Bakersfield First Assembly

Zechariah 7-17 (NIV) – [7] On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo. [8] During the night I had a vision—and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses. [9] I asked, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who was talking with me answered, “I will show you what they are.” [10] Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth.” [11] And they reported to the angel of the LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.” [12] Then the angel of the LORD said, “LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?” [13] So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. [14] Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, [15] but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity.’ [16] “Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the LORD Almighty. [17] “Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’”

1. We need the Word of the LORD to come to us.

2. We must search out the signs and symbolism in Zechariah.

3. There is a promise of blessing when we study the Scriptures.

4. There will be deep deception and a great falling away.

5. God controls world events.

Daniel 2:20-22 (NLT) – [20] He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. [21] He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. [22] He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.”

When we see evil leaders who live long and good leaders who die young, we may wonder if God is still in control. Daniel saw evil rulers with almost limitless power, but he knew that God “removes kings and sets others on the throne” and that he controls everything that happens. God governs the world according to his purposes. You may be dismayed when you see evil people prosper, but God is in control. Let this knowledge give you confidence and peace no matter what happens. (Life Application Bible)

6. God knows every human heart.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NIV) – [9] For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Psalms 33:13-15 (NIV) – [13] From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; [14] from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—[15] he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

Zechariah 3:9; 4:10 (NIV) – [9] See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,’ says the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day… [10] “Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “(These seven are the eyes of the LORD, which range throughout the earth.)”

Revelation 5:6 (NIV) – [6] Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Genesis 16:7 (NIV) – [7] The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur.

7. The Angel of the LORD is Christ.

“Traditional Christian interpretation has held that this ‘angel’ was a preincarnate manifestation of Christ as God’s Messenger-Servant.” (NIV Study Bible Notes)

8. Beware a false peace.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 (NIV) – [1] Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, [2] for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [3] While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. [4] But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

The messengers reported that the Gentile nations were “at rest and in peace.” After the upheaval of empires and Persia’s conquest of Babylon and other nations, this would appear to be an encouraging report, but it really wasn’t. The Jewish remnant was in distress, while the Gentile powers were at ease. Haggai had promised that the Lord would shake the nations and redeem His people, but this important event hadn’t occurred yet. (Wiersbe Bible Commentary)

9. Only Jesus offers true peace.

John 14:27 (AMP) – [27] Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

The Book of Zechariah:

Your King is Coming!

“Like Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the people to continue rebuilding the Temple, whose reconstruction had been halted for nearly 15 years. Zechariah combated the people’s spiritual apathy, despair over pressures from their enemies, and discouragement about the smaller scale of the new Temple foundation.” (Life Application Bible)

Zechariah 7-17 (NIV) – [7] On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo. [8] During the night I had a vision—and there before me was a man riding a red horse! He was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses. [9] I asked, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who was talking with me answered, “I will show you what they are.” [10] Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones the LORD has sent to go throughout the earth.” [11] And they reported to the angel of the LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, “We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace.” [12] Then the angel of the LORD said, “LORD Almighty, how long will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which you have been angry with these seventy years?” [13] So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. [14] Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, [15] but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity.’ [16] “Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there my house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,’ declares the LORD Almighty. [17] “Proclaim further: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘My towns will again overflow with prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.’”

Genesis 15:1 (NIV) – [1] After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

“This is a phrase typically introducing revelation to a prophet… Visions were one of the three primary methods of divine revelation in the Old Testament along with dreams and direct communications.” (Thomas Constable’s Notes on the Bible)

John 1:14 (NIV) – [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) – [12] For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

1. We need the Word of the LORD to come to us.

Revelation 19:11-13 (NIV) – [11] I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. [12] His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. [13] He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.

2. We must search out the signs and symbolism in Zechariah.

Revelation 6:3 (NIV) – [3] When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” [4] Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

Zechariah 6:1-4 (NIV) – [1] I looked up again—and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze! [2] The first chariot had red horses, the second black, [3] the third white, and the fourth dappled—all of them powerful. [4] I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these, my lord?” [5] The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world.

