Sermons by Pastor John

Notice

2010-09-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

We have a new host for our sermons. Go to sermons.breadoflifecf.com

Enjoy!

2010-06-17T15:48:00.001-07:00

Is New Better?

2010-05-07T10:34:00.001-07:00

Guns in the Kingdom

2010-05-07T10:13:00.001-07:00

THE BIG PICTURE

2010-04-15T15:32:00.001-07:00

Text: Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come; see the place where the Lord lay.

Let’s look at some of the things that happened when Jesus was crucified.

Matthew’s gospel

Matt 27:51 and Mark15:38 and Luke 23:45 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent.

Matt.27:53 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,

53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

Mark’s gospel

Mark 15:33 and Luke 23:44 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. (This darkness was from noon until three P.M.).

The Big Picture

In the beginning, before the fall, everything was perfect. There wasn’t any greed, fighting, sickness, ageing, death etc… The fall brought the curse. Since then all mankind have had continual struggles. In God’s final plan, it will be like it was before the fall. Jesus made it possible for us to be part of that future life.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

the Big Picture

2010-04-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Cost of Paying the Minimum

2010-04-01T09:49:00.001-07:00

Education

2010-03-26T09:41:00.001-07:00

Healthcare

2010-03-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

The path to today was begun with the passing of the first compusary school attendance law in 1853. What is the difference between what we have in education today and what they are trying to do to healthcare?

Heather Always Seems to Cut to the Heart of the Matter… « Breathing Grace

The Light

2010-03-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

The Bride of Christ

2010-03-18T16:17:00.000-07:00

Is Working Compatible With Biblical Womanhood? Pt. 1 « Breathing Grace

2010-03-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to Breathing Grace's seris on biblical womanhood.Very interesting.

Is Working Compatible With Biblical Womanhood? Pt. 1 « Breathing Grace

A Child's Faith

2010-03-16T16:10:00.001-07:00

Tommorow's Sermon notes

2010-02-20T11:50:00.001-08:00

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

Text: Revelation 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Past; Don’t let the past ruin the present.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Present

1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Deuteronomy 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Luke 10:27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (New International Reader's Version) He is the one who gave some the gift to be apostles. He gave some the gift to be prophets. He gave some the gift of preaching the good news. And he gave some the gift to be pastors and teachers.

12 He did it so that they might prepare God's people to serve. If they do, the body of Christ will be built up.

How can I minister in the body of Christ? What does the church need?

1 Corin. 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

30 Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

A major need in the body today is the family. How can I help families to be what God wants then to be?

Future

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Did He Get Married Too Young?

2010-02-18T22:44:00.000-08:00

Did He Get Married Too Young?

Preach it brother! I married at 18. Hubby was not quite 21. That was 24 years ago. We grew up together. We never had to figure out how to mesh our lives together or get along with someone else in the house because we became who we are together.

And it only gets better and better:-)

Rightly Dividing the Word of God

2010-02-16T14:56:00.000-08:00

RIGHTLY DIVID THE WORD

Text: 2 Timothy 2:15: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

There are five things mentioned here as signs that would follow the believers.

1. Cast out devils. Acts 19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

2. Speak with new tongues. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

3. Take up serpents. Acts 28:5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

4. Drink any deadly thing. There isn’t any place in scripture that gives an example of someone drinking poison. ( sis Bantie)

5. Lay hands on the sick. James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Acts 5:15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

We are to rightly divide the word. This means to keep everything in proper context. Psalm 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

We need to use the word properly. Job’s comforters said a lot of good things but used them at the wrong time. You can be correct and not be right.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he didn’t let the devil misuse the word.

Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

WHAT SPIRIT ARE YOU OF

2010-02-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

Text: Luke 9:51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

What spirit was Jesus of? He didn’t pay special attention to them as he normally would.

The king of Israel sent for the god of Beelzebub. Elijah said he would die for this. Three times the king sent parties of fifty to get Elijah and two times he called fire down from heaven and consumed them.

John 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Are these of God?

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

The spirit of God

Psalm 78:18 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.

19 Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

20 Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

23 Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

24 And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

25 Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

26 He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

27 He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

28 And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.

29 So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

30 They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,

31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.

33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God.

35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

Nothing But the Blood

2010-01-24T15:15:00.000-08:00

God's Sheep

2010-01-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

How Many Hats do You Wear?

2010-01-12T16:45:00.001-08:00

WHO AM I

Text: Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

We know who Jesus is. The question is, who are you?

Sheep;

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Soldiers- warriors;

2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

Athletes;

1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Farmers;

Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

Fishermen;

Mark 1:16-17 Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.

The spirit must draw men unto himself.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Ask God to prepare hearts ahead of us.

Ask God who you should fish for. Pray for that person.Chose your bait.

Find out what you can about that person.

Be prepared to answer this persons question.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Dance Children

2010-01-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

BORN TO BE FREE

2009-12-27T16:01:00.000-08:00

Text: John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you; whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

The question is; what does it mean, walk after the spirit and walk after the flesh?

The Apostle Paul explains walking after the flesh in chapter seven.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence (abnormal desire or appetite). For without the law sin was dead.

9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

I was alive from my birth until I knew right from wrong.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.

12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.

The law does not bring death. The law identifies sin and sin brings death.

Some of the Galatians departed from grace and went back to keeping the law.

Galatians 5:3-4 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Paul now explains the way sin brings death. We try to obtain righteousness by our own fleshly works.

Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. (I want to do good).

23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

24 O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Up to this point, Paul is talking about trying to find righteousness through his own efforts, i. e. the keeping of rules and ordinances (the law).

2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

2 Corin.10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds).

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

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

1 Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

BRINGING UP JESUS

2009-12-20T16:50:00.000-08:00

Text: Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

23 (As it is written in the law of the LORD, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord ;)

24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Normally the Christmas message is about a little baby, or Mary, wise men, Shepard’s or perhaps prophecies of his birth. You don’t hear very much about Joseph.

Verse 22 Seems to be a dedication service. This time of dedication is a time of commitment for the parents.

If you were in Joseph’s, and Mary’s shoes, how would you feel excepting the responsibility of raising GOD?

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The bible doesn’t say much about Joseph. However there is a lot said about the way that Jesus turned out. Let’s take a look.

Luke 2:39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and

46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

Thanks Jimmy, Grandpaw

FOLLOW ME

2009-12-13T15:59:00.000-08:00

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Follower = Imitator

All Christians are to follow Christ. How do we do this?

We look at the life he lived and imitate him.

What were his goals in life? Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

He ministered to others. Luke 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

He had an active prayer life. Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

He followed the scriptures. Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

The Apostle Paul said to follow him as he followed (imitated) Christ.

Did Paul do as Christ did?

Did he minister to others as Christ ministered?

If we follow Paul then we should do the things that Paul did.

If Paul was different than Christ, then we should be different than Paul.

Ephesians 5:1, 2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. This scripture is not to pastors only.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-8 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.

5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.

7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

God has put teachers in the church. These teachers are to teach the things that were taught by Jesus. This is what all of the Apostles and other leaders in the early church did.

The question is, do all the teachers teach the same things that Jesus did? The answer is no. If everyone in the church teaches correctly, we would teach the same things. But we don’t do we? So what should we do?

I believe there is an answer.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

If the blind lead the blind, they will both fall in the ditch. Luke 6:39.

If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

God's Perfect Will

2009-12-06T16:50:00.000-08:00

This week's sermon is by Brother Andy Tracy.

CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA

2009-11-29T16:49:00.000-08:00

Text: Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Mark 12:13-17 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

14And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

15Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, why tempt ye me? Bring me a penny, that I may see it.

16And they brought it. And he saith unto them, whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.

17And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

What if the government is the enemy of God?

Nero was emperor at the time that Paul wrote these words (Romans 13:1-4), yet he still admonished the Christians at Rome (which was the capital of the empire) to be subject to those in power. I.E Caesar.

Our citizenship is in the Kingdom of God. Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you,

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

1 Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

In days of old, the people of Israel wanted a king. God told Samuel that they were rejecting him (God) and not Samuel. They got what they asked for. Today we have in office the men that the people wanted. Don’t blame the politicians, blame the people.

1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

We are strangers and pilgrims in this world. We are citizens of the kingdom of God. Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-22T15:16:00.000-08:00

ABUNDANT LIFE

2009-11-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

Text: John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Why do we have all the problems that we have in our world?

In the beginning, God made this world a perfect place to live. There wasn’t any hate, sorrow, greed or destruction. No one made life miserable or uncomfortable for oneself or for others.

What happened? Sin came into the world.

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

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

Is there a solution for all the sin that is in the world? The answer is yes, however the solution isn’t complete yet.

What is the solution?

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

Eternal life is a gift. The word GIFT tells us that it will not cost us anything. In fact we cannot purchase it regardless of how much money we have. It is a gift.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

We are the sheep that went astray. Jesus paid the penalty for the sin that we committed. Why did he do this?

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A Letter of Christ

2009-11-01T14:07:00.000-08:00

Today's Sermon is from Sis Nancy Morton

DOUBLE PORTION

2009-10-25T07:44:00.000-07:00

Text: 2 Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

Elijah asked “Ask what I shall do for thee” Be careful what you volunteer.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Job received twice as much because he was faithful.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.

When you commit your life to Christ, the spirit if God indwells in you.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

The Holy Ghost is the spirit of God. God’s power is not limited.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.
God’s spirit gives us direction for our lives.

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.

We have peace of mind and contentment when we submit to Christ.

John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

We cannot have the fruit of the spirit without having the spirit.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

When we abide in God’s spirit, we have more than the fruit of his spirit. We can ask what we will and he will give it to us.

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Jesus said in John 15:12 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law

Elisha lived on an even keel. There is no record of him ever complaining or being down in spirit.

Elijah

2009-10-18T14:45:00.001-07:00

Impracatory Prayer

2009-10-13T09:39:00.001-07:00

Pass It On

2009-09-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

The Body of Christ

2009-09-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

Build Your House

2009-09-16T15:44:00.000-07:00

The Ten Virgins

2009-09-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

WALKING WITH GOD

2009-08-31T16:36:00.000-07:00

Text, John 14:15-20 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17Even 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.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

1 John 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
In your mind picture Adam trying to explain to his boys the great relationship he had in the garden with God “BEFORE THE FALL”.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

If we have sin in our lives, we will not have a great time of fellowship with God.

There are weights that are not sin that will separate us from the love of God. Money, Lust ,health, friends, persecution, family. All these things can separate us from our fellowship with God. They can also bring us closer to God. It’s up to us.

Heb. 12: 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Preach the Truth

2009-08-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

Use Your Talents

2009-08-16T14:03:00.000-07:00

The Wheat and the Tares

2009-08-09T13:05:00.000-07:00

Ten Things the Church Teaches Wrong (and Six Things that Amuse Me)

2009-07-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

Today's sermon is by our assistant pastor, Andy Tracy.

Revelation 3:20
20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 3:15-17
15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Matthew 7:6
6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Luke 12:51-53
51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
52For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Luke 22:36
36Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Ecclesiastes 3
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

GET THEE UP

2009-07-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

Text: Joshua 7:6 And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.
7And Joshua said, Alas, O LORD God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
8O LORD, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!
9For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?
10And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?

Verse 7. In the desert, the people wished to be back in Egypt when they had problems. Now that they are in the promised land, they wish to be back in the desert. Will we look back to the old ways at the first sign of trouble when God leads us into a new area of ministry?

Numbers 14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? Were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt..
5Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
6And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
7And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, the land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.
8If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.
9Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

We can be positive and take the promised land or we can wonder around in the wilderness for the rest of our lives.
1 Samuel 17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

David knew his God would make him victorious over the giant.

There is nothing impossible if God is with us. God was not with Joshua at Ai because there was sin in the camp. When this was taken care of Israel defeated Ai.

When Joshua was eighty five years old he said;

Joshua 14:12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Be Faithful in the Little Things

2009-07-19T12:41:00.000-07:00

WE ARE PREACHERS

2009-07-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

Text: Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Who is supposed to preach the gospel?

Is this commission just for the Disciples that Jesus was talking to?

Is this commission for the Disciples and other ministers that follow?

Is this commission for the whole body of Christ?

Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Acts 8:1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

Acts 8:26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.
27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,
28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The words we speak and the life we live is our witness about Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:

BUILD ON THE ROCK

2009-07-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Text: Luke 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

What do I Build?

You start with your relationship with God. God MUST be first in your life.

Matt. 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

HOW do I build?

Self denial

Rich young ruler
Mark 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Multitude
Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Being a witness will make you strong

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (To lose your life could mean your lifestyle, Your friends etc.)

Priority

Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Put words into actions

Matt.21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first.. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God.

2009-06-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24

GOD IS OUR FATHER

2009-06-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

6/21

Text: 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Names of God
Jehovah = The Lord will provide.
Nissi = The Lord my banner.
Shalon = The Lord send peace.
Shammah = The Lord is there.
Tsitkenu = The Lord our righteousness.

God is a father (our father).

Isaiah 63:16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

What is a Father?
A provider. (Food, clothing, shelter, education etc.). Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

A friend. Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

A trainer. Eph. 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

A Chastiser. Hebrews 12: 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

A healer. Matthew 12:15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

A care giver. 1 Peter 5:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Expansion of Fatherhood
How can we extend our talents as fathers beyond our own family?

YOU ARE POWERFUL

2009-06-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

Text: Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Strong's G1411 - dynamis (Power)

Receiving the HOLY GHOST is a spiritual experience. Therefore the power is also for spiritual activity. We have spiritual power or ability.

What can we expect from this power?

1) Power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases

2) Physical and mental power.

a) The ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises. (be strong, be courageous, be spiritual).

3) The power of authority (influence).

2) Of authority to manage domestic affairs.

b) The leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates.

d) A sign of the husband's authority over his wife. (This can be only if the wife is submissive).

How do we use this power?

We start with self. The spirit of God gives us power over the flesh.

Luke 6:42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

We have power to minister to others

We have power over demons. Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

We have power to heal the sick. Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

We have power through the gifts of the spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

We have power to restore. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

We have the power to set aside pride and self will and to submit to God’s will.

Reach for Perfection - Part I

2009-05-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Text: Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.

Baptisms

(plural) baptize into the body, baptize in water, baptize in the Holy Ghost.

1 Corin. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Baptism does not take away sins, it is the answer of a good conscience toward God.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Laying on of hands

Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
1 Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
Laying on of hands speaks of having contact or relationship with others.

Resurrection of the dead

When one gets saved they are resurrected from the dead.;
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death..

Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
1 Corin. 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

There will be a body resurrection when Jesus returns.
1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1 Thess. 4:13-18
Reward for giving to the poor.
Luke 14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Eternal judgment,
Greek word for judgement.
1) a separating, sundering, separation
a) a trial, contest
2) selection
3) judgment
a) opinion or decision given concerning anything
1) esp. concerning justice and injustice, right or wrong
b) sentence of condemnation, damnatory judgment, condemnation and punishment
4) the college of judges (a tribunal of seven men in the several cities of Palestine; as distinguished from the Sanhedrin, which had its seat at Jerusalem)
5) right, justice
Greek word for judgment
1) a decree, judgments
2) judgment
a) condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others
b) in a forensic sense
1) the sentence of a judge
2) the punishment with which one is sentenced
3) condemnatory sentence, penal judgment, sentence
3) a matter to be judicially decided, a lawsuit, a case in court

Hebrews 6:1-3 (Contemporary English Version)
Hebrews 6
1We must try to become mature and start thinking about more than just the basic things we were taught about Christ. We shouldn't need to keep talking about why we ought to turn from deeds that bring death and why we ought to have faith in God. 2And we shouldn't need to keep teaching about baptisms [a] or about the laying on of hands [b] or about people being raised from death and the future judgment. 3Let's grow up, if God is willing.
Footnotes:
a. Hebrews 6:2 baptisms: Or "ceremonies of washing."
b. Hebrews 6:2 laying on of hands: This was a ceremony in which church leaders and others put their hands on people to show that those people were chosen to do some special kind of work.

WHAT IS PERFECTION?

Perfection = Strongs #5047

a) the state of the more intelligent
b) moral and spiritual perfection

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Jesus Christ is our example.

Colossians 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

PAUL WASN’T PERFECT

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

HOW DO I BECOME PERFECT?

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Wine in the Cluster

2009-05-20T13:58:00.000-07:00

WINE IN THE CLUSTER

Text: Isaiah 65:8 Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

Fruit of the vine
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Purgeth= 1) to cleanse, of filth impurity, etc
a) to prune trees and vines from useless shoots
b) metaph. from guilt, to expiate

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

What is this fruit?
Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

The fruit that brings the NEW WINE does not come from keeping the old Mosaic law(the old wineskins). We have to be in Jesus to have the new wine.

Wine comes from fruit

Fruit of our lips
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Fruit of righteuosness
Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

To have wine, you must have fruit. We cannot have fruit unless we abide in the vine. Let us walk in the spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Mothers of the Bible

2009-05-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

Teach Us To Pray

2009-05-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

TEACH US TO PRAY

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Hallowed= to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.

Verse 10: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.
Do we want God’s will in our lives? Or do we want our own will to be done? We need God’s help and strength to set aside our will and do what God wants us to do.

Verse 11: Give us this day our daily bread.
God is our provider. God has given us conditions to live by. If we do what he has instructed for us to do, we will receive his best.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

Verse 12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

The Lords prayer in Luke is worded like this:
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Where is God?

2009-04-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

Animals in the KIngdom

2009-04-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

We Shall be Raised

2009-04-12T07:40:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

Annointing with Oil

2009-04-08T09:09:00.000-07:00

March 22

2009-04-04T13:26:00.001-07:00

Olivet Discourse

2009-03-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

Matthew 23

Matthew 24

Matthew 24 B

What Meaneth This?

2009-03-22T09:33:00.000-07:00

WHAT MEANETH THIS?

2009-03-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

Text: Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, what meaneth this?

Questions that we have

In verse two it says they were FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST.
Is this salvation?

By looking at verse five we can see that these people were devout Jews, they were already saved.

Acts 19:2 He said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Are there different kinds of tongues?

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracle, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues..

Is tongues the only evidence?

Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Tongues seems to be the major evidence but there isn’t any place that says it is the only evidence.

Why speak in tongues?

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Who is eligible for this gift?

Acts 10:45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Do I get filled more than once?

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. These men had already received the Holy Ghost. They were James and John.

Is this for me?

Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call..

How do I receive the gift?

Acts 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Acts 8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Paul(Saul) received the Holy Ghost right after his conversion on the road to Damascus.

Ordination of Betty Tracy

2009-03-03T13:30:00.000-08:00

Study the Word of God

2009-02-22T20:15:00.001-08:00

Our speaker this week is Assitant Pastor Andy Tracy.

What is Love?

2009-02-15T18:44:00.001-08:00

The Bible God’s Manual For Christian Living

2009-02-08T14:08:00.000-08:00

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:15-17

The world – including many churches – don’t see this as God’s Word, let alone the manual we are to follow for daily Christina life.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8
Learning this verse.
The Berean Christians are a good example.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. Acts 17:10-12
Blessings / Curses of God
Deuteronomy CH 11

WHAT CULTURE?

2009-02-02T16:51:00.000-08:00

Text: 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Are these the traits of the Grecian culture? Are these the traits of our culture? Let’s take a look at each of them.
1. Lovers of self. This is the reason why all the other problems exist.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

2. Covetous. You want what others have.
3. Boasters. You want to be important.
4. Proud. Can’t stand to be wrong.
5. Blasphemers. Don’t want to be less than God.(the basis for evolution)
6. Disobedient to parents. Lack of obedience, want your own way..
7. Unthankful. Take from others, convincing yourself that you deserve more.
8. Unholy. Holy means PURE. Corrupt thinking.
9. Without natural affection. Sexual perversion. Parents don’t love their children. Children don’t love their parents etc.
10. Trucebreakers. Break agreements for SELF gain.
11. False accusers. Again-selfish gain.
12. Incontinent. = without self-control, intemperate
13. Fierce. 1) Not tame, savage, fierce.
14. Despisers of those that are good.
15. Traitors. Most people would betray another person for personal gain.
16. Heady. To be headstrong.

17. High-minded. Always want to be in control.
18. Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Do you want to serve God or do you God to serve you? Ask not what God can do for you, but ask what you can do for God!
19. Having a form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof. Is programs and rituals more important than having the power of God in your life?

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Get your head on strait).

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

Matthew 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Study the Bible

2009-01-26T16:56:00.000-08:00

Are you whole?

2009-01-26T16:48:00.000-08:00

IS JESUS COMING SOON?

2009-01-11T23:21:00.000-08:00

TEXT: Acts 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

1. Jesus will return in the same way as he went.

2. When will he return?

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

3. Will there be evidence that his return is near?

Matt.24: 36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

4. Be ready. Matthew 24:44 The sheep and the goats. Final Judgment.

Upon this Rock

2009-01-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

Matthew 16:18-19

THE PROMISED LAND

2008-12-28T15:36:00.001-08:00

Text: Numbers 14:22-34

22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

25 (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) Tomorrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.

26 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

28 Say unto them, as truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:

29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward which have murmured against me.

30 Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

31 But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

32 But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.

33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.

34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.

Options

Option # 1 Stay in Egypt. Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

Option #2 Wonder in the wilderness. Some turned back to Egypt.

Numbers 14: 22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

Option#3 Take the promised land. Numbers 14:24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.

(Also see Numbers 14:6-9)

Spiritual Application

Option #1 bondage. Galatians 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage. (Bondage of the law.)

1. John 8:34- Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you; whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

(Bondage under legalism, the law).

Option#2 Wilderness= Carnal Christians. 1 Corinthians 3: 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

2 Corinthians 10: 1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Option#3 Promised Land= Victorious Christians. Ephesians 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

WHO IS THIS BABY?
2008-12-20T12:11:00.000-08:00
Text: Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Especially in bible times, names were meant to tell something about a person. If you raised chickens, people might call you Eggers. If your father’s name was David, you may be called Davidson etc. People today are called carpenters, plumbers, farmers etc.

In our text today we read about a man that is going to appear in the future (about 750 years in the future). There are names or titles that describe this man. Let’s see what these names mean.

