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Cultivate: Ezekiel 47




Presence:
 Every time we gather everywhere we go.
Family: We follow Jesus together
Honor: up, down, all around. 
Power: God is moving today.
Generosity: Blessed to be a blessing.

FOUR MANDATES
  1. Love who He sends
  2. Keep the Fire burning
  3. Open Wombs.
  4. So we do (Transform Haiti)

Ezekiel 47:1-12(NLT) 1 In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. 2 The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway. 3 Measuring as he went, he took me along the stream for 1,750 feet and then led me across. The water was up to my ankles. 4 He measured off another 1,750 feet and led me across again. This time the water was up to my knees. After another 1,750 feet, it was up to my waist. 5 Then he measured another 1,750 feet, and the river was too deep to walk across. It was deep enough to swim in, but too deep to walk through. 6 He asked me, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Then he led me back along the riverbank. 7 When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. 8 Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. 9 There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. 10 Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to En-eglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean. 11 But the marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”

Cultivate: Mandates






Presence:
 Every time we gather everywhere we go.
Family: We follow Jesus together
Honor: up, down, all around. 
Power: God is moving today.
Generosity: Blessed to be a blessing.

Genesis 2:15 (NLT) The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.

Matthew 13:33 (NLT) "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." 

FOUR MANDATES
1. Love who He sends.

Matthew 23:37 (NLT) "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God's messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me.

A place for the broken.
John 6:12 (NIV) When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, 'Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."

HOST AND HEAL

2. Keep the fire burning.
Leviticus 6:12 (NLT) The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must never go out.

Matthew 21:13 (NIV) "My house will be called a house of prayer."

3. Open Wombs.
John 7:37-43(NLT) 37 On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'


4. So we do (Transform Haiti)

Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

pictures....

Matthew 9:35–38 (NLT) 35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."

Now What? What Partnership looks like.
1. Pray
2. Practice faithfulness. 
3. Advocate
4. Participate

Cultivate: Generosity






Presence:
 Every time we gather everywhere we go.
Family: We follow Jesus together
Honor: up, down, all around. 
Power: God is moving today.
Generosity- Blessed to be a blessing.

Genesis 1:22 (NLT) Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply."
Genesis 1:29 (NLT) Then God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.
God created 
seed.

2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NLT) God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.  Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.

"We don't eat seed and we don't plant bread" -Bill Johnson

"God provides the seed, we work the ground."

3 blessings ever person has:
1. Time
2. Talent(Ability and Energy)
3. Treasure
Money is an indicator.

We want to be generous:
1. Because we want to be like Him
2. Because we are blessed.
Matthew 10:8 (NIV) Freely you have received, freely give.

We are blessed to be a blessing....
Genesis 12: 2 (NLT) I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.

2 Corinthians 8:1-3, 7-9 (NLT) 1 Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2 They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will… 
7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. 8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. 


"In the Kingdom, wealth is measured by generosity and poverty by greed."

Excelling in the grace of giving. 
2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (NLT) 6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. 9 As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever." 
10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

1. Cheerfully
  1. "You must Decide" (Not if" but "how much.)
  2. "Not Reluctantly" (Not unwilling nor hesitant)
  3. "Nor Under Pressure" (To impress others)
2. Consistently
  • 2 Corinthians 9:11 (NLT) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:2 (NLT) On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned.
The Tithe/Firstfruits
Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.

3. Sacrificially 
2 Corinthians 8:3 (NLT)  They gave not only what they could afford, but far more.
"In generosity, sacrifices are more pleasurable than painful!"
In sacrifice, God changes us: "

Developing a Generous Spirit. 
  1. Give Thanks
  2. Give Something 
  3. Give Sacrificially
  4. Give Consistently
  5. Give Now

Cultivate: Honor






Genesis 2:15 (NLT)
 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.
Genesis 2:25 (NLT) Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.
Genesis 3:7 (NLT) At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
Genesis 3:8–10 (NLT) 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man 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."
Genesis 3:21 (NLT) The Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.

"The gospel is not only about the guilty made innocent but bringing honor to the shameful."

Honor cultivates an atmosphere for miracles.
Mark 6:1-6 (NLT) 1 Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. 2 The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, "Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?" 3 Then they scoffed"He's just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us." They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him. 4 Then Jesus told them, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family." And because of their unbelief, he couldn't do any mighty miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6  And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people. 

Honor/Dishonor
  • Honor- gk. timey- A Valuing: Recognize the value, appreciate, esteem favorable regard.
  • Dishonor- gk. atimey- to treat as common or ordinary.

Honor requires intentionality. 
Familiarity can debilitate our ability to honor.

We Honor God with …
1. Our Worship (Psalm 29:1-2)
2. Our Priorities(Exodus 20)
3. Our Finances(Proverbs 3:9) 
4. Our Bodies(In purity: 1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5)
5. Our Convictions(Timothy 2:21) 
6. Our honor to others
  • People matter to God; they should matter to us.
We Honor…
1. Honor Up.
A. Civil Leaders- Government, military, police(Romand 13:1-5)
1 Peter 2:17(NIV) Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 

B. Social Leaders- Bosses, Teachers, Coaches, etc (Colossians 3:22-25)
C. Home Leadership (Ephesians 5:22-33, Ephesians 6:2)
D. Church/Kingdom Leaders(1Thes 5:12-13, Heb 13:17,1 Tim 5:17)

2. Honor Down
"Following Jesus means we honor people that don't deserve it."
 "We don't honor people based upon their status; we honor them based upon their value." 
Philippians 2:3-4(NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.