3. There is a promise of blessing when we study the Scriptures.

Revelation 1:1-3 (NIV) – [1] The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, [2] who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

4. There will be deep deception and a great falling away.

Matthew 24:10-12, 24 (NIV) – [10] “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, [11] and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. [12] Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold… [24] For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.”

Zechariah: Your King is Coming! - Part 1

“The prophet’s name, along with his message, consistently reminded the nation that the Lord had made a covenant with Israel, a binding commitment that God would assuredly keep. The people should respond to the reminder of the Lords’ faithfulness with faith and obedience of their own. Israel’s security and future hope will be as sure as the faithfulness of God himself, provided that the nation live obediently before the Lord.” (The New American Commentary)

“Zechariah’s primary message, however, was an exhortation to repentance and spiritual renewal—a return to right relationship with God. In fact, the central theme of Zechariah’s sermons is encouragement, as he explicitly states his duty as one of comforting and strengthening the people. As a complementary voice to Haggai, Zechariah also reinforced the summons to the people to rebuild the Jerusalem temple.” (Tyndale OT Commentaries)

Zechariah 1:1-6 (NIV) – [1] In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo: [2] “The LORD was very angry with your forefathers. [3] Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty. [4] Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the LORD. [5] Where are your forefathers now? And the prophets, do they live forever? [6] But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your forefathers? “Then they repented and said, ‘The LORD Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as he determined to do.’”

1. God is our all-powerful warrior-king.

Nehemiah 1:8-9 (NIV) - [8] “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, [9] but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’

2. If we return, so will He.

2 Chronicles 36:15-16 (NIV) – [15] The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent word to them through his messengers again and again, because he had pity on his people and on his dwelling place. [16] But they mocked God’s messengers, despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the LORD was aroused against his people and there was no remedy.

3. Let’s learn from our past, not repeat it.

4. The only thing that lasts is the Word of God.

Matthew 24:35 (NIV) – [35] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Mark 31:30; Luke 21:33)

Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV) – [10] As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, [11] so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Zechariah 1:5-6 (MSG) – [5] “And where are your ancestors now? Dead and buried. And the prophets who preached to them? Also dead and buried. But the Message that my servants the prophets spoke, that isn’t dead and buried. [6] That Message did its work on your ancestors, did it not? It woke them up and they came back, saying, ‘He did what he said he would do, sure enough. We didn’t get by with a thing.’”

5. Repentance is our wake-up call.

John 4:39-42 (NIV) – [39] Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” [40] So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. [41] And because of his words many more became believers. [42] They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

1. You cannot argue with a changed life.

Luke 19:7-9 (NIV) – [7] All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.’” [8] But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” [9] Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.

2. Never discount the power of a personal testimony.

Revelation 12:11 (NIV) – [11] They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) – [15] Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

John 4:39 (MSG) – [39] Many of the Samaritans from that village committed themselves to him because of the woman's witness: “He knew all about the things I did. He knows me inside and out!”

3. God knows us yet still loves us.

Psalms 139:1-4 (NIV) – [1] O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. [2] You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. [3] You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. [4] Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

4. Jesus was a friend of sinners.

Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV) – [9] As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. [10] While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” [12] On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [13] But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

5. You must believe in Jesus for yourself.

1 John 4:14-15 (NIV) – [14] And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. [15] If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

John 4:35-38 (NIV) – [35] “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. [36] Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. [37] Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. [38] I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

1. The harvest is ripe.

John 4:36 (NLT) – [36] The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life.

John 4:35 (MSG) – [35] “As you look around right now, wouldn't you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time!”

