FVC Sermon Podcast

https://youtu.be/GEFRd2ZdzqY “Love is Not Love” (All Scripture is in NKJV) Romans 12:9-16 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient[a] in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given[b] to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. The great requisite in love is this, that it be without hypocrisy; i.e. that it be sincere and not artificial. Love must be genuine and pure. Sugar v. artificial sweetener. People do not want the calories from sugar, but sugar is a pure and natural substance, thus easily accepted in the body. Artificial sweeteners are dangerous. An artificial sweetener duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, but has less food energy. Animal studies have convincingly proven that artificial sweeteners cause weight gain, brain tumors, bladder cancer, diabetes (because it still triggers an insulin response) and many other health hazards. Hypocritical love is artificial love and is dangerous. Jesus tells us that Matthew 5:20  “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” He said that the scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites, in that they taught the things of God, but did not do them and those who did such things, their heart and motives did not match up with their actions: The Beatitudes: Matthew 5: 21-22; 27-28; 38-41 (Roman law); 43-48; Matthew 6:1; 16-18 Our actions cannot be artificial, just mimicking the taste of the genuine; they MUST align with our heart. 1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth [a]through the Spirit in [b]sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, Let love be without hypocrisy. The apostle Paul proceeds to stir up to the exercise of grace, and the discharge of such duties as were common to all the members of the church. He begins with "love", which is the cement of saints, and the bond of perfectness; without love all the gifts that we have received, or the profession of faith that we make, or the works we do are of no benefit, and we ourselves are nothing but clanging, noisy gongs. 1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. Love- agape, sacrificial kind of love of the will and purpose, not an emotional, feeling based love. Here it is to be taken, in the most comprehensive sense, that love to God and others is to "be without hypocrisy". Genuine not artificial. Love to God should be with all our heart, soul, and mind, otherwise the fear of Him, and obedience to Him, will be only outward, formal, customary, and hypocritical. Love to our Lord should be with sincerity, and so it is right, true, and genuine; and love to one another should be not in word, and in tongue only, but in deed and in truth, with a purity of heart. The love professed to others should never be through fear of men, or a desire to please man; but honest, upright, and sincere. So then, how can we be sure that our love is true and not hypocritical love? Paul tells us Abhor that which is evil; do not only avoid it, but hate it, as you should hate hell itself. This is very emphatic words. He, who is without hatred of evil, does not really love good. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Here again is agape love. So you can agape God, and you can agape the world. But not both.

https://youtu.be/O0U9g9gdpWY I can Tell you Matthew 7:1-13 - Easter Today we celebrate Resurrection Sunday- The day that Jesus rose from the Dead.The Easter story is simply- Jesus died on a cross, went to heaven and satisfied the wrath of God with his blood, returned to earth to prove he was alive and God in the flesh.That's what Christians believe. It's outlandish. It's miraculous and inexplicable. But it changed the world forever. Not just in a spiritual sense but in a physical sense. Christians changed the world.2.3 Billion people, in fact almost a third of the planet believe in some version of Christianity- and we join them today as the Global churchAt our Church we go through the Bible- that's what we do. We believe that the Bible is the source document for understanding all that God wants us to know about him.We don't worship the Bible- we worship God, but this Bible helps us to understand himAnd so today- we find ourselves in Matthew 17. Its just the natural progression of studyLet me read it to you Matthew 17:1-13I can tell you It's a very Fascinating story- equally peculiar with the resurrection story-There's one scripture in this that I want us to focus on-17:9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”In this story- Jesus is showing them something that I think is very significant forLet me teach you something and then I can tell you something.What's going on in this story- 1.           Why did Jesus tell them to not tell anyone? - EasterBecause Jesus knew that people are people and if everyone heard about this event- the chances are they wouldn't have heard the most important message Jesus came to doAnyone will tell you- I am not good at keeping secrets- but this one was important.The ultimate plane of Jesus was to go to the cross- not just do miracles.People, being the way that they are- would be inclined to follow the SIGNS not the SAVIOR if Jesus had not told them to be quiet- I've met sign follwers- go to the next•Youll notice, the thousands of people who followed Jesus were no where to be found when he went to the cross- they abandoned him. They fled from him.Jesus had to go to the cross- but Jesus had enough followers that they could have overthrown Rome,  but as soon as they saw that Jesus was going to the Cross- they were no where to be found- they abandoned him.So whatever message you may have heard about Jesus- the message of Jesus is simpleI have overcome the grave for you to overcome sin and be in relationship with the Father. Leave your sins, be forgiven and follow me all the days of your life.And in this story- Jesus says- don't tell anyone until I have risen from the dead-1 cor 15 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. So now- what can I tell you about this transfiguration story since Jesus rose? 1.I can tell you This is a Recreation of the Sinai experience of Moses for the disciples - Easter •Ex 19:3-5 Tells the experience of Moses with God on Mt Sinai •This was a transformational time for the Nation of Israel in that now, the people of Israel would be able know exactly what God wanted them to do and how he wanted them to live because of what happened to Moses on Mt Sinai •Moses goes up on the Mountain back and forth a few times, he experiences God and comes back and tells the Israelites how they should live- by the telling of the Law •Exodus 20 lays out the 10 commands that God wants as the cornerstone of the law. •4 things happened in this interaction: God became tangibly real to the Israelites, Direction and law was given to the Israelites, and Moses was then seen as the obvious leader of the nation of Israel,

https://youtu.be/KzYg9Kc6B6w Transformers       (Romans 12:1-2)              *All verses in NKJV* Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. - Leading up to this point in Romans, Paul and the Apostles have made clear the fundamental principles of Christianity: Salvation by grace through faith, can't earn it, repent, walk in forgiveness…. - Romans 12 begins with the word “therefore”. This word goes between all for the things you just heard Paul say, and what you should do about it. It is the “application” word. - God's gift of salvation in Christ requires a response. God is not satisfied simply with forgiving our sin; he wants to transform our lives. - This Christian life is not just spiritual ideas and a system of behavior. It is a practical pursuit of holiness and requires action on our part. - It is designed not only to inform our thoughts, but to reform our hearts. - You are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone (that's Eph Ch. 2) - James 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. - James also said that a faith (or belief) without works (or actions to back it up), is a dead and worthless kind of faith. If you truly believe something, it should change your life! #1: This is your reasonable act of service. - Romans 12:1, I beseech (or urge) you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable (or rational) service. - Do this because of what God has already done for you: because he has shown you mercy, given you salvation, redeemed you and made you a new creation, justified by faith… - “Your bodies” doesn't just mean your physical body. It means your total person. All of who you are. - In the Old Testament, the people had a whole system of sacrificing animals to the Lord. God is not asking that from us today. - A living sacrifice… lay your life down for God, not to kill it, but to offer it while living in obedience. - 1 Samuel 15:22-23a, So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…. - God's takes your stubborn self-centeredness, and rebellion to His statutes, very seriously. - The Lord would rather you simply be obedient to his word, rather than make costly and dramatic sacrifices. - Your “living sacrifice” is to live your life as he has called you to do, as his word declares. - Pastor Kevin preached on Sunday and brought a fantastic message out of Matthew: - Matthew 16:24-26, Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? - Tonight's sermon fit right into this. “Dying to yourself” means you no longer live to serve your own selfish wants and desires. “Living for the Lord” means you now set His priorities as your own. - To glorify or worship God with our bodies is to engage immediately and with diligence to what God has called us to do by his word, without concern for the personal cost. - Like when Pastor Kevin spoke about Paul and Silas being thrown in prison, it is to be willing to suffer. You must trust that the Lord knows what he is doing,...

https://youtu.be/uSi1acuo0yk My Prison Song Matthew 16:24-28 Matthew 16:24-28 (Nkjv) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.  Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” ( Transfiguration) Recap Last Sunday we went over the part that Jesus finally told the disciples that He would suffer and even unto death (Peters reaction)The disciples have been following Jesus for a while:They had seen miracles, Heard His teaching, and much moreThey had also seen the opposition that Jesus was facingThe truth He spoke did not go very well with many - He was creating enough enemies as He moved aroundThey are following someone that didn't have a retirement plan – one that didn't even have a homeMatthew 8:18-21 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” And now this statement: Matthew 6:24 -Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [[a]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].This was a huge request – Leave everything, lose their interests, follow Him..., I will let you know of the plan as we go along , there will suffering even unto death….and I just like I said earlier I will definitely dieAnd just as they process this statement, Jesus throws this in as well.Matthew 6:25 For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].However, if you don't follow me- you will pretty much lose your life (you are caught in between)Put yourself in their shoes- unlike you who knows how the end looks like, they didn't, yet they still followed JesusThis why the Bible talks about Faith- Because only Faith can do this – This is Faith at workHebrews 11:6 Nkjv But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him Let's get into our current txt” Following Jesus is costly In this case, the disciples had to abandon their plansTheir day to day lives had to changeThey had to leave behind what they knew and how they did thingsTheir friends had to change; their common places had to change Now that they had known this, there was no way of un-knowingIf anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow MeEverybody knew what Jesus meant when He said this. Everyone knew that the cross was an unrelenting instrument of death. The cross had no other purpose.The cross wasn't about religious ceremonies; it wasn't about traditions and spiritual feelings. The cross was a way to execute people.It was where you worst of the worst were punished to death, the shaming place for offendersIn these twenty centuries after Jesus, we have done a pretty good job in sanitizing and ritualizing the cross. Yet Jesus said something much like this: “Walk down death row daily and follow Me.” Taking up your cross wasn't a journey; it was a one-way trip. There was no return ticketing; it was never a round tripIt like me saying to you today – follow Jesus and y...

https://youtu.be/N3YTiW-AhM8 Intro story- when I was called I knew what the Lord wanted of me I couldn't explain why I knew I just did The call on my life was evident and I could feel it in my spirit I don't know if it was fear Or selfishness maybe I wanted to be in control of my life So I rebelled against the word the Lord had given me I lived a life of complete disobedience to the Lord I kept running away, far away I became worse than I had previously been Even though I tried whatever I could to run I knew ultimately that I should submit to God and follow the call He placed on me It took years, I think about 12 years later I finally submitted to His will and not my own Romans 11:25-36 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own [a]opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be [b]saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion,And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;27 For this is My covenant with them,When I take away their sins.” 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has [c]committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?Or who has become His counselor?”35 “Or who has first given to HimAnd it shall be repaid to him?” 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. We are wrapping up chapter 11 The main verse I will be focusing on is verse 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. But before I get into that I want to give biblical context to what paul was speaking about Im going to give a quick recap of chapters 9-11 because they all tie together to give the overall them of these 3 chapters Paul talked about Israel's rejection of Christ and Gods purpose Israel's rejection and Gods justice, Paul discussed the present condition of Israel and that they were in desperate need of the Gospel Only to have Israel reject the gospel and the Messiah they had all been waiting on But there is still hope because Israels rejection is not total and it is not final God is coming back for His remnant Which brings us to where we are now Paul is speaking to jews and gentiles Romans 11:25-28 25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own [a]opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be [b]saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion,And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;27 For this is My covenant with them,When I take away their sins.” 28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.  Paul is showing both jew and gentile that they are both important to Gods plan So that way neither of them could boast that the other was more important Out of Israels rejection and disobedience to God, it allowed Him to open the door for the gentiles to be saved, graphed , and adopted into the kingdom of heaven Because of their disobedience the gentiles were also called to God We are now able to have the same privilege that was initially for the jews

https://youtu.be/Mjnep5EfUaA How do I keep my mind right. Matthew 16:21-23Matthew 16:21-23 READ and ExplainFirst time Jesus talks about the resurrection- peter pulls Jesus aside to rebuke him, Jesus calls him Satan, and tells him that he has his mind wrongCool hand luke- Dirt in, dirt out, “whats your dirt doing in boss's hole” “you got your mind right”Jesus wont do that- but you want to keep your mind right- you don't want to be called Satan by Jesus- that was peter's problem- his mind wasn't right-  Jesus said that he was and “offense”The term offense was bc Peter ‘was not mindful of the things of God'Offense- a breach of a law or rule; an illegal act.Offense- annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles.Bible Definitions of offenseProskope- leading into error2 Corinthians 6:3We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.Skandalon- leading them into sin creating something that ‘trips them up”Skandalizo- enticing them to sin1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,And then Jesus says to peter- “you are an offense to me” a “stumbling block”People say “we don't want to offend anyone” but they mean it in a “annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles.”People build resentment because they perceive that they have been insulted on their principlesBut this Bible offense is to “lead people into error” or “lead them into sin instead of God”Matt 16:23 “You are an offense to Me,” skandalon- you're trying to trip me up- you're trying to keep me from going forward- you're a ‘stumbling block'What was happening in this instance- was that Peter was trying to hold Jesus back from what he needed to do- go to the Cross- he wasn't challenging his principles.Ellicott: Peter's sin lay in the fact that his mind was set on the things of earth, its outward pomp and pageantry, measuring the future by a human not a divine standard.Peter says “ 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”Peter has a plan to keep Jesus from going to the cross- He is this type of Guy- its why he was the one who had the sword when Jesus was going to the crucifixion- He wants to defend JesusIt's admirable- but not what Jesus wants him to do- he challenges him, calls him Satan, says he's a stumbling block and says “you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.””What had sent Peter astray- was not his heart- It's a good heart he wants to defend Jesus- who wouldn't? it was that he was thinking with his emotions and not his intellect- he couldn't see past his own ideas of what anyone would do to defend a friend- but that wasn't God's planGod's plan is to send Jesus to the cross to die for all of humanities sins- Peter would have stopped that if he had kept Jesus from Going to the cross- he was an “offense”What's crazy is that Jesus had apparently JUST spoke to these guys about what the plan was-V21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.But shortly after (we don't know how much time has elapsed) Peter forgets!Remember- This is the gent that Jesus encouraged his profession of Faith “on this rock I will build my church” and now he's not going with the plan- So how do we get our minds right? First off get it in your mind that It is possible to offend God- under stand “offense”And when we “offend him” its an abomination not a “stumbling block” definition- - properly something disgusting (morally), that is, (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol: - abominable (custom, thing), abomination.Deuteronomy 17:1 “You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God a bul...

https://youtu.be/c4y_wBKBfX0 “Therefore Consider the Olive Tree” Romans 11:11-24 11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their [a]fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their [b]fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! 13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and [c]fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, [d]goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? Here begins a new section of the discussion, lasting to the end of the chapter. Paul has shown that the rejection of Israel was never total; he now declares that it is not final. A time is to come when a remnant of Israel shall believe, and be restored to the Church.  God has reserved this remnant according to His promise. The gospel could not be preached to the Gentiles until it had first been offered to and rejected by the Jews. Their rejection opened the door for the rest of the world. Paul uses the illustration taken from the practice of those who ingraft trees. The useless branches, or those which bear poor fruit, are cut off, and a better kind inserted. The olive-tree was sometimes cultivated, and that cultivation was necessary in order to render it fruitful. The cultivated olive-tree is "of a moderate height, its trunk knotty, its bark smooth and ash-colored, its wood is solid and yellowish, the leaves are oblong, and almost like those of the willow, of a green color. The wild olive is smaller in all its parts." The wild olive tree was unfruitful, or its fruit very imperfect and useless. The ancient writers explain this word by "unfruitful, barren." This was used, therefore, as the emblem of unfruitfulness and barrenness, while the cultivated olive produced much fruit. The meaning here is, that the Gentiles had been like the wild olive tree, unfruitful; that they had grown up in the wild and according to their sin nature. The Jews had been like a cultivated olive tree, long under the training and blessing of God. The process of grafting consists in inserting a young shoot into another tree. To do this, a useless limb is removed; and the ingrafted limb produces fruit according to its new nature or kind, and not according to the tree in which it is inserted. In this way a tree which bears no fruit, or whose branches are decaying, may be recovered, and become valuable. The figure of the apostle is a very vivid and beautiful. The ancient root or stock, that of Abraham, was good. The branches had become decayed and unfruitful, and so broken off.

