Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) 1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Rooted in PURPOSE
1. Rooted in Who
“For the Christian who I am is rooted in whose I am.”
Colossians 1:16 (NIV) All things were created by him and for him.
“Its not “God’s Plan for my life”, It’s my Life for Gods plan.”

2. Rooted in What: Assignment
Genesis 1:28 (NLT) Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it…..

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The Great Commission

4 of Verbs
Imperative verb: An imperative verb in English would typically be a single action-word, often followed by an exclamation mark like… “RUN!” or “FIGHT!” or  “EAT!” ….“GO!”
Participles: Present Participles are “ing” words like “swimming” and “running” and “eating.”
Often times it is read the way:
1. GO! (verbal imperative)
2. Making disciples (participle plus a noun)
3. Baptizing (participle)
4. Teaching (participle)
Here is how it is written in greek:
1. Going (participle)
2. DISCIPLE! (verbal imperative with/out noun/ “Make” not in greek)
3. Baptizing (participle)
4. Teaching (participle)
“As you are going: Disciple nations, baptizing, teaching.”

3. ROOTED IN HOW: Transforming CultuRe
We transform the culture by bringing His culture.
Proverbs 14:34 (NIV) Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.

by Living Intentionally:
We are Christ’s ambassadors. 2 Cor 5:20 (NLT)
“We tend to underestimate small moments and overestimate the big impact.”

“The Kingdom is not limited to the “WHAT.” It is always advanced by the HOW AND WHY we are doing it.”

Luke 2:8-15 (NLT) 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Almighty Jesus.
Matthew 28:18 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

He holds all power…
Ephesians 1:19-22 (NLT) 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

1. Mighty Over Satan👿
1 John 3:8 (NLT) The Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.
“Whatever the devil has done, Jesus has already undone.”
Acts 10:38 (NIV) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

2. Mighty Over Sin 🖤
John 3:35-36 (NIV) 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.
Romans 3:23-26 (NLT) 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

Jesus is mighty over the results of sin….

“He is not into damage control he is into damage repair.”

3- Mighty in our Situation
Psalm 46:1-3 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

He is Mighty in the Mess!
Matthew 19:26 (NIV) Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
“Jesus sees impossible situations as opportunities to demonstrate his might.”

Ministry:
Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT) 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV) 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."
“God will often put “what” we need inside somebody else.”
“We are better with others.”
Proverbs 12:15 (NKJV) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

We are best when being led by Jesus.”

Jesus is the best counselor because…
1. He knows best.
Colossians 2:2-3 (NIV) 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
2. He cares best.
“There is great comfort in knowing that the one who offers the best care, cares the best for you!”
Luke 12:22-32 (NIV) 22 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

3. He leads best.
“He is better at running your life than you are.”
1 Peter 2:25 (NIV) For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
He is the Good Shepherd- John 10, Psalms 23

In our decisions & direction
Psalm 32:8(NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.
In our misdirection
1 John 2:1 (NIV) 1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

Following His Counsel
1. Ask(Pray)
2. Listen
3. Seek wisdom
4. Trust and Act
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Psalm 16:7-11 (NIV) 7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
——
John 14:16-18 (NIV) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

The government will be on his shoulders….

❄️ Wonderful King Jesus ❄️
Wonderful: a miracle :- marvelous thing, wonder (-ful, -fully)

1- A Wonderful Gift
“Unto us a child is born, to us a son is given…”
The Incarnation
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” ― C.S. Lewis
John 1:1-3, 4-17 (NIV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made…

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'" 16 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.(Greek: Grace upon Grace) 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ

2- A Wonderful Birth
Luke 1:35 (NIV) The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

3- A Wonderful Life
Mark 9:15 (NIV) As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
Filled with Wonderful words-
Matthew 7:28-29 (NLT) The crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority.
Filled with Wonderful works-
Luke 9:43 (NLT) Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.

4- A Wonderful Death
1 Peter 3:18 (NLT) Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

5- A Wonderful Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:17 (NLT) If Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.
Embracing the wonder….
1. Stay Established in what you do know.
Psalm 16:8(NIV) I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

2. Go after what you don’t know.
“Mystery and revelation are both nurtured by the same posture, gazing.”

1 Corinthians 2:10 (AMP) Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God.

3. Just believe.

Jesus was amazed by the position of faith.
The lack of it… Mark 6:6 (NLT) ….he was amazed at their unbelief.
The Presence of it… Luke 7:9 (NLT) When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”

Turbulence:
2 Corinthians 4:6-10 (NLT) 6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

1. It’s not you
“If we want to go somewhere, if we want to grow, if we want change we will face turbulence.”

2- Stay Seated

Trust the engineer, trust the captain.

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

3- Buckle Up
Belt of Truth.(Ephesians 6:14)
Jesus the Truth(John 14:6, John 1:14)
WE NEED HIS PRESENCE!
“Peace is not found in the absence of trouble it’s found in the person and presence of Jesus.”

Matthew 28:20 (NIV) I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

WE NEED HIS WORD.

