828 Church

Church, where you belong!

You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19 NKJV

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 NLT

God is big enough to make us great together for Him!

We belong together, that’s why the enemy has worked so hard to push and keep us apart.

Our enemy wants to divide and conquer so he can deceive and destroy.

Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 1 Corinthians 12:14-22 NLT 

It takes all of us together to be who God made us to be.

Serving is sign language for the lost who can’t yet hear or see God.

We can’t pull off together unless we are faithful to gather!

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do. Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT

You don’t need to think of your needs, you also need to know that your needed. 

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 NLT

You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20 ESV

It’s His church, bought and built by Him, and He created a custom fit place in it just for you! 

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” Haggai 1:1-2 ESV

Now is always the right time to be focused on building His House.

Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Haggai 1:4 ESV

They got busy with other things while the main thing remained undone.

God blessed them, but they forgot Him.

Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Haggai 1:6 ESV 

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’S message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” Haggai 1:12-13 ESV

You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV

The house of God became the household of God and a nation grew to become His family!

The bible is the Church’s blue print to build and be the most effective and formidable force on the planet.

You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NLT

We are called to be a Community of Prayer, Praise, Discipleship, Compassion and Reach. 

I-Witness - I Pray - I See - I Connect - I Say - I Stay

👍🏼 or ❤️

If you build His house and He will build yours.  

Planted in the house of the Lord they thrive. Psalm 92:13 NKJV

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

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---- SUNDAY'S NOTES ----

Mark 4:41 What manner of man is this?

IT’S BETTER TO GO THROUGH A STORM WITH JESUS THAN TO GO THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT HIM!

2nd take away:

JESUS WILL MEET TO WHERE YOU ARE. YOU ARE NOT SO FAR AWAY FROM JESUS THAT HE CAN’T AND WON’T COME AND FIND YOU.

NO SIN SO GREAT. NO DEED SO TERRIBLE, NO ATTITUDE SO BAD, NO SICKNESS SO DEVISTATING, NO TROUBLE SO DIFFICULT, NO HEART ACHE TOO HEAVY, NO STORM SO DAMAGING, THAT THE GOOD SHEPHERD WON’T COME TO YOUR RESCUE.

JESUS WILL STOP WHAT HE IS DOING TO COME SEE ABOUT YOU.

3RD TAKE AWAY

When you totally surrender to Jesus, you will quickly realize that the way to find meaning in life is to live for others.

They saw Jesus through him.

They saw evidence of the healing power of God.

They saw evidence of the compassion of God.

They saw that there is nothing impossible for God.

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Jesus led the way in laying down His life daily for us and others. 

If you’re unwilling to give something up for God, I’m not sure how well you know Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5 NKJV

Jesus’ doing will always be defined by His being, not our believing or behaving. 

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1-4 NLT

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” John 14:5 NLT

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 NKJV

THE WAY.

Your lost and broken is never to much for God and His grace to make you found and free.

THE TRUTH 

You have to lay down regret to pick up redemption.

THE LIFE

Without a real and surrendered relationship with Jesus life is only a fragile illusion. 

When we live connected and surrendered to Jesus, our lives reap a harvest of Peace, Purpose and Joy found nowhere else on planet earth.

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

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---- SUNDAY'S NOTES ----

Daily and deeply knowing (following) Jesus is the only way to become who He made you to be.

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, and the Father will give you whatever you ask for, in my name. John 15:16 NLT 

The life you have is a gift from God, and the life you have should be lived for Him.

Influence is a space that requires wise stewardship.

A role model doesn’t just show the way, they lead the way. 

Devotional Life 

Your devotional life will determine your emotional life.

He would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:16 NLT  

The devotional life isn’t proof, but rather a path to Godliness. 

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. 1Timothy 4:7 NASB

Holiness 

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 NLT

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 ESV 

Jesus didn’t come to lower sin's standard, He came pay sin’s penalty and break sin’s power. 

Faithfulness

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NASB

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

Love 

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. Lamentations 3:22 NLT

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 NLT

Surrender 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 

1 John 3:16 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT 

Just like Jesus we are called to know the way, go the way and show the way.  

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Download the 828 Church app!

