Pastor Jeff Sermon Notes

2012-02-05T05:32:00.001-08:00

Jesus Develops His Followship

The Followship of Jesus (Part II)

First Assembly of God

February 5, 2012

I. The cost of followship (Luke 14)

Jesus healed the man to show that love outweighs rules or guidelines (1-6)
Discernment would dictate the value of a soul over the Sabbath
Humility is an attribute of a follower (7-11)
A follower gives to those who cannot return the favor (12-14)
Followers do not give excuses for lack of service to the Lord (15-24)

Jesus had compassion for everyone, but qualified those who would follow Him (25)

Jesus wants to be the Only not the first in a long line of loves

Your vision or goal for the future will cost you in many ways (28-30)
Followship of Jesus is not cheap or easy

In the war to follow Christ, what are the terms for surrender? (31-33)
Surrender to follow Christ is unconditional (33)

Salt is necessary to sustain life, but if it does not do the work of salt it is useless. (34-35)

2012-01-22T05:31:00.000-08:00

Let’s Get Ready to Jump

2012 State of the Church Address

First Assembly of God

January 22, 2012

(Deut.29:29 NKJ)

²⁹ “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (NKJ)

There are four dynamics that make up the church’s organism:

Vision – is the current understanding of God’s preferred future for a congregation that is cast by leadership and owned by membership.

Programs (Ministries) – are the functional attempts to provide programs, projects, services, activities and training for people connected to the church body.

Relationships – refers to activities to include people in the life of the church such as evangelism, outreach, assimilation, discipleship.

Management – refers to the systems and structures that work to undergird the fulfillment of vision and the implementation of relationships and ministries. It includes the administration of day-to-day operations and overall efficiency.

Prime__

/ /

Adulthood (VRPM)/ / Maturity (vRPM)

/ /

____/ Adolescence (VrPm) /Retirement (vrPM)

/ /

____/ Infancy (VRpm) Old Age (vrpM)/______

/ /

/ Birth (Vrpm) Death (m) /

Birth – Vision is the driver. Relationships, Ministries and Management are not fully developed (18-24 months to reach infancy)

Infancy – Vision and Relationships are dominant.

Childhood – Vision and Ministries are the focus. Energy goes into Relationships on Ministries

Adolescence – Vision, Relationships and Ministries are emphasized. Often a time of growth.

Adulthood – Vision, Relationships, Ministries and Management are the focus.

Maturity – Vision is no longer dominant. Relationships, Ministries (programs) and Management are the focus. (2 -4 years from Adulthood and Maturity)

Empty Nest – Vision and Ministries are not dominant. Management drives the direction of the church.

Retirement – Vision and Relationships are minimized as the church renews its focus on Ministries.

Old Age – Management is the only factor that is still dominant or fully developed.

Death – Congregation ceases functioning as a spiritual vibrant faith community.

2012-01-10T05:51:00.001-08:00

Fasting and Prayer Focus for 2012

First Assembly of God

January 7, 2012

I. Repentance

Job was powerful example of repentance before God (Job 42:1-6)
Solomon understood that sin is “when” not “if” (II Chronicles 6:36-39)

Without a degree of sorrow there will be little evidence of change (II Cor.7:10)

True repentance calls for action to follow confession (Matt.3:8)

It is refreshing when repentance becomes a way of life (Acts 3:19)

Other Scriptures that God laid on my heart this week about repentance: (Prov.1:22-33) (Matt.21:28-32) (Mark 1:5)(Luke 13:1-4) (Acts 8:20-23) (Rom.2:1-6) (Rev.2:20-23) (Rev.9:20-21)

II. Cleansing; God has a part and we have a part to play

God’s part (Ps.52:1-13)

Christ is our mediator for the removal of sin (Heb.9:12-15)

Other Scripture about God’s part in cleansing: (Jer.33:6-9) (Eze.36:24-33) (Zech.13:1-2) (John 13:6-17)

Our part in cleansing (Num.8:5-11)

Change must come from obedience to God’s Word (James 4:7-10)

Other Scripture about our part (Lev.16:18-22, 30) (II Kings 5:11-13) (Prov.30:11-12) (Eph.5:25-27) (II Tim.2:19-26)(Heb.10:19-25) (II Peter 1:5-9)

III. Occupy or Abide

When God wins the battle for us it is our responsibility to take up residence in that place (I Chron.5:22)

Choose to remain in His shadow (Psa.91:1-11)

Never leave your life unoccupied after Jesus cleanses you (Matt.12:43-45)

IV. Guidance – Now God can give direction for your life

Our father of faith learned it through stepping our into the unknown (Gen.12:1)

God wants to lead us (Ex.15:13)

The Holy Spirit was given to guide us (John 16:12-15)

Other Scriptures that will assure you of His guidance: (Ex.13:21-22) (Ex.15:13) (II Sam.5:19) (II Sam.23:1-4)(I Chron.14:14-16) (Ps.25:4-7) (Ps.27:11) (Ps.31:3) (Ps.32:8-9) (Ps.48:14) (Ps.67:4) (Ps.73:23-24) (Ps.77:19-20) (Ps.78:14, 53) (Ps.107:23-31) (Ps.139:7-12) (Isa.57:17-19) (Matt.2:9) (Luke 1:78-80) (John 10:1-5) (John 14:26)

V. Empowerment

· Jesus wants us prepared for the battle ahead (Luke 24:45-49)

Jesus commanded that we wait to be made equipped with power before going forth to do battle (Acts 1:4-8)

Christianity must be demonstrated (I Cor.2:4)

Other Scripture about empowerment: (John 6:28) (Acts 2:37-39) (Luke 24:45-49) (Acts 4:27-30) (Acts 6:10) (Acts 26:15-18) (I Cor.3:6) (I Cor.2:4) (II Cor.12:6-10) (Gal.2:7-8)(Eph.1:18-21) (Eph.3:7-8) (II Thess.1:11-12) (II Tim.3:11-17)(I John 4:4)

VI. Movement – necessary to a healthy life in Christ

No need for power if you don’t go (Matt.28:18-20)

Perhaps you are the answer to someone’s prayer in the harvest that is yet lost (Luke 10:1)

How will you feel before God if you don’t finish well? (Acts 20:24)

Other Scripture on movement: (Luke 13:6) (II Cor.5:9-10) (Col.3:16-17)

December 18, 2011

2011-12-20T08:11:00.001-08:00

It is a Wise Man That Seeks to Worship God

First Assembly of God

December 18, 2011

I. God had us (Gentiles) in mind at the advent of a Jewish king (Matt.2:1-18)

They did not wonder if was a king…only asked where He was (1-2)

Technology today has finally caught up to God’s idea of satellite guidance system

Could speculate that the star was the world’s first satellite in space
Herod was appointed king…Jesus was born to be a king (3-5)
The political and religious system of Jerusalem was upset by this news
King Herod was the Madeline O’Hara of his time

Herod’s motives were driven by greed for power and his own insecurity of political position (6-7)
The attitude of these Gentile wise men was

acceptance and adoration (9-10)

They came to worship…nothing more

No worship is complete or genuine without offerings of value (10b)
These offerings would finance this family’s trip to Egypt for safety (12-15)

Worship that is accompanied by sacrifice moves the heart of God (II Sam.24:21-25)
Even in God’s plan of redemption evil will appear to overwhelm with tragedy for a season (16-18)

· The mystery of Christ’s birth is a reminder to us that there are things in your life you will not understand (Rom.8:26-30)

Understand that Joseph and Mary did not know all that was happening around them and that God had prepared a path for them to walk on that was fraught with danger and vulnerability. When that happens to you remember this true story of God’s plan to bring salvation in the midst of uncertainty and danger.

The Value of the Gift Is Set By the Giver

2011-12-11T06:20:00.001-08:00

The Value of the Gift Is Set By the Giver

First Assembly of God

December 11, 2011

The giving of gifts has become an important tradition at Christmas. Some resent the obligation that comes with that tradition. How do we retain the value of the tradition and celebrate in a way that pleases God and honors Christ’s coming as a babe. Wise men came to worship and presented gifts to the child and His family as a sign of honor and recognition of One who was divine that came to dwell among mankind.

I. Jesus rebukes insincere worship and gifts giving (Matt.23:16-24)

· The altar is the place set apart for the purpose of worship (18-19)

· The altar is greater than the gift as the giver is more important than the gift

· Practice proper priorities in your giving so you don’t lose the meaning of Christmas (23-24)

II. Is it right to ask God for gifts? (Matt.7:7-12)

Do you know how to give gifts?
How much more your Heavenly Father know how to give gifts (11-12)

III. Gifts Jesus has for His bride (Eph.4:7-13)

· Through His grace we receive gifts (7)

· When God gives gifts, it is to help us grow up in Him…not spoil us into selfishness (13)

IV. God’s gifts that keep on giving (I Cor.12:1-11)

As God gives them, He retains the right to operate them through us (4-6)
Revelation gifts – word of wisdom, word of knowledge and discerning of spirits (8,10a)
Power gifts – faith, healing, miracles
Vocal gifts – prophecy, messages in tongues, interpretation of tongues (10)
The Holy Spirit distributes them to those who are asking, seeking, knocking (11)

V. The greatest gift of all that makes the others possible (II Cor.9:12-15)

God gave His only Son to take our place on the cross that we might be adopted into His family forever

2011-12-04T05:57:00.001-08:00

Participate in God’s Economy

First Assembly of God

December 4, 2011

I. Principles of God’s economy (II Cor.9:6-15)

Starts with a proper attitude about economy

Economics – relating to the satisfaction of man’s material needs (Webster’s definition)

Economy – Thrifty use or management of resources (Webster’s definition)

God begins His economy with a seed concept – it’s not about getting, it’s about management and proper use of His provision

Start with what you have…not what you hope to have someday

Giving is the acknowledgement of death to self- preservation and participating in life as a gift (7-9)
God wants you to abound or prosper in good works not greed to get more
Cheerful is evidence that death to self has taken place and joy and greed do not abide together

Everybody needs help to get started (10)
God supplies the seed to get started
He wants to use your finances as a school of learning how to be like Him (11-12)
Be careful not to eat your seed

The effect you have on others will make your claims of the gospel credible (13-14)

II. How to get started (Mal. 3:6-12)

The first evidence of a changed life returning to God’s heart will show up in your finances (6-7)
Stop the curse in your life (8-9)
OT was the Temple…NT is the church
Storehouse is the body of Christ…local church (10-12)
Giving to the poor…they are not a storehouse
Buying more stuff for yourself is not a storehouse
In Joseph’s reign he had multiple storehouses from which people were fed in times of famine because He was a wise leader under God’s leadership
Times of famine or loss will come in the course of a lifetime, but God is faithful to the faithful

III. God’s economy is a lifestyle

Believe God’s Word as truth to sustain your practice of giving (Gal.6:7-10)

Develop it as an attitude in a life of generosity (Matt.5:14-16)

God’s economy is not intended to make you rich…it is intended to make you righteous and generous like Himself

Every time I give, I invest in my future (Matt.6:19-20)

Live in Peace, But Prepared for Battle

2011-11-06T05:57:00.000-08:00

Live in Peace, But Prepared for Battle

First Assembly of God

November 6, 2011

I. Take a position of strength in Christ (Eph.6:10-18)

Take a position where you can stand (10-11)

“In” identifies where your strength is found (10)

“Put on” is your responsibility, Providing the armor is God’s part

Satan’s power is in the scheming…only effective if we are not on guard (a plan for doing something)

Know your enemy…is the first strategy in winning the war
The day will come when you are called upon to stand…and it won’t be easy

II. Be sure to check your equipment and know how to put it on (14-18)

Belt – truth…all other armor depends on truth

Breastplate – righteousness…protects vital organs

Feet in readiness – gospel of peace…ready to share Christ always

Shield – Faith…intercepts darts of the enemy

Helmet – Salvation…never forget who redeemed you no matter how difficult life’s battles get

Sword – Word of God…only offensive weapon you have in your arsenal

Praying in the Spirit – power to serve in His army and be victorious

The Responsibility of Authority as a Believer (Part III)

2011-10-22T13:23:00.001-07:00

The Responsibility of Authority as a Believer (Part III)

First Assembly of God

October 23, 2011

We have learned that to have the privilege of authority, we must be in the proper position…under authority. Once in position we understand that authority from God is given, not earned or deserved. God does not believe in entitlements. He calls it grace. Once we are given authority we must learn how to draw on that account God has set up within us. That is called faith. Like a bank account with millions of dollars in the balance we learn how to write checks on that account in Jesus’ Name.

I. Authority is given to take action (Luke 10:18-20)

We are equipped by God to trample and overcome the power of Satan (18-19)

Keep humble and focused on Jesus (20)

II. Jesus teaches us the proper use of authority He gives (Luke 22:24-34)

Your authority is the operation of power under submission to God’s authority (24)

· God does not look kindly on those who abuse power (25)

· One who operates in God’s authority is a servant (26-27)

· There is a price to pay when you operate in God’s authority (28-30)

· Guard your heart when operating with authority (31-34)

III. No limit to what God can do through one committed to God’s will (John 14:12-14)

Must know how to wield authority in Jesus’ Name (14)

IV. Discern what arena you are operating in (II Cor.10:3-8)

God does not operate as the world operates (3-4)

Strongholds are Satan’s lies believed by people (4b-6)

Arguments, reasonings, proud boasting that try to lower Christ’s position (5-6 Amp.)

God gives authority to build up people not tear down (7-8)

V. Operating in God’s authority is the safest place on this temporary planet (Jude 4-6)

Always be alert for falsehoods (4)

Keep your position of authority in Christ (5-6)

God keeps you safe through your submission to the operation of His authority properly (Jude 24-25)

The Responsibility of Authority as a Believer (Part II)

2011-10-16T05:31:00.001-07:00

The Responsibility of Authority as a Believer (Part II)

First Assembly of God

October 16, 2011

Every person who has the responsibility to use authority effectively is always aware that they are under authority and will be held accountable for their actions. Last week we looked at the need to be under authority before we can be considered for the use of authority. Today we look at how we are given authority and the responsibility of that gift.

Next week I hope to complete this series with how to take authority or actually use it with confidence that brings results in our faith walk with God.

I. Jesus gave authority to His disciples (Matthew 10)

When Jesus calls you, He gives authority to fulfill His purpose (1)
Go where you are told to go or not go (5-6)
Requires you to take some things and leave behind some things (9-15)
Be prepared mentally for resistance (16-20)
Given authority can strain relationships (21-22)
Persecution will come with this authority (23-25)
Have a clear perspective of what authority will create in your new position (26-33)
Real authority serves as it provides leadership (Matt.20:24-28)
When operating under authority there will be what

seems to be contradictions (34-39)

Under authority means you represent the One who has sent you (40-42)
Satan offered Jesus a short cut to have authority over mankind (Luke 4:5-7)
Jesus has all the authority from His Father to give to the church what she needs to finish His work (Matt.28:16-20)

The Responsibility of Authority as a Believer (Part I)

2011-10-09T05:05:00.001-07:00

First Assembly of God

October 9, 2011

I. Understanding God given authority is the basis of faith that moves the heart of God (Matt.8:5-13)

Humility marked this man’s authority as he knew it was given to him to lead effectively (8)

Centurion means he was a man who had authority over 100 men
That kind of responsibility requires that he knows the

value and necessity of the proper use of authority

Jesus acknowledged his faith not his authority (10)
Who are the subjects of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus refers to here? (11-12)

You could say he fought for God and country (Luke 7:3-6)
His motives matched his authority and it commanded respect from Jesus
He let others sing his praise and was asking for his servant…not for himself
Jesus gave him what he asked for because his faith

was based on proper motive and operation of authority

II. Cornelius…a centurion was hungry for God (Acts 10)

A true man of authority is generous and God-fearing (1-2)

· God reached out to this man because of his hunger for God (3-4)

· Cornelius obeyed…under authority (5-8)

· God made arrangements to send Peter (9-22)

Cornelius fell on his face before Peter…he

understood how to respond to authority (23-25)

· Cornelius wanted to have a God

connection…salvation as we know it (27-29)

^·This man knew how to position himself before God to receive (33-46)

The Holy Spirit was waiting for them to hear the gospel and put their faith in Jesus Christ so He could He could baptize them with power and now use the authority God gives (47-48)

Saul to Pau.