https://youtu.be/wkuFZXZJi2Y 1 Samuel 12:24 "Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you." 2 Timothy 3:1-4  But know this, that in the last days [a]perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, [b]unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Being Unthankful Gives us an unhealthy perspective Romans 1:21 - Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (NLT) 21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused Job 1:21 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother's womb,And naked shall I return there.The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Philippians 4:5-7 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Jeremiah 30:19 "From them shall proceed the voice of thanksigiving and the sound of those who make merry and I will multiply them and they not will be diminished." Psalms 107:1 - O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.Ephesians 5:20 - Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; For more sermons please visit our SERMON PAGE Please subscribe to our YOUTUBE PAGE

https://youtu.be/j2zt89pf4lI 7,000                                                                                        Romans 11:1-10 I am sure some if not most of you guys have heard about the movie 300Today we are going to talk about a slightly bigger number- 7,000This evening, my goal is to make sure that we examine ourselves and know if for sure in our hearts that we can be counted among the 7,000  It's a great time especially for our men, myself included as we plan on heading on to the Man's advanceIt's a time to self-check, search me oh Lord – that I may be found …and if not show me howWhat an opportunity to seek Gods face and cry out to Him to see that which lacks or blocks usIn our reading today:Paul is speaking to the Israelites who know the word of God – Pastor Crystals MessageThey know that they are a chosen generation, but they (Israelites) have taken this most precious gift as commonIts easy to point fingers and condemn these guys but if we do an honest heart check, we will find that we too have at times taken the word of God as common- (Pastor Matts preaching – Christian!)The idea is that men are sitting feasting comfortably at their banquet; and their very sense of safety has become their ruin. They are so secure in the fancied safety that the enemy can come upon them unaware” (Barclay). The Jews of Paul's day were so secure in their idea of being the chosen people that the very idea became the thing that ruined them.Paul in Romans 11:1 – Has God rejected and disowned His People?He is almost trying to wake them up – tone?It's bad that instead of looking inward, they start blaming God for rejecting themThe same God who in I Samuel 12 is showing undeniable love to the IsraelitesAfter the Israelites demanded a King – instead of keeping with God wish to be their everything I Samuel 12:22 (Nkjv) For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His peopleHow many times in our lives, when things are not going our way do, we take this position?After we try on our own- we come to a place and feel like God has left usOnly if we could sooner than later adopt Paul's response – Certainly Not!Deutronomy 3:16 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”Joshua 1:5 - No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake youThe problem is not God. He is faithful and just. He is true to His word. The issue is you and IIsaiah 59:2(Nkjv) – But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hearHebrews 10:26(Nkjv) – For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sinsThis is our only link- And if we do away with this sacrifice, we are dead in our sinsPaul continues to support his response (to the question he asked himself)For I too I am a Jew – I too have seen what God has done in my lifeI too a chief sinner has seen a God who has not forsaken me and will not1 Timothy 1:15 (Nkjv) - This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Paul is speaking from experience that He has seen God work in his lifeHe continues by reminding them of the story of Elijah in 1 KingsElijah challenges the Prophets of baal – all 450 of themThey build an altar and prepare a bull and they agree that whoever call for fire from heaven and consumes the sacrifice, is the true GodIn 1 King 18 – that they called baal from Morning till way past noon, cutting themselves and no response (Challenge for us …to what length do we go to seek our God)Elijah turn, he set the sacrifice and pours 12 buckets of water so there is no doubtHe prays and fire comes from heaven and consumes ...

https://youtu.be/OS9THk4Vh9w Matthew 16:13-20 What does it mean to bind and loose? 1. We bind and loose when we decide who Jesus is?V13-15This question right here is the most important question that anyone can ask in their life-Jesus comes to Peter- and says- what are people saying about me? Who do you say that I am?Now for many people- this question is not one that they ever answer- or should I say- they answer it without answering it by their choice to ignore who Jesus is-Now what interesting- is that these people around the region had an opinion of who Jesus was-John the Baptist? Elijah? Jeremiah? One of the prophets?And all of these thoughts about who Jesus was were centered around who he wasn'tAll of those mentioned were those who would announce the arrival of messiahJohn the Baptist preached repentance and returning to God- he taught baptism. He called out sinConsider John the baptist- They lived at the same time, related by blood, about the same age, had angel Gabriel announce their births, religious and political leaders didn't care for them, wanted them dead, people followed both of them,John the Baptist had a ministry and it was an important one- but it wasn't he ministry of JesusConsider Elijah- prophetic rebuke of Israel for idolatry that was pagan, baal worship, to turn back to God, Prophesying miracles of rain, oil and meal for a starving widow, raising a widows son from the dead, Message of promise to his followers before he departed, and then he left earth by a chariot of fire and did not dieConsider Jeremiah- Jeremiah prophesied God's judgement on Israel and Judah, He pleaded with Israel to repent, the ‘weeping prophet', Jeremiah was rejected by his own people- he told his own people that God was going to judge them for their sin and rejecting God, he had words of hope for Israel if they repented, that God would be with them-so the people at the time had a working knowledge of these three people-But here was the issue- they were trying to understand who Jesus was based on THEIR frame of reference instead of considering and listening to who Jesus actually was-This is human- this is what we do- we take a limited amount of information and make decisions about who we think people areWe do it on Social media, books, TV, movies, sports, we make sweeping statements about people on limited information- we don't even know them- “I know who Justin Beiber is”We even do it with people that we somewhat know- we have a short interaction with someone and think that we know them- See at church, read online, You think u know me from the pulpitIt took me 10 years of deep emotional and physical intimacy with my wife and after 10 years I thought I was just starting to get to know her- but someone sends one tweet and you know everything about themI don't know nothing about Russel Wilson that the news hasn't told me- I don't know what he eats, who his friends were in HS, what he's afraid of, what makes him happy, what his hobbies are.But today- still- based on Limited information- people declare who Jesus is-Good moral teacher, condemner, prophet, 2. We bind and loose when we declare Jesus is the Christ 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.Simon Peter answers the question with the correct answer- “you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”What Peter saw- and what he knew to be true is that Jesus was the “Christ” the anointed one, the savior, the messiah, the promised one, the end all be all.This is the one that John The Baptist, Jeremiah, Elijah, David and all the OT prophets promisedThe one- The SaviorThis is what Martha declared- John 11:27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”This is what the centurion declared- Matt 27:54 So when the centurio...

“How Beautiful are the Feet” Romans 10:14-21 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 unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who [a]preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” 19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.” 20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me;I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me. 21 But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.” History- this letter was written to persecuted Roman believers. They were under the severe oppression and persecution of the Roman government. At this time, there were multiple gods and temples for worship. The government did not care which god you worshipped, so they did not much care which god the Christians worshipped. However, Christians are appointed to call Jesus “Lord”. Under the Roman empire, only Caesar was permitted to be called “lord”, as this was a sign of ownership and authority. Many Christians were required to attend the pagan temple once a year and proclaim, “Caesar is Lord”, or else they could lose their job, family, or even their very lives. We do not think much about this now- but it was a real threat under the Roman empire to proclaim that Caesar is lord. What does this mean? How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? The apostle having observed, that whoever, Jew or Gentile, believe in the Lord and confess “Jesus is Lord”, shall be saved; and that the same Lord was ready and willing to dispense His grace, without any difference to them; that hearing they might believe, and so call upon the name of the Lord, and be saved. Paul tells us there can be no true calling upon God without faith, no faith without hearing, no hearing without preaching, and no preaching without a divine mission. There is no hearing of Christ, and salvation by Him, without the preaching of the Word of God; the most normal way of hearing from God is by the ministry of the Word. Paul shows not only the necessity and usefulness of preaching, but also points out the subject matter of it, which is Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Acts 4:10-12 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 1 Corinthians 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a [a]stumbling block and to the [b]Greeks foolishness, Paul says the message matters. They that preach ought to preach to the glory of God, otherwise men may hear the preacher, and not hear Christ. Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah:  "Isaiah said, Who hath believed our report?” Isaiah 53:1-5 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground.He has no [a]form or [b]comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no [c]beauty that we should desire Him.

https://youtu.be/U8Rj9PUAWXQ How to keep good doctrineREAD Matthew 16:5-12In this story- Jesus is moving around once again, and his disciples follow him and forget to take bread for the journey. Jesus tells them to beware of bad doctrine. They interpret it as “he's mad we forgot bread” Jesus rebukes them for thinking among themselves, reminds them of the past experience with bread, and tells them- its not about bread- its about doctrine. Then the disciples are like “oh, doctrine”Doctrine is important to a Christian-  a principle or position or the body of principles in a branch of knowledge or system of belief : DOGMAIts our dogma- its what directs who we are and what we believe- simple truths that are non-negotiable that keep us in the truth- we have to know what we believe and why we believe itAnd in this day and age of internet and tik-tok preachers/youtube etc. it is very easy to be led astray. This is why church membership is good- go and learn what we believe- study our stuff100 years ago- you would only listen you your local preacher, only read your Bible (if you could read) and not much else.Nowadays anyone can write a book, start a ministry, write a song,  get their message out and influence people's minds, and frankly, just because they say its Christian, it not always is-And that's great if they are spreading good seed- but for well-meaning people that don't know how to discern good doctrine- you can easily be led astray because you aren't living by principles of the word concerning doctrine. Especially if you don't discern it as it comesSo how do you keep good doctrine? Good doctrine is aware of what people spreadV6 “Beware the leaven”These disciples have just come from the miracles of loaves and fishes- they have seen what Jesus has done- and Jesus, not wanting to let a lesson go to waste, offers and example to those around him referencing bread- Beware of the leaven he saysWhat they all knew- which maybe you don't know is that a small amount of leaven is used to make bread- I use 2 tbsp to 7 cups of flour in my bread- and that little bit takes over the bulk of the bread and makes the bread do what it does- small amount- big loaf-But you have to mix it, it has to go all throughout- but you have to get it in- well mixedSo Jesus says- pay attention to what is getting in spread in you (Arnold telling guy to scream)Just bc famous not right- Not everything outthere that says its Christian that is out there is good, moral, holy, good and righteous. Not only are their wolves, but deceived people. People want followers and $You have to go into something with your eyes open- it can lead you astray- it can lead you to no longer believe what the Bible says and it is no longer sound doctrine.In my life- approached no less than 12 times to join MLM- “why are we meeting” No- not inter.Listening- “where are you leading me- who is being glorified”1 joh 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.You have to be involved in the process or else this little bit of yeast will spread into your whole belief system, and you'll turn around and you wont believe what you used to.2 Peter 2:1-3 “false prophets among the people”This has been a problem all throughout the history of Christianity2 Timothy 4:3-4  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.Simple truths like Jesus is 100% God and Man, Penal Substitutionary Atonement, Sinless life, the Trinity, Water Baptism, Innerancy of Scripture, Forgiveness of sins, Miracles of Jesus, Truth of the OT/NT, Resurrection, etcAnd these false doctrines, always have a kernel of Truth, which is why they are so deceptive-Jesus paid it all!

https://youtu.be/54Jp5lAH4mA Know your ABCs   (Romans 10:1-13)             *All verses in NKJV* - ABCs often refers to the alphabet, something basic that everyone knows, or should know. - ABC is also an acronym. What does “ABC” mean to you? (…like family feud) - American Broadcasting Company. Always Be Closing. Always Be Careful. Already Been Chewed… - I found over 350 definitions of some kind for “ABC” online. - In the physical life-saving sense, ABC stands for Airway, Breathing, Circulation. When someone goes into cardiac arrest, this is the basics for the process of their life being saved. - In the spiritual sense, ABC stands for Accept, Believe, Confess. When someone is spiritually dead, this is the basics for the process of them finding salvation through Jesus Christ. - It is important to follow the process, and know where to start. - Read Romans 10:1-13 #1. Airway and Acceptance. ABC - When people find out you are a firefighter, they always want to talk about the calls you've been on. - CPR, uncon/unresp., seems complex, but can actually be one of the more simple scenarios to deal with. The main problem is easily identifiable, and the plan is straight forward. Check their ABCs. - Check the Airway. If someone doesn't have an airway, then breathing will be impossible. - Example: Choking, blocked airway, no other measures will matter, if no oxygen getting to the cells, then the body will die. You have to clear the obstruction! - Spiritually, you must Accept you are a sinner who needs a Savior. - The starting point is you recognizing your own sins, and knowing you need forgiveness. - Romans 3:23, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  - 1 John 1:8-10, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. - This is fundamental to Christian belief. - Read Romans 10:2-3 - Zeal means “passionate commitment”. The Jew's zeal was misdirected because it failed to recognize Jesus as the Savior. Zeal for the wrong things can be dangerous! - The Apostle Paul know all about misdirected zeal, because it caused him to persecute Christians. - Read Galatians 1:13-14 - Just because you attach God to your misdirected zeal, doesn't necessarily make is godly… Politics? - The Jews were ignorant about their need for Jesus and tried to establish their own righteousness through the law. - They had a strong belief in God, but they needed a spiritual “airway” before they could breathe in salvation. #2. Breathing and Believing. ABC - Once you have an open airway, breathing will supply oxygen to the blood, which circulates to the cells to keep you alive. - Even if your heart hasn't stopped beating yet, you have to breathe or you will die. - Example: Heroin overdose, suppresses CNS and then the breathing reflex, minutes later heart will stop… Now we have to bag them, breathe for them. - They can't live simply by us being their “breath”, eventually they have to breathe on their own. - Spiritual belief is and action. “Passive oxygenation” isn't enough! - The belief we are talking about is a confidence and assurance, not simple a recognition of. - James 2:19, You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! - Many religions believe Jesus existed. A quote from a Secular Humanists article. Many will not recognize Jesus as God, “but be captivated by the teachings and example of the figure of Jesus.”  “There are lots of people who are not conventionally religious but who sense that the teachings of Jesus have a universal appeal that transcends Christianity.” - I think these ideas come from an “everyone gets a trophy” generation. No one has to be wrong.

