As For Me And My House #2: We Will Tell The Truth

Joshua 7

“so I knew in that moment that his integrity was only worth $5.”
“those who are faithful with a LITTLE, can also be trusted with MUCH.”

“The wicked flee, though no one pursues them, but the Godly are as bold as lions!”

God is the God of nations, AND the God of individuals.

You began to learn that when ONE member of your team is weak, or lazy, or undisciplined, the WHOLE team is weak, lazy, and undisciplined.  We move as a team, we win as a team. 

Matthew 16:18 “…upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.” (NLT)
Romans. 8:31 “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (NLT)

We take the gifts that God gives us, and we horde them to ourselves.  

When you take things you did not earn…or weren’t given…how are you gonna use them?

As long as you are still hiding things, you are not repentant yet.
When you are finally ready to CONFESS. To volunteer information about your sin that no one asked for…ALL of it, not hiding anything away…THAT’S a heart God can work with.
The truth will set you free. (John 8) But when you hide it until you are found out, that’s a heart that God cannot work with. A stubborn, deceitful, prideful heart.

BE SURE YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT. Numbers 32 says

Sin has a way of crying out to the Lord.  (Cain & Abel…“Your brother’s blood cried out to me from the ground.”) It has a way of becoming UNhidden.  Don’t be arrogant enough to believe yours will stay a secret.  Confess it now, be rid of it, live in freedom!

With the truth, comes freedom. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32

With the truth, comes victory. Because God can work with an honest heart!

With the truth, comes provision. When you take care of His house (and His reputation), He will take care of yours.

1 John 2:16 says, “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”

As For Me And My House #1: We Will Serve The Lord

1. We're set apart
2. We're called to lead.

Joshua 24:1-24

We HAVE to remember, and teach our children...

Make up your mind.

Deep Dive: Growing Through My Storm (with Eran Holt)

Mark 3:13-15 (NIV)
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send out to preach
15 and to have authority to drive out demons.

Mark 4:35-40 (NIV)
35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

1. Grow in Faith

Mark 3:13-15
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send out to preach
15 and to have authority to drive out demons.

Mark 4:35 - That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”

2. Grow in Obedience

Mark 4:36-38 - Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

3. Grow in Authority

Mark 4:37-41 - A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Gospel Boot Camp #7: Rebuilding Our Spiritual Walls

Rebuilding Our Spiritual Walls by Fulfilling the Great Commission - In the power of the Holy Spirit! (Psalm 11:3) - if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?

Nehemiah 2:17-18, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Nehemiah prays to God after being broken in his spirit over the condition of Jerusalem, takes a major risk by asking the King to rebuild, and then returns to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls after the Babylonian exile.

Spiritual Parallel: Just as Nehemiah led the rebuilding of physical walls, we are called to rebuild the spiritual walls of our communities by fulfilling the Great Commission.

Purpose: To draw connections between Nehemiah's mission and our mission as believers (share the beginning story of Bethany and the same process that God brought her through to start Collision). 

I. Recognizing the Need for Restoration

Nehemiah’s Burden (Nehemiah 2:17):

  - Nehemiah saw the broken walls and rallied the people: “You see the trouble we are in… Come, let us rebuild.”

  - Spiritual Implication: Recognize the brokenness in our lives, churches, and communities - this brokenness especially impacting the next generation.

Application:

  - Acknowledge lostness in our community by intentionally praying and receiving God’s heart for lost souls, the spiritual condition of our community, and the brokenness that has resulted.

  - Understand that restoration begins with seeing the need. 

II. Uniting in the Mission (Nehemiah 2:18)(John 17). 

Collaborative Effort:

  - Nehemiah encouraged the people to work together: “Let us start rebuilding.” They replied, “Let us start rebuilding,” so they began this good work.

  - Connection to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20): Jesus commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations,” a collective mission. 

• Students united in the same great commission effort, the adults doing the same thing, modelling for them, encouraging them, and holding them accountable for their mission field. 

Application:

  - Embrace the call to work together as the body of Christ and take ownership of this community. 

  - Each believer has a role in the mission of evangelism and discipleship in our own homes with our children first and then expanding out to be spiritual mothers and fathers - especially to the younger generation. 

III. Being Ambassadors for Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:14-21)

Christ’s Love Compels Us:

  - Paul’s message: “For Christ’s love compels us… We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.”