2011-09-24T12:55:00.001-07:00

Saul to Paul - From Mission to Missionary

First Assembly of God

September 25, 2011

I. God transforms the hostility of unbelievers to that of a committed follower of Jesus Christ (Acts 7:54-60)

Saul was the authority present that gave permission for Stephen to be executed (57)

II. Saul became a religious zealot (Acts 9:1-31)

· Saul’s transformation began on a road to annihilate Christians (1-5)

· Sometimes He has to blind us to see His plan (7-9)

· Saul’s conversion was as dramatic as his religious zeal (10-19)

· The church has much to learn about how redemption works with God (20-31)

III. Deep relationships are forged when serving in ministry together (Acts 11:22-30)

· Missionaries sometimes minister to human needs (30) (Convoy of Hope)

IV. There comes a time in your life when God will call you out to serve (Acts 13:1-12)

You will encounter demonic resistance (10-11)

· Resistance is only a redirection of the will of God to be proclaimed (42-37)

· Learn how to let go of the pain of rejection (48-52)

V. Be careful and guarded about people who want to exalt you (Acts 14:8-18)

Always remain humble when praises come your way (15-18)

VI. Where two or three are gathered…there will be politics (Acts 15)

Be sure your passion is founded in the Word of God (1-3)

Ministry can bring division (36-41)

VII. As a missionary you need to have a sense of where God is leading you (Acts 16:1-10)

Because of this vision, Paul went west instead of east

VIII. The call will cost you (II Cor.6:3-13)

IX. Paul’s testimony of being a missionary (II Cor.11:21-33)

Paul practiced what he preached and that is one of the reasons his message was so powerful

Do you understand now why it is so necessary for us to pray for our missionaries and support them? We have no idea how much they have sacrificed to obey their call. You need to expose yourself to those who go in your place as the church of Jesus Christ. You either go or you send others. That is the mission of the church of Jesus Christ.

The Journey and the Destination

2011-09-04T06:14:00.001-07:00

The Journey and the Destination

First Assembly of God

September 4, 2011

I. Finishing well is more important than a glorious start (Heb.6:1-8)

· Necessary to have a solid foundation or beginning (1-3)

· Knowledge of righteousness can actually condemn you to a reprobate mind without obedience to the Word of Truth (4-6)

· Christians void of fruit at harvest will be lost (6b-8)

Backsliding is a result of spiritual immaturity that makes one impotent (Heb.5:11-13)

Christians that are overcomers are always in process and growth is a necessary part of their life time (14)

II. The Bible word for process is sanctification (II Thess.2:13-14)

Firstfruits are a result of a sanctifying work of the Spirit through engaging Biblical truth daily

We are called to the process that we may be the fruit that glorifies Jesus Christ in eternity (14)

The Secret Place (Part V)

2011-08-21T06:23:00.001-07:00

The Secret Place (Part V)

First Assembly of God

August 21, 2011

I. Ezra was called by God to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 4)

There are those who claim to be like you (1-2)

Each one of us must build his own temple or secret place of worship (3)
Satan will distract you and want to corrupt your efforts (4)

II. If Ezra helps us see the importance of building a secret place of worship, Nehemiah helps us see the importance

of setting boundaries for our public lives (Neh. 4)

· Boundaries must be engineered and protected to ward off the enemy (4-6)

In your natural world and consciousness you will be attacked (Phil.4:7)

· Repairs and renewing of your mind will meet with great resistance (Rom.12:2)

· You will burn out in your own strength (Neh.4:10-12)

· You need the body of Christ to surround you as you rebuild your life in Christ (13-18)

· We need to be close to one another so we can call for help when under attack (19-20)

III. New Testament parallel of Ezra and Nehemiah reflect

what kind of furniture we need to put into our lives and secret place where God wants to dwell (Phil.4:4-9)

Joy must be constant (4)

Gentleness will be obvious to others (5)

Anxiety and fear must be thrown out and replaced with prayer and thanksgiving (6)

Peace of God is your EDS (Early Detection System) (7)
Truth (8)
Purity (8)
Lovely (8)
Excellent or worthy of praise (8)

IV. Other pieces of furniture along with many others you will discover in God’s Word

God’s secret treasures (Isaiah 45:3)

Giving brings God’s favor and reward (Matthew 6:4)

Prayer in secret brings public reward (Matthew 6:6)

· A brand new fortress that can give you the freedom to serve God with all your heart, mind, strength and body (Psalm 91)

The Secret Place (Part IV)

2011-08-08T06:11:00.001-07:00

The Secret Place (Part IV)

First Assembly of God

August 7, 2011

I. Let us consider what can happen though we have such a beautiful view of what God has prepared for them that love Him (I Cor:2:6-12)

· Will you be remembered or forgotten? (6)

· The secrets of the Lord are not to be handled

casually (7-9)

· God desires to prepare a beautiful place of rest for us to dwell (10)

· No one has access to your secret place without your

permission or invitation (11)

· Though the Holy Spirit knows all He will not impose Himself on you to gain entrance or live where no care is given to what is hidden there (12)

II. Samson paid a heavy price for his casual attitude toward the secret of His heaven sent power (Judges 16)

There will always be those who want to learn your secret strength and rob you (5)
A false promise of love deceived a casual believer in Samson (6)
The enemy is always hiding in the room waiting to pounce (9)
Easy to criticize Samson because we know how it turns out

Samson came to believe he could always be what he always was…God’s favored one (15-21)

The saddest part of this story is verse 20

Losing his eyes and becoming a mockery for the amusement of the enemy wasn’t the worst

III. Satan doesn’t have to attack when we become lax in our attitude about the secret place with God

Neglect prayer and Satan doesn’t have to attack (Matthew 6:6)

Forgetting comes easy to casual Christians (Psa.44:20-22)

· Remember the day will come (Romans 2:14-16)

The Secret Place (Part III)

2011-07-24T05:24:00.000-07:00

The Secret Place (Part III)

God Has a Secret Place

First Assembly of God

July 24, 2011

Everyone has a secret place. It is that place that God seeks to dwell. He will not abide where sin is complacent and left to fester. The term “born in sin” identifies the secret place we all have. Innocence does not keep that place holy or set apart for God to dwell as there is no protection from sin and its evil bent toward rebellion against God. It requires the blood of Jesus to cleanse our secret place and prepare it for the indwelling Holy Spirit to abide.

Is Jesus your lover or your roommate? Your answer should tell you a lot about your secret place.

I. The Bible declares the reality of a secret place (Psalm 91:1-2)

Never trust in yourself

You can only trust the things God reveals (Deuteronomy 29:29)

II. The universe knows what has been a secret to us (Psa.19:1-6)

The fact that they exist reveals the mystery of Who He is (1-3)

Jesus is coming one day in all His glory that we can only dream about today (4-6)

Unsaved people are oblivious to God’s secret place that is hidden because of their sin (Luke 8:10)

III. Moses came close to experiencing God’s secret place (Ex.33:12-23)

His prayer reveals what it takes to draw God into intimacy with Him (12-13)

Moses hungered to live in God’s secret place (14-16)

Moses did not realize how significant and powerful God’s revealed glory could be (17-18)

God loves us so much that He will not jeopardize our lives by showing too much of Himself (19-20)
We can have that place in the cleft of the rock where God reveals His secret place to us (21-23)

· We may want more of God, but how we

approach Him requires preparation and humility so He can invite us in to His chamber safely (Song of Solomon 1:2-4)

The Secret Place (Part II)

2011-07-18T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Secret Place (Part II)

Everyone Has a Secret Place

First Assembly of God

July 17, 2011

Is Jesus your lover or your roommate? Your answer should tell you a lot about your secret place.

I. The Bible declares the reality of a secret place (Psalm 91:1-2)

Never trust in yourself

You can only trust the things God reveals (Deuteronomy 29:29)

II. Everyone has a secret place (II Sam.12:1-14)

King David allowed darkness into his secret place

God used the prophet Nathan to graciously give

David opportunity to own his sin (1-4)

· God exposed David’s sin he held in his secret place (5-6)

· There is a price for hidden sin in the secret place that God reserves for Himself

· Sin hidden in secret will be exposed to all (11-12)

David owned his sin and God forgave him for it (13-14)

He didn’t excuse himself or try to explain his problem

III. Danger when sin is held in the secret place of a believer (Proverbs 9:17)

Brings shame (Ephesians 5:12)

Judgment will come to those who fail to deal with their secret place of sin (Rom.2:12-16)

IV. Expose your sin to God’s light and be cleansed (Luke 11:33-36)

Those whose secret place is cleansed of sin bring glory to God (33)

Your eye gate determines much of what is in your secret place (34)

What do you look for when you see with your eyes?

Evil that is hidden in your secret place will look for more evil (35-36)

Whatever casts a shadow in God’s presence is sin (Psa. 90:8)

Your secret place is precious to God and He and you are the only ones who know what is contained there. You may see what is wrong, but only God can cleanse it through confession and asking for Christ’s blood to cover you and renew your mind to see righteousness.

Remember? (Psalm 91:1-2)

¹ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

Baptism (Part II)

2011-06-12T05:56:00.000-07:00

First Assembly of God
June 12, 2011

I. Jesus spoke of Him often in His teachings and prophetic utterances
• John’s prophetic word and witness (John 1:29-34)
• John witnessed the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus (32)
• John prophesied of the Day of Pentecost we celebrate today (33-34)

II. Possible for the Holy Spirit to be with and in (John 14:15-17)
• “With” is not “in” (17)
• The Holy Spirit is an advocate – Proclaimer of truth on our behalf (John 15:26-27)
• Jesus prophesied of the day when the Holy Spirit would flow from within them (John 7:37-39)
• The Holy Spirit will finish what Jesus started (John 16:12-15)
• We need to learn to imitate the Holy Spirit as we serve and love Jesus Christ as our Lord

III. How do I receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

1. Obey the commands Jesus left us (Luke 24:45-40)
• Must be open minded to the supernatural (45)
• Must be born again and committed to follow Jesus (46-48)
• Find a place to wait for His promise of power to be fulfilled in you (49)
• They committed themselves to continuous praise and glorifying God (51-53)

2. Don’t go out until you have power within (Acts 1:4-8)
• We must pursue God in prayer and ask for His promise (4-5)
• Don’t get distracted by secondary questions (7)
• Power from God to witness (8)

IV. What will happen when I am baptized in the Spirit?

1. Expect the supernatural and refuse the natural to hinder your response (Acts 2:1-4)
• These signs were never repeated after initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit (1-3)
• They knew they filled or baptized in the Holy Spirit when they spoke in tongues

2. This experience became the norm throughout the New Testament church that was born at this time (Acts 10:44-48)

3. Ignorance can be no excuse (Acts 19:1-7)

• Did you receive when you believed [born again] (1-2)
• Ignorance is the opportunity to share the gospel (3)
• They got saved, baptized in water and then baptized in the Holy Spirit all in one service! (4-7)

Baptism (Part I)

2011-06-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

First Assembly of God

Baptism is either over rated or not taken seriously in this generation. If you think baptism is some kind of pass into God’s favor, no matter your life style, you will only bring condemnation upon yourself because you claim to know more than you are walking in. On the other hand, Jesus commanded His followers to identify with Him through water baptism and go on to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Once baptized in water you are held responsible to walk a life that imitates Christ’s character.

I. Jesus set the template for obedience (Matt.3:11-17)
• John the Baptist speaks prophetically (11)
• Once baptized as a follower of Christ the purging from the old life begins in earnest (12)
• John understood the responsibility of worthiness to be baptized (13)
• Proper to fulfill righteousness (15)
• Picture of the Holy Trinity in perfect unity and love (16-17)

II. Be careful for what you ask…you might get it (Mark 10:35-40)
• When you ask for God’s favor you will also be held responsible for the privilege (35-37)
• Example: Ask for financial blessings (Psalm 24:1-3)
• God gives us everything and He asks us to return that portion of the tithe to acknowledge His Lordship in our lives.
• Over confidence is as damaging as lack thereof (39)
• Once baptized you will be held to a higher standard of responsibility (39-40)

III. Why should I be baptized? (Luke 3:3-14)
• Evidence of repentance from you and forgiveness from God (3)
• Get your crooked life straightened out (4-6)
• God looks for fruit…growth and produce (8)
• You learn to be generous and show love (10-11)
• Deal honestly in business (12-13)
• Don’t abuse your authority (14)

IV. Water Baptism is a part of your witness (Mark 16:15-17)
• Baptism without believing is a false witness
• Water – salvation, Baptism of Spirit - empowerment (Mark 1:7-9)

How Do Your Scars Identify You?

2011-05-29T05:24:00.000-07:00

First Assembly of God
May 29, 2011

Live long enough and you will have scars that mark the traumatic times in your life. Some are visible to the eye and some are hidden behind emotional barriers of anger, fear or denial. Jesus used His scars as an identifying mark of His authenticity of the death He endured for our salvation. Even His own disciples did not recognize Him till He showed them His scars.

I. The moment of truth (John 20:19-29)
• They were unable to believe until they saw the scars (20)
• Reality of being born again came to His disciples (21-22)
• Commissioned to the ministry (23)
• Thomas looked for authenticity (24-25)
• The process of the gospel in you…stop doubting and believe (26-27)
• We have the advantage of not seeing and yet believe in Him (28-29)

II. The scars sin left are dealt with through the cross of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:13-15) [Contemporary English Version]

• In sin, you were dead to God (13)
• In Christ, you were declared innocent of all charges that sin had accused and condemned you
• Your wounds became healed scars that were dealt with on His cross (14)
• Satan was exposed as a defeated foe (15)

III. Use your scars to walk humbly in victory (II Cor.12:8-10)
• Your scars can be used to remind you of what Jesus did for you (7)
• Forget the pain, but remember His grace that delivered you (8-9)
• Rejoice in the weaknesses that scars remind you of so you draw on God’s strength (10)

IV. Count your scars along with your blessings in life (II Cor.11:21-29)
• No one has a corner on suffering…make sure you give God the glory no matter the scars (21-23)
• Compare your list of unfair experiences of life with Paul’s (24-27)
• Weaknesses, pressures, temptations to sin are all a part of what we overcome in the Name of Jesus that will one day pass away (28-29)

This weekend we remember those who have fallen in battle to procure and protect our freedom as Americans. We honor their memory and it causes us to bow in humble thanksgiving as we fulfill the destiny they died to provide us the opportunity.

Jesus died on our behalf to win the battle over sin and the devil. We now follow Him to the cross and find our own scars of battle that we can take comfort and rejoice that we are found worthy to suffer for the Kingdom in our generation. Let’s not get lost in self pity over offences and wounds from past failures or abuses from others. Let us forgive and rise above it all in hope that all be for His glory. Amen!!

How to Overcome Disappointment

2011-05-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Well, we are still here so another prediction bites the dust and in its wake are those who will be disillusioned and disappointed…again. Every so many years there seem to be the Bible predictors of the end of the world and set a date…guaranteed. They come and go and if they would listen to the last words of Jesus in Acts 1 they would know better than to set themselves up for failure and ridicule. Though sincere… misled and a disappointment.