https://youtu.be/hwMcPy_QpsA Choose your Rock Romans 9:30-33 Paul is making a very abrasive statement – very controversial if I mayHe is telling this Jews, who believe that they know the law, kept the law and educated others about the law, that them and the Israelites has so much unbelieved that:That which was primarily theirs is not longer theirsBut that the non -believers now posses it and they are better than Jews in terms of inheritanceIt's an example of the prodigal son, that the son came to his senses and realized that in his fathers' house, the servants were eating, clothed and secure than he was – all he had to do was return to his fatherThe Jews has made righteousness something that it wasn't. They cared more about what was seen on the outside and pretty much disregarded what was on the insideThey were very interested in reading what God was doing than allowing Him to change their livesOn the other hand, the unbelieving world stumbles across the Word and the transformation power of Christ that they believe and are counted righteous.Sometimes it easier to share the gospel with a non-believer because they have no preset expectations – they take everything for face valueThat why the Bible uses the words, adopted to describe usEphesian 1:5 (Nkjv) - just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His willGalatians 4:5 (Nkjv) - But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.The adopted child comes into the family with a gratefulness that is rich and fullLove is enough for them – Anything extra is a blessingWhile we who are “Biological children” we have our expectation and dictation of what love looks likeAs a child, my Christmas gifts must be from this place, I need to be loved this way, get me this new toy so that I can feel lovedWhy? – We make it about usIt becomes what it was not supposed to be. These gifts are a by product of loveBut we make it about the created instead of adoring the creatorMatt Redman- The heart of worshipWhen the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come longing just to bring you something of worthI'll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself is not what you requireYou search much deeper within, through the way things appearYou are looking into my heartI am coming back to the heart of worship and it all about you!Its all about you JesusI'm sorry Lord for the thing I have made it, when its all about youIts all about you JesusWhy did the Jews miss it –instead of trusting God, they took overThey were so concerned with what they were doing that they forgot Christ – that which they searched and needed – But they got carried away by their worksThey didn't notice God right in front of their eyesHow many times have been carried away by “good things” vs ‘God's things”Romans 9:32-33 - Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, [a]by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” The stumbling block When I think of the stumbling block, the airport comes to mind – specifically security checkAirport checkMetal detector at the airport or that 3D scannerDo you have any liquids?Do you have any weapons or explosives? - Airport security confiscated $5700 firearms in 2021You can have all the right travelling document- Look like you are ready on the outside only to be stopped at the gateIt doesn't matter who you are, what you are doing there is a check point and you have to pass through itMy Amsterdam storySecurity check to protect others and the host country or cityHere we see Jesus being ca...

https://youtu.be/YG_R-F23_RA When you're in a Spiritual Wilderness Matthew 15:32-39We all go through wilderness experiences- the bible word for wilderness means solitude, desolate, isolated, scarce. There is a geography, psychology and theology to ‘the wilderness'Maybe it's an event, or a season, an ongoing illness, or a season of spiritual emptinessWe all go through them at one time or the other- and God can do something in thereIntense things happen in the wilderness!  There's needs for water and food, danger, isolation, divine deliverance, but there's renewal and encounters with God. Prayer, supplication, miraclesThroughout the Bible we see God do things in the wilderness to his people and individuals.So we see Jesus today- in the wilderness, surrounded by the multitude- and he performs another great miracle of the loaves and fishes Earlier it was 5000, now its 4000Two different regions- two different reasons- 5k region was jewish, 4k region was gentileJewish region of 5k- reminds of the Pentateuch, 12 baskets- 12 tribes, 12 disciplesGentile region of 4k 7 baskets collected- 7 is the number of completeness, 7 days of creation,There's symbolism in the event- Jesus is declaring once again his messiahship, but also- letting the gentiles know that salvation will come to them as well- first for the Jew then the GentileBut its in the wilderness- and today- you may be in a wilderness- and this message will speak directly to you. And if you're not- use this to minister to others, or file it away for yourself. There is compassion in the wilderness15:32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude,All of the multitude follows Jesus into the wilderness, they are tired and hungry and Jesus has compassion on them- a feeling- an emotion about them and to them- a care for their situationAnd that's the nature and character of Jesus- to have compassion on them- to help themJesus had emotions! He is not a distant savior who doesn't sympathize with people in distressMatthew 9:36 He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary Luke 19:41 He saw the city and wept over it, Mark 8:2 “I have compassion on the multitude, Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”We serve a savior with emotions and compassion on people- he cares about our livesAnd as we read and see his compassion on this group of people, it should remind us of the compassion of God towards us in our wilderness- he has COMPASSION in the wildernessThis isn't a new concept or idea- this is the nature and character of GodMicah 7:19 He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.God, rich in mercy- cares about his people- what is going on with us, what we are going through the details of our life-And here's why it matters- because when you are in the wilderness- the Devil will torment you and try to get you to believe that God has lost compassion for you and has forgot about you as you are in that wilderness- that you truly are alone and isolated, that's its scarce and scaryNow- sometimes we end up in a wilderness like these folks did for no other reason than following Jesus- sometimes it ends up that way- you follow you end up in the wildernessBut sometimes it's a wilderness of our own decisions- our sinful natures, or just chanceAnd sometimes, you just end up there for no specific reason other than God allowed you thereBut this compassion in the wilderness is real- and a pathway to redemption-Have you ever been in a wilderness? You feel like your praises and prayers aren't making it past the ceiling? You're doing all the right things, you're not steeped in sin, but you just don't feel close to God? Things aren't moving in your life? You're just kind of stuck?I've had those in the past 20 years- even while pastoring this church- a sense of spiritual desolation and isolation- where I felt alone and ...

https://youtu.be/SAABdA7mzlc In Search of the Thirteenth Disciple Pastor Cary Gordan 1Corintians 12:26-31 (NKJV) “26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers and after that miracle then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are al prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the bests gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” We are all a part of the body (if you have repented, have been saved, ant turned from sin) (v.28) is a person who has a gift of healing, carrying an anointing of healing.One member suffers we all suffer, on rejoices we all rejoice.(v.27) we are also members individually, we all have something in common loved equally by our Lord, and we all have different abilities and skills. The Lord has appointed these different abilities in The Church.There are people who have grace to be apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings, helps, administration, and varieties of tongues.(v. 29) Rhetorical questions; No, not all can be called to have the same graces of abilities. We are all unique and different. Let's explore two things that will help our local Church (one that is getting stronger and healthier, and more powerful); Ephesians 4:11-16 Question: Why are we looking for the 13th disciple? Because of Judas. Inside the congregation, we have answers and solutions to every problem; Local Church is supernatural!Go back to the scripture where Jesus is talking about communion (which is uniting individuals into one) the disciples are around Him; He then states that one will betray Him. Who betrayed Him? I was Judas.There is always the potential of someone among the body of Christ to be the next Judas.Ask yourself, Is it I? Will I betray Jesus? Will I betray The Church? Betray the unity?The Spirit of God is always looking for the 13th disciple. Some one to replace Judas.There wasn't just one Judas, there is a spirit of Judas that was there back then is still here today; turning disciples against each other, causing division.Is it I? I'm I the next Judas.The enemy is after your thoughts and wants there to be division, offenses, isolation, for you to go missing. Then the Lord has to go into a local Church and find another disciple to replace the guy that left.Remember, Jesus wants us to be one. Satan wants to tear us apart. “11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [e]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Ephesians 4:11-16 This is after the resurrection of Christ, Him sitting at the right hand of God.  First thing He did was (v.11)(v. 13) perfect man, meaning, mature. Adult maturity in God spiritually. In the fullness of Christ.(v. 14) why? That we would no longer be like children, immature.(v.16) joint supplies, referring to the blood. Blood is flowing, keeping us alive.

https://youtu.be/QOsqCKyNod0 FVC-Counterfeits are Counterproductive – Revelation 2:12-17 Lords Prayer Before we begin today's sermon would you join me in praying the words our Lord taught us to pray? Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be donein earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: Amen Dismiss Children Introduction Please stand for the reading of God's Word. Revelation 2:12-17 ESV  “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.  (13)  “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.  (14)  But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.  (15)  So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  (16)  Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.  (17)  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.' You may be seated Last week we talked about the church of Smyrna and we focused on this particular verse written to the church there: Revelation 2:10 ESV  Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. “Be faithful unto death”, do y'all remember the title of last weeks message?I SIGNED UP TO DIE.The church in Smyrna was facing persecution, and Jesus' encouragement was “Persevere, even if they KILL you, persevere”.And I hope that some of y'all walked away with a new attitude… I signed up to die! Death don't have a hold of me so death don't put any fear in me! I SIGNED UP TO DIE!So that was the church of Smyrna, but today we are looking at the church of Pergamum… and the church of Pergamum is a step further in their persecution than last weeks church, Smyrna.Smyrna was about to face persecution, but Pergamum has already faced it… they done did it y'all… They done been persecuted, and you know what, they persevered! Revelation 2:13 ESV  “‘I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. Man at some point this man Antipas was snatched up, beaten, and tourtured… and to borrow from the poem we read last week…“His killer walked up on him, looked him in the eye, he said “Are you going to convert”… Antipas said “NO! I signed up to die!”What else is there to say about Antipas other than “He won!”…You know I was talking to Pastor Cary Gordon, and incredibly wise and learned theologian, about Jan Hus…I said “Pastor, you know church history way better than anyone I know, is it a good idea to keep honoring Jan Hus in our church when we buy this building, or is there some secret heresy he taught that I don't know about?”And listen, Pastor Cary is putting out a documentary called Enemies in the Church all about heritichs in church leadership… he is very happy to call it like it is…So I was expecting him to just blow Jan Hus up…But that is not what pastor Cary did… pastor Cary instead said “Christian, Jan Hus gave his life for the gospel? What else could I say about him? He died for Christ! Honor him!”.That stuck with me,

https://youtu.be/w24houOPR1k Intro Story-My fathers house Nobody in their right mind would ever say that my dad was unjust or unfair in this situation He had every right to remove me It was his house and his rules and I broke them I convinced myself and anyone that would listen that my dad was wrong I believed it in my heart For years I was angry as if it was my dad that was the problem How could he do that? Doesn't he love me? Why did he reject me? It wasn't until after I gave my life to the Lord that I knew I was wrong I was the reason I was removed I rejected Him I was guilty and he was just Romans 9:14-29 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. 19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people,And her beloved, who was not beloved.”26 “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,‘You are not My people,'There they shall be called sons of the living God.” 27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,The remnant will be saved.28 For [a]He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.” 29 And as Isaiah said before: “Unless the Lord of [b]Sabaoth had left us a seed,We would have become like Sodom,And we would have been made like Gomorrah.” In the beginning of this verse it asks if God is unrighteous? Other translations use unjust Paul is answering the question boldly. Certainly Not Romans chapters 9-11 are talking about Israel's election, rejection of the gospel, and salvation Even though God had made His covenant with Abraham, Gods chosen people ended up not being chosen only be lineage but to faithfulness to God and the gospel of Jesus Because Israel rejected the Gospel of Jesus it opened the door for gentiles to be saved So the question. Is God unjust? Certainly not Often times the reason people think that God is unjust or unfair is because they try to regulate God with their own morals But this cant be done We cant comprehend the holiness of God He is perfect, pure, and righteous Nobody could live up to that standard even if they consider themselves a good person Because next to God nobody is Good Luke 18:19 19 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. Since some people truly cant grasp the holiness of God and their depravity They tend to think that maybe God is the one who is unjust But He isn't I have heard many reasons over the years of why God is unjust What about innocent babies and children dying If God was fair then there wouldn't be disease and illness

https://youtu.be/iie77QB1EtA Just Ten Yards. I hear this two ways: As a mocker questioning, “Just ten yards??” As an encouraging coach, “Just ten yards.” Which one do you hear? Today, I want you to hear the second one. RUNNING, Matt and I often pass by our 97 year old neighbor walking. This man walks at least five days a week. We passed by him in the very beginning of our run and then after 2.5 miles, we passed him again at the end of our run. He had walked maybe 2 football fields in the time we had run 2.5 miles. Some might say he moves at a snail's pace, but I thought, “Man he's doing good! At least he's out here grinding!” I started to think about football. And I get how a lot of people like the big plays. It's exciting to watch a guy run on a punt return and the long throws for a touchdown are fun to watch, but it's the “one yard at a time” grind that I appreciate. It takes 10 yards for a first down- and sometimes it takes all four downs to get just ten yards. It can be painful and grueling to get just ten yards. It seems like a short distance, but in football, it can be the longest 10 yards of your life. I see the running back grinding it out to get just a few yards that's a greater representation of real life. Oh sure, sometimes you get a big play and instant success, and people will cheer your name, but it's the grind that really defines us. In my life, I haven't had many big plays. I've taken over ground yard by yard. Its the mundane, day to day, keeping going, don't quit work that produces the greatest harvest. One of my favorite Scriptures is found in Paul's letter to the Galatians: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians‬ 6:9‬‬‬‬ NKJV The running back is one of the most high-profile offensive positions on a football team. And it's also one of the most demanding. Many dream of being a great running back in the NFL, but very few are able to make it to that level, and even fewer last for a while once they do. In fact, the average playing career length of running backs in the NFL is only 2.57 years, compared to the league average of 3.3 years. While it may not seem like much of a difference at first, that's quite the monumental drop-off in career average from the league norm. But why do running backs not last that long at the NFL level? There are many contributing factors, but the main reason often cited for this is the fact that running backs take a beating on just about every play. A featured running back on a team may handle the ball anywhere from 15 to 30 times per game, between the times he carries the ball and catches the ball as a receiver. And on just about every one of those plays, he will absorb a hit from a defender. Even if the play ends in the running back going out of bounds or scoring a touchdown, it's likely a defender made contact with him. And even if he escapes without being touched at all, he likely made plenty of sudden cuts that'd cause wear on tear on his knees, hips, ankles, and feet.  In addition to being the target of all 11 defenders on the field when he touches the ball, a running back is also responsible for picking up rushing defenders and blocking them on certain pass plays. Most great running backs will have a set of traits and skills that set them apart from other players at other positions. Here are some of what makes a great running back. 5 Running Back Traits 1. Running Backs Have Great Vision Just like quarterbacks, running backs have to constantly scan the field to identify opportunities and pick up responsibilities. Unlike a quarterback, though, running backs need to do this while running in crowds. A running back must have great vision to be able to see gaps in the defense. Sometimes, these gaps are less than a yard wide, and they can sometimes close quickly. That's why a running back must be able to scan the field using his peripheral vision to...