  - Our Role: As ambassadors, we represent Christ in the world, calling out (like John the Baptist) to our friends, neighbor’s, family, and those who God puts around us to be reconciled through the blood of Jesus.

Application:

  - Live out our faith with the urgency and dedication of an ambassador. Being willing to submit to each other to accomplish the mission! 

  - Commit to share the message of reconciliation (the gospel), embodying Christ’s love and truth in our daily lives. Our Collision challenge of sharing the gospel with 12 and making three disciples. 

Call to Action:

  - Recognize lostness, the spiritual state of our community, and the areas of brokenness among the next gen. 

  - Unite as a community in the mission of restoration through evangelism & discipleship, this is the purpose of the Church! 

  - Live as ambassadors for Christ, fulfilling the Great Commission with passion, purpose, and intentionality. Commit to prayer, care, & share and hold each other accountable to do it. 

Gospel Boot Camp #6: A Good Solider

2 Timothy 2:1-13

Grace means undeserved favor. Just as we are saved by grace [underserved favor], so we must live by grace [undeserved favor]. This means trusting completely in JESUS and his power, not trying to live in our own strength alone.

Can you imagine our soldiers, our US soldiers throughout the world operating on their own strength??  They’d be crushed. There’s probably not enough of them in any given country around the world right now, to overtake an enemy all by themselves.  But they aren't operating by themselves are they??

They have BACK UP.

1. Wear the uniform (the uniform is grace)

2. Endure the training (the training is suffering)

Remember a few weeks ago, when I talked about how we’re always trying to do the LEAST. 

What’s the least amount I can get away with, and still follow Jesus?
What’s the least amount I can give to God, and still be obedient? Do I tithe on my net or on my gross??
What’s the least amount I can like someone, and still love them?
What’s the least amount I can go to church and still show God I am on his team?

What’s the LEAST…

That’s a civilian worry.  

Soldiers don’t get the luxury of asking that question. 

Civilians worry about all kinds of things that don’t matter to a soldier.

I think sometimes we pray away the things that are meant to prepare us.  We COMPLAIN bitterly about things that God is USING to prepare us.

3. Follow our commander (our commander is JESUS!)

The world doesn’t mind a church who is doing nothing.  Taking no ground.  Not fasting, and NOT praying, not preaching the Gospel.

Good soldiers know their mission.  PRAYING and PREACHING.

They wear the uniform, representing their undeserved favor. 
They endure their training, suffering with forgiveness like Jesus.
And they obey their commander’s voice, tuning it with ferocity to the voice of Jesus.

Gospel Boot Camp #5: Disciple Making Groups

Matthew 28:16-20

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The disciples:

1. They said yes. (to following Jesus)

2. They followed. (Jesus in his ministry)

3. They made more disciples. (as they continued to follow Jesus)

After you’ve presented the 3 Circles, 

Your next question is…

• What’s stopping you from leaving brokenness and following Jesus? Are you open to making a decision to follow Jesus today? 

• If yes, they are a GREEN-Reply: Great! Can we pray together? This prayer isn’t what changes you, this is you just making a decision to follow Jesus. 

• Pray the prayer of salvation with them! 

• Ask if you can set up a time to start meeting and read scripture together to learn what it means to follow Jesus. Ask if they have any other friends who might want to join them. Be sure to get their contact info if you don’t already have it. Also, be sure to invite them to go with you to church and/or youth group. 

• If no, move to the next question.

• Are you at least open to learning more about Jesus before making a decision to follow Him? 

• If yes, they are a YELLOW-Ask the following questions: Can we set up a time to start meeting where you will have the opportunity to ask questions, read scripture together and learn more about who Jesus is? Do you have any other friends who might want to join us? Be sure to get their contact info if you don’t already have it. Also, be sure to invite them to church and/or youth group with you. 

These are the ones I want to focus on today.  Greens & yellows

Message Candace if you want to be on a DMG team, but were not in service in person!
717-634-7910

Gospel Boot Camp #4: The 3 Circles

TANZANIA UPDATE - $29,000 still needed ($15,000 to come from the team)
Matthew 17:24-27

Military Boot Camp Includes:
Marching (tactical)
Military knowledge (jargon, acronyms, general orders, rank structure)
Discipline (security & crowd dispersion discipline)
Physical Fitness
Weapons
Survival Skills
Teamwork
Healthy eating
Other skills (rappel, pass a hand grenade, small-team land navigation)

Acts 1:6-11

Be my witnesses.