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

I. Dedicated Christians will be tested (Rev.2:1-7)
• Passionate Christians who work hard are not exempt from temptation to heresy or being misled (2)
• Weariness is not an excuse (3)
• Passion will cool with time (4)
• Constant vigil must be kept through repentance (5)

II. Jesus prepared us for such a time (Matt.24:1-25)
• Double edged prophecy (1-2)
As the time draws near there will be more voices of
deception (4)
• These events have happened throughout history, but
they are increasing in occurrence and intensity
• Rejection from family and friends is one of the hardest tests to face (9-11)
• The darker the times, the brighter the gospel will shine (12-14)
• This is specifically for those believers in Israel (15-21)
• The intensity of following Christ as these events unfold will become overwhelming (22-25)

III. How to prepare for times like these (Mark 13:28-37)
• Come to know and trust the Word of God above all signs or man’s words (28-31)
• Use discernment and caution as you resist the temptation to embrace the sensational (32)
• Live every day as if He is coming today (34-37)
• That was the purpose Jesus gave us this promise
• Feed your passion for Jesus with this truth

Trust God Through the Power of the Seed

2011-05-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

First Assembly of God
May 15, 2011

Jesus likened the Word of God to seed. There is no greater mystery on earth like the power of life in the seed. Its potential is plentiful all over the world yet inexplicable in its consistency to reproduce and provide nourishment for life on earth. It creates great expectations on the part of the sower and is one of the surest things on earth. The biggest downside is that it fosters greed in those who practice selfishness. The seed works for those who are evil or good.

I. God chose to make provision to sustain life through the power of the seed (Gen.8:20-22)
• In spite of evil, God provides
• As long as the earth endures (it is temporary)

II. The moment you plant a seed you create expectations (II Cor.9:6-11)
• Small begets small, generous begets generous (6)
• Requires God’s love to operate this principle (7)
• Abuse of this principle does not make you happy even if it makes you rich (8)
• Abounding and abundantly are benefits of sowing and reaping (8-9)
• In God’s economy, righteousness is always the result of good seeds sown (10-11)

III. There are different realms of seed: (Matt.7:7-12)
Seed of man produces babies in a woman
Seed of money produces more money
Seed of love produces more love
Seed of wheat, corn, etc. produces more grain
• Every season of asking, seeking and knocking will have its harvest (7-8)
• God is interested in good gifts that will produce joy, love and righteousness
• We usually are willing to make changes in the midst of crisis…that’s why we ask, seek, knock
• Sow the Word of God in your heart so God can bring the needed change in your life that will produce a harvest of blessing
• Be careful what items you place on the Table of Blessing…God may take you serious

IV. Why is it good to plant in crisis?
• You are more apt to let go of something precious to you (greed dies here)
• Faith becomes magnified in the eyes of God
• Your seed sowing will precede an expectation of harvest with Jesus as your focus…not yourself or your need only (God responds to faith, not need)
• Re-establishes covenant with God…becomes an act of faith in humility and submission to Him

Mothers Are Sowers

2011-05-09T07:42:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Dar - First Assembly of God
May 8, 2011

I. The power of a bitter seed (Mark 6:16-25)
• Herod was a reflection of a nation without a clear conscience
• Herod represented the political and moral state of a nation that had lost its spiritual compass
• John the Baptist was the godly influence that Herod refused to heed
• America is a nation that has lost her spiritual compass
• Our leaders reflect the state and direction that our nation is headed

II. Herodias was the original women’s liberation movement of Jesus’ day
• She hated John the Baptist because he spoke the truth that influenced her husband
• Her disdain for God and His Word caused her daughter to follow her wicked example

III. A mother that knows how to change the world God’s way (Mark 7:24-30)
• She humbled herself for the sake of her daughter…she did not feel entitled to get His help
• Jesus was deeply impressed by her selfless sacrifice to provide for her daughter
• It is this kind of love that brought deliverance for her daughter and will do the same for you

IV. Which mother are you…do you have?

• Herodias’ mother had to be in control to get what she wanted
• It was the world of Herodias that invited the murderous demon to possess her child
• It was the humility and sacrificial love of the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7 that brought deliverance to her child

V. Every mother is a sower of seed (Mark 4:3)

• Godly mothers believe in the power of the seed of the Word of God
• Years later the harvest of a life surrendered to God can be realized
• The soil (heart) of a child is soft and pliable and hungry to be planted with truth
• Some of the greatest deposits ever made in your life were by your mother
• By age 6 – 75% of what you will be the rest of your life will be determined by the seed that was sown
• By age 18 – 90% of your value system was established by the seed sown and will be revealed in the next 40 to 50 years of your life.
• Mothers who trust the power of the seed believe Psalm 1 and hold on to the promises of God

Why a Veil?

2011-04-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

First Assembly of God
April 17, 2011

We are unfamiliar with the use of a veil in our culture. In ancient times the veil was standard for women to command respect, but these days we see it as demeaning for a woman to have to wear a veil in public. There was a deeper meaning and purpose in those times that we need to consider as we approach this Easter experience.

I. God initiated the veil in the Tabernacle to both protect and teach the people a respect and reverence for Himself and His holiness (Ex.26:31-34)

• Sin separates God from His people

II. The Tabernacle was a picture of why holiness and sin cannot live together (Heb.9:1-3)

(Heb.9:6-17 The Message Bible)
• Someone was needed to plead for mercy on our behalf (6-7)
• Old Covenant had to pass away once the demands were fulfilled to make room for the New Covenant (8-10)
• Jesus satisfied the demands of the Old Covenant (11-12)
• What our efforts could not do…Christ completed (13-15)
• Jesus’ death enacted the New Covenant and split the veil that separated us from God (Matt.27:50-51)

III. We enter where once we were prohibited (Heb.10:19-22)
• The real veil was Jesus’ body (19-20)
• We can come directly into God’s presence now that Jesus has removed our sin (21-22)

IV. We all have veils that we use to hide our fading efforts (II Cor.3:11-18)
• If impressed with what God did before…look how much more He is doing through Christ (11)
• The law of Moses only hardened our hearts like a veil over our hearts (12-15)
• God’s desire is to draw us into His glory (16-18)

V. The veil that once separated us from God attracts Him to us because He wants to make us His bride (Song of Solomon 4:1)

• We no longer need a veil to protect us from His holiness (I Cor.2:8-11)
• God’s love no longer is separated by a veil of uncertainty

Your Life Is About to Change Forever

2011-03-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

First Assembly of God
March 27, 2011

When Jesus walked with His disciples one of the greatest challenges He had was to relate future events in such a way that they would live their lives differently than the world. There is only one reason God gives us insight into the future… get right with God and prepare others for the same.
I. How to prepare for the future (Luke 21:5-34 NLT)
• What appears to be so stable will pass away (5-6)
• Don’t hype people into false expectations (7-9)
• Natural disasters will increase in intensity (10-11)
• Persecution unprecedented (12-19)
• Israel is God’s time clock of last days events (20-24)
• Great fear is growing throughout the world (25-28)
• “Near” is all the warning this world is going to get (29-33)
• God has always warned His people before He brought destruction (34-36)

II. The Great Escape (I Thess.4:14-17)
• God has an appointment set in the future (I Thess.5:1-11)
• The appointment of wrath will be for those who refuse to prepare themselves and choose righteousness (1-3)
• Our appointment with God is not for His wrath (4-9)
• Our future is to live with Him forever (10-11)

III. Other significant future events God has planned
• The Great Tribulation (Matt.24:21)
• Concludes with Jesus’ Second Coming (Rev.19:11-14)
• Millennium – Thousand year reign of Jesus Christ (Rev.20:1-4)
• We will rule with Jesus Christ over the whole earth
• New heaven and new earth (Rev.21:1-40)

Have you prepared for His coming and are you living in such a way that you will be at the right appointment?

Present Turbulant Times

2011-03-23T08:54:00.000-07:00

Earthquakes, tsunamis, toppling dictators, upheaval in the Middle East, uncertain economy, rising gas prizes ... The list goes on and on and fear rises with each catastrophe event.

What does the Bible say about these events?

How can we prepare for the future?

Is there hope for better times?

How can I have peace when there are so many crises in our world?

This Sunday (March 27, 2011) I (Pastor Jeff) will address a Biblical perspective of our present times and what we can expect in the near future.

Five Fold Purpose of the Church (Part III)

2011-03-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

First Assembly of God (Commission)
March 20, 2011

Communion
Connection
Completeness
Calling
Commission

What we call the Great Commission was the simple missions statement Jesus gave for His church to complete in His absence until He returned. It preaches good and every born again Christian would say “Amen!” yet many in churches today don’t really live it with commitment. The cost is incredible and there is never a safe or comfortable place to arrive when you seriously follow this mandate.

I. This purpose gives motivation and substance to all the other purpose statements (Matt.28:18-20)
• Jesus gives us His authority to finish His work (18)
• It’s a “go after them” gospel not a “come ya’ all” (19)
• Public water baptism gives evidence of an inward commitment
• Teach and live all that I have commanded you (19)
• Sums up our mandate as church
• We see the practice of the New Testament church (Acts 2:46-47)

II. It gets hard when we try to do God’s part (John 3:14-21)
• We are to lift up Jesus (14)
• Believe is an action, not just mental ascent (15-16)
• God has no chip on His shoulder about your sin (17)
• As a sinner, you are already judged and condemned (18)
• A sinner loves darkness…not just tolerates it (19-20)
• A Christian practices the truth in the Light of Christ (21)

III. We know about the future which gives us a sense of urgency (II Peter 3:9-15)
• Don’t mistake patience with unbelief (9)
• God has ordered what sort of people we are to be (10-11)
• While the world is afraid of the future, we look forward to it and others need to see our focus (12-13)
• Knowing and believing what our future holds we can share our faith with conviction (14-15)
• When Christ lives in us we want others to be saved (I Tim.2:3-4)

IV. When Christ lives in us, it becomes a part of our nature to present the good news (Rom.10:13-17)
• We can’t save anybody…God does that (13-16)
• You have heard…will you believe and be saved?

Five Fold Purpose of the Church (Part III)

2011-03-13T06:37:00.000-07:00

First Assembly of God (Calling)

March 13, 2011

Communion
Connection
Completeness
Calling
Commission

“Call” is a common word used in reference to drawing attention for someone to come near or summon. People and even animals have a certain call to their own that attracts or warns. Whether it is voice recognition or a name given that causes one to respond, everyone has a name that evokes emotion and identity.

I. You don’t join…you are called…
• Jesus sought them out (Matt.4:21)
• A calling is different than being called (Matt.22:14)
• Selected, not random (1 Corinthians 1:2)
• Not based on man’s criteria (1 Corinthians 1:26)

II. We need to develop our ear to hear His voice (John 10:1-16) [tuning fork example]
• Starts with relationship (1-3)
• Trust is built through time together (4-5)
• Protection comes with the call of God (10-11)
• God loves and calls…Satan hires and drives with guilt (12-13)
• God values those He calls (14-16)

III. Ministry depends on God’s call
• Sometimes it requires separation (Acts 13:2)
• Ministry requires a godly life style (Rom.1:6-7)
• Selfless purpose (2 Timothy 1:9)
• God has a plan and design for ministry (Romans 8:28)

III. Awesome responsibility before God
• Must respond with diligence (II Peter 1:10)
• God does not take His call back or change His mind (Rom.11:29)
• We have responsibility to walk worthy (Eph.4:1-4)
• When called of God…we must practice ministry till He comes (II Peter 1:10-15)

As “conduit” protects the flow of electricity, you are surrounded by God’s “can-do-it” for ministry. (Phil.4:13)

13I can do all things through Him who (U)strengthens me.

Five Fold Purpose of the Church (Part III)

2011-02-13T04:26:00.000-08:00

First Assembly of God February 13, 2011

Communion
Connection
Completeness
Calling
Commission

When you ask God for His plan for your life, His first response will be…grow up! Every parent wants his child to grow up and become a mature adult with responsibility and integrity. That process requires much involvement by the parent as Paul tells us about the need for the study of the Word of God and our spiritual development depends on it.

I. The Word of God will work in you with a purpose in mind (II Tim.3:16-17)
• Teaching – knowledge is necessary to growing
• Reproof – The Word will reveal absolute truth
• Correction – impossible to grow without an attitude of willing to be corrected
• Training – practice what the Word teaches
• Maturity and completeness will make you adequate, not perfect (17)

II. The process of maturity (Eph.4:7, 11-16)
• Begins with a gift or initial investment from God to work with in you (7)
• Gift ministries are given to the church to develop the maturity of the followers of Christ (Luke 22:32)
• Equipping and building are what you should expect from your pastor (12)
• Measure your growth by the fullness of Christ not your neighbor (13)
• Greatest threat to the church is immaturity (14)
• Truth and love must work together to produce the fruit of maturity and completeness (15)
• When every joint is supplied through the anointing of the Holy Spirit the body will grow

III. When people don’t grow up and mature (Num.11:1-6, 18-20)
• Immature people only pray when they are in trouble (1-3)
• When immaturity is tolerated the riffraff will rise up (4-6)
• Be careful what you pray for…you may get it (18-20)

IV. God’s answer to immaturity (Ex.18:13-23)
• Moses had the right attitude, but took too much on himself and hurt the people as a result (13-16)
• God’s answer to immaturity is delegated authority to mature leadership (17-23)

V. God transfers His authority through man (Num.11:16-17, 25-29)
• It is God who will anoint those chosen to bear the burden of leadership (16-17)
• Unity comes through the Holy Spirit taking that vision and anointing from the leader and transferring it to delegate leadership
• Some leadership comes from those who are responding to what God is doing (26-29)

VI. There will be a judgment of the fruit of our lives (I Cor.3:6-16)
• Our reward will be determined by the labor of our ministry (6-8)
• God is building us daily into maturity and completeness (9)
• Maturity calls for great care as to how we build and what materials we use to work with people (10-11)
• We must choose what materials we use to build our families and ministries (12)
• God’s purifying fire will reveal the quality of materials we have used
• Immature believers will stand alone and empty with nothing to show for their lives on earth (15)
• Does my life reflect the glory of God through a beautiful temple that adorns Christ or just a shack that will burn up before we arrive in heaven? (16)

Five Fold Purpose of the Church (Part II)

2011-01-29T12:58:00.000-08:00

First Assembly of God

January 30, 2011

When Jesus gave birth to the church, He built her on the principle of fellowship. Koininia is the Greek word used in the New Testament to describe the concept of the process of “loving one another”. This does not come easily, naturally or consistently without the Holy Spirit’s involvement in our every day lives. The template was established in the Book of Acts with the advent of Pentecost. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the upper room created a crisis in the Jewish population. 3000 were born again in one altar call by Peter and now it divided tribes and families because new life in Christ always upsets the status quo of religion and relationships. This new relationship with Christ could only be sustained as people committed themselves to fellowship.

I. Fellowship is not optional, but necessary for your spiritual health and development (Acts 2:42-47)
• The message that changed the norm forever (38-39)
• These first believers were called out of a perverse generation
• They could no longer associate with the world and maintain this new life in Christ (II Cor.6:14-18)
• Difference between acquaintance and fellowship (42)
• Who are you devoted to?

II. What hinders fellowship?
• Some people have trouble with crowds
• Some actually lose a sense of connectedness in a crowd
• Somewhat intimidated by those who are at ease with friends and you are not a part of it
• Fear of rejection – class distinction, ethnicity, dress, level of education, on and on the list goes

III. How do we overcome our fear of fellowship? (James 2:1-10)

• Work at it every day (Acts 2:46)
• Fellowship begins with attitude (1,4)
• Your neighbor is just like you and you need to reach out to him/her as you would want someone to reach out to you…try it today (8)
• Partiality is sin and can go both ways (9)

IV. You have the responsibility to find your place in fellowship (Matt.18:10-14)
• Little ones and lost ones need to be sought after (10-11)
• The ninety nine are responsible to know their place in the flock and be together
• When you are found missing it requires time and precious resources to go find you…are you really lost or lazy?

