Victory in Jesus Christ

Sermon Date:  March 29, 2015

Sermon Topic: Victory in Jesus

Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1, Philippians 1:6, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Romans 6:14-15 , 1 Peter 2:11, 1 Corinthians 13:1, 1 John 3:9, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Job 8:7, Isaiah 26:3, 2 Corinthians 3:5, 1 John 2:6, Ephesians 4:32, 1 Peter 1:6-7

Sermon Notes:

Hebrews 12:1 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. In the 3 verses we find words of encouragement. Chapter 12 is a carryover from Chapter 11. Hebrews Chapter 11 is called the Hall of Faith. Men and women of God dealt with trials, persecution, delays and destruction, but their faith did not fail.

You will have to deal with things in life and you will need the God-kind of faith to be victorious. 

We must live by faith in what God has said. Whatever translation of the bible you read, it does not change what God has already said. All of the versions of the Bible say that the wages of sin is death, but God is eternal life.

To have victory, we must make the final authority in your life. God never promised us an easy flight - he promised you a safe landing.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Living a life of righteousness is no cake walk. When you get in the word, you become a threat to Satan.

Philippians 1:6 - Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Jesus never fails at anything, he's already started. When he hung on the cross, it was finished. Everything was complete.

Don't be wary and faint in the mind. The way each day looks to you, depends on who you look to and what you are looking at. 

Everything else is subject to fail, but the word of God stands forever.

We know people who have overcome trials and obstacles by trusting in the Lord. Some didn’t have degrees or even a high school diploma, but they had a relationship with God.

Lay aside every weight and the sin, which easily beset us. What is that one sin that every time you look around you’re attached to it?

It may not hurt someone, but it’s a sin. You haven’t killed anyone but you kill their character with gossip.

Lay aside old religious ways. Some are so attuned to religious order that if the spirit lead us to do something outside of the bulletin, they would be lost.

The spirit moves all throughout worship service.

According to his mercy, he saved us so we don’t deserve anything.

Lay aside weaknesses that hinder progress. Arrogance and attitude. A gossip will separate friends. This Christian journey that we are on, is not a race, it’s a marathon.

Ecclesiastes 9:1 – For all this I considered in my heart even to declare all this, that the righteous, and the wise, and their works, are in the hand of God: no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them.

What goes around comes around. Being a disciple of Christ is demanding. Thru much tribulation, we enter God’s kingdom. Romans 6:14-15 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Sin has consequences. Be not deceived, you will reap what you sow.

You can’t judge others. If you spent half of the time minding your own business, and the other half leaving other’s business alone you would be in good shape. We must pray for each other.

It could happen to the best of us.

1 Peter 2:11 – Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul Abstain from things that easily beset you. Anything can be sinful – it depends on the nature in which you do things.

1 Corinthians 13:1 – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. We must make progress. You have to reach a point in your Christian walk where you don’t do those things anymore.

Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Your neighbor isn’t going to always behave how you want them to, but if you don’t love your neighbor, you don’t love God.

1 John 3:9 – Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. Avoid sin by a new life in Christ. The holy spirit is in us. When we are lead by the spirit we don’t commit sin.

1 Corinthians 9:27 – But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I must control my actions. The flesh is always lusting. When you are saved your flesh continues to lust.

You aren’t under the control of the holy sprit when you are mumbling and whispering about others. When we come in the house of worship, the devil comes along too.

We look to Jesus. Job 8:7 – Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. God blesses us through obedience. Those who obey and serve him will spend their days in pleasure.

Our weapons are not carnal. I don’t need to argue with you. Sho forth the love of Christ. The love of Christ constrains us.

Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. War is in your mind. Keep your mind on god. Set your mind on Jesus, because he is the author and finisher of your faith.

2 Corinthians 3:5 – Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Our sufficiency is of God. My strength, peace and direction, come from God. Everything that we need is wrapped up in God.

Whatever state I’m in, I’ve learned to be content.

God supplies our needs – he’s our resource – our comfort and victory.

We are redeemed from the bondage of sin, because of Christ.

We must avoid sin. We must cooperate with Christ to avoid sin. God works with us. He’s our example in servant hood, denying ourselves, persecution and affliction. He suffered.

We are called to follow his example. 1 John 2:6 – 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

How did Jesus walk? When he was reviled, he reviled not. When he was beaten, persecuted, spat on, he said, “Father, forgive them.”

Ephesians 4:32 – And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Forgive as God forgives us. If God didn’t love us as much as he does. If he forgive us like we forgive others, we’d be in trouble.

Run with patience, the race that’s set before us.

Have patience, the race that’s set before us.

Have patience with people. Is there anyone that you don’t have patience with?

1 Corinthians 13 – And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Your faith will be tested.

1 Peter 1:6-7 – 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: The trial of your faith will be your glory when Christ comes back. The word purifies us.

Once you get God’s word in your spirit, you can’t stand around and hear foolishness. You cant listen to someone lying on someone else.

We have to look to Jesus – looking to Jesus requires abiding in his teaching. You must stay in the word.

Spend time with God. Spend more time with God than others, because spending time with God allows us to spend time with others.

Everyday repeat, “Father, I thank you for this day’s grace!”

Thank you, God for this moment!

God, Turn it around

Sermon Date:  March 22, 2015

Sermon Topic: God, Turn it around

Scriptures: Psalm 51, Matthew 12:36 -37, Romans 14:13, Psalm 119:71, Romans 14:13, 1 John 1:7, Romans 8:28,

Sermon Notes:

In this technology age, there is nothing that you can do without someone recording it. If you look on the spiritual side – the bible tells us that the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, so there is no hiding from God.

Biblical insight on forgiveness – all of us at some point will need forgiveness because all of us at some point have sinned. All of us have wronged someone and all of us have been wronged. God, I want you to do me the same way that I do others. Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

How do you forgive? Is there someone that you need to forgive? Is this the same person that you haven’t forgiven last week or last month?

When you don’t forgive – it plants a seed of bitterness. If you hold on to that bitterness, you can take it out on someone else; someone other than the person who wronged you.

Jesus says in Matthew 12:36 -37 – ³⁶ But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The Lord commands us to forgive unconditionally because whoever transgresses against you, transgresses against God.

When you try to cover your sin – your cover will be too short. There is no hiding from God.

We all want to receive forgiveness  - If we don’t receive the forgiveness we die in our sin.

Afflictions are beneficial in teaching the will of God. Psalm 119:71 –   It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Time and chance comes to everyone. Your day will come when you must give an account for everything that you have said and done.

We must learn forgiveness at a deeper level. Forgiveness and healing are the same. You can’t heal unless you forgive.

Judgment is prohibited. Romans 14:13 – Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Our status in the family of God is unconditional.

Nothing takes you from God’s presence, but you can take yourself out of the anointing. Jesus totally forgives. 1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Don’t allow anyone to be afraid of you or intimidated by you. Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. We want people to forgive themselves without guild. 2 reasons to forgive others – ⁽¹⁾ we see what we are forgiven of ⁽²⁾ We see what we are capable of.

It’s a lifelong commitment. Total forgiveness is a choice. It’s not a feeling but an act of will. Choose not to keep a record of what was done to you.

You can remember the wrong – but you can’t allow yourself to re-live the pain. I remember it, but you can’t allow yourself to re-live the pain. I remember it, but it doesn’t take me back to the place where I used to be.

Sometimes the closest people to us must be forgiven most. Refuse to punish those who deserve it. If we harbor our desire to see our enemies punished we lose the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

The desire to see someone punished leaves when perfect love comes in.

Just as Christ was once praised as the Savior by the same people who yelled “Crucify Him!” as he hung on the cross.  We as saints of God will experience the same – We will be praised and crucified. We must forgive as we are forgiven.

We not only pray for the accused, we pray for the accusers as well.

God loves everyone the same. God wants everyone saved. There is no one beyond the peace or love of God.

The Believer's Authority

Sermon Date:  March 15, 2015

Sermon Topic: The Believer’s Authority

Scriptures: Foundational Scripture – Matthew 16:19, Mark 16:15, John 4:35, Genesis 1, John 15:17, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 6:10, Proverbs 10:11, John 10:10, Mark 9:23, Mark 11:23 – 24, Ephesians 1:3, Hebrews 3:12,  Hebrews 3:19       

Sermon Notes:

Matthew 16:19 - I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be^[a] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[b] loosed in heaven.” There were different understandings as to who Jesus is. The same thing occurs today. Depending on who you ask and their circumstance – they may have different views. We know that Jesus is GOD.

The church has authority in the earth realm. Why doesn’t the church use the authority that they have in the earth realm? John 4:35 - Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Lift up your eyes – the fields are ripe but the laborers are few. There aren’t that many witnesses to the gospel. There are plenty to witness to just, no one to witness.

Let’s not limit ourselves to witness in the church. Hosea my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. We have to understand who we are in Christ. Matthew 16:19 - I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be^[a] bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be^[b] loosed in heaven.” It must be lived.

We are spirit beings living in a body with a soul. When our earthly house dissolves it’s not over for us.

Genesis 1 – When we look at the beginning of man – God said. When God said let us make man, it was the first sign of the holy trinity.

It’s not what I can do but what Christ can do through me. Whatever he promised he will bring it to pass.

If Jesus came to give us joy, we shouldn’t be walking around like a loser. Stop singing the blues.

Your system responds to what it hears. Don’t sow bad seed into someone. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. You need to watch your mouth.

The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God. If you are in the kingdom you are to rule. The kingdom of God resides in the saints of God.

It’s not about religion, it’s the relationship with God. When I acknowledge the kingdom John 15:17 - This is my command: Love each other.  I have the power of the kingdom of God.

As long as my life lines up with the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10 – By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. We are laborers with God, not for God. We are God’s building. Since we are God’s building, why are you putting garbage in God’s building? Stop putting garbage in God’s building. Don’t put lies, malice and gossip in God’s building.

1 Corinthians 6:19- Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; The Holy Spirit abides in us. Even when we mess up, the Holy Spirit stays there. Jesus said he won’t leave us nor forsake us. If Jesus won’t leave or forsake us, why do we forsake others when they mess up?

1 Corinthians 6:9 – Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men. The Kingdom of God doesn’t have a bunch of crazy, lazy people. Understand your positions Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  You don’t have to fight your battles. Be still. Cast your cares on him, because he cares for you. God’s power enables us to speak with authority.

Proverbs 10:11 – The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life. Be careful. Don’t get to the place where your associates, circumstances and situations get you out of the will of God.

John 10:10 – The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Things will happen but God will give you abundant life. I have abundant peace.

You have the power to bind or loose.

We have unlimited power. Mark 9:23 – “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Believe all things are possible. Mark 11:23 – 24 – “Truly^[a] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. ²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. When you say it you’re speaking faith filled words, that you believe. Unbelief is something that will cause you not to receive. He has given us all things Ephesians 1:3- Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. That’s the good news. Don’t receive doubtful conversations.

You must see yourself victorious. You have to see yourself healed. I don’t care how you see me. I care what God says about me.

Some are hurting and want you to hurt with them. You can’t associate with everyone. You must watch your associates.

Hebrews 3:12 - See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Hebrews 3:19 – So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. Guard your heart. Don’t allow negativity to remain in your heart.

You can be angry but don’t sin. If you’re angry – say it. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.

A Disciplined Disciple

Sermon Date:  March 9, 2015

Sermon Topic: A Disciplined Disciple

Scriptures: Mark 8:35, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 13:13, Philippians 3:7, Ecclesiastes 5:10, 1 John 2, Matthew 19:29

Sermon Notes:

Mark 8:35 - For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. In this Linton season – if there is something that you can give up for 40 days, why are you going back to it after the season is over?

Everyday should be a day of committed living; living a life of holiness.

Everyday should be a time of self-examination in order to please God. We should seek to please God daily. We should live with the expectation of his return. We don’t know when, but we do know that the time will come. So our attitude towards God should be one of faith and love.

Hebrews 12:14 – Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Pursue peace with all people not just Christians not who you choose but everyone, no matter how hard.

Blessed are the peacemakers. He has called us to be holy. Be holy for I am holy. We are holy people.

There are times when we are anything but holy. Whoever desires to come after God must deny themselves. Deny your sinful desires.

The spirit man is saved but the flesh desires to commit sin. Romans 13:13 – Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Don’t allow flesh the opportunity to sin. There are things we shouldn’t eat and something we shouldn’t listen to.

Ask the average person what’s the most important to them and they will tell you family, job, home. He calls us away from those things that are more than God. We must break free of trying to possess what possess you.

All the money or possessions are worth nothing if Jesus isn’t Lord in your life.

Philippians 3:7 – But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. You own is nothing unless you have God in your life. There will come a day where you will have to die; make preparations now.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 – He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. You will never be satisfied with money if you love money. Even if you obtain a lot of money, it is never enough. You will never be happy because you will then get to a place where you think that people only want your money.

God requires more than external words and actions. We can talk a good game. Every time you see someone with an addition or a homeless person, remember that it could have been you. Be kind.

You must be willing to follow Christ. We must denounce self-dependency, self-reliance, wicked ways and anything that is contrary to the word of God. There are some people that we aren’t supposed to associate with. The scripture says that we are to mark them. The things of the world should mean nothing to us.

We must live free of the world. 1 John 2 –  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Don’t love the things of the world. We must discipline our bodies. No matter how long you’ve been saved. The enemy knows when you were in your mess. He tempts you with those things.

What did you love most before you were saved? You must be mindful of it. You must put those things behind you.

When you put things behind you God will give you such a blessing in your life, it will make you wonder why you ever wanted to do it in the first place.

Self-denial should be exhibited in not pleasing ourselves.

Matthew 19:29 –  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  We must deny ourselves. The world will consistently tempt us to yield to it.

Being tempted isn’t a sin, yielding to the temptation is a sin.

We must be able to handle the pressure. It will come but we must be able to handle it and be disciplined.

Your greatest goal should be knowing God. I must watch my speech. Silence cannot be misquoted – don’t say anything. You don’t need to have the last word. Some in the grave had the last word. Just don’t say anything.

The atmosphere you permit determines the product you receive. If you allow anger and fusion that’s what it will produce.

You shouldn’t be sad, lonely, depressed or suffer lack as children of God.

The things you worry about never happen – don’t worry – you can’t change