Access Church

Single and Ready to Mingle
3 Biblical Truths about Singleness and Dating:

1. Singleness isn’t a sickness.

1 Corinthians 7:7 // I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
1 Corinthians 7:32 // I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

Singleness provides an opportunity for undivided devotion to the Lord.
Famous Christians who were single:

Amy Carmichael [1867 – 1951]
Corrie ten Boom [1892 – 1983]
C.S. Lewis [1898 – 1963]
Dietrich Bonhoeffer [1906 – 1945]
John Stott [1921 – 2011]
Lottie Moon [1840 – 1912]

While single, pray and pursue total devotion to the Lord.

2. Before you find the one, become the one.

Genesis 2:15,18 // The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

Before marriage Adam had:

Communion with God
Calling in his life
Discipline of Character

Marriage doesn’t change you; it magnifies who you already are.

3. The way you date either prepares you for marriage or practices for divorce.

1 Corinthians 7:9 // But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Don’t date someone based on their potential. Date them based on their patterns.
While dating, pray and pursue the following:

Future Spouse
Boundaries
Spiritual growth together

Romans 12:12 // “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”

If our love for each other is meant to be a reflection of God’s love for us, the foundation should be generosity.

John 3:16 (NLT) // For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
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.”

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.

Proverbs 11:24-25 // One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

The higher they ranked in generosity towards each other, the happier they were.
5:1
The virtue of giving good things to your spouse freely and abundantly.
You Before Me
Generously not Transactionally
Happy couples have a choice.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 // If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Find the most generous explanation for each other’s behavior and believe it.

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 // Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Option B:

Delight in uncovering mistakes
Thrive on speculation
Assume the worst
Embrace doubt

Just try it for a week.

1 Corinthians 13:11 // When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

What does love require of ME?
CONTRACT: We PROTECT our rights and LIMIT our responsibilities.
COVENANT: We GIVE UP our rights and PICK UP our responsibilities.

Genesis 2:21-25 // So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

RIGHTS WE GIVE UP

1. PRIORITY.
2. OWNERSHIP.

1 Corinthians 7:4 // The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.

3. PRIVACY.

Ephesians 5:22-33 // Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

RESPONSIBILITIES WE PICK UP

1. LOVE unconditionally.
2. HONOR respectfully.
3. SUBMIT mutually.

Ephesians 5:21 // Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

What would happen if I gave God one year?
Money tells the story of our hearts.
Money Talks

Matthew 6:21 // For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

If you’d like to change where your heart is, change where your money goes.

Matthew 6:24 // “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

How can you know if your love for money competes with your love for God?
You think your money belongs to you.

Psalm 24:1 // The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Giving is what you do with your leftovers.
Stingy
Stealing
You think this sermon is stupid.

Deuteronomy 14:23 TLB // The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives.

Me first living with a little giving

Luke 12:16-21 // And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Consumption Assumption: The assumption that everything that comes my way is for my consumption.
5 Things You Can Do With Money:

1. Spend It
2. Repay Debt
3. Pay Taxes
4. Save It
5. Give It

5 Things You Can Do With Money:

1. Spend It - ME
2. Repay Debt - ME
3. Pay Taxes - ME
4. Save It - ME
5. Give It - GOD & OTHERS

Matthew 6:33 // But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Flip the Script
5 Things You Can Do With Money:

1. ME
2. ME
3. ME
4. ME
5. GOD & OTHERS

5 Things You Can Do With Money:

1. GOD & OTHERS
2. ME
3. ME
4. ME
5. ME

Give
Save Live

Acts 2:42-47 // They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Authentic, Honest, Life-Changing Relationships.
Backbone

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12 // There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?”. . . Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Soul Sick
Types of Groups:

Season of Life
Support
Financial
Activity
Prayer & Bible Studies
Message Application

Real life change happens in the context of relationships.

Romans 12:5 // Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.

ARENA: I know and you know.

Matthew 23:5, 7 // “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long.” “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”>

MASK: I know but you don’t know.
I’ll always stay as sick as my secrets.

2 Corinthians 4:2 // We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’” - C.S. Lewis

John 3:16-21 // For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
James 5:16 // Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

BLIND SPOTS: I don’t know but you know.

Proverbs 27:6 // Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Hebrews 3:12-13 // See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

POTENTIAL: I don’t know and you don’t know.

Proverbs 27:17 // As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Everybody needs to be needed and known.
Social Prescribing
Join a Group
Lead a Group
www.access.tv/groups

 

James 4:8 // Come near to God and he will come near to you.

How close are you to Jesus?
How close do you want to be?

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...’”

Prayer doesn’t move God toward us.
Prayer moves us toward God.

Exodus 25:8-9 (NLT) // “Have the people of Israel build me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you.
Exodus 33:11 (NLT) // Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
Matthew 5:17 // “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.”

Seven steps, 6 pieces of furniture.
The Outer Court: Give God thanks.

Psalm 100:4 // Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Thanks for what He’s done.
Praise for who He is.