https://youtu.be/rtS4BWnA_qg “Esau I Have Hated” Israel's Rejection: Romans 9:6-13 What does this mean? Matthew Poole: “Much is written pro and con upon this argument. But I remember, he that writes a commentary must not too far involve himself in controversy.” I will explain to the best of my ability and knowledge of the Word. I am not a Calvinist, as I believe it is a heretical teaching. But I do believe in the sovereignty of God to do as He wills. I don't believe it's either or, I believe it is both. He can and does control world events and circumstances, He can move hearts and it rains on the just and the unjust; but He also allows free will choices and has bound Himself to those choices. Paul tells us in v. 5 that there are certain privileges given to Israel, none greater than the Messiah. God incarnated His Son in the flesh of that nation and He choose that nation to show His glory. Paul dismisses the idea that Israel was responding badly to Jesus because there was something wrong with the Word of God. The gospel is not the problem. The gospel exposed a deep problem with the Jews. The problem with the physical descendants of Abraham was that they did not have in their hearts the same faith of Abraham. They were merely genetically related to him. Paul distinguishes between two groups: those who have the faith of Abraham and those who do not. To prove his point, he returns to the biblical record of Abraham's children and grandchildren. Something unexpected had taken place. The promised blessings, which should have been given to the eldest son, each time were given to a younger son because that child had faith and the elder did not. And each time, God knew whom would have faith and whom would not, before that child was born. In a Hebrew family, the eldest son is expected to receive the blessing, but never once did this actually happen among the forefathers of Israel: Abraham's eldest was Ishmael, but the promise went to Isaac (Ro 9:7,9, Gen 18:10) No Script. pls Isaac's eldest was Esau, but the promise went to Jacob (Romans 9:10-13) Reuben was Jacob's eldest, yet the promise went to Judah (Genesis 49:8-12, the fourth in line) God is not bound by cultural rules of seniority. HE reserves the right to give His promised blessings to whomever He wishes. And to whom does He give them? He reveals His answer: to men and women of faith, not to the physical descendants of people with faith, nor to those who try to earn righteousness by zealously performing religious service. As with Jacob, He foreknows who will have faith and superintends over their lives, even before they have been conceived. V.10-13 are terribly misunderstood. Some erroneously believe that it means God hates certain babies and that His hatred is not based in anything that the child does. Calvinist's teach this proves “sovereign election” which teaches that God decides to whom He will give faith. Taken out of context, Paul's words can be misinterpreted to mean that. But in the light that he repeatedly emphasizes faith as the basis for salvation, the point he is drawing from the example of Jacob and Esau, is that Jacob wasn't loved because he led a better life than Esau but because he had a faith Esau did not have. While in the womb neither child had done any works, yet God already loved Jacob because He foreknew he would have faith. And He foreknew Esau would not. God doesn't pick a person based on the good or bad they might do. That would make righteousness a reward for good works. The concept of “sovereign election” takes it a step too far, by adamantly opposing the idea that an unsaved person has any capacity to repent and believe. This errant teaching does not hear these verses as saying God knew Isaac and Jacob would repent and believe, but that God decided before they were born which would repent and believe and which would not. This violates the clear teachings of Scripture. Keep in mind Paul's overall topic.

https://youtu.be/p26S_RbyrJM Come up the mountainMatthew 15:29-31 READYou cannot stop people who really want Jesus- Jesus tried to get away from these people- he went around the sea, he went up on the mountain- and multitudes came to himNow think about this- they brought the lame, blind, mute, maimed and many others TO HIMUp on the mountain. They came up to the mountain to get their healing.Title- Come up the mountainWhen you come up the mountain- The Mute will speakCan you imagine not being able to speak? Not being able to connect with your fellow man??In this instance- the friends of those who were mute brought their friends to Jesus to be healed and he healed them! 7.5 million people in America have difficulty using their voice-Being mute or having a speech difficulty can be a medical and or psychological issue.The simplest way to understand it is that those who are ‘mute' cannot or do not speak for whatever reason- they cannot speak- not just a stutter or a lisp.In my life, I have really only met one mute person I can think of- homeless guy-In our church- I don't think we have people that are mute in the sense of not being able to speak physically or psychologically- Jesus can heal that if that's your issue- he canBut here's the application I want to focus on today- if you're afraid to speak up for Jesus and the truth- Jesus can heal you of that- come up the mountain and get healed!You can get the  courage to speak up- he can heal you of your meeknessProv 31:8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.Eph 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—We are living in a time (have been) where there is rampant immorality, falsehood, idolatry and wickedness that many people have been given over to- that people are not speaking upWe're not speaking up against darkness and we shouldEph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.We're not speaking up for the poor and needyProverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.But its more than that and the most important one is that we should be speaking up about Jesus- COME UP THE MOUNTAIN- Get healed and talk about how it happened!READ 1 Peter 3:15-16 always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reasonWe need to be the mouthpiece of Jesus- we need to be willing to speak upIts not easy- it takes courage- I've failed more times than I have succeeded because I'm fearful of how people will receive me and how they will respond to meThe bible says- Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,And honestly- I think sometimes we are ashamed- we are not bold we don't speak up when we can- and that doesn't honor God and we can be healed of thatJesus didn't heal mute mouths so they could shut up and never talk again about the mountainHave you ever met someone (besides me) who can just talk? I mean talk talk.I always think about how long I'm talking in a conversation- some apparently don'tBut if we've been given speech- how do we use that for Jesus? COME UP THE MOUNTAINOne- confess Jesus Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.If you've never audibly confessed Jesus- it will change you (Paul getting saved at work)But ALSO- we need to speak truth the darkness we need to speak up.At school, church, work, home, community- you speak against those who speak against God, Jesus, gossip, racism, slander, mistruths. Use your mouth! (watching movie- fornicators)Acts 18:9-10 READ COME UP TO THE MOUNTAIN The Lame will walkNow on this one- I know there are people here that have physical ailments that prohibit you from doing what you want to do- your skydiving career is over.Some of it is age and neglect- some of it is injury or disease. Some people are born disabledAnd I believe that...

What does it take to know Christ?                                                                   Romans 9:1-5 (NLT) https://youtu.be/_IzdCljw6ek In Chapter 8-Paul spoke to the Christian Jews on:Being Controlled by the Spirit of GodHe gave them an out, that there is no obligation to live in a sinful natureNothing can separate us from God – Conjoined twinsThere is no condemnation on those who are in ChristPaul starts out by affirming that what he is saying is the truthStatement: Romans 9:1 With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it.Paul is speaking to an audience of Jews that are all about the lawsIt seems like Paul is speaking to a group of people who are choosing what truth to believePretty much like the times we are living in – Where truth was suppressed and made to sound like something that it's not. His words are not being taken for its valueI remember the good old days when truth was truth ...when Contracts on napkins were a thingStory of Lionel Messi (Argentine professional footballer)-Age 13, first contract with Barcelona in 2000 was on napkin -Worth $3million EuroHave you ever wondered why contracts are getting larger?We Christians need to be honorable, have integrityEphesians 5:15-17 - So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly but understand what the Lord wants you to do.The truth is being drowned by liesAnd as Christians let our yes be yes and our no be noWe must uphold our morals higher than the world does When you say you will do something, please do it because if you don't, you are just like the world Paul is speaking to an audience that knows Christ and one that is aware of the Holy Spirit Romans 9:2 My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief Paul has great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart when he thinks of whom they are rejectingIt's so painful to Paul that he uses the statement of no return “I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ! —if that would save them.This statement is deeper that just the face value – The idea of a Jew being accursed was not something the Jews would even think about – To them this violates Gods WordFrom Paul it's a statement of hurt – Like a Parent who is willing to bear the sins of his or her kid by trading places with themThis statement doesn't come lightly - It's a statement of endearmentPaul speaks of the Christ that he has come to know. The one that had saved his life and corrected the course of his lifeChrist was the best thing that happened to PaulHe would give it all up to have someone get a glimpse of what it is to be fully devoted to the LordPaul is speaking from the Heart of ChristGalatians 2:20 Nkjv- I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.Paul feels what God feels, His Joy, His hurt – Break my heart for what breaks YoursPrayer night- Eva spoke of God being a lover of our soulPraying not because we have to but praying because we need to commune with GodSpending time with Him – That which cost you nothing (We don't give God our leftovers)Psalms 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.We only think of what we get, but where is the Lord's heart here?Paul is willing to do whatever it takes to bring this point homeJust like us preachers, we go to a great length to bring you an understanding of God's Word so you can fall in love with Him  He understands the length at which God had to go to rescue the Jews peopleThey are Gods adopted Children by God himself – Us as well*He made a covenant with themHe gave them His Law...

https://youtu.be/2vawagr2mRw How can I have great faith- Matthew 15:21-28 Great Faith is spiritual 21 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”This lady here- (and we don't have the back story) has realized that the problem that her daughter is having is a demon possession- she goes so far as to say “severely demon possessed” And some people would argue that back then they didn't understand mental issues like we do today- That may be true- what is also true is that demon possession is real and you can't fix a spiritual problem with a physical solution. It doesn't work that way. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,We see many times in the Gospel that Jesus healed and delivered people from the power of the DevilI was a psych major- I did mental health in the Army. I know the diagnoses and I know the medicationsThere's many people I know- even in this church who take drugs for mental stuff. No condemnation. I also know that everything isn't a medical problem. Everything can't be fixed by medicine. It just cantWhat this woman figured out was her daughter was demon possessed and the only way  for her daughter to be delivered was to come to Jesus- Only Jesus could deliver her daughter from this Demon possession- She came to Jesus in Faith, believing that she could be delivered from her possessed situation. This is a woman that understands the spiritual component of life. Many people do notThere has been a push over the past few centuries to minimise the spiritual. To make everything physical. There's a balance here between pragmatism and spirituality. There's not a demon on your body when you don't take care of it. You are not under attack. But also- everything isn't  going to be fixed by a doctor (doctors just make the body work) John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.What does it mean to youAre you discounting the spiritual component of your life and only focusing on the physical?Are there things in your life that you need to have Dr Jesus come in and deliver you from?First step- get saved- 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.If you're not saved in here this morning- you might think I'm a nutball- its ok. Get saved. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. I've seen people delivered from Demonic influences- minds changed- clear discernmentI've prayed demons out of my house- (trouble in 2019 praying over the church) Here's what I know-Romans 8:5-8 READI know theres a spiritual component to life- I want Jesus in that realm. I know that I have a spirit body1 Corinthians 15:44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.I know I have the spirit of God- 1 Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.I know that I'm supposed to live in the spriit Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. GREAT FAITH IS SPIRITUAL and I want GREAT FAITH Great faith is persistent

https://youtu.be/QA4o6ye3Os4 Conjoined (Romans 8:31-39) *Verses in NKJV* - There are about 4 million babies born per year in the U.S. - About 300,000 are identical twins, about 25% of those are “mirror image” twins like Dan and me. - Example: Twins are rare. My birth story, according to my mom… - Our older brother was a big baby, so Mom's weight gain and size was similar to before. Our heart beats we in sync, and the doc could only feel one head and one set of feet (mine, because I was on top). 47 years ago… ultrasounds were not widely used back then. There was no reason to expect twins. - Twins are usually side-by-side, but I was wrapped around Dan in the womb, hiding him. It wasn't until 10 days before the birth that anyone found out my mom was having twins. - Dan would have been the first born naturally, but we were C-section, so I was born first. The doctor said, “what a big baby!” then pulled Dan out and said, “wow, an even bigger baby!” I stole his birthright! My parents had decided to name the first born after our grandfathers, Jason and William, and because that ended up being me, I got those names instead of Dan! - During the x-ray and not knowing yet it was twins, while lying on the table it appeared as if the baby had 2 heads and 4 arms, which noticeably freaked out the x-ray tech. He sat my mom up and tried again, and that's when he realized we were actually separate twins. * It looked like my mom was having conjoined twins! - Conjoined twins are Extremely rare (Fewer than 1,000 cases per year in U.S.) - Krista and Tatiana Hogan are 15 years old and live in Canada. Like other conjoined twins, they have defied great odds to make it this far. The Hogan twins are joined at the head and their brains are connected by a thalamic bridge. The most fascinating thing about their condition is that they can see out of each other's eyes, and they say that they can “hear” each other's thoughts.  - Abigail and Brittany Hensel are 31 years old and live in Minnesota. They are one of the rarest conjoined twins, because they share a torso but have two heads side by side. Like any other twins, they each have their own personalities. Both of them graduated from college with a teaching degree, and today work are 5th grade teachers. - Like these four girls, often conjoined twins cannot be separated, because they share the vital things needed for life inside them. One cannot live without the other. - In a spiritual way, as Christians, we are conjoined to Christ. The same Holy Spirit that gave Jesus life, gives us life. It you tried to separate us, we would die a spiritual death. - The good news is that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ! - Read Romans 8:31-39 #1. There is NO earthly thing that can defeat the Holy Spirit inside you. - What is Paul referring to when he says, “What shall we say to these things?”   - In Romans chapter 8, Paul is encouraging the believers to walk in spirit and not in the flesh. That means to live according to the scriptures, listen to the Holy Spirit in your life, do not give in to sin. - “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”  Only if the spirit of God lives in you, will you have life. We are adopted in as God's children. - The suffering, and drama, and earthly power around you, cannot compare or compete with the power, and grace, and amazing glory that will be reveled through Jesus, IN us, and THROUGH us! - In light of all this, the Apostle Paul proclaims, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”   - Example: 1992, the “Dream Team”, first time pros could play in the Olympics, and they destroyed everyone. No one even had a chance. (Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Clyde Drexler, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Carl Malone, John Stockton, Scottie Pippin, Chris Mullin, Christian Laettner…. There was a “Christian” on the team!) - Isaiah 41:10,

https://youtu.be/7YVjvRNA2VY “Hope For What We Do Not See”Romans 8:18-30 Whatever suffering we endure because of Jesus in this present age is nothing when compared to the glory God will give us in the age to come. The sufferings of this life will seem to have no weight at all when we step into our eternal inheritance. Who better to tell us this than the apostle Paul being well acquainted with suffering: 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle [a]to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we [b]entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. 2Corinthians 11:24-33From 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 [a]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. First point: suffering is inevitable. I hate to break this to you, but in this life you will suffer. In fact, we are told that those in Christ are APPOINTED to suffering Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, You cannot escape suffering. But how do you view it? The problem that I see with suffering, is that most people fear death in their suffering and this fear puts you back into bondage: Hebrews 2:14-15Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. A lot of people, including Christians have a skewed view of life and death, in fact even to the point of making our lives here on this earth an idol. It is because your roots are in this world and not in heaven that you still fear death Paul says that the proper way to view suffering and the fear of death is to weigh it in balance to eternity and the glory that we will have one day with Him. These are not equal. The balance falls heavily on the side of glory. Why do you still fear death? Because you have yet to realize the glory that will be revealed We are not the only ones suffering because of the fall and waiting for God's full redemption. The entire creation awaits and even groans, the earth, plants and animals are all groaning (think global warming and so-called climate change) The entire system is malfunctioning and miserable, waiting for relief. The prophet Isaiah describes what will happen when this curse is reversed.

https://youtu.be/fow2JjFZHfU 2 sam 30:6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. Distress is going to comeWhat led up to this calling out of David for God to strengthen him?He had been through the proverbial ringer- lets read 1 sam 30Amalakites had invaded, burned the city with fire, taken captive the women and others, then they were emotionally overwhelmed by the whole thing- “wept until they had no more power to weep”Lets recall a little about this guy David- this is the one who slayed the Goliath. He's also the one who had won against the philistines, AND the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites. Earlier- but NOW the Amalekites come BACK and wreck havoc on Ziklag and David- This doesn't even include that Saul had been pursuing David this whole timeWhat can we get from this quick synopsis- you can slay goliath, you can win battles, but even in the midst of it- There can still be constant attacks, and you don't always winAnd when you don't always win- you ‘weep until you have no power to weep”Does any of that resonate with your life? Sure- may not be physical attacks and wars- but life sure does have its challenges doesn't it?Job 14:1 “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.That's pretty much life isn't it? You're born, and then there's trouble. Life is just work- and if you haven't embraced it, you can get frustrated with the struggles of life.Trouble in school, growing up, parents, dating, jobs, cars, houses, politics, pandemicsIts really enough to “weep until you have no power to weep” abuse, trauma, sicknessAnd as a person that serves God- you wonder sometimes- whats the deal? Where's that perfect life? Honestly- its enough to get some people to stop serving God-Ecc. My favorite book- so much wisdom- here's a gem-Ecclesiastes 9:11 I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.Swift people lose, strong lose, wise don't prosper, those of us that have a brain don't get the money, the skilled people don't have an advantage- everyone else wins but METhe operative phrase- “time and chance happen to them all”There's just an element of chance to some of this- stuff just happens. Cant control everythingWhat does it mean to you-Embrace that your life isn't perfect and never will be- especially if you're a Christian1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, Acts 5:41 rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,I'm not saying to live with an expectation of destruction and despair in your life but I think that part of what sets people off is an expectation of a perfect life with no issues- life is issues! 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;Embrace the reality of an imperfect life- David's life wasn't perfect, neither will yours beMy life hasn't been perfect and still isn't without its challenges- its just the way it is. Strengthened himselfSo David is distressed, he's overwhelmed, he's had everything that he ever loved taken from him- wives, kids, land, influence, strength.There's really no where for him to turn at this point- probably a great time to give upI say if you don't ever think about giving up you're not really in the fightBut here's part of the equation- sometimes- on this side of heaven- you need to wake up to the reality that there's no earthly person or solution coming to save youYes- God...

