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Gratitude for a Future and a Hope

Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT

8“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLT

11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

12‭‭ “In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

James 1:13-18 NLT

13“And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”

1. Gratitude for what I have *been *through and what *HE has saved me from

2. Gratitude *changes your *expectations

3. Gratitude that can *start *today

JOHN 8:1-12 NLT

1“Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. 4“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. 9When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” 11“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” 12Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.””

Jesus is our Future and our Hope today

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Luke 17:11-19 (NASB) - 11 While He was on the way to Jerusalem, He was passing between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as He entered a village, ten men with leprosy who stood at a distance met Him; 13 and they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed. 15 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, 16 and he fell on his face at His feet, giving Thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 But Jesus responded and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? 18 Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

1. Grace Meets You *Where *You *Are

V. 12 And as He entered a village, ten men with leprosy who stood at a distance met Him;

V. 14 When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed.

2. Faith Is *Obedience That Walks While the *Outcome Is Still *Invisible

Hebrews 11:1 — Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

V. 15-16 - 15 Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, 16 and he fell on his face at His feet, giving Thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan.

3. *Worship Is *Gratitude Made Visible

V. 19 And He said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.”

V. 17 But Jesus responded and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?

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Philippians 4:6-8 – 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

SERMON TITLE: “LOOK AT IT THIS WAY”

1. WORRY IS AN *OPPORTUNITY FOR *PRAYER

Philippians 4:6 – 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

2. WHEN WORRY TURNS TO PRAYER, *PEACE BECOMES OUR *PROTECTION

Philippians 4:7 – 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ

Jesus.

3. YOUR THOUGHTS SHAPE YOUR *PERSPECTIVE, AND YOUR PERSPECTIVE DETERMINES YOUR *RESPONSE

Philippians 4:8 – 8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy dwell on these things.

Philippians 4:9 – 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

MIN TIME:

Romans 5:1 – 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:10-13 – 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down. 11 They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; for they did not love their lives to the point of death. 12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great fury, because he knows his time is short.

SERMON TITLE: “A DEFEATED FOE”

Revelation 12:10 – 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say, The salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have now come, because the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been thrown down.

1. SATAN WAS DEFEATED AT THE *CROSS

1 Corinthians 2:8 – None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Colossians 2:14-15 – 14 He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.

Romans 8:1 – 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,

2. OUR ENEMY IS DEFEATED BUT NOT *DESTROYED… *YET! (*Trevor: Can you make this 2 slides? Put the YET on 2nd slide.)

Revelation 20:10 – 10 The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet are, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

3. DON’T BE AFRAID TO WALK IN *VICTORY!

Revelation 12:11 – 11 They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; for they did not love their lives to the point of death.

Psalm 23:4 (ESV) – 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

Romans 8:37 – No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Hebrews 10:24-25 – 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. 

1 Peter 5:6-7 – 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

SERMON TITLE: “WORKING IN THE WAIT”

1. GOD CREATED TIME. HE IS NOT RESTRICTED BY IT.

1 Peter 5:6a – 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God,...

2 Peter 3:8 – 8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

2. WHAT LOOKS LIKE DELAY IS ACTUALLY DEVELOPMENT.

1 Peter 5:6 – 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time,

Isaiah 40:31 KJV – 31 but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

3. WHEN I REMEMBER HIS CARE, I CAN TRUST HIS CLOCK

1 Peter 5:7 – 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

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(Ephesians 6:10-12 csb) Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 

1. Recognize the *Reality of the *Battle

(v:12) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 

(2 Corinthians 10:3-4) For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, 4 since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. 

2. Recognize the *Strength of the *Lord

(v.10) Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.

(Zechariah 4:6 “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit…”

3. Recognize the *Strategy of the *Enemy

(v.11b) so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.

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1 Peter 5:8 CSB -8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

1. HE WAS *CREATED, BUT *CORRUPTED

Ezekiel 28:14-16 – 14 You were an anointed guardian cherub, for I had appointed you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 From the day you were created you were blameless in your ways until wickedness was found in you. 16 Through the abundance of your trade, you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I expelled you in disgrace from the mountain of God, and banished you, guardian cherub, from among the fiery stones.

Isaiah 14:11-13 – 11 Your splendor has been brought down to Sheol(hell), along with the music of your harps (worship). Maggots are spread out under you, and worms cover you.” 12 Shining morning star, how you have fallen from the heavens! You destroyer of nations, you have been cut down to the ground. You said to yourself, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will set up my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of the gods’ assembly, in the remotest parts of the North.

Luke 10:17-18 – 17 The seventy-two , returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like lightning."

2. HE’S *INFLUENTIAL, BUT NOT *EQUAL

Ephesians 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.

3. HE IS *DETERMINED, BUT *DEFEATED

Hebrews 2:14 – 14 Now since the children have flesh and blood in common, Jesus also shared in these, so that through his death he might destroy the one holding the power of death is, the devil.

James 4:7 – 7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Under Construction - "Working In The Wait" (Alvaton - Week 5)

Hebrews 10:24-25 – 24 And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching. 

1 Peter 5:6-7 – 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

SERMON TITLE: “WORKING IN THE WAIT”

1. GOD CREATED TIME. HE IS NOT RESTRICTED BY IT.

1 Peter 5:6a – 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God,...

2 Peter 3:8 – 8 Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.

2. WHAT LOOKS LIKE DELAY IS ACTUALLY DEVELOPMENT.

1 Peter 5:6 – 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time,

Isaiah 40:31 KJV – 31 but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

3. WHEN I REMEMBER HIS CARE, I CAN TRUST HIS CLOCK

1 Peter 5:7 – 7 casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.

1 Chronicles‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬   “Jabez  was more honored than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez and said, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only you would bless me, extend my border, let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so that I will not experience pain.”  And God granted his request.”

Initiation by conversation 

1. Move Into God’s *Blessing

1 Chronicles 4:10a  “If only you would bless me,”

2. Move Into *Greater *Purpose

1 Chronicles 4:10b.  “extend my border”

"He who desires, but acts not, breeds pestilence" William Blake

3. Move Into God’s *Protection

1 Chronicles 4:10c.  “let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm, so that I will not experience pain.” 

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬  “When you pass through the waters,  I will be with you,  and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire,  you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.”

Under Construction - The Rebuild (Alvaton - Week 3)



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1. We are *rebuilding so that we can *rebuild. 



‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ “Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.  , But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth? , The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,  to fill all things.  And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,  until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,  growing into maturity with a stature  measured by Christ’s fullness.”



We can't allow ourselves to focus on what we have done; we have to move in and say what’s next…





2. In the rebuild, we have to build in some *flex *space….



Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ “I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot.  In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content #— #whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. ”

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3. We have to *refuse to let *religion set in.



‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ "“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.” This is the  Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth,  so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”



When we are church that says, Your way is better, then we get to be a church that is able to see His Higher ways!