Water Baptism

To watch the latest water baptismal service click here.

Nancy and Rebecka get baptized!

Jubilee Family Church

Be Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 5:18b
be filled with the Spirit.
“be being filled” or “keep on being filled.” (present tense)
“be continually filled by the Spirit.” (passive voice)

What’s the Youngest age a Person Can be filled with the Holy Spirit?
John the Baptist
Luke 1:15
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.

How do you Receive the Holy Spirit?

Luke 11:13
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!“
Ask your Heavenly Father using the Biblical Pattern
How do we Ask?

Matthew 7:7,8 (Amplified Bible)
7Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. 8For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.

This method of asking exemplifies humble persistence.

The Human Element in Receiving the Holy Spirit
1. Having someone breathe on you (Jesus did this)
John 20:22
And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

2. Laying on of Hands
Acts 19:6
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

3. During preaching
Acts 10:44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
Acts 11:15
"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.

What’s the beginning? I believe it’s Acts 2 where the early disciples first spoke in tongues.
The Effects of Being Filled

1. Prophecy
Luke 1:67
His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
2 Peter 1:21
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2. Tongues
Acts 2:4
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

3. Open Air, Bold Preaching
Acts 4:8
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!
Acts 4:31
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

4. Rightly Judging situations, then making decrees that prompt redemption.
Acts 13:9-12
9Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10"You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

5. Joy
Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

6. You’ll be given words to say in the clutch
Mark 13:11
Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.


7. The Ability to “see” Jesus
Simeon and Anna
Luke 2:25
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Anna
Luke 2:36-38
36There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.


8. Remind us of the words of Jesus
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.

John 16:13-15
13But 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. 14He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

9. We will receive Power
Acts 1:8
8But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

Power for what?
To be my witnesses.
Ever struggle with courage or ability in the area of witnessing?
A component of the greek word for witnessing is martyrdom. Being able to lay down your life for your witness for Christ.

The Argument Against
1 Cor. 13:8
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Ceasassionists believe the perfection spoken of here is the printing of the Bible.
I believe it is when we’re in heaven with Jesus. We won’t need to prophecy because we can just ask him. Knowledge will pass away because we’ll know even as we are fully known. Knowledge hasn’t passed away yet.

The Importance
Jesus Died so we could have the Holy Spirit! This makes it very important. Listen to the scriptures.

John 12:23,24
23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

John 16:7-15
7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.

Functions of the Holy Spirit
Convict
The world of guilt in regard to
1. sin
2. righteousness
3. judgment
The Sin of unbelief is the biggest sin. It keeps people out of heaven.

Righteousness because we won’t be able to see Christ anymore and it will take faith to believe.

Judgment-Satan is now condemned thus condemning the world system that is patterned after him and everyone who is a part of loving the world.

Jesus sent the comforter to lead us into all truth. This didn’t happen until he left the earth. This means that Jesus is looking for us to carry on his ministry on the earth as his ambassadors fully filled with the Holy Spirit fulfilling the ministry of Jesus in his absence.

2 Corinthians 5:20
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

Baptized in the Holy Spirit
Matthew 3:11
"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Can you be a Christian With Out the Baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Acts 18
24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Acts 8
14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, …

Do you get the Baptism in the Spirit when you get saved?
Acts 19:1-7
1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?"
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied. 4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all.

In Conclusion, an Illustration
A Lost Person
An Old Testament Saint, righteous by faith in Messiah to come
A New Testament Saved Person, righteous by faith in the Messiah who has come.
A New Testament Believer who’s Baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Don’t you want all of God you can have for 2009, for the rest of your life?
Who knows what challenges you will face? Get all the resources available to you and not just survive but thrive in the coming years.
Ask for, receive and continue to receive more of the Holy Spirit today!


Jubilee Family Church

Hammack Family Christmas

Well, these videos somewhat resemble a shark feeding frenzy but I thought you might enjoy watching my children open their Christmas gifts this year. Brooke get's her eye put out (not really) and Malcom gives a couple good cries during the video. Other than the usual drama we had a very merry time. Jesus has truly blessed our family. Thank you to everyone who gave us gifts this Christmas season. Merry Christmas!