Psalm 103:1-5 //
1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

You are my Salvation.
You are my Healer.
You have Redeemed me.
You have Transformed me
You have Blessed me.
The Brazen Altar: Focus on the Cross.

Romans 5:6 (NLT) // When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Isaiah 53:5 // But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Nails: Freedom from my past.
Spear: Freedom in my heart.
Crown: Freedom in my mind.
Whip: Freedom in my body.
The Laver: Offer every part of my life to God.

Romans 12:1 // Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

The Candlestick: Invite the work of the Holy Spirit in my life.

Zechariah 4:6 // ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
Isaiah 11:2 //
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.
Galatians 5:22-23 // But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

The Table of Shewbread: Claim the promises in God’s Word.

Matthew 4:4 // Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Ephesians 6:10-18 // Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes... (Take) the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray...

The Altar of Incense: Worship His Name.

Psalm 29:2 // Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
Psalm 95:6-7 // Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Proverbs 18:10 // The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

The Ark of the Covenant: Intercede for others.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 // I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.

Best Year Spiritually
Daddy-Handsome Ella-cation™
“We are as close to God as we choose to be.” - Oswald Sanders
How close are you to Jesus?
How close do you want to be?

John 15:12-13 // My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

How Close Can We Come to Jesus?
Know or Know About
Jesus’ Circles of Relationship:

The Crowds – the place of “watching & listening” from a distance
The 5000 – the place of “feeding & healing”
The 70 – the place of “working & serving”
The 12 – the place of “leaving all & following”
The 3 – the place of “joys & sufferings”
The One – the place of “sacrificial love.”

Matthew 16:24 // Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

The closer call is a call to intimacy
The closer call is a call to surrender
The closer call is a call to loyalty
How Far Have You Followed Him?

John 15:14-15 // You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

How close can you come to Jesus?
How close do you want to come?

James 4:8 // Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Jeremiah 29:13 // “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

A: I’m moving!
B: I’m going to a hotel!
C: I’m burning this house down!
D: Save the children!
E: All of the above.

Proverbs 4:23 // Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (ESV) // Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.

Carry your anger as short a time as possible.
Free flowing anger is detrimental for all relationships.
Debt and Debtor Relationship
Greed - I owe me
Jealousy - God owes me
Guilt - I owe you
Anger - YOU OWE ME

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) // Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Getting rid of anger is more important than getting paid back.
Identify who you are angry with.
Decide what was taken from you.
Cancel the debt.
Forgiveness breaks the power of anger.

Joy to the world the Lord is come / Let earth receive her king / Let every heart prepare Him room / And heaven and nature sing
Let earth receive her king
He rules the world with truth and grace / And makes the nations prove / The glories of His righteousness / And wonders of His love

Matthew 2:1-12 // After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Jesus is King over ALL the Earth

Luke 1:31-33 // You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
Matthew 1:1-17 // This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 6 and Jesse the father of King David. 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. 17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Messiah.

Jesus has ALWAYS been King

Matthew 2:2 // “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?

King Jesus was fiercely opposed
Myrrh / Incense / Gold
Every Knee will bow before our King

Matthew 2:9-11 // After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Philippians 2:6-11 // Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Where is Jesus NOT King in my life?

Advent
Coming
Advent is waiting with Joy
Why do we have Joy?
How would your parents respond with you made a mess?
How do you think God will respond when you do?

Luke 15:1-2 // Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Luke 15:17-24 // “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Mercy gave the son a second chance.
Grace gave him a feast.
Prodigal: wastefully extravagant

Luke 15:7 // I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:10 // In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 19:10 // “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Luke 10:25-29 // On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”26 “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:30-37 // In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Does God love ME?

1 John 4:16 // And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
John 3:16 // For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Why is it so difficult (for me) to receive God’s Love?
We tend to define LOVE at the level of our lowest experience with it.
Life has a way of teaching us lessons that we don’t yet know that we’ve learned:

to receive Love it must be earned
to receive Love I must be perfect
to receive Love it must be constantly pursued

John 1:14 (MSG) // The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
Romans 5:10 // For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Why is it difficult for me to love others?

Matthew 10:7-8 // As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
1 John 4:19 // We love because He first loved us.

Receive God’s Love
“God Loves Me” (First 30 Seconds of Your Day)
Say it Back
Share It Around

Feel Thankful
Gap
Ingratitude
The recipient is always aware. The culprit is rarely aware.
Not feeling something.
Unexpressed gratitude is experienced as ingratitude.

Luke 17:11-19 // Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him

He went back to thank the one who enabled him to move forward.

Luke 17:11-19 // He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

The nine… where?

