Today we welcome La Vida Church to join with Life Church...

...because we are truly only one church/one family. Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!” Today I want to write to you about the importance of unity in the community of God. I see something here that is definitely relevant to Life Church, La Vida Church, and Life Church Villages to our vision, our passion, and our mission. All of you hear me speak of Holy Spirit and missions all the time. Unity magnifies this. Acts 2:1 (NKJV) “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.” The 120 were with one accord (in unity) in one place (the upper room or church) waiting and worshiping for the Promise of the Father. They were not exactly sure what they were waiting on. Stay with me.

They were in unity in their obedience to God. Jesus had told them to go to Jerusalem and to wait there until they were endued with power from on high. They were in unity with their gathering together where Jesus told them to go and wait. None of the 120 said we can pray just as well at home. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT2)
^“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” They were in unity in their obedience, in their gathering where Jesus told them (church), and               they were also in unity in what they were doing when they arrived at the upper room. Worship. Key - Because you are dwelling together in good and pleasant unity you become a candidate for the oil to be poured out upon you!

We must contend for unity! We must seek after the outpouring of Holy Spirit because it leads to people being empowered and people calling on the Name of the Lord! But there is more. Psalm 133:3 (NKJV)
^“It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- Life forevermore.” I hope you see it before I say it…where there is good and pleasant unity God pours out His Spirit in abundance. But there is more! Everyone say more! There the Lord commands blessings! How many of you want God to pour out His Spirit on you, on your sons and daughters, on your employees, and how many of you want Him to command blessings over you. Life evermore! What miracles could God do if we were all in one accord? Let’s find out! Let your 2022 vision be such that you trust God that He will do what He says. Get ready for Him to command blessings on Life Church, La Vida Church, and Life Church Villages!

Today we continue “Who We Welcome and Why”...

  ...and we will talk about welcoming missionaries. Romans 10:13-15 (NKJV) “For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

Thank you to those of you who have caught the vision of missions here at Life Church! Please never forget, it is not a Pastor Rick thing, but a Bible thing. Why do we here at Life Church welcome missionaries? 

1. We Welcome Missionaries so We Can Send Them. How shall they preach unless they are sent? They come to us and share their hearts with us so hopefully we will catch the vision, and help send them. Yes, they must have our prayers. Yes, they need us to be here to encourage them in their call. God’s callings are irrevocable. They need to know the church is behind what they are doing. Danny Townsend – “When it comes to missionaries, we get the easy part. We give but they are the ones who go and do the hard work. We should be happy and blessed to send them.”

2. We Welcome Missionaries to Come to Remind Us About Sacrifice. Romans 12:1 (NKJV) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Missionaries leave their families, their home country, their comforts, their American dream and go to a country that may be so poor. They learn a new language, a new culture, a deeper life of sacrifice. While they are doing all that many in the states are getting offended because they hear too much about missions. Please do not talk to me about sacrifice when I want more and more comfort.

3. We Welcome Missionaries Because It Pleases Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Notice the God-head represented here in these verses talking about the Great Commission. Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT2) “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. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” We welcome missionaries because God welcomes us to be obedient to His Word and His Great Commission! What joy we will experience one day when we are in heaven and we meet thousands who are there because we gave! Amen!

Today we are talking about welcoming Holy Spirit...

 ...John 16:7 (NKJV) ^“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” You cannot read through the New Testament without Holy Spirit being mentioned over and over. The disciples witnessed their lives being totally transformed when they received Him. Today we will look at just a few reasons why we should welcome Holy Spirit into our churches and into our lives. 

1. Jesus said it is an advantage for us when we welcome Holy Spirit. Jesus knew He was limited when it came to being in more than one place at a time but Holy Spirit could be everywhere and be with everyone who wanted Him. Another reason it is to our advantage to welcome Holy Spirit is because we are living in troubling times. The disciples and new followers were under duress so they decided to have a prayer meeting. He came! When Holy Spirit shows up with His gifts and with His power, it is definitely to our advantage. 

2. Jesus says we will receive power when Holy Spirit comes on us. Acts 1:8-9 (NKJV) ^“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Think about this, last words are important words and Jesus’ last words were telling the disciples you are going to receive power when Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be My missionaries.

3. Why I call Him Holy Spirit instead of the Holy Spirit. It’s personal. I grew up extremely insecure, never felt wanted and never felt loved. In some ways I think that has been one of my greatest weaknesses but also one of my greatest blessings. Though I hurt a lot because of my insecurities, I have found a friend Who was sent to me by Jesus to be with me in those tough times, those times of pain. He is my personal God. Holy Spirit. My friend. John 14:16-18 (NKJV) “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” I will not leave you as an orphan; I will come to you. He does every day!

Today we continue “Who We Welcome and Why”...

     ...John 14:23 (NKJV) “Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” Today we will look at welcoming God the Father into our lives and into His church. Pastor, you just said it is Jesus’s church, is it His church or the Father’s church and the answer is yes. You cannot separate God the Father, Jesus the Son, or Holy Spirit because they are One. The Godhead is showing us, His church, His people, His sheep, His disciples how important it is for all of us to be One like they are One. Listen to Jesus beautiful prayer about unity.

1. We Welcome the Father Because He Always Exalts the Son. Matthew 3:17 (NIV) And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." The Father always exalts the Son. "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We always want to welcome the Father because He exalts and magnifies the Son. We should magnify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

2. We Welcome the Father Because Our Prayers Are Directed to Him. John 15:16 (NKJV) “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My Name He may give you.” What a privilege to pray to our Heavenly Father and what a privilege pray in His Son’s Name…Jesus. Our Heavenly Father wants us to cry out to Him and trust Him. We welcome Him and we pray to Him because He can fill gaps not even family can fill. My family is so dysfunctional and messed up. 

3. We Welcome the Father and We Direct Our Worship to Him. Watch these verses showing us to be dependent on Holy Spirit, directing our ministry we perform toward the Lord Jesus Christ, and giving thanks (worship) to the Father. We must worship and welcome our loving Father. Ephesians 5:18&20 (NLT2) “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Psalm 89:26 (NLT2) “And he will call out to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.’ Welcome Him, worship Him and be thankful for Him. Our heavenly Father deserves our total devotion. Colossians 3:17 (NKJV) “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Life Church, I exhort you to always acknowledge and welcome our Heavenly Father. 

--Happy Resurrection Sunday! Today we want You to See a Victory!...

 ...Luke 24:1-7 (NKJV) “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' " 

1. To See a Victory You Must Believe Jesus Came and Died to Identify with Us. Hebrews 2:17-18 (NLT2)
^“Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.” He became like us in every way so we could See a Victory. A victory of salvation and healing.

2. To See a Victory You Must Believe Jesus Rose from the Dead. Everything in our faith hinges on the fact that Jesus died, was buried, and that He rose from the dead.  1Cor. 15:17 “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” 

3. To See a Victory You Must Receive Him as the Risen Savior. What a beautiful story and a beautiful reality that Jesus loved us so much that He laid down His life for our salvation. Here’s the catch. To see a victory, you must receive Him as Lord and Savior. John 1:12 (NKJV) “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” Today can be your day. To See a Victory, receive Jesus and believe on His Name.

Today, with sadness in out hearts, we honor and send out...

 ...Pastor Bob and Jo Ann Yothers to do the work God has called them to do. Acts 13:2-4 (NLT2) “One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit.” According to the Scriptures the people who are called by God really don’t have a choice except to be obedient. Such is the case with Pastor Bob and Jo Ann.

1. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Irrevocable – binding, irreversible, final, unalterable, unchangeable, permanent, and irretrievable. I trust and believe that Pastor Bob can hear from God and has heard from God so he is answering that call. I definitely admire people who can step out into the unknown and trust God even though they cannot see exactly what lies before them. We definitely want God’s blessings.  

2. Pastor Choco – Obedience comes first and understanding comes later. I am sure that Paul (Saul) and Barnabas had no idea what was ahead of them when Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” Literally when Pastor Bob came to my office he quoted Pastor Choco, “Obedience comes first and understanding comes later.” Obedience should always be the first step. John 15:10 (NLT2) “When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” 

3. We welcome Pastor Bob and Jo Ann to follow God’s calling. When someone I trust tells me God is calling them elsewhere, I only have one response. That is to believe they have heard from God and bless them in the process. Today we are blessing them with an offering and with a severance package to help them fulfill what God has lead them to do. In situations like this God always gives us a choice: Deut. 30:19-20 (NLT2) “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” We choose life, blessings, and obedience for Pastor Bob and Jo Ann. As with Paul and Barnabas they laid hands on them, prayed for them, and sent them out with Holy Spirit. We do the same.

Today we begin a new series that has been stirring...

  ...in my heart for a long time. Who We Welcome and Why. If you have been coming to Life Church for any time at all you know we welcome Holy Spirit. During this series we will look at welcoming Jesus, welcoming God the Father, welcoming Holy Spirit, welcoming the lost and hurting, and welcoming other believers. May add others. Who we welcome and why in our church and in our lives will greatly define who we are and where we are going. It will help define our vision and purpose for the Lord. Today we look at welcoming Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. John 2:1-2 (NLT2) “The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration.”

1. Welcome Jesus to a Wedding. Think about this…there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee. Not a church service, not a conference, not a prayer meeting, a wedding celebration. Do you just suppose that this is simply saying to us that Jesus should be welcomed or invited to whatever we are doing with our lives? When we have received Jesus as Lord and Savior we have a promise from Him…He says, “I promise you… I promise you I will never leave you and I will never forsake you.” He is our helper. We welcome Jesus because He is the One constant in our lives in whom we can depend on all the time. You can’t say that about anyone else.

2. A Miracle in the House. John 2:3-5 (NLT2) “The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Think about this, the first miracle that happened in the life of Jesus and at the beginning of His ministry was simply because He was invited to an event. Could it be that one of the reasons we do not see more miracles is because we do not invite Jesus, we do not welcome Jesus into whatever we are doing?

3. I Stand at the Door. Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)  “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” We often use verse 20 for someone to receive Christ and that’s ok but keep it in context. Jesus is standing at the door of the church, He gave His life for, waiting for a welcome or invitation to come in. How sad. Shouldn’t Jesus always be welcomed in His Church. Sadly, He is not. Our programs, platforms, and prejudices keep Him out. He’s knocking! Let Him in! Welcome Him!