Impact Church London

Series: “NOT”  Sermon #5:  “NOT Orphans”

John 14:18 “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

Orphans:— (orphanos) fatherless bereft of parents, comfortless 

Acts 2:33  “Being therefore lifted high by and to the  right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promised [blessing which is the] Holy Spirit, He has made  this outpouring which you yourselves both  see and hear.” 

No one can effectively function in this life without the blessing.  BLESSED:– (barak) to endue with power for success, prosperity, fruitfulness and longevity. To empower to prosper.

“Kids have a hole in their soul in the shape of their dad. And if a father is unwilling or unable to fill that role, it can leave a wound that is not easily healed.” — Roland Warren. (CEO Care-Net)

Favourite Quotes From My Dad:

“Everything is going to be all right.”

“Our Gracious and Loving Heavenly Father.”

J. Karl Thomas

I may share a title with the father but I am nothing like God.  … He’s The Father … He Really is.

Most loving thing you can do is say sorry when you fall short.

Never a distraction or a nuisance.    Hey Pastor Karl!!! (My Kids!)

John 3:16-17 “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 (ever lasting) life.”

“For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound 

through Him.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 (AMPC) “But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ;…

… [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).

Matthew 7:11  “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”

1. How Much More Happy

Happy to welcome and embrace you!     Never grumpy or in a bad mood.

Mark 10:14-16 “But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. … And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.”

2. How Much More Ready

Available to care for you!    Never too engaged to not be there for you.

Matthew 10:29-31 “You can buy two sparrows for only a copper coin, yet not even one sparrow falls from its nest without the knowledge of your Father. Aren’t you worth much more to God than many sparrows? So don’t worry. For your Father cares deeply about even the smallest detail of your life.”

3. How Much More Personal

John 5:17  “Everyday MY Father is a working…”  INTIMATE  (Sunday School Song “Father Up Above)

Do you know how hard it is to be 14 years old in 2021???

1 John 4:10  (NLT) “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”

You are the object of His obsession!

1 John 4:11 (NLT)  “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.”

(GOD) “Would you help Me to share My love with the fatherless  and broken?” 

Love is messy!

Psalm 68:5-6 “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation. God sets the solitary in families;”

Romans 5:5   “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

NOT ORPHANS … We are blessed to be a blessing. 

We are loved to share the Love of Jesus to Others!!!

Series -“NOT” Sermon #4 – “Do Not Fear”

Bumble bee … flew in the car … they really annoy me … been stung a few times … I got so preoccupied with the bee that I took my foot off the brake and hit the car in front of me.

Fear is destructive. Fear hinders the revelation of the Kingdom Of God in your life.

Worry:– to strangle

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties it of its strength.”  Corrie Ten Boom

Luke 12:32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

“”Fear not or a version of it is found 365 x’s in the bible.  God placed one there for every day of the year.      Leap year … you’re on your own!

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 23:10 “One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the Lord your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Do not yield to fear, for I am always near. Never turn your gaze from me, for I am your faithful God. I will infuse you with my strength and help you in every situation. I will hold you firmly with my victorious right hand.”

2 Timothy is all about Paul in his last moments speaking to his spiritual Son Timothy. (In his mid 30’s) From a place of Imprisonment in Rome. Season of great pressure and persecution. Caesar Nero and his secret police are tormenting believers. Paul going die in humiliating way.

Church History tells us that Timothy has turned Paul’s work into a MEGA church 10,000 people in Ephesus … a city full of temples and worship to many God’s … many religions

Timothy my son you are called and empowered to take this life changing message to the whole world. Do shrink back from this. Don’t be timid or fearful.

2 Timothy 1:6-8 “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,”

Real fear response. Built in survival reflex. Real physiological reaction … energy alertness adrenaline … Fight Flight or Freeze 

Real fear has two imperatives:

1. Imminent        2. Potent      Afraid of rattle snakes … but none present so … no fear

First thing we must clarify!!!

It is not from God!!! God did not give you a spirit of fear.  

God never uses fear as a tool to shape or motivate people to engage His purpose.

