Audio Sermons From Kingdom Life Church in Simpsonville, SC. Messages shared from Senior Pastor Alex Sands. Kingdom Life Church is located at 416 Holland Road, Simpsonville, SC 29681. Sunday Morning Worship begins at 10:15 AM. Wednesday night Bible Study begins at 7:00 PM.
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2-20-22 The Mustard Seed and The Leaven
The Sermon is from this week, the praise and worship is from a prior Sunday. Please watch the entire video to see this week's message.
12-12-21 The Lord of the Sabbath Pt2_video
12-5-21 The Lord of the Sabbath Pt 1
"You Don't Know What You Want" Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) November 14, 2021 Matthew 11:16–24 16 “To what should I compare this generation? It's like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to other children: 17 We played the flute for you, but you didn't dance; we sang a lament, but you didn't mourn! 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” 20 Then he proceeded to denounce the towns where most of his miracles were done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented in sackcloth and ashes long ago. 22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until today. 24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” What was Jesus' assessment of His generation? 1. They don't know what they want, but they don't want . Luke 12:47–48 CSB 47 And that servant who knew his master's will and didn't prepare himself or do it will be severely beaten. 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected. 2. They don't know what they want, but God isn't a . James 4:17 CSB 17 So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it. The Life Questions: 1. What principle did you learn or were reminded of during the message? 2. What did the Lord reveal to you about you? 3. What changes are you going to make this week as a result? 4. Did you do what the Lord told you to do last week?
Who's Your One: "The Importance of One" Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: Who's Your One Scripture: Acts 8:26–40 September 12, 2021 Acts 8:26–39 CSB 26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) 27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem 28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” 30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you're reading?” 31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this: He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who will describe his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. 34 The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or someone else?” 35 Philip proceeded to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning with that Scripture. 36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there's water. What would keep me from being baptized?” 38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer but went on his way rejoicing. Every is important to the Lord. Isaiah 53:6–7 CSB 6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth. Luke 15:4–7 CSB 4 “What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 When he has found it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, 6 and coming home, he calls his friends and neighbors together, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!' 7 I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don't need repentance. Philip's encounter with the eunuch reminds us we need to be witnesses that are: 1. . Romans 10:14 CSB 14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 1 Peter 3:15 CSB 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 2. . 3. . Colossians 2:9–10 NKJV 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: Who's Your One Scripture: Acts 16 September 5, 2021 Acts 16:11–34 CSB 11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city of the district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for several days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there. 14 A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. 16 Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us she cried out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation, are the servants of the Most High God.” 18 She did this for many days. Paul was greatly annoyed. Turning to the spirit, he said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews 21 and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully. 24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains came loose. 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison standing open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don't harm yourself, because we're all here!” 29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had come to believe in God with his entire household. Notes: 1. The Lord called the team to a mission and they responded with expectation. 2. The team faced and opposition. Ephesians 6:12 CSB 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 3. The team God do more that day than they could imagine. Philippians 1:12 CSB 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually advanced the gospel,
Who's Your One: "On Earth As It Is In Heaven" Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Who's Your One (2021) / Evangelism / Acts 10:1–48; Matthew 9:35–38 Matthew 9:35–38 CSB 35 Jesus continued going around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” Acts 10:34–48 CSB 34 Peter began to speak: “Now I truly understand that God doesn't show favoritism, 35 but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. 37 You know the events that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and healing all who were under the tyranny of the devil, because God was with him. 39 We ourselves are witnesses of everything he did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem, and yet they killed him by hanging him on a tree. 40 God raised up this man on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41 not by all the people, but by us whom God appointed as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be the judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and declaring the greatness of God. Then Peter responded, 47 “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days. Notes: 1. Jesus doesn't choose the best, he chooses the willing . 2. He chose us , not we Him. 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 CSB 13 But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 3. Our primary calling is to be with Him . 4. To follow Him, we have to leave all . Luke 14:26 NLT 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 5. He calls us to spiritually reproduce .
