Episodes
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Lose Your Mind - MIND SET Series Pt 4
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Wednesday Jun 17, 2020
Lose Your Mind
“Mind Set” – Part 4 (Lose Your Mind)
Text: Philippians 2:5 / 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Philippians 2:5 (KJV)
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Get the Mind of Christ, lose the old way of thinking
In order to find your mind in Christ, you first have to TURN TO GOD, and turn away from your old way of doing things. Realizing that there is more to life than what you have currently found, you take a step of faith by Repenting of Sin and Turning to God, then you are baptized in Jesus’ Name to wash away the stains from the past, and God will fill you with His Spirit – the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This is the prerequisite to having the Mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
Romans 12:1-3
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Ephesians 4:17-24
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Lawrence Peter said, “Since the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, does that mean only left-handed people are in their right mind?”
“Yogi” Berra (1925-2015) quipped, “Ninety percent of the game is half mental.” In his book, Berra took credit for this one. This quotation is also sometimes rendered as: “Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical.”
1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Luke 10:27 “So he answered and said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
Get a FOCUSED MIND – Filling your mind with Christ
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Beware, the god of your imagination is an imaginary god. The Christ of your imagination is not the Christ of the Bible. Make certain you believe on the Jesus of the Bible.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Psalm 119:15-16, 97 “I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. . . . Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
Chris Kleyn shares the following: “To many Christians think the Bible is like a software license. They don’t actually read it. They just scroll to the bottom and click ‘I agree’.”
Paul exhorts Timothy, his son in the ministry, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
We have got to LOSE our carnal mind, and fill our mind with Jesus Christ DAILY!
Dr. Walter A. Elwell explains, “By studying the Bible we get to know who God is and what he is like. The Scriptures include over 15,000 references to God and a thorough study of those passages alone could change our lives. So why don’t we take 10-15 minutes a day minimum? Cause the enemy keeps you distracted and you aren’t redeeming the TIME you have!
We should also study the Bible in order to test out what we believe. The world is filled with false ideas about God and His purposes for us. So when we hear someone stating what God’s will is, we ought to check it out for ourselves in His Word, and then reject what is false and keep what is true.
Finally, we need to study the Bible in order to grow spiritually as it encourages us to love and serve God and others, calls our attention to our own sin, and helps us live like Christ.”
The Bible is a Him Book, it is all about Him, Jesus Christ!
Remember the acronym GIGO—garbage in garbage out.
Whatever you feed your mind will fill your mind.
Fix your mind on Christ.
Philippians 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:5-8 “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Here is what Having the Mind of Christ looks like:
When you have the mind of Christ you have a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
When you have the mind of Christ you have a sober mind.
1 Peter 1:13 – “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
There was a popular song once that said, “. . . whiskey river take my mind”? Do you know what? It will!
Ephesians 5:18 – “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.”
We must ask the Lord to take our carnal mind, and give us His mind everyday.
We can only follow Jesus, if we have His mind…
1 Peter 2:21 – “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”
The only way to have revival in our community is for the church to have Biblical unity and this is only achieved when all members have the mind of Christ!
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17)!
Those without the mind of Christ operating in their life are marked by “. . . envy, strife, and divisions. . .” (1 Corinthians 3:3).
Now is the time for us to LOSE OUR MINDS and take on the Mind of Christ! – There is a mind to reject, a mind to receive, and a mind to renew.
Repentance is a change of mind and heart that leads to a change in direction.
Isaiah 1:18 – “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 – “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”
Philippians 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
To gain His, have you lost your mind?
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Peace of Mind - MIND SET Series Pt 3
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Tuesday Jun 16, 2020
Peace of Mind
“Mind Set” – Part 3 (Peace of Mind)
Text: Colossians 3:2-5 / Phil. 4:6-9
Colossians 3:2-5 (NKJV)
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Philippians 4:6-9 (NASB)
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all [a]comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is [b]lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, [c]dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
You can’t have a positive life with a Negative mind.
Write out your 2 biggest worries…
Really over exaggerating for some…and others of you are like…you left a lot of things off that list!
So let’s talk about WORRY and the MIND, and how you can have PEACE of MIND!
