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Sunday, March 7th ~ Identity: Guiding Principles - Excellence

Sermon Notes:

Excellence - We strengthen each other's service with the goal of consistently offering our very best "as unto the Lord." We hold ourselves to the highest standards of quality, because we believe God deserves our finest efforts at all times.

Why does excellence matter?

- Excellence is one of God's character traits.
Genesis 1; Mark 7:37

- God expects us to be excellent.
Ephesians 5:1; Colossians 3:23-24

How can we be excellent?

1. Develop your skills.
Proverbs 22:29

2. Be committed and consistent.
Daniel 6:3

3. Don't give up.
Hebrews 10:35-36; Galatians 6:9

What should we be excellent in?

- pursuit of God
- relationships
- career
- gifts/skills
- church involvement

1 Corinthians 9:24

 

Sunday, February 28th ~ Identity: Guiding Principles - Servant Leadership

Sermon Notes:

The idea of Christian leadership is different in a world where power, position, rights, and titles rule. Our authority, influence and power come when we willingly serve others. The type of leadership Jesus requires is to lead others by serving others. The guiding principle of "Servant Leadership" says, "We aspire to follow Jesus' example by focusing on others, promoting and preferring them over ourselves. We seek to lead with an attitude of humility and empower others to realize their potential and fulfill their purpose."

Seven Things Jesus Teaches

1. Serve God and you will serve people.
2. Be "others" focused.
3. Be willing to serve everyone.
4. Serve without complaining.
5. Be humble.
6. Be observant and alert.
7. Be faithful.

Marks of a Servant Leader

1. They make themselves available to serve.   2 Timothy 2:4
       He does what is needed not what he is gifted in.

2. They pay attention to needs.   Galatians 6:10
       He will seize the moment to help others.

3. They do their best.   Ecclesiastes 11:4
       It's about a perfect heart, not a perfect performance.

4. They are equally dedicated.   Colossians 3:23
       God never exempts us from the menial or mundane.

5. They are faithful to the end.   Matthew 25:23
       They lead by serving as long as they are alive.

 

Sunday, February 14th ~ Identity: Guiding Principles - Relationships

Sermon Notes:

Choosing your friends is like choosing your destiny. Friends can lead you to your godly destiny or away from it. The guiding principle of "Relationship" says, "We are dedicated to investing our lives into authentic friendships, mutual trust while experiencing life together." At Victory, we value people and know that godly relationships shape our values, beliefs and life.

Why Relationships Are Important

1. Life's greatest experiences involve others.
2. You will enjoy life more if you like people.
3. You'll get farther in life if people like you.

Building Godly Relationships

1. Always go up.

       1. Some add to life - enjoy them.
       2. Some subtract from life - tolerate them.
       3. Some multiply to life - value them.
       4. Some divide from life - avoid them.

2. Everybody is a ten.

       1. Disappointment in a few people shouldn't stop us from believing in many people.
       2. A trusting heart is emotionally healthy.
       3. We behave in light of our beliefs.
       4. A healthy relationship is built on high expectations.

Sunday, January 31st ~ Identity: Guiding Principles - Integrity

Sermon Notes:

Integrity: We strive to exemplify the highest levels of godly character and ethics in all areas so that we are "above reproach and blameless," resulting in spiritual, moral and personal accountability.

Psalm 119:1; Psalm 25:21

Pillars of Integrity

1. Tell the truth.
         Proverbs 6:16-19

2. Be faithful to your spouse.
         Malachi 2:15

3. Be a faithful friend.
         Proverbs 17:17

4. Manage your finances.
         Luke 16:10-12

5. Be committed to your church.
         Acts 2:42-47

6. Be a blessing to your children.
         Proverbs 13:22

Integrity can be lost, but it can also be gained and restored. Follow David's example of taking responsibility, repenting, and growing in your integrity. It's a life-long journey.

 

Sunday, January 24th ~ Identity: Guiding Principles - Spiritual Maturity

Sermon Notes:

"We are a family of believers, pursuing God and changing our world." This is our identity; it's who we are; it's why we exist; it's our purpose. But how do we become what we say we are? How do we really become a family of believers, how do we pursue God with continued passion, and how do we really change our world?

We have Seven Guiding Principles that define our behavior, our actions, and our standards for life and ministry. Those principles guide our decisions, goals, objectives, strategies and vision. They ensure that we are moving forward in a predictable manner that represents Christ and God's Word. The first guiding principle is "Spiritual Maturity".