3 Circles:

STEP 1: Ask the following questions: Has anyone ever shared the 3 circles? Can I share it with you? If they say yes, skip to STEP 3.
STEP 2: Watch the 3 circles video OR share the picture with them and read the script below.

• The first circle represents our broken world: We all live in a broken world. What are some things you see in the world that are broken? 

• The 2nd circle is God’s original design. A world full of love, joy and peace and unity with one another and in relationship with Him.

• Starting with the first person, we decide we don’t want to do things God's ways, this is called sin. Sin can be anything from lying to murder. Sin separates us from God and throws us into brokenness. 

• Since we were created to be in relationship with God, when we are in brokenness, there is a void in our life. We try to fill the void with things like fame, money, and relationships. Or, we try to drown out those bad feelings and struggles with things like drugs, alcohol, food, television, pornography, video games, etc. to try and make us feel good. These things won’t fix the problem and can lead to addiction. If we die in this state of brokenness, that is eternal separation from God, which is eternity in hell.  

• BUT, God loved us so much that He didn’t want to leave us in this place, so He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for us to pay the penalty for our sins and make a way for us to have a relationship with God again. 

• If we turn from our way of doing things, ask for forgiveness, and make Jesus the Lord of our life then He fills us with His Holy Spirit. We are then restored back into a relationship with God again and He starts to renew us from the inside out. We get to experience His love, joy, and peace. 

STEP 3: Ask the following question & respond appropriately based on their answer: What circle do you see yourself in? 

If in brokenness, ask these questions: What’s stopping you from leaving brokenness and following Jesus? Are you open to making a decision to follow Jesus today?

Gospel Boot Camp #3: What's the Difference?

So far in this series we’ve learned:
- Being Born again isn't optional to see the kingdom of God
- You have a story to tell

• But the thing about having a story to tell is, just because you have a story worth telling, doesn’t mean you’re actually gonna tell it. Right?

• Every believer has a story to tell. If you don’t think you do take some time and examine your life. What has God done in your life? How have you changed since coming to know Jesus?

• We shouldn’t be the same as we were. So what's changed? And that's your story.

• And if you're still having a hard time finding a story we have the Gospel! That's our number one story anyways. Isaiah 55:11 says that God’s word always produces fruit. It will accomplish all God wants it to, and it will prosper everywhere he sends it.

• That's not a promise for our testimony, God will obviously use our testimony but this promise it is a promise for the gospel. For the word. 

• So what’s the difference?

• What’s the difference between the type of person who leads people to Jesus by the tens… by the hundreds… maybe by the thousands or tens of thousands even. The type of person to walk up to a stranger in the street and lead them to Jesus. The person who is powerfully used by God, that is clearly living out God’s will for their life proclaiming the gospel…

• And for many of us, ourselves?

• We look up to these people, see them as our spiritual leaders. We think “I could never be like them. I can never do what they do.” Or maybe we don't necessarily think we can’t do what they do, we just have no idea how we get to that point from where we’re at.

• So what’s the difference between those who are powerfully used by God and those of us that wish we were? There are 2 differences.

Continually Renewing the Soul

• The first difference were going to learn about comes from Romans 12:2 (NIV)

  • 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This is what we're going to break down.

• Because the first difference is this: People who are consistently being used powerfully by God, who are living out God’s will and proclaiming the Gospel are continually renewing their souls.

• People who are consistently being used powerfully by God, who are living out God’s will and proclaiming the Gospel are continually renewing their souls.

Dying to Self Daily

• Now the second difference comes from Luke 9:23-25 (NLT)

• 23 Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?

• This is Jesus speaking here and he tells those seeking to follow him,  “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

• When Jesus spoke this he was speaking to a 1st century, Roman/Jewish crowd. They had no preconceived notions of mercy, beauty and sacrifice when speaking about a cross like many of us do today.

• There was nothing good or pleasing in the imagery of a cross, it was a device used for capital punishment.

• For us today, think of the electric chair, but instead of it killing you in a matter of seconds, think of an electric chair that has the ability to electrocute you throughout an entire day, all the while you’re still conscious until you finally succumb hours later.

• Horrific

• Now with that imagery in your mind imagine me telling you in order for you to follow me you must submit yourself to that chair every single day.

