Impact Church London

SERIES: Faces  SERMON:  “The Angry Face Of Religion”

Mark 14:9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”      WOW!  She expressed LOVE!!!

The greatest lesson we can embrace from this encounter:

The power of the gospel is manifest in our lives through beholding and not behaving.

A Deep Vision Of Grace!!!

“The sweet language of experience is ‘Thou God seest Me’ When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth.” 

A.W. Tozer  (The Pursuit Of God)

The feast of Passover:

Matthew 21:9  “Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!’” 

Matthew 21:10  “And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’”    Moved:— (Seio) to shake,  agitate, cause to tremble 

Luke19:41-44  “He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes’ …  because you did not know the time of your visitation.” 

Matthew 21:12-13   “Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. He quoted this text: My house was designated a house of prayer;” 

Mathew 5:2:3 “Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’”   Sermon On The Mount

Picture Of The Religious Leaders Challenging Jesus.

Matthew 23:13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.”

“… you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. …  whitewashed tombs … full of extortion and self-indulgence …  Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?”

Matthew 23:37 ”O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!“

The Greek word “ouai” (Woe) is used in the following three ways:

Used to express a denunciation; blameworthy and evil.

Used to express a severe distress or affliction.  Used to express great grief.

hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace’):—  an actor; stage-player, pretender one who hides behind a mask.

This was using profanity to a religious Jew. Theatre Pretend.

Hypocrite:— a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.

Hypocrisy is the gap between what we show and who we are. 

Jesus got angry with religious leaders who used His father’s word to harm others. 

He got mad when religion got in the way.  VERY MAD!!!

Religion is behavioural conformity.  Wanting a list and not the Lord.

An empty heart.  The system without the Saviour.

The perfect way without the indwelling perfect person.

Exodus 20:19  ”Then they said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’”

Give us Rules without Relationship.  We would like to follow without the personal encounter

John 5:39-40  ”You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.“

God loves you more than God loves His rules.    NOT

God loves His rules more that he loves you.        This Hurts People

Mark 2:27 “And He said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.’”

“Legalism is the conviction that law-keeping is the ground for our acceptance with God — a failure to be amazed at grace.”   John Piper

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT)  ”For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.“

Luke 24:49 “What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you’re equipped with power from on high.”

I am learning that the best cure for hypocrisy is community. Hypocrisy is not so much the result of not living what I preach but much more of not confessing my inability to fully live up to my own words.   Henri Nouwen

Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Psalm 32:5 (Message)  “Then I let it all out; I said, ‘I’ll come clean about my failures to God.’ Suddenly the pressure was gone— my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.”

SERIES: Faces  SERMON:  “Something About Mary”

John 12:1-11 

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead.  There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.”

Mark 14:9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”     

WOW!  She expressed LOVE!!!

The greatest lesson we can embrace from this encounter:

The power of the gospel is manifest in our lives through beholding and not behaving.

A Deep Vision Of Grace!!!

Three places we see Mary Of Bethany in the Scriptures.

Luke 10:38-42

“ Therefore tell her to help me. … But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part.”

“The sweet language of experience is ‘Thou God seest Me’ When the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has begun right here on this earth.” A.W. Tozer  (The Pursuit Of God)

She see’s beyond the stuff that He does for us and has grasped the fact of His motivation … RECKLESS LOVE.   “Jesus loves me this I know.”   Beyond His acts to see His person.

Busyness can be artificial significance.     Bill Johnson

It is so often our activities that obstruct our union with Him.  Madame Guyon

Corrie Ten Boom “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.”

Busyness:— not having too much to do, its doing that is not rooted in Jesus as your source. 

Baking cakes He didn’t order.

Busyness, worry, anxiety arise when my activity has its source in me.

He must be my starting point.  I can’t replace WORTH with work.   FIRST!

John 11:32. “Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.’”

Martha met Jesus with words.    —    Mary met Jesus with worship.

They both had the same revelation but Mary went beyond the theological facts to the personal relationship.

Mark 14:5  “And they criticized her sharply.”    

embrimaoma (en-brim ah’ om ahee) :—  to snort with anger

Extravagant worship annoys religious people.

He is looking for worshippers and not workers.   

Any work should flow from Him as your source!

She gets it. — Doing it for my burial.

John 12:7. “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.”

An ounce of devotion eclipses tons and tons of striving.

She smelt like him and he smelt like her and her devotion changed the atmosphere.

A woman who didn’t write a book, preach or perform a miracle became the one who Jesus said is a clear manifestation of the gospel.

