FREE THE FUTURE #1: It's Time To Go Back

Nehemiah chapters 1-4

 Free the Future is FV’s 2021 initiative to see the Kingdom of God give more, tell more, and serve more.
We cannot wait to see what God is going to do in the future when each of us, individually, is able to challenge ourselves to die to our own selfish nature, and truly be disciples of Jesus, today.

GIVE MORE

2 Corinthians 9:7, 2 Corinthians 8:12, Malachi 3:10, 2 Corinthians 9:11, Luke 6:38, Exodus 35:22, Leviticus 27:30

TELL MORE

Mark 16:15, 1 Peter 3:15, Jeremiah 1:7-8, Matthew 5:16, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:17, Colossians 4:2-6, Matthew 28:18-20

SERVE MORE

Matthew 23:11, Mark 10:45, 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 12:9-13, Galatians 6:10, Luke 6:35, Acts 20:35, Colossians 3:23-24

THE WELLSPRING #4: The Danger of Dreaming

1.Dreaming is Dangerous

Genesis 37:5-13, “5 One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. 6 “Listen to this dream,” he said. 7 “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine! 8 His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. 9 Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!””

Joseph's dreams were a gift from God

James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

His Brothers made it clear they did not like his dreams.

People will not understand your dreams

People might not understand your choice you make as a believer

When your friends call and invite you to that party where you know there will be illegal drugs and excessive drinking and you say I wont be there—you become weird.

When you don’t join the gossip at work—you will be weird.

When you know God has something great in store for you—you will live different and some people wont like it

You don't have to tell everyone the dreams you have

Matthew 7:6 “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”

There are some things going on in the political climate I disagree with.

There are some things said on facebook that do not line up with my dreams for the world.

They will not and can not understand.

Genesis 37:23-25, “23 So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. 24 Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders taking a load of gum, balm, and aromatic resin from Gilead down to Egypt.”

2.Dreams are Dangerous When the Well is empty

Thrown into an empty well

His brothers threw him in the empty well, but Potiphar threw him in prison.

Joseph was doing everything right this time

He got to work and he was honoring God and still he ends up in a prison

Don’t be surprised that this world has evil people doing evil things.

But Joseph decided that he would do what GET TO WORK.

3.Dig your well deep!

Joseph was a slave and prisoner for over 10 years. He worked his way out (Even in prison Joseph worked hard)

Jesus took a cup of wine and bread and he died and rose three days latter because the whole bible is connected!

4.Disciples are not just Dreamers they are also Doers

Genesis 50:19-21, “19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. 21 No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.”

THE WELLSPRING #3: Don't Forget

Jeremiah 2:13
“For my people have done two evil things:
They have abandoned me—
the fountain of living water.
And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns
that can hold no water at all!

Two lies we buy into: 
1.We’re inherently good people.
2. We’re too messed up for God to love us.

Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

Matt 5:14-16,
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

We need to POUR OUT OF OUR OVERFLOW. We’re the lamps, but HE’S the electricity. All we have to do is plug into Him.

Ephesians 4:11-12 
”Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”

THE WELLSPRING #2: Be An Overflow-er

God makes seeds. We are the gardeners.

This is why sin will always find you out. It has an effect on the status of your overall soul.
Bound, stopped up, clogged…

”If the enemy can’t get your soul, he’ll try to get your fruitfulness.” - Christine Caine

John 15:1-4, “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

We’re fruitless without Him.

John 15:5-8, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

True disciples produce fruit. What are you producing?

John 15:9-11, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

We’re called to be OVERFLOW-ERS. We’re called to be fruitful.

Are you just someone who believes Jesus existed? Or are you a disciple?

Faith without works is dead.

Obedience is not legalism, obedience will lead to a flourishing life.