Four Myths of Spiritual Maturity

1. Spiritual growth is automatic.
         Spiritual growth has to be intentional.  Hebrews 5:12

2. Spiritual maturity is only for a few.
         Spiritual maturity is a practical thing.  1 Timothy 2:4

3. Spiritual maturity is finding the right key.
         Spiritual maturity takes time.  Philippians 3:12-14

4. Spiritual maturity is measured by what you know.
         Spiritual maturity is demonstrated more by behavior than belief.  Matthew 7:24-28

Several Demonstrations of Spiritual Maturity

1. Thoughts
2. Words
3. Actions
4. Attitudes
5. Reactions
6. Desires
7. Relationships

Sunday, January 17th ~ Identity

Sermon Notes:

Who are we, why do we exist, what is our purpose? Those are questions many people ask about themselves. They have an identity crisis. Many churches have an identity crisis too. They try to be everything to everyone or nothing to anyone.

At Victory Church we don't have an identity crisis. We have the fingerprint of God on us. We have the DNA of God in us. We have a unique and divine imprint that identifies us before the Lord.

We don't exist by accident but by design - God's design. And, it's important for each of us to know what that identity is. We need to know it, quote it and embrace it.

Who are we? "We are a family of believers, pursuing God and changing our world." That is our "identity statement". What does that mean?

We Are Three Distinct Things

1. We are a family of believers.
We are a group of diverse people who come together under one name - Jesus.
Ephesians 4:1-8; Acts 2:42-47

2. We are pursuing God.
Truth is where God has been; revelation is where God is.
Matthew 7:7-8; 2 Peter 3:9

3. We are changing our world.
We can't change THE world, but we can change OUR world.
1 Peter 2:9; Romans 12:2

 

Sunday, January 10th ~ Prayer and Fasting

Sermon Notes:

Isaiah 66:8

A New Year is a wonderful time to reset our spiritual compass, seek for God's strength and find divine wisdom. To accomplish these things, we must begin living intentionally by dedicating ourselves to a season of prayer and fasting.

Did you know that you don't change God in prayer; God changes you because of prayer. Prayer activates the promises of God. Did you know that fasting doesn't move God; it moves you. It puts you in a position to be moved by God.

So, what is prayer and fasting? Why do we need to pray and fast?

Why Do We Pray?

1. Prayer opens heaven's windows. Luke 3:21-22

2. Prayer transforms your life. Luke 9:28-29

3. Prayer gets results. Acts 4:31

Why Do We Fast?

1. We receive guidance. Acts 13:1-3

2. We receive courage. Esther 4:16

3. We receive power. Luke 4:13-14

Join us for 21 days of fasting and prayer beginning Monday, January 11th through Sunday, January 31st. Let's seek God together for His strength, wisdom, guidance and to reset our spiritual compasses. Nightly prayer will be from 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Sunday, January 3rd ~ Never Lose Hope

Sermon Notes:

Jeremiah 29:11

The single most important word for this New Year will be "hope." When someone has hope, they can face anything in life. With hope you can endure anything, do anything, and believe for anything. You can stand, fight, hold on, and trust. Hope lets you face an uncertain future with certainty.

Hope is the essential ingredient that makes faith work. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for." When hope is gone there is no substance to make faith work. Hope gives faith substance. When we lose hope that a mountain can move then faith loses the substance required to move the mountain.

What happens when we have hope? What are the benefits of hope? What will hope do for me?

How To Have Hope

1. Turn your focus to your all-powerful God.
What you dwell on you magnify, enlarge and empower.
The bigger you make God, the smaller you make your problems.

Three Things Hope Will Do For You

1. If I have hope I can move on.  Isaiah 40:31
Hope keeps me believing and trusting God.
If I lose hope I am paralyzed and stagnant.

2. If I have hope I can hang on.  2 Corinthians 1:9-10
When you hope in God's promises you'll never waver.
If you believe that "God can", you'll make it.

3. If I have hope I can go on.  1 Corinthians 2:9
Hope lets you see God's promises before they are seen.
Hope is about the future - it sees what is not yet seen.

 

Sunday, December 13th ~ White Christmas - "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"

Sermon Notes:

Luke 2:1-20

Christmas ought to be the "most wonderful time of the year." But each year the true meaning of Christmas keeps slipping and fading away. It's less about Christ and more about money, spending, sales, marketing and days off. As Christians, we need to remind ourselves of the true meaning of Christmas and get back to the traditions that make Christmas, Christmas!

