Living By Faith, Hope and Love

Who is Mark? 1. Peter's spiritual son 1 Peter 5:13 2. John Mark 3. Mark 14:51 Naked Boy A. Lazarus B. Rich Young Man C. 4. Born 10 years after Jesus Shortest gospel Fast moving- immediately, quickly, and now over 1000 references John Mark moms house is where Peter was being prayed for Acts 12 Just about the time Jesus was finished healing the ear of the servant of the high priest named Malchus, the Gospel of Mark tells us a naked young man was found in the Garden of Gethsemane. Mark 14:51,52 says, “And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: and he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.” Who was this young man? Why was he following Jesus? Why was he naked? Why was he draped in a linen cloth instead of wearing normal clothes? And why was the Holy Spirit so careful to include this unique story in Mark's account of the Gospel? What is the significance of this event? The key to identifying this young man lies in the “linen cloth” he had lightly draped about his body. The particular Greek word that is used for this “linen cloth” is used in only one other event in the New Testament — to depict the “linen cloth” in which the body of Jesus was wrapped for burial Matthew 27:59, Mark 15:46, and Luke 23:53). Thus, the only reference we have for this kind of cloth in the New Testament is that of a burial shroud used for covering a dead body in the grave. Some scholars have tried to say this naked young man was Mark himself. They assume that when Mark heard about Jesus' arrest, he quickly jumped out of bed and dashed to the Garden of Gethsemane. But the Garden was remotely located, and no one could have run there so quickly. It is simply a physical impossibility. Others have speculated that Mark threw off his clothes in an attempt to shock and distract the soldiers so Jesus could escape. This idea is preposterous. Others have tried with similar vain attempts to assert that this naked young man was the apostle John. But why would John be walking naked in the Garden of Gethsemane? As I said, the answer to this naked young man's identity lies in the cloth he had wrapped around his body. You see, when a body was prepared for burial, it was washed, ceremonially cleaned, and buried naked in a linen cloth exactly like the one described here in the Gospel of Mark. Furthermore, the Garden of Gethsemane was situated on the side of the Mount of Olives. Toward the base of that mount is a heavily populated cemetery, with many of its graves going back to the time of Jesus. When Jesus said, “I AM,” the power that was released was so tremendous that it knocked the soldiers backward. But evidently it also caused a rumbling in the local cemetery! When that blast of power was released, a young boy, draped in a linen burial cloth in accordance with the tradition of that time, crawled out from his tomb — raised from the dead! The reason he “followed” Jesus was to get a glimpse of the One who had resurrected him. The word “followed” here means to continuously follow. This tells us that this resurrected young man trailed the soldiers as they took Jesus through the Garden on the way to His trial. When the soldiers discovered the young man who was following Jesus, they tried to apprehend him. But when they reached out to grab him, he broke free from their grip and fled, leaving the linen cloth in their possession.

Praying Effectively Does it matter if we pray? Does it matter how long we pray? Does it matter what we say in prayer? Isaiah knew how to pray & get his prayers answered. Ch. 62-63 Isaiah 62:1; 62:6-7 Isaiah 62:1 KJV For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. Isaiah 62:6-7 KJV I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, [7] And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. —NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS -The tradition with some people at the end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year is to make some effort at changing their life. -Here are some of the top things that have been identified as New Year's Resolutions: • Lose Weight • Volunteer to Help Others • Quit Smoking • Get a Better Education • Get a Better Job • Save Money • Get Fit • Eat Healthy Food • Manage Stress • Manage Debt • Take a Trip • Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle • Drink Less Alcohol -Many do their best but often fail at making the necessary changes to be successful at them. In fact some researchers have pointed out that within less than 20 days most of the resolutions have fallen by the wayside. -It takes great effort to change! -The greatest need for change is that which is in the spiritual life of people. TO PREVAIL IN PRAYER REQUIRES TIME -The passage in Isaiah serves as a leaping off point for us as we lead up to our prayer revival. -There may be times that prevailing prayer is a fierce but brief battle but normally the type of prayer that will be effective is going to take time. There are few instant answers that we find in prayer. Certainly there are moments when God has performed instant miracles in prayer but those are few and far between. -Prevailing prayer will require a commitment of time. It is important to understand that we are not speaking of a commitment to the clock but a commitment to purpose in prayer. Those who are immature in their prayer life will watch the clock but those who are mature in prayer find that they are more concerned with a purpose in their prayer. Find purpose in your praying and the time will take care of itself. -Listen to Isaiah's testimony: • I will not keep silent! • For Jerusalem's sake, I will not remain quiet! • The purpose in the prayer was for righteousness to shine like the rising sun and salvation to be a brilliant blazing torch! • Purpose in prayer will put a watchman on his wall! • Purpose in prayer will keep that watchman from silence in prayer! -You who call on the Lord. . . give yourselves no rest. Furthermore by your commitment to prayer, the Lord will never cease to listen to you. -That means that a man ought to be a praying man and that a church should be a praying church. -Nehemiah prevailed in his praying: Nehemiah 1:6 KJV Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. -The record of Scripture tells us that Daniel set aside a routine in prayer. . . Three times a day with his windows opened toward heaven. . . But there came a time when he spent as much as three weeks prevailing in a time of special need. Daniel 10:2-3 KJV In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. [3] I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. -Paul also found a commitment to time in his prayers. He was prevailing for new converts and for the new churches that he had established. 1 Thessalonians 3:10 KJV Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith? -We live in a generation that implies that pastors, ministers, and preachers should be doing everything but prevailing in prayer for their congregations. . . Organize. . . Administrate. . . Plan. . . Manage. . . Design. . . Have staff meetings. . . Figure out widgets. . . Do everything but pray and preach! -Jesus gave himself to this when he prayed all night! Luke 6:12 KJV And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. -We learn how to pray by praying. . . • A singer will spend hours practicing to sing. • An athlete will spend hours in training to play the game. • A soldier will spend hours in drill to work at his discipline. -There is only one way to learn how to pray and that is to spend time in prayer! -By the very nature of things, prayer victories will require a sacrifice of time. When I am willing to invest myself in a time of prayer, it literally changes my will. -A commitment to specific and regular times of prayer builds up a spiritual force within a man that literally will sweep away the attack of worldliness, apathy, and lukewarmness. -We prevail in prayer by spending time with it. The most unanswered prayers are those that are never prayed! TO PREVAIL IN PRAYER REQUIRES PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT -If prevailing prayer requires time, it also requires praying in the Spirit. E. M. Bounds—The secret of feeble praying everywhere is the lack of God's Spirit in His mightiness. -You must be filled with the Spirit to pray effectively. But you also have to live in the Spirit. Feeble and ineffective praying is caused by a shallow experience in the Holy Ghost. If you are filled with the Spirit, you are controlled by the Spirit. Ephesians 6:18 KJV Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Romans 8:26-27 KJV Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Ephesians 2:18 KJV For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. -The Holy Ghost: • Enables us to pray. • Creates a partnership in prayer. • Helps us to be sensitive to prayer needs. • Causes us to feel the checks, the promptings, and the moods of the Spirit. • Keeps us awake and aware of the spiritual battle we are in. • Helps us to walk in the Spirit. -Prevailing prayer has a requirement that we pray in the Spirit. TO PREVAIL IN PRAYER REQUIRES URGENT PERSISTENCE -Prevailing in prayer requires time. . . Requires praying in the Spirit. . . Requires an urgent persistence. -The Bible uses a word that describes great need. It is called: importunity Luke 11:18 It is an old word that means insistence, begging, clamoring, and pleading for a specific need. All throughout the Bible there is a repeated pattern that shows the importance of holding on in urgent prayer and not fainting or giving up even when the answer seems to be a million miles away. -Jesus told his disciples a parable to illustrate that truth: Luke 18:1-8 KJV And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; [2] Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: [3] And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. [4] And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; [5] Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. [6] And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. [7] And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? [8] I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? E. M. Bounds—Few things give such quickened and permanent vigor to the soul as long, exhaustive seasons of importunate prayer. -These seasons of praying when it seems like nothing is occurring, trains men and women in the life of prayer. It will add grace and spiritual maturity to your life. -The reason it adds to our walk is because it involves everything in your soul and being. It is literally a might movement toward God. Jeremiah 29:12-14 KJV Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. [13] And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. [14] And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive. E. M. Bounds—Heaven is too busy to listen to half-hearted prayers. -God cannot tolerate lukewarmness and the greatest prayers are those that feed off of the flames of the Spirit. It is the fiery intercessors who will conquer in their praying. That burning desire in prayer makes intercessory prayer literally invincible. -This kind of praying. . . urgent. . . persistent prayer will set the soul on fire! This kind of prayer will burn through the obstacles without to gain the throne of God within. -If there ever was a time that the church and the world needed saints to prevail in urgent prayer it is now

1. Acknowledge your inability (Phil. 4:13)When self-reliance dies, faith is birthed.Faith is a gift from God.Repeating a mantra will not impart faith. You cannot control God.2. Press in (James 4:8)Call on God. Don't wait for God to visit you.Only God can impart faith, and then only to the man and woman who knows God.Discover what God's plan is, and do it.Cleanse your heart, get serious.3. Get hold of a promiseWhatever your situation, there is a promise in the Word to meet it.Grow your faith like a muscle—little by little.Walk in all the faith you have today, and you will have more tomorrow.If God immediately answered every prayer, how would your faith grow?I. Sam 17:36 David's answer was based on past hard evidence of God's deliverance. (the lion and the bear)

