has been LEFT) (Rev. 2:1-7)
POINT #1 Prophecy is a major component for 20/20 vision to avoid deception and compromise (I John 3:3; Titus 2:11-13)
POINT #2 Biblical prophecy is irrefutable evidence of God’s existence and the authenticity of His Word - that history is going somewhere - that there is an unfolding plan of God! (Isa. 46:9-10)
POINT #3 The prophetic fulfillment of Israel’s Rebirth as a nation is a Super-Sign setting the stage for the Second Coming of Jesus!
POINT #1 A God-quake Brings the Lord, who is the ultimate value & reality, into focus!
POINT #2 A God-quake leads to humility & confession that brings healing (“Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips")
POINT#3 A God-quake shakes-off anything less than doing God’s will as an end in itself because it is right and it glorifies God.
POINT #1 “We know” the promise is true because behind it is The Father, Son and Spirit all at work!
POINT #2 “All things” includes the good decisions that we’ve made and the not-so-good decisions that we’ve made...
POINT #3 The Lord is working it out either swiftly or slowly, but He’s working it out!
POINT #4 If the goal for our lives is not to be like Jesus, the goal is too small.
POINT #1 Experiencing God-Sufficiency (despite circumstances or possessions) -requires the same learned PROCESS that Paul experienced.
POINT #2 The “law of being content” requires knowing the right PERSON and learning how to think
APPLICATION #1 To live is CHRIST (Phil 1:21)
APPLICATION #2 “Control the Donkey” (get a hold of your THOUGHT-LIFE!) (Phil. 4:8-9; Psalm 1; I Tim. 4:12-16)
APPLICATION #3 Rejoice in JESUS (gratitude in your attitude!) (Phil. 4:4-10)
APPLICATION #4 Take a “picture” of RIGHT NOW and LIVE in it!!
APPLICATION #5 Be anxious for nothing - PRAY about everything! (Phil. 4:6-7)
APPLICATION #6 Avoid COMPARING yourself to others and instead, be the best person you can be in Christ (Gal 6:4; 2 Cor. 10:12)
#1 A disciple is WITH Jesus
#2 A disciple is LIKE Jesus (Romans 8:28-29)
#3 A disciple DOES what Jesus did (Acts 3:1-10)
The POWER of the PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is essential to fulfill the PURPOSE of your life found in God’s PLAN!
POINT #1 You Are Not ALONE (Vs. 1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses …”)
APPLICATION #1 Allow the Heroes of the Faith to SPEAK into your life (Vs. 1)
POINT #2 Drop the excess WEIGHT (Vs. 1 “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us …”)
APPLICATION #2 Ask yourself - “Is there any form of compromise in my life that I am attempting to MANAGE rather than to TURN from?”
POINT #3 Never Give Up (Vs. 1 “…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”)
APPLICATION #3 Don’t waste your PAIN -it doesn’t DEFINE you - but the Father uses it to REFINE you!
POINT #4 Keep Your Eyes On Jesus Who Kept His eyes On The Father!
APPLICATION # 4 Bring Your PAIN & stress to the Heavenly Father in prayer! Hebrews 4:16
POINT #1 The POWER of the PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is essential to fulfill the PURPOSE of your life found in God’s PLAN.
POINT #2 Every follower of Jesus RECEIVES the Spirit of God
POINT #3 A Christian’s default position should be a RELIANCE on the Holy Spirit.
#1 Reliance on the Holy Spirit means to be committed to a COMMUNITY of Jesus followers! (Acts 2:1; 42-47 - Hebrews 10:23-25)
#2 Reliance on the Holy Spirit means that no matter what--embody LOVE! (Matthew 22:26-40; John 13:35; Gal. 5:22-23; Acts 3:1-6)
#3 Reliance on the Holy Spirit means to call on the Lord in PRAYER! (Acts 4:31)
#4 Reliance on the Holy Spirit means to be FILLED with the Spirit who testifies of the person and work of Jesus (John 15:26)
#5 Reliance on the Holy Spirit means to do what is RIGHT and then trust that the Lord is at work in ways beyond what you could measure. (Acts 4:18-20)
POINT #1 Jesus is the KING of RECLAMATION & RENEWAL (Nothing is too hard for Him!)
POINT #2 God uses adversity to change the way we THINK, while He continues to change us and grow our lives.