Where is it from? Devil

Demonic but can be spread by people … fear can be taught and learned

How do I know if it is a spirit of fear?  What is it rooted in?  Accusation Deception Temptation

1. Shame based fear:   Accusation (Accuser)

Genesis 3:9-10 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Poor concept of God … enemies in your mind!    Punitive view of instead of restorative

If lack confidence before God you are being pressured by a spirit of fear

Sin consciousness rather than grace consciousness 

He is not your accuser he is your advocate … Constantly standing in the gap for you before the Father.

Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.”

2. Ignorance Based Fear:  (Deception)

Deceived … false evidence appears real

Wrong focus! listening to the wrong voices …  Marriages are failing … blah blah blah!!!

Watch too many horror movies … opened a door to fear!!!   Exposing your self to wrong stuff.

Proverbs 29:25  “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

Quit being an approval addict … God loves you … he approves you!!!

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,”

1 Corinthians 1:30 “For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption.”

3. Fatigue Based Fear:   (Temptation … trial)

Worn out from seeming constant attack … accusation … Apostle Paul … Enough already.

Luke 4:13 “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.”

Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”    Small “s” spirit.   Your born again spirit is in union with God … Strong Spirit.

Proverbs 18:14 (AMPC) “The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?”

Qualities Of God Given Spirit:

1. POWER — Dunamis Power … inherent mighty power.

2. LOVE — Agape … the God kind of self- sacrificial love. 

 1 John 4:18 “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

3. SOUND MIND —  compound word … “Sodzo”  Saved whole peace  Full Understanding! 

1 Corinthians 2:16  “But we have the mind of Christ.”

TIMOTHY —  A God Given Spirit That Enable You To Do Two Things:

      There is a deposit of God in you that will empower you for success … something is in your 

      hand  …. there is a passion a vision he has placed in your heart!!!

Romans 1:16-17  “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Paul wasn’t in chains because he preached good behaviour or that he preached against Sin.

He was in chains because he boldly proclaimed that Jesus is God! And that He came to forgive our sins and deliver us from death. He gave us eternal life and it is all freely given and embraced by faith alone!!!

Don’t be afraid! God has given you a strong spirit, to use  His deposit in you, to proclaim the wonderful good news that God loves you and sent His son to deliver you form this broken world and bring you to himself … into His family!!!

“NOT” Series — #3  “I CanNOT Sin”

John 3:17-18

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

John 1:17-18 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”  Jesus Is God!!!

Are you going partner with Moses or Jesus as you confront sin?

Religion attempts to cancel people, we are here to reconcile.

Religion looks to disqualify people, we are here to qualify.

Romans 5:18-19 (Message)

“Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.”

Romans 6:14

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Romans 6:17-18

“But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. “

1 John 2:1-2

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

When you act outside of the nature of God you are not behaving like your regenerated self.

That’s when your faith has to be activated. I am a child of God!!!

Jesus as your advocate completely backs you up. 

1 John 3:9

“Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

Two basic views of verse 9

1. Habitual — problem, sin is okay, its habitual sin that is bad 

NO NO NO!!!

2. Absolute — You are free form sin absolutely. Still It is never okay. Don’t do it. It is destructive.

“The provision for our salvation originated in the love of God. And since we have experienced the love of the Father, we have no desire to live in sin.”   Warren Wiersbe

“He could have hardly meant that Christ sins not at all and those who abide in Him sin but not a lot. John’s point is clearly that sin is never an expression of abiding in Christ. When we abide we do not sin at all.”

Bob Wilkin — (Do BornAgain People Sin)

“The fact that he has been begotten of God excludes the possibility of his committing sin as an expression of his true character, though actual sins may, and do, occur so far as he fails from weakness to realize his true character.”   A.E. Brooke

“All he thought about for three straight month prior was falling. It was the first time he ever thought about falling, alway before he thought about nothing but walking the tightrope.”

Helen Wallenda — wife of Karl Wallenda 

Hebrews 10:2 (b)

“For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.”

Freedom comes from your focus on His finished work and not on trying not to fail.

John 8:2-11 (NET)

“Early in the morning he came to the temple courts again. All the people came to him, and he sat down and began to teach them. The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them …

Leviticus 20:10

“The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress, shall surely be put to death.”

… and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. …

…When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones …

vs. 9 NKJV “Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.”    “presbyteros”:—  Elders Bishops Leaders

… until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. (until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. NLT) Jesus stood up straight and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?’