• how you feel about that is probably not far off from those listening to Jesus here.

• The torture, severe suffering and death conveyed with that statement. And to have to endure that every single day or else we can’t follow him?

• Say you’d want to follow Jesus anyways, how would you suffer and die every single day? You only got one life.

• Obviously if any of this is meant literally not all of it can be taken that way!

• So what are you saying Jesus? How are we to follow you? How can anyone follow you?

• Well let's look at more of the surrounding details of his statement:

• you must give up your own way

• If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

• What Jesus is talking about here is our corrupted bodies! Not necessarily in a literal sense, but our sinful flesh, that desires this, and desires that. That craves the things of the world.

• What Jesus is saying here is that in order to follow him, every single day we have to wake up, pick up our cross and crucify our fleshly desires.

• Wake up and decide, today will not be about myself, today will be about you Jesus. Whatever my plans are, whatever I want to do today… no, my day is yours. Lead me, let your will be done in and through me.

• Galatians 2:20 says: My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

• There is a phrase that christians often use to summarize this idea.

• Die to yourself. And Jesus tells us to do this daily.

• The first difference involves our soul. We must continually renew it.

• The second difference involves our body.

• People who are consistently being used powerfully by God, who are living out God’s will and proclaiming the Gospel are intentionally choosing to die to themselves every day.

Gospel Boot Camp #1: Unless You Are Born Again

Are we going to die in our religion?
Or are we going to die in our devotion?

John 3

Jesus wasn’t sent JUST to teach them. Some people call Jesus just a great teacher.  Muslims, for example, call Jesus a teacher…but he wasn’t JUST a teacher.  He was sent to transform the world, from Kingdom of Evil and selfishness, to a Kingdom of God.  His miraculous signs weren’t just evidence that God was with Him…it was evidence that HE IS GOD. He didn’t do miracles in someone else’s name.

So here’s the first takeaway from Gospel Boot Camp:
1. Being born again isn’t optional, to SEE the Kingdom of God.

2. God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more

Are there areas in your life when you are still doing the bare minimum?

Fear Not #6: The Finishers

1. Your story is still being written. (patience)

Fear attempts to answer things that ONLY God should be answering.  It takes patience to wait for his answer.  It takes patience to stop yourself from fear spiraling.  And see what happens. Watch and wait upon the Lord!

2. Stop wondering IF God has a plan for you (trust)

Bad things are not always bad things. I can usually see that afterward, why can’t I TRUST that it’s true, even when I can’t see it yet??

Reading the Bible will help you build trust with God.  It BUILDS faith.  The Word is like a light unto our path,

3. Let the past be the past (forgiveness)

FORGIVE YOURSELF.  Move forward knowing that you are trying your best, and sometimes you mess up, sure, but the important thing is that you get back up again and try again! 

Proverbs 24:16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

2 Timothy 4:1-22

Paul is NEXT LEVEL NOT AFRAID: 

1. He doesn’t need anyone else to declare him faithful….He declares himself FAITHFUL! 

2. He has an eternal perspective. Not only does he see things through the lens of the Word, but also through the lens of ETERNITY.

3. He not only understands that HIS story is still being written, but that other people’s stories are being written = NEXT LEVEL UNAFRAID 

4. He lets the past in the past, even when he’s still dealing with the consequences of THEIR actions = next level UNAFRAID

1. “May it not be counted against them”!!!!

2. Someone asked me last week, “Is it still forgiveness if you still want justice for them…” I think it’s still forgiveness if you want the GOSPEL for them.  That is, acknowledgement of how they’ve hurt people, but ALSO grace. Because if you don’t ultimately want grace for them too, you don’t understand the Gospel for YOU yet. 

5. He’s not only NOT doubting that God HAS a plan...he understands that His plan is GOOD.

1. “Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom.”

6. All of this---it’s not JUST in a sermon.  It’s not JUST in teaching.  This language and attitude is mixed in among everyday things like a coat, and the winter, and “bring my books along too please!” The place Paul has gotten to, near the end of his life...sitting in a prison cell, suffering because of the Gospel...FAITH  just comes out of his mouth! 

Fear Not #5: The Victorious

Judges 10:6-10

Although confession here is a start--finally God is talking back!! that‘s what confession does, because it’s honest--it’s not enough. Acknowledging your faults is ONLY the first step.  It’s not enough to invite the rescue of God.