POINT #3 God uses adversity to TEST our faith--which never fails, because our faith is in God--who never fails!
POINT #4 God grows our lives and matures us amidst adversity so that we are not “PUPPETS” being controlled by our feelings and circumstances...
POINT #5 God uses adversity to draw us closer to the FATHER in prayer--who is the One who guarantees an answer to our cry, “Lord, give me wisdom!”
MAIN POINT: The Fear of God (being overwhelmed by the truth of who God who is perfectly Just) results in TREATING OTHERS with respect, care, compassion, value, justice...
MAIN APPLICATION: A good indicator of whether or not you fear the Lord, is how QUICKLY you make a WRONG into a right!
THREE Reasons to “Let Us Rise In The Fear Of God (The Overwhelming Truth of Who He is)”
#1 The Fear Of God brings into focus the reality that JESUS IS IN THE ROOM!
#2 The Fear Of God makes the things that are not REAL be overcome by what is REAL -- the Lord, who is the greatest REALITY of all!
#3 The Fear Of God brings a godly RESTRAINT and the right BOUNDARIES in order to live RIGHTEOUSLY. (Pr. 3:7; Pr. 9:10)
1. Condition - A man or woman of God can FEEL far away from God, even though God is not far away ...
2. Causal Factors - That a person can feel that God is far away but it’s not due to a moral or spiritual problem but to OTHER factors ...
CAUSAL FACTOR #1 Disruption Of Community
CAUSAL FACTOR #2 Disillusionment over the events of life.
CAUSAL FACTOR #3 Physical Depravation
3. The Cures - Psalm 42 instructs us with the needed wisdom to reboot so to experience emotional and spiritual balance and health ...
CURE #1: Vs. 4 “I pour out my soul within me.”
CURE #2: Vs. 6 & Vs. 11 Begin to identify your hope by asking: “Why are you cast down, O my soul ...”
CURE #3: Vs. 8 Remember “His lovingkindness” (Hebrew word for “Covenant Faithfulness”)
CURE #4: Vs. 5 Preach to Yourself: “Hope in God!” (You’ll never get out spiritual dryness until you do this - You have to bring God’s grace to your own heart!!)
POINT #1 Protect what you allow inside in your heart and mind
APPLICATION #1 Renew the consecration of your eyes - your ears, and how your managing your thinking: work it OUT!
POINT #2 The most important ability in the work of the Lord is availability
APPLICATION #2 Look for opportunities in your sphere of influence
ATTACK #1 They attempt to demoralize Nehemiah by devaluing his efforts (Neh. 4:1-3)
ATTACK #2 They threatened the people with bodily harm to create confusion (Neh 6:8-11)
POINT #3 Renew your allegiance to the authority of THE KING (Jesus!)
APPLICATION #3 THE KING is in the REVIVAL business - He has given us victory over the enemies of death and sin - so do Revival things!
POINT#1 Nehemiah was deeply moved with the heart of God for his generation
APPLICATION #1 We are NEHEMIAH’s in our generation: we need to understand “the wound of humanity” at its source
POINT #2 Nehemiah was “Prayed-Up”- Prepared & Willing
APPLICATION #2 God Blesses the making of plans (it’s the difference between living reactive Vs. proactive!)
“Once I identify the Priorities that are to define my life: it clarifies my Calendar (usage of time/ “redeem the time”)- and therefore fuels my Calling- builds my Confidence- expands my Connections- improves my Competence- strengthens my Character and increases my Commitment!”
POINT #3 Expect opposition!
APPLICATION #3 Beware of diversions/ distractions from fighting the “Good FIght of Faith!”
POINT #4 It takes a TEAM to make the DREAM
APPLICATION #4 Every “Stone” makes a difference: every prayer, every dollar, every demonstration of love, every invite, every availability saying “here I am send me”
POINT #5 HOLD ONTO THE PROMISES OF GOD!
APPLICATION #5 What promise of God are you holding onto today?
POINT #1 Let us RISE in PRAYER!
APPLICATION #1 God purposed PRAYER to be a first priority not last RESORT
POINT #2 Prayer coupled with FASTING - turns down the background noise in life - while turning up the VOLUME of GOD’S voice!