The State of the Church Address: First Assembly of God

2011-01-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

As a pastoral staff we committed our energy to be all about the process that can develop the character of God’s people to grow up and reach out to others in 2010. It is back to the fundamentals of what God expects from His church. The advantage of a plateau causes us to examine the principles that brought us this far. When you are in a growth cycle you have all you can do to keep up and your energy is consumed with bringing in the harvest. A plateau or leveling off period comes to any living organism to strengthen their roots and reestablish priorities of healthy growth internally. We can’t stay here for long, but is necessary to make adjustments to go to the next level of growth and development in God’s kingdom work.

Processes that we have worked on in 2010:
• Family Connection 101
• Ministry Development 301
• Adopt a Block
• Honor Team (formerly known as Hospitality)

I. It is Biblical to develop the process of sanctification (James 1:2-8 The Message Bible)

2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.

• Tests prove authenticity of faith (2-4)

So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

• Without testing, deficiencies will reproduce in a church’s growth (4b)

5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

• We need God’s wisdom in the process of getting church right (5-8)

II. Paul understood the need for process (Rom.5:1-6)
• An introduction to Jesus is not enough to sustain a life time of service (1-2)
• Do you see the process here? (3-6)

III. Endurance will produce a perfect result (James 1:2-4)

IV. It’s dangerous to opt out of the process (I Cor.6:9-11)
• Operative word here is “were” (11)

Without a godly and deliberate process of choices made daily according to the Word of God, you will NOT inherit Kingdom of God. You don’t want to wait till you die to know what your inheritance will be. Jesus died to provide the way for your life to be changed for eternity. He will begin it and He will finish it AS you stay with Him and learn to trust Him

Some highlights for 2011 vision:
• Learn how to move beyond this plateau in attendance and increase our influence
• Become a part of the CTN process (see page 2 of your Partner’s and Member’s Report for 2011)
• Believe God for the Blueprints for our addition project to be completed
• Strive to have $200,000 in our Vision savings as we begin to build

Five Fold Purpose of the Church (Part I)

2011-01-16T04:22:00.000-08:00

January 16, 2011

A purpose statement for a church is like a business plan for a business. What is it that the church must be to God (owner) and the members (church) to justify its existence and vital purpose that must be accomplished? We have adopted five “C”s to remind us and guide us in our work and decision making. For you to be a part of the church you must know and strive to satisfy God’s plan and design for His church.

I. What is our worship? (Rom.12:1-2)
• Sacrifice – it costs you something of value (vs. 1 and II Sam.24:24-25)
• Life changed by the power and presence of God in the live of the worshipper (2)

II. Must be a pure worshipper (Micah 5:13)
• To worship God and the work of your hands is an insult to God
• You serve whom you worship (Luke 4:8)
• True worship flows from His Spirit through your spirit (John 4:23-24)
• The true test of your spiritual growth is your service record

III. Godly lifestyle flows out of the worshipper’s heart (Gal.5:19-26 The Message Bible)
• Worshipper of self will bring condemnation from God (19-21)
• Worship is my response to God’s love (22-23)
• Only the cross can produce a worshipper willing to surrender his life to Jesus Christ (24)
• Each worshipper is unique and each is designed for God’s glory (25-26)
• Must choose to refuse self confidence in favor of God’s leading in our lives (Phil.3:3)

IV. Corporate worship is needed (Heb.10:24-27)
• We need stimulation in our worship (24)
• Corporate worship defeats discouragement (25)
• To avoid corporate worship makes you vulnerable to deliberate sin (26-27)

V. Worship is a taste of heaven to come…get used to it (Rev.1:6,5:8-10)

Catch the Wave

2011-01-10T05:27:00.000-08:00

I. God knows how to make waves in your life (Isa. 51:15)
15 For I am the Lord your God, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar and Who by rebuke restrains it--the Lord of hosts is His name.

When the waves roar it gets your attention

He sets the boundaries of the waves and is in control

II. Called to ride the wave (I Cor. 3:6-9)
The power of the seed

We learn how to harness the power of the seed, but can take no credit for the outcome

III. We must have the right equipment to ride the wave (Acts 2:17-21)
God makes the wavewe can only ride it (vs. 17)

The effect of Gods waves of glory will affect generations to follow (vs. 17-19)

Many are saved when Gods people harness the power of the His wave to share the gospel (vs. 20-21)

IV. Wait on God for the equipment (Acts 1:4-5)
I have tried to ride some waves in the past and ended up with my face pushed in the sand of the ocean floor
V. Practice with the equipment (Acts 2:1-4)
This is a heart and mouth operation (vs. 4)

Learn to catch the wave and ride it

God has sent many waves throughout church history

VI. The last lesson is probably the hardest
Know when to get off

Tradition is like riding a surf board on the sandy shore

The motions are all there, but the wave is gone

We need to look for the new waves of God that keep coming in our lives

Be careful not to be found building a monument to the waves of the past

How to Renew Your Prayer Life (Part II)

2011-01-02T05:55:00.000-08:00

January 2, 2011

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. (Psa.17:6)

I. Type of praying that God ignores
• Hypocrites are actors that don’t believe their own script (Matthew 6:5)
• Religious people that do not know God (Matt.23:13-15)
• Those who cannot forgive (Matt.6:14-15)
• There are no exceptions to God’s position on forgiveness (Mark 11:25)

II. Jesus teaches how to pray dynamically (Luke 18:1-17)
• Pray always and at all times = prayer life (1)
• Without faith prayer is just words of desperation that will give up when results are not immediate and satisfying (2-8)
• The faithless always trust themselves and are insecure around others (9)
• To the self trusters, it’s all about “what I get” (10-12)
• Humility is beginning of a rich prayer life (13-14)
• When Jesus touches children, they enter in (15-17)

III. What is the proper posture to pray? (Luke 22:24-34)
• A servant is in the best position to pray (24-27)
• Those who pray know their will be severe trials (28-31)
• Jesus intercedes for those who are willing to believe and never give up (32-34)

IV. Course correction needed when faithfulness is not enough (Revelation 3:1-6)
• Happens to those who pray for many years (1)
• What deeds are most important to God? (2)
• Bring fruits of repentance as you wake up (3)
• Don’t be surprised if you find yourself among the few (4-6)

V. Biblical renewal process (Isaiah 58:1-12)
• This describes godly people who need renewal (1-2)
• True hunger for renewal wants to know what’s wrong (3)
• Cannot do business as usual (3b-4a)
• Be careful you are not only putting on a show for God (4b-5)
• Something has to break and be loosed (6)
• You see others with compassion (7)
• Breaking brings changed behavior that brings freshness in your relationships with God and others (8-10)
• The renewal you long for will give you a fresh zeal to finish well (11-12)
• You will experience a renewed view of the cross (Gal.6:14-16 NLT)

How to Renew Your Prayer Life

2010-12-27T07:01:00.000-08:00

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. (Psa.17:6)

I. Type of praying that God ignores
• Hypocrites are actors that don’t believe their own script (Matthew 6:5)
• Religious people that do not know God (Matt.23:13-15)
• Those who cannot forgive (Matt.6:14-15)
• There are no exceptions to God’s position on forgiveness (Mark 11:25)

II. Jesus teaches how to pray dynamically (Luke 18:1-17)
• Pray always and at all times = prayer life (1)
• Without faith prayer is just words of desperation that will give up when results are not immediate and satisfying (2-8)
• The faithless always trust themselves and are insecure around others (9)
• To the self trusters, it’s all about “what I get” (10-12)
• Humility is beginning of a rich prayer life (13-14)
• When Jesus touches children, they enter in (15-17)

III. What is the proper posture to pray? (Luke 22:24-34)
• A servant is in the best position to pray (24-27)
• Those who pray know their will be severe trials (28-31)
• Jesus intercedes for those who are willing to believe and never give up (32-34)

IV. Course correction needed when faithfulness is not enough (Revelation 3:1-6)
• Happens to those who pray for many years (1)
• What deeds are most important to God? (2)
• Bring fruits of repentance as you wake up (3)
• Don’t be surprised if you find yourself among the few (4-6)

V. Biblical renewal process (Isaiah 58:1-12)
• This describes godly people who need renewal (1-2)
• True hunger for renewal wants to know what’s wrong (3)
• Cannot do business as usual (3b-4a)
• Be careful you are not only putting on a show for God (4b-5)
• Something has to break and be loosed (6)
• You see others with compassion (7)
• Breaking brings changed behavior that brings freshness in your relationships with God and others (8-10)
• The renewal you long for will give you a fresh zeal to finish well (11-12)

2010-12-13T07:05:00.000-08:00

How to Prepare for His Coming

I. A woman became the keeper of God’s promise and the mother of our Savior (Luke 1: 26-56)

Can you give God permission to interrupt your life’s plan to obey His call?

This call changed the plans and course of Mary’s life

Mary was the recipient of the vision and promise

She is viewed by heaven to be favored one

What does favor mean?

Faith

Action

Verse

Over

Reality
A vision can be very perplexing and requires a proper response (vs. 29)

Pondering is the right thing to do when God drops something into your heart you don’t understand (vs. 29)

Promise delivered does not mean that all is well (vs. 31-33)

God gives reinforcement to battle unbelief (vs. 34-38)

Her response is one we can adopt as our own (vs. 38)
After receiving revelation you must protect it by being with those who are spiritually discerning (vs. 39)

Choose carefully those you share the vision God has given you

The world will always want to destroy what God has planted in the hearts of His people (John 14:17)

What have you determined to know with those people in your circle? (I Cor. 2:2-16)
The natural man is not God’s friend or yours when it comes to His promises (vs. 14)

Mary chose wisely whom she would share her vision (Luke 1:40-45)

Mary worshipped and gave God the glory in humility as she accepted the promise in faith (vs. 46-56)

She became the keeper of the promise as much as the womb for Jesus to be conceived

Jesus is coming soon!

How to Prepare for His Coming Part II

2010-12-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

December 5, 2010

Romans 4:9-16

I. How Abram came to be the father of our faith (Gen.15)
• You need a shield to protect God’s vision (1)
• What do you consider a great reward? (2)
• Abram’s vision of a reward was a son (2)
• Beware of natural reason (3-4)
• How did Abram protect the promise of God (5-6)
• Replace doubt and human reasoning with counting stars
• How will you know that God fulfills His promise to you? (7-8)
• What sacrifice have you brought to God to claim His promises? (9-11)
• David understood sacrifice (2 Samuel 24:24)
• What birds of prey threaten your sacrifice? (11)

II. How we must prepare for His coming (Matt.24:42-51)
• How long can you wait for His promise to be fulfilled? (42-44)
• Abraham – 14 years
• Moses – 40 years
• Israel – 400 years
• You – 2010 and counting
• Here come the birds of prey while you are so doing (48-51)

God had shut Zacharias’ mouth for 9 months to protect the seed of faith that would produce the promise of John the Baptist. Abraham had to wait for 14 years and count stars and chase away birds of prey to protect the seed of God’s promise till it came to pass. How long will you wait to commit to God’s promise and make your heart a safe place for the seed of His promise to produce fruit and come to pass?

As we continue our series on Advent we will look at what Mary and Joseph did or what God had to do to protect the seed of faith of His promise in their hearts till it came to pass.

How to Prepare for His Coming

2010-11-28T06:13:00.000-08:00

First Assembly of God

November 28, 2010

Zacharias is a type of the church that Jesus came to give birth to through His death and resurrection. The natural man is always at odds with the supernatural plan that God is working on our behalf. We can learn from the example of Zacharias how to prepare and be prepared by the Holy Spirit for the coming of the Lord. (Luke 1:5-23)

• In whose eyes are you blameless? (5-6)
• Does it pay to serve God? (7)
• What should we be doing while we wait for an answer to prayer? (8)
• What is your custom in your worship life? (9)
• Understand the responsibility of being chosen (9-10)
• Altar of incense is our place of worship (11)
• I wonder how often we pray or worship only to be troubled and afraid when God shows up (12)
• When God moves to answer prayer there may be a time of incubation and waiting on Him (13-16)
• Nobody believed there would be a baby at the conception but many believed at the birth (14)
• God sets the precedent for no liquor in your life as a minister of Christ (Eph.5:17-19 God’s Word Trans.)

I. What does it mean to be prepared for the Lord?

1. Turn hearts back
2. Disobedient to righteousness
3. Get people ready like a participant in a wedding party (II Tim.2:21)

II. How can you know for certain that God delivers on His promise? (18-20)

• Some answers to prayer are a time of wondering and waiting and keep your natural mouth shut (21-23)
• God wants to prepare you for what He has prepared for you (Matt.25:31-34)
• We can have confidence in troubled times through being prepared by Him (John 14:1-3)

Thanksgiving

2010-11-21T06:14:00.000-08:00

The Test of Thanksgiving

First Assembly of God
November 21, 2010

Where do you think this passage is found? Who is praying this prayer?
"I descended to the roots of the mountains
The earth with its bars was around me forever,
But You have brought up my life from the pit, O LORD my God.
While I was fainting away,
I remembered the LORD,
And my prayer came to You,
Into Your holy temple.
"Those who regard vain idols
Forsake their faithfulness,
But I will sacrifice to You
With the voice of thanksgiving
That which I have vowed I will pay
Salvation is from the LORD."
Jonah

• Sometimes thanksgiving is a sacrifice.
• It is and needs to be the first response that follows the penitent after true repentance

I. What was Jonah’s condition before the great fish experience?
• He was rebellious and fearful (Jonah 1:1-3)
• Jonah is much like us before we are broken and humbled before God

II. Jonah after his brokenness experience (Jonah 2:1-10)
• Broken before God in the face of death (1)
• First response – thanksgiving (9)
• Second response – obedience (Jonah 3:1-3)
• What is your first and second response after a time of brokenness?
• Do you realize what brokenness looks and feels like?
• Do you bless God or curse your situation?
• Once broken, Jonah was willing to do anything God wanted him to do

III. When is it appropriate to give thanks? (I Thess.5:16-19)
• Better to ask when is it not the right time?
• In every situation of life is the right time
• In the belly of the fish is the right time
• What great fish has swallowed you up lately?
• Do you trust Jesus who has promised to save you?

IV. Jesus gave thanks as he broke the loaves to feed the multitude (Matt.14:17-20)
• To remain unbroken means that we will not feed the multitudes the Bread of Life
• Do you remember a time when you were more thankful than you are today?

V. True thanksgiving is a review and a preview
• David struggled with life (Psalm 42:4-5)
• I used to…go or shout with joy or give thanks…
• But now I’m…downcast, depressed, angry, disappointed
• Great blessings can be dangerous to our walk with God (Luke 17:11-19)
• How does God view the unthankful? (17)
• Give thanks before life happens (Heb.13:15)
• Be careful how you come to God (Psalm 95:2 and 100:4-5)

2010-11-15T06:24:00.001-08:00

Dean Niforados this week.

