LUKE 15:11-24

WEEK 2 – I Can Only Imagine Series

IMAGINE FORGIVENESS

JESUS KNEW THAT FORGIVENESS WAS NOT EASY, BUT JESUS ALSO KNEW THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS.

In Luke 15:11 Jesus begins this story:

“A MAN HAD TWO SONS. THE YOUNGER SON TOLD HIS FATHER, ‘I WANT MY SHARE OF YOUR ESTATE NOW BEFORE YOU DIE.’ SO HIS FATHER AGREED TO DIVIDE HIS WEALTH BETWEEN HIS SONS.”

- LUKE 15:11

We learn two things about the son from this verse.

1. He is selfish. 2. He wants independence.

THE FATHER ALLOWS HIM TO GO.

“A FEW DAYS LATER THIS YOUNGER SON PACKED ALL HIS BELONGINGS AND MOVED TO A DISTANT LAND, AND THERE HE WASTED ALL HIS MONEY IN WILD LIVING. ABOUT THE TIME HIS MONEY RAN OUT, A GREAT FAMINE SWEPT OVER THE LAND, AND HE BEGAN TO STARVE.”

- LUKE 15:13-14

“HE PERSUADED A LOCAL FARMER TO HIRE HIM, AND THE MAN SENT HIM INTO HIS FIELDS TO FEED THE PIGS. THE YOUNG MAN BECAME SO HUNGRY THAT EVEN THE PODS HE WAS FEEDING THE PIGS LOOKED GOOD TO HIM. BUT NO ONE GAVE HIM ANYTHING. WHEN HE FINALLY CAME TO HIS SENSES, HE SAID TO HIMSELF, ‘AT HOME EVEN THE HIRED SERVANTS HAVE FOOD ENOUGH TO SPARE, AND HERE I AM DYING OF HUNGER!’”

- LUKE 15:15-17

In verses 18 - 24, the son says,

“‘I WILL GO HOME TO MY FATHER AND SAY, “FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST BOTH HEAVEN AND YOU, AND I AM NO LONGER WORTHY OF BEING CALLED YOUR SON. PLEASE TAKE ME ON AS A HIRED SERVANT.’ SO HE RETURNED HOME TO HIS FATHER. AND WHILE HE WAS STILL A LONG WAY OFF, HIS FATHER SAW HIM COMING. FILLED WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION, HE RAN TO HIS SON, EMBRACED HIM, AND KISSED HIM. HIS SON SAID TO HIM, ‘FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST BOTH HEAVEN AND YOU, AND I AM NO LONGER WORTHY OF BEING CALLED YOUR SON.’ BUT HIS FATHER SAID TO THE SERVANTS, ‘QUICK! BRING THE FINEST ROBE IN THE HOUSE AND PUT IT ON HIM. GET A RING FOR HIS FINGER AND SANDALS FOR HIS FEET. AND KILL THE CALF WE HAVE BEEN FATTENING. WE MUST CELEBRATE WITH A FEAST, FOR THIS SON OF MINE WAS DEAD AND HAS NOW RETURNED TO LIFE. HE WAS LOST, BUT NOW HE IS FOUND.’ SO THE PARTY BEGAN.”

- LUKE 15:18-24

THE FATHER RAN TO HIM.

THE FATHER DOES NOT SEE YOUR RUIN, HE SEES YOUR RESPONSE.

The story doesn’t end here, but Jesus continues by saying:

“MEANWHILE, THE OLDER SON WAS IN THE FIELDS WORKING. WHEN HE RETURNED HOME, HE HEARD MUSIC AND DANCING IN THE HOUSE, AND HE ASKED ONE OF THE SERVANTS WHAT WAS GOING ON. ‘YOUR BROTHER IS BACK,’ HE WAS TOLD, ‘AND YOUR FATHER HAS KILLED THE FATTENED CALF. WE ARE CELEBRATING BECAUSE OF HIS SAFE RETURN.’

“THE OLDER BROTHER WAS ANGRY AND WOULDN’T GO IN. HIS FATHER CAME OUT AND BEGGED HIM, BUT HE REPLIED, ‘ALL THESE YEARS I’VE SLAVED FOR YOU AND NEVER ONCE REFUSED TO DO A SINGLE THING YOU TOLD ME TO. AND IN ALL THAT TIME YOU NEVER GAVE ME EVEN ONE YOUNG GOAT FOR A FEAST WITH MY FRIENDS. YET WHEN THIS SON OF YOURS COMES BACK AFTER SQUANDERING YOUR MONEY ON PROSTITUTES, YOU CELEBRATE BY KILLING THE FATTENED CALF!’