Child is born;

We start with the word CHILD. This isn’t any child. This baby was born from a virgin.

Isaiah 53:2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. More on this a little later. ( These words were spoken by an angle).

A son is given; John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Let’s take a look at the names that are attributed to this indivual.

His name shall be called Wonderful. Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many..

Counsellor, Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth and taught them. (sermon on the mount).

The mighty God, Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

The everlasting Father, Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

The Prince of Peace. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The government shall be upon his shoulder. In Matthew 2:1-2 We read; Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

The Bow of covenant

2008-12-14T16:19:00.000-08:00

Bro Andy spoke for us today. First...

Then listen hear...

Gideon

2008-12-08T12:30:00.000-08:00

Forty Days of College

2008-11-30T05:39:00.000-08:00

Forty Years of Wandering vs. Forty years of Rest for Israel

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Israel Wandered 40 in the wilderness – due to their sin – they denied the power of the Lord in their taking of Canaan’s Land when the spies returned from their checking out the land. And all of that generation fell in the wilderness. Numbers 13:26 - 14:38

And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? Numbers 14:2, 3; The sin of Israel was murmuring and complaining against Moses and Aaron – but ultimately against God.

Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, [concerning] which I swore to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. But [as for] you, your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness. And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness. Numbers 14: 29 – 33

The Land had rest 40 years – due to their outcry unto the Lord – God brought Othniel to deliver the children of Israel; Judges 3:9 – 11, Deborah, Barak & Jael; 4:2 – 5:27, Gideon; 6:2 - 8:28

Judges 3:9, And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, [even] Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. H2199 – Strong’s; This was a cry of sorrow, a call for help – NOT a cry of repentance. They were under bondage to Mesopotamia & were sorry for that bondage, not repentant for their sin against God.

Judges 4:3, And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel. H6817 – Strong’s; This was a cry of grief, a call for help – NOT a cry of repentance. They were under bondage to Canaan & king Jabin. They were sorry for that bondage, not repentant for their sin against God.

Judges 6:7, And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites, H2199 – Strong’s; This was a cry of sorrow, a call for help – NOT a cry of repentance. They were under bondage to Midian & were sorry for that bondage, not repentant for their sin against God.

II Chronicles 7:14; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. H7725 … turn back to God, repent.

In the days of Moses the children of Israel didn’t cry to God, but complained about God.

In the days of the Judges the children of God cried out to God about their bondage, but were not repentant of their sin. So the land was given rest for the space of a generation … until they forgot the past and sinned again.

The land was NOT healed but was given REST from the bondage of their oppressors.

We too have been given rest from time to time. Recovery from the depression, from WW1 & 2, from Vietnam and other

But now we need real repentance to have our land healed. We need not only to be sorry for the bondages, but truly repentant for the sin of our nation. Only then will God heal our land.

God is tired of our being sorry, but not repentant. He has given us all the rest that he will for the present. He wants to heal us and our land instead of just applying a Band-Aid of rest.

II Chronicles 7:14-20; ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; Then will I establish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man [to be] ruler in Israel. But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it [to be] a proverb and a byword among all nations.’

End Times- Daniel

2008-11-20T15:26:00.000-08:00

What can we expect in the end times?

An article on about Daniel and the end times.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter six

Chapter seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Nine B

Nine C

Nine D and Ten

Eleven and Tweleve

Serve the Lord when things go wrong

2008-11-18T12:50:00.001-08:00

1 Samuel 30

What are You building With?

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1 Corinthians 3:10-13

Why do People Leave the Chruch?

2008-11-02T14:10:00.000-08:00

Text: Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Why do people quit coming to church?

1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Acts 20: 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Because they are not fed?

1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

ACTS 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Because they are hurt by other members?

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Because the church is unfriendly.

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Because they are neglected?

Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Because they are overworked?

Proverbs 18:9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

If you need something done, find someone that is busy,no one else has time.

Because the church says too much about money?

I don’t think this applies to us.

Because the pastor steps on their toes too munch?

Acts 20:26 -27 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God

They live to far from the church.

Church has the wrong kind of music.

You can’t please everyone.

Theology is wrong.

Do w want the word or do we want tradition?

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.

Some one in the church hurt my feelings.

Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

I fell into sin and the church gossiped about it.

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

IF EVERYONE IN THIS CHURCH WAS JUST LIKE ME, WHAT KIND OF A CHURCH WOULD THIS CHURCH BE?

Abraham's Prayer

2008-10-26T16:40:00.000-07:00

Bro. Andy is our speaker today.

God has a purpose

2008-10-21T16:46:00.000-07:00

Our guest speaker, Bishop Jones from Liberia, speaks to us about God's purpose in our lives.

I choose you

2008-10-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

Be Strong in the Lord

2008-09-28T16:15:00.000-07:00

BE A STRONG CHRISTIAN

TEXT: Eph.6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

What does it mean to be strong in the Lord?

It means to be: Unwavering in your faith.

Unaffected by events that might discourage.

Able to praise God even when you don’t feel like it.

Stable in your theology.

How do you become successful as far as material things are concerned?

Here are some ways that people try.

Win the lottery?

Find a get rich quick scheme?

Acquire money through unethical means.

We know that these things don’t work. There is a way to be successful in material things.

Work hard.

Take care of your money.

Be dependable.

How do you become a strong Christian?

Here are some ways people try.

Learn to dance in the spirit? This brings you into his presence.

Exercise your faith until you are strong enough to simply claim what you want? If your faith is strong enough you can become rich and have perfect health,

Learn to exercise the gifts of the spirit? This makes you superior to other Christians.

Pray until you can work miracles? This will prove your power..

These things don’t work; there is a way to be a strong Christian.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. No matter what comes your way, you can be strong.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The inner man must be strong.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness= State of him who is as he ought to be.

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked..

17 And take the helmet of salvation.

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

To be come strong spiritually works the same as it does in the flesh. To have a strong body, you have to work at it consistently. If you lift weights, you do it every day. You also eat right and get enough rest.

To be successful in business, you have to be consistent also. You have to build a reputation. You have to handle your money wisely etc.

Isaiah 28:9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

To the church in Smyrna God said; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

September 14, 2008

2008-09-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

This week we have audio but not notes. We will get it together yet!

This is new! Just press the Play button:-)

LAMB OF GOD

2008-09-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

Audio

TEXT: John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Heb. 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

At the baptism of Jesus, GOD spoke,
Luke 3:22
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

On the mount GOD spoke,
Mark 9:7
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, this is my beloved Son: hear him.

Jesus is the ONLY BEGOTTEN son of God. We are all sons of God, but Jesus is the only man that was a biological son. We are adopted sons. Adam was a created son.

Heb.4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Eph. 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

If we sin after we get saved, Jesus blood is still the answer, he is there to forgive us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isa. 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Isa. 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Heb. 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

God’s Recipe for Revival:

2008-09-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

Audio

II Chronicles 7:12-16:
And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there forever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

What is Revival?

1. Restoration to life, conscientiousness, vigor, strength, etc.
2. Restoration to use, acceptance, or currency; revival of old customs.
3. A new production of an old play.
4. A showing of an old motion picture
5. An awakening of a church or community, of interest in or care of matters.
6. An evangelistic service or series of services to affect a religious awakening.
7. The act of reviving.
8. The state of being revived
9. LAW; the reestablishment of legal force and effect.

Each new move of Gods Spirit upon the land has come from some disaster or devastation as its catalyst to draw the people of God back into close relationship with Him.

