As we approach the new year...

... I want you to prayerfully prepare yourself for our annual 21 days of fasting and prayer.  We believe God going to do wonderful things here at Life Church and we want to make sure that we are in the absolute center of God’s will.  God is pretty clear about how He wants us to fast...about what our intentions are as we fast. Isaiah 58:6 7 (NIV) "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter    when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”

Our desire should be that through our fasting and praying that we see chains broken, addictions abolished, the cords that are tightly around the necks of the oppressed loosed, and to see them set free.  When Jesus sets someone free...they are free. This is the goal of our prayer and fasting. It is having compassion for the poor and hungry and helping those who cannot help themselves. Understanding that our families have to be of utmost importance to us. Our fasting should renew our love for God and for each other!

What can we expect when we fast in sincerity and according to God’s will?  Isaiah 58:8 11 (NIV)   “Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.  Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.  The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.” Come on, Life Church, let us fast together and see God grow Life Church to one thousand plus and start a new campus!

As we approach Christmas...

       ... my prayer is that all of us will keep the main thing the main thing.  We all know this but sometimes we need to be reminded that Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He left the splendor and glory of heaven to be born in a manger, live His life among us, go to the cross, and be raised from the dead that we might have the most awesome gift of eternal life with God. It should never be hard for us to worship Him at Christmas time when you consider all He has done for us. A few years ago I preached a message “Wake Up! The Gifts Are Under the Tree!” That is what my parents used to say to us on Christmas morning.  My sermon said for us to wake up because our gifts are under the tree...the cross!

Many get caught up with the pressure of making sure everyone gets a gift and unfortunately many go into debt to do so. Christian financial expert Dave Ramsey says that we should never go into debt for Christmas but that we keep the main thing the main thing.  He said we spend what we have on those we can and trust that everyone will understand. He goes on and tells parents not to get all stressed out over this issue but to sit down with their children and explain to them the best they can their situation.  He also says it is a great opportunity to share with them that the most important things in life are our relationship with God and each other.

  Mary (the mother of Jesus) had to learn Christmas was gaining and losing...how so?  She gained by being chosen to have the Christ-child conceived in her. She had to be willing to lose her reputation and almost her husband. Luke 1:35 38 (NIV) “The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.” As we choose this Christmas to be the Lord’s servants let us choose like Mary to be the Lord’s servants!

Jim Cymbala says, “Prayer links us...

... to the promises and power of the Almighty. Calling out to God threatens Satan’s kingdom because it brings the blessings of heaven to earth and grants salvation to the ungodly.”  As we get ready to go into 2019 let us commit to fasting and prayer like never before. Join us the first full week of January 2019 each night to earnestly seek the Lord and to pray for God’s continued blessings! Also, we want to be thankful for all He has done for us! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The early church devoted itself to prayer (Acts 2:42), it prayed the Apostle Peter out of prison the night before his scheduled execution (Acts 12), and they responded to persecution for the first time by prayer (Acts 4:42).  God responded by granting them a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and a boldness to witness for Christ.  When Ananias was so fearful to go in obedience to pray for Saul who became Paul, God gave him this sign to let him know he had changed: Acts 9:11 (NKJV)  “...behold, he is praying.”  Prayer is key!

We all in one accord say that we want to grow to one thousand plus and we all acknowledge that there are many adversaries.  Listen to the exhortation of our Lord:  Luke 18:1 (NIV) “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”  If you have not arrived at your destination yet...do not give up and do not stop praying. The Scriptures we read about putting on God’s armor also tells us:  Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”  Brothers and Sisters, keep praying and we will see a great harvest of souls in 2019!

Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV) ...

...“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”  All of us know that we should pray and that we should pray every day...without ceasing.  We all know we should pray fervently and that we should be constantly making intercession to the Lord for a multitude of reasons...prodigals, sickness, our nation, etc.  We read books on prayer, hear sermons about prayer, go to seminars about prayer, and we even commit ourselves to pray more (New Year’s). Why is it so hard for us to pray consistently and to worship God continually?

Let’s look at some reasons why it is so hard to pray and to worship.