Your life will always move in the direction of your strongest thoughts. This is good if you have your mind SET on GOD and things above…not so good if you are focused on other things!
Any time you’re: Afraid—Anxious—Worried— It Compounds the issues at hand.
We have a little almond shaped portion in our brain called the — Amygdala —Whenever you are afraid, this is in full alert mode.
Amygdala—Helpful Part of the brain Wired for Survival—Responsible for fear.
When your brain senses Danger— the Amygdala kicks in sending strong doses of Adrenalin to your body!
The Problem is that our Amygdala is not objective
—It is hard wired to protect us.
The Amygdala needs help from Prefrontal Cortex—the Logical part of our brain.
Noise at night—Amygdala tells you, you are Going to die—Prefrontal Cortex reasons what it could be.
Jesus didn’t say: Let your hearts be troubled! (Do not…)
Angel didn’t say: Glory God in highest—Stress/anxiety on earth.
Paul didn’t say: Be anxious about everything!
Phil 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
All we can do now is PRAY?
Why is that our LAST OPTION? It should be our FIRST OPTION!!
Prayer is powerful!
Boldly go before throne grace…
Not only does prayer move the heart of God.
Prayer changes the chemistry in your brain.
A few decades ago—Neurologists believed brain didn’t change after adolescence.
Neuroplasticity — We have learned that our brain is continually changing—thoughts change brain.
Neurotheology — Also known as Spiritual Neuroscience
Studies relationship between: Brain & Belief in God.
Prayer changes brain.
“It has been found that 12 minutes of daily focused prayer over an 8 week period can change the brain to such an extent that it can be measured on a brain scan.” Dr. Caroline Leaf author of Switch On Your Brain
Just as toxic—Negative thoughts—Hurt brain.
– Pre-programming us for unhealthy thinking and living
Prayer heals—Renews the MIND –
Romans 12 – Do not be conformed to the patterns, thought processes or the WAYS of this world, but be TRANSFORMED (be MADE DIFFERENT)…how is that possible – by the RENEWING of your MIND!
God’s Word renews your mind, and Prayer Transforms your thinking about God, about reality and about what is and is not possible!
So then, Why do we worry? Panic? Anxiety?
Many different reasons…we are xperiencing an Amygdala Hijack.
Your brain tells you in the middle of the night…that you have to prepare for the worst case scenario…if you don’t the WORST is going to happen to you, to your family, etc…
Neuroscience would tell you it is an Amygdala Hijack…
Paul would say—Mind is dominated by sinful thinking.
What is worry?
Worry is the sin of distrusting the promises and power God?
– It’s saying, God I don’t believe you are good enough to take care of this…I better take care of it without you!
God, I just can’t trust you with this!
Instead of letting my sinful nature control my mind, I will choose to let my brain choose the Truth that the Spirit will direct me to think.
Romans 8:5-6 (NLT)
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
This is why we need to…
Take every thought captive.
So if there is a thought we have that is not consistent with the WORD OF GOD, we take that thought captive and we make it obey and follow what the Word of God tells us! (Obedient to Christ).
When we choose the Word of God…we are allowing the Spirit of God to lead us in our thinking! The Spirit of God is not going to go against the WORD of God.
Prefrontal Cortex grabs the Amygdala and gives every worry to God.
Prayer Box
— STRATEGY —
Do what I can do.
Give God what I can’t do
Trust God no matter what.
Imagine having a true Heart of Peace, Life that is full of Joy, and constantly having true Peace of Mind, because you are totally Trusting in God.
THAT IS possible. And it’s also a choice.
If your life is moving in the direction of your strongest thoughts…Do you like the direction your thoughts are taking you?
If you don’t control what you think
You will never control what you do.
Identify the truth that will MAKE you free from the bondage of fear and anxiety…
Then you —Write it. Think it. Confess. Until you Believe it.
- Jesus First in my life. My purpose is to serve and glorify Him Alone.
- Jesus in me is stronger than my sinful desires.
- I’m getting closer to Jesus every day.
- Because of Jesus, my family is closer, my body is stronger, my faith is deeper, my brain is sharper.
- I am victorious—because the Holy Spirit dwells within me.