Authority in Jesus’ Name

2010-11-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

I. Authority is both a gift and a responsibility (Luke 10:18-20)

Lucifer was one of the first to receive authority from God (vs. 18)
God gave authority to His disciples (vs. 19)
Caution must be exercised when operating God given authority (vs. 20)

II. Delegated authority begins with redemption (Acts 4:12)

Key to God given authority is in the name of Jesus

III. God’s design for delegating authority (Luke 19:12-27)

Never forget that Jesus is coming back with the intent of holding us accountable [vs. 12]
What is God’s business? [vs. 13] (Matt. 28:19-20)
Abused authority creates rebellion [vs. 14]
We live in a time when people hate God [vs. 14]
First order of business when we face Him will be to reveal the results of our work [vs. 15]
Each slave recognized that the portion given was God’s… first and last [vs. 16-19]

Evidence of authority is first spoken [vs. 20-23]
God operates through the spoken Word
Once trusted by God to operate properly in His authority He will trust you with more [vs. 24-26]
Refusing to operate in God’s authority makes you His enemy [vs. 27]

IV. We are responsible to understand how to operate in God’s authority (Matthew 8:9)
Authority without submission to God is rebellion
God so loved that He gave…(John 19:11)
Same authority that saves us from sin, heals our bodies (Matt. 9:1-8)
Rebellion is always present when man wants to pursue his own interests [vs. 3-4]

God wants us all to know that it is through Jesus we can be saved and healed [vs. 5-6]
When we acknowledge the authority that comes from God then He is also glorified [vs. 8]

V. Once saved…we then receive authority to minister to others (Matt. 10:1, 7-15)
We have been summoned [vs. 1]

Be careful not to be distracted by worldly priorities [vs. 8-10]
What makes someone worthy? Those who respond to the call of God and obey when called to step out and declare Him and His kingdom
Our whole lives are spent preparing for judgment

We ought not to fear judgment. The very authority God gave us as sons of God will justly vindicate us before Him. The only time we should fear judgment is when we have failed to obey and turned back from our walk with Him. Learn to use the authority you have in Jesus’ Name every day to become the man or woman of God He has called you to be.

Patterns of Generations

2010-11-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

I. Each generation has its own unique challenges

A. Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3)

First to be called out from the world and his worldly family influence
God blesses obedience (Gen. 12:7-8)
Abraham first would build an altar and worship God (Gen. 13:3-4,18)
Abraham experienced sacrifice first hand (Gen. 22:2-13)
Because of his consistent altar building Abraham could carry out this ultimate sacrifice (vs. 2-3)

Some things you can’t explain to your children (vs. 4-8)
God will not withhold from you if you will not withhold from Him (vs. 9-13)

B. Isaac (Gen. 26:1-6)

Famine will drive us to action (vs. 1-2)

Abraham had the same problem (Gen. 12:9-10)

Isaac was now following his dad’s example of faith and obedience (Gen. 26:3-5)

If you have Christian parents you are blessed with the example of faith, but no guarantee ou will be successful (Gen. 26:18-25)

Mimicking dad’s faith without dad’s commitment to prayer will fail (vs. 18)

Not once did Isaac think to build an altar and put God first (vs. 19-21)

Isaac was still living off his daddy’s favor with God (vs. 22-25)

You may have blessings because of your daddy’s faith, but you will easily be driven away without the same conviction

Abraham built 5 altars to worship and seek the Lord to Isaac’s one

Isaac made some of the same mistakes that Abraham did, but his life was one of diminishing returns (Gen. 12:13, 26:7)

C. Jacob (Gen. 27)

Jacob had to lie, deceive and cheat to get a blessing from his dad (vs. 6-10)

II. What we must learn from this family
Abraham – were saved as an adult, parents were not saved at the time

Isaac – parents were saved at the time you were saved as a child, but grandparents were not saved
Jacob – parents and grandparents were saved and you were saved as a child

III. Each spiritual generation has different obstacles to overcome

Isaac was blessed just like his dad and mostly because of his dad

Isaac realized he was an answer to his daddy’s prayer (he was at the near death experience of becoming the sacrifice for his dad)
God’s covenant with his dad was being fulfilled in Isaac

Isaac had it made…

1. Son of promise

2. Great education
3. All the breaks
4. Rich, gifted, blessed, etc.

It is difficult to appreciate the sweat and tears of the one who sacrificed to provide the house you live in

Isaac tried to improve on what his dad did, but not with the sacrifice his dad made – entitlement
How many times have we received blessings only to be forced from it like Isaac
The altar is your commitment to serve God no matter what…provision or not
Remember that Communion is a generational blessing of opportunity to build as altar…not dig a well

Biblical Worldview Part VI Science and Religion

2010-10-24T14:12:00.000-07:00

There are a lot more issues to address, but we are going to finish with a couple of hot buttons that we face in our generation and realize it’s OK if the world wants to criticize us and call us politically incorrect.

I. A Biblical worldview must be adopted and chosen deliberately by every believer (Eccl.10:2)

Dare you to share this verse with your political friends

Science and the Bible are not at odds (Romans 1:21)

People who deny God become futile in their thinking and refuse to give Him rightful place (Psalm 53:1)

Check out the fruit of this generation that have refused to acknowledge Him (I Cor. 1:20-29)

There are many godly scientists that have made incredible breakthroughs in medicine, physics, archeology, etc.

God is not intimidated by the foolishness of man’s arrogance

II. Because we live in the last days we battle with more intelligent ignorance than ever before (II Tim. 3:1-7)

Think about how devastating these influences can be on you

Intelligent ignorance (vs. 7)

III. When does life begin? (Jer. 1:5)

The Western culture has bought the lie and the Muslims are coming

Good science does not deny Creator and Designer God

“And the Government Shall be on His Shoulders”Biblical Worldview (Part V)

2010-10-18T05:32:00.000-07:00

There is a great misconception that when Jesus walked the earth, Judah was governed and policed by the Romans, and since Jesus had little recorded interaction with the Roman government, Jesus must not have been involved in politics, and for that reason, Christians should not be involved in politics today.

I. Jesus confronted politicians (Matt. 23)

Judah, where Jesus lived, was an occupied territory of Rome.

Sanhedrin

The grapheteus, the scribes…lawyers that made up the judicial branch

The perushim and the tsad diqim, the Pharisees and the Sadducees; two parties involved in making and enforcing all law; they were legislative branch,

The executive branch, the high priest who worked at their White House, the Temple.
The Sanhedrin was not established by God

“famine of the hearing of the words of God” that God said was coming through the prophet (Amos 8:11).

The Sanhedrin had legislative, executive, judicial, civil, and religious authority, but the Rabbi’s were the religious leaders, like pastors are today.

II Our forefathers established this government on Biblical laws & values

The Sanhedrin was a representative government based on Primary Law, The law of God. The Sanhedrin could generate secondary laws, as long as they didn’t violate the Primary Law.

James Madison, the principal author of the Constitution of the United States, said, We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of government- far from it, but we have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.

Jesus rebuked politicians of His day (Matt. 23:33)

Jesus called His politicians on their double standards and their restrictive and ever-expanding legislation. Jesus said, (Matt. 23:23)

It is wrong for Christians to condemn or persecute those who have sexual addictions or are deceived.

III. We must speak up with a Biblical mandate

29 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence had “Reverend” at the front of their names.

1954 the Johnson Amendment was passed and something like a dark cloud came over the pulpit.

Not one church has ever had its tax exempt status revoked since the Johnson Amendment was passed

Jesus solemnly warned… you cannot serve both God and money (Matt.6:24).
I know that many of you pray for revival and awakening in our nation. It won’t happen until we come to the same conclusions of Rev. Charles Finney who he led in the 2nd and 3rd Great Awakenings: “The Church must take right ground in regard to politics. The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent ground in politics. Christians have been exceedingly guilty in this matter, but the time has come when they must act differently. God cannot sustain this free and blessed country which we love and pray for unless the Church will take right ground. It seems sometimes as if the foundations of the nation are becoming rotten, and Christians seem to act as if they think God does not see what they do in politics. But I tell you He does see it, and He will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”

The most quoted sentence in the entire Bible (John 3:16) Jesus said to a politician… Nicodemus

IV. Radical plan of action for the church today in America

Put the followers of Jesus in politics, and you’ll be putting Jesus in the government

Do you realize that Jesus replaced Judas with a politician? Saul was a Pharisee (Apostle Paul)

It was the prophet Isaiah who saw ahead to the day when the Government would be on the shoulders of the Messiah (Isa. 9:6)

The godless of our nation have called our values “politics”

Rev. Henry Beecher Ward was a contemporary of the Rev. Charles Finney, and in a sermon in March 1863 he said, “It is sometimes said that ministers must not preach politics. They would have to toe hop, and skip, and jump through two-thirds of the Bible if they did not, for there is not another book on the face of God’s earth that is so full of commerce and business and government, and the relations between the governing and the governed, as this same Bible. How could it be otherwise, when church and state were one in the whole period of the Old Testament where the revelations were based on the coexistence of these two interests? And yet, in these latter days, we have these ineffable men who tell us that we must not preach in the pulpit about public affairs, and who would scourge out of the sanctuary a full half of the Bible. Infidels!”

14 years ago at the Promise Keepers’ Clergy Conference in Atlanta, in front of over 40,000 pastors Dr. Howard Hendricks said to us, “I believe that the days of ministry ahead are going to be harder than ever. Wimps need not apply.” I agree, given the current condition of our world, the increasing hatred the world has for Christians, and what God’s Word has to say about the future increase of opposition to God and His people.

Dale Schlafer, former V.P. of Promise Keepers, was given the vision for the Clergy Conference, In a letter referring to the Preachers of Finney’s day he wrote, “Those old, stern, grand vindicators of the government of God would have thundered and lightninged until they had almost demolished their pulpits if any such immoralities had shown themselves under their instructions as are common in these days. What about us? The Church seems to be filled with preachers afraid to take on sin and sinful behavior. What we need today are preachers who are fearless! Preachers who fear God more than man! Preachers who will mount their pulpits and bring the atmosphere of heaven with them. Preachers who will speak as from the borders of another world. Preachers who know that “no word spoken by God is without power.” (Luke 1:37.)

(Taken from FHA Greater Dakota Shepherd’s Symposium talk by Scott W. Craig.)

2010-10-04T07:46:00.000-07:00

A Celebration of Ministry:We must respond to the call

I. The church is on a two-fold mission of purpose from God

The Great Commission focuses on the belief system that Jesus taught. (Matt. 28:19-20)

2. The second element of the mission centers on the behaviors system where believers have been instructed to follow Scripture. (Matt. 22:37-39)

Most church fights are over behavior not belief

II. Biblical functions of the church (Acts 2:42-47)

Devotion creates function and motivation in a Christian’s life (vs. 42)

Five functions of a New Testament church

Fellowship (vs. 42, 46)

Discipleship (vs. 42)

Gift oriented ministry (vs. 43)

Evangelism (vs. 47)

Worship (vs. 47)
We are all given a measure of faith to produce function (Rom. 12:3-8)

III. Five groups of people in our church today

Unbeliever – Lacks belief and behavior systems of the NT church

Believer – Agrees on belief system, but not necessarily behave as a Christian

Disciple – believes and behaves as NT teaches

Servantleader – a disciple that serves, trains and assists in the mission of the church and ministries

Reproducer – Believes, behaves, serves, teaches, assists and is a discipler of disciples
IV. How do we grow to the next level? RelationshipsCasual – Maturity speaks to those at this level

Ministry – Church level, speaks about what is happening in your ministry

Missional – What did the Holy Spirit speak to you about your personal life?

Difference between casual and missional is the fervency of our love for God and obedience to His call (I Peter 4:7-11)

V. God’s blueprint of how the church is assembled and functions (Eph. 4:8-16)

Ministry is the gift that Jesus gives and must be acknowledge to be received (vs. 8)

Gift ministries are given to equip the saints

All are called to work in ministry and build the body of Christ (vs. 12)
All of us must use God’s standard in our work (vs. 13)

Failure to do so will result in devastation to the body (vs. 14)

Truth and love cause the body of Christ to be healthy and grow up (vs. 15-16)

Do I believe God wants our church to grow? Do I want our church to grow? Is it possible for our church to grow without my serving?

Am I an important asset to my church and the Kingdom of God? Am I ready to stand before God and report to Him that I gave my best in service to Him? Let’s all sign up today for the Celebration of Ministry next weekend. If I am serving…I want to improve my serve. If I have yet to find my place of ministry…I want to find it now and obey God as He leads me and I am equipped for service.

God’s blueprint for human sexuality

2010-09-27T08:39:00.000-07:00

Mankind made in His image (Gen. 1:24-31)

Man was made to rule over God’s creation (vs. 26)
Mankind was made to be fruitful and multiply (vs. 28)
Man was made to be responsible to choose wisely and obey God’s Word (Gen. 2:16-25)

Man was made to be family (vs. 18)
God gave Adam opportunity for choice (vs. 20)
God created Adam and Eve without shame (vs. 25)

II. Everything changed when sin entered (Gen. 3:9-11)

Man always hides when he is in sin (vs. 9)
Everything changes once sin and sex meet (Exodus 20:14) " You shall not commit adultery.
Sexual sin goes deeper than actions (Matt. 5:27-28)
Man can destroy himself with sexual sin (Proverbs 6:32)

III. Once the line of immorality is crossed passion drives the appetites of lust in man (Romans 1:20-32)

Sin causes man to justify the great exchange (vs. 20-23)
Man creates a god in his own image
When passions of lust are unbridled it goes bad fast (vs. 24-25)
At this point conscience is seared and beyond reason of truth (vs. 26-27)

A depraved mind is warped and no longer feels conviction of the Holy Spirit to change (vs. 28)
This is a warning to legislators of America that have legalized what God has condemned as sin (vs. 29-32

IV. Redemption is possible for those who embrace truth (I Cor. 6:9-20)

The Bible is clear on what is unacceptable to God

Washed – The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin (vs. 11)
Sanctified – Renewed mind…godly thinking restored (vs. 11)
Justified – How you look in God’s view (vs. 11)
Only saturation with the Word of God and listening and obeying the Holy Spirit can you have liberty (Heb. 4:12)
Both sexuality and hunger will pass away (I Cor. 6:13)

Immorality divides you from Christ (vs. 14-17)
Fleeing is your first line of defense (vs. 18)
Your body is God’s house (vs. 19-20)
We are called to be overcomers in Christ (Rev. 3:5)

2010-09-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

Biblical Worldview Part 3 Beware of Religions of False Hope
There is a growing popular view that all religion points to the same god and it matters little what you believe as long as you are sincere. The concept of people being lost or the reality of a hell and eternal separation from God is rejected as hate mongering and arrogance by those who preach or teach it. There is a myth that panders to the idea that mankind is getting progressively better somehow because of all our advances in medicine, technology, science and knowledge in general that is increasing exponentially. What should be our Biblical view of religion and the spiritual state of mankind before God?

I. To believe that all religions of the world are acceptable to God is to deny Christ’s work on the cross (Rom. 3:9-18)
To believe that Jesus is the only way will draw fire of accusation that you think you are better than anyone else (vs. 9)

The fruit of their lips and actions reveal that they are lost (vs. 10-18)

II. We have responsibility to share Christ with a lost generation (Acts 4:7-12)
When you operate in the power of the Holy Spirit you will become the center of attention…even ridicule (vs. 7)

The attention is not about you…Jesus Christ (vs. 8-11)
Salvation from sin and eternal damnation is only through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice of blood (vs. 12)

III. All roads lead to Hell unless Jesus Christ saves you (I Cor. 6:9-11)
The list is specific and sin is exposed in detail (vs. 9-10)

An encounter with Christ washes you, sanctifies you and justifies you (vs. 11)

IV. Alternative gods may even have power, but their end is destruction (Deut. 6:10-18)
All benefits and blessings come to those who never forget to give God first place alone (vs. 10-13)

God does not tolerate mixed allegiance (vs. 14-15)
Do not test Him to see if He will meet your expectations or demands (vs. 16-17)
What is your response when you lack necessity in your life? (Ex. 17:2-5)

When you are new to Christ, you may be given grace to question His wisdom…be warned that as you come to know Him, you become more responsible to obey His Word and not test Him
It’s only in the tithe that God invites us to test Him and that is only after we have obeyed His Word (Mal. 3:10)

There is clear distinction between the lost and those that are His people. Obedience makes the difference and disobedience will be judged by His standard… not ours. The same Word that saves you when you act on faith…condemns you when you refuse. We are commanded to reach a lost generation with the good news

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matt.24:14)

2010-09-07T07:37:00.000-07:00

Biblical Worldview Part 2 Process of Absolute Truth
Introduction
It’s one thing to acknowledge truth and another to embrace truth and let it change your life. Last week we studied the value of knowing right from wrong and that absolute truth not only exists, but Jesus Christ is the only way, TRUTH and the life.

