https://youtu.be/tT8OHEEECD0

How to Not Die 1 Sam 12Israel has come through some battles- Saul is now King- Samuel is now talking to Israel and telling them how they have done wrong, how their ancestors did wrong, and what they did right. He challenges them to serve God- then God sends a sign in the storm over a wheat harvest to show his power.  God sends rain on the wheat harvest- and finally the people have a fear of God.

This story illustrates Israel trying to not die a physical death- they wanted to live.The application for us today is how to not die a spiritual death. How can we live in such a way to assure that we will live this Christian life until his Return1 john 5: 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,Jeremiah 7:24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

How do we do that?

Have a fear of God

18 So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.This process of Israel learning to fear God is an ongoing process. They go through this process of fearing God, not fearing God, coming back and forthWe read these stories to embolden us to continue to fear God- to not lose that prick in our spirits-Psalm 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.If Israel didn’t have a fear of God- they wouldn’t serve him wholeheartedly. They’d waver.Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.What does it mean to you?You better have a healthy fear of God- You better have some respect, fear and reverence.Luke 1:50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.If you believe in Jesus- that’s great. That’s what we’re supposed to do- but we should live with a healthy understanding of who he is and what he is. What he has done, what he will do and what he could do.The same God who said- Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”Is the same God who said Ezekiel 25:17 I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I lay My vengeance upon them.”Have a healthy fear of Him. Water, Guns, Electricity, these are all great things- but if you don’t respect them- They will destroy you.Love God- Get in his lap- but respect him.

Forget your past sin- just serve God

20 Then Samuel said to the people, “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. 21 And do not turn aside; for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing.Samuel challenges the people to say- you did wrong. You sinned- But you cant live there- you cant live in the past or spend all your time worrying about itIf you turn back to your sin- it is “empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing”But you Got to move past your past sins.Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

https://youtu.be/orEgm9WVv-o

Have you ever wanted to get the prize and the recognition? Emptying the dishwasher

Nahash comes up and fights jabesh-gilead. Immediately they make concessions. Nahash- I’ll take your right eyes. Jabesh says 7 days to see if we can fight. People find out and they weep.Saul was in his field, wonders why the people are weeping. They tell him and he gets super mad. He cuts up a yoke of oxen and says anyone who doesn’t fight is going to get this treatment. The people come out as one even tho they are afraid. There is 300k of them. They tell them they are going to be saved tomorrow, and they are glad. Jabesh submits to Saul as king. Saul puts them in 3 companies. They rout the ammonites until mid afternoon. Then the people remember that some people said Saul couldn’t save them, lets kill those dudes. But Saul is the bigger man. He says, salvation is here. Lets renew the kingdom. The people finally submit to Saul and then they party.This is a great story. Great parts of the story Killing until the heat of the day. Salvation comes upon Israel! Death- mayhemSaul makes it happen, the people make it happen! Go to War- ammonites lose. Israel winsAt the end- some people want to go back and kill the haters who didn’t support SaulSaul sets them straight “The Lord Worked Salvation in Israel”

Saul knew it was God’s power- his purpose- it was HIM that did it. Not Saul. Not the People. Only God Such a great leader to give the glory to God and not himself.Who do you glorify for your wins? You, or God? “God Glorifying Death Machine”When people look at your life, are you a person that gives God glory, or yourself. Who did what? Do you take all the credit, or do you give God all the credit?

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;Because that’s what we’re supposed to be doing “proclaim the praises of Him”In this participation trophy, everyone is a winner society in which we live, people so desperately want to get the glory- when the goal is for GOD to be glorified- not US. Make HIM BIG us smallWhen you become a Christian- you relinquish any rights you may have to recognition or gloryYour job is now to give God glory- to help others praise HIS name. If you have demands, u wrong1 Chronicles 16:28-29 Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. 29 Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!These are not the only ways to give God glory- but from this story- we have a good startHow to give God glory

Salvation brings glory to him

12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who ishe who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel.”This story of Saul with Israel is a pre-cursor to King Jesus- who will save Israel from their sinsSaul here is already displaying the heart of God- that salvation is possible only through himGod was able to save Israel from the Accuser- Nahash- the serpent- the one who was trying to bargain with Jabesh “Give me your eye and I will not destroy you”The Bible says the wages of sin is death- that deals with the Devil bring deathBut Jabesh did not submit to Nahash. They wanted to- but they resisted James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

God delivers Jabesh and the Ammonites are destroyed, only by the grace of God- had it not been for God, they would have become slaves to Nahash (no power w/o eye) but God saved!

https://youtu.be/AtAEf2UTHDc

1 Samuel 10: 17-27 Shut your mouth

Saul is anointed king and immediately there are detractors that want to challenge what God has done in Saul.V 24 So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”V27 “How can this man save us” So they despised him and brought him no presentsFolks, upon God doing something in your life, almost immediately, there will be people who will come around and try to discourage what God is doing in your life. They wont like itTo your face they will rejoice, but in their hearts, they are not on your side, they are against youYou may be justified, or in a position to assert your position or power and put them in their place, but pay them no mindSaul, being King, could have done whatever he wanted to them at this point, because he was king, but he didn’t. He held his peace. He didn’t attack. He didn’t destroy. He didn’t instigate. He didn’t assert. He held his peace.

