Victory Life Sherman

An Ash Wednesday sermon.

What role does faith obedience play in our experience of God's Kingdom? Christ is clear in his invitation to follow him, that we must take up our cross. The goal of discipleship then is that we would die to ourselves in a walk of faith obedience. Apart from Holy Spirit, this is an impossible task, but in him we can live a life of obedience to Christ, experiencing his Kingdom fully.

Should we walk in just enough to be a good person, or should we walk as more than a conqueror? In our walk, we need to progress, which comes  by adjusting our thoughts and actions.  God has given us everything we need to adjust, grace and peace 2 Peter 1:2, which are multiplied through the knowledge of The Lord Jesus Christ and Father God.  Knowledge comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. God's Word is perfect, our understanding at times is not, we can calibrate our understanding through applying knowledge and mixing it with faith.  Starting with a firm foundation of faith, we can build our spiritual muscle, beginning right where we are, no matter if we start at zero or have been building for decades, progress is always available. Like going to the gym, you don't start out at the perfection, you set the target and small goals, continue to progress at each goal, with diligent exercise, and keep moving towards the intended result.  "It's easier to give diligence to something when we know the outcome", and by 2 Peter 3:17 we know the outcome is we will not fall from steadfastness, the ability to keep exercising, when we diligently pursue goals. This introduction to 2 Peter 1:5-8 from Pastor Stan set the goals before us to exercise as we progress toward the target.

"The Divine becomes partakers of the human in order that the human may partake of the Divine" - Alexander MacLaren To be partaker of the Divine is to give all diligence, all effort, to pay attention.  To attend to the Divine at one time was to ascend to a holy place, in the same way Pastor Terry Brown describes 7 rungs of a ladder, practical "steps" from 2 Peter 1:5-8 to partake of the Divine.

This was a message about the New Testament Believer becoming a part of the divine nature of God at salvation. By virtue of our salvation as a promise we become this partaker. By virtue of the promise of the Holy Spirit we have power to live this. We are partakers of the divine nature according to 2 Peter 1:4

As Mary poured out fragrant and costly oil upon Jesus, she was pouring out worship, adoration and love at any cost, with complete focus,  ignoring the stirs around her because she was in the moment and nothing other than to please Jesus was on her heart and mind. The oil was not only costly but rich in fragrance.  When Mary wiped Jesus' feet with her hair, experiencing such closeness and sacrifice of praise, she left that moment transformed and smelling like Jesus, so that all who came into her presence were experiencing His sweet fragrance as well. While onlooking Judas was focused on what Mary's act cost him and completely missed an opportunity to pursue the greatest, the ONE thing, Jesus.  While Mary gained from worship, Judas called it a waste. Watch this teaching from Pastor Antonette Weatherly and discover the blessings of pouring your oil out and the cost of not pouring your oil out.

What hurts worse? The trip or the impact of hitting the ground? The simplest way to avoid having to recover from a trip and impact is to be mindful of the hazard, what causes me to stumble and fall while walking towards Jesus? Following God's Word, renewing my mind with the truth, believing the truth, no matter what the circumstance looks like and starting right where I am, upright and walking or having to pick myself up, dust myself off and get moving again, is how to overcome every obstacle in my path. The common denominator for all believers is faith. Faith that what The Bible says about me is true. If I am lacking courage, The Bible says I am strong, fight the trip hazard of fear with this truth! The Bible says I am able to accomplish all things through Christ, this overcomes the trip hazard of doubt and pride. Many things are available to us. Where we set our feet, God gives us that ground! Do we realize we have it? If we don't realize we have it, and take hold of that truth, we have fallen over the trip hazard of theft from the enemy, of stolen blessings. God wants us to prosper, we can only do so by stepping into what He has set before us and blessed. It takes courage to step in. The courage to know my own heart (2 Corinthians 13:5). The courage to humble myself, it is not God's job to humble me, it is my job (James 4:10). The courage to be a spouse, a parent or a friend. God will give us a chance to grow our faith (Deuteronomy 8:16) and when we keep a good attitude, like Joseph, we avoid the trip hazard of being disheartened. Discover how we keep our eyes open to avoid tripping and it's impact in this message from Pastor Stan.