I believe that the Lord would have us pause and think back to what kind of traditions we have had that make Christmas so special. While the rest of the world may be forgetting, we are remembering. We don't want this special day just to be a holiday but a hallowed day.

Three Things That Make This The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

1. Family and friends.  Ephesians 1:5 NLT
Christmas is about being with others.
It's to reunite, remember, restore and rebuild.

2. Giving to others.  Luke 2:12-14
Christmas is noted for giving gifts.
For some, it's a time of "what I want" instead of "what He gave".

3. Jesus.  John 3:17 NLT
Jesus has given us the gift of hope, the gift of happiness, and the gift of harmony.

 

Sunday, November 29th ~ Fragrance of Thanksgiving

Sermon Notes:

God is moved and stirred by the genuine sacrifices of our thanksgiving. Whoever possesses any good without giving thanks deprives the giver of the good of his glory. Being thankful is like stealing glory from God. Psalm 107:1-2 says, "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so." We must continuously flood heaven with our thanksgiving.

Does our thanksgiving have an aroma? Does gratitude have a fragrance? David said, "Let my prayer be set forth before you as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." He was talking about the fragrance of prayer and thanksgiving. You'll never be thankful for what you have forgotten. Here is how to stir up the aroma of our thanksgiving.

Remembering All His Benefits

1. He forgives all of our sins.  Psalm 103:2

2. He heals all our diseases.  Psalm 103:3

3. He rescues us from destruction.  Psalm 103:4

4. He will crown you with loving kindness.  Pslam 103:4

5. He satisfies us with good things.  Pslam 103:5

6. He delivers the oppressed.  Psalm 103:6

7. He will make know His will for you.  Psalm 103:7

 

Sunday, November 22nd ~ Storms

Sermon Notes:

God uses your trials and circumstances to propel you into your destiny. 

Mark 4:35-41

Real faith doesn't keep the storm from coming. If you never go through a storm, you'll never know the validity (genuineness/strength) of your faith.

Storms are going to weed out from you things, ideas, and even people that aren't going to be able to make it over to what God has for you.

In the storm, what's in you comes out. You've got to know in the midst of your storm - "I am not going to die."

You're not going to get a revelation in the sunshine, when everything is good. You're going to get it when all hell is breaking loose.

The first storm is designed to carry.

You've got to be ready before your storm comes.

You've got to have faith that makes you look like a fool.

The second storm is sent to correct you.

God will send a storm to blow you back on the right track and into your destiny.

This storm will blow yo back on your knees, into your Bible, into praise, etc.

The third storm challenges you.

You're going to get into a storm and the only thing you'll have to go on is His voice.

You can't just step out at any time - timing is everything. You have to wait for His timing.

Jesus isn't just the God of your good times; He's the God of your storm.

Sunday, Noveber 15th ~ Pursuing His Presence

Sermon Notes:

You will never pursue what you have yet to engage. We begin our pursuit of God by engaging Him with our praise and worship. As Psalm 100:4 says, "We enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." Praise and worship is where we start, but it's not where we finish.

Lifting our hands isn't enough and kissing His hand isn't enough. God wants us to hold His hand and never let go. That means seeking and pursuing His presence in our lives. If we have pursued Him in praise then our next step is to pursue Him for His presence. How do we do that?

1 Chronicles 13:1-6      2 Samuel 6:1-11

Requirements For God's Presence

1. Don't pursue a sacred thing in a common way.
- The presence of God requires consecration.
- "Consecration" means to be pure or purified.
- When God shows up everything is important.
- God's presence requires us to be right, pure and clean.

2. Get the little things out of your life so the big things can come.
- The presence of God requires sanctification.
- "Sanctification" means to make clean or keep yourself from unclean things.
- It's not always the big things that destroy your life.

 

Sunday, November 8th ~ Pursuing His Presence

Sermon Notes:

Worship and praise are the threshold of God's presence. God just doesn't want us to engage Him with our pursuit. Think about this, you will never pursue what you have yet to engage. It all begins with a heart of worship, but if we continue with a genuine hunger for more of God we will end up in His very presence. The Bible says, "In your presence is fullness of joy."

How do we find His presence and that joy? How do we discover His deepest love, His mighty hand and His ultimate blessing? It's not hard; God makes it simple. Start by becoming a "doorkeeper" in the house of the Lord.

Job Description for a Doorkeeper

1. Dress for the job.  Colossians 3:8-15
Eliminate everything that keeps you from the door.
Fire doesn't fall on empty altars.