Reminded me of Jesus, his trial and crucifixion and how he didn’t defend himself eitherMatthew 27:14 But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly.1 Peter 2:23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.Often times, when faced with opposition, we must remain silent and allow the Holy Spirit to do his work- we must HOLD OUR PEACEGod is a much better vindicator than you.

Rom 12:19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.Now, when I am saying this, I don’t want you to think that you’re unable to defend yourself, or speak up against injustice, or explain to your boss what happened at work.It is against those who would attack you from the shadows of your life. The ‘haters’ if you willProverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’

There is always a contingent of people who wish your demise. They want you to engage in their instigation, and when you do, you look stupid and lessen your witness because you’ve been dragged into a needless confrontation that God can work out more effectively than you.A coworker who may not like you. A neighbor who may gossip. An acquaintance speaking against you. A family member who likes to cause strife. A church attender who is not savedThe closer you get to God, the more detractors you will have because they do not like it. Now, if you’re living wrong, this doesn’t apply to you, get your life right. God doesn’t defend the rebellious or divisive. but if you’re living right, then you can hold your peace. God will defendHow was Saul able to hold his peace as king? How was he able to not engage?

The chosen hold their peace

v 21 And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. V 23 “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?”We have been walking through the choosing, calling and anointing of Saul as KingIn this moment, he has an opportunity to exert his kingly power and influence over these detractors, but he doesn’t. He knows who he is. He was already part of Israel- knew his lineDeut 7:6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of...

https://youtu.be/nZYEuE_1jmA

Dismiss Your Thinking Ideas                                      Acts 9:10-17

Acts 9:10-17 Now there was a believer[a] in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied.

11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers[b] in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is MY chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

I wanted to name this sermon – Dismiss your thinking

Dangerous because – you might apply that to other parts of your life

Idea – formulated thought or opinion

Thinking – the process of using one’s mind to consider or reason about something

I have a strong opinion about lots of stuff- Like chocolate …Its really nasty, its smells and taste gross – Not sure how they can create a whole industry that is profitable out of this gross stuff. That I can avoid …however, when it comes to God, whom I love dear, in order for me to live in His will, I have to dismiss my opinion of who He is.

When Moses saw the burning bush and spoke to God. God said I AM WHO I AM

Exodus 3:13- 14 But Moses protested, “If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?”

14 God replied to Moses, “I am who i am.[a] Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.”

Commentary (“I am that which I am.” My nature, i.e., cannot be declared in words, cannot be conceived of by human thought. I exist in such sort that my whole mysterious nature is implied in my existence. I exist, as nothing else does—necessarily, eternally, really. If I am to give myself a name expressive of my nature, so far as language can be, let me be called “I AM.”)

But my nature, my fresh and everything around me …tries to tell me that I need to know. I have to analyze and quantify …then compare and then draw a conclusion so that I can make the best decision that will affect my next move. (Painful)

I choose to live my life under Matthew 6:33- 34

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

When I read this story of Saul being transformed, I have to look at it from God’s point of view because when I l...

https://youtu.be/m7oPtC-rDGw

Conversion of Paul

“It is hard for you to kick against the pricks” was a Greek proverb, but it was also familiar to the Jews and anyone who made a living in agriculture. An ox goad was a stick with a pointed piece of iron on its tip used to prod the oxen when plowing. The farmer would prick the animal to steer it in the right direction. Sometimes the animal would rebel by kicking out at the prick, and this would result in the prick being driven even further into its flesh. In essence, the more an ox rebelled, the more it suffered.

Thus, Jesus’ words to Saul on the road to Damascus: “It is hard for you to kick against the pricks.”

Jesus took control of Paul and let him know his rebellion against God was a losing battle. Paul’s actions were as senseless as an ox kicking “against the goads.” Paul had passion and sincerity in his fight against Christianity, but he was not heading in the direction God wanted him to go. Jesus was going to goad (“direct” or “steer”) Paul in the right direction.

