IT'S ALWAYS OK TO COME HOME

Luke 15:11
11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! 18 I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ 20 So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

TALKING TO THE DEAD.

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

You’ve Got To Kill Your Doubt To Raise Your Dead!

John 11
21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 28After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.  32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

I. Cry For The Dead _____________ .

 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.   3 4“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept.  36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”  37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”  38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”  40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

 II. Speak To The Dead ___________.

 41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”  43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”

Talking To The Dead Thing Proves You Don’t Believe It’s Dead.

 You Have To Start Talking To Stop Crying.

 If You Don’t Talk, It Won’t Walk!

 If You Want To Change Your Life You’ve Got To Change Your Confession.  

 III. Unwrap The Dead ___________.

44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

 Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition.

Put Wings On Your Prayers.

If You Don’t Walk It Out, You Won’t Work It Out!

Who Is Your Miracle For?

THE CHANGE YOU NEED

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)

Delighted

Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the Lord,  and He will give you the desires of your heart."

2 Corinthians 3:18
" And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another"

God's Presence Changes Everything

John 20:30-31
"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

John 2:9-11
"When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine.  But you have kept the good wine until now."  This, the first of his  signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested is glory and his disciples believed in him."

God is at Your Wedding!
Jeremiah 29:13
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Pay Attention!
John 2:11
"And his disciples believed in him."

Look for More Signs!
John 21:25
"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did.  Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."

PICK UP YOUR MAT

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.

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

What To Do While Waiting On God

Psalm 37:3-7

3Trust in the LORD and do good; 

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can. 
- John  Wesley

 Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 

 4Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  

 5Commit your way to the LORD, 

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

 6He will bring out your righteousness as the light, And your judgment as the noonday.  

 7Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;  

 When IT’s Not Right, God Says “No.”

When YOU’RE Not Right, God Says “GROW.”   

When The TIMING Is Not Right, God Says “Slow.”

But When IT’s Right, YOU’RE Right, And The TIMING Is Right, God Says “GO.”

"Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.  So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek.  Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."  So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek,  while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill."  Exodus 17:8-13 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,"  2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

"Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him. and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side.  So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun."  Exodus 17:8-13

"And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword."  Exodus 17:8-13

FORGIVENESS 

“Giving Up Hope For A Better Past!”  

Matthew. 18:21-35
21Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” 23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24“When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25“But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26“So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27“And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28“But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29“So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30“But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31“So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34“And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

HOW DO I FORGIVE?

1. MAKE A DECISION TO FORGIVE.

21Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

START BY SAYING THE WORDS, AT LEAST TO YOURSELF.

2. FORGIVE REPEATEDLY. 

22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

UNTIL THEY STOP HURTING YOU, OR UNTIL IT NO LONGER HURTS.

3. FORGIVE COMPLETELY.

27“And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.

FORGIVENESS MUST BE GRANTED, IT CAN NEVER BE EARNED.

4. FORGIVING DOESN’T MEAN TRUSTING.

28“But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 

 5. FORGIVING DOESN’T MEAN FORGETTING.

32“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.

6. FORGIVING SETS YOU FREE.

34“And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

IF I DON’T FORGIVE… 

I WILL BE IN TORTURED AND IN BONDAGE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!

1. SATAN WILL HAVE A FOOTHOLD IN MY HEART.

2. I WILL HAVE TO BE PERFECT FROM NOW ON.

3. I WILL NEVER HAVE PEACE.

A PLACE TO SHELTER

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”    Psalm 91:1-2 ESV

Panic Focuses On What I Am Going Through. 

Peace Focuses On Who God Is.

GOD, YOU ARE MY STRENGTH

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.   Psalm 46:2

You give me strength to attack my enemies and power to overcome their defenses.        Psalm 18:29 GNT

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. 
Psalm 18:29 NIV

… but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 
Daniel 11:32b KJV

GOD, YOU ARE FAITHFUL  

Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. 
Psalm 119:90 NLT

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.   Hebrews 13:8

He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it.   Philippians 1:6

 ...if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.   2 Timothy 2:13

GOD, YOU ARE MY HOPE  

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

You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas.   Psalm 65:5 NLT

“Your Hopelessness About The Problem Is A Bigger Problem Than The Problem.” 
- Steve Backlund

GOD, YOU ARE NEAR

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”  when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.   Isaiah 31:21

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit. 
Psalm 34:18

“You are nearer to me than my hands and my feet. You are closer to me than my breath.” 

A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS 10.21.18  ~ 1 Samuel 30

LOSE TO WIN

1 Samuel 30

So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor; there those remained behind. 10But David pursued [the Amalekites], he and four hundred men, for two hundred who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor stayed behind.9

Your Setback Was A Setup For A Comeback.
A Perfect Place.
Just Because You’re In A Perfect Place, It Doesn’t Mean Everything’s Going To Be Perfect.
Who Stayed Behind In Your Fight?
Stop Waiting For What You Want And Start Working With What You Have.
Thorn Flesh 2 Cor. 12

“IT’S JUST 400 CAMELS.”   A Very Particular Set Of Camels.

1 Samuel 30 

17“not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode camels and fled.  18So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. 19Nothing of theirs was missing whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken; David recovered it all. 

Don’t let what you CAN’T DO keep you from what you CAN DO.
IGNORE - WHAT CAN’T DO. | WHY? Because Whatever Overwhelms You Shapes You.

Raise Your “Cave In” Point.

CAPTURE INCREASED CAPACITY 

1 Samuel 30

RECOVER LOSS      
18So David recovered all…  and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing…  David recovered it all.
CAPTURE INCREASE       
20So David captured all… [which the enemy had]  and [the people] ...said, “This is David’s spoil.”

If You Ever Get Knocked Down…  Pick Something Up While You’re Down There.
       
When You’re Down To Nothing... God Is Up To Something!

David Down To Nothing   

GIVE LIKE A KING 

1 Peter 2:9

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Samuel 30

24For as is the share of him who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage.” 26to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, “Here is a blessing  for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord...” 31 … and for [those elders in] all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to go.”