Sis. Christina Mercer talked about an experience that she had a week ago….she stated that she/we need to pray and ask God for us to… 1. See God for who He is…. 2. See ourselves as God sees us – no condemnation – Romans 8:1 3. Seeing others as God sees them ……these three things boil down to having the right perspectives. What is perspective- simply a point of view…a particular way of thinking about something. 1. See God for who He is….Psalms 18:30 How do I see God for who He is? I must know him personally. I must begin a relationship with Him. Personally ways I've learned who God is on my journey so far: God is faithful – “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago” Isaiah 25:1 Because God is faithful, we can always rely on Him and trust Him. His faithfulness means He will never leave us, even if we walk away from Him. He is a loving Father – one of my favorite scriptures is in Lamentations 3:32-33, I believe it shows how He is our Father – “Because the Master won't ever walk out and fail to return. If He works severely, he also works tenderly. His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.” 2. See ourselves as God sees us – no condemnation – Romans 8:1 NIV(“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”) Personally, ways I've learned how God sees me on my journey so far, and I'll be honest I struggle remembering these things, but it's a journey: We are a Daughter or son of God, joint heirs with Jesus, we share the inheritance (Romans 8:17 NIV “Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,..”) Psalms 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well” – God made all the delicate, inner parts of my body. He knew everything about me as He was painstakingly designing me with such care. We were created with great reverence, with respect, we were made unique, there is only one of you uniquely designed by the Creator of all things. Each of us were created and designed with a purpose. Remember when putting ourselves down, and women are especially experts on this: We are enough in God – Because He is enough, He created us in His image, so we are enough God sees us through the blood of Jesus, isn't that so beautiful. When God looks at me, he isn't seeing all my mistakes and failures, Jesus covers all of that with his blood. God is looking at me as his child, whom he loves so much. When I look at my daughters, I don't see their failures, or remember times they may have disappointed me, I look at them and think, “Wow, look at these beautiful, strong and confident women, who have so much love in their hearts for others, who love me and their father, I'm so proud of the women they have become. When God looks at me he sees me for who I am: • First and foremost, I am his beloved child • I am chosen, adopted into His family through Jesus • I am valuable, He calls me his workmanship • I am redeemed, I'm so valuable to God, he purchased me with the precious blood of his only son • I am a new person in Jesus Christ, because of salvation, I gain a new identity and a whole new life • I am a friend of God, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his masters business, Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you.” (John 15:15) 3. Seeing others as God sees them. -Psalms 86:5 The Power of Understanding others When you are willing to understand others a new vision and hope will emerge. For example, when you are in a relationship or friendships; there can be moments where you are hurt, offended, or betrayed. You may even take the point of view “they are my enemy.” However, if we are seeing others as God sees them, they are not God's enemy, they are God's son or daughter, and this in my opinion is not an easy perspective to have. Often times when someone we love hurts us, it isn't coming from a place of malice or with intent to cause harm, this isn't always easy to understand. In my own life, I know my husband and I have talked about this, that usually when we are upset about something, we are upset at ourselves, but unfortunately the person we love, is the one we are expressing our frustration towards. In these moments, if you can take the time to step back and observe the situation, the points of view shared, etc., you may have a realization of what led you to the place you find yourself in – If God looks at me through the blood of Jesus, and that is His perspective, then my goal on this journey is to look at others as God sees them, just like he sees me, which is through the blood of Jesus. Man o man, Lord help me! Once we understand why that person acts that way, nothing has changed. Compassion shows up with perseverance to understand someone. We look around, and this couple or this person seems to have it all together, and some people do. People will grab a book, go to a seminar, or listen to a podcast in hopes of learning a new method to achieve what they perceive someone else to have. You should always want a relationship to grow. But it will not be a quick fix; this works like a Goody or BC powder. It works very quickly, but the real solution may be changing our diet and exercising more so that headaches or back stop hurting because of our extra weight. So many times, our perspective of a relationship is the thing that hurts the relationship. What is going on between our ears lies the problem. Wrong thinking always produces bad results. Whenever your expectation takes you one place and your experience takes you somewhere else you experience a “meltdown” Genesis 3:12 - The man replied, “The woman whom you put here with me—she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it.” 13The LORD God then asked the woman: What is this you have done? The woman answered, “The snake tricked me, so I ate it.” – what should everyone's perspective have been? You must change your perspective of people and look in the mirror of Jesus. We should have the perspective of working on ourselves, relationships, and marriages because they hold/have value. Have you ever walked by a mirror and seen that your hair is out of place or salad stuck in between your teeth or your slip hanging.? Mirrors can be real lifesavers. Jesus is the mirror I want to reflect; I want people to see Jesus. II Corinthians 3:18 TPT, “We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus.” --------------- Have you ever planned to meet someone and arrive early? You are waiting and waiting. The person you are meeting calls and says, ‘where are you? In that second, you realize that you are in the wrong place. Many are in the wrong place mentally regarding themselves or their relationships. That's what this lesson is all about having the God Perspective of God, ourself and others. Learning about Forgiveness and redemption!! One of my favorite passages that teaches me about forgiveness and redemption, and how God has given so much to me, I must learn from this passage and apply it to my own life: Psalms 103:1- “O my soul, bless God, don't forget a single blessing! He forgives your sins – every one. He heals your diseases – every one. He redeems you from hell – saves your life! He crowns you with love and mercy – a paradise crown. He wraps you in goodness – beauty eternal. He renews your youth – You're always young in his presence. God makes everything come out right; he puts victims back on their feet. ……God is sheer mercy and grace; not easily angered, he's rich in love. He doesn't endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as the heave is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. As far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him. Last story: Young boy lived with his mother and grandfather. His grandfather was not old but was confined to a wheelchair. The grandfathers face was badly scared and had a difficult time swallowing food. Each day the young boy was assigned to feed his grandfather, he did it faithfully but not joyously. He became a teenage and announced to his mother that he is done with feeding his grandfather. The mother turned from doing her chores and said have a seat. Your grandfather was once an athlete at one time. The mother stated their was a fire; your father thought you were upstairs with me, I thought you were downstairs with him; we both rushed out of the house. Your grandfather realizes the error and returns to the house to get you. The young turned took the food tray and feed his grandfather with no further complaints. Once we understand why that person acts that way. Compassion shows up with perseverance to understand someone.

Micheal Angelo among artist Micheal Jordan among basketball Beethoven among composers Lincoln among presidents Krzyzewski among coaches Isaiah is among prophets Most educated, most articulate, most influential Greatness often accompanies being misunderstood 5 areas we want to look at tonight Who wrote the book? As is the case with nearly all the books of “the prophets,” the book of Isaiah takes its name from its writer. Isaiah was married to a prophetess who bore him at least two sons (Isaiah 7:3; 8:3). He prophesied under the reign of four Judean kings—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (1:1)—and he likely met his death under a fifth, the evil King Manasseh. K Christian tradition as early as the second century identifies Isaiah as one of the prophets whose death is described in Hebrews 11:37, specifically the prophet who was “sawn in two.” Isaiah likely lived in Jerusalem, given the book's concern with the city (Isaiah 1:1) and his close proximity to at least two significant kings during the period of his prophecy (7:3; 38:1). Much of scholarship for the past two centuries has assigned multiple writers to Isaiah, dividing the book into three sections: 1–39, 40–55, and 56–66 However, these divisions come out of a scholarly denial of predictive prophecy. This position not only limits the power of God to communicate with His people but also ignores the wide variety of specific, predictive claims about Jesus Christ scattered throughout the book. Where are we? Isaiah prophesied from 739–681 BC to a nation that had turned a deaf ear to the Lord. Instead of serving Him with humility and offering love to their neighbors, the nation of Judah offered meaningless sacrifices in God's temple at Jerusalem and committed injustices throughout the nation. The people of Judah turned their backs on God and alienated themselves from Him, which created the need for Isaiah's pronouncements of judgment —declarations made in the hope that God's chosen people would return to Him. Why is Isaiah so important? The book of Isaiah provides us with the most comprehensive prophetic picture of Jesus Christ in the entire Old Testament. It includes the full scope of His life: the announcement of His coming (Isaiah 40:3–5), His virgin birth (7:14), His proclamation of the good news (61:1), His sacrificial death (52:13–53:12) His return to claim His own (60:2–3) Because of these and numerous other christological texts in Isaiah, the book stands as a testament of hope in the Lord, the One who saves His people from themselves. What's the big idea? Isaiah's overall theme receives its clearest statement in chapter 12: “Behold, God is my salvation, / I will trust and not be afraid” (Isaiah 12:2). This echoes the meaning of Isaiah's name, which means the “salvation of Yahweh.” Having read the book, you might wonder about the strong presence of judgment that runs through the first thirty-nine chapters when the theme is salvation. How can the two coexist? The presence of judgment indicates its necessity for salvation to occur. Before we can have salvation, we must have a need for it! So the bulk of those early chapters in Isaiah detail judgments against the people who have turned their backs on the Lord, showing us that those who persist in their rebellion will receive judgment. On the other hand, we also see God's faithfulness to His promise. He will preserve a small remnant of faithful believers, those who will continue on into the glorious renewed world He has prepared for His children in the end times (65:17–66:24). How do I apply this? Because of its scope, Isaiah contains one of the clearest expressions of the gospel in all the Old Testament. Even from the first chapter, it is clear that the people have turned away from God and failed in their responsibilities as His children (Isaiah 1:2–17). Yet God miraculously holds out hope to this unrepentant people, offering cleansing of sins and the blessing that comes with faith and obedience in Him (1:18–20). Salvation lies only in God—the only question is whether or not we will accept His offer. In addition to its gospel message, the book of Isaiah clearly articulates the sins of God's people—dealing with others unjustly which resulted in their offering hypocritical sacrifices to God. Do you see anything in your own life that might fall under Isaiah's critique of injustice—treating family, colleagues, or even strangers with unkindness or even prejudice? Isaiah's message is also a call for believers to come back to purity in our love for God and for our neighbors (Luke 10:26–28).