1. We have trouble praying because prayer and worship seem to be unnatural acts for us.  Stay with me...we were originally created to desire communion with God...Adam and Eve walked with God daily in the garden.  Something separated them from this close communion...what was it? Sin. Sin also puts a wall between God and ourselves.

2. We have trouble praying because prayer and worship seem to be admissions of weakness.   Get this...the act of prayer and worship by their nature are admissions of weakness. We are crying out for God’s help! As we pray, our inner man acknowledges our utter dependence upon the One we are praying to. Paul says when we are weak then we are strong.

3. We have trouble praying and worshiping because we do not see the actual results of prayer the way we expect.  Don’t misunderstand me, I believe God absolutely answers prayer.  Most of us have lived long enough to realize that God’s answers do not always come in the way or on the time frame that we would have chosen...was He listening?  

Key: We must begin to see prayer and worship are for the business of aligning ourselves with God’s purposes instead of asking Him and expecting Him to align with ours. Amen!

Today I want you to ask yourself...

        ... why do you want to be filled with Holy Spirit? Because you attend a church that being filled with Holy Spirit power is one of our tenets of faith, I must surmise that you would love to be filled with supernatural power. You probably would not keep coming here if you did not want Him but here’s my question for you today: Why do you want Him...what is your motive?  Before you think I am being rude for asking...the scriptures are clear about people asking for things with the wrong motives.  James 4:3 (NKJV) “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Our desire should be to live for the cause and the glory of God Who put us on this earth in the first place.

So really, why do you want Holy Spirit to work in your life or to fill you up...is it for your own benefit or for the glory of God?  Many believe Holy Spirit is much like a pawn that they have access to so that they can manipulate others and to look spiritual in other people’s eyes. They believe that when they give a “word” people will ooh and awe over their ability to walk so closely to the Lord. What they fell to see is that all of the spiritual gifts of Holy Spirit are for the edification, exhortation, and building up of the body of Christ, not our own grandiose ideas. How much do you love the church?  How much do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Do you want to build them up or tear them down...encourage them or control them? What’s your motive?

It is so important to remember these verses: 1 Corinthians 12:711 (NKJV)  “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”  Let me sum this up: Holy Spirit gives the gifts as He wills (not as we will) and He does it for the profit of all!

Politics…politics…politics….

...politicians have been campaigning forever, it seems, and all of us have become weary of the whole process.  Let’s break down the word…Politics…Poli means many and ticks are blood sucking parasites!  Pretty good description.  On a more serious note, how should we vote…who should we vote for?  Our choices don’t seem so good, Pastor Rick, so what should we do?  Maybe it will help you to stop looking at the people and start looking at their platform…what they believe and what they support.  I have had a simple formula for years and maybe it will help you.  The easy answer to how you should vote is to Vote Like a Pro!

1. Vote for those who are pro-life.  This is a biggy for me!  If you read both platforms one is for protecting unborn babies and the other platform if for abortion up to the day of birth.  Vote pro-life!

2. Vote for those who are pro-biblical marriage.  The Bible is clear that marriage is between one man and one woman for a lifetime.  Anything else is against God’s Word and, no, I do not care what the Supreme Court has said about it.  Vote pro-biblical marriage!

3. Vote for those who are pro-Israel.  Not just in their rhetoric but in reality.  God says that Israel is the apple of His eye…He will bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them.  Vote pro- Israel!

4. Vote for those who are for our protection.  God thought it was important enough to send Nehemiah to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and to replace the gates. He also told them to separate themselves from those who did not believe in Jehovah God.  Vote for those who will protect the United States of America!

5. Vote for those who are pro-Christian.  They may not seem to be Christian to us but the question is “Will they defend our religious freedom and protect us from those who would change our very foundation we were founded on?”  They will protect our Judea-Christian values and rights.  Vote pro-Christian!

Vote like a Pro!  Enough said!

We all want change...

...  but are we willing to be the change we want to see? Are we willing to pass on to others what we have learned like Moses did for Joshua? Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV) ⁷  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. John D. Rockefeller said “Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” Leadership is a process, not a job. It requires the passing of the torch from one leader to another. We see this with Moses and Joshua. So what can you do to be ready to lead.

