Pacific Church

Gratitude // Week 1 // Gratitude Changes What We See

Pastors JF and Ashley Wilkerson

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV

3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-19 NIV

9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.

1. What do I really believe that I deserve?

Ungratefulness comes out of a false sense of entitlement.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 NIV

9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

Ephesians 2:4-5; 8-10 NIV

4 But because of his great love for us,God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1. What do I really believe that I deserve?

2. Does my life show that I put others first?

1 Thessalonians 5:10-15 NIV

10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 NIV

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.19 Do not quench the Spirit.

1. What do I really believe that I deserve?

2. Does my life show that I put others first?

3. Am I really willing to submit to the Spirit of God?

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

1. What do I really believe that I deserve?

2. Does my life show that I put others first?

3. Am I really willing to submit to the Spirit of God?

Matthew 6:1-4 NIV  

1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Matthew 6:5-8 NIV  

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Matthew 6:16-18 NIV  

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

1. Fasting brings clarity to our COMMUNICATION.

Matthew 6:16-18 NASB

16 “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face 18 so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Fasting - Going without food.

BIBLICAL FASTING - refraining from food for a spiritual purpose. Replacing the time you typically spend eating with focusing more on the Lord.

Daniel - Daniel 10

Jehoshaphat - 2 Chronicles 20

Moses - Exodus 34

Elijah - 1 Kings 19

Paul - Acts 9

Peter - Acts 10

The Early Church in Antioch - Acts 13

1. Fasting brings clarity to our COMMUNICATION. 

2. Fasting brings clarity to our CRAVINGS.

Ezra - Ezra 10

Jesus Matthew 4

Fasting is not about food, it is all about your focus.

1. Fasting brings clarity to our COMMUNICATION.

2. Fasting brings clarity to our CRAVINGS.

3. Fasting brings clarity to our CAPACITY. 

King Darius - Daniel 6

Esther - Esther 4

Hannah - 1 Samuel 1

Joseph - Gen. 41

Matthew 17:17-21 NASB

17 And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. 21 But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

1. Fasting brings clarity to our COMMUNICATION.

2. Fasting brings clarity to our CRAVINGS.

3. Fasting brings clarity to our CAPACITY.

John 8:36 NLT

36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

John 8:1-11 NIV

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let anyone of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

1. NO MORE CONDEMNATION

Jeremiah 17:13 NIV

13 Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water.

John 8:9-11 NIV

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Romans 8:1-4 NIV

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

1. NO MORE CONDEMNATION

2. NO MORE COMPROMISING

Compromise: to accept standards that are lower than those that were once desired.

John 8:10-11 NIV

10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Philippians 3:12-14 NLT

12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

1. NO MORE CONDEMNATION

2. NO MORE COMPROMISING

3. WAY MORE COMPASSION

Matthew 9:36 NLT

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

COMPASSION AND GRACE GO HAND IN HAND.

1. NO MORE CONDEMNATION

2. NO MORE COMPROMISING

3. WAY MORE COMPASSION

1. NEIGHBORS AND ENEMIES

Matthew 5:43-45a NIV 

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. 

Luke 10:25-29 NIV 

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Matthew 5:43-45 NIV 

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Romans 5:8 NIV

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Matthew 5:46-47 NIV 

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 

1. NEIGHBORS AND ENEMIES

2. A THIRD WAY

Luke 6:27-29a NIV 

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. 

Luke 6:32-35 NIV  

32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” 

Matthew 5:46-48 NIV 

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1. NEIGHBORS AND ENEMIES

2. A THIRD WAY

3. PUT ON PERFECT

Matthew 5:48 NIV 

48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Colossians 3:12-14 NIV 

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Romans 12:9-14; 17a; 19-21 NIV 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil…19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1. NEIGHBORS AND ENEMIES

2. A THIRD WAY

3. PUT ON PERFECT

Radical Life // Week 3 // The Seeing, The Saying & The Salvation

Pastors JF & Ashley Wilkerson

Luke 19:10 NIV 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:1-4 NIV 1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

1. The Seeing - The Radical Way Jesus Embraces People 

Isaiah 43:1b NASB 1b…”I have called you by name; you are mine.”

1. The Seeing - The Radical Way Jesus Embraces People 

2. The Saying - The Radical Way Jesus Confronts Injustice 

Luke 19:5 NIV 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 

Luke 19:6-7 NIV 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

1. The Seeing - The Radical Way Jesus Embraces People 

2. The Saying - The Radical Way Jesus Confronts Injustice 

3. The Salvation - The Radical Way Jesus Brings Freedom 

Luke 19:8 NIV 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 

Luke 19:9-10 NIV 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 19:9 NIV 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.”

Psalm 23:6 NIV 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

1. The Seeing - The Radical Way Jesus Embraces People 

2. The Saying - The Radical Way Jesus Confronts Injustice 

3. The Salvation - The Radical Way Jesus Brings Freedom

Radical Life // Week 2 // Scandalous Calling

Pastors JF & Ashley Wilkerson

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1. THE BODY

Matthew 28:19 NIV 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.