Luke 17:11-19 // Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

They felt it. They didn’t express it.
Unexpressed gratitude communicates ingratitude.
Ingratitude feels like rejection.
Gratitude to God is worship.
Gratitude produces worship.
Todah - A thanksgiving choir
Barak - To kneel in thanksgiving
Tehillah - To sing a song of thanksgiving
Halal - To give thanks by being clamorously foolish
Yadah - To give thanks with extended hands
Zamar - To give thanks with a musical instrument
Shabach - To give thanks in a loud tone, to shout

Psalm 100:4 // Enter into His gates with thanksgiving (Todah - A thanksgiving choir), and into his courts with praise (Tehillah - To sing a song of thanksgiving). Be thankful (Yadah - To give thanks with extended hands) to Him, and bless (Barak - To kneel in thanksgiving) His name.
Psalm 100:4 (Paraphrase) // Enter into His gates with a thanksgiving choir and into His courts with singing praises. Be thankful by extending your hands to Him, and bless Him by bowing before His name.

Miracles produce gratitude.

Luke 17:16 // He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him

Obedience produces miracles.

Luke 17:14 // When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

Walk by Faith
Don’t let anyone out-grateful you.

Top 7 Stressors:

Job
Money
Health
Relationships
Poor Diet
Media Overload
Lack of Sleep
Being a Cowboys Fan

John 16:33 // “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:7 (LB) // If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.

Refuse to Worry

Philippians 4:6 // Don’t worry about anything…

Worry: To strangle or choke
Things Jesus said:

Worry is Unreasonable

Matthew 6:25 // “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

Things Jesus said

Worry is Unnatural

If worry is learned, it can be un-learned.

Matthew 6:26, 28-29 // Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Things Jesus said:

Worry is Unhelpful

Matthew 6:27 // Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
Proverbs 12:25 // Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Proverbs 14:30 // A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Things Jesus said:

Worry is Unnecessary

Matthew 6:30 // And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

Talk to God about Everything

Philippians 4:6 // Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need…

Ruminating
If you prayed as much as you worried, you would have much less to worry about.
Thank God in All Things

Philippians 4:6 // Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

You cannot be happy and ungrateful at the same time.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 // Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Think about Good Things

Philippians 4:8 // And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Isaiah 26:3 // You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Be Content with Anything

Philippians 4:11-12 // Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
Philippians 4:7 // Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Get Yours
Secure the Bag
Look Out for Number 1
If you want to know what has your heart, look at your money.
God is generous
Generosity is the heart of God.

John 3:16 // For God so loved the world that He GAVE...
Romans 8:32 // Since he did not spare even his own Son but GAVE him up for us all, won’t he also GIVE us everything else?
Matthew 7:11 // “If you then, who are 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!”
James 1:17 // Every good and perfect GIFT is from above.

God owns it all

Matthew 25:14-15 // “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

Owners have rights. Managers have responsibilities.

Deuteronomy 10:14 // To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 // You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Job 41:11 // Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.
Haggai 2:8 // ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.
Psalm 50:10-12 // for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

Every spending decision is a spiritual decision.
God is most interested in developing our character
God uses money as: A Tool
God uses money as: A Test

Proverbs 1:19 (MSG) // When you grab all you can get, that's what happens: the more you get, the less you are.
Matthew 25:16-17, 21-23 // The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Luke 16:10-13 // “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. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

God uses money as: A Testimony

Matthew 25:24-26 // “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

Money testifies to a watching world how you feel about God.

Hebrews 13:5 // Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,. “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Study in Newsweek

$25,000 - $54,000
$100,000 - $192,000

Happiness is always a moving target.

Matthew 13:19-23 // When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

Path
Rocky Place
Among Thorns
Good Soil

Hebrews 2:1 // We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

How to drift from God

Neglect your time with God

Psalm 63:1 // You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

Hang around the wrong people

1 Corinthians 15:33 // Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Give into temptation

James 1:14-15 // 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.

Love this world more than you love God

1 John 2:15 // Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

Bad advice: Fake it!

Isaiah 29:13 // The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me...
Revelation 3:1 // ...I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Condemnation & Conviction
Return to your first love

Revelation 2:4-5 // ...You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first...

Repent
Do the things you did at first

"Figure It Out"
God Helps Those Who Help Themselves
80%
52%
Ora et Labora

Colossians 3:23-24 // “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Proverbs 6:10-11 // A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

God is a helping God.
Cannot help themselves

Ephesians 2:4-5 // But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
Romans 5:6-8 // You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God helps those who cannot help themselves!
Trust in Him

Psalm 121:1-2 // I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 46:1 // God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

God helps those who trust in Him.
In whom or in what have you put your trust?
“My help comes from the Lord”
“The Lord is my ever-present help.”

Mark 10:46-52 // Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

God helps those who admit their need for Him.

John 14:26 // But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Beanie Babies are a GREAT investment!
Don’t waste your money on Bitcoin.
Work for the weekend
UPGRADE
Karoshi

Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG) // “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Are you tired?
Worn out?
Burned out?
God’s plan for supernatural rest is sabbath.
Sabbath means to cease.

Exodus 16:23-30 (NIV) // He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” 24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.” 27 Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. 28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

If you work on the Sabbath, God’s just not going to help you.
Joy & Delight
Sabbath is a commandment.