She replied, “No one, Lord (Koo’-ree-os) (Aramaic:— Yahweh).” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

(“Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.” TPT)

There are consequences for bad decisions but there is no condemnation or judgement from your Saviour JESUS!

Romans 5:8   “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Sermon – “Not Guilty”

Impact Church London, 

May 30th, 2021 

Recap: New Sermon Series “Not.” Started with: “The Fire Must Not Go Out.”

We can bring clarity and precision to what “is,” by eliminating what is “not.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Strange fire: We can be very subtly persuaded to continue our life in Christ by our own efforts and abilities.

Intro: 

Acts 1:8

Romans 1:16

Ephesians 6:15

The good news is characterized by peace. The Gospel is not adversarial, it is the announcement that God has brought us peace. We can’t share the Gospel with a mentality that is “us vs them” or “insiders vs outsiders.”

2 Corinthians 5:19

John 3:17 

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Sermon: “Not Guilty!”

What if the Good News we shared was this: 

2 Corinthians 5:19

You are forgiven. You are not guilty! God has reconciled you to himself and is not holding yours sins against you!

John 1:29

2 Corinthians 5:21

John 3:17

Jesus didn’t come to point out our problem, but to fix it. The law brought condemnation, Jesus brought grace and truth. 

2 Corinthians 3:7-9

1 John 2:2

1 Timothy 4:10

What if in light of these “nots”, we shared the Gospel as the announcement of forgiveness rather that forgives as something that is possible if you just trade God your x, y, z for his forgiveness? 

In the spirit of “not,” we are not:

* Saved by our decision or commitment. 

John 1:12-13

* We aren’t saved by our own ability to pump up faith… 

Ephesians 2:8

* We weren’t saved by our ability to repent. Repentance is a gift. 

Acts 5:31

John 1:9

Confess = voice the same conclusion: FORGIVEN ! 

John 3:17-18

God condemns no one. The ultimate reason why people don’t experience salvation has nothing to do with God: 

John 3:19-20

The judgement and subsequent condemnation that is on anyone is this : the light has come, but people preferred to choose darkness over the light.

John 3:21

Not saved by “light” deeds, but by the recognition of their existence and acceptance of the light. 

Summary: 

2 Corinthians 5:16

We must now see everyone not after what they are in the flesh, in Adam, in their fallen humanity, but we must see them according to what Christ has done.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Newness is found in Christ and what he did. He took on all of humanity and in him we all live and move and have our being. 

2 Corinthians 5: 14-15

We all died in Christ, and we all live in him. The question is are living for Him by faith. 

2 Corinthians 5:18

We have all been reconciled to God. Some of us just don’t know it or won’t accept it. But those who do, they have been given a ministry to announce reconciliation to all.

2 Corinthians 5:19

God is not counting our sins or the sins of the world against them. Sin is not the issue, the SON is. Therefore, because he :

2 Corinthians 5:19b

What should we do? 

2 Corinthians 5:20

2 Corinthians 5:21

All of humanity stands before God not guilty! The verdict has gone out, you are accepted, loved, forgiven, and made new. Will you accept that? Will you receive that as truth? When you do you will discover that you are already standing in a room full of light, all you did was dare to open your eyes.  

Romans 5:1-2 (MSG)

2 Corinthians 5:19

Sermon Notes – Not Guilty!

Series – “NOT”  Sermon #1 – “The Fire Must Not Go Out.”

Picture of the “Fire Fall,”  Began inadvertently in 1872 James McCailey pushed remnants of campfire over the hill … 3200 feet … waterfall of fire. People began to ask for it nightly.

Developed a whole program for people to engage: Camp Curry would bellow out the following exchange with a firemaster at Glacier Point… “Hello, Glacier Point!”  “Hello, Camp Curry!” “Is the fire ready?”  “The fire is ready!”  “Let the Fire Fall!”  “The Fire Falls!”

stopped the practice  Jan 28, 1968 … it was a manmade spectacle in a Natural park.

Fellow went back to visit Yosemite Park. Went as a child and he remembered the “Fire Fall”.

He asked park Ranger: “When does the Fire Fall.” The Ranger responded: “The fire doesn’t fall here anymore.”