Part 1(Stockings)


Part 2(Around the Tree)


Jubilee Family Church

Faith Like a Child

Mark 10:13-16

The Little Children and Jesus
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 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. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Make sure you watch this short video. It's very powerful!

Jubilee Family Church

Politically Correct

To all my politically correct friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of other, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To all my non-politically correct friends:

Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year!

Jubilee Family Church

The Four Truths about Salvation

If, you'd like to listen to this article please CLICK HERE!
Just as there are physical laws that govern the physicial universe, so are there spiritual laws which govern your relationship with God.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God LOVES you, and offers you an abundant life.




God's Love
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life". (John 3:16)
God's Plan
Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (that it might be full and meaningful) (John 10:10)

Why do so many people live lives that would not be considered abundant? It is because...

...MAN IS SINFUL and SEPARATED from God. Therefore, he cannot know and experience God's love and plan for his life.




Man is Sinful
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23)

Man was created to have a loving relationship with God; but, because of his stubborn self-will, he chose to go his own way and fellowship with God was broken. This self-will, characterized by an attitude of active rebellion or passive indifference, is evidence of what the Bible calls sin.

Man is Separated
"For the [result] of sin is death" -- spiritual separation from God (Romans 6:23)

The image below illustrates that God is holy and man is sinful. A huge gap separates the two. The arrows show that man is continually trying to reach God and the abundant life through his own efforts such as living a good life, following specific philosophies or religions, etc.


The third law explains the only way to bridge this gap......

Jesus Christ is God's ONLY provision for Man's sin. Through Him you can know and experience God's love and plan for your life.





He Died in Our Place
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
He Rose from the Dead
"Christ died for our sins....He was buried....He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures....He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred...." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
He is the Only Way to God
"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." (John 14:6)

The image below illustrates that God has bridged the gap which separates us from Him by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

It is not enough just to know these three laws. The Fourth Law is essential.....

We must individually RECEIVE Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives.




We Must Receive Christ
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12)
We Receive Jesus Christ Through Faith
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
When we receive Christ, We Experience a New Birth
"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Do not be surprised when I say you must be born again. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit." (John 3:1-8)
We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation
Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20)

Receiving Christ involves turning to God from self (repentance) and trusting Christ to come into our lives to forgive our sins and to make us the kind of people He wants us to be. Just to agree intellectually that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins is not enough. Nor is it enough to have an emotional experience. We receive Jesus Christ by faith, as an act of will.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer

Prayer is talking with God
God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. The following is a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus,
I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my personal Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?
If it does, pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

If you prayed this prayer for the first time or the first time in a long time I'd like to hear from you. Please e-mail me and let me know you prayed so we can help you in your new walk with Christ.

Jubilee Family Church

The 12 Days of Christmas

There is one Christmas Carol that can cause people to ask, "What does that have to do with Christmas?" or "What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with anything related to the Christmas holiday?"

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

The Apostles' Creed
1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.
4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave].
5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
7) I believe in the Holy Spirit,
8) the holy catholic Church,
The word catholic means relating to, or forming the undivided church universal
9) the communion of saints,
10) the forgiveness of sins,
11) the resurrection of the body,
12) and life everlasting.

Twelve Days of Christmas
Alternate Lyrics

On the first day of Christmas Jesus gave to me SALVATION FULL AND FREE.

On the second day of Christmas Jesus gave to me EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the third day of Christmas Jesus gave to me PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the fourth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the fifth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the sixth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the seventh day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the eighth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the ninth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me MANSIONS ABOVE, A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the tenth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me STREETS OF PURE GOLD, MANSIONS ABOVE, A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the eleventh day of Christmas Jesus gave to me A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING, STREETS OF PURE GOLD, MANSIONS ABOVE, A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

On the twelfth day of Christmas Jesus gave to me ETERNITY TO PRAISE, A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING, STREETS OF PURE GOLD, MANSIONS ABOVE, A ROBE AND A CROWN, A BODY GLORIFIED, POWER FROM ON HIGH, JOY FOR MY SOUL, LOVE FOR ALL MEN, PEACE IN MY HEART, EVERLASTING LIFE AND SALVATION FULL AND FREE

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone

Jubilee Family Church

Merry CHRISTmas

From our family to yours! Merry Christmas. 2008 has been a great year for us. We are so greatful for everyone at church and all your kindness to us as your pastors. Remember this Christmas season to keep Christ at the center. With all the preperations that need to be made it's easy to get things out of wack. Where would we be without a loving God that sent his only begotten son to be born of a virgin in a little town called Bethlehem. Share the Christmas story with your family this year!