THE WELLSPRING #1: Stop Watering The Well

We live in a world that wants you to be happy.  Happiness is our god as a culture. Anyone that doesn’t make ME happy is cut from my life.  Anyone that says things that make ME uncomfortable is cut from my life. This person is CANCELLED, and that person is cancelled, and we talk a lot about MY freedoms, and MY rights, and MY this and MY that.  Carefully controlling our worlds to fit around US and make us happy.

We fill our bucket with Christian-like things.  And we try to pour that IN the well.

It’s never going to work long term.

We’re all chasing happy, when we should be chasing something else.

John 4:3 -14

1. It’s a GIFT

We sometimes act like it’s a burden…”I should do this….I should pray more...I should be more patient…”

Take it or don’t, but stop acting like it’s an obligation!

They got to realize that Jesus wasn’t just someone who walked around WITH them, but now He was someone that walked around IN them...things began to change RAPIDLY. 

Jesus is always trying to get us to see past the physical, into the spiritual. 

2. Stop watering the well!

“Pastors determine the vision, but you help determine the speed.” - Aaron Schumer

Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”

Isaiah 48:17-18, “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.”

What we put in always reflects how much we trust God.

This will be a year of overflow!

ANSWERED PRAYERS #4: The Power of Persistence

Have you ever felt that you have a weak prayer life?

• It is like you are pushing a rock but nothing is happening?

Point 1 - Prayer is a Mystery 

• Prayer is a paradox 

  • Prayer is simple - you have not because you ask not 

  • Prayer is complex - Paul asked for the thorn in his side removed

  • Prayer is important - Jesus prayed daily 

  • Prayer is common - any child can pray

  • Prayer is powerful - Prayer can be for healing of cancer 

  • Prayer is basic - Prayer can be for healing a headache

    • So lets learn about it 

• Luke 11:1-4

• “Disciples seek a Vibrant prayer life.”

Point 2 - Knowing is’t Enough

• Jesus hides the truth in simple stories called parables.

• Luke 11:5-13

  • Needs vs wants

• This is a Parable of contrast  -  we need to contrast what known about God against this truth 

• Another parable about prayer that reveals the same truth is found in

• Luke 18:1-8

Point 3 - Never Stop Praying 

• Is God un just - No! This is another contrast 

• When you do this everyday it changes YOU!

Point 4 - Prayer Changes You! 

• If you pray for the same thing everyday those prayers change you.

• The boy pushing the bolder! 

  • Your prayer life makes you stronger. 

ANSWERED PRAYERS #3: The Prodigal & The Jealous

Luke 15:11-32

We’re not seeing things clearly.

Sin = selfishness. And selfishness is just not trusting God that He wants to give you good things.

We HAVE to remember that HIS ways are higher than our ways, HIS thoughts higher than our thoughts. Prayer--at it’s core--must be the desire to tap into that!! NOT just to get what we want all the time, but to really tap into HIS THOUGHTS AND DESIRES AND PERSPECTIVES.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Prayer causes us to lay down pride.

God will always rejoice when you come back.

It takes humility to come back, but not courage. You’re not going to get punished, you’re going to get celebrated. This is why there should be no fear in confession.  Telling each other what we’re struggling with, where we’re vulnerable.  It should be FREEING, not fearful.

We’re often the jealous brother.

See, we don’t always have the GUTS to be the prodigal.  We don’t often have the GUTS to do what we WANT to do...what we WISH we could do.  Run off into the sunset and live out our wildest fantasies, because we KNOW what it would do to our families at home.  

1. But we still wish. we. could.

2. Not having the guts to do it, doesn’t make you more righteous, it just makes you a coward. 

3. We ALL have a sin problem. Even the ones still on dad’s farm...still in the church.

The brother missed the point. 

His brother was HOME. His brother was lost, and now is found.

ANSWERED PRAYERS #2: The Point of Prayer

Is the point of prayer to get what you want all the time?

Is the point of prayer to get them answered??

Should we only be focused on QUANTITY of prayers? Or also the QUALITY. I think most times when we talk about prayer, the take away is that I need to pray MORE.  And that’s true--we probably all should be praying MORE.  But what if there’s more to it than that?