How do we know when a Church is healthy? What is the quick fix to becoming mature? To quickly leave immaturity. And from there begin the process of growing from a tiny cornstalk with only leaves and dirt to a fruit producing, tall cornstalk, with leaves, dirt and corn. Along the way you are sure to experience markers that indicate your growth, and when you notice the markers are going the other way you can know you got turned around. What do you do when you don't recognize where you are? You turn back and head to where you came from and get back on the right road. There are 3 words to help you grow and keep developing. Confidence Competence Chemistry There are 3 questions to ask to assist you in these 3 areas. There are 3 goals to reach in these three areas. Let us follow Jesus' new commandment in John 13:34 and love one another, as Jesus has loved us. When we love one another well, in every circumstance we are on the right road, heading towards maturity, we are growing and poised to be propelled forward.

What does Kingdom Culture look like? God is a God of Decency and Order. Jesus is God's express image, Jesus, while on earth, revealed the Kingdom Culture. Jesus is a real King, with real authority and at salvation we became citizens of Heaven (Phillipines 3:20). Jesus taught us to "only do what we see the Father do" and if ever one wonders how to do that, just like Jesus looked to God, we look to Jesus. As we study the Gospel that Jesus preached while on earth, we learn what Kingdom Culture looks like, as we look to Jesus, and pursue Him in relationship and follow His examples we learn how to live as citizens. We have such a friend in Jesus, what we miss sometimes is the visible friendship with Jesus is the invisible representation of friendship with God. If we want to know what God looks like, we look to Jesus. Friendship does not diminish the authority of God, He is our friend, our older brother and our Lord, our King of Kings. When Jesus came to earth, He didn't give up His Kingship, He came to show us what the King we have been desiring actually looks like and sounds like. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus lays out the platform and the politics of The Kingdom of God. There is a work that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to do. There is a way to become a new kind of human. There is no governmental structure or political agenda, it doesn't exist in party politics, it operates in vertical relationship between heaven and earth. The reality of the literal newness is so simple it is easily overlooked. The transformation is only the starting place in God's rule and reign. The Kingdom of God is literal because it is made up of people. It has a culture, customs and practices, a language, belief systems and principles. It has a smell, made to be experienced. It looks like something because our King looks like something. Discover more of the Kingdom Culture in this message.

"Are these Scriptures for all people for all time?" - Pastor Austin Hix. Paul wrote the books of Romans, Corinthians and Timothy.  These books he included writing about women.  In Corinthians and Timothy he wrote narrow instructions about dress code, leadership roles, virtue and conduct for women.  In Romans he wrote about 3 women in leadership roles in the early Church.  Why the contrast?  Is it contrast? In Corinthians and Timothy, Paul is addressing cultural issues that if The Church began to follow would hinder The Gospel.  He instructs The Church proactively to live counter culture. God does everything decently and in order and Paul instructs The Church to follow that example, not the example of society. Paul does not instruct that women cannot lead, he is instructing women to refrain from teaching until they have learned.  To dress modestly to present honor, so as not to suggest or imply a lack of virtue.  To honor authority and keep order during Church, is to refrain from asking questions during the service.  When Scripture is viewed in context it can unlock the mystery and give understanding to the application of it, then and now. Discover the relevance to the role of women in these Scriptures for today by watching this informative lesson

What is the role of women in The Church? How does a woman's role impact men in The Church? If you are a Father, Brother, Grandfather, Uncle, or mentor you are relevant to shaping how a woman begins to view her role. Discover why God formed woman from Adam's rib. Learn why God blessed woman with the title helper? Understand how the role of women had become distorted and how Jesus restored women. Walk with Pastor Austin through Old Testament women who held some key positions in society and the New Testament to find women significantly impacting The Kingdom.

In this conclusion of the 3 part series, Have you received since you believed? Pastor Stan walks through 1 Corinthians 12 verse by verse.  Will he tackle the subject of women keeping silent in Church?  Watch and find out. Pastor Stan also teaches about tongues and why they are necessary for the maturity of the believer and the body. Tongues, or prayer language, or prophecy is not shrouded in mystery, they are for edification, encouragement, and comfort. Prayer language is for personal edification, encouragement, and comfort, it is Holy Spirit talking to God, wouldn't you like to hear those conversations?  Holy Spirit communicates to your spirit what God has for you, after the conversation. Prophecy in tongues happens in a gathering of the body and must have an interpreter to be edifying, encouraging, and comforting. Paul says, both tongues are necessary, however, it is greater to prophesy in tongues than to speak in your prayer language, because it is for the entire body, and even greater still to interpret so that the body can receive edification, encouragement, and comfort from the spoken message. The 3 parts of this series teach the purpose of the Holy Spirit, how to receive the Holy Spirit through baptism, and in this message, Part 3, how the Holy Spirit increases the maturity of the believer, how tongues are evidence of the Holy Spirit, and the relevance of tongues.

