Blogger's note: This was the Sunday I first visited Good News Church. I didn't know it at the time, but 7-8 months later I would become a member, attending and tithing regularly. Looking back, this particular message would turn out to be prescient, given the events that would soon follow. To God be the glory for all that He has done, is doing, and will do through this church.
Offertory message:
Deuteronomy 30:11-20
Choose God's way.
New Testament version: follow Jesus -- in relationship
Sermon message:
Book of Joshua. Part where they're conquering Jericho.
"You can be victorious this year." "There may be challenges but you can win if you keep your eyes on Jesus."
"I will be with you."
"Meditate on God's word. Keep it before your eyes. Speak and speak and speak the word of God. Then faith will start to grow."
Joshua had been reading, feeding, and speaking the word of God. He built faith. Then he was able to do God's command regarding Jericho regardless of how ridiculous it may have sounded.
Psalm 34:19 "many are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivers him out of them all."
"accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative"
Life has challenges but it's not the end of everything.
In an unrighteous world, righteous people are naturally going against the grain.
Speaking the Bible against evil: "it is written..." speak it into being.
God is a deliverer. Throughout the Bible, He delivers.
"Cast ALL your cares and ALL your anxieties on him. For he cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7
Psalm 55:22 "cast your burden on the Lord. He will sustain you. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Takeaway #1: Challenges are temporary. God and His word are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 "we look at the unseen not the seen. For the seen is temporary. The unseen is eternal/permanent."
Psalm 118:24 "this is the day the lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Takeaway #2: what you believe is important
Mark 9:23 "Jesus said: if you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
First believe (God's promises, etc). Then things are possible.
Mark 11:24 "whatever you desire. When you pray, believe that you receive them and you'll have them."
Mark 16:16 "Jesus says: if you believe you'll be saved. If you don't you'll be damned."
Then we position ourselves to knock the walls down
1 John 4:4 "you are of God, children, and have overcome them. Because greater is he that is in you than he who is in the world."
Ephesians 6:16 armor of God, this verse is about the shield of faith.
"I believe I'm protected." Then it works.
Isaiah 54:17 no weapon that is formed against you shall remain. And every tongue that rises up against you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is from him.
Romans 8:37 more than a conqueror through Christ who loved us
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:19 but God shall supply all our needs
Takeaway #3: what you say is important
Proverbs 6:2 you are snared with the words of your mouth. You are taken with the words of your mouth. Saying "I can't ..." ensnares you. It keeps you in that "can't" place.
To break the snare: say "I can through Christ" to your own inner "I can't"; and also to times in the past when someone else said you can't.
Mark 11:23 your faith can even move mountains
First you believe it, then you say it, then you get it. SPEAK IT INTO BEING.
Ephesians 6:17 "take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Holy Spirit which is the word of Go
No comments:
Post a Comment