- I place my words, thoughts and imaginations under the power of Jesus.
- I am not a hostage to unhealthy thoughts.
- The weapons I fight with are not the weapons of this world. I have divine power to demolish strongholds.
- Worry is not my master. I trust in God alone.
- God’s peace guards my heart, guards my mind, and guards my soul in Christ Jesus.
- I am not a slave to habits. I am not a prisoner to an addiction. I have been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of God’s light.
You can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you frame it.
Stop interpreting God through circumstances.
Start interpreting your circumstances through goodness of God. (There is a plan, He’s allowing it for a reason).
Cover everything you do in prayer!
Don’t Believe the LIE (anything that is not consistent with God’s Word, anything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…anything that would make your worries bigger than your God)
Embrace the TRUTH. Jesus is Truth, His Word is Truth…His Ways are truth…
And the Truth will MAKE you FREE (Free from Fear, Free from anxiety, free from worry…)
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
JESUS IS ENOUGH - Jesus Series - June 14, 2020 (Rev. Nate Grace)
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Sunday Jun 14, 2020
Jesus is Enough!
Text Matthew: 17:1-8
17 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Mount Hermon- Tallest mountain in all of Palestine, over 9000ft tall
Peter, James, and John- the inner circle of the apostles
Luke 9: Traveled, fell asleep, woke up in a start so this story happened at night- One thing to see a bright light, but to see Jesus clothed in garments shining
- English word Behold
Greek word- idou– means Pay attention to this- interpreted- Behold
- Matt 17:3-Mosses and Elijah were there- Both had mountain top experiences
- Moses received ten commandments up on Mount Sinai in Ex 19
- Elijah was up on Mount Carmel, called down fire from heaven and it consumed the sacrifice, and the water
- Why did God choose Moses and Elijah:
- Moses- I think it is because Moses represents the Law- wrote first five books of the Bible, often called the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
- He was considered the giver of the Law
- Elijah- He was considered the foremost of the prophets
- Moses- I think it is because Moses represents the Law- wrote first five books of the Bible, often called the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy
- So in Moses and Elijah you have both the Law and the prophets
- Did you know that Jesus was the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets
- Matt 5:17: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Then Peter sees Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah and thinks that Jesus is their equal
This is where we see God respond with a voice from heaven
What caused God to speak from heaven?
When Peter suggested that Jesus should share His glory with someone else
Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord that is my name and my glory will I not give to another neither my praise to graven images.
- Matt 17:5 God Presence appears in form a cloud- second important thing to notice
Matt 17: 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:
God uses a cloud several times in the Bible to indicate his presence:
- The Exodus from Egypt- cloud by day, fire by night
- The inauguration of the tabernacle- Shekinah glory of God
- The inauguration of the temple
- Ezekiel’s vision 1:5
- John’s vision in Revelation chapter
- Matt 17: 5b The Voice of God spoke –
Matt 17: 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
This passage tells us three things:
- Voiced Divine approval on Jesus- “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased- Approval was not focused on Moses, not on Elijah, But the focus was upon Jesus
- Directed authority to Jesus- Hear Ye Him! Not Moses, Not Elijah, but listen to Jesus alone
- Called for Obedience to Jesus alone, Not Moses, Not Elijah
You see, the disciples distracted by the presence of Moses and Elijah, they were taught about Moses and Elijah, and they missed the point that was right in front of them! JESUS IS ENOUGH
Telegraph Illustration: Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse code operator.
Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist’s counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office. The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.
Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn’t heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.
Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, “Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled.”
The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, “Wait a minute, I don’t understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That’s not fair!”
The employer said, “I’m sorry, but all the time you’ve been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse code: ‘If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.’
None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are our ears tuned to His voice??
While others were pre-occupied with other conversations, although worthwhile they may have been, they missed the main message!
- THE ONES WHO WILL HEAR THE STILL, SMALL VOICE OF JESUS IN THIS GENERATION ARE THE ONES WHO ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS!
WE HAVE ALL HAD PEOPLE SAY SOMETHING TO US AND WE WERE DAYDREAMING, OR OTHERWISE PRE-OCCUPIED.