Exodus 20:8-11 // “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

We don’t obey the commandments to be saved, we obey them to be blessed.
Consequences and Blessings
Sabbath is a witness.

Exodus 31:14-17 (NIV) // “‘Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from their people. 15 For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put to death. 16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

“If I can just catch my breath”
“I need a breather”
What do you do on your day off?
What do you not do? - work.
Sabbath is a blessing.

Mark 2:23-28 // Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” 25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?” 27 And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Divert daily.
Withdraw weekly.
Abandon annually.

Question: Have you ever gotten bad advice?
Follow your heart

Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV) // The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) // Above all else, Guard your heart, For everything you do flows from it

Feelings aren't a fruit of the Spirit.

Psalm 22:1-2 // My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

Scripture calls David the “man after God’s own heart.”
YET

Psalm 22:3-5 (NIV) // Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

The goal isn’t to NOT FEEL, but to remember the YET in the midst of the feelings.
The heart to follow is the Heart of God

Psalm 51:10 // Create in me a pure heart, O God

Acknowledge the places you’ve allowed feelings to take the place of faith.
Guard your heart
Find the heart of God

Psalm 51:17 (NIV) // My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise

Being broken isn’t bad. It’s the start of healing.

Exodus 6:6-7 // Therefore, say to the Israelites: “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

The Cup of Sanctification — Weekend Services
The Cup of Deliverance — Access Groups
The Cup of Redemption — Next Steps Class
The Cup of Praise — Team Access
OUR GOALS FOR YOU:

Know God.
Find Freedom.
Discover Purpose.
Make a Difference.

John 10:10 (TLB) // The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

We let our past paralyze us.

Psalm 38:4, 6 // My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear… I am bowed down and brought low.

We let culture define us.

Galatians 1:10 // Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

We try to do it all alone.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 // There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

The Cup of Praise

Exodus 6:7 // I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.

Deficiency Needs:

Physical Needs
Safety Needs
Love Needs
Esteem Needs

Fulfillment Needs:

Cognitive Needs
Aesthetic Needs
Self-Actualization Needs
Transcendence Needs

Ultimate fulfillment comes when you’re a part of a family and making a difference for eternity!
It begins with a calling.

2 Timothy 1:9 (MSG) // (God) saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. I want to make a difference.

I am called to make a difference!
It stands on a cause.

Acts 20:24 (NLT) // But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Doing something that makes a difference.
People & Heaven
It spreads from me to we.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 // Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.

With people who want to make a difference.

John 15:8 // This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
John 15:11 // I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

I am called to make a difference, doing something that makes a difference, with people who want to make a difference!

 

Jason
Not Josh
@iamjasonburns
Not @iamjoshburns

Exodus 6:6-7 // Therefore, say to the Israelites: “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

The Cup of Sanctification – Salvation.
The Cup of Deliverance – Freedom.
The Cup of Redemption – Restoration.
The Cup of Praise – Fulfillment.
How do you get the Egypt out of you?

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) // God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT) // Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Body, Soul, & Spirit
Body - The Physical
Soul - The mind, will, and emotions
Spirit - The part of us that is like God.
Victory over sin.
Sin: What I do to myself.

Romans 7:21-25 // So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Healing from wounds.
Wounds: What others did to me.

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT) // And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Authority over the enemy.

Ephesians 6:10-12 // Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

The Cup of Deliverance

Romans 8:1-2 (NLT) // So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:5-6 (NLT) // Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Right relationships are the key.

Proverbs 28:13 // He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
1 John 1:9 // If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
James 5:16 // Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

Water baptism.
Join the Church.
Access groups.

There has to be more.

Exodus 6:6-7 // Therefore, say to the Israelites: “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

The Cup of Sanctification – Salvation.
The Cup of Deliverance – Freedom.
The Cup of Redemption – Restoration.
The Cup of Praise – Fulfillment.

Exodus 6:6-7 // “I will bring you out from under the yoke…”

Forced to make bricks.
You feel enslaved.

John 8:34-35 MSG // Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will.”

Death of the babies.
You feel empty.
Forcing them to collect their own straw.
You feel exhausted
The Cup of Sanctification

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.
Romans 8:11 MSG // It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive and present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you, you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ’s!
1 Peter 1:3-4 MSG // Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven – and the future starts now!

How did we get there?
How do we get out?
Turn around. Repent

2 Corinthians 6:17-18 // Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Let it go. Surrender

Mark 8:34-35 MSG // Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself.

Commit your life. Relationship

Romans 6:19 // Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.

There has to be more!

2 Peter 1:4 // He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Promise: an offer with a guaranteed result.

Hebrews 6:17 (MSG) // When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

When life doesn’t make sense, hold onto the promises of God.
I need to know God’s promises.
Fear

Psalm 27:1 // The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Feeling Overwhelmed

1 John 4:4 // The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Financial Stress

Philippians 4:19 // And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Healing

1 Peter 2:24 // “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

I need to understand God’s promises.