John 3:16-17 (NIV) – [16] “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. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

2. The harvest is now.

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV) – [1] As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. [2] For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

3. The harvest requires teamwork.

1 Corinthians 3:6-9 (NIV) – [6] I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. [7] So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. [8] The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. [9] For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

John 4:39 (NIV) – [39] Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony…”

4. The harvest needs workers.

Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV) – [35] Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. [36] When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. [38] Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

“Well” with My Soul

John 4:31-34 (NLT) – [31] Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” [32] But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” [33] “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. [34] Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”

1. Be in step with Jesus.

2. Have faith in Jesus.

3. Have the mind of Christ.

Psalms 86:11 (NIV) – [11] Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

4. Accept we don’t know.

5. Do God’s will.

John 6:38 (NIV) – [38] For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.

Matthew 26:39 (NIV) – [39] 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.”

Matthew 26:42 (NIV) – [42] He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is NOT possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

6. Drink the cup.

Psalms 16:5-6 (NIV) – [5] LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. [6] The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.

7. Finish God’s work.

John 17:4 (NIV) – [4] I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

8. Bring God glory.

John 15:8 (NLT) – [8] When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

"Well" with My Soul

John 4:31 (NLT) – [31] Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” [32] But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” [33] “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. [34] Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”

1. Be in step with Jesus.

Matthew 16:5-12 (NIV) – [5] When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. [6] “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” [7] They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” [8] Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? [9] Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? [10] Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? [11] How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” [12] Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

2. Have faith in Jesus.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) – [8] “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. [9] 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.”

1 Corinthians 2:16 (NIV) – [16] “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

3. Have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:9-12 (NLT) – [9] Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! [10] But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless. [11] When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. [12] Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.

4. Accept we don't know.

5. Do God’s will.

Matthew 26:39 (NIV) – [39] 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.”

Matthew 26:42 (NIV) – [42] He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is NOT possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

6. Drink the cup.

7. Finish God’s work.

John 17:4 (NIV) – [4] I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

FREEDOM

Galatians 5:1 (NIV) – [1] It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

1. Jesus came to set us free.

Luke 4:18 (NIV) – [18] “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, [19] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” [20] Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, [21] and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

2. Freedom comes by knowing the truth.

John 8:31-32 (NIV) – [31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

3. Jesus set us free once and for all.

John 8:36 (NIV) – [36] So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

4. Freedom can be lost if we don’t stand firm.

Isaiah 7:9 (NIV) – [9] “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV) – [13] Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. [14] And do everything with love.

5. Freedom is found where the Holy Spirit is.

2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) – [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

"Well" with My Soul" Part 17

John 4:25-30 (NIV) – [25] The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” [26] Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.” [27] Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” [28] Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, [29] “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” [30] They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

1. Know the Messiah for yourself.

Matthew 16:16, 20 (NIV) – [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [20] Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

John 3:16 (AMP) – [16] For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

2. God surprises us sometimes.

3. Be careful when questioning God.

Mark 7:17-18 (NIV) – [17] After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. [18] “Are you so dull?” he asked.

Job 38:1-3 (NLT) – [1] Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: [2] "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? [3] Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.

4. Leave your water jar behind.

Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV) – [18] As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [19] “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” [20] At once they left their nets and followed him. [21] Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, [22] and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Luke 18:28-29 (NIV) – [28] Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!” [29] “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God

5. Call others to come and see.

John 1:44-46 (NIV) – [44] Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. [45] Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” [46] “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.

James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

DIFFICULT TO SEE THE FORREST FOR THE TREES?

-When you are in the desert or when you embrace a single tree. - Hearts have been corrupted by fallen nature.

ABUNDANCE OF GOD'S PROVISION!

-How extravagant is His abundance (John 10:10) More than you could ask or think (Ephesians 3:20) Exceedingly abundantly

-He provides with so much abundance

-Do not confuse ABUNDANCE WITH HAPPINESS

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven."

IT IS YOUR FATHER'S JOY TO LOVE

IT IS A JOY TO CALL HIM FATHER!

HE PROMISES-WE SHARE THE DIVING NATURE

COME INTO YOUR NEW FAMILY LINEAGE

Galatians 6:8

2 Corinthians 3:17-18