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Showing posts with label Vision. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vision. Show all posts

April 18, 2013

Encourage the Next Generation

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
Abundant Life Today Podcast

Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio.
 
We must lead the next generation by example if they are to catch the Spirit of Christ that is on us and transmit it to a time we will never experience.

Deuteronomy 3:28
But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.”

Noah went religious on the people striking the rock (Numbers 20:8-11) when he was supposed to speak to it. Therefore God raised up another man to take them into what God was going to do in their time.

You can’t pour new wine into old wineskins. (Luke 5:37) We must pray for new wineskins if we’re to receive what God is going to do in our time and in our generation. The message is timeless however some of our methods are subject to change with culture.

Martin Luther brought the pipe organ into the Church which had previously been associated with some of the less desirable elements of society. His intent wasn’t to be scandalous or controversial he simply wanted the common man to be able to not only read the Word of God but to also be able to worship.

There is some debate out there but some in the modern Lutheran Church state that, “Luther needed to find music that a congregation could sing, when they had no musical training and no resources for printing music. Some of the first music he chose was the music from taverns. Although the lyrics were sometimes scandalous and thus changed, the melodies were recognizable and reproducible. ‘A Mighty Fortress is Our God’ is one of these such tunes, stolen from a tavern song. And today it is probably one of the most beloved and reverent songs in the Lutheran Church. ~Jenna Pederson

I heard a story about a tribe in Africa that lived in round huts. A group came in that built the tribe a Church and they made it rectangular. For 2 years no one would enter the church. The leadership had the building torn down and then built a round Church which is now flourishing today.

In order to raise up the next generation we will have to make some changes ourselves.
  • Have Vision to do it
  • Sacrifice Time, your most important asset
  • Believe that you have something good to impart
  • Relate with someone outside your normal circle
  • Have Vision to do it
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Jesus spent the most important part of his ministry raising up others to carry on the work he was doing.

In John Maxwell’s book, the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership the law of the legacy states, “A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.”

How many amazing ministries, have ended with the death of the “head” minister. It’s unfortunate that more in leadership today aren’t more focused on raising up disciples, especially since it’s so central to the ministry of Jesus.

Timothy, Paul’s ‘Son’

1 Corinthians 4:16-17
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

2 Timothy 2:2
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Sacrifice Time, your most important asset

In order to encourage the next generation it’s going to take time. It would seem that many today in the modern Church want to do anything but fulfill the great commission.

Believe that you have something good to impart!

Many of us may feel like we are not equipped or we don’t have anything to offer but this is all a matter of perspective.

The person you are reaching out to on a one to ten scale when it comes to family modeling may be a 3 and you are an 8. You would therefore have a lot to offer this person. They may be able to solve complex algebraic equations but without your influence they will have a hard time holding their future marriage together.

In the previous example it will be next to impossible to measure the impact your influence had on this person but we don’t serve to be recognized. We serve to be faithful and obedient to God’s word.

Matthew 6:1-4
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Relate with someone outside your normal circle

Sometimes we’re creatures of habit and we have a routine that we get very uncomfortable changing. It would seem rather obvious however but to reach out to someone else, we’re going to have to make some subtle changes in our lives until we make the connection(s) with the people we want to encourage.

1 Corinthians 14:3
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

Romans 14:19
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

The neat thing about building these relationship is your intent is to give but very often there is some give and take that goes on and the person from the next generation that you are encouraging can have a way of enriching your life.

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. ~ Greek Proverb

Lord give us opportunities to encourage someone in the upcoming generation so we can leave a lasting legacy for your glory.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V. If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church45 Thunderbird Dr. Batesville, AR 72501 (870) 793-9124
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June 20, 2012

How Things Get Accomplished

By Tony V. Hammack

Abundant Life Today Media
Abundant Life Today Podcast



Podcast: Play in New Window | Download
To watch the video, click here.
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These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video.
 
 
  I.    Dream It – Understand God’s Will
  II.   Plan It – Administrate the plan
  III.  Build It – Get to Work

In order for things to happen in the Church there must be a heavenly dream, vision or direction. This is followed by an administrative plan to execute the vision, then it’s followed by work.



Dream It

Prayer and Bible Meditation

Your dream, if it’s going to be God’s plan for your life, must come from prayer and Bible meditation.

I, as well as several others in the Church, have been having visions of our Church building full of people.

