ALTAR DAY "My One Word" 2017 2 Kings 13:14-20

WHAT IS A “ONE WORD” ALTAR?

THE ARROW THAT PREDICTS MY FUTURE.

2 Kings 13:14-17

When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17And he said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you shall defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

The Four Predictive Principles Of “My One Word.”

#1: Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God.

#2: Do SOMETHING About ONE THING Instead Of NOTHING About Everything.

#3: My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep.

#4: Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.

THE POINT I KEEP STRIKING THE GROUND.

2 Kings 13:18-20

Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. 19So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.” 20And Elisha died, and they buried him.

THE PLOW AND OXEN I BURN.

1 Kings 19:19, 21

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 21So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

TRANSFORMED COMMUNITY 01.22.17

Four Things That Have To Happen Before A Church Moves To A New Level.

The Pastor Moves Over

Acts 1:9-11 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The Holy Spirit Moves In

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts:2:11-13 ...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

The People Move Up

Acts 2:14-18 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 ”‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams.

18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days

Acts 2:32, 36-37 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

The Church Moves Out

Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

TRANSFORMED LEADERSHIP 01.15.17

God has given all of us different personalities, passions, and potential as Leaders!

However, in order for any of us to succeed in God’s eyes, then all of us focus our power on what we have in common.

A COMMON CAUSE

“...Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.” John 19:21

TWO CONTROVERSIAL TRUTHS:

Every Person Without Faith In Jesus Christ Will Spend Eternity Without God In Hell. “I Am The Way…” John 14:6

Found People Find People. Every Christian Is To Actively Search For Lost Sheep. “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:6

Matthew 10:14-15

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

A COMMON LEADER

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

Jesus’s Five-Pronged Leadership Strategy:

He Led “Himself” By Withdrawing To Pray And Battle Temptation. Mark 1:35 & Matthew 4.

He Confided In “The Three” By Allowing Them To Witness His Greatest Glory And Deepest Temptations. Mark 9:2–3, 14:33–34.

He Trained “The Twelve.” By Spending Most Of His Time With Them. Mark 3:14.

He Mobilized “The Seventy” By Sending Them Out On Special Assignments. Luke 10:1.

He Taught “The Multitudes” On A Mountain And From A Boat. Matthew 5-7 & Luke 5.

A COMMON EVALUATION

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

That servant will be blessed if his master finds him doing this job when he comes. Matthew 24:46

TRANSFORMED BY “ONE WORD” FROM GOD

EVERYBODY WANTS TO CHANGE:

It is expected that 90 million Americans make New Year’s Resolutions.

It is expected that 75% abandon them by February.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4

FOUR PRINCIPLES: Why “MY ONE WORD” ? (slide break or slide-in before every point)

I. Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God. Yours Will Come A Year In Advance.

II. Do Something About ONE THING, Instead Of Nothing About EVERYTHING.

III. A LENS Through Which You SEE, Not A PROMISE You Must Keep.

IV. Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.

A Symbol Of Your Personal, Private... ALTAR!

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: (slide break before every arrow)

They Are Too Vague:

“I want to be in better shape!”

Does this mean touching your toes or running a marathon?

They Are Too Shallow:

“I want to be a better person!”

Better than who? Looking Around = Comparison Looking Inside = Character!

There Are Too Many:

“The one who aims at everything hits nothing.”

What one thing If you only had one month to live?

This comes from the three ugly sisters of guilt, fear, and pride.

What one word on your tombstone?

The Power Of My One Word Is The Power Of The Bible. Your Word Is A Word From God’s Word Illuminated In Your Heart.

JAMES 1:19-25

19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

20Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

21So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives,

and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts,

for it has the power to save your souls.

22But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

23For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.

24You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

25But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

FINDING YOUR WORD: (slide break or slide-in before every arrow)

Get Specific:

What did God do through “My One Word” in your life during 2016? Do you have a testimony to share?

What kind of person do you hope to be by the end of 2017?

Search the Bible for God’s Word for you. Describe the characteristics of that person and the condition of their heart! Write every word down. Group and order them.

List 10-15 words, then narrow it down to just one. What impact will each ‘word’ have on the way you see your life?

Resist Regret:

This year’s resolutions are often last year’s regrets.

Don’t promise not to be what you’ve always been.

Stay Future Focused:

Stay focused on the vision of the person you believe God is calling you to be.

There is no need to rush.

Pray 21 Days - Create your list and narrow down that list into your One Word for 2016.

Our Altar Day - We will begin by picking our words and symbols together on Sunday January, 29 2017

BOOKS NEXT WEEK - My One Word - By Mike Ashcraft. Cost $20

January 29th - ALTAR DAY!

[VIDEO]

The Word “Confession” In Greek = Homo Logeo: Same-Speak: Speak The Same As God / Agree With God

A One Word Prophecy. A Confession Spoken In Agreement With God About My Life! (Della)

HOW TO MAKE A FRESH S.T.A.R.T. (David)

“The Lord says, `Forget about what has happened before.

Do not think about the past. [Instead] look at the new thing I am going to do.’” Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV

STOP MAKING EXCUSES. (Kuturi)

An Excuse Is Just The Skin Of A Reason Wrapped Around A Lie!

“A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful.

But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” Proverbs 28:13 LB

Common Causes Of Failure:

We Don’t Look Ahead “A sensible man watches for problems and prepares to meet them. The fool never looks ahead and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12 LB

We Don’t Ask For Help “Plans fail without good advice.” Proverbs 15:22 NLV

We Don’t Stick With It “If you give up when trouble comes, it shows that you are weak” Proverbs 24:10 NLV

TAKE STOCK. (David)

“You have experienced many things. Were all those experiences wasted? I hope not!” Galatians 3:4 ICB

ACT IN FAITH. (Kuturi)

“According to your faith will it be done to you.” Matthew 9:29 NIV

“We should make plans – counting on God to direct us.” Proverbs 16:9 LB

“Being afraid of people can get you into trouble…” Proverbs 29:25 NCV

REFOCUS YOUR THOUGHTS. (David)

My “One Word” For This Year.

You Can’t help Becoming what you can’t stop thinking about.

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23 (GN)

“Happy are those who… are always meditating on God’s Word…They are like trees along a river

…that do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.” Psalms 1:1-3 GN

THANK GOD IN ADVANCE. (Kuturi)

“You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6 NCV

Ask God For The Spiritual Ability To Fast Forward Your Eyes Of Faith To January 1, 2018.

Why Not Thank Him For What He Has Accomplished A Full Year In Advance?

John Chapter 11 - Jesus Thanked God BEFORE Lazarus was raised from the Dead.

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.

Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 NASB

BIblical Precedent: “About this time next year” The promise of a son to a barren woman Genesis 18 & 2 Kings 4

“When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside.

He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 LB

“The Light Of Hope” Christmas Sunday 2016

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

“We can live forty days without food, eight days without water, four minutes without air, but only a few seconds without hope.”

WHAT IS HOPE? Webster’s Dictionary defines hope as… “A Desire That Comes With The Expectation Of Fulfillment.”

THE LIGHT OF HOPE IS… A DESIRE THAT COMES FROM GOD.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV

THE LIGHT OF HOPE IS... EXPECTING GOD TO FULFILL THE DESIRE HE PLACED IN ME.

25At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30I have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared for all people. 32He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel! Luke 2:25-32 NLT

Without hope, something inside of all of us dies… Hope motivates us to keep going and to never give up.

THE LIGHT OF HOPE IS…

A love that can never be fathomed.

A life that can never die.

A righteousness that can never be tarnished.

A peace that can never be understood.

A rest that can never be disturbed.

A joy that can never be diminished.

A hope that can never be disappointed.

A light that can never be darkened.

It takes an outside source to bring light into darkness. That’s exactly what Jesus did that first Christmas Day!

THE LIGHT OF HOPE IS… SHONE IN THE LORD’S SUPPER.

1 Corinthians 11:26-28 NASB

26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 27Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Matthew 26:26

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Matthew 26:27-29

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Put The Fun In Dysfunctional. 11.18.16. Not This Year Series.

In Luke Jesus speaks of Himself describing why he came using Isaiah’s description of Him,

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:4-6

The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. You are not just part of the family, you are an heir to God’s throne.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

Jesus Came So That Our Dysfunction Could Be Turned Into Joy!

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David... Luke 1:32

• King David.

(David was the greatest king in the history of Israel. His greatest victory and his greatest defeat can be summed up in two names, David and Goliath and David and Bathsheba. And with Bathsheba, he takes the wife of another man, Uriah, and has him killed. And despite his sin, God includes Him in the Messianic lineage.)

• Tamar.

(Tamar could not be allowed in the Temple, they were outsiders, gentiles, sinners. Tamar was involved in prostitution for favors, not as a profession, but she was far from a Godly woman and amazingly, she is on the list of the Messianic lineage.)

• Rahab.

(She was also guilty of prostitution, but unlike Tamar she did it for a profession. She is the only recorded survivor of Jericho and was saved because she hid the two spies from Israel.)

• Ruth.

(She was not an Israelite, but a gentile, more specifically a Moabites. Moab was a son born through incest by Lot. This woman, typically mocked among the Israelites, a widow, whose husband died young. She went into the fields, like a poor person would, gathering the leftover crops in the field. And it was there Boaz catches a look at her and is taken by her, and a beautiful story of redemption takes place.)

• Bathsheba.

(She is referred to as the “Wife of Uriah.” Why not just call her Bathsheba? Because God want our attention drawn to Uriah, a good man and an incredible loyal soldier.)

• Mary.

(Her story was not one of immorality needing forgiveness, her’s was a story of a person living in the poorest conditions. She was a peasant girl, living in a godless city, known as Nazareth. It was a city known for immorality, the Roman soldiers often went through there to have a wild night on the town. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” This was Mary’s home. Mary is the only person who ever lived who had Jesus in her womb and later in her heart.)

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Luke 1:26-29

TESTIMONY OF LENORA UHLS

• Joseph.

(In many ways, Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas Story. Just as surely as God chose Mary to have God’s own son, God chose Joseph to be his guardian, a step-father, or father figure for Jesus on earth. Jesus was known as the son of the carpenter.)

“But the angel of the Lord comes to him, Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1

New Hope For Old Habits At Christmas 12.11.16. “Not This Year!” Series

Luke 2:1-8

1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were much afraid.

Hope Delivered Directly From God.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

Answers Today For My Real Needs.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Breakthrough Birth From An Unknown, Unexpected, And Unrecognized Source.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:12-14

Initiate Action Now.

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:15,16

Transformation Takes Off And Takes Time.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:17, 20

Sometimes "Stuff Happens!" and when it does don't let it take your joy! True joy, comes from the Holy Spirit living inside of us; and when outside circumstances get us down it doesn't have to steal our joy that we have in Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 -"Through every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ concerning you."

THE CHANGE YOU NEED 11.20.16

REAL CHANGE STARTS WITH NEW LIFE, NOT JUST A NEW LEAF.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come" (2 Cor. 5:17)

In the Old Testament, we see how this cycle played out in the life of Solomon. He tried to change through human ingenuity when he needed divine intervention. And he was the smartest person - ever. (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)

Jesus calls it being "born again." (John 3:3)

REAL CHANGE IS A PROCESS, NOT A DESTINATION.

"I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6)

"By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires" (2 Peter 1:4)

"We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18)

REAL CHANGE IS LETTING GO AND GRABBING HOLD.

“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT)

Here are some of the reasons why change is difficult:

a. Because we are stubborn

b. Because we are trapped

c. Because we are comfortable

d. Because we are afraid

d. Because change hurts

e. Because we lack knowledge

f. Because we lack power

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves;”

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”

(2 Corinthians 4:7, 16 NASB77)