For example:
Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:35-37 (NLT) 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

4. Remember turbulence is a temporary inconvenience!
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NLT) 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT) 28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. 29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. 30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Psalm 84:1-7 (NIV) How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-- a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

Strength to Strength
1. Strength is not stiff

Tenderness > Toughness

2. Strength is not defined in a moment.
3. Strength comes from grace.

Grace may also be defined as supernatural strength.
2 Timothy 2:1 (NIV) My son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

4. Strength is perfected in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV) 7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power(strength) is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

“His strength is fulfilled when adversity makes us weak”

Psalm 28:8 (NIV) The LORD is the strength of his people.

“The moment when we can admit our strength is insufficient is the moment we begin to see His strength displayed.”

5. Trust activates supernatural strength.
“You don’t earn Grace you trust it.”
“Trust provides the thrust.”


Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)’Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

Romans 8:5-6 (NIV) 5 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. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.

Attitude: a mental position with regard to a fact or state.
Perspective: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view:

The Power of Perspective
“Attitude is not defined by your situation but how you see the situation.

“The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem” -Jack Sparrow

How we see impacts the way we act.
1- The way we see God
2- The way we see Ourselves
3- The way we see/treat others
Philippians 2:3-9(NLT) 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names.

An Altitude Adjustment
1- Look Up
In the struggle
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Influence our attitude:
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
We become what we behold.

2- Look From
Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV) 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.
The higher you go the smaller things appear

3- Look Beyond

4- Lighten Up
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) 28 …“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Dreaming with God
Proverbs 13:12 (NLT) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.

1. God is a Dreamer

2. God is looking for Co-Dreamers

3. The dream is a journey, not a destination.
“He is not just working through you he is working on you!”
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.”

4. Don’t dream alone.
“Leave the dream a lone, that dreams alone.”
“The dream is measured in names, not numbers.”

5. The dream is built on trust
Mark 9:23-24 (NIV) 23 "'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." 24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
In the kingdom building is yielding.
YOU CAN MUSCLE YOUR DREAM BUT ONLY GOD CAN BUILD HIS!
Psalm 127:1 (NIV) Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

Romans 8:29-37 (NLT) 29 God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. 31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.


✈️ Physics of flight:
1. Weight
2. Lift
3. Drag
4. Thrust

Getting off the Ground. 🛫
1. Resistance is certain.
Newtons 3rd Law of Motion . For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
“Our accomplishment of flight is indicative of something profound, beyond the normal order of nature.”- The Write Brothers

2. We were (re)built for flight
John 3:3-7 (NLT) 3 “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

Because we are born of spirit we have a new nature.
We hear and understand- Matthew 13:16
We bear the fruit of the spirit- Galatians 5:22-23
We war in the spirit(with spiritual weaponry)- Ephesians 6:12-18
We have the gifts of the Spirit- 1 Corinthians 12:8–10
We are spiritually minded- Romans 8:6
We are led by the Spirit- Romans 8:14

3. Trust the Engineer.
Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT) 28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. 29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. 30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

qawâ(kaw-vaw): to bind together (perhaps by twisting), i.e. collect; (figurtaive) to expect :- gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon).

John 8:2-11 (NIV) 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" 11 "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Jesus provides freedom from….
1. Accusation
Revelation 12:10, John 8: 44

The spirit of accusation…
Focusses on individuals not issues.
Labels and values people according to their weakness, failures & sins.
“One can be right in their assessment yet wrong in their assertion.”
Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ.

2. Condemnation:

Romans 8:1-4 (NLT) 1 There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Condemnation &. Conviction= can feel the same.
Condemnation: Drives us away from Gods presence.
Conviction: (from Godly sorrow) Drives us into Gods presence. Invites us to share in holiness.

3. Shame

Shame is an identity issue.

4. Sin
“Go and sin no more” Not just forgiveness but Freedom!


Walking in Freedom: freedom & fellowship
1. Focus(not on our sins or the sins of others, not on the past)
Psalm 34:5 (NIV) Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
2. Fellowship
1 John 2:28 (NLT) Dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

——

John 3:17-18 (NIV) 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

👨‍✈️ The Pilot: Captain 👩‍✈️
Romans 8:5-17 (NIV) 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

👨‍✈️ Copilot: First officer 👩‍✈️

✈️ Life in the Cockpit ✈️
Partnership
Kingdom Mandate- (Genesis 1)
Great Command(Matthew 22:37)
Great Commission- (Matthew 28:19, Acts 1:8)

John 15:7-17 (NIV) 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

1- Friendship
“We are not doing contract labor we have a covenant of love.”
Verse 15 “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

2-Leadership
“We yield to his Lordship by following leadership”
“It’s not control, It’s leadership.”
Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT) 8 The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

3. Fellowship
-Communication
Jesus only did what he heard (John 12:49) and saw the father doing(John 5:9).
- Affirmation
Galatians 4:6 (NLT) Because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”

Remaining in the cockpit
1. Listen
John 14:26 (NLT) But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

2. Respond
Responsive obedience
Verse 10 “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love”
“If we are not functioning in love we are disobeying the Holy Spirit."
Verse 17 “This is my command: Love each other.”