A.  Pay attention to what is going on around you. To become a great leader you cannot just focus on one thing but you must be able to see the big picture. See what is needed to make the organization better and wisely share with the leader the facts.

B. Be a problem solver. Problem solving will more than likely come from someone who is forward thinking, not always looking back of how we used to do it. Past experience can be beneficial but be willing to learn. Many churches and businesses have brought much detriment to themselves but always looking back. I read a few years ago that many of our churches are trapped in the 50s and 60s and that is why they do not grow.

True leadership is about solving problems and helping to take the load off of the head of the organization. You get better at solving problems as you encounter problems…start practicing before you lead.

Ketterling:  You probably think about becoming a leader more than existing leaders think about you becoming a leader.  They have other things on their minds.  If there isn’t someone to hold you accountable, hold yourself accountable.  Don’t let the day to day routine leave you in the shadow.  

In Luke 13:15 (NIV) 15 The Lord answered him,...

... "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?” Jesus had very little patience with the religious of His day and I love His style..."You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?”

Jesus had no problem with initiative...He saw a need and He met it...He saw the woman and He healed her after being crippled 18 years. In His impatience with their hypocrisy...He said to them...when something is set before you that represents a need...a cripple woman or a tied up donkey, do what you are supposed to do! 

This what He said to them and I believe He is saying to us...Untie your donkey...KJV!

We have prayed, we have asked, and we have believed God will open a great and effective door and that He will give us life more abundantly...it is time we untie our donkey and move toward the goal set before us. Say to your neighbor...untie your donkey. James 4:17 (NLT) “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” Example - It is one thing to want to go thru that great and effective door in the area of your finances, to pray it will happen, to tell everyone your need, but it is another thing to untie your donkey or get off your donkey and start searching for a job or for more work.

It is one thing to be frustrated and concerned about the condition of our nation but it is another to educate yourself where the candidates line up, or don’t line up with Scripture, and then untie your donkey, and go vote, and get others to do it also. Find out who is pro-life, pro-Israel, pro-family, pro-marriage (man and a woman), and for protection of our country and then vote for that candidate. Remember the four lepers were in a horrible situation...did I mention they were lepers...Hear this...They were put outside the gate because of their disease (limited...sound familiar?) They were broke, busted, and disgusted not to mention they were starving to death...Their options were not good...go to the enemy camp or stay there until they died. These lepers asked each other...why do we keep sitting here until we die...it is time for us to untie our donkey and get up and go do something. They said “Let’s untie our donkey” and head to the enemy’s camp and just see what God is going to do for us...If we die...we die!  Though He slay me yet will I trust Him!!!

We have been speaking about...

... you being the change you want to see. As we have mentioned: Sometimes good leaders have to make decisions. Here are some simple steps in making good and informed decisions.

A. Approach decision making with humility.  Understand that good decisions are made when a highly committed team, with a selection of perspectives, life experiences and personalities come together for the good of the team. Proverbs 15:22 (NLT) ²²  Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. 

B. Ask “What if” to identify alternative solutions.  Keep asking the question until you have exhausted all possibilities.

C. Evaluate alternatives that are given and identify the ones best for the team and organization. 

D. Choose a plan and go with it with all your heart. People are watching to see your confidence or lack of it.

E. Communicate the decision and the plan of action. More information is better than less.

F. Execute the decision and plan with excellence. More failure in business results from good decisions executed poorly than from poor decisions. 

G. At some point, evaluate the decision and make any necessary adjustments.  No decision will be completely perfect.  The goal is to make the decision right, not for you to always be right.

Great leaders inspire other leaders.

A. Communicate your vision.  

B. Offer encouragement and support.  People want to know that what they are doing matters.

C. Challenge people to go beyond their perceived limits. Never settle for where you are; keep raising the bar and asking people to stretch their thinking and creativity.

D. Set reachable, measureable goals. People want to know how well they are doing.  Are we reaching our Missions goals and going beyond them? Are we really growing to one thousand?

E. Get out of the way.  Trust your team and let them execute the vision.

We all have to realize...