Ephesians 3:4-6 NIV 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

1. THE BODY

2. THE BLESSING

Galatians 3:5-9 NIV 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. 7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

Galatians 3:26-29 NIV 26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:28-29 NIV 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

1. THE BODY

2. THE BLESSING

3. THE BEAUTY

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 NIV 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Romans 12:4-5; 9-10; 15-16a NIV 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others…9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves…15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16a Live in harmony with one another…

1. THE BODY

2. THE BLESSING

3. THE BEAUTY

Matthew 22:36-40 NIV 

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Luke 10:25-29 NIV

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

1. Radical Love Crosses Boundaries

Luke 10:30-31 NIV

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 

1. Radical Love Crosses Boundaries 

2. Radical Love Costs Something

Luke 10:33-35 NIV

33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

1. Radical Love Crosses Boundaries

2. Radical Love Costs Something

3. Radical Love Creates a Witness

Luke 10:33-37 NIV

33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Photos:

• Diogenes
• Good Samaritan
• Tertuliian
• Archbishop Oscar Romero

1. Radical Love Crosses Boundaries

2. Radical Love Costs Something

3. Radical Love Creates a Witness

Worship // Week 4 // In Our Pause

Pastors JF & Ashley Wilkerson

Psalm 46:7-10 NIV

7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

1. PRACTICE BEING STILL

Psalm 46:10 NIV

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

Psalm 46:10 NASB

10 Stop striving and know that I am God;

Psalm 37:4-8 NIV

3 Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Isaiah 30:15 NIV

15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

Isaiah 40:31 NASB

31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

1. PRACTICE BEING STILL

2. PRACTICE MEDITATING

Philippians 4:4-9 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Isaiah 26:3 NASB

3 The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

1. PRACTICE BEING STILL

2. PRACTICE MEDITATING

3. PRACTICE SELAH

Two Hebrew Root Words for "Selah"

"Calah" (sä·lä' ) -  “weigh" or "value".

"Salal" (saw-lal') - "build up", "lift up" or "exalt.”

Selah - To pause and meditate; consider heavily and decide what to hold most valuable; a stopping to make a decision about what to focus on or lift up in our thoughts above all else.

Psalm 3:1-8 NASB

1 Lord, how my enemies have increased! Many are rising up against me. 2 Many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, Lord, are a shield around me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head. 4 I was crying out to the Lord with my voice, And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, Lord; save me, my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. 8 Salvation belongs to the Lord; May Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah

1. PRACTICE BEING STILL

2. PRACTICE MEDITATING

3. PRACTICE SELAH

Worship // Week 3 // In Our Living

Pastors JF and Ashley Wilkerson

Discipleship

Matthew 16:24-25 NIV

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Discipleship Requires… 

Devotion 

Acts 2:42-47 NIV 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 2:46b-47a NIV

46…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people... 

Acts 2:47b NIV

47…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Devotion is the quiet friction that polishes something from ordinary to sacred. It's not the grand act of giving everything at once, but the daily, gentle rub of attention and care.

Discipleship Requires…

Devotion…and Devotion Involves…

Discipline

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

sōphronismos - sound mind, balance, self-discipline

2 Timothy 1:7 NASB 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7-9a NIV 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9a He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace… 

Galatians 5:13-17; 22-26 NIV 13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want…22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 5:22-23a NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Discipleship

Requires…Devotion…

and Devotion Involves…Discipline

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Psalm 24:1 NIV 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Psalm 50:10

NIV 10 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

• More than 2,000 passages in Scripture that reference wealth and possessions. 
• Almost half of Jesus’ parables ¼ of all of his teachings dealt with money
• More in the NT about money than the mention of heaven and hell combined.
• 5 times more verses on money than even on prayer.

1. Our Giving Reveals Our Heart.

Matthew 6:19-24 NIV

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:21 NIV

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1 Samuel 16:7b NIV The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Mark 12:30 NIV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

1. Our Giving Reveals Our Heart.

2. Our Giving Reveals What We Already Have.

1 Kings 17:8-9 NIV 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”

1 Kings 17:10-12 NIV

10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug.

1. Our Giving Reveals Our Heart.

2. Our Giving Reveals What We Already Have.

3. Our Giving Reveals What We’re Holding Tightest.

1 Kings 17:12-14 NIV

12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug.  I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”

Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

1 Kings 17:15-16 NIV

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

1 Kings 17:17-19;21-22 NIV

17 Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. 18 She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” 19 “Give me your son,” Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed. 21 Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, “Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!” 22 The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.

1. Our Giving Reveals Our Heart.

2. Our Giving Reveals What We Already Have.

3. Our Giving Reveals What We’re Holding Tightest.

4. Our Giving Reveals God’s Heart to Others.

1 John 3:17-18 NIV

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1. Our Giving Reveals Our Heart.

2. Our Giving Reveals What We Already Have.

3. Our Giving Reveals What We’re Holding Tightest.

4. Our Giving Reveals God’s Heart to Others.