2. Show your hunger.  Matthew 21:12-16
You will pursue what you are hungry for.
If a baby gets hungry there will be noise.

3. Be broken.   Psalm 34:18
Pride will drive you from the door.
You can't be filled until you are empty.

 

Sunday,  November 1st ~ Engage

Sermon Notes:

"You my friend are a worshiper! Everyday, all day long, in every place, you worship. It's what you do. It's who you are. You cannot help but worship something. It's what you were made to do. Should you for some reason choose not to give God what He desires, you'll worship anyway - simply exchanging the Creator for something He has created. We all worship something all the time. You can't not worship. So how do you know what you worship? It's easy. Follow the trail of your time, your affection, your money, and your allegiance. At the end of that trail you'll find a throne; and whatever or whoever is on that throne is what's of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship." - Louie Giglio

1. Biblical worship is active.

Psalm 150

Spectating does not require anything of me, but active participation in worship does.

"Halal" means: to boast, shine, be clamorous, make a show, celebrate, the extemporaneous unsolicited response to a favorable and enjoyable situation.

Expressions of worship:
- singing (Exodus 15 "song of Moses", Psalm 95:1-2)
- clapping (Psalm 47:1)
- raising hands (1 Timothy 2:8)
- dancing (2 Samuel 6:14-15, Psalm 150)
- shouting (Psalm 47:1; Revelation 7:10, 19:1)
- bowing/kneeling (Psalm 95:6)
- playing instruments (Psalm 150)

2. Worship is a physical demonstration of a spiritual reality.

Physical actions, when mixed with faith, have spiritual repercussions.

 

Sunday, October 25th ~ Engage

Sermon Notes:

The Purpose for the Presence

2 Corinthians 3:18 - 4:7

"...transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory..."

We need a holistic view of worship!

Isaiah 6:1-8

The Biblical Model

1. Revelation

a. God is the initiator, and we are the responders.
b. We see ourselves in the light of God's revelation.

2. Transformation

a. Worship is not just about experience, enjoyment or entertainment.
b. Change is the earmark of God's presence.
Worship is not something you do after you change, it's something you do that leads to change.
c. It's not informational; it's transformational!

3. Illustration

a. The power is not telling the story, but in becoming the story.
b. The presence of God is placed in us so that we become His hands and feet to the world - 1 John 4:12

What will happen to our world if we carry out the purpose for His presence?

Sunday, October 18th ~ Engage

Isaiah 29:13

Is your heart connected to your worship?

Mark 12:28-30

"Whole-person worship" - heart, soul, mind, strength

1. My emotions don't determine whether or not I worship. Worship is a choice.

Hypocrisy is not when my actions don't line up with my feelings.
Hypocrisy is when my actions don't line up with my convictions.

2. Worship is empowered by my emotions.

Wherever you are, use that to get to where God is.

Psalm 42

Worship is not determined by my emotions, but my emotions empower worship.

Sunday, October 11th ~ Engage

Sermon Notes:

To ENGAGE means to attract someone's attention, participate, become involved, establish a meaningful contact or connection. The ancient meaning of this word was to pledge yourself to do something.

This is exactly what God meant when He created us. We are designed and created to engage God in praise. Peter had the revelation by saying, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9

This series of messages is all about your understanding, participation and pledge to attract God's attention by your worship and praise. It's about the power of praise and the anointing of worship.

Hebrews 13:15 says, "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."

The Purpose of Praise

1. Praise binds the enemy.  Ezekiel 28:2-14
Praising God automatically elevates you to a new position.
Praise puts you next to God.
Praise puts a two-edged sword in your hands.  Psalm 149:1-9

2. Praise opens the doors of the Kingdom of God.  Joshua 6:20
Strongholds are broken and walls come down with praise.
The chains of bondages will fall off with praise.
God moves in an atmosphere of praise.

3. Praise releases God's heavenly host.  Psalm 22:3
God doesn't move where there is no praise.
When our praise is artificial it is dead.
God is found in an atmosphere of adoration.

 

Sunday, September 27th ~ The Key

Sermon Notes:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

God has put into every hand a "key" that will unlock the treasures of heaven. He has given us a key that will move the Hand that moves the world. He has given us a key that unlocks peace, hope, strength, faith and the very promises of God in our life. That "key" is called prayer. But the missing element of powerful prayer is "God's Word".

And the essential factor that is necessary to create a life changing faith in the power of prayer and the promises of God's Word is guarding your mind.

When we let the enemy of our soul take God's promises out of our minds, he takes the "key" out of our hands.