Each has been brought by the same Spirit, using the same formula from God as His recipe; but the METHOD has constantly and consistently changed to meet the needs of the people and places where it occurred.

God’s Recipe – vs. 14:
1. Humble – modest; having a feeling of insignificance; courteously respectful; to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; to abase; to destroy the independence, power, or will of; to make meek – such as to humble one's heart. Sited from dictionary.com.

When I think of being humble I am reminded of the verses in Psalms which say; ‘The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.’ Ps. 34:18. And ‘the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.’ Ps. 51:17.

We all know the meaning of being broken, but how about ‘contrite’? what does this mean?

Contrite - caused by or showing sincere remorse; filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement; penitent: a contrite sinner – dictionary.com

OK so another way for saying ‘broken and contrite might be repentant. And this is gone over in more detail a little later.

2. Pray – we all know what it means to pray, I would say that we all do this on a regular basis, so I will not expand on this.

James 5:16; Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

3. Seek MY face – by this I believe God is saying to look for specific direction. Direction for ourselves, the church as a body and the community at large; more than our daily prayers – a true time of intercession.

Isa. 57:13-15; When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take [them]: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

4. Turn from their wicked ways – Repent!

II Tim. 2:19; Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

David’s example of repentance:
Psalms 51:10-17; Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit. [Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Repent for our personal Sin[s] and ask His forgiveness.

Repent for the sins of our forefathers.

Repent for the sins of our community and our nation as a whole.

This is our part of the recipe. God’s plans are USUALLY based on cause and effect. If we do our part, He WILL do His part!

God’s part:
1. Then I will hear from heaven.

Psalms 4:3; But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

When we fulfill our part in whole and in truth, God hears our requests because we have not asked for it in the wrong way, but with a sincere heart.

2. That brings us to the rest of God’s ingredients for Revival – Forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer He stated:

‘For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.’ Matt 6:14-15.

As stated in the previous verses, when we forgive, that leaves God the open door to forgive us, too. The door opens and closes both ways!

3. And will heal their land – I believe this can be taken both literally and spiritually. Literally in the sense of drought or famine, but also spiritually in the sense of breaking up the fallow ground of our hearts and causing new growth; either in recommitment to Him and His will or in a new beginning as a born again babe in Christ.

Isa 57:18-19; I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to [him that is] far off, and to [him that is] near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

Jer. 17:14; Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

This is the message of the coming revival. It is the same message Jesus delivered in the Synagogue of His hometown. But it is the message for today, too!

Luke 4:18-19; The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

Jesus wants us to follow His recipe for revival and to walk in the ministries He has imparted to us to bring forth this coming revival in our community. The Spirit of the Lord is upon US. He has anointed US… to preach the Gospel, to lay hands on the sick, to speak deliverance to those who are in bondage within themselves and within the prisons of our land, to bring sight – literal and spiritual – to those who are blind, to set at liberty those who are hurting – to bring them true freedom. He gave us these gifts – to each as He saw fit – because this is the acceptable year of the Lord.

I want to end with a song. Listen to it’s words. Make it the prayer of your heart. Follow the recipe for the upcoming revival. Seek the gifts He has called you to share to bring it to pass.

Send Revival, Start With Me
We're looking to your promise of old That if we pray and humble ourselves You will come and heal our land You will come, You will come
We're looking to the promise You made That if we turn and look to Your face You will come and heal our land You will come, You will come To us
Send revival, start with me For I am one of unclean lips And my eyes have seen the King Your glory I have glimpsed Send revival, start with me

BY MY SPIRIT

2008-09-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

Audio

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

Do we copy the programs that are successful with other people? Do we copy things or events that are brought about by GOD?

Joshua marched around the walls of Jericho seven times.

Moses talked to a burning bush.

Paul preached with handkerchiefs in his coat. Acts 19:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Ananias and Sapphira died in church for lying to the Holy Ghost.

To see the spirit of God move in our church, we MUST start with prayer. This puts us in touch with the spirit of God.
We reach God through prayer and God reaches us through the spirit.

It isn’t common for God to do things the same way twice.
The question is, how is God going to move in our day? There isn’t any way to know that. The thing that God would have us to do is to just stay in touch through prayer and then let the spirit of God communicate with us as to what we should do.

We don’t have to wonder if we should share the gospel with the lost because God has already instructed us to do that. Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.

EAT MY FLESH, DRINK MY BLOOD

2008-07-21T13:19:00.000-07:00

Text:
John6:53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Jesus wasn’t telling the disciples to practice cannibalism, he was giving them some very important information.

1 Cor.15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Rom. 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

To eat or drink is to consume. There is a lot of metaphoric language used in scripture.

John 3-3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

What Jesus is saying here is that we must accept all of him. We cannot be a Christian just when it is convenient or when we have the time. Being a Christian is a full time job. We must live for him twenty four seven.
Not only do we live for him all the time, we have to apply all of his teachings to our lives. We must have the same attitudes and priorities as he had. Are you eating ALL of him?

Matt.10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matt.10:38
And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Matt. 22:8
Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

Those that were bidden were not worthy. There was one that made it to the wedding and then was cast out because he didn’t have on a wedding garment.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Col.2: 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.

Galatians1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

You cannot replace the teachings of Jesus with rituals or ceremonies .You must consume ALL of him!

IS ALL GOOD?

2008-07-13T13:26:00.000-07:00

Text: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Matt.22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

1Peter 2:9

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But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Do we ask and receive not because we ask selfishly? Maybe we ask for things that are not good for us. Sometimes God gives so that it helps others instead of us. Maybe the answer is for the benefit of the Kingdom of God instead of us personally. Let’s take a closer look at some of these scriptures...

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father; will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

PLANT GOOD CROPS

2008-07-08T14:31:00.000-07:00

Text: Ga 6:7. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

There are two choices here. We can sow to the flesh or we can sow to the spirit. If we sow to the flesh, we will work for selfish things, recognition, position, material gain, wealth.

If we sow the wrong kind of seeds, we will reap the wrath of God but if we sow good seeds, we will reap great rewards.

Ga 5:15. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Co 3:6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

DUET. 22:9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.

Matt. 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20
2020 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

PLANT GOOD CROPS

2008-06-25T11:29:00.000-07:00

Text: Ga 6:7. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

There are two choices here. We can sow to the flesh or we can sow to the spirit. If we sow to the flesh, we will work for selfish things, recognition, position, material gain, wealth.
If we sow the wrong kind of seeds, we will reap the wrath of God but if we sow good seeds, we will reap great rewards.

Ga 5:15. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

2Co 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Co 3:6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

DUET. 22:9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.

Matt. 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20
2020 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

WHY MEN ARE NOT GOOD FATHERS

2008-06-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

Text: Eph.6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The total picture here is the entire family. To be a good father, you must first be a good husband. The husband and wife MUST work together and to really work well, it has to be designed according to the pattern laid down in the bible. Let’s take a look at what the bible says about this.

1Corin.11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1Corin.11:9
Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
Gen.2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

1Tim.2:12 But I suffer not a woman (wife) to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man (husband), but to be in silence.

Eph.5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph.5:28
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Col.3:19
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Eph.5:22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph. 5:24
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Col. 3:18
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

Eph. 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Col. 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Because they don’t know how.

Prov. 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Because their wives don’t work with them.

Gen.2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

Because they work to much.

1 Tim.6:17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.
19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Because they love themselves more than their children.

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
To lay down your life is to spend time with the family instead of doing the things that you want to do, or to do the things that they like.

