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December 30, 2009

Jesus Christ, God in the Flesh...



...even as a baby in the manger

These notes are best used in conjunction with the video or the audio.  To watch this video please CLICK HERE. To listen to this message please CLICK HERE.

Why is Understanding the true identity of Jesus Christ vital?  It's vital because if Jesus isn't God, He can't forgive you of your sins.  Check out Luke 5:21

Luke 5:21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, "Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?“

Heresy
There are heresies, then there are damnable heresies. I believe not rightly discerning who Jesus Christ is, is one of those heresies that can cost you eternal life.

Every non-Messianic Jew
Every Muslim
Every Universalist
Every Jehovah's Witness
Every Mormon
and Others

don’t believe Jesus Christ was God. They may think good thoughts about Jesus and say things like, "I think he was a very good person." or "He was a great prophet," but they don't understand what his true identity was and is.

There are billions of people that have a false understanding of the identity of Jesus Christ.

1.  Explicit Verses on the Divinity of Christ(Matt. 1:23): The angel was referring to Isaiah's prophecy: "'Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel'. Which is translated, 'God with us"' (Is. 7:14).
(Is. 9:6): "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is
given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And
His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace“.

2.  Jesus the Logos of God
(Jn. 1: 1): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
(Rev. 19:13): "He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.“ The term "The Word" stands for 'Logos" in Greek.
If A is C and B is C then A is B
If the Word is God and Jesus is the Word then Jesus is God.

3.  Jesus the Creator
(Jn. 1:3): John says about the Lord Jesus Christ "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.“
(Heb. 1:2): says "He made the worlds.“
(Col. 1:16): "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."

4.  Sending the Holy Spirit
We know from the Old Covenant that God is the One that sends the Holy Spirit.
"I am the Lord your God and there is no other... And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams" (Joel 2:27-29).
Here Jesus says He will send the Holy Spirit.
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" (Jn. 15:26)

5.  Jesus Descended from Heaven
The Lord Jesus Christ says: "I am the bread which came down from heaven" (Jn. 6:41), and thus He is the Giver of life, 'for the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world' (Jn. 6:33).
The Lord Jesus Christ repeats: "I have come down from heaven" (Jn. 6:38), and explains His coming down from heaven by saying:
“I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father" (Jn. 16:28).

6.  Being the Lord
"I am the Lord, that is My name, and My glory I will not give to another" (Is. 42:8).

   a.  Lord In prayer
Prayer using the word 'Lord' should be addressed to God only. Regarding this the Lord Jesus Christ said in the Sermon on the Mount: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matt. 7:21).

   b.  Lord at Birth
"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord' (Lk. 2:10,11).

   c.  Lord During Life
"'Lord, save me! 'And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him" (Matt. 14:30,31)

   d.  Lord at The Resurrection
"You seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He is risen' as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matt. 28:5,6).

   e.  Lord at the Ascension
"So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs" (Mk. 16:19,20).

7.  Being the Son of God
Christ's Sonship to God was the reason for the Sanhedrin's sentencing Him to death. The chief priests could not find a reason to condemn Him because even though many false witnesses came forward, their testimonies did not agree. So the high priest rose and said to Him: "I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God' (Matt. 26:63).

If His Sonship were an ordinary sonship like the sonship of all the people to God, what was the significance of the high priest adjuring Him before the greatest Synagogue at the time asking Him if He was the Son of God?

When the Lord answered in the affirmative, "the high priest tore his clothes, saying, 'He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!"' (Matt. 26:63-65) And they sentenced Him to death for this reason.

  • Blasphemy - of those who speak contemptuously of God or of sacred things
  • Contempt - the act of despising : the state of mind of one who despises: lack of respect or reverence for something

Satan addressing Jesus as, The Son of God
Satan's question implied the Sonship to God which has extraordinary miraculous power that can change stone into bread, and not the ordinary sonship of all the children of God.

Satan speaking through the crowd at the cross
"If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross“ (Matt. 27:40). Therefore it was understood by all that Christ's Sonship was not a common sonship, but a Sonship which had miraculous power that could enable descent from the cross.

