THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT #3: The Sanity Checklist

Loss shifts our perspectives.

Hebrews 10:1-5 TPT, “The old system of living under the law presented us with only a faint shadow, a crude outline of the reality of the wonderful blessings to come. Even with its steady stream of sacrifices offered year after year, there still was nothing that could make our hearts perfect before God. 2–3 For if animal sacrifices could once and for all eliminate sin, they would have ceased to be offered and the worshipers would have clean consciences. Instead, once was not enough so by the repetitive sacrifices year after year, the worshipers were continually reminded of their sins, with their hearts still impure. 4 For what power does the blood of bulls and goats[a] have to remove sin’s guilt?

5 So when Jesus the Messiah came into the world he said,

“Since your ultimate desire was not another animal sacrifice,

you have clothed me with a body

that I might offer myself instead!”

Hebrews 10:21-25 TPT, “21 And since we now have a magnificent King-Priest to welcome us into God’s house, 22 we come closer to God and approach him[a] with an open heart, fully convinced by faith that nothing will keep us at a distance from him. For our hearts have been sprinkled with blood to remove impurity and we have been freed from an accusing conscience and now we are clean, unstained, and presentable to God inside and out!

23 So now we must cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! 24 Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love. 25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing, because we need each other! In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate that day dawning.”

Discover creative ways

This is not time to pull away.

1. Do something for God. (We acknowledge that we aren’t in control, but we know who is. Psalms 63:4-5)

   1. Read the Bible, make a prayer list, listen to a podcast or YouTube sermon, worship God alone along with some music, spend time in silence listening to Him, etc). List of Spiritual Disciplines here.

2. Do something for you. (We acknowledge that it’s okay to feel low, but we can’t stay there. Proverbs 17:22)

   1. Fun feeds the soul. (an article from the psychological point of view)

   2. Learning about yourself is also an excellent way to do something for yourself. (Try a personality test, or try something new.)

3. Do something for the people closest to you. (We acknowledge that our behavior and attitudes do have an effect on others. 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

   1. Ideas for married couples, date ideas during COVID, keep kids busy and happy

4. Do something for others. (We acknowledge that we can make a difference in the lives of people outside our household too. Hebrews 10:23-25)

   1. Reaching out during the pandemic

Acts 2:42-47 TPT, “42 Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another,[b] sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. 43 A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. 45 Out of generosity they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. 46 Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. 47 They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.”

The Christmas Spirit #2: The Spirit of Joy

1. Christmas Cheer vs. Jesus Joy

   1. Christmas makes you happy for a season, Jesus makes you joyful for the journey.

   2. The code of the christians 

      • Treat every day like Sunday 

        • There is room for everyone in the kingdom 

        • The best way to spread Jesus’s Joy is living loud for all to hear.

        • Matthew 18:1-6, “About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”Joy requires humility

2. Joy requires humility

   1. Christmas is about God humbling himself to become human and bringing joy to others.

   2. The best part about the joy of a child it is infectious

3. Spread Joy 

   1. The joy of a child is infections

Nehemiah 8:10, “And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT #1: The Bare Minimum

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Matthew 5:42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

Matthew 5:38-42, “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.”

This Christian journey that we’re on will cost you EVERYTHING.

Matthew 25:31-46

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

BATTLE FATIGUE #5: The Bridge

Faithfulness is the bridge between having faith, and being faithFUL.

Ruth 1:16-17

Faithfulness manifests itself as loyalty.

Faithfulness manifests itself as diligence.

Ruth 2:11-12

Faithfulness manifests itself as wisdom.

I have to submit to not knowing, and submit myself to the All-Knowing.

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BATTLE FATIGUE #4: Johannes Amritzer Throwback Message

To check out Johannes Amritzer’s missions organization, go here: www.missionsos.org

“When I found the Bible, when I was worshipping Jesus, the rats were running.”

“A blood-marked disciple of Jesus, the demons will run from, not run to.”

John 19:30

“Your life is a fixed fight now.”

“If they close down every church, I’ll praise Jesus in the parking lot.”

BATTLE FATIGUE #3: We Are Citizens

This is a message first preached in April 2019, but it’s just as powerful for today, as it was then.

Psalm 73:25, ""Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you"

Acts 16:16-24

• Bad things are not always bad things.

  1. Hebrews 12:7-11, “As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 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. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”

Acts 16:25

• Midnight singing & dungeon faith

  • “Those who wish to sing, will always find a song.”

  • “God will not look you over for medals, degrees, or diplomas--but for scars.” Elbert Hubbard

Acts 16:26-34

• SUDDENLY--

Acts 16:35-40

• We are citizens.