Col. 3:21
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

A Time Such as This

2008-06-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

Text: Esther 4:14 For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

We are facing a lot of troubles at this time in our country. High gas prices, The Iraq war, Unemployment, Housing crisis, etc. These things are upsetting most of us here in America.

Phil. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

2 Corin. 11:22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I.
23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep;
26 In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
27 In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me.
33 But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

It seems that life is one crisis after another. As Christians, what should our attitude be in these times?
Shouldn’t we take people like Amy Mc phearson as an example and use these circumstances as an opportunity to minister to those that God would send our way.
If we are willing to suffer a little discomfort and sacrifice our comfort zone, there’s no telling how much God will use us to save souls and minister to those that are hurting.

WHY THE ARMOUR

2008-06-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

WHY THE ARMOUR

Text: Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Why do we need the armour of God? Because we are carnal.

When we read about the leaders of other religions, outside of Christianity, the leaders are depicted as being perfect. This is not the case when we read our bible. All of the people we read about in the bible have their faults just like we do.

Let¢s look at some more of this chapter.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Many people in the bible are viewed as being without fault. Let¢s take a look at some of them.
King David: David was guilty of neglecting his family. He was guilty of committing murder.
Samuel the prophet: He allowed his sons to misuse their office.
Paul the apostle: Read Romans 7:15-25
When a minister is seen doing something wrong, he is made a public disgrace by the media. They never mention the thousands upon thousands of ministers that work hard every day and sacrifice for the things if God.

Your Legacy

2008-05-25T14:05:00.000-07:00

Great Sermon!

The Good Samaritan

2008-05-20T13:49:00.000-07:00

This week's sermon by Bro. John.

Mother’s Job

2008-05-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

This week's sermon is brought by Betty Tracy, mom to eight children.

To be a Christian is not to make God part of your story, but to realize you are part of God's story

Most mothers’ days the sermon tells us how we should honor our mothers while on father’s day the sermon tells dads they need to be doing a better job. We love on the moms and beat up on the dads. I think it is time someone did some beating up on the moms. So, men, put your hands over your ears and go “la la la” I am not talking to you.

What is a mother? What does a mother do anyway? What is her job? That depends on whether you believe evolution or creation. Evolution says:
• There is no God so…
• There are no rules
• There is no right or wrong
• “Proper” roles are decided by society
• What is “right” for you may not be right for me
• Set your own standards
• Find your own path
• Follow your heart
• Look out for number one
• Survival of the fittest
• If it feels right do it
• Live for today
• Have fun while you can
• You are what you wear, drive, live in or vacation
• He who dies with the most toys wins
• We are more advanced today
• We know better now
You know, the snake’s lie “Ye shall be as gods, knowing (and deciding for yourselves) good and evil.”

Thus…
A Mother’s Job is to Birth babies, and nothing else, because “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” in our society. Not antiquated ideas like “Parents.”

The Christian view?
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1
The Fool says in his heart there is no God. Psalms 14:1

There is a God. He is all knowing, all-powerful, all loving and has a plan for the universe. He has made certain rules for us to follow for our own good. Not because He hates us or wants to spoil our fun, but because He knows what is best in the long run.

Evolution says:
• There are no rules
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

• There is no right or wrong
• What is “right” for you may not be right for me
Exodus 20- The Ten Commandments
1. You shall have no other gods before Me. (Nothing should be more important than God)
2. You shall not make for yourself any idol (Don’t worship anything other than God)
3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. (Set aside one day to worship God and fellowship)
5. Honor your father and your mother (Not teachers, government officials, or other authorities, but parents)
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (Don’t gossip)
10. You shall not covet

• “Proper” roles are decided by society
So God created (hu)mans in His own image, in the image of God created He (them); male and female created He them.

One human could not contain the whole image of God. It takes two. God intentionally made us male and female. It was no accident. He could have made us unisex, like the snail, but He didn’t. He made both men and women in His image, but in the image of different parts of Himself. Men are created in the image of the strong, logical, competitive part of God. Men needed this in order to conquer the wild animals, enemy humans, and elements necessary for survival. He has an overwhelming instinct to protect those weaker than himself.

Women are created in the image of the gentle, nurturing, intuitive part of God. They are made to notice and care for the beautiful parts of life. This part of God is what makes life worth living; the part that made flowers and fluffy clouds.

This means men and women have very different roles to play. Both are vitally important, even equally important. But they are very different.

I will praise thee for I am fearfully and wonderfully made … My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance. Psalms 139:13-16

You are not who you are by accident. God planned it from the very creation of the world. If He made you a woman, that is what you need to be to do His will in your life. It was not a biological accident.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

Don’t be fooled by worldly ideas and traditions. Don’t follow worldly principles.

Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey–whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16

If you serve fashion you will be a slave to fashion. If you serve your belly you will be a slave to your belly. If you serve Christ, you will be a slave to Christ.

The student is not above his teacher: but every one that is educated shall be as his teacher. Luke 6:40

Are you learning how to behave and make decisions based on “society?” You will become just like society.

And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch? Luke 6:39

This world is blind. They refuse to see Christ. If you follow them, you will end up in the same ditch.

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Gen 2:18

God had a job for Adam to do. He could not do it alone. He needed help.

For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 1Cr 11:8,9

A woman’s job is to help her husband. That is the biblical purpose in her life. Not the other way around as it is in so many homes today. If hubby is a preacher, than wifey is called to be a preacher’s wife. If hubby is a truck driver than wifey is called to be a truck driver’s wife. If hubby is a banker, than wifey is called to be a banker’s wife.

Unto the woman he said, “I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” Genesis 3:16

The woman was going to have children before the Fall. Now it is going to hurt. Man was going to be the head of the house before the Fall. Now it was going to annoy her.

And unto Adam he said, …cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; …Genesis 3:17-19

Man had work before the Fall. Now it was going to be harder and less productive.

Adam called his wife’s name Eve; because she was the MOTHER of all living. Genesis 3:20

She was Mother from the start.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Gen 2:24

A married couple forms a whole new unit; a whole new family.

Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. Malachi 2:15

Why did God invent marriage? First of all the Bible makes it plain that marriage is an object lesson for the church’s relationship with God. He is the Head and we are His helper. Secondly, He made marriage because He wanted godly babies. God loves babies. The only place you can get godly babies is from godly marriages. Heathens don’t produce godly children.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Psalms 127:3-5

Children are a gift, a reward, from God and the man that has lots is a blessed man who will influence the future.

• Look out for number one
• Find your own path
• Set your own standards
And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again…2 Corinthians 5:15

We don’t live for ourselves. We live for the One Who died for us.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. Mathew 10:39

I have known many women who said they wanted to be Something, do something important. They have all ended up nameless, faceless, cogs in some big corporation. If they died in a car accident they would be replaced in two weeks and in a year no one would remember they existed. But I can tell you about many women who have given up their dreams to do God’s will raising children who later become famous in there own sphere. Mary Pride for example, gave up a promising career as an engineer to go home and birth nine babies...and a dozen books, three businesses, four magazines, and the most visited homeschool web site in the world. None of this would have happened if she had tried to hold onto her “life.”

• Survival of the fittest
• Follow your heart
• If it feels right do it
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9
He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool; but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered Proverbs 28:26

So much for following the heart.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:3-5

We are supposed to have the same attitude as Christ. He did not go to the cross for Himself. He didn’t need it. He was sinless. We are supposed to have the same attitude of self sacrifice.