Grace that leads to adoration and not effort to gain understanding.

Matthew 26:8 “But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste?’”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

ap-ol’-loo-mee:— perish, ruin, waste

Mark 14:9 “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”     

WOW!  She expressed LOVE!!!

There was distance between her encounters.

Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit…”

John 14:20  “At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”

JESUS MAKES HIS HOME IN US.   NO MORE DISTANCE.

Sermon Series: “Better Together ” — Sermon: “God’s Actionable Love Enables Us To Love Others”

Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: … servant …”.  If no proper foundation all you build will be unstable.

“A happy marriage is the union of two great forgivers.”  — Ruth Bell Graham

Asked his secret of being married fifty-four years he said: “Ruth and I are happily incompatible.’”

— Billy Graham

Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

helper:— (ezer) strong help comparable:— (kenegdo) as in front of him; perfect match, same nature.

Unilateral:— I am all in in my commitment no matter  what. 

Unconditional:— I will be constant no matter your performance.

Permanent:— Nothing can weaken the bond.

Proverbs 18:22  “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”

New Covenant has a New Commandment:

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Salem Oregon … “One Flew Owe Cuckoos Nest” — Mental Institute.

Ps. Robert  Cornwall Empties Ward 37

“Jesus loves me, this I know For the Bible tells me so Little ones to Him belong

They are weak but He is strong Sing, yes, Jesus loves me (3x’s) For the Bible tells me so.”

John 13:23 “The disciple that Jesus dearly loved was at the right of him at the table and was leaning his head on Jesus.”   John had a personal, experiential relation of the love of God.

1 John is the epistle of agape love. Used 46 times in 135 verses.

1 John 4:8, 16 “God is love” 

Without question the most profound statement found in the bible.

God’s Actionable Love Enables Us To Love Others

1 John 4:7-21 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, …

…that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

1. Personal

1 John 1:3 (TPT) “So we proclaim to you what we have seen and heard about this Life-Giver

so that we may share and enjoy this life together.”

Your very own personal knowledge of a highly relational God.

2. Proven

Two Proofs:

Vs.9-10 “Sent His Son … propitiation for our sins.”

Vs. 13 “God has given us His Spirit as proof that we live in him…”

3. Perfecting

Two Ways:

Vs. 12  “His love is perfected in us…”  Brought to completion.

Vs. 18 “…perfect love casts out fear.”   “ballo”:—throws out with force, smites, slaps, buffets.

4.Pervading

Vs. 17 “… we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

Obliterates guilt, shame, weakness condemnation … done done done!!

5. Preserving

Vs 19 “We love Him because He first loved us.”

His love never fails. 

His love empowers and gives us confidence.

He will finish what He Started.

What’s Our Response To His Revelation Of Unconditional Love?

1. Recieve It

    It’s for you right now.

2. Give It Away

    It’s for you to share with others, 

Sermon Series: “Better Together ” — Sermon: “God Made The Marriage Covenant Not You”

Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: … servant …”. If no proper foundation all you build will be unstable.

Dr Dean Ornish (Ornish Lifestyle Medicine)

“Love and intimacy — our ability to connect with ourselves and others, is at the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, … People who feel lonely and isolated have a 300-500 percent greater risk of premature death due to 

physical illness.”

Ruth Graham was asked if she ever considered divorce, She answered, “No, never divorce. Murder, yes. Divorce, No!”

“It is a foolish woman who expects her husband to be to her that which only Jesus Christ Himself can be: ready to forgive, totally understanding, unendingly patient, invariably tender and loving, unfailing in every area, anticipating every need, and making more than adequate provision. Such expectations put a man under an impossible strain. The same goes for the man who expects too much from his wife.” — Ruth Bell Graham

“A happy marriage is the union of two great forgivers.” — Ruth Bell Graham

Asked his secret of being married fifty-four years he said: “Ruth and I are happily incompatible.’”

— Billy Graham

Matthew 19:5-6  “He answered, ‘Haven’t you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female? And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh …

 … no longer two bodies but one. Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart.’”

Hebrews 13:4 (Message) “Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.”

Malachi 2:15-16 “God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. And what does he want from marriage? Children of God, that’s what. So guard the spirit of marriage within you. Don’t cheat on your spouse. …

 … ‘I hate divorce,’ says the God of Israel. God-of-the-Angel-Armies says, ‘I hate the violent dismembering of the ‘one flesh’ of marriage.’ So watch yourselves. Don’t let your guard down. Don’t cheat.”

