Messages - City of God - Christian Church Los Angeles

We are to live in and among the world system. But we have never been required or asked by God to be a part of this system. In the midst of the world system there is hope. That hope lies within us. It is Jesus. We are light to this darkness. We are salt to this world, to preserve the souls of our brothers and sisters caught in sin. It is our theology that WE CAN WORK in this system, and not be of this system. We believe that you can work in acting, music, finance, arts, government, etc and never compromise and be a light to your place of employment.

What you repeatedly hear, you will eventually believe. What are you listening to? Whom are you listening to? What is your faith like? Is it low and feeble? Or is it strong and growing? Maybe it has plateaued. One of the lies we have heard time and again is that beautiful people win. That if you want to make it in life, you must have a certain look or be tall and slender and without blemish. What happens if that's not who you are though? How are we supposed to make it in life? One word: Favor. God's favor is able to overcome the physical.

God's favor is so strong that it can overcome any obstacle here on earth. It's so strong that it can overcome the largest bill in your life. It's so strong that it can overcome the largest sickness in your life. It's so strong that it can overcome anything that is against you right now! What are you facing? What is so dire that God's favor cannot overcome it? Is anything too hard for the Lord? Favor has the ability to overcome every obstacle thrown at us, find out more in this message.

The story of our life hasn't been perfect or smooth, but it's been an amazing testimony of God's grace and favor. We have had some unique chapters, some tough chapters, some easy chapters, but every chapter that has been written we have been able to say it was good. It has been good because in the midst of any struggle or ease; it has turned out the way God intended. Everything God does is good!

One of the biggest mistakes we, as disciples, can make is thinking that we can do any earthly thing and earn Gods grace and favor. It's easy to view God's goodness like a frequent flyer mile program. That it’s a program that can be tapped into once I “earn” enough mileage. The more times I spend with Him, the more I read my bible, the more I come to church, the louder I sing during worship - as if all of those things will increase His love, His grace, and His favor. Here's the kicker - none of that will ever increase his love, grace and favor toward you. You are already loved and favored!

If you want to grow and become abundant you must lay foundations to build on. What are those foundations? Those are the outer rings that have been covered in the previous messages: daily bible reading, daily communication/presence with God, order in your Spirit, soul, and body, putting His business first. The final message of the Stay on Target series will leave you full of faith to hit your target! By the grace and favor of God you will hit YOUR bulls-eye in 2016 and every year after.

This 4th ring in on our target is: business. Don’t view this as solely an occupation. We’re not taking about your landscaping business, your trade, your occupation. So much as we are talking about the tasks, matters, people, and finances that you have been given…by God! Our definition for business is this: the tasks, matters, people and finances that have been appointed to us. Whose business are you tending? Yours? or God's?

Nobody puts their dirty dishes back in the cupboard. You either clean them or place them in the dishwasher. Nobody puts their underwear on their head. Nobody eats a frozen meal without cooking it first. WHY DO WE DO THAT? ORDER. You and I were created for order and in order.

Having a daily time of prayer is crucial to hitting your target this year. More than that it will keep you from a life of stress. If you're interested in living a stress-free life, catch this powerful message!

There's something better than resolutions and goals...it's having a philosophy of growth. If life is truly a marathon and not a sprint, why do we keep sprinting to the next goal? In this message, and series, discover how to renew your mind to living a life of continual, sustained growth.