In Part 2 of Have you received since you believed? Pastor Stan leads us to ponder 3 questions. 1) Is it real? 2) Is it for today? 3) Is it for me? Here are questions you might ask.  What is it? Why do I need it?  How do I receive it? This message unpacks the answers to these questions and more. The what is the baptism of The Holy Spirit. The "why do I need it" is to grow in knowledge and understanding of God. No matter where you are in your walk with God, there is always more depth. Holy Spirit is your constant companion, when you rely on His help, as you read God's Word, hear a sermon or other inspiration, Holy Spirit will open your eyes and heart to revelation.  And revelation can lead to transformation. Holy Spirit will help you witness or demonstrate to the world what is on the inside of you. Holy Spirit will place power upon you to resist temptation, to boldly live out loud the love of God on the inside. You know the what, you know the why, what about the how?  Have an open and receptive heart and ask God for the baptism! As you listen to this word from Pastor Stan, keep the 3 questions in mind.

What are your thoughts or understanding about Holy Spirit?  Or have you heard about Holy Spirit?  Sometimes what we witness as a new believer shapes ideas about Holy Spirit.  Sometimes those ideas build excitement and wonder and we cannot accept Holy Spirit soon enough.  Other times what we witness seems strange or weird, like seeing people speak in their prayer language. Pastor Stan begins this 3 part series with personal testimony of his experiences from salvation to accepting Holy Spirit. Wherever you are in your walk, God has deeper treasure for you that knowing and being baptized in the Holy Spirit will reveal, He will be your companion and friend, your guide which transcends every area of your life.

Student takeover is an opportunity to come together as a family for service and give our congregations a taste of our Student Ministry. In this panel discussion with Kayla Massey our campus Youth Pastor, Tyson Bennet Sherman ISD superintendent, and Karsyn Clouse a student, answering questions that can better help us serve the students in our body and community.

Grace is the power to be what you don't have the power to be and the the power to do what you don't have the power to do. We think grace is simply a "I do what I want" card, but it's really an empowerment to follow Jesus and obey God. Grace is something given to us because of what Christ did because we couldn't do it by ourselves. Grace isn't just something we receive, it's something we walk out in our lives-- it's a power to make the right decisions and to live holy.

Grace that is not of God is not grace! If you are trying from only your efforts to achieve something, then it's not grace. Pastor Terry talks about a grace to show, a grace to know, and a grace to flow. We have been given such empowerment from Jesus to do good things and to do big things! There are things that are just too big for us, but when God gives us the grace to do something, He means it!

Often, when a new believer is learning about following Jesus, it feels like it means following a lot of rule of "no", but as a Child of God, we live under His banner of "yes"! Hearing God is something a lot of people think is difficult to do or they think because they don't hear Him that He isn't talking to them. Hearing the Lord is something that is given, not earned-- but also learned. God doesn't withhold His voice. God does not give you the silent treatment. There might be waiting seasons, but those seasons are for deepening our relationship with our Father. Pastor Antonette is fully determined to show us that we are able to hear God! How do we hear God's yes and His no?

Have you ever been to an all-inclusive resort? When you get there and everything available to you is already paid for... it just changes how you enjoy your time there. Don't you know that Jesus already paid for your time on this earth? We still have challenges, but Jesus already paid for everything we need. Pastor Mark Carrillo delivers a power-packed message to remind us that Jesus already paid it all and we get to live in such a way that more powerful than we can even imagine!

It's God's will and pleasure to see us healed. We need to connect to Him in faith to manifest the many ways He makes healing available to us. In this message Pastor Duane teaches us eight ways we can receive healing.

In this third teaching Pastor Duane addresses many questions people have in relation to sin, sickness and healing. Questions like; where does sickness come from, what is the source of sickness and how do I get healed? This message looks at 3 sources of sickness and their relation to sin. Sin should never stop the power of God working in our lives and we hope this message clears things up for many people and opens a path for receiving healing.

This message looks back at the old testament story of the Passover Meal and how it applies to healing for us today.