https://youtu.be/pZuuxn-JVSM Swim          (Revival 2021)                 *Verses in NKJV* - It has been great to be here every night this week. It is a special blessing from the Lord that we can publicly meet without fear of imprisonment or financial ruin if caught. - Example: China missionary, persecution through technology and govt tracking, church having multiple meeting places/service times to avoid this. MUST be there to know when the next will be. - What happens in these church walls does not need to stay in the church wall. The world needs this! - While many in the world are dying for this, you get to live in it. Don't waste this opportunity! - If I asked you how to swim, what would you say? What if I asked you how to NOT drown? - I could describe to you what to do, but something would be missing that you will only truly understand by being in the water. Knowing WHAT to do and knowing HOW to do it aren't the same. Example: USMC boot camp swim qual. Your choices are sink or swim, because staying out of the pool is not an option. They had instruction, and motivation, and desire, but some of them didn't know how to turn that stuff into NOT drowning. - Honestly, they should have taken time to learned how to swim before they got in that position. - In the storms of life, you'll need to learn how to spiritually swim BEFORE you get in the water. In our scriptures, David was drowning under the pressure of losing everything. His home, his family, his friends, his victories. All the things he had been relying on to bring him comfort or safety. - 1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV), Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was [a]grieved (literally “bitter” over the loss), every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. 1. You will default to your foundation. - This is David. As a child he killed lions and bears, and the giant Goliath. The mighty warrior and leader, praised for his many victories in battle. The anointed, chosen, future king! - David was described by God as a man after God's own heart. He was a strong man of God! - He is now in a long season of trials and relentless persecution, and his strength is running out. - King Saul is on a mission to kill him. David won't kill Saul, he is running out of places to run, and now he feels like he is out of options. - 1 Samuel 27:1, And David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish someday by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape to the land of the Philistines; and Saul will despair of me, to seek me anymore in any part of Israel. So I shall escape out of his hand.” - Wouldn't this have been a great time to “strengthen himself in the Lord”, rather than run to seek comfort in the hands of the enemy? Did he forget that God is the deliverer? - Example: My PTSD. - My default strategy for going through hard times was to “grind”. I didn't see it at the time. I would tell you to pray, seek God, lean on His strength… I knew what to do, but when the seas raged, I defaulted back to what I've always done. - I had always been able to “swim” through it, but you can only hold your breath for so long. - The biggest convicting moment was when my psychologist who is not a Christian, knowing I'm a pastor, asked if I'd prayed and if it had helped. - I realized that I had not be seeking strength in the Lord, I had defaulted to my own. - Whatever you build your foundation on, you will default to in times of trial. - Matthew 7:24-25, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. - The famous quote says, “We don't rise to the level of our expectations,

https://youtu.be/kDt1TD-rPfs Encouraged in the Lord-Revival week January 3-9 This next season requires spiritual maturity and steadfastness. I will not be moved. God gave me the following Scripture in the late summer of 2019 for the darkness that was coming in 2020 Isaiah 60:1-2 Arise (from your prostrate and depressed position), shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. “Are You a Fair-Weather Warrior?”- Title “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6 KJV 2019 was a rough year. I read these words from Scripture and I can relate of having everyone you have loved and taken care of turn on you. I wanted to quit.  Ps Matt was attacked, I was attacked, my kids were attacked. We were publicly shamed. The enemy tried to destroy our whole church. This is not new things to us, we have people attack us all the time, but this was a large scale- well orchestrated attack of the enemy and it was probably one of the most hurtful times of my life. Some of you do not realize what this church is to Ps matt and I, it is not just a “church”, it's not our job or even our ministry, it is our child. We have loved, cared for and sacrificed for her and it was almost destroyed in 2019. The Holy Spirit spoke a word to me in that season that I have held onto: “Crystal, the enemy doesn't have to completely destroy you. He just has to do enough to render you ineffective”. And He gave me through another lady one of my life verses (it is an obscure verse that the Lord spoke to me the first year of my salvation) Proverbs 24:10 “if you faint in the days of adversity, your strength is small” A fair-weather warrior faints in the day of adversity. God uses adversity to refine us. Give yourself over to the process. David encouraged himself in the Lord “Encourage” is from the Hebrew châzaq: to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen, to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous (put courage in), be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore The opposite of encourage is to be discouraged. Discouragement is a tool of the enemy and only leads into more destruction. In this life, you will have to consistently fight against becoming discouraged. How do we fight discouragement? The first thing David did to put courage in himself was to inquire of the Lord: v. 8 Humility- David did not press on in his own strength and knowledge. He didn't retaliate out of vengeance. He didn't quit. He humbled himself to seek God. Pride will cause the Lord to resist you. Before you do ANYTHING, you should inquire of the Lord. And I don't mean just the big things, but the small. Before you move and before you apply for a job, and even before you plan a vacation. Inquire of the Lord EX: I remember when we wanted to go to Disneyland a few years ago with a group of people and as I prayed about it, I kept hearing, ”do not go”. We canceled. Two days before we were scheduled to go, I had a derm appt. and the dr. wanted to remove a mole What's your attitude toward prayer to God?  Do you hope He hears? David knew God heard him and he believed the Word of the Lord “you shall recover all”: Psalm 116:1 I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. I know God hears my prayers. I don't just hope that He hears me, I know He hears me. And because I know He hears me, I know He will answer. EX: I was in a prayer meeting and a lady asked for a prayer requests and another lady in the group who knew me very well said, “Get Crystal to pray for you. God always answers her prayers.” I laughed. But that was her perception of me.

https://youtu.be/FBTh1GTHCNQ Intro story-encouraging myself in the Lord I was distraught The only thing I could do to get through it was to seek God diligently Knowing that even though I was going through this for a long period of time, God still heard my praise He heard my prayers He was with me while I fasted Saw my tears and eventually they were wiped away I had to encourage myself in the Lord He is what got me through I even came out on the other side as a better pastor and leader 1 Samuel 30:1-6 kjv 30 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; 2 And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. 3 So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. 4 Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. 6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Heres the biblical context of whats happening David had recently been told he would be king Because of this David had to flee from king saul because he wanted David killed David at this time was living in Ziklag He aligned himself with the philistines The philistines were preparing to go to battle with king saul David and his men were going to join them in battle But they didn't fully trust David because he could turn on them David and his men went back to ziklag Only to find that the entire city was attacked and burned down Everything they had was now gone including the women and children Now all of the people that had been with David this whole time began to turn on him They grumbled and talked about killing him David lost everything, his wives, his home, and his men turned on him But David knows where his strength comes from 1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. In his times of trouble David did what he knows works He encouraged himself in the Lord Knowing that he would find his comfort in God He knew with God he would be able to go through any problem he was facing We must remember while reading the bible that these people really existed They were normal people like us Not super heroes It gives me comfort to know God chooses broken people to show His glory They all saw defeats and victories Lets look at some of the writings from psalm to see how David sought the Lord While being pursued by Saul, David wrote Psalm 59:1-4 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;[b]Defend me from those who rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity,And save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 For look, they lie in wait for my life;The mighty gather against me,Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold! We see here that even though faced with death, David still put his trust in God Psalm 59:16-17 16 But I will sing of Your power;Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;For You have been my defenseAnd refuge in the day of my trouble.17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises;For God is my defense,My God of mercy. David continuously praised God for what He has done and will do

https://youtu.be/0ESCED0jKxw Jesus in our contrary winds. Matthew 14:22-33This is another one of the well know stories about Jesus in the Bible- when he walks on water- The disciples get into the boat- Jesus goes to pray- they find themselves, the Bible says “Tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary” Jesus comes out on the sea, walks on the water to them. The disciples see him, and think it's a ghost, but Jesus reassures them. Tells them to not be afraid. Peter tests Jesus and says “if its you, let me come out on the water” peter gets out, sees the waves, get scared, starts to sink, calls out to Jesus and Jesus saves him.This thing is sermons for days.But I got caught up on the ‘for the wind was contrary' what does that mean? Antagonistic, opposite- The wind is not going the direction that is it supposed to go.We can all identify with contrary winds can't we? Trying to get somewhere or do something and it seems like the wind is not going in our direction? It's ‘contrary' just not going our waySo when we find ourselves in these situations- the “contrary winds” of our lives- what does Jesus do? 1. He leads us in our contrary winds. 22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boatIn the beginning of this story- we see that Jesus “made his disciples get into the boat” He knew what he was doing. He knew what the night would bring. He was leading them to a deeper trustOne of the biggest lies that we believe is that God didn't see it coming.He is sovereign. He is in control. He knows what is happening and how it happens.So when the disciples are told to get in the boat- they don't realize the lesson they are going to get that night- but Jesus does- because he is leading them.Proverbs 16:9 A man's heart plans his way,But the Lord directs his steps.These disciples didn't realize the full weight of the night- they just thought they were going ahead but Jesus had a plan- he was leading them. They were going to learn a lot about JesusPs 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.That's what God does- he gently lead us towards his purposes and plans. We may or may not see what the end result will be- but his lead is always evident when the trial is over.See- contrary winds seem like something that keeps us from doing what WE think we should be doing- I'm sure these guys didn't like the wind- but Jesus KNEW these winds were coming and led them INTO the winds to teach them something about HIM>This is the character of God throughout time- leading us into places to grow us.Deuteronomy 8:2 READWhat does it mean to youYou should pray Deut 8:2 over your life and believe that wherever God needs to lead you to grow you you will embrace. You will trust that God knows what he is doing. For HIS benefitMaking decisions is hard- especially if you want to honor God- so you want to make decisions based on God's revealed truths- Does this bring God glory, or me, will this grow the kingdom?Here's some promises that we know from sciptureJohn 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Isaiah 30:21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.So if we know these truths we can trust that as our decisions line up with what the word of God says- we can trust that it is the Lord leading us and guiding us. (Military-folding, standing, demanding teaching for our benefit)Proverbs 20:24 A man's steps are of the Lord; How then can a man understand his own way?Cause here's the truth- its in the most contrary winds of our life that God leads us that we grow the most and learn to trust him even more. 2. He comes to us in our contrary winds So he leads us into these places- into these contrary wind...

https://youtu.be/DaNwDt8FUsk Do not Be afraid- Luke 2:8-12 No one likes being afraid. No one likes being startled. I don't like to do things that make me scared. I've had enough fears in my life I don't need to go and make up things to be scared about. I don't like horror movies, or evil themed stuff. I want the Good stuff. I want that Bible Joy.There's a lot to be afraid or fearful nowadays- And if you don't pay attention- you can get sucked up into the fear- Fear is a product that the media loves to sell.  Let me show you some of their speakThink of the words the media uses- “Possible link” “Officials are worried about” (no link- nothing has happened) “Our nation's” (large scale story) “shocking new details (when we come back)” “Officials consider the threat to be serious” (which ones aren't?) “Officials are closely monitoring” (nothing is actually happening) “could perhaps potential might”  “an alarming percentage” (who decides what is alarming) “Deadly” (yes, some do die, but not all) “A new study, a new report, experts fear, experts worry” (they seem to do this a lot) “experts say its just a matter of time” (they have been saying that for years) “But Washingtonians feel” (from one guy they talked to on the street) (From Gavin De Becker)One of the greatest reasons I love Christmas is that we get this reminder- Luke 2:10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.Do NOT be AFRAID- Don't have fear. Don't live that way- there's nothing good in fear- nothingThe bible mentions many times “Do not fear” and “do not be afraid” I think its because fear is something that plagues everyone at sometime in their life- its common among humans.Top ten fears people have Social phobias- excessive self consciousness in social situationsAgoraphobia- fear of specific places or venues- fear of open spaces Acrophobia- fear of heights can give vertigo Pteromerhanophobia- fear of flying Claustraphobia- fear of enclosed spacesEntomophobia- fear of insects Ophidiophobia- fear of snakes Cynophobia- fear of dogsAstraphobia- fear of storms Trypanophobia- fear of needlesPoke around the internet and a large percentage of people worry about: Financial instability, political instability, future pandemics, Global Warming, war, Natural Disaster, and food shortages,What are the 5 primal fears? They are 1) fear of abandonment, 2) loss of identity, 3) loss of meaning, 4) loss of purpose and 5) fear of death, including the fear of sickness and pain.)We are only born with two fears: the fear of falling, and the fear of loud noises.The rest of the fears- we gain through experience, or through our mind. We find stuff to fearBut listen to what the bible says about fear-Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Psalm 56:3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.How do we not fear-One- Control your thoughts-Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.Philippians 4:8 meditate on these things.2 Corinthians 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,Two- Use and know the word of GodMatthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written,

https://youtu.be/vFLvB_PSn8g Is this not the carpenter's son? Matthew 13:53-58Here we get to the end of chapter 13 and we see Jesus around people, after his parables, a few healings, and he's telling these people- I'm God- I'm telling you how to live and what to doTheir response- “Isn't this the carpenters son?”Faced with the reality of Jesus the messiah, in their midst, they don't embrace him- they reject him. And by rejecting him, they reject everything about him-No different than today- most people don't have a problem with Jesus and what he does, they have a problem with Jesus and what he requires- Submission- life change- direction changeTotally fine hanging out with the ‘heal me and talk to me Jesus' not the “submit to me” Jesus Question his authority “where did this man get his wisdom”In this story- they question his Authority- its documented in the other Gospels as well-To them- they understood the story- that the King of Israel was going to come from within them, but when Jesus came as the king- they rejected what he said because they didn't like itTo them- after hearing what Jesus had to say- their thoughts went to- “who is he to tell us”Its questioning his authority. What Jesus was saying was transformational- they didn't like itThey were being oppressed by Rome and wanted Jesus to deliver them from sin.Where did this man get his wisdom?!?!?!The father- Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.God became flesh through Jesus and so his wisdom came from God because he was God.This idea, of the supreme authority of Jesus must be internalized- its why when people say “I believe in God” It doesn't sit well with me as a declaration of FaithThere's something powerful when you say that you believe in Jesus- it changes the conversation. – when you don't you reduce him to a carpenters son- but he's MUCH MOREThink about this- only God can grant eternal life- only him- no one else.John 17:2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.So when Jesus says that he has authority over all flesh and that he can give eternal life- that's hugeJesus said- Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.Ephesians 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.Philippians 2:9-10 Says his name is above every name and that every knee will bow-And we sit here- and we talk about these people- and say “how could they say this”But we say this- we say this when we deny his authority over our lives- his rightful ownership over all we have, do, are and be.There's a streak of rebellion in all of us that has to be destroyed- it must-And as always- I just assume that if there is rebellion in me, there's some in you- it's the “did God really say” mindset- that really- seeks to question Gods authority- we love our free willColossians 2:10 1 Peter 3:22 Matthew 28:17 Psalm 8:6Wouldn't it be better to submit to his authority?Submission is easy- rebellion is hard- I haven't had the easiest bosses in my lifeHaving to do 5 cold calls after 5 on Wednesday before thanksgiving is no fun-But he's the boss- He's paying my wage- I owe him my time and my hours-What do we owe God? Is Jesus just a carpenters son, or is he MORE- Do we minimize HIMJames 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.People don't want to submit to God, government, boss, pastors, anyone- So he's just a Carpenter's son- Just a normal bearded guy who told some good stories.1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, tRomans 8:7 1 Corinthians 2:14 natural man can't receive the things of GodThe answer is to submit- don't say ‘where did...

