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Weekly sermons from our Pastor, Barry Wilkinson.
Episodes
Saturday Oct 13, 2018
Saturday Oct 13, 2018
Series: Freedom in Jesus
Sermon: Free From Satan
Scripture: Revelation 12:10-11
Date: October 7, 2018
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:10-11)
- You're not good enough to be a Christian.
- You call yourself a Christian, and look how you've messed up.
- It's not worth it.
- You're wasting your time while all your friends are partying.
- You should not have the kinds of thoughts you have.
- You are a church leader and still fight against that?
- He (the devil) fights with things like shame, regret, guilt.
These people, who lived in a much more difficult time than we do, overcame the devil.
Stay true to Jesus and you will be so glad you did.
So, how do we overcome the enemy? Revelation 12:11 tells us three very clear components:
- The blood of the Lamb
- And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:11)
- Satan's attacks are often accusations.
- What's our defense? Too many Christians try the defense of:
- I'm not that bad...
- I'm not as bad as someone else...
- I saw someone else do something worse...
- I'm not as bad as I could be...
- You cannot win with those weapons.
- Our answer is the blood of Jesus.
- "Jesus paid it all/All to Him I owe/Sin had left a crimson stain/He washed it white as snow."
- Lord, I ask for the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus over this group
- What does that mean?
- It means cleansing.
- If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to fogive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
- It means protection.
- And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (John 10:28-29)
- "Be angry, and do not sin"; do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27)
- It means cleansing.
- The word of their testimony
- "I ask them whence their victory came/They, with united breath/Ascribe their conquest to the Lamb/Their triumph to his death."
- And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:11)
- That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
- I choose to believe and confess that I'm forgiven.
- If someone says, "How can you call yourself a Christian and act like that?", what is your answer?
- Go all in
- And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives to the death. (Revelation 12:11)
- I will die rather than be disobedient.
- Hiding in the Light by Rifqa Bary
- Half-hearted commitment and love for Jesus will not overcome the enemy.
Sunday Oct 07, 2018
Sunday Oct 07, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: Are You Out of Your Mind?
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:12-16
Date: October 7, 2018
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:12-16)
Link for Brant Hansen video: https://www.facebook.com/branthansenpage/videos/325463428222560/
This week let's see how God wants to use our minds for His kingdom purposes.
That's where the title comes from: Are you out of your mind?...and into His?
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Corinthians 2:12)
What things have been given to you by God?
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1, NLT)
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 3:20)
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:6)
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. (2 Corinthians 2:14, NLT)
"Your greatest problem, and mine, is not what we do. Our greatest problem is the way we think. In order to transform what we do, we must first transform how we think." -Tony Evans
Let's talk about thinking Kingdom ways today. Here are three ways to think Kingdom thoughts:
- The wisdom of Kingdom thoughts
- "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)
- Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6, NIV)
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you think Kingdom thoughts.
- When you have a kingdom mind and you face a decision, you raise certain questions:
- What does Jesus think about this?
- How would He react to this?
- What does Jesus want me to do here?
- What is the loving thing to do?
- What is the right thing to do?
- What is the wise thing to do?
- The warfare of Kingdom thoughts
- The more influence Satan has over your mind, the easier it is for him to take you down the wrong path and get you sidetracked from fulfilling God's agenda for your life.
- But people who aren't spiritual can't recieve these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. (2 Corinthians 2:14, NLT)
- How often do you think about God?
- The weapon of Kingdom thoughts
- Now we have received, not the spirir of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. For "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:12, 16)
- Let's try applying that to the real issues:
- Bringing Jesus into a conversation...
- Helping someone see Jesus in a positive light...
- Making family prayer time fun...
- Bringing the love and message of Jesus to someone else this week...
- Using social media to say something about Jesus...
- Helping your family to be on mission with Jesus...
Francis Chan Youtube video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRcr1inmWsA
- start @ 12:35
- end @ 16:33
Wednesday Oct 03, 2018
Wednesday Oct 03, 2018
Sermon: Is That All You Want?
Enjoy a message from our youth pastor, Bro. Emmett Massey!
Sunday Sep 30, 2018
Sunday Sep 30, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: The King's Mission is Our Mission
Scripture: Matthew 6:10 and John 17:18
Date: September 30, 2018
"Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)
"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." (John 17:18)
"Too many of us merely exist rather than live as if we are called by God to a higher purpose." -Tony Evans
"If it is God's mission, then it should also be the church's mission. It should orient our schedule and priorities. It should dictate our activities and why we do them." -Ed Stetzer
What king of a church would you like to attaned if you were going to attend? It would have to be a place where:
- People are serious about God.
- People care about each other.
- People make a difference in the community.
