Sermons from Good News: The power in Jesus’s Name

Church 3/27/2024

Sermon message:

Thesis: The power in Jesus’s Name.

Jesus healed people when He was on this earth. He cast out demons as well. He also raised people from the dead, and He did miracles.

John 21:25

And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

We know Satan is afraid of Jesus and of Jesus’s name. We know that the devil tried to wipe Him out from the very beginning. He tried to use Herod to this end.

Matthew 2:16

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

Satan even tried to use the crowd to kill Him. But it failed because it wasn’t His time.

Luke 4:28-30

So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.

John 7:30

Therefore they sought to take Him; but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

John 8:59

Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

John 10:39

Therefore they sought again to seize Him, but He escaped out of their hand.

No one had power over Jesus. No one killed Him. He laid down His life.

Point #1: Jesus is more powerful than your problem.

If Jesus was so powerful that no one could kill Him, wouldn’t it follow that He is also bigger than your challenges?

The night Jesus was arrested by the temple guards and the Roman soldiers, (some say anywhere between 300-600 of them) Jesus showed His power, but laid down His freedom and let them arrest Him.

John 18:1-6

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. 3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

Point #2: You have power in you.

1 John 4:4

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.

Point #3: Jesus released power when He spoke.

John 18:4-6

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

No man could take Jesus’s life, but He willingly laid it down. No man could take His life because he used words to stop it from happening.

Point #4: Speak and release the power of Jesus’s name.

Philippians 2:9-11

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Every situation that you face has a name. But Jesus’s name is higher than that situation, than every other name.

We learn from Jesus. We learn from Him on using His name (honorably) against everything that tries to set itself against Him.

~ Communion ~

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

Sermons from Good News: Jesus knew.

Church 3/23/2024

Offertory scripture:

God is good. And Jesus is the heart of our contentment.

Malachi 3:10

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Sermon message:

God is good and His mercy endures forever.

Thesis: Jesus knew.

God promised Abraham and Abraham believed God and acted on what He said. The Bible refers to Abraham as the father of faith. One major promise that God made and kept was that Abraham and Sarah would have a child in their old age. Further, that Abraham would be the father of a great nation.

Even more so, Abraham still believed and obeyed God when God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice the son of God’s promises (Isaac). Abraham obeyed, but God stopped him before he committed the deed.

Genesis 22:15-18

15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, 16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 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. 18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

It pays to have faith and obey.

Later, David bought the land on Mount Moriah where Abraham was going to sacrifice Isaac, and he put an altar on that spot to offer a sacrifice to God. The folks who sold David the land wanted to give it away, but David refused to accept without payment. Acquiring this land needed to cost something. This stopped the plague that was occurring at the time.

Solomon later built the first temple on that spot. He offered 142,000 animals as sacrifices to God on that altar.

Through the years and generations, the temple was destroyed and rebuilt, and by the time Jesus Christ was on the earth, this temple was known as “Herod’s temple.” (Herod even added to the structure of the temple.)

The story of the Passover. It began when God freed the Israelites from Egypt - they passed over through the Red Sea and walked out of Egypt, free. The night of the Passover the Israelites took an unblemished lamb, slaughtered it, and spread its blood on the doorposts of their homes. God sent the death angel that night across all of Egypt to kill all the firstborns of all houses that didn’t have that blood. All Egyptians lost their firstborns but the Israelites did not, for God spared them because of their obedience.

Jesus Christ was that unblemished Lamb who died for our sins - over Passover weekend. Jesus knew He was the promise and that He was that Passover lamb.

Jesus knew.

Point #1: Jesus knew He was the promise and the Passover lamb.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Even John the Baptist knew who Jesus was.

John 1:29

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Even Paul knew.

1 Corinthians 5:7

Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

Peter knew, too.

1 Peter 1:19

but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Hebrews 4:14-15

Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus was certified clean, pure, and spotless.

Point #2: Jesus knew He was giving His life.

He knew He was coming to Jerusalem to die. He gave His life. The Romans didn’t kill Him. Neither did the Jews, nor did anyone else.