In this message, Pastor Duane talks about how it is always God's will to heal us, no matter the circumstance. How do we know it's God's will to heal? We take a look at five biblical truths about God that can be found in scripture that will help shore up our foundation and give us confidence in the God who heals.

Do you ever want to stand firm on what you believe but you really feel the temptation to go with the flow to keep the peace? It is possible to idolize comfort over standing on the Word of God. Pastor Austin brings a message to help build your faith in God, trusting Him enough to stand firm on His Word and not on our own comfort. An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, ‘If I have that, then I'll feel my life has meaning, then I'll know I have value, then I'll feel significant and secure.' Timothy Keller

Waiting is one of the hardest things we have to do. Is there road construction that you drive around each day that seems like is taking a lifetime to finish? The frustration we feel even on that is small compared to when we feel like we are waiting on something important in our lives. While we wait, it's so hard to keep our focus and faith in God. It's simple to do that, but it's not easy is it? When we wait, we can either grow in our faith or we can try to control our situation to make it happen faster. Pastor Austin really talks about faith being an attitude that trusting God is the only option-- there is not a "plan B".

It could be argued that the story of the Bible is God's pursuit of the hearts of men. Our hearts are the seat of our intelligence, emotions, will, and character. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence for from it flow the issues of life. To guard means to give or deny access. In this message we consider how to habitually surrender our hearts to God.

It could be argued that the story of the Bible is God's pursuit of the hearts of men. Our hearts are the seat of our intelligence, emotions, will, and character. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts with all diligence for from it flow the issues of life. To guard means to give or deny access. So often we as believers neglect to give God access to our hearts through habitual surrender.

God doesn't have an office with a trashcan that He throws all His good ideas in and gives up. He never paced the floor of Heaven wondering if He could save us. He always had a plan and everything He did was intentional. All the work He has ever done was for everyone, including you. If it wasn't over when Jesus was crucified, it's not over in your situation either. God is faithful and there is resurrection power available in your life just as the Savior of the World was resurrected. The same power that rose Jesus from the dead is available to you and that means it's not over. God hasn't given up and He never did.

There's nothing like a good interruption to a terrible habit. That's what Jesus is, He was the best interruption to the worst habit Mankind ever had, and that's not trusting God. When we do not trust, we sin and commit idolatry. Jesus came to pay for all our sins because it was apparent that we were not going to ever do it on our own without Him. Jesus truly is the best ruler this world will ever know because not once has He used His rule for selfish gain, but to truly save the world.

Ole Abe... that guy just couldn't understand that God would make him fruitful. All Abraham needed to do is trust. You see a theme in all these videos yet? Trust. This part of the story is simply a replay of Genesis 3. Yet God remained faithful through every story in the Bible and God remains faithful in every chapter of your life, too. Keep following along in The Story That Leads to Jesus. Pastor Jacob will fill up the white board in no time.

Do you remember the old hymn "Trust & Obey"? It sounds so easy, but it's only simple. We see so often how merciful and faithful the Lord is even when we do not trust or obey. Humankind works really hard at not trusting and obeying God, but as we see in the Word that God has continued to stay faithful even when we are not. When it's hard to obey, it's an issue of trust.

If humans were left alone to decide good from evil, we would end up with evil every time... and yes, that is a big problem. There is nothing good apart from God. At this part of the story, we learn about the choice God makes on how to save the world. Even if humans caused problems, God knew that ridding the world of humans would not solve the problem. Keep watching, keep reading, and keep exploring why the word "covenant" is first mentioned as God's response to unreliable humans.

A lot of us grew up with an approach to the Bible as simply a manual or rule book, but it is so much more than that. It is a story that leads us to Jesus! Pastor Jacob brings out the white board in this series, so he's serious about this! 😏 Going back to the beginning of Creation, Pastor Jacob takes us through the story that leads to Jesus, the story that includes you!

There is something about maturing and that something is intention. We can always get older but without intention, we do not mature. Dr. Pastor Terry Brown encourages us to step out in practicing the gifts of the Spirit. It may not be "spectacular" as we practice and mature spiritually, but as we stay faithful to God, it will be powerful.

Have you ever been okay with a stranger telling you all the bad things about yourself? Didn't think so. So why do you continue to believe the bad things satan says about you? You're not a failure, that's a lie the enemy wants you to believe. John 10:5 “And the voice of a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”