A.J. Dummitt

Show Us The Father - Sunday June 21, 2020

“Show Us the Father”
JESUS Series Week 3

John 14:6-11 (KJV)
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.

Today we are going to look at a discussion that Jesus has with Phillip when they were wanting to know how Jesus was going to solve everything that was wrong in their world.
Jesus often spoke of “the Father” because the people with whom He was speaking could not understand how a human being could come from God. So when Jesus in human flesh is referring to the Father – He is talking about the Almighty, Eternal, OmniPresent Spirit that we know is God! That Spirit was what overshadowed Mary, that Spirit is what filled and directed Jesus through life on Earth and that Spirit is the same spirit that we receive when we are filled with the Holy Ghost – and it is that Spirit that will raise us up whether dead or alive to be with Him for eternity!

Jesus explains to Phillip – that if you have seen the person of Jesus Christ…You have seen the Eternal Spirit of God because they are one and the same!
Like Colossians 2:9 says,

9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

 

Jesus had already explained to some Jews in John 10:
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

 

Phillip says – Show us the Father…
Jesus says – I already have.
The Jews couldn’t understand how a MAN could be GOD
Jesus said -if I don’t do the WORKS of GOD, and you have no evidence or proof that what I am doing is a GOD THING – then don’t believe me – BUT… If I do the WORKS OF GOD and you have evidence and proof that what I am doing is A GOD THING – then believe me!

Our world wants to see a better way…
They want to see GOD…the HOPE beyond this life!…
1 Corinthians 4:14-16 (KJV)
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

Keep in mind that what Jesus told Phillip was accurate – when we see Jesus – we are seeing the only image of the invisible God.
Colossians 1:15-18 (ESV)
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by[a] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

We know that GOD IS LOVE – Jesus showed us that…in everything He did and every word He said… He was the visible display of LOVE for all to see!

He showed us that God hears and answers prayers – in the many times He healed, delivered, raised from the dead…and even in the delays or seeming denials…He heard and answered!

In one of the parables Jesus spoke He SHOWED us the FATHER and the LOVE OF THE FATHER…it is usually called the Parable of the Prodigal Son (also known as the parable of the Two Brothers, Lost Son, Loving Father, or of the Forgiving Father). I think of it as the parable of the Prodigal (Extravagant) Father!

We spend lots of time and energy discussing the relevance of the brothers..and their actions and reactions – but the focus the whole time is THE FATHER! Jesus was showing the LOVE of the GOD through this illustration of the EXTRAVAGANT (Prodigal) FATHER! I believe Jesus was showing us that GOD loves all of us…and wants all of us to be with HIM in the house…but even though His Love for us is EXTRAVAGANT – ultimately…we CHOOSE whether or not we will be “in the house”!
The parable of the two sons (another parable Jesus tells that directly mentions a father) – has much the same message. One son eventually does the will of his father, the other just claims to…but never does!
GOD GIVES ALL OF US THE OPPORTUNITY – IT ALL COMES DOWN TO OUR CHOICE!

Our World is in desperate need right now. They need to SEE GOD in us! They don’t even understand their need for us to SHOW THEM THE FATHER!

We need someone to step up and give clear direction for children and families in this time that we live in. It’s kind of like our society is saying, SHOW US THE FATHER – and we will be ok!

Church, that is exactly what our world needs. Not someone to be a champion for social justice, not an insurgent or protest rally leader, not a political figure…
This world needs us to SHOW THEM THE FATHER!
They need to see God!
We cannot fix them or what is broken. We can only show them GOD! The choice they make about Him is up to them..but we have to be Jesus to this world. GOD is LOVE, and that is what our world needs like never before!
Not just Love, but GOD’S LOVE!
When we show God’s Love – we are showing them the Father!

How can we show God’s Love this week?

• By praying for them to return to the Father
• By going out of our way to show love and kindness
• Being careful about what we say and post…
• In being there when they are ready to talk/pray.
• Treating everyone the same way…without prejudice
• Welcoming them with joy and excitement when they return

Have you made your choice today? Do you want a Barabbas Life or a Jesus Life?
Today if you will turn from sin, and turn to God – you will receive the peace that only Jesus can give you!
If you will be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ – all the sins and mistakes of your past will be washed away never to be held against you again.
God will fill you with His Spirit and you will have peace that passes any human understanding.
The choice is yours today. Will you get caught up in all the chaos, tension and trouble – or will you choose peace in your life – by choosing GOD!

JESUS IS ENOUGH - Jesus Series - June 14, 2020 (Rev. Nate Grace)

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

1. Matt 17:3-Mosses and Elijah were there- Both had mountain top experiences
   1. Moses received ten commandments up on Mount Sinai in Ex 19
   2. 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
• 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.

2. 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:

1. The Exodus from Egypt- cloud by day, fire by night
2. The inauguration of the tabernacle- Shekinah glory of God
3. The inauguration of the temple
4. Ezekiel’s vision 1:5
5. John’s vision in Revelation chapter
6. 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:

1. 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
2. Directed authority to Jesus- Hear Ye Him! Not Moses, Not Elijah, but listen to Jesus alone
3. 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?

Matthew 16:26-27

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?

Romans 14:17

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.

John 10:27

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,

Acts 2:37-39

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!

Saturday After Easter Revival - Pastor Paul Pamer - April 18, 2020

Saturday After Easter Revival - Pastor Paul Pamer - April 18, 2020

On this final night of our cyber revival we are glad to welcome Pastor Paul Pamer from the Apostolic Church of Barberton, Ohio. (https://apostolicchurch.com/) Pastor Paul and his wife Brooke Pamer currently serve as senior pastors of Apostolic Church. Continuing the legacy of leadership by Bishop Emeritus Nelson & Grace Pamer and Bishop Rod & Nan Pamer, their vision is to see continued growth and reach their community. Pastor A.J. & Cathy were at Indiana Bible College the same time as and became friends with Pastor Paul. You will truly enjoy the outstanding preaching of this great man of God. Thank you so much for joining us tonight.

God's Powerful Church - Masterpiece in Progress

The church is God's amazing masterpiece and it is showing how defeated the devil truly is...when we live in the authority and power God planned for us! Ephesians 3:1 - 4-16

Jesus made a UNITED church possible by His Death on the Cross. Both Jew and Gentile are now included in ONE Exciting Body...because THE GOSPEL HAS NO FAVORITES!

God wants to use the gifts and ministries that He has given us to FURTHER HIS KINGDOM!

Striving for the GOAL of Eph. 4:13 (That we all become Just Like Jesus) - and do things the way that HE would do them.

Have your mind made up - Eph. 4:14...quit being babies and infants - Be Responsible to do what God has gifted you to do!

When we use our gifts/ministries - we display God's powerful church - the masterpiece that it is! (Eph. 3:10)

Made Possible By Jesus

Pastor A.J. Dummitt preaches about the things that are Made Possible to Us by the Blood of Jesus from Ephesians 2:11-22. We are his Masterpiece.