How do we live as Kingdom people on mission? We must fully know and embrace the:
- King's purpose
- It would have to be a place where people are serious about God.
- We get to seek a glorious God and we have the privelege of beholding His glory.
- To glorify God is to see Him as He really is and say, "Wow!!" Then it is to help someone else see Him as He is and they say, "Wow!!"
- King's particulars
- Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.' And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:29-31)
- "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)
- Who have we done something loving for this week with the heart that wants to glorify God?
- We love one another.
- We care about the hurting.
- We forgive unfairness.
- We live with uncommon character.
- We actively serve.
- We worship our King.
- We share our time.
- "Imagine a world where people were skeptical of what we believed but envious of how well we treated one another. Imagine a world where unbelievers were anxious to hire, work for, work with, live next door to Christians because of how well we "one-another" one another and how well we "one-another" them, as well." -Andy Stanley
- Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)
- "The church, as it turns out, only exists because God is missional (on mission). He is a "sender" as part of His nature. So if the church is going to function the way it's supposed to, we need to condition ourselves to live "sent lives." -Ed Stetzer
- As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. (John 17:18)
- "Do you ever feel like you could use a little bit of caffeine in your Christian cup?" -Tony Evans
- King's place
- People were serious about God.
- People cared about each other.
- People made a difference in the community.
- Are you making a difference?
- What difference does it make that Hopewell is here?
- Too many churches just huddle inside, more concerned with making budget than making a difference.
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray and meditate on this question: "Lord, where is my unique place to glorify You this week?"
Wednesday Sep 26, 2018
Wednesday Sep 26, 2018
Series: Freedom in Jesus
Sermon: The Real You
Scripture: 1 John 3:1-3
Date: September 23, 2018
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)
What is true about you?
Are we willing to believe what God says about us?
In order to have freedom in Christ, we need to believe what God says is true about us. Let's believe what God says about us in these three areas:
- Know and believe who you are
- Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of god; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:1-2)
- Who I Am in Christ
- ...God's child (John 1:12)
- ...a friend of Jesus Christ (John 15:15)
- ...justified (Romans 5:1)
- ...united with the Lord, and one with Him in Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17)
- ...bought at a price and belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
- ...a member of Christ's body (1 Corinthians 12:27)
- ...chosen by God and adopted as His child (Ephesians 1:3-8)
- ...redeemed and forgiven of all my sins (Colossians 1:13-14)
- ...complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10)
- ...direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:14-16)
- ...free from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2)
- ...assured that God works for my good in all circumstances (Romans 8:28)
- ...free from any condemnation brought against me and cannot be separated from the love of God (Romans 8:31-39)
- ...established, annointed and sealed by God (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)
- ...hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-4)
- ...confident that God will complete the good work He started in me (Philippians 1:6)
- ...a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)
- ...not afraid, but have power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7)
- ...born of God and the evil one cannot touch me (1 John 5:18)
- ...a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life (John 15:5)
- ...chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
- ...God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16)
- ...a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
- ...seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6)
- ...God's workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)
- ...may approach God with freedom and confidence (Ephesians 3:12)
- ...can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
- If you think you are a loser, you will act like a loser. If you think you are a child of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, you will act differently.
- Know and believe where you are
- Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:30)
- Know and believe who you are becoming
- Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of god; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)
- And everyone who has this hope [confidently placed] in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (holy, undefiled, guiltless). (1 John 3:3, AMP)
- We cannot consistently live in a way that is inconsistent with how we see ourselves - our self-perception. When we change how we see ourselves, our actions change.
- We love God for what He's done for us and also for who He has made us. The more we believe who we really are in Jesus, the more we will become like Jesus.
Sunday Sep 23, 2018
Sunday Sep 23, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: How the Kingdom is Coming in Me
Scripture: Matthew 10:24-25
Date: September 23, 2018
A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! (Matthew 10:24-25)
"There should be no way to talk about you and not talk about Him." -Tony Evans
He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. (Colossians 1:28-29)
Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47)
The early Christians after Pentecost had beautiful lives - not beautiful churches. Their lives - not their church buildings - were attractive.
Let's look today at how King Jesus grows us into Kingdom people. Let's see how the Kingdom comes in our lives:
- Desire
- When we think about the mind boggling truth that Jesus has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of light, there should be a response to Him.
- A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! (Matthew 10:24-25)
- "It is not enough simply to say, 'I'm on my way to heaven.' The question is, are you becoming like the One who is taking you to heaven?" -Tony Evans
- spending time with the Savior
- submitting to the Spirit
- "A person who is changed becomes an agent of change." -Ed Stetzer
- Daily Desire
- A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! (Matthew 10:24-25)
- How do I avoid escalating this conflict and diffuse it instead?
- Life is hard.
- Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)
- "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? "Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." (John 12:28-29)
- Doing the Daily Things
- Becoming like Jesus is not just learning things about Him. It's actually doing thigns like Him.
- Here are two helps:
- Spend time with people that are becoming like Jesus.
- If you really want to pick up your spiritual pace, run with someone who is faster than you, who can set a brisk pace.
- Loving actual people that are different from me.
- "One of the greatest things I've learned in life is this: people are more important than the point." -Ed Stetzer
- Spend time with people that are becoming like Jesus.
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray this often this week: "Lord, fill my heart with Your love, and help me to give it away to the next person I meet."
Wednesday Sep 12, 2018
Wednesday Sep 12, 2018
Series: Freedom in Jesus
Sermon: I Need to be Free from Me
Scripture: Romans 8:1-2
Date: September 9, 2018
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)
I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. (Romans 7:15, 18-19; NLT)
The key to Romans 7 and 8 is that the words "I," "my," and "me" (in Romans 7) occurs a lot (over 20 times), and the word "Holy Spirit" or "Christ" (in chapter 8) occurs a lot (over 15 times).
Best intentions are not enough. Decisions and actions determine your life.
7 weapons of self-destruction (from Rick Warren):
- shame
- uncontrolled thoughts
- compulsions
- fear
- hopelessness
- bitterness
- insecurity
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: in my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. (Romans 7:24-25)
Notice he says who - not what - will free me.
Here are 7 mental habits to help us understand and live out the magnificent truths of Romans 8:
- Grace versus Shame: I must remind myself daily what Jesus did for me
- So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving SPIRIT has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death. The Law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature. But God put into effect a different plan to save us. He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful. God destroyed sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow THE SPIRIT. (Romans 8:1-4, NLT)
- Jesus doesn't have to condemn you because He was condemned for you.
- You can ask the Holy Spirit to put good thoughts into your mind: friends, revival, family, witnessing, prayer.
- Spirit-controlled thoughts versus Uncontrolled thoughts: Ask the Holy Spirit to give me better thoughts
- Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the SPIRIT have their minds set on what the SPIRIT desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the SPIRIT is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6, NIV)
- The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8, NIV)
- Spirit-controlled actions versus Uncontrolled desires: I realize I have a new ability to say no
- So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. (Galatians 5:16, NLT)
- But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are now controlled by the SPIRIT if you have the SPIRIT of God living in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ living in them does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9, NLT)
- So, dear brothers, you have no obligations anymore to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do. (Romans 8:12, LB)
- Spirit-controlled faith versus Fear: I need to turn my thoughts to God whenever I'm afraid
- The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. (Romans 8:14-16, NIV)
- Antidote to fear:
- Remember whose family you are a part of
- Call out to your Father in trust
- When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 58:3)
- Spirit-controlled long-term focus versus Fleshly short-term focus: I will focus on the long-term not the short-term
- Since we are his children, we WILL possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we WILL also possess with Christ what God has kept for him! For if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory! I consider that what we suffer at the present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:17-18, TEV)
- Remind myself that God is good and in control
- 4 things to help you get over bitterness:
- Remember the Holy Spirit is praying for me.
- Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, and even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain. God can see what is in our hearts...and the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants. (Romans 8:26-27, NCV)
- God is using it all for good.
- And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:28-29, NASB)
- God wants me to succeed.
- So what can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? (Romans 8:31, NLT)
- God will give me what I need.
- Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else? (Romans 8:32, NLT)
- Remember the Holy Spirit is praying for me.
- 4 things to help you get over bitterness:
- Trust that God will never stop loving me
- I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39, NLT)
Sunday Sep 09, 2018
Sunday Sep 09, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: Who's First
Scripture: Matthew 6:33
Date: September 9, 2018
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33)
"To live life to its fullest and accomplish and experience all that God has created you to do, God and His Kingdom must be first in your life, not one among many." -Tony Evans
"Royalty is my identity. Servanthood is my assignment. Intimacy with God is my life source." -Bill Johnson
Seeking God's Kingdom first means:
- Preeminence
- And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18)
- Jesus is the King...not our personal assistant. There can only be one King in my life: me or Jesus.
- "Winning a Super Bowl won't change me. I'm still me. I still want to be grounded and humble. So if I'm having a bad day, I can refocus my attention on Christ. It makes me a better husband, a better father, and a better coach...My relationship with Christ is what my world revolves around." -Coach Doug Pederson of the Eagles
- Where do you turn when you have a decision to make, a problem to resolve, or guidance to seek?
- Power
- We need power to: control our tongues, control our tempers, curb our desires for things we should not be doing (or doing as much), be patient with people (including ourselves), do the things that we know we should but maybe don't like to.