• You are what you wear, drive, live in or vacation
• He who dies with the most toys wins
• Keep up with the Jones
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.. 1 Peter 3: 3- 4

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will… Romans 12:2

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, are not wise but he that glorieth, let him glory in the lord 2 Corinthians 10:12

• We are more advanced today
• We know better now
What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecc 1:9

Socialism, feminism, and atheism have been tried before many times; ancient Rome, ancient Greece, ancient China, etc. None of it is new. All of it has always ended with a lot of dead people.

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls… Jeremiah 6:16

The “old fashioned” paths are the best.

• Live for today
• Have fun while you can
For what is a (woman) profited, if (s)he shall gain the whole world, and lose (her child’s) own soul? Or what shall a (wo)man give in exchange for (her child’s) soul? Mathew 16:25

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Rev 20:15

His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Mat 25:21

There is an afterlife. You choose what neighborhood you will live in. Mother’s can nudge their children closer to heaven.

So what is a mother’s role biblically? It is to protect, teach and love her children.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Mathew 24:37

What does a mother protect her children from? First of all, she protects them from predators. Historically predators were four legged. Today they have two legs. I know that any child can be kidnapped, but most predators will go for the easy kids first- the ones not being watched. They don’t want to deal with mommy for sure!

Last year we had “stranger danger” here to teach the children. I really liked the program and thought it taught my children some important things. But I noticed that it was aimed at children walking to or from school- alone. If mommies would take the trouble to walk with their children this major point of abduction would be removed. I heard one woman call into a talk/advise show on the radio. Her daughter had had a “stranger danger” type of class at school and was now too scared to go to the park down the street alone. The show host told the mom to "GO TO THE PARK WITH HER. It is too much for a child to make them responsible for themselves." Mommies should be watching their children.

But the fact is that 90% of children who are abused are abused by someone they know; someone close to them. The number one person most likely to abuse a child? Mommy’s new boyfriend. Many mothers are not only not protecting their children; they are putting their bedtime entertainment before their own children’s safety.

Mothers should protect their children’s health. America is the most mal-nourished country on the planet. Not under-nourished, mal or miss nourished. We eat enough calories to be fat but we don’t eat any nutrients necessary for growth of the body. It is like dumping a load of sawdust at the job site and telling you to build a house out of it! Moms are not paying attention to what their children eat and are letting them form bad habits early on that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

For example, did you know that rickets, a disease caused by lack of vitamin D, is on the rise again? Americans get their vitamin D from the sun and their milk. Today’s child spends all day inside at school and in front of the computer or TV, getting no sunlight. And moms are not making them drink their milk, so they are not getting enough vitamin D. We have a new epidemic of rickets, a totally preventable disease.

Mothers should make their children exercise, too. Our kids are getting fatter and fatter! Whatever happened to “go outside and play”? It seems to have disappeared. We lived on our street for four years before we found out there even was other children on the street! They all spend all their time inside. We still don’t know how many there are. They simply never go outside for us to count. Mothers aren’t protecting children from obesity and all its related diseases.

Mothers should protect their children’s mental health. Children need to be loved and they need consistency in order to have maximum mental stability. Babysitters do not love their children the way a mother does. They can’t. They would go mentally insane themselves if they tried, though I did know one sad little boy whose mother insisted that the baby sitter loved him as much as she did. I believed her, not because the babysitter had so much love but because the mom had so little. But I have seen several stay at home moms who didn’t give their children this love either. They seemed to think their children needed no more than an adult in the house. They sat on their couch watching TV or surfing the net while the children were left to themselves. The Bible says, “A child left to himself bringeth his mother shame.” Children need an active, involved, present mother in order to be mentally healthy. Did you know Daycare children are twice as likely to have ADHD and 15x’s more likely to have a mental illness than mommy care children? They just don’t grow up “right” with out someone who loves them taking care of them.

The average American child will witness over 200,000 acts of violence on television including 16,000 murders before age 18.

Innocence is mortally wounded in most children, too. Moms should protect their children from violence and sexuality. What passes for normal today on TV would have been labeled pornography just a generation ago. We have become that desensitized. I am not actually advocating a letter writing campaign to get Hollywood to put their clothes back on. I am telling mom to turn the TV, movies and obscene video games OFF. You control what happens in your own home. You need to protect you child’s innocence. Jesus said, “If you look at a woman to lust after her, you have committed adultery.” How many of our children are adulterers in their hearts before they are even adults?

Spiritual lives need protecting too. There are two leading religions competing for our children’s souls in America today; atheism and environmentalism. The first is actively being taught in our schools, even many Christian schools, and on TV. Not overtly, mind you. I never had a teacher stand up and say “there is no God” in school. But they did say such things as “we don’t know why the chimpanzees left the trees 20million years ago…” This kind of statement presumes atheistic evolution and trains the mind to think in evolutionary terms, to have evolutionary worldviews (How do they know chimps ever were in the trees in the first place? Because they evolved from primates who live in trees. I believe God created chimps on the ground in the first place. They never did live in the trees). Sad to say, I only remember one teacher that was aware of this and tried to counter it, and I had many Christian teachers. And of course, the media is just as bad or worse.

Environmentalism is the other competing religion. Even some churches are now putting their emphasis on environmental issues instead of preaching sin and salvation. “All for mother earth!” This is nothing but ancient paganism; earth worship.

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator. Rom 1:25

God wants us to be good stewards of this planet, of course. But more and more people “worship” environmental issues.

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 2 Timothy 1

These two women have gone down in history because they taught a child.

This brings us to teaching. Historically mothers did the majority of the teaching. Reading was taught around the kitchen table by mommy while she worked. In this country that produced literacy level of 98% compared to today’s 75%. Mommies were and are just better at teaching than strangers are.

But mommies taught a great deal more than just reading. They taught common sense, thinking skills, self-control, work ethic, and manners. How many of you remember taking a class in self-control or common sense in school? These things are taught by mommy at home in the first five years. They can’t be taught in a class setting.

Children are the same as their parents; little sinners. They are in need of careful training in order to teach them to follow God. God told parents to “bring them up in the culture and education of the Lord.” He tells children to “obey your parents.” (Eph 6) The role of "parent" is a godly institution. God could have had us have our children and then leave them like ostriches, but He didn’t. In fact, humans are some of the most helpless, dependent babies on earth.

We parents are fallible and make plenty of mistakes, but we are the ones commanded by God to raise our children. Not the government. Not hired nannies. Not the TV.

One observer of human kind stated that we will respond to God as adults the way we respond to our parents now. A child’s view of God is formed in the first few years. Mom is a child’s source of food, shelter, protection, and knowledge. She is “god” to him. Now this will change very soon, of course, as he grows. But when he is an adult and you ask him what God is, he will respond “the supplier of all my needs, the protector, the source of all knowledge. The boss.” The newborn’s relationship with mom is an object lesson to us, also. That is how close God want us to be to Him; how reliant He wants us to be on Him.

Ask a child raised by babysitters or the TV what God is and they will answer, “There is no God. I have always taken care of myself. It’s a dog eat dog world and only the strong survive. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. There is no loving ‘supreme being’.” Or “He helps us do what WE want to do.” Or “He runs the world but doesn’t really care what we do with our everyday lives as long as we don’t kill each other.”

If mommy isn’t there when baby needs her, he won’t believe God is there when he is an adult. Whether she is gone because of death, divorce, work or soap operas doesn’t matter. (Adoption, by the way, provides an opportunity to undo the damage of a missing mommy. Adopted children often have a clear comparison of evil selfishness versus Godly giving. In some ways that actually makes them better off)

That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: Psalms 144:12

The same percent of Christian families as non-Christian families have working moms and 80% of Bible believing Christians send their children to public school (between 10 and 15% send them to private school). Today, 85% of children raised in a supposedly Bible believing home leave church by the end of their first year of college. Our children are going to hell.