We love you,

The Hammack Family


Jubilee Family Church

Keys to Receiving a Double Portion of the Anointing

To watch the video of this message click here.

Lessons from the life of Elijah, Elisha and Gehazi

What is the Double Portion?

2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"

"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
(KJV) I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

This scripturally is something that Elisha asked for as he served and followed Elijah his master.

It’s interesting that Elisha recognizes the spirit is in Elijah. I believe that it is a gift inside the man deposited their by God. Elisha is asking for the ability to express the tangibility of God through signs wonders and miracles like Elijah did.

In the context of the life of Elisha, a double portion of his master’s anointing means twice the major miracles flowing from his life. Elijah 14 Miracles
Elisha 28 Miracles

Miracles Performed Through Elisha
1) Parting of the Jordan (2Ki 2:14)
2) Healing of the waters (2Ki 2:21)
3) Curse of the she bears (2Ki 2:24)
4) Filling of the valley with water (2Ki 3:17)
5) Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2Ki 3:22)
6) Miracle of the vessels of oil (2Ki 4:4)
7) Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2Ki 4:16)
8) Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2Ki 4:34)
9) Healing of the gourds (2Ki 4:41)
10) Miracle of the bread (2Ki 4:43)
11) Healing of Naaman (2Ki 5:14)
12) Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2Ki 5:26)
13) Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2Ki 5:27)
14) Floating of the axe head (2Ki 6:6)
15) Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2Ki 6:9)
16) Vision of the chariots (2Ki 6:17)
17) Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2Ki 6:18)
18) Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2Ki 6:20)
19) Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2Ki 7:1)
20) Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2Ki 7:2)
21) Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2Ki 7:6)
22) Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2Ki 8:1)
23) Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2Ki 8:10)
24) Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2Ki 8:12)
25) Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2Ki 9:7)
26) Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2Ki 13:17)
27) Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2Ki 13:19)
28) Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2Ki 13:21)


Elisha's ministry superseded Elijah's in certain ways.
Elisha's ministry lasted about twice as long as Elijah's (25 compared to 13 years).

Spiritual success is faithfully fulfilling God's role for you--not how you compare to others or how much approval you get from others.

Keys to catching the Spirit that is on a person
1) Burn the ships to your old life.
2) Spend time with the person who’s spirit you want a double portion of by serving the person in Spiritual Authority.
3) Persistently follow even when they can be offensive keeping an eye on the prize.

1. Burn the Ships

2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

When Spanish Conquistador Hernando Cortez landed in Mexico, one of his first orders to his men was to burn the ships. Cortez was committed to his mission and did not want to allow himself or his men the option of going back to Spain. By removing this option, Cortez and his men were forced to focus on how they could make the mission successful.

1 Kings 19:19-21
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. "Let me kiss my father and mother good-by," he said, "and then I will come with you."
"Go back," Elijah replied. "What have I done to you?" 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

New Testament Radical Followers
Matthew 19:27
Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?"
Luke 5:11
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:28
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.


Why would someone be so radical?
Remember the Kingdom Parables
Matthew 13:44-46
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

2. Serve the Person
Spend time together

Mark 9:35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

John 13:12-17
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Elisha’s Job Description
2 Kings 3:11 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?"
An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah. [b] “
b-That is, he was Elijah's personal servant.
Service
Matthew 20:28
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Luke 22:25,26
25Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Benefactor - one that confers a benefit ; especially : one that makes a gift or bequest

1 Peter 4:10
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
Be persistent
It appears as Elijah is preparing to be taken away into Heaven he’s asking his servant to leave him. Basically, “Go away Elisha.” but Elisha won’t leave his side.


3. Keep Your Eye on the Prize

1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Gilgal to Bethel
2 Kings 2:2 Elijah going from Gilgal to Bethel Elijah says, Stay here. Elisha replies with, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you."

Bethel to Jericho
2 Kings 2: 4 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, Elisha; the LORD has sent me to Jericho."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So they went to Jericho.