3. Stay connected
Exodus 33:7-11 (NIV) The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.

Luke 21: 25-28 (NLT) There will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. 26 People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. 28 So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

General Overview of eschatological events:
Amillennialists believe that God's promises regarding the end times are figurative and will not be literally fulfilled, particularly the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth.
Pre-millennialists(Orthodox) Believe that Jesus Christ will return to the earth prior to His literal reign on the earth for 1000 years.
The Return of Christ:(I Cor 15 & I Thes 4)
Three groups of pre-millennialists:
1- Pre-tribulation 2- Mid-tribulation 3- Post-tribulation

Matthew 24:21 (NKJV) For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Readiness in waiting
1. Grow in Awareness
The Spirit of the age:
The antichrist spirit precedes the antichrist .
1 John 4:3 (NIV) Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

B. The seasons and times
Study: Daniel, Revelation, Luke 21, Matthew 24.
Matthew 24:36 (NIV) "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 (NLT) 1 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

2. Prepare your heart
“The return of Christ is not a funeral its wedding!”
Revelation 19:6-8 (NIV) 6 I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Spirit of Offense/Bitterness/Coldness of heart
Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV) 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

3. Renounce Fear
THE END IS NOT THE END, ITS THE BEGINNING!

Rejecting fear means growing in Love:
1 John 4:18 (NIV) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

4. Embrace faithfulness
Titus 2:12-14 (NLT) 12 We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.

John 5:1-5 (NLT) 1 Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. 3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!

The Urban legend Verse 4- An angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.

Excuses of the Victim-
Verse 7: “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”
1. People- “I have no one….”
We will all deal with let down and disappointment but we control the condition of our hearts.
2. Methods- “into the pool”

“We need to make sure don't look for our encounter in a way that will keep us from receiving it!”

Psalm 20:6-7 (NIV) 6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

3. Timing- “When the water bubbles up.”
We don't live from season to season we live from Glory to Glory!

“We are not waiting for a event to happen we are living from an event that already happened.”

4. Resources- “Gets there ahead of me.”
Isaiah 59:1 (NIV) Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.
Ephesians 3:16 (NLT) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Living in Victory
Verse 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

1. Stand up
Arise from your circumstance up)

“Jesus puts an end of our excuses by providing a solution for our issues.”

2. Take up your Mat
The excuse you have been lying on. Pick it up and “move along.”
3. And walk.
Move forward…. into your destiny.

Bethesda: The house of mercy.

Mark 10:46-52 (NLT) 46 Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and his disciples left town, a large crowd followed him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. “My rabbi,” the blind man said, “I want to see!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

Set up for an Encounter…
1. He couldn't see but he could Hear.
In the Kingdom Hearing comes first:
-Faith comes by hearing. Rom 10:17
-Faith is the substance not Seen. Heb 11:1
“You may not see Gods promises but you can hear them!”
What we listen to drives our anticipation!
Because he COULD hear he COULD believe.
Because HE COULD believe he COULD hope.
Isaiah 49:23 Those who hope in me will not be disappointed. 

2. He couldn't see but he could shout.
“Use what you do do have until you get what you don't have.”
Krazo: very loud scream.
“He might not have had the loudest voice but he had the deepest cry!”
Matthew 5:3 (NIV) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

3. He couldn't see but he could shout… again
Persistence!
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) 7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

The Intervention

Vs 49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, he’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus. 51 “What do you want me to do for you?”

“What do you want me to do for you?”

Luke 12:32 (NKJV) It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

The Transformation
Vs 52 Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.

SOZO: Complete salvation. Physical, emotional, spiritual wholeness.
HE can fix everything in one encounter.

Mark 2:1-12 (NIV) 1 when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8 Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, "Why are you thinking these things? 9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up, take your mat and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralytic, 11 "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!"

John 1:17 (NIV) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Verse 5 “When Jesus saw their faith…”
The Faith of Friends
“The encounter we need is often times connected with those we are community with.”

1. Built through community
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.
When we become isolated We loose our power.

2. Driven by Compassion
“Some people will only encounter the Lord because you are in there life.”

3. Carried out by carrying weight
Friends make a way.
Romans 12:15 (NIV) Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.


What Jesus reveals in Encounter.
verse 5: “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
1. Himself
Ephesians 1:7-9 (NIV) 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
“Jesus was not just showing the man and his friends he could heal, he was showing them that He is God.”

2. Our identity

3. Our position

4. Our condition-
Verse 11 “Get up, take up your matt and Go home.”

Luke 12:32 (NLT) “It gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.”

Mark 5:21-34 (NLT) 21 Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. 22 Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, 23 pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.” 24 Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. 25 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. 30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” 31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and told him what she had done. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

She had Issues:
1. Physical Issues
2. Financial Issues
3. Social Issues
4. Emotional & Mental Issues
Encountering Breakthrough
1- Believe the rumors
Verses 27 She had heard about Jesus….
“As good as you heard or imagined that he is, He is better.”