8.  The Only Begotten Son of the Father
"He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the Only Begotten Son of God' (Jn. 3:18).
If belief in This Only Son gives everlasting life and takes away condemnation, then this is further proof of His Divinity.

9.  Belief in Him
"You believe in God, believe also in Me" (Jn. 14: 1). Thus Jesus put the belief in Himself equal with the belief in the Father.

10.  His Relationship with the Father
11.  Being beyond Time
12.  Being the First and the Last
13.  Him Being Omnipresent
14.  Him Being the Judge
15.  Him Being the Examiner of Hearts and Minds
16.  Him Being Good and Holy
17.  Being the Forgiver of Sins

When Apostles are Worshiped
Acts 14:8-15
 8In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.  11When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!"  12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.  14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15"Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you.

Acts 10:25,26
25As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself."


18.  Jesus Accepting Worship and Prayer
   a.  When He gave sight to the man born blind and called
him to believe in Him as the Son of God, the man born
blind said: "'Lord, I believe! 'And he worshipped Him"
   b.  After He had walked on the sea and made His disciple
Peter walk with Him, "those who were in the boat came
and worshipped Him, saying, 'Truly You are the Son of
God' " (Matt. 14:33), and He accepted this worship from
them.
   c.  The woman who suffered from a flow of blood
worshipped the Lord Jesus after He healed her (Mk 5:33).
   d.  Jairus worshipped Him, saying: "My little daughter lies
at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her,
that she may be healed, and she will live" (Mk. 5:23).
Thus it was worship preceded by faith in Christ that He is
able to raise the dead by merely laying His hands on
them. And Christ did raise his daughter for him (Mk.
5:41,42).

There are approximately 12 instances of these type of things that happen in the Bible further illustrating the Divinity of Christ


19.  Him Being the Giver of Life
20.  Authority over Nature
21.  Authority over Angels
22.  The Kingdom Belongs to Him
23.  His Authority over Life and Death
24.  His Authority over the Law
25.  His Authority over Himself
26.  His Authority over Demons
27.  Being the One to Whom Glory and Power Belong

28.  Being the Savior and the Redeemer
  a.  God alone redeems and saves the human race
"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God “ (Is. 44:6).
   b.  Christ alone is the Redeemer and Savior of the world
"for He will save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:2 1). Yet His salvation was not for His own people only, for He said: "I did not come to judge the world but to save the world' (Jn. 12:47). And it was said of Him: "This is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world‘ (Jn. 4:42)

Giving the proceeding scriptural realities it's obvious that a logical conclusion for the identity of Jesus Christ is that his is God in the flesh.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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December 18, 2009

Raymond Howard's Testimony


In order to hear Raymond's testimony please Click Here

I met Raymond Howard about one year ago as a result of his loving family members sharing the gospel with him.   I rejoice with Raymond over his walk with the Lord and the deliverance God's given him from a life of hopelesness and drug addiction.  Jesus Christ has given Raymond hope and his love for the Lord is contagious.  Raymond likes to say, "It's not everybody loves Raymond, it's Raymond loves everybody."  Raymond also opens his home every Thursday afternoon for what we like to call "bean day".  Bean day as the name implies is a lunch where the main course is a very good pot of beans.  Other things are prepared as well, the fellowship and prayer time make bean day one of the highlights of my week.  The entire Howard family is a big blessing and Raymond fits right in.  We're all believing for more miracles to occur in Raymond's life as we rejoice over what God's already done to save him.  Please listen to his testimony by clicking above.  

As a result of the self inflicted gun shot wound to the head Raymond has damaged his brain and it's caused him to be confined to a wheel chair.  Pictured above is Raymond walking in faith as he reaches out to the Lord for a miracle healing.  Unfortunately he sat back down in his wheel chair but we're all in agreement with him for his total healing.  Please agree with us!

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack

December 15, 2009

Knowing and Doing


These notes are best used in conjunction with the audio or video of this teaching.  Click here to listen to the audio.  Click here to watch the video.