Numbers 23:19 (NLT) // God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

Every promise has a premise.

Exodus 6:6-7 // Therefore, say to the Israelites: “I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
Exodus 6:6-7 // I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

“I will bring you out.”
God promises us Salvation.

Titus 3:3-8 // At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

“I will free you.”
God promises us Deliverance.

Romans 7:25-8:2 // So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

“I will redeem you.”
God promises us Restoration.

Ephesians 1:11-12 (MSG) // It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

“I will take you as my own people.”
God promises us Fulfillment.

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.

Know God.
Find Freedom.
Discover Purpose.
Make A Difference.

How did Access grow?
✅ Kids & Students Love It
✅ Worship is so good
✅ People are friendly
✅ The church is so generous
✅ Preacher is just breathtaking
Somebody invited you.

John 4:27-35 // Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Come, see
❌ All the Answers
❌ Perfect Theology
❌ Great Credibility
✅ Her Story

Matthew 4:18-22 // As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Open your eyes
We cannot REACH what we cannot SEE.
Spiritual Nearsightedness
If God answered all my prayers, would it change the world or just change me?
Pray
Break my heart for what breaks yours…

Matthew 6:10 (NIV) //
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10 (JIV) //
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
In NORTH & SOUTH Lakeland
as it is in heaven.

Invite

Luke 19:10 // For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Accept the personal RESPONSIBILITY.
Build a personal RELATIONSHIP.
“People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care” - Theodore Roosevelt
Share your personal STORY.
Give a personal INVITATION.

Evangelism – Sharing good news
Remembering is the start of sharing

Exodus 12:26-27 // And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Exodus 13:8 // You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.
Exodus 13:14 // And when in time to come your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you shall say to him, By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery

When we don’t remember, we forget.
Remember your story and tell your story
Jesus spoke in stories called parables
Neural coupling
Don’t worry about answers
Stories stick with you
Stories inspire
People can argue information but they can’t argue stories
What story of mine is God using?

Mark 16:15 // Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

The Power of Connection
There are no perfect parents.
Have you ever:

Rolled your eyes at your children
Told a little white lie to your children, like “We’ll see!”
Lost a child at Disney World
Lost your mind at one your children’s sporting events and had to go sit in your car
Tried to teach a child a math concept, but instead threw the math book across the room and screamed “I HATE MATH! THE INTERNET CAN TEACH YOU NOW!”

There are no perfect parents, but we serve a perfect God.

John 3:16 // For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Isaiah 11:1 // A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

God’s plans are not thwarted by human imperfection.

John 13:34-35 // Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.

We must remember that our children are among the "others" Jesus called us to love.
Parenting isn’t about being picture-perfect, because pictures are about US. Parenting is about being a mirror reflecting the light of Jesus to our children.
“We are mirrors whose brightness is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us.” C.S Lewis
Great parenting isn’t found in a formula-it’s forged as we follow Jesus.
Connection
Undistracted Connection
Parents spend approximately 3-4 hours per day on their phones.
Parents spend approximately 2 hours per day with their kids.
The greatest gift you can give your children is your presence. And nothing says you're present like your face in front of theirs.
Seen Known Loved
Widen the Circle
Purpose and Direction
Brain activity from having a sense of purpose can help kids combat anxiety and stress, regulate anger, and ward off depression.

Ephesians 2:10 // For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Matthew 22:37-40 // Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

We are a product of eternity, positioned in time and given gifts and talents to serve our generation.
Identity and Worth
Our worth or the worth of our children is not defined by our actions or achievements but by our identity in Him.

1 John 3:1 // See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.

Kids will rise and fall to the height of our words.

Proverbs 18:21 // The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit

What if I’ve blown it?
What if I don’t know how to parent like this because I was not parented like this?
The ground is level at the foot of the cross.

Hurt
Boring
A Family
Unity

John 17:20-23 // “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

The Church family thrives in unity.

Ephesians 4:1-6 // As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Attitude of Humility
Unity is accomplished when we have humble minds
We > Me
Attitude of Gentleness
Unity is accomplished when we exhibit gentleness.

Psalm 133:1 // How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!
 

Attitude of Patience
Unity is accomplished through patience

Proverbs 24:3 // It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong.

Four Unchanging Rules for Families

Mark 10:13-16 // People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Our families should be high touch

Mark 6:56 // And wherever he went--into villages, towns or countryside--they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Our families need time

Mark 10:13 // People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands
on them, but the disciples rebuked them.

Proximity
37 seconds
How do kids spell love? T-I-M-E
Our words should give blessing and encouragement.

Mark 10:16 // And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 1:9-11 // At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW:

High Performing Teams: 5.6 to 1
Medium Performing Teams: 1.9 to 1
Low Performing Teams: .36 to 1
Families: 10 to 1

Godly families leave an inheritance

Proverbs 13:22 // A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children…

Financial Inheritance
Honorable Name Inheritance
Spiritual Inheritance
You’ll never be a PREFECT parent, but you can be a PRAYING parent.

