Begin Again - Starting Over

Sermon Date:  May 31, 2015

Sermon Topic: Begin Again – Starting Over

Scriptures: Philippians 3:13 -14, 1 Peter 4:12, Psalm 34:19, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Philippians 4:8

Sermon Notes:

How do you begin again, when your life has been interrupted by disappointment, tragedy, depression? Who do I turn to? Who leads me when all around me is sinking sand.

The proper responses to starting over. Something happens when you have to begin again. There will be many beginnings in our life. But there are steps to take that are crucial to starting over.

Letting go – you reach a point where you must step back and release it to God. Turn it over to Jesus and stop worrying about it.

In order to reach your destiny, you must let go of:

·      People

·      Places

·      Things

The 1 thing that keeps you from your future is your past.

That’s why Paul said in Philippians 3:13 -14 the he didn’t understand it all, but the one thing that he will do is let go of what’s behind him. You can’t fix problems from yesterday. Move on.

It’s easy to form attachments to people or things but it’s necessary for growth.

Intolerance of your present will create your future. Everything that occurs in life moves us towards our dream or away from it.

Resentment – letting someone you don’t need live rent free in your mind. You need to have your mind on Jesus.

Never let anyone else, build your world for you, they will build it too small.

Forget those things that are beyond.

We must deal with the damage, in dealing with the damage; I must deal with me, first.

I have to ask the right questions. Instead of asking, “Why me?” We must ask, “What do you want me to do, God?” “What’s my next step, Lord?”

You must know that God doesn’t exempt us from trials. You will have to go through some things.

Psalm 34:19 – I serve a God who delivers.  John 16:33 – In God you have peace, in the world, you have trouble. I’m an overcomer and my faith is changing my circumstances.

Weeping only endures for a night. I won’t cry forever.

God prepares us, 1 Peter 4:12 – Stop asking why me? Why here? Why now?

The difference between those who fail and those who succeed is how they handle pressure.

Saints should be like tea kettles, when we get in hot water, we should be singing!

God inhabits the praise of his people.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 – We have the treasure in earthly vessels. I’m facing all of this, but I’m still here. Sometimes you deal with stuff all day long – but in the morning it’s a new day. Those who cause the pain of today don’t inherit the pleasure of tomorrow.

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass – learn to dance in the rain.

Release the grief, fear, anger and labels that have attached themselves to you. There is more to you than what others say about you.

Do what is necessary then do what is possible – then you’ll be able to do the impossible.

Don’t rehearse your failures – the more you talk about it, the more it becomes a part of your life. If you love failure – you’ll fail. Life isn’t always going to be happy – there is no correlation between life experience and happiness.

Happiness doesn’t depend on who you are, it depends on what you think. Get up with the, “Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!” type of mindset.

Philippians 4:8 – Set your mind on the positive not on the negative. Set your affections above.

Don’t repress it – don’t hold it in, don’t say it’s no big deal. Don’t hold on to your words. When you hold it in you create a root of bitterness over the period of time.  You have to release it or you will end up releasing it on the wrong person.

Life is not a dress-rehearsal. Stop practicing what you’re gonna do and do nothing.

Stop making excuses. Remember the man by the pool. He sat there for 30 + years waiting for someone to help him. You can always find an excuse. Your mouth sets the stage for your life. Your victory is as close as the roof of your mouth.

I’m not mourning over past mistakes – I’m moving on. Don’t be tormented by past mistakes.

We are forgiven, sanctified and set apart. We are the blood of Jesus. Christ has forgiven you. When Christ forgives you – don’t worry about what the world says about you.

Those with the best life make the best of what they have. Take the first step - accept what you can’t change. Tell God how you feel, not other people.

Do you want to be bitter or happy? The choice is yours.

Start over, don’t be afraid. Sometimes you have to re-start 2, 3, 4, 5 times, but that won’t stop God. Remember the doubters in Israel. God waited until all of the doubters died before the promise was received.

Be determined to be all you can be in the kingdom of God. I have a new attitude, a new look, I’m refocusing my life. I’m the righteousness of Jesus. It’s nothing we did. While we were in our sins, Christ died for us.

Stay in the race.

The race hasn’t been given to the swift. Hold out – keep the faith in God’s own time, my change will come.

Don’t give up, don’t give in, don’t be weary.

After a while what God promised, will come to pass.

Begin Again - Starting Over

Sermon Date:  May 31, 2015

Sermon Topic: Begin Again – Starting Over

Scriptures: Philippians 3:13 -14, 1 Peter 4:12, Psalm 34:19, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 4:7-9, Philippians 4:8

Sermon Notes:

How do you begin again, when your life has been interrupted by disappointment, tragedy, depression? Who do I turn to? Who leads me when all around me is sinking sand.