“The only way I can really understand what someone says is if I am looking directly at them when they speak!”
- IN ORDER TO HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING, WE MUST REMOVE ALL DISTRACTIONS AND KEEP OUR EYES ON HIM!
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
To put this scripture in context, just a week earlier, Jesus had asked his disciples a question in
Matthew 16:13- Whom do men say that I am?
They had responded in verse 14:
And they said, Some say that thou are John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Matt 16:16– And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
It is interesting that in the space of just a week that he forgets that Jesus is the Son of the Living God.
I submit to you that the entire point of the Mount Transfiguration experience is to show the inner circle, Peter, James and John that He is God manifested in the flesh
The Law was necessary for its time but Jesus came to fulfill the law, Jesus is Enough all by himself.
The prophets had a very important function in their day, but the prophets cant save you but Jesus can, Jesus is enough!
I am saying to this church today, God has a job for someone to do!
There is a work to be done, and the position is open, who will fill it?
Who will go and do the work of God in this generation?
- THE JOB POSITION IS OPEN, AND THE ADVERTISEMENT HAS GONE FORTH!
Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Matthew 9:37-38 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
What is The job you may ask?
Reach the lost at any cost!
The Pay?
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
The benefits?
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
And a life insurance policy that is out of this world!
And, the applicants have come from near and far, and are sitting in the interview room, waiting for their turn!
But, I would say to you today, that it is not the most qualified, not the most well-dressed, not the first on the scene, or not the ones with the most ability that will get the job, but the ones that will get the nod from the Lord of the Harvest are those who will hear his still, small, voice and understand what the purpose of the church is in this day!
Those whose attention is not diverted by the other sounds that clamor all around, those who don’t think that they have already arrived and deserve the job because of their superior qualifications, but those who are listening and understanding the voice of God!
We can argue all day long amongst ourselves, and use scripture to back up why we are right, and everyone else is wrong, but while we are crossing theological swords, people are dying and going to hell!
- THE ONES WHOM GOD WILL WORK THROUGH IN THIS GENERATION ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE ELIMINATED THE DISTRACTIONS IN THEIR LIVES.
Not the most educated,
Not the best dressed,
Not the ones with the most impressive pedigree or heritage,
But, those who have eliminated distractions!
If you have Jesus, you have enough!
I truly believe that what God is looking for in this generation is not talent, ability, pedigree, heritage, etc.
I BELIEVE THAT GOD IS SIMPLY LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO WILL ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS!
PEOPLE WHO WILL KEEP THEIR PURPOSE CLEAR, THEIR LIVES UNCLUTTERED, AND FREE FROM THE THINGS OF THE WORLD THAT WILL DIVERT OUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE STILL, SMALL VOICE OF GOD!
People that will not only hear, but understand what God is saying.
How do I hear and understand the voice of God?
It’s not enough to hear the voice of God; I must understand what God is saying.
Peter heard the voice of God but wanted to build three temples.
It’s one thing to hear the voice, but another to know from where it is coming and what it is saying.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
The way that I can hear the voice of God is only through prayer, fasting, spending time in the Word and eliminating distractions.
Jesus is Enough!
- When you are fearful, – “His perfect Love Casteth out all fear” Jesus is enough for you
- Lonely– Matthew 28:20 Jesus said, “Lo I am with you always even to the ends of the earth” Jesus is enough for you!
- Weary– Matt 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest- Jesus is enough for you!
- Friendless– He is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother- Jesus is enough for you
- Healing– Jesus is the healer- he bore stripes upon his back for your healing, he has already paid the price- Jesus is enough for you
- Salvation: Jesus died on the cross for your sins- Jesus is enough for you!
If you have never repented of your sins, let me tell you that Jesus is enough for you- He died to pay the penalty of your sins
You don’t need to carry it any longer, bring it to Jesus
Bring your hurts to him,
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
If you have never been baptized in Jesus Name, Jesus is enough for you!
- Today is your day, we have warm water in the baptistry tank
- We have robes here,
- There is a private place to get changed
- you can be baptized and go home in your dry clothes
- But most importantly, you can go home with your sins washed away!