Very sad when people visit the house of God to see the fire fall, only to find out, “the fire doesn’t fall here anymore.”

The only thing that distinguishes the people of God is the FIRE FALL!!!

D.L. Moody said: “You might as well try to hear without ears, or breathe without lungs, as try to live a Christian life without the Spirit of God in your heart.”

“Put fire in the sermon or put the sermon in the fire!!”   Charles Spurgeon 

Acts 1:4  “And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me;’”

1 Thessalonians 5:19  “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire;” (GW)  “Do not quench the Spirit.” (NKJV)

quench (sbennymi) :— to extinguish, of fire or things on fire, to stifle Divine influence

2 Timothy 1:6  “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”

Zechariah 4:6 “So he answered and said to me: This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.”

Leveiticus 6:13  “The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”

Leviticus 9:10, 21 “Then Moses said, ‘This is the thing which the Lord commanded you to do, and the glory of the Lord will appear to you.’ … Aaron waved as a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses had commanded.”

Leviticus 9:23-24 “Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.”

Leviticus 10:1-2 “Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.”

“Using carnal means to kindle devotion and praise.”  C.I. Schofield

 “All not done in worship and service, in dependence upon the Holy Spirit of God and under His guidance, in obedience to the Word of God.”  Arno Gabelein

Galatians 3:3

“Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (NKJV)

How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?  (NLT)

Strange Fire:– It is fire that you try to produce yourself rather than taking fire off the alter.

2 Timothy 3:5  (NLT) “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!”

We have an electric fire box. Fake fire. I control it with a remote.

We have two real fire places. You can’t control those fires. You tend them but they have a life of there own. And when you touch it you will be impacted.  WILD

John 17:4, 22 “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. …  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:” 

The fire is a symbol of acceptance and approval. 

Fire fell on the tabernacle.     Fire fell on the temple.       Fire fell on the church.

The fire prepares and identifies God’s dwelling place on earth. 

Matthew 3:11 “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” 

The mission of Jesus is to get you filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can realize the eternal purpose of the Father … “Earth filled with my Glory.”

2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 “God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

You get baptized and smeared with the Divine person of the Holy Ghost!

“They thought they got an experience. They kept trying to get another experience like that one … it was Someone – a Divine Personality – who came to live in them. He is a Heavenly Being: the Holy Spirit” Kenneth Hagin

You can’t be more or less anointed but you can be have more revelation on the benefits of the anointing. 

You can also position yourself to be more effective in the flow and operation of the anointing … be more intentional

Intentional Spirit Filled Life:

1. Be Rich In The Word      John 3:34 (AMP) 

“For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God’s own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!”

2. Commit To Learning       Proverbs 1:23  (NLT)

“Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you (pour my Sprit on you NKJV) and make you wise.”

3. Manifest The Obedience Of Faith   Acts 5:32 (TPT)

“We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God freely gives to all who believe in him.”

4. Practice Divine Confidence     Acts 4:13 

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, … they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” 

Acts 4:31 “… were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” 

5. Fix Yourself In His Joy Acts 13:52 (TPT) 

“They left the new converts in Antioch overflowing with the joy of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 “…fill you with all joy… through the power of the Holy Ghost.” 

Series — “I’m Ready” Sermon #6 — “Vision Of Glory”

Tommy Barnett being interviewed:  “Looking back over all your years ofr ministry what would you do different?”     “I would dream bigger and I would risk more!” 

Pictures of our new location and video of quick visit — See youtube channel.

Vs7 (MSG) “I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe. Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:”

Psalm 57:5, 11 (NKJV) “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.”

(Message)  “Cover the whole earth with your glory!”

How you see the future determines much of how you live your life right now.

How you see God’s purpose unfolding in the “Last Days” has a great affect on how you attempt to live in the present.

Acts 13:36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.”

Acts 3:19-21   “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ,…

…who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”

RESTORATION:— apokatastasis  from apo, “back, again,” kathistemi, “to set in order,”

(Thayer Greek Lexicon) — the restoration not only of the true theocracy but also of that more perfect state of (even physical) things which existed before the fall.

Numbers 14:21  “But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.” 