God wants Christian people to do His will.  Some people define wisdom as applied knowledge.  Many of us know more than we apply in several areas of life. What are the keys or secrets to applying the information we have?


Key # 1 Self Discipline
2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Tied into the root word of “disciple” is the idea and concept of discipline. Someone who’s disciplined is able to do what they don’t like in order to accomplish a greater good or a greater goal.

“The price of discipline is always less than the pain of regret”

For example, you might not like the taste of broccoli but you realize the health benefits to a diet rich in green vegetables so you eat them any way.  A self disciplined person understands the concept of “No pain, no gain”. They are willing to make sacrifices now to achieve something better for their future.  Being a disciplined person is a foundation for reaching out to God in a systematic way. Self-discipline is a foundation for faith to operate upon.  Self disciplined people believe in a future they cannot see with the natural eye but they’ve seen it with faith so consequently they work to achieve their dreams.  Hundreds of athletes jump into swimming pools all over the world to train and prepare for the Olympics but only one will win the gold medal. All think they are going to win it. That belief motivates them all to swim.


Key #2 Overwhelming Knowledge
When you know that you know that you know. When God has spoken to your heart. That motivates you to action.

When we become absolutely convinced that God has something for us it will motivate us to obey.


When we know deep in our hearts that the Lord has spoken something to us, it will motivate us to re-arrange our priorities, pray, to serve and to work in the Lords harvest field.
  
1.  Priorities Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Most people are in pursuit of something. 

2.  Pray When we know that God has told us that our whole household will be saved we will persevere and continue in prayer for them.   
     Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household."

We all have the same Bible but we don’t all have the same deep seated knowledge from heaven. Some people can know what the Bible says but at their core they really aren’t sure if it’s true or not. This is demonstrated by their actions.

 3.  When We know the Kingdom of God is Supreme we Serve
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.
Acts 20:19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.
Sometimes our service can be painful.
How we serve
Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

Better results new motivation. Serving by the spirit instead of by the written code.

2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.


Key #3 Accountability
Find a friend that you can work together with. Hold one another accountable. Got a sin problem. Confess it to a friend and agree together in prayer for victory. Want to lose weight? Get a partner and help one another, motivate one another.


Key #4 A Clear Understanding of God’s Redemptive Plan
 God Loved you so much that he sent his one and only son to die for you.  He did this while we were still in sin. God has a lot of faith in us! He must believe in us in order to make such a large sacrifice for us.
When we see the price God paid for us and really understand it there is no escaping a sense of empowering, motivating love.

Same Message, Different Response
How can a person look at the cross and just sit there? It’s amazing that people can.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Take a good look
When we realize that God did so much for us it’s impossible not to serve and obey him. When it really sinks into our spirits there is no escaping the abundant life God has planned for you.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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December 14, 2009

2 Chronicles 7:14

I received an e-mail that I thought I'd share with you from Judge Roy Moore.

America the beautiful,
or so you used to be.
Land of the Pilgrims' pride;
I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,
Abortion on demand,
Oh, sweet land of liberty;
your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly
poisoned by cocaine
choosing to indulge their lusts,
when God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea,
our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love
and a need to always pray

We've kept God in our
temples, how callous we have grown.
When earth is but His footstool,
and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government
that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer
in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby
before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not
angry, that our land's a moral slum?
How much longer will He wait
before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,
from Whom we cannot hide?
What then is left for us to do,
but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,
will humbly turn and pray;
Seek His holy face
and mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven;
and forgive us of our sins,
He'll heal our sickly land
and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,
If you don't - then you will see,
A sad but Holy God
withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack

December 10, 2009

A Carrot, an Egg, and a Cup of Coffee



You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans... She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied...
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, how ever. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?


If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


View Larger Map
by Tony V. Hammack

December 9, 2009

Letting Go of Anger


by Butch Kelley

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the video of this message.  Please Click Here to watch the video on Letting Go of Anger.


Part 1: Are You Angry?