Here’s what I’ve learned about battles…

1. BATTLES are not always bad things.

2. We need the battles, to shape who we are, and to teach us who God is.

3. Faith isn’t what makes it all work out in the end (God has already done that)...faith is what gets us through the middle part.  It’s the substance of things hoped for, it’s the evidence of things not yet seen...it’s mysterious and magical and amazing..It creates, it imagines, it hopes, it designs, it’s the language of God, because it is CREATING. CREATING LIFE.

True faith does not merely resign itself to a divine plan, nor trust detached promises; faith embraces a promising Person. That person, values spiritual health, above everything, because physical health and physical wealth don’t last for eternity.  

We must remember the promises in which Christ is clothed, but let us never preach a set of clothes. It’s the person of JESUS that stands at the center of saving faith.

In the end, this series about been about faith.  Faith in the face of battles. Enemies that cannot be overcome. Walls that cannot be torn down.  Relationships that cannot be restored. Faith in the face of the impossible. But not faith in yourself. Or the universe. Or love, or faith in faith itself.  Faith in Jesus Christ, the overcomer. The victorious savior of our souls. We are citizens in HIS kingdom. And we fight our battles as HIS warriors, ‘cause there is nothing that can stop our God.

BATTLE FATIGUE #2: Do You Love Me?

Romans 7:15, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.“

Matthew 16:21-23, “From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

“See, Peter only had faith for victory. For HIS very specific idea of victory. He didn’t yet know how to have faith through hardship. He didn’t realize Jesus wasn’t being defeatist, he was trying to prepare them for battle. ”

“His faith was based around his version of victory, not around God of Victory.”

“Sometimes you have to submit to the death of something, so that something else can be resurrected.”

John 21:1-17

In one short conversation, Jesus did at least 4 things for Peter:

1. He was calling Simon back into Peter-hood.

2. He was forgiving and healing him from his 3 denials.

3. He was getting buy-in again from Peter.

4. He was calling Peter back to work.

Don’t let Battle Fatigue steal your focus.

The Good News that Jesus showed Peter on that beach:

1. I will provide for you.

2. I will give you a future and a purpose.

3. I will always forgive you and heal your soul.

4. I will birth a new passion in you.

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BATTLE FATIGUE #1: Faith Shows Up

."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12)

If I truly had faith, that I could move mountains, I would show up every single day, and say God, where do I start digging today?

FAITH SHOWS UP.

And it shows up, with a shovel.

Numbers 20:2-13

2 There was no water for the people to drink at that place, so they rebelled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The people blamed Moses and said, “If only we had died in the Lord’s presence with our brothers! 4 Why have you brought the congregation of the Lord’s people into this wilderness to die, along with all our livestock? 5 Why did you make us leave Egypt and bring us here to this terrible place? This land has no grain, no figs, no grapes, no pomegranates, and no water to drink!”

6 Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle,[a] where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them, 7 and the Lord said to Moses, 8 “You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”

9 So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. 10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!” 13 This place was known as the waters of Meribah (which means “arguing”) because there the people of Israel argued with the Lord, and there he demonstrated his holiness among them.

Here are God’s instructions:

1.  Get Aaron’s rod (get it, not use it)

2. Speak to the rock

3. You will give them water

What actually happened:

1. He used the rod to strike.

2. He spoke to the people.

3. He gave them water.

What works, is not the best measure of what’s right, before God.
He DID NOT demonstrate God’s holiness to the people.
Although he provided water, he did not provide the correct representation of the heart & character of God.  
God will get his glory--but will it come through our obedience or our correction?

FAITH SHOWS UP, BUT IT SHOWS UP WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.

SILENCE #5: The Wrong Question

“I wanted to address our culture, God wanted to address ME.”

Luke 20:41-44
”Then Jesus presented them with a question. “Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David? 42 For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 43 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ 44 Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

What Jesus shows ME here, is that there is a higher goal than just being right--but there is also a higher goal than just peace.  The Higher Goal is Jesus

—————————————

The Political Landscape of Jesus’ Time

Zealots - The Zealot movement took the revolutionary option. It advocated outward violence, even armed rebellion, to rid Israel of Roman oppression. Nothing else, they figured, would bring final liberation to the Jewish people. Depending on the point of view, Zealots were looked upon as freedom-fighters or terrorists.

Sadducees - The Sadduccees were the great pragmatists of the day. As wealthy lay-nobles, priests and aristocrats, they sought to conserve their wealth and power through comprosmise with Rome. Politically speaking, this was the most realistic option. Most of the members of the Sanhedrin were from the Sadduccee group. Moreover, as the people at the top of the pecking order in the Jewish society of their time, they were much more concerned with present-day affairs than speculation on the life-to-come. In the Gospels, it is evidently the Sadduccees who are the main opponents of Jesus at the time of his trial and death. They rightly saw that Jesus' radical brand of religion threatened their power and status.