- As a Jesus-follower, we need some power in other ways as well: to share our faith; to forgive other people; to love people that are not like us; to serve people that are not appreciative; to be generous instead of selfish.
- Why are so many Christians so weak?
- The key to kingdom success and the power for kingdom living is found in the simple word "first," prioritizing God in every area of life.
- Purpose
- I surrender my will to you to obey you this day.
- Let me see what you want me to see. Let me say what you want me to say. Let me hear what you want me to hear. Let me be what you want me to be. Let me go where you want me to go. Let me do what you want me to do.
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Pray this daily this week: "I surrender my will to you to obey you this day. Let me see what you want me to see. Let me say what you want me to say. Let me hear what you want me to hear. Let me be what you want me to be. Let me go where you want me to go. Let me do what you want me to do."
- Path
- Jesus talked about it in terms of carrying your cross.
- I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (1 Corinthians 15:31)
- "Without seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness first, we are wandering aimlessly around without the support and the backing of our King." -Tony Evans
Wednesday Sep 05, 2018
Wednesday Sep 05, 2018
Series: Freedom in Jesus
Sermon: Set Free from Emotional Strongholds
Scripture: Luke 4:16-19
Date: September, 2, 2018
So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:16-19)
A stronghold develops when we agree with a lie of the enemy.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed..." (Luke 4:18)
The lie can be things like:
- Nobody really loves me
- I'm not worth loving
- I don't matter
- Nothing good ever happens to me
- God doesn't really answer prayer
- God's way is not best
Let's see how Jesus breaks these emotional strongholds:
- Detect
- insecurity
- pride
- independence
- touchiness
- anger
- excessive shyness or loneliness
- a neet to control
- Diagnose
- A stronghold develops when we agree with a lie of the enemy.
- You will never amount to much
- If anything can go wrong, it will. (Someone added to it: at the worst possible time)
- Everyone is stupid. The world is full of jerks.
- Nothing I do really matters.
- I'm not enough.
- I'll never be happy.
- Nobody likes me.
- I don't have anything to offer. I can't talk well enough. Nobody cares what I think.
- God can't be trusted.
- God's way is not best.
- A stronghold develops when we agree with a lie of the enemy.
- Deliverance
- Invite Jesus into that place, let Him expose the lie, renounce that lie, and ask Jesus to heal you. Many times having someone pray a healing prayer for your heart over you is very helpful.
- Invite Jesus into your stronghold: "Lord, this is the lie that I've been believing. Can you show me where this started?"
- "Lord, would you come into that place right now and speak truth to me?"
- After repentance, we need to close the door to that agreement.
Sunday Sep 02, 2018
Sunday Sep 02, 2018
Series: Life With the King
Sermon: The Priority of God's Kingdom
Scripture: Mark 1:14-15
Date: September 2, 2018
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)
He talks about the kigndom more than eighty times in just over eighty chapters. That's a lot of kingdom talk.
Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)
He "went about all Galilee...preaching the gospel fo the kingdom" (Matthew 4:23)
The unifying central theme, the common thread, throughout the Bible - from Genesis to Revelation - is the glory of God through the advancement of His kingdom
Let's talk about 3 truths that will help us repent and live life with the King:
- the King is sovereign
- Throughout the Bible, the kingdom of God is His rule, His plan, and His program. There is a ruler and some rulees.
- the King desires
- A kingdom person says not my will but your will be done.
- I can't tell you what following God's kingdom agenda will mean for you. I just know that whatever it is, you must be willing to do His will.
- The most crucial battle for the kingdom is won every time a human being repents, believes, and submits to the lorship of Jesus, becoming a new center for the reordering of life on earth as it is in heaven.
- Families disintegrate because they exist for their own fulfillment rather than for the kingdom.
- Churches are having a limited impact on society because they fail to understand that the goal of the church is not the church itself but the kingdom.
- Getting into God's kingdom is through conversion, but experiencing God's kingdom in your daily life is through love, fatih, and commitment.
- "You don't get to enjoy the blessings of the King if the King cannot enjoy the blessing of you." -Tony Evans
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Spend some time in your alone time with the Lord telling Him you like Him. Pray for revival. If you don't have a regular alone time with the Lord, start today.
- If you need suggestions on what to read in your alone time with the Lord, try googling Daily Hope with Rick Warren, Upwords with Max Lucado, or daily devotions with Charles Stanley.
- "Royalty is my identity. Servanthood is my assignment. Intimacy with God is my life source." -Bill Johnson
- "As Christians, we don't join an illegitimate rebellion. Instead, we live for King Jesus in contrast to those around us. We live in loyalty to the very One the world rebels against." -Ed Stetzer
- the King's plan is for the kingdom to operate for His glory
- You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
- When you do His will, you become His representative in a world that longs to see a better way to live.