Mike Albritton is the senior pastor of New Covenant Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Although he was abandoned as a child, Father God restored him from a life of betrayal, abuse, and addiction to become a dynamic preacher and faithful family man. Listen to his powerful transformation story!

LET GOD LOVE YOU! - April 2, 2017

Luke 24:13-35.

13And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14And they were conversing with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus Himself approached, and began traveling with them. 16But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

18And one of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” 19And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. 21“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.

22“But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. 24“And some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.”

25And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

28And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He would go farther. 29And they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” And He went in to stay with them.

30And it came about that when He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.

32And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33And they arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34saying, “The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon.” 35And they began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

DEFYING THE POWERLESS PEOPLE WHO PARK YOU AT THE POOL

My Adventure Series March 26, 2017

He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 8Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. 9The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 11But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”

12So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”

13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him,

“See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

15The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

How To Defy Those Powerless Pool Parkers.

Defy Your Core Lie. Lose Every Excuse And Your Victim Card Forever. “I Can’t Because ______________.”

Remember Who Has Biblical Authority In Your Life?

Defy In A Way That Gains You Respect Instead Of Losing It.

Identify The Core Lie.

Defy And Come Out Of The Closet For Jesus.

Carry Your Mat And Remember Who You Were And Where You Came From.

Remember That Everyone Else's Mat Looks Good To Everyone Else.

Defiantly Carrying Your Mat Draws A Line In The Sand And Forces You To Publicly Step Over It.

Defy And Learn To Let GOD Love You.

YOUR MAT IS YOUR MINISTRY - My Adventure Series. 03.20.17

JOHN 5

2Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda…

3In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, 5And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition,

He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 8Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Break The Rules That Rule You.

9The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

10and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed,

“It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.”

Rules That Don’t Have Reasons.

Rules That Keep You From Growing.

Rules That Don’t Apply To You.

Rules That Keep You/Others From Being Embarrassed Or Uncomfortable.

Rules That Are Unmentioned In The Bible Or Misused By People.

Defy The Powerless People That Park You At The Pool.

11But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”

12So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”

13The man who was healed had no idea who it was,

for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again.

Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

Defy Yourself First.

Defy People Who Have No Biblical Authority Or Power Over Your Life. (No Fight Story)

Defy In A Way That Gains You Respect Instead Of Losing It.

Defy Someone In Order To Lose Your Victim Status.

Defy Someone In Order To Obey God.

Carry Your Mat And Come Out Of The Closet For Jesus.

15The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

Carrying Your Mat Is Remembering Who You Used To Be And Where You Came From.

Carrying Your Mat Draws A Line In The Sand And Forces You To Step Over It In Front Of Everyone. (Example: Baptism)

Your Mat Is Your Ministry. (Hometeam Testimony)

WHERE BREAKTHROUGH BEGINS! - My Adventure Series. 03.12.17

Do You Need God To Do Something In Your Life?

JOHN 5

1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.

3In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters;

4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]

5And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness.

6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition,

He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”

“Waiting On The World To Change.”

The First One In Would Win. That’s The Way Religion Works. You Don’t Have To Be First.

The More Desperate The Situation The Greater The Opportunity For A Miracle.

“I Ain’t Got Nobody.”

Faith Has The Ability To Override The Facts.

John 4 - You Don’t Need A Bucket When You’re The Well.

You Don’t Have To Come To The Water. The Water Came To You

“B.Y.O.B.”

Bring Your Own Breakthrough.

Breakthrough Doesn’t Change The Situation. Breakthrough Changes You.

What If The Only Thing Blocking Your Breakthrough Is Your Willingness To Believe That Breakthrough Is Possible.

8Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

“Bunker-Buster Bombs”

Breakthrough Begins Where My Excuses End.

While You’re Waiting For God To Come Down, God Is Waiting On You To Get Up.

Breakthrough Begins Where You PICK UP YOUR MAT.

UNAVOIDABLE, My Adventure Series 03.05.17

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. Acts 3:1-10

UNAVOIDABLE: SEEN BEFORE HEARD.

Acts 3:4-6

4And fixing his eyes on him, with John,

Peter said, “Look at us.”

5So he gave them his attention,

expecting to receive something from them.

6Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have,

God’s measurement of our lives and our church will never be...

our number, our money, our effort, or our success.

God’s measure of our lives will only be...

THE POWER THAT EXUDES FROM OUR SOULS

"Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." John 5:8

UNAVOIDABLE: HAVE. GIVE. DO.

“but what I do HAVE I GIVE YOU:

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

Daniel 11:32

“but the people that know their God shall be strong, and

DO EXPLOITS.”

PICK UP YOUR MAT, My Adventure Series.

God’s measurement of our lives and our church will never be our number, our money, our effort, or our success.

God’s measure of our lives will only be in the...

POWER THAT EXUDES FROM OUR SOULS

Acts 3:1-10

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

Then Jesus told him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." John 5:8

Acts 3:7-10

7And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

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What if a group of people discovered that they all had been given divine power?

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These powers gave them infinite capacity to do good, give love to others, and change people’s lives for the better.

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What if this same group of people realized that to exercise their power all they had to do was to believe God was with them and that nothing could stop them?

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The only problem was that every time they used their powers, it cost them something.

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The price to pay was in obedience to God’s plan for their lives, sacrifice of personal gain, destroying bad habits, and giving up anything that stood in the way of embracing and using His Power.

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Do you think they would do it? Would the power to do that much good be worth such a personal price?

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A better question is: Would you do it?

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The fact is that God makes every one of us that offer every day.

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Will you take the challenge to literally build the powerful Kingdom of God here on the earth?

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Will you live your own God-Given Adventure?

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Your Daring Adventure Begins The Day You “Pick Up Your Mat.”

YOU HAD ME AT HELLO! Hot Date Marriage Series - Part 3

OPEN THE DOOR FOR ACCEPTANCE.

"ACCEPT one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

OPEN THE DOOR FOR ATTENTION.

"likewise dwelling with them according to KNOWLEDGE, giving HONOR...” 1 Peter 3:7

“...regard one another as more IMPORTANT than yourselves;” Philippians 2:3

OPEN THE DOOR FOR ADJUSTMENT.

"SUBMIT to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21, Galatians 5:13-15

OPEN THE DOOR FOR AMNESTY.

"Bear with each other and FORGIVE whatever grievances you may have against one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

“Look after each other so that none of you FAILS to RECEIVE the GRACE of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of BITTERNESS grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Hebrews 12:15

OPEN THE DOOR FOR APPRECIATION.

"ENCOURAGE one another and build each other up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“But encourage one another DAILY, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13

OPEN THE DOOR FOR AFFECTION.

“The husband must fulfill his [marital] duty to his wife [with goodwill and kindness], and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife does not have [exclusive] authority over her own body, but the husband shares with her; and likewise the husband does not have [exclusive] authority over his body, but the wife shares with him. 5Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer, but come together again so that Satan will not tempt you [to sin] because of your lack of self-control.” 1 Corinthians 7:3-5

1) A Legitimate Need 2) A Mutual Benefit 3) A Spiritual Responsibility

CONCLUSION: WHAT MAKES A MARRIAGE "CHRISTIAN"?

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

Renewing your covenant vows to each other:

I, _________, take you __________ to be my wife/husband.

To have and to hold from this day forward, For better, for worse, For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health. To love and cherish as long as we both shall live.

How To Heat The Heart Of A Holy Hottie

1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)

“Husbands, in the same way BE CONSIDERATE as you LIVE WITH your wives, and TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT as the weaker partner, and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

According to 1 Peter 3:7, three things will warm the heart of a Godly woman toward her man.

1. Understand my wife!

Hard Because of the way we’re made so different…

Starts - “BE CONSIDERATE”

Difficulty in Communication is Hard Wired (Illus. Communication 3)

Woman 25,000 words – Man 10,000 words…

Wife 45 Min to 1 Hour a day – Husband 15-20 Min. Once, Twice Week

My Wife: Deep Yearning to Know – I want to Know Her –

NOT JUST FIX HER… Understanding is the FIX!!!

Definition: Thoughtful of the needs and feelings of another.

Be in tune with her feelings.

We need to be able to discern our wives feelings and respond to them accordingly.

Don't ignore, belittle, or get angry at your wife's feelings.

Know her desires. - Concerning herself. - Concerning your family

Understand her moods.

Some days she'll be blue a need an extra dose of tenderness.

Some days she'll be fed up with the kids and need you to give her some relief.

Some days she'll feel lonely, and need a little extra time.

Some days she'll feel unlovely, and may need a new dress or a hairdo to make her feel attractive.

There's No System.

Sensitivity grows out of communication.

More than just talking. It is LOOKING, LISTENING, and LEARNING.

Many wives Say, Husbands are BLIND and DEAF Understanding their needs and desires.

So Busy trying to fix it – Never Understand Her –

Understanding is the REAL FIX!

Requires Attention - Every part of the human body communicates:

The eyes - show anger, disinterest, Happiness.

The body - It shows when it's tired, depressed, bored.

The tone of voice often reveals the truth behind our words.

Just - Open our EYES and EARS - Wives are saying (to us and to others), we would learn how to RESPOND TO THEIR EMOTIONS and MEET THEIR NEEDS.

Ask Yourself

Does she need COMFORT?

Does she need ENCOURAGEMENT?

Does she need HELP?

Does she need LEFT ALONE?

2. Spend time with my wife!

“LIVE WITH”

Most Modern Marriages – Suffer from a Simple lack of Togetherness…!

Careers have Destroyed Relationships…

Outside Interests have destroyed Relationships – No Automatic Pilot…

Lack of time together - Opens up room for a deep soul loneliness – Vulnerable!

Definition: Share my life … do things together… be companions.

(Illus.) Sharing Life is Not – Pack Mule, Mouse, Lion, Worker Bee

“What Women Want”… (Illus. Dishes with me 8)

3. Honor my wife!

Value of a Wife:

Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

Prov 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband

Prov 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.

Guy who didn’t do understand this (Illus. Undertaker 9)

“TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT”

Guy Really tried to Change (Illus. Come Home Drunk 7)

Definition: Show that I put her needs and desires ahead of my own by my words, attitudes, and actions.

(Illus.) GOLD

Practical ways to assign honor:

1) Tell her you love her and appreciate her…When we got Married…

2) Tell others that you love her and appreciate her (especially in her presence)

3) Treat her “Heir of the Gracious Gift of Life… Before God” --- CROSS

Frustration builds up - Shown that she is Special

“What’s Wrong?” -- “Why Frustrated?”

“TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT – AS THE WEAKER PARTNER”

Explain: “Weaker – Caution: HANDLE WITH CARE”

HOW? --- 3 Ways…

Pamper Her.

By doing so, you let her know that you want her to dress and smell like a

FIRST YOU NEED A HOT MAN.

The Life Of King David / Hot Date Marriage Series Part 1

Credit: Wild At Heart by Dr. John Eldridge

“Many women want a passive man if a man at all;

Churches often wants a tamed man – called priests or Nice Guys;

University wants a domesticated man – Called Professors or Intellectuals;

Corporation wants a…sanitized, shaven, shallow man.”

Real Question: What Kind of Man does God want…?

Ladies have to learn Want the same kind of Man God really wants!

Understand a Man’s Heart…If the Man in your life is Bored, You are in Trouble!

A Hot Man Becomes Cold Without…

I. A Battle to Fight

Question he asks himself: What can I do?

The Giant Goliath - 1 Samuel 18:6-7 (NIV)

6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

Lead the cheer for victory in his Battles

II. An Adventure to Live

“Adventure with all its requisite danger and wildness – is a deeply spiritual longing literally WRITTEN into the soul of a man.”

Question he asks himself: Who Can I Be?

The Career of A King

2 Samuel 2:1b-4 (NIV) David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the LORD answered.

2So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

2 Samuel 5:2b-5 (NIV) And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” 3When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

If a man has lost this desire, says he doesn’t want it, that’s because he doesn’t know he has what it takes, or believes he will fail the test…

Secret: A Woman often makes her Husbands Adventures, Careers, Promotions by Her attitude toward him…

Encourage his path of adventure beyond life’s ordinary borders.

Remember: Pray and Say, “I think you can do it… I believe in you…”

III. A Beauty to Rescue

Question: Who Desires Him? Who Believes in Him? Who Will share Adventure?

There is nothing that inspires a man to be his best more than a woman who needs him to be.

Its not enough to be a Hero; It’s that he is a Hero in the eyes of someone…

Let Him Win – Let Him Win YOU!!!