“The Rise of Gideon” – “Judges 6:1-40” – 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." - The Call of Gideon - Judges 6:12 When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." - Judges 6:13-16 * The lord is with you. * Go in the strength you have. * God will always make a way. * God will be with you. - Gideon Destroys the Alter of Baal: Judges 6:25 That same night the LORD said to him, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. - The Sign of the Fleece: The spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon. Judges 6:36 Gideon said to God, "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— * It is important we hear from God. * God can use us in ways we don’t anticipate. * The church has to speak up. * Everything in life is related to our religious beliefs no matter what they are.

“No Greater Love” – “Love Never Fails” – John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - How do we live a life of love? * 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 The Way of Love * 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is… - Lincoln was a man after Gods heart. * He saw God in every part of his life. * To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men. * What we do to invest in our children makes a difference. * When you do the right thing, it has impact. * Lincoln brought the pulpit to politics. - We have freedom because of what Jesus did for us. * Who have we touched in our lives today? * Let Jesus love other through us. Every life is valuable.

“Prayer That Gets Results” – “Another awakening is coming, it’s time.” – It is not how many and how much we pray tub who and how we pray. - WHO is praying? - 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. * Humble people * Repentance * Seeing His face * Hungry for God - HOW we pray - Acts 2 - The Coming of the Holy Spirit * Intense prayer, not casual but in desperation. * Hungry for the presence of God. * Praying with expectance, not just hope. - Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Long for His presence. * Time in his word, prayer, listen, worship, make room for Him.

“The Biblical Case for Why Christians Should Be or Become Pro-Life” – “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Jan. 21, 2024” - * June 24, 2022 The impossible happened. Roe v. Wade Overturned. * Margaret Sanger – Founder of “The American Birth Control League” which became Planned Parenthood. - We need to stand up for Life. Gideon – The angel told Gideon to get rid of the child sacrifice system first then he would be told how to deliver your people. - Psalms 106:38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.- The message of the Bible centers on the saving of life. * Psalms 139:13-14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. (14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. * Being pregnant is not a sin, that baby is a blessing. * Save the Storks is a pro-life organization that provides free pre-natal healthcare and resources to women facing unplanned pregnancies. * Love Life organization – The Church as a “House of Refuge”

“The Biblical Case for Why Christians Should Be or Become Pro-Life” – “Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Jan. 21, 2024” - * June 24, 2022 The impossible happened. Roe v. Wade Overturned. * Margaret Sanger – Founder of “The American Birth Control League” which became Planned Parenthood. - We need to stand up for Life. Gideon – The angel told Gideon to get rid of the child sacrifice system first then he would be told how to deliver your people. - Psalms 106:38 They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.- The message of the Bible centers on the saving of life. * Psalms 139:13-14 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. (14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. * Being pregnant is not a sin, that baby is a blessing. * Save the Storks is a pro-life organization that provides free pre-natal healthcare and resources to women facing unplanned pregnancies. * Love Life organization – The Church as a “House of Refuge”

“Impacting Culture Begins in the Secret Place” – “We need to be aware of what is going on.” – * We have to be done with Devotional Christianity. Our prayer life needs to be more than it has ever been. * As the body of Christ, we cannot be distracted or divided. * World Economic Forum – One world government. - We as Americans, have been given something special from God. We are citizens in a country that is run by the people. The government is here to serve us not us serving them. We are the stewards of the freedoms given us. - Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." * Prayerlessness is a sin against God. * John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. * We cannot escape accountability and the judgment of God. * Our God responds to a repentant people. God can give us a fresh start. - God needs His church to be His church again. * It’s not about our life but it is about Gods glory. * We need to learn to die to our self. * Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. * He wants to use you so that He can get glory out of our life. - The Beatitudes Matthew 5:2-12 It Is about the state you are in not the stuff you get.

“Lord, teach us to pray – Part 2” – “The Lord’s Prayer” – The Father already knows what you need. - Critical parameters when approaching the Father in Prayer. Matt. 6:5-8 - 1. Prayer is not a performance 2. Prayer has a special place 3. Prayer is not Plethora of Mindless Repetition - The Lord’s Prayer: An Outline vs. A Prayer? * Matt. 6.9 NIV “This, then is how you should pray,” * Luke 11.2 NASB “When you pray, say,” - The Salutation: “Our Father who is in heaven” Petition #1: “Hallowed be Your Name” Petition #2: “Your kingdom come” Petition #3: “your will be done…” Petition #4: “Give us today our daily bread.” Petition #5: “And forgive us our debts…” Petition #6: “Lead us not into temptation…” - The Father already knows what I need before I ask Him.

“Lord, teach us to pray – Part 1” – “Prayer is: Communication that requires a Conversation” – * Confession/Repentance * Supplication – Pleading/Urgency in Prayer * Petitions – The specific request/needs * Intercession – Praying on behalf of others * Praying in the Spirit/Tongues * Adoration and Worship * Praise and Thanksgiving * Communion (Implies conversation, listening, and meditation - Throughout Jesus’ ministry He often “went off to lonely places” * Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. - Jesus’ example shows: * That Unseen Prayer should dwarf Public Prayer * He considered prayer the primary key to accomplishing God’s work on earth. - Two Key Elements to a vibrant Pray life – “Believing” AND “Unceasing/Persevering”

“Christmas Eve Service 2023” – “The Inn Keeper” – Luke 2:7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. - * Where would you put them, in your home or in a stable? * Does faith change or create anything? * You cannot change reality just because you want something it to be true. * The truth will set you free. ** John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." * If the resurrection is not true then everything else is also not true. * Truth can only be discovered, it cannot be created.

“Here Am I – Hineni” – “Joseph and Mary’s Story” – Matthew 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. -Joseph * Descendants of David * Marriage commitments and customs * Engagement lasts one year * Dowry needs to be paid before engagement - Mary * Mary is Pregnant * Joseph needs to divorce her * Joseph has a dream from God * Mary was everything Joseph thought she was - Hineni – “Here Am I” – Resounding “yes” to God’s call, before knowing what would follow. - Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I (Hineni). Send me!" * Joseph and Mary accepted the consequences of saying yes, use me (Hineni).