https://youtu.be/ZGYNnpE13IY Matthew 13:31-52 Mustard and Dragnets So what is the Real kingdom of God and how do we live it out? •The kingdom of God is quite simple- It's the preaching of the Good news of Christs reign, rule and redemption of the world of its sin. This kingdom has rules and the ruler is Jesus •Christ reign over all the earth- His RULE over every life that submits and Redemption over every life that repents- When THIS happens, people change, laws change, communities change- its slow- but it's the way Jesus wanted it- Small beginnings to cultural change.  •Through the preaching of the word of God, holy living and witnessing, we lead others to Christ and the world “changes” little by little. Its not pretty- but its what Christ demanded •Matthew 28:19-20 READ   •We are sojourners on this planet- awaiting for the arrival of Christ- and we want to gather as many souls as we can to go to heaven with us until his return. We want to preach his kingdom •Every time we lead another person to the Lord we are growing the kingdom! •Its very simple- Go and look what the people in the Bible did and you can see what we should be doing- we need to be preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins!  •Acts 28:31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him. •In the book of Acts they preached repentance and forgiveness of sins.  Simply- God will forgive you if you turn to him. Then you will be in God's kingdom. Turn to him and live for him •Five- Preaching. Worshipping. Fellowshipping. Giving. Serving. WITHIN THE CHURCH.  •People want the Kingdom of God to be a tangible rulership- They want to be in charge.  •Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.- A spiritual kingdom isn't a political kingdom.  •1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. •Simply- the kingdom of God is the rule of an eternal, sovereign God over all the universe •More narrowly, the kingdom of God is a spiritual rule over the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to God's authority. – it's not overthrowing worldly systems into Christian ones •Those who defy God's authority and refuse to submit to Him are not part of the kingdom of God; in contrast, those who acknowledge the lordship of Christ and gladly surrender to God's rule in their hearts are part of the kingdom of God. •In this sense, the kingdom of God is spiritual—Jesus said His kingdom was not of this world (John 18:36), and He preached that repentance is necessary to be a part of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:17).  •That the kingdom of God can be equated with the sphere of salvation is evident in this script-  •John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.' •where Jesus says the kingdom of God must be entered into by being born again.  •Simply put- Those who think the kingdom of God is a political, physical or theocratic nation are sorely mistaken and biblically misguided- We should vote our Bibles- but that's to be able to more effectively witness- its not to establish a Christian kingdom on this earth.  So now that we have an understanding of the kingdom of God- lets walk through these parables and try to apply them to our understanding of what the kingdom is.  The Kingdom will grow The parable of the mustard seed and Leaven both have the same meaning in that something small becomes something big- The Kingdom of God started with Jesus, his disciples, and the kingdom will growVery very prophetic- Christianity has gr...

https://youtu.be/r_U_hyXOJSU The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares  Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43With the explanation of Jesus- the simple understanding of this parable is quite simple- Seed sower- Jesus, Field- World, Wheat is good sons of the kingdom Tares are Sons of the wicked one, The Devil sowed the taresGood seed Goes to Heaven-Tares get put in the furnace of fireNow some people have said that this represents the church but it doesn't- Jesus himself says “represents the world” he didn't say church- Plus- Matt 18 shows how to deal with sinners in a church- you remove them- you don't let them grow together. Plus- many other scripturesThis isn't a message about looking for tares among us- its about looking at your own wheatEveryone knows what wheat is- it's a grain used for food- Tares are the wheat weeds that grow up with it- early stages it looks like wheat- but its not. When its full grown- you know what it isThey didn't' have roundup back then- Jesus uses an agricultural example- separate at the end of harvest. Keep the wheat, burn the weeds. How do we apply this to our lives Make sure you're wheat and not a tare Now- if we know that wheat goes to heaven and weeds go to hell, we'd all want to be wheatI don't want to minimize this scripture, but I will say- I am glad that weeds are going to hell. Wheat- 43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!We want to be wheat. We want to be bread. Carbs. Good healthy crop that can be harvested.We've talked about fruit a lot here and over the past few weeks. We want that. We talk a lot about self-examination here- and some would argue that we don't preach assurance of salvation- but we do- we can rest in the assurance of Jesus and our salvationBut if you're here today and you're NOT a Christian- you should be looking at your heart- if you ARE a Christian, you should be examining yourself to continually move towards sanctificationPsalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.And that's a great verse to start with- My wife had an amazing word couple wed. ago and she asked- how much cancer is an acceptable amount? How much dung you want in your water?The church has 3 ordinances that belong to us, marriage, baptisms, communion. During communion we know1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. And that's a continual process of our faith- God wants us to live in reflection- he wants us to look at our hearts continually- every comm.2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.And its not out of fear, but of reverence- I still ask my wife “are you ok, what can I do for you?”Lamentations 3:40 Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the Lord;1 Corinthians 9:27READWhats the litmus test for wheat? How do we know we're there?Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Tares- 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.Tares- the fake wheat that grows among the wheat- we do not want to be that- So if you're sitting here- wondering- am I wheat or weed?Are you a slave to lawlessness?Romans 6:19 READWho runs your life, your desires or Jesus? We all have desires that are contrary to the BibleMy evil desires come up in my mind all the time, I just take them captive- I don't want them to rule me- (donuts, pancakes,

https://youtu.be/krIlI9wRxSA Eph 4:14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.We need to serve Each other. That's part of what being a Christian is. Here's the hard part of a “church” There's really parts of it that feel very transactional. Its one of the weirdest entities that exist and its unlike anything else on this planet. None of us- not one of us who are Christians are supposed to just be consumers- None. Everyone is supposed to play some sort of part in the edification of the body of Christ. In Modern ministry- there's wires and parking lots and safety and instruments, in the early church maybe it was hummus, donkeys, water and child help. I dunno. But the modern manifestation takes a bit of people to pull it off. I think people like it. It's rewarding to worship God this way. Currently it takes about 60 people to make a Sunday happen. 60. That's I rearranged my schedule, went to practice, showed up early, stayed late, went without, so that the Gospel can go forth and Jesus be praised. That's what its all for- ANY one of those ministries- its for God to be worshipped, and the Gospel to go forth. It takes ALL of those people to make it work. One isn't there- it messes it up. And that doesn't include all the OTHER ministries that happen during the week- LRY, Rev, Spot, Women, Men, AND personal ministry- AND deacons, and Pastors and all of that- Its not ALL positional- but there are places where we really need help in this season- It takes us all. 1 Peter 4:10-11 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. But how do we get to that place?  First- you have to have a high view of your relationship with God-  Its something we talk about a lot here- we make Jesus the number one priority in our lives- And if you don't- then church might feel somewhat transactional- Parking may frustrate you, or loud Childrens ministry, or snacks being gone, or coffee running out. You might complain about the temp, the time, the teaching and the worship- Why? Possibly because you haven't transitioned past it being all about you and all for you. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”And I get it- life is rough- You got job, maybe spouse, kids, cars, cleaning, health, ugh ugh ugh. Can there be one place where its just about me and I don't have to do anything?Yes! Its called an all inclusive resort! I've never been to one- but I hear they are awesomeWe did go on a cruise for our 10 year- everytime we left the room come back to towel animalAll you can eat- do nothing- pampered- I once went to spa like that as well- But that aint church! Romans 12:3 Serve God with Spiritual Gifts For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.And that starts with a sober minded understanding of what Jesus did for you and that's all you need- Then- when you serve- you understand WHO its for and WHY its for it- Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheri...

https://youtu.be/0dbexAC-_Yo God Forbid! Romans 6 Romans 6 old flesh Adam v. New creation in Jesus, Romans 7- trying to fight against sin by obedience to the law, Romans 8- freedom over sin in the Spirit These are the chapters that gave me victory over the flesh and sin- victory over our thoughts, anxieties, depression, all fear, any despair, our wicked desire and passions and our past….if you will receive it What does this mean? Do we continue to sin so that grace may abound? GOD FORBID. Many put grace and law opposed to one another, they are not in opposition but in apposition. A grace-filled relationship with God and an obedient commandment-keeping relationship with God are both part of a Spirit-filled overcoming, liberated lifestyle. Both are the fruit of love.  Paul tells us the law can never justify us in the site of God because the law lacks the power to overcome sin and our fleshly desires. But, through the new life in the Spirit, we can have complete victory over our sin. Those who have been baptized into Christ were baptized in His death in order to walk in newness of life. Paul refers to water baptism as a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We show our kinship to His death by water baptism. My home church always referred to it as a “water grave”. It is a picture of us dying to our old man, old ways, the sinful flesh of Adam and being buried under the water of baptism and raised a new man in Christ.  Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. There is something magical that happens in the waters of baptism. It is more than just symbolic- it is God's will and plan as a tangible display of death to self. I remember actually having my eyes opened and seeing clearly. God does something in the waters of baptism. If you have truly been born again of the Spirit of God, water baptism will be more than just a religious activity. If you have not been baptized, you need to be. It is a command of God- why would you not obey? Now, this does not save you, as many get baptized out of superstition. But are you really saved if you are not baptized? How can you deny this Scripture? God wants us to walk in the new man. (read v.4) Our old man (the sinful flesh of Adam) was crucified with Christ (through baptism) in order that our body of sin would be done away with, so that we are no longer slaves of sin. A dead man is freed from sin. Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? We are told that whatever nature we give ourselves over to- we become a slave to. If we give ourselves over to our sinful nature, the nature of Adam, we become slaves to our sinful nature. A slave has to obey their master. If you are a slave to sin, then sin is your master. Paul tells us that through our death and burial and resurrection through the waters of baptism- we are freed from sin because our old nature died and was raised a new creation in Christ. We take on a new nature- the nature of Jesus. We are then freed from our old nature- freed from sin. Sin is no longer our master therefore has no more authority over us. Reckon yourself dead to sin, but alive to Christ. Reckon yourself means to “take an inventory”. Take an inventory of your life. Who is your master? Are you serving your flesh, the old nature of Adam? Or are you walking in newness of life as a new creation- a freed man? Free from sin? Free from anxiety, fear and depression? THEREFORE- do not let sin reign. DO not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin. Sin no longer has any dominion over you. Why would you go back into its slavery? Become a slave to righteousness.

https://youtu.be/Ikp4pcOBMdk Sow what?  What we do with the Word of God matters to us- How we receive it, what we do with it, and how we apply it to our lives matters. The parable of the sower is what we are going to cover today- big portion of scripture- but we must cover it all at once because Jesus himself is going to explain to us what the parable meansJesus said this about this parable-Mark 4:13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?The primacy of understanding and applying this parable cannot be understated- if you are in this room today- you need to lean in, remove distractions, internalize and apply this sermon today-your very soul is as stake- you must understand it! READ Matthew 13:1-8 Now- we'll get into the meaning of this in a moment- because later in the scripture Jesus explains this to us himself- so just hold on and we'll get to it but let me give you a sneak peek- The seed is the Word. God's ONLY tool is the Word of God. Everything He does, He does through the Word!The sower is God. He is scattering seed daily and Satan is trying to pick it up.The ground is you. The ground determines all the results of the sowing.So your job- is make sure you are good ground to receive the word so you don't end up like the other ground- anyone who has planted will tell you- soil prep is paramount!Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.Matthew 13:10-17Before we get to the explanation- his disciples ask him “why do you speak to us in parables” Fair question- some of these parables are easy- but some are cryptic- but they all MEAN something- Jesus is speaking to his disciples to direct THEM (why unsaved cant ed. Me) There's 2 parts to that answer- first part is that it is a fulfillment of prophecy- Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.'Which is to say- this prophecy is fulfilled- I'm speaking stuff but there's some people who aren't going to understand it- they just aren't- that's been the plan all along- Here's the second part- the use of parables is a judgment upon those who are hearing that are in sin because of their unbelief, so Jesus pronounces judgment on them in that they can't understand- God's judgment is upon those who reject the message- One commentary said this- their present moral blindness and deafness are represented as the reason for the use of parables. Parables are themselves the punishment; the people are fit for nothing elseThey have the ABILITY to hear and understand, but they don't have the WILLINGNESS to apply it to actually grow in their acceptance of Jesus- so Jesus refuses to plainly speak to them- they can just be confused until they are ready to receive it. He says- v14 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.'But he has this encouragement to those who are willing to hear- 16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.Here's what I want to do- right now- bow your head and close your eyes- do you want to know what Jesus is saying? Do you want to understand what he is trying to do in your heart? Its like this- have you ever been in a situation that someone is trying to explain to you how to do something, and its not that easy, so you act dumb so they will just get frustrated and do it themselves? You're unwilling to learn! Or- Have you ever had someone explain something to you in...