... at some point that leadership matters…it should matter to you and it obviously will matter to those who you are trying to lead. General George S. Patton said, “We heard sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people.  Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.” There is a big difference in being a leader and being the person in charge.  There are people who are in leadership positions who try to herd or drive people…Moses really did not know what to do. Though they fill a position as leader, they are not truly filling the position of leader.  Real leaders have the ability to inspire people to follow a movement or a cause. 

1. Let us look at the qualities of good leaders. T. J. Addington said, “Positional authority is based on one’s position and responsibility in the workplace.  Personal authority is the standing I have with others because of my behavior, values, treatment of others, and morality…what is interesting is that it is possible to have positional authority without personal authority.” Let’s look at six qualities of authentic leaders.

A. You must be teachable.  To be a great leader you must have a teachable spirit and a willingness to always be learning.  Being a good listener will help you learn.

B. You must be perceptive.  Strive to look beyond your own little world and show genuine concern for those you lead. Be concerned about their lives outside your specific work context.

C. You must invest emotionally in the team.  You are only as important as the team who surrounds you. Showing appreciation for good feedback and asking their opinions will build loyalty.

D. You must set the right example.  Model the way.  If you want those around you to care, to be excited about what they are doing, and to be appreciative, you must behave in the same manner.

E. You must be honest.  Be real with people and be honest with them.  Transparency tells them that you trust them.

F. You must be sincere.  Be who God created you to be and be the best you possible with His help. Tell the truth and invest in others and you will earn ultimate super power…respect.

2. Sometimes good leaders have to make decisions. Understand that good decisions are made when a highly committed team, with a selection of perspectives, life experiences and personalities come together for the good of the team.  

3. Great leaders inspire other leaders. Communicate your vision.  Those who will help the organization the most are those who align themselves with the vision and mission that has been set forth. Life Church is a Missions Church. We have to learn to delegate and then get out of the way.  I tell my staff and leaders that if I have to watch over you…I have the wrong person leading.

I believe we all want...

... to make a difference…I believe Gideon wanted to make a difference but he could not see how it would be possible…he said the world is a mess and my family is the weakest around. Our weaknesses may not be the same and our excuses for not doing something for God may not even come close to Gideon’s but the time to be the change you want to see is now. Stephen Covey  says, “The key is taking responsibility and initiative, deciding what your life is about, and prioritizing your life around the most important things.” Rob Ketterling  says, “Those who lead with intentionality and purpose can inspire people to do more than they thought possible.” John Maxwell says, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

1. Real leaders know the way. John 14:6 (NLT) ⁶  Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Sadly many people do rise to their level of incompetence, we do not have to be those people. Real leaders not only see the future, they have specific strategies in place for taking themselves and their organizations into the future. Our key here at Life Church is Holy Spirit.

2. Real leaders go the way. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV) ¹  Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. This is leadership by example…leaders should not be afraid to step out in faith first. They do not ask people to do what they are not willing to do themselves. Be excellent in everything you do. Do what you say you will do.

Make people important. Encourage cooperation. Deal with conflict quickly. Invest in others.

3. Real leaders show the way. Our job is to show people how to be connected and not to be so discouraged by someone else’s success.  Be thankful others are stepping up and carrying the load. John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence…nothing more…nothing less.” All of us need to ask the question…Would you follow you?

A few years ago we did a series...

... on Sunday mornings called “Fully Devoted” and just as a reminder I want to share a few things with you to stir up your heart again for the church. Whether you realize it or not we need each other. The new converts on the Day of Pentecost were transformed by the power of Holy Spirit baptism but they needed an ongoing experience that would carry them thru. Acts 2:4243 (NIV) “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” They devoted themselves (dedicated themselves) to the Word, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

Can I be so bold to say to you today that if you are going to survive in these end times and if you are going to thrive as a believer, it will be because you are fully devoted to these things in the context of the local church. We have committed ourselves to the preaching and teaching of the Word of God because we know that is what will change your lives and give you direction. We have made it possible for you to be in fellowship with others who can encourage you but if you do not show up...we are limited on how we can help. We break bread together in the context of the Lord’s supper or communion but we also provide Connect Groups to break bread in a casual setting. When we are together we have the privilege of praying for each other and seeing God work miracles.