Three Essentials For Thinking The Thoughts Of God:

1. You must renew your mind.
You can't think like God until you know what is right.    Romans 12:1-2

2. You must know what to reject from your mind.
You can't reject what is wrong until you know what is right.  2 Corinthians 10:5-6

3. You must know what to replace in your mind.
Many learn, believe and think what God doesn't think or believe.   Philippians 4:8

 

Sunday, September 20th ~ The Key

Sermon Notes:

Isaiah 43:26

God has given you a "key" that will move the hand that moves the world. It is a key that will unlock the secrets, mysteries and treasures of heaven. It is the key that will open the door of hope, peace, and a breakthrough for your life.

That "key" is called prayer.

Prayer will meet every need and move every mountain. It will loose angels and paralyze demons. It will release God's promises and freeze Satan's plans.

The missing element of powerful prayer is God's Word.

The Promises of God are Worth the Fight

1. Hold your ground.  Genesis 32:24
The promises of God are "for you" but that means you have to fight for what "belongs to you".

2. Pay the price.  Genesis 32:25
What you are willing to pay, you are willing to get.

3. Don't let go.  Genesis 32:26
It's the prayer that won't give up that produces power.

 

Sunday, September 13th ~ The Key

Sermon Notes:

Luke 11:1-13

If you had a "key" that would open the doors of peace, open the locks of hope and freedom, or would bring answers to questions, sooth you in hard times and unlock the mysteries of life, would you use it?

There is one key that will do all that and so much more. It is a key that stirs up heavenly activity, ignites your confidence, strengthens your faith, and will move the hand that moves the world.

That key is Prayer.

Why did Jesus Teach us to Pray?

1. Jesus knows that there is a midnight hour.
It's easy to lose your "keys" when it's dark.

2. Prayer isn't just getting what you want to come but getting what you don't want to go.
It's getting fear to go and faith to come.

3. Prayer is about never giving up.
It's about asking, seeking, knocking over and over.

4. Prayer is about shameless persistence.
Just because God said "no" doesn't mean it's a "no".

 

 

 

Sunday, August 30th ~ 6 Things You Can't Live Without

Sermon Notes:

Psalm 11:3      Hebrews 6:1-2

Psalm 11:3 says, "If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?"  Without a solid spiritual foundation the righteous are paralyzed, bound, held, limited, restrained, deceived and overcome.  My greatest concern is that each of us are soundly rooted in basic Christian foundations so that we might be prepared, watching, and ready to overcome temptation and deception. We need to be steady and confident enough to face the certainty of our future. The Bible gives us six basic foundations that every believer needs to grasp and understand.

The sixth "gotta have, can't live without" foundation is:

"Eternal Judgment"

1. What is the "eternal judgment"?   John 12:48-49
First, judgment is the sentence of a judge.
Judgment is simply the means of determining good from evil, right from wrong and passing sentence or reaching a verdict.
Eternal judgment is reaching a verdict that is final and permanent.
God's judgment on your life will determine how you spend eternity.

2. What is the judgment seat of Christ?   Romans 14:10,12
It's a place where every believer will stand before Christ.
It's a place where you will stand alone.
It's a place where your works will be examined and your motives revealed.
It's a place where nothing is hidden but is laid open before Christ's eyes.

3. How do we prepare for eternal judgment?     1 Corinthians 3:9-15
Be prepared for a thorough investigation of your words, thoughts and deeds.
Be ready for Christ to see how you built and lived your life.
Be expecting the fire of God to test your life's work.

4. Fire will test the quality of your work.    1 Corinthians 3:13
Every man's work will become "manifest" or clear.
That day will "declare" our works.
Our works will be "revealed".
Two groups will stand before the Lord - the confident and ashamed.

Eternal Judgment will come to every human being. To the genuine believer there will be eternal life with Christ. To the unbeliever, they will be cast into outer darkness separated from the Lord forever.

The righteous and unrighteous will stand before the Lord to account for all they have done and said. Fire will reveal what is pure and holy. Then, they will receive their eternal reward based on what remains. The unjust and unrighteous will be cast into the lake of fire for eternity. The righteous will live with Christ for eternity.