https://youtu.be/WndpsNKJzaw Adam vs Jesus (Romans 5:12-21) *Verses in NKJV, except for one in NLT* - Genesis 2:15-16, Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” - Genesis 3:6, So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. - God was walking through the garden and asked Adam what happened. Adam blamed the woman, the woman blamed the snake… But who did God give the command to in the first place!? (Adam) - This is the original sin. When death entered the world. “Everything is all Adam's fault!” - It's easy for us to throw Adam under the bus for this. Consider his actions… - Adam violated all of the “manhood principles” with a cascading effect! (Sin leads to more sin!) - *POP QUIZ*, men: - What are the manhood principles as defined by God? (RAL-E) (Reject passivity, Accept responsibility, Lead courageously, Expect the greater reward) - What are a man's responsibilities? (A Work to do, a Will to obey, a Woman to love) - Adam first stood passively by while the serpent deceived his wife and got her to do the one thing God told Adam shouldn't be done. - Adam then hid from God in the bushes like a coward, and when God called him out, he failed to accept responsibility and instead blamed it all on his wife. - He chose the immediate perceived pleasure of the apple, foregoing the great reward God had planned for them in the Garden, thus condemning all of mankind to toil, struggle, and death. - It is easy to say it was Adam's fault, and want to blame someone else for our sins. IRONICALLY, that would cause us to do the very thing we are condemning him for; not taking responsibility. - Consider your own actions! Being passive in your life, blaming your spouse, instant gratification… - Sin entered the world through Adam, but WE are accountable for our own sins! If you don't accept and recognize our yown sin, you can never truly accept or understand your need for a Savior. - Romans 12:3, For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. - The reality is, that if you were Adam or Eve, you would have eventually done the same thing. And if you don't believe that, then you still have unrecognized sin in your heart that needs to be dealt with. - Our only hope is Jesus. Through one man sin entered the world. Through one man sin is defeated! * Read Romans 5:12-21 * 1. Adam vs Jesus. (Flesh vs Spirit)  (This is all setting up the difference between where we stand, with Christ, or without Christ.) - The bible describes these two men in terms of the 1st Adam, and the 2nd Adam or “last Adam”. - “Adam” is both the name of the original man, and also the Hebrew word for “human” or “mankind”. - 1 Cor. 15:45-47, And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. - Let's compare and contrast these two: - Adam: The first man, father of our flesh. This is our natural “first born” state of existence. - Pure biology (Food, Sex, Energy conservation). Our entire culture is focused on these things! (Advertising, sit-coms, technology, Amazon, even our ideas about relationships… self-serving) - “Romans 7” Man, “Nothing good lives in me… I want to do what is good,

https://youtu.be/05Pnves03F4 The Family of God Matthew 12:46-50 READPsalm 68:6 says that God sets the solitary in families, and that's true- I love that I am in the Family of God. I have bro an sis all over the world that I love with a deep abiding love. Most people would say that we should love our families and the Biblical truth is that we should1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.The Bible is clear we should take care of our families.The Bible is clear we are to take care of our children and that we should honor our parents. Our birth families deserve honor. Exodus 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. But Jesus also makes it clear here (and in other places) that the will of God trumps the will of the family. That our highest devotion, commitment and love should be for God alone.  Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.This is a hard message in a world that idolizes and worships family as the center of everything. Family becomes identity, a thing to worship, and where it becomes a problem is when it gets between you and your relationship with God. I love my family. Love my wife and kids.  But I'm not going to let my relationship with them get in the way of my relationship with God and doing his will. No way. Not doing that. Lets talk a bit about the family of God, priorities and doing the will of God.  The family of God  Family was instituted by God. There are actually 4 governments instituted by God, Civil, Ecclesiastical, individual and Family government. There is government established within Families ordained by God. Man and Woman married, procreating, raising kids to know JesusThis family unit was established by God in Genesis and perpetuates throughout the Bible. All throughout the Bible- the lineages of families are part of the process for Global salvation. The Bible, in many places uses the descriptors of a family unit as the descriptor of the family of God- that means that God values family, that he desires families to show his gloryThese people whom you gather with to worship with and spend time with are not merely your fellow attenders at this church. We're a household of God- he is the Father we are his kids- (this is why I reject that we are all God's children) – we weep, show joy, live together, live lifeGalatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are the household of faith (my closest friends are Christian- they share the same love) I attended a gym with people. I worked with people. I live on a street with people. But the family of God is much different- the church is much different. The Bible says that we are the Body of Christ- that Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.Which simultaneously gives credence to the value of earthly family to be used as an example of the family of God while also elevating the family of God. It says we're the children of God 1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name. It says we're adopted- Ephesians 1:5 Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will1 timothy uses these examples of how a church family should operate1 Tim 5:1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers,

https://youtu.be/vawlR1wB7Gc If you really knew! Romans 5:1-11(Esv) Paul is educating the Christian Jews that, since they have been Justified (Been made right) by Faith (Believing God) they have peace with God through Jesus Christ That our sins that separated us from God are no more because of Jesus ChristHe has forgiven us and remembers them no more – Unlike our human forgiveness The Blood of Jesus has given us access to the Father The curtain was cut, and now we don't need a priest to go to God for us (Huge deal)This is such a great thing that we need to rejoice and exult (feel or show triumphant elation or jubilation) in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God (Big deal)Not only that but let's rejoice and exult the same way when we face troubles, rejoice in our suffering Suffering produces endurance (an unpleasant or difficult process or situation without giving way)Endurance produces character (Who we become – we are more like Christ)Character produces hope (a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen)Such hope never disappoints – why because it has already been demonstrated by God giving up His only Son to die for us so that you and I can have a relationship with God!Romans 5:6 While we were yet in weakness (Helpless) at the appointed time, Christ died for us Paul goes on to show that it may be that one can give his/her life for a noble, generous, or lovable person But! Romans 5:8 (ampc) God shows and clearly proves His (own) love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for usNow that He has already saved us while we are still sinners, He will certainly save us from God's condemnation by the Blood of Jesus (assurance)Because while we were enemies, God sent His son to die for us Paul concludes in vs 11 by saying that this should be a great celebration because of what we know, have been set free from and have been guaranteedHead knowledge vs Heart knowledge These are the core Christian believes and it's easy to say that we know them but do we really? Ask any Christian if they are at peace with God, and that they know God How is the relationship between them and God, and most will have some kind of answer Just like Paul, I am asking as I remind you of God's love, do you really know what this mean for you and everyone elseDo you really know to what length God has gone to get this relationship right?  If you really knew how much God loves you - Your relationship with Him would be different  Let it sink that while you and I were sinners, Christ died for us He didn't choose to create a new generation but choose to send His only Son to die for us The story of the prodigal son – Luke 15 Luke 15:21-22 (Nkjv)- And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' “But the father said to his servants, [c]‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  (Father I am no longer worthy to be called your son)A new robe, having dragged the old one in the pig's filth, - not only that but...you are restored, and God chooses to live in you and I What else does He have to do, to show you that you are loved As if restoration is not enough, when we accept Him, He pours the Holy Spirit to be our everythingYou have been given power in the name of Jesus, by the Blood of Jesus If you really knew the thoughts He had towards you would seek a closer relationship Matthew 10:29-31 (Nkjv)Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?[a] And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. ... For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only So...

https://youtu.be/0lkXf2RIeNg TITLE 7 other Spirits more wicked Today is Reformation Sunday! Today I'm going to use our scripture that we're in Matthew, to illustrate a point about Martin Luther, the catholic church and why receiving Christ is paramount to livingOur Scripture for Today is Matthew 12:43 -45 READThe explanation of this verse is connected to the context of what Jesus is trying to explain to the l- Jesus says- I am the savior, the chosen one- receive me as Savior and all will be wellHe uses an allegorical example of a Demon as an example- if demon leaves a man, there must be something to replace what has left, or 7 more demons come back and make it even worse. Which- pertaining to Israel- if they reject Christ (in their current sinful state) and Christ leaves them, the only option that is that 7 times the amount of demons will overtake them without receiving Christ.- This is true for Israel- it is true for us- we can't have an empty house. Do you know what a squatter is? I read a story of a guy who has been in a house since 98- do you know what squatters do? Look for vacant houses- they don't move into where someone isThose who reject Christ are found in the end, worse of than the beginning- bc of empty house2 Peter 2:21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.The simple answer is- Don't reject Christ or you're not going to turn out well. This is what was happening during the time of the protestant reformation (the time when Christians broke off from the Catholic Church) The Catholic church WAS Christianity and it was in disrepair- it had wholly become something that was not doing what it was supposed to do- setting people free from sin- quite opposite- it was freeing people to sin- The pope in the early 1500s was Leo X- a man who history has not regarded well- The supreme leader of the catholic church at the time- used money from the church for his own art, allowed people to buy their way into heaven, he enlisted other cardinals to collect money for his personal use. Many claim he wasn't even a professing Christian- but pope nonetheless He was quoted as saying “How very profitable this fable of Christ has been to us through the ages.”. And that's what he did- used Christ for his own Gain- He was- in fact- not a Christian while leading the global Christian church at the timeA man, who rejected Christ, who found himself 7 times worse because he had not ChristThis is an historical example of a man without Christ- all of the outward appearances of godliness- a pope, a leader, the right clothes, words, actions and power- all useless in his pursuit of righteousness- because of his refusal to accept the simple offer of Salvation that Christ offers- he was an empty house that an evil spirit moved into. Its people like this that profane the name of Christ that people use as a reason to not accept Christ- people who are CINA Christians in Name only- Rejection of Christ and reception of evil because the house is found emptyHere's a truth- there is a no-option option- every- body- house- has a spirit choose to receive Christ- We know we're spirits- “stinky Stanley” “That isn't you- you're matthew be matthew” And so today is the 504th anniversary of Martin Luthers day of ReformationI Think its important that we celebrate it today- it encapsulates why we are not CatholicIts important because it encapsulates who we are as protestants. (People wonder these things) Over 504 years ago on 31 oct 1517 there was a monk named Martin luther who nailed 95 thesis on to the door of a church in GermanyThe church door in those days was like a facebook wall- it invited debate on an issue. Someone printed a bunch of copies (thanks to Gutnebergs new press) and the rest is historyLuthers parents wanted him to be a lawyer, but while in law school he was almost struck by lightening.

https://youtu.be/_1krxP9rni8 Genesis 28:11-17 - Pastor Allan Genesis 28:11-17 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it[a] stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.[b] 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” faithandvictory.com/encounters For more sermons please visit our SERMON PAGE Please subscribe to our YOUTUBE PAGE

https://youtu.be/EnxaqjnS80A Sweet Aroma: Pastor Appreciation Day 2021 (2 Cor. 2:14-17) *All verses in NKJV* (Talk about Matt and Crystal) - A little more than 18 yrs ago, I was there when Pastor Matt and Pastor Crystal planted FVC. - I've seen it grow from just a few people in an elementary School, to where we are today. - Working 2 jobs, raising kids, full time ministers… making many sacrifices along the way. - They have had other opportunities. Example: Larger church that offered him a job, meaning he would have to close FVC. But he didn't take it, because God called him to lead us! And he obeyed. - Their hearts are not focused on what they can get from God, but how they can serve him better. - Praise God that they obeyed the Lord, because I have seen it change countless lives here, as they share the unadulterated gospel with anyone who will listen. - They have made FVC a treasure, and because of that, they have become a treasure to us.  - Example: I don't know where I would be without them. They are encouragers, steadfast, loyal, and an example for all of us to follow… - They are a treasure to us because they have made it a priority to preach the whole truth and council of God. People need to hear the hard truth, not to be placated. Above all, that has become a sweet aroma to us who are saved, and a stern warning to those who are not.  - It is the smell of death to those who have chosen to live a life of sin, and that has often created friction, which they have gladly endured for the cause of Christ. - This leads me into today's scripture… 2 Cor. 2:14-17, Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. 1. Jesus uses us to spread his word. - Paul is creating a word picture here that is about more than what smells good or bad. The concept is one of victory or defeat. - In Rome, when a General returned from winning in battle, they would hold a victory parade, or a “Triumph march” to celebrate his victory over the enemy. - This would involve a long processional through large crowds lining the city streets including chariots, soldiers, the spoils of war, and the enemy captives taken during battle. The route would be lined with burning incense that would permeate through the whole city.  - 2 Cor. 2:14 (NLT), But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  - Paul uses a word picture of Christ being the victorious leader, and we are in his triumph march. We are his servants, led by him, with the goal of spreading the gospel everywhere.  - It is amazing how the word of God can change a life. You can't expect people to just figure it out. - Example: That's why Pastor Matt preaches the way he does. You can't dance around the truth and try to be PC, and hope someone catches it. You have to be straight forward and honest. - Romans 10:14-15, 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 unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” - It is great to serve and love people, but it is important for them to know why you are serving and loving them.

https://youtu.be/q6Sb8s1yons “As If!” In my best valley girl voice Romans 4:13-25 13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, 15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be [a]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did-- The dead are not dead to God, and things which be not, are to God alive—The seed of Abraham did not yet exist, nevertheless God said, So shall thy seed be. The multiplication of the seed presupposes the previous existence of the seed. God says to the light, whilst it is not in existence, just as if it already were, Come forth, come into existence.  Genesis 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. This phrase expresses the transitions from non-existence to existence by God's calling it forth. Ezekiel 36:29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. There is a false theology out there that says that we can speak things into existence and we will get what we speak. EX: lady at church I attended while Matt was in Egypt. I do not believe this. We are NOT God, but we are to have a firm faith in the Almighty and Eternal God who speaks things into existence. Our faith is in Him and His Word- not what we want Him to do for us. He is an awesome and mighty God. He is the Creator of all things and He holds the world in its existence by His Word. How can we not trust such a One as He? When HE speaks something, it is AS IF it has already transpired. It is sure His promises are AS IF they have already happened in our lives because of who HE is and they are sure to those who are unwavering and fully convinced. Because God speaks and it is, we can know: #1 The promise of God is sure. 16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be [a]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all  2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us the Apostle means two different things by the ‘yea' and the ‘amen' . The one is God's voice, the other is man's. The one has to do with the certainty of the divine revelation, the other has to do with the certitude of our faith in the revelation. When God speaks in Christ, He confirms everything that He has said before,

https://youtu.be/q1OqRZbTMWc Come and SeeI love donuts. Always have- I don't eat as many as I used to- last week had a bad donut day-I remember the first time I had a Krispy Kreme donut- changed my life- that hot light no jokeTold my grandpa about it- French pastry chef- poo-pooed about it- took him- 7 and he believedIt was something that I loved- that I knew that someone else loved- so I shared it with himHave you ever seen something cool and wanted to share it with someone? A rainbow, a sunset, a funny video? Gone to a great restaurant? “you got to see this video, movie” hear this songYou need to have the same commitment when It comes to sharing JesusPsalm 66:5 Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.On October 31- we are having an invite Sunday- and today that's what we're talking about-I want you to come away from this message with a commitment to invite one person- not even get one person to come- just invite one person- if we can get a handful of visitors- it will be great- make a commitment- be about that invite life.From Research- there's one specific reason that visitors come to church?The friendship factor. They asked more than 50,000 people over the last 10 years why they came to church, and between 75 and 90 percent of respondents say, “I began attending because someone invited me.”Only 2% of church people invite an unchurched person (Thom Ranier, 2003)One study found 37% of Christians linked their conversion to being invited to church (Unbinding the Gospel) showed 40% who joined first came because a friend invited.Don't invite people that have another church- not the plan- unchurched- non-Christians why is evangelism importantWe want to give God as much glory as possible- because he is worth it- when we lead more people to Him, it gives him more glory- its more people to worship himSalvation benefits God the most, and us secondly- the truth is that people have better lives when they are Christians- so why would we not want them to experience it?Heaven sounds better than Hell any day of the week. The God life is the best life.Here's another reason- its mandated by scripture- this is a mandate I'm all for-Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.These words were spoken by Jesus at the end of his earthly ministry before he ascended into heaven- its often said that the last words that someone says before they leave is most important- GO and CONVERT and TEACHWe, as the people of God who have been converted are to go and convert other people- our salvation was never intended for ourselves- it is for God and Others for HIS benefit (mostly him)We should be about our fathers business-I get it- life is hard- and even myself- its easy to get consumed with our own problems and our own issues and the things that are going on with us- Chicken coop- all I think about (food distro)Marriage, kids, finances, work, world, hobbies, etc. It's a a consuming lifeAnd its east to get so sucked into it- that we forget that as Christians- our life is not our own- we are blessed to be a blessing- saved to save others- dead to help others liveAnd so it takes a lot of mind energy- to stay focused and remember to evangelizeHonestly- I don't need the rejection and the pain- I don't need the embarrassmentActs 13:47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.' ”We are that light- we are that varisty team- that's what we are supposed to be doingRomans 10:14 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?This week- talking to someone who invited someone to Chur...