Is there hope or is this just the norm. After all “straight is the gate and narrow is the way and few there be that find it.”

No, this is not normal.

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Homeschool graduates, in answer to the question, “Are you the same, almost the same, different or very different religion from your parents?” said “the same” or “almost the same” 96% of the time. These parents are raising Christians. I think the difference is in the restoration of the family.

The average homeschool family has a supplier dad who is head of the household, a stay at home mom who nurtures and teaches the children, children who actually live in the house (instead of part time in institutions), and either home-church, ignore their church’s youth group, or are actively creating family integrated churches (which have a 80% retention rate themselves. That 4% that are loosing their children are loosing them after involvement in youth groups and Sunday schools). Everyone is doing their God given job in their God given role. Their children are going to Heaven.

Traditional classes and daycare focus on the child; providing him with what he needs educationally. A child at home gets his care WHILE other things are going on. He is not spoon-fed. He is an intrical part of the real world.

Work ethic is taught while vacuuming the rug and washing dishes. Thinking skills are taught while sorting laundry. Manners are taught in the grocery store. Self-control is taught all the time. Really, all of these things are. Children who are warehoused or plopped in front of the TV or computer are not learning these things. When are their moms supposed to teach them? What time frame? Mommies are too busy doing other things; “more important things”. So today it is not unusual for children and young adults to honestly not know that it is rude to ask personal questions, interrupt, smart off at adults, and so much more. Many young adults don’t know how to work or think. They think the world revolves around them and their desires (they really don’t know the difference between desires and needs) and it is getting worse. Just ask anyone who has been in management for very long.

Selfishness, rudeness, laziness are on the rampage. And it is all mom’s fault. Well, not “all” mom’s fault. Many men won’t let their wives stay home.

Both men and women say “But I, sniff sniff, can’t afford a jet ski if mom stays home. I-I-I- can’t afford to retire early. I-I-I can’t afford to go to Europe. I-I-I-me-me-me self-self-self.”

What does the Bible say?

I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 1Titus 5:14

A woman not doing these things gives the adversary occasion to speak reproachfully.

Titus 2:4 That they (the older women) may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

If a woman doesn’t do these things, God’s word IS blasphemed.

Proverbs 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet….27 she looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

The good woman cares for her home and has nothing to fear.

Deuteronomy 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

In other words, every waking minute.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me–John 10:11-14

Hollywood, books, magazines, the internet, and of course daycares and traditional schools are all hired hands. No one cares for a child like someone who loves him- mommy.

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men do to you do ye even so to them. For this is the law and the prophets. Mathew 7:12

Who would you want caring for you? Mommy or hired help?

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Mathew 25:37

Puts a whole new perspective on changing diapers, doesn’t it? Changing your baby’s diaper is accounted to you in heaven as changing Christ’s diaper. WOW!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Mathew 11:30

The world’s burden is heavy. You always have to be the richest, prettiest, and smartest. God’s burden is easy.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Mathew 6:33

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ. Philippians 4:19

John10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

You are important to your child. Not because of the money you bring home, but because your presence tells him he is loved, teaches him how to act and how to think by example and guidance from you. He needs your protection. No one else can do your job, no matter how much you pay them. They are not mommy. They don’t love your child like you do.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Women, it is time for you to quit just having babies and start being mothers.

OFFERING FOR SIN

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Text: Hebrews 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, 0 God.
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, 0 God. He taketh away the frrst, which he may establish the second.
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Leviticus 4
lAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them:
3If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
4And he shall bring the bullock unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD; and shall lay his hand upon the bullock~ head, and kill the bullock before the LORD.
jAnd the priest that is anointed shall take of the bullock's blood, and bring it to the tabernacle of the congregation:
6And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.
7 And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar
13And if the whole congregation of Israel sin
17 And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.
18And he shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar
22When a ruler hath sinned,.
25And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar.
27 And if any one of the common people sin
30And the priest shall take of the blood thereofwith his finger, and put it upon the horns of the altar

Horns in the bible represent POWER. A good example is the eighth chapter of Daniel.

After Passover celebration, the feast of Pentecost followed (50 days later).
There were animal sacrifices for sin in the Old Testament. The Passover lamb was one. Jesus is our Passover lamb(lCorin. 5:7b For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.).

In the Old Testament, after the animal was killed for sin, blood was
put on the horns of the altar first. The rest of the blood was poured under the altar.

All of this is symbolic of better things to come. Jesus is our lamb.

After the blood was shed, the blood was put on the HORNS. This symbolized POWER. Acts 1:8 says we will receive POWER after that the
Holy Ghost is come upon you.

When you pray or step out on faith to do something for God, the Holy Ghost will come upon you. You may speak in tongues, you may Prophecy, you may work miracles or speak a word of knowledge. The POWER of God will bring about his will as you exercise your faith.

In the Old Testament the spirit was with them. Since the cross, the spirit is in us. (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).

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

POWER OF THE TONGUE

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Text: James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Sins of speech include, harsh and unkind words, lying and exaggeration, teaching false doctrine, slander, gossiping and boasting.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh?
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

What is our motive when we talk to someone? Is our motive correct? Do we want to promote peace or are we motivated to stir up dissention and conflict?
How should we use our tongue? Should we use it to witness to the unsaved? How about using it to promote peace.

2 Corin 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

James 1: 19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Are you a GOOD Steward of the Lord’s Resources?

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Bro. John has a cold this week. Sis Leigh was kind enough to minister to us.
And he called him and sayest, How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Luke 16:2 NKJV

What is a steward?

Strong’s gives this definition: oy-kon-om-ee'-ah
From G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economy”: - dispensation, stewardship.

3623: From G3624 and the base of G3551; a house distributor (that is, manager), or overseer, that is, an employee in that capacity; by extension a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively a preacher (of the Gospel): - chamberlain, governor, steward.

The American Heritage Dictionary gives the following definitions:

One who manages another’s property, finances or other affairs.
One who is in charge of household affairs for a large estate, club, hotel or resort.
A ship’s officer who is in charge of provisions and dining arrangements.
An attendant on a ship or airplane.
An official who supervises or helps to manage an event.
A shop steward
A wine steward

Definitions 1 & 2 from the dictionary best suit our purposes today, but, after reading these definitions I feel the Strong’s is incomplete, for we as believers are also called to be stewards of all God has blessed us with, all He has placed in our hands.

In scripture we find reference that everything belongs to God.

Ps 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”

Ps 50:10 “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.”

Romans 14:8 “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s”

Matt 25:14-15 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling unto a far country, who called for his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every one according to his ability; and.” straightway took his journey.”

So how good a job are we doing as God’s Stewards? What should we be doing?

Tithe – Malachi 3:8,
Meet the needs of the family – 1 Tim 5:8

PRIORITIZE: Proper care and maintenance of property – Yours & the Church’s; Others in the Body, Missionaries, our Community - Proverbs 3:9-10, Matt 6:19-21 & 31, 1 Peter 4:10, 2 Cor. 9:6-12

Avoid debt – Proverbs 22:7, Romans 13:8

All needs will be provided – Phil 4:19

Laziness condemned – Proverbs 24:30-31, Heb 6:12

Prosperity is from God – Deu 29:9, Ps 1:1-3, 3 John 2