Jericho to Jordan
2 Kings 2:6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here; the LORD has sent me to the Jordan."
And he replied, "As surely as the LORD lives and as you live, I will not leave you." So the two of them walked on.

2 Kings 2:9 When they had crossed (the Jordan River supernaturally), Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?"
"Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
10 "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not."


Elisha sees Elijah taken up in a whirlwind and strikes the Jordan river with Elijah’s mantle and the water parts. The company of the 50 prophets interprets this sign that "The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha."

Do we serve men or the Lord?

Colossians 3:23
23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

I believe that God has ordained people on the earth to do great exploits for him. I believe that we’re to serve one another in brotherly love and the greater reward you want the greater your level of service.

However when we serve the Lord through a man I believe we can get on the fast track because of the practical hurdles and difficulties our predecessors have overcome. It helps us learn faster and move quicker not to mention the favor factor. If God has truly anointed you and commissioned you to start some kind of ministry PRAISE GOD, I believe God flows through established authority though.

Operating outside that authority is your choice but I believe you are exposing yourself to difficulties that are unnecessary. It’s better and easier to serve and be sent than to launch yourself out into some kind of ministry. I believe serving and being sent is the New Testament model for church planting or ministry launching.

Every time I’ve served under someone that person’s input has been very helpful and honest. They can give you the type of information that no one else has because of their perspective. It’s incredibly valuable!

So if you want a double portion of the anointing should you get in every prayer line you can find and have anointed men and women of God lay their hands on you? Well, that’s not necessarily a bad idea but that’s not how Elisha got the double portion.

He…

1. Burnt the ships to His old life.
2. He spent time with the person who’s spirit he wanted a double portion of by serving the person.
3. He persistently followed even when they can be offensive keeping an eye on the prize.

Jubilee Family Church

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who helps at the church! The guys that came out Saturday did a great job moving the sign, readjusting the reader board, leveling the sign and flag pole and putting up a new flag. Great Job everyone! A special thanks also to the cleaners who put in countless hours making sure our church looks and smells sharp. You all are so important to the ministries of Jubilee Family Church. It takes everyone doing their part for the church to get to the place where God wants to take us. Thank you for your continued financial support, time, and talent contributions.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Tony

Jubilee Family Church

When Unforgiveness is Not a Good Option

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Matthew 18:21-35

The Parable
We know that this story illustrates a kingdom principle of forgiveness and judgment. It shows how the character of God interrelates with men based on the way men interrelate with God and one another.

Peter in Verse 21 asks the question, “How many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times?

Peter is asking the question in regard to the previous teaching on conflict resolution and your brother wronging you found in verse 15.

I also think Peter may be trying to show out a little here by coming up with the question and the answer in the same breath. In Peter’s mind, 7 forgiveness's is a large number. It may be a large number in some of our minds today as well.

Hypothetically imagine if your boss decided not to pay you for a weeks work and came and apologized from his heart and did this for 7 consecutive weeks, how many of us could truly forgive our boss from our heart?

Jesus completely blows Peter out of the water with his answer. You think 7 is a big number but I tell you that you must forgive your brother 70 times 7 times. This is practically the number 490 but I believe it represents something more infinite.

There is a key to taking on a merciful personality found in this parable.
There is an excellent and logical reason why some people are very critical and judgmental of others. We’ll see why in just a minute.

In verse 23, The parable of a human king correlates nicely with Jesus being the King of Kings and Lord of Lords who will one day settle accounts with his subjects or attendants.

In the parable the debt is financial but in our lives our debt is a sin debt. The Bible is very clear that every human owes God a sin debt. Every sin needs to be paid for or atoned for.

Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Each one of us has a huge sin debt that is owed to a holy, just and righteous God.

The financial illustration is a great way to understand the ratio of our debt compared to the debt other people owe us. The amplified Bible describes the debt of sin we owe the king as 10,000 talents or the equivalent of $10,000,000.

Because the man could not pay in v. 25, his master ordered him to be sold into slavery, with his wife and his children and every thing that he possessed and payment to be made.

This could be considered the wages of sin in this life being destruction ultimately followed by physical death.

