Victory Church

Greater Thoughts, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.

~ James Allen

Ecclesiastes 10:2 (ESV)

2 A wise man's heart inclines him to the right,

but a fool's heart to the left.

Everything BEGINS with a thought.

Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

You are not what you think you are, rather, what you think, you are!

What we think determines HOW WE FEEL.

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV)

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned[a] and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Our thoughts determine our DESTINY.

Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a lifestyle; sow a lifestyle, reap your destiny.

Romans 8:5-6 (ESV)

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

GREATER THOUGHTS...

1. Find a PLAN to control my thoughts.

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2. Find a PLACE to think my thoughts.

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

3 You keep him in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.

3. Find PEOPLE to stretch my thoughts.

James 5:16 (ESV)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

4. Find a PURPOSE to land my thoughts.

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[b]

5. Find a POWER to fuel my thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9 (ESV)

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Let the mind of The Master

be the master of your mind.

Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Greater Prayer, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

Luke 11:1-4 (ESV)

The Lord's Prayer

11 Now Jesus[a] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread,[b]

4 and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And lead us not into temptation.”

Four things let us ever keep in mind: God hears prayer, God heeds prayer,

God answers prayer, and God delivers by prayer.

~ E.M Bounds

Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

Further Instructions

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1. Prayer is DEEPLY PERSONAL.

Psalm 27:4-5 (ESV)

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire[a] in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

Philippians 3:10 (ESV)

10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

2. Prayer is BIRTHED THROUGH BROKENNESS.

Psalm 51:10-12 (ESV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right[a] spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.

3. Pray PERSISTENTLY.

Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

Further Instructions

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5 (ESV)

The Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,[a] you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children[b] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Final Instructions and Benediction

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[c] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Luke 11:8-10 (ESV)

8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence[a] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Luke 18:1-7 (ESV)

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

A true Christian prayer is not something few find time to do.

It is a habit that we cannot do without.

4. Pray PASSIONATELY.

James 5:16 (ESV)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

John 17:9-12 (ESV)

9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

5. Pray COURAGEOUSLY.

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The most courageous prayer you can pray? A REPENTANT PRAYER

Greater Faith, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

Matthew 5:1-2, 6 (ESV)

The Sermon on the Mount

5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

John 6:35 (ESV)

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

Psalm 107:9 (ESV)

9 For he satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Mark 7:25-30 (ESV)

25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

Having a hungry heart...

1. Step out in FAITH.

Mark 7:25 (ESV)

25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.

2. Stay HUMBLE at the feet of Jesus.

Mark 7:25 (ESV)

25 But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet.

James 4:10 (ESV)

10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

3. Make your REQUEST known to God.

Mark 7:26 (ESV)

26 Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.

Mark 11:24 (ESV)

24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received[a] it, and it will be yours.

4. Never GIVE UP.

Mark 7:28-29 (ESV)

28 But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs.” 29 And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.”

Luke 1:37 (NCV)

37 God can do anything!”

Greater Worship, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

The height of insanity is doing the same thing

over and over again and expecting different results.

~ Albert Einstein

We all WORSHIP something.

Worship is our RESPONSE to what we VALUE MOST.

Romans 1:21-23 (ESV)

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

What does God really want?

Psalm 50:8-15 (ESV)

8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;

your burnt offerings are continually before me.

9 I will not accept a bull from your house

or goats from your folds.

10 For every beast of the forest is mine,

the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know all the birds of the hills,

and all that moves in the field is mine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,

for the world and its fullness are mine.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,[a]

and perform your vows to the Most High,

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

1. THANK HIM sincerely.

Psalm 50:14 (ESV)

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,[a]

and perform your vows to the Most High,

1 Corinthians 15:57 (ESV)

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Keep your COMMITMENT.

Psalm 50:14 (ESV)

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,[a]

and perform your vows to the Most High,

Romans 12:1 (ESV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b]

3. CALL on Him!

Psalm 50:15 (ESV)

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

Deuteronomy 6:14-15 (ESV)

14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— 15 for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

What God really wants is A RELATIONSHIP with me.

James 4:8 (ESV)

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Romans 5:1 (ESV)

Peace with God Through Faith

5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

9 But, as it is written,

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him"—

Mark 9:16-24 (ESV)

16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out[a] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

CAUSES OF DOUBT...

We believe like THOSE AROUND US.

Stay away from negative people,

They have a problem for every solution.

Mark 9:19 (ESV)

19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (ESV)

The Temple of the Living God

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?[a] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

We’ve tried things that DIDN’T WORK.

Mark 9:17-18 (ESV)

17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”

We believe, SORT OF.

Mark 9:24 (ESV)

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out[a] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

James 1:6-8 (ESV)

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

A GREATER FAITH...

1. Believes when it DOESN’T SEE.

Faith Is Taking The First Step Even When You Can't See The Whole Staircase.

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2. Persists when NOTHING CHANGES.

FAITH

sees the INVISIBLE,

believes the UNBELIEVABLE,

and receives the IMPOSSIBLE.

Colossians 4:2 (GNT)

Instructions

2 Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.

3. Works when it DOESN’T MAKE SENSE.

James 2:21-22 (ESV)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

Faith, by Lead Pastor Toby Cox

1 Corinthians 2:9 (ESV)

9 But, as it is written,

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

nor the heart of man imagined,

what God has prepared for those who love him"—

Mark 9:16-24 (ESV)

16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out[a] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

CAUSES OF DOUBT...

We believe like THOSE AROUND US.

Stay away from negative people,

They have a problem for every solution.

Mark 9:19 (ESV)

19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (ESV)

The Temple of the Living God

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial?[a] Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

We’ve tried things that DIDN’T WORK.

Mark 9:17-18 (ESV)

17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”

We believe, SORT OF.

Mark 9:24 (ESV)

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out[a] and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

James 1:6-8 (ESV)

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

A GREATER FAITH...

1. Believes when it DOESN’T SEE.

Faith Is Taking The First Step Even When You Can't See The Whole Staircase.

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

2. Persists when NOTHING CHANGES.

FAITH

sees the INVISIBLE,

believes the UNBELIEVABLE,

and receives the IMPOSSIBLE.

Colossians 4:2 (GNT)

Instructions

2 Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God.

3. Works when it DOESN’T MAKE SENSE.

James 2:21-22 (ESV)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;

Ephesians 4:7-8 (ESV)

7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”[a]

Luke 2:8-14 (ESV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[a]

Peace with each other

Luke 2:9-10 (ESV)

9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

Luke 10:25-37 (ESV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Ephesians 2:17-22 (ESV)

17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,[a] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by[b] the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:1-4 (ESV)

Unity in the Body of Christ

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

Peace with Jesus