Ephesians 4:26-32
I. Anger can devastate marriages, separate children and parents, and poison other relationships. That’s why the apostle Paul encouraged believers to deal with anger quickly—before it could take a toll on their lives (Eph. 4:26-27). Let’s explore what the Bible says about this powerful emotion.

II. Anger Defined
   A. Anger is a strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation that results from a real or imagined threat, insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or others important to you.    B. There are three categories of anger.
      1.) Rage: an explosive, uncontrolled expression of anger.
      2.) Resentment: unexpressed anger. When people try to deny their hurts and frustrations, resentment is the result. This type of anger will destroy them from the inside out.
      3.) Indignation: righteous anger about injustice, oppression, or an unholy situation. God’s anger falls into this category.

III. Anger in Scripture
   A. The Old Testament books of wisdom provide some of the best verses on this subject.
Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”
Those who are slow to become angry may still feel upset, but they control their emotions rather than letting anger turn to rage. The Word of God also cautions us against associating with those whose lives are characterized by anger.
(Proverbs 22:24-25) says, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”
   B. Anger plays an important role in many well-known Bible stories. The first person to become angry was likely Adam, who blamed Eve for their sin (Gen. 3:12). Cain, Moses, Saul, Jonah, and Peter are just a few others who were motivated by anger.

IV. Causes of Anger
• Not getting our way: Some people grow angry when they lose control of a situation.
• Feeling rejected: Being excluded, overlooked, or mistreated can stir up hostility.
• Loss: Losing what we cherish, or simply fearing that loss, can make us angry.
• Disappointment: Unmet expectations can lead to anger.
• Injustice: When we see people mistreated, we can become indignant on their behalf.
• Feeling inadequate: Comparing our life to the lives of others may upset us.

V. Good vs. Bad Anger
   A. The Bible reveals God expressing holy anger.
      1.) The Lord became angry with the Israelites for marrying foreign women. He knew that their wives would introduce the worship of pagan gods.
      2.) Jesus angrily rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and unmerciful interpretations of God’s laws (Matt. 23:13-33; Mark 3:2-5). His indignation at their misuse of the temple led Him to turn over their tables and chase them from His Father’s house (Matt. 21:13-14).
   B. You and I can have righteous anger when we become upset over the mistreatment of others or when we feel compelled to rectify an unholy situation. But most of our anger is wrongly motivated by self-interest. Unrighteous anger generally takes one of two forms.
• “Powder keg anger” is explosive. Anyone in its path, such as a spouse, is usually taken by surprise.
• “Crock pot anger” simmers and boils for a long time. Some people may be in complete denial about their stewing emotion or may take pride in possessing the ability to control their behavior. But denied anger is like a poison—spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

VI. A Five-fold Test for Anger:
Ask yourself these questions to see if you are harboring unrighteous anger:

  • Is my anger directed toward another person? Try to identify the individual.
  • Is it without a justifiable cause? If your anger is selfish, you need to repent, forgive that person, and move on.
  • Am I seeking vengeance? If you have a desire to “get even,” or harm the other person in some way for a misdeed, you are not operating according to Scripture.
  • Am I cherishing anger? You might resist surrendering your frustration to the Lord. Maybe on some level, you want to be upset. Unless you release it to God, however, you will be unable to experience the freedom He longs to give you.
  • Do I have an unforgiving spirit? Perhaps you feel that you simply can’t lay down your anger. But with the Lord’s help, I’m confident you can.
Part 2: Consequences of Anger

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27

I. A Threefold Warning in Ephesians 4:26-27
   A. First, we are to “be angry, and sin not.” In other words, don’t give in to rage and resentment towards another person.
   B. Second, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” God does not want us to go to sleep at night without dealing with the hostility we felt that day.
   C. Third, “Do not give the devil an opportunity.” Tragically, you and I sometimes become upset unnecessarily because we misunderstood another person’s comment.