Bonding • Working on the word bonding tonight. • Many times, you hear a mother or mother figure use the word bonding in association with a child. • Definition of bonding -the formation of a close relationship (as between a mother and child or between a person and an animal), especially through frequent or constant association. (Healthy bond) • One reason Bro. Brintley likes to have dinners, is so that we can fellowship / bond with each other. Sunday was a great example of it. Because the men had a meeting while eating. It caused several to sit with different people. (Ty- sat with Sis. Bridget, Sis. Jeannie, and myself- he did not speak but I'm sure he learned a lot because we were all talking and enjoying fellowshipping with each other. (Forming a bond) • Research has shown that having a close, healthy bond with some can help you recover quicker from major sicknesses such as strokes, cancer, heart attacks, etc… • Research has shown that when a person has a bitter thought their blood chemistry changes. How we think today will shape our tomorrow. Every cell in your body is replaced about every two months. So, the good news is, you can reprogram your pessimistic cells to be more optimistic by adopting positive thinking practices, like mindfulness and gratitude, for permanent results. • The status of our heart (way of thinking) can affect the rest of the body. • Proverbs 14:30- a heart at peace gives life to the body (NIV) • Proverbs 4:23-Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (NIV)-watch out for negative influences, toxic people, and evil behaviors. • Proverbs 17:22 - A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Joy and humor are vital to our lives. -?(crushed spirit-inadequacy/overly sensitive?) • Our well-being depends on the status of our hearts – and although you think you are hiding the status of your heart from people. You are not tricking your body nor God. • The status of our heart depends on the way we bond with others and God. • Bond again is the formation of a close relationship. The formation is the act of constantly forming something at work with your relationship. The relationship with Jesus is the ultimate. (Sis Bridget spoke about this) The Four C's of Relationship and Walk with Jesus • 1. Christ, 2. Commit to the Commission, 3. Community, 4. Conquer – (other) • Companion • Caring • Courageous • Compassion • Character • Communication • Charity • We must be aware of people that dismiss the importance of bonding with others. In Galatians 6:2-We are to carry each other's burdens and, in this way, we will fulfill the law of Christ. • Some Christians will call this humanistic- meaning we should just depend on the lord. We are to love God and love others as ourselves. • Speaking to a sister here about my journey of dialysis. And I know I had many praying for my healing- Fellowship church, family, friends, but it is nothing like talking to someone that has been on the same journey. Someone to give you encouragement. Those relationships have formed bonds. Now that I crossed that trail, I'm now in the process of being able to talk to or contribute to people on the journey that I'm on. Forming healthy bonds, as often as I can give the testimony I will. The church here knows what this journey has been like. But to become to share this journey with someone that is walking thru it is completely different. • Relational aspect of Sanctification – working on your relationship with Jesus, yourself, and others. Anti-relationship teaching is not from God- I John 3:14- We know that we have passed from death to life because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. -Example: bearing the fruits of the spirit / a wholehearted love for God and neighbor. • We must dismiss the teaching of we can love God but not love people. I John 4:20- Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. • I Corinthians 13:4-what is love- Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. • I think we should say “I'm working on loving you or something that will make us think about what love really is……../ Love them in any situation!! • Sidebar- I was thinking of the lessons that we have heard throughout the years and still do not apply to the bible as we ought. Bro Brintley stated that he would trade what he knows for what he does not know. I won't to learning truly how God loves and apply it to my life, to love people as God loves me., unconditionally. • We do not want to be concerned only with the rightness and rules- we want to be concerned about people. Matthew 12:1-7- If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,'[a] you would not have condemned the innocent. We need to show love and compassion, not self-sacrifice to gain wholeness- They were weighing them down with burdensome rules and regulations, instead of showing mercy(reference) Hosea 6:6 . Hosea 6:4- states that Ephram and Judah's love was like the morning mist-which meant it was just surface love, it did not go down to the roots. Was not nourishing. • The word Compassion in Hebrew is HESED-which means faithful, loyal love, belonging love. • We need to realize that our bonding with God and people is needed greatly. Many people struggle with isolation, Let's show people love which is I Corinthians 13:4.

Words from the audience & Online that describes Christ in your relationship: Companion Caring Courageous Compassion Character Communication Charity We will see how four things became their “commission” in their relationship and walk with Christ. Christ - Number 1 When you encounter Christ, you are never the same. The day Jesus saved you, it was a miracle. I remember one Home Bible Study I attended and a dear man was sharing his testimony, and speaking to all of us, and I thought this is nothing short of a miracle, because I knew the history and background of this man. We had been praying for him, with his wife, and now he speaking about Jesus, how his life was touched through his wife, and her walk with Jesus. To me this was just as great as witnessing the lame to walk and the blind to see. Now is the right time to surrender to Christ. No one is ever sorry for following Him, ALL THE WAY! Moment of Prayer…… Mark 5:1-20 Jesus crosses the other side...to the pagan region of Decapolis. [JESUS AND THE DECAPOLIS The Bible records two of Jesus' visits to the Decapolis. It also mentions crowds of people from the Decapolis following Jesus. Understanding the pagan world represented by these city-states helps us see the significance of Jesus' response to it. His message clearly was for the inhabitants of the Decapolis, for they heard and followed. He confronted the darkness of the pagan world in choosing to visit its people. Footnote from blog, www.thattheworldmayknow.com] A common place for the unwanted, tormented, possessed and poor to dwell was cave tombs. It is so sad to see the torment take over this man dwelling in the tombs. The evil spirits recognized Jesus, questioning His purpose. He just didn't ask, bowed and screamed at Jesus. The spirits did not want to torment yet, they spoke of Jesus tormenting them. Legion was the name - [This Legion (Greek word. From the Latin term legion, which designates a division of the Roman army, 5,400 infantry and 120 calvary) requested you take homage in this herd of pigs.] Jesus demonstrates the ultimate power over all authorities, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.” Vs. 8 The Legion begged to be cast into the pigs, 2000 pigs rushed down the steep bank, one by one drowned. The herdsman told the city and the country, people came to see what happened. Of course they are shocked to see the man usually screaming and self-harming himself all hours of the day, is now clothed, calm, sitting down. This had the reverse effect on those that came to enquiry, they wanted Jesus to leave!! Jesus stepped back into the boat, and this man that had been delivered wanted to go with a Jesus, become His disciple, but Jesus commissioned him with a mandate, “go home to your family and tell them all the great things that the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you”. Wow! Commit to the Commission - Number 2 Read Mark 5 Vs. 19 - 20 This man as Jesus disciple away from Him could do more away, going back to his family. His family knew of his mental instability. Did he run away from them? Did they cast him away? Now this man is a testimony, what more of an impact could he make than to those that knew him. No longer an outcast of embarrassment but he had a new identity in Christ. (Just like the woman at the well) [When Jesus had cast out the demons, he commanded the man to return home to tell others what God had done for him. The territory to which Jesus sent the man was certainly one of the most challenging mission fields to which he ever called anyone. Later, crowds from the Decapolis followed Jesus. This crowd of followers was a testimony to the effectiveness of the healed man's witness. (Mark 7:31-36 and Matt. 15:30 record the same event. Matthew referred to crowds of people, but he did not mention the place.)” CONCLUSION Many visitors to Galilee are amazed at how close Jesus' area of ministry was to the pagan Decapolis. Jesus did not avoid the people living in darkness (Matt. 4:16). He went to them and pierced the darkness of their sinful lifestyle with the light of God's message of salvation and love. Jesus wants us to follow his example in confronting the darkness in our own world. The power of Satan and his demons seems overwhelming. It would be easy for us to isolate ourselves in safe, rule-bound communities and just let the outside world destroy itself. But even though rules can be good and community is necessary for Christian living, Jesus used neither as an escape. He modeled another way for us as his followers. He left the familiarity of his community and confronted evil on its own turf. Such a display of God's power still can and does happen today, when we confront the darkness in our society with the message of what God, through Jesus, has done for us (Mark 5:19) foot note from blog, [www.thattheworldmayknow.com] Community - Number 3 We need community to survive, we need the church, God's people, corporate worship and fellowship. The man delivered in Mark 5, needed to go back to his family, and community to share the light of Jesus. When we are isolated, we are vulnerable & weak. The condition of the man delivered from the Legion was isolated because of his condition, but Jesus restored to him his family, and community. Let's read about the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5:20-34 - [faith life study Bible - Mark 5:25–43 (FSB): 5:25–43 The narrative about Jairus's daughter (vv. 21–43) frames the interrupting story of a hemorrhaging woman (vv. 25–34). Both stories show Jesus' incredible and surprising power. These two lives, Jairus's (age 12) and the woman battling the issue of blood for 12 years collide, both will encounter the power of Jesus! It's ok to interrupt Jesus for your miracle! Read Mark 5:20 Daughter of Jarius, one of the rulers of the Synagogue. Jarius sees Jesus and falls at His feet, Jesus does not tell him to stand. Jesus is God's Son, to be worshipped. On the way to Jarius home, where his daughter lies dying, the crowd moves in on Jesus, and the woman with the issue of blood, heard of Jesus, and now He is near, she presses through the crowd, coming up from BEHIND Him, vs. 27, and just touches His garment. If she could but touch His robe, she would be whole. She felt the healing right away! Jesus knew virtue (force, miraculous power) left Him, and questioned, who touched Him. Of course everyone is touching Him, He is pressed by the throng! Did He question so the disciples would learn of this woman, to call her out, so Jesus may speak to her? He looked for her in the crowd, He knew. She touched Him on purpose. His eyes searched for her! He knew who she was!! Even this woman that is not named, was fearful, perhaps because she was unclean, and came to Jesus, fell at His feet, told Him the truth. 12 years, visiting one physician after another. Isolated because of her hemorrhaging, weak, alone, and poor. [Mark 5:25 (FSB): Lev 15:19–33 would have made the woman ceremonially unclean—preventing her from worshiping in the temple or joining her people in everyday activities] He calls her, daughter. She is not an outcast, she is family, she is included not secluded. Jesus brings her in. He speaks peace to her, and gives her healing not just from a sickness but a plague (being whipped and scourged by this disease ‘Strongs Greek). Her identity is restored as well as her body. We are privileged to be here together tonight, part of a community, the family of God, where we are called sons, and daughters. I encourage you, if you have something that you are struggling with that is causing you to isolate yourself, there is healing for you. It doesn't matter how big it may seem, or how impossible, Jesus is ever present to heal, deliver and restore. Maybe you feel unworthy to be part of a community, a church because you feel your circumstance has merited you “unclean”, that's ok? You can approach Jesus, interrupt Him! Just reach out and touch Him!! Be restored to a community, Find your community, your family of God. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 You are not alone, we are here to help restore you. Conquer - Number 4 After we are restored, no longer an out cast, let's make our community our commission, adding to the Kingdom of God, His Body, His Church. May the Kingdom of God expand through our commission of spreading the Good News, Jesus. May we conquer the darkness, walk right into it with the salvation Light of Jesus. May we be “Glory seekers”, conquerors through this land, our feet shod with the Gospel of Peace. Our test has become a testimony, spread the WORD, the Good News. Jesus is our only HOPE. He has crowned His children with crown of loving kindness and tender mercies - Psalms 103:4 reads, “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth the with lovingkindess and tender mercies.” (Amplify Bible “Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy.”) Isaiah 56:7 House of Prayer for all people. There is room for you, sons and daughters!

Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch • This is something that can be applied in all relationships- the reason why you should want to know someone's love language is to be able to relate to them better. I'm thinking of this for someone that is quote-unquote ‘in your circle”. Spouse, siblings, parents, kids, best friends, close friends. • By learning this you are taking the focus off yourself and putting someone first. You are putting yourself in someone else's shoes. • Question of the night: How are we going to tie this into the bible? God expresses this language throughout the scriptures! (Disclaimer, we are not taking the place of the holy spirit) 1. Words of Affirmation – We would say something like “You can do it”. They may just need reassurance in a decision. God's words of affirmation to us are the scriptures; I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) and A word is fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (Proverbs 25:11) - We can speak life or death in any relationship. Our words of affirmation toward God are worship and gratitude. 2. Acts of Service – toward a person, it doesn't have to be a grand or expensive thing; can be something as simple as unloading the dishwasher and not just stacking dishes in the sink. Or at work, today is the day that everyone has to empty their trashcan in a central location, take your friend's trash along with taking yours. Acts of service can tie into giving of your time. Acts of service toward God- we need to consider the word obedience; John 13:16-A servant is not greater than the one who sent him. Jesus made this statement after washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus is not asking us to do something that he has not completed himself. Matthew 20:28- the son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister. Get the focus off yourself. 3. Receiving Gifts – (Ephesians 2:8-9) – For by grace you have been saved through faith. It is not our own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one can boast. God gave the gift of grace. Receiving a gift and acts of service go hand in hand. What would be an example of us giving God a gift- supporting those in need; supporting spreading the gospel. To give meaningful gifts to someone, you first must spend time with that person and pay attention to the things they speak about. Example: A candy that they haven't been able to find in years. The goal here is to give a meaningful gift, not the most expensive. 4. Quality Time – Time to me is the most precious gift. Quality Time is a compliment to all the other languages. Be intentional about your quality time within all relationships. James 4:8-Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Spend time in the bible and prayer to know what God is asking of us. Spend time with friends, family spouse-date night, ladies' night, and game night. The key to this time is listening. Don't always be in a rush, don't be ready to go to the next task-Don't just do this to say that the box has been checked. 5. Physical Touch – Acts 17:27-28-Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being. We may not feel we are able to physically touch God, but He is near to us always. We can touch the heart of God through prayer and praise. A well-placed hug, kiss, or held hand, amongst other things, is good and meaningful. The church is a great example of this hugging / shakin hands.

Three offenses 1. Sin 2. Transgression 3. Inquity

Fathers FIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY! Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and all the people and said to them, “Don't be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and go fight for your friends, your families (sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, even your in-laws) and your homes! Nehemiah 4:14 NLT Take a good look at your family, is everything going on well? Have you looked at certain situations in the family that they are beyond normal? Is there at least a case of divorce in your family? Do you have any drop-out from school in your family? Drug abuse in the family? Proverbs 3-11-12 Psalms 127 children are an inheritance of the Lord 1. Instruction 2. Correction 3. Affection It's easier to prepare a boy than to repair a man It's easier to prepare a girl than it is to repair a woman Children are an earthly possession that you can take with you into the kingdom Illustration: Two boys told they remind them of their dad. One stuck out his tongue. The other stuck out his chest. 47 times the word son or sons is used in proverbs 16 times child or children appears Fight for your family! Fight for your families and your homes! If you won't stand and fight for what you believe in you will fall for anything! You cannot afford to leave the devil to wreck havoc in your family. “I have made your forehead as hard as the hardest rock! So don't be afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.”” Ezekiel 3:9 NLT So, stand and fight for your family. Everybody is good except when under the influence of power of darkness. Remember Ephesians 6:12

Godly House “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord! Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the Gods whom your fathers served that were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Armorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Other words; I'm not about to give up now, my family and Me are to deep in this to give up. God has been too good to us. He has given us many victories. He saved us from the Egyptians (the world). Just when we were about to drown. God caused our enemies to be defeated and gave us9y life. He has given us victory over all the giants in our path. “AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD” I don't know about your house, but my house is going to serve God!!! Get violent with the devil and tell him devil my children are going to serve God!!! Devil, my husband is going to serve God!!!! Devil my unbelieving family is going to serve God!!! HOW CAN YOU HAVE A GODLY HOUSE? When you determine in your heart that no matter what anyone else is doing YOU WILL HAVE A POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE!!! AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD !!! THREE BASIC NEEDS OF EVERY FAMILY Paul said in I Thes. 5:23; "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray that your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Our family lives need to be balanced. All of the families' needs are not spiritual. The three basic needs for every family to fight for: 1. Physical Needs 2. Emotional Needs 3. Spiritual Needs

