Sunday, March 31, 2002

Jesus Is?

JESUS IS ?

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I. Romans 14:9

For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

A. Christ stripped Himself of His deity and became a man

1. I would not become a dog

2. Mat 15:26 Jesus called the non-Jews, dogs. (referring to man’s earthly existence)

B. In His earthly life He made Himself just like us.

1. Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

2. Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

C. When the time came to die, He claimed no privilege

1. John 10:18 No man taketh it ,(My life), from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. (In other words: “I don’t have to do this and no one can make me … Father left that decision to Me.”)

2. Matthew 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

II. What Did Jesus Do?

A. He Died (He came to earth to die for sin)

1. He paid the penalty for all mankind

2. He opened heaven’s gates for men, women, boys and girls

B. He Rose

1. Triumphant over death, hell and the grave

2. He made a shew of satan & his forces openly

3. He took the keys to hell

C. He Revived

1. He took charge and gave a future vision

2. The Great Commandment

3. He spoke as the only one who could

4. He invited us all to participate

A. Whosoever will

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Matthew 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

B. He that hath an ear

Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Revelation 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

C. Lest at any time

Matthew 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Mark 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

III. Why Did He Do It?

A. To Become Lord:

1. Of The Dead

2. Of The Living

B. He became Lord of All

IV. Today, This Easter Morning, March 31, 2002 -

A. No matter who we are

B. Without regard to how our life is going

C. In whatever circumstance we may find ourselves

D. The Truth Is:

JESUS DIED

HE HAS RISEN

HE HAS REVIVED

AND

JESUS IS LORD!

and you have been given a special invitation to crown Him

Song: All hail the power of Jesus’ name

Sunday, March 24, 2002

Three Future Days

Three Future Days

That Motivate Me And Keep Me Focused

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I. The 1st Future Great Day The Great White Throne Judgment

Heb 9:27 It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

A. Revelation 20:11 ¶ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Note: This is the judgment seat of Almighty God.

B. Motivates Me To Personal Evangelism

C. Keeps Me Focused On Eternal Realities

1. Every person will spend eternity in

A. heaven

B. hell

2. There is no way for us to reach a person beyond the grave

3. Only an individual’s personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior can secure eternal life

4. Romans 14:10 how shall they know except someone tell them

A. We are not responsible to save the world

B. We are responsible to tell them in an understandable way

Conclusion:

*Every man, woman, boy and girl will face the Great White Throne Judgment of God.

*You will and I will.

*No one else can stand there with you or for you

*The books will be opened: The book of works and the book of life.

*Only those found listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life will be allowed into heaven to live eternally with Christ. Every one not found in that book will be cast into the lake of fire along with death, hell, the devil and his angels to be tormented without relief forever as punishment for rejecting God’s sacrifice of His only Son on the cross as payment for their sins.

*This motivates me and keeps me focused on personal evangelism.

II. The Second Great Day The Judgment Seat Of Christ

A. All men will stand before the judgement seat of Christ. Jesus and Jesus alone holds the right to this seat.

B. This judgment occurs at the return of Christ :

1. Mt 16:27 He will reward every man according to his works

2. Lu 14:14 shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just

3. 1Co 4:5 judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come

4. 2Ti 4:8 laid up for me a crown of righteousness

5. Re 22:21 I come quickly, My reward is with Me, to give to …

Note: This is a judgment of the believer’s works not, sins.

* These must be atoned for, rewarded and then remembered no more.

* Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. * Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

C. Motivates Me To Purity And Integrity

D. Keeps Me Focused On My Eternal Realities

1. Public Correction & Rebuke

2. Public Praise & Reward

Note: This is an instrument and intention of God to make a distinction between those who have followed Him fully with a holy ambition and those who have only scarcely obtained eternal reward by grace and no reward for continuing works following salvation. (1Pet4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?)

The whole eternal assembly will truly understand not only the deeds done by each while in the body but also the motivating factors, the thoughts, aims, secret agendas and plans which were well hidden from human discernment.

Each will be exposed, judged and rewarded according to their works done while in the body whether good of bad.

Note: Entrance into heaven is gained by the grace of God only, however eternal status, rank and reward is obtained through the works by an individual’s faith and faithfulness.

III. The Third Great Future Day The Gathering Of All Nations

A. Revelation 5:

6 ¶ And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

B. Motivates Me To World Missions

* The Living God is a Missionary God.