I. Truth is the only place where you will find rest for your soul (Heb. 4:9-16)
Rest is more than the absence of turmoil…it is a place that God brings protection and security (vs. 9)

We no longer have to prove ourselves of value (vs. 10)
Disobedience results in anxiety and fear (vs. 11)
The Word of God (absolute truth) will reveal right from wrong (vs. 12)
Transparency in God’s sight (vs. 13)

Jesus will use His truth to set us free through our confession of Him as our deliverer (vs. 14)
We can overcome any sin and temptation through Jesus Christ (vs. 15)
What is the distance you allow from truth to help in time of need? (vs. 16)

II. How to escape if you have been caught
Must renounce the hidden lies and shame (II Cor. 4:2)

Review the process truth takes you into (Eph. 4:13-25)

Process to Freedom
Goal is to make you grow up (vs. 13-16)

Acknowledge that Christians don’t go back to their old life or worldly ways (vs. 17-20)
When the old appears…deal with it (vs. 21-24)
Evidence of change will be seen in your relationships with others (vs. 25) (Eph. 5:8-10)

We live in a culture that rejects absolute truth. That slippery slope makes it easy for Satan and his anti-christ to take over any people that embrace such foolishness. We need to pursue truth that Jesus left us. Many before us have had to sort through their generation of falsehoods and detours to follow the truth the Word of God sets forth. Not all, but the few who relentlessly sought after the Truth realized the freedom to serve God in the midst of a lost world…so can we.

Biblical World View Part 1

2010-08-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

Like Pilate who was in a position to judge Jesus at his trial queried, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), we must wrestle with the same question. Truth may be a personal battle to understand and comprehend, but God is not amenable to man. Truth is revealed by God and we are pursuers of the truth, not defenders of the faith. God does not need defending. His truth is revealed to those who seek after Him.

I. How truth changes our lives
First contact with the Truth brings freedom from sin (John 8:31-32)

Jesus is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6)
Walking in truth brings joy (III John 4)
Truth cleanses us through exposure (John 3:21)
Truth will control conscience when in full force in your life (Heb. 9:14)

The Holy Spirit will guide you into truth (John 16:13)
Truth brings discernment to love (I Cor. 13:6)
Good seeds of truth bring a wonderful harvest (James 1:18)

II. The tragedy that follows rejection of absolute truth… God’s truth
No salvation available if truth is rejected (Heb. 10:26-27)

The absence of truth produces defilement (Titus 1:15)
Once defiled anything goes and lies become the focus and control of your life (Rom. 1:25)
Satan will use you as a stronghold (II Thess. 2:8-12)
Once overtaken you will live by impulse which leads to depravity (II Tim. 3:6-8)
Control by sensuality leads to exploitation (II Peter 2:1-3)

Truth is the foundation of our faith. Embrace it and it changes you. Reject it and you will be judged by it. Jesus is the Truth personified. God will measure us by truth not by our explanations and our excuses. Mercy will be shown to those who have been changed by its impact on their lives. Next week, we will give a Scriptural process of how to escape deception and be redeemed if you have fallen.

Building Godly Relationships

2010-08-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

We study for years, investing thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours to prepare for a vocation that may or may not be where we end up working for the rest of our lives. It has been proven by most who are coming to the end of their working career that their job has brought little value or significance to their lives. On the other hand, most who come to that conclusion will also admit that the most important investments into relationship with family and life long friendships were woefully neglected and now struggle with loneliness and emptiness of purpose.

I. Nine Biblical qualities and characteristics of Godly relationships (Rom. 12:9-21)
     1. Love must be sincere (vs. 9)

         Means speaking the truth (Eph. 4:16,25)
          Communicate openly and transparently
          Half truths are lies and insincere

2. Hate evil – necessary part of loving (vs. 9)

      If you don’t hate evil you will compromise the truth and fall into sin (Prov. 8:13)
      Evil wants to excuse sin rather than repent
      A real friend will confront you when you compromise with evil
      How many real friends do you have?

3. Faithfulness - cling to what is good. (vs. 9)

      Patience to overlook differences…not evil
      Make room for failure or failed expectations from those you love (vs. 10)

4. Zeal for God (vs. 11)

5. Rejoice in the Lord (vs. 12)
      Nobody likes a complainer
      People are attracted to joy

6. Be Generous (vs. 13)

     Crisis can bring out selfishness
     Giving brings out the Jesus in you

7. Practice hospitality (vs. 13)

     Does not come naturally for some of us…that’s why we need the practice

8. Forgive often and bless others (vs. 14)

    How you view your perceived enemies reveals how full of God’s love you are
    Anybody can curse…only Jesus followers can bless in the face of persecution

9. Humility is key to all the other qualities of Godly relationships (vs. 15-21)

    Puts you in a position to have successful and meaningful relationships (vs. 15)
    What goes around…comes around (vs. 17)
    Do your part so God can do His in all your relationships (vs. 18-19)

You must know Him to love Him

2010-08-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

People say they believe in God and they may even believe that He loves them, but they have no clue how to love Him. It’s actually as simple as any other kind of love that is true. You can’t really love someone you don’t know. When you know them as a friend or more, you understand what is important to them and respect their boundaries and what it takes to be a loving person. With God the quality of love from us is shown in our obedience to Him. You can’t obey Him till you know Him and you can’t know Him unless you come through Jesus Christ.

I. How do we love God?
Jesus challenged Peter about his claim of love for Him (John 21:15-19)

Three times Peter responds with you know
We try to put it on God if we don’t feel loved

II. God’s love does not come cheap (Matt. 10:29-39)
God values you…what value do you put on the love you have for Him? (vs. 31)

Not ashamed of someone you love (vs. 32)
It cost God to love you…what does it cost you to love Him? (vs. 37)
Embracing the cross of Christ is your rite of passage to God’s love (vs. 38-39)

III. Jesus loving you is not enough to save you (Mark 10:17-22)

IV. Love cannot be separated from obedience (John 14:15-21)
God sees no love in you without obedience to His commandments (vs. 15)

When we choose to obey Him, He empowers us to love Him and walk in obedience (vs. 16-21)
The world does not and will not get it (vs. 22)
You are God’s dream house and He wants to abide in you (vs. 23-24)
The result of obedience to God and abiding in His love is a life filled with joy (John 15:9-11)

Sometimes we think we have all kinds of time to get right with God. Next week we will paint a bit of picture of how God is going to shut the door one day soon and those who have refused to obey God’s commands and not entered into a love relationship with Him will be rejected and judged by God with the anti-christ and Satan.

2010-07-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

As You Did It Unto Me…
In Matthew 25, Jesus deals with three aspects of following Him in a Kingdom walk. In verses 1-13, He deals with the urgency of readiness for His return with the story of the ten virgins and their sole purpose as to why they were there. In verses 14-30, He calls us to responsibility to produce fruit or increase in the parable of the talents. The rest of the chapter deals with accountability that one day we will give an accounting for how we lived our lives.

Goats and Sheep
What is the difference between goats and sheep? (vs. 31-32)

Both knew what was expected of them in very practical ways of ministry

Sheep are relational and goats are religious in this scene

God knows the difference and separates them accordingly (vs. 33)

Their motive was love and because they knew His heart their service flowed out of their lives on a daily basis. (vs. 40)

Sheep minister…goats refuse to be inconvenienced

Sheep follow their shepherd…goats butt and go their own way

Sheep give out of what they have…goats hoard and are afraid to be generous

Sheep risk showing love to others…goats want a guarantee before they risk anything

Sheep forgive and keep serving…goats remember the faults and failures of others and choose not to let people into their lives

How does Adopt-a-Block fit this criteria?

The righteous didn’t even realize that they were fulfilling the intent of the Father’s heart when they were serving like this. (vs. 40)

What do you give to the God who has and is everything? (vs. 40)

Religious people stand ready to honor the dignitaries and kings that declare they are god. (vs. 42-44)

They say they want to serve God, but only want to impress the important and deserving people that may in turn reward them for their services.

They have a hireling or consumer mentality
God doesn’t curse them… they are already cursed (vs. 41)

A hardened heart extends way out of God’s reach (vs. 45)

These will end up in eternal punishment…it doesn’t say that God sends them there… they just don’t get it so they wouldn’t fit into heaven’s environment.

Need to be dressed properly for the King’s invitation (Matt. 22:1-14)
Could this sound like America today?

What separates the chosen from the called? (vs. 14)

Obedience to the call
When called, what is your response to Him? Do you hesitate because you have experienced disillusionment and disappointment? Does that first response reveal shadows in your life from issues that need to be resolved? Do you scramble to avoid responsibility to God for the needs of others? If I share, will I have enough for me and mine? As a Christian every gift, service, act of mercy should be directed to Him in the name of Jesus.

2010-06-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Our Conflict…God’s Opportunity Part IV
One reason our courts have become overburdened is that Americans are increasingly turning to the courts for relief from a range of personal distresses and anxieties. Remedies for personal wrongs that once were considered the responsibility of institutions other than the courts are now boldly asserted as legal “entitlements.” The courts have been expected to fill the void created by the decline of church, family and neighborhood unity.

Warren Burger, 1982 Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the USA

I. The four G’s of peacemaking
Glorify God – How can I please and honor God in this situation?

Get the log out of your own eye – How can I show Jesus’ work in me by taking responsibility for my contribution to this conflict?

Gently restore – How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict?

Go and be reconciled – How can I demonstrate the forgiveness of God and encourage a reasonable solution to this conflict?
II. Stewarding Conflict – seeing conflict as opportunity leads to good managing of conflict (Luke 12:42-48)
A good steward or manager seeks to please his master, not himself (vs. 42)

Requires consistency (vs. 43)

Faithfulness increases trust (vs. 44)
Unfaithfulness brings punishment (vs. 45-47)

Ignorance will only lessen punishment (vs. 48)

Denying self is necessary to be a good conflict manager (John 12:24-26)
III. Character traits needed to become a good manager or steward
Motivated – Respond to conflict constructively (Phil. 2:3-5)

Informed – Know God’s heart in the matter (II Tim. 3:16-17)

Strengthened – We must be empowered to do right in the midst of conflict (II Chron. 16:9)
Conflict stewardship requires a lot of strength (I Cor. 10:12-13 Amp.)

Interdependent – When pushed beyond what you can manage…reach out for help (Heb. 10:23-25)

Faithful – dependent obedience to God – you can’t control others…only yourself (I Cor. 4:2 Amp.)

As far as it depends on you (Rom. 12:16-18)
From the book by Ken Sande, “The Peace Maker”

2010-06-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

Our Conflict…God’s Opportunity (Part II)
We established the contrast of what extremes can produce in those who don’t manage conflict in a Godly way last week.

Today we begin to look at a Biblical perspective of how God wants us to become peacemakers.

These principles do not guarantee success, but give us direction on how we are to participate in making peace or at least give the opportunity to do so.

You have the choice to be a part of the answer or a part of the problem…it will happen. The question is how will you handle it?
I. The right thing to do – personal peacemaking responses
A. Overlook an offense - (Amplified Version)
11 Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense. (Prov. 19:11)

16 A fool's wrath is quickly and openly known, but a prudent man ignores an insult. (Prov. 12:16)

It takes maturity to refuse to be offended

14 The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out. (Prov. 17:14)
13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. Col. 3:13)

Forgiveness should always be readily accessible on your tool belt of building relationships

8 Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]. (I Peter 4:8)

B. Reconciliation – Resolve issues through confession, loving correction and forgiveness
23 So if when you are offering your gift at the altar you there remember that your brother has any [grievance] against you,

24 Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift. (Matt.5:23-24)

Notice God’s priority of what is important to Him
13 He who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes his sins will obtain mercy. (Prov. 28:13)

1 BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also. (Gal. 6:1)

Goal always needs to be restoration above “my rights”

15 If your brother wrongs you, go and show him his fault, between you and him privately. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. (Matt. 18:15)
13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]. (Col. 3:13)

C. Negotiation – successfully deal with personal issues…now material issues may need to be addressed, such as money, property or other rights.
4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. (Phil. 2:4)

III. The right thing to do – assisted peacemaking responses
A. Mediation – when two people cannot reach agreement God commands that we seek and ask for help.

16 But if he does not listen, take along with you one or two others, so that every word may be confirmed and upheld by the testimony of two or three witnesses. (Matt.18:16)

B. Arbitration – when at an impasse seek an arbitrator to objectively render a binding decision that both parties are willing to accept as a solution before the meeting.
1 DOES ANY of you dare, when he has a matter of complaint against another [brother], to go to law before unrighteous men [men neither upright nor right with God, laying it before them] instead of before the saints (the people of God)?

2 Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge and govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice?

3 Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only!

4 If then you do have such cases of everyday life to decide, why do you appoint [as judges to lay them before] those who [from the standpoint] of the church count for least and are without standing?

5 I say this to move you to shame. Can it be that there really is not one man among you who [in action is governed by piety and integrity and] is wise and competent enough to decide [the private grievances, disputes, and quarrels] between members of the brotherhood,

6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before [Gentile judges who are] unbelievers [without faith or trust in the Gospel of Christ]? (I Cor. 6:1-8)

C. Accountability – when a Christian refuses to respond according to the Word of God, a meeting of the whole church is to be called and lovingly, redemptively and restoratively every effort made to save the relationship and restore through justice and peace.

17 If he pays no attention to them [refusing to listen and obey], tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a pagan and a tax collector. (Matt. 18:17)

On this slippery slope to resolve conflict, notice that as we move from left to right, the responsibility begins with the individual choosing to do the right thing. When no resolve is found it must move toward the public response. Conflict unresolved eventually becomes everybody’s business as it affects the unity of the body of Christ. We all will be held responsible to maintain peace and order within the body of Christ according to His Word.

Many churches have been torn apart… not by conflict, but the lack of discipline to respond appropriately to conflict. The more extreme the responses needed for resolve, the greater the risk of increased losses. Notice that death is the ultimate loss for both extremes on the scale we have above. Without proper response to resolving conflict the result will be KYRG (Kiss Your Relationship Good-bye).

America is Under Attack

2010-06-01T07:12:00.000-07:00

It is one thing to be passive in resistance to law and order, quite another to practice lawlessness. America, and we as a people of this generation, must take heed to the warning of the example of history. Lawlessness is a spirit, not just the avoidance of absolute truth or passive oblivion to do what is right. I believe America and the whole world is under the attack of the spirit of lawlessness as never before. Only God’s righteousness through Christ can overcome the spirit of these difficult times.

I. Signs of Christ’s soon return (II Thess. 2:1-13)
Disturbing news comes as a warning of coming danger (vs. 1-2)

Danger must be tempered with hope...result is peace in the midst of an impending storm
Lawlessness is a spirit of the last days before Christ’s return (vs. 3-5)
Passive resistance to God’s authority will result in devastating consequences

God has always restrained lawlessness for a time (vs. 6-7)
It is a mystery how lawlessness works so successfully
Lawlessness is a favorite and effective tool of Satan (vs. 8-10)

Coupled with God’s intentional withdrawal of His influence, people can easily become delusional (vs. 11-12)
Embrace God’s truth for protection in troubled times (vs. 13)
II. Warning to stay within the limits of authority God gave us (Jude 6)
Lack of respect for authority will always result in a breakdown in the fabric of society.

Do you know where you belong?
Is righteousness more important to you than getting away with something or being passive about truth?
What happens when God claps His hands? Why does He clap His hands? (Eze. 22:13-15)
Is America ignoring God as He claps His hands?

