A.J. Dummitt

Down From His Glory

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!

Interupted by Love - "Neighbors"

Today we are going to talk about WHEN THE RIGHT TIME IS TO LOVE!

 

It’s Always The Right Time to Show Love!

 

The satisfaction of everyday life pales in comparison to the satisfaction that comes from allowing the Holy Spirit to interrupt our lives.

 

INTERRUPTED BY LOVE - it’s always a great thing!

 

Let’s Read together today:

 

John 4:34-35

34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

 

While the disciples go off for lunch, Jesus stays behind at the well where He encounters the Samaritan woman. He spends His afternoon ministering to her and when the disciples return they are so confused by how He chose to block out His day. They are so caught up with making sure Jesus had something to eat that they miss the fact He was doing something much more important.

 

How often do we….

 

Like Jesus - become purposeful about showing love to and ministering to those who God is directing us to LOVE?

 

Jesus made it His mission to meet with this woman and make a difference in her life. Even though she resisted, and even though she acted like she didn’t want to be bothered by Him. (How many people do you know that act just like this woman?) They avoid, change the subject, divert…etc.

 

Like the Disciples - Lose sight of what is most important for the temporary things of life.

 

It is so easy to sacrifice eternal things for temporary things that won’t really matter in a few days let alone years! LOVE is always in season!

 

 

We need to be ready at any moment for the opportunity to show the love of Christ to someone. Ephesians 5:15-18 reminds us to “make the best use of the time.”

 

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 

Why don’t we start looking for more opportunities to make the most of our time and SHARE the love of Jesus!

 

Jesus is the perfect example that there is never a bad time to allow the Holy Spirit to use you. Even while on the cross, moments away from death, He turned to thief next to him and showed him love by giving him a way to make things right. 

 

How many times to we get consumed in our own worlds and forget about the things that those around us are going through? We need to be aware (through the power of the Holy Ghost) of the needs of those around us! It is always the right time to LOVE!

 

HERE IS YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK: 

I want to challenge you to have a conversation with God every day this week before you start your day, and tell God that you are ready and willing to be interrupted—even when it is an inconvenience to you. God will give you interruptions like you can’t even imagine.

In God We Trust - "Overbooked"

We live in a culture that views dependence as weakness, yet we are called to be 100% dependent on God. Being dependent on God will keep us from feeling the need to overbook ourselves.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

So how do we TRUST IN THE LORD? (1st Part of the verse)

 

TRUST GOD’S WORD

 (John 17:17)

 

TRUST GOD’S WAYS

(Jer. 1:5)

 

TRUST GOD IN OTHERS

 

 

Now let’s discuss how to: LEAN NOT TO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING!

 

 

DO NOT TRUST YOURSELF

 

His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9)

 

In ALL YOUR WAYS….ACKNOWLEDGE HIM..

 

Acknowledge JESUS in every step you take.

 

 

The third command of these verses is really about applying the first two to every step we take along the journey we call life.

 

This attitude is explained in James 4:

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.  (James 4:13-15)

 

HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH

 

As Joseph said to his brothers at the end of his life about their decision to sell him as a slave to Egypt:

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:20)

 

Similarly, as another famous Bible verse puts like this:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

 

 

God will re-straighten (direct) your path. You can get back into the center of God’s will. And amazingly when you do so, God can even apply the mistakes and sins of your past… to be part of His purpose for you and the world around you that He wants to influence through you.

God Can Do Everything - Missionary Bobby Lewis

Powerful Message and Testimony from Missionary Bobby Lewis (Germany) about the fact that God can do Everything - Text: Job 42:2. You will be inspired and uplifted by this message! We are anticipating greater things than we have ever seen - because God can do everything!

Impact Germany - T. Lewis testimony and song

Sis. Lewis (Missionary to Germany) testifies and sings about their burden to reach the people of Germany with the Name of Jesus. She sings "What A Beautiful Name It Is" by Hillsong. We do not own the rights to this song...but it is covered by our CCLI to sing in services and archive recordings. She also sings it in German.

It's Just Not Worth It - Overbooked

Pastor Dummitt preaches about our Priorities and how GREED tries to pervert our thinking. Don’t sacrifice your walk with God for money or material possessions. - IT’S JUST NOT WORTH IT!

1 Timothy 6:6-10 / 17-19 (NASB)
6 But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all [a]sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. / 17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good [a]works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

In the book of Genesis Chapter 13 we read about the decision that LOT made to move closer to Sodom…because it looked like he could prosper more there…even though it was an evil place and dangerous for his family’s spiritual well-being. We see Lot’s Family learning the hard way - IT’S JUST NOT WORTH IT!...

Who Is My Neighbor - Neighbors

Rev. Josh Cooper preaches about "Who Is My Neighbor"

Text: Luke 10:25-37

Our flesh can lead us to pick and choose who we consider our neighbor even though God has clearly called us to everyone, without exception.

Release Your Worry - Overbooked

Releasing Worry is a major need in our society today.

The key is not to be naive and think that you will never have things that cause you to worry…

It’s what you do with worry that will make the difference in your life!

Don’t let the worries of life get your mind off of God. Instead, look to your heavenly father for provision, striving first to please him before anything else.

Text: Matthew 6:25-34 (NASB)

The problem of life is to change worry into
thinking and anxiety into creative action."
Harold B. Walker, from Think or Worry?

If something is wrong, fix it if you can.
But train yourself not to worry:
Worry never fixes anything."
Ernest Hemingway

1. Worrying won’t fix Anything.

Matthew 6:27-29
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. (NLT)

2. Worrying is bad for your health!

Proverbs 12:25
Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. (NLT)

3. Worrying is the Opposite of Trusting God.

Matthew 6:30
And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? (NLT)

Philippians 4:6-7
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)

4. Worrying Puts Your Focus in the Wrong Direction.

Matthew 6:25
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? (NLT)

Matthew 6:31-33
So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT)

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

How Do I Love? - Neighbors Week 2

Elder Dummitt Speaks about How We Love Each Other.

Text: Galatians 5:16-25

Are You Too Busy? - Overbooked

Text: Psalm 90
In comparison to God, our lives are nothing. Yet, we often live like we’re God, cramming our schedules as if everything depends on us. Trust God enough to take a break.

LOVE IS. - Neighbors Series

Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (NASB)

Discover how having an authentic love for people is the foundation for all actions in the Christian life.

STEP UP - Defining Moments

STEPPING UP into our Defining Moment because of the times in which we live.


Text: Esther 4:11-16 (KJV)

It's Not Just a Coincidence

There is a Cause

The Time is Now

 

STEP FORWARD - Defining Moments Series

We need to look at what it will take for us to STEP FORWARD into the Defining Moments God has for us which will land us directly in the middle of His Purpose for us!

LISTEN TO GOD
MAKE THINGS RIGHT
DISCOVER Passions and Gifts and Strengths, and…

BE ACCOUNTABLE (to wise counsel)

And JUST DO IT!

Purpose - REVEALED SERIES

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.

Foundation - REVEALED SERIES

Jesus must be the foundation of all we do and the purpose behind what we do. If we ever get away from making Christ known and glorifying Him, then every program, no matter how moral it is, will naturally collapse because it is not established on a firm foundation and purpose. In order for God’s Perfect Plan to be REVEALED in your life, you must first get a revelation of the FOUNDATION NEEDED!