The Goodness of GodGod is GOOD! – All the time!Is God good?1. Asking the question we all askNecessary but also it is the door way to deception.The first encounter Is God good?Gen 3:4 – ““You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”Job 1:21- "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD"The number one reason abandon their faith-“ If God is good … why?”Man reason against God based on their moral opinion– If God is good how come He lets evil happen?2. God is GOODWe must learn what is good.Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.”Isiah 55:8-9- “"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. 9"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.…” Emotionally based world view Circumstantial based theology Pure Moral Goodness/ God’s natureThe Nature of Goodness- The greater GoodGoodness does not mean there is no pain or suffering but that suffering may occur to bring about a greater good. (Setting a broken bone, surgery etc.)Children must be taught goodness.The Cross was God’s good for Christ and us – pain & suffering?God is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) and perfectly good. If God were not all-knowing then evil might exist due to God’s ignorance If God were not all-powerful then evil might exist due to God’s inability to prevent it, If God were not perfectly good then evil might exist due to God’s desire for it.Evil does exist- why? It is used to complete God’s purposesPsalm 34:8 – “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!”We must learn the goodness of God trust His character

Honoring those we offendThursday October 2, 2015 - Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon- 9 deadAccording to the New York Post, "'[the gunman] asking people one by one what their religion was."Are you a Christian?" he would ask them, and if you're a Christian, stand up. And they would standup and he said, "Good, because you're a Christian, you are going to see God in just about onesecond." And then he shot and killed them,” - Stacy Boylen, whose daughter was woundedCharleston Church Shooting, June 17, 2015, a mass shooting took place at Emanuel African MethodistEpiscopal Church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, – 9 deadTEXT *1 Peter 2:6“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” - Romans 9:331 Peter 2:8 - “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobeythe word, as they were destined to do. – (Isaiah 8:14)(skandalon) means "a trap-stick - the bait is fastened to as to spring the trap," A stumbling-block."Jesus is a stumbling blockThey stumble:at his birth- virginhis education – astonished at his knowledgeat His teachings – no man has taught with such authorityat His healings- you are a man sent from God (Nicodemus)at His miracles – people flocked and also fledat His choices of disciples – unlearned fishermanat His Kingdom – you shall see my kingdom come with powerat His presence – the soldiers fell in the gardenat His death – crucifixion is foolishness to the Jewsat His resurrection – defies deathat His church - over 2000 years across every cultureat His governance – Jesus rules from heavenat His return – Soon coming KingMatt 21:44- And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone,it will crush him.”What to Do – Romans 12:14 –“ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”*1 Peter 2: 12- 17 - Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak againstyou as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.:17 - Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.Honor all - all people as created in Gods image as (all are equal as Christ died for all)1. Love – believers2. Fear God – ultimate authority (all honor and respect is due to the fear of God)3. Honor King – respect the laws (civil authorities)Prove them wrong by righteous living:12 - Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you asevildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.:15 - For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance offoolish people.