This is approximately 5 years after the cross-

First things first-

Jesus says, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

Who was Saul persecuting? The church- whom did Jesus say he was persecuting? Jesus

This is what Jesus said in Matthew 25:31-46

Every worthy commentary says the same thing, “as much as you have done it, or not done it to the brethren in Christ; you have done it to Me”

Who are His brethren?  Matthew 12:46-50

EX: Matt served in the military and was one 2 separate deployments. I sent care boxes to him and to other guys who were deployed, even after he came back. We spent holidays with a bunch of soldiers. We had community with them, but they were not our family. This church is my family. We have had the last I cannot count how many  Thanksgivings and Christmas’ with the Webster family + others

Who are the sheep of His pasture?

John 10:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

1 John 3:13-24

This is not a feeling love- but agape love, a purposeful love of the mind and the will, this love has to be developed

So Jesus says, when I persecute my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am persecuting Him

When talk bad about them, I am talking about bad about Him

When I forsake the gathering of the brethren, I am forsaking Him

When I reject and despise the church, her pastors and leadership; when I rebel against the pastor’s authority, I am rejecting, despising and rebelling against Him

When I refuse to tithe to the church, God says I am robbing HIM. Tithing is not a suggestion- it’s a command of God and the way He takes care of His church

Ananias and Sapphira weren’t lying to Peter, they were lying to the HS

EX: 2003 was the year my daughter was born and the same year we started the church- the Lord has always spoke to me about the church in terms of my child. The way I feel about Faith and Gabe is the way I feel about this church. Talk about my kids, you’re talking about me. Reject my children, you are rejecting me.

When I love the brethren, I love Him

Francis Chan said this:

“lukewarm people love God,

https://youtu.be/E3Bv3CoC9wo

Samuel meets Saul. Saul is told what to do, how to do it, is filled and built up and told to go.If you’re going to be useful to God, there are some basic boxes that have to be checked.Look at v 9-10 9 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel,He turns away from Samuel, God gives him a new heart, the signs come to pass, He meets prophets, the spirit of God comes upon him and he himself prophesies among them.Powerful powerful stuff that happens in his life. He’s being empowered to become kingYou need empowerment to be able to live this life.None of that would have happened if he hadn’t turned his back on Samuel. The talking time was over. It was now the doing time.He had to go and do what he was supposed to do, but turned his back- changed his direction- turned the way that he was going- started going in a new directionAre you willing to turn your back? Are you willing to do what it takes to be used by God?

To turn your back You must be filled with the Holy Spirit

1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?This was the beginning of Saul’s transformation. Oil was the symbol of the Holy Spirit and when the anointing of a priest/king was to happen, the oil was the symbol of the HS being upon themBig guys in the Bible were always filled. Acts 4:8 Peter, Filled with the Spirit Acts 13:9 Paul, filled with the spirit Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the spiritExodus 28-30 Outlines Oil and priests and consecration. This is the moment for Saul. Its not just an oil bath, it is a baptism of the Holy Spirit upon him.Saul couldn’t serve God, do what he was supposed to do without the Holy SpiritKing Nebuchanezzer in the OT said of Daniel that he had the Holy Spirit. Its Seen!

What does it mean to you?Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? This is the most important component of your spiritual success. Salvation is the first part of your experience of Faith, but you must be filled!John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.Its how we live! Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,It’s a promise! Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.Father- Repentance Son- Forgiveness Holy Spirit- IndwellingEphesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.I thes 5:19 Do not Quench the SpiritGalatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.The calling of God comes from outside, not inside. There will always be confirmation outsideSamuel was doing what God told him to do, not what Saul asked him to do

Here’s the issue- many people have made an agreement to follow Jesus, have repented from their sin, but they haven’t had a ‘moment’ With the holy Spirit.We’re not going to go into the specifics right now- but the truth is that you’ll know when you receive it, you’ll know if you have it, and you’ll know if you don’t.If you ask the Father for it, he will give it to you. If you seek for it you will find it.But you must ask for it. You need it to live in this world. If you don’t have the spirit you wont make itGetting donuts in college- vw bus out of gas in downtown seattle at 7amGalatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

https://youtu.be/JE7APQ1-mKs

Drake and God’s Plan v 24

1 Sam 9:15-27- Choosing of Saul. Prophet, choosing, ends with a dinner with a thigh of meat.There’s a song called “God’s plan” by and Artist named Drake. I don’t want to besmirch him as a person, but for context, this song is one of the biggest hits of the past 25 years. 101m streams. 858m views on youtube. Drake is worth 120m at 31 years old. He’s an influencer.The problem with “God’s plan” is that songs like that influence people to believe that because Drake says that his life is “God’s plan” that somehow God has looked down from heaven, made Drake a millionaire with mansions, and a child with a porn star on the back of Godless lyrics.People look and see his worldly ‘success’ and justify it as ‘god’s plan’. This is not gods plan.

