828 Church

Be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Hebrews 12:28 ESV

A heart that walks in grace and gratitude will experience God’s power for following in every season and circumstance.  

Complaining or having a grumpy attitude, will short circuit your best efforts at following God!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 ESV

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. Cicero

It happened that as he made his way toward Jerusalem, he crossed over the border between Samaria and Galilee. Luke 17:11 MSG

The shortest path to God’s purpose is always through God’s will.

Resentment and bitterness are not just the long way, they’re the wrong way!

As he entered a village, ten men, all lepers, met him. They kept their distance but raised their voices, calling out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Luke 17:12-13 MSG

Jesus isn’t afraid to walk into your mess or mine.

When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Luke 17:14 ESV 

When the Lord gives you instruction, direction, or correction, don’t argue, obey.

Obedience is a necessary step for breakthrough, but it’s Jesus who makes it happen.

One of them, when he realized that he was healed, turned around and came back, shouting his gratitude, glorifying God. He kneeled at Jesus’ feet, so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said, “Were not ten healed? Where are the nine? Can none be found to come back and give glory to God except this foreigner?” Luke 17:15-18 MSG

Glad comes from focusing on the gift, grateful comes from focusing on the giver! 

If you walk in grace before your breakthrough, you’re more likely to walk in gratitude after it. 

Then he said to him, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you.” Luke 17:19 MSG

-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --

1st Takeaway: The key is to find peace in knowing that God is in control, even when life feels out of control.

2nd Takeaway. God can’t be locked out of your enemies’ plans against you. God can see what we can’t see.

3rd Takeaway. It is possible that the enemy attacks you because the gift God has given you exposed the enemy. And once the enemy is exposed, the enemy has limited power.

4th Takeaway. It could be that the reason that you are being attacked is because your gift not only glorifies God, but it exposes the plans of the enemy.

5th Takeaway, DO NOT FEAR!!!.

6th Takeaway, God’s perspective and God’s love supersedes everything.

Final Takeaway, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 NIV).

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-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 ESV

Jesus perspective on prayer was that we should first pray for our Father’s Kingdom priorities!

The Kingdom coming is a reference to both a moment on the timeline, and time eternal.

Neb’s dream - And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a Kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. Daniel 2:44 ESV

God’s Kingdom is an eternal Kingdom with incredible earthly authority and impact!

This world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14 NLT

We serve a different kind of King in a different kind of Kingdom.

Seeking the Kingdom of God is the chief business of the Christian life. - Jonathan Edwards

1) The Kingdom of God starts in the heart!

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:1-2 ESV

There can be no Kingdom of God in the world without the Kingdom of God in our hearts. Albert Schweitzer

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT

Our position in the Kingdom comes with authority that we are first meant apply to our own hearts.

2) His Kingdom is not Divided

Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. Matthew 12:25 NLT

The person who only loves the dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community. ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer

3) His is an all encompassing Kingdom!

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT

The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. Matthew 13:44 NLT

Jesus also used this illustration: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.” Mathew 13:33 NLT

When His will and word have absolute authority, allegiance and impact in what do and decide, His Kingdom has come.

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We’re so glad you are here! Thanks for checking out Sunday's message!

-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 ESV

A heart that isn’t wholly His has no hope of being whole.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESV

Jesus told his disciples, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 ESV

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

Be a doer of the word and not a hearer only. James 1:22 ESV

Obedience is critical to revelation and revelation is critical to obedience.

Grace gives us power to flee temptation and sin not permission to flirt with it.

Compromised christianity is largely what’s leading the world into such incredible lostness!

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Matthew 5:13 ESV

We all at times miss the target, but when we decide to move the target we’ve really lost our way.

Prepare your minds for action, and be sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21 ESV

Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. Ezekiel 47:1-2 ESV

Going eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Ezekiel 47:3-4 ESV

Wading in the shallows is a sure way to miss on God’s power and purpose.

Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Ezekiel 47:4-6 ESV

All in means always seeking for God’s perspective, giving Him a yes to every directive, and trusting Him for every provision!

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To view our latest e-newsletter, the Midweek Momentum, and subscribe to our weekly updates, go here! https://linktr.ee/828church

2 Kings 13:14-19

14 When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” he cried.

15 Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told. 16 Elisha told him, “Put your hand on the bow,” and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands.

17 Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, “This is the Lord’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.”

18 Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times. 19 But the man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed. “Then you would have beaten Aram until it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.”

God’s Perspective leads my heart to trust and directs me towards obedience.

Obedience to God’s instructions will be met with God’s partnership.

The Heavenly perspective seeks to accomplish the Will of God.

