Examples of the humility of Jesus:
He became flesh. Philippians 2:5-11
He was baptized.Matthew 3:13-17
His Ministry. John 13:3-5
He washed feet. John 13:1-17
His prayer in the garden. Luke 22:42
His death on the cross, Philippians 2:6-8
What does that mean for us?
If our God is humble...how much more should we be?
Our boast should be in Jesus.
He's worthy of giving your life to.
Times Jesus Fed People:
Feeding of the 5,000 - Jews - Mark 6:30-45
Feeding of the 4,000 - gentiles - Mark 8:1-10
Water to wine - John 2:1-10
Peter on the beach - John 21:1-14
The Last Supper - Mark 14:12-26
What does this mean for us?
He is the provider, and He has more than enough.
He’s moved with compassion when His people are hungry.
He is the bread of life.
Loneliness -30%
Anger -32%
Bitterness in relationships -40%
Alcoholism -57%
Feeling spiritually stagnant -60%
Pornography -61%
Sharing your faith +200%
Discipling others +230%
"The Heart of Jesus" is a spring 2023 FVChurch sermon series about the what Jesus cared about, HOW He ministered, and how we can too.
Refresh this page during service to see Pastor Candace’s notes!
I Will Send A Hunger In The Land!
You can hunger for the good things in life, but you can also hunger for bad things! Depends on what you‘ve been fed.
Genesis 25:27-34
Esau was living by his cravings. Despised his birthright. Jacob was cheating. Neither will get you anywhere in life.
Amos 8:11
Not a hunger for food or water, but for hearing the words of the Lord.
John 6:25-27, 32-35
Mark 7:27-29
Jesus is interested in our natural cravings, and our spiritual.
Offense is only there when we think we have food. When we’re starving, we aren’t offended. You won’t find a perfect church! Humans will let you down. Go to church because you are in love with Jesus. You can’t be man-focused and expect to receive the bread of life.
There needs to be more hunger in you than fear!
Christianity is not a culture, it’s a person!
God loves to respond to HUNGER. Hunger = faith. Hunger will release the supernatural.
Don’t give your time to people who know it all spiritually. Give your treasure to the hungry!
There is a life that is possible to live but it’s impossible to do without desperation and hunger!
I was not picky about the worship, that is something that comes when you’re too fed.
People are asking me all the time when I come to America, what’s your opinion on this preacher…do I have to have one?? I’m too busy preaching the Gospel…
Acts 8:4-25
Jesus used a word that means CALLED OUT for the church. We are CALLED OUT from our culture, we are CALLED OUT from our peers, from our religion, from our chains of sin and shame. We are CALLED OUT from our comfort zone and from our comfy couches! We are CALLED OUT from our sleep and our slumber and our lazy ways of selfish living. It’s not about you! Church is not about YOU.
In fact, once you are in the doors and you call yourself a Christian, it’s your job to turn right back around and provide the things that we’ve been talking about in this series. It’s your job to testify. It’s your job to gather. It’s your job to heal. It's your job to deliver.
Don't be afraid.
Deliverance is part of the ministry of Jesus, therefore it IS part of our ministry too.
I think, when dealing with demons, a super important piece of it is to not give them the attention they so desire. Don’t make it a bigger deal than it is…and to do that, you have to know just how powerful YOU are, in Jesus.
Stop making the problem SO BIG and God SO SMALL!
Stop glorifying your problem, and glorify the name of Jesus.
It's about Jesus. (Keep the main thing, the main thing.)
This is the best biblical example I can think of, of someone worshiping the gift and not the Giver (Simon the Sorcerer).
Here’s another important thing to know before trying to face down a demon…you have better done your work first. Meaning, if you and Jesus aren’t square…if you aren’t being obedient in a certain area…the demon will know, and won’t take you seriously.
Demons can and will be able to sense your revelation of Jesus is, and your obedience level to Him.