APPLICATION #2 “Do you need a BREAK-THRU?” “Are you carrying a burden for the SALVATION of a loved one?”
POINT #3 Prayer is a PREP for new BEGINNINGS...
APPLICATION #3 In this month of September- let us be “the REMNANT” - and LET US RISE IN PRAYER & pray the PROMISES of God! (Isaiah 40:31; Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 11:13)
POINT #1 The Lord Wants To Touch Our Lives Over and Over
APPLICATION #1 Cut out the default “it’s all’s good ... no big deal ... no problem ... no worries” and in THIS moment in your heart pray, “Lord, I need your touch today!” (Eph. 5:18; James 4:10)
POINT #2 There is the TOUCH of Revelation (& Illumination!)
APPLICATION #2 Ask the Father for more illumination of the greatness of Jesus!
POINT #3 There is the TOUCH of further clarity in God’s plan
APPLICATION#3 Where is the Lord having you to suffer that others might be blessed?
APPLICATION #31/2 Being radically committed to the allegiance of Jesus is the difference the world needs: Live for an audience of ONE!
POINT #4 There is the TOUCH of Security in God’s plan
APPLICATION #4 Stake your TRUST on the the FAITHFULNESS of the Lord!!
Five Perspectives on How Context Impacts Our Understanding of Communion
1 The Jesus & Nisan 14 Passover Connection
2 Jesus linked God's plan from eternity past through eternity future thru Israel.
3 Jesus inaugurated the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-37 at the Cross that was given to Israel thru which the world is invited into.
4 Communion in Context helps course-correct Constantine's corruption!
5 The Context of Communion helps equip the church in the work of evangelism to Jewish friends that following Jesus the Messiah is not a "new religion," but the fulfillment of God's plan.
POINT #1 The Spirit inspires pro-activeness to live our God-given potential found in God’s purposes!
APPLICATION #1 BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT: “God has not given us the Spirit of fear (paralysis) but power, love and a sound mind!” (Eph. 5:18; 2 Tim. 1:7)
POINT #2 It is the Spirit who stirs up the people of God to action!
APPLICATION #2 Question: “What is the Holy Spirit stirring up in your life?”
POINT #3 Do not despise the days of “small things!”
APPLICATION #3 Our small step of faith and obedience is used in a BIG way by the Spirit: so take the step when the Spirit stirs you up!
POINT #1 “...all Israel will be saved...” (Romans 11:26-27)
POINT #2 Non-Jewish followers of Jesus (Gentiles) are engrafted into a divine plan that was revealed to ISRAEL and promised to ISRAEL -- a plan that is unfolding through the Messiah of ISRAEL (who is the King of ISRAEL and the world) -- who will one day rule from the city of Jerusalem in ISRAEL - at which time the entire world will be impacted from ISRAEL all the way into eternity (Vs. 16-18)
POINT #3 Blindness in part has happened to the nation of Israel, but there will be a future extraordinary restoration of the nation of Israel (“life from the dead”) to live out it’s full potential! (Vs. 12-15; 28-36)
POINT #4 The church is not to forget their “roots” but is to live in a way that provokes the Jewish people to jealously in the worship of the Lord God of Israel- the Messiah of Israel! (Vs. 11)
(1.) Demonstrate unconditional love and share the Gospel with both Jew and Gentile (Romans 1:16-17)
(2.) Remember the message is not calling Jews to convert but to be complete in the Messiah, Jesus (Jeshua!) Mt 5:17-18; Jeremiah 31:31; Romans 10:1-4
(3.) Believe the whole Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
(4.) Support Zionism- the belief that Jews have a right to a national life in the land of Israel!(1 Chron. 16:17-18; Ez. 26:24; Romans 9:1-5; Joel 3)
(5.) Fight anti-semitism: A Christian stands against the ignorance and madness of racism and anti-Semitism. (Zechariah 2:8; Duet. 7:7-9a)
(6.) Celebrate “Communion” in its context (a Passover Seder) which will not only bless believers but equip the church to better communicate to Jewish friends that the Gospel is the unfolding plan of God (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24)
(7) Support THE REMNANT -Jewish believers- in Jerusalem! (Romans 15:22-29)
POINT #5 There has always been a small number (remnant) of descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who have worshipped the Lord God of Israel- just as there are still a small remnant of Israel who are the Jewish followers of Jesus today! (Romans 11:1-5)
POINT #1 Like sheep - we are “lost” - we don’t find God - God finds us and rescues us!