2- Leave your safe space
“Sometimes you got to leave your safe space to get to the safer space”
“We can have an excuse or we can go after an encounter.”

3- Push through
“He has authority over the issue we take him to or the issues we bring to him.”
“He is not overly consumed with the drama in humanity to deal with your issues.”

4. Reach out and touch Him

Luke 8:45-46 (NIV) "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you." 4 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."

“We don't touch him with our hands. We touch him with our faith.”

Verse 34 “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

“Faith places us in proximity to experience breakthrough!
Malachi 4:2-3 (NIV) 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says the LORD Almighty.

Acts 9:1-9 (NIV)(See also Acts 22, 26) 1 Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

5 Realities Concerning Encounters

1. Jesus wants to encounter us.
“Saul, Saul…”
“ITS TIME FOR A DIVINE INTERRUPTION!”
2. Encounters demand a response
“Who are you, Lord?”

Encounters provoke intimacy
To Know: ginosko: Knowledge through personal experience.

….“Lord?” The second part of that response.

“Encounters that don't lead to a greater level God’s leadership are simply educational experiences.”

3. Encounter facilitate revelation.
“I am Jesus.”

Encounters are always an invitation to have Jesus revealed.
Ephesians 1:17 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

4. Encounters carry alignment.

“Get up…”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV) 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

5. Encounters carry assignment.
“and Go to…”

Encounters are often times a result of somebody else’s assignment….
The tension of a testimony
Acts 7:58-60 (NLT) 58 (They)and dragged him(Stephen) out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.

Galatians 3:26-29 (NLT) 26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

The Abrahamic Covenant…
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT) 1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
1. The promise of new territory. (Dominion)
2. The promise of descendants. (Reproduction)
3. The promise of blessing (Conduits of blessing)

The New covenant, like the Abrahamic covenant, hinges upon: #1. Justification by faith
#2. Friendship/Connection with God

James 2:23 (NLT) “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God.

Realities of Faith…
1. Faith in Christ makes us righteous- Romans 3:22, John 6:29
2. Faith is Active Trust
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.

3. Faith is necessary to please God.
Hebrews 11:6(NLT) 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.

4. Faith will be tested- James 1:2-4 

5. Faith produces
Your actions prove what you believe.
“Faith that won't work, don't work!”
James 2:18-20 (NLT) 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

Expanding our Faith
“Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible & receives the impossible.”

Matthew 14:22-33(NLT) Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

Expanding our Faith
1. Shift the If.
“What IF I sink…what IF you walk on water?”
Faith OR Fear always starts with “What if”
Ephesians 3: 20(NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

2. Get out of the boat.

“The enemy of great is always good. We will never experience the greatness of what God has if we are complacent with the good that we are currently in.”

“It doesn't matter how much potential we have if we stay in the boat it wont matter.”

3. Continue in Faith
2 Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.

“We start with faith, we continue with faith, everything is done by faith, in faith through faith, and we will finish it in faith!”

4. Focus on HIS faithfulness.

vs 31 “Why did you doubt me…”He is constant, steady, & unchanging.
“If our trust is in the unshakable one then we will be unshaken when the storms come.”
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV) 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Luke 18:15-17 (NLT) 15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. 16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.

Luke 19:1-10 (NIV) 1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.'" 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." 9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

What we know about Zacchaeus:
1- A chief tax collector(A despised sinner)
2- He was rich
3- He was vertically challenged

A Childlike heart…
The Childlikeness of Zacchaeus- He Ran & He climbed a tree.
1. Curiosity
“Remaining curious about God is something we must maintain lest we become bored spiritually.”
Embrace mystery as an invitation.

Things that squelch curiosity:
1- Making excuses
2-Being a know it all
3- Looking elsewhere

2. Gladness.
“So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.”
Joy reciprocates: joy carries joy, the joy of Jesus.
Luke 12:32 (NLT) It gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Romans 14:17 (NIV) The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
“The lasting impact of our encounters will determined by how much of the joy of the Lord is present to carry them forward.”

He gladly gave up everything…..
Holiness that isn't happy isn't holiness.

Cultivating childlikeness
1. Position Yourself
2. Respond to the invitation
“JESUS IS INVITING HIMSELF INTO OUT LIFE.”
Psalm 36:7-8 (NLT) 7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.

3- Posture Yourself

Embrace clean

Hebrews 8:6-13(NLT) Now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second covenant to replace it. But when God found fault with the people, he said:(Jeremiah 31:31-34) “The day is coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. This covenant will not be like the one I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand and led them out of the land of Egypt. They did not remain faithful to my covenant, so I turned my back on them, says the LORD. But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the LORD: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the LORD.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already. And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” When God speaks of a “new” covenant, it means he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.

