8-26-12 PM - God's Great Benefits

Click here (or right click and select "save as") to download "God's Great Benefits"

Click here to watch service video.

There are no sermon notes available.

08-26-12 AM - What Changes Would Jesus Make

Click here (or right click and select "save as") to download "What Changes Would Jesus Make"

Watch the service video here.


WHAT CHANGES WOULD JESUS MAKE!

Matt. 21:12-17; Mark 11: 15-17; Luke 19:45-46; Isa.56:7

Mk. 11:15-17 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"

2Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.                                                  
1. THE CONTEXT
It was supposed to be a place of praying but they had made it a place of preying.
Jewish half shekels
They brought a secular spirit into a sacred place.
We must do God’s work with God’s Spirit and heart.
We have made it about what it does for me rather than what it does for God who is the intended recipient of our worship all along!
He says My Father’s house will be run My Father’s way!                      
2. THE COMMAND                                                                                           ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer”
Isaiah 56:7; Jer. 7:11.
Prayer is not ritual it is rightful relationship.                                                                          
1Co 3:16  Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?
But God’s house is to have the aroma of prayer.                                      
Eph 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.                                                                                
Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer…                    
My house shall be called a house of prayer.
3. THE CONFIRMATION                                                                                
Acts 9:11…named Saul for he is praying.   For the first time in Saul’s religious life he offered true prayer. It was his prayer that defined him as a believer. He may have been blind but He saw visions. He is praying…
Latter Saul who had his named changed to Paul is speaking to Timothy a young pastor and he’s encouraging him in his work.                                          Paul says
1Ti 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone
1Ti 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
My house shall be a house of prayer.
Revelation 5:8When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Acts 2:42-43. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
4. THE CULTURE
Behold they PRAY!
Moody went to England and they prayed.
Finney went to up-state N.Y. and they prayed.
 During the great awakenings who were the great preachers; nobody, but they prayed.
My house shall be called a house of prayer!                                                            
“ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you. Call unto me and I will answer you.”                                                                                                              
My house shall be called a House of prayer.                                                          
“Call upon me and I will show you great and mighty things”.                                                                                
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.                                    
My house shall be called a house of prayer.                                                            
“He had not because he asked not”
My house shall be called a house of prayer.
“I need thee oh I need thee every hour I need thee”.
My House shall be called a house of prayer.

8-19-12 PM - All You Need Is Love

Click here (or right click and select "save as") to download "All You Need Is Love"

Watch the video of the service here.

There are no sermon notes available.

08-19-12 - Se7en Series: Overcoming

Click here (or right click and select "save as") to download "Overcoming"

Watch the sermon video here.


Matthew 12:31 “All sins can be forgiven except for one, and it is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit”

Vines Dictionary “Anyone with the Lord’s power before his eyes, and declares it to be satanically exhibited has a condition of the heart beyond Divine illumination and therefore hopeless. The Son of Man in His state of humiliation therefore might be misunderstanding, but not so with the Holy Spirit’s power demonstrated.

John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

#1 that you walk out of here crystal clear about what the unpardonable sin is.
#2, that you walk out of here crystal clear knowing whether or not you’ve committed it.

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

sin.
Sin - missing the mark.
“there are wages for our sin”.
Wages are something that you earn.
“the wages of sin is death”.   That’s a pretty eternal consequence.
Did you know recent statistics on death say one out of every one will die?                                                    not just referring to physical death, it means separation.                                                        
Hell as a place of darkness and torment and gnashing of teeth.  Matt. 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; Luke 13:28.

Jesus spent 13% of his public ministry teaching people about hell because it’s not Jesus’ desire that anybody should go to there.

Hell was never created for people.

God never sends anybody to hell; we send ourselves!
an enemy of God, distant and disconnected from God.
a friend of God.

85% of Americans believe in heaven, but most have no idea how to get there.

Most people believe that you can build a bridge by doing good works.

The problem is this gap between you and God was the result of your sin by good works, He requires 100% perfection.

But, fortunately for us it is the wages of sin is death (comma).  And then we’ve got what I like to refer to as the best but in the Bible.  But means there’s more.
And what’s the more?  There’s a gift from God that called eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8 it says “For it is by grace that you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God.

And the answer is right here, it’s the word Jesus.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

A redeemer is someone who purchases someone out of a situation they can’t get out of themselves.

The word Lord could be thought of as the leader.

1. TURN -You’ve been going the “I” direction.
The Bible calls this repentance.
Rom. 2:4 NLT “don’t you realize how kind, tolerant and patient God is with you, or don’t you care?  Can’t you see how kind He has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?” (Repent)
“God, I trust you with my life”,
2. TRUST  -
 I’m going to trust this bridge that Jesus built, and this requires an act of faith.

Hebrews 11:6 “So you see it is impossible to please God without faith.  Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God and that He rewards those who sincerely seek him”.

3. FOLLOW
- it’s about acting on a revelation of what He has done as well as who He is.

John 8:12 “I am the light of the world.  If you follow me you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you have the light that leads to life”.                      

