March 2020
Chldren of Abraham
March 29, 2020 SeriesAnchored
Hebrews 6:12–29 (NLT) 12 …You will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their Faith and endurance. 13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: 14 “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” 15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. 16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Abraham a well anchored man.
1. Abraham, Gods friend, was poised for promise.
Romans 4:1–3 (NLT) Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
-Not because he held to a religious system
Romans 4:13–14 (NLT)13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by Faith. 14 If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then Faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless.
2. Abraham had a promise and Faith in that promise.
3. Abraham kept the Faith through a long and difficult time.
Romans 4:18–24 (NLT) 18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s Faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his Faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s Faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
Abrahamic Covenant: Gen 12 Dominion, Descendants and Blessings to others.
Galatians 3:6–9 (NLT) 6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their Faith in God. 8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their Faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So all who put their Faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his Faith.
Galatians 3:29 (NLT) You belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
Realities of Faith
1. Faith is Active Trust
Romans 4:20–21 (NLT) 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his Faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
Hebrews 11:1(NLT) Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
2 Corinthians 5:7(NIV) We live(walk) by Faith, not by sight.
2. Faith is required to please God.
- Hebrews 11:6(NIV) It is impossible to please God without Faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
- You cannot be righteous by doing anything but only by trusting someone.
3. Faith works(It produces obedience)
- “Faith that won’t work, don't work.”
- “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone” -Martin Luther.
James 2:17(NLT) So you see, Faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
Hebrews 11:8–10 (NLT) 8 It was by Faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by Faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.
4. Faith will be tested
James 1:2–4 (NIV) 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.
How to nurture Faith:
- Pray in the Spirit(Jude 20)
- Go to the word- listen to it, pray it, read it. (Romans 10:17)
- Endure through difficulties(James 1)
- Ask for grace.
Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
4 Anchors
March 22, 2020 SeriesAnchored
Acts 27:28–35 (NLT) 28 They dropped a weighted line and found that the water was 120 feet deep. But a little later they measured again and found it was only 90 feet deep. 29 At this rate they were afraid we would soon be driven against the rocks along the shore, so they threw out four anchors from the back of the ship and prayed for daylight. 30 Then the sailors tried to abandon the ship; they lowered the lifeboat as though they were going to put out anchors from the front of the ship. 31 But Paul said to the commanding officer and the soldiers, “You will all die unless the sailors stay aboard.” 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes to the lifeboat and let it drift away. 33 Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34 “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35 Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it.
Hebrews 6:18–20 (NIV) We who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
If we are anchored in Jesus we are secure.
4 Anchors points in the reality of Jesus.
1. Present
We have the hope of the person and the presence of Jesus.
Matthew 28:20 (NIV) I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Psalm 46:1 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2. Protector
Psalm 91:9-11,14-15 (NLT) 9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter, 10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home. 11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go. ….14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. 15 When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
3. Provider
Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
4. Peace
John 14:27 (NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
He doesn’t just give peace, he is peace.
Ephesians 2:14 (NIV) For He himself is our peace
Maybe the piece you are missing is the peace of Jesus?
Anxiety & Fear
March 15, 2020 SeriesThieves and Robers
John 10:7–11 (NIV), I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd.
Anxiety
About 18%of Americans deal with anxiety.
What fuels it?
1. Anxiety will disrupt your peace.
2. Anxiety can lead to depression.
3. Anxiety will keep hinder the work of the Word.
Matthew 13:22 (NIV) The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.
Obsessive fear
What does God say about fear?
2 Timothy 1:3–8 (NLT) 3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.
1. God has a purpose.
"Fear will trap us so that we will never accomplish what God has designed us for."
"If your lungs have breath, your life has a purpose."
Romans 8:28–29 (NLT) 28 We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son…
2. Fear is not of God.
"To live in fear is to live in disobedience to God."
Stop giving fear permission!
3. He gives us power.
Supernatural ability
4. He loves us.
1 John 4:17(ESV) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety(cares, worries) on him because he cares for you.
5. He promises a sound mind.
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God."
Exercising Faith over Fear
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV) Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
CASTING OUR CARES
Psalm 55:22 (NIV)Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
1. Change your thinking.
Repent
Fear is failure to trust.
2. Ask God about it.
Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT) 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
3. Speak to it.
Matthew 21:21–22 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done.
You don't need more faith you just need to use the faith you have.
4. Throw it on Jesus.
Offense, Unforgiveness, & Bitterness.
March 07, 2020 SeriesThieves and Robers
John 10:7–11 (NIV), I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd.
Progressive destruction
1. Offense
Proverbs 18:19 (NLT) An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.
Matthew 24:10 (NKJV) Many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
- Offense: Scandalon(gk) A trap used to hold bait in order to lure animals.
2. Unforgiveness
Matthew 18:21–22 (NLT) 21 Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” 22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
Unforgiveness is a big deal to God. Potentially the biggest.