The Old Covenant:
1. A Specific People: From God, through Moses & to the Jewish People. The New Covenant is available to all people.
2. A Specific Purpose: To set Israel apart from others nations…
The law was glorious(2 Corinthians 3). Yet it's purpose was fulfilled.
Now It has become the Schoolmaster. (Galatians 3:24)
3. A Specific Period of time: Till God made a new covenant.
http://www.str.org/articles/how-does-the-old-testament-law-apply-to-christians-today#.WVj0sMbMzMU

4 TERMS OF THE NEW COVENANT

1. PERFECT
Hebrews 8:7-8(NLT) For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people…
“The old covenant was problematic because it was based upon human performance.”
“God requires righteousness…the law demanded righteousness Jesus fulfilled righteousness.”
Romans 8:4 (NLT) He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us….
The old covenant was simply instructional the New covenant is invitational.
“You can only become if you belong.”
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.


2. PERSONAL
Hebrews 8:10 I will be their God, and they will be my people.
The Old Covenant is rooted in instruction the New Covenant is rooted in identity.
Song of Solomon 2:16 “I am my my beloveds and he is mine”

It’s personal.
John 1:17 (NIV) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.


3. PROMISE FILLED
Hebrews 8:6 (NLT) The covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.
Yahweh: The "covenant" name of God.

“When we we were sinful, sham full and corrupt HE IS STILL….
1. YHWH-Tsidkenu “the Lord our righteousness”; Jer. 23:6; Mal. 3:18; Ex. 34:6.1
“When we are in need He is…”
2. YHWH-Jireh“the Lord provides”; Gen. 22:14; Mal. 3:18; Ex. 34:6.
“When we feel overwhelmed and overcome he is…..”
3. YHWH-Nissi “the Lord my banner”; “Victory” Ex. 17:15; Mal. 3:18; Ex. 34:6.
“When we are sick or diseased he is…”
4. YHWH-Rapha “the Lord who heals”; Ex. 15:26; Mal. 3:18; Ex. 34:6.
When we are shaken and our world is crumbling around us he is…
5. YHWH-Shalom “the Lord is peace”; Judg. 6:24; Mal. 3:18; Ex. 34:6
When we feel lonely and afraid and lack courage…
6. YHWH-Shammah “the Lord is there”;; Ezek. 48:35; Mal. 3:18; Ex. 34:6


4. PAID FOR
Hebrews 7:22 (NIV) Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant


Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

Acts 1:4-8 (NIV) 4 "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) 1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:14 (NIV) Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd.

Pentecost speaks of a second experience in the journey of God’s people.
Acts 19:2 (NIV) "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

MORE

1. More tangibles
2. More fervency & passion
3. More courage & boldness Acts 4:31 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. (See also Acts 4:12)

4. More Power

• “The baptism of fire is not to simply enhance our experience to but to maximize our effectiveness.”
  

John 1:12 (NIV) Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
2. Dynamis: Ability: demonstration.
Acts 1:8 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.

1 Corinthians 2:4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power
-Power to BE A witness.
-Power to overcome.
-Power to function like Jesus.
John 14:12 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Acts 10:38 (NIV) God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

How to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit 1- Open your heart
2- Ask, Seek & Knock!
Luke 11:13 Your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
3- Receive
Psalms 81:10 Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it…

Close:
Acts 19:2 (NIV) "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?

A. The Could: The Glory of God.
B. The Pillar of Fire:
Psalm 105:39 (NLT) The LORD spread a cloud above them as a covering and gave them a great fire to light the darkness.
“The Holy Spirit is the pillar of God’s leadership in our life.”
John 16:5-16 (NIV) 5I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, 'Where are you going?' 6 Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. 7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you. 16 "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."
Parakletos: Advocate, Counselor. Comforter, Helper.

The Holy Spirit’s Leadership
1. Calms us down
Comforter: During the cold desert nights.

2. Confirms our identity
Romans 8:14-16 Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

3. Confronts our sin
God fathers us with correction.
Hebrews 12:8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.
“Correction does not condemn our identity it confirms it.”
Proverbs 12:1 To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire.

4. Counsels us
John 14:26 The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind* you of everything I have said to you.

(hü-po-mēm-nā’-skō) Quietly remind: remnant residue(a substance) being brought to remembrance

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth

4. Closeness
Exodus 13:22 And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

John 14:17-18 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.

Malachi 3:2-4 (NLT) 2 “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.

Romans 8:29 (NIV) For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son…

How are we refined?
1- The Gospel
2- The Presence of the Holy Spirit(Jn 16)
3- Trails/Tests(Jam 1:2-4, 1 Pet 1:6-7)
4- Judgement.

2 Judgements
1st Judgment: Great White Throne Judgement (Rev 20:11-15 )
Based on Righteousness.
Romans 8:1 No condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2nd Judgment- The Judgement seat of Christ.
Judgement: (Krima) A decision resulting from an investigation.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
Matthew 12:36 (NLT) And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.
1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (NLT) 13 On the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
The purpose is not punishment, the purpose is reward.

Mindsets that Enlarge in our Eternal perspective
“Heaven is not the finish line it's the starting line!”
1-He Is a Rewarder
(Genesis 15:1)
Revelation 22:12 (NLT) “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.