Isaiah 6:3  “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

Isaiah 40:5  “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” 

Habakkuk 2:2-3 “Then the Lord answered me and said: ‘Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.’”

Habakkuk 2:14   “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”

Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER!!!

Press Release (09,19,2018) “About half of the world’s countries now have poverty rates below 3 percent, …  In the 25 years from 1990 to 2015, the extreme poverty rate dropped an average of a percentage point per year – from nearly 36% to 10%.”  (worldbank.org)

“Violence has been in decline over long stretches of time and we may be living in the most peaceful time in our species’ existence.”  Harvard professor Steven Pinker   (A History of Violence: Edge Master Class 2011)

Life Expectancy For Men In Canada:     1920 — 58.8      2020 — 81.6

Life Expectancy For Women In Canada:     1920 — 60.6        2020 — 87.3

John 14:1  “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” 

Matthew 16:18   “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Jesus is engaged right now in establishing His government in the earth.

Ephesians 3:21 “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” 

Colossians 1:27  “…what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  Greek “Humin” you:– plural of you, ye, yourselves

Matthew 24:21 “For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again.”

Jesus listed ten signs in connection with a great tribulation and all of them were fulfilled within a five month period in AD70.

What if I believe the Great Tribulation is in the future?

How do you know we are not in the great tribulation right now?

Because we are still here!

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 “…you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11  “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”

To tell people you are going to to have to suffer through diabolical nonsense but after seven years God is going to rescue you … that won’t bring about comfort!!!

Beheadings and horrible treatment … not good news!!!

God would never say He is preparing us as His bride  … and then say that before the wedding I’m going to hand you over to some evil man to abuse you for seven years so that you will learn to appreciate me.

Luke 17:26-30 “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:  They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.  …

Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”

The feasts are God’s Timetable.

Passover                             Redemption                Jesus Death

Unleavened Bread              Righteousness           Jesus Burial                         

First Fruits                           Resurrection              Jesus Rise

Pentecost                           Regeneration              Jesus Body 

Trumpets                            Rapture                       Jesus Calls

Atonement                          Restoration                Jesus King

Tabernacles                        Rejoicing                    Jesus Reign            

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment (atomos), in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16  “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Feast Of Trumpets 2021:   Sunset September 6th.    to     Nightfall of September 8th

Isaiah 60:1-3 “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.

(TLB) “Arise, my people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you.”

We should be manifesting the goodness of God today.  Not getting sidetracked by the distractions. 

This is a season of great harvest and world needs to see the reason for our HOPE!!!I

Series —  “I’m Ready”  Sermon — “TheSpirit Of Faith”

Romans 16:13 “Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.” 

Some friends I don’t just remember them … I remember their mother.    Mrs Little  — Mrs Morris

Psalm 57:7 (KJV) “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”

“fixed” (kûwn) :– to be firm, be stable, be established, to be ready, prepared.

Psalm 57:7 (MSG)  “I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe. Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:”

Acts 20:24  “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

Acts 20:24 Message  “What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.”

Galatians 6:9  “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”    

DON’T QUIT!!!   DETERMINATION …MY HEART IS FIXED!!!!

“It’s not the size of the dog in the fight it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”  Mark Twain

Psalm 57:2-3 “I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.”

Psalm 75:1 AMPC “WE GIVE praise and thanks to You, O God, we praise and give thanks; Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near and they who invoke Your Name rehearse Your wonders.”

Acts 5:40-41 “…they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them … rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.”

Ezekiel 36:22-23  “And I will vindicate the holiness of My great name and separate it for its holy purpose from all that defiles it–My name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them–and the nations will know, understand, and realize that I am the Lord,”

David Honoured God’s Name 

1 Samuel 17:45-46 “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand,…”

Goliath:–(gollah) :– to behead ruthlessly, title, the champion, the terminator.  10 feet tall!  40 Days

Moving In The Spirit Of Faith

1. Understands His Covenant  “…is there not a cause?” vs. 29

(davar – rhema in septuigent) Do we not have a promise to appropriate. Accurate with the word.

2. Not Intimidated By Others

Philippians 1:28 “Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

3. Experienced Past Victories

4. Trusts Proven Equipment

“I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.” vs 39 

Weapons of our warfare are not carnal.   Sling Shot and 5 stones.