Psalm 138:8 (NLT) // The Lord will work out his plans for my life - for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever.

THE GOAL: My family will fulfill God’s will and purpose for their lives.

Proverbs 24:3 // It takes wisdom to have a good family, and it takes understanding to make it strong.

The Jury’s Still Out
Authoritarian
Permissive
Biblical

Luke 2:52 // And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Wisdom.
Teach them to fear God.

Proverbs 9:10 // The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Psalm 34:11 // Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

Treat the Bible as our guide

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 // These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Guard their minds.

Psalm 101:3 // I will set before my eyes no vile thing.

Stature.

Acts 20:24 // However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.

Help them discover their purpose.
Pray for God’s favor on their life.

Psalm 5:12 // Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Choose relationships carefully.
Favor with man.

Philippians 2:3 // Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Honesty.
Honor.
Respect.
Favor with God.
Make Jesus the Lord of our home.
First.

Joshua 24:15 // Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Show them my love for God.

Proverbs 14:26 // Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.
1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV // Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Be like Jesus in every situation.

Colossians 3:13 // Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Healing
Do you believe that God still heals?
Confessionist Group
Cessationist Group
Can
Will

James 5:13-16 // Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

God still heals people.

Hebrews 13:8 // Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Isaiah 55:8-9 // For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways.
Hebrews 11:39-40 // These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Isaiah 57:1 // The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.

Both.
God is more concerned about my soul.

Matthew 10:28 // Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

God wants me to grow in faith.
To us.
In us.
Why doesn’t God always heal?

Hebrews 11:6 // And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
James 5:17-18 // Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
1 Kings 17:1 // Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”

Faith begins with a Word from God.

Romans 10:17 (NKJV) // So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 // For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
1 Kings 18:43-44 // “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”

Faith continues regardless of what I see.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) // For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Faith starts with a small beginning.

1 Kings 18:45-46 // Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) // Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin...”
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (NLT) // Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

The process is the point.

The Competent & Wealthy

James 4:13-16 // Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.

Mist – Atmos
Don’t Miss the Mist
Three Words that Describe Our Lives:

Fleeting
Forgettable
Fragile

Isaiah 2:22 // Stop trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Three Words that Should Characterize Our Lives:

Humility

“I got this…”

Eternity

Psalm 90:12 // Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

“We will have eternity to celebrate the victories, but only a few hours before sunset to win them.” - Amy Carmichael

Immediacy

“Make it such, Lord, that when it comes time in my life to die, all I have left to do is die.” - Jim Elliot

Delayed obedience is disobedience.

James 5:1-5 // Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter

Three Things that Characterize Worldly Wealth:

Hoarding
Self-Indulgence

Sufficiently vs. Extravagantly
Spending, Saving, Giving

Injustice

Why did God give you that?
Why did God give you that? To Steward.

Three Words that Should Characterize Your Giving:

Priority
Percentage
Progressive

The Tongue
We would use God’s wisdom to govern the words spoken from the tongue.
BIBLE
FORD
KISS
THE

Luke 6:45 // For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Proverbs 4:23 // Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Matthew 15:11 (NLT) // “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”

4 Powers of the Tongue
The Power to Condemn

James 3:1-2 // Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, and able to keep their whole body in check.
Matthew 12:36-37 // But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The tongue has condemning power
The solution: consider it an honor to teach doing it with reverence and respect.
The Power to Control

James 3:2-5 // When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

The tongue has controlling power.
The solution: learn to shut our mouths.

Proverbs 13:3 (NLT) // Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

“even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if he kept his mouth shut.”
The Power to Corrupt

James 3:5-8 // Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

The tongue has corrupting power
The solution: Let the Lord guard your mouth

Psalm 141:3 // Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

The Power to Contradict

James 3:9-12 // With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

The tongue has contradicting power
The solution: Use my words to praise, encourage, lift, inspire, advise, guide, love, comfort, bless, and affirm.
Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?
“Heavenly Father, today, allow me to say some worthwhile stuff. But I ask that you nudge me when I’ve said enough. Amen."

“I’m kind of a genius.”

James 1:19-22 // My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 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.

Most Christians are hypocrites.
“84% of non-Christians say they know a Christian personally, yet only 15% say the lifestyles of those believers are noticeably different in a good way.” - David Kinnaman
900
Which one is best?
The one you obey.
Teleios - Mature, Perfected, Complete

James 2:14-17 // What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

The Bible knows nothing of a fruitless faith.
Faith & Works
FAITH: Belief in action

Abel brought an offering
Noah built an ark
Abraham left his home and offered up Isaac
Sarah trusted God
Jacob blessed his grandsons
Joseph instructed about his burial
Moses chose to be mistreated
Rahab welcomed the spies

WORKS: Literally deeds
3 TYPES OF FAITH:

1. Dead Faith

James 2:15-17 // Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

2. Demon Faith

James 2:18-19 // But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

3. Dynamic Faith

James 2:20-26 // You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Grow the church.
Grow you.
Who is the author?

James
Camel Knees

Who is the audience?

Jewish Christians

What is the purpose?

Encouragement

What is the central message?

Faith in Action

Truths of Trouble
Trouble comes to everyone
Trouble can be unpredictable
Trouble hurts
Rejoice in Trouble

James 1:1-2 // James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…

Trials are problems with a purpose
Joy is the key to facing the trials of this life.
Outlook determines outcome
Respond to the Testing

James 1:3-4 // …because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Faith is tested through trials, not produced.
Hupomone - active endurance
Our response to the testing is critical to the outcome of the testing.
Request Truth from God

James 1:5 // If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

“Knowledge is knowing what to say. Wisdom is knowing whether to say it or not.”
“Knowledge is the ability to take something apart. Wisdom is the ability to put it back together.”
If we request God’s help, He will come through.
Receive and Do What God Says

James 1:22 // Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Philippians 2:15-16 // …Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

Joy is the gigantic secret of the Christian. G.K. Chesterton
Joy vs Happiness
Joy makes a follower of Jesus uncommon.
How do I Live With Uncommon Joy?
Joy’s Importance

Psalm 51:12-13 // “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.”
John 15:11 // I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Joy is important to us because Jesus proclaimed and possessed it. It points to my salvation
It’s evidence of God’s spirit
It’ll get me through some stuff
Joy’s Improvement
My work is different

Hebrews 12:2b // …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.

My worship is different

Psalm 100:1-5 // Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

My witness is different
“I would believe in their salvation if they looked a little more like people who have been saved.”
My well-being is different

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV) // A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 15:13 (NLT) // A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

6
5:1
3-5
Joy’s Invitation
The presence of God

Psalm 16:11 // You will make known to me the way of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand, there are pleasures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:27 // Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and joy are in His place.

The Word of God

Nehemiah 8:10 // Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Uncommon Worship
What do I do with my worry?

2 Chronicles 1:1-4, 15 // After that, the Moabites, Ammonites and some Meunites went to war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Some people came and told him, “A huge army is coming from Edom to fight against you. They have come across the Dead Sea. They are already in Hazezon Tamar.” Hazezon Tamar is also called En Gedi. 3 Jehoshaphat was alarmed. So he decided to ask the Lord for advice. He told all the people of Judah to go without eating. 4 The people came together to ask the Lord for help. In fact, they came from every town in Judah to pray to him.
15 Jahaziel said, “King Jehoshaphat, listen! All you who live in Judah and Jerusalem, listen! The Lord says to you, ‘Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope because of this huge army. The battle is not yours. It is God’s.”

When you turn your worry into worship, God will turn your battles into blessings.
We all worship something.
Worship is our response to what we value most.
Weird
Theology
Practical
Worship
Lucifer - Worship
Michael - Prayer
Gabriel - Word
Percussion
Strings
Wind
We were made to worship.

Luke 19:37-40 // When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

We have a way to worship that we think God likes, but the Bible didn’t describe it like that, traditions did.
Halel – to rave, boast, celebrate.

Psalm 35:18 (NLT) // I will thank you in front of the great assembly. I will praise you before all the people.

Yadah – to acknowledge in public.

Psalm 138:1 // I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart.

Barak – to bless by kneeling or bowing.

Psalm 103:1 // Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Zamar – making music to God with strings.

Psalm 92:1 // It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High.

Shabach – to address in a loud tone, to shout.

Psalm 63:3-4 // Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.

Towdah – to lift hands in adoration.

Psalm 50:23 // He who offers praise glorifies me: and to him that orders his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.

Tehilah – exuberant singing.

Psalm 34:1 // I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
Psalm 108:1, 3 // O God, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise (zamar), even with my glory... I will praise (yadah) Thee, O Lord among the people. And I will sing praises (tehillah) unto Thee among the nations.
Mark 12:30 // Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.

All your heart and soul”
Expressing my affection to God. What do I love most?
“All your mind”
Focus my attention on God. What do I think about most?
“All your strength”
Use my abilities for God. What do I do most?

Philippians 2:15, 16 (NIV) // So that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
John 13:35 (NIV) // By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

You before me.

1 John 4:7,8 // Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

If we don’t LOVE, we don’t know God.
Three Characteristics of Uncommon Love

Uncommon Love is Selfless

Luke 6:27, 28 (NIV) // 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.

Uncommon love is serving others daily

John 3:17 (NIV) // For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Uncommon love doesn’t seek recognition, it seeks to bless others.

Uncommon Love is String-Free

John 15:13 (NIV) // Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

agapē

Uncommon Love is Sacrificial

John 3:16 (NIV) // For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Worldly love wants to be SATISFIED, God’s love asks us to SACRIFICE.

Philippians 2:15-16 // Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.

How do I live with uncommon generosity?
For not From
God is GENEROUS.
Generosity is the heart of God.

John 3:16 // For God so loved the world that He GAVE…
Romans 8:32 // Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?
Matthew 8:11 // “If you then, who are 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!”
James 1:17 // Every good and perfect gift is from above.

Generosity is a MINDSET.
Generosity is not about what I have. It is about how I think.
Scarcity vs. Abundance

Proverbs 11:24 MSG // The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

God is after your HEART.

Luke 12:34 // For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
2 Corinthians 5:6-11 // Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

God loves a cheerful giver.
Hilaros – joyous, won over, already inclined
Decidedly, non-reluctantly happy
The difference between acting generous and being generous is INTENTIONALITY.
GOD must be first

Proverbs 3:9-10 // Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

The TITHE must be first

Exodus 23:19 // The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 // You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
Genesis 4:3-5 // And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering.

4 LEVELS OF GENEROSITY:

Giving
Tithing
Offerings
Extravagant Generosity

It Must Be Blessed to MULTIPLY

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.

We don’t GIVE to GET.

Genesis 37:5 // Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.
Genesis 37:17b-20 // So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”
Genesis 37:23-24 // So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.
Genesis 37:28 // So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
Genesis 50:20 // You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

When life is unfair, it is to my advantage to:
Recognize God’s Presence

Genesis 39:1-2 // Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
Joshua 1:5 // No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

When life is unfair, it is to my advantage to:

Move Forward

Genesis 39:3-4 // When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Don’t let the bad of a past season create bitterness in your current season.
When life is unfair, it is to my advantage to:

Embrace God’s Redirection

Genesis 39:20-21 // Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him.

As a follower of Jesus, even haters help make my purpose happen.
When life is unfair, it is to my advantage to:

Choose Forgiveness

Genesis 50:15 // When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?”
Genesis 50:18-21 // His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.”

Unfair scenarios happen to the best of us, but they don’t have to get the best of us.

Luke 23:34 // Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

We are a Spirit-Empowered church

Acts 1:4-5, 8 // On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Dunamis

Acts 17:6 (NKJV) // These who have turned the world upside down have come here too…

What is it?
Cessationism
Practical Cessationists
We reject things we don’t understand.
He is not an it.
THE TRINITY:

God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit

THE TRINITY:

God for us
God with us
God in us

Ruach – a wind, breath, a violent exhalation, blast of breath.

Genesis 1:1-2 // In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

Pneuma – a current of air, blast of breath, a strong breeze.
He’s not weird.
He is my inner voice.

John 16:8 // “When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”
1 Corinthians 12:3 // No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

He is my teacher.

John 14:26 // “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
1 John 2:27 (NLT) // But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know...

He is my guide.

John 16:13 // “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
Isaiah 30:21 // Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

He is my friend.

John 14:16 // “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.”

Parakletos

2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG) // “The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.”
Ephesians 4:30 (MSG) // Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

“Holy Spirit show me.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27 // I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Psalm 139:23-24 // “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

“Holy Spirit change me.”

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NLT) // For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom... And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.

"Holy Spirit fill me.”

Ephesians 5:18 // “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Acts 13:52 (NASB) // And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit doesn’t make me better than you, it makes me better than me.

Heaven
Up there, down here
Until Lakeland Looks Like Heaven

Matthew 6:10 // Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

KINGDOM: A country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen

Matthew 6:10 (KJV) // Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

KINGDOM: Wherever the will of a king is carried out

Mark 6:1-6 // Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Mark 6:5 // He could not do any miracles there…

If we understand what RESTRAINS Jesus, we’ll understand what RESTRAINS us.
We are…

1. High Honor

HONOR: Valuable, Precious, Weighty such as gold
DISHONOR: Devalue, to treat something valuable as common
We want to be known for what we’re FOR not what we’re AGAINST
We are…

1. High Honor
2. Hope Dealing

“A record 78% didn’t think their children’s generation will live better than their own, up from 67% in 2019.” - WSJ/UChicago

1 Thessalonians 4:13 // Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

We are…

1. High Honor
2. Hope Dealing
3. Party Throwers

Luke 15:7 // I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:10 // In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:22-24 // “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Prodigal: Wastefully Extravagant
Until Lakeland Looks Like Heaven
We are Access, and we are High Honor, Hope Dealing, Party Throwers!

DTR
Wedding ring of Christianity

Joshua 24:15 // But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Revelation 3:15-16 // I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Revelation 21:4-5 // ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 // Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (TLB) // When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

How do we change? Outside in or inside out.
Do something different or be someone different.
Improve the old you or become a new you.

Hebrews 10:16-17 // “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
Romans 6:4 // We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

www.access.tv/baptism

Luke 5:12-16 // While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Covered with leprosy
No
The prerequisite for a miracle is an impossible situation.
A miracle is a divine intervention

1. Jesus is a Noticer
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.
2. Jesus is a Reacher
Luke 5:14 // Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

Gifts & Giver
Jesus is Healer
He can AND He will.
Signs
Christians should not become obsessed with the signs, but with the one to whom they point.