“HIS FATHER SAID TO HIM, ‘LOOK, DEAR SON, YOU HAVE ALWAYS STAYED BY ME, AND EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS. WE HAD TO CELEBRATE THIS HAPPY DAY. FOR YOUR BROTHER WAS DEAD AND HAS COME BACK TO LIFE! HE WAS LOST, BUT NOW HE IS FOUND!’”

- LUKE 15:25-32

THE FATHER’S FORGIVENESS RESTORES HIM.

Here are three signs you might be like the older brother of this parable:

1. You question when someone repents. You say something like, “We will see.”

2. You would rather critique than celebrate. You would rather find a reason not to celebrate than a reason to.

3. You don’t try to understand the Father’s heart for another person.

In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says,

“IF YOU FORGIVE OTHERS THE WRONGS THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU, YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU. BUT IF YOU DO NOT FORGIVE OTHERS, THEN YOUR FATHER WILL NOT FORGIVE THE WRONGS YOU HAVE DONE.” - MATTHEW 6:14-15

1 Corinthians 5:15-19 says

“THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME: THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW IS HERE! ALL THIS IS FROM GOD, WHO RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUG

MATTHEW 3:11-17

WEEK 1 – I Can Only Imagine Series

IMAGINE A LOVING FATHER

In verses 11-12 John is speaking as he says,

“I BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER FOR REPENTANCE. BUT AFTER ME COMES ONE WHO IS MORE POWERFUL THAN I, WHOSE SANDALS I AM NOT WORTHY TO CARRY. HE WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE. HIS WINNOWING FORK IS IN HIS HAND, AND HE WILL CLEAR HIS THRESHING FLOOR, GATHERING HIS WHEAT INTO THE BARN AND BURNING UP THE CHAFF WITH UNQUENCHABLE FIRE.” - MATTHEW 3:11-12

Let’s read: THEN JESUS CAME FROM GALILEE TO THE JORDAN TO BE BAPTIZED BY JOHN. BUT JOHN TRIED TO DETER HIM, SAYING, “I NEED TO BE BAPTIZED BY YOU, AND DO YOU COME TO ME?” JESUS REPLIED, “LET IT BE SO NOW; IT IS PROPER FOR US TO DO THIS TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS.” THEN JOHN CONSENTED. - MATTHEW 3:13-15

Verses 16-17 say,

AS SOON AS JESUS WAS BAPTIZED, HE WENT UP OUT OF THE WATER. AT THAT MOMENT HEAVEN WAS OPENED, AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING ON HIM. AND A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAID, “THIS IS MY SON, WHOM I LOVE; WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED.” - MATTHEW 3:16-17

1. GOD IDENTIFIES WITH JESUS.

Not only does God identify with Jesus, God identifies with us through Jesus.

Galatians 3:26-29 says, SO IN CHRIST JESUS YOU ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH FAITH, FOR ALL OF YOU WHO WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE CLOTHED YOURSELVES WITH CHRIST. THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GENTILE, NEITHER SLAVE NOR FREE, NOR IS THERE MALE AND FEMALE, FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. IF YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, THEN YOU ARE ABRAHAM’S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.

- GALATIANS 3:26-29

In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to his disciples,

“WHOEVER WANTS TO BE MY DISCIPLE MUST DENY THEMSELVES AND TAKE UP THEIR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME. - MATTHEW 16:24

In Galatians 2:20 Paul writes,

“I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME. THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE BODY, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” - GALATIANS 2:20

2. GOD LOVES JESUS.

1 John 3:1 says,

“SEE WHAT GREAT LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD!” - 1 JOHN 3:1

Romans 8:35-39 NLT says,

“CAN ANYTHING EVER SEPARATE US FROM CHRIST’S LOVE? DOES IT MEAN HE NO LONGER LOVES US IF WE HAVE TROUBLE OR CALAMITY, OR ARE PERSECUTED, OR HUNGRY, OR DESTITUTE, OR IN DANGER, OR THREATENED WITH DEATH? NO, DESPITE ALL THESE THINGS, OVERWHELMING VICTORY IS OURS THROUGH CHRIST, WHO LOVED US. AND I AM CONVINCED THAT NOTHING CAN EVER SEPARATE US FROM GOD’S LOVE. NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER OUR FEARS FOR TODAY NOR OUR WORRIES ABOUT TOMORROW—NOT EVEN THE POWERS OF HELL CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD’S LOVE. NO POWER IN THE SKY ABOVE OR IN THE EARTH BELOW—INDEED, NOTHING IN ALL CREATION WILL EVER BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS REVEALED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.” - ROMANS 8:35-39

3. GOD IS PLEASED WITH JESUS.

Don’t miss this:

BIG IDEA:

OUR IDENTITY AS GOD’S CHILDREN WILL PROPEL US INTO HIS PURPOSE.