God’s plan comes from him, not you

15 Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, “the Lord had told”That’s the beginning of God’s plan. It comes from him. Not you. Samuel didn’t go to God and say “tell me who the king will be because we want one” God sees the issue, he speaks to Samuel so Samuel can do HIS planThis is where the disconnect happens for many people. They come up with a plan, and then they come to God asking him to bless it instead of waiting for God to give HIS plan. (dating)Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.God is working a cosmic plan to bring about his eternal endsEven in this story, God is laying the groundwork for the supreme King- Jesus. Saul is going to be flawed- very flawed- proving to the Israelites the fallacy of having an earthly king other than God.The problem is that often people who don’t even know the God of the Bible want to think that they know God’s plan, but if you Don’t know God, you don’t know his plan.To the reprobate nations Micah spoke- Micah 4:12 But they do not know the thoughts of the Lord, Nor do they understand His counsel;If you are not a believer of Jesus, reading his word, walking in his ways, you cannot discern his plan. You are not in his plan or on his team.God’s plan may not make sense to you- but it makes sense to God and that is all that mattersJob 23:13 “But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does.

What does it mean to you?If you are not on the God plan, you are walking in rebellion. God’s plan is not your will its his.Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin;Paul even said in 1 Cor 1: 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?He wanted his plans to be God’s plan. Not fleshly. Not of his own design.Who is making your plans for your life? You? Or God?Jobs, spouses, houses, location to live, Friends to have, how to spend your money, how to spend your time?The first step to understanding God’s plan is to die to yourself. If you aren’t dead to yourself, you can never understand or live out God’s plan. It will not workGalatians 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.If you are being ran by your desires and passions the Bible says you’re are not Christs

God’s plan is his timing v16 “Tomorrow about this time”

God told Samuel who and God told Samuel WhenThe plans of God are on HIS timeline not yours. God is fine with you waiting. It doesn’t botherLike when parents make kids wait- The kid thinks they are going to die, parents notsomuchEven when God sent Jesus- it was on HIS timeline-Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of the tim...

https://youtu.be/pv2BvW5yawA

Divine Appointment (Acts 8:26-40)

– Proverbs 16:9, A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

– Over the past couple weeks, we have been talking about Philip. Described as a “Man of faith and filled with the Holy Spirit”. Today, he meets a eunuch on the road and shares the gospel with him.

– When the great persecution of Christians began, Philip left out from Jerusalem and continued preaching the Good News about Jesus from Samaria to Caesarea.

– Philip went from Jerusalem north to Samaria. Pastor Kevin said 22 hours by foot (65 miles)

– Then from Samaria south to the desert place, another 35 hours by foot, approx. 100 miles

– It’s 2,400 miles from Ethiopia to Jerusalem. That’s how far the Eunuch had to travel to get to the temple and worship. This was more than a casual decision. He is looking for something.

– I’m just trying to put into scale this “chance” meeting on the desert road.

– When we consider the idea of divine appointments, it’s important to see how cosmically unlikely it would be for these two to just “run into each other”. They had both travelled many hard miles from opposite directions, to reach this spot for a Holy Spirit encounter.

– Example: I thought 20 hours of travel time to get to Cambodia was long, but there we met Chan.

– Veterans on the mission field looking for “Healing through Service“, from the physical and emotional wounds of war and trauma. 7,000 miles away from home.

– Chan, father of the local missionary, told stories of his own military service (Khmer Rouge), fighting in those very fields by day, and clearing off the dead bodies by night.

– He was captured, beaten, left for dead, suffering in a field hospital… “Why did I live?!”

– A nurse there quietly shared Jesus with him, and he and his whole household were saved.

– His heart was completely healed, but still in physical pain he prayed, “Heal my pain, but even if you never do, Jesus, I will serve you no matter what.” Jesus healed his physical pain too!

– He found physical & spiritual healing from trauma through Jesus. Healing is possible through Jesus Christ!

– As we were beginning our healing journey, and he was ending his, this one short week was exactly what we needed, to see the future and hope that Jesus brings to our lives. We are still alive!

– He died 6 months later. We won’t see him again until we get to heaven.

– God will send you places & put people in your path for a reason. He knows what He’s doing!

– If you will be willing and obedient, amazing things can happen.

– Look forward to these moments, and listen to the Holy Spirit when he calls you.

Go where He sends you, when He sends you.

Read Acts 8:26-30

– Philip had left Jerusalem and went north to preach the gospel to a town full of hungry souls.