John 10:18

No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

Jesus was the lamb/ram as an alternate to Isaac. Jesus was the lamb as an alternate to the firstborns of Israel while they were in Egypt. And Jesus is the alternate for all of us.

One-third of Mark‘s account of Jesus’s life on earth was devoted to the last week of His life. One-half of John’s account covered the last week of Jesus’s time here on earth.

Mark 11:1-11

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”

4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”

6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna!

‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’

10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David

That comes in the name of the Lord!

Hosanna in the highest!”

11 And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Even the natural world knew Jesus was and is King.

Luke 19:39-40

And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”

But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

Mark 11:11

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Point #3: Jesus knew and he gave his life because he loves you.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Point #4: Now you know. How will you respond?

Sermons from Good News: Hindrances to faith. (Part 2)

Church 3/20/2024

Sermon message:

It’s good to give with a grateful heart.

Thesis: Hindrances to faith. (Part 2)

Point #5: not acting on God’s word.

Your faith will grow when you act on the word of God that you know.

One enemy or hindrance to your faith is not acting on what God reveals to you through His word. To act means also to believe the Word of God. To believe means to hear and meditate on the Word of God.

Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

James 1:22

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Do what the Word of God says.

Moses could have hindered the Israelites by not obeying God. The Israelites themselves could have hindered themselves by not obeying God.

Exodus 14:10-22

10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”

15 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 16 But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 17 And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. 20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.

21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

The Israelites thought they had only two options: go back to Egypt or die in the wilderness. But there was a third option: cross the Red Sea in faith.

For Moses, he stretched his hand and then the sea split in two. He acted in faith.

Not acting on the Word of God is a hindrance to faith.

Let’s now look at Joshua. He acted on the Word of God. If he hadn’t he would’ve hindered his faith.

Joshua 6:1-20

1 Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. 2 And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. 3 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. 4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.”

6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.” 7 And he said to the people, “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the Lord.”

8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them. 9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 10 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” 11 So he had the ark of the Lord circle the city, going around it once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.

12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 13 Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 14 And the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So they did six days.

15 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times. 16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city! 17 Now the city shall be doomed by the Lord to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. 18 And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. 19 But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the Lord; they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”

20 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Joshua and the Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days. And on the seventh day they marched around the town seven times, and then yelled.

If Joshua hasn’t told the priests or the people, they wouldn’t have known what to do. And if the people didn’t act in faith, they wouldn’t have taken Jericho as God had promised them.

One thing God told Joshua to command the people: don’t talk at any time while marching around the town. Not until after the seventh time and it’s time to shout. It’s to prevent the people from speak negatively about the promise God had for them.

Now to the New Testament:

Luke 17:11-14

11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.

Jesus healed the lepers, but it was only by faith that they were healed. He told them to go to the priests. Only en route to the priests did their healing manifest.

Another example:

Acts 14:8-10

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

The lame man stood up on command first and then the healing manifested after

Jesus’s command to act on faith.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Paul’s message to the Philippians re giving and receiving. They were the only church who asked and followed up regarding giving to bless Paul’s ministry.

Philippians 4:19

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:15-19

15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19 is a promise of God rewarding them for their free will giving. The Philippians acted in faith.

Act on the Word of God.

Sermons from Good News: a call for prayer.

Church 3/16/2024

Offertory scripture:

Giving, like praise and worship, is ministering to the Lord. It’s a pleasure to honor God.

2 Corinthians 9:8

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.

Sermon message:

Thesis: a call for prayer.

Fourteen days of prayer leading up to resurrection Sunday.

John the Baptist prayed. Jesus called John the most powerful man born of a woman. (Aside from Jesus)

Luke 11:1

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

Jesus prayed too.

He taught us what we call the Lord’s Prayer. The point is to pay attention to the structure of the prayer.

Some pointers:

Point #1: God wants me to call Him Father.

Refer to and address Him as “My Father“ and “our Father“.

Matthew 6:9

In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Point #2: God’s Name tells me who He is to me.

God is my righteousness. God is my Peace. God is my Provider. And so on.

God says “I AM.”

Point #3: God knows what is best for me.

Matthew 6:10

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Point #4: God is able to meet my daily needs.