Mile 7 - Seven Mile Miracle 05.27.18

Luke 23:44-46 (NIV)

It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land

until three in the afternoon, 45for the sun stopped shining.

And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

46Jesus called out with a loud voice,

“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 24:33-36

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. 36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

TITLE: ROUND TRIP RESURRECTION: The Word Of Reunion

You Would Not Cry Over Anything That Had Left Your Life, Because You Would Know That God Is Already In Your Tomorrow.

We Ask God For Blessing, But We Don’t Actually Know What Blessing Is.

Blessing Is A State Of Your Heart That Keeps You Content No Matter What The Circumstance Is.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. Luke 24:17

Luke 24:20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;

Luke 24:21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.

Luke 24:21b And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

Just Because You Can’t Feel Him… Doesn’t Mean He’s NOT WITH YOU!!!! HE’S SNEAKY!!!!

It Always Happens The Same Way In Life The Same Way. You’re BROKEN BEFORE You See GLORY Of GOD!

Luke 24:26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

GLORY Never Looks Like GLORY When It’s Coming!

Sometimes Our Memory Is Much More Enjoyable Than Our Experience.

Luke 24:33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together.

RELEASE

There’s A Difference Between The Reveal And The Release.

Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

It Looked Like The End When It Was Really The Beginning. It Was Grace Dressed Like Shame. It Was Triumph Dressed Like Trouble!

John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

What are you Discussing As You Walk Along The Road….. HAND IT OVER!

Hand Your Regret, Defeat, And Excuses Over To Jesus.

FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY LIFE!

Mile 6 - THE WORD OF TRIUMPH, Seven Mile Miracle 05.20.18

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” John 19:30

Exodus 14:10-16

10As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

ALL YOUR SETBACKS ARE SETUPS.

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.

For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." Exodus 13:17

BEFORE GOD CAN WALK YOU INTO THE PROMISE, HE HAS TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS!

GOD IS MORE FOCUSED ON ME BECOMING THE RIGHT PERSON THAN TAKING ME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

GOD DOESN’T WANT US TO CHANGE OUR MINDS TO GO BACK, HE WANTS US TO CHANGE OUR MINDS TO MOVE FORWARD!

13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

15Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.

BEFORE GOD COULD TAKE THEM TO A NEW PLACE HE HAD TO GIVE THEM A NEW MINDSET!

BEFORE THEY COULD FIGHT FOR THEIR PROMISE… God Had To Get Them Place Where In Faith Heart Minds They...

THEY HAD TO KNOW WHO THEY WERE … KNOW WHO THEIR GOD WAS.

GOD IS SAYING, “YOU’VE GOT TO MOVE ON… YOU CAN’T THINK WAY THOUGHT ANYMORE”

GOD PUT THEM INTO AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION DESIGNED TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS

THE ISRAELITES WERE OUT OF EGYPT, BUT THEY WEREN’T OVER EGYPT.

GOD GOT THEM OUT OF EGYPT, NOW HE HAD TO GET EGYPT OUT OF THEM!

Real Triumph In The Story...

16Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water

so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Really The Real Triumph…

30And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians,

the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

FROM OVERWHELMED TO OVERFLOWING

Pastor David Rathel - Mother’s Day 2018

1. A SHORTAGE mindset: I never have enough & never will

Bible words: Lacking, Wanting, Need

Jesus “I’ve come that you may have real life, and enjoy it in abundance - to the fullest, until it overflows!” John. 10:10 (Amp)

o The Focus of a SHORTAGE mindset: MY LIMITED RESOURCES

I look at all the things I’m lacking...don’t have...in short supply

o The Result of a SHORTAGE mindset: AN OVERWHELMED LIFE

Never have enough... always in competition. If you get more it mean...

Leads to jealousy... envy... resentment... worry... insecurity

2. A SURPLUS mindset: God has more than I’ll ever need

Bible words: Abundance, Abounding, Plentiful

“You can be sure that God will supply everything - all that you need - from his abundant wealth that he pours out on us through Jesus Christ.” Philippians. 4:19

o The Focus of a SURPLUS mindset: GOD’S LIMITLESS RESOURCES

He has all the resource of the universe & more!

o The Result: AN OVERFLOWING LIFE

A life of PEACE... confidence... security .. Cooperation

It’s the life David refers to in Psalm. 23:5 “You fill my cup to overflowing.”