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

📝 TODAY’S TAKEAWAYS:

Daily and deeply knowing (following) Jesus is the only way to become who He made you to be.

The life you have is a gift from God, and the life you have should be lived for Him

Influence is a space that requires wise stewardship.

A role model doesn’t just show the way, they lead the way.

Your devotional life will determine your emotional life.

The devotional life isn’t proof, but rather a path to Godliness.

Just like Jesus, we are called to know the way, go the way, and show the way.

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📘 TODAY’S VERSES:

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, and the Father will give you whatever you ask for, in my name. John 15:16 NLT

He would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:16 NLT

But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. I Kings 17:7 NLT

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. 1Timothy 4:7 NASB

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:17-19 NLT

For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 ESV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NASB

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. Lamentations 3:22 NLT

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 NLT

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

1 John 3:16 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Later on, in the third year of the drought, the LORD said to Elijah, “Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!” So Elijah went to appear before Ahab. 1 Kings 18:1-2 NLT

So Obadiah went to tell Ahab that Elijah had come, and Ahab went out to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?” “I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the LORD and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. 1 Kings 18:16-18 NLT

Choosing to blame God for the trouble our broken choices cause, is a counterproductive waste of time.

Rebellion against God’s word and will always lead to lost and broken living. 

Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.” 1 Kings 18:19 NLT

So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent. 1 Kings 18:20-21 NLT

You choosing to acquiesce to Baal worship isn’t a blessing to anyone. 

Is THE God your only God? 

Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the LORD who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed. 1 Kings 18:22-24 NLT

If you tell your god what to do and what is true, He’s not God. 

Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “You go first, for there are many of you.” 1 Kings 18:25 NLT

So they prepared one of the bulls and placed it on the altar. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning until noontime, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no reply of any kind. Then they danced, hobbling around the altar they had made. 1 Kings 18:26 NLT

So they shouted louder, and following their normal custom, they cut themselves with knives and swords until the blood gushed out. They raved all afternoon until the time of the evening sacrifice, but still there was no sound, no reply, no response. 1 Kings 18:28-29 NLT

It’s sad to sacrifice anything to a false god, when in the end everything you offer is offered in vain.  

Then Elijah called to the people, “Come over here!” They all crowded around him as he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. 1 Kings 18:30 NLT

Disobedience, distraction and disregard will all leave the altar in a state of disrepair. 

The altar is an honored and intimate place of communion with God that should never be abused or taken for granted.

He took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, “Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood.” After they had done this, he said, “Do the same thing again!” And when they were finished, he said, “Now do it a third time!” So they did as he said, and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. 1 Kings 18:31-35 NLT

At the usual time for offering the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet walked up to the altar and prayed, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant. Prove that I have done all this at your command. O LORD, answer me! Answer me so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God and that you have brought them back to yourself.” 1 Kings 18:36-37 NLT 

Sacrifices made to Jehovah are never wasted. 

Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench! 1 Kings 18:38 NLT

And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The LORD—he is God! Yes, the LORD is God!” 1 Kings 18:39 NLT

When the score is tallied in an honest way the outcome will always say that He alone is God and He alone is good. 

Then Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus, the head tax man and quite rich. 3He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way, he was a short man and couldn’t see over the crowd. 4So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when he came by. 5When Jesus got to the tree, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down. Today is my day to be a guest in your home.” Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good fortune, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Luke 19:2-6 MSG

You can’t choose to be god and hope to see God.

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

Lackadaisical doesn’t really get you close to God, but any honest effort does. 

Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree, hardly believing his good fortune, delighted to take Jesus home with him. Luke 19:6 MSG 

If you take Jesus home with you, your life will never be the same!

Learning to delight in the Lord is the way to leave lack behind. (Ps. 23)

Everyone who saw the incident was indignant and grumped, “What business does he have getting cozy with this crook?” Zacchaeus just stood there, a little stunned. He stammered apologetically, “Master, I give away half my income to the poor—and if I’m caught cheating, I pay four times the damages.” Luke 19:7-8 MSG

The impact of a genuine encounter with Jesus is simultaneously significant and impossible to quantify.

Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:9-10 NLT

Jesus went through the cross to clear the way so all could to come to Him!