5. His Actions Bold

6. Knows God Owns Battle

Two gentiles came to Jesus with GREAT FAITH:

Faith of Centurion: “Great”:– (tos-oo’-tos) of quantity, so much, so large.

Gentile Woman’s Faith: “Great”:– (meg’-as) excellent, mighty, abundant, violent, intense, off the chart

Matthew 15:21-28 “‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.”

Message “…your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!”

Qualities Of Active Faith: 

1. Passionate – She cried out. This must change!

2. Knowledgable – Son of DAVID.  Informed 

3. Resilient – Not going to get offended. 

4. Extreme – “…dogs eat crumbs.”   NO DELAY Unconventional, pioneering, innovative, cutting-edge, radical,

         breakthrough!!!! There is a way!

5. Rewarded – “As you desire.”

Psalm 75:1  AMPC

“WE GIVE praise and thanks to You, O God, we praise and give thanks; Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near and they who invoke Your Name rehearse Your wonders.”

Sermon: I’m Ready – “Ready to Run” 

Impact Church London

May 2nd, 2021

Recap: Psalms 57,  a Golden Psalm of David in a cave. 

In that cave he fixed his heart, became steadfast and determined that nothing would move him. 

In the cave he learned the power of community. He embraced community, he got involved, he served, he poured his life into the people around him:

1 Samuel 22:2

In the cave, a deep dark and rotten spot, we saw the power of music, worship and song to not only transform us, but each other and the world around us. 

Intro: “Ready to Run”

The Christian life is portrayed in the Bible as a race.

Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (NIV)

“On Your Marks: Getting to the Starting line  – Getting Ready

When we talk about getting ready, about running your race, about a journey or process in Christianity you have know and be settled in this… we are talking about purpose not perfection.

We are not on a journey or running a race towards sanctification. We are not on a journey or a climb towards God. We are not running our race and living our lives with intentionality to become more perfect, to become more Christlike, more pleasing to God, to earn rewards in heaven or to attain the lofty heights of spiritual attainment.

Readiness and preparation in all its forms is not a matter of perfecting ourselves, but a question of faith, acceptance and a willingness to embrace who he is, what he has done, what he has, and what he is doing. 

Whether you know it or not, believe it or not, you are complete in Christ. 

Colossians 2:10

Hebrews 10:14  (NKJV)

By one offering he has, past tense, perfected. 

Perfected/ teleióō – to bring to an end, complete, perfect

“to consummate, reaching the end-stage, i.e. working through the entire process (stages) to reach the final phase (conclusion). See 5056 (telos).”

We have been in a personal sense, by the offering of the body and blood of Jesus,  brought to an end stage in our development, worked through the entire process of acceptance and righteousness and sanctification to God. 

Sanctification is not a journey or a race… it’s a matter of being set apart, dedicated, separated forever unto God, made holy, made pure. He his our sanctification. It does not come though a race or a lifetime journey, but by the one offering of Jesus. 

Colossians 1:28

You do have race to run, and purpose, mission, vision from God to realize. Paul did! Jesus did! David did! But its about purpose, and trust, not performance and perfection. 

1 Samuel 16:13

Romans 1:1

John 17:4

Jesus started is race from a place of acceptance and approval, he didn’t run to get it !

Get Set… Ready to Run 

Jesus sent his disciples out in partnership before he even taught them to pray? How qualified were they? Luke 9 sent. Luke 11 he teaches them to pray. 

Luke 9:1-2

3 Reasons why you are Ready to Run — right now! 

Lev. 8:2-3

Aaron and his sons were called and separated to something special to do with God. They had a purpose. You didn’t just decide to be a priest, God determined it. 

You have a special purpose.

John 15:16

2.   Blood. 

The same blood that sanctifies and perfects you,  also qualifies you for purpose.  

Leviticus 8:14

For the priests who were called to be qualified, they first had to be purified. They were first “perfected by the blood of the sin offering.” 

But then, they were also consecrated and set apart to service by the blood. 

Leviticus 8:23-24

There was a blood sacrifice that when applied to the ear, thumb and foot of Aaron and his sons, qualified them with a mark of approval for service. Not for perfection, they were already perfected in Gods eyes through the sin offering. 