There are some Christians out there right now pursuing only REVIVAL, and what they get, is performance. It’s cheap, it’s fake, it’s gross. When in reality, if you pursue JESUS, you get revival.
It's a gift.
Peter and John weren’t so offended by Simon’s request because they wanted to hoard the power to themselves, or because it’s NOT available to everyone.
They’re so offended by Simon’s request, because the power isn’t bought or earned…it’s GIVEN! And if Simon truly knew Jesus, he would have understood that too.
So that’s my question for you today. Do you truly know Jesus? Do you truly understand the GIFT that He has given us?
That it can never be earned…only given.
That it can never be bought…only received.
That to pursue the gift itself doesn’t make sense, but to pursue Jesus is the only thing that will ever truly make sense. It’s the way the rest of life makes sense!
When you do truly understand that–it’s hard not to be delivered! When you do, the demons WILL flee!
this is what we need to deliver our world from darkness. Maybe it’s not demons that your friends at work are dealing with, but it is loneliness. Maybe it’s depression. Anxiety. Maybe it’s financial burdens. Maybe it’s family stuff.
We may not be able to solve all their problems immediately…but the way that the Acts church lived…sure did solve a lot of those. They lived a life in surrender to Jesus Christ…and that alone will deliver most issues!! They lived a life that allowed the HS to work through them. That’s what our world needs right now.
A church on fire.
Acts 3:1-16
God is the healer, but He empowers us for ministry.
Luke 17:5-10
It almost never happened the same way, twice. There’s no formula!
Jesus didn't have to teach about healing, He just lived it.
Mark 16:15-18
Acts 2:42-47
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. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
They devoted themselves to 4 things:
Learning more about Jesus the apostles teaching
Fellowship
Sharing in meals (& communion)
Prayer
The word fellowship is derived from the Greek word koinonia (coin-o-nea). Koinonia can be defined as “holding something in common” and is specifically used 20 times in the New Testament (e.g. Phil. 2:1-2, Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:6-7).
Koinonia describes the unity of the Spirit that comes from Christians’ shared beliefs, convictions, and behaviors. When those shared values are in place, genuine koinonia (biblical fellowship) occurs. This fellowship produces our mutual cooperation in God’s worship, God’s work, and God’s will being done in the world. Because of the importance of Christian fellowship, it is essential to distinguish biblical guidelines to govern our interactions with other professing believers. This is especially true in a world such as ours, where there exists tremendous diversity in the beliefs and behaviors among those who call themselves Christians.
Fellowship should be joyful and generous.
Prayer is mentioned in one form or another 10 times in Matthew, 12 times in Mark, and 5 times in John. Luke mentions it 19 times in his gospel and—32 times in Acts!!
What happened after the church prayed?
1. Pentecost (1:14)
2. Earthquakes, followed by Evangelism (4:31; 16:25)
3. Resuscitation of a girl, Tabitha (9:40)
4. Miraculous Release from prison (12:5)
5. Healing of a chief officials’ father, and then many more (28:8)
What did the church pray for?
1. Its leaders (1:24; 6:6; 14:23*)
2. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit (8:15)
3. Sinners to Repent (8:24; 26:29)
4. Missions (13:3*)
5. Physical safety! (27:29)
6. Healing (9:40; 28:8)
When did the church pray?
1. In times of Crisis (7:59; 12:5, 12; 16:25)
2. When making decisions or establishing leaders (1:24; 6:6; 14:23)
3. When repenting (8:22; 9:11*)
4. When saying "Goodbye" (20:36; 21:5)
The church prayed habitually:
1. The whole church (2:42)
2. The Apostles (1:14; 6:4) & Leadership (13:3*)
3. Peter (3:1; 10:9; 11:5)
4. Paul (22:17)
5. Cornelius (10:2, 4, 30–31)
6. Jewish Women (16:13, 16)
7. Actual prayers (1:24–25; 4:24–31)
* Accompanied by fasting
Acts 2:1-2
When we're obedient, God moves.