The next sound you hear will be the thunder of your enemies coming on the day of reckoning
Sin and lawlessness go hand in hand (I John 3:4)
The great deception is thinking you can get away with it without consequences
III. Believers embrace righteousness and hate lawlessness (Heb. 1:9)
Joy and anointing come with righteousness

Refuse to mix or be influenced by lawlessness
Being human is not a credible excuse (Rom. 6:19)
Totally commit to God and His righteousness and the power of sanctification will become your new way of life

We may go to church We must BE the church!

2010-05-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

The closer we can model our church to that of the New Testament church, the more difference and influence we will have on our culture and this generation. There have always been lost people and there always will be until Jesus comes. Our responsibility to them is to let our light shine through the spoken Word, our witness and our good works.

I. When saved we must move inward (Acts 2:42-47)
The essence of Life Groups (vs. 42)

Three fold

Devoted to the Word through teaching
Fellowship that was transparent
Prayer that was powerful and corporate

Dynamic in ministry for changed lives (vs. 43)
Family or together is a verb (vs. 44-45)
Mega church required mega life groups (vs. 46-47)

II. Journey inward requires journey outward or we go stale (Gal. 6:1-5)
Restoration is the first dynamic of a loving church (vs. 1)

Can't bear somebodys burden if you dont know them (vs. 2)
Independence can spell disaster (vs. 3)
Risk takers (lion chasers) keep good company
Co-dependency is not going to produce fruit (vs. 4-5)

III. First part of journey outward is one another (I Peter 5:5-8)
We need inter-generational life experiences to realize Gods potential in our lives (vs. 5)

Before adulthood we need a care giver and counselor in our parents and elders
Upon entering adulthood we need consultants
Sometimes we need help casting our cares (vs. 7)
Never underestimate your adversary (vs. 8)
IV. Must have an influence in your world (Matt. 5:14-16)
Greater the lightgreater the influence

Your lampstand is your ministry
Good works are the result of a healthy Life Group

V. Evidence of a healthy Life Group
Learn the Word for application, not just useless religious knowledge (Pharisee)

Develop deep and meaningful relationships with other believers through transparency, forgiveness and participation
Gain courage to take risks together that would not be realized alone (apostles always worked on ministry teams)
At a given point, go out together to change their world in a good works opportunity (Missions Trip or Adopt a Block)

In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day Part 3

2010-05-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. (II Sam. 23:20b)

Walter Kaufman, a philosopher, said “It makes for a better life if one has a rendezvous with death.”
What we are learning from men and women of the Bible is that adversity is the seedbed of opportunity.
It’s OK to dream about zero gravity (no resistance), but what we really need is a healthy dose of adversity. Without it, we fall into the trap of a prevent defense (I always hated it when the Minnesota Vikings used that strategy…they always lost).

Either we are playing to win or playing not to lose.
Too many Christians play the game of life as if the purpose was to arrive safely at death.

I. Are we an offensive or a defensive church? (Matt. 11:12)
When Jesus was about to come on the scene, the waiting was over and war began

Prevent defense is designed not to make mistakes and hold on till the game is over
Some think faithfulness is just resisting the devil until Jesus comes and takes us away (James 4:6-8)
Resisting the devil is an offensive move (vs. 7)

Jesus builds His church on the offense (Matt. 16:18-19)
Jesus gives the church the keys to overcoming and taking back what the enemy stole from us
The peace of God is offensive not defensive (Rom. 16:20)
II. God favors risk takers and lion chasers (Matt. 25:14-30)
Jesus is on the journey about to return (vs. 14)

God knows what your capabilities are (vs. 15)
Two out of three took a risk (vs. 16-18)
Accounts will be settled when Jesus returns (vs. 19)
Faithfulness to risk offensively brings favor from the Master

Fear of the lions will not earn you favor, but a curse (vs. 25)
No risk will bring judgment (vs. 26-27)
I fear becoming worthless to God more than failing to be successful in my calling (vs. 28-30)
III. How do I start being on the offense with God?
Small changes and small choices become magnified over time and have major consequences

We must connect the dots between choices and consequences…they can affect the rest of our lives
Am I serving God’s purposes in my life or am I asking God to serve my purposes?
The only thing more dangerous than asking God what His purpose is for my life is not asking it
Don’t focus on what you have to give up to serve God’s purpose…realize that you can never out give or out perform God (Matt. 19:27-30)

Worried about what’s in it for you? (vs. 27)
You will have a place with Him for eternity (vs. 28)
Whatever you may have sacrificed or risked to fulfill God’s plan for your life… God will not overlook and has a plan to multiply over and over back to you some day (vs. 29)

2010-05-10T07:10:00.000-07:00

In a Pit With a Lion (Part II)
He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. (II Sam.23:20b)
I. The lions of life come upon us…ready or not! (I Peter 5:8)

     We are either scaredy-cats or lion chasers
     The safari of life will reveal what we are (Rev.3:18)
     What is concealed today, God will reveal tomorrow (Matt.10:26)
II. Why do I need to be a lion chaser? (Luke 16:13)
      As a follower of Christ we are in a battle not a fraternity house (Eph. 6:10-13)

III. How do we move from being a scaredy-cat to a lion chaser?
A. Fear must become a reality (Matt. 10:28)

        If we really believe in Satan then we should fear falling into his lair
B. Need to re-think how we pray
     Most of us pray for God to keep the lions away from us and avoid any place lions may lurk

     King David chose Benaiah because he was a lion chaser like himself (I Sam.17:32-36)
     When called to an impossible task, David pulled out his resume’ as a lion chaser
     David didn’t pray there would be no lions or bears…he prayed for the strength to kill them
     Benaiah, like his king, refused to wait for the worst to happen…he went after the sheep stealer

     Much of our praying focuses on problem reduction rather than opportunities to be an overcomer (lion chaser)
     Pray more for a change of perspective rather than changing the circumstances
     There are unintended consequences for the safe road or safe prayers
C. Need to re-focus your worship life (Acts 16:22-32)
     Worship was designed for lion chasers…they know how much they have to depend on God

     When scaredy-cats complain…lion chasers rejoice and worship
     Just because the chains drop off doesn’t mean its time to run away
     Worship changes and charges the spiritual atmosphere in any circumstance of your safari of life
     Paul and Silas turned there miracle into ministry

     The circumstances you complain about become the chains that imprison you
     When you face your fears with worship to God and rejoicing in the Lord you change the outcome
     Rejoicing in the Lord is literally mind over matter because God honors lion chasers in His name
Sickness helps us appreciate health. Failure helps us appreciate success. Debt helps us appreciate wealth and tough times help us appreciate the good times. Your worst days can become your best days when you get God’s perspective.

     We many times fear uncertainty, but it is a necessary part of the faith walk on your safari of life.
     Embrace relational uncertainty as divine opportunity. It’s called romance.

     Embrace spiritual uncertainty. It’s called mystery.
     Embrace occupational uncertainty. It’s called destiny.
     Embrace emotional uncertainty. It’s called joy.
     Embrace intellectual uncertainty. It’s called revelation.

2010-05-03T08:29:00.000-07:00

In A Pit With A Lion
II Samuel 23:20-22
20 Then Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man of Kabzeel, who had done mighty deeds, killed the two sons of Ariel of Moab. He also went down and killed a lion in the middle of a pit on a snowy day. 21 He killed an Egyptian, an impressive man. Now the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, but he went down to him with a club and snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and had a name as well as the three mighty men.

I. Normal people don’t chase lions
Unsaved people don’t realize they are being stalked (I Peter 5:8)

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Followers of Christ are not normal people

We have sense of destiny (I Cor. 2:9)

…but just as it is written,"THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.“

Right place seems like the wrong place? Right time seems like the wrong time?...a God opportunity! (Rom. 8:28)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
We have sense of destiny (I Cor. 2:9)

…but just as it is written,"THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.“

Right place seems like the wrong place? Right time seems like the wrong time?...a God opportunity! (Rom. 8:28)

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

God is building your resume

All life’s experiences are training for your next assignment. We are not called to sit on a mountain top and wait for Jesus to come.

Moving this mountain only qualifies you to move a bigger one ahead (John 14:12)

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

What seems so unnecessary in our lives (car accidents) is exactly what God is looking for by design to prove you are different than the unbeliever. If you are not willing to chase a lion you will probably never see a miracle of God’s provision. He is not interested in making your life better or more comfortable…He is looking to develop the character of an opportunity seeker.

Most Christians would rather go to the zoo to see lions where it is safe than be on the safari of life and see God intervene on our behalf. What are you in training for? The odds are always going to be against you because you live in a world where Satan is the prince and power of the air. He rules the natural world and if your only goal is to just get along…you probably won’t make it very far or arrive where you hope to.

2010-04-19T06:33:00.000-07:00

The Sand Paper of Life
I. Iron sharpens iron by design (Prov. 27:17)
Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

To be sharp you need substance that matches the strength of your resistance

That’s why heavy weight boxers don’t match up against light weight boxers
What in you needs sand paper equal to the challenge of resistance
II. It is natural to seek the path of least resistance (Rom. 7:14-19)
Your natural man (flesh) is the problem (vs. 14)

It doesn’t make sense to yield to the flesh (vs. 15)
As a Christian I know what is right, but I still want what my flesh desires and will find a way to satisfy it (vs. 16)
Sin now has been fed energy to pursue evil under the delusion that flesh can ever be satisfied (vs. 17)

Reality check – nothing good dwells in my flesh (vs. 18)
The practice of evil comes very naturally (vs. 19)
III. Where do I find the strength to resist this flesh? (II Cor. 12:7-10)
The path of success makes it easy to yield to the flesh (vs. 7)

To match the influence of the flesh you need an adequate sand paper (vs. 9)
Contentment is not found in the ease of life, but in the choices we make as we face the challenges that threaten (vs. 10)
IV. What are the consequences of failing to resist the flesh? (Matt. 23:13, 25-28)
You can shut off God’s kingdom when you fail to enter in by yielding to the flesh (vs. 13)

Once God’s flow is shut off it is only a matter of time and you will be over run by the flesh
Some cups need more sand paper than others (vs. 25-26)
Beware of outward impressions that make you feel like you are OK (vs. 27-28)

The praises of men can lead to disillusionment
Pay close attention to what God sees on the inside and embrace the sand paper of life that He uses

2010-04-12T05:57:00.000-07:00

Table of Blessing
I. Fellowship is a high priority with God (Rev. 3:20)
     He only comes into your life by invitation

     He desires to spend quality time and interact on a very personal level
II. The quality of your relationship with Jesus is revealed in times of stress (Ps. 23)
     It’s hard to eat when feeling threatened by evil forces around you (5)

     Know that God is prepared for those trying times when the enemy is all around you
     When you practice the presence of God in your life fear does not rule (4)
     God prepares our sustenance… that which is important to us on this Table of Blessing we want God’s approval and provision for increase (5)
     The enemy will always gather around your table to see what he can steal, kill or destroy
III. When you trust God…His promises are sure for you (Rom. 4:16-21)
     Our commitment of faith in Jesus Christ brings a guarantee of eternal life (16)

     Only Jesus can bring life to the dead…like the seeds we sow spring to life (17)
     Abraham would have put a picture of Sarah on this Table of Blessing and believe for a rich harvest of children
     Abraham’s Table of Blessing resulted in many descendents out of a dead womb (18-21)
     Abraham’s faith in God opened up the opportunity for us to receive blessings from God (Gal.3:14)
IV. More benefits of Abraham’s faith in God
     He sustains us and blesses us through the desert or wilderness experiences (Deut.2:7)

     There is no place for greed, selfishness, self-centered ambition or self-serving motives at the Table of the Lord (Deut.12:6-9)
     Giving what belongs to God is the norm (6)
     He can then bless your family and your livelihood (7)

     In God’s blessing we learn to refuse to do what we think is right in our own eyes (8)
     When you fully commit your life, family and livelihood to Him you can rest in His care (9)
V. You can build a hedge of protection around your family when you submit to Him (Job 1:5,10)
     Job put the family picture on the Table of Blessing

     Satan challenged God to lift the hedge of protection around Job’s family and his livelihood (10)
     After he was tested God blessed him with double indemnity (Job 42:12)

What is important to you? What do you trust God with in your life? What kind of a hedge have you built around your family and livelihood? How have you honored the Lord with your substance? What kind of seed are you sowing that God can bless and give you an abundance in the time of harvest?

2010-03-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

He Brought Him to Jesus
“I know I should go to church.”
I. Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus (John 1:35-42)
John the Baptist identified Jesus as Messiah (vs. 36)

Andrew was one of the first to follow Jesus (vs. 37)
Jesus always notices true seekers (vs. 38)
They wanted to be with Him not just get introduced
Many seek an answer or an experience…not His presence to dwell in

These two came to stay with Him (vs. 39)
Andrew was instrumental in bringing Peter to Jesus (vs. 40-42)
II. Peter’s life was changed by personal contact with Jesus (Acts 2:14-39)
When you have met Jesus personally then you are ready to take a stand (vs. 14)

Peter could preach from the Old Testament with power and anointing because he knew Him (vs. 16-21)
Peter spoke with personal conviction about Jesus because He knew Him personally (vs. 22-24)
Do you have the confidence in Christ to declare Him as your resurrected Savior? (vs. 29)

Peter witnessed the resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is a witness of our faith (John 20:25-29)
Believing the gospel and sharing it draws God’s attention to us (vs. 29)

The Holy Spirit is poured out on those who are ready to testify of their faith (Acts 2:33)
The truth can pierce the heart like nothing else to create opportunity for change through repentance (vs. 36-39)
III. If God makes it our responsibility to witness our faith in Christ, is it not our responsibility to learn how? (II Tim. 2:14-16)
If you do not study the Word to know what you are talking about…you end up wrangling with words (vs. 14)

We will all stand before God to give an account for the words we worked with to witness to others. (vs. 15)
When we fail to study, we make matters worse (vs. 16)

As the Morning Breaks

2010-03-22T06:57:00.000-07:00

Your first thoughts this morning…
Good morning Lord!