1. Missions exist because worship does not

2. Where worship is missions is not necessary

3. Therefore, The worship of Almighty God and His Son, Jesus, is both the reason for the result of world missions.

4. If I can take the gospel to a lost and dark place, light and salvation will come to the people there and people will worship My Lord in that place.

* Just as the Great White Throne Judgment Day keeps me motivated to personally witness and focus on souls;

* Just as the Judgment Seat Of Christ motivates me to purity and personal integrity and keeps me focused on my eternal realities;

* The gathering together of all nations, tribes, kindred and tongues motivates me to World Missions and:

C. Keeps Me Focused On My Earthly Responsibilities

1. Acts 1:8 Power to be witnesses

2. Ever Increasing Concentric Circles … Jerusalem; Judea; Samaria; Uttermost Parts Of The World

3. Eternal realities dictate earthly responsibilities

Note: A stone thrown in one pond does not cause ripples in another.

4. Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

IV. Close

A. A commitment to personal evangelism

B. A commitment to personal purity and integrity

C. A commitment to personally affecting the world missions effort

Wednesday, March 20, 2002

A Study Of The Miraculous - Part VIII

A Study Of The Miraculous – Part VIII

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Read: 2 Kings 4:1-7 This woman had real problems and needed a miracle. It would have been insane for her to have continued any longer without help.

* Insanity is doing the same things over and over again expecting different results.

* She needed a new perspective. Most likely she had been doing all she knew and all she could - but this time, it was not enough. She needed help in fixing her problem.

STEPS TO GETTING THINGS FIXED

* First decide what it is that you want to accomplish … verbalize it or write it down. (WHAT DO YOU WANT TO RESULT)

* Next take a good look at what you need to do to achieve the desired results.

* If it is not working, consider that you may be wrong and get the counsel of a true counselor, not just the support of a friend who may only encourage you to continue with what you have been doing that is evidently not working. (STUBBORNESS IS YOUR ENEMY - not your friend)

> do not just stick to your plan or what you have decided or declared

> why not do what will get the results you want

> God does not withhold good things from you (Psalms 84:11)

> Your own sins (errors) and your own iniquities withhold good things from you (Jeremiah 5:25)

> 1Samuel 15:23 Stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry … it will withhold from us when we exalt our own way as though it was God. Remember Sunday: “you may be loosing it if you pray … “take this cup from me … it can’t be your will” …”

* It may be bad now but trust me, you can make it worse.

* at any rate, this widow’s sons obeyed her and followed her instructions and lead.

* and she poured out.

* In verse 5 we have seen Elisha’s strategy unfolding in the life of this widow.

1. She was motivated to depend on God and not the arm of man … “she went from Elisha.”

2. She offered what she had to God for His touch

3. She was obedient and followed the prescribed course of action required of her.

* Now her miracle is pouring out from heaven into the earthly realm.

> The miracle is not coming from the jar of oil

> The miracle is coming from heaven through this widow.

> She is pouring out of her faith and faithfulness.

* You see:

* Crying will deliver you (Exodus 3:7-8 & Psalms 40:1)

* It takes faith and faithfulness to enter into the promises (Num 14:1)

* This woman is going beyond her deliverance into the promise of abundance and prosperity and wealth and blessings because she did more than just cry out … she had faith in God and faithfulness to act in faith toward God.

Sunday, March 17, 2002

Destiny

DESTINY

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I. Genesis 37:5-10

5 ¶ And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

A. “Dreams and Visions Are The Language Of The Spirit.” DR Paul Yonggi Cho

1. Destiny can be revealed

2. Eph 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us …

3. 2Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

4. Isaiah 46:9b … I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

A. Many people can tell you what has just happened

B. Some can even guess what may happen

C. But God, and those whom He chooses to reveal it to, know what will happen. This is Destiny

D. Destiny is simply the will or purpose of God

E. However, Destiny neither waits for nor depends on any person.

B. Five Reasons People Don’t Accomplish God’s Will

1. Mistakes and failures derail them

2. Temporal and worldly things detour them

3. The cost discourages them

4. Other people disillusion them

5. Their lack of patience disqualifies them

C. One Reason People Succeed

* They pray and obey!