Acts 2:2-13
Don't waste the moment.
Acts 2:14-24
Don't lose your focus.
Acts 2:36-41
We're called to testify
“Three out of four American adults say they want to grow spiritually. Nearly half of Americans say they are more open to God today than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. “
There are 104,127 people living in Adams County PA. Let’s say that we follow the state average and that 34% of us go to church on a weekly basis. That’s 68,724 people who do not go to church on a weekly basis in this county alone.
If ALL of them picked any church in this county and went to it all on the same Sunday, we’d be absolutely OVERRUN. We wouldn’t have room, BY A LOT. I found 45 churches in Adams County, in a quick google search…We’d have 1,527 MORE people here show up to church on Sunday. Where would we put them all??
Luke 3:15-18
Where else do we see fire in the bible?
→ Flaming Sword at the garden of Eden. Blocking the way back to the presence of God.
Genesis 3:24
→The Burning Bush
Exodus 3:1-17
→ Presence of God in fire on Mt. Sinai & in the fiery pillar
Exodus 24:17, “To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.”
Exodus 13:21
→ Isaiah’s vision & burning coal
Isaiah 6:6-7, “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
→ Fiery tongues of Pentecost
Acts 2:1-4, “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”
Fire Representations in the Bible:
Presence
Purification
Passion
Purpose
Fire illuminates…it brings things to light!
Fire warms.
Fire changes things.
Fire refines.
Acts 4:29-30, “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 1:8-9
Unqualified
…about the qualifications God uses to call us into service of Him.
The Comfort Zone
…about stepping out of our comfort zones with an all-new playbook from God!
Privileges
…about the privileges and responsibilities of living as a son or daughter of the King.
Made New
…about how Jesus makes all things new!
The Wrong Question
…about how asking the wrong question, to the right God, is still the right thing to do.
Freedom Isn’t Free
…explains the true meaning of freedom in the Kingdom, from Acts 16.
Suit Up
…describes the supernatural world, and how to be on guard against the enemy.
Taking Ground
…about how we go on the offensive spiritually, taking ground by spreading the love of Jesus.
God With Us
…about God sending Jesus to be WITH us, even in our messy humanity.
What holiday were we celebrating here?
What holiday kicked off our Made New sermon series?
What ministry team is represented here?
Which FV birthday did we celebrate in 2022?
What FV holiday are we celebrating here?
What are Tom and Kris doing?
What were these guys working on?
Why was the sanctuary filled with kids here?
What youth event is pictured here?
What event caused Aaron & Tommy to be playing guitar outside?
Which evangelist sat in the congregation for part of his message?
Testimony weekend, Q&A after Suit Up, FV’s 30th birthday,
Mamapalooza (where dad’s had to compete changing diapers and stuff),
Summer Cookout & Carnival, 70 foster kid Summer Kick Off Kits,
ManFest competition fixing stuff, Chilli Cook off, Cookie Contest,
Bonfire Worship Night, we were in 2 community parades, the LAND GOT SOLD
We started an intercessor’s team, and an events planning team! The Cafe got remodeled and that team has expanded significantly.
And so many guest speakers last year! Eran Holt, Jake Kerlin, Tim Bennett, Sam Masteller, Jason from FL…
Christmas Sponsorship: 11 families, 32 kids
Home Groups: 5
Kids
Breakaway: 12
Summer Camp: 13
Youth -
Winter Retreat: 17
Camp: 27
Convention: 21
Baptism: 24
“I’m In” responses: 9
Salvation: 78
Luke 2:19
Luke 9:57-62
Take Heart
Acts 4:29-30
Deut 8:1-5
Even in our wandering, God leads.
Even in our wandering, God teaches.
Even in our wandering, God provides.
Deut 8:4
Psalms 127:3-5
2 Timothy 4:6-8
2 Timothy 1:5-7
1. We have to fan the flames. (train hard)
Identify it. Link in the sermon notes
Thank God for it. (not pine after someone else’s)
And be careful not to get prideful about it
Practice it.