Full Reward /Partial reward
2 John 1:8 (NLT) Watch out that you do not lose what we(You) have worked so hard to achieve. Be diligent so that you receive your full reward.
“Our prayer is on earth as it is in heaven our reward will be in heaven how it was on the earth.”

2. He sees.
Matthew 6:4 (NIV) Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Ephesians 6:7-8 (NLT) 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do.
“Stop measuring success by the temporary”

3. Invest now.
Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT) 19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

________
1 Peter 1:17-20 (NLT)
17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as “foreigners in the land.” 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

God chose a shepherd.
Acts 13:16-23 (NLT) 17 “The God of this nation of Israel chose our ancestors and made them multiply and grow strong during their stay in Egypt. Then with a powerful arm he led them out of their slavery. 18 He put up with them through forty years of wandering in the wilderness. 19 Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. “After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years. 22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ 23 “And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!

Saul
1 Samuel 9:2-“Saul, An impressive young man without equal among the Israelites--a head taller than any of the others.”
Had a reputation of being “among the prophets” (I Samuel 10)
BUT THEN….
1- Presumption (I Samuel 13)
“Nothing will frustrate our purpose like trying to do something that was never ours to do.”
2- Disobedience
1 Samuel 15:10-11 (NLT) 10 Then the LORD said to Samuel, 11 “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.”
“God will only resist the resistant.”

1 Samuel 16:1,6-13 (NLT) 1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” ….6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’s anointed!” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the LORD has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on.

What cause David to catch God’s eye?
2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT) The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

1- Devotion.
“God saw that he was willing to be great in the small moments and that he would remain small in the great moments.”

2. Desire.
1 Samuel 13:14 (NLT) …The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart.

Holy Desires are Discovered & Nurtured

3. Drive,
“We can maintain an obedient and yielded spirit and get it wrong at times. However when we have a prideful spirit we will always get it wrong.”
“Unlike Saul, David never let his purpose interfere with his identity because he found his identity in fulfilling Gods purpose.”

1 Samuel 1:7-20 7 Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. Each time, Hannah would be reduced to tears and would not even eat. 8 “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” 9 Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. 10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.” 12 As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her. 13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. 14 “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” 15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD. 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” 17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” 18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad. 19 The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the LORD once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the LORD remembered her plea, 20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the LORD for him.”

1 Samuel 3:1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.

There is always “Mother” in the midst OF Gods plan.

Mothering/Nurturing God’s Desires

John 3:3-6 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

1. Fertilization
Despise not small moments.
Matthew 13:31-32 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

2. Cultivation
“Our job is not to produce the seed . Our Job is to stay in & incubate the process.”

A. Maturity
B. Flexibility
You can bend or you can bust.
He is not just growing his desire, he is growing you!

C. Expectantly & actively getting ready!

3. Fruition
Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

“God is a consuming fire. The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of fire. Jesus said, "I've come to bring fire on earth." There is no escaping fire” -Leonard Ravenhill

John 2:13-17 (NIV) 13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Matthew 21:13 (NLT) “My Temple/House will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

Zeal FOR the House
John 2:17 (NIV) His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me.”

Zeal: gk: zhlo" (zelos): excitement of mind | fervor of spirit.

“God burns with deep desire for what is his!”

Zechariah 8:2 (NIV)This is what the Lord Almighty says: "I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her."

1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV) Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

He wants us to reflect his desires.

Matthew 22:37 (NLT)“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’
Proverbs 20:27(NIV) The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD.

Leviticus 6:12-13 (NIV) 12 The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it. 13 The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.

Keep the fire burning
1. Obedience: Serving the Lord
Romans 12:11 (NIV) Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

2. Fellowship: Spending time with Him.
Fellowship with God ministers to God.
“Our heart is fueled when we fuel his.”

2 Samuel 11:1-7 (NIV) 1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, 3 and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, "Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (She had purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she went back home. 5 The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, "I am pregnant." 6 So David sent this word to Joab: "Send me Uriah the Hittite." And Joab sent him to David.

THE PROGRESSION OF SIN
1. David let his guard down.
2. David was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
3. David made room for sin.

James 1:13-15 (NIV) 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

THE PENALTY OF SIN
1. Sin displeases God
2 Samuel 11:27 (NIV) But the thing David had done displeased the LORD.

2. Sin is Destructive
1. DESTRUCTIVE TO US:
Psalms 51:3 Sin is always before me!
“Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” -unknown

2. DESTRUCTIVE TO OTHERS:


PREVENTION OF SIN
1. Stay Ready
“Don't be hanging out on rooftops when you should be at war.”
“Don’t the victory in your past become the defeat of your future.”
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

2. Don't excuse “little” issues-
“You can't love God & Love sin and you can’t Love sin & love God.” -Mike Bickle
Galatians 6:7-8 (NIV) 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

3. Stay Tender
“Not feeling bad when you sin is far worse than feeling bad about it!”
Psalm 51:7-12 (NIV) Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

4. Be Redemption Focused.
Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Focussing on our Redemption is the greatest prevention against sin.
1 John 2:1 (NIV) My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

2 Samuel 4:4 (NLT) Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.

2 Samuel 9:1-8 (NLT)1 David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" 2 Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "Your servant," he replied. 3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” 5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” 7 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” 8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?”

