Access Church

Ephesians 1:3-13 (CSB) // 3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him. 5 He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ10 as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him. 11 In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will, 12 so that we who had already put our hope in Christ might bring praise to his glory. 13 In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.

Who you ARE determines what you DO!

Ephesians 2:10 (CSB) // 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.

IDENTITY is meant to lead directly into DESTINY.

If your identity is off, you will get DISTRACTED from your DESTINY.

Matthew 5:14-16 (CSB) // 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Jesus THROUGH YOU will draw people to Himself.

Ephesians 4:1 (NLT) // 1Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Your identity in Christ should IMPACT how you live your life.

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Calling us to a new life

What does it mean to be MADE and to LIVE new?

2 Corinthians 5:16-20 // 16 From now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

In Christ - POSITIONAL

Why are you trying so hard?

Galatians 3:3 // Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

DECONSTRUCTION without RECONSTRUCTION is spiritual death

God doesn’t want to make a better version of yourself, he wants to make a NEW version.

Improve the OLD or become the NEW

Hebrews 10:16-17 // I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them

You can change from the OUTSIDE in or the INSIDE out.

The old is gone!

Reconcile: to bring 2 estranged parties together.

What does it mean to be MADE and to LIVE new?

FALL and STAY DEEPLY in love with Jesus.

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Colossians 3:1-4 NIV  //  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

My earthly life should match my spiritual life.

Jesus + Philosophy

Jesus + Clever Thinking

Jesus + Doing/Not Doing

JESUS!

How Do I Become Physically, What I Already Am Spiritually?

Adjust My Altitude

Colossians 3:1-2 NIV  //  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

Some of the problems we experience are due to the altitude we live at.

Heavenly truths shape our human behavior.

Declare My Death

Colossians 3:3 NIV  //  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Regularly, remind yourself that you are dead to the old, but alive to Christ!

We regret that we cannot attend because we recently died

Live for My Life

Colossians 3:4 NIV  //  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

When you’re a believer, you’re life is Jesus, so live for Him

What’s Your Altitude?

Have You Declared Yourself Dead?

Who Are You Living For?

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What does it mean to follow Jesus?

To know Him is to LOVE HIM

Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV // so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

To Know Him is to LOVE LIKE HIM

Matthew 5:43, 44 NIV // You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

To Know Him is to KNOW HIS POWER

Philippians 3:10 NIV // I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death

Romans 8:11a NLT // The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.

To Know Him is to KNOW HIS SUFFERING

Discomfort is uncomfortable

Instead of leaning into suffering we:

Distract

Numb

Rebuke the devil

 

We can’t fully KNOW God if we don’t KNOW suffering

Stop asking WHY and start asking WHAT

Matthew 26:39 NIV // Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

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Matthew 16:24 NLT  //  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

Matthew 7:24-25  //  Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

What is the FOUNDATION of my life?

How God Speaks:

1. Prayer

1 Kings 19:11-12  //  The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

2. Circumstances

Proverbs 3:5-6  //  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

3. The Church

Acts 2:46  //  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

Large Group

Small Group

Quiet Time

Mentors

4. The Bible

God’s voice will never contradict His Word.

Psalm 119:105  //  Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119:10-11  //   I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

God’s Word is my AUTHORITY.

2 Timothy 3:16-17  //  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

How the Bible Helps Us:

Teaching

Rebuking

Correcting

Training

James 1:19-26  //  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Action > Hearing

Most Christians are more EDUCATED than they are OBEDIENT.

Deep is about ACTION, not INFORMATION.

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Matthew 11:28-30 MSG // “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Are you tired?

Worn out?

Burned out?

God’s plan for supernatural rest is sabbath.

Sabbath means to cease.

Exodus 16:23-30 NIV  //  23 He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” 24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.” 27 Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

Sabbath is a commandment.

Exodus 20:8-11  //  “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”

We don’t obey the commandments to be saved, we obey them to be blessed.

Sabbath is a witness.

Exodus 31:14-17 NIV  //  14 “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

Sabbath is a blessing.

Mark 2:23-28 NIV  //  23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” 27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Sabbath is a gift for you, not another rule to follow.

Sabbath is a blessing, not a burden.

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Matthew 16:24 NLT  // Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

You can’t carry your cross and your opinion at the same time.

Proverbs 11:24 MSG  // The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

We GIVE to WORSHIP, not GIVE to GET

Forgiveness

Luke 17:1, 3-5  // Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come… So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

What do you do when you’re really hurt?

FORGIVENESS IS NOT:

Minimizing the seriousness of the offense.

Reconciliation.

Forgetting what happened.

 

Forgiveness is a one player game

Why don’t we forgive?

We don’t think it’s fair.

Matthew 18:21-35  // Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants... This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

“Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” - Anne Lamont

We don’t think we can do it.

Philippians 4:13  //  I can do everything through him who gives me

strength.

We don’t feel like it.

Choices lead, feelings follow.

Forgiveness is a choice.

How do I respond?

1. Pray for them.

Matthew 5:43-44  //  “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

2. Bless them.

Luke 6:27-28  // But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Romans 12:14  // Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

3. Do good to them.

Romans 12:17-21  // Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Ephesians 4:31-32  // Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Forgiven people forgive people.

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FOR not FROM

Proverbs 11:24 MSG  //  The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

Luke 12:34 //  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The difference between acting generous and being generous is INTENTIONALITY.

1. God MUST be FIRST

Proverbs 3:9-10 //  Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

2. The TITHE must be first

Exodus 23:19  //  The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.

Genesis 4:3-5 //  And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but He did not respect Cain and his offering.

4 LEVELS OF GENEROSITY:

Giving

Tithing

Offerings

Extravagant Generosity

3. It Must Be BLESSED to Multiply

Malachi 3:10  //  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

We GIVE to WORSHIP

Not GIVE to GET

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Matthew 16:24 NLT  //  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

Give up.

Take up.

Follow.

We’ve settled for a comfortable faith.

We need to trade our comfortable faith for a functional faith.

Matthew 4:18-22 NLT  //  One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.  A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

1. Listen to Jesus

Jesus called, they listened.

2. Follow Jesus wherever He leads

Matthew 4:19  //  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

You have to learn before you lead.

You attract who you are.

3. Release the things that keep us from Jesus

Matthew 4:22 NLT  //  They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.

What are you holding onto that is holding you back from all that God has for you?

Matthew 16:24 NLT // Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

You can’t carry your cross and your opinion at the same time.

4. Receive the authority of Jesus

Matthew 10:1-8 NLT  // Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him). Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

Your mission is collaborative and collective in the church.

Your gifting is unique.

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What do you do when your faith no longer fits?

Borrowed Faith

Hurt & Loss

You just don’t believe

Luke 24:1-8  // On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”  Then they remembered his words.

“Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone and today He is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of the column of progress. I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever were built, and all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that One Solitary Life.” - James Allan Francis

He broke the curse of sin

He broke the grip of fear

He broke the power of death

He broke down the gates of Hell

He broke death

Luke 24:5  // “Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Genesis 2:7  // Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Deuteronomy 30:19  // This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live

Romans 8:11 ESV  // And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people alive.

Easter is meant to be EXPERIENCED, not just CELEBRATED.

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