The proper responses to starting over. Something happens when you have to begin again. There will be many beginnings in our life. But there are steps to take that are crucial to starting over.

Letting go – you reach a point where you must step back and release it to God. Turn it over to Jesus and stop worrying about it.

In order to reach your destiny, you must let go of:

·      People

·      Places

·      Things

The 1 thing that keeps you from your future is your past.

That’s why Paul said in Philippians 3:13 -14 the he didn’t understand it all, but the one thing that he will do is let go of what’s behind him. You can’t fix problems from yesterday. Move on.

It’s easy to form attachments to people or things but it’s necessary for growth.

Intolerance of your present will create your future. Everything that occurs in life moves us towards our dream or away from it.

Resentment – letting someone you don’t need live rent free in your mind. You need to have your mind on Jesus.

Never let anyone else, build your world for you, they will build it too small.

Forget those things that are beyond.

We must deal with the damage, in dealing with the damage; I must deal with me, first.

I have to ask the right questions. Instead of asking, “Why me?” We must ask, “What do you want me to do, God?” “What’s my next step, Lord?”

You must know that God doesn’t exempt us from trials. You will have to go through some things.

Psalm 34:19 – I serve a God who delivers.  John 16:33 – In God you have peace, in the world, you have trouble. I’m an overcomer and my faith is changing my circumstances.

Weeping only endures for a night. I won’t cry forever.

God prepares us, 1 Peter 4:12 – Stop asking why me? Why here? Why now?

The difference between those who fail and those who succeed is how they handle pressure.

Saints should be like tea kettles, when we get in hot water, we should be singing!

God inhabits the praise of his people.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 – We have the treasure in earthly vessels. I’m facing all of this, but I’m still here. Sometimes you deal with stuff all day long – but in the morning it’s a new day. Those who cause the pain of today don’t inherit the pleasure of tomorrow.

Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass – learn to dance in the rain.

Release the grief, fear, anger and labels that have attached themselves to you. There is more to you than what others say about you.

Do what is necessary then do what is possible – then you’ll be able to do the impossible.

Don’t rehearse your failures – the more you talk about it, the more it becomes a part of your life. If you love failure – you’ll fail. Life isn’t always going to be happy – there is no correlation between life experience and happiness.

Happiness doesn’t depend on who you are, it depends on what you think. Get up with the, “Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!” type of mindset.

Philippians 4:8 – Set your mind on the positive not on the negative. Set your affections above.

Don’t repress it – don’t hold it in, don’t say it’s no big deal. Don’t hold on to your words. When you hold it in you create a root of bitterness over the period of time.  You have to release it or you will end up releasing it on the wrong person.

Life is not a dress-rehearsal. Stop practicing what you’re gonna do and do nothing.

Stop making excuses. Remember the man by the pool. He sat there for 30 + years waiting for someone to help him. You can always find an excuse. Your mouth sets the stage for your life. Your victory is as close as the roof of your mouth.

I’m not mourning over past mistakes – I’m moving on. Don’t be tormented by past mistakes.

We are forgiven, sanctified and set apart. We are the blood of Jesus. Christ has forgiven you. When Christ forgives you – don’t worry about what the world says about you.

Those with the best life make the best of what they have. Take the first step - accept what you can’t change. Tell God how you feel, not other people.

Do you want to be bitter or happy? The choice is yours.

Start over, don’t be afraid. Sometimes you have to re-start 2, 3, 4, 5 times, but that won’t stop God. Remember the doubters in Israel. God waited until all of the doubters died before the promise was received.

Be determined to be all you can be in the kingdom of God. I have a new attitude, a new look, I’m refocusing my life. I’m the righteousness of Jesus. It’s nothing we did. While we were in our sins, Christ died for us.

Stay in the race.

The race hasn’t been given to the swift. Hold out – keep the faith in God’s own time, my change will come.

Don’t give up, don’t give in, don’t be weary.

After a while what God promised, will come to pass.

Assurance in Faith, Hope in Adversity

Bible Study Date:  May 20, 2015

Sermon Topic: Assurance in Faith, Hope in Adversity

Foundational Scripture:  Luke 8:22

Scriptures: Matthew 6:33, Psalm 20:7, Habakkuk 3:17, Romans 15:4, 1 Timothy 6:20 – 21, Job 1:6, Psalm 138:7, Hebrews 10:35 – 36, Isaiah 40:28, Romans 8:35, 1 John 1:6

Sermon Notes:

We must have the assurance that what God promised will come to pass. Don’t rationalize it, don’t figure it out, have faith.