Proverbs 18:22 “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord.”

God Made The Marriage Covenant Not You 

Matthew 26:28 (AMP) “for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.”

Hebrews 9:15 (ESV) “Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”

Elements Of A Covenant:

Terms Agreement — Solemn Vows — Exchange Of Gifts — Witness Or Memorial — Covenant Meal

Cutting / Shedding Of Blood

Covenant:— A unilateral, unconditional, permanent commitment that creates a relationship where the two become one sealed by the shedding of blood.

We have a relationship with God that is unshakable!!!  

Blood Covenant — His precious blood!  He is not moody and fickle. 

He is faithful and committed.   He is gracious and forgiving.

“Do you, ______, take _______ to be your lawful wedded spouse, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?”

Unilateral:— I am all in in my commitment no matter  what. 

Unconditional:— I will be constant no matter your performance.

Permanent:— Nothing can weaken the bond.

Contract:— A bilateral agreement between parties that is governed by the performance of the agreement.

Contract to limit distrust.  — We better put that in writing. — I do this and you do that.

Contracts have expectations:

Make me happy. — Perform the conditions — Sexual satisfaction— Nothing change 

Everything Change — I can opt out if you fail

It’s difficult to become one with someone you can’t trust.

Covenant deals with distrust right at the outset of the relationship.

Its hard to be intimate and vulnerable when no safety.

Genesis 2:18 “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”

helper:— (ezer) strong help comparable:—  

Comparable:—(kenegdo) as in front of him; perfect match, same nature.

Complementarian:— the theological view that although men and women are created equal in their being and personhood, they are created to complement each other via different roles and responsibilities as manifested in marriage, family life, religious leadership, and elsewhere. It is also known as the Traditionalist or Hierarchical view.

Egalitarian:— within Christianity, the theological view that not only are all people equal before God in their personhood, but there are no gender-based limitations of what functions or roles each can fulfill in the home, the church, and the society.

The Bible teaches the fundamental equality of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.

New Covenant has a New Commandment:

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

Sermon Series: “Exponential” — Sermon: “God Has Blessed You”

God Has Blessed You!

John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Galatians 3:13-14 “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree),  that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Genesis 12:2 “I will make you a great nation;  I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.”

If you embrace the revelation in Genesis 15 you have a complete grasp of the core purpose of the Bible … You will seize a thorough understanding of the Gospel.

GRACE!

Genesis 15:1-2  “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless,” 

Ten years later and Abram is questioning God’s promise.

God confronts His doubt by repeating the promise with a covenant act.

Genesis 15:5-6 “Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’ And he believed (āman) in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”

Romans 4:3-5  “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.”

Galatians 3:6-7 “…just as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.”

 James 2:23 “And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.”

Romans 4:20-21 AMP “No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.” 

Promise Sealed In Covenant.

Genesis 15:8-9 “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?” So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”  Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two,…”.    BINDING AGREEMENT IN BLOOD

Genesis 15:12-13 “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly…”

Genesis 15:17-18 “And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram,” 

Two Shocking Observations:

1. Abraham was a spectator.

2. God alone did the walk of blood. 

This is the whole Gospel.

May I be torn in two if I don’t bless you.

May I also be cut in two if you don’t fulfil your part of covenant.

The Immortal become mortal.

The Immutable become mutable.

The Infinite become finite.

The Powerful become powerless.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Isaiah 58:3 “For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.”

 John 19:30 “He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

Genesis 22:17 (AMP) “In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies.”

Genesis 24:1 (AMP)  “Abraham was old, well advanced in years, and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.”

Jesus Christ fulfilled the conditions of the covenant so that we could be received and blessed unconditionally. 

GOD HAS BLESSED YOU!

Proverbs 10:22, 19:17

“The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]”. — “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

Father we declare we are blessed. We agree with Your word over us that, “This is a season of exponential blessing.”

Father, in the name of Jesus, I speak your word over my finances this day. I have worshipped you with my tithes and offerings, now I claim the Windows of Heaven blessing for my life.

I now receive doors of opportunity opening for me and my family. I have given, therefore I shall never lack.

Those who the spirit of God speaks to are free to obey and give to me good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

I believe my every need is met with heaven’s best! I thank you Father my need was supplied according to your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Father, your word says my giving increases the fruits of my righteousness. Therefore, I thank you for an abundance of love, joy, peace, temperance, goodness in my life … In Jesus Name! AMEN!!