– Now the Angel is telling him, “Arise and go…” 100 miles in the opposite direction in to the desert!

– Why?! It’s unlikely that anyone would even be in this deserted place. It’s inconvenient, inefficient, and makes no sense.

– Galatians 5:25, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

– Philip was a Spirit-filled man,

https://youtu.be/SSTjsk4fEec

How long?    Joshua 18:1-6

Great privilege to honor our senior Pastor’s Pastor Matt and Pastor Crystal

As we do life together, I have an opportunity to know and see these guys heart. I know you do to.

They are accessible, they are loving, they care so much about our spiritual growth

I could spend the next hour heaping praise on what they have done because they are great people who love people, who worship, love and honor God

Pastor Matt and Pastor Crystal, you guys pour out so much to all of us and today we want to encourage you so you can continue to do what you do.

We want to let us know what a great impact you have on our lives, our families live and all those around us.

A short break, then on Tuesday the congregation can start calling you again.

I speak from a point of transformations – My life, Eva’s life and our girls’ lives have been changed for good forever

Pastor Matt, you have taught me so many things and one of the greatest is to be vulnerable before God…man did I have walls, and as I watched you weep as you preached, I watched and learnt to soften my heart…This allowed God in and He began a work in me

Pastor Crystal- you taught me to face my past through the eyes of God. I heard you share your struggles and how you have overcome because of Christ.

You were bold and you continue to be by showing us your scars, and those scars signify great healing, great love from God and the power overcome. Though I was a sinner, I could still be used by God. I praise God

I am not an exception – One family that goes to our church said ….

Pastors Matt and Pastor Crystal have impacted our lives beyond the description of words. There was a time in our family’s life where we were at a breaking point. Pastors Matt and Crystal came along side us and they were the vessels God used to not only save our family but help it flourish the way God intended it to. ………After a few months of them pouring into us day and night, our marriage took a complete 180 degree turn. Honestly the reason for this was that we were obedient to our shepherds and did EVERYTHING they told us to do. We didn’t get offended. We didn’t get upset. We listened and obeyed. They continue to pour into us and our family and their faithfulness to their flock is incomprehensible. 

When I first came to Faith and Victory, my life was a disaster. It was through this church and the preaching of the true gospel that I was led to a real relationship with Jesus and it changed my life. He restored everything I had lost, destroyed, or allowed to be taken from me, including my marriage, finances, and relationships. I’ve gained friends closer than brothers, helped start two ministries, and serve in several others by the grace of God. He’s healed me of several addictions, given me freedom from sin that had enslaved me for years, and empowered me to serve Him in ways I never would have imagined.

Joshua story – Joshua 18:1-6 Now that the land was under Israelite control, the entire community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tabernacle.[a] 2 But there remained seven tribes who had not yet been allotted their grants of land.

3 Then Joshua asked them, “How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given to you? 4 Select three men from each tribe, and I will send them out to explore the land and map it out. They will then return to me with a written report of their propo...

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Check your Roots!!

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. 5 Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. 6 Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil[a] spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

Recap

Saul whose life was turned around and his name changed was there

I will not look in the life of Saul but I want us to know that you are never far too gone for God to use you

We can talk about forgiveness and mercy -and what it looks like all is lost, and then God captures your heart

But today I want us to look at what follows after the killing of Stephen

“A great wave of persecution began” The Pharisee, Saul included thought they had won by killing Stephen and now they went for the others

Saul went house to house- there was no peace or any place to hide.

I feel like this is a timely message and we need to pay extra attention because, a time is nearing for greater persecution

Think about it – these guys have been uprooted from their normal lives, some are thrown in jail and others are run off away from home

I wonder what that would look like today- In our busy, cell phone in hand life, if we had to be run from our homes for speaking the word of God.

For believing and testifying what God has been doing.

These believers were preaching the truth, the life of Jesus killed and resurrected, yet they were sought to be killed

The bible says that they “and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.”

The believers were scattered – When I first read this, I thought that they scattered and ran away and hide. But no, that not what they did

They preached the good news about Jesus whenever they went

How deep are you rooted in Christ that you see one of your believers killed, the others put to jail and you are next, you go to another city and instead of hiding and letting things cool down, you end up preaching the good news

“4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went”

I know that these believers were praying for Stephen, for their fellow believers, yet God did not answer their prayers the way they hoped.

I wonder what happens to us when the word around us falls apart. When prayers don’t get answered the way we are hoping

When a loved one whom we have been praying for loses the fightWhen a kid we have been raising right decide to deviate from the truthWhen we lose a job even though we were on our knees praying for God to keep providing