Good Lord, it’s morning.
Initial thoughts come from yesterday’s stress or experiences
I. The Biblical screen saver of the mind of a believer (Phil. 4:4-8)
A. How you finished yesterday is the way you started today

    The end of the day is as important as the beginning of the day
    Does the screen saver of your mind reflect this verse?
    You have the authority over your mind to fix your thoughts according to the Word
B. How to reset the screen saver of your mind (vs. 4-7)
     The action of rejoicing motivates positive juices to begin to flow in the brain (vs. 4)

     Be intimidated into gentleness in the presence of God (vs. 5)
     Don’t avoid trouble…meet it straight on with prayer and thanksgiving (vs. 6)
     The result of obedience over emotions will surpass your natural thinking and set the pace for your day,      every day. (vs. 7)
II. There is something about the morning...(Ex. 16:15-21)
   Jesus declared that He was the Bread of Life

   Manna had to be gathered in the morning before the hot sun would melt it away (vs. 15)
   We need to meet with the Bread of Heaven before we face the trials of the day
   Gather what you need (vs. 16-18)
   It’s risky to believe in leftovers (vs. 19-20)
A. The time between sleep and awake it starts (Psalm 5:1-3)

B. You can change the dread of yesterday with the joy of the Lord today (Psalm 59:14-17)
      The wolves of last night will always hang around
      The world is one way… But as for me (vs. 16)
C. Prophecy of how Jesus would handle the cross (Isa. 50:4-5)
      Jesus modeled discipleship

      He knew how to encourage tired people (The Message Bible)
      He was able to face the difficulties of the day because He faced it with His Father in prayer first
  D. Renewable daily (Lam. 3:22-26)
      Jesus practiced the secret to success (Mark 1:35-36)

      Your secret is to follow Simon’s (Peter) example – search for Him

2010-03-15T08:13:00.000-07:00

Only Believe – Healing (Part II)
I. Does God want to heal us? (Mark 1:40-44)
   You cannot find one time that Jesus refused to heal someone who had faith in Him

   We question God’s willingness because of our own unbelief and fear of failure

A. How do you approach God when you need healing? (Mark 9:22-24 Amp)
   The “if” is what Jesus challenged the father

   He did not respond to the outpouring of desperation or piercing crying with tears
   When the man declared “I believe!” is when Jesus could move into action and heal the boy

B. Paul’s testimony of healing his blinded eyes (Acts 22:4-16)
   Though blinded he did what he was commanded by God

   Paul pursued God’s will and was healed as a result of obedience
   He received a prophetic word from God that we all can share
   When you follow Christ without reservation, you will come to know His will

II. God’s will is waiting to be revealed (Rom. 8:27)
   There is no questioning of God’s will in the Word… only a diagnosis (James 5:13-15)

   Jehovah Rapha is still among His people (Ex. 15:25-26)

III. Important to keep eternity in perspective when approaching God for healing (II Peter 3:9-13)
   We are always in a hurry when we are hurting (9)

   All is temporary here on earth

A. The question is never what will God do?…it is will He find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:7-9)

B. Let us be careful not to confuse this life with eternal life (Heb. 11:13-16)
   We are strangers in this world for this time
   Nothing or no place that has what God offers us

Healing

2010-03-08T06:57:00.000-08:00

When Healing Flows Freely (Part 1)
I. Failed expectations can bushwhack your faith (Matt. 17:14-20)
Sickness and disease can be mental illness, demonic, physical or a combination

Jesus will do what we cannot
Failure to believe is not a weakness…it is a sin (Heb. 3:12-13)
Perverted - deviating greatly from what is accepted as right, normal, or proper
Follow the example of the disciples to examine where they fell short and make adjustments
II. Observe Jesus on a healing mission (Mark 5:21-43)
A desperate need is not enough to move God

He confessed that if Jesus would touch his daughter she WOULD get well and live – faith confession
Sometimes desperate people have tried every other means of relief and then try God
She believed that a touch would heal her
She found a way to release the power of Jesus to heal her

What connection with Him would release the power to heal on your behalf?
There will always be crowds pressing in to get a free meal or meet a celebrity
Jesus confirmed to her that her healing was complete and she could trust His Word – (peace reveals trust)

When asking God for a healing…deal with fear and determine to only believe
When someone wants to distract you, however sincere they may be, separate yourself from them, refuse fear and then “only believe”
III. Principles to release God’s healing power
Study Old Testament names for God and one of several is Jehovah Rapha – “The Lord the Heals” (Isa. 53:4-6)

Emotional healing (vs. 4)
Physical healing (vs. 5)
Spiritual healing (salvation) (vs. 6)
Healing is a part of the atonement God provided through His Son’s death (I Peter 2:24)
IV. Confession of the Word is necessary (Luke 6:45)
We confess our sins to repent

We confess Jesus Christ as Savior to become a Christian
We claim our healing by confessing the Scriptures that fulfill that promise to us

Next week we will consider God’s will for healing. What does the Bible say when the question of God’s will to heal is raised? What can hinder the release of God’s healing power in our lives? How can we better prepare our hearts as we approach God’s throne for healing? Is it possible to create a climate for healing in our midst?

2/28/10

2010-03-01T06:48:00.000-08:00

Trust God for your future

In times of stress, we can feel insecure and fearful about the future. We know we should trust the Lord, but everything in our natural world screams failure or the fear of failure in our ears and minds. We may even plead with God for help, but still feel uncertain that anything will change and we get sucked down into the mire of self help. Even King David struggled with insecurity and suffered rebuke from God for it.

I. The more you know the more you are responsible (Luke 12:42-48)
     As God’s servants in charge we are accountable (vs. 42)

     Slaves don’t worry about the future – they trust the master (vs. 43)
     Trust in the master brings increase and a brighter future (vs. 44)
     Allow unbelief to penetrate your heart and you jeopardize your future (vs. 45-46)
     Knowing is responsibility to action (vs. 47-48)

     Ignorance only works for a little while (vs. 48)
     A victorious future depends on walking in the revealed truth we receive from the Master

II. The alternative to trusting God for your future
     What chariots or horses do you trust in that hinder your trust in God? (Psa.20:7)

     Satan’s favorite tool is your natural man or the flesh (I Chron. 21:1-7)
     Understand why God was displeased with David’s misdirected trust
     He wanted to trust in numbers and the strength of his army…not the Lord God

     David was a king and more was required of him
     70,000 men died because of his lack of trust in God
     Who will suffer if you fail?

III. God is looking from His vantage point of the future to see who will arrive safely (Luke 18:8-11)
     Jesus addressed the falsehood of trusting self (vs. 9)

     Which of the two do you identify with?
     One has his focus on himself and the other has his focus on God (vs. 10-11)
     The future is sure in God’s view by the one who humbles himself to trust Him (Luke 18:14)
     Humility is more than skin deep (Luke 16:15)

     Paul learned how to abandon himself to God’s plan and purpose...his future was secure (II Cor. 1:8-10)
     It is our responsibility to test our trust factor…you can’t put this one on God (II Cor. 13:5-7)

5 (A) Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith;
    (B) examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you
    (C) fail the test?
6. But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test.
7. Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.

2010-02-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

Who is a Dangerous Trap for you?
There are some people that want to be an influence in my life that I cannot afford because they will distract me from the purpose God has ordained for my life. If you want to do more in life, you need to be with people who want more and have done more with their lives. Are you a person of influence that adds to people in your life or distracts and takes from them? Every person in your life is an influence…for good or for evil…better or worse…increase or decrease.

I. You choose your associates not your acquaintances
   A. Crowds followed Jesus, but He prayerfully chose His associates (Matt. 4:18-22)

     1. He said to Peter and Andrew, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (vs. 19)

     2. He called others (vs. 21)
     3. When others wanted to follow Him He tested their motives and most of the time they changed their     minds (Mark 10:21-22)
     4. Jesus knew He could not afford to keep company with someone who loved his riches or the things of this world more than Him
   B.Jesus loved all people, but was limited on what He could do for them because they weren’t ready for change (Mark 8)
     1. He loved them and wanted to meet them at the point of their need (vs. 1-3)

     2. People make demands of those they perceive have more than they do or want some kind of proof (vs. 9-12)
     3. Jesus warns them of those who will trap you and cause you to stumble…even religious people (vs. 13-15)
     4. Even His own trusted disciples lacked understanding (vs. 16-21)
II. When those close to you become dangerous
A. A major test of relationships for Jesus (Matt. 16:21-23)

     1. Following Christ will lead you into regions of uncertainty that you cannot understand (vs. 21)
     2. Here is when it gets dangerous – truth calls for examination (vs. 22-23)
     3. Committed relationships that are unequally connected can trap you into disillusionment (II Cor. 6:14-15)
B. How to be delivered from dangerous relational traps (Matt. 16:24-28))
    1. Turn from selfish needs through a death experience you will find at the cross (vs. 24)

    2. Hang onto it…you lose (vs. 25)
    3. Give it up…you save and gain (vs. 25)
    4. Compare the worth of your soul versus the world (vs. 26)
    5. Consider the reward for choosing carefully and attaining eternal dividends
C. Great results require tough choices (I Cor. 15:33 NAS) (I Cor. 15:33-34 NLT)

February 7, 2010 The Happiest People on Earth

2010-02-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

In these tough economic times we come to learn the value of what we have or what brings happiness without a false sense of financial security. Many times we live with a “more is happier” mentality and the media and the world has always promised that if you buy this or have that, you will be happy. Sometimes we can’t hear God speak when things are going well and we are not in a place of desperation. It’s sad to think that we have to be desperate to hear certain truths from God, but our earthly ties to this life make us hard of hearing and understanding.

I. What comes out is more important than what goes in (Matt. 15:15-20)
A. What we put in can be filtered and eliminated (vs. 17)

       1. We are bombarded through the five senses continuously by the world and the natural realm
       2. God has given us discernment to separate what is good or bad
       3. We will be judged by what comes out (later)

B. What comes out our mouths reveals the state of the heart (vs. 18)
       1. Evil thoughts develop quickly and move to the heart when we don’t eliminate them (vs. 19)

C. Why religion is powerless to change lives
       1. Religion cannot change the heart no matter how well intentioned

       2. Defilement is a state of the heart before you are born again
II. Why Christians are the happiest people on earth (Matt. 5:1-16)
A. Jesus describes what makes people happy by what flows out of them

Poor in spirit
Who mourn
Gentle
Merciful
Pure in heart
Peacemakers
Salt of the earth
Light of the world

B. Tree like your heart produces (Matt. 12:33-37)
      1. Mouth reveals fruit produced in the heart (vs. 33-34)

C. When a good man opens his mouth treasure comes out (vs. 35)
      1. We will give an account for what comes out of our mouths (vs. 36-37)

D. What becomes an action begins with the mouth (Luke 6:44-45)

III. Giving produces more joy than getting (Acts 20:32-35)
A. Paul knew where the fun was in ministry
      1. More joy is found in giving to others and the Lord
      2. Remember to give as unto the Lord and you will not become disillusioned and bitter when disappointed
B. Bountiful means joy and fullness which is more than getting stuff or money (I Cor. 9:5-7)

1/31/10

2010-02-01T11:43:00.000-08:00

More About Covenant Than Money
I. What is covenant and how is it important to me?
A. It is a pledge of agreement between two parties committed to relationship

1. Without covenant we could not come into a relationship with God
2. Jesus became our covenant maker and his death fulfilled God’s pledge to redeem us into His favor

B. Other aspects of covenant on a human level
1. Marriage – pledge of faithfulness between one man and one woman

2. Mortgage or car loans can be seen as a pledge or promise to pay an agreed amount

II.God’s covenant with Israel (Deut. 29)
A. Israel was given opportunity to enter into covenant with God (vs. 1-12)

B. If they refused the covenant God provided only a curse was left…no other option (vs. 19-28)

1. Curse comes upon individuals that rebel (vs. 19)
2. The curse spreads to others (vs. 20-28)
3. We are only responsible for what God has revealed to us through His Word (vs. 29)

C.Example of the action God took when covenant was disregarded by one man (Joshua 6-7)
1. Victory promised to Israel as a covenant nation (Josh. 6:16-19)

2. Victory and blessings were conditional upon obedience to covenant (Josh. 6:20-24)
3. One man broke covenant that affected everyone (Josh. 7:1-13)

4. Disobedience with money has consequences:
1. You cannot steal from God and prosper

2. Lose protection from enemies
3. 36 men lost their lives because of disobedience and greed

D.Warning to all who are in covenant with God (Mal. 3:8-12)
1. Tithing is not a law like the Ten Commandments

2. From the very beginning of mankind in relationship with God the first fruits belong to God
3. Cain and Abel, Noah and others
4. Abram gave a tithe (Gen. 14:14-20)
5. When we accept the terms of covenant with God we enter into covenant as a tribe or family (Josh. 22:20)

III. We practice the tithe in New Testament church
A. Jesus endorsed it as general practice (Matt. 23:23)

B. Principle of tithing is understood by believers (Heb. 7:1-7)

1. You can’t know the benefits of tithing if you are not taught from the Word
2. Only time God wants us to test Him (Mal. 3:10)
3. Paying tithes acknowledges God as your Source of all blessings and provision

State of the Church Address - 1/25/10

2010-01-25T12:12:00.000-08:00

During my week of prayer and fasting, I was asking God how we as a church could improve and develop beyond the limited level of our own brand of complacency. It is clear to me at least that we are slipping into a period of plateau where complacency says, “We are doing pretty well” and “Let’s not get too excited or take any unnecessary risks.” Understanding the times as the men of Issachar did calls me into an accountability to lead this body of believers through any wilderness of complacency we may find ourselves.

1. Every season, living seeds must die to produce another crop.

A.Sowing deliberately leads to death with a purpose (Gal. 6:7-8)
1.Choose seeds of faith or seeds of fear and doubt
2.Seeds of faith produce a response from God in kind
3.Seeds of fear and doubt will produce each after its kind whether you want it to or not.

B. Some crops take longer than others and it’s in those times we must persevere (Gal. 6:9-10)
1.This household of the faith requires that we persevere with the purpose of completing our mandate to impact this city and region with the gospel.
2.in due time is what can make or break a person or a church in the test of time

II. The dilemma of the times in which we live

A.Nationwide 2/3 of those coming out of high school into their early twenties are becoming church dropouts and most are not returning later.
1.To remain relevant in a changing culture there must be a dynamic alternative to worldliness that answers the need within the soul of every new generation.
2.It is natural and worldly thinking to water down the gospel…not make it so challenging to be a Christian
3.Today’s research and God’s Word prove the opposite to be true

“Young adults are likely to stay in the church if they see the church as essential to their lives”. (Quote from Thomas Rainer and his research team from Lifeway Christian Resources) Those churches in America today that are retaining and drawing young families and adults developed four components in their church life style.

1.Simplify – eliminate activities that have little purpose or clear meaning to them or their relationship with God. Develop a clear process or structure for making disciples.
2.Deepen – Teach and train through the Word of God what God wants us to become.
3.Expectations – Raise the standard of what it means to belong to the church. Like an athlete that strives to make the team we must expect more not less from our partners and members.
4.Multiply – Reproduction (evangelism) must be dynamic part of any living organism to being new life and sustain its future.

C. My challenge to all of us for this year.
1.Every partner identify at least one ministry
2. Move forward in your level of development in ministry or growth
a.Attendee? Become a member
b.Member? Become a partner
c.Partner? Become an active minister
d.Active in ministry? Become a leader,

2. In every area of your spiritual and ministerial life determine to “leave it all on the field”

Sunday, Jan 17, 2010

2010-01-19T08:29:00.000-08:00

Leadership in the Church - Sermon Notes

Leadership in any arena is many times a thankless and arduous task that requires much of a person who would aspire to or be drafted into a position where others would look to them for direction, protection and resolve in times of crisis or confusion. The Bible and New Testament in particular has a job description that helps us to choose men and women to lead the church today as in New Testament times. The description in I Timothy and Titus was not meant to be an exhaustive study, but a guideline for new churches to establish godly order according to the leading of the Holy Spirit as was initiated in Acts 6.

The organized church is necessary to fulfill the mandate God gave His people after the Day of Pentecost (Acts 6:1-7)
A.Increase always calls for organized leadership (vs. 1)
1.It is God’s will to meet the needs of His people and God has always provided organization to accommodate that need (vs. 2-4)
B.The first business meeting for the church was held (vs. 5-6)
C.Result brought even more increase (vs. 7)

A.Pastors or Elders (vs. 1-7)
1.Begins with a desire that flows from the heart of God (vs. 1)
2.Person of integrity (vs. 2,7)
3.Stable family life (vs. 2,4-5)
4.Operates in gifts & fruits of the Spirit (vs. 2)
a.Gifts – hospitality, teacher
b.Fruits – temperate, prudent, respectable

B. Deacons or Trustees (vs. 8-13)
1.Character is more important than skills
2.Dignity – respected not perfect
3.Free of addictive behaviors
4.Convictions firmly based on Word of God
5.Spouse and children reflect stability and respect

Reminded of the purpose of these positions in the church (vs. 14-15)
1.Has to do with lifestyle
2.The church belongs to Jesus Christ
3.The church is to be the example and bastion of truth in our community

A word about women in positions in the church (Rom. 16:1-4)
1.It is important that men are clearly in leadership in the home and the church
2.Leadership by New Testament definition is to be a servant – women and men in positions of service are to be servants first, then leaders
3.Every woman who wants or is willing to serve in a position of leadership must be in submission to her husband (the pastor of the church if not married)