The Vision

Habakkuk 2:2b
“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald[a] may run with it.

*Or so that whoever reads it
*The vision needs to be articulated in a simple way.

Plan It

The Plan of God

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Psalm 127:1b
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

This passage doesn’t mean the Lord literally builds the house; it means the Lord speaks to the builders what to build, where to build, and how to build and the builder’s hear and obey the direction of the Lord.

Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

God will find someone to execute his plan.  We want to make sure we’re in the plan in a positive way. I want to see the glory and manifestations of God.

Luke 19:44
44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

God came to the Jews in the person of Jesus the Messiah, but they failed to recognize him and rejected him, this resulted in national judgment.

I believe it’s in the heart of God to send a wave of renewal, revival, and awakening across the United States of America. The question then becomes, what role are we going to play in this?

*Oblivious to it?
*Watching from the sidelines?
*Riding the waves of revival?

Proverbs 15:22
Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Build It

Settle the Issue

When we’ve decided what GOD is saying then we should settle the issue and go for it.

James 1:6-8
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

God gives the information and the inspiration to do the work.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Acts 4:33
With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.

So the vision God has given us is to win souls and make disciples. This will require a plan and some work.

The Plan
  • Pray for the passion of Jesus to reside and increase in the people of this Church.
  • The plan is to teach everyone who’s willing an easy to remember, hard to forget, and fun way to share their faith.
  • Find leaders in the congregation who are willing and capable of teaching others by demonstration.
  • Release these new leaders to teach others by demonstration.
  • The end result looks like multiple, increasing, teams going out into the community effectively sharing their faith.
Nehemiah’s Response

Nehemiah 1:3b-4
The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.

In some figurative ways, the walls of our Country are broken down. There are multitudes of people within our country, city, and even churches who don’t know the Lord.

Have we taken the time to pray and allow God to touch our emotions at a deep and consistent level?

II Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

In order for things to happen in the Church, there must be a heavenly dream, vision, or direction. This is followed by an administrative plan to execute the vision, then it’s followed by work.

Having God’s Mind

In conclusion, I want to go back to the concept of vision and hearing from God and what this does inside the heart of a person. In the context of Nehemiah's call to rebuild the wall’s of Jerusalem.

A Call to Anguish
 ~David Wilkerson
Something from the previous generation is in danger of being lost.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:15 AM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) and Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM (Central Standard Time U.S.A.) If you can't be with us in person please visit via internet video on Jubilee T.V.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KBAP 88.1 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.
Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124



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June 16, 2010

Make Disciples

By Tony V. Hammack

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video. To listen to the audio (podcast), click here. To watch the video, click here.

Understanding the Vision Part 3
Our Vision
  • Win - Win the Lost by outreach and soul winning.
  • Consolidate - Help people get transformed from the world through “The Ultimate Journey” and encounters.
  • Disciple - Help get people involved in servant leadership and Life Groups.
  • Send - Launch new life groups.
3. Disciple
1 : a one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another b : a convinced, committed adherent of a school or individual. c : a student who follows.

The Mandate to Make Disciples
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

The Philosophy to Make Disciples
1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

The Greek model of education shapes our modern American educational theories.
Our philosophy will dictate our methodology. Our methodology will affect our outcome. We need to develop a culture and educational methodology that distinctively reflects our love for God.

Hebrew vs. Greek Educational Model
Hebrew education focused on relationship - Greek education focused on content
Hebrew teachers tried to shape students' hearts - Greek teachers tried to shape students' minds
Hebrew students were to become what their teacher was - Greek students were to learn what their teacher knew

Following my example or pattern
Philippians 3:17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern (tupos) we gave you.

Pattern - tupos primarily denoted "a blow" (from a root tup---, seen also in tupto, "to strike"), hence, (a) an impression, the mark of a "blow," John_20:25; (b) the "impress" of a seal, the stamp made by a die, a figure, image, Acts_7:43; (c) a "form" or mold, Rom_6:17 (see RV); (d) the sense or substance of a letter, Acts_23:25; (e) "an ensample," pattern, Acts_7:44; Heb_8:5, "pattern;" in an ethical sense, 1_Cor_10:6; Php_3:17; 1_Thess_1:7; 2_Thess_3:9; 1_Tim_4:12, RV, "ensample;" Titus_2:7, RV, "ensample," for AV, "pattern;" 1_Pet_5:3; in a doctrinal sense, a type, Rom_5:14. See EXAMPLE, FASHION, FIGURE, FORM, MANNER, PATTERN, PRINT.