3. Honor All-Around
Romans 12:10 (NLT) Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

How do we honor:
1. Words
"Criticism and Cynicism robs your ability to honor."
"
Honor speaks of the one who brings it." 

2. Action
Hebrews 13:18 (NLT) Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.
"Tension is where honor is tested."

3. Attitude
Honor starts in the heart.
Isaiah 29:13 (NIV) The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

How do I nurture a honoring spirit.
1-Repent for withholding honor. 
2-Resolve that you are responsible for the honor you bring.
3-Relinquish agendas. (Don't be manipulative.)
4-Reconcile your differences with conversations.
5-Respond with a blessing: Words, actions a note, a gift.

Close: 
Mephibosheth, Jonathan, Davids best friends sin who happened to be the Son of one of Davids Enemies King Saul-
2 Samuel 9:1(NLT) David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
Mephibosheth: in Hebrew Dispeller Exterminator of shame
2 Samuel 9:12 (NLT) And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David's table, like one of the king's own sons.

Ministry:
Shame- 
Isaiah 61:7 (NLT) Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

Cultivate: Power







Power: 
God is moving today.
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

How is God moving today?
Genesis 1:1–2 (NLT) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.

 "The Spirit of God is still hovering over 
the formlessthe empty and the darkness. He is bringing order to chaos, filling the empty, and bringing light to the darkness."
  • The Bible is our ultimate authority. And it's author is not stagnant. He will never contradict His Word. He will empower us to live it out!

Who is the Holy Spirit?
He is God
To ignore the Holy Spirit is to ignore God. 
He is a Person- Not an "it"
He rests in those who are his.


Acts 10:38 (NLT) You know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
1. Anointing
Christ= The anointed one. Christians= little anointed ones. 

1 John 2:27 (NIV) As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you…

"The purpose of the anointing is not to enhance our experience but to maximize our effectiveness."

2. Authority 
Exousia 
John 1:12 (NLT) 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right(Power) to become children of God.
Delegated authority- As children representing our Father's kingdom.

3. Ability 
Acts 1:4–5, 8 (NLT) 4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."…8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Dýnamis "ability to perform" for the believer, power to achieve by applying the Lord's inherent abilities.


The power that Jesus had was the same power the Church had in Acts through the Holy Spirit. 
John 14:12–17 (NLT)
12 "I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 
14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!  15 "If you love me, obey my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit….


Acts 5:15–16 (NLT) 15 As a result of the apostles' work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter's shadow might fall across some of them as he went by. 16 Crowds came from the villages around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those possessed by evil spirits, and they were all healed.

"
God moves today by his Spirit through his people."

Cultivate: Presence





I. Work the ground

Genesis 2:4–8 (NLT) 4 When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, 5 neither wild plants nor grains were growing on the earth. For the Lord God had not yet sent rain to water the earth, and there were no people to cultivate the soil. 6 Instead, springs came up from the ground and watered all the land. 7 Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. 8 Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made.

Genesis 2:15 (NLT) The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.
God is a Gardner. “He planted us in His garden to tend his garden.”

The Church is Christs' church.
Colossians 1:18(NLT) Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body.
"The ground you work is the ground you eat from."

John 7:38–39 (NIV) 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”  39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?

II. What does our garden grow? Our Why/Vision
We grow encounters with Jesus. 
“Overflow Church exists to bring people to an Encounter with Jesus.”

 III. Presence- Every time we gather everywhere we go.

Exodus 33:15–19 (NIV) Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here….17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” 19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you..

Psalm 63:1–4 (NIV) 1 You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;  I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

A. Presence- Every time we gather
  1. His presence is at the center of our gatherings.

A. Our bible teaching is centered around Jesus.
  • We don’t just preach words on a page but life in a person.
  • John 5:39 (NLT) “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
B. Our worship is centered around Jesus. 

C. Our prayers are centered around Jesus.

B. Presence- Everywhere we go.
Our lives are centered around Jesus.

IV. Cultivating a life that values presence.
  • Prioritize daily.
  • Lean frequently.
  • Pray continually.
  • Aware always.

Ministry:
Matthew 13:33 (NLT)“The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”

Cultivate: Family



https://www.buzzsprout.com/48803/7460077-cultivate-family.mp3?blob_id=32694382&download=true

Family: We follow Jesus together.

Genesis 2:15–18 (NLT) 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." 18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."

  • "Kingdom government is expanded through the reproduction of family."

 Jesus reestablishes family.
Matthew 12:46–50 (NLT) 46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47 Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you." 48 Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"
  • John 6:28–29 (NIV) 28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
  • John 1:12 (NLT)12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Ephesians 2:19 (NIV) You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household.

Acts 2:42–44 (NLT) 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to prayer.  43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.

Family: We follow Jesus together.
Galatians 6:1–10 (NIV) 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Following Jesus together. 
1. Gentle Restoration
Ephesians 2:6 (NIV) "If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.

"Restoration requires confrontation."
Personal Conversations> Public Callouts
The point of accountability is restoration, not condemnation.

2. Carry Burdens
Jesus calls the heavy burdened. We should do the same.
Ephesians 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

"It's not a weakness to ask for help but it is prideful."

Romans 12:15 (NIV) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

3. Personal responsibility. 
Ephesians 6:5 (NIV)  for each one should carry their own load.
We have to take it personally to take care of the other members of our family

4. Stay Faithful & See fruitful 
Galatians 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

5. Prioritize the family of faith
Galatians 6:10 (NLT) Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.