In the old covenant there were literally tonnes of different sacrifices, goats, rams, sin, thanksgiving, consecration,  atonement, etc., all different animal sacrifices that when seen through the right lens all point to different aspects of Jesus’ one time offering of his own body and blood on the altar of the cross. 

The one time one offering of Jesus in not just a reference to the fact that he doesn’t need to die again and again for our sins, but that his one sacrifice for all time, incorporated all the different aspects of all the many sacrifices in the old testament into his one offering of himself. 

The blood of Jesus not only perfects you, but consecrates you to walk in purpose, makes you ready and qualifies you to run your race. 

3. Oil 

The oil in the Old Testament usually represented the person, presence  and power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Samuel 16:13

Leviticus 8:30

You have the Holy Spirit. If you have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit, an experience that Jesus himself gives you freely and without cost, you can be right here and right now because the only prerequisite for the Holy Spirit, is the blood.

You don’t need to spend years earning the power and gifting of God. Jesus gave it to his disciples before he even taught them the Lord’s prayer. Im Ready, You’re Ready, We’re ready.. whether you know it or not! 

Summary 

Revelation 1:5-6

You are perfected in Christ already. You are free to engage life with him in a race towards purpose, not perfection;  partnership, not performance

Sermon Notes- Ready to Run

Series — “I’m Ready!”  Sermon —  Pick Your Playlist

Ephesians 5:18b-19 “…be filled continually with the Holy Spirit. And your hearts will overflow with a joyful song to the Lord. Keep speaking to each other with words of Scripture, singing the Psalms with praises and spontaneous songs given by the Spirit!

Psalm 69:30  “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.”

Psalm 50:23 (AMPC) “He who brings an offering of praise and thanksgiving honors and glorifies Me; and he  who orders his way aright [who prepares the way that I may show him], to him I will demonstrate the salvation of God.”

Study 2017 McGill University: Brain imaging studies show that our favorite songs stimulate the brain’s pleasure circuit, which releases an influx of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and other neurochemicals that make us feel good. The more we like a song, the more we get treated to neurochemical bliss…

Napoleon  “Give me control over he who shapes the music of a nation, and I care not who makes the laws.” 

Martin Luther “…A person who gives this some thought and yet does not regard it [music] as a marvellous creation of God, must be a clodhopper indeed and does not deserve to be called a human being;…”

Martin Luther   “The devil takes flight at the sound of music, just as he does at the words of theology…After theology I give the highest place and greatest honor to music.” 

Psalm 57 Triumphant Faith To the Pure and Shining One. King David’s golden song of instruction composed when he hid from Saul in a cave  To the tune of “Do Not Destroy”

“Please, God, show me mercy! Open your grace-fountain for me, for you are my soul’s true shelter. ….

I will hide beneath the shadow of your embrace, under the wings of your cherubim, until this terrible trouble is past. I will cry out to you, the God of the highest heaven, the mighty God, who performs all these wonders for me. From heaven he will send a father’s help to save me. He will trample down those who trample me.

Pause in his presence He will always show me love by his gracious and constant care.

I am surrounded by these fierce and brutal men. They are like lions just wanting to tear me to shreds.

Why must I continue to live among these seething terrorists, breathing out their angry threats and insults against me? Lord God, be exalted as you soar throughout the heavens.  May your shining glory be seen in the skies! Let it be seen high above over all the earth! For they have set a trap for me. Frantic fear has me overwhelmed. But look! The very trap they set for me has sprung shut upon themselves instead of me! Pause in his presence My heart, O God, is quiet and confident.  Now I can sing with passion your wonderful praises!”

(KJV) My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

(Message) I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe, Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:

Awake, O my soul, with the music of his splendor-song! Arise, my soul, and sing his praises!

My worship will awaken the dawn, greeting the daybreak with my songs of praise!

Wherever I go, I will thank you, my God. Among all the nations they will hear my praise songs to you.

Your love is so extravagant it reaches to the heavens; your faithfulness so astonishing it stretches to the sky

Lord God, be exalted as you soar throughout the heavens. May your shining glory be shown in the skies!

Let it be seen high above all the earth!

Elements Of A Golden Song:

1. It’s Honest

Be real — Express yourself!  “God, show me mercy!”  “Frantic fear has me overwhelmed me”

“Awake, O my soul.”