Sermon Series: “Exponential” — Sermon: “You Hear His Voice”

You Hear His Voice

Can You Hear Me Now?  Verizon Picture

Hannah (GRACE) gave birth to a new generation (Samuel:— The Lord Hears and Answers) that was aligned with the voice of God and led the people of God into a revelation of Kingdom life.

1 Samuel 3:1 “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.

1 Samuel 3:19 “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to  the ground.” 

Picture of Police man on radio       Picture of Jesus leading His sheep.

John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

Hebrews 1:1-2 “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son,”

John 8:47 (AMP) “Whoever is of God listens to God. [Those who belong to God hear the words of God.]”

John 16:13-14 “…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; … and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 (TPT)   “I am always thanking my God for you because he has given you such free and open access to his grace through your union with Jesus, the Messiah.

In him you have been made extravagantly rich in every way. You have been endowed with a wealth of inspired utterance and the riches that come from your intimate knowledge of him.”

4 Basic Forms of Revelation

Hebrews 1:2-3 “… in these last days spoken to us by His Son, … who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person,…”

Romans 8:16 (NIV) “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.”

Romans 8:16 (MSG) “God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.”

John 16:13-14 “…when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; … and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

“Christians today operate very little in the Holy Spirit because of their ignorance concerning the Holy Spirit Himself.”      Kathryn Kuhlman

Acts 10:19 “While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are seeking you.’”

Matthew 4:4 “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Luke 8:18 “So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken 

away from them.”

Mark 4:24 (AMP) “And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you–and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.” 

Hearing The Voice Of The Spirit Is:

1. Innate — In your DNA

2. Learned — Use your words!

3. Matured — Revelation Knowledge 4. Attacked —  Mark 4:15 “Satan comes immediately and takes 

away the word.”

5. It’s A Lifestyle

Proverbs 3:6  (MESSAGE) “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

7 Basic Leadings Of The Spirit

Knowings – Luke 1:1-4                  Visions Dreams – Acts 2:17,16:9              The Word – Ps 119:11, 105           Prophecy –  Acts 21:10-14

Acts 13:1-3 “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul … fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them,… sent them…”

Some Practical Advice:

1. Take Time To Pray

Luke 5:16    “So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”

2. Find A Place To Pray

Matthew 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

1 Corinthians 2:12   “And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.” 

Did you receive the Spirit???

Sermon Series: “Exponential” — Sermon: “Rags To Results”

Deuteronomy 6:10-11 “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land … to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant..”

Romans 15:4 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”

1 Samuel 1:6-7 “And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.”

Peninah:— pearl, irritation, provoker.

Hannah:—Grace, to be favoured.

Peninah provokes Grace to become fruitful and bring the purpose of God into manifestation .

Psalm 78:40-42 “How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, And grieved Him in the desert!

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel.

They did not remember His power: The day when He redeemed them from the enemy.”

Hannah (GRACE) gave birth to a new generation (Samuel:— The Lord Hears and Answers) that was aligned with the voice of God and led the people of God into a revelation of Kingdom life.

Sometimes you don’t know how special you are.

Become complacent because you don’t know that you are exceptional.

God won’t let you be satisfied with less than what He has for you.

God’s dream wrapped in flesh.

“God never works anything independently of you that concerns your life”    David Yonggi Cho

Are you annoyed enough … are you provoked enough to demand change!!

1 Samuel 1:9

“So Hannah arose…”  (NKJV)

“Hannah stood up.”    (NIV)

“Hannah went over…”  (LB)

“So Hannah rose up…”  (KJV)

“Then she pulled herself together…”   (Message)

The Provoking Causes Rage

Uncomfortable — Agitated

Restless — Discontented

Reflecting — Examining

This is not okay.

I demand change.

The Rage Becomes A Cry

1 Samuel 1:13 “…only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.”

Proverbs 27:7 “A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb, But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

The Cry Brings Alignment

1 Samuel 1:17 “Then Eli answered and said, ‘Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.’”

The Alignment Brings Results

1 Samuel 18:18-20 “And she said, ‘Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. Then they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord …

… and returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.  So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, ‘Because I have asked for him from the Lord.’”

Isaiah 54:1 “Sing, O barren, You who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, You who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate Than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord.”

1 Samuel 3:1 “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

1 Samuel 3:19 “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to  the ground.” 

Joshua 18:3 “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you?”

Psalm 2:8 “Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.”

Sermon Series: “Exponential” — Sermon: “Expand Your Capacity”

Deuteronomy 6:10-11 “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land … to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant..”

Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

1 Samuel 1:7 “So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.”

Hannah (GRACE) gave birth to a new generation (Samuel:— The Lord Hears and Answers) that was aligned with the voice of God and led the people of God into a revelation of Kingdom life.

1 Samuel 3:1 “Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.”

1 Samuel 3:19 “And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to  the ground.”

Jeremiah 15:1  “Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.”

God is calling us into a season of EXPONENTIAL Growth … corporately and individually. 

He is asking us to align ourself with His unfolding purpose right NOW!  2024

John 10:10

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Romans 8:32 (AMP) 

“He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?”

Isaiah 9:7 

“Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, … From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Isaiah 54:2-3

“Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, …

… and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, And your descendants will inherit the nations, And make the desolate cities inhabited.”

capacity :— the maximum amount that something can contain. The ability or power to do, experience, or understand something.

Joshua is considering the transition to His new leadership. He is to take God’s people into possess their inheritance.

He is confronted by a pre-incarnate  encounter with Jesus. Jesus wants him boldly lead the people into this new season. First thing he wants Joshua to do is SEE! 

Joshua 6:2

“And the Lord said to Joshua: ‘See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.’”

God wants to enlarge his capacity! SEE!

“No individual can rise higher than the pictures that have been painted in their minds.”  Zig Ziglar

Psycho Cybernetics:– Ideas and actions that are contrary to a persons belief system wille rejected and not acted upon.

Jesus was about to call his first disciples. Before He called them to follow Him He had to move them from a mindset of empty nets to boatsinking increase!!!

Luke 5:1-11

“So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret,  and saw two boats standing by the lake …

… but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.”

Jesus was looking for people who He could share His purpose with. He was developing and invasion force.

Jesus taught and transformed their mindsets through teaching and through miracles. 

Imperatives For Moving Into EXPONENTIAL Growth.

1. Expectation

vs. 2 “…washing their nets…”

He found people preparing their nets. They had an expectation. They were believing that a catch is possible.

Even though we see Peter was never much of a fisherman

        3 Fold Prep: Wash    Mend     Stretch.   — Soaking in the life of the Spirit

2. Participation

vs. 3 “…push away a little…”

First let me be captain of a little.

God often begin with a little. Faithful in little faithful in much.

“God never works anything independently of you that concerns your life”   David Yonggi Cho

3. Impartation

Can see what he was teaching here from a parallel Gospel.

Mark 4:1-3 “…so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. Then He taught them … “Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.”

He was teaching about 30 60 100 fold increase. Framing a mindset with words.

4. Forget The Past

vs. 5 “…caught nothing…”

Don’t project your past. Forget it.

I will not create a theology that makes my lack of manifestation okay. I will not use any sense of loss to propel me into future gain. I will demand that my experience aligns with God’s Word not reduce God to my circumstances.

5. Get Beyond Yourself

vs. 5 “…toiled exhaustingly…” 

The had worked hard all night with nothing to show for it. Will you risk all your hard work and do something unconventional. FISHING IN THE HEAT OF THE SUN?????

Faith begins where ability ends.

Colossians 1:29 “For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the [superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me.”

6. Alignment

vs. 4-5   “…on the ground of your word…”   (Rhema).  This WORD had convincing power.

Even if unconventional.

Living in the supernatural means that you are often operating in a way that violates natural laws.

7. Experience

vs. 6-7 “net was breaking … filled both the boats … they began to sink…”

Daily unexplainable living.

God is always more than enough!

8. Dependance

vs. 11“…forsook all, followed Him.”

He is the source of my life. 

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Maturity is dependance. Fruitfulness is abiding and trusting and believing His WORD 

God is calling us into a season of EXPONENTIAL Growth … corporately and individually. 

He is asking us to align ourself with His unfolding purpose right NOW!  2024

SERMON: “The Space Between”   D. Karl Thomas

Eugene Peterson  (The Message).  

“There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life, apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself.”

God  “And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’”    Genesis 2:18

According to the National Institute on Ageing the health risks of prolonged isolation are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Social isolation and loneliness have even been estimated to shorten a person’s life span by as many as 15 years. (https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2022/05/prolonged-social-isolation-loneliness-are-equivalent-smoking-15-cigarettes-day

Acts 20:20 “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.”

Acts 2:46 “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house,”

The Space Between Matters!!!

The corporate celebration is important.

The midweek connect is an essential part of advancing the purpose of God.

Habakkuk 2:14 “… earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,…”.  