“The greatest injustice that can be committed is when we won’t extend the forgiveness that we have freely received.”
When we fail to forgive others we rob ourselves of foriveness.
3. Bitterness
Offense robs you of freedom. Unforgiveness robs you of forgiveness. Bitterness robs you of life.
Bitterness takes the sweetness away.
Hebrews 12:14–15 (NLT) 14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. 15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
➡The longer it lingers, the larger it grows.
➡The larger it grows, the harder it is to remove.
The bitterness test:
1. Are you bothered when someone who hurt you succeeds?
2. Do you secretly hope for the misfortune of those that offended you?
3. Are you generally skeptical of people?
4. Do you lead with criticism
5. Are you unwilling to pray for them?
6. Have you made the statement “I forgive but I will never forget?”
7. Ask the Lord….
Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) …Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Uprooting bitterness:
1. Ask the Lord to make you tender
- The lie that we believe is that the bitterness is protecting us when The reality is that it is destroying us.
- Matthew 18:15 (NLT) If another believer sins against you, go privately….
Luke 6:28 (KJV) Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you.
4. Celebrate their wins.
5. Ask for tears when they ache
6. Ask Jesus for His heart towards them
Blinders are Binders
March 01, 2020 SeriesThieves and Robers
John 10:1–16 (NIV) 10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Verse 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.
- Whose voice are you listening to?
John 9:35-41 (NIV) 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” 41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
Blinders are Binders
Satan is a deceiver
- Father of Lies(Johnn 8:44)
- “Did God really say….”(Gn 3:1)
- He masquerades as an Angel of light (2 Cor 11:14)
- God is light. (1 Jn 1:5)
- The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. (John 16:13)
- Jesus is the light of the world. (Jn 8:12)
Defeating Deception
1. Turn on the light
...To what God says.
John 8:31–32 (NLT) 31 “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Know the word then follow it.
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
“He didn’t just give the word to lift you, but to lead you!”
John 10:27 (NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
2. Search your house
Fact check your feelings.
Feelings are the seasoning of life, not the meat.
Don’t ignore feelings; they are great servants but terrible masters.
3. Identify the culprits
Identify the lies
Don’t identify with the culprits; identify them so you can reject them!
LABLES LIMIT!
4. Stop listening and kick them out
Before Kings (4)
Summer_Slam (6)
Together (3)
Our Father (9)
Cultivate (7)
Good Good News! (16)
God of Promise (8)
Thieves and Robers (7)
Love on Fire (5)
Encounters (7)
Anchored (3)
Encounter (2)
Awakening (6)
Wild (5)
We Are Overflow (8)
ABBA (5)
RealityTV (7)
A Heart That Longs (7)
Over (4)
Capacity (5)
Lover (6)
YES! (5)
The Hunt (5)
faith (4)
Hope (4)
Royalty (7)
Indwelling (6)
Toxic (6)
God_with_Us (3)
Thresholds (5)
The Jouney (7)
The Good Shepherd (7)
refuge (6)
fascinate (6)
Grateful (4)
Peace peace (2)
start (5)
when_God_prays (5)
fruitful (6)
voices (5)
Anatomy (5)
Lifegoals (4)
The Furnace (7)
summer17 (5)
flight (5)
9/6 (5)
War (6)
unscripted (3)
Virtrue (4)
It is Well (6)
Thank_You! (5)
why (5)
switches (5)
CrossWorthy (5)
Striver (6)
mixtape (5)
Rivers (8)
Wonder (4)
Born_To_Reign (4)
more (8)
summer2020 (5)
Summer_Slam (6)
Together (3)
Our Father (9)
Cultivate (7)
Good Good News! (16)
God of Promise (8)
Thieves and Robers (7)
Love on Fire (5)
Encounters (7)
Anchored (3)
Encounter (2)
Awakening (6)
Wild (5)
We Are Overflow (8)
ABBA (5)
RealityTV (7)
A Heart That Longs (7)
Over (4)
Capacity (5)
Lover (6)
YES! (5)
The Hunt (5)
faith (4)
Hope (4)
Royalty (7)
Indwelling (6)
Toxic (6)
God_with_Us (3)
Thresholds (5)
The Jouney (7)
The Good Shepherd (7)
refuge (6)
fascinate (6)
Grateful (4)
Peace peace (2)
start (5)
when_God_prays (5)
fruitful (6)
voices (5)
Anatomy (5)
Lifegoals (4)
The Furnace (7)
summer17 (5)
flight (5)
9/6 (5)
War (6)
unscripted (3)
Virtrue (4)
It is Well (6)
Thank_You! (5)
why (5)
switches (5)
CrossWorthy (5)
Striver (6)
mixtape (5)
Rivers (8)
Wonder (4)
Born_To_Reign (4)
more (8)
summer2020 (5)
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