Proverbs 13:15Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
Galatians 6:7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

This can also be looked at as eternal punishment for a debt that cannot be paid and due to God’s holy and just nature he must judge sin.

Both understandings are correct and we need to deal with both realities.

The Servant’s Response to the King
The servant fell on his knees, begging the king, “Have patience with me and I will pay you everything.”

The servant’s words in V. 26 indicate that he feels a sense of responsibility to pay back the debt even though it’s impossible to pay back. He begs for patience.

The King’s Response to his Servant
Because of the man’s approach and heart condition, the King’s heart was moved with compassion, and he released him and forgave him [canceling the debt.]

Wow, a $10,000,000 debt cancelled simply because he asked for patience and mercy. This speaks volumes about the heart of God toward us.

James 2:13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

God’s nature is Just and Merciful all at once. These two character qualities seem unreconcilable.

The only way these two character qualities can be expressed simultaneously is when there is an advocate or a scapegoat to take the punishment thus satisfying God’s demand for justice and a recipient of mercy, satisfying God’s merciful character.

We see a beautiful illustration of this in the Cross. Jesus (God himself) taking our punishment, the ultimate in mercy so he can maintain his integrity expressing justice and mercy simultaneously.

The First Servant’s Response to the Second Servant
In v. 28 the same attendant, as he went out, found one of his fellow attendants who owed him a hundred denarii [about 20 dollars]; and he caught him by the throat and said, Pay what you owe!

The illustration is a simple one. The servant receives a tremendous bail out package from the king and then goes out immediately and demands justice when he’s been shown mercy.

And the contrast financially is a sharp one. This illustrates the debt of sin people can owe us.

Have you ever been hurt by a person?
Verbally
Physically
Even maybe sexually abused?
Maybe it’s much less severe. Is their ANYTHING in your heart against someone?

So his fellow servant did the same thing he did when he obtained mercy from the King. He fell down in v. 29 and begged him earnestly to give him time and he would pay all!

A Sharp Contrast between the King and the First Servant
The first servant who’d received mercy from the king was unwilling to give his fellow servant time to pay the debt in v. 30. He had him imprisoned until he could pay off the debt of 20 dollars!

Who have you put into your heart prison. Is there someone you haven’t forgiven. Yes they’ve hurt you but is it really even close to the hurt you’ve inflicted on God?
People who hold grudges and bitterness either haven’t been forgiven by the king or they have forgotten what it is like to be forgiven by the king.
When the Love of the king comes in and forgives you your debt it’s impossible to hold a petty grudge (of $20) against your brother or sister in Christ.

So you’ve got to ask yourself. If you’re carrying some unforgiveness against a brother or sister. Am I forgiven? Or am I just disconnected from the revelation of that forgiveness?

Bring in Some Balance
Does God forgive people if they don’t repent and ask for forgiveness? NO
Should you?

Well, Yes if you can. Do it to free yourself from lingering in the past. Those memories if not dealt with can be toxic to your present time.

Romans 12:19
19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,“ says the Lord.

However, if they genuinely, from their heart, ask you to forgive them, you HAVE to forgive them if you expect forgiveness from the King of Heaven for yourself.

Listen to what the King now says to the first servant.
V. 32 You contemptible and wicked attendant! I forgave and cancelled all that [great] debt of yours because you begged me to.

V. 33 And should you not have had pity and mercy on your fellow attendant, as I had pity and mercy on you?

V. 34 and in wrath his master turned him over to the torturers (the jailers), till he should pay all that he owed.

Again I believe this has a dual meaning.

It effects your here and now (what are some practical ways that unforgiveness is like being tortured or jailed?)
It effects your eternity.

V 35 So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.

Sometimes holding a grudge only effects you! The person who’s offended you doesn’t even know! LET IT GO!! Take it to the king and let that person free from your heart prison! It’ll make you feel better!

Some may say, “Pastor I can’t forgive what they did to me, I tried and I just can’t.” Well I would say to you that you need to catch a glimpse of God’s forgiveness for you again.

If they’ve asked for forgiveness it’s imperative that you do this. If they haven’t it’s important for your future.

Jubilee Family Church

The Kingdom of Heaven Part 5; Receiving the Keys to the Kingdom

To watch the video of this lesson click here.