2. It’s Pointed

Directed to God Himself. “I will cry out to you … The Mighty God”  “Lord God, be exalted.”

3 It’s Grounded

Rooted in God’s nature and purpose. “Your love is so extravagant it reaches to the heavens; Your faithfulness so astonishing it stretches to the sky! …  Your shining glory … be seen high above all the earth!”

4. It’s Expectant

I’m the object of God’s affection. “From heaven He will send a father’s help to save me. He will trample down those who trample me. … He will always show me love by his gracious and constant care.”

5. It’s Transformative

Singing To God Changes Everything! “My worship will awaken the dawn, …Wherever I go, I will thank you, my God. Among all the nations they will hear my praise songs to you.”

Psalm 60:7  “Judah is My sceptre.”

Psalm 108:8 “Judah is My sceptre.”

Psalm 110:2  “The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!”

Psalm 101:1  “I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.”

Transforms:

a. Me — Spirit Soul and Body

b. Others — Will hear and be glad.

c. Circumstances — Aligned to God.

b. Creation — Exercise Governance.

e. Culture — Your Kingdom Come

“I’ll Overcome Some Day”, a hymn by Charles Albert Tindley

This Hymn was quoted by – Dr. Martin Luther King and it became an anthem for a whole peaceful movement.

Dr Martin Luther King … Memphis … short time before  he was killed.

Deep in my heart I do believe, we shall overcome.

Now I join hands often with students and others behind jail bars singing it: We shall overcome.

Sometimes we’ve had tears in our eyes when we joined together to sing it, but we still decided to sing it! We shall overcome. Lord before this victory is won some will have to get thrown in jail some more, but we shall over come. Don’t worry about us, before the victory is won some of us will lose jobs, but we shall overcome.

Before the victory is won, even some will have to face physical death. But if physical death is the price that some must pay to free their children from a permanent psychological death, then nothing shall be more redemptive. We shall over come. Before the victory is won, some will be misunderstood and called bad names and dismissed as rebel-rousers and agitators. But we shall overcome. That’s the place true worship that is pleasing to God will take us. It will take us to jails, to lost jobs and even to death. It will be called rebel-rouser and agitator. It will sing the words of wholeness where the spirit and the body are at peace. 

Bono from “U2”

“One man come in the name of love, one man come and go, one man come here to justify, one man to overthrow. In the name of love, what more in the name of love.”

December 20. 1987 Tempe Arizona … Sing pride and it will be the last song you sing … He sang it and when he opened his eyes … Adam Clayton the Bass player was standing in front of him.

Psalm 104:33  “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath!”

Praise Overcomes Your Preference  …. I don’t feel like it right now  …. I prefer to complain and whine

Don’t declare the problem introduce it to great God.    —   Suddenlies will happen!!!

I’m Ready Series #2,  The Power Of Community

Psalm 57 (NKJV) – Prayer for Safety from Enemies – To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam (a psalm as precious as stamped gold) of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.

Psalm 57:1 “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by.”

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

Psalm 57:7 (KJV) “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”

“fixed” (kûwn) :– to be firm, be stable, be established, to be ready, prepared

Psalm 57:7 (MSG)  “I’m ready, God, so ready, ready from head to toe. Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:”

Acts 20:24  “ … But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”  Your things may be different form my things … but we are not move by things!!!

1 Samuel 22:1-2  “David therefore departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. … And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them.”

Adullam:– “justice of the people”  — (Place where David killed Goliath)

In a time of trouble David went and made God his refuge and dwelling place here in Adullam, justice of the people.

1 Chonicles 12:22  “For at that time they came to David day by day to help him, until it was a great army, like the army of God.”

During this time of constant conflict David grew strong community. The Community grew strong!!!

DAVIDS MIGHTY MEN!!!    1 Chonicles 11:10  Now these were the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom, with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be … the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

The Church Saved Me!    Community Saved Me!  His Body nurtured His Divine Deposit in me.

I know that it is Jesus who saves … it is by grace through faith … gift of the Father born from above … but if people near me were not manifesting the incarnation I’m not sure I would have made it.

Titus 3:1-8  “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,  to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.  For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.”