Fellowship Function Formation

Giligan’s Island —  Hogans Heros — Friends — Real Housewives of New Jersey

Johann Hari  “The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety – it’s connection”

Professor of Psychology Bruce Alexander  “For too long, we have talked exclusively about individual recovery from addiction. We need now to talk about social recovery—how we all recover, together, from the sickness of isolation that is sinking on us like a thick fog.”

Experiment:  “What happened is—again—striking. The rats seemed to have a few twitches of withdrawal, but they soon stopped their heavy use, and went back to having a normal life. The good cage saved them.”

In the book of Acts we see the working strategy for fulfilling the mission of God.

Jesus left behind a loving community that would manifest His glory to the ends of the earth.

Equipped

Acts 1:3   “He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”

Empowered

Acts 1:8  “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Exponential

In a matter of years the church went from conception to a number that could not be counted. A church with significant influence on the community.

Exponential Growth   They grew from 120 people to 3,120 in one day, and the Lord added people daily.

Acts 2:41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

Acts 2:47   “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Acts 4:4   “However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

Acts 5:13-14  “Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”

Acts 5:28   “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

Church in Jerusalem grew to 100,000 in twenty years. Population of 250,000.

Acts 6:1  “Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying,…”

Acts 6:7  “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly.”

Acts 21:20 “And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed,…’”.  myrias:— an innumerable company

How did they handles all these people coming into the Kingdom? How were they discipled and cared for? 59 One another NT Commands.

Acts 2:41-47  “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”  

Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,  and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,  praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Four Needs That Are Met:

1. Spiritual

Word Of God — Study question.  Prayer — Engaging God together.

Fellowship — intimate vulnerable application and accountability

2. Physical

Had things in common. Peoples needs were met.  Can you help me with some stuff.

Example. Sharing of skills.

3. Emotional 

Gladness.   Praising God.   Favour.   People in community are happier than those in isolation.

4. Missional 

Favour with all people.   Daily people were added.   Together serving locally and beyond.

Others impacted by your life.

The Space Between Matters!!!

Sermon Series “The Light Of The World” Sermon #4 “Light Continues To Shine”

John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish (Overcome) it.”

Luke 1:78-79 NLT “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Acts 26:17-18  “Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins…”. VISION HEAVEN

Isaiah 60:1-3  “Arise, my people! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you. Darkness as black as night shall cover all the peoples of the earth,…

…but the glory of the Lord will shine from you. All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see the glory of the Lord upon you.”

PICTURE OF JIM ELLIOT and friends … Missionaries to Ecuador

January 8,1956 they were Martyred. 

The were killed by one of the most dangerous tribes of the rain forest in Ecuador. 

The Auca were a violent people average life expectancy 30 years. 

His Journal That Morning

I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious, to stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coattail and the heavens hailing your heart, to gaze and glory and give oneself again to God—what more could a man ask? Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth!

I care not if I never raise my voice again for him, if only I may love him, please him. Perhaps in mercy he shall give me a host of children [i.e., converts] that I may lead them through the vast star fields to explore his delicacies whose finger ends set them to burning.

But if not, if only I may see him, touch his garments, and smile into his eyes—ah then, not stars nor children shall matter, only himself.

O Jesus, Master and Centre and End of all, how long before that glory is yours which has so long awaited you?

Now there is no thought of you among men; then there shall be thought for nothing else. Now other men are praised; then none shall care for any other’s merits. Hasten, hasten, Glory of Heaven, take your crown, subdue your kingdom, enthrall your creatures.”

PICTURE OF Jim Elliot’s Journal:   GREEN STAR BESIDE…

“He is no fool who parts with that which he cannot keep, when he is sure to be recompensed with that which he cannot lose.”    Phillip Henry

PICTURE OF STEVE SAINT & MINCAYE

“When I kill Steve’s father, I did not know he coming to show us new trail – Waengongi, the Creator’s trail. All I know is killing. My heart black with sin. When later I met Waengongi, my heart changed to peace and love. No more killing. Now walk Waengongi’s trail.”

Why did they go to the rain forest?

Why did their family go after they killed their fathers?

“The light shines in the darkness.”

Revelation 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

You don’t have to seek God’s will for your life. It’s not lost.

Trying to find God’s will is like using a flashlight to find the sun at midday in a clear blue sky.

Luke 1:78-79 NLT “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Matthew 28:18-19  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,”

2 Peter 3:9 “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

How big are God’s plans?  How does He want us to pray?

Acts 2:8 “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”