Cultivate: Ezekiel 47

March 07, 2021

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

There is life in the river.

1. Come and Drink

2. Get in the River
There are depths to the river.

3. Let The River Flow
When we drink of Jesus the River takes over.

Cultivate: Mandates

February 28, 2021

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

FOUR MANDATES

Love who He sends
Keep the Fire burning
Open Wombs.
So we do (Transform Haiti)

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

Cultivate: Generosity

February 21, 2021

Family: We follow Jesus together.
Genesis 2:15–18 (NLT) 15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, "You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die." 18 Then the Lord God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."

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

Jesus reestablishes family.
Matthew 12:46–50 (NLT) 46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 47 Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, and they want to speak to you." 48 Jesus asked, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "Look, these are my mother and brothers. 50 Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!"

John 6:28–29 (NIV) 28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."
John 1:12 (NLT)12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cultivate: Honor

February 07, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Cheerfully

"You must Decide" (Not if" but "how much.)
"Not Reluctantly" (Not unwilling nor hesitant)
"Nor Under Pressure" (To impress others)

2. Consistently

2 Corinthians 9:11 (NLT) Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous.
1 Corinthians 16:2 (NLT) On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned.

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

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

Developing a Generous Spirit.

Give Thanks
Give Something
Give Sacrificially
Give Consistently
Give Now

Cultivate: Power

January 31, 2021

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

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

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

FOUR MANDATES
1. Love who He sends.

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

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

HOST AND HEAL

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

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

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

4. So we do (Transform Haiti)

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

pictures....

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

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

Cultivate: Family

January 17, 2021

Cultivate: Presence

January 17, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A. Presence- Every time we gather

His presence is at the center of our gatherings.

A. Our bible teaching is centered around Jesus.

We don’t just preach words on a page but life in a person.
John 5:39 (NLT) “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!

B. Our worship is centered around Jesus.

C. Our prayers are centered around Jesus.

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

IV. Cultivating a life that values presence.

Prioritize daily.
Lean frequently.
Pray continually.
Aware always.

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