APPLICATION #1 Today, we MUST see the world thru the lens of the heart of our heavenly Father who sent His Son to find and rescue the lost!
POINT #2 The world is made up of “big brothers” and “little brothers” both of which are “lost” living an illusion.
APPLICATION #2 What we are all really longing for is relationship and intimacy with the Heavenly Father.
POINT #1 From eternity past, a divine “Peace Plan” was in place for eternity future!
POINT #2 Christians are called to model THE PEACE PLAN today (“the new man”) as a preview of what is to come at the 2nd Coming of Jesus.
APPLICATION #1 Let it sink in: As a Christian, you have the same spiritual DNA and the same Heavenly Father as every Christian past, present and future.
APPLICATION #2 Listen and learn and love your brothers and sisters.
APPLICATION #3 In the essentials, unity. In the non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love!
POINT #1 What we often call ISOLATION is God’s incubation (which means life is developing and growing sometimes without any outer perceptible signs)
APPLICATION #1 Believe More (Romans 8:31-39)
APPLICATION #2 Move Forward In the New Covenant
POINT #1 Every Follower Of Jesus is in the Plan of God and on a Divine Mission
APPLICATION #1 A follower of Jesus on divine mission “picks up sticks” to the benefit others and the cause of Christ!
POINT #2 A Follower Of Jesus Will Experience Opposition!
APPLICATION #2 What Is The Lord Calling You To Shake Off? Is it...
- Discouragement—I’m ready to give up. (“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 “This I call to my mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:21–23
- Resentment—I can’t forgive. (“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13)
- Fear—I’m filled with insecurity. (“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7)
- Isolation—I am all alone. (“I [the Lord] will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5)
- Guilt—I am filled with shame. (“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1)
- Failure—I can’t picture future success. (“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37)
- Stress—I am overwhelmed by life’s pressures. (“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Romans 8:37)
- Stress—I am overwhelmed by life’s pressures. (“In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33)
- Weary—I am weak and exhausted. (“The Lord is the strength of my life.” Psalm 27:1)
- Opposition—I am under attack from the enemy. (“The one who is in you is greater than the one that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4)
- Confusion—I lack wisdom and don’t know what to do. (“God generously gives wisdom to those who ask Him for it.” James 1:5)
POINT #1 The Lord’s love is an in-depth rescue thru multiple layers in our life that is purposed to lead to greater intimacy with Him.
APPLICATION #1 Pursue the answer to the question, “Why am I angry?”
POINT #2 The more we try to control the circumstances outside of our lives yourself, the more out of control we become.
APPLICATION #2 Focus on what you can control!
POINT #3 The Lord loves people which means He chooses to attach Himself to them!
APPLICATION #3 Like Jesus on the cross: start with PRAYER for those who need the Lord!
POINT #1 The Lord PURSUES us because He loves us (He initiates “the 2nd chance”) - wants us to experience our full POTENTIAL (which not only benefits us but others as well) - which is found His PURPOSES for our life!
APPLICATION #1 Identify a specific regret.. failure .. sin .. discouraging or demoralizing season in your past ... and practice “forgetting” and looking forward to new growth and possibilities in the Lord (i.e. Like a New Yorker “Forget about it!”) Phil. 3:13-14
POINT #2 Our small steps of obedience - God blesses in a BIG way!
APPLICATION #2 Make this your prayer, “Lord I am willing to take that right step and I pray that my willingness to do so would be strengthened with greater resolve by your Spirit!”
APPLICATION #3 Pick up the cross and follow Jesus (Matt. 16:24-26)
#1 To carry a cross in the first century meant that you were an outcast- a scourge of society- and object of derision- the ultimate minority!
#2 Today, to carry the cross means to be willing to be the minority in living a bold and godly life (because our difference is the needed hope for man)!
#3 To carry the cross means that our aim is not primarily to be liked, or not to offend, but to live for an audience of One, the Lord Jesus!
#4 To carry the cross in our culture means to we willing to be called a “hater” because it’s coming from a culture of relativism, hedonism, atheism, sensualism, etc (Yes! I “Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” Romans 12:9)
#5 To carry the cross means like Paul that we are willing to warn, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31