HOW'S YOUR FAMILY? JOSHUA 24:14-15 INTRODUCTION *MAN WAS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD WITH A PROPENSITY TO WORSHIP GOD. *EVEN THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE ATHEISTS WORSHIP SOMETHING. *WHETHER IT'S CARS, MONEY, PEOPLE OR THEMSELVES, THEY WORSHIP, THEY SERVE SOMETHING. *AND EVERYONE ONE OF US THIS MORNING WORSHIPS SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. *AND WE BECOME LIKE WHAT WE WORSHIP. *THE MORE WE WORSHIP JESUS AND BEHOLD HIS LOVING FACE, THE MORE WE BECOME LIKE HIM. *THE MORE WE WORSHIP MONEY THE GREEDIER WE BECOME. *THE MORE YOU WORSHIP YOUR CHILDREN, THE HIGHER YOU PUT THEM ON A PEDESTAL AND DOTE ABOUT THEM THEY BECOME THE OBJECT OF YOUR WORSHIP. TRANSITION *IT'S TIME TODAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE ON THE LORD'S SIDE TO STEP TO THE FRONT AND DECLARE IT BOLDLY AND UNASHAMEDLY THAT WE SERVE THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD. *LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO. *DON'T KEEP SILENT. *DON'T HOLD YOUR PEACE. *IT'S TIME FOR US TO SET A STANDARD OF HOLINESS FOR OUR HOUSEHOLDS AND DECLARE THAT WE SERVE THE LORD. *IN JOSHUA CHAPTER 24, JOSHUA IS LAYING OUT THE CASE OF HOW THAT GOD HAD BEEN WITH ISRAEL AND HAD BLESSED THEM. *HOW THAT HE HAD BEEN THEIR DELIVERER; THEIR PROVIDER; THEIR DEFENDER; AND THE ONE WHO FIGHTS ON THEIR BEHALF. *BUT, HE CONTRASTS THAT THOUGHT WITH THE gods THAT THEY HAD MADE AND WORSHIPPED. *AND THE gods THAT THEIR FATHER'S HAD WORSHIPPED BEFORE THE FLOOD THAT LED THEM TO DESTRUCTION. *THEN JOSHUA MAKES THIS DECLARATION: JOSHUA 24 14Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. 15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. I. WE NEED TO TEACH OUR FAMILIES WHAT IT IS TO FEAR AND SERVE THE LORD. 1. THE WORD FEAR USED HERE.: 2. IT MEANS to fear, revere, be afraid to stand in awe of, be awed reverence, honour, respect to cause astonishment and awe, to be held in awe 3. EVERYDAY THERE NEEDS TO BE A RESPECT AND AWE FOR WHO GOD IS. 4. WE SHOULD NEVER TAKE HIM LIKELY. 5. HE'S THE AWESOME CREATOR AND WE ARE CALLED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND STAND IN AWE OF WHO HE IS. 6. AND WE ARE CALLED TO PASS THAT DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION. 7. TO TELL OF HIS MIGHTY POWERS TO DECREE HIS AWESOME ACTS; TO TELL OF HIS FAITHFULNESS. 8. BUT, WHAT IS OFTEN FOUND IN THE CHRISTIAN HOME IS THE OPPOSITE OF THE FEAR OF GOD. 9. THE OPPOSITE OF REVERENCE AND STANDING IN AWE OF WHO HE IS. 10. WE OFTEN HEAR COMPLAINING, MURMURING, PEOPLE WHO ARE MAD AT GOD AS IF HE CAUSES THE TROUBLE WE FIND OURSELVES IN. 11. BUT, THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US, WHO HAS MADE OUR SPIRIT MAN NEW, WANTS US TO PLEASE GOD IN ALL THAT WE SAY AND DO. 12. BUT, IF WE FOLLOW AFTER ANYTHING, A STRANGE GOD OR A LUST, A FAULT FINDING, CRITICAL SPIRIT, THEN WE ARE NOT BEING LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THEREFORE WE CANNOT PLEASE GOD. 13. THE JAMISON, FAUSETT AND BROWN COMMENTARY SAYS, Joshua calls on them to declare, in a public and solemn manner, whether they will be faithful and obedient to the God of Israel. He avowed this to be his own unalterable resolution, and urged them, if they were sincere in making a similar avowal, "to put away the strange gods that were among them"-- II. IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION. 1. SO, OFTEN WE HEAR OF CHURCH PEOPLE, AND MINISTERS FALLING INTO SIN AND “DISGRACING” THE CHURCH AND THE PULPIT. 2. AND OF COURSE THE LIBERAL MEDIA LOVES IT AND TELLS ALL ABOUT IT. 3. BUT, THE TIME HAS COME IN THAT WE THE CHURCH, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST NEED TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND AND DECLARE THAT WE WILL NOT CROSS IT. 4. WE WILL SERVE THE LORD OUR GOD. 5. WE WILL BE FAITHFUL TO HIM AND HONOR HIM WITH OUR LIVES. 6. PAUL WROTE THE CHURCH AT ROME AND SAID THE MODERN RENDITION OF WHAT JOSHUA SAID. 7. ROMANS 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 8. WE ARE NOT OUR OWN, BUT WE WERE BOUGHT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST. 9. AND AS NEW TESTAMENT BELIEVERS WE NEED TO MAKE UP OUR MINDS NOT TO SERVE ANYONE OR ANYTHING, BUT, THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD. 10. IF YOU DO NOT HEAR ANYTHING ELSE THIS MORNING PLEASE HEAR THIS: AS A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE HIS REPRESENTATIVES ON EARTH. 11. AND WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE SAY NEEDS TO BE A REPRESENTATION OF WHO HE IS. 12. BEFORE YOU ARE A PARENT, A SPOUSE, A SIBLING, A CO-WORKER, YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH GOD. 13. ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE, BEFORE EVERYTHING ELSE WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD. 14. AND OUR DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE WITH THAT KIND OF MINDSET. 15. WHEN YOU'RE MAKING DECISIONS CONCERNING YOUR HOME IT NEEDS TO BE FROM THE MINDSET THAT YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN. 16. WHEN YOUR CHILDREN DISAPPOINT YOU AND NEED TO BE CORRECTED IT NEEDS TO BE DONE FROM A STAND POINT THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD. 17. AND YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO SEE JESUS IN YOU; NOT THE BOOGEY MAN. 18. WHEN YOU'RE UPSET WITH YOUR SPOUSE AND YOU FEEL LIKE TAKING THE FRYING PAN TO THEIR HEAD YOU NEED TO REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE: A CHRISTIAN. 19. WHEN THE CLERK AT THE STORE MAKES YOU ANGRY YOU NEED TO REMEMBER WHO IT IS THAT YOU REPRESENT. III. JOSHUA SAID AS FOR ME . . . 1. EVERY PERSON IN HERE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING JESUS AND SERVING HIM. 2. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SKATE INTO HEAVEN ON THE PRAYERS AND THE BORN AGAIN EXPERIENCE OF YOU MOMMA, DADDY, GRANDMA OR SPOUSE. 3. WHEN YOU STAND BEFORE GOD YOU WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT FOR YOURSELF. 4. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH CHRIST? 5. DID YOU SERVE HIM WITH ALL OF YOUR HEART? 6. OR DID YOU SERVE HIM SOMETIMES AND SERVE MONEY AND GREED THE OTHER TIMES? 7. JOSHUA TOLD THE ISRAELITES, “CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY WHO YOU WILL SERVE”. 8. HE DIDN'T SAY LET MOM AND DAD CHOOSE OR YOUR WIFE CHOOSE BUT, YOU HAVE TO DECIDE TO FOLLOW JESUS. 9. AND IF YOU HAVE AN UNBELIEVING SPOUSE YOU HAVE TO KEEP SERVING JESUS BECAUSE IT'S YOUR ETERNAL SOUL AT STAKE. 10. AND A BELIEVING SPOUSE SANCTIFIES AN UNBELIEVING SPOUSE. 11. CHOOSE YOU THIS DAY. IV. JOSHUA THEN SAID, AS FOR ME, THE SPIRITUAL LEADER OF MY HOUSE, I SET THE LORD GOD AS THE ONLY ONE WHOM WE WILL SERVE IN THIS HOUSEHOLD. 1. YOU BETTER HEAR ME. 2. PARENTS, IF THERE ARE 2 OF YOU WHO BELIEVE IN THE HOUSE OR IF YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE IN THE HOUSE WHO BELIEVES, YOU SET A SPIRITUAL OVERTONE FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD. 3. AND IF YOU ARE NOT ESTABLISHING THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS IN YOUR HOME THEN YOU ARE FAILING AS A PARENT. 4. IF YOUR CHILDREN KNOW MORE ABOUT SPORTS AND CARS THAN THEY DO ABOUT JESUS, YOU HAVE FAILED AS A GODLY PARENT. 5. IF YOUR CHILDREN DO NOT KNOW THAT THERE IS AN IMPORTANCE TO COMING TO THE HOUSE OF GOD, MAYBE THAT IS THE OVERTONE THAT YOU HAVE SET FOR THE HOUSEHOLD. Illustration: ON THE WAY HOME FROM CHURCH ONE SUNDAY MORNING A LITTLE BOY WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT. HE WAS OBVIOUSLY UPSET. HIS MOTHER ASKED, “HONEY, WHAT'S WRONG?” HE SAID, “YOU HEARD WHAT THE PREACHER SAID THIS MORNING.” “YES I DID. BUT, WHAT PART ARE YOU REFERRING TO?” “HE SAID HE WANTED ALL THE CHILDREN TO BE RAISED IN A CHRISTIAN FAMILY. BUT, I WANT TO LIVE WITH YOU GUYS.” 6. PARENTS, YOUR CHILDREN KNOW IF YOU'RE REAL OR NOT. 7. THEY KNOW WHO AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN YOUR LIFE. 8. AND THEY'LL PATTERN THEIR LIFE AFTER YOURS IN SOME MANNER OR ANOTHER. 9. YOU CAN SEND THEM TO THE BEST SCHOOLS. 10. THEY CAN BE THE BEST DRESSED CHILD IN THEIR SCHOOL. 11. THEY CAN BE THE BRIGHTEST, MOST POPULAR, BEST LOOKING, AND IF THAT'S ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR THEM AS A PARENT THEN YOU HAVE FAILED THEM AND FAILED GOD. 12. BUT, IF YOU TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT JESUS, IF YOU ESTABLISH IN THE HOME THAT HE IS THE ONLY GOD AND THAT AS A FAMILY WE WILL SERVE HIM ONLY, IF YOU ESTABLISH THAT HE HAS FIRST PRIORITY IN OUR LIVES, THEN YOU WILL HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PARENTED THAT CHILD. V. I HAVE BEEN ANGERED AND SICKENED BY THIS TREND THAT I SEE IN THE CHURCH. 1. AND FOR WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PENTECOSTAL, TONGUE TALKING, HOLINESS, SUPPOSED TO BE SANCTIFIED PEOPLE. 2. WHO IN THE WORLD HAS TOLD PARENTS THAT IT IS OK TO HAVE THEIR DAUGHTER'S BOYFRIEND SPEND THE NIGHT AND EVEN STAY IN THE SAME ROOM AS THEIR DAUGHTER? 3. WE NEED SOME GODLY PROTECTIVE FATHER'S TO RISE AND BE MEN OF GOD ONCE AGAIN. 4. IF SOME BOY WOULD HAVE SAID TO MY DAD, “WE'RE GETTING UP EARLY TOMORROW MORNING TO GO TO CAROWINDS, SO I THINK I'LL JUST SPEND THE NIGHT HERE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER. I PROMISE I WON'T TRY ANYTHING WITH HER.” 5. IF THEY WOULD HAVE SAID THAT TO MY DAD, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SENT RIGHT OUT THE DOOR AND MY SISTER WOULD NOT SEE HIM AT CAROWINDS OR ANYWHERE ELSE. 6. BUT, IN THE CHURCH, THE PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, WE HAVE LESSENED OUR STANDARDS TO THOSE OF UNBELIEVERS WHERE THE BOY FRIEND STAYS AT THE GIRLFRIEND'S HOUSE AND THE GIRL FRIEND STAYS AT THE BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE AND IN THIS CULTURE THEY SAY IT IS OK. 7. PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, THAT IS A TEMPTATION THAT A 14, 15, 16, OR 50 YEAR OLD SINGLE PERSON DOES NOT NEED. 8. CHILDREN ARE MATURING EARLIER NOW THAN THEY DID WHEN WE CAME UP AND THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE OF THE HORMONES IN THE MEAT. 9. AND IF YOU THINK THAT TEENS TODAY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE BIRDS AND THE BEES THEN YOU'RE WRONG. 10. WE AS ADULTS, YOU AS PARENTS HAVE TO RAISE A STANDARD THAT THE WORLD AND EVEN THE HOLINESS CHURCH HAS LOWERED. 11. I KNOW THIS ISN'T POPULAR, BUT, IT'S THE TRUTH. 12. YOU BETTER MONITOR WHAT MOVIES YOUR CHILDREN SEE AND WHAT MOVIES YOU DOWNLOAD OFF OF NETFLIX AND ALLOW IN YOUR HOME. 13. WHEN YOU GET A CALL FROM THE CABLE COMPANY THAT SAYS, YOU'RE SUCH A LOYAL CUSTOMER WE WANT TO OFFER YOU 3 FREE MONTHS OF HBO, SHOWTIME AND CINEMAX, YOU BETTER THINK AGAIN. 14. I TOLD THEM I WOULDN'T ALLOW SUCH FILTH IN MY HOUSE. 15. BUT, IT'S FREE FOR 3 MONTHS. I DON'T CARE IT'S TEMPTATION THAT I DO NOT NEED IN MY LIFE. VI. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP WE HAD ALL KINDS OF CLASSES FOR KIDS AT CHURCH ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS. Illustration: Working at Taco Bell - eating services off 7. DO YOU HAVE A CONVICTION LIKE THAT? 8. DO YOU TAKE A STAND FOR GOD AND HIS CHURCH? CONCLUSION: 1. I'M TALKING TO EVERYONE NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE IS. 2. IT'S TIME TO DECIDE WHO YOU ARE GOING TO SERVE. 3. IT'S TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED. 4. IT'S TIME FOR US TO BE A VOICE IN DALLAS, IN NORTH CAROLINA, AND IN THE NATION. 5. IT'S TIME TO FALL ON OUR FACE BEFORE ALMIGHTY GOD IN HUMILITY AND REPENTANCE AND GAIN BACK THE STANDARDS OF HOLINESS WE ONCE SO PROUDLY STOOD FOR. 6. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT AN OUTWARD APPEARANCE OF HOW LONG THE DRESS OR HAIR IS, OR NO MAKE UP AND JEWELRY. 7. BUT, IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES THEN LET'S GO BACK THERE. 8. I'M TALKING ABOUT A DECISION TO REPENT THAT CAUSES US TO LOOK INTO THE HOLINESS OF GOD AND BE CHANGED IN OUR VERY BEING. 9. I'M TALKING ABOUT A HEART CHANGE WHERE THE WORLD CAN SAY, MAN, THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WITH JESUS. 10. I'M TALKING TO SOME DRY BONES THIS MORNING. 10. IT'S TIME TO GET OFF THE FENCE. 11. IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION. 12. IF IT SEEMS GOOD TO YOU TO SERVE THE LORD, THEN SERVE HIM WITH ALL THAT IS IN YOU. 13. IF NOT, STOP BRINGING A REPROACH ON THE NAME OF CHRIST. 14. AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE WE WILL SERVE THE LORD. 15. LET'S DEDICATE OUR LIVES AND HOMES COMPLETELY, FULLY TO THE LORD. 16. LET'S LET OUR DECISIONS BE MADE WITH THE STANDARD THAT WE ARE A CHRISTIAN. 17. LET'S SEEK THE FACE OF GOD AND IN SO DOING, WE'LL DRAW CLOSER TO JESUS. 18. THEN WE CAN SHOW A LOST AND DYING WORLD WHO JESUS REALLY IS.

The wedding Matthew 25:1 Jewish Marriage 2000 Years Ago Had 3 Levels 1. Engagement 2. Betrovel 3. Wedding Today you 1. Get engaged. 2. Wedding 3. Honeymoon 1. Learn that love was a commitment not a feeling. 2. Up to a year. No contact. Only broken by death or divorce. (Virgin Widow) 3. Included the entire community. Week feast. They would parade through at night with torches. Foolish - moron, dumb, idiot, ignorant Wise - someone who gets it mentally and access the matter properly, Plan ahead because they don't know when the groom is coming. Matthew 25:2- 10 number of judgement 10 men before starting a synagogue 10 men to have a Passover feast 1. Be Righteous 2. Be Ready 3. Be Responsible The Unprepared for the: 1. Mountain 2. Message 3. Mission Dozing/Sleeping Illustration: the concerned for the unsaved Lonnies sister...getting saved but not baptised Church “members” (yet He never knew them) Matthew 25:12 Grooms role today after the wedding: Wedding

1. Jesus coming to get His bride 2. Jesus coming with His bride Mathew 24:7-14 (Taken from the Message), “Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming.” (8) “They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other's throat, everyone hating each other.” (9) “In the confusion, lying preachers will come forward and deceive a lot of people. For many others, the overwhelming spread of evil will do them in – nothing left of their love but a mound of ashes.” (10) “Staying with it – that is what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved. All during this time, the good news- message of the Kingdom-will be preached all over the world, a witness staked in every country. And then the end will come.” 1.I think we would all agree that we are living in difficult times. I mean all we have to do is to look at Gas Prices? 2.The job market. 3. The building market. 4. Unemployment. 3.The number of wars we are in simultaneously. 4.And we could go on and on. 5.But we need to stop and ask ourselves the question, “What is happening?” 6.Well all we have to do is look at the words of Jesus given to his disciples in Matt. 24 in answer to their question.”Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” 7.The truth is all we have to do is open the newspaper – any newspaper, and we will see a reflection of these signs. 8.Religious tolerance is given to any group except Christians. 9.We have to understand that Anti-Christ, has a vested interest in keeping you from participating in the catching away of the Church. 10As Jesus told Simon Peter just before the crucifixion, in Luke 22:31, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat.” 11Anti-Christ wants to keep as many as he can for his Tribulation kingdom as he can. 12But I have good news for you this evening, Jesus is praying for you right now at the right hand of God the father. Matt. 22:32 says, “But I have prayed for you that you faith fail not.” 13Jesus is telling us that in the last day warfare you cannot afford to lose your faith. There is nothing you get from God that you do not get except by faith. This is no time to lose the faith. 14It is obvious that we are coming into the time we are warned about in Matt. 24. •Our own government refuses to recognize Jesus in public settings. •The Ten Commandments are denied public setting and display. •The public use of the Bible is prohibited everywhere expect Prisons, Jails and some courtroom settings. 15And remember that the sword of the spirit is the Word of God. There is no battle to great for the Sword of the Lord and the Shield of Faith. Amen 16The two most powerful weapons at our disposal we are denied: The Word of God and the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Satan knows this and he trembles at the prospect of our ability to use them against Him in these last days. I.Satan thinks he has won the battle but Jesus has a secret weapon Satan hasn't beaten yet. A.Who is it? Hey, it is you and me. 1.Jesus says to his disciples in Matt. 24:14, “The Message of the kingdom-will be preached all over the world, a witness staked out in every country. And then the end will come.” 2.Who is this witness? I say it is all of us in this room tonight and every Christian still alive today. 3.You see back in 1915 the average life span in America was only 54. 4.In 1967 it went to 70 5.Now it is right at 80. 6.I heard one reporter say that now middle age is considered to be 60. B.Why do you think God has allowed our life span to increase like that? 1.My personal theory is that God has been looking at what our politicians have been doing to the moral values in our country, now they call them Family values, one step removed from Moral values. But we remember our own fathers and their integrity and their devotion to God. 2. And we learned in school about how our Pilgrim fathers came over here on the Mayflower and persevered through cold and deprivation to establish a nation whose Capitol is alive with Scripture and pledges to Almighty God. 3. Do you think God has turned a deaf ear to those Godly patriots? No, I think not! 4. Just think, 20 years ago this room would be almost empty right now. 5. I believe you and I have been allowed to live 20 to 30 years longer to maintain and propagate the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and to declare the salvation message to a generation that has been deprived of its beauty and glory and satisfaction. Hey, they can't get it from our schools any longer ,but they can from us. 6. But you say, “pastor I am retired.” Well get over it. Our churches need you!! Many retired men are going to mission fields as short term missionaries. 7.Think about it: You have insight. You have strength of Character. You have reasoning power. You have connections. You have integrity. You have inside of you an appreciation for the word of God. And there is a rich history of the moving of God you have seen and experienced that this young generation has been deprived and the need for you to be the Sunday School Teacher to in some way to hear from you. You have seen miracles. You have heard testimonies. You have been in amazing revivals. And our churches need you and I as mentors

I. In a Manger, a. Literally “born in a barn.” b. The most humble of births c. Recognized as a king by the Wise Men who visited II. On a Donkey a. Fulfilled Scripture (Zechariah 9:9) b. Donkey was a symbol of peace c. Welcomed with palm branches and shouts of Hosanna i. Hosanna is a celebratory exclamation that means “save now.” In this context, it wasn't a plea for salvation but an acknowledgment that “salvation has come” or “God saves.” [International Standard Bible Encyclopedia] III. On a Horse a. The horse is not a symbol of peace; it is a symbol of war and domination b. The description of Jesus as Final King: Revelation 19:11-16 i. called Faithful and True ii. He judges and wages war iii. His eyes are a flame of fire iv. on His head are many diadems v. He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself vi. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood vii. His name is called The Word of God viii. From His mouth comes to a sharp sword 1. He may strike down the nations 2. He will rule them with a rod of iron ix. He treads the winepress of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty x. And on His robe and His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." c. There is nothing humble, meek, or hidden when Jesus returns as King. No one will be able to stand against Him. Maranatha The Lord is Coming

• Happiness is the result of Marriage, not the purpose • Once we make happiness the purpose, Satan has you because he knows how to make you unhappy. • What happens when marriage life falls short of the “happily ever after”? - the results often range from disappointment to divorce. • Malachi 2:10-17 – Taking the things of God Seriously not just casually; Ink pen we may take as something casual because someone next to you will have one that you may use. Unless you are like Bro. Ken Anderson collects different types of ink pens. Malachi 2:1 & 2 (Living Bible) – Listen, you priests, to this warning from the Lord Almighty: “If you don't change your ways and give glory to my name, then I will send terrible punishment upon you, and instead of giving you blessings as I would like to, I will turn on you with curses. Indeed, I have cursed you already because you haven't taken seriously the things that are most important to me. • (Unity of God at the beginning of this text) Malachi 2:10 - 10 We are children of the same father, Abraham, all created by the same God. And yet we are faithless to each other, violating the covenant of our fathers! • Malachi 2:11- In Judah, in Israel, and in Jerusalem, there is treachery, for the men of Judah have defiled God's holy and beloved Temple by marrying heathen women who worship idols. – Men divorcing their wives and marrying women of another religion. (Beliefs were different) • Profaning the sanctuary of the Lord – Devoted to secular things and not to biblical truths. • A guy saw a petty lady in Walmart in Charlotte, he makes the statement where are you head from here. She states home toward Concord, NC, which is north of charlotte; he states ok, I'm heading to Gaffney, SC, which is south of Charlotte – we can trail each other. ANSWERS: They cannot because they are going in different directions. • To the singles –II Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) says, “Be ye not unequally yoked with unbelievers. . .” It doesn't say relationships, it doesn't say marriage, but its implication is that of any relationship with another person. A relationship with another person could be a marriage. the reason why the bible states that a Christian should not marry a non-Christian is that there is a spiritual conflict. There is a conflict of God's. • Marriage can be difficult enough with serving the same God. – you have two people with different personalities, different views, different ways of being reared by their parents; Now they are becoming as one. • BE NOT UNEQUALLY YOKED – CAN WE TAKE THAT IS FOR ALL RELATIONSHIPS…FRIENDSHIPS AND MARRIAGE • Contract: a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law. • Covenant: Within the gospel, a covenant means a sacred agreement or mutual promise between God and a person or a group of people. In making a covenant, God promises a blessing for obedience to particular commandments. • The issue was in the verses of scripture is….God had stop answering there prayers ?????? • Malachi 2:12 (Living Bible) - 12 May the Lord cut off from his covenant every last man, whether priest or layman, who has done this thing! • Malachi 2:13 (Living Bible) - 13 Yet you cover the altar with your tears because the Lord doesn't pay attention to your offerings anymore, and you receive no blessing from him. • We need to know that God takes his covenant seriously – Covenant is a spiritually binding relationship between God and his people. God can only operate by the rules of his covenant. • Malachi 2:15(Living Bible) - 15 You were united to your wife by the Lord. In God's wise plan, when you married, the two of you became one person in his sight. And what does he want? Godly children from your union. Therefore, guard your passions! Keep faith with the wife of your youth. • A covenant/marriage is not designed to make you happy; Many people get married to become happy, Happiness is the result not the purpose of a covenant/marriage. Once you make happiness the purpose of getting married; when you become unhappy, this will cause you to trade that car in. • I once heard someone say that they were looking for the ideal, it became an ordeal, now they are looking for a new deal. • The purpose of God's covenant is to expand his kingdom. In Genesis 1:26-28 • Key of Malachi 2:15 - Godly children from your union. Not to have children just so you have some look-a-like. He wants you to have godly seeds to spring up and continue spreading the Gospel. Happiness comes at the covenant being fulfilled. Happy is not a strong enough anchor to hold the covenant at which this purpose was established. • Father, son, holy spirit – (example)- separate but working together unified covenant • The covenant that we read about in the bible is Transcendent-Over seen by God • Matthew 19:6 (Living Bible)- 5-6 and that a man should leave his father and mother, and be forever united to his wife. The two shall become one—no longer two, but one! And no man may divorce what God has joined together.” • Funny translation of this scripture – How do you come to me to marry you, but turn to a judge when you are wanting a divorce? • All covenants have an order/chain of command – I Corinthians 11:3 - 3 But there is one matter I want to remind you about: that a wife is responsible to her husband, her husband is responsible to Christ, and Christ is responsible to God. • Once we start tweaking and making the covenant to fit our views, the covenant begins to lose its effectiveness. • Two rules are love and respect: Man is to love, and the woman is to hold the man in high esteem. He is to massage her heart and she is to massage his head. (Ephesians 5:21-33) – holding each other in high esteem. • Love- • Respect • 2. Love and Respect: I would humbly suggest that we all give examples here: • a. *How does the love of a husband for his wife look like?*- Eph 5:33 • b. *How does respect for a wife for her husband look like?* • c. *How does mutual submission, one to another out of reverence for Christ look like? Ephesians 5:21)* • Submission means to “line up underneath- an act of will -we must choose to submit. I heard someone use the example of a stop vs yield sign. Stop sign means stop, period, no question asked-you have a choice with a yield sign. Your choice may carry consequences. If you decide to try and beat the oncoming car and decide to shoot thru the intersection instead of yielding; You may or may not judge the distance correctly. Submitting by respecting (hold in high esteem) him – Reverence. (I Peter 3:1-2) 3 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. • Is this saying, in general, the wife should have a godly attitude-that which can draw an unbelieving husband to Christ? Should we continually criticize, preach to him, or always have the verse of scripture that we think he needs to work on, penned to his pillow. We should not browbeat or manipulate him - even if we think we have a valid point. • Submitting as equals – Submission has to do with function. Men and women are equal in God's eyes. Submission does not mean passive. Proverbs 31:10-31 was not passive nor mindless. But in terms of her marriage, her skills were used to enhance her husband. • We both discuss the issue at hand, both should have equal input, but to make the final decision the wife has the yield sign. • If the enemy can disunify you, then he will do his best to keep God away from you. Your focus will be on the problem and not the solution, which is God our Father, the covenant maker. • This is how little fuzzes can become Huge Fights. • I Peter 3:7 (Living bible) - 7 You husbands must be careful of your wives, being thoughtful of their needs and honoring them as the weaker sex. Remember that you and your wife are partners in receiving God's blessings, and if you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not get ready answers. • Covenant is meant to be multi-generational – Godly offspring – Why do you think we dedicate babies – the enemy wants to split families to get the children. And to get the kids he must do his best to mess up mom and dad. Again, your focus will be on the problem and not the solution, which is God our Father, the covenant maker. • Malachi 2:15(NASB) - 15 [r]But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And [s]why the one? He was seeking a godly offspring. Be careful then about your spirit and see that none of you deals treacherously against the wife of your youth. • Remnant of the Spirit -? • Christian relationships: 1. Visual - 2. Soul - 3. Spiritual (need meaning from the host) • Malachi 2:16 - 16 For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore, take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. • Matthew 19:3-7 • Many divorces occur because the two never become one. When the two become one they produce something new. The goal of marriage is commonality. It does not matter how much church you attend as long as you stay two you are not adhering to the covenant. Matthew 19:7- 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning, it was not so. • I Corinthians 7 – Abandonment - 1. Physically leaving or 2. vacating his role-no longer a protector, no longer a provider. • God will begin to restore the church by restoring families.

Peter is rebuked for swing the black dot. I think Peter was expecting Jesus to respond like He did on the first question. Sometimes we open our mouths to quick. Just because you think it doesn't mean you need to say it. Study to be quiet. Hold your tongue or cut your throat Proverbs 17:27-28 Ecclesiast 3:7 James 1:19 https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3a/d4/c3/3ad4c35c74012eb155e15c3edc591b8c--bible-quotesquotable-quotes.jpg Peter was not Satan but Jesus had heard that voice before In Matthew 4 Satan has a voice, sound, spirit. You've all heard it before and you know that was the devil. Matthew 16: Jesus presents 2 approaches to life: Deny Self/Live for Self Take up Cross/Ignore the Cross Yes to God no to self. It doesn't mean you forget about life but you include your life into Gods plans for you. Matthew 17 Movie trailer. Mt. Hermon vs Mt. Tabor Transfiguration- metamorphosis (changed completely) Rev. (Lamb is the light of the city) Both Moses and Elijah had experiences on a mountain Both had interesting deaths Jude 6 (body of Moses) Feast of tabernacles 2 Peter 1 gives his own account

Matthew 15

Relaxation

• What is Gaslighting- You have someone that makes you question your reality; makes you feel crazy. It is Deception or manipulation, which is done in a very crafty or unscrupulous way. (Showing no moral principles, not honest or fair) • A lot of people would say, I would never question my reality, but it happens slowly over time. • And what is said about us and to us really can impact you with the person you are around the most, usually your spouse. • Our spouse plays a big part in this because you usually care what their perception is of you. Marriage should be your safest relationship. • People who have a double life also gaslight to prevent others from knowing the truth about them. When other people know the public persona of the aggressor as something other than the victim, you often see people turn against the victim and side with the aggressor. • This can creep into your marriage; it can start as a very subtle thing. The bible speaks of that things crept in unaware which causes sin-? (scripture from Alex)(Example: Your spouse makes a statement, you repeat it later, and they know that's what they said, but they want to make you feel as if you do not see what you are talking about; and then makes the statement, (I WOULD NEVER SAY THAT OR THAT DOESN'T EVEN SOUND LIKE SOMETHING I WOULD SAY OR YOU'VE BEEN VERY FORGETFUL LATELY, DO YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR?) - DECEPTION • Related issues to gaslighting – Blame shifting – turning everything around. Making everything your fault. Never wanting to take responsibility for their actions. Never apologizing! Always trying to prove that you are crazy, losing it until you begin to believe it, and you will start accepting whatever they say. • Related issues to gaslighting - Invalidating/or shutting down everything you say – One spouse is trying to express their feeling, and the other makes the statement that doesn't validate my fact. We should always build up our spouses, never tear them down- communication is critical. Yes, we want to confront issues, but you are not always right. • Wanting your way all the time is gaslighting; manipulating the other to get your way. Using anything that may affect their mental health. We all have done this. We must identify this and stop ourselves to better our marriage. We all can be selfish. • Related issue – The pity party card – Making the statement that you can never do anything right. I guess I'm the worst husband/or wife ever; I can never do anything right. Then the conversation will turn about them, then you will begin validating them, and the issue you brought up is never discussed. Their statement will focus on them and not what your concern was, and nothing gets solved. • Gaslighting examples-STATEMENTS-: 1. You never remember anything right, 2. I'm just not understanding what you are getting at, 3. I don't know what you are talking about; you are just trying to confuse me. Belittling the other person's feelings- by stating, you're too sensitive. 4. Always accusing you of making things up. • There are different ways of deception, and they can be in the category of emotional and physical Abuse • Example: You notice your spouse on their phone more than usual. You say something about it, and they make the statement, I am working on a new project at work: MAN, you don't trust me. (then gaslighting comes into play, trying to divert the situation from them) • Warning signs; 1. They Lie often and show no remorse. 2. Never admit their mistakes, 3. Get angry when being questioned/criticized. 4. They are always trying to put you down. Always the one in control/power. 5. You edit every word in your head before speaking, trying to fix your statement so they can't flip things around. We want to pray that this isn't creeping into your marriage, old or young. • Steps if you recognize this in your relationship: 1. Pray 2. seek guidance-Pastor(hard to ask for help) • Can you recover from this, YES? - again, speak to your spouse, pray, guidance • A big sign that this is happening you have; 1. High Anxiety 2. Afraid of what will happen next, always on guard when they are around, like tiptoeing around a bomb. 3. They began to Isolate you from friends or family. • As Christians, sometimes we feel that we are doing the wrong thing by telling on our spouse, but that's not true. It will be good and helpful for you both. We all deserve respect. Set boundaries and speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:29 PART 2 Accidental Gaslighting • What is Gaslighting- You have someone that makes you question your reality; makes you feel crazy. It is Deception or manipulation, which is done in a very crafty or unscrupulous way. (Showing no moral principles, not honest or fair) • Accidentally, Gaslighting can be learned thru-out generations. Mom dealt with it, so she hands it down. It becomes a way of life • Can be learned at an early age: I pretend to be sick, so I get to stay out of school and get a lot of attention. • Clarity to be made - avoiding gaslighting does not mean that you always agree, or you may need clarity concerning a situation. The key is not to use deception or manipulation to get your way. • Gaslighting is not normal- it will cause your marriage to be unhealthy • Signs of gaslighting:1. Lying all the time to your spouse, 2. Talking bad about your spouse to others, 3. Always blaming your spouse, 4. Covering up or denying your actions. Not validating your spouse's feelings. 5. Pretending to forget something you have disguised earlier. (White lies) -Lie is a lie • Lying is how sin originated. There is no little or small lie. Exaggeration is lying- we all are guilty of this. (We know someone that lies so much that they think that people believe them, but everyone takes almost everything they say as a lie) • We need to ask each other, do you feel that I gaslight you? -Discussion time for each couple • Maybe do a study together on gaslighting. • If we find out that we are doing this, the first step is to honestly say I'm sorry and start changing your ways with help. • Pray this daily Psalms 139:23-24. Search me, O God……. • Have an accountability partner- have a friend that you can confide in…. • Not listening well to our spouse is accidental gaslighting- this will invalidate your spouse. When it comes to how they feel concerning a situation. • We strive for goals concerning ourselves; you should strive/work on the purpose of having a better marriage.

Judge (meaning) - to form, give or have an opinion; or to decide about something or someone after thinking CAREFULLY!

Focus on What is Important Luke 9:62 Luke 10:42

Righteousness exceeds 1. Pharisee 2. Scribe Two Religious Views -human achievement -Devine accomplishments Apostle Paul knew both of these views 6 comparison of what the Jews were raised on believing Outward action vs. Inward attitude Racca-imbecile idiot an arrogant pronouncement of an individual lack of intelligence Fool- moran an inability to learn from actions Forgive- notice go then “come” to worship Illustrations: running over someone in a car - I ask God to forgive me but what about asking the person that I hit? Do it quickly. Have fast is that? Paul said don't let the sun go down on your anger -Adultery 2nd commandment of these 6 External vs Internal. Matters of the heart because that's where it starts. 1. Starts with lust Usually for men it's begins visually Deal drastically with sin “cut it off” David “looking” at his neighbors wife Glance vs. Glaze Divorce Deuteronomy 24 Divorce Philosophy in the days of Jesus Cut it off “hit the road jack”

Lightly Salted Chips, pretzel, nuts, popcorn Genesis Chapter 1 :1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first days. Light True Christians are to be in the world as light. Now, it is the property of light to be utterly distinct from the darkness. The least spark in a dark room can be seen at once. Of all things created, light is the most useful. 1. It makes things grow. 2. It guides. 3. It brightens. 4. It was the first thing called into being. Without it, the world would be a gloomy blank. The light is dim. Are we true Christians? Then see again our duty as light and take our position and responsibilities! John 8:12 I am the light of the world If He is the light why does he need us We have no light of our own but we are reflectors; reflectors of Christ. We are to be a moon and reflect the Son. How brightly do I shine? How well do I stand out? How well do I show others that I am a disciple of Jesus? If I were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict me? Salt True Christians are to be in the world like salt. Now, salt has a peculiar taste of its own, utterly unlike anything else. When mingled with other substances, it preserves them from corruption. It imparts a portion of its taste to everything it is mixed with. It is useful so long as it preserves its savor, but no longer. Are we true Christians? Then see in this thought about salt our place and duties! Conclusion: Surely, if words mean anything, we are meant to learn from these two comparisons, that there must be something marked, distinct, and peculiar about our character - if we are true Christians. It will never do to idle through life, thinking and living like others, if we mean to be owned by Christ as His people. Do we Have grace? Then it must be seen. Have we the Spirit? Then there must be fruit. Have we any saving truth? Then there must be a difference in habits, tastes, and mind between us and those who think only of the world. It is perfectly clear that true Christianity is something more than being baptized and going to church. "Salt" and "light" evidently imply uniqueness both of heart and life, of faith and practice. We must dare to be salt and light to the world - if we mean to see it saved.

Repentance