New Song Church OKC

Matthew 6:19-24 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.The Gospel of Materialism - “The more you have, the happier you will be”“In the Western world, materialism has become the new, dominant system of meaning. Atheism hasn’t replaced cultural Christianity; shopping has. - Jean Baudrillard"We must shift America from a needs based culture, to a desires based culture, People must be trained to desire, to want new things even before the old thing has been entirely consumed. We must shape a new mentality in America. Man's desires must overshadow his needs." - Paul Mazur The amount Americans spend in a single weekend of shopping is more than half of the total they give to churches in an entire year.Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities. - Mark Twain1. Heart Is Where Your Treasure IsMatthew 6:19-24 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. You can’t take it with you but you can send it on ahead!Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Heart - the fountain and seat of thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, the fountain and seat of understanding and intelligenceWhen we build our life around stockpiling treasure in earthly possessions, our heart will be anchored to this present world. 2. What You See Is What You GetMatthew 6:22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!Earthly treasures can darken your eyes3. Choose Your Master Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.Mammon - money, wealth, or possessions, "that in which one trusts"Mammon promises us identityMore money is not the answer in your lifeA generous man has a generous planMalachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Tithe = 10%Malachi 3:8-9 "Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day. "You ask, "How have we robbed you?' "The tithe and the offering–that's how! And now you're under a curse–the whole lot of you–because you're robbing me. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (MSG) 6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

Matthew 6:16-18 And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.If your motive for fasting is the praise of men, your reward is nothing more than stinking breath. WHAT is Biblical fasting? Fasting is refraining from food for a spiritual purpose.The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. - PiperWe are so satisfied by three meals a day plus snacks that our appetite for heaven evading earth is dulled. We need to be aware of the danger in finding comfort in food because a comfortable Christian always settles for so much less than what God has for them. 3 types of fasts: 1. Absolute fast. When water and food are given up completely for a short time. 2. Normal fast. When you take in liquids, but stop eating food. 3. Partial fast. Refraining from certain categories of food. WHY should we fast? 1. The spiritual purpose of fasting is to reveal our dependence on God. Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in him a source beyond food. - WillardNo drink is as wonderful as thirst. No food is as wonderful as hunger.No food is as wonderful as hunger because hunger leads us to Jesus- the bread of life. Hunger sets the stage for God. Dependence on God will result in a deeper connection with God through prayer. 2. The spiritual purpose of fasting is to dethrone our flesh. Flesh = human impulses springing from desire. More animal than spiritual. Corrupt desires that sin introduced into our very appetites and instincts. Galatians 5:16-17 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh (the corrupt desires sin introduced to your appetites). For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.Fasting is a way to turn your body into an ally in your fight with the flesh rather than an adversary.- John Mark ComerRefrain from gluttony and thou shalt the more easily restrain all the inclinations of the flesh. - Kempis Fasting files a restraining order on your flesh while reordering your longings and loves. Fasting is one of God’s great tools for reorienting our longings away from the flesh and back toward God. All of us have deeply ingrained patterns, dopamine reward mechanisms, and neural pathways centered around a need for physical satisfaction. Fasting breaks these default connections and reorients us toward a greater food: intimacy with and enjoyment of God. - Tyson 3. The spiritual purpose of fasting is to experience breakthrough. HOW do I practice fasting?Practice Fasting Systematically

Matthew 7:7-12 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! The world at its worst needs the church at its best, and a praying church is a church at its best. 2 Chronicles 7:14 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.A praying church is a praying church because the people that make up that church are praying people.“There is not a church, chapel or mission on earth where you cannot have a revival, provided there is a nucleus of faithful people who will hold on to God until it comes.” - Dr R. A. TorreyWe Underestimate Prayers Power We Underestimate Satans Strategy to keep us from prayer Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray”Private prayer leads to public power.James 5:16 The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful and effective.Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—If the devil can’t make you bad, he will make you busy. If you aren’t consciously committed to important things, then you are unconsciously committing yourself to unimportant thingsMatthew 7:7 (AMP) “Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.” 1. ASKMatthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; Prayer is a declaration of dependency.Prayer Establishes WithnessIt’s impossible to do life for Jesus without doing life with Jesus.Genesis 4:25-26 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, “For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.” 26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.Revelations 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.2. SeekMatthew 7:7 seek, and you will find;Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. You Can’t Handle It YetHe’s Hiding It From The EnemyHebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's command, that what we now see what we see in the physical did not come from anything that can be seen.3. Knock Matthew 7:7 knock, and it will be opened to you.“It's child's play" Dominion = The ability to rule, to have control, to dominate, to subjugatePsalm 115:16 The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the children of men.Psalm 138:2 You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above Your name!Prayer gives God earthly license for heavenly interference. 2 Chronicles 7:14 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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.God will not intervene, until He hears his bride intercedes.The world at its worst needs the church at its best, and a praying church is a church at its best.

Matthew 6:1-4 1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. - Matthew 6:1-4“Therefore, when you do a charitable deed”1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. - Matthew 6:1-41 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. - Matthew 6:1-41 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Matthew 6:1, 44 that your charitable deed may be in secret - Matthew 6:1-425 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. - Romans 2:25-29KINGDOM GENEROSITY WANTS TO BE SHOWN TO SOMEONE NOT SEEN BY OTHERS2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, - Matthew 6:2-3“It is not having a standard that makes someone a hypocrite; it is falsely claiming to live by that standard when you in fact do not, or when you have a double standard that makes one a hypocrite.” - David GuzikBut when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, - Matthew 6:3Sometimes putting on the nature of christ is taking off the nature of our flesh“Keep the thing so secret that even you yourself are hardly aware that you are doing anything at all praiseworthy. Let God be present, and you will have enough of an audience.” - Charles Spurgeon1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. - Matthew 6:1-4misthos - the fruit naturally resulting from toils and endeavorsapodidōmi - 1. to give back, restoreapodidōmi - 1. to give back, restore 2. to deliver, to give away for one's own profit what is one's own, to sellTHE REWARD ISN’T THE REASON, IT’S THE RESULT_01 PLAN TO BE GENEROUS_02 ASK FOR HELP“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” - John 13:35 _03 OFFER TO HELP

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the body is in its blood.ANGERMatthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’Before murder finds action through someones hands, anger finds accommodation in someone heart.Matthew 5:22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.Matthew 5:23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.LustMatthew 5:27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’Matthew 5:28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to [sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.DivorceMatthew 5:31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.ManipulationMatthew 5:33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.“Why do people swear oaths? They do it to impress others with their sincerity and reliability and thus gain acceptance of what they're saying and what they want. It is a method for getting their way. It is simply a device of manipulation, designed to override the judgment and will of the ones they are focusing upon, push them aside, rather than respecting them and leaving their decisions and actions strictly up to them.” - Dallas WillardSpin Doctor - ____________.RetaliationMatthew 5:38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.1 Peter 2:23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.Love Your EnemiesMatthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;Matthew 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?Matthew 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.The grace of God is not an excuse to dismiss away the transformation God wants to bring in your life.Perfect = __________.The only Jesus some people will ever see is the Jesus they see in youThe will of God is always possiblePhilippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”It is very hard indeed if you have not been substantially transformed in the depths of your being, in the intricacies of your thoughts, feelings, assurances, and dispositions, in such a way that you are permeated with love. Once that happens, then it is not hard. What would be hard is to act the way you acted before. When Jesus hung on the cross and prayed, “Father, forgive them because they do not understand wh

Matthew 7:28-29 (paraphrase) When Jesus finished his message, the crowd applauded and exclaimed, “This is the best teaching and he’s living every word of it! Jesus is awesome! I want to be his disciple!” The aim of the sermon is to help people come to hopeful and realistic terms with their lives here on earth by clarifying, in concrete terms, the nature of the kingdom into which they are now invited by Jesus’ call: “Repent, for life in the kingdom of the heavens is now one of your options.” - Willard Matthew 5:17-20 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you- until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. How did Jesus fulfill the Law? The sermon on the mount is the Speech of a KING. Kings were to be living embodiments of the law who instructed through both teaching and example what it meant to follow the law. As the king goes, the nation goes. Jesus is the Davidic King who becomes the Living Law. - Patrick Schreiner INSIDE OUT PIC Jesus did not come to set the Law aside; He came to bring the Law to life! Does the Law need to be central to my life?The Law is not the source of rightness, but it is forever the course of rightness - Willard The Law sends us to Jesus to be justified, because it shows us our inability to please God in ourselves. But after we come to Jesus, He sends us back to the Law to learn the heart of God for our conduct and sanctification. - Guzik How does one go beyond/surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees? Matthew 23:1-3 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. Matthew 5:20 (paraphrase) Unless our approach to goodness goes far beyond the religious respectability of the scholars and teachers of the law — not focused merely on doing the right actions, but on relying on God to work in your heart to develop true inner goodness — then you can’t participate in the life-giving flow of God’s eternal kingdom. 1 We quit relying on OUR “righteousness.” Philippians 3:9 And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self- achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. Do I have any righteousness that I think can be called my own? VIRTUE CHART PIC 2 We adjust our aim. If your aim is keeping the law, you are going to keep breaking the Law. Our aim must be Jesus. Aiming to keep the Law will not change your nature. Only knowing Jesus can change your nature. Ephesians 4:21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So, if you want to know the Lord Jesus Christ, you must live with him. First he must himself speak to you, and afterwards you must abide in him. He must be the choice Companion of your morning hours, he must be with you throughout the day, and with him you must also close the night; and as often as you may wake during the night, you must say, ‘When I awake, I am still with thee.’ - Spurgeon

Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NKJV)Matthew 5:13-16 - You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 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. (NKJV)THE FUNCTION OF SALT1. Salt is just salt.Luke 14:34-35 - Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear (NKJV)2. When we exist on the earth, we help life to blossom.Genesis 39:5-6a - From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! (NLT)3. When we exist on the earth, we help fruit to grow. 4. When we exists on the earth, we prevent bad growth.Genesis 18:32 - Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten. (NKJV)THE KRYPTONITE OF SALTIt must have greater quantityIt must have presenceTHE FUNCTION OF LIGHTIt exposes John 3:19-21 - And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (NKJV)It revealsPsalms 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. (NLT)HOW CAN LIGHT FAIL?

The Beatitudes are attitudes a believer should display.Matthew 5:1-12 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.Blessed: a joy which has its secret within itself, a joy which is serene and untouchable. A self-contained joy which is completely independent of all the changes of life.Blessed = joy untouchable. Beatitude Believers are untouchable.01. Blessed are the poor in spirit Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Poor in spirit - Admitting spiritual bankruptcy and having a humble and honest attitude toward self. Romans 12:3 Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. John 15:5 “apart from me you can do nothing.”02. Blessed are those who mourn. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance Repent - to turn away from sin. comforted - to call to one's side, call for, summon 03. Blessed are the meek. Mathew 5:5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Meekness is not weaknessMeekness = Power under controlPrautes 04. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousnessMatthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.Righteousness is a necessityRighteousness - to be right with God, right with self, and right with others. Holiness and Wholeness that begins in your inner self. 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.05. Blessed are the merciful.Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Luke 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.06. Blessed are the pure in heart.Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.Pure Heart = Singleness of heart. An unmixed, undivided heart. 07. Blessed are the peacemakersMatthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. The Source Of Peace Is God.Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in himIsaiah 9:6 “prince of peace” Hebrews 6:10 “the high priest according to the order of Melchizedek” Melchizedek = king of peaceIsaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. 08. Blessed are those who are persecuted Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Romans 5:8 God demonstrates his own love to us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.Luke 23:44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.The final works of Jesus from the cross were to declare trust and to offer surrender.Taking things into our own hands, doesn't seize our destiny, It actually sabotages it.Our life in our hands is out of control.2 Corinthians 1:9 We had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God.#1 Jesus Trusts God’s HeartHe Trusts God Because He Knows God.Psalm 31:5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.Luke 23:46 “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ”You’re going to have a hard time trusting God with your life if you don’t know Him.Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that he could be your religion. He died on the cross so He could have a relationship with you.Psalm 31:4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.#2 Jesus Trusts God’s HandsLuke 23:46 “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ”Jesus trusts that the hands of God will catch Him… so He surrenders His life.Paratithēmi - to surrender, it means to willingly hand over, to deposit something valuable in a safe place. Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;God is a great catcherIt’s from the release that you can experience the resurrection.

John 19:28-30 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:TetelestaiCharles Spurgeon —“An ocean of meaning in a drop of language, a mere drop. It would need all the other words that ever were spoken, or ever can be spoken, to explain this one word. It is altogether immeasurable. It is high; I cannot attain to it. It is deep; I cannot fathom it. IT IS FINISHED is the most charming note in all of Calvary’s music.01. A Finished AssignmentJohn 6:38 I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. John 4:34 My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.FRESCO 01FRESCO 0202. A Finished SacrificeSin creates a debtHebrews 9:12 Christ entered the Most Holy Place [Holy of Holies] once—and for all time. He did not take with him the blood of goats and calves. His sacrifice was his own blood, and by it he set us free from sin forever.Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”03. A Finished TransactionTransaction - an exchange between two or more peopleLiterally - actually, not exaggerating or being metaphorical. Ephesians 2:8 it is by grace you have been saved, through faith Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.BEATER CAR PIC BUGATTI SLIDEJohn 10:10 - “I came that you might have life”“Life” - Zoe Life - A full life, an enjoyable life, a rich and satisfying life.2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.You give God your mess, and He through Jesus gives you His best.04. A Finished Season2 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.Jesus was the greatest finisher of all time.

JACK HAYFORD“He is bringing His final sermon - a message of all time, to be proclaimed from the elevated pulpit of His cross…” JOHN 19:28-3028 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.MARK 15:21-2321 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. 22 And they brought him to the place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull). 23 And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. F.F. BRUCE“The wine would be the sour wine or posca (water, wine, and vinegar) used by Roman soldiers. In Mark, Jesus declines the drink, apparently without tasting, desiring to suffer with a clear mind.”DIVINE PROVIDENCEProvidence: foresight or making provision beforehandJOHN 19:2828 After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. PSALM 69:20-2120 Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. 21 They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.The time of His birth (Daniel 8 & 9).He would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)He would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14)He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12) He would be mocked. (Psalm 22:7,8)He would be crucified. (John 3:14) (pointing back to Moses lifting up the serpent for healing in Exodus) He would be pierced. (Psalms 22:16)He would die with the wicked, but He would be buried with the rich. (Isaiah 53:9)JOHN 19:2829 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. PSALM 51:7“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”DIVINE HUMILITYJACK HAYFORD“… the one reason Jesus asked for something to drink had to do with what He was about to say. The biblical setting made that unmistakably clear. As the Word incarnate was about to bring his final sermon - a message for all time, to first be proclaimed from the elevated pulpit of His cross - He needed to clear His voice. The announcement to follow was not to be muttered or choked but trumpeted so that all mankind throughout all history would be able to hear it. But to prepare for that moment, He needed help.” JAMES 5:13-1613 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. DIVINE THIRSTMATTHEW 20:20-2220 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”MATTHEW 26:39And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”MARK 10:38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”JOHN 18:11So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”JESUS’ THIRST WAS TO DO THE WILL OF GODST. AUGUSTINE“The Samaritan women at the well found the Lord thirsting, and by him thirsting, she was filled. She first found him thirsting in order that he might drink from her faith. And when he was on the cross, he said, ‘I thirst,’ although they did not give him that for which he was thirsting. For he was thirsting for them.”OUR GREATEST THIRST IS KNOW GOD AND TO DO THE WILL OF GOD.JOHN 4:13-1413 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[b] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Matthew 27:45-54 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. 51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”When Jesus spoke He made statements…. Luke 23:44 there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed.failed - to cease, to stop God himself turned out the lights! 2 corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.The hosts of heaven veiled their faces from the fearful sight. Inanimate nature expressed sympathy with its insulted and dying Author. The sun refused to look upon the awful scene. Its full, bright rays were illuminating the earth at midday, when suddenly it seemed to be blotted out. Complete darkness, like a funeral pall, enveloped the cross. "There was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." There was no eclipse or other natural cause for this darkness, which was as deep as midnight without moon or stars. - Ellen Gould White, 1898This darkness was a visible sign that God the father had turned his back on God the son and was pouring out his immense judgment for the sin of the world on his sinless son.Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we were healed. Matthew 8:17 “He took our sickness and bore our diseases.”Isaiah 52:14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. Matthew 26:39 “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”On the cross, Jesus became, as it were, an enemy of God whowas judged and forced to drink the cup of the Father’s fury. He didit so we would not have to drink that cup. - David GuzikPsalm 22:1 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? 2 My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Psalm 22:16 Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. 17 All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me. Psalm 22:18 They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.Maddua - looks backwards after an event and seeks the cause of the action.Lama - looks forward and seeks a demonstration of purpose Matthew 27:51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.SLIDE PICTURE OF TEMPLE COURTS “It is not a slight rent through which we may see a little; but it is rent from the top to the bottom. There is an entrance made for the greatest sinners. If there had only been a small hole cut through it, the lesser offenders might have crept through; but what an act of abounding mercy is this, that the veil is rent in the midst, and rent from top to bottom, so that the chief of sinners may find ample passage!” - Charles SpurgeonMatthew 27:52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”John 12:32 “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”Jesus is not a confused son asking God to explain why this is happening to Him; He’s a focused Savior asking God to demonstrate purpose to the people He is dying to save.Sin is significant.Romans 6:23The wages of sin is deathRomans 3:23For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GodGod Is Just.God Is LoveIsaiah 53:5 He was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we were healed.

John 19:25-27 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.But standing by the cross of Jesus.Luke 2:34-35 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."Around the cross there flows a river of compromise. Everyone around is strangely exposed. -Kenneth BaileyPhilippians 3:7-11 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.Suffering with Christ is not about being sick and starving. It's not about some irritation in life. It is about saying that no matter what this costs me, I will follow Jesus with all my heart, soul, and strength because there is nothing worth more than knowing him! John 19:25-27 but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son!" Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.Matthew 12:46-50 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."The family of God transcends earthly familial criteria.Ephesians 1:3-6 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. God adopted us IN LOVE, not out of obligation. Romans 8:14-17 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.Under Roman adoption, the life and standing of the adopted child changed completely. The adopted son lost all rights in his old family and gained all new rights in his new family; the old life of the adopted son was completely wiped out, with all debts being canceled, with nothing from his past counting against him any more. - GuzikBehold is more than just a casual look. It means to make a careful study. To fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care.When we attend church, we shouldn't just be looking to make some friends; we should be BEHOLDING the family of GOD.

Luke 23:32 There were also TWO OTHERS, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. Luke 23:35-43 And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.” And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, REMEMBER ME when You come into Your kingdom.” And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”God wants us to help others who are experiencing the same pain we are in.Hebrews 2:17-18 MSGThat’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.1. 1. Distracts us from our own needs2. 2. Helps us to see the solution 3. 3. Keeps things in perspectiveIsaiah 58:10-11 Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.2 Corinthians 1:3-43 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all COMFORT. 4 He COMFORTS us in all our troubles so that we can COMFORT others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. “Even spiritual comforts are not given us for our use alone; they, like all the gifts of God, are given that they may be distributed, or become instruments of help to others.”Jesus answered the second criminal far beyond his expectation.Psalm 40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.Ecclesiastes 4:12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.John 14:1-2 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

“Money can't buy life.” - Bob Marley"Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something." - Pancho Villa"I'm going to the bathroom to read." - Elvis Presley"Tomorrow, I shall no longer be here."- Nostradamus"Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." - Steve Jobs"Okay, let's roll." - Todd BeamerLuke 23:32-34 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.Luke 6:27-28 But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “Forgiveness is the greatest miracle that Jesus ever performs. It meets the greatest need; it costs the greatest price; and it brings the greatest blessings and most lasting results.” (Wiersbe) We live as if the God-human gap is actually much smaller than it really is. (Wilhoit) 01. You can’t give what you haven’t received.THE ONLY WAY GOD WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU IS IF YOU DON’T DESIRE FORGIVENESS!You will never be able to radically forgive others if you don’t receive the radical forgiveness of Jesus.02. You can forgive what is not perceived.“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”Jesus recognized the blindness of His enemies.03. An unforgiving heart is not relieved.“The world despises this theology because it thinks anger is necessary to fuel the struggle for justice, and that forgiveness will dissipate that anger. The Christian disagrees and replies, “No. I will forgive and I will struggle for justice. I may still be angry, but my struggle for justice will be purified by forgiveness and thereby become more effective.” Kenneth Bailey Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.To forgive is to set a prisoner free and to discover the prisoner was you.-Corrie Ten Boom04. Apart from God it’s unachieved.2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.If you think it’s impossible to forgive someone, you are limiting the grace of God.

Matthew 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold1. God Created Us From CommunityGenesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.We were created in the image of community2. God Created Us For Community3. Outside of Community = Not GoodGenesis 2:18 “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”4. Satan Hates Community1 Peter 5:8 your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Community requires continued intentionality#5 I Am Called To Connect To The ChurchActs 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. God was adding new people, not to a system but to a family.46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day = BIG GROUP46 met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity= SMALL GROUPS#1. Groups connect us to the “one anothers”. The primary activity of the church in the new testament was one-anothering with one another. #2. Groups Enlarge Our View Of God#3. Groups help us heal and be healedJames 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.#4. Small Groups Create Big Impact #5. Groups bring out the best in usHebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

John 8:13-18 The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.” Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”The testimony and decisions of Jesus were valid because he was not alone. God was his witness. Before we act, decide, judge, or testify, we need to make sure we can say I am not alone. I stand with Jesus and the Father who sent him.I AM NOT OF THIS WORLDJohn 8:23 But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.We are sent INTO the world, but not of it.Sometimes we are so focused on the world we are NOT OF that we lose sight of the world that we ARE OF.Born From Above - to be interactively joined with a dynamic, unseen system of divine reality in the midst of which all of humanity moves about- whether it knows it or not.The damage done to our practical faith in Christ and in his government at hand by confusing heaven with a space in distant or other space, or even beyond space, is incalculable. Of course God is there too. But instead of heaven and God also being always present with us, as Jesus shows them to be, we invariably take them to be located far away and, most likely, at a much later time- not here and not now. And we should then be surprised to feel ourselves alone? - WillardRomans 8:5-6 The carnal attitude sees no further than natural things. But the spiritual attitude reaches out after the things of the spirit. The former attitude means, bluntly, death: the latter means life and inward peace.I AM NOT SEEKING GLORY FOR MYSELFJohn 8:48-50 The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge.“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself;Jesus’ desire to honor God and his personal humility disproved any charge of demonic possession. Since those who have Satan as their spiritual parent will have some of the characteristics of Satan, they will have an evident pride and self-seeking – things that were and are absent in Jesus. - Guzik Jesus didn’t have to seek his own glory because he knew that there is one that seeks it for him.

WE DON’T JUST EXIST FOR THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM. WE EXIST FOR THE PEOPLE NOT HERE YET.JOHN 15:1-17“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants,[a] for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.WHAT JOHN 15 DOES FOR US. 1. INFORMS USISAIAH 5:1-2My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill.He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines;he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it;and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.“Stinking or worthless thing; or stink-berries.” JEREMIAH 2:20-21“Long ago I broke the yoke that oppressed you and tore away the chains of your slavery,but still you said, ‘I will not serve you.’ On every hill and under every green tree, you have prostituted yourselves by bowing down to idols.But I was the one who planted you, choosing a vine of the purest stock—the very best. How did you grow into this corrupt wild vine?JESUS IS THE TRUE VINE.YOURSELF (PRIDE) or SOMETHING ELSE (IDOLS).We must be rooted in Him (not in Israel) if we will bear fruit for God. In the New Covenant community, our first identification is in Jesus Christ Himself, not in Israel or even in the church as such.GUZIKJOHN 15:22 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.BEING CONNECTED TO JESUS WILL GUARANTEE FRUIT AND PRUNING. THE FRUIT BEING PRODUCED IS NOT STUFF.JOHN 15:12-14 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.2. ENCOURAGES USJOHN 15:3-53 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit,WHEN I’M CONNECTED TO JESUS, IT’S NOT A MATTER OF “IF” BUT “WHEN”.3. HUMBLES US“All our sap and safety is from Christ. The bud of a good desire, the blossom of a good resolution, and the fruit of a good action, all come from him.”JOHN TRAPP4. WARNS US JOHN 15:5-65 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.The phrasing Jesus used here was important. He didn’t say, If anyone does not bear fruit he is cast out. He said, if anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out. He knows who abides and who does not, and this can’t be perfectly discerned by our outward estimation of fruit.DAVID GUZIKJESUS IS WHAT WE WILL NEVER BE.

John14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. It’s possible to have a troubled life but an untroubled heart.John 16:33 In this world, you will have trouble But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” C.S. LEWISPhilippians 3:20 Our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is; and we are looking forward to his return from there.Love prepares a place place - abiding placeHome is GodJohn 14:4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. John 14:5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg - or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool; you can spit at him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. - C.S. LewisJohn 14:6 No one comes to the Father except through Me. Jesus Is The Way To GodJesus is the Truth Of God John 14:9 He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. 11 Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.Jesus gives us a clear picture of who God is. John 8:4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”Luke 7:14 “Young man, I say to you, get up!” Jesus Is The Life Of GodHabakkuk 1:13 Before your holy eyes sin may not be seen, and you are unable to put up with wrong; Matthew 27:45–46 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”.

THE NATURE OF RESURRECTION1 - WITHOUT DEATH, THERE IS NO NEED FOR RESURRECTION.Genesis 2:16-17 - And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Psalm 19:7-11 - The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 119:9 - How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. John 15:3 - You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 2 - WHAT GIVES POWER TO DEATH IS SIN.John 10:18 - No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 - “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Word of God incarnate - making this declaration:I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFETHE NEED FOR RESURRECTION1) MARTHAJohn 11:1 - 1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. John 11:3-5 - 3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. John 11:17 - 17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days.John 11:20-28John 11:38-44DEADNESS OF UNDERSTANDINGProverbs 3:51 Corinthians 13:12Proverbs 21:2 Matthew 10:41Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life to UNDERSTANDING2) MARYJohn 11:1-5John 11:17John 11:20John 11:28-29John 11:32-34DEADNESS OF FAITHLuke 10:39Hebrews 10:38Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life to FAITH3) THE DISCIPLESJohn 11:1John 11:6-16DEADNESS OF REVELATIONMark 4:35-41Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life to REVELATION4) THE JEWSJohn 11:1John 11:17-19John 11:28-29John 11:31John 11:32-37John 11:38John 11:41-46DEADNESS OF BELIEFJohn 1:12-13Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life to BELIEF5) LAZARUSJohn 11:1John 11:3-4John 11:11 - 11John 11:17 - 17John 11:38-39John 11:43-44DEADNESS OF LIFERomans 11:29Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life to LIFEHebrews 9:27John 11:25-26Hebrews 3:15

Psalm 100:3 We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.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. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.The level that you thrive at as a sheep is dependent on the quality of the shepherd you have in your life.Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousnessFor His name’s sake. 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.1. HE PROVIDESPsalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. God wants to be my personal right now shepherd.The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousnessHe Makes2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Contentment and Peace.He MakesHe Restores3 He restores my soul;He Leads3 He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:2. HE PROTECTS4 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. He Is With Us In The Battle4 I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.A good shepherd carried a rod and a staffHe Blesses Us In The Battle5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; He Refreshes Us In The BattleYou anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.3. HE PROMISES6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.GoodnessMercyEternal LifeFollow = Chase1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.Isaiah 53:7 He was led as a lamb to the slaughterJohn 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

John 10:1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.John 10:7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 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.Doors are very common#1 Doors Represent Transition & Access From Death To True Life John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.Ephesians 2:5 Even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.‭‭John‬ ‭10:9‬‬ “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”1pasture = true life23From Law To GraceJohn 10:1 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. Because of Jesus, we can walk with faith and hope, through the door (Jesus) that is framed by grace and access the presence of God where we can find salvation and true life for this life and for the life to come.‭‭John‬ ‭10:9‬‬ “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”pasture = growth and increase#2 Doors Create Security & ProtectionYour acceptance with God is not based on your productivity! Jesus is the door of security and protection#3 Through Doors We Welcome The first important act of self-denial for 21st-century followers of Jesus may be to say no to being too busy to be a disciple. — Thomas OordMatthew 5:16 Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.Jesus made you new through Christ so you could be a part of the solution! Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, and to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?#4 Out Of Doors We Go‭‭John‬ ‭10:3‬‬ To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.⦁The door (Jesus) is the only way to life.⦁⦁John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life, no one come to the father except through me.⦁⦁Acts 4:11 Jesus is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”⦁John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”1 John 1:5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you:**I will talk a second and then have the rest of the verse below come up**God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.Genesis 1:1-4 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.1. Light Brings Order to ChaosJohn 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him… In him was life, and the life was the light of men._The light of Jesus brought order to the creation of the world._The light of Jesus brings order to anyone who is a new creation in Christ.Before The Light of Jesus:FORMLESSEMPTYMEANINGLESSDISORDEREDFILLED WITH DARKNESS2. Light Overcomes Darkness1 John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.“Darkness does not have the ability to suppress or to hold the light under its domain.”3. Light GuidesActs 27:20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the great storm continued to batter us, we abandoned all hope of being saved.Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my path.“I am the light of the world… Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”4. Light RevealsJesus, The Light of the World, reveals truth.Acts 9:3-6 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”“Secret” Sin will be revealed in one of three ways:1 Off ramp of confession2 God in His mercy will out you3 God will turn you over to your sin to be destroyed by it (Romans 1:24)Jesus is the light in which we see God.“He will be the light in which you see mountains and valleys and oceans and rivers and trees and animals and people. Nothing will be the same again when you have him as your light. Everything looks different in the light of Christ. Yes, even earthquakes and tsunamis and suffering and death. Until his light fills the earth as the waters cover the sea — until it banishes sin and sickness and pain and earthquakes to the outer darkness — until then, even now, his light will help you bear the sorrows of darkness. It will be a soft glow to comfort you in your lonely room after the devastating loss. It will be a lamp on your troubled path. It will reveal the wise and loving face of God behind every frowning providence.” - Piper5. Light ShinesJohn 12:36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.The light of Jesus brings order to chaos. As light-bearers, we do the same. The light of Jesus overcomes darkness. As light-bearers, we do the same. The light of Jesus guides. As light-bearers, we do the same.The light of Jesus reveals. As light-bearers, we do the same.

Actions lead to reactions. The power of a circumstance in my life’s future is more dependent on my reaction to it than on the circumstance itself.escape less than angry jealous fearful chained reactions. 1. The FallGod Is The Source Of Life Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.Acts 17:28 In him God we live and move and have our being Isaiah 59:2 It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. John 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.In every person there is this innate understanding that we are not apart from God together as we should be. 2. The CrossLuke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Psalm 107:14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains.2 Corinthians 5:19 God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself,Matthew 14:30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”boisterous = gusty Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Matthew 16:17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are [an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”Matthew 26:33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.” Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” 35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” 71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” 73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.The Keys To Renewed Reactions:1. Training2. Salvation3. Freedom 4. Assignment 5. Holy Spirit

The Definition of Identity1 Thessalonians 5:23 - May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Man is a spirit, who has a soul, and lives in a body.SPIRIT _ pneumaGenesis 2:7 -Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. God is spiritJohn 4:24 - For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. Proverbs 20:27 - The spirit of a person is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being. Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life - Life speaks to identityBODY _ somaBody is the temple1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - 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? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. Ecclesiastes 12:7 - For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. Flesh has desiresGalatians 5:17 - For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Romans 7:7 - What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” Romans 12:1 - Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 1 John 2:16 - For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.SOUL _ psycheWill, intellect, emotions – soulMatthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 16:26 - For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 10:39 - Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Problem of SinRomans 7:24-25Hebrews 4:12The Journey to Personal IdentityWHO YOU ARE1 - You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus2 Corinthians 5:212 - You are a land of delightMalachi 3:123 - You are blessed in the heavenly places with every spiritual blessingEphesians 1:34 - You are a royal priesthood a people belonging to God1 Peter 2:95 - You are fearfully and wonderfully madePsalm 139:13-146 - You are not tempted beyond what we can bear1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. 7 - No weapon formed against you is able to prosperIsaiah 54:172 Corinthians 4:7Life is asking you - who are you?

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.Behold = to make a careful study of.“Very few people today find Jesus interesting as a person or of vital relevance to the course of their actual lives.” - Dallas Willard“We need to return to the idea that we have to put thought into God’s Kingdom and how it works. We accept that someone spends years becoming a dentist or even more years training to become a surgeon, but we do not accept that we need to spend years giving serious thought to the nature of the soul, the nature of God, who Jesus was, and how it all works. In early periods of the church, it was assumed you would devote your whole life to understanding the fullness and complexity of God’s Kingdom. Yet this rarely happens in churches today. Understanding anything important requires major effort. Understanding Jesus’ teaching is more important than learning algebra, which takes a great deal of effort, yet most Christians have never put the same amount of effort into understanding Jesus’ teaching that they’ve put into solving algebraic equations.” - Dallas WillardTransformation is in the eye of the beholder of Jesus. PRACTICING THE WAY OF JESUSA people who practice the way of Jesus. A people who routinely do what Jesus said was best. A people who not only have faith in Jesus, but have the faith of Jesus.A people who behold Jesus and learn how to live their life as He would live it if He were them. A people who are being transformed into the image of Jesus.A people who will not sip when there is a pool to plunge into. How Do We Practice The Way of Jesus?1.Enjoy Being with Jesus.“I believe the most prevalent and tragic misunderstanding that afflicts contemporary western Christianity is that we make a vow to submit our life to Christ, but then spend 99 percent of our time excluding him from our awareness. We make him Lord over our life in theory, but we do not make him Lord over most of the moments that make up our life. The fact is, if we can’t discern God’s presence in our day to day lives, it’s unlikely that we’ll find him at a revival. We may find a lot of excitement, great speakers, superb music, and maybe even see signs and wonders, but unless a person learns to find God as much in the ordinary as in the exciting, the exciting will do nothing more than serve as a momentary distraction.” - Greg BoydHow Do We Practice The Way of Jesus?2. Apprentice Under Jesus.An apprentice or a disciple is someone who has decided to be with another person in order to become capable of doing what that person does or to become what that person is. Jesus is the expert on how to live in God’s Kingdom and how to advance the Kingdom here on earth. “We are learning from Jesus to live my life as he would live my life if he were me. I am not necessarily learning to do everything he did, but I am learning how to do everything I do in the manner that he did all he did.” - Dallas WillardHow would Jesus live the life I have been given through the time, place, family, neighbors, talents and opportunities that are mine?How To Apprentice Under Jesus:Ask | Live In His Word | DecideDo I really intend to be a lifelong student of Jesus?Do I really intend to do and be all the high things I say I believe in?Have I decided to do them?When did I decide it?How did I implement that decision?How Do We Practice The Way of Jesus?3. Walk as Jesus WalkedStop trying and start training. We can’t walk like Jesus walked unless we train as Jesus trained. A Spiritual Discipline is an activity undertaken to make us capable of receiving more of God’s life and power.

“I Am” = ego eimi John 6:25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” 26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for bread that spoils, but for bread that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” 29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” 30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” 32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Bread = strength, nourishment, provision, supply and purpose.Genesis 3:19 By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground…Genesis 19:3 Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.Sauce was not designed to satisfy.Zoe life = God kind of life“Most men die at 27, we just bury them at 72” - Mark TwainJohn 6:27 Do not work for bread that spoils, but for bread that endures to eternal life,What is bread that spoils?ReligionPoliticsJohn 6:35 Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 1. You have to believe in Jesus John 6:35 “whoever believes in me”John 6:29 “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.2 You have to go to Jesus John 6:35 “Whoever comes to me”The Key To the Manna Miracle - They Had To Go Get It!

Merry Christmas!James 4:13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.Look here, you who say, … “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.”Proverbs 6:4 Don’t put it off; do it now!Joshua 24:15 Choose this day whom you will serve,Eternity has already started for youLuke 2:11 For unto you is born today in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.Christmas is the celebration that Hope is on the scene.

If your relationships aren’t right, you aren’t right. It’s not enough to just be right in information, we must also be right in heart.James 4:1-2 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Quarrels (Polemois) - Long term hostility; long standing argumentFight (Maxache) - Short-term battles; disputes1. PRIORITYPhilippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.2. Possessions James 4:2 You want what you don’t have…3. Pleasures James 4:3 …you want only what will give you pleasure.4. PeopleJohn 12:43 For they loved human praise, more than the praise of God.5. Position / Power James 4:2b You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.conceited - empty glory #1 Realize How Destructive Fighting IsEphesians 4:31 Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike for others should have no place in your lives. 2 Timothy 2:24 A servant of the lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and patient with the people.Proverbs 17:14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.#2 Stop Expecting Of People What Only God Can Give.“you complete me”James 4:3 You do not have because you do not ask God. “When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now. When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.” ― C.S. LewisWe find real completion only in God. Psalm 37:4–5 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.#3 Choose Humility Over Prideful Anger James 4:6 As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 So humble yourselves before God.Proverbs 13:10 Pride leads to conflict.opposes - a full frontal resistance… to set yourself in battle formation against someone…James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. lift you up - to raise to the very summit of opulence and prosperity.#4 Recognize The Real Source Behind The FightJames 4:7 Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:8 #5 Get God's Perspective And Presence James 4:7-10

James 3:13-18 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.Godly Wisdom is knowing what God wants you to do, understanding why he wants you to do it and then doing it. James 3:13 Worldly Wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. The World- A system of ideas, values, moral practices, and social norms that are integrated into the mainstream and eventually institutionalized in a culture corrupted by the twin sins of rebellion against God and the redefinition of good and evil.Worldly Wisdom is EarthlyTo be earthly is to be temporal.Worldly Wisdom is UnspiritualTo be unspiritual is to be alive to your desires and lusts but deadened to The Spirit of God. Worldly Wisdom is DemonicTo be demonic is to be influenced and approved by Satan’s Kingdom. John 17:13-19 “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.”James 3:15-16 Fruit of Worldly Wisdom:JealousySelfish AmbitionJealousy is a desire for another’s gifts, possessions, position, or achievements.Who are you jealous of? Why are you jealous of them? Selfish ambition evaluates everything by the world’s standards (temporal, animalistic, and demonic) and makes personal gain life’s highest goal. What is driving you? Do people feel used by you or loved by you? James 3:17-18 Pure Fruit of Godly Wisdom:Peace LovingGentle at all TimesWilling to Yield to OthersFull of MercyGood DeedsValues All PeopleSincerity James 1:5 Prayer for Wisdom:Our Generous Father In Heaven, I ask you for Godly wisdom.I want to know what you want me to do and understand why you want me to do it. Help me apply the understanding you give me, so it leads to a beautiful life.Godly wisdom is found in your Word. Help me prize and esteem wisdom, to desire and cherish her. Create in me a heart that seeks wisdom like silver and searches for her like hidden treasure.Surround me with wise walkers and seasoned talkers. Make my ear attentive. Help me spot worldly wisdom and grant me an adverse reaction to its earthly, unspiritual, and demonic nature. Reveal to me any jealousy or selfish ambition lurking in my heart so I may repent. I count it all joy to be considered by the world a fool for Christ. May Godly wisdom produce a harvest of righteousness in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Tame That TongueProverbs 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.James 3:1My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 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. James 3:3-6Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 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.James 3:3-65 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.James 3:3-6The 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. 1. Words Are Sneaky StrongJames 1:26Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.2. Words Can Corrupt YouJames 3:6And 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. Defiles = corrupt.Numbers 13:30Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”3. Words Are Untamable By YouJames 3:7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil,full of deadly poison. Luke 12:11-12“Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” James 3:9-12With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.James 3:9-1211 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yieldsboth salt water and fresh. 4. Words Are Double Sided Deuteronomy 30:19“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse.5. Submit Your Words To God’s WordProverbs 3:1The words of God giveth life.Proverbs 4:22For they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. John 6:63The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life W.A.I.TWhy Am I Talking Ephesians 6:17And take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God“Word” = Rhema“the Spoken Word Of God Uttered by a voice”Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is alive and powerful.It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword

WHAT IS THE CALL?Genesis 2:15 - The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (NIV)Part of who we are is made up of what we are called to do.Man is given work before he is given a partner.Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (ESV)Romans 11:29 - the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (ESV)There is a difference between work and a job.Work is attached to the God-vision that is inside of us.A job is a task, especially one that is paid. WHO IS CALLED?Ephesians 4:1 - Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. (NLT)Calling - klésis - a summon to walk in the way of salvationWorthy - axios - weight to weight2 Timothy 1:9 - For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. (NLT)Hebrews 3:1 - Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. (NIV)1 Peter 4:10-11 - Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)HOW WE RESPOND1 - We love one another. John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (ESV)2 - We show up and serve. Mark 10:45 - For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (NIV)Matthew 5:14 - You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. (NLT)3 - We go into all the world. Mark 16:15 - "And he said to them, 'As you go into all the world, preach openly the wonderful news of the gospel to the entire human race!'" (TPT)Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)POSITIONING OURSELVES FOR THE CALLTHE HEARTBEATS OF THE CALLNew Song Answers exists to position believers to be a conduit through which Christ’s love is ministered.Family - “Father to the fatherless, defender of the widows -- this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families." Psalm 68:5-6a (NLT)Education - “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Luke 2:52 (NIV)Restoration - “‘But I will restore to you health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’” Jeremiah 30:17 (NIV)“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.” Proverbs 11:25 (ESV)MATURITY FOR THE CALLYou are a saint and you are called to ministry.Ministry = serviceEphesians 4:1 Ephesians 4:11-12Being a disciple, or one who follows God, means walking like Jesus did.RECEIVE HIS CALLDon’t get hung up on the what when we’ve been told what to do.Proverbs 29:18 Isaiah 6:8

1 Samuel 12:24But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve Him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.John 12:26Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.Matthew 23:11-12The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.Serving - Service = keeps us aware of other’s needs and it stops us from focusing only on ourselvesTo be a servant, you must surrender your will to God’s willSurrender is an act but it is also a processSurrender = to yield to the power, control or possession of another upon compulsion or demandBiblically as believers, we completely give up our will to His willWe will all experience disappointment and discouragement at times. But if we ever understand servanthood is surrendering our will to His will, we won’t stay there.When we aren’t true servants, we get stuck in our disappointment and discouragement… We are always thinking, “if I had more I would be happier or more successful.”BUT God says “serve me where you are” - use what He has put in your hands firstMatthew 25:29To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.Numbers 14:27How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me.Philippians 2:14Do everything without complaining or arguing.God wants us to serve Him - to surrender our will to Him. It will help us all enjoy the process more.We look for comfort and material blessings, but God is more concerned with character development.We tend to hate testing and spiritual exercise that will strengthen our faith and make us stronger.If you can’t surrender with what is in your hands right now, even if you get more, you wouldn’t be able to.

James 2:14-26 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.Ditch 1: It’s All About Works Ditch 2: It’s Not At All About Works Truth #1 Faith Alone SavesEphesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith“Do” “Done”It’s not about what you do, it’s about what Jesus has done. Jesus has already done the doingEphesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— so that no one can boast.James 2:23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.Reckoning is the act of God where he credits christ's perfect righteousness to the sinner's account and declares the debt fully forgiven.2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God in Him.Truth #2 The Faith That Saves Is Never AloneJames 2:14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. James 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.Matthew 12:33 a tree is known by its fruit.Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:8‬ ‬This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.Good works are the life of Jesus in me being lived through me1. Being Saved By Faith Means God Is Now Changing Me 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.Philippians 1:6 Be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.2. Works Give Evidence To The Change James 2:15 - 171 John 3:17

A Warning Against Prejudice My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.Discrimination has no place in the life of a disciple of Jesus. “If you then, being evil” - Jesus Misguided View (flesh) vs. Merciful View (spirit)Misguided View (flesh): We discriminate based on outward appearance.Merciful View (spirit): God looks past outward appearance to the heart. 1 Samuel 16:6-7 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”“The world is full of idolatries, but I question if any idolatry has been more extensively practiced than the idolatry of the outward appearance.” (Blaikie)When you look at people, what’s your metric for determining what kind of seat they get in your life?Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.Misguided View (flesh): We favor people with material wealth. Merciful View (spirit): God chose the poor- those with nothing to offer but faith and obedience. James 2:5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him?How do you treat the poor?In God’s Kingdom, rich in faith is always greater than rich in finances.Misguided View (flesh): We discriminate based on selfish ambitions.Merciful View (spirit): God serves those who could never repay Him. How do you cast the neighbors in your life? James 2:8-9 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.James 2:12-13 2 Corinthians 5:10 Luke 6:38 Luke 6:37

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:James 1:16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.The Blessing of God comes through the Word of God.Your Attitude towards the Bible Your Actions based on the Bible.James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above The Word Of God Is A Good And Perfect Gift That God Has Given To UsGenesis 3:1“did god really say”…God’s Word is Living and Powerful. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is Say this next word with me: living and powerful. 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathedHebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful. It is sharper than a sword that cuts both ways. It cuts straight into where the soul and spirit meet and it divides them. It cuts into the joints and bones. It tells what the heart is thinking about and what it wants to do.You need to have FAITH in it.In order to have faith in it , you need REVELATION from itIn order to get a revelation from it you need to MEDITATE on it.FAITH INREVELATION FROMMEDITATE ONFAITHHebrews 4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.REVELATIONRevelation activates faith logos = written word of God, the General, constant, consistent voice of GodRhema = a instant, personal revelation from GodLuke 1:34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”Luke 1:35 “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”MEDITATIONMeditation Activates RevelationPsalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. Joshua 1:7-8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.#1 Accept the authority of God’s word1 Thessalonians 2:13 We also thank God continually because, when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it,not as the word of men, but actually as it is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe. #2 Work God’s Word into your lifeJames 1:22 _ Read_ Reflect_ Research_ React2 Peter 1:3-4

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, James 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.Trials Are TestsGod tests but the devil tempts. James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of deathGod will require us to prove our potential through tests on one level before He will promote us to the next level.Let It Do What It DoJames 1:4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.Every test has questions that have to be answered. John 6:5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. John 6:7 “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, “Make sure you show your work”#1 The Test of Small Things #2 The Motivation Test #3 The Credibility Test #4 The Wilderness Test#5 The Authority Test #6 The Warfare Test #7 The Lordship test #8 The Offense Test #9 The Test Of Time The Test of Small Things Can you handle more? Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.The Wilderness Test Can you change in the wilderness?James 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.Look into the future.Hebrews 12:1 Let us run with endurance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

“WorkmanShip”Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) For we are God’s workmanship. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. A disciple is one who finds, follows and becomes fully formed to be like Jesus.Jesus was a difference maker.Matthew 5:13-16 Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God.God Needs Me To Make A DifferenceGod Always Works With Human ParticipationGod does the miracle but you play a part. John 11:34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.John 11:39 “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”Expose itJohn 11:41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”#1 Give Permission#2 Play Your PartNobody has everything but everybody has something. 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." #1 We listenJeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’#2. We find people.Luke 19:10 The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.Found people, find people. #3. We serve peopleSaved people serve people!Matthew 9:37 (NIV) "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only son.We’re Never More Like God Than When We Give 2 Corinthians 9:11 your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.Generosity takes intentionality… Isaiah 32:8 But a generous man devises generous things, And by generosity he shall stand.A generous man has a generous planMatthew 10:7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Luke 7:36 - 47 37 …she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’SGENEROSITY IS GENEROSITYGenerosity Freedom or liberality in giving Generosity - an overflow of gratitude and trust in the goodness of God that produces an aggressiveness to give freely and faithfully. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Proverbs 11:25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.#1 Be Generous With Your Time Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.#2 Be Generous With Encouragement Acts 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),Proverbs 18:21“The tongue has the power of life and death.” Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.Before you speak THINKT - Is it TrueH - Is it HelpfulI - Is it InspiringN - is it NecessaryK - Is it Kind#3 Be Generous With HonorRomans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.#4 Be Generous With Your FinancesLuke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.John 10:10 My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Malachi 3:8-9 "Begin by being honest. Do honest people rob God? But you rob me day after day. "You ask, "How have we robbed you?' "The tithe and the offering–that's how! And now you're under a curse–the whole lot of you–because you're robbing me.

“If the fruit of sin is a broken fellowship with Jesus, then the fruit of fellowship with Jesus should be FREEDOM.”2 CORINTHIANS 3:17-1817 Now the Lord[d] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[e] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[f] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.What happens when your identity, your habits, your preferences, even the way you believed you are wired; contradicts where God is leading you?2 CORINTHIANS 3:17-1817 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the SpiritFREEDOM IS THE PROCESS OF BECOMING LIKE JESUS.SANCTIFICATION.SALVATION and SANCTIFICATION; and both are important to God. EXODUS 19:44 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.EXODUS 19:44 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’GOD IS RELATIONAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL.1 THESSALONIANS 4:3a3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:1 THESSALONIANS 4:3a7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.When we don’t allow God to be relational AND TRANSFORMATIONAL, we miss out on God’s best.EXODUS 16:3The Israelites said, “Why didn’t God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!”EXODUS 16:3“Why didn’t God let us die in comfort in Egypt where we had lamb stew and all the bread we could eat? You’ve brought us out into this wilderness to starve us to death, the whole company of Israel!”THE PROCESS OF BEING TRANSFORMED IS HARDLY EVER COMFORTABLE.FREEDOM IS POSSIBLEFREEDOM IS PROGRESSIVE2 CORINTHIANS 3:17-1818 And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the SpiritFREEDOM IS UNLOCKED THROUGH OWNERSHIPHEBREWS 12:12-1412 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.GUZIK“Almost like a coach or a military officer, the author told his fellow followers of Jesus to take courage and be active. He gave exhaustive reasons to be strong in the Lord and to put off discouragement, the time had now come to do it.”

Philippians 2:5-8 In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. 6 He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. 7 Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, 8 he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.What is “The Main Issue Jesus Came To Fix”?The sin issue?“The Main Issue Jesus Came To Fix” was a relationship issue. God wanted His family back!Sin Is An Issue#1 Sin hurts peopleRomans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death#2 Sin Keeps People From GodIsaiah 59:2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. Whatever you are going after first orders the rest of your life.Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.If what God wants most becomes what want most… everything else will fall into place.Without Jesus we’re dead.Ephesians 2:5 even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.Colossians 2:13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. Jesus did not come so bad people could become good, but so dead people could come alive. 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 14:6 "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”Jesus came so we could have Him!John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.Hebrews 2:11 Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. And that is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters. If Jesus is your Lord God identifies you based on the cross.Ephesians 2:19 You are therefore no longer mere foreigners or persons excluded from civil rights. On the contrary you share citizenship with God's people and are members of His family.The goal is not to stop sinning, The goal is to know God! Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. He endured the cross, despising the shame,If you don’t get the “know God” issues settled… you will not have the ability to overcome any other issue in your life. BAD NEWS:We have all sinnedRomans 3:23 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.The penalty for sin is death.Romans 6:23 The wages of sin is death”GOOD NEWSJesus died for you.Romans 5:8 God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”You can be saved through faith in Christ.Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace [undeserved favor] you have been saved [delivered from sin’s penalty] through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast.Romans 10:9 if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go andmake disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” For everything else the church does make disciples is the center, It is core. A disciple is one who finds, follows and becomes fully formed to be like Jesus.“When Christ bids a man come He bids him come and die.” - Dietrich BonhoefferAre you living the call?1. Converts are believers who live like the world. Disciples are believers who live like Jesus.2. Converts are focused on their values, interests, worries, fears, priorities, and lifestyles. Disciples are focused on Jesus.3. Converts go to church. Disciples are the church.4. Converts are involved in the mission of Jesus. Disciples are committed to it.5. Converts cheer from the sidelines. Disciples are in the game.6. Converts hear the word of God. Disciples live it.7. Converts follow the rules. Disciples follow Jesus.8. Converts are all about believing. Disciples are all about being.9. Converts are comfortable. Disciples make sacrifices.10. Converts talk. Disciples make more disciples.1. To be a disciple I must follow Jesus. John 12:26 If you want to be my disciple, follow me and you will go where I am going. And if you truly follow me as my disciple, the Father will shower his favor upon your life. 2. To be a disciple I must love Jesus supremely. Luke 14:26You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot follow me unless you love me more than you love your own life. 3. To be a disciple I must love other disciples. John 13:35 If you have love for one another, then everybody will know that you are my disciple. 1 Timothy 3:15 This family is the church of the living God. 1 John 4:20 “If someone says I love God but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar. For if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God whom we have not seen?” 4. To be a disciple I must do what Jesus tells me. John 8:31 If you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my disciple. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. I only believe the part of the Bible I do.Logos - the sayings of God, the moral precepts given by God, the word of God…5. To be a disciple I must serve others like Jesus. Luke 14:27 Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.6. To be a disciple I must purpose to grow and produce fruit that glorifies God. John 15:8 This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples. the fruit of your life proves that you are a disciple7. To be a disciple I must pass on the Good News of Jesus Mathew 4:20 Jesus called out, ‘Come! Be my disciple. And I will show you how to fish for people,’ and they left their nets at once and went with him. Is there a chance that anyone will go to heaven because of you?

Bowing down before God is the very essence of Biblical worship. Matthew 15:8 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.Worship is a holistic act.Biblical worship is more than LOVE expressed. It is KINGSHIP expressed.Worship is acknowledging that God is not just THE King but YOUR King and then living every day in light of that.John 14:15 If you love Me, keep My commandments."It is easy to think of loving Jesus in merely sentimental or emotional terms. It is wonderful when our love for Jesus has sentiment and passion, but it must always be connected to keeping His commandments, or it isn't love at all." -GuzikWorship is more than love expressed. It is kingship expressed, and we express kingship by keeping the commands of our king!John 14:15 If you LOVE Me, keep My commandments.John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.John 13:4-5 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.John 13:12-15 …. "Do you understand what I was doing? You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because that's what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.If we love him, we will keep his command to wash other's feet. "If we are going to wash one another's feet, we should be careful of the temperature of the water. Sometimes we try to wash someone with our water too hot – we are too fervent and zealous. Sometimes our water is too cold – we are cold and distant in heart to them. The temperature needs to be in the middle. We should also remember that we cannot dry-clean someone else's feet. Jesus washed us with the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:26), we should use the same "water" in ministering to others." -GuzikJohn 13:33-35 Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer…. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.If we love him, we will keep his command to love each other, just as he has loved us. "We are to love our neighbor as ourselves, but we are to love our fellow-Christians as, Christ loved us, and that is far more than we love ourselves." -SpurgeonJohn 14:1 Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.If we love him, we will keep his command to trust him. When we embrace God as King and live the Kingdom Way- serving others, loving each other, and trusting God true worship will naturally follow. Psalm 5:7 Enter God's house through the abundance of His steadfast love and tender mercy; At His holy temple we will bow [obediently] in reverence for Him.Psalm 95 Shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!We'll march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!And why? Because God is the best, High King over all the gods. … We will bow before him, on our knees before God, who made us!