Gifted people still have to practice their craft and study their craft.
2 Timothy 1:13-15
2. We have to carefully guard truth. (no cheating!)
2 Timothy 2:3-7
3. There is no easy route to the finish line. (keep your focus)
2 Timothy 4:1-8
Assimilate Into The Kingdom 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.
Philippians 1:27-30
Step one to Living a Brighter Life is to assimilate into the Kingdom of Heaven
Now what does it mean to assimilate?
The definition of assimilate is
To take in and understand fully (information, ideas, lifestyle, culture). And then resemble it.
When I think of the word assimilate my mind goes to Ellis Island
Ellis Island was an immigration hub in New York City between 1892-1954
For many immigrants they had to figure it all out on their own. They didn't know anybody. They brought themselves here to a foreign land and culture. And over years and decades of being here they would slowly begin to understand American information, ideas, lifestyle, culture and adopt it for themselves. Resembling and becoming American citizens.
Other immigrants might have been more fortunate. Maybe they had friends or family that had already immigrated so when they came they had someone to guide them and model for them what it was to be an American citizen easing the culture shock and accelerating the assimilation process.
Thats what its like being a Christian
We have a friend in the kingdom
His name is Jesus and he has modeled for us how to live as a citizen of heaven
We’ve been provided a manual, the NT
And we have to continue to take it in and take it in and understand fully the information, ideas and lifestyle modeled for us and presented in this book.
And then we have to apply it, and further resemble the life Christ lived
That is how you assimilate into the Kingdom of Heaven
Change Your Attitude
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 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, 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.
Philippians 2:1-11
The next step to Living a Brighter Life is to change your attitude!
We have to have the same attitude that Jesus had
This passage gives many examples of how we must examine and change our attitudes
But one word comes up three times in this passage
And two of those times it is used when talking directly about Jesus
Humility isn't just thinking of others as better than yourself, its placing yourself in complete subservience to God
Recognizing God, as the end all be all source of authority in the universe
Not yourself
If you are a prideful person God will make it a point to place himself in opposition to you
He will actively work against you. The Bible tells us God opposes the proud. But he gives grace to the humble.
We cannot afford to be prideful.
We do not get to decide what is right and what is wrong on our own authority
Submit to God’s authority
Change your attitude
Be humble because Jesus was humble
Verses 6-8 tell us “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.”
Jesus was in paradise, He always had been
He never experienced the hurts of this life
Never wanted for anything, quite literally every single thing in existence belonged to him
And he didn't find that as something to cling to
He came down here, to live a live of poverty and die
Just to show how much he loves us
Do you love people like that?
If not that needs to change, because we need to have the same attitude as Christ had
So change your attitude and you will live a brighter life
Work Hard to Display God’s Work
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. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Philippians 2:12-15
The last step to Living a Brighter Life is to Work Hard to Display God’s Work
Work hard to show the results of your salvation
Works in Christianity can be a confusing subject
Afterall were saved by faith not our works, right?
Isn’t this what separates Christianity from other religions?
The thing that separates christianity from every other religion in the world is meritocracy
Meritocracy is a system in which people are chosen based on their demonstrated abilities or worth
Every single major religion on Earth is based off meritocracy
You are accepted and gain the favor of God by being obedient and demonstrating your worth
Except for Christianity
Christianity isn't a meritocracy
God does not give you the gift of faith to believe in him because you did A,B, and C, because you have some sort of useful ability or have demonstrated your worth
Christianity is a religion of Grace
Grace is unmerited favor
Meaning there is nothing in your own power or ability that you can do to earn God’s Grace
Grace is only given and God has chosen to give it
And when we receive the gift of faith and accept Jesus into our life
The Bible says we receive a new heart and a new spirit
The Holy Spirit which is what is being talked about in verse 13
13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
We are saved by grace through faith, given a new spirit that does a changing work inside of us
And because of God’s work inside of us we now have the desire to please him which results in good works
So work hard to display God’s work and bring glory to God
And you will live a brighter life
Jesus is the light of the world and he has placed his light inside of each of us. Our lives are now lanterns of bright light that shine into a dark and perverse world
And as we assimilate into the kingdom of heaven, change our attitudes and work hard to display God’s work we become more and more a reflection of Jesus
Our lights become brighter and brighter, reaching out to more and more people trapped in darkness. Bringing the good news, bringing hope, and changing the lives of those around us
This is what it means to Live a Brighter Life
This year make it your goal to live a life that shines brighter. A life that is increasingly more a reflection of Jesus.