“You give me more than I can hold.” (ICB) “My cup overflows!” (NIV)

vs 1 “I shall not want.” vs. 5 “I OVERFLOW with MORE than I need!”

Are ever you worried that someone’s else breathing would steal your air?

WHAT IS AN OVERFLOWING LIFE? A Definition:

To be filled beyond capacity with an endless supply of God’s goodness

Bible: Cup of JOY... HOPE... BLESSING

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay connected to me... you’ll produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t do anything without me!”

John 15:5 Unless I’m connected – I’ll never have enough!

“If you stay connected to me and My Words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings glory to my Father... So, stay connected to my love. You stay connected to my love when you obey me... I’ve told you this so that you’ll be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will OVERFLOW!” John 15:7-11 (NLT/LB)

TWO CURES: GRATITUDE & GENEROSITY

GRATITUDE - The Healthiest Emotion. Griping – one of unhealthiest!

“Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all God has done.” Col. 2:7

“We do not make the mistake of comparing ourselves with others. When

we compare ourselves we are foolish.” 2 Cor 10:12 “In everything you

do, stay away from complaining and arguing..” Phil. 2:14

What do you compare or complain about?

Does it help? Feel better?

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:18 (NLT)

- Start your day with gratitude - to God and for others = you’ll overflow.

- Research - Send 1 text of gratitude each morning = lowers stress.

- Gratitude is obedience that makes us healthy in every area.

GENEROSITY - Stinginess is evidence of a shortage mindset.

The more generous you are...the more YOU WILL OVERFLOW!

The Generosity Difference: The Surplus Mindset Versus The Shortage Mindset.

Feeding The 5 Thousand - Luke 9

12Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

13He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14(About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17They all ate and were satisfied, a

THE WORD OF DISTRESS Mile 5 - THE THIRST TRAP, Seven Mile Miracle 05.02.18

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. JOHN 19:28, 29 ESV

They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. Mark 15:22, 23 NIV

STRUGGLE - “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 29:36

How Can LIVING WATER Need A DRINK?

TRAPPED Between CALLING and CHARACTER.

It’s One Thing To ___, But It’s Another Thing To ____.

If You Feel Trapped, GOD KNOWS!

GOD STRUGGLED LIKE I STRUGGLE.

There’s A Difference Between SURRENDER and GIVING UP.

You THIRST On The CROSS Because You SWEAT In The GARDEN.

When I Hear Him Say “I THIRST,” It Shows Me My SHAME.

SHAME - John 4

Jesus Always Sets A TRAP For Our SHAME.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water,

Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” vs. 7

It’s Not A Sin To Be Thirsty. Everybody In Here Is Thirsty.

Jesus answered,

“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,” vs. 13

EVERYBODY DRINKS SOMEWHERE. (Illustrate)

WHAT ARE YOU THIRSTY FOR?

He’s Not Trying To RECEIVE Something From Her.

He’s Trying To RELEASE Something To Her.

“...but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” vs.14

NEVER THIRST? He Didn’t Say You’d Never FEEL THIRSTY.

You’re Always Going To Thirst.

Jesus Is Saying: You’ll Always Have A PLACE TO DRINK.

Jesus Never Got TRAPPED, But Set A Bunch Of Them.

“Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” vs. 16

She’s Looking Around For A Bucket. (Free Refills)

Jesus Is Trying To Get Her To See That SHE IS THE BUCKET.

Give Me This Water So I Won’t Have To Keep Here, Perform,Thirst, Txt.

He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” vs. 16

“I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.” vs. 17 (What Had Happened)

“The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” vs. 18

...You’re Thirsty & You’re Trapped...

When I Asked You For Water... I Was Trying To Release You From...

I Wanna Give You Something…Comes From Within…Doesn’t Depend…

Bank...Biopsy Comes Back… Only Stronger In Struggle… Unlimited Supply…

And She Said, “I Think You’re Onto Something”

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. vs. 19

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” vs. 39

Jesus Used A Thirsty Woman To Transform An Entire Region!YOU

SETUP - That’s Why Samaria? / Asked Drink? She Was Thirsty. / Why Cross? Why Me?

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said

(to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” John 19:28

They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.22Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. Psalm 69

DEATH Didn’t TRAP Jesus.

JESUS Trapped DEATH.

GOD HAS A PURPOSE

FOR EVERY THIRST...

IN YOUR LIFE!

Sometimes VICTORY

Doesn’t FEEL LIKE VICTORY!

It’s Not A TRAP. It’s A TRIUMPH.

Friday’s TRAP

Was Sunday’s TRIUMPH.

WHY?

A question we ask a lot, WHY?

What do you do when you end up somewhere you didn't intend to be in?

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”

(which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Matthew 27:46 NIV

The Word Of Abandonment. Mile 4 - THE FACTS OF LIFE, Seven Mile Miracle 04.29.18

Luke 24:20-21

The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

Romans 4:18-21

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

...FACE THE FACTS, BUT ONLY SPEAK FAITH.

I. FACE THE FACTS, BUT FIGHT YOUR FEELINGS.

Don't think of WHY, but think of The WHO that is in the WHY!

We need to fight together! Satan’s Realm Of Lies!

II. FACE THE FACTS, BUT DON’T FORGET GOD’S FAITHFULNESS.

A gradual miracle is just as powerful as instant miracle

Choose Your focus, Focus On God!

Just Because You Have The Victory, Doesn't Mean It Is Over - Still Scars.

Choose What You Remember

God Will Deliver YOU, Because He Has Done It Before!

Just remember how Good God has been!

You Will Find Exactly WHAT You Look For.

PSALM 77:7-13

7Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again?

8Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever?

9Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion?

10Then I said, “It is my grief, That the right hand of the Most High has changed.”

11I shall remember the deeds of the LORD;

Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

12I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.

13Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God?

14You are the God who works wonders;

You have made known Your strength among the peoples.

15You have by Your power redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph.

The more you focus on Him, the more peace you will have.

III. FACE THE FACTS, BUT FOCUS ON HIS FACE.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Persecuted, but not destroyed.

The facts are not your ultimate reality.

Jesus was abandoned so that…

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE!

The greatest pain and greatest pleasure in your life will be experienced in the context of a relationship.

THE WORD OF RELATIONSHIP

31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together. Luke 24:31-33

The Revelation of Jesus was completed, not in the context of their conversation with Him, but in their conversation with each other.

Mile 3 - COMPLETE THE CROSS, Seven Mile Miracle 04.22.18

The CROSS has TWO BEAMS

We can make Him an escape FROM people when we should be a team WITH them.

1st - ON THE CROSS. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE CROSS?

2nd - AT THE CROSS. WHO WAS AT THE CROSS?

Those who are the LOUDEST AREN’T always the MOST LOYAL.

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25

Sometimes your greatest testimony is not the things you say, but you STANDING with them when they need someone.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 CEV

Sometimes we don't see those who are with us because we can only think of those who left us!

God Will Always Leave You A John At Your Cross!

He Needed John To Be With Him AT The Cross, But He Needed Judas To Get Him TO The Cross.

3rd - TO THE CROSS. Who Gets You To The Cross?

It Takes Two.

People Will Leave You Because They Help Get You Where You Need To Go By NOT Being There.

YOU NEED TO SET PEOPLE FREE WHO YOU THINK HOLD YOUR FREEDOM BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE KEY!

4th - IN THE CROSS. Where Do I Receive So I Can Release?

Philippians 2:1,2

1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

On The Cross There’s Jesus.

At The Cross There’s John.

To The Cross There Judas.

In The Cross There’s Us.

I Am Complete IN The Cross.

RECEIVE IT. RELEASE IT.

The Second Word From The Cross - The Word Of Salvation

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Mile 2 - IT’S IN THE MIDDLE, Seven Mile Miracle

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. Luke 24:28

After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. Luke 24:30

I Was Saved. I Will Be Saved. I’m Still Being Saved.

I. THE GIFT IS IN THE MIDDLE

Jesus Revealed His Presence In The Process Of Breaking The Bread!

Not You Will Bp;le With Me In Paradise, But I WIll Be With You… In The Process!

I Have, Not Just His Statements, But His Spirit.

1 Peter 1:8, 9

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

II. THE GOAL IS IN THE MIDDLE

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Luke 24:31

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

The Second Seven Miles Is Not About What God Saved Them FROM, But What God Saved Them FOR.

III. THE GLORY IS IN THE MIDDLE

He answered and said, See, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Daniel 3:25

And all the angels stood there in a circle around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground before the throne and worshiped God, Revelation 7:11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke 23:35-43

35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

NO MORE NAILS, SEVEN MILE MIRACLE, 04.08.18

Luke 24:30-35 NIV

30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

John 20:19-20 NIV

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

John 20:24-25 NIV

24Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:26-28 NIV

26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”