Labor Shortage Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) August 22, 2021 Matthew 9:35–38 ESV 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Why aren't there more laborers in the Lord's harvest ? Compassion: To have pity and great empathy towards someone, to the point you can feel it 'in your gut,' and take action on their behalf. Jesus' compassion for us motivated Him to leave heaven and give His life for our salvation. Labor Shortage Explanation #1: Lack of compassion . We won't compassionately sacrifice like Jesus unless we see people they way He does. Luke 10:30–34 ESV 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Labor Shortage Explanation #2: Lack of prayer for laborers to be sent . Colossians 4:2–4 ESV 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Labor Shortage Explanation #3: Lack of awareness that we've been sent .
He Opens the Eyes of the Blind Pastor Alex Sands Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 9:27–34 August 15, 2021 Matthew 9:27–34 ESV 27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.” Notes: 1. Blindness meant that the two men were (among other things): • Barred from the . • Assumed to be God's . • Dependent on the of others. 2. Restoring sight to the blind was a that only could do, and was a sign that the kingdom had come. Jesus is the only person in the Bible that . Psalm 146:8 ESV 8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. John 9:32–33 ESV 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” Isaiah 35:5–6 ESV 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; Luke 4:18 ESV 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 3. The two may have been blind, but their eyesight was 20/20. Jesus wants to open your eyes: 1. that without Jesus you're blind. Acts 26:17–18 ESV 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' John 3:19–20 ESV 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 2. that only Jesus can cure your blindness. 3. Go to Jesus , honestly, and without . 4. him. Be mindful that even when you're able to , you can not to . Luke 11:34–35 NLT 34 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. 35 Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.
"Breakthrough Faith" Pastor Alex Sands / General Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 9:18–26 August 8, 2021 Matthew 9:18–26 ESV 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. Mark 5:24–43 ESV 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?' ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Luke 8:40–55 ESV 40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. Breakthrough - an act or instance of moving through or beyond an obstacle . ‘Breakthrough' faith - faith that, in spite of obstacles and overwhelming odds, continues to seek the Lord and believe until He answers. One attribute that elevates faith to breakthrough faith is desperation . The woman's source of desperation: “I don't want to live life like this anymore.” Jairus' source of desperation: “I don't want to lose the life I have.” What keeps us from desperately seeking the Lord? 1. Fear of failure that leads to resignation . “Life will never be better than this.” 2. Fear of shame that leads to paralysis . “I don't want to lose what I have.”
Matthew's Conversion Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) Text: Matthew 9:9–17 August 1, 2021 Matthew 9:9–17 ESV 9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.” Why is Matthew's conversion so significant? 1. It's arguably the most dramatic and unexpected conversion in all the gospels. A. As a tax collector, Matthew was despised by everyone and considered irredeemable . B. He totally abandoned his old life in order to follow Jesus. C. Takeaway: Following Jesus means surrendering everything to Him and accepting the fact it may cost you more than others. Luke 5:27–28 ESV 27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. Matthew 13:44 ESV 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Philippians 3:7–8 ESV 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 2. It's arguably the most controversial conversion in all the gospels. A. Matthew and his house guests caused the Pharisees to question Jesus' morality and his authority to call disciples. B. The feast led John's disciples to question Jesus and his disciple's level of commitment . C. Takeaway: Following Jesus means tuning out distractions like self-righteous critics and empty traditionalism, and accepting his call to share the life giving gospel with all. Luke 5:33 ESV 33 And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” 3. It marks the first of many battles over righteousness based on works (old wineskin) vs faith (new wineskin). They are totally incompatible . Luke 5:39 ESV 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.' ”
Jesus Breaks Every Chain Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 8:28–34 July 18, 2021 Matthew 8:28–34 ESV 28 And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?” 30 Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.” 32 And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region. Luke 8:26–39 ESV 26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 When Jesus had stepped out on land, there met him a man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and said with a loud voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For many a time it had seized him. He was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.) 30 Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now a large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him to let them enter these. So he gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. 34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 36 And those who had seen it told them how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the surrounding country of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. What are demons? • Demons (a.k.a., unclean spirits) are fallen angels. They are spiritual beings created by God to worship and serve Him but gave their allegiance to Lucifer in his failed rebellion against God. • Demons can be the cause of illness, madness, and self mutilation. They also have the ability to inhabit and totally control people, which is called demonic possession. Mark 5:2–5 ESV 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 2 Peter 2:11 ESV 11 whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord. Notes: 1. Demons are , powerful, and have . them. Ephesians 6:12 ESV 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 2 Corinthians 10:4–5 ESV 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2. Jesus has and authority in heaven and on earth. _______ him. Philippians 2:10–11 ESV 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. James 2:19 ESV 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 3. Man has authority to accept or reject Jesus, so ______ ______ about Him.