1. Good News!
10 The thief approaches with malicious intent, looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.
John 10:10
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:8-10
2. Dont Quit!
“Great men are just ordinary men that didn’t quit.”
- Tommy Barnett
12 I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.
Philippians 3:12-14
57 But let us give thanks to God! He gives us the victory because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.
58 My dear brothers and sisters, remain strong in the faith. Don’t let anything move you. Always give yourselves completely to the work of the Lord. Because you belong to the Lord, you know that your work is not worthless.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
You Are Not Alone!
3. Its Time
29 He gives strength to those who are tired.
He gives power to those who are weak.
30 Even young people become worn out and get tired.
Even the best of them trip and fall.
31 But those who trust in the Lord
will receive new strength.
They will fly as high as eagles.
They will run and not get tired.
They will walk and not grow weak.
Isaiah 40:29-31
Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
2 Timothy 4:7 NIV “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Hebrews 11:32-39 MSG
"I could go on and on, but I’ve run out of time. There are so many more—Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets. . . . Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn’t deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world. Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised.”
Hebrews 11:40 MSG :God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.
Hebews 11:40 NIV "since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.”
Key Point: God Had Planned Something Better
We are the finish to what they started.
The first part of the Word was written and it was powerful, but God is writing the last through us. We are a part of the story.
3 Heroes of Faith/Racers
1. Gideon - Lost Faith and Forgot God, but God had a plan.
Judges 6:1-7 NLT
“The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. So the Lord handed them over to the Midianites for seven years. 2 The Midianites were so cruel that the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, marauders from Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east would attack Israel, 4 camping in the land and destroying crops as far away as Gaza. They left the Israelites with nothing to eat, taking all the sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. 5 These enemy hordes, coming with their livestock and tents, were as thick as locusts; they arrived on droves of camels too numerous to count. And they stayed until the land was stripped bare. 6 So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help”7 When they cried out to the Lord because of Midian, 8 the Lord sent a prophet to the Israelites.
Romans 10:13 "That everyone who call on the Name of the Lord will be saved”
Judges 6:12-16 NLT
12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”
13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”
15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”
16 The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man.”
Gideon thought the Lord had abandoned them, but God confirms his plan with his presence.
2. Samson - Made a Huge life altering mistake, but God Had a plan.
Judges 16:22-28 NLT
22 But before long, his hair began to grow back.
23 The Philistine rulers held a great festival, offering sacrifices and praising their god, Dagon. They said, “Our god has given us victory over our enemy Samson!”
24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy to us! The one who killed so many of us is now in our power!”
25 Half drunk by now, the people demanded, “Bring out Samson so he can amuse us!” So he was brought from the prison to amuse them, and they had him stand between the pillars supporting the roof.
26 Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand, “Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them.” 27 Now the temple was completely filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 men and women on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them.
28 Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” 29 Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, 30 he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.
God didn’t give up on Samson, and Samson did not give up on himself. He chose to start running his race again and God used him greater than ever before.
3. Woman with Issue of Blood - Suffering and Broken for 12 Years , but God had plan
Mark 5:25-34 NLT
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 to her knees in front of him 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.”
No matter what trials that are going on in our lives we can still run the race of faith, because God has a plan.