II. Four Major Test Joseph Faced En Route To Destiny

A. Rejection

B. Confusion

C. Injustice

D. Endurance

III. Rejection

A. Watch out who you share your dreams with.

B. Watch out who speaks into your life.

1. Even well meaning people can hurt you

2. People who don’t like you anyway, will probably not be happy that you are excited about your future … leave your enemies alone

IV. Confusion

A. When people can’t figure it out

1. They sometimes won’t faith it out

2. So they just get out

B. Joseph took a licking and kept on ticking

1. Nothing was sane about his dilemma

2. There are times when God’s will does not make any sense at all to us.

C. David was also confused at times on his road to destiny

1. Psa 22 … why hast Thou forsaken me …

2. Psa 44:24 Why did You hide Your face?

V. Injustice

A. Gen 39:12 Joseph did the right thing but went to prison anyway

1. Joseph could never have successfully defended himself here

2. He had to depend on God who justifies the righteous

3. He had to wait!

Note:

* Truth is not determined by a show of hands

* Truth will finally have it’s say

* There is a truth that reflects reality

* There is a truth that transcends reality

* The truth was and is, God always has the last word!

4. But still Joseph had to wait!

VI. Endurance (Gen 40:23 the butler forgot Joseph)

A. Gen 41:1 At the end of two full years …

B. Joseph gave God room to:

1. Work in him

2. Work on him

3. Work through him

4. While He was at work for him

C. Signs a person is loosing it

1. “If you don’t do something soon, I am going to …”

2. “I am not changing until something else changes”

3. “Take this cup from me … this cannot be Your will.”

D. No one gets longsuffering by suffering only a short while!

VII. The Keys To Destiny

* Pray and Obey (then)

* Keep Praying and Keep Obeying

Thought: If a person cannot rise to the top in a pit, as a servant in Potipher’s house or in a prison, then it is most likely that they cannot rise to the top in a Palace.

Wednesday, March 13, 2002

A Study Of The Miraculous - Part VII

A Study Of The Miraculous – Part VII

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* and shut the door upon her and upon her sons,

* Again she is following the prescribed course of action.

* In the previous lessons we covered how important it was to watch who you involve in your miracle moments.

* Watch who you partner with. Who you are connected to can determine your destiny.

> Remember Noah’s daughters-in-law

> Remember Lot’s married daughters

* their deliverance/destruction was determined only by whom they chose to be connected to in life.

* Who you include in your inner circle can limit your outcome.

* Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you

* Jesus did not include all twelve of the disciples in every miracle He did. He took only His closest 3, Peter, James and John to the mount of transfiguration and in to raise the little girl from the dead. (Matthew 17) and Mark 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

* You and those closest to you … sons and daughters born in your house. These are the ones you can depend on in times of great need. These will fight with you, not against you, but with you against the odds. Genesis 14:14

* It is important to know those who labor with you in the Lord. 1Thess 5:12. As well we are admonished to mark them which cause divisions and offenses among us and avoid them. Romans 16:17

* Perhaps there is also an element here of training her sons to believe God for their miracles in their future. Teaching others to depend on God is Discipleship. The greatest missionary field in the world is your own children and grandchildren. Think … you will not always be around.

* who brought the vessels to her;

* Her sons had already proven their commitment and their willingness to work for the miracle.

* Others obedience to God will affect you

* Achan did not perish in his iniquity alone. (Joshua 22:20)

* A King or Ruler (1 Samuel 8)

* A family member ( Heirs together in the grace of life - 1Pet 3:7 )

* A business partner ( Proverbs 1:10 If sinners entice thee… )

* A Ministry Team Member ( Lay hands on no man suddenly - 1Tim 5:22 - If you sanction/cover/ordain their ministry, you partake in their sins)

* A marriage candidate (do not be unequally yoked - 2 Cor 6:14)

* Adam and Eve did not do what their Father told them to and it killed their Father’s dream, crucified His Only Begotten Son and cost Him, them and all of their future relatives forever.

* It’s not always the fault of the parent when the child rebels.

* Neither is always the fault of the child when the family fails.

* The same bible that says ‘children, obey your parents’ (Eph 6:1 & Col 3:20) also says ‘parent do not provoke your children’ ‘to wrath and anger or they will become discouraged’ (Eph 6:4 & Col 3:21) ‘but bring them up with the nurture and admonition of the Lord’

* There is a simple, two question test: (to fixing family problems)

1. If it is working … why fix it.

2. If it is not working, you need to try something else.