II. The Consequences of Anger
   A. To ourselves:
      1. Anger breaks our fellowship with God. We can’t be at peace with the Lord while we are angry with another individual (Matt. 5:23-24).
      2. Your relationships with other people will suffer. For example, a marriage will not thrive if one or both spouses become angry and refuse to address the problem.
      3. You will develop a critical spirit. Bitter people often become judgmental in an effort to justify their negative feelings.
      4. You will lack peace. Hostility makes you restless and robs you of joy.
      5. Anger leads to emotional isolation. When people are wounded, they often try to protect themselves from further hurt by pushing others away.
      6. Anger results in frustration and anxiety. You may expect betrayal or constantly question the motives of those who are kind to you.
      7. It leaves you feeling empty. When we cut ourselves off from friendships in order to prevent further hurt, God allows us to feel lonely.
      8. It can also cause you to become narrow in mind and heart. You begin to criticize and belittle others—perhaps through joking––but the barbs are real.
      9. Anger sometimes manifests itself through chronic tardiness. By being late, people seek to demonstrate that no one can tell them what to do.
      10. Hostility can make you disagreeable. If you have unresolved anger, it can make you argumentative with everyone, not just the person who offended you.
      11. Anger can make you sloppy on the job. You may begin to justify failing to look your best, do your best, and be your best at work.
      12. Anger can cause you to lose your enthusiasm. You may withdraw from social activities or lose your excitement for hobbies and passions.
      13. Hostility, if left unchecked, results in procrastination. It diminishes your ability to concentrate, so you are less likely to complete tasks.
      14. Anger can contribute to obesity, because people try to comfort themselves through food.
      15. It also prevents genuine sexual intimacy in marriage.
   B. To our health:
      1. Unresolved, unrighteous anger increases your adrenalin level, heart rate, and blood pressure. Your mouth becomes dry and your hands get moist. Your stomach tenses and interrupts digestion, and blood rushes to supply your muscles with extra energy.
      2. Chronic rage or resentment, over the long term, contributes to ulcers, hypertension, heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. It results in crippling arthritis and severe depression. In short, every system of your body is affected. Initially, you may not feel these devastating effects of anger, but over time, they can ruin your health.
   C. To other people:
      1. Anger hurts those around us. Resentment separates close friendships and other relationships. It’s often a factor in divorce.
      2. Rage can cause damage to the belongings of others. Sometimes it even results in physical harm or loss of innocent life.
   D. To God:
      1. Anger grieves the Lord. Hostility does not fit who we are as children of God.
      2. It hinders His work. Those who harbor resentment are often not willing to obey His voice.
      3. The Father will not pour out His full blessing on an angry person.

Part 3: How to Handle Anger

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32

I. How do people handle anger?
   A. Repression: We deny that it exists.
   B. Suppression: You and I recognize that anger is there, but we refuse to deal with it.
   C. Harsh outbursts: Some individuals may make excuses for themselves, saying, “This is how God made me” or “I just have a short fuse.”
   D. Self-control: The right response to anger is to exercise restraint through the power of the Holy Spirit.

