Today we continue the series “Under a Tree”...

 ...2 Samuel 11:1 (NKJV) “It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.” Today I want us to look at what happens to us if we allow our spirits to go un-nurtured for a long time.

1. Running on empty. Last week we talked about the person who is drained and today we are speaking of someone who has been drained for some time. This person’s intake spiritually has almost disappeared. Dry. The unfilled tank spiritually is an invitation to disaster. We must understand that when we run out of gas, it not only affects us, but those around us. Like the cars on the bridge. Romans 14:7 (NKJV) ^“For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.”

2. King David facing another giant. As we study the life of King David I believe we can see a man who is dried out spiritually and because of that he is faced with the temptation of adultery and murder. A man in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing getting himself into trouble. Aren’t we kings in our own little domains in the privacy of our castles or offices, we make a command and just one click of the mouse…we are in trouble. He was supposed to be with his army doing what God had purposed him to do. He would have called on God, like before but he was not there. Absentee warrior. Dried out, David made a number of bad choices and in the process, he destroyed a number of lives. Sadly, it took David a year to discover the magnitude of what he had done. How could David after years of close wonderful fellowship with God get himself into such a mess? We are all vulnerable…all of us. When you are weak and dry you can make horrible choices.

3. Repentance and humility will restore us. Psalm 51:5-12 (NKJV) ^“Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.” Repentance…turning back to God will help you get out from under the tree. Live a life of repentance. 

Today we continue the series “Under a Tree...”

  ...1 Kings 19:3-4 (NLT2) “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life…” Let’s look at the effects of this spiritual weariness. 

1. Spiritual hangovers. Hopefully most of you can say that you have never had a hangover from being drunk the night before. Let me just use my profession as an example. So many pastors, after a Sunday or weekend of speaking and giving of themselves and all their inner resources can have this feeling of a hangover. People who like to over-spiritualize everything choose to not understand that the supply of energy and passion (even in a Spirit-filled Christian) is not inexhaustible…it can be depleted. MacDonald – Young men and women surmise that the brute strength of their physical energy level can carry them on indefinitely. It can work for a while. But not forever! One day, having ignored this possibility, they awake to the extreme inner stress of exhaustion of spirit. It is a terribly confusing experience.” We see this in Elijah.  

2. Elijah is totally drained. Just a few days after this amazing victory, Elijah is now in the hangover of his life. It is difficult to describe what the encounter on the mountain top had taken out of Elijah. All we have in scriptures is the foul mood Elijah was in when he ran for his life from Jezebel. Death threats. He needed bread (Word) and water (Holy Spirit).

3. That still small voice. Elijah was still not whole when he left the broom tree. He still felt all alone (I am the only prophet left). He did not need another Mount Carmel experience. He needed something better. 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NKJV) “Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” Hear me…He was alone but not by himself. He needed a gentle wonderful amazing encounter with God. Not wind, not fire, not an earthquake, not another Mount Carmel, He needed an encounter with God. I can’t stay under this tree…I must get to that quiet place where I can hear the beautiful voice of God.

Today I am returning from vacation but want to continue the series “Under a Tree...”

 ...1 Kings 19:3-4 (NLT2) “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life…” Maybe it is just my imagination but it seems like more and more of my conversations with friends and church people are spent on weariness, over commitment, and just being border line ready to quit. So what is the result of this pushing and pushing and going and going? Doing more and enjoying it less?

1. We deal with inner weariness. Not just an older person problem…I see young parents running to and fro on the earth taking kids to multiple sports events and art events. They try to keep it all together but feel rattled. It is not necessarily our bodies (though it affects our bodies) but it is a weariness within. It shows up in exhaustion, weariness, and an increasing loss of passion. But if we wait. Isaiah 40:29-31 (NKJV) “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;”

2. There is always one more thing to do. MacDonald – Anyone who has given themselves to the leading, caring, or developing of people knows that there is always one more thing that could be done or done better and more completely. Listen to David: Psalm 27:4 (NKJV) “One thing I have desired of the LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.” 

3. A gentle fountain or a fire hydrant. Let me give this illustration of the un-relentless flow of good things to do as a person trying to drink from a fire hydrant that is turned on full blast. A little bit of water from a gentle MacDonald – “As our eyes are drawn more and more to the events and data of the public world even if it is Christian, the private world, the heart, becomes increasingly starved for attention and inner maintenance. More time for activity means less time for devotion. Doing more for God may mean less time with God.” We have substituted praying with talking, seeking God with seeking counseling. Though these things are good, they may not be the best. We have much output but no input in our lives. As we continue to hear more of us speak of being tired and burned out, shouldn’t we evaluate. Maybe we should take a step back and look at Jesus…he was not a jet setter like many are today. He took time to rest and pray. I can’t stay under this tree…I must slow encounter God. 

Today I want us to look at Lazarus being raised from the dead...

  ...and how God gave him a second chance...a second life.  John 11:39-45 (NKJV) Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go." Let’s look again at the ancient burial traditions of the Jews.  

When Lazarus died: His feet would have been bound at the ankles. His arms would have been tied to his body with linen strips. Then his body would have been wrapped in about 100lbs of grave clothes. The grave clothes would have been to protect and preserve the body. Some scholars believe the head would have been wrapped so much that it would have been a foot wide. The symbolism here is amazing to me of how Christians can remain in bondage even after Jesus has set them free. The ankles being tied is an indication to me that the devil wants to restrict where you go. There is a big problem if you want to go to church or on a missions trip but no problem if you want to go to a bar. The arms being tied would be a restriction of being able to minister for the Lord...it would be okay to embrace sin and substance but not the things of God. One hundred pounds of grave clothes...how many of us see Christians weighed down with the cares of this life and cannot get free?

The binding of the grave clothes would be the enemy keeping you isolated from the Spirit or the Word penetrating your heart. The clothes around the head indicates what a thick head we can have when it comes to getting right with God. Jesus is saying to you what He said to Lazarus: John 11:43 44 (NIV)  “When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"  The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go." Today could be your day...be free!

Today I want to challenge our staff, our board of deacons, and our department heads...

 ...to make a commitment to Jesus to be “All in!” This is borrowed from Mark Batterson’s book of the same name.  I believe in light of what is happening in our world and with the soon coming of Christ, that it is time for all of us to give our all to Jesus. Obviously the devil is not playing games and neither should the church be. Matthew 16:24‑26 (NLT)  “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.” The disciples found out how serious Jesus was about laying their lives for Him. You have heard me say many times the word in Acts 1:8 that says, “you shall be My witnesses” is actually translated into the word “martyrs.”  All of the disciples died a martyr’s death except John and obviously, they tried to kill him by placing him in boiling oil. Being “All in” must come with a heartfelt commitment.

Though the gospel may not cost us anything...it demands everything! Being born again is not just our escape from hell but it is our call to lay down our lives every day. Paul said I die daily. We are saved by grace but we are called to follow Jesus giving all that we are and hope to be to Him. God has pretty good promises for those who follow Him with all their hearts...here is one.  Psalm 84:11 (NKJV)   “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.” Sounds like selling out to God is a good deal for us...it is the best deal by far. Sometimes we think we are sacrificing so much but is it really a sacrifice if we get more than we give. I think not!

I am challenging all of us to be “All In” for the One (Jesus) Who has given His all.

1. I am asking you to pray and seek God like never before!

2. I am asking you to love like never before those to whom you minister!

3. I am asking you to prepare...to study the Word with all diligence like never before!

4. I am asking you to give like never before...your tithe and missions!

5. I am asking you to be faithful to God’s House and to be an example to others!

6. I am asking you to love God with all your heart and soul and others as yourself!

7. I am asking you to be “All in” for the One Who gave it all for you!

If you have attended Life Church for any amount of time...

 ...you know that we always welcome Holy Spirit to all of our services, you may not know why. I will give you just a few reasons we make the third Person of the Trinity a priority here at our church.

1. We should welcome Holy Spirit into our lives because when He comes we will realize it is not by our own power that we will accomplish anything. Zechariah 4:6‑7 (NKJV)  “So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!" When we are desperate for Him to come, amazing things happen in our church and in people’s lives. 

2. We should welcome Holy Spirit into our lives because when He comes He will be our helper and be with us forever. John 14:15‑17 (NKJV) "If you love Me, keep My commandments. 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.” The word “Helper” in the original language denotes another one just like Jesus. Who wouldn’t want that? 

3. We should welcome Holy Spirit into our lives because when He comes He will teach us all things and bring back to our memory His Word. John 14:26 (NKJV) “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” To be an effective witness for Christ you have to memorize the Scriptures. Holy Spirit helps us and who doesn’t need that?

4. We should welcome Holy Spirit into our lives because when He comes He will testify (tell us about) Jesus. John 15:26 (NKJV) "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.” Some translations say that “He will glorify Me.” Isn’t that what all of us want, Jesus to be lifted up more than any other person? Of course!

5. We should welcome Holy Spirit into our lives because when He comes He will fill the void left when Jesus ascended to the Father. 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.” I truly believe that is enough said!  

Today we welcome Pastor Neftali, Shelia, and La Vida Church...

  ...How exciting to have a thriving Spanish ministry and a great pastor leading it. I truly love these guys. The message and this service today is based on my title…May the Lord Bless You! How many of you want God’s blessings? If you want Jesus to smile on you and for your family and church to be blessed…get ready…get ready! Numbers 6:22-27 (NLT2) “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: ‘May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.’ 

Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my Name, I myself will bless them.” 

God laid on my heart Abraham’s blessing over the children of Israel after he offered his son. Genesis 22:17-18 (NKJV) blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

1. The Lord said I will bless you. The Lord said to Abraham because you have been obedient and because you have been sacrificial by being willing to give your son…blessings I will bless you.

2. The Lord said I will multiply you. As we read through the Book of Acts we see the church birthed at Pentecost and God began to add to their numbers daily. The 120 became 3120, then 5000. How amazing!

Something changed as Jesus was building His church. In Acts 6 what had been adding became multiplication. 

We decided to become generous. He multiplied us. 

3. The Lord said your descendants (children) will storm the gates of their enemies. Yes, I want to do great things for God and yes I want to do my part to see the Kingdom of God grow…I want to help Jesus build His church. What I really want is my kids storming the gates of their enemies. I want to be Elijah but I want my kids to be Elisha with a double portion of the Spirit of God!

4. The Lord said in your seed nations will be blessed. Come on La Vida Church, Life Church Villages, Life Church main campus, if you want to grow spiritually, numerically, and financially make missions a priority. 

Genesis 22:17-18 (NKJV) blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."