Our Methodology of Discipleship

Selection
Association
Consecration
Impartation
Demonstration
Delegation
Supervision
Reproduction

A. Selection
Luke 6:12-13
12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

B. Association
John 3:22
After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.

C. Consecration
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

D. Impartation
Mark 6:7
Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

E. Demonstration – I do it and you watch.
Mark 5:1,2
The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man
 1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him.

F. Delegation – You do it and I watch
Mark 6:30
30The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

G. Supervision – You Do it and I watch from a distance
Mark 6:12-13
12They went out and preached that people should repent. 13They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

H. Reproduction – You do it
You raise up people that you are now training in the ways of the Lord who eventually learn how to train others up.

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. If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.  

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124

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June 9, 2010

The Jubilee Family Church Vision: Part 2; Consolidation

By Tony V. Hammack

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the audio or video. To listen to the audio (podcast), click here. To watch the video, click here.

Jubilee Family Church
Our Vision
1.  Win - Win the Lost by outreach and soul winning.
2.  Consolidate - Help people get transformed from the world through “The Ultimate Journey” and encounters.
3.  Disciple - Get everyone involved in servant leadership.
4.  Send - Launch new life groups.


2. Consolidation
To consolidate means to join together into one whole : unite : to make firm or secure : strengthen

Many Christians lack integrity. They in fact have one way of talking and another way of living. Consolidation causes those “two” people to become one. The same person they are in the dark becomes the same person they are in the light.

Integrity - the quality or state of being complete or undivided : completeness

The soul is dyed the color of it's thoughts. Think only of those things that can bear the full light of day.  The content of your character is your choice.  Day by day, what you choose, what you think and what you do is who you become…

As a life group discuss the above quote in light of Philippians 4:8 and  Matthew 6:4, 6:6, 6:18

Two Components to Consolidation
A. Soulish
     1. Mind
     2. Will
     3. Emotions
B. Spiritual
     1. Deliverance

A.  Soulish - For the notes on this portion you'll have to download the audio or video.  My wife, Pastor Andrea, covered this material and it's only available in audio or video form.

From a Soulish perspective we’ve implemented a ministry called “The Ultimate Journey”. This ministry helps people pull their lives back together understanding the past in light of Christ’s forgiveness.


B. Spiritual
Mark 5:1-13
1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.  6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him.  7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!" 9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" "My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. 11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Mark 5:2,6
1. The anointing of God will cause evil spirits to expose themselves; possibly even with a loud voice.

Mark 5:3-5
2. Demonic entities in the soulish realm of a person will promote certain behavioral patterns that are sinful or in the case of this man dangerous to others or one’s self.

Mark 5:7
3. Unclean spirits know the true identity of Jesus because they know him in the spiritual realm, the Second heaven.
  • Acts 19:15 15(One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?"

Mark 5:8
4. When talking to an unclean spirit keep the focus on expelling the spirit from the person.

Mark 5:9
5. If the spirit doesn’t immediately obey you and submit to the authority of Christ in you, you may find it helpful to ask it it’s name.

This spirit’s name like all demons is directly tied to it’s nature or agenda for that person.

Mark 5:10
6. The fact that the spirits don’t want to be cast out of the area lends support to the idea that unclean spirits may have a geographic assignment.

Mark 5:11-13
7a. Animals can be demonized. This lends credibility to the idea that demons dwell in the soulish realm of people. In the mind will and or emotions.  This is a place other than the spirit of man.
7b. This also opens up the possibility that a person who’s sincerely asked Jesus into their heart may have an unclean spirit that hasn’t been expelled.

Can a Christian have a demon?
This is a good question. I believe the answer is yes but I believe the answer is yes because the reasoning that say’s a Christian can’t have a demon is flawed.

The reasoning usually goes something like this.
The Holy Spirit and an Unclean Spirit can’t dwell in the same person.
Well if that’s true a person who’s saved and has the Holy Spirit living in them shouldn’t be able to sin ever again either, right?
But most if not all of us have had some kind of struggle with sin after we came to Christ. How can this be?

It can be because your soulish realm must be continually brought under subjection to the Lordship of Christ.

Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

In a positional sense we're righteous, however in a practical sense we've got to war by fighting the good fight of faith in order to keep our mind will and emotions doing the right thing.

Our faith is in the finished redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Colossians 2:15
15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

I don’t know who has demons but I know if I have one I want it gone.

Sometimes we have integrity problems because our mind needs to be renewed.
Sometimes in can have demonic roots.

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.
If you live in Batesville please tune into KCCJ - 106.9 FM to listen to contemporary worship music.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501

(870) 793-9124

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June 28, 2008

A Holy Spirit Sensitive Church

Well I was up early for me this morning because I'm so excited about what I sense the Lord is doing in the world today. I'm especially excited because of what that means to us at Jubilee Family Church. God's given us amazing ideas to reach our community and world for Him. Now it's time to execute the plan and walk out the direction and vision he's given us. I'm very confident in the Lord and believe him to be faithful on every level. As I sit here watching my dog "Buddy" chewing on a stick while laying in the slow falling mist I want to re-iterate something that I said last Sunday at church.

There's a strong push in the body of Christ to make the emphasis of the church people. Not just any people but lost people. I understand this philosophy and see some very powerful benefits to embracing this seeker sensitive movement. I however also realize that our church needs to have a very strong dimension to it's makeup that's what I call, "Holy Spirit Sensitive". Sometimes in an effort to attract big crowds ministries can compromise certain aspects of what they are doing in order to not be offensive to people who won't understand the message of the cross. I believe the message we preach should be comprehended by the people who are listening but I also know that Jesus often spoke in veiled speech to the multitude. However when in the presence of his disciples his message was plain and explained. I suppose what I'm saying is there needs to be a balance in our church. Some of the things that some Christian people have heralded as "a move of the Spirit". May just be people acting weird. I understand that also.
When God shows up in power people will come, the numbers will be there. I've decided to pursue the Lord to move in power and majesty in our services as apposed to making things comfortable to visitors. We do have several home cell groups that a visitor can go to; to connect relationally and experience true community and friendship. However when we gather together as a large group my heart is set to experiencing the manifest presence of God.

Well a crying baby who needs a nap is going to end my blog for now. God has given us the city!

Jubilee Family Church

June 5, 2008

Allow me to Ramble

Well I'm up late tonight. Thanks to swigging down some cold coffee after church and stopping for some additional caffeine at the gas station with Rick on the way home. I just wanted to thank everyone for loving Andrea, the kids and I. We feel so welcome here at Jubilee Family Church and in Batesville. We've only been here a year and a half but are extremely honored to be part of the community.

I'm very excited about some positive things that have happened with the Literacy Council of Independence county today. Chuck received a phone call from the IRS approving our 501 (c) 3 status. Things are moving forward nicely with the Literacy Council. I believe the Literacy council is a much needed service in our area to give people a hand up as apposed to a hand out. I love the concept of empowering people to take care of their own business. I also love the way teaching and education help defeat poverty in the lives of people. Our mission is to train tutors and help connect them to students who need basic literacy training as well as students who speak English as a second language. If you're interested in becoming a tutor or know of a potential student have them call the literacy council office at 870.793.5912.

Our web streaming is also moving along nicely. We web cast live, every Sunday morning at 10:00 AM and have an interactive online discussion every Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM CST. Participate with us if you're from out of town or even out of the country!

We were talking tonight about bearing fruit at church. I can't get off the page of using my life to glorify the Lord in the area of duplication. Duplicating myself into others, raising them up to be fruit bearing disciples of the Lord. That reminds me... I'll keep you all posted on our fair outreach. I haven't heard anything from the powers that be regarding a booth but have a guarantee that well be on the call list for a booth when they start organizing things. I'm excited to see Ron Brown in action winning souls. I've heard him mention evangelism explosion and the success that one of his previous churches had with it in the area of raising up new believers. I really enjoy getting around the zealous new believers. Don't you? They are so excited and full of life.

We'll be traveling up to Cape Girardeau this weekend for the Mellies Carbaugh wedding. That will be good and I'm excited for Andrew and Rachel.

Please keep praying for the successful launch of our two radio stations. I've got many hoops to jump through to turn the vision into reality. Thanks for praying with us for the fulfillment of the vision. I solicit your assistance in securing a location. I've been looking around and praying and have some thoughts. I need to press on some doors to see if one opens. Have a great week and feel free to make some comments.

Jubilee Family Church