1John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

“God will surely do this for you, for He always does just what He says and He is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with His son Jesus Christ our Lord”.

08-12-12 AM - Se7en Series: Lust

Click here (or right click and select "save as") to download "Se7en Series: Lust"


I Corinthians 6:18 “Run from sexual sin. No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does.  For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body.”                                                                                                              

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.


There are over 372 million pornographic websites.
25% of all search engine requests are for pornographic materials.                                                    Pornography is a $12 billion a year industry in the US alone.

For instance, 15% of those who view pornography regularly on the internet develop sexual behaviors that disrupt their life and relationships.
A recent study shows that pornography actually diminishes a person’s sexual happiness, whether they are single or married.

FIVE STEPS TO ADDRESS TEMPTATION:

1. Admit that I can be tempted.                                                                              
1 Cor. 10:12

1Cor. 10:13 NLT The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

Psalm 139:23 MSG Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about;

2. Recognize I’m in a spiritual battle


Romans 7:23 “There is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. And this law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.”

Sexual temptation is the temptation to trade God for a substitute.

John 10:10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

3. Temptation is much easier to avoid than it is to resist.                            

I Corinthians. “Be careful if you are thinking, oh, I would never behave like that.  Let this be a warning to you.  For you, too, may fall into sin.”

MSG Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

2 Samuel Chapter 11
“the man after God’s own heart”.

xxxchurch.com

1Corinthians15:32 Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for bad company corrupts good character.”

4. Focus on God not the temptation

2 Timothy 2:22 NLT Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

I Corinthians 6:19-20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

5. Choose to Stop

1 Corinthians 10:13 “God is faithful.  He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it.  When you are tempted, He will show you a way out, so that you will not give in to it.”

Deut. 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land…

08-05-12 PM - Hold To What Is True

Click here (or right click and select "save as") to download "Hold To What Is True"


1John 4:1-6 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

 “We will know by the spirit of the teachers we are following”.

1. TEST THE SPIRITS OF TEACHERS
(1) Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Rom. 16:17-18  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

2Cor. 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2. TEST THE CONFESSION OF TEACHERS (2-3)
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
incarnation- 1. the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form;  the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ.

Jesus means Savior.
Christ means Messiah or Anointed One.                                                                      
Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Isa. 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Luke 1:31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

1 Tim 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

A false spirit:
-Jesus was not sinless
-Jesus died as a martyr to show us how we should face death, and be willing to die for righteousness.
-The resurrection was not a literal one but rather a picture of a spiritual truth that man can live in God’s presence.

2Peter 2:1, 9 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.  9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

3. TEST YOURSELVES (4)                                                          
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Two ways to test yourself

1.Ask yourself if you are of God; that is have you been born of God?    
2. Ask yourself if you are overcoming the spirit of false teachers?

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

4. TEST THE FOLLOWERS OF TEACHERS (5-6)
5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Worldly people follow worldly teachers.

1. False Teachers are of the world.

2. False Teacher speak of the world.

1Co 2:14  The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

3. The World Hears False Teachers.

True Teachers are followed by people who know God.

John 8:31-32 "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

08-05-12 AM - Se7en Series: Sloth

Click here (or right click and select "save as") to download "Se7en Series: Sloth"


2 Thessalonians 3:6-10. 6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received from us. 7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.” 11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business.
12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.

Sloth -it’s the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.

The opposite of love is indifference.

Sloth motto is—never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.

Five Deadly Results that Come from Sloth
1. Despair.

John 10:10 NLT The thief’s purpose is to steel and kill and destroy.  My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

2. Financial Hardship.

Proverbs 19:15 Lazy people sleep soundly but idleness leaves them hungry.

3. Missed opportunities.

Proverbs 10:5 “A wise youth harvests in the summer but one who sleeps during the harvest is a disgrace.”

4. Broken relationships.

Proverbs 18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

5. Boredom.

I can’t be bothered, or I don’t care, or it doesn’t matter rolling off the lips of Jesus.
He had suffering and pain, but He lived life to its fullest, and everyone who was around Him knew He cared.

Four Biblical Essentials to Overcome Sloth
1. Search for areas of sloth in my life.

Psalm 139:23 Search me O God, and know my heart.  Test me and know my thoughts.”                                

So you need the job.
                                           
Then you have interview sloth.
That’s physical sloth.
Marital sloth.
spiritual sloth.

The Kingdom of God is righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Another form of sloth is escapism.

 2. See eternal significance in what I am doing right now.

Be passionate about what you are doing right now.

The Bible says “if you aren’t faithful with the little things, God’s not going to give you a lot”.
               
Philippians 4:8 whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.


3. Set Godly goals in the major areas of my life.                              


4. Stop making excuses and get started.

God’s plan leads to God’s power.
  Proverbs 22:13.  The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

The issue is not about perfect conditions.  It’s about a perfect God.

Philippians 4:9 “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be there.”