Pharisees - The Pharisees were in many ways the idealists of Jewish society. Most of the Scribes (the 'theologians' of the day) were Pharisees. In general, despite their 'bad press' in the Gospels, the Pharisees sought to live a life of spiritual purity by a meticulous following of the torah (Jewish law). They did not believe in compromise with the Romans (as did the Sadduccees) nor in revolutionary activity (as did the Zealots). No doubt their emphasis on the law could result in legalism which may, in turn, become a pretext for hypocrisy. Nonetheless, many Pharisees were highly committed and deeply spiritual people. They believed in the resurrection of the dead. From their perspective, Jesus seemed to relativize the law which explains their anger towards him.

Essenes - solved the problem of Jewish identity in a Roman-occupied Israel by withdrawing to a monastic-like setting. They were, if you like, the hippies of the day insofar as they completely opted out of mainstream Jewish society.

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Jesus asks them a rhetorical question to help them refocus on Him! He didn’t even answer the question! Anyone notice that detail yet?  His goal in that moment wasn’t to prove himself right...or to fully explain an idea...but to pose a question for them to THINK about.

I think his goal in the moment was two-fold: 

1. To refocus the minds of the prideful religious leaders who thought they knew everything, to the REAL MESSIAH.

2. To show the average person, beat up by religion, that maybe, just maybe, they were closer to the Kingdom, than those prideful leaders wanted them to believe.

To the zealots, He said, “love your enemies.”

To the Sadduccess, He said, “Give to ceasar what’s ceasar’s, give to God what’s God’s.”

About the Pharisees, He said, “Obey everything they teach you, but don’t do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else.”

They were expecting a very spiritual King.  Someone to float down on the clouds riding horses of fire, or something, and save them.  They couldn’t see that he would be the SON of David.  That He is BOTH son, AND Lord. They didn’t expect the son of Joseph the Carpenter, from Nazareth. Born in a manger, in a BARN, for goodness sake.  

And they missed Him. 

“They were looking for a spiritual person to become a physical king.  And what they GOT was a physical person, becoming a spiritual king.”

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1. Jesus’ silence in strategic moments made Him complicit in his own injustice, for the sake of you and I. It matters WHEN you say it. John 18:19-19:16

   1. Does this mean we shouldn’t stand up for injustice? No...but it should confront your sense of comfort, and your judgemental attitudes about paying the price for other people’s sin.

   2. TAKE IT FURTHER: Why did they want him to be the king? Could they have forced him? Most people would gladly accept more power…why didn’t Jesus?

2. He recognized government as an imperfect tool for justice and organization. It matters WHAT you say. Luke 20:19-26

   1. In studying all of this, it struck me, how little Jesus speaks of Rome. He so rarely talks about it!  When that’s ALL ANYONE ELSE EVER SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT in his culture!  There are little moments, but overall, He doesn’t condemn them like everyone seems to want him to.

   2. TAKE IT FURTHER: Why was Pilate scared? Why do you think Jesus responded the way He did? Why do you think Pilate asked, “what is truth?”

3. He resisted power, but used attention. (to show that it’s not POWER you need, to change the world, but love. It matters WHO you say it to. John 6:1-15

   1. Palm Sunday was a political move...the palms, the welcome into the city...but he didn’t come on a horse, which would have been basically a declaration of war...he came on a donkey..and he didn’t go to the governor’s mansion….he went to the temple….

   2. He USED the attention, but resisted power...even when it was THRUST upon Him.

   3. TAKE IT FURTHER: Why would that question have trapped Jesus? What do you think they expected his answer to be?

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SILENCE #4: Comfort Culture

Matthew 26:36-46

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

“They chose physical comfort over spiritual work assigned to them by their creator. And even more interestingly, they chose physical proximity, over spiritual proximity. They were physically there with Jesus, yes, but miles away from his heart. ”

John 8:3-11

3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

11 “No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

“All we have to do is surrender. Surrender to Jesus. That’s the quote. That’s the tweetable hashtag, the lifestyle motto, the code to live by. Sacrifice short-lived comfort...surrender to purpose. Start practicing physical proximity AND spiritual proximity. Jesus isn’t asking too much. Just surrender. ”

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Silence #3: Culture Controversy (Guest Speaker: Tim Bennett)

2 Tim 4:1-5 (NLT)

Controversy #1. Convenience vs. Conviction

Micah 6:8 (NLT)

Controversy #2. Rights vs. Responsibilities

Job 22:29 (NLT) & Job 22:29 (KJV) - 

Controversy #3. Disaster vs. Discernment

SILENCE #2: The Aftermath

1 Kings 19:3-18

The Victim Mentality

“Never underestimate the spiritual power of a nap and snack.”

He can work with honest.