If you have the God-kind of faith, you will do greater things.

Every morning get up with that kind of mindset. Not only have the mindset but even in your prayer time, keep the mindset that there is nothing that God can’t do.

We need the God-kind of faith. Today, I will have no distractions or suffer defeat.

Never let your circumstances prophesize to you. Your situations are always saying something to you, but you need discipline not to agree with the situation.

You are committed to what you confess. Profess your position in Christ. Ephesians 1

Matthew 6:33 – Seek the kingdom first. We must make sure that we’re closer to God. The closer you move to God, the smaller everything else appears.

We must have confidence in God’s purpose, presence and protection.

When I have confidence in his presence it makes me bold.

Psalm 20:7 – Remember the name of God. I don’t follow after those who are trusting in other things.

No matter the relationships, if they don’t trust in the word of God, I can’t be in agreement with them. I can’t be in agreement with them and be in agreement with God.

The disciples were unified in their unbelief. There will be times where you’ll be in a storm and you won’t receive confidence or encouragement from anyone, but you must trust in God.

While you trust in God, be careful of the words you receive. Unless they’re quoting the word of God, it counteracts our faith.

We must have confidence in God’s presence and his purpose.

Confidence in God enables believers to endure difficulty.  Believers don’t believe that they won’t have to ensure anything many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers.

There are times in our lives when you can encourage yourself by remembering what God did in the past.

David slayed Goliath and recalled the lion and bear that God allowed him to kill.

Habakkuk 3:17 – The example that God gives is an example of how the farmers lost everything but they rejoiced in the Lord.

I’m going to rejoice even though I’m facing difficulties. Never allow circumstances to rob you of your destiny.

You’re going to have to deal with doubt. In dealing with doubt you gain assurance though God’s word.

Knowing the word of God is key. You must know the word of God in order to deal. Remember God’s past goodness and reflect on the power of God.

Bear ye one another burdens. When one of us is down we are supposed to be in prayer for someone – knowing that some day I may need it. We deal with doubt and gain assurance from God’s word.

That’s why studying the scripture is important. Romans 15:4 – everything in the book was written for our learning and admonition. It was written for us.

In dealing with doubt avoid idle speculation. Avoid idle talk.

1 Timothy 6:20 – 21 – Avoid profane and vain babbling. Things people say that is not spiritual is profane babbling.

Some things that people say have been said so many times that some take it as the word of God.

Avoid foolish questions. When we’re dealing with situations and circumstances one of the key is to say focused on what the word of God says.

Our success is linked to our doing something. I must continually apply the word of God to the situation.  Jesus spoke to the wind – the wind was the cause of the rough seas.

You need a relationship with God to appropriate the grace of God.

If I don’t have a relationship with God I can’t submit my requests to him.

Job 1:6 – God doesn’t have to talk to us about our storms. God knew that Job would stand the test.

When you’re going through – don’t get weary in the storm because God knows what he placed in you. He knows you won’t fail.

There may be some things that you’re dealing with but don’t blame the devil for what happens in your life.

If you have the grace to obey God, you will be successful.

We are persecuted but not forsaken, cast down but not destroyed – I’m not forsaken. I have to endure some things, but I keep looking for the time when it’s over.

I verbalize it then get an image of an overcomer. My mouth is a weapon.

Meditate on the word, so before you get to a circumstance you have already been meditating on the word of God.

When you do this, the Holy Spirit will agree with your spirit so that the things you speak will happen.

The word of God is a strong tower. It’s his will to teach us by example. Read, meditate, verbalize and then internalize the word.

When we praise God, we’re able to endure the pain.

Psalm 138:7 – When is his hand saving me? In the midst of trouble I have the assurance that he saves me.

Hebrews 10:35 – 36 – We need patience and the will of God must be paramount in our lives. I will continue to do the will of God. Trust in God.

You can’t allow doubt or idle speculation to remain in your mind.

Isaiah 40:28 – We don’t try to use our finite minds and limited understanding to figure out what’s going on.

You must remain focused on the word of God.

We will all get to the point where no matter what we’re dealing with we want to handle it, but we must wait on the Lord.

There is a season where you’re in a trial and a season where you come out of it.

Having that understanding, we need assurance of faith and hope in adversity.

It doesn’t matter what we’re dealing with, we want to handle it, but we must wait on the Lord.

It doesn’t matter what others say, what does the Lord say? Your latter end will be greater. There is greater for you in the future than what you’re experiencing now. You can’t convince me that God can’t do something.

There are no impossibilities with God. All of us were in a place where it seemed impossible – But God!

He brought us out. We have an assurance of faith in adversity.

Romans 8:35 – No matter the situation it can’t separate us from the love of God. We need that assurance in our lives.

I don’t say/do things that counteract that promise.

Self-assurance can be proved false by our conduct.

1 John 1:6 – Not only should my relationship with God be upright, so should my relationship with others.

If I’m seeking God for something, I’m loving my neighbor as myself.

Whenever you face a crisis, the first person to deal with is yourself. Psalm 139 – Search me and know me. God knows us – so we must be honest with the word of God.

Get all bitterness and impropriety out of the way.

I can’t be bitter about my situation.

Never ask “Why me?” ask “Lord, what do you want me to do?”

Trust in God.

He will give you instructions. 

Pentecost Sunday Message

Sermon Date:  May 24, 2015

Sermon Topic: Pentecost Sunday Message

Scriptures:  1 Corinthians 15:20, 1 Corinthians 15:13, Ezekiel 36:37, John 3:16, Psalm 139, Zacharia 4:6, Romans 10:2-3, 1 Timothy 3, Mathew 2:37, Ephesians 2:12, Ephesians 5, Galatians 5:16 – 5:17, Jeremiah 17:5, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 John 4:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19

Sermon Notes:

Pentecost is 7 weeks after the resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:20 –

1 Corinthians 15:13 – When Christ returns those who died in Christ will be resurrected.

Ezekiel 36:37 – When the Holy Spirit abides in you and reveals truth to you – you can’t do what you want to do. You must follow the spirit.

The Holy Ghost is co-equal with Jesus. God is the father, God is the son and God is the holy spirit.

John 3:16 – I give you a comforter – he may abide with you forever. You have a comforter to keep you in perfect peace. There is no need to worry.

He knows all things. We see the characteristic of the spirit. He’s omnipresent. Psalm 139 – He has infinite power. Zacharia 4:6 – There is nothing we do on our own. It’s only then that I can do all things through Christ.

We are Christ’s disciples. We must take the spirit into the world and witness. You can’t be a witness without the power of God.

The Spirit doesn’t stay in here – it goes out into the world.

You don’t have to come into Church to be at the alter Christians are baptized in the spirit.

John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized by the Holy Spirit.

They waited ten days in the upper room. There were no questions about who’s in charge or what’s taking so long. There are problems in the church and Paul addressed them in Romans 10:2-3.

1 Timothy 3 – When you come into church remember that we’re spirit lead not bulletin guided.

As long as the word is being preached nothing else matters.

There are those who have their own way of doing things and are blinded by the truth.

If you want to see the church grow – submit to Christ. The Lord will grow the church.

All you have to do is have faith in God and be obedient to his word.

Mathew 2:37 – Don’t get caught up in the deeds. Empty worship – outwardly beautiful

On the day of Pentecost, they were all in one place on one accord and their thoughts were unified. When you ask God for something, expect to receive it.

You can identify those without the Holy Ghost. They’re speaking the same language.

Ephesians 2:12 – The spirit man came alive. Every unsaved person is subject to the adversary.  You don’t have to speak in tongues different from your own. No matter the nationality the love Christ connects us.

Baptism takes only once, filling is an ongoing process. You’re not always filled.

Ephesians 5: - When I’m filled by the spirit, I’m lead by the spirit. When the spirit is in control of us, we say kind words to each other.

Spiritual people don’t lie, cheat and backbite. The spirit is opposed to natural desire. Galatians 5:16 – 5:17 – you can’t do the things that you want to do because the spirit is lusting with the flesh.

A negative thought produces strongholds in your mind. Get rid of those thoughts. If you meditate on those thoughts they take root.

Being led by the flesh opens you up to the curse. Jeremiah 17:5 – We must trust in the Lord and lean not to our own understanding. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s purpose for us.

1 Corinthians 2:9 – You must constantly discipline yourself to be led by God. When I’m lead by the spirit, I am able to discern the truth. When I’m not led by the spirit I won’t be able to distinguish the spirit of God from the spirit of the adversary.

Everything that is preached is not truth. Unless you’re spirit lead and can discern the truth you take anything as the gospel.

1 John 4:1 – Don’t believe every spirit – no matter how they come. The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead abides in us. God didn’t give the disciples anything that he didn’t give the church.

1 Corinthians 6:19 – Your body is a temple. Stop acting like you’re your own. You were bought with a price.

Glorify God.

We have to start living right.

When the Holy Spirit and your spirit are in agreement with each other you have peace. The anointing allows you to stand. There is a difference in singing and singing under the anointing of Christ. You may have a beautiful voice but without the anointing there is no ministry.

Every born again believer is anointed but the anointing must be manifested.