Matthew 6:11

Give us this day our daily bread.

Point #5: God enables me to forgive others and forgive myself.

Matthew 6:12

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

Point #6: God leads me and protects me.

Matthew 6:13A

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

The statement “lead me not into temptation” is a statement of faith.

Point #7: God’s kingdom, power, and glory are forever.

Matthew 6:13B

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Some kingdoms will rise, and others will fall; but God’s kingdom is forever.

Sermons from Good News: Hindrances to faith

Church 3/13/2024

Sermon message:

Thesis: Hindrances to faith

What could be hindering our faith? Sometimes there are spiritual hindrances.

We are in a fight, and we need to fight the good fight of faith.

1 Timothy 6:12

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.

We don’t fight against flesh and blood. Other people are not our enemies. But the devil is our enemy.

What is stopping or hindering your faith? What is the enemy doing? By what strategies is he trying to prevent you from winning the fight of faith?

Point #1: Not understanding what it means to be a new creature in Christ.

When you receive Jesus Christ, you are a new creation, a new person.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

You are born again, and born from above. This means not only are you forgiven of your past sins; but also that the old person, the old nature, has passed away.

Of course Satan doesn’t want that. So he will try to sabotage your fight of faith.

Point #2: Not understanding our place in Christ Himself.

You are in Christ, and Christ is in you.

The New Testament is full of lines that say: “in Christ,” “in Him,” and “in Whom”. (133 times in total!) All these lines speak to your identity and place in Christ.

Point #3: Not understanding righteousness itself.

Righteousness = right standing with God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Don’t let the devil tell you otherwise.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Jeremiah 31:34

No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

Even when we make a mistake after having receiving Christ, it’s still good and important to confess it. Think of having a dislocated joint, it’s still part of your body but a bit out of joint and needs to be popped back in.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Don’t hesitate to confess; the devil will try to hold this over your head and hinder your faith. So confess to God. You want to have your faith snapped back into joint.

Point #4: Not understanding our right to use the name of Jesus.

Caveat: don’t take Jesus’s name in vain. Use it rightly. Speak faith. Declare that you are in Him, and that you have His righteousness. In this, you do have the right to use Jesus’s name. Confess the name of Jesus. Confess the truth as stated in the Word of God especially as it relates to His name.

Have faith and do not doubt in your heart.

Mark 11:23

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.

Acts 19:13-16

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

John 16:23-24

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Mark 16:15-18

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 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.”

(Sermon to end here and pick up next time.)

Sermons from Good News: Your yes allows God to bless.

Church 3/9/2024

Offertory scripture:

Parable of the prodigal son. God is the Father. The brother of the prodigal complained. The father’s response: everything I have has been yours the whole time. The point is God wants to give good things to you but wants and needs you to be open to receiving it.

When we bring an offering, it’s to God first and foremost. When we tithe we are honoring God.

Sermon message:

Thesis: Your yes allows God to bless.

If you obey God, He will bless you.
If you disobey God, you will reap curses.

Mark 16:15-16

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.

He who believes = he who listens to God, who responds to Him.

Luke 5:1-3

So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.

Point #1: Peter chose yes and others were blessed.

If you too say yes, others will be blessed.

Luke 5:4-6

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

Point #2: Peter chose yes and he was blessed.

Point #3: Peter chose yes, and he and others were blessed.

Luke 5:6-7

And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

Point #4: When you say yes you allow God to bless, to us and through us.

Luke 5:10-11

and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

Sermons from Good News: God wants to bless you

Church 3/2/2024

Offertory scripture:

All we need is just one word from God and it could completely transform your life, your situation, etc. The gospel has the power to do that.

Matthew 5:15-16

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Sermon message:

God wants to bless you.

Praying is good. Receiving the prayer that someone else has prayed over you is powerful.

Thesis: Receive God’s blessing.

God is a blesser. Genesis 1 & Genesis 2

Sometimes we need to be reminded of this. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of it.

God is a blesser, but Satan is a curser.
Genesis 3

God still wanted humans to be blessed even after the fall into sin.