Matthew 16:19
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Notice what Jesus says about Peter's insight and future role as a result of his revelatory reply in Matthew 16:17-19

1. Peter received this revelation from God.
2. Jesus will build his church upon this revelatory word.
3. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against this church.
4. Peter will receive "keys" which will enable him to "bind" and "loose."

So, what is this that Christ has promised Peter and not the other disciples? It is impossible to say with absolute certainty, but it would appear that Peter's powerful ministry exploits in the Book of Acts were empowered as a result of Peter’s obedience and Jesus’ response to Peter’s proclamation about His divinity.

1. When the Jews received the Word along with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, Peter was ministering.
2. When the Samaritans received the baptism in the Holy Spirit for the first time in Acts 8:9-25, Peter was again ministering.
3. When the Gentiles, in Acts 10:24-48, likewise, received the Word along with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, Peter was there again.

It appears that on all three occasions Peter was exercising the "keys" which had been presented to him in this passage of scripture. As a result, three separate categories of people, Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles were formally inducted into the newly-founded church, the Body of Christ. Those are some pretty powerful keys. There can be no question; Peter was set apart for special service on this occasion.

If we do the same things Peter did in regard to revelation knowledge are we also privileged with the keys to the kingdom?

Revelation Knowledge

Revelation knowledge is how we get the keys to the kingdom. Kingdom keys open kingdom doors.

Knowledge is great but knowledge that is not acted on is theoretical at best and valueless at worst.

The key to making knowledge beneficial is to have the courage to act on the knowledge that you have.

We’ve probably all met people who are really “book smart” but don’t seem to have the fabric in themselves to make decisions that will bring about the benefit of that knowledge.

Revelation knowledge is knowledge that is not revealed to you by man but is revealed to you by your heavenly Father.

Learning from men is not wrong but there is more to learning than just listening to things on a surface level. God can speak to you through men and if you have spiritual ears to hear you can discern when the Lords voice is speaking to you through a man. An interesting dynamic of God’s word is found in Hebrews 4:12. The word of God, being living and active. God can speak by revelation to one person, and another person, sitting right next to you, is simply hearing earthly information.

The Quakers believed that the Bible was written in layers and that the majority of the scriptures had different and deeper meanings. This is the underlying reason for John Bunyan's classic, “Pilgrims Progress”. The entire content of the book is allegorical. This means the characters in the story always represent something else with a deeper meaning.

One of the Dictionary definitions of allegorical is to have hidden spiritual meaning that transcends the literal sense of a sacred text.

I don’t believe the entire Bible is allegorical but I believe some of it is. When it’s allegorical we need to read and interpret it as such. Sometimes we can get out of balance and miss the simple meaning that is laid out in scripture searching for a deeper meaning.

It’s wise to understand the surface meaning first before plunging to some secret meaning.

Revelation knowledge

Peter took what he knew about Jesus from the natural things he’d seen, what he knew about the Bible and what he felt like God was confirming in his heart and makes the declaration that, “Jesus was the Christ, the son of the Living God.” This is how we also receive revelation knowledge. Our declaration can be action of some kind also.

Because we know, we act.

Wisdom from the Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"—

How many of us can quote verse 9 but forget about verse 10?

10but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Jeremiah 33:3
'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

In Christ is the fullness of Wisdom

Colossians 2:2-4

2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

What does it mean to be bound on Earth and bound in heaven? How do we bind and loose?

1. Revelation

We’ve already discussed revelation knowledge being foundational to binding and loosing.

2. Confronting Conflicts

Matthew 18:15-17

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.‘ 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Conflict Resolution, or the lack their of causes binding and loosing.

The Scripture before the passage on binding and loosing is in regard to conflict resolution.

The Scripture after the passage on binding and loosing is in regard to the prayer of agreement.

3. The Prayer of Agreement

The prayer of agreement binds and looses heavenly things.

Matthew 18:19-20

19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

In Conclusion

1. Revelation Knowledge with action is the foundation upon which the church is built and creates a binding and loosing environment for the person that’s walking in this type of knowledge.

2. Forgiveness, conflict resolution and church discipline also activate the kingdom dynamic of binding and loosing.

3. The prayer of agreement also activates binding and loosing.