"Rend your hearts and not your garments" Preparing for the 40 day fast - Brad Stenman I. WHY FAST? A. Why fast? Because Jesus invites us as believers to do so. Any invitation given by Jesus is Matthew 6:16-18 "When you fast... Your father who sees in secret will reward you openly"B. Jesus made no mistake when He spoke on fasting in the Sermon on the Mount. He knew one we respond to.that His three chapter sermon would be the spiritual anchor to every believer. In Matthew 7:24, Jesus said if we live His words our spiritual walk will be built on wisdom, and fasting is included in that reality.Matthew 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine (The sermon on the mount), and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who guilt his house on the rock." C. Jesus was setting out an invitation, "When you fast" for the spiritually hungry, Matthew 5:6, that if you desire the deep things of His heart it's available to you and fasting is one of the vehicles to experience the 'deep things of God' 2 Corinthians "For the spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God"Joel 2:12-14 "Now, therefore,' Says the Lord, turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning... Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him...". II. THE STUMBLING BLOCK OF FASTING A. The main stumbling block of fasting is this idea that it has been reserved for the elite B. Most who heard Jesus preach on fasting in Matthew chapters 5-7 were those unable to study Christians, when the truth is that fasting is an invitation from God to ALL who follow Jesus. Fasting is NOT super Christianity, it is Christianity 101; for real!the law as the Pharisees did. They were considered, in Acts 4, to be men without education in the law. Jesus laid out an invitation to every believer who had "ears to hear" that fasting was for those who simply desire more of God and less of the world.Matthew 6:16-18 "And when you (The disciples) fast... Your father who sees in secret will reward you openly"Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished and they recognized that they had been with Jesus" C. The great thing about fasting is that you don't have to hear the audible voice of God to begin a fasted lifestyle, you just have to be hungry to encounter God.III. SPIRITUAL HUNGER AND FASTING... A. The law of the kingdom of Heaven is: as much as you want, you get. Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled"John 3:34 "For God does not give the spirit by measure"B. The promise Jesus gave in Matthew 5:6, is that if we would approach him in need and hunger for the kingdom of God, He would answer! In my opinion, spiritual hunger is the greatest need when entering into a season of fasting.C. To become spiritually hungry we simply have to ask. Ask the Holy Spirit to create in you a spiritual hunger for the 40 day season of fasting. Matthew 7:7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you"D. Examining our hearts before, during and ending the fast we must ask, are we hungry for God? Are we desperate for His presence? Because out of the place of desperation and hunger for God lives are changed and revivals are birthed. We need a heart cry like David "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord..." (Psalms 130:1) E. This 40 day fast is not just a time to abstain from our flesh but also a time for Holy Spirit to wound us so deeply for Jesus that our very desires are changed.IV. FASTING OUT OF CONFIDENCEA. Fasting doesn't earn us anything before God but rather positions us to receive what is already ours through the work of Christ.Luke 15:31 "And he (The father) said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours'"B. It is important to know that our fasting can never earn anything from God, we already have all things from God. 2 Peter 1:3 "As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness"C. Fasting is the awakening we need as believers. It is the accelerant into our inheritance as believers here on the earth. Fasting is not pulling Gods arm to perform miracles, see the lost saved, tenderize our hearts, save cities for Jesus, etc.. God already desires those things, fasting positions us to receive those things that God already had planned and desires to perform.Matthew 9:37 "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few."John 16:12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now"

Abstain to GainTEXT - *1 Peter 2: 4-12Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:5 – “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be aholy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”We are:1. The Spiritual House – Living stones2. The Priesthood – mediators3. The Sacrifice – Procure - obtain (something), especially with care or effort.How to Verse?1 Peter 2:11 – “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh,which wage war against your soul.”This means war against your flesh – to abstain means to fast1. Abstain to Gain - The power of a fasted lifeIsaiah 58:6-7 "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the strapsof the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your breadwith the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to coverhim, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?Abstain to Gain – abstain from the flesh to gain in the spirit2. Using your flesh as an alarm clock for prayer 1 Peter 2:11- “I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”3. Awakening a Hunger for GodConclusion:We are calling Christ Community Church to a 40 Day fast.a voluntary corporate fast to develop a spiritual hunger, leading us into deeper intimacy with theLord. Our desire is to encourage each member to experience the power of fasting and toincorporate it into their personal prayer lives.Starting Sept. 30th through Nov 8th.Publish a forty day devotional to be read and prayed through on a daily basisAbstain to Gain

Door to the SupernaturalPraying in tongues1. Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Immersion)A. Spirit baptizes into Christ (1 Cor. 12:13, Rom.6;3, Gal.3:27)B. Jesus baptizes us in His Spirit. (John 7: 38, Acts 1:5)2. A response to the fillingA. Prophecy (OT), tongues (NT)(Acts 2:6, 8:18, 10:46, 19:6)B. Filling overflows (Temple, tongue-James 3:8)3. The gateway to supernatural power – FaithA. In proportion to our faithRom.12:6 – “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us usethem: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;B. All prayer, intercession, healing, deliverance most any supernatural ministry isspoken. Sound is what mediates between Heaven and earth. Man’s word confirmsGod’s will in the earth.4. Spirit intercession- Rom.8:26A. Rom.8:26-27 – “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not knowwhat to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings toodeep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit,because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”B. 1 Cor. 14:14 – ““For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.” 1 Cor 14:15 -“I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”Mind is unfruitful- Spirit talk (Faith)Andrew Newberg, MD, Associate Professor of Radiology, Psychiatry, andReligious Studies, and Director for the Center for Spirituality and the Mind, at Penn.“Our finding of decreased activity in the frontal lobes during the practice ofspeaking in tongues is fascinating…Our brain imaging research shows us that thesesubjects are not in control of the usual language centers during this activity, whichis consistent with their description of a lack of intentional control, while speaking intongues.”C. Laughter & Crying (soul talk)5. God’s Will1 Cor. 14: 5 – “Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. Theone who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someoneinterprets, so that the church may be built up.1 Cor 14:15 -“I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I willsing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.”6. Laying on Hands - Acts 8:17; 19:6; and 2 Timothy 1:6.