II. How should we deal with anger?
   A. Confess it. Denying your feelings will only cause you to stay angry longer. Whether or not you acknowledge the emotion, its poison will continue to affect you. By harboring anger, you will never know the fullness of peace and joy that a relationship with Jesus Christ can bring.
   B. Identify the nature and source. If you don’t identify the root of the problem, you could lash out at someone who did nothing wrong. For instance, people who were abused by one of their parents sometimes resent all authority figures, including pastors.
   C. Purpose to deal with it quickly. Satan wants you to dwell on your negative feelings so they will grow. But Scripture says to deal with your anger (Eph. 4:26-27). In some instances of extreme pain and suffering, you won’t be able to get rid of hostility before the sun sets. But you should acknowledge your feelings and decide to deal with them. You shouldn’t just accept rage as a natural response and allow it to become part of your life.
   D. Do not sin. It is possible to get angry without sinning (Eph. 4:26). In fact, anger can motivate us to take necessary action or right a wrong. Consider the example Christ set for us (Matt. 21:13-14; Matt. 23:13-33; Mark 3:2-5).
   E. Take a time out. Make a purposeful decision not to react quickly, because your first impulse will likely be an unwise one. Give the other person time to talk. Then you will be able to respond in a godly manner. You and I should strive to be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger”
(James 1:19; see also Ps. 103:8).
   F. Clarify and analyze the situation. Has somebody hurt those who are mad at you? Are they frustrated, insecure, jealous, or fatigued? You can use similar questions to analyze your own feelings as well. Getting to the root of the conflict will help you know how to address it.
   G. Deal with the problem. When anger is unchecked, it will turn into bitterness (Proverbs 30:33). So if you can’t get rid of this emotion immediately, make a commitment to seek healing.
   H. Ventilate. Secular psychologists often recommend freely expressing negative feelings. But as believers, we must carefully consider how our words affect others. So I recommend venting to the Lord. Get on your knees in a private place and tell God exactly how you feel. He will begin to work in your heart and draw you toward forgiveness.
   I. Put it away. Ephesians 4:31 says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” We should “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12). Both of these actions are possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
   J. Replace it. Harness the energy that anger gives you. Use it to wax your car, hit golf balls at the driving range, or clean out a closet.
   K. Determine the benefits. The positive side of anger is that it can motivate us to take constructive action, such as fixing problems. (See “D” above.)
   L. Prevent a wrong response from recurring. We can’t always avoid antagonistic feelings, but we can control how we react to them. Decide ahead of time how you will act in challenging situations. Determine to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become upset. (See “E” above.)
   M. Stay away from hostile people. Proverbs 22:24-25 says, “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself.” Refrain from starting relationships with those who are constantly irritated.


Part 4: Anger and Forgiveness

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30-32

I. Introduction:
There is awesome power in forgiveness. It is God’s solution for bitterness, resentment, and hostility. You and I need the freedom found only through sincerely and completely forgiving others.

II. A Few Definitions
   A. Anger is a strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation as a result of a real or imagined threat, insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or others important to you.
   B. Forgiveness is giving up resentment (anger) against someone else, along with your right to get even, no matter what has been done to you.
   C. Unforgiveness is the deliberate, willful refusal to give up one’s resentment and right to get even, based on the attitude that someone must pay for the wrong done.

III. Obstacles to Forgiveness:
   A. Lack of desire: You don’t want to forgive.
   B. Rehearsing what happened: Some people continue to dwell on the hurtful experience.
   C. Pride: We may believe the other person should initiate reconciliation.
   D. Fear: Some resist forgiving to avoid looking weak, being misunderstood, or feeling rejected.
   E. Negative advice: Well-meaning friends don’t always offer godly counsel.
   F. Partial forgiveness: People try to pick and choose which offenses can be pardoned.
   G. Relying on emotions: Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you feel like forgiving.
   H. Expecting quick results: Forgiveness can take time.
   I. Justifying the other person’s actions: Some people will rationalize what happened so that they don’t have to forgive.

IV. Scriptural Teaching
   A. Our fellowship with God suffers when we refuse to excuse others for their sins against us
(Matt. 6:14-15).
   B. We should forgive over and over. In Matthew 18:22, Jesus tells Peter that he must forgive his brother “seventy times seven” times.
   C. You and I must be willing to extend mercy towards those who sin against us, because God has forgiven each of us of so much (Matt. 18:23-35).
   D. We must deliberately turn away from anger and malice (Eph. 4:31-32).

V. Important Reminders
      1. As a believer, you have the responsibility to take the initiative in dealing with unforgiveness.
      2. Forgiveness will not always be easy or quick. But you can’t allow it to take root in your life and turn into bitterness.
      3. Forgiving is difficult because it is unselfish. It involves laying down strong feelings and rights while releasing the other person from his or her obligation to repay you.
      4. You may never forgive if you wait until you “feel like it.”
      5. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t always have to include going to the other person and confessing your resentment. Approach that individual only if the Lord directs you to do so.

VI. Steps to Dealing with Anger:
   1. Acknowledge that you have been totally forgiven. God saved you by grace––not because you deserved it. He has freely offered His forgiveness your entire life.
   2. Confess your anger to the Lord. Recognize that your attitude has not been right. Be specific in describing your hostility and resentment.
   3. Recognize that unforgiveness is sin. Honestly admit that it is a violation of biblical principles.
   4. Ask God to forgive you. You may also need to admit to the other person that your attitude towards him or her was wrong.
   5. Lay down the anger. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and by an act of your will, choose to let it go.

