Victory Life Boswell

Heather Pierce preaches our Wednesday night message on Compassion and Discipleship. Where is our compassion at?

In this Sunday morning sermon, Pastor Landon Heinen encourages us to bring our focus back to the one thing that is necessary.

Jesus' life and message demand a response. In this passage, we look at three different responses to Jesus with the goal of asking ourselves the question, "Am I a fan, a follower, or too familiar?"

In this sermon, we look at three stories from Jesus' life where He shows His authority over traditions like fasting and sabbath.

Jesus calls sinners and tax collectors, which is good news for us!

Jesus reveals His authority to forgive sins and to heal in this story from His life. Some people show roof-wrecking faith to find Jesus and see His power revealed in their lives.

Jesus' ministry expands as he casts out unclean spirits and heals diseases.

We follow Jesus as He begins preaching the coming of the Kingdom of God and calling people to repent and believe.

We continue on the road with Jesus, following his baptism and journey through the wilderness.

This sermon begins our journey through the Gospel of Mark to walk with and behold Jesus.

In this sermon, Pastor Micah continues our discussion of our church values. We focus on being a people of integrity by God's grace.

In this sermon, Pastor Micah discusses our value of being a generational church. We look to the story of Esther and Mordecai as an example of God working generationally to redeem His people.

Pastor Micah begins a series on how we live out Jesus' call to be a city on a hill. In this series, we will walk through our church's commitment to the values of generosity, relationship, integrity, family, generations, and the word.

Pastor Micah shares a word on Sunday, April 18th from Numbers 11, encouraging us to be people who share inspired words of God wherever we find ourselves. Like Eldad and Medad, we need to "prophesy in the camp."

In this Wednesday night sermon, Jan and Gayle Lee discuss valuing God's word and sticking close to the Lord in the midst of dark times.

Pastor Lee Armstrong reveals some signs that you are being transformed into Christ's image.  This message was preached on Sunday, April 25th, 2021.

Jonathan Parker directs us to behold Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice for our redemption and salvation.

Micah and Kallie Moore discuss some learnings on following Christ in marriage.

Session 1 of "Living Unlocked" where Pastor Micah begins to unpack how an encounter with Jesus Christ, the living Word, unlocks us into potential and purpose. We begin by looking at Jesus' parable of the sower.

Pastors Jacob and Hannah Sheriff share on night one of Better Together Conference what it means to have a Jesus Centered Marriage.

Here in the 3rd installment of the Jesus Over Everything Series, Pastor Micah talks about the importance of prayer in our pursuit to put Jesus Over Everything in our lives.

This is the 2nd installment of the Jesus Over Everything Series that Pastor Jacob Sheriff started us on. In this sermon, Pastor Micah talks about how Jesus is sufficient for all of our growth and maturity.

Pastor Connor Harrison continues our series, Jesus Over Everything, talking about maintaining The Supremacy of Christ in our lives.

Jonathan Parker delivers a word from the Lord about reflecting the glory of God in our culture.

God's people position themselves around His blessing by placing themselves in Unity. He has commanded a blessing of life evermore when people are in unity.

God's people position themselves to receive and give His blessings when they position their lives around His living word.

Pastor Micah begins a series on what it truly means to be blessed from a Biblical perspective. Proverbs 11:11 says that the city is exalted through the blessing of the upright. We, as God's people, need to be ready to live in His blessing for the sake of the world around us.

In this sermon from 7/5/2020, we talk about how to pray our anger, through King David's prayer in Psalm 109.

In this sermon, from 6/28/2020, we discuss the feeling of guilt, and how it is processed before the Lord by King David in Psalm 51.

In this message, we discuss the imagery of contentment found in Psalm 131.

In this message, we talk about grieving with hope. Grief tells us that things are not as they should be. The hope of Christ's resurrection tells us that in Him, they will one day be as they should.  We look through the lens of Psalm 43.

In this message, we explored the expression of grief in the Psalms and learn how to grieve well as a community and as individuals. We look through the lens of Psalms 42 and 43. 6/7/2020

Pastor Lee's message about Kingdom Emotions and God's joy on Sunday, May 31st 2020.

Message audio from VL Boswell on Sunday, May 24, 2020.

Mission Weekend Walk Across The Room Awkward “elephant in the room” type moment… “Don’t know their name…” _____________________________________ We have spoken about missions a lot! But we still have not seen Jesus return… Matthew 24:14 New Living Translation (NLT) 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations[a] will hear it; and then the end will come. _____________________________________ You have to walk across the room before you walk across the world… Jesus already crossed the universe for you. He already walked across the room! _____________________________________ Romans 8:1 New Living Translation (NLT) (No Condemnation) So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b] from the power of sin that leads to death. / Romans 8:39 New Living Translation (NLT) (No Separation) No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. With no defeat in-between = YOU CANT GET THIS WRONG! _____________________________________ Jesus walked across the room to show us how we are to step out! JESUS’ FIRST STEPS Galatians 4:4-5 New Living Translation (NLT) 4 But when the right time (a) came, God sent his Son (b) , born of a woman, subject to the law. 5 God sent him to buy freedom (c) for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. a) They were part of a plan. b) Built around a person (Jesus) not an organization (the church) The initial walk across a room was not arbitrary and still had to be taken by person. That person was sent by God the Father in the person of Jesus the Christ. c) For a specific purpose. Our scripture says that He came to “redeem those” under the law. That would be you and me. _____________________________________ YOUR FIRST STEPS If you have received grace you are to extend grace… Your Timing a) My Plan/Timing – Jesus has made it that your time is NOW! b) You have been sent - HERE! c) Your purpose? - To get really good at loving people Every unique situation you have walked through is preparing you for the unique mission you will walk out. _____________________________________ Be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Good is in you and so when the time comes for you to do good - you will want to. Does your desire to do good trump your desire to do nothing? Your desire to do nothing is excuse based, your desire to do something is faith based. They say that the opposite of faith is fear, I say the opposite of faith is an excuse… Leave your “Circle of Comfort”. Malawi can be just as far away as a small group! 3. Be willing to enter the “Zone of the Unknown”. Faith creates growth. Faith is about the unknown. If you only ever step into the known you are never really taking a leap off faith faith. “take the right steps” vs. going in leaps and bounds _____________________________________

Consequences 2 Blessings and Curses Romans 6:23 23 For the consequences of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. _____________________________________ What is Sin? Sin is adding an additional being to the sin equation - yourself. Deciding what is good and bad created a tension in the human psyche that we were never designed to endure. That tension is deadly… Genesis 2:15-17 15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” ________________________________________ PROXIMITY vs TENSION Deuteronomy 28:2 [1] "All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you if you obey the LORD your God. Its a curse having to figure out what is wrong or right. It plays to our selfishness… If I do it like this what will I get? “You will be like God.” Satan ________________________________________ Proximity to God = Peace and not tension Proximity to God = Blessing = Life Deuteronomy 30:11-19 11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live Why All The Curses? Genesis 3:14-19 God was not cursing them - he was highlighting what it is like to no longer be in proximity to HIM AND How we would supernaturally be restored. In Satan he would be supernaturally defeated that would impact the flash and the world of man… The blessing of God affects every aspect of mankind’s existence. ________________________________________ When evil is spoken over you - its words spoken without God. If there is tension in your finance - without God Tension in your marriage - without God The tension in life is caused by us quibbling over what is wrong or right. Blessing is enabled in our life through obedience in faith to the Father - without quibble. ________________________________________ Curse = devoid of blessing (tension of good and evil tree) Blessing = proximity to God Proximity to God = life (tree choice) ________________________________________ Romans 6:23 23 For the consequences of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. The reason we can say that Jesus took all of our curses at the cross, is because it is through Him that we are in proximity to God. There are no curses in proximity the God only blessing and life. ________________________________________ Generational Curse = generation 1 not teaching generation 2 how to be obedient. It is not automatic - it is a choice. Your obedience to God (proximity) breaks the curse (tension). ________________________________________ [1] https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/Deuteronomy/28/2

First love Winning The Game of Life - By Returning to Or First Love Life of purpose vs. life of mediocrity. John 10 - Abundant life Not just breath and survive - achieve my desires and goals. Abundant Life = Fulfilled Life _________________________________________ GETTING OUR PRIORITIES RIGHT Revelation 2:5 New Living Translation (NLT) 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. _________________________________________ In Revelation 2:5, the word first means “foremost (in time, place, order or importance),” and the word works is defined as “toil (as an effort or occupation).” In other words, if you find that you have left your first love for the Lord, get your priorities back in order and do the most important things. _______________________________________________ We don’t find that purpose and momentum on our own: PSA 37:4 Take delight in the Lord,     and he will give you your heart’s desires. __________________________________________________ MOSES STORY MISDIRECTED PASSION Ex 2:11-12 11 Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. 12 After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand. __________________________________________________ THAT PASSION HAD A GOD THOUGHT BEHIND IT Ex 2:23-25 23 Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God.24 God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.[c [1]] 40 YEARS OF REFINING AND ALIGNING Spent time in Mideon being refined and aligned… Refined - the gifts needed to be matured. His response had to be negotiate and reliant on Gods strength not his own (Murder). Refine them from a pride into an ability and a humility that would fulfill Moses’s desires in a divine way. Aligned - he needed to come to a realization that the reason he ran was he did not know that the history, position and personality he had been given was not his burden but his purpose. Becomes a divine purpose when we can align who are to Jesus so that he can use us for good. Not a pain but a promoter Aligning and refining is not wasted time. Desert time - Jesus conquered Satan Public Speaking - trouble Preaching - good. HOLY GROUND MOMENT - BURNING BUSH 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” How that must have done something on the inside of him. But how inferior it must have made him feel. Moses was content with having the gifts and using them in a way that he could control and understand… __________________________________________________ Genesis 3:15b-17 When Moses arrived in Midian, he sat down beside a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters who came as usual to draw water and fill the water troughs for their father’s flocks. 17 But some other shepherds came and chased them away. So Moses jumped up and rescued the girls from the shepherds. Then he drew water for their flocks. But now he had been shown and felt that what he had always desired, what had cause him to step out of his protected palace world into irrational defense of his people, what he had that would protect some women at a well, could be used to liberate an entire nation. Aligning what little you think you have to the greater good that God has in mind = faith - He can see it but we can’t. Realizing there is a God given purpose to your personality and talents = passion… (ongoing - not grow weary kind of life) Mediocrity comes from weariness… __________________________________________________ Isaiah 40:31 New Living Translation (NLT) 31  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. __________________________________________________ The weight of your problem becomes then fuel of your purpose. __________________________________________________ A Holy Ground Moment With God 1. Submission and Worship - Aligns your life with His will (“Holy Ground” - Moses was anti-oppression - So was God) 2. Eliminates excuses and replaces them with supernatural gifts for the tasks at hand (I can not speak - What do you have in your hand?) He gave Moses things he never knew he could do to replace the things he knew he couldn’t do. 3. Is always for others (liberation of the people) Aligning our desires with His will He will never force our will… We just need to love Him in our day to day lives. Romans 8:28 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together to fit into God’s perfect plan of bringing good into our lives, for we are his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed purpose. __________________________________________________ He wants to use every moment of the life that you call boring, the life that you feel lacks purpose, he wants to use every moment, if you will let him, to work his will. When we can give him those moments (love him) he will use them for good. __________________________________________________ We can’t camp on Holy Ground… We need to create an environment in our lives of having Holy Ground moments. But we can not camp in the anointing. If Moses had stayed at the burning bush all he would have been able to do is have a good bbq. If David had not responded to the anointing as king he would have just been a greasy shepherd. There are major Holy Ground moments places where we need to get our priorities right. The first one = called by Jesus (Love God - Love others) From palace to people Holy Ground moment 2 = baptism of the Holy Spirit. When you can no longer handle… In a moment of desperation, fear, hopelessness whatever it is, you strike out against your current circumstances and a desire, a dream, is revealed… Marriage is a major holy ground moment. Communion is another major Holy Ground moment. __________________________________________________ All of these Holy Ground Moments (some call them sacraments) are moments of worship where we align our lives to the purpose of God. __________________________________________________ But there are also Holy Ground moments that we can have every day… Reading the Word Being with other believers Spending time reasoning with the Holy Spirit (meditation) __________________________________________________ All the Holy Ground moments are day to day sandal removing activities we can do to ensure we are aligning our desires and our lives, our talents histories and pasts with Gods desire. Despite your excuses, your life has something in it that you know God can use but you are afraid. Let him in supernaturally to link your dream to his and watch the purpose you so desire to walk out become reality… Take delight in the Lord,     and he will give you your heart’s desires. [1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+2&version=NLT#fen-NLT-1580c

Consequences 1 What is Sin? Romans 6:15-23 15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. 19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the consequences of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. ________________________________ We try to combat the consequences (symptoms) but not the root cause. ________________________________ The two polar opposites help explain what sin is: 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, OR you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Obedience is not a weight to bear but a tool to resist sin and keep alive. Not physically but emotionally and spiritually. Sin is therefore disobedience to God. Is sin an action? ________________________________ Consequences of Sin 15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.16 But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” DISATISFIED When we begin to entertain what is best for us without hearing the Word of God - we make decisions that move us from a place of association (obedience) to a place of opposition (disobedience). “Don’t touch that” human nature - we touch it! God wants us to obey him (opposite of sin) not so we blindly follow him, but so that the divine equation is true: ________________________________ Divine equation - obedience = life Obedience is not about conforming to a law (death) but expressing freedom (life) Sin = anything we do to distance our selves from God. Consequence = shame, guilt and condemnation ________________________________ Work it back - shame guilt and condemnation comes from not fully expressing God in your life - something in your life is undermining your relationship with God. Everything in the spiritual realm is direct opposites. God is love. -> Obedience to love (God) = life Therefore to love is to live. ________________________________ If love covers a multitude of sin Sin covers a multitude of love If love of God is life -> Sin covers life. The moment we knowingly or subconsciously deny God - there is death. That death results in the consequence of shame and guilt. Shame and guilt in turn cause us the die some more which causes us to disassociate ourselves from God even more. Genesis 3:20 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. Then we try to cover over the shame and guilt by trying to do things that we think make ourselves feel better - even for a moment = addictions, perversions, immoral behavior, even illness and sickness. Shame causes more consequences SIN is not consequences. Sin is stepping away from our relationship with God. Addictions are not sin they are the consequence of a consequence. Hiding behind something (addiction) is exactly what Adam and Eve did. Genesis 3:8-11 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man[a [1]] and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” (Have you been disobedient…) Everything from that point was a consequence: Lack of worth Lack of self confidence Blame Hiding away (drugs alchohol) - “drink myself into a hole” Shame is the ultimate weapon that Satan has. He does not even need to create it He just has to get us to think we know better. When we think we have the right to chose - we immediately disassociate ourselves from Gods supremacy, we place ourselves on the throne. The moment we do that - Satan knows shame and condemnation follow: The Sin loop begins. Human rights Gay rights Sex workers rights The moment there was disobedience God made a way out: 14 Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed     more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly,     groveling in the dust as long as you live. 15  And I will cause hostility between you and the woman,     and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike[b [2]] your head,     and you will strike his heel.” JESUS!!!!!! [1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3&version=NLT#fen-NLT-64a [2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3&version=NLT#fen-NLT-71b

Christ’s Faith For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Ephesians 2:8 GALATIANS 2:16 we know full well that we don’t receive God’s perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but by the faith of Jesus, the Messiah! His faithfulness, not ours, has saved us, and we have received God’s perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws! It is the faith OF Christ—Christ’s actual faith in us—that justifies us (makes us righteous). Faith starts with human belief, but must quickly move to the real faith OF Christ. Believing that He believes in you! He never waivers…. His faith in you never waivers… _______________________________ Human faith wavers continually and goes up and down according to how one feels at any given moment in time. It is much like a rollercoaster. When events seem positive or look good, human faith is up. When things look bad and the outcome of a matter appears gloomy, human faith disappears in an instant. God’s faith is permanent and does not waver. _______________________________ His faith in us = grace His grace in us = power Romans 12:6-9 6 God’s marvelous grace imparts to each one of us varying gifts and ministries that are uniquely ours. So if God has given you the grace-gift of prophecy, you must activate your gift by using the proportion of faith you have to prophesy. 7 If your grace-gift is serving, then thrive in serving others well. If you have the grace-gift of teaching, then be actively teaching and training others. 8 If you have the grace-gift of encouragement,[b [1]] then use it often to encourage others. If you have the grace-gift of giving to meet the needs of others, then may you prosper in your generosity without any fanfare. If you have the gift of leadership, be passionate about your leadership. And if you have the gift of showing compassion,[c [2]] then flourish in your cheerful[d [3]] display of compassion. We don’t stand up because we fear our ability to follow through. “Don’t start something you know you can’t finish.” We can start anything because He said “It is finished.” When we don’t have enough? When we just cant find enough to press through! Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us  - Romans 12:3b Filled but not full? Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. When it comes tp Jesus faith in you - it is perfect - there is no doubt. [1] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=TPT#fen-TPT-8290b [2] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=TPT#fen-TPT-8290c [3] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+12&version=TPT#fen-TPT-8290d

LOADING… More Faith Needed _______________________________ Picking your battles Doing the right thing at the right time Maximise _______________________________ Hebrews 11:6 The Passion Translation (TPT) And without faith living within us it would be impossible to please God.For we come to God in faith knowing that he is real and that he rewards the faith of those who give all their passion and strength into seeking him. _______________________________ Where is your faith? What about you? Do you have faith to know that God is with you? To overcome sin and guilt? To be healed of disease? To believe all things in His Word? Do you really believe that “all things [will] work together for good” if you love God (Rom. 8:28)? To believe God will work out injustices you have received? To believe God will provide for you? To believe that you can endure severe trials and persecution? Or that God will deliver you from them? Get a full download (revelation) of faith Download Site: Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” __________________________________ Real faith comes from the Spirit of God—it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. No one can have it without God’s Spirit. No spirit no faith - no faith no pleasing God. I found something I think I want to prioritize…. FAITH _____________________________________ 0 % MY CHURCH The church denomination or affiliation you attend. This description of faith is seriously flawed. DOWNLOAD CANCELED Ephesians 44-5: being one body and one spirit, as you were all called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny. For the Lord God is one, and so are we, for we share in one faith, one baptism, and one Father. 1000’s of churches in USA alone ______________________________________ 10% POSITIVE THINKING Faith is an intangible “feeling” that cannot be defined. It is often …personal, mysterious and unique to each person. No definition, structure, or clear purpose and, inevitably, is whatever people want or need it to be. “positive thinking” …take an optimistic view and remain upbeat about events and circumstances. It’s a start but… these are just good qualities of mind. ____________________________________________ 20% CONFIDENCE Confidence is important: Hebrews 10:35 - “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward.” Confidence is most usually based on knowledge… Confidence is vital for Christians, confidence alone is not faith.  _____________________________________________ 30% HOPE Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run. 1 Corinthians 13:!3 Hope is one of the top three but if faith and hope are the same thing, why are they listed separately? ______________________________________________ 40% JESUS DIED FOR ME… Faith is any general belief that Jesus died for your sins. The fully downloaded version of faith does include this important belief. There is no doubt that if someone does not believe in the most basic understanding that Christ died for his or her sins, there is a problem. Without faith it is impossible to please God, and if someone doubts Christ died for his sins, he certainly is not pleasing God. Believing that Christ died for your sins is a direction—an avenue—of faith, but not what faith is! _______________________________ 50%  STUDY Prayer, study, fasting and meditation are spiritual activities. “They that worship Him [the Father] must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Spirit reveals faith - Study defines it (doctrine) The glass falling reveals gravity, science defines it (formulae) _______________________________ _______________________________ 60% Evidence The already accomplished word of God Hebrews 11:1 Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. Evidence in courtrooms create a certainty. Therefore, where faith is involved, there is an ASSURANCE that it will be received! Faith is based on an evidence. We do not produce evidence of our faith (works) we have faith based on evidence… If God promises to do something, it is impossible for Him to lie Hebrews 6:18: So it is impossible for God to lie for we know that his promise and his vow will never change! And now we have run into his heart to hide ourselves in his faithfulness. This is where we find his strength and comfort, for he empowers us to seize what has already been established ahead of time—an unshakeable hope! OUR FAITH IS BASED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS If you have true Christian faith, you do not need to search for the evidence—you already possess it! _______________________________ 70% ASSURANCE If something is hoped for, that something has not yet been received. Therefore, where faith is involved, there is an ASSURANCE that it will be received! HIS FAITHFULNESS Faith is spiritual, not physical. It is a confident assurance, which comes from the Spirit of God in the mind of a converted human being. _______________________________ 80% Promises of God The yet to be accomplished word of God Not just acknowledging them, or knowing them. They become your first thought, your default, your natural incline. Every time you demonstrate faith in God, it involves a specific promise. A promise can involve healing, answers to prayer, receiving blessings, deliverance in a trial, guidance in a difficult decision and, most importantly, receiving salvation. In every instance, faith involves claiming a specific promise made by God. _______________________________ 90% POWER Combining that which God has already done (Evidence) with the assurance that what He says he will do (Promise) =POWER. Jesus knew that “the Father that dwells in Me, He does the works” John 14:10: Don’t you believe that the Father is living in me and that I am living in the Father? Even my words are not my own but come from my Father, for he lives in me and performs his miracles of power through me. _______________________________ It was through the power of God’s Spirit in Him that Christ accomplished everything that He did. But can you have the same kind of faith that Christ had! _______________________________ 100% GRACE We can not complete the download on our own… For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Ephesians 2:8 GALATIANS 2:16 16 we know full well that we don’t receive God’s perfect righteousness as a reward for keeping the law, but by the faith of Jesus, the Messiah! His faithfulness, not ours, has saved us, and we have received God’s perfect righteousness. Now we know that God accepts no one by the keeping of religious laws! It is the faith OF Christ—Christ’s actual faith in us—that justifies us (makes us righteous). Faith starts with human belief, but must quickly move to the real faith OF Christ. Believing that He believes in you! _______________________________ Human faith wavers continually and goes up and down according to how one feels at any given moment in time. It is much like a rollercoaster. When events seem positive or look good, human faith is up. When things look bad and the outcome of a matter appears gloomy, human faith disappears in an instant. God’s faith is permanent and does not waver. _______________________________ Impossible to please God without faith - no one comes to the Father unless we come through Jesus. Christ asked, “When the Son of Man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) _______________________________

PECULIAR 3 LIGHT IN THE DARK One of the words Peter uses over and again: Calling, Call, Called. Calling—Emboldens, Encourages, Empowers. Class Captain - Badge God does not call us to get a job done he calls us to empower us.  Peculiar - who you belong to characteristically. ------------------------------------------------------------------ • AN ETERNAL CALL TO CHRIST. (Peter/Unlikely) • A TEMPORARY CALL TO AN ASSIGNMENT. (Class Captain) • A DAILY CALL TO A DIFFERENT STANDARD. What am I called to do? God will call you to a WHO before a DO! Who before do—When you know who you are—Know what to do. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter writing to persecuted Christians • Superstitious—Miracles—Magicians—Jesus head magician. • Incestuous—Agape Meetings (Love Feasts)—Brother and Sister • Cannibals—Take and eat my body. 9 …for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 Not what you were—New creation—Redeemed—Set free Most don’t think we are Superstitious—Incestuous—Cannibals. Self-righteous—Judgmental—Intolerant bigots. Some so called Christians—Unfortunately earned these titles. Peter writing to suffering and despised Xian Christ is calling you—Different standard. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 1 Peter 2:11-12 Peter—Not going to try to convince them to believe like we believe. Going to show them what we believe—by how we behave. Not going to tell you about my faith first—Live my faith! You don’t have to be defensive. Best defense is a good offense ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do you think I’m ever criticized? Our church? Instead of defending—We’re not a cult. Not a bad guy—get to know me. Lead the way with irrational love. We are not spiritual consumers—Church exists for world! Known for what we are for—Not against. Let’s be generous—Righteous—Loving! …15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 1 Peter 2:15 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. (*) He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 (*) Not get promotion, Makes fun of you, Only one not invited Weak—he was gentle. Didn’t understand—patient. Rejected—he was loving. Sinned—forgiving. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- What was he not—Proud, Arrogant, Condescending, Defensive, Hateful.  22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. 1 Peter 2:22-24 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peter continues: what said more peculiar - showing who you belong to characteristically. Normal: Curse those—Curse! Hate those—Hate! Revenge—Wrong 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 1 Peter 3:9 You are called to go the extra mile Love your enemies—Bless those who persecute you! To the world that’s peculiar in a weird way To us that’s peculiar in a showing who we belong to characteristically. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- You’re on call! Chosen by God—Royal priest—Holy Nation—People belonging Called to do good! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Class Captain Down and depressed Bullied Family member betrays—forgive Neighbor can’t mow Left out Takes advantage—Continue love Short $ groceries Need church ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I’m on call—On call to Love. Serve. Give. Blessing. On call to find a need and fill it, find a hurt and heal it. You are called Chosen by God—Royal priest—Holy Nation—People belonging Called to Do Good

Peculiar 2 Different Values in an Unholy Culture But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; - 1 Peter 2:9 Last week—learned Peter was writing to persecuted Christians Already hated: Nero most likely burned Rome—Blamed Christians. In the face of difficulties we have a peculiar kind of faith. This World is not your home! Because this world not your own—You are called to be different! You are called to be peculiar. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. [temporary residents] 1 Peter 1:13-17 Greatest obstacle to following Christ may be your desire to fit in with this world. (Philosophies of the world) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Didn’t create you to fit in—Stand out. God never says that you blend in—You are set apart—Different. Peculiar Normal: Broke, Hurting, Stressed, Divorced, Afraid, Anxious. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jesus said wide is the road and broad is the path—Destruction Small gate. Narrow road. Cuss.. Able to stop saying it—Didn’t stop thinking it. Different on the outside—Not on inside! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why does it even matter? 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 He has not called you to be happy—“be happy in all you do.” - be HOLY in all you do. So many people wrongly believe God highest calling is your happiness. God’s highest calling for you is not your happiness but your holiness. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Theology of happiness empowers personal justification: Since I’m not happy—Allowed do something that would otherwise be wrong. ¬Not happy in my marriage—I’m simply leaving. ¬Want this thing—Can’t afford this thing—Gonna get this thing! ¬Dating know we should wait—We’re in love—God understand. Married. When we believe that God wants us happy above all else, discomfort, delay, risk, and suffering can’t be God’s will. Without knowing it, we begin to worship the false gods of comfort, money, pleasure, and things. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Happy—God exists to serve me God does not exist to serve us—We exist to serve him—HOLY. Hágios—holy, set apart, different, pure. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Follow Jesus and Have the Courage to be Different. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. 1 Peter 1:14 Effort How many know you can slip into sin? Fall into temptation. You don’t slip into righteousness—I tripped and became holy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Subtle—Sneaky—Never—Be a Satanist! (Sacrifice chicken) Your enemy—Did God really say? Did God really say can’t watch those adult shows on Netflix? That music with bad language is bad? Gossip is a sin Not to post half naked photos on Instagram? I’m not that bad—I’m a lot better than a lot of people. A lot of people are not the standard! Questions for Reflection: ïWhat is three areas I struggle most trying to fit in? ïWhen was a time I put my happiness above God’s call for holiness? ïWhat are the biggest ways that I’m different from the world? ïWhat is the area that God wants me to be different? —————————————————————————— Why holy? Why does it even matter? 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. 1 Peter 1:18-21 God says—Be Holy Because I Am Holy Because of who he—And because of what he’s done—I want to be holy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not that I have to—WANT TO We are not talking about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. We are talking about SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ïLiving holy isn’t the path to knowing Christ. ïKnowing Christ is the path to living Holy.

Peculiar 1 A Different Kind of Faith But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; - 1 Peter 2:9 Based on the book of 1 Peter: 1. For those facing a trial. Seems unfair. Wish you could change it. Don’t have answers. Trying can’t conceive, Financial obstacles and struggling to pay your bills Battling cancer, Child is making unwise decisions—Feel helpless. 2. For those about to face a trial ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Context: Peter written by Simon Peter (Spoiler) Peter is often described as an Uneducated Fisherman - he had a very sharp mind! Peter writes to hurting Christians: Election, Foreknowledge, Sanctification, Obedience, Blood of Christ, Trinity, Grace, Revelation, Hope. What’s most emotional in his writing—speaking to those suffering ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not sure when 1 Peter written: Between 60-65 AD during reign of Nero—Christians faced extreme persecution. July of 64 AD—fire in Rome burned out of control 6 days—another 3. Believed Nero started fire insatiable lust build—Blamed Christians. (Senate) Animal skins—Wax on trees! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is not your home! We are Peculiar to this earth This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 1 Peter 1:1 parepidēmois—exiles, sojourners, aliens, strangers, foreigners, different and peculiar to the norm Because you are not from here—You don’t live like those from here. As followers of Jesus—we are not called to look like the rest of the world. Different values, Different standards, Different goals. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ WEEK 1: Peculiar Faith in Trials WEEK 2: Peculiar Values in an Unholy Culture WEEK 3: Peculiar Calling in a Dark World WEEK 4: Peculiar Perspective in Persecution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PECULIAR FAITH IN TRIALS Trials are bad! Why would God allow? If you are in the middle of a difficult time—say—Faith is being tested 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. 1 Peter 1:6-7 If there is a “genuine faith,” there’s also a false faith. One of the biggest challenges I see in churches today: False faith. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ FALSE (NORMAL) FAITH My Dad was a Methodist, mom a Baptist,    baptized as a baby ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sower sows seed—Takes root—worries of life, deceitfulness wealth, desire things choke word. Some of you won’t be engaged with things of faith in six months. Busy with school—Student loans—Car payment—Partying—Pot. ——————————————————————————————————————— I will believe as long as things go my way. Guy gym—Wife left me, struggling financially—how can I believe God? Trial is testing my faith! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ HOW DOES GOD USE YOUR TRIALS? 1.TRIALS REVEAL YOUR FAITH. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. 1 Peter 1:7 A faith that has been tested is a faith that can be trusted. 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Early years—Obnoxious: Impulsive, Cocky, Very inconsistent Later years—Faithful, Devoted, Patient—Bold. Denied Christ 3x—Young girl Willing to die death as a martyr. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 Wrecked with pain—There is purpose in your pain! God never causes a hurt But God never wastes a hurt! —————————————————————————— 2. TRIALS DRAW YOU CLOSER TO GOD. 8 You love [God] even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.  1 Peter 1:8-9 NLT The good news isn’t that God saves us from our trials. The good news is that God saves us from our sins! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ As you grow to depend on God You rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. Peter—Rock! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Blame God (inherited, shallow faith) Turn from God to own ways (conditional faith) We are willing to face the trial with God We dont look for God in the trial.

CHRISTIAN vs. THE REST The differentiator of our beliefs What makes a holiday great for you? Differences in making a vacation a good one! What is one thing that completely changes our belief structure - sets Christianity apart from any other belief?_____________________________________ Some of the things Jesus did, anyone could do! Some of the things Jesus did, may be able to be explained away. Some of the things Jesus did, may have been distorted by history. Some of the things Jesus did, could have been old wives tales. Some of the words Jesus spoke could have been spoken by other men. Being put to death on a cross - that was something many did. Stage show magicians pull rabbits out of hats, he pulled bread out of a basket. _____________________________________ When all has been said and done, what was the thing that Jesus did that no one else has ever done that broke the veil? That ripped the understandable, comprehensible and understood world into the supernatural, unseen and eternal world? Die and be resurrected! When it comes to faith (religion) its a major difference to other religions. When it comes to our faith (belief) its one of the big items in scripture that we have to get our heads around. _____________________________________ Christianity's core belief is that the Son of God took on human form (baby in a manger), died for our sins (the story of the cross) and then rose from the dead to give us eternal life. (WHAT???? _____________________________________ But if Jesus Christ didn't come back to life, it undoes His claim to be the all-powerful, eternal Son of God, Savior and Messiah. It undoes every promise and prophesy, it nullifies God’s word and causes Christianity to completely implode. So, Christianity hangs on the Resurrection. _____________________________________ Your hope and faith hangs on the resurrection. It’s one of the core elements of our belief that takes complete and blind faith! The good words spoken by Jesus appeals to our logic, but the resurrection of the Christ, whether we are in a good or bad situation, through faith unlocks that which defies logic _____________________________________ 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 TPT The Importance of the Resurrection 12 The message we preach is Christ, who has been raised from the dead. So how could any of you possibly say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no such thing as a resurrection from the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.14 And if Christ has not been raised, all of our preaching has been for nothing and your faith is useless. 15 Moreover, if the dead are not raised, that would mean that we are false witnesses who are misrepresenting God. And that would mean that we have preached a lie, stating that God raised him from the dead, if in reality he didn’t. 16 If the dead aren’t raised up, that would mean that Christ has not been raised up either. 17 And if Christ is not alive, you are still lost in your sins and your faith is a fantasy. 18 It would also mean that those believers in Christ who have passed away have simply perished. 19 If the only benefit of our hope in Christ is limited to this life on earth, we deserve to be pitied more than all others! _____________________________________ Jesus lived, was crucified, raised on the third day, and was seen by many. The Jewish authorities tried to cover it up with money. The Roman government tried to silence it with violence. Modern skeptics try to argue it away. Was Jesus resurrected? No social media/selfies/video footage. All we have is eye witnesses. And the behavior of those who claimed to have seen him alive and resurrected... _____________________________________ "Eye-witnesses believed He was." 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 The Passion Translation (TPT) 3 For I have shared with you what I have received and what is of utmost importance: The Messiah died for our sins,
 fulfilling the prophecies of the Scriptures. 4 He was buried in a tomb
 and was raised from the dead after three days,
 as foretold in the Scriptures.[a]5 Then he appeared to Peter the Rock[b]
 and to the twelve apostles.[c] 6 He also appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at the same time, most of whom are still alive as I write this, though a few have passed away.[d] 7 Then he appeared to Jacob[e] and to all the apostles.  8 Last of all he appeared in front of me, like one born prematurely, ripped from the womb.[f] _____________________________________ BEFORE When Jesus was taken away by the soldiers, the disciples scattered (Matthew 26:56). When they thought Him dead, they hid (John 20:19). AFTER AFTER He appeared to them, however, they changed. Peter Peter, who had denied knowing Him (Matthew 26:69-75), spoke boldly to entire crowds (Acts 2), stood up to the Jewish Sanhedrin (Acts 4:1-22), endured flogging (Acts 5:40), and went to prison (Acts 12:1-19), but wouldn't stop preaching. Stephen insisted on Jesus' resurrection, right up to the moment the Sanhedrin stoned him (Acts 7). _____________________________________ NO BENEFIT TO MAKING THIS CLAIM While many may die for a belief, these are martyrs who died for what they claimed they saw. They had no reason to lie. Saying Jesus had not risen would have given them a chance for a relatively peaceful, prosperous life. Insisting He was raised brought them multiple scourgings, imprisonments, and horrific deaths. _____________________________________ PECULIAR CLAIM Paul, a persecutor of the church (Acts 9:1-2) and James, Jesus' brother and a confirmed skeptic (John 7:2-5), both claimed to have seen Jesus after His resurrection. And both died, refusing to recant that belief. Claiming Jesus had risen granted them no earthly rewards. (Peculiar claim) _____________________________________ Paul went from a respected, powerful member of the Jewish leadership to a near-vagrant, constantly working, traveling, and preaching with occasional breaks for prison. James was known for doing the right thing. He didn't believe in Jesus until he had seen proof that Jesus was the Messiah. In response, he became a leader of the church of Jerusalem—a church that was continuously persecuted. _____________________________________ SUICIDAL But there is no theory that can explain the eye-witness accounts and the extreme change in behavior and near suicidal teachings they stuck to...except that Jesus really was resurrected. Because of that, we can have hope that we, too, will rise one day and meet Him. _____________________________________ THE IMPACT OF THE RESURRECTION: The resurrection is what changes our belief from fact to faith... I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. John 11:25 _____________________________________ WHAT DID JESUS TEACH ABOUT RESURECTION? Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha... 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” John 11:1,3 Bad news...—the one you love is sick. 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John 11:4• Summarize 5-14: Waited 2 days Let’s go back to Judea. “Jews tried to kill you—why go back? Lazarus has fallen asleep; I’m going there to wake him up. _____________________________________ Sin - cross - no reason not to be in relationship with God - His love and forgiveness for you. DEAD ENDS - YOUR RESURRECTION IS NOW Without the supernatural, doubt, discouragement, delay rob you of hope. _____________________________________ 1) DEAD IN YOUR DOUBTS. (Thomas) 16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” John 11:16 Ever had spiritual doubts? Perfect people polish halo. Prayed & nothing happened? Resurrection is what changes everything... The resurrection is what changes doubts to truth... _____________________________________ 2) DEAD IN YOUR DISCOURAGEMENT.(Mary) 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. John 11:20 Always be depressed. Never good marriage, Always fail as parent. Never really loves me. Always dead end job. Dream is dead. Resurrection is what restores hope. _____________________________________ 3) DEAD IN THE DELAY.(Martha) (3 days, dead, stinketh) 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days...21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:17, 21 Delay: Never marry, Baby, Praying for loved one, Healing God’s delays are not God’s denials! But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask. John 11:22 Loneliness—comfort, Confusion—Peace, Financially—Provider. Broken family—put pieces together, Mistakes u made—life matters. Cold and calloused toward God—heart soft. Dead—bring to life. Jesus said to (Martha), “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:23-26 _____________________________________ THE RESURRECTION IS NOT AN EVENT—IT’S A PERSON. Didn’t say—I’m able to resurrect—but I am resurrection. Jesus told them, Take away the stone! 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” John 11:43-44 If my God can defeat death—my God can do anything! I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. John 11:25

MIRROR MIRROR 3 - The Right to Be Offended We are not our labels. We are not who others say we are. And we aren’t the broken self-image we see in the mirror. Laying down who we think we are to become who God says we are. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Romans 12:3 (TPT) God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem. LAY DOWN OUR FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY. OUR NEED FOR CONTROL. OUR RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED. OUR LONGING FOR APPROVAL. Get upset at the most meaningless things. Offense starts where grace ends For years, I was easily offended. Meaningless things. Driving—no “thank you” wave! Why do we allow small offenses to affect us in a big way? Egos win, right—Win, enemy. Right, wrong. Looking to be offended. Miserable way to live. We get offended because our ego’s have a constant desire for us to win and be right.. We are right - someone else has to wrong We win - someone else has to loose ------------------------------------------------------------------------- A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. Prov 19:11 Quick to judge. Quick to call a foul. Quick to be offended. Slow to overlook an offense. Overlook isn’t the same as pretending it didn’t happen. Conscious decision to “let it go.” Form of forgiveness. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hebrew word means to “pass over.” 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Rom 12:3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul had received much grace... BECAUSE OF CHRIST’S GRACE TO ME... 1. I WILL NOT LABEL OTHERS. If we are not the labels others have given us (veil) then others are not the labels we have given them. Dont be the others... Lied, Cheated, Stole. Categorize a person over one incident. Hold a label for a lifetime because of a mistake in a moment! He’s a jerk. She’s a gossip. He’s a loser. She’s arrogant. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:36-37 2. I’LL GIVE OTHERS THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Eph 4:2 NLT What is the other persons story... Might be having a bad day. Might be distracted. Misunderstanding. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Not all about you: Bad mood isn’t about you Carless driving—about you. Thick skin and soft heart: Wonder what going through? Wounded: Hurt people hurt people. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. I’LL FORGIVE AS I’VE BEEN FORGIVEN. 13 Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Col 3:13 NLT Forgiveness used to be a process (sacrifice)—Forgive in real time. (Jesus) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- What about the serious hurts. Major offenses. Justified, right. They hurt me. Wronged someone I love. Justice. 14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:14-15 How—Hurt me, Abused me, Someone I love. Adultery is grounds for divorce. Grounds for forgivness. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Eph 4:32 Passover Set prisoner free—Realize the prisoner was you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gain the altitude over the big things Maintain that altitude imagine how small the minor issues will be Hurt people hurt people. Forgiven people forgive people.

MIRROR MIRROR 4 - Approved We are not our labels. We are not who others say we are. And we aren’t the broken self-image we see in the mirror. So how can we get to our true identity? By laying down who we think we are tobecome who God says we are.                  2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.  Romans 12:3 (TPT) God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem. WE WILL LAY DOWN OUR: FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY. NEED FOR CONTROL. RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED. LONGING FOR APPROVAL. Recovering people pleaser ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIGNS YOU ARE LONGING FOR APPROVAL YOU WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHERS THINK.  Public Speaking, Social media, Clothes, Hair, Don’t raise hand. YOU ARE OFTEN OVERLY SENSITIVE.  New outfit, Slow to call back, Feeling okay? YOU COMPROMISE YOUR VALUES.  Boyfriend, Joke, Language, Debt, Know truth YOU HESITATE SHARING YOUR FAITH. (Weird, Pray) YOU HAVE A HARD TIME SAYING NO. Outside you are agreeable Inside you are in turmoil ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EGO—affirm me, like me, approve of me. Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget who Gods says you are ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fear of man will prove to be a snare (mokesh), but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe. Prov 29:25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dogs and fence e.g. Parent vs. being liked by your kids ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Idolatry! Putting people ahead of Christ. People are too big in my life and God is too small. I’m asking people to meet a need they cannot meet. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOW DO WE OVERCOME THE DISEASE TO PLEASE? FOCUS ON PLEASING GOD INSTEAD OF PLEASING PEOPLE. 10 Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. Gal 1:10 NLT I can’t please everyone, but I can please God. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LIVE FROM THE APPROVAL OF GOD INSTEAD OF FOR THE APPROVAL OF PEOPLE. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.    1 Thess 2:4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My worth isn’t based on what you think about me but what God says about me! Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget who God says you are: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHO YOU DOES GOD SAY YOU ARE? You are a new creation in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:17 You are forgiven and your sins are washed away. Eph 1:7 You are more than a conqueror through Christ. Rom 8:37 You are God’s masterpiece. Eph 2:10 You are the light of this world. Matt. 5:14 You are filled with the same spirit that raised Christ. Rom 8:11 You are a joint heir with Christ. Romans 8:17 You are Christ’s ambassador. 2 Cor. 5:20 You are the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21 You are greatly loved by God. Romans 1:7 ——————————————————————————————————————— 2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Can’t please everyone—can please God. —————————————————————————————

MIRROR MIRROR 2 - Control Freak We are not our labels. We are not who others say we are. And we aren’t the broken self-image we see in the mirror. Laying down who we think we are to become who God says we are. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Romans 12:3 (TPT) God has given me grace to speak a warning about pride. I would ask each of you to be emptied of self-promotion and not create a false image of your importance. Instead, honestly assess your worth by using your God-given faith as the standard of measurement, and then you will see your true value with an appropriate self-esteem. LAY DOWN OUR FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY. OUR NEED FOR CONTROL. OUR RIGHT TO BE OFFENDED. OUR LONGING FOR APPROVAL. MY NEED FOR CONTROL Some area—like to be in control? Raise someone’s hand. Control freak home—>not work. Finances—>laid back children. Leanne relaxed about social calendar and need to see others - Packing the dishwasher and keeping the kitchen (618 Pharisaical laws) Me—I don’t care about kitchen or believe it or not the remote control, but the WIFI and internet connectivity... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Micromanage, Manipulate: Passive aggressive, silent treatment Circumstances: How kids look, house perfect, yard, schedule --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I KNOW BEST OR PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM THE WORST Trust in the Lord with some of your heart and lean on your own understanding. In some of your ways, acknowledge him, and you will make your paths straight. Prov. 3:5-6 CFV More that you try to control the more you’re afraid of losing control. More you are afraid—the more you try to control. Cycle of fear! FEAR = CONTROL GONE BAD Hard to see in mirror... Maybe this is what God wants.Abraham: this is my sister. Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar; 2 so she said to Abram, "The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her." Abram agreed to what Sarai said. 3 So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. 4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. Genesis 16:1-4 Ishmael and Isaac What’s that got to do with me? Christian women looking for a christian man. Can’t find one so you settle for a man thinking you can change him. Finances—tithing Job—exaggerate on resume Can’t afford—borrow.--- IS IT WORTH MY CONCERN? OR SHOULD I LEAVE IT ALONE? 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dishes have to be done a certain way. 8-year old son combs his hair. How clean your kids keep your car. Not talking marriage and parenting and our relationships with God! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Embrace NO WIFI --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IS IT MINE TO CONTROL? OPEN TO OTHERS? DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUTTING DOWN CONTROL AND TAKING RESPONSIBILITY... Tight Financially—take responsibility - budget Worried about kids future—take responsibility - spend time with them Marriage Struggling—take responsibility - get counsel Afraid never marry: —take responsibility - get involved, join some activities, bath Taking responsibility involves releasing some control EGO/Pride vs. accountability, counsel, opening up to other humans James 4:13-14 (CONTROL) Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. James 5:16 (RESPONSIBILITY) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- IS IT FOR GOD ALONE? EXALT MY PLAN OR HIS PROMISE? Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Control what you can’t—you’re anxious. Give it to God—peace. Can you change my spouse? Can God change my spouse? Can you heal my loved one? Can God heal my loved one? Can you control my future? Can God control the future? The Lord will provide a sacrifice. Gen 22:13-14 (Abraham) went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. Closing: When you follow Jesus, you aren’t in control. But HE removes fear...