The Heart of the MatterSustainabilityText: 1Peter 1:20 22 – “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”1. The Key - Obedience to the word = purifies the heart = to create a sincere love = so you can love others

The Power Equation (Based on Miracle Work by Jordan Seng)Intro: Power for miracles is exercised as a supernatural muscle We can be full of the Spirit but we need to move in His power Example- Luke 4:1&14 “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness.”“And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.”The Power Equation: Disclaimer: No part of this equation has to do with earning God’s love or favor. It is perfect towards us through the Cross of Christ.Authority + Gifting + Faith + Consecration = PowerComponents of Power – no single component makes or breaks the results1. AuthorityJohn 1:12 – “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right(exousia - power of authority) to become children of God.”Authority comes out of obedienceJohn 15:7 – “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.A man under authority (Matt.8:9)John 5:19 – “So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[a] does, that the Son does likewise.”Jesus often manufactured opportunity for obedience – Mud in the eye, Pick up your mat and walk.If we learn to obey at greater levels we will do greater things Failure to Obey: diminishes our power & authority. Why? Sin affects the outcome of power flowing through us.2. Gifts (Grace Boosts)1 Cor. 12:31 – “But covet earnestly the best gifts:”1 Cor. 12:7 – “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”3. Faith 27 x’s faith is mentioned in miracle accounts, 9 x’s Jesus says you are healed by your faith•Trusting in God’s character and love•A stubborn expectation of God’s generosity•Miracles are God’s desires being made knownFaith Fluctuates Acts 9:39b-40 – “All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics[e] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed.”Mark 5: 40 – “And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.”We must cultivate a trust in God’s desires4. ConsecrationThe Kingdom flows where the Kingdom rulesThe cost of love: Self-sacrifice = love1 Chron. 21:24 – “I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” Forms of Consecration:•Prayer – time in Heaven•Study – your thoughts are His thoughts•Song – Singing in the spirit•Fasting – appetite for God (abstain to Gain)•Giving – sacrifice to giveAuthority + Gifting + Faith + Consecration = Power

Guest Speaker Jim Wilhelmsen speaks on the prophetic warnings for Sept. 23, 2015 and how to be prepared for the possible outcomes.

Sustainable Faith – Stand Firm 1 Peter Who wrote the book: Peter with Mark 5:13 (his Son)Who is this book written to? The elect exiles of the Dispersion (Jews & Gentiles) throughout TurkeyWhen: AD 64, persecution of Christians under Nero was ramping up PURPOSE OF LETTER:1 Peter 5:10 – “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”Stand firm - 1 Peter 5:12 How – May grace and peace be multiplied to you. :2b1. According to the foreknowledge of God the Father (sovereignty)2. in the sanctification of the Spirit, (Set apart & sealed )3. for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood ( Salvation)Sustainability- A Living hopeBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, Living Hope (vs. a dead hope)1. Imperishable – will not die (Christ rose from the dead)2. Undefiled (will not fall to corruption)3. unfading, (will not break down or lessen )4. kept in heaven for you (Guarded by God)Tested faith5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.“because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:38 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.It’s not just a test for what is genuine gold but also the processof separating out impurities within the goldGold Test: True faith is imperishableThe Imperishable Gospel1. Hidden from View – (hidden for you)10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.2. Walk with Value13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.3. God is your Source20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.4. Unfading22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not ofperishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.”And this word is the good news that was preached to you.Therefore Stand Firm