Without God man cannot, without man God will not. -John Wesley.
2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV - “For we Walk by Faith, and Not by sight”
Romans 5:8 NIV “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 John 1:9 NIV “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Key Question: Are desperate enough for a move of God, or you going to be a victim of your circumstances?
Luke 10:2 "He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
The Greater The Help…The Greater The HARVEST
Hebrews 12:1 NIV “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”
Luke 2:11-14
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:23), “God with us”...
• He came on a day - a real day, in real history.
• He came in a city - in the real world.
• He is our Savior - takes away all of our guilt.
• He is the Christ - fulfills all of our hopes.
• He is the Lord - defeats all of our enemies.
This is the Gospel, the Good News.
Two Great purposes of this Good News:
1. God’s Glory
2. Our Peace
• Peace with God
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...
Romans 5:1
• Peace with Ourselves
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
• Peace with Others
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:31-32
Matthew 1:18-25
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous 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. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
1. Provision
Luke 1:26-38
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”
38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
2. Power
Revelation 1:5-8
5 He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.
All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.
7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
And everyone will see him—
even those who pierced him.
And all the nations of the world
will mourn for him.
Yes! Amen!
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God. “I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.”
He Was
He Is
He Is To Come
“If you don’t like being around God’s people, heaven may not be the place for you.”
“What HE did for you, is greater than that they did to you!”
Luke 1:26-38
1. God has a plan for the World and You
- 1 Corinthians 2:9
- Galatians 4:4-5
- John 3:16
2. Don't try to figure it all out
- Proverbs 3:5-6
3. Trust in the God of the Impossible
- Mark 5:36
4. Say yes to his word
- 2 Corinthians 1:20
-1 John 3:8
Point 1: What is Missions?
Point 2: The First Missionary
The most clear example of an Old Testament prophet missionary in the Bible: Jonah.
Enoch was the first prophet in the history of mankind. Interesting facts about Enoch: one of only two people to not experience death. One day he just disappeared because God took him. 7th generation from Adam, in the line of Seth. Seth’s line were believers, righteous and faithful to God, the Messianic line. (Lamech would have been the 7th in Cain’s line…representing completion of sin and evil in the world)
Enoch’s son’s name, Methuselah, means: When I die, it shall be sent.
The task given to Enoch was to be a witness.
What makes a successful missionary in the eyes of God? One who obeys. No one came to God from Enoch’s ministry, that we know of. If they did, it didn’t last 2 generations, because Noah was the only one on the ark.
Point 3: What is our Task?
Mark 16:15-18 The Great Commission
Are you a successful missionary in the eyes of God? Are you obeying?
Testimony Stories:
Katie Bragg - a story of salvation and hope
Jasmine Salazar - a story of salvation & deliverance
Charlie Salazar - a story of deliverance & holy spirit baptism
Chelsea Dubois - a story of financial deliverance & hope
Eric Sterner - a story of healing and provision
Lindsay Yealy - a story of deliverance and Holy Spirit Baptism
Kimberly & Bubba Grimm - a story of healing and praying miracles
Natali Ramirez - a story of salvation and healing
Abbie Thompkins - a story of surrender and healing
Revelation 12:10 calls Satan “the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night.” The context of the verse describes a cosmic battle Satan and heaven, where the believers are victorious in the end.
Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
I’ve been saying it this whole series, but THIS is how we TAKE GROUND. We pray, and we preach. We tell our stories. We become witnesses to what WE have seen and heard and experienced from God, first-hand!
He is the HEALER. The PROVIDER. The DELIVERER. The COMFORTER. Do we have NO part to play in it? No, of course not. But when we’re faithful, He is FAITHFUL!
Today, the response for each of us is to start praying! Come get prayer from other people who have amazing testimonies…ask one of us pastors for prayer on your way out…fill out a connection card and let us pray that way, or just start asking God at home for a breakthrough!
He does hear our prayers. He is a miracle-working God.