Scriptures to read:

John 12:48-49
Hebrews 9:27
Acts 17:31
Romans 14:10,12
2 Corinthians 5:10
John 5:22
Hebrews 4:12-13
Romans 2:16
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
1 Corinthians 3:9-15
1 John 2:28
2 Peter 1:10-11

 

Sunday, August 23rd ~ 6 Things You Can't Live Without

Sermon Notes:

Psalm 11:3        Hebrews 6:1-2

There are six essential, foundational and elementary things that are necessary to build your Christian life.  Without these six things you will be spiritually week, easily deceived, and quickly overcome.  Weathering the storms of life will be almost impossible.  Psalm 11:3 says, "If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?"  If you haven't built your life on solid spiritual foundations, what will you do?  How will you make it, endure it, overcome it, or become victorious?

The fifth "gotta have, can't live without" foundation is:

"Resurrection of the Dead"
1 Corinthians 15

1. What is the "resurrection of the dead"?
In the context of Hebrews 6:2, it is not about Christ's resurrection but yours.
"Resurrection" means to stand up again, to rise to life, to rise from the dead.
It is the reunion of the body and the soul after it has been separated at death.
Because of "resurrection" death is not the end but the beginning.

2. Why is the "resurrection of the dead" so important?
It is the foundation of all our hopes.  1 Corinthians 15:15-23
It is the central theme of Christianity.   1 Corinthians 15:17-18
Without a resurrection, Christianity is just a cult. 
It is about sanctification.   Philippians 3:10-11
It is about a final justice.   John 5:28-29

3. What is the purpose of "resurrection"?
The purpose of resurrection is for every person who has ever lived to stand before the Lord in judgment.
The soul was created and designed by God to live forever.
Our soul has to live somewhere.
Resurrection is about receiving your "reward".

4. The "resurrection of the dead" deals with the body.
The body is the vessel that contains the spirit and soul.
At death, the body and soul separate.
At the resurrection, the body will be reunited with your soul.
The bodies of every person who has lived will be resurrected.
It's the body that can experience pleasure and pain.
We will receive "in our bodies" according to what we have done either good or bad.

5. Understanding the "resurrection of the dead" should affect the way you live.
We should purify ourselves in thought, word and deed.  1 John 3:3
We should work to be blameless in our conduct.  2 Peter 3:14
We should learn to deny ourselves to develop righteousness.  Titus 2:11-13

The Bible teaches us about the immortality of the soul.  It teaches that the soul will be reunited with the body after death to receive its reward.  Some will receive honor and glory and some dishonor and everlasting punishment.

If you were to die today, what would be your reward?

Scriptures to read:
1 Corinthians 15:1-58
Daniel 12:2
Isaiah 26:19
Romans 2:6-11
Luke 20:34-36
Hebrews 9:27
2 Corinthians 5:10
Matthew 5:29
Matthew 10:28
Acts 25:15-16

 

Sunday, August 16th ~ 6 Things You Can't Live Without

Sermon Notes:

Psalm 11:3           Hebrews 6:1-2

Psalm 11:3 says, "If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?" Without solid spiritual foundations we will be tossed about, deceived, overcome, and be overwhelmed by this world. There is no way you'll be able to endure the storms of life without a solid foundation. The Book of Hebrews admonishes us to quit laying these foundations over and over. We need to get it, know it, understand it and build our lives from it. It's time to grow up and get out of diapers.

You need to build your spiritual life on six basic things. The fourth thing you can't live without is:

"Laying On of Hands"

1. What is the "laying on of hands?"
It is not what you do when you are mad at someone or get even with them.
It is a spiritual act that transfers the blessing, authority, and power of God for service, healing, protection, and guidance to someone else.
It is a divine impartation from God to man and then to another.

2. Why the emphasis on "hands"?
Hands are a symbol of action, power, strength, ownership, protection and control.
Hands are an important feature of ministry for God.

3. Why is the "laying on of hands" so important?
It is a point of contact through which the Holy Spirit can flow.
Your hands are the vehicle of your mind.
When you have the "mind of Christ" you have the "hands of Christ".

Six Basic Purposes for Laying on of Hands

1. For blessing.   Mark 10:13, 16
Laying on of hands is a compassionate action of love and care.
You can impart blessing by the laying on of hands.

2. For ordaining and sending leaders.    Numbers 27:23
It was God's plan for authorizing, delegating or sending a leader in ministry.
It set apart or set aside a leader, showed approval and acceptance.

3. For impartation of spiritual gifts.     1 Timothy 1:6-7
God allows us to impart spiritual gifts or abilities to others to encourage, strengthen and bring authority by the laying on of hands.

4. For the substitution or transfer of sin and guilt.     Leviticus 1:4
Old Testament priests would lay their hands on a sin offering (animal) to transfer the sins of the people for atonement.
This was a living illustration of what Christ did for us - He took our sins.

5. For healing.     Luke 4:40     Mark 16:16
Many times in the Bible the power of God to heal came through hands.
Jesus proclaimed, "Lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

6. For the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.     Acts 19:6
Many times the impartation of the Holy Spirit came by laying on of hands.

 

Spiritual Guidelines for Laying on of Hands

1. Use discernment.     1 Timothy 5:22
2. Show no partiality.    1 Timothy 5:21
3. It's not about your power.
4. You've got to have faith in the power of God.

 

Sunday, August 9th ~ 6 Things You Can't Live Without

Sermon Notes:

Psalm 11:3           Hebrews 6:1-2

Foundations are the great principles of truth upon which our lives must be built. When those foundations are destroyed, what will we believe? Where will you find strength? How will you know the truth? How will you overcome deception? Can there be any substitutes for the great spiritual foundations God gives us? Psalm 11:3 says, "If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?" If you don't have a solid spiritual foundation, what will you do?

The Bible tells us that there are six basic foundational things our lives must be built on. There are no substitutes that can replace these things. To be spiritually strong in an unspiritual world, your life must be built on these six things. The third spiritual foundation you can't live without is:

"Doctrine of Baptisms"

1. What is the "doctrine of baptisms"?
It is the instruction and teaching of different kinds of baptisms.
In the early church, no one was baptized without a genuine Christian faith.

2. What is the meaning of "baptism"?
The Greek word "baptizo" means to wholly wet, immerse, submerge, sink, plunge, to dip under.
"Baptism" is used 80 times in the New Testament.

3. There are three distinct baptisms in the Bible.
       1. Baptism of water.
       2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
       3. Baptism of fire.

Matthew 3:7-12

1. It is not the "tongue of fire" from being filled with the Spirit.
2. It is not about a fire that comes to refine your faith or works.
3. It is a fire of judgment on the unrepentant and unrighteous.

Acts 1:4-5, 8 and 2:1-4

1. The Holy Spirit is your Comforter.
He will live in you, teach you all things, bring things to your remembrance, give you peace, and keep you from fear.
He will expose sin, judgment, and righteousness.
He will guide you in truth, not speak of Himself but will glorify Jesus.

2. What does praying in the "Spirit" do for me?
It reinforces your prayer.  Romans 8:26-28
It edifies you.  1 Corinthians 14:4
It builds your faith.  Jude 20

Baptism of Water

Galatians 3:27

1. The Greeks used the work "bapto" to describe baptism.
It signifies the dyeing of a garment or the drawing of water by dipping one vessel into another.

2. Being baptized into Christ means we have put on Christ.
Water Baptism means we have clothed ourselves with His nature, character, Word and thoughts.
Baptism means your old garment (life) has been dyed, it is changed.
You have been immersed into His vessel and now draw out His living water into your life.

 

Sunday, August 2nd ~ 6 Things You Can't Live Without

Sermon Notes:

Psalm 11:3         Hebrews 6:1-2

In this world there are many things you can do without but in the spiritual world there are six things you can't live without.  Psalm 11:3 says, "If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?"  The answer is simple.  The righteous will be deceived and will fall away from the Lord. Many Christians have never been taught the basic spiritual foundations required to build for a solid immovable Christian life.  When you build your life on a solid rock you can withstand any storm in life.  For us to survive the uncertainty of tomorrow our lives must be founded and built on six basic things.  The second thing you can't live without is:

"Faith Toward God"

1. What is "faith toward God?"
Faith in God is believing He exists, He loves us, cares about our lives and future and has provided a way to be in relationship and fellowship with Him.

2. The definition of faith.  Hebrews 11:1
Faith sees the future in the present, it believes even when it's not seen, and it is an inward revelation.

3. The importance of faith.    Hebrews 11:6
Faith is the basic and essential foundation of our Christian lives.  We know God because He reveals Himself through His Word.  We must believe God told us the truth. Faith that pleases God is faith that agrees with God.

4. The "Cycle of Faith".
God is the source of your faith and He gladly gives faith to you. You can use or point your faith on any scriptural thing but receiving it must bring glory to God first. The deeper your understanding of God the easier it is to move the object.

5. Obedience to faith.
Obedience is a demonstration of our faith that God has told us the truth. The Bible requires us to act on what we believe. The Word of God gives us commands that we must respond to. Obedience to any commands from the Lord requires faith.