We are Mephibosheth!
1. There is an invitation

2. BUT We have a Condition:
Romans 3:23 (NIV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) For the wages of sin is death…..…..but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ

3. Yet there is a solution
Romans 5:8 (NIV) 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

How do we respond?

1. Say Yes.
2. Take a seat at the table:

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.

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

2 Samuel 23:13-17 (NLT) 13 Once during the harvest, when David was at the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. 14 David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem. 15 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 16 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the LORD. 17 “The LORD forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it.

“Extravagance in our devotion can cost us the approval of others.”

John 12:2-8 (NLT) 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

3. Worship has a price.

“I will not offer God that which cost me nothing!” -2 Samuel 24:24
Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

Luke 22:20 (NIV) "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

John 4:23 (NLT) The time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

“God is not looking for worship he is looking for worshippers.”

2 Samuel 6:1-2 (NLT) 1 Then David again gathered all the elite troops in Israel, 30,000 in all. 2 He led them to Baalah of Judah to bring back the Ark of God, which bears the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim.

Responding to Glory
1. Awareness.
Of God’s Greatness
Of God’s Holiness

2 Samuel 6:3-7 (NLT) 3 They placed the Ark of God on a new cart and brought it from Abinadab’s house, which was on a hill. Uzzah and Ahio, Abinadab’s sons, were guiding the cart as it left the house, 4 carrying the Ark of God. Ahio walked in front of the Ark. 5 David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. 6 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7 Then the LORD’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.

Of God’s Goodness.

2 Samuel 6:10-15 (NLT) 10 So David decided not to move the Ark of the LORD into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. 11 The Ark of the LORD remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the LORD blessed Obed-edom and his entire household. 12 Then King David was told, “The LORD has blessed Obed-edom’s household and everything he has because of the Ark of God.” So David went there and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the City of David with a great celebration. 13 After the men who were carrying the Ark of the LORD had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.

2. Affection- “The expressive response of ones value.”
2 Samuel 6:14-15 (NLT) 14 And David danced before the LORD with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. 15 So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.
Because of his infinite value our worship must be extravagant!

2 Samuel 6:20-23 (NLT)20 When David returned home to bless his own family, Michal, the daughter of Saul, came out to meet him. She said in disgust, “How distinguished the king of Israel looked today, shamelessly exposing himself to the servant girls like any vulgar person might do!” 21 David retorted to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD, so I celebrate before the LORD. 22 Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!” 23 So Michal, the daughter of Saul, remained childless throughout her entire life.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT) 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

1 Samuel 17:10-11 (NLT) “I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!” When Saul & the Israelites heard this, they were terrified & deeply shaken.

1 Samuel 17:32-37 (NLT) 32 “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” 33 “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” 34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The LORD who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the LORD be with you!”

Developing Courage before the battle.
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) 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.

1. Build private history

2. Don’t believe the hype
Anytime the enemy seems intimidating we are believing the hype.

3. Maintain perspective
“When we make His battles our battles, He makes our battles his.”
1 Samuel 17:32 (NKJV) David said to Saul, "Let no man's heart fail because of him.”
Courage begets courage

4. Remember who you are
“Trying to function in somebody else skill set will always put us at a disadvantage.”

1 Samuel 17:40-51 (NLT) 40 He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine. 41 Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, 42 sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. 43 “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods. 44 “Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled. 45 David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!” 48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.

Defeating Giants:

1. Run to the battle.
“We need to stop wishing away the struggle and start winning some battles!”
“The greatest obstacles you face may be your greatest opportunity to reveal God’s glory”

2. Keep Your distance
Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) Do not give the devil a foothold.

3. Use what you got.
(vs 45) “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies”
Zechariah 4:6 (NIV) 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

4. Cut off the head.
“The greatest giant we will ever face the giant of self.”

Colossians 2:13-15 (NLT) 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Genesis 22:1-14 (NLT)“Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh. (God Provides)

Cultivating a Hopeful Spirit.
1. Select what you expect
-Hope is not “wishful thinking”
-Hope is not driven by anxiety
-Hope is confident favorable expectation.
1 Peter 1:4 (NLT) “We live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance.”

Hope must be well placed!
Proverbs 13:12(NLT) Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
“Our Hope is not in the particulars but in His promises!”

2. Hold onto promise
Hebrews 10:23(NLT) Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Hebrews 11:11(NLT) By faith Abraham, even though he was past age--and Sarah herself was barren--was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.

3. Stay classy during difficulty
Even our struggles produce….

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

4. Steward Hope

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance...

GOD’S CALLING
1. God calls us in: Relationship
John 6:44 (NIV) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.
Draws: (gk. Helkyo) To drag literally and figuratively
You can respond or resist but the tension of that process is up to you.
John 16:8 (NLT) When he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
Mark 3:14 (NKJV) Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.
2. God calls us up. Consecration
“The old covenant says you can’t come closer because of your sin, the new covenant says you must come closer because of Christ’s love.”
1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV) 13 Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.”