The verses in our text said that when we do these things many wonders and miraculous signs will be done. Again, it is in the context of being here at Life Church hearing the Word, having fellowship together, breaking bread together, and praying together. Who doesn’t want God to do miracles and wonders?  My exhortation to you is to “jump in” and be fully devoted to God and His house and watch your lives begin to change!

Trusting Our Emotions or Trusting God - 2

Trusting Our Emotions or Trusting God - 2

Subject: Battling Our Emotions When a Test Comes

by Rick Welborne

Luke 14:16-24 (NLT2)
¹⁶  Jesus replied with this story: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.
¹⁷  When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, ‘Come, the banquet is ready.’
¹⁸  But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’
¹⁹  Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’
²⁰  Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can’t come.’
²¹  “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’
²²  After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’
²³  So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.
²⁴  For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’” 

Mark 8:34-38 (NKJV)
³⁴  When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
³⁵  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.
³⁶  For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
³⁷  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
³⁸  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

--Last week we looked at how fear can be such a battle in our lives…basically, how the enemy can come in like a flood and attempt to overwhelm us. We do not have to succumb to fear but choose to trust in God.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NKJV)
⁶  Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
⁷  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

--We talked about how important it was that when fear was attacking we must worship in Spirit and in truth, we must be filled or re-filled with Holy Spirit, and we must be still and hear that still small of voice! God’s voice!

--I love the fact that Paul in addressing Timothy about fear tells him to stir up the gift of God which is in you (Holy Spirit) and realize that spirit of fear did not come from God. The One nullifies the other.

--The verse in Isaiah 59 where it says when the enemy comes in like a flood…the Spirit will raise a standard against him…most other translations say it like this in the NLT:

Isaiah 59:19 (NLT2)
¹⁹  In the west, people will respect the name of the LORD; in the east, they will glorify him. For He (the Spirit) will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the LORD. 

--Today I want us to continue this series on Trusting Our Emotions or Trusting God. Today we will look at our personal feelings or impressions verses what the Word of God says.

1. Trusting our personal feelings or impressions or trusting the Word of God.

--Years ago a lady came to me and told me her plans to divorce her husband and to go back to a previous husband. I told her that biblically she could not do that.

--I even read to her the scriptures that said what she would be doing would be an abomination unto the Lord. She said to me…I agree that is what the Bible says but I also know what the Lord spoke to me.

--I asked her if she truly believed that God would tell her to do something that was contrary to His Word and her answered blew me away…Evidently, because I know God’s voice and this was God!

--To me this is an example of how people let their personal feelings (actually desires) have precedence over the Word of God. We want what we want so much, we convince ourselves we are hearing from God.

--If you did not know this, there are sixteen fundamental truths in the A/G. The first of these truths is “1. The Scriptures Inspired”. This is number one and not up for debate.

1. The Scriptures Inspired - The Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired of God and are the revelation of God to man, the infallible, authoritative rule of faith and conduct.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 (NKJV)
¹⁵  and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
¹⁶  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
¹⁷  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)
¹³  And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

2 Peter 1:20-21 (NKJV)
²⁰  knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
²¹  for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

--Poor God gets blamed for so many things…some I have heard…God told me to marry this person, God told me to go to California and start a ministry, God told me to buy this house I can’t afford. 

--I can remember as a single youth pastor having ladies in the church coming up behind as I prayed for others and praying for me…they would tell me God told them I was going to marry their daughters…show me a pic!

--So much abuse has happened in the body of Christ because of these feelings, impressions, or desires. A word is given to someone because someone thinks they have heard from God on your behalf.

--From someone who loves you…before you make a major decision based on a word given to you by someone in church or at a conference…let God confirm it to your heart and in His Word. Proceed with caution.

--We struggle so much when we deal with people who we perceive to be spiritual, that when they give us a word we know is wrong to confront them. Or if their last three words proved not to be true.

--You have my personal permission and blessings to tell them “no thanks!” I do not want someone speaking into my life who is just speaking their feelings and do not have the heart or mind of the Lord. Tell your pastor!

--Pastor, are you saying that God does not speak directly to the heart and that all impressions or feelings are false and unreliable? Of course not, Holy Spirit wants to communicate with us daily. 

--So many believers are so immature and cannot distinguish between God’s voice and other voices. Our selfishness makes us desire things contrary to God’s Word. Easy to hear what you already want!

--An easy rule to follow…No matter how much you think God has spoken to you, if God’s Word has already said “No!” the answer is still no! It wasn’t Him speaking. 

2. Be careful of the downward spiral that leads to false impressions and feelings.

--This week I received this article from One News Now…a very strong Christian based news organization that keeps believers informed about current events in our world…article “The Revoice Conference and the danger of a big theological tent.”

--The first indication that this conference was going to be biased was the fact that certain strong conservative Christians were turned away. It was promoted as being open to everyone’s views but that was not true.

--Dr. Michael Brown also said that it was promoted as supportive to Christian biblical marriage and that they agree that the bible is clear about its stand when it comes to homosexuality. Sounds good doesn’t it:

Brown: Collins has even stated that "Sexual desire for someone of the same sex is sinful and something that I should repent from." So, Collins and others involved in Revoice have stated explicitly that they believe that marriage as established by God is exclusively heterosexual, and they agree that homosexual practice is sinful. This is highly significant and should be loudly and openly commended.

--Collins then lets his true agenda come out…we are here to figure out how to (as the church) be acceptable to people who have same sex attraction and gender confusion. One of the workshops at this conference,

Redeeming Queer Culture - "Christians have often discarded the virtues of queer culture along with the vices, which leaves culturally connected Christian sexual minorities torn between two cultures, two histories, and two communities."

--Torn between two cultures , two histories, and two communities…The Word of God has never presented to us this idea of being torn between the two…He wants us to come out from among them and be separate.

Mark 8:34 (NKJV)
³⁴  When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

--How do we get to the point where we feel that God has spoken and is okay with our lifestyle that is contrary to His Word? I am speaking of heterosexual sin as well as homosexual sin. There is a downward spiral.

Romans 1:21-25 (NKJV)
²¹  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
²²  Professing to be wise, they became fools,
²³  and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
²⁴  Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
²⁵  who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

--Listen to your pastor…when you get to this point in your journey with God (they knew God) you are opening yourself up to hear voices other than God’s. You will hear voices and truly believe that it is God.

--This is why Christians can sleep around and mess around and come to church lifting up their hands like everything is alright. They believe they have heard God and everything is okay! God knows my heart!

--They say things like this…God knows how I feel and He knows the desires of my heart…I am delighting in Him and He is giving me my desires. It’s my time to be happy. Not if it contrary to His Word! We live like there are no consequences to this downward spiral and this willful disobedience to God’s Word.

Romans 1:26-32 (NKJV)
²⁶  For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
²⁷  Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
²⁸  And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
²⁹  being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
³⁰  backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
³¹  undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
³²  who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

--Again I want to reiterate that I am not just speaking about those in the homosexual lifestyle…I am speaking about those who are disobedient to God’s Word and go with their desires, passions, and feelings.

--God gave them up to vile passions and because they did not retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind to do those things that are not right. The downward spiral is deceiving and deadly.

--So you will know this is not just about the sin of homosexuality, look at this list of sins caused by this downward spiral:

²⁹  being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
³⁰  backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
³¹  undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 

3. We must trust God!

Romans 1:21 (NKJV)
²¹  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 

--How do we reverse this downward spiral and learn to trust God? Because I know God, I glorify Him! Because I know Him, I am filled with thanksgiving.

--Because I know God, my thoughts, my feelings, my impressions are biblical because I have the mind of Christ. Because I know God, my heart is enlightened and filled with wisdom!

Ephesians 1:17-19 (NIV)
¹⁷  I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
¹⁸  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
¹⁹  and his incomparably great power for us who believe…

In Matthew 18:15 17 (NLT)...

... “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.  But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”  

So what was the context of these verses that Jesus was talking about?  Jesus had just given the parable of the lost sheep and how we leave the 99 to find the one: He says: Matthew 18:14 (NLT) “In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.” Jesus was concerned that the two spoken of, work out their differences. He points out the need and the purpose of these verses is for there to be reconciliation and healing of the relationship...you talk about challenging your leadership skills.

1. Jesus says for there to be reconciliation there must be communication. Going to and communicating with the person directly will cut through the bull (believing unbelievable little lies) and help to resolve the situation.

2. Jesus says for there to be reconciliation there must be cooperation. If we truly gather in His Name, there should be no divisions among us and there should be a willingness and cooperation to resolve things quickly.  This is the sign of a true Christian leader.

3. Jesus says for there to be reconciliation there must be restoration.  The goal of these verses is for there to be restoration...restoration with the boss and the employee, restoration with the husband and wife, restoration of pastor and church member. True Christian leadership strives toward unity and restoration and the different translations say it this way: you have gained your brother...you have won that person back...you've made a friend. Life Church, be biblical in your relationships and be restored.

Today I want to do something...

... that I have wanted to do for a long time...I want to tell all of you where to go!  Matthew 28:18 19 (NLT) “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus has told us to go and we must be obedient!  

1. We must go after God with all of our hearts.  The truth is: we will never go after “them” until we go after Him! Tommy Tenny, “We must go after God until we catch Him or He catches us!”

2. We must go after the lost. Ezekiel tells us there is a great and mighty army just waiting to come up out of their graves to be used for God. Ezek 37:13 (NKJV) "Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.” 

3. We must go to the church and say it is time to wake up out of your sleep! Eph 5:14 (NKJV) “Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." 

4. We must go after revival!!! Revival is when you are tired of the status quo and you truly want Jesus to be Lord. It is when you are tired of altars not being filled with those who need salvation, when you want Holy Spirit to lead a service instead of a man, when dry bones come to life! It is when God’s Word is believed and acted upon with signs following, when children and adults alike are in the altars pouring out their hearts to God, and revival is a blast of the breath of God coming into a church and community changing everything in its path.

5. We must go on to maturity. Hebrews 6:1 (NLT) “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.” 

Finally, we must go to the gates of hell and rescue those who are about to fall off the edge. Life Church, Jesus said we must go, so we must go!!

I know I shared this about a year ago...

... but I think we always need a reminder about Israel. Genesis 12:13 (NLT) “The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Isn’t it amazing that God would say, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt.” God’s heart has always been toward His chosen people Israel.

We have tried here at LIFE CHURCH Assembly of God to focus our attention on blessing and praying for Israel. Why? The simple answer is that God has told us in His Word to do so and we are trying to obedient to Him. We want the blessings of God to be upon us and upon our church so we pray for Israel every time we meet together. We believe one of the reasons God sustained us through the great recession was because of our love and prayers for the Jewish people.

So what is God’s goal or purpose for the children of Israel and for us, the Gentiles?  Ephesians 2:14 (NLT) “For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.” God’s goal is that none should perish but that all would come to repentance and find LIFE!  God wants Jews and Gentiles to Live in Freedom Every Day!

A few years ago we did a series...

... on Sunday mornings called “Fully Devoted” and just as a reminder I want to share a few things with you to stir up your heart again for the church. Whether you realize it or not we need each other. The new converts on the Day of Pentecost were transformed by the power of Holy Spirit baptism but they needed an ongoing experience that would carry them thru. Acts 2:4243 (NIV) “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.” They devoted themselves (dedicated themselves) to the Word, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.

Can I be so bold to say to you today that if you are going to survive in these end times and if you are going to thrive as a believer, it will be because you are fully devoted to these things in the context of the local church. We have committed ourselves to the preaching and teaching of the Word of God because we know that is what will change your lives and give you direction. We have made it possible for you to be in fellowship with others who can encourage you but if you do not show up...we are limited on how we can help. We break bread together in the context of the Lord’s supper or communion but we also provide Connect Groups to break bread in a casual setting. When we are together we have the privilege of praying for each other and seeing God work miracles.

The verses in our text said that when we do these things many wonders and miraculous signs will be done. Again, it is in the context of being here at Life Church hearing the Word, having fellowship together, breaking bread together, and praying together. Who doesn’t want God to do miracles and wonders?  My exhortation to you is to “jump in” and be fully devoted to God and His house and watch your lives begin to change!