Four Hindrances to Faith

1. Walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23
2. Neglecting the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 6:7-8
3. Neglecting the promises of the Word of God.
Hebrews 2:1
4. Disobedience to the faith that God revealed.
James 2:17

Four Ways the Devil will Reduce Your Faith

1. Ignorance.     2 Corinthians 2:11
2. Unbelief.        Hebrews 4:11
3. Doubt.           Matthew 21:21
4. Fear.              2 Timothy 1:7

Four Principles of How Faith Works

Hebrews 11:13 says, "These all died in faith not having received the promises but having seen them afar off and were persuaded of them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

1. See the promise.
2. Be persuaded of the promise.
3. Embrace the promise.
4. Confess the promise.

 

Sunday, July 26th ~ 6 Things You Can't Live Without

Sermon Notes:

Psalm 11:3            Hebrews 6:1-2

What can you do without? Can you survive without your cell phone? Texting? Your car? Money? Friends? Coffee? Truthfully, there are many things we can do without in this life. But when it comes to your spiritual life there are six things that are irreplaceable and essential. Psalm 11:3 says, "If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do?" The answer is, nothing! Without solid spiritual foundations we are bound, restrained, deceived and overcome. It's hard to walk in truth when we don't have a foundation built on truth. For us to survive the uncertainty of tomorrow our lives must be founded and built on six basic things. The first thing you can't live without is:

Repentance From Dead Works

1. What is "repentance"?
It is turning away from sin, disobedience, and turning back to God.
It is changing directions, turning around, fleeing what God says is evil.

2. Why is repentance such a big deal?
It is the preparation of our hearts for God.
Before God can build anything in our lives, He must first clear the clutter.

3. There are three essential elements of repentance.
There must be genuine sorrow, inward hatred toward sin by forsaking it and a humble surrender to the will of God.

4. What is "repentance from dead works"?
It is a change of mind, a willful turn, and a change of behavior from any work not of faith, any work contrary to God's Word and anything not done in love.

5. What are "dead works"?
Doing anything without relying on God, being religious without relationship, self-effort, or trying to be righteous on your own.

6. What do we need to repent from?
If you don't know what sin is, then repentance has no meaning.
Most are not aware of their sin.
The Holy Spirit will show you what displeases God.

Partial List of Things Where Repentance is Needed

The Holy Spirit will show you the areas of your life that are displeasing to God. This is only a partial list of some of those things that require repentance.

1. Breaking the 10 Commandments.   Exodus 20:1-17
2. Unbelief and fear.  Revelation 21:8
3. Lack of love for God.  Mark 12:30
4. Rebellion.    1 Samuel 15:23
5. Works of the flesh.   Galatians 5:19-21
6. Unthankfulness.   1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 3:17
7. Prayerlessness.   Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
8. Not giving as God directed.    Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 24:45
9. Failure to be faithful to church and fellowship.  Hebrews 3:13, 10:25
10. Breaking promises.   James 5:12
11. Failure to confess Christ before men.  Matthew 10:33; Luke 9:26
12. Not meditating on God's Word.  Colossians 3:16; Proverbs 4:20-22
13. Unwillingness.   Matthew 28:18-20
14. Pride.   Proverbs 16:5
15. Lying.  Revelation 21:8
16. Gossiping.  Matthew 12:36
17. Unforgiveness.   Mark 11:26; Matthew 6:14-15

Sunday, July 5th ~ Freedom

Sermon Notes:

The way we celebrate our freedom is important. It shows what we believe we are "set free for." Freedom for most people is simply doing whatever they want to do. But for Christians, liberty is something very different. Paul said in Galatians 5:13, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." Because of the Cross of Christ we have been spiritually emancipated. We were once enslaved to darkness but now we are free in His light.

America is a blessed nation. But we aren't blessed because we are no longer under the tyranny of the English. We are blessed because we have recognized that God is our Lord. When a nation calls God their Lord they are blessed. But a nation whose god is not the Lord will fall. We aren't free because we are great; we are free because God is great.

Jesus Gave Me Freedom

1. I have freedom from myself.  2 Corinthians 5:17
The power of Christ can recreate you from scratch.

2. I have freedom from other people.  Galatians 1:10
Real freedom is when you only care about what Jesus thinks.

3. I have freedom from fear.  2 Timothy 1:7
If your mind isn't sound your fear will be.

4. I have freedom from sin.  Romans 6:20-23
When you do what sin wants, you are free from the control of righteousness.

5. I have freedom from the bondages of Satan.  2 Timothy 4:17-18
Satan doesn't react to you, as much as he reacts to what you believe is the truth.