3. God calls us to. Assignment.

4 ways to recognizing your calling.
Often times we don't find a calling the calling finds us.
1. What do you think that is?
2. What is in your heart?
3. What is your motivation?
4. Is it bigger than you?

Just like us, Moses Argues with God
1. We make it about us.(Exodus 3:11-12)
We say “Who am I? God says who do you say “I AM.”

2. We make it about the opinions of others.(Exodus 4:1)
3. We make it about our skills.(Exodus 4:10)
Our calling has nothing to do with ability but our availability.

God simply wants our yes.
Romans 11:29 (NIV) God's gifts and his call are irrevocable
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 (NLT) 4 We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. 5 It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 6 He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant.

John 7:37-43 (NIV) 37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. 40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." 41 Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.

Feast of Tabernacles/ Sukkot

John 7:37-43 (NIV) 37 …Jesus stood and said in a loud voice(NLT Shouted), "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow rom within him."

1- Thirsty people?
2- Come & drink.

I’ve got a river of life flowing within me;
It makes the lame to walk and the blind to see.
It opens prison doors, sets the captives free.
I’ve got a river of life flowing within me 
Spring up, O well, within my spirit!
Rise up and tell, so all can hear it!
Spring up, O well, and give to me
That life abundantly.

“The hope of the world is in us we simply need to open the floodgates.”

John 7: 40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." 41 Others said, "He is the Christ." Still others asked, "How can the Christ come from Galilee? 42 Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David's family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?" 43 Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.

Acts 2:4 The were all together and in one accord.
Something extraordinary happens when people come together.You are at Overflow because we are drinking from the same well.
We are Overflow: We come under this reality of who Jesus is & We understand that we can do more together.
How do we fit together?
Connecting the pieces
1- Be Present
2- Be Planted
3- Be Passionate
4- Be proactive
5- Be purposeful
Matthew 9:35-38 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Ephesians 5:21-33(Message) Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another. Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands. Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage. No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband.

#RelationshipGoals
1. Christ at the Center
“The greatest tension in life occurs when we live in disagreement with God”

2. Celebrate- Have fun together!

3. Commitment
“100% - 100% of the time regardless of the chooses of my spouse.”

4. Companionship
Competition corrupts the union.
“Equality in marriage has to do less with control and more with understanding one anthers roles.”

5. Community

6. Conversation & Communication
Genesis 11:6 “Look!" he said. "The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!
55% of communication is body language, 38% is the tone of voice, and 7% is the actual words spoken. 

7. Connection

8. Consideration

Husbands: Women desire to feel Loved.
Wives: Men desire wives to honor and to respect them.

Proverbs 20:5 (NIV) The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

Goals bring intentionally to our future, improve our focus & inspire our faith.

#financialgoals:

God’s desire for our finances:

1. Our trust in him. Matthew 6:19-24
2. Our needs met. Philippians 4:19 (NIV) My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
3. We would live generously

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 (NIV) 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Positioned for plenty:

1. Yield the First-Fruits

Proverbs 3:9 (NIV) Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.

• Matthew 23:23, Luke 20:25, Malachi 3:8-12

2. Steward well

Matthew 25:14–30

1. Take inventory
2. Set aside 20%
3. Set a budget
4. Set boundaries

Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) The borrower is servant to the lender.

3. Hustle

Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth,

4. Make generosity your life goal

“The goal of Christ followers is not to accumulate wealth but to delegate blessing.”

Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT) 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”

1- Commanded to Love God(Matt 22:37)
2- Commissioned to Advance the Kingdom(Matt 6:19, 28:19& 20)

“God ins’t trying to fit into your plan he is fitting you into his.”

Most important pattern in your life: Relationship with Jesus!
How are things with Jesus?

“Behavior is a byproduct of our relationship with God.”
January 20- 2 chapters a day.(Matthew, Acts, & Galatians)

#2. Live with Purpose
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's workmanship (poetic masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
“I am a person of God therefore He is my primary purpose.”
“If we don’t live with intention then demands will control our attention.”

#3. Develop a Plan

1. Pray
2. Ask questions
3. Write down your goals
4. Find accountability
5. Leave some room

Proverbs 16:9 (NLT) We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

6. Believe God & Get to work

Psalm 32:8-9 (NLT) “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) 3 By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

Christmas is surrounded with the idea of Expectation.
Advent- "coming" or “arrival"
The Christmas story begins not with a virgin expecting a child…but Mary’s elderly aunt who had been living her life with failed expectation.
Luke 1:6-13 (NLT) 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. 8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. 11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.

Luke 1:25 (NLT) “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

In expectation know this:
1. It’s never to late for God.
Galatians 6:9(NLT) So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.

2. God promises are better than you think.
Before John was preparing the way the wilderness he was preparing the way in the womb.

Luke 1:814-17 (NLT) 14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

3. Promise awaits a process
Hebrews 10:23 (NLT) Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.


1 Peter 1:3 (NLT) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation.