Declare The Works Of The Lord: August 2021

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Sermons from Good News: Psalm 3

Church 8/25/2021

Worship scripture:

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%208:38-39&version=NKJV

Time of strengthening: an island of scripture to focus on

Trusting in God

Psalm 3: The Lord helps His troubled people / a morning prayer of trust

Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “ There is no help for him in God.” Selah But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
Psalm 3:1-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%203:1-8&version=NKJV

Psalm 3 with breaks:

Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “ There is no help for him in God.” Selah
Psalm 3:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%203:1-2&version=NKJV

—Pause—

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the Lord with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
Psalm 3:3-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%203:3-4&version=NKJV

—Pause—

I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
Psalm 3:5-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%203:5-8&version=NKJV

—Pause—

David was a man after God’s own heart.

Point #1: God loves when you talk to Him
God does not like that you are going through trouble, but He loves that you are talking to Him.

Point #2: Don’t be surprised when you’re told God can’t help you
David faced it, Daniel faced it, you might face it too.

Point #3: There are rewards when you choose to trust God
Proverbs 3:5-6

Point #4: Rest and strength come when you talk to God and trust Him

Point #5: Bragging on God is wise

Monday, August 30, 2021

Sermons from Good News: defeating the giant of fear

Church 8/28/2021

Offertory scripture:

God has something special for us: the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.
Proverbs 19:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%2019:23&version=NKJV

Sermon message:

God is good.

Thesis: Defeating the giant of fear.

When we are in fear, we are in torment.

Fear steals the enjoyment of life.

This doesn’t mean don’t take things seriously; we just don’t give in to fear.

The way to defeat a giant is to find a larger and more powerful giant and to have him on your side (and get on His side).

That “more powerful giant” is God.

Faith in a powerful God gives us powerful faith.

Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Genesis 18:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2018:14&version=NKJV

“Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord , has dashed the enemy in pieces.
Exodus 15:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Exodus%2015:6&version=NKJV

Other scriptures:

He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.
Jeremiah 10:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Jeremiah%2010:12&version=NKJV

‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
Jeremiah 32:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Jeremiah%2032:17&version=NKJV

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20John%204:4&version=NKJV

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%204:6-7&version=NKJV

_____ in a powerful God gives you powerful ______.
(Faith, hope, love)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Timothy%201:7&version=NKJV

“Fear facts” are not the last word.

Examples of fear facts:

For the wages of sin is death…
Romans 6:23A - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%206:23&version=NKJV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 3:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%203:23&version=NKJV

Faith facts:

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%206:23&version=NKJV

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,
Romans 3:24-25 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%203:24-25&version=NKJV

Faith facts are bigger than fear facts.

Take David vs Goliath

Fear fact 1: David was smaller than Goliath.
Fear fact 2: David’s brothers were against him.
Fear fact 3: David was alone.

Still, it’s not over.

Faith fact: David’s God was with him.

Faith fact: David’s God was for him.

Faith facts outweigh the fear facts, if we believe the faith facts.

Fear facts can be right but they can be wrong. They don’t tell the whole story.

What are the fear facts telling you?

What is it that’s been keeping you up?

Faith facts for us:

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Deuteronomy%2031:8&version=NKJV

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2037:4&version=NKJV

Some ways to delight yourselves in the Lord:

Point #1: praise God
Point #2: pray to God, especially for others
Point #3: put time aside for God’s word
Point #4: Push fear facts aside and believe faith facts

while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%204:18&version=NKJV

Faith doesn’t ignore the facts; but faith sees more than just what is seen. Faith sees what is unseen.

Sunday, August 29, 2021

A stone from memory lane: the "EPIC" trip, 11 years later

When my dad was 24 (?) years of age, he went on an epic road trip from northern Texas to Victoria, British Columbia, in Canada, with one of his best friends. He would talk about how and where they drove, and how they passed by Mount St. Helens, which had just blown its top a year or two earlier. (His friend wanted to go collect ash!) As I got older, I learned more layers to the story and the trip, not all of which were great, but I remember simply being captivated by the trip. I was counting the states they had to drive through just to get there and back: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. I think they may have briefly driven through Montana on the way back. I say this, because my dad shared how, when [whatever trip he was on] he passed Butte, Montana, he described how the interstate was up high in the mountains, and the city of Butte was "way down there," and he could see it clearly!

As far back as middle school, I started dreaming up my own dreams for a nationwide road trip. I shared them with my best friend at the time, and he seemed interested. Discussions never progressed beyond a vague idea that we would "go coast to coast, and then back again 3 or 4 more times." (I forget how I described it to him, but I remember that my goal was to see as many places and things as possible. And of course have a camera to capture everything!)

By the time I was a senior in high school, I had scaled that vision down to a mere road trip to Houston to see baseball's All Star Game, which was playing in the Astros' baseball park that year. I decided to invite a few other friends, and even told them all about it. This was February of that year, I think. They all got back to me: they had asked their parents and the answer was "no." Each friends' parents had vetoed the idea. Even one or two of my friends didn't appear all that enthusiastic about the idea. Disappointed, the trip dream died. I did get to go to Houston about a week later than I had originally planned, but for an entirely different reason. No baseball game, though.

In 2009, I finally got to have a series of trips and visits over a three-week stretch that was just absolutely wonderful. But there was nothing "epic" about any of those trips; it was just that they were fun. And short.

Which leads to 2010, the year I finally got to have not only a trip similar to what my dad had at a similar age, but also something remotely close to the kind of trip I had dreamed 10 or more years earlier. The more *ahem* "experienced" with life I get (my sweetheart reminds me I'm still young, even when I talk about getting older), I begin to understand why many people in their 40s and 50s feel nostalgic for their 20s. To be fair, I'd rather be where I am now, having grown and learned the lessons I have, than go back to life in a younger body and not having grown and learned said lessons. 2010 is a year that seemingly everything happened, and I feel nostalgic for it, but I wouldn't ever go back there again.

But it's important to put this "epic" trip in perspective. 2010 was my first year at the Vineyard, my first year at a real church that I loved. I was home. I was no longer a spiritual nomad, which I had been for a number of years. I was getting plugged in to community, and even though I wasn't yet saved, I was hearing from the God of the Bible (albeit through other people, but still). I was not only learning Scripture, but I was also learning about things I was never taught growing up: healing prayer, spiritual warfare, just to name a couple.

In a nutshell, the "epic" trip consisted of me flying to Colorado to meet up with my childhood best friend (the same one that I had first dreamed up a "multiple times over" cross-country road trip with once we graduated high school), ride with him to California (he was beginning grad school out there), and help him get settled in. The rest of the trip gave me an opportunity to catch up with two other people living there. One of them was also another of my best friends. The other... well...

This is where a nominally awesome trip (a road trip through Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, and California) became epic. It's also very important to note that, today, in 2021, I have one thing now that I so desperately yearned for back then, and took a lot of healing and growing for me to be able to receive this blessing in the right way.

Even though I didn't officially give my life to Christ until March 2013 (privately), and December 2013 (publicly, when I got baptized), God was already at work. I realize now, now that my faith is and has been in a decent-to-good place for a while, I really did want to follow and serve Jesus. I just didn't have the tools to be able to do it well. I had roadblocks that got in the way of my effectively being able to obey God and Scripture in certain ways. And one of the first things I realize God did for me was address my pattern of obsession. And on this trip, specifically, the first thing He did was to get this "other" person out of my life for good.

I still remember the two Scriptural passages I felt God using to speak to me at the time. The first was His reminder to me that He loved me so much that He did and was going to do whatever it took to pursue me for His purpose:

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:3-8, New King James Version

In the second Scriptural passage, I felt God use this to show me the first thing He was going to do to not only bring me to restoration, but also to blessing. But I felt Him warn me, this was going to be painful for a little while:

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
James 1:12-18, New King James Version

There were at the time two different women I had been friends with that I was still in touch with during this time. One I had just met that year, at the Vineyard. (In fact, the night before I left for Colorado, I had dinner at her apartment, just the two of us.) The other was in California, waiting for me to arrive five days later. I was most definitely an eligible bachelor at that time. But, I wasn't anywhere near ready for a relationship. Not only so, but my obsession for one, I now realize, was actually getting in the way of God being able to use me the way He wanted. I needed to know firstly that only God could love me in the best way possible, that no human ever could, and secondly that, due to my obsession habits, I repeatedly fell into temptation. While my own sins in this area didn't involve other people, they were still keeping me in this pattern.

So, why 11 years later am I finding myself reflecting on this? Primarily, it's due to the calendar. Due to a quirk that occasionally happens, this year is the first time we've had the same exact calendar as 2010. For example, I flew out to Denver on Monday, August 30th. This year, that date falls on a Monday for the first time since 2010. Tuesday will be August 31st. And so on. But the official "Memory Stone" date for me is Sunday, September 5th. The night before this date, I was reading through the above Scriptures and God was using them (as well as some circumstances that happened in the days leading up to it) to minister to me. And on Sunday, September 5th, I began to feel the full force of what God was doing to begin to cleanse me. That was the day I knew I had to say goodbye. I didn't yet know, that by doing so, some hellos would follow. After I returned to Chicago, I couldn't stop talking about this trip for months. It wasn't just some fulfillment of a road trip to places I'd never been before, although it was that also. It wasn't only what I like to call "the Kevin walk" through the heart of San Francisco (plus about 200 photos I took) with my other best buddy that lived out there. It was a divine experience -- through fire -- that led to more things God would do over the next decade, that would eventually, finally, get me to where I am now.

I wouldn't go back to 2010. Yes, I went on a lot more adventures then, and seemingly in some senses I didn't have a care in the world. But while a lot of good things happened, I was miserable most of the time. The version of myself then would've given anything to have what I have now. And, he did. He gave a decade of his life to shut all his ambitions down in order to focus on healing and growing up. And after hitting another extreme low at the end of 2019 after working and working on myself for what seemed like forever, at the beginning of 2020 God moved again. A new church, a new job, a new car... and a new sweetheart.

My sweetheart does remind me in some ways of each of the two women, particularly in terms of some of their personality quirks. 😊 Considering that my sweetheart and I were set up by a mutual contact, I can say that this was definitely God. He knows what I like 😉 But He also knows what it took for me to get to this point.

11 years later, as we go through the days, from Sunday, August 29th (as far as I'm concerned, this is really when the memories around this trip began) to Tuesday, September 7th, I won't be doing anything out of the ordinary to commemorate it. As for the "Memory Stone" date, Sunday, September 5th, this year, I'll be helping my dad clean and organize our living space and our storage space. But I'll get to spend time with my sweetheart here and there, and we will have dates and special times together. I will always remember this "epic" trip, but what I can do is take what God has impressed on me from this time, and with another year under my belt, apply it to where He has taken me to at this point in time.

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Healing prayer service at Good News: The Right Thing

[Blogger's note: these are the notes from the first Wednesday service when we resumed meeting midweek in addition to on Saturdays. While there was a message, as you can see in the notes below, there was also a lot of time set aside for prayer in this service. I will admit, I had thought that we would have a lot more of these, plus the message was short, and therefore not really a particular need (so I thought) to post these to the blog. In the weeks since, it has become more like what church is on Saturdays, and so I since have felt that these notes also are important to share.]

Church healing service 8/4/2021

The Right Thing

Point #1: Gathering together is the right thing to do

not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2010:25&version=NKJV

Exhort each other = encourage each other

Point #2: Worshipping God is the right thing to do

But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
John 4:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%204:23&version=NKJV

Point #3: Speaking faith is the right thing to do

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Mark 11:22-23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2011:22-23&version=NKJV

Point #4: Believing for signs is the right thing to do

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Mark 16:15-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2016:15-18&version=NKJV

Point #5: Asking God to change the atmosphere is the right thing to do

Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29-31 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%204:29-31&version=NKJV

Friday, August 27, 2021

Sermons from Good News: the power of prayer

[Blogger's note: at the beginning of August 2021, we resumed meeting at church on Wednesdays. As such, I've been taking notes for those sermons as well. I intend to post these as well; however, these postings may not be sequential or occur at regular intervals, but they will be here as well.]

Church 8/11/2021

Sermon message: The power of prayer

Prayer is important. Don’t cease praying. Don’t get weary.

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luke 18:1-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%2018:1-7&version=KJV

Point #1: Prayer can change leaders.

God wants us to pray for our leaders.

When in a difficult situation, pray for them. Pray for God to change them or to change them.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%202:1-2&version=NKJV

Pastor had a story about working sales for a short while. Gave me encouragement about my job and the challenges of training. Pray for my colleagues and boss.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%202:3-4&version=NKJV

Bottom line, God wants to change people’s hearts, if they will let Him. That’s His first choice.

For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying— a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 2:5-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%202:5-7&version=NKJV

Point #2: Prayer can change nations.

if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Chronicles%207:14&version=NKJV

John Adams: “Our constitution was written for moral people.”

Point #3: Prayer can change churches.

Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”
Acts 4:1-17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%204:1-17&version=NKJV

Even today, the world is trying to quiet our mouths about Jesus. Just like back in the days of Acts.

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, because of the people, since they all glorified God for what had been done. For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.
Acts 4:18-22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%204:18-22&version=NKJV

This next verse is critical:

And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
Acts 4:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%204:23&version=NKJV

“Can you believe they told us not to talk about Jesus? Of course we’re not going to do that! We’re going to keep talking about Jesus!”

So they prayed:

So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:24-30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Acts%204:24-30&version=NKJV

They prayed. And they agreed in prayer. They prayed their faith in God. They brought their circumstance to Him. They prayed for boldness.

Point #4: Prayer can change your level of faith

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
Jude 1:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Jude%201:20&version=NKJV

As you pray, especially the word of God, it build up your faith.

Praying in tongues, or English, or another language, is an act of faith.

We can pray the word, or in the Holy Spirit, or in our understanding.

Thursday, August 26, 2021

Sermons from Good News: a time of strengthening

Church 8/18/2021

Take the time for strengthening—connect with God via His word. Sometimes we just simply need it.

Sermon message: a time of strengthening

Psalm 46: a favorite of many pastors, leaders, even Martin Luther.

Point #1: God is a personal God ready to help you right now.

God is a Father to all His children but He’s a Daddy to you right now.

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:1&version=NLT

Point #2: God doesn’t want you to fear.

Fear is not good for us, for many reasons. And God knows this.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Psalm 46:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:2&version=NLT

Don’t fear even if some of the worst things happen.

Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! (Interlude)
Psalm 46:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:3&version=NLT

Interlude (selah): stop. Pause. Reflect. Reflect on the scripture we just read. God wants you to know that He is here with you. Let that sink in.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%208:28&version=NLT

Clarification: God doesn’t cause all things to happen, but He causes all things to work together for our good.

Point #3: God will refresh you and provide for you.

A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it.
Psalm 46:4-5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:4-5&version=NLT

Even if you are surrounded by evil or craziness, but God can always supply your needs. He is always able to reach you. His supplies will always be able to reach you. And He will protect you.

Point #4: God’s angels are here for us.

The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts! The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude
Psalm 46:6-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:6-7&version=NLT

Point #5: God handled things in the past and still can.

In biblical history God helped His people. He can do it again.

Come, see the glorious works of the Lord: See how he brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
Psalm 46:8-9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:8-9&version=NLT

If God stopped the attack before, He can do it again.

Point #6: stop and remember God.

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
Psalm 46:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:10&version=NLT

Stop. Reflect. God is here with you right now.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude
Psalm 46:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:11&version=NLT

The Lord has His heavenly host with Him, here with you, right now.

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Sermons from Good News: there are benefits when we honor God

[Blogger's note: after being crazy busy one month, and then crazy sick for much of another month, by God's grace I am finally back and able to catch up on posting my notes from sermons at my church for the months of June and July. Thank you all for your prayers; I am believing and claiming that I will be completely healed, and even healed beyond whatever Satan or the world calls a "preexisting condition." I completely reject that term in Jesus' name, and choose to receive by faith the complete healing that GOD says He has for me: a new [undisclosed part of the body] in Jesus' name!

In the meantime, I pray that you are blessed by these sermon notes as much as I was blessed by these sermons. I will post sermons twice weekly until we are caught up again, in the same manner that I did from January through May, 2021.]

Church 7/17/2021

Offertory scripture:

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Philippians 1:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%201:6&version=NKJV

Give and it’ll be given back to you. And give out of love.

God doesn’t need our tips; He wants our obedience

Sermon message:

We will begin having Wednesday evening services at church in August.

Last week: getting your taste back with God.

Tonight Sermon message: There are benefits when we honor God

Fear of God = respect and reverence for God

For God’s word; for God’s people; for leaders that God has set up = when we give honor to those things, there are benefits

When we do not begrudge time with God, there are benefits

When we serve God, there are benefits

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%206:7&version=NKJV

This is regarding spending time with God.

Of course Satan is trying to get people to not spend time with God.

When you sow your time with God, He will bless you back

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=James%204:8&version=NKJV

When we serve God, we will benefit. Of course Satan doesn’t want you to serve God. Satan wants make you too busy to serve God.

But the truth is it pays to serve God. God blesses you when you do so.

God loves you and wants you blessed. He wants to ignite, reignite, or increase the fire in your God in your heart.

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Revelation 2:4-5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Revelation%202:4-5&version=NKJV

God’s saying: “come home to Me. Repent. Turn back.”

It’s time to spend more time with God. And to serve Him.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Psalm 51:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2051:12&version=NKJV

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Nehemiah%208:10&version=NKJV

Emphasis: the last line: the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Keep going. Don’t give up. If you stop you get weaker.

Benefits when we spend time with God and serve Him:

knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease. For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 1:14-21 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Peter%201:14-21&version=NKJV

Benefit #1: honor gets God’s attention

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name. “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.” Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him.
Malachi 3:16-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Malachi%203:16-18&version=NKJV

Point #2, as a counterpoint to benefit #1: If you don’t honor God; He too pays attention

“Your words have been harsh against Me,” Says the Lord, “Yet you say, ‘What have we spoken against You?’ You have said, ‘It is useless to serve God; What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, And that we have walked as mourners Before the Lord of hosts? So now we call the proud blessed, For those who do wickedness are raised up; They even tempt God and go free.’ ”
Malachi 3:13-15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Malachi%203:13-15&version=NKJV

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%209:1-2&version=NKJV

God considers our time with Him and service to Him as valuable and profitable.

One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness.
Psalm 145:4-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20145:4-7&version=NKJV

My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
Psalm 71:15-18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2071:15-18&version=NKJV

An important question for us to consider: what have I been saying?

Point #1: Honoring God has benefits

Point #2: God remembers when you honor Him

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name.
Malachi 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Malachi%203:16&version=NKJV

Point #3: God rewards those who honor Him

“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
Malachi 3:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Malachi%203:17&version=NKJV

Let’s not tear our rewards up. Don’t curse God with your words or curse anyone else. When we spend time with God and serve Him, let’s not get discouraged to the point that our words get bitter.

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Sermons from Good News: what to do when a challenge is present, part 3

Church 8/21/2021

Offertory scripture:

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.
Psalm 84:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2084:11&version=NKJV

O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!
Psalm 84:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2084:12&version=NKJV

Remember: the #1 thing is leading/bringing people to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Sermon message: what to do when a challenge is present, part 3

Review: three things Jesus said

Thing 1 Jesus said: It’s important we speak God’s Word

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Mark 11:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2011:23&version=NKJV

Key line: do not doubt in your heart.

We can speak mountains out of our lives, and we can speak blessings into our lives. We can speak things out and we can speak things in.

The Aaronic blessing:

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’
Numbers 6:24-26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Numbers%206:24-26&version=NKJV

Paul always ends his letters with words of blessing to the church he was writing the letter to:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%2013:14&version=NKJV

Thing 2 Jesus said: it is important that we pray in faith.

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Mark 11:24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2011:24&version=NKJV

Pray in faith believing that it’ll happen.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%204:6&version=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—
Ephesians 6:18 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%206:18&version=NKJV

It was important in the Old Testament to pray; it was important in the gospels, in the New Testament, and it’s important today.

pray without ceasing,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Thessalonians%205:17&version=NKJV

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
Colossians 4:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Colossians%204:2&version=NKJV

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
1 Timothy 2:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%202:8&version=NKJV

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2026:41&version=NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:6&version=NKJV

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:17&version=NKJV

Prayer is important, and prayer with faith is really important.

Thing 3 Jesus said (tonight’s focus)

### It’s important that we give and receive forgiveness (by faith)

We know we are forgiven by reading God’s word. God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Satan constantly reminds us of our mistakes and failures. But we have to receive God’s forgiveness by faith.

Sometimes our feelings have to catch up with our faith. We may choose to forgive someone, but feelings of pain or anger still well up at the mention of the person’s name. We have to speak faith to the feeling inside of us, to declare and reiterate our choice of having forgiven that person. Our feelings will eventually catch up to where our faith is.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:25 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2011:25&version=NKJV

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 5:23-24 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%205:23-24&version=NKJV

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.
1 Peter 3:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%203:7&version=NKJV

Forgiving others is a requirement for prayers being answered. Lack of forgiving others can hinder our prayers.

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%203:8-9&version=NKJV

Point #4: It’s important to be a doer and not a hearer only.

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
Matthew 7:24-27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%207:24-27&version=NKJV

Points: 1. Speak. 2. Pray. 3. Forgive. And #4: don’t just hear the word; do what it says.

A parable Jesus says to illustrate this point:

“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
Matthew 21:28-31 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2021:28-31&version=NKJV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=James%201:22&version=NKJV

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Sermons from Good News: attitude of faith, part 2

Church 6/26/2021

Worship scripture
Psalm 103:12 "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Offertory scripture
John 10:10
God promises life to the full

Sermon message: attitude of faith, part 2

Examining two stories in the Bible. Two persons both get blessed by God in the end.

One individual had a bad attitude and needed an attitude adjustment. The other had a great attitude such that even Jesus commented on him.

Jesus on religious leaders: Matthew 23:27 forward. Commenting on Pharisees and scribes as hypocrites.

For example, take Cain and Abel:
Cain had a rotten attitude. Abel had an excellent attitude.

Hebrews 11:4 God, through Apostle Paul, comments on Abel's excellent faith.

God sent Samuel to Jesse’s house to pick one of his sons to become the next king of Israel.

1 Samuel 16:7 God told Samuel: "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

God looks at the person’s heart

Galatians 6:7-8
You reap what you sow

Matthew 6:33
Seek first God’s kingdom

2 Corinthians 9:6-8: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

Giving with the right attitude matters.

Matthew 6:1
Giving with the wrong motive doesn’t lead to a reward from God. Don’t do it to show off.

Matthew 6:3
Give in secret to where only God sees it.

Same thing with prayer.

Matthew 6:5 the wrong way to pray
Matthew 6:6 the right way to pray

Fasting too

Matthew 6:16 the wrong way to fast
Matthew 6:17 the right way to fast

Bottom line: it’s about pleasing God, not men

Point #1: Humility is important for faith to work

Story #1: Naaman: a man who needed an attitude adjustment because he had a bad attitude

2 Kings 5:1-3,9-17 (see below)

Naaman was a military leader. Naaman also had leprosy. Elisha told him to bathe 7 times in the Jordan river. Naaman decided that the rivers in his homeland, not Israel, were better. The “dirty” Jordan river wasn’t “good enough” for Naaman.
But Naaman did humble himself, bathed in the Jordan river, and became clean.

Humility is important for receiving anything from God. Naaman didn’t just humble himself; he had a character change. Naaman realized also that the God of the Bible is the only true God and wanted to publicly worship Him back in his home country.

True humility is saying what God says. Believing what God says. Doing what God says. And not telling God what to do.

Point #2: Love and respect are important for faith to work.

Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

We don’t use our faith to bring calamity in other people’s lives; we use our faith to bless others

John 10:10 (Jesus: "I have come so you can have life to the full") is a perfect description of this.

Giving God respect is important.

Story #2: the centurion who had humility, respect, love, and faith

Matthew 8:5-13 (see below)

A centurion comes to Jesus and asks Him to heal his servant who is sick with palsy. The centurion gives Jesus love and respect.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Just do the best you can.

A few weeks ago at church, I heard this new profound way of approaching my faith and my relationship with Jesus. It came during the offering time, where one of the other pastors or elder members will get up and speak to the congregation for a few moments about a Bible passage that God put on their heart that also related to the offering.

Typically the themes have been about honoring God. The passages are almost all the same, which I don't mind. I'm finding repetition is good: God is good. God is good because He is God. God is good all the time, and all the time He is good. There is never a time He isn't good. God loves you. He loves you and He wants you blessed. These are things no previous church I've attended have ever really preached. In addition: the importance of honoring God. And it's not just about giving but giving for the right reasons. It's good to give, but it's even better to give because you truly want to give. I'm trying to adopt that attitude. I tithe. (I try to go a little above 10%, not to boast but rather as a financial tactic considering for many years my income wasn't the same month to month. I had to guesstimate.)

I digress. The point of today's post is about this profound way of approaching my faith and my relationship with Jesus, which ties into the theme of giving, and it is this:

You don't need to be perfect. Just commit to following God's word, and do the best you can.

"Just do the best you can."

On the one hand, the last year-and-a-half has been a series of complete wholesale changes in my life. Yes, COVID, but also other things. On the other, just the last two months have been that: risks and adventures and steep learning curves. I've had moments (privately) of wanting to quit. "But God..." Exactly. "But God." He's propping me up. As is my love and her family. As well as a few others that I text periodically or call. I'm committing to following God's word, and sometimes doing so feels like being in some sort of torture chamber, not because of God's word (it is 100% good) but rather because of the world we live in, which includes the flesh and all its failings, which includes the spiritual realm, and which includes the enemy himself. Sometimes doing the next right thing means having the armor of God on and praying/declaring/speaking fighting words against spirits and voices that try to prey on my past and all its brokenness, sin, pain, and fear. But having the armor of God means facing it and standing in the midst of it, all the while trying to make sense of the current adventure and learning curve.

I'm doing the best I can, and I'm committing to it.

Lately, I've felt a nudge to read Psalm 119. Yes, that's not only the longest Psalm, but it's also the longest chapter in the entire Bible. No other chapter has 176 verses. But today, this particular verse struck me: My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. Psalm 119:20, NKJV

To me, it has become a spiritual version of "trust the process," from my therapy days. But it wasn't until recently that, thanks to my church, I heard a Biblical version of "spiritual progress, not spiritual perfection."

Commit to following what God's word says, and just do the best you can.

Sermons from Good News: what to do when a challenge is present, part 2

Church 8/14/2021

Offertory scripture:

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%209:6-8&version=NKJV

Don’t give just because someone tells you to. Do it because you want to honor God. And God notices.

Sermon message:

What to do when a challenge is present.

Last week: it’s important to speak faith.

There’s a difference between positive words vs faith words. Positive words are better than negative words; but they lack the spiritual power that faith words.

Point #1: this is not a new teaching. We need to speak faith.

The confession of your mouth determines your salvation. You get saved by confessing that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. This is not new teaching. Jesus and Paul said it. Even before him, David (before he was king) even said and demonstrated that it is important what you say.

Sometimes we speak faith but the mountain doesn’t move, and we get discouraged and weary. But we have help via the Bible:

The apostle James talks about the power of the tongue.

My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
James 3:1-12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=James%203:1-12&version=NKJV

Sometimes things change quickly, sometimes things change slowly.

Point #2: it’s important to have faith so that we can speak faith.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:17&version=NKJV

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%206:45&version=NKJV

You can speak positive words, but you need to have the word of God in you to speak faith words. The way you get faith words is to get into the word of God. Get knowledge of the things in the word of God.

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:2-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Peter%201:2-4&version=NKJV

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Timothy%202:15&version=NKJV

Walking by faith is a battle. Like paddling a canoe upstream or against the wind. Walking by faith is contrary to the rest of the world.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%206:12&version=NKJV

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2010:23&version=NKJV

Four (actually five) powerful faith confessions: God said them

Faith Confession 1: God rescues me because I love Him

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
Psalm 91:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2091:14&version=NKJV

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:36-40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2022:36-40&version=NKJV

Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Revelation 2:4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Revelation%202:4&version=NKJV

Everything Satan does in his attacks is to get you to stop loving God. But God says continue to love because I will take care of you.”

Faith Confession 2: God protects me because I trust Him

Psalm 91:14 again
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
Psalm 91:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2091:14&version=NKJV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Proverbs%203:5-6&version=NKJV

Every attack in your life is meant to steal your love and trust in Gods. But God says continue to trust and love Him.

Faith Confession 3: God answers me when I pray to Him

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Psalm 91:15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2091:15&version=NKJV

Faith Confession 4: God is with me when I’m facing trouble

Satan wants you to think that you are all alone. But God tells us that He is with us when we are facing trouble.

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2046:1&version=NKJV

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord .
Isaiah 54:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2054:17&version=NKJV

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%208:31&version=NKJV

Note about Psalm 91: the second half God talks and makes His promises of his protection

Faith Confession 5: God supplies all my needs because I acknowledge Hum as my source

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%204:19&version=NKJV

My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.
Psalm 62:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2062:5&version=NKJV

Something cool: the middle two verses of the Bible point to a critical lesson about faith and trusting God.

That said, not all theologians agree on which two verses are the exact middle of the Bible. But most agree that it’s one of the two following options:

Middle of the Bible option 1:

It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes.
Psalm 118:8-9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20118:8-9&version=NKJV

Middle of the Bible option 2:

Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Psalm 103:1-2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20103:1-2&version=NKJV

Bottom line: trust the Lord; bless the Lord. Always.

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Sermons from Good News: attitude of faith, part 1

Church 6/19/2021

Offertory scripture:

It’s not about the money; it’s about our hearts. God wants our hearts in drawing close to God.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Jeremiah%2017:7&version=NIV

The payoff:

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Jeremiah%2017:8&version=NIV

Sermon message:

Praise and worship this Wednesday—an invitation to come

Thesis: don’t give up on God

In sports coaches say to never give up

Highlight verse:
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:10&version=NIV

Jesus says this about Satan:

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:44&version=NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Galatians%206:9&version=NIV

Things are not always what they seem.

Biblical character focus: Jacob

Jacob becomes renamed Israel.

Jacob falls in love with Rachel and works 7 years. But then Laban gives him Leah. So Jacob asks what else is needed. Laban said to work another 7 years. A total of 14 years. And then more waiting before Rachel bore Joseph. As such Joseph is very precious to Jacob, to the point that he gives him a colorful coat. Jacob has dreams for Joseph. But then Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery and Jacob believes his dreams for Joseph were dead. Because he was told that Joseph was dead. But Jacob didn’t know Joseph was still alive.

Turns out, Joseph became 2nd in command in Egypt. And when his brothers, minus Benjamin, come to Egypt because of the famine, Joseph makes them go back, minus Simeon, to go fetch Benjamin. Then Jacob’s response when the brothers tell him they need Benjamin:

Their father Jacob said to them, “You have deprived me of my children. Joseph is no more and Simeon is no more, and now you want to take Benjamin. Everything is against me! ”
Genesis 42:36 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2042:36&version=NIV

The question: why did Jacob say: everything is against me?

Point #1: Jacob was weary.

Fatigue can lead to sin. We can think thoughts that are negative and not of faith.

Jacob was a man of great faith. He had experiences with God and visions of angels:

And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
Genesis 28:11-15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2028:11-15&version=KJV

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Genesis 32:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2032:28&version=KJV

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Isaiah%2040:31&version=KJV

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%2011:28&version=KJV

Point #2: Jacob was worried

Worrying and anxiety will displace faith. Fear will drain you of your faith.
But faith will drain your fear, worry, and anxiety.

And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.
Genesis 42:38 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2042:38&version=KJV

Do this instead:

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1 Peter 5:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%205:7&version=KJV

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:17&version=KJV

Point #3: Jacob was wrong. He was wrong because he didn’t know what was true.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%208:28&version=KJV

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%206:9-13&version=KJV

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Sermons from Good News: what to do when a challenge is present in your life

Church 8/07/2021

Offertory scripture:

I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains—but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned —but if I have no love, this does me no good.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%2013:1-3&version=GNT

When we give we need to give with the right motives and not selfish motives. We need to be motivated by love and not about “what I can get out of it.”

Sermon message:

Thesis: What to do when a challenge is present in your life

An example:

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6-7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%203:6-7&version=NKJV

Context: the church members in Corinth were saying “I’m with Paul” or “I’m with Apollos.” Paul was saying that each man had his role but everything comes from God.

For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.
2 Peter 1:12-15 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Peter%201:12-15&version=NKJV

Tent = his own body. Peter is nearing the end of his life.

Point is: repetition is important. Being reminded of the same important biblical truths helps strengthen our faith. Particularly in tough times.

What do you do when you encounter tough times?

Point #1: It is important to speak faith.

This is a doctrine of confession.

Side note about doctrines: really knowing the doctrine, especially the right doctrine, will help protect you from false doctrines. No craziness will infect your thinking.

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:9&version=NKJV

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Romans%2010:10&version=NKJV

What we say is important. We got in to the family of God by speaking faith. Same thing with dealing with tough circumstances.

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,
2 Corinthians 4:13 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=2%20Corinthians%204:13&version=NKJV

For example: “I am a child of God.” Declare it.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:10-20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%206:10-20&version=NKJV

Wiles = military strategies

Remember: we are in a very real battle. A spiritual battle for sure. But a very real battle. And it continues the entire time that we are here on earth.

Part of your armor is your mouth, your tongue. What you speak matters. Therefore, when you speak, speak the word of God. Speak the truth of God.

Don’t think it strange that when we have a great time with God, the devil will try to counterattack. Be ready for it. Put on the armor of God. Even Jesus needed to do this. Even Jesus knew the importance of declaring faith:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Matthew 4:1-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew%204:1-11&version=NKJV

Point #2: speak to the challenge itself. (Mountain, storm, difficulty, even the devil, whatever it is.)

Jesus gives this counsel to his disciples regarding speaking faith AND having faith when you speak:

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Mark 11:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2011:23&version=NKJV

Now, notice the verse before it:

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
Mark 11:22 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Mark%2011:22&version=NKJV

Speak faith. This is a key foundational truth for everything, but especially for when problems come.

The question is: Are you speaking to the mountain?

Talk back to the devil. Because he won’t stop talking. To get him to shut up you must speak faith and truth.

Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Luke 8:43-48 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Luke%208:43-48&version=NKJV

This woman spoke faith and acted in faith.

Other ways the devil can attack us: attacking the truth that we are forgiven of our sins.

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
John 8:3-11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%208:3-11&version=NKJV

When Paul was interrupted on the way to Damascus Jesus visited him. Jesus’ point is: if you’re persecuting My church, you’re persecuting Me. Paul repents, gets saved. Preaches that he used to be the chief of sinners but is forgiven and is an apostle of Jesus Christ.

Declare: “I may have made some dumb mistakes. But God has forgiven me.”

And: “because I’ve been forgiven, I forgive you.”

The point is: speak faith over all circumstances, over all challenges, over all types of accusations that the devil may try to say to you. Stand up to him. Talk back.

Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
1 Samuel 17:37 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Samuel%2017:37&version=NKJV

David declared faith even before meeting Goliath.

So the Philistine came, and began drawing near to David, and the man who bore the shield went before him. And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking. So the Philistine said to David, “ Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. And the Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17:41-47 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Samuel%2017:41-47&version=NKJV

When Goliath taunted him, David “clapped back”. David didn’t stay silent. He talked back to Goliath and stood up to him.

Above all he stood trusting God. He didn’t stand for Goliath mocking God either.

Don’t talk about the circumstance and give it life. Talk to the circumstance and kill it.

Angels are here to minister to us and for us.

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?
Hebrews 1:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%201:14&version=NKJV

Are not all the angels ministering spirits sent out [by God] to serve (accompany, protect) those who will inherit salvation? [Of course they are!]
Hebrews 1:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%201:14&version=AMP

Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.
Psalm 103:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20103:20&version=NKJV

Bless the Lord, you His angels, You mighty ones who do His commandments, Obeying the voice of His word!
Psalm 103:20 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20103:20&version=AMP

The angels need us to speak faith for them to do their part.