Numbers 6:22-27

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:

“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.” ’

“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Galatians 3:13-14

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

John 10:10

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 3:16-18

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

We are blessed because our sins have been forgiven. We are not condemned, but we are blessed because we have Jesus Christ.

We are blessed also because God has sent His Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit reminds us of what Jesus said, and He gives us power.

Receive God’s blessings and speak it with your mouth.

What we say with our mouth is very important.

Receive Jesus and receive God’s blessings.

Point #1: Receive God’s blessing at church.

Psalm 84:1-4

How lovely is Your tabernacle,

O Lord of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, even faints

For the courts of the Lord;

My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Even the sparrow has found a home,

And the swallow a nest for herself,

Where she may lay her young—

Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,

My King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;

They will still be praising You. Selah

Matthew 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Hebrews 10:25

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.

Don’t let Satan steal your blessings at church, and don’t let Satan use you to steal someone else’s blessings at church. Be a blesser.

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

Point #2: Receive God’s blessing on your journey.

Psalm 84:5

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

Receive God’s blessings on your road of life. Don’t let Satan trip you up or steal f you. Acknowledge God in all your ways.

Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Deuteronomy 31:6-8

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 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.”

God is with you on your journey. He will not abandon you or forsake you. God is going ahead of you. And He is with you.

The journey can sometimes be confusing. But we know that no matter what, God is with us. And He will bring us through. Receive strength and healing from God, whatever it is you need.

Point #3: Receive God’s blessings as you surrender to Him.

Psalm 84:11

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.

Don’t be afraid to surrender to God. He won’t steal from you or harm you or tear you down. He builds you up and He heals you and He blesses you.

Point #4: Receive God’s blessing when receiving holy communion.

1 Corinthians 11:23-24

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Sermons from Good News: Healing confessions

Note before sharing the notes from the service: this service was structured differently from the usual. In lieu of a sermon was a time of meditating on certain Scriptural passages from God's word and then confessing out loud a series statements in line with each batch of verses/passages. One thing you'll notice as you read through the list is that a lot of the Bible verses repeat. This is intentional, as we often need to repeat the same truths in order for our faith to build.

Church 2/28/2024

Service focus: Healing confessions

Intro:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit. 

Proverbs 18:21

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Focus verses:

And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— Colossians 1:21-22

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And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12

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. Romans 5:5

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who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:11

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

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He sent His word and healed them,

And delivered them from their destructions. 

Psalm 107:20

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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

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11

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The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

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My son, give attention to my words;

Incline your ear to my sayings.

Do not let them depart from your eyes;

Keep them in the midst of your heart;

For they are life to those who find them,

And health to all their flesh.

Proverbs 4:20-22

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Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.  

Deuteronomy 34:7

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No evil shall befall you,

Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

For He shall give His angels charge over you,

To keep you in all your ways.

Psalm 91:10-11

In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12:28

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that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.” Matthew 8:17

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

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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

So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:6

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), Galatians 3:13

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who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

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I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. John 14:20

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Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19

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It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

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

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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

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

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“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; Matthew 6:19

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

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

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He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

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Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:28-31

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Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

He sent His word and healed them,

And delivered them from their destructions. 

Psalm 107:20

He who guards his mouth preserves his life,

But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. 

Proverbs 13:3

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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

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20

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For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

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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

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A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,

And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.

Proverbs 12:14

A sound heart is life to the body,

But envy is rottenness to the bones.

Proverbs 14:30

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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

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I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:23

in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:22

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“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. Exodus 23:25

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

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For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17

So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:6

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So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:6

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

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My son, give attention to my words;

Incline your ear to my sayings.

Do not let them depart from your eyes;

Keep them in the midst of your heart;

For they are life to those who find them,

And health to all their flesh.

Keep your heart with all diligence,

For out of it spring the issues of life.

Proverbs 4:20-23

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So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:6

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

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

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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! James 3:2-5

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For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:13-14

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But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11

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But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, Matthew 12:35A

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who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

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Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. 

Proverbs 16:24

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A merry heart does good, like medicine,

But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

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There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

Proverbs 12:18

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Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

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I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord. Psalm 118:17

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Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:2-5

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“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. Exodus 23:25-26

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