https://youtu.be/i4fTzZnHLJ8 Intro story-Guys testimony That man was made righteous the moment he believed God is who He says He is He knew that God could redeem him He wasn't made righteous by the act of placing his drugs on the altar He believed God, was made righteous then immediately laid down his addiction in an act of faith and has been living for the Lord since that day Romans 4:1-12 4 What then shall we say that Abraham our father[a] has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was [b]accounted to him for righteousness.” 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted [c]as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” 9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. Pauls audience were Jews and Gentiles at the moment Jewish leaders at the time would teach justification by works That's why paul is using the reference of Abraham in the old testament He is showing the jewish rabbis through it, that Abraham was justified by faith in God and not by works Abraham Is called the father of faith because “he believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness” Abraham did many good works that men would boast about and commend Jewish leaders would proudly proclaim the direct lineage of Abraham and boast about being physical descendants They thought just because they were direct descendants that it gave them special favor and merit with God as if through Abraham they were made righteous They thought through association they were justified in the eyes of God They would even teach, even though wrongly, that their offspring was automatically justified and made righteous by default Paul was letting them know that righteousness is not inherited It is not gained by good works either It cant be obtained by keeping the law, religious ceremonies, or passed down from a parent Righteousness is only obtained by believing God is who He says He is It is gained through faith by believing Jesus Christ did everything on the cross We are not justified by any work that we could ever do or by our own merit But by faith alone Romans 4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God Abraham did many good works that gained the favor of man The works he did gained mans approval But that's not what justified him in the eyes of God Men thought Abraham was justified and made righteous by his works And in the eyes of men, his works are what justified him But good works aren't what justifies us with God, Its our faith Abraham did many incredible works including almost sacrificing his son Known as one of the most faithful moments he had with God But even before those works Abraham was made righteous

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dqZbEVfsiA Jesus GoatTalk about Invite Sunday (Oct 31) Matthew 12:38-42 JESUS IS THE G.O.A.T. What is Jesus saying here- He's saying to these Pharisees that want proof that he's already given them proof enough and that they shouldn't need any more proof. He's done enough. He calls them adulterous for wanting a sign and says- you'll get the same sign as Jonah- a man who goes into the deep for 3 days and comes out and tells you to start living for God and not your sin. And then he says- I'm greater than Jonah. I'm greater than Solomon. Just watch what happens. I think we all at some point have tested God- Either we tested him with our mouth, our actions. We've prayed prayers that we wanted to use as a test to see if God was real or he would movePeople are always enamored with people who are the “Best” at something- consequently, the amount of people who are, is much less than when you could be the best in your town. We follow a savior who is the greatest of all time- he is the man, the one, the one and only. Title of Todays message- Jesus is the G.O.A.T.  Jesus didn't have to give them proof- he was the GOAT - Jesus Goat 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.On numerous occasions, Jesus did in fact give them many proofs. Water into wine, healing the sick, rasing the dead. Fulfilling prophecy- but it wasn't enoughLook back at John chapter 9- this man, who was born blind was healed by Jesus- and the response of the pharisees was to challenge his healing, accuse his parents, and then cast him out for testifying the truthTheir reply to him was- john 9:28 Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses' disciples. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”When Jesus says- “an adulterous generation seeks after a sign” he's using word language here that shows the relationship that Israel had with Jehovah- namely a bride and her husbandSame imagery as the church and Jesus in the new testamentAnd to use this adulterous language is to say- you're cheating on your spouse- you're not sticking with the relationshipThe adultery of the Jews before Jesus was that they didn't trust God- they didn't keep idols out of their lives and worshipped other gods- God called them adulterers for this- The Jews of the OT had many many signs to show them that God was God- (Manna, parting of the red sea, floating axe head, parting of the Jordan, water from a rock,  people healed, destruction of armies, sun standing still, the firey furnace, Daniel in the Lions den etc etc etc) Jesus is saying- How many more signs do you need bro? do you not remember what I've already done? Your heart has already turned?1 Corinthians 1:22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;So he says- the only sign you're going to get is the sign of Jonah- The people of Ninevah repented when Jonah told them to- and they had much less evidence than Jesus had given these pharisees- and they had turned from evil- but why not now?Jesus says- I'll give you one more sign- but its going to be me dying and raising from the deadWhat does it mean to you?Are you holding Jesus hostage because of something he hasn't done for you?People do this often- they put a limit on what they will respond to God- until “this” or they will serve him until “This” – they are wanting some sort of “sign” they want more ‘proof' I've seen it more times than I can count- not serving Jesus because of something that happened to them, something wont happen for them, OR even worse- seeing God do something and then not serving him- On facebook seeing people enjoying what they had prayed for Its an adulterous generation- Seen people get married, marriages saved, kids born,

https://youtu.be/MXQiwGqdohA FAITH OR LAW?  YOUR CHOICE Romans 3:27-31 NLT “Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.   29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course, He is. 30 There is only one God, and He makes people right with Himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. 31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do, we truly fulfill the law.” Can we boast about salvation, that we did anything to be accepted by God?  NO! It is by faith that we are saved not by the works we do.  Can you imagine if it was by works that we were saved?  First of all, that would be a lot of hard work trying attain eternal life. I can't imagine what church would look like…I assume it would look more like corporate offices, some acting better than others because of their achievements, others fighting and backstabbing to get to the top, there would be a lot of competition and comparisons, and others would probably be discouraged and give up because they would probably feel like they can't keep up with all the craziness.  BUT praise God that it is only by faith that we are saved, we can't boast that we have done anything to be accepted by God. “Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Gal 6:14 NKJV “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  According to Galatians 3:19 The purpose of the law was to show people that their sinful actions are offenses against God. It was designed to last only until the promised child, the Messiah. The Jews we were all about obeying the law, they observed the sabbath, fasted, prayed at required times, followed required rituals, tithed etc.; which there is nothing wrong with the fact that they did these things, the problem was that this to them was just a routine, it wasn't about their faith in God or a need for a relationship with Him.  Jews believed it was all about works.They believed as long as they did what the law required of them, then they were righteous before God.   They honored the Mosaic law (which was given by God, yet they rejected Jesus.  (Sounds like what is happening today.  Many call themselves Christians, yet their lifestyles clearly reject Jesus.)  They pick and choose what scriptures they want to follow.  The Jews clearly rejected scriptures like Isaiah 53 that talks about the coming Messiah who would be despised and rejected by His very own. Their faith was not in God but in His laws. Some current churches – homosexuality We can fool people, but we can't food God. It doesn't matter how perfectly we try to follow the laws of God, at some point, actually at many points we all fall short of His glory. Romans 3:10 NKJV “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Romans 3:23 NKJV “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” It is only by faith and the power of Christ within us that we can live a life pleasing to Him. 28 “So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.”   Are you doing good deeds (obeying the law) instead of following God's leading? The Bible has made it clear that it's not by obeying the law that we are made right with God but through faith.  The pharisees were perfect examples of law keepers.  They worked hard to keep the laws and even condemned those that did not do the same.  BUT sadly, they had no relationship with God.  God does not look at our outward actions to determine our salvation, He looks at the heart.

https://youtu.be/hLUOjn-n0Yc Are you Good? Matthew 12:33-37Jesus is describing here, immediately after going into a few doctrinal statements- is saying to his disciples- if you want to see if you're where you need to be- check your fruitAnd the fruit is easy to see- it comes from mouth, what you do, and pay attention bc at judgment day you're going to answer for everything you said and did. YIKES! Did your stomach sink? Mine did! I want to get this right- I want to honor God- I want have fruit. I want to look at the fruit, examine it- and if it aint good- get it RIGHTMy neighbor- tons of grapes- “have all you want” yeah man- seeded grapes- Not great fruit. Still fruit- but not great fruit. I want great fruit. You should want great fruit.  1.Good tree good fruit 33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.Jesus continually used agrarian examples for his disciples because they are immediately known to them, but quickly applicable to anyone for thousands of years- good tree good fruit. Bad tree bad fruit. Years ago- watching one of those go out into wilderness and try not to die shows- they found a tree with pretty fruit- everyone buy like 2 people didn't eat it- everyone else lost and went home almost dying. Looked good- even tasted good- but it wasn't a good tree and it wasn't good fruit. toxicLuke 6: 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.Jesus wants his disciples to have good fruit from a good tree. A tree is going to be known by it fruit- what does it produce?Jesus is the tree- he produces good fruit he wants the same from his dsiciples. Matthew 7:16 JESUS Said- You will know them by their fruits. Everyone in this room knows what Jesus means- it really doesn't even require an explanation. Good fruit is sweet, flavorful, satisfying, nutritious, easy to pick and reproduce, and everyone loves it. No one wants bad tasting fruit from any tree- no one. You cant give it away. And he says “Make the tree good” you have to get at the root to make this happen. If you are a bad tree you are not going to make good fruit- it has to be a good tree and Jesus says “make the tree good. What does it mean to you?How do we make a tree good? Starts with good ground prep. I like to research stuff. I research stuff that I never do anything with but when I'm bored on the internet that's what I do. Building a boat etc. I researched how to get a good apple tree and site prep is paramount! Where you plant it, when, how, the soil, all of it- if you want to get good fruit. Whats the root of the Christian? Repentance. Now- people say that isn't the root of Jesus but repentance is turning to Jesus- its being rooting and grounded in him. Be planted in him. Not yourself.  And if you haven't repented to Jesus- it is impossible to bear good fruit. When Jesus said in Matthew 3:8 8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance,He was describing it quite aptly- turn towards Jesus be grounded in him, you produce good fruitEzekiel 18:31 Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed,  and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?This is an eternal Gospel truth- turn from sin, get a new heart, have good fruit. Many people don't have this because they haven't been converted- they are trying to do it alone on their own strength. And like that sickly tree- look good, taste good, but toxic on insideJohn 15:4-7 READ 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.Abide in Jesus- and you produce good fruit! Jeremiah 2:21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, a seed of highest quality. How then have you turned before Me Into the degenerate plant of an alien vine?You're a good seed- don't turn into a degenerate plant. Good soil.

https://youtu.be/KNBxPPDxWIY The greatest interruption (Gospel)                                                      Romans 3:21-26 Last week, Pastor Jay spoke about how we are all on a boat/ship – the Titanic (How we choose to be rescued depends on our self-examinationOur reading today, reminds us of the steps that were taken before we were born, in order to rescue you and IGod knew that we were sinner, that He would have to send His only Begotten Son to die for usThat no matter how good, He set us up and provide ways to seek forgiveness, we were still going to depart from the truthHe sent His Son, that ….And whoever (no limit) believes in Him will not loose His life but have eternal lifeWilliam Tyndale – The man who translated the Bible to English: What do we call the Gospel? – it's a Greek word signifying good, merry, glad, joyful news: that makes man heart glad and makes him sing, dance and leap for joyRomans 3:22- 24 (NLT) - We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.  For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.God knew that when He created us, we would betray Him, yet He still choose usThe idea that He choose us still puzzles meYet, I believe that His Word is true – Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hopeWe are in a time when the future is dim and hope is diminishing (The Exiled Jews)John 16:20 (Nkjv) Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joyJohn 14:3 - And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be alsoHe interrupted sinNo one likes to be interrupted – However some interruptions are best:Stop the continuous progress of (an activity or process)Break the continuity of (a line or surface)One of my wife's and I best interruptions – California to WashingtonLiving the way of the worldGoing to churchStaying as good peopleAnd that is what Romans 3:21 (NLT) is talking about that God showed us a way to be made right without keeping the outside rituals – but a true heart changeThe law – outside acts to doing things yet the heart condition is the sameRomans 3:25 ( Ampc) – Whom God put forward [[a]before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishmentIn order to understand forgiveness, we have to remember what we have been saved fromWhat a joy, that my/ our past sins have been passed over by the blood and of Jesus- They have been ignored, without punishment- Hallelujah The Gospel is a mirror: It's an honest mirrorOne that allows us, if we are willing to examine, to face our short coming, and know that we are not judged if we repent, know that we can come to the mercy seat and cast down our burdensEzekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of fleshThis is the spiritual transformation promised in the new covenant. Instead of the law working from the outside in, God promised a new heart to work from the inside out.One that can feel, and that can enjoy; that can feel love to God and to all men, and be a proper habitation for the living God.We need to look no furtherThe Gospel exposes us – Romans 3:22 (ampc) Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

https://youtu.be/haGlz7ulCtM Matthew 12:31-32 Have you ever seen in a movie when they say, “under no circumstances do this” and then interrupted? This is a very contested and often misunderstood scripture in the Bible. You better get this rightIN this verse Jesus says- you can do anything and be forgiven except for one thingNow if I were you- I'd want to know what that one thing is. We serve a God that forgives sin and welcomes us into his kingdom- but there actually is something he wont forgive? Yes. Get this RIGHTWhat does the term blasphemy even mean?Basically “defiant irreverence”- you are rebellious in heart and action have no holy reverence of God or willfully degrading things that are of GodBlasphemy is also attributing evil to God, or denouncing good as not of himThis defiant irreverence is the unique sin of openly mocking God and intentionally speaking evil against God. Defaming him. Mocking him. Your mouth speaking. Your lifestyle speaking. Direct rebelliousness towards God's holy ways. You don't want to do this. God does not like itIn a worldly sense it would be like a child who is well cared for saying they aren't or that their parents acted with impure motives or intent. Speaking against their character and powerIt is when God moves and we say he didn't. Someone isn't forgiven, that move wasn't of the spirit, that God is evil for what he has done, that God doesn't exist, that God doesn't saveLev 24:16 had the punishment of death by stoning for blasphemyIn the book of Revelation blasphemy is described as the characteristic of those who are rebellious and oppose God- I'm always surprised when professing Christians blaspheme God- He's watching. Blasphemy is serious business. Its not something to be toyed with or allowed. God will forgive blasphemy, Jesus said that people would be forgiven of it if it is confessed and repented of. blasphemer who repents can be forgiven- paul was a blasphemer. But there's one thing NOT forgiven1 Timothy 1:13-14 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.“Christ Jesus came into the world,” the apostle continues, “to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” (v. 15). Peter blasphemed Christ with curses (Mark 14:71) and was forgiven and restored.Even a believer can blaspheme, since any thought or word that sullies or defames the Lord's name constitutes blasphemy. To question God's goodness, wisdom, fairness, truthfulness, love, or faithfulness is a form of blasphemy. All of that is forgivable by grace. IF YOU REPENT1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”).Now to our verse- 31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.Scholars have debated and continue to debate the meaning of this verse. Lets go through them All are bad. Don't do any of them. I think we can agree what the essence of the sin is  There is a blasphemy that can be forgiven, there is a blasphemy that cannot The blasphemy that CAN be forgiven is one that you have repented of and asked forgiveness ofGods heart- 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.Those words were written by the Apostle Peter—and if anyone was guilty of denying Christ, it was Peter. Peter denied Christ and sent him to the crossBut Peter repented, and God forgave him—completely and totally.