God’s Will can only be accomplished by HIS Ways and through HIS Strength.

The target we’re meant to hit is living with His perspective while working on His priorities.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 ESV

A breakthrough in mindset precedes, knowing and living the will of God.

The most challenging thing about a mindset shift is that it requires your mindset to shift!

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

Which leaves me praying, “God, please tell me what to think / believe and do!”

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 ESV

Here’s the deal: As children of God are meant to have a Christ-like / Christ-centered mindset!

It takes a Christ-centered mindset to see and live out God‘s priorities and perspective.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

Transformation and freedom are on the way for anyone who will choose a Christ-centered mindset! 

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

Until you let God transform your thinking, you will think you know His will even when you don’t.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12 ESV

My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. John 7:17 NKJV 

A Christ-centered mindset opens the door for God’s revelation and truth. 

Selfless Christ-centered Mindset vs. Me-centric Self-centered Mindset

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 ESV

Self-centered thinking is one of the enemies most effective traps!

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8 ESV -

Walking through life with a self-centered mindset is a sure way to miss finding and living God’s best. 

Trust in God vs Trust Myself Mindset

Trust me when I tell your trusting will be tested! 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3:5-7 NLT

A Trust-in-God Mindset leads to patience and contentment, persistence and wisdom. 

Surrendered Mindset vs Rebellious Mindset

A Self-centered Trust yourself mindset left unchecked will lead to a Rebellious Mindset!

Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD. Jonah 1:1-3 ESV

Running from God’s presence is a sure sign you have the wrong perspective. 

But the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Jonah 1:4 ESV

Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the belly of the fish, saying, “I called out to the LORD, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice. Jonah 2:1-2 ESV

If you are presently doing whale time, call out to the Lord. (And this time listen.)

Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.” This time Jonah obeyed the LORD’s command and went to Nineveh. Jonah 3:1-3 NLT 

The bible doesn’t say follow your heart; it says to guard your heart and surrender it to God.

-- SUNDAY'S NOTES --

Mark 10:46

The world may try to give you a label, but only Jesus has the authority to name you.

Mark 10:47-48

The key to have His Perspective is to call out to Jesus.

Mark 10:49-52

Faith is trusting that God can see the things we can’t see.

POEM-

A beggar since birth

To the world without worth

Always told by others what is real

Without sight I couldn’t see

Not sure what to believe

But what if my blindness were healed

I had heard of a man

Who took mud in His hand

And miraculously made my friend see

So the day He passed by

I let out a cry

Son of man have mercy on me

And mercy He gave

More than sight did He save

He saved me from misled and confused

When the blind lead the blind

Truth’s hard to find

But with Jesus, vision’s renewed

I now Know I’m a son

And my Father’s the one

Every step He designed and directs

I will follow His Will

Since my sight He has healed

Trusting He His plans will perfect

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12 ESV

Any perspective besides God’s perspective will leave even the well-trained traveler lost in the end.

My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

God has both the position and compassion to warrant our always trusting His perspective. 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 ESV

There is no sight without light.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

To hide the light is to waste the light, and ultimately to choose darkness instead of light.

No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Luke 8:16 ESV 

Zeal without knowledge is like fire without light. - Thomas Fuller

No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is unhealthy, your body is filled with darkness. Luke 11:33-34 NLT

Giving the truth and perspectives of God the prime space in every part of our lives is what it means to follow Jesus.

Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. Luke 11:35 NLT

If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light. Luke 11:36 NLT

I’m done with considering perspectives on matters that matter that don’t consider God and His word as the final authority. 

Even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. Psalms 139:12 ESV

The better part of one’s life consists of his friendships. - Abraham Lincoln

The LORD is a friend to those who fear (revere) him. He teaches them his covenant. Psalm 25:14 NLT

There’s no greater friend than God! 

Greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13 NLT

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. John 15:12 NLT 

Be the Godly friend you wish you had.

A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you’ve forgotten the words. ~ unknown

1) Get to Know Him personally

Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Revelation 3:20 NLT 

How incredible that God would take the initiative to be in a personal relationship with each of us.

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent. Exodus 33:11 ESV

2) Learn and Live His Nature and Character

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans1:20-21 NLT 

I like your Christ, but not your Christians, they’re not very much like Christ. - Gandhi

3) Do His will - You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:14-15 NLT

A friends judgements and decisions line up with God's word, an enemy’s doesn’t. 

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 ESV

I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done, kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love. John 15:9-10 MSG 

Abe believed / trusted… and was even called the friend of God. James 2:23

4) Love His Kids - These things I command you, so that you will love one another. John 15:17 ESV

When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! Matt 25:40 NLT