Sunday May 24, 2020
Don't Look Back - SHIFT Series - May 24, 2020
Sunday May 24, 2020
Sunday May 24, 2020
Don’t Look Back!
SHIFT Series Week 4
Get on the straight and narrow path with Jesus and Don’t Look Back!
On February 19, 1519 the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes set sail for Mexico with an entourage of 11 ships, 13 horses, 110 sailors, and 553 soldiers. The indigenous population upon his arrival was approximately 5,000,000. From a purely mathematical standpoint, the odds were stacked against him by a ratio of 7,541 to 1. two previous expeditions and failed to even establish a settlement in the New World, that Cortes conquered much of the South American continent. What Cortez is reported to have done after landing is an epic tale of mythic proportions. He issued an order that turned his mission into an all or nothing proposition: Burn the ships! As his crew watch their fleet of ships burn and sink, they came to terms with the fact that retreat was not an option.
Luke 9:62 (NASB)
But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
1 Kings 19:19-21 (NASB)
19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 20 He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.
The problem with most of us is that we are too Christian to really enjoy sin, but were way too sinful to completely enjoy Jesus Christ.
We’ve got just enough Jesus to be informed but not enough to be transformed!
Romans 11:29 (KJV)
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
It does not matter what the addiction is from your past, it does not matter what the goal is that God has for your future life… until you burn the ships you can never leave the past.
This was a Elisha’s deciding moment. Elisha wasn’t just buying in. He was selling out. That is how you get on this path of commitment with Jesus Christ! A huge decision followed by dramatic action!
Proverbs 23:23 KJV
““Buy the truth and sell it not.”
Here’s a line for you to remember: I choose to lose!
I choose to lose my life in Christ, so that I might find the greatest life possible.
I choose to lose because losing is winning with God.
If you get back more than you gave up, have you sacrificed anything at all?
The eternal reward always outweighs the temporal sacrifice.
At the end of the day, Judgment Day, our only regret Will be whatever we did not give back to God!
If you have not surrendered your life to God through repentance and water baptism in Jesus’ Name – that is where you need to start today. Turn your life over to Jesus and He will fill you with His Spirit – He wants to give you a better future than you can even imagine right now – but first you must give all of yourself to Him.
When God calls you out of darkness into His marvelous light, He does it for a reason. Whenever He places HIS SPIRIT within you it is not so that you will ever return back to the way things used to be.
Remember Lot’s wife.
We have NO GREATER CALLING OR PURPOSE in our lives than to live to the fullest the LIFE God has called us to. Since He filled us with His Spirit, things will NEVER be the same! We have to make up our minds that we will never go back, and at the same time if there are temptations and strings that would pull us back to PLAN B or cause us to look BACK, we must ELIMINATE those things from our lives.
James 1:8 KJV
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Mark 10:29-30 (KJV)
And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Wednesday May 20, 2020
The Devil - Enemies Series - May 20, 2020
Wednesday May 20, 2020
Wednesday May 20, 2020
ENEMIES of the Soul
“Enemies” – Part 3 (The Devil)
Text: JAMES 4:7-10 / 1 PETER 5:8-9
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
ORIGIN OF SATAN
(Isaiah 14:12-15; Luke 10:17; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8).
WHAT SATAN IS
The tempter (Matthew 4:3).
A liar (John 8:44).
An accuser(Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7; Revelation 12:3-9).
A hinderer (1 Thessalonians 2:18).
A murderer (John 8:44; Hebrews 2:14-15; Romans 5:12-21).
The god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4 ).
The deceiver (Revelation 12:9; 20:3, 8, 10; 1 Timothy 2:14).
Our adversary (1 Peter 5:8).
The destroyer (Psalms 17:4).
SYNONYMOUS TERMS for SATAN
Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-14).
Dragon (Revelation 12:3-17).
Satan (Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9).
Serpent (Revelation 12:9; II Corinthians 11:3).
Adversary (I Peter 5:8; I Timothy 5:14).
Devil (Matthew 4:1-11; Ephesians 6:11).
The wicked (Ephesians 6;16).
THINGS SATAN IS LIKE
A lion (1 Peter 5:8).
A minister of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 14-15; Galatians 1:8-9).
A fowl (Matthew 13:1-19).
An angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).
A wolf (John 10:12; Matthew 10:16; Acts 20:29).
2 Major Areas of Focus for us as Christians:
(1) GIVING PLACE TO THE DEVIL & (2) THOUGHTS AND IMAGINATIONS
(James 1:12-16) & (Proverbs 6:27-33).
Failure is within before it is ever exposed to others.
SCRIPTURAL METHOD FOR HANDLING THE DEVIL
When God’s method is used Satan flees from the child of God (James 4:5-8; 1 Peter 5:8-9).
- SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD
- RESIST THE DEVIL, STEADFAST IN THE FAITH
- HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU
HOW TO RESIST THE DEVIL
Four basic ways from the Scripture to resist Satan.
USE OF SPIRITUAL WEAPONS (Zechariah 3:1-10) (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
USE OF PRAYER AND FASTING (Matthew 17:14-21)
USE OF THE WORD OF GOD (Matthew 4:1-11).
USE OF THE ARMOR OF GOD (Ephesians 6:13-18).
At our disposal and free for the asking is everything and more that we need to subdue the enemy of our soul. Spiritual failure is not the result of improper and unavailable supplies; we fail because we don’t use what God has provided for us.
Sunday May 03, 2020
If the Oil is Low, You Don't Go (SHIFT) - May 3, 2020
Sunday May 03, 2020
Sunday May 03, 2020
We are excited to be able to “get together” online. You will not want to miss this first message in our new message series called SHIFT - In Position for Change. We will sing two songs “No Longer Slaves” and “Psalm 103 - Everlasting” - the latter of which was written by our own Kate Bond and recorded on the new IBC Live 2020 album (CCLI Streaming License #: CSPL043706).
If The Oil is Low… You Don’t Go!
TEXT: Matthew 24:37-44 (39) / 25:1-13
We are living in a time when everything is changing. As the scripture puts it…when all that can be shaken – will be shaken. There is a SHIFT that is going on, not just in the natural world and in our society – but in the spiritual world…and only those who TUNE IN will sense the SHIFT.
We read about the similarity to how things were in the days of Noah and the Flood to how things will be in the last days before Jesus returns…in Matthew 24
And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
I would like you to remember that little phrase KNEW NOT…
There is a similar story in Matthew 25 that immediately follows that is really even more disturbing… let’s read it:
Matthew 25:1-13
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
The POINT – If the OIL is LOW…You Don’t GO!
Spiritually, when we are not paying any attention to the meters or warning lights – things can get dangerously low!
We are snappy, critical, grumpy, frustrated, confused…and we wonder where our joy went, where our peace is, and why everything bothers us so much.
If we don’t learn how to have spiritual preventive care maintenance and service – we can easily miss the signs!
Even though things may be running rough – sometimes we blame it on everything else…we need to CHECK OUR SPIRITUAL OIL!!!
Because IF the OIL is LOW – You Don’t Go!
The Bible – uses OIL as a symbol of the Holy Ghost or the Spirit of God in our lives…We need to have the anointing oil of the Holy Ghost topped off in our lives at all times. It is spiritually dangerous for us and those around us if we are not full of the Holy Ghost.
The Wise are Prepared – The Foolish are Occupied with other things, but miss the MAIN THING – THE OIL
The issue that I have to face very soberly are those words – “and the door was shut.” – That is very FINAL…that means If the OIL is LOW, You Don’t GO!
THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL PROCRASTINATION
There is a fable which tells of three apprentice devils who were coming to this earth to finish their apprenticeship. They were talking to Satan, the chief of the devils, about their plans to tempt and to ruin men. The first said, “I will tell them that there is no God.” Satan said, “That will not delude many, for they know that there is a God.” The second said, “I will tell men that there is no HELL.” Satan answered, “You will deceive no one that way; men know even now that there is a Hell for sin.” The third said, “I will tell men that there is no hurry.” ”Go,” said Satan, “and you will ruin men by the thousands.” The most dangerous of all delusions is that there is plenty of time.
(William Barclay: The Gospel of Matthew, vol. 2 [Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975], p. 317. From a sermon by Matthew Kratz, The parable of the Faithful & Wise Servant, 7/17/2010)
In December of 1984 there was a huge crash following a thick fog on the M25 Motorway in England. Early in the morning a truck carrying paper crashed in the fog. The warning lights came on, there were hazard signs, the police were there.
The issue with this crash which I’m about to share with you is very unsettling and keep in mind that there were over 20 people killed.
Here was the issue…Driver after driver traveling along the M25 trying to get to work, ignored the warning lights, ignored the hazard signs, and the fog and drove on.
The policemen, realizing what was happening, became possessed with fear as they could see the destruction and what was happening, and they actually started to pick up traffic cones and throw them at the wind shields to try and stop people and the people wouldn’t stop! They kept driving!
One newspaper report that said this, “One of the policemen had tears running down his face as he threw cones at the drivers who would pay no attention.”
YOUR ACTION STEP:
If there is – No Oil – Get Oil (Repent, Be Baptized in Jesus’ Name, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost)
If there is Some Oil – Get Topped Off (Let God renew you, come back to your first love and have a closer relationship with Jesus than ever before.)
If your Oil is Full – Pray for and reach out to someone else this week.
Tuesday Dec 18, 2018
The Way in the Manger
Tuesday Dec 18, 2018
Tuesday Dec 18, 2018
The Way in The Manger
TEXT: Luke 2:11-14 (KJV)
Luke 2:11-14
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
In our world today, we find so many people that seem to be confused about what happens after this life. Some believe that there is no after-life, some believe in many different and various versions of after-life. Then, once you categorize all those variations - you have to look at what happens in this life to get them from here to their eternity. Eternal destinations are almost always shaped by what happens in this life - in almost every variation of belief.
If you ask the average “Christian” how to get to heaven - you will get many different answers. Today I want to declare to you that there are not MANY WAYS to get to heaven, or have eternal life with God - THERE IS ONLY ONE! - THE WAY in the manger!
Emanuel God with us is now God IN us through the Holy Spirit!
John 14:6 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
THE WAY in the manger!
Monday Dec 17, 2018
Down From His Glory
Monday Dec 17, 2018
Monday Dec 17, 2018
DOWN FROM HIS GLORY
TEXT: Colossians 2:6-10 (KJV)
Colossians 2:6-10
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Philippians 2:7-8 (KJV)
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
This is why Christmas is so special. It has really nothing to do with many of the trappings and traditions we celebrate it with. The real and true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of a God who came DOWN FROM HIS GLORY to have a relationship with and SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS!
The reason He “Came Down from His Glory” was to rescue us and reconcile us. This is made possible by the Holy Spirit. - Here is how it happens:
We acknowledge that we are a sinner and we have broken God’s laws - we REPENT or turn over our lives to God and turn from the life that says we know better than God what is best for our lives. That is where many people get hung up...they are not willing to trust God with their life. They are sorry because they know they have broken God’s laws, but they aren’t willing to start leaning in to God’s way of doing things!
Whoever you are - it is time to REPENT - Turn To God, turn away from SIN!
Our next step after we have died out to our old life and turned from SIN is to bury our flesh in the waters of Baptism in Jesus’ Name. When we are baptized in Jesus’ Name - we are then buried with Jesus Christ and we take on his name. It is washing away our sins, and us taking on the family name of Jesus Christ! (The one who SAVES us from our sins because He came down from His Glory).
Then Jesus places His Spirit inside of us to help us be more like Him. He is reconciling us to Himself. That is why He came - to give us the opportunity to forsake sin and have eternal life.
Why not today, as we celebrate CHRISTMAS!? Let’s do it the right way and honor the ONE who came Down from His Glory!
Sunday Oct 21, 2018
Purpose - REVEALED SERIES
Sunday Oct 21, 2018
Sunday Oct 21, 2018
Each one of us was designed for a purpose. On a foundational level that purpose is to know God and make Him known. But there is another purpose which is unique to you.
Saturday May 26, 2018
Illuminate Week 2 - Bright & Shiny
Saturday May 26, 2018
Saturday May 26, 2018
We are supposed to shine with Jesus' light in a dark world. Hear how we can make this happen, and some tips on shining brighter without being annoying.