What Did You Expect? Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) July 4, 2021 Matthew 8:14–22 ESV 14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” 18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 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.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Peter's mother-in-law's healing coincides with the theme of Matthew 8:1-15: The Kingdom of God is accessible to society's outsiders and outcasts . Mark 1:33 ESV 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Luke 4:40 ESV 40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. Don't fear going to Him, because: 1. No problem is too hard for the Lord to solve. 2. No individual is too broken for the Lord to heal. Hebrews 4:16 ESV 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The scribe's intent to follow Jesus meant he decided to become His disciple: someone committed to being with Jesus, learning from Him, and doing the things He did. Jesus says His disciples must come with: 1. No preconditions . 2. No rivals . Matthew 16:24 ESV 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke 14:26 ESV 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
Faith that Amazed Jesus Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) / Matthew 8:5–13 June 27, 2021 Matthew 8:5–13 ESV 5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,' and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,' and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. Luke 7:1–10 ESV 1 After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. 2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” 6 And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. 8 For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,' and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,' and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. The centurion's faith amazes us and it even amazed Jesus. But his faith is not the only amazing aspect of the story. What else is amazing? 1. The centurion's amazing character . Takeaway #1 - Stop profiling people. We're terrible at it! Profiling - is the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies. 2 Corinthians 5:16 ESV 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 2. The centurion's amazing insight into Jesus' authority . Takeaway #2 - Our faith and prayers are hindered when we call on the Lord's power but have not submitted to His authority . Colossians 3:17 ESV 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 1 John 3:21–22 NASB95 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 3. The Lord's amazing grace that all who call on Him have access into the kingdom of God. Takeaway #3 - Tell somebody there's still room at the table ! Luke 14:23 ESV 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.
"Decision Time (Part 3): I Never Knew You" Pastor Alex Sands, Kingdom Life Church Series: The King and His Kingdom (Gospel of Matthew) June 6, 2021 Matthew 7:21–23 ESV 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' The declaration that He has the exclusive authority to determine who enters heaven and who is banished is the most extraordinary claim Jesus has made so far. Jesus rejects this group even though: 1. They profess faith that Jesus is Lord. 2. They performed miraculous good deeds in His name. Mark 9:38–40 ESV 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. Romans 10:9 ESV 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Why doesn't Jesus allow them into heaven? When Jesus said, “I never knew you,” He meant, “I never knew you as a disciple because you never knew me as your Lord .” 1 John 2:4 ESV 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, John 8:31 ESV 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, In spite of their profession of faith and miraculous works, these were not true disciples of Christ because they never repented of their sins . 1 John 3:4–6 ESV 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Tragically many people point to their confession of faith or good works as evidence that they know Christ but will not enter the kingdom. The dead giveaway of a false follower: a spirit of entitlement . Luke 15:28–29 NLT 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. There is no substitute for personal discipleship . If you never want to hear Jesus say ‘I never knew you': 1. Slow down. 2. Get to know God. 3. Examine yourself. 2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV 5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
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