“God uses object lessons way more often than he uses words.“

Joy in the aftermath

“I think God was trying to teach Elijah that it’s not just about the show. The fire, the wind, the ravens, the kings & queens. That this is about something so much bigger….but so much smaller too.“

Dharius Daniels: “When God takes you to school, you only know you’re in school, when class is dismissed.”

Read all of Elijah’s story right from the Word: 1 Kings 16:29-19:21

SILENCE #1: The Childlike

This sermon series was supposed to be about how our culture is right now screaming: “Silence is complicity”.  That silence is complicity in the injustice happening in the world, you have to speak up and SAY SOMETHING.  The problem is: everyone disagrees on what to say.

And that. is. exhausting.

“I’m convinced that it's nearly impossible to be properly compassionate while exhausted.”

Matthew 11:25-30

1. Remain Childlike

Pride hides things from you. God reveals things to the childlike that he doesn’t reveal to the prideful.

“I learned that I had to renew my sense of WONDER. I let life become very heavy. My world seemed so small. And yes, it was something I DID, life did not DO to me. It’s a CHOICE whether to let it become heavy or not.”

2. Shed the heaviness

We’re all carrying stuff around with us that puts a dam in the naturally flowing river of God’s grace. We’re the ones putting walls up between us and God, not God.

3. Soul-rest in Jesus

We don’t have to be perfect, because HE IS.

What if life seems so heavy right now because you’re not giving enough of it to HIM to carry?

“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.”

FIERCE #6: Eran Holt

Acts 27:21-26

Things seem to be going the wrong way for Paul. But “I have faith in God” he says. Faith allows us to think beyond our own human reasoning.

1. Faith moves from Reason to Revelation

What if right now God is trying to move us as the American church into a fresh revelation of who He is?
Both fear and faith ask you and I to believe in something that you cannot see. Many times it doesn’t matter WHY. It matters WHO. That’s the place of revelation.

Acts 28:1-8

People will assign purpose to your situations for you. But people are fickle.

2. Faith Moves from Misery to Mission

Generally, as people, when looking back, we remember the peaks and the valleys. The really good and the really bad. Don’t be too quick to judge your ‘Malta’—2020. We get stuck in our Malta, because we don’t know where it ends. But God does.

3. Faith Moves from Pain to Provision

Maybe you thought this was the WORST shipwreck of your life, but God was positioning you for a revival. My faith is not gonna allow me to be a victim in Malta, but a victor.

Acts 28:9-10

FIERCE #5: Wrestling for the Blessing

Genesis 28:10-19
meaning of bethel - a holy place.

1. Resting With God

Matthew 11:30
Genesis 32:22- 30

2. Wrestle with God

3. When to … Wrestle or Rest

Ephesians 6:12

FIERCE #4: How Do We Build Compassion?

John 1:14

1. Jesus is the demonstration of God's character & compassion

John 16:13-14

2. The Holy Spirit guides us into the heart of Jesus

3. The Holy Spirit receives from Jesus and makes it known to us.

Ephesians 1:18

4. The Holy Spirit brings revelation to our minds & hearts.

ACTION: Read. Ask. Go.

FIERCE #3: The Results

Philippians 2:3-13
”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, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

1. Thinking of others as better

   1. “faux-fierce”: A fake, phony, outward imitation of being fierce or living fiercely.

2. Equality with God

3. The results of your salvation

   1. MY FAITH ISN’T JUST ABOUT ME.

FIERCE #2: The Privilege of Suffering

Philippians 1:20-30 20
”For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. 25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me. Live as Citizens of Heaven 27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.”

1. Full surrender

2. A manner worthy of the Good News about Christ

   1. What is the Good News about Christ?

3. One spirit & one purpose fighting together

FIERCE #1: Fierce Focus

Philippians 1:12-14
“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.”

Philippians 3:5-16
”I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Pressing toward the Goal 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”

I have been defining FIERCE this past 2 weeks by the following definition:

1. Menacingly wild in our evangelism. 

2. Savage in our love & forgiveness

3. Hostile toward the religious spirits that oppose the Gospel.

4. Furiously eager to see new souls saved

Religion & pride are WORTHLESS.

BELIEF + OBEDIENCE = FAITH. So, you can’t have faith that is ONLY a belief.  And you can’t have faith that is ONLY action. 

Focus on ONE THING. Fierce Fast

 “Stop allowing your past mistakes, regrets, and failures--or worse, someone else’s!--keep you bound, when Jesus went through SO MUCH to see you free!“

BRAGGING RIGHTS #4: God's Plans

Bragging Rights - Gods Plans

Jeremiah 29:11
Mark 12:13-17

Problem of Politics

Mark 12:17

Give to Caesar

Romans 13:1-5

Stop Looking for Loopholes

Daniel 3:16-18
Mark 12:17

Give to God

Jeremiah 29:11