Judges 10:16

They FINALLY destroyed their foreign gods.  And worshiped ONLY the Lord. God was THEN grieved by their misery. 

NOW--you see this picture of Israel, destroyed and despondent...ready to come back to God with honest hearts FINALLY, and ready to enjoy the favor of the God of Israel again. But when you ask the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for help...you better be ready to receive the help He provides…

ENTER JEPHTHAH.

Good ol’ Jeph was an outcast.  He was born from a prostitute, because Israel was crazy and doing whatever they wanted...and as he grew up, his half-brothers from legitimate mothers, threw him out on the street so that he wouldn’t try to steal their inheritance. The town, the people of Israel must have supported this, because no one took him in, and he ended up living in the land of Tob….

Judges 11:3

What you think disqualifies you--might just be the very thing God uses.

Judges 11:4-12

When God helps, he doesn’t always just snap his fingers and make the army disappear.  He doesn’t make the war go away here…HE JUST SENDS HELP.  And his help is so multi-faceted.  He’s not only helping the Israelites here, but he’s also bringing home and lost son of Israel!! He’s restoring a family!

This is where I think Jeph made his first mistake as King.

• See, remember, Jeph is an outcast.  He’s probably built that into his identity somehow...son of a prostitute, owed nothing, given nothing in life...everything he has he’s earned with his own two hands..and now, now he has a chance to be vindicated!  A chance to show them ALL.  

• A chance to make his brothers come running back and begging for mercy….asking HIM for handouts...all his dreams coming true!

• The thing is, God doesn’t anoint us for our own sakes…our gifts do not exist in a bubble.

WHY did he want the victory?

We have to examine our own motives.  Our hearts are endlessly wicked, the Bible says--we can make excuses for all kinds of behavior...but if we have selfish motives, at some point, it’s possible to want something TOO badly..

Judges 11:29-33

BUT EVEN WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD ON HIM….I think Jeph doubted.  I think he had failed so many times and for so long he saw himself as a failure, that he couldn’t fully bring himself to trust the Lord either…

He couldn’t see himself as a child of God, because he never had.  
He couldn’t see himself as fully VICTORIOUS, because he had built his identity in failure.

God never asks us to be strong IN OUR OWN STRENGTH.
Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

HOW did he get his victory?

He didn’t say God give US the victory to help your people. His heart wasn’t for the people. It was on vindication for HIMSELF.

Fear Not #4: The Greatest (with Evangelist Tim Bennett)

John 3:16-17 (NLT)
““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

1. The Greatest Passion - For this is how God loved the world

2. The Greatest Present - He gave his one and only Son

3. The Greatest Promise - So that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

4. The Greatest Pardon - God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Fear Not #3: The Spirit of Fear (with Pastor Gerry)

Today is Freedom Valley’s 32nd  birthday! Happy Birthday you-all!

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

1. Fear enslaves the spirit

   • Fear is you letting Satan borrow your mind to generate scenarios of failure.

   • A characteristic of God’s people is- they are bold! The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. Pro 28:1

   • Pro 18:21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences

   • The fear tendency inside you can be built or dismantled. Avoid things that built the fear response. (scary movies, house of fear, things that make you feel fear)

   • Start addressing fear by confessing anything between you and God because: Lev 26:17 says: I will turn against you, and you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will run even when no one is chasing you!

   • Rev 2:5-6 (for the church in Ephesus)

   1. Look how far you have fallen! (think about what is happening to you)

   2. Turn back to me and (give it to God and get back to what you were) 

   3. do the works you did at first. (start forcing yourself to go back and do what you did before fear took over)

• Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.

• 1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

• I John 4:18 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

2. COURAGE was one of Paul’s concerns for himself:

• Eph 6:19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

3. Power & Love & Self Discipline

• Power: This IS the spirit God gave (not fear!)

• Love: Power should ONLY be used when your heart is full of love

1. I Jn 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.

• Self Discipline

Fear Not #2: The Unqualified

John 4:1-30

1. He showed her, her own need for Him.

2. He was teaching her how to wonder.

3. He showed her that God still seeks people like her.

4. Through her, he showed the entire town who He was.

Your Will Be Done #5: The Commission

Series Overview

• Week 1 The Passion

  • We read through the story of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane right before he was betrayed by Judas

  • And in that story we saw Jesus praying and asking the Father if there is any other way, please take this cup of suffering from me.

  • And it was through this story we learned that Jesus’ passion wasn't for the cross. For the cross’s sake. Not that that would be a bad thing but his commitment wasnt to the cross. His passion and commitment was to the will of the Father which ultimately led him to the cross.

• Week 2 The Plan

  • This message picked up directly after week 1 ended.

  • Judas arrives and betrays Jesus into the hands of the Pharisees.

  • And every aspect of this story we see Jesus’ submission to the Father

  • He pre-forgave Judas, and called him friend

  • He took a tense and violent arrest, diffused it and used it as a teaching point to give glory to the Father.

  • Through this message we saw that Jesus was 100% submitted to the will and plans of the Father.

• Week 3 The Crown

  • The Crown examined the story of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, his sentencing to death and the resurrection.

  • In this story we saw the same people who were declaring Jesus their king just a week earlier now handing Jesus over to the Romans and demanding his crucifixion.

  • The Jewish people sought a political crown for Jesus. They wanted him to rise up as their liberator, overthrow the Romans and establish his Kingdom on the Earth.

  • But that wasn't the Father’s plan. So they had him put to death.

  • Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world so he chose a crown of thorns.

  • But 3 days later he rose again

  • And because he submitted to the crown of thorns he is now crowned with glory and honor.

• Week 4 The Crowd

• And in The Crowd we took a step back into an earlier story of Jesus’ ministry

• We examined Jesus feeding the 5,000

• And in this message we saw how Jesus responded to those who followed him for selfish reasons.

• They were fed, many were caught up in spectacle, and they followed Jesus with an entitled expectation that they would get more and more and more.

• And what did Jesus do? He didn't give in or make it easy for them, he gave them truth and it offended them.

• Jesus was looking for those who were willing to learn. Those that weren't left him.

• Even Jesus who was perfect had people who left him

• We learned here that Jesus doesn't always make it easy for people, he pushes on our walls and he expects total commitment.

• So far in this series we’ve analyzed the life of Jesus and his submission to the Father and the Father’s will for HIM.

• To close out this series I want to read through the final days of Jesus’ ministry on Earth and I want to take everything we learned prior from this series and apply it to us in the context of God’s will for US.

• Now that leads to the obvious question: What is God’s will for us?

• At the very end of his ministry, Jesus reveals a piece of God’s will to his disciples . A piece that still applies to Christians today.

Luke 24:13-49
Matthew 28:16-20

• The last two verses in Matthew 28 are known as The Great Commission

• The definition of Great is: Of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above the normal or average.

• And the definition of Commission is: An instruction, command, or duty given to a person or group of people.

• Put those together and what we have is Jesus giving an intense duty to the church that is considerably above normal or average.

• “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit..Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

• This is God’s Duty for the church. For you and Me. This is God’s Will for the Church.

• This is God’s Plan for the Church.

The Plan

• Now lets start applying what we’ve learned throughout this series

• Jesus was 100% submitted to the will and plans of the Father. Week 2

• Who remembers what Christian means? Little Christ, exactly

• Meaning we are to be reflections of Jesus Christ

• So as Jesus was completely submitted to the Father’s plan for him we are to be completely submitted to the Father’s plan for us.

• How do we get to a place where we are completely submitted to The Great Commission, God’s plan for us?

• We make a decision to be.

• It is that simple! Because submission is making a choice.

• Jesus had to make that choice. And we are called to do the same.

• So stop overthinking it! Stop making it complicated, it's not complicated.

• Make the decision to Submit completely to the Will of God. And go out and make disciples.

The Passion

•  Now lets talk about Passion

• Jesus showed his passion for the Will of his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, so likewise if Jesus was passionate we should be passionate about the Will of God.

• We learned that Passion cannot tolerate disobedience, that's why in order for our passion to grow we must first Submit to the Plan God has for us.

• But we also learned that it is our job to stoke the flames of passion within us.

• So how do we do that? How do we grow in our passion for the Will of God to create disciples?

• The answer to this question is found in Luke 24.

• Lets read verse 32 again: They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”

• These two disciples on the road Emmaus had their passion reignited how?

• By walking with Jesus, talking with Jesus, spending time in his presence. And not only that, when they were in his presence they went to the scriptures and verse 27 says: Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

• They spent time with Jesus, they spent time studying his word and he explained the scriptures to them, revealing the meaning behind what they said. And this stoked the flames of passion within them!

• This is how we stoke our passion for the Will of God over our lives. This is how we become passionate about what God is passionate about: seeing people come to know him. Making disciples.

• We do not spend enough time in God’s presence, praying, studying his word.

• And I'm gonna put an emphasis on studying his word. The words of the Bible are the foundation our life should be built on. This is how we stoke our passion for the Will of God over our lives. This is how we become passionate about what God is passionate about: seeing people come to know him. Making disciples.

• We do not spend enough time in God’s presence, praying, studying his word.

• And I'm gonna put an emphasis on studying his word. The words of the Bible are the foundation our life should be built on! And we do not read it enough.

• We are too busy, constantly distracted and lack the self discipline to sit down and read the Bible. But when people do, it's obvious.

• Now let me briefly address those who feel they have a hard time grasping and understanding the Bible while they read it. Listen to the advice Candace has been giving. Don't rush through it, take your time, pray and ask God to reveal it to you.

• Look back to the story in Luke. There were two different verses where Jesus revealed the scriptures to his disciples. Verse 27 which we just read and verse 45 says “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” He does this for us as well.

• I know that we don't have Jesus physically here walking us through the scriptures but the Holy Spirit has been sent to each of us who believe! And the Holy Spirit will do the same things Jesus did here for the disciples. He’ll open our minds and explain his words to us. Just give him the opportunity.

• So how do we burn with passion for God? A Passion that burns away everything else. A passion that desires to see others come to know him?

• By walking with him, talking with him, and taking the time to open our Bibles and letting the Holy Spirit explain his word to us.

The Crowd

• Now lets talk about the crowd.

• Without Submission to God’s Plan we can't have Passion for his Plan, without Passion for his plan we can’t love the crowd that God has called us to love. That being humanity.

• Humanity is hard to love guys! Humanity is hard to maintain hope for. But that's what we're called to do regardless.

• God’s will for us is to make disciples of all nations!

• The people in your life who do not yet know God, no matter how difficult it is to love them, these are the people God has called you to make disciples of.

• So we must evangelize.​ We have to tell them the good news! Family, friends, coworkers. Understand that they are not in your life by accident!

• Romans 10:14 says:

• 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

• We cannot stay silent! For their sakes! We must live a life that reflects and gives Glory to God. We have to be on fire, full of passion because people who are passionate, talk about the things they are passionate about.

• But we also have to be ready for the reality that oftentimes evangelism isn't easy, nor is it a guaranteed victory. There will be people that resent and hate you for your message.

• John 15:18-20

  • 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

• When Jesus was on this Earth, he taught people and declared the Good News. We should likewise teach and declare the Good News

• Jesus was hated for his message, we will be hated too, we speak the same message. At least we should. But let's not forget that there were also many who loved Jesus and his message as well. There will be people who love us and the message of the Gospel.

• Many people followed Jesus, there will be many who will follow us to Jesus. And even though Jesus was perfect there were still many who left him, and there will be many who leave us as well.

• We are to be like Jesus! No matter the crowd in front of us. Speak the truth in Love, don't sugar coat to appease a culture that seeks to have its sins justified.

• Look closely for those that are willing to listen, and pour into them. Pray and intercede for those that are closed off to the Gospel that God would soften them.

• We each have our own crowd. Don't stay silent. How else will they hear?

The Crown

• Now lets close out with The Crown

• All 3 points before this The Plan, The Passion and The Crowd dealt with the here and now. God’s will for us on this Earth.

• With The Crown we look forward to the future rewards that await us for submitting to the Father’s will here on Earth.

• When Jesus was on this Earth he pursued a crown of Thorns and because of his obedience he gained a crown of glory and honor as his reward.

• But did you know that we are also pursuing a crown? Crowns actually, plural.

• The Bible mentions 5 crowns that will be rewarded to believers in heaven. The Imperishable Crown, The Crown of Rejoicing, The Crown of Righteousness, The Crown of Glory and The Crown of Life.

• I don't have time to go through them one by one as that could be a whole sermon itself but I encourage you to look into them. It's what you're working towards afterall!

• But understand the word crown is figurative language. So not a literal crown but its describing literal rewards we will receive in heaven.

• Jesus knew that his kingdom was not of this world. Do you?

• Our citizenship here on this Earth is secondary to our citizenship in Heaven.

• We work hard for the money to get us by, day by day. How much more should we be willing to work for rewards that are not temporary but will last all eternity.

• Matthew 6:19-21

  • 19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

• The thing I want you all to take away from The Crown is that we have rewards to look forward to! Get your eyes off of the temporary here and now. There are rewards awaiting us in heaven based on the merit of the work we’ve done here on Earth.

• The Bible says The Son of Man is going to come and repay each person according to what he has done. And that he is coming back soon.

• Change your mindset to the mindset Jesus had! He knew the Fathers will for him, he submitted to it, he had a passion for it, he pursued it and knew the rewards that awaited him for it.

• Submit to God’s Plan for you, stoke your passion, love people, store up your treasure in heaven and take those in your crowd with you.

• Because that is The Great Commission God has given us!

Your Will Be Done #4: The Crowd

John 6:1-15

John 6:25-54

John 6:60-69

1. Jesus doesn't always make it easy.

2. Jesus will push through your walls.

3. Jesus asks for total commitment.

The crowd had a starving spirit…ME CHURCH spirit..

• always wants more

• never satisfied. Never content.

• tend to want the power only for the POWER.

Things Jesus DID NOT do for a starving spirit…

1. Keep feeding them baby food.

2. Stress himself out trying to keep them happy.

3. Let them stay in that mindset.

4. Run after them and beg them to come back.

5. Blame himself.  He gave it over to His Father.

Your Will Be Done #3: The Crown

We’re all pursuing crowns of some sort, aren’t we?  Looking for what we can control in life. Fame crown, financial crown, political crown, spiritual crown…

And we’d like it to be effortless too, please…EASY!

John 18:33-36

They said: Serve us, or die.
He said: My Kingdom is not of this world.

He said liberating you all might be a good plan, but I’ve got a GOD plan.  
Serving you here and now, might be a good plan, but I’ve got a GOD plan.  

John 19:1-15

Jesus could have had the crown of government, He chose the crown of thorns. 
Jesus could have had the crown of religion, He chose the crown of thorns.

They said: We have no king, but caesar.
We say: We have no king, but self.

We have no king, but our own feelings.
We have no king, but culture.
We have no king, but our every whim and desire. 
We have no king, but SELF.

John 19:16-20

What do you say about Him?

It’s your choice. The ball is your court. Jesus did His part of the cross…
But His death wasn’t the end.

John 20:1-17

God is REAL, God is good, and He loves you so much He sent His Son.

If all you prayed for today was given to you, how many people would know Jesus as Savior as a result?

Your Will Be Done #2: The Plan

Matthew 26:47-56

100% SUBMITTED TO THE FATHER’S WILL

“pre-forgiveness” - Jesus had already decided AHEAD OF TIME that He would forgive Him, and love Him

Forgiveness is the ultimate submission to God.

It's not our job to defend God.

Your Will Be Done #1: The Passion

Passionate disciples are obedient disciples.

Matthew 26:31-46

PASSION burns away everything else. It REFINES

Passion breeds obedience.  Obedience breeds passion.  It’s cyclical. Passion is already being stirred up.  Passion for Jesus.  So passion for other things must fall away.

Jesus ALREADY has a plan for AFTER they desert Him!! He’s ALREADY CALLING THEM BACK TO HIMSELF before they even mess up!!!!  

You can sound passionate, but not BE passionate.

Fighting is the easy part for fighters.  Losing is HARD.  And that’s exactly what Jesus did.  He chose to lose that battle.  He chose to put Himself on that cross.  He CHOSE to let them nail him to a tree.

The WILL of God is not static.  It’s not singular.  Not like our plans…He has CONTINGENCIES!

Jesus wasn’t committed to the cross, for the cross’s sake–EVEN THOUGH THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD THING TO BE COMMITTED TO–Jesus was committed to the WILL of the Father.  

I OFTEN wonder if Peter would have been able to stand by Jesus if He had been able to keep watch and pray here. 

How many cups of suffering do we knowingly drink from?

I love how Jesus follows his own advice…you can see it here! Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.  He taught the disciples how to pray by being repetitive… He practices what He preaches!!

Here’s what we see from Jesus:

• An all out SUBMISSION to the heart of the Father. 

• An obedience to WHATEVER the Lord has assigned to Him. 

• The ability to deny HIMSELF to do what needs to be done. 

Are we REALLY ready to say yes to Jesus today?