1 Samuel 8:1-21

What if the Israelites went to God with a problem...without thinking they knew the solution?  What if the Israelites went to God with a request, and not a demand?

In their arrogance, they couldn’t see that they were rejecting God Himself, even by going TO God himself with their request.  “They are rejecting me, not you.”

2 Chronicles 7:14, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

Your will be done.

To answer my own question--I believe the point of prayer is not just to get what you want, but to go deeper than that…. to learn how to more fully trust in Him.  That is, to both give TO God, to serve Him.  And also to learn how to receive from Him. 

I think this is a year when we’re going to have to go deeper than ever in our faith with Him. We’re going to have to hold on with everything in us, and I think we’re going to have to not just increase the QUANTITY of our prayers--but the QUALITY as well.

ANSWERED PRAYERS #1: The Time To Be Careful

Deuteronomy 8:6-20

6 “So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. 8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. 9 It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

19 “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. 20 Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God.

1. The time to be careful.

   1. Matthew 5:3-10

   2. “We spent the past year talking about how to use suffering in our faith..how to hold on in the middle of the storm...what if the storm isn’t the only danger zone?”

2. Pride makes you forgetful.

   1. “There are things only a humble person can see. But I now think there are things only a humble person can remember too. Pride makes you forgetful.”

3. It can get worse.

   1. “The time to be careful is when your prayers are answered. Because God is a God who answers when we call. He IS faithful. Are we?”

   2. “Let’s keep our armor up AT ALL TIMES. Be ready in season AND out of season.”

REWIND WEEKEND: A Call To Remember

“I learned not to trust the busyness. I think busyness wants to trick me into thinking it’s effectiveness.”

Deuteronomy 8:1-10

1. Even in our wandering, God leads.

2. Even in our wandering, God teaches.

3. Even in our wandering, God provides.

It’s not too late to turn 2020 around for you.

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT: Christmas Eve

Matthew 1:18-2:23; Luke 2:1-21

What Jesus has meant to Pastor Candace this year:

Matthew 1:19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. 20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

What seems like the right thing to do….what a GOOD man or woman would do...is not always the GOD thing to do.

In fact, when God asks you to do something, the FIRST people that will usually disagree with it, are other GOOD people.

What Jesus has meant to me this year:

• My friend, when it feels like I don’t have any.

• My friend, who understands when I’m misunderstood.

• My friend, that always has the best advice.

• My friend, when I need to be loved unconditionally.

The “good” thing isn’t always the God thing. 

John 15:15 “I have never called you ‘servants,’ because a master doesn’t confide in his servants, and servants don’t always understand what the master is doing. But I call you my most intimate friends, for I reveal to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father.”

What Jesus has meant to Pastor Jason this year:

Ephesians 2:2-4, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)“

1. I was dead in my sin.

2. BUT GOD!

Jesus is my reason to live.

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT #4: The Fighting Spirit

Ephesians 6:10-20 TPT

10 Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force[i] of his explosive power flowing in and through you.

11 Put on God’s complete set of armor[j] provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser![k] 12 Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms.[l] For they are a powerful class of demon-gods[m] and evil spirits that hold[n] this dark world in bondage. 13 Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer,[o] for you are destined for all things[p] and will rise victorious.

14 Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. 15 Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.

16 In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One![q] 17–18 Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword[r] of the spoken Word of God.

Pray passionately[s] in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers. 19 And pray also that God’s revelation would be released through me every time I preach the wonderful mystery of the hope-filled gospel. 20 Yes, pray that I may preach the wonderful news of God’s kingdom with bold freedom at every opportunity. Even though I am chained as a prisoner, I am his ambassador.

The evil strategies of the accuser.

Wear the armor.

• The belt of TRUTH.

  • Ephesians 5:12, “It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.”

• Holiness is like armor for your heart.

• The shoes of peace

• Faith is a shield, for you and for others.

• Salvation is about your head.

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.