VII. Helpful Guidance
   A. God will reveal whether or not you need to confess your unforgiveness to the one who offended you. When that is the case, make sure you simply request forgiveness for your attitude without going into why he or she angered you.
   B. If meeting in person is not possible, set two chairs facing each other. Sit in one and imagine the other individual sitting across from you. Then, confess your resentment. You can also use this technique to practice confessing a wrong attitude before attempting it in person.

VIII. How to Know You Have Forgiven:
   A. The harsh emotions you’ve had towards others will be replaced by compassion.
   B. You’ll be able to accept others without feeling bitter, even if they never change. You will try to understand why they acted the way they did.
   C. You will feel thankful that God allowed the difficult experience to teach you more about the riches of His grace.

IX. Conclusion:
You and I don’t have to hold onto unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment.
We can escape the chains of self-destruction that entangle those who refuse to show mercy. When the Holy Spirit reminds you of the people you need to forgive, I hope you won’t ignore His voice. It is my prayer that you bravely and wisely choose to deal with those feelings. My friend, allow God to set you free¬¬––you will never regret it. While suffering a horrible death on the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Let’s follow His example and graciously forgive anyone who offends us. That way, you and I will be free to enjoy the abundant life God has planned for us.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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December 1, 2009

Love One Another


 By Tony V. Hammack

These notes are best utilized with the audio or video.  Please click here to watch the video or click here to listen to the audio.

1. John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
They way we’re supposed to love one another is illustrated in the way Jesus Christ loves us.
No greater love has anyone than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends.
God demonstrated his love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us. The kind of Love God has for us includes painful sacrifice.

What is Love?
When people say “I Love You”, they can mean a lot of different things. Let’s take a look at the type of love Jesus wants us to have for one another.

The Type of Love we’re to have for one another is agape love
   (a) Agape is the Greek word used to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, the attitude of God toward the human race, and to such as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly.
   (b) Agape is used to convey God's will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another, and toward all men,
   (c) Agape is also used to express the essential nature of God.

Love is a Choice
Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of His Son, it was not drawn out by any excellence in its objects. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself.
Love had its perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus.

Love-the greatest joy and pain
Love creates the greatest Joy when it’s reciprocated.
It creates incredible pain when it’s scoffed at or ignored.

2. John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

True disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ love one another with God’s type of love.
This type of love will communicate to all men.

What you are doing speaks so loudly I can hardly hear what you are saying.
Actions speak louder than words.

3. Romans 13:8-10 8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

When we love one another we show that God’s saving grace is in us and we are considered righteous by faith which expresses itself through our love for one another.

4. 1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

It takes a pure heart through obedience to have true love for the brothers.

There are different types of “love”. Some love is rooted in selfish desires or a desire to receive love.
We’re to love one another deeply from the heart. This means we’re not just supposed to tolerate one another but we’re supposed to love one another. This is a challenge for everyone.

5. 1 John 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

This message goes back to Cain and Abel. Don’t be surprised if the world hates you. Anyone who does not love illustrates that they are still in the way of death.

6. 1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
If we obey God’s commands (see above) we have confidence that God hears our prayers and we will receive what we ask for.

7. 1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Agape love is a divine expression from one person to another. Without receiving agape love from the Father Christian people will struggle in the way they express this love to one another.

8. 1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
When the Love of God touches our hearts we must express love for one another. It’s a divine nature that God deposits into the lives of his children. Those who have been touched by the love of God will touch others with the love of God.

9. 1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
By loving one another it causes God’s love to mature in us.

Before you go before the Lord in prayer please take a look at God's love for you by watching this video.






 Lets pray and ask God to show us by revelation the great love he has for us. He’s demonstrated it in the cross. Help